An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 79

Author: Hines, Harvey K., 1828-1902
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1056

USA > Washington > An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 79

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Mr. Nesbitt was married in Missouri in 1868, this union being with Miss Eliza Clarkson, of Indiana. Mrs. Nesbitt departed this life in 1875, leaving one daughter, Ada, the wife of W. F. Byers. The second marriage was to Miss Elizabeth Miller, of Oregon, a daughter of S. H. Miller, a well-known pioneer of 1852. There have been born of this union five children : Mary, Minnie, Frederick, Maggie and a son who died in infaney.

C A. WALSH, a medical practitioner of Seattle, was born at Fishkill Landing, on the Hudson river, New York, April 13, 1843, a son of William H. and Ann (Tousey) Walsh, natives of New York and Connecticut respectively. The father was a lawyer of con- siderable prominence, and for many years was Judge of the Circuit Court of Dutchess county. IIe also took an active part in shaping the Demoeratie party of that State.

C. A. Walsh followed a preparatory course of study at the high school of Newburg, and then spent three and a half years in Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Returning to the United States just prior to the late war, he enlisted on the

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first call for troops, in Company C, Seventy-first Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was sent to Washington, and partici- pated in the first battle of Bull Run. After the ninety days of enlistment had expired young Walsh was discharged and returned home, but a few weeks later re enlisted for three years, in Company A, Ninth Regiment New York Vol- unteer Infantry, served in the armies of the Po- tomac and Cumberland, took part in the battles of Antietam, Falling Waters and Gettysburg, and the regiment was then sent to New York during the riots, and here Mr. Walsh was taken sick and subsequently discharged.

Returning to his home, he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Schenck, of Fishkill Landing, and Dr. D. Hayes Agnew, in the medical department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. After completing his second year at that institution, his finances be- came exhausted, and he was obliged to begin practice, which he did at the mines in Potts- ville, Pennsylvania, passing through the Molly Maguire difficulties. Dr. Walsh spent one year in practice in that city, three years at Owego, eight years at Bay City, Michigan, and then moved to Detroit, Michigan. In 1882 he grad- uated at the Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago. In 1887 he was instrumental in building and equipping Grace Hospital in De- troit. Of the funds for that purpose, $150,000 was donated by United States Senator James Mc Millan, and an equal amount by his partner, the late Hon. John S. Newbury, to which ad- ditional amounts were subscribed, so that, after spending $150,000 for land, building and equip- ments, there was an endowment fund of $280,- 000. In connection with this institution there was established a training school for nurses, which is now one of the most popular in the United States. The hospital was opened in De- cember, 1888, Dr. Walsh being duly installed as Medical Director and Surgeon. After two years of active service there his health became impaired, and he then made a tour in Europe, visiting the leading hospitals of Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Edinburg, Glasgow and London. Не

then returned to Detroit to resnine his duties, but, still in failing health, he decided that relief could be found only by change of climate, and he accordingly sent in his resignation. It was reluctantly accepted, and brought forth the fol- lowing preamble and resolution, which were unanimously endorsed by the Board of Trustees:

"Whereas, Dr. C. A. Walsh has severed his connection with Grace Hospital and is about to remove to a distant State, and the Trustees wishing to express their appreciation of the eminent services rendered by him and his de- votion to the interests of the said hospital, and recognizing the fact that but for his energy and perseverance as the trusted physician of the late Ifon. John S. Newbury and the family physi- cian of Senator James McMillan, the founder of said hospital, the same would not have been erected, and further that his ability, energy and skill were so fully recognized by the founders that they confided to him the execution of the details and counseled with him in all things connected therewith; therefore be it

"Resolved, That we tender to Dr. Walsh our best wishes for his success and happiness in his new home; that we know that his devotion to the interests of this hospital have ever been true, disinterested and intelligent, and that to him and his efforts its success is mainly due." Duly attested and signed, Jannary 16, 1890.

On arriving in Seattle the Doctor began in- vesting in property, and, his health improved, opened an office for the practice of medicine, giving particular attention to surgery and dis- eases of women, in which he had become emi- nent while in Detroit. He has erected a hand some dwelling, Colonial architecture, on Queen Ann hill. Dr. Walsh has invested extensively in both city and country property, thus identify- ing himself with the interests of Seattle and the State. In his social relations he affiliates with Miller Post, G. A. R., and blue lodge, chapter and commandery, F. & A. M. Religi- ously, he is a member of the Baptist Church.

Dr. Walsh was married in 1868, to Miss Sarah A. Lawson, a native of Newburg, New York. They have three children: James L., Frederick L. and William C.

E DWARD M. MCCLINTIC, proprietor of a livery, feed and sale stable on Market street, opposite St. Helen's Hotel, Che- halis, was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, September 13, 1853, a son of Nathaniel and Eliza (Sloan) McClintic, natives of Indiana. The parents are descended from old and influen- tial families of that State. The father died the same year that our subject's birth occurred.

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Edward M. McClintic, the youngest in a fam- ily of six children, passed the early years of his life on a farm. At the age of eighteen years he engaged in railroad work on the Union Pacific. In 1872 he became a locomotive fireman on the same road, and in the course of time was pro- moted to the position of engineer, in which capacity he continued until 1890. In that year he resigned his position, and located in Che- halis, Washington, since which time he has been engaged in the livery business. Mr. Mc- Clintic is one of those genial and accommo- dating gentlemen who has made a special study of the wants and necessities of the public in his line of business, and is prepared to furnish saddle horses and livery roadsters to those bent on business or pleasure. Ile makes a specialty of boarding stock, and also furnishes competent and careful drivers. He is always the same jovial and courteous gentleman, whether the call is a business or social one, and has the happy faculty of making new friends as well as retaining the good-will of those of earlier date. Although he has resided in the city only two years, Mr. McClintic is one of its most pro- gressive business men.

In September, 1876, he was joined in mar- riage to Miss Theda E. Clarke, a native of Illi- nois. They have had four children: Winnie, Clarene, Viola and Myrtle (deceased June 14, 1885). On national questions Mr. McClintic votes with the Republican party, but in local politics is indeed liberal. Socially, he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, and is a prominent member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers.

P S. WASHBURN, a capitalist and pros- perous farmer of Gate City, Washington, and one of the original town site owners of that thriving little place, is a native ot New York State, born May 16, 1826. Ile comes of old New England stock, his parents, S. and Vina (Warner) Washburn, being natives of New York State and Vermont, respectively. They were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only sur- viving member. Both parents died when the children were young, and they were left to care for themselves, with the assistance of relatives and friends.

The subject of this sketch was taken to Lee county, lowa, to live with friends, but drifted from there to other places in pursuit of all kinds of work, principally farming, until he arrived at the age of twenty-three years. Then, becoming tired of having no steady occupation, he started, in 1849, for the gold fields of California. He went down the Mississippi to New Orleans, and thence across the Gulf to the Isthmus of Pana- ma in a steamer, crossed the Isthmus and took a sailing vessel for San Francisco, at which place he arrived in the summer of that year, after forty-seven days' travel by land and sea. Gold was at this time very plentiful, and he visited and worked for seven years in most of the min- ing localities in California, meeting with great success. In 1856 he left that State and came to Oregon, setttling on Applegate river. Here also he was engaged in prospecting and mining for abont a year, when he started for the Sound country alone and afoot, carrying his blankets, and arrived in the spring of 1858, in Olympia, Washington Territory. Not finding employ- ment here, he at once proceeded to Steilacoom, in the same Territory, and in the summer of that year began to work on the military road between Nisqually river and Seattle. In the autumn of the same year, he started across the country, traversing what are now known as Ma- son, Kitsap, Jefferson and Clallam counties, also Vancouver island, and came to Pierce county, where he pre-empted 320 acres of land on the Nisqually river. He lived here abont seven years, when, in 1871, he traded his claim to Dan Monats for the same amount of land on Black river, which latter tract was then covered by a dense forest. During his first winter there, he killed fourteen congars or mountain lions, so wild was it, but at present he has the greater part of the claim under cultivation and has made many valuable improvements on it, until he now has one of the most valuable farms in the country. Two railroads, the Northern Pacific and Olympia & Gray's Harbor, run through his farm, making a junction at Gate City, the site of which was formerly owned by Mr. Washburn and R. B. Dodge. This place gives promise of becoming in time a thriving town, as the land around it is the very best and will soon be under excellent cultivation.

In 1874, Mr. Washburn was married to Mary J. McCallister, an estimable widow, who crossed the plains to Washington with her husband in an early day. After thirteen years of happy

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married life, Mrs. Washburn died, leaving her husband childless and alone. He still resides on his farm, a genial, hospitable man, in the enjoyment of the esteem of all who know him, and whose best wishes he has for his future prosperity and happiness.

C APTAIN SAMUEL JACKSON, one of the oldest steamboat navigators of Pnget Sound, was born in Plymouth, Massachu- setts, November 17, 1832, son of Captain Sam- uel and Nancy (McCreedy) Jackson, natives of Long Island and Massachusetts respectively. The subject of this sketch was reared under the influence of seafaring stories, and when but ten years of age he would accompany his father on his fishing excursions during the summer months, and during the winter found employ- ment about the foundries and shipyards, with but limited opportunities for attending school. Ile followed fishing up to his seventeenth year, then sailed upon larger vessels, through the deeper seas. During his earliest voyages ou the Elizabeth Fulton, about 1850, en route to the Pacific coast, the vessel foundered near the equator and went down. The crew all escaped in lifeboats, and after four days reached the land. He then sailed on the Criminal around Cape Horn to Valparaiso, thence by the ship St. Bernard to Callao and back to Philadelphia. He then sailed with the Enoch Train line of packet ships from Boston to Liverpool, carry- ing freight and passengers. He continued in that service five years, going in before the mast and coming out as mate. He then sailed as boatswain on the Niagara, from New York to Liverpool, and was wrecked on the Black Water banks in the Irish channel, and out of 265 pas- sengers all were saved excepting two. Our sub- ject continued sailing on the Atlantic up to 1856, then spent the summer on the Lakes Michigan, Superior and Ontario, and in the fall of 1856 went to New York and shipped as second mate on the ship Webfoot for San Fran- cisco, arriving in May, 1857. Ile then struck out for the mines and passed the summer in varions districts with reasonable success. In the fall he sailed to Hong Kong on the ship Sancho Panza, returning to San Francisco in 1858 on the ship White Swallow. In the fall of 1858 he again visited the mines aud contin-

ued through California, Nevada and Mexico, up to 1861, then came to l'uget Sound, which he had visited in 1858. He engaged in steam- boating on The Ranger No. 2. Since 1861 the Captain has served in various capacities in steam boat and tug boat service, and about four years as partner of Henry Atkins, in driving piles and building docks by contract. They built the first docks at Tacoma when the new town was being established. The Captain has also had quite a mining experience in the Car- iboo districts and at the headwaters of the Yu- kon river, where he met with flattering success, securing $2,000 in twelve days. Since 1890 he has been less active in navigation, giving more time to his personal affairs.

Ile was married in 1890, to Mrs. Rosa (Mc- Lain) Olney, widow of Captain Olney. They have one child, IIelen, and Mrs. Jackson had three by her former marriage: Earnestine, Jes- sie and Moses.

The Captain has a handsome cottage home on the corner of Fifth and Virginia streets, where the family reside, and he also owns other valuable property. Socially, he is a member of the American Brotherhood of Steamboat Pilots.

J S. BRACE, manager of the Western Mill, at Seattle, was born in Ontario, Canada, in August, 1861. His ancestors were from England, emigrating to America in the seven- teenth century, and locating in New York State, where for generations they were extensively en- gaged in the lumber business. Descendants subsequently removed to Ontario, where Lewis J. Brace, the father of our subject, was born. Being brought up in the lumber business, he adopted that line of occupation, and became one of the most extensive Inmber merchants and bridge contractors of Western Ontario. His wife, Mary (Gibson) Brace, was born in Ireland, but was brought to Canada in child- hood and there reared and educated. J. S. Brace was educated in the private school of Dr. Tassie, at Galt, Ontario. At the age of sixteen years he entered the Inmber business with his father, and managed the lumber department while his father looked after the building of ailroad and county bridges. In 1883 Mr. Brace and family removed to the eastern part of the Territory of Washington, where Mr.

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Brace engaged in the stock business, while J. S. Brace became connected with the Spokane Mill Company as superintendent, and remained in their employ four years. In 1886 the firm of L. J. Brace & Son was organized to engage in the lumber business, with a mill on Priest river and lumber yards at Spokane. In 1887, J. S. Brace resigned his position with the Spo- kane Mill Company to join his father in the new enterprise, and with him continued for one year, then came to Seattle as superintendent of the Western Mill, of which he is now manager. At that time the capacity of the mill was 30,- 000 feet per day, and so continued up to Au- gust, 1889, when a new mill was erected with a capacity of 100,000 feet. per day, and the old nill converted into a sash and door manufac- tory, to supply the jobbing trade. The firm also operated a planing and lath mill, employ- ing a force of 300 men in the several depart- ments. In 1892 the sash and door factory was leased and the mill is now operated in the man- ufacture of lumber, lath and finishing materials, affording employment to about 150 hands, the product being marketed in California, Mexico and throughout the East. The mill is also well known and patronized by the general trade. Mr. Brace retains his interest in the firm of L. J. Brace & Son. He was one of the incorpor- ators of the Northwest Fixture & Electric Com- pany of Seattle, and owns valuable real estate, improved and unimproved, in the vicinity of of Lake Union. Ile was married at Seattle, in 1890, to Miss Katie Frankland, of Providence, Rhode Island, and one child, Sarah Evelyn Maude, has blessed this union.

H ARRY McNEILL, passenger and ticket agent of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, Spokane, Washington, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, Decem- ber 13, 1861, son of James and Mary (Fee) McNeill. Early in life he moved to Indiana. There he attended the public schools, afterward going to Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he entered Antioch College, taking the literary course and and graduating three years later.

In 1880 Mr. McNeill commenced railroad work for the Chicago, Saint Louis & Pittsburg Railroad, a branch of the Pennsylvania system. He held this position until 1886, when he con-

nected himself with the Northern Pacific, and was stationed at Minneapolis. There he re- mained until 1888, when he went on the road for them in the capacity of tieket exchanger. In 1890, when the office of passenger and ticket agent was created at Spokane, Mr. McNeill was given the position and has satisfactorily filled it since that time. He is thoroughly well posted in the details of his department and the information he imparts to the public is reliable and well calculated to induce them to patronize the road he so well represents. Mr. McNeill takes a just pride in the road and never tires of expatiating on the beanties of the country through which it passes, and its superior and unexcelled passenger service. The interests of the road he has at heart, and it would be diffi- eult to fill his place should he be called to some other field of action.

Mr. McNeill was married in 1887, to Miss Lizzie Campbell, a native of Williamsburg, Indiana, and has an interesting little son, two years old, named Kenneth. He has brought his family to Spokane and hopes to make this city his permanent home.

Politically, he is a Republican and is devoted to the interests of that party.

W G. V. RENWICK, professional accountant, Spokane, Washington, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, December 25, 1861. His father, a clergyman, was a native of Northumberland, England, and his mother was a descendant of the ill-fated house of Stuarts.

The subject of our sketch received his pre- paratory education at Rugby. Ile then took a classical course at Clifton University and also studied theology. Leaving school before he completed his course, he went to sea as purser in the merchant marine service. In 1881 he eame to America and located at Winnipeg dur- ing the boom in Manitoba, and while there was engaged in speculating and farming. He came to the United States in 1884 and settled in Wisconsin, turning his attention to the lumber business for a time. In 1887 he again directed his course westward, and took up his abode at Puget Sound. IIe entered the service of Pierce county, as accountant, and established a system of county bookkeeping that was considered the most efficient of all in the State. Ile revised

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the books of Pierce county in such a manner that his work was most favorably commented upon and attracted wide-spread attention. About this time the county of Spokane required the service of and expert accountant, and at the earnest request of Judge J. J. Peel, Mr. Ren- wick came to Spokane in May, 1591, and took charge of the books, and as the result of his efficient work Spokane is considered the banner county of the State as regards its books.

Mr. Renwick was married in 1888, to Gen- evieve Mande Masters, a native of Corning, New York. He is a member and one of the choristers of the Episcopal Church.

D R. DAVID F. EAKIN, one of the old- est practicing physicians in Spokane, and a prominent and worthy citizen of the place, dates his birth in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1830. Hle is the seventh born in a family of eight children that reached adult years. His parents, David and Margaret (Cross) Eakin, were natives of Pennsylvania and Dela- ware respectively. They were married in Penn- sylvania and about 1813 or '14 moved to Ohio and settled in Carroll county, where they passed the rest of their lives, the mother dying in 1860 and the father in 1864. The latter was a farmer and took an active interest in political matters. He was not, however, an office-seeker and would never accept office. He and his wife were wor- thy members of the Presbyterian Church and in that faith they reared their family.

The subject of our sketch received his educa- tion at Hagerstown Academy and at Salem, Ohio, and began the study of medicine at Waynesburg, that State, in 1855, receiving private instructions for two years. He then began to practice. In 1858 he graduated at the Cincinnati Medical and Surgical College, and the following year practiced his profession at Augusta, near his old home. In 1859 he went to Colorado, spent six months in prospecting for gold, and then returned east as far as Glenwood, Iowa, where he established himself in practice and continued to reside for twelve years. In 1862 he entered the army as Assistant Surgeon in the Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and re- mained in the service two years, being First Surgeon for eight months of that time. In 1871 Dr. Eakin moved to Beloit, Kansas, then

a new town, and identified himself with its interest and resided there, engaged in the practice of his profession, until abont 1881, when he moved to Rich Hill, Missouri. Six months later we find him in California and located at Los Angeles. In the pring of 1883 he came to Spokane county, Washington, and took up his abode at Rockford, and in 1889 moved to Spokane. He is conducting a suc- cessful practice here, has bought city property, and has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of the place. He is a Republican, taking an active part in political matters.

Dr. Eakin was married in 1854, to Miss Amanda J. Brothers, a native of Ohio. They have had eight children, five of whom are liv- ing, viz .: Frank E., James D., Carrie M. (wife of Dr. Rhodes,) Willie N. and Carroll Victor. Thomas C. was drowned at Beloit, Kansas. The other two died in infancy. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

The Doctor is a prominent member of the G. A. R., and is now serving on the Pension Board. He is also a member of the Spokane County Medical Association.

B ENJAMIN W. PETTIT, manager of the Seattle Clearing House Association, was born at Rock Island, Illinois, February 26, 1867. His paternal ancestors were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, where his grandfather held a prominent position as a civil engineer and later in Maryland, as a banker. He located the old Cumberland turnpike before the days of railroads, and subsequently located the first railroad out of Baltimore, the same being among the first railroads of the United States. .

Hon. Win. B. l'ettit, the father of our subject, was born in Cumberland, Maryland, subse- quently removing to Illinois, where he married Miss Emily Coldy. Mr. Pettit was prominently connected with the milling interests of Rock Island, and later entered into the grocery busi- ness in which he is now engaged. Benjamin W. was educated in the schools of Rock Island np to the age of sixteen years, when he en- tered the Bryant & Stratton International Busi- ness College at Davenport, Iowa, where, in 1884, he received his diploma and at which time he was tendered and accepted a position with Henry

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Dart's Sons, wholesale grocers, as bill clerk, and later was advanced to the position of book- keeper, continuing in their employ four and one-half years.

In November, 1889, he came to Seattle. Ilis first employment was as stenographer for attor- ney George E. M. Pratt, but in December fol- lowing he secured the position as accountant for Dexter Horton & Company, bankers, and has continued in that position. He was married, at Rock Island, Illinois, October 14, 1891, to Miss Anna C. Kahlke, a native of New Orleans, and of German descent. This union has been blessed with one child, Eloise Marie.

The Seattle Clearing House Association was organized June 1, 1889, but the first meeting was closely followed by the great fire of June 6, so that the business of the association was not really commenced until August 26, 1889. The original banks constituting the association were the Puget Sound National, First National, National Bank of Commerce, Merchants' Na- tional, Dexter Horton & Company Guarantee Loan & Trust Company, Commercial National, Washington National, Washington Savings, and Boston National. Since the date of organiza- tion the following banks have joined the asso- ciation: King County Bank (now Puget Sound Savings Bank), Bank of British Columbia, Seattle National, North End Security Savings Bank, and the Scandinavian-American Bank. The first officers elected were Jacob Furth, president; Abram Barker, secretary and man- ager, and subsequently, in September, 1891, Mr. Pettit was elected manager. Business was active after the fire and the clearances from Au- gust 26 to January 1, 1890, amounted to $16,- 579,478.85; from January 1, 1890, to January 1, 1891, 856,753,230.09; from January 1, 1891, to January 1, 1892, $48,976,347.90; from Jannary 1, 1892, to January 1, 1893, $55,514,556.21. The value of the clearing-house association in expediting business is thoroughly recognized in the financial and commercial circles of the city.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 79

Author: Hines, Harvey K., 1828-1902 Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1056

Author: Hines, Harvey K., 1828-1902
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1056