An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 81

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 81

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

In Ohio, în 1846, Mr. Marsh was united in marriage to Mary E. Strong, a native also of Ohio. They have had eight children, five now living: Clara N., now Mrs. George Whipple; Harriet, wife of Lysander Pelton; John; Jessie and Sammel. The deceased are: Eugene, who died at the age of four years; William, at the age of twenty-two years; and Jennie, deceased in infancy. Mr. Marsh has been prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of Vancouver since his residence here; was a char- ter member of the City Council, in which posi- tion he served nine years, and from 1854 to 1860 was employed in the Quartermaster's Department in the United States Army. Mr. Marsh also assisted in bringing to a proper set- tlement the difference between the Saint James Catholic Mission and the site of the city of Vancouver.

A MASA S. MILLER, of Seattle, Washing- ton, was born in Waldo county, Maine, August 5, 1826, a son of Uriah and Mary (Stetson) Miller, natives also of that State. The parents were descended from the early pioneers of Maine. The father followed an agricultural life until the great gold excitement of 1849, when he joined a company of the sturdy sons of Maine, who together erected a ship at Bath, known as the California Packet, loaded her with necessary supplies, and started on their long journey around Cape Horn, arriving safely in San Francisco in April, 1850. Mr. Miller then went to the mines in Tuolumne county, and a few years later brought his family to that State. lle continued mining for about eighteen years, and then passed the remainder of his life on a farm.

Amasa S. Miller improved the limited means afforded him for an education, and remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when, in January, 1847, he left the old home, his capital being honesty, integrity and sobriety. Ile embarked on the brig Elizabeth Watts for New Orleans, and was there engaged as assistant overseer on a large sugar plantation two years. Mr. Miller next followed steam boating on the Mis- sissippi river, eommeneing as watchman, but, by steady and rapid promotion became first mate. In April, 1849, he left St. Joseph, Mis- souri, with the Gibson Emigrant Company, composed of fifty-two men and a fine outfit, and

crossed the plains to California, personally driv- ing a six-mule team. The train was well man- aged, and the entire distance to Ilangtown was traversed in sixty days, the party arriving in that city about July 9. lle immediately began mining, later joined his father, and they con- tinued together until 1853. In that year our subject went to San Francisco, took passage on the little schooner L. P. Foster, and, after a journey of eleven days, arrived at Port Gamble, Puget Sound. During the first two years he assisted in the erection and worked in Pope & Talbor's sawmill, and during that time worked side by side with Cyrus Walker. Mr. Miller was next engaged in logging for the same com- pany, and also by contract work, until 1879.

Mr. Miller was one of the representative men of Kitsap county, was elected to the Legislature by the Republican party in 1860, and was con- tinuously re-elected for nine successive terms. In 1879 he sold his possessions in that county and located in Seattle, where he has since been engaged in the real-estate business. He also conducted a grocery store about two years. In 1881 our subject was elected to the Territorial Council, has served as Government Surveyor four years, and as a member of the Common Council of Seattle four years. After the adop- tion of the new city charter, in 1889, he was elected a member of the first Board of Alder- men, and became president of that body during his term of two years.

In Port Gamble, in 1858, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Margaret MeElroy, a native of Ireland, but reared from infancy in Machias, Maine. She removed to California in February, 1858. To this union have been born six children, Henry Walker Miller being the only one living. Mr. Miller has been long con- nected with the Masonic order, in which he has risen to the distinguished position of the thirty- second degree, being a member of both the Scottish and York rites.

A LLAN RICHFIELD CAMERON, resi- dent of Seattle and manager of the whole- sale market of A. J. Splawn & Co., was the first child born at Richfield, in the celebrated mining district of Cariboo, British Columbia, this notable event occurring on the 25th of October, 1862, his parents being of Scotch ancestry. His primary education was

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

conducted at Cariboo, and was followed by four years of continuons study at the Catholic Col- lege at New Westminster. His first business experience was in the employ of Benjamin Van Valkenburg, of Victoria, British Columbia, a wholesale butcher. Onr subject learned the business from the first principles, and by dne diligence ascended the scale until he became bookkeeper and confidential clerk, remaining until 1890, when he came to Seattle and en- gaged as bookkeeper of the Okanogan Live Stock & Dressed Beef Company, subsequently becoming manager. He then operated the busi- ness until it was sold out to A. J. Splawn & Company, wholesale and retail butchers, and, continuing as manager of. their market in Seat- tle, has built up a large and extended business. A. J. Splawn is one of the pioneers of Waslı- ington Territory, who engaged in the stock business, which he has continued in a very ex- tensive and successful manner, his reputation making him one of the best known stockmen of the Northwest.

Mr. Cameron was married in Victoria, Brit- ish Columbia, to Miss Minnie Mc Pherson, niece of John A. Cameron, a California pioneer, who also passed through the Fraser river gold ex- eitenient, and was one of the syndicate who owned the Cameron claim at Cariboo. Because of his remarkable success at placer mining, he became generally known as "Cariboo Cameron." He was a native of Canada, and there took his fortune for investment, but after twenty years absence, through unfortunate speculations, he was again reduced to penury, when visions of the golden days at Cariboo returned to him, and, though an old man, with inspired enthusiasm, he again visited Cariboo, where shortly after his arrival he sickened and died, and now lies buried upon the site which made his name popular and prominent.

Mr. and Mrs. Cameron have one child, Allan and John Cameron.

J OHN W. BARNETT, Sheriff of Lewis county, was born in Lucas county, Iowa, September 26, 1851, a son of James W. and Dinah Barnett, the former a native of Vir- ginia and the latter of Indiana. The father was an Iowa pioneer of 1849. The parents now re- side in Lewis county, Washington.

James W. Barnett, the second in a family of ten children, was early inured to farm life. Ile moved from lowa to Reno county, Kansas, in 1875, followed farming there three years, was employed as clerk in a general mercantile store in Portland, Oregon, two years, and was then connected with the butchering business for a brief period. In 1881 Mr. Barnett permanently located in Chehalis, Washington, where he was engaged in clerking and other occupations for a time. As he became acquainted with the citi- zens of this city and county his popularity brought his name before the public, and he was elected City Marshal, serving in that capacity three years. He had the distinction of being a member of the first City Council after the in- corporation of Chehalis, and has been connected with the Sheriff's office abont eight years. Mr. Barnett first served as a deputy under Sheriff F. A. Degeler, and at the time of the latter's resignation was appointed to fill the duties of the office by the County Commissioners in March, 1891. He was re-elected to that posi- tion in 1892. He takes an active interest in both national and local politics, and votes with the Republican party. In his social relations he has passed all the official chairs in the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W.

November 23, 1870, in Iowa, Mr. Barnett was united in marriage to Miss Dora Benson, a native of Ohio. They have had seven children: Orien E., Fletcher O., Pearl, Augusta A., George, Mamy and Minnie. The last named died August 14, 1886. Mr. Barnett owns both residence and business property in Chehalis, and takes an active interest in all matters per- taining to its future prosperity.

M ICHAEL MARTIN, of Walla Walla, Washington, was born in Ireland, Sep- tember 5, 1835, a son of John and Aun (Larkin) Martin. The father died at the age of fifty years, leaving eight children. His wife survived him until 1888, dying at the age of seventy-five years.

Michael Martin crossed the ocean in 1863 on the ship Adriatic, landing on the free soil of AAmerica in New York when a young man, and without means. He spent the first winter in Connecticut, the following spring went by steamer to San Francisco, where he worked in

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a brick-yard one year, and then spent four years in the mines of Helena, Montana. While there he worked for wages a part of the time, and afterward engaged in mining on his own ac- count, meeting with good success. In 1869 Mr. Martin purchased land and began farming on Dry creek, in Washington, and from time to time added to his original purchase until he owned a half section of land. In 1890 he sold a part of his farm, and bought 160 acres three and a half miles southwest of Walla Walla, where he now resides. Mr. Martin has been afflicted with rheumatism for several years, and his farming is accomplished by hired help.

In the fall of 1890 Mr. Martin returned to Ireland to visit his old friends, and in October of that year he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Kelleher, one of Ireland's beautiful and accomplished ladies. Her parents died when she was small. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have two children, viz .: Emmet Michael, born July 30, 1891; and Albert Andrew, October 19, 1892. In his political relations Mr. Martin affiliates with the Democratic party.

D R. CYRUS K. MERRIAM, Spokane, Washington, came to the far West from the Pine Tree State. His more than forty years of life have been replete with study and experience, and he is to-day eminently fitted for the honorable position he occupies among talented members of his profession.

Dr. Merriam was born in Maine, in 1848, next to the youngest in the family of eight children of Lewis and Mary (Foss) Merriam, natives of Massachusetts and Maine respectively. His fa- ther, a farmer and miller by occupation, moved to Maine in 1832, previous to his marriage. Both parents are dead. The father passed away in 1889, aged eighty-four years, and the mother in 1880. Their ancestors were English.

Dr. Merriam first entered Colby University at Waterville, Maine, where he graduated in 1875. During the winter of 1876 and 1877 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Cyrus Chamberlain, under whose practical tui- tion he made rapid advancement, and immedi- ately after attended Bellevue Medical College, also taking the second conrse of lectures at the medical department of the University of the City of New York: After receiving his degree

of M. D., he returned to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he practiced until 1880. In that year he was appointed acting assistant surgeon, United States Army, and was detailed to fron- tier duty, spending several years at White Bluffs, Camp Chelan, Fort Spokane, and Fort Colville. He was stationed at Fort Spokane from 1882 to 1887, and there resigned his position in the latter year.

Locating in this city in 1888, he commenced private practice, meeting with the most gratify- ing success. He was appointed secretary of Spokane County Medical Society in 1888, and after two years' service in that capacity was made president of the State Medical Society, holding that office until 1891. He had helped to organize the County Medical Society in 1888, and the following year also assisted in the or- ganization of the State Medical Society, of which he was president during 1890. The Doctor affiliates with the Republican party.

During the great fire that swept Spokane in 1889 Dr. Merriam was burned out. He has in- vested largely in real estate here and has made considerable improvements on the same. He is pleasantly located in the Granite Block, and has the patronage of a large and influential class of residents. His long years of training have made him a thoroughly practical physician and sur- geon, and his services are constantly in demand. He belongs pre-eminently to that class of physi- cians who are in their profession because they love it. The practice of medicine and the study and investigation of the ever-varying forms of disease afford him more pleasure than he could derive in any other way. It is to men like him that humanity is indebted for the progress thus far made in the divine art of healing.

G H. SPALDING, senior member of the firm of Spalding & Brooks, attorneys and counselors at law, Goldendale, is a highly respected member of the bar of Klickitat county, and in every way worthy of the following men- tion in this history: He was born in Eaton county, Michigan, March 7, 1864, a son of Car- los and Helen (Andrews) Spalding. His father was a native of Vermont, and in 1847 emigrated to Michigan, where he underwent all the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. His

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ancestry is traced to the early colonists of the seventeenth century, and from them he inherited those sturdy qualities without which new coun- tries would not be developed, and frontiers would have no receding border. The paternal great- grandfather of our subject was a valiant soldier in the war of the Revolution. Helen Andrews was also descended from an old New England family whose members participated in the Rev- olutionary struggle. In 1878 the family of our subject removed to Washington and settled in Klickitat county. He received his education in the common schools, and in 1889 began the study of law under the direction of S. T. Rich- ardson, the well-known practitioner of Salem, Oregon. Fitting himself through his own efforts for the university he entered the law de- partment of Willamette, and was was graduated in 1891. Since that time he has been a resident of Goldendale, and has been engaged in the practice of his profession. Ambitious for suc- cess he has bent every energy to fit himself for the profession, and by close application to the study of law and its philosophy he has won the reputation of a wise and careful counselor.

In politics he is an ardent supporter of the issues of the Republican party. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias of Goldendale, and is the present chancellor commander of that body.

Mr. Spalding was married in this city, Au- gust 22, 1888, to Miss Mary D. Newland, a native of Oregon. They have had two children: Olof G. and Helen, who died October 7, 1890. Mr. Spalding's father is also a resident of Gold- endale, and is highly esteemed throughout the community. His wife died in 1887, greatly lamented by a large circle of appreciative friends.

W M. CHANDLER, manager of the Co- lumbia Mercantile Association's Co-op- erative Store No. 2, of Washougal, was born near Chicago, Illinois, January 4, 1861, a son of Luther P. and Harriet (Triggs) Chandler, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of England. W. M., the second in a family of seven children, removed with his par- ents to Nebraska in 1866; four years later lo- cated in Oregon, near Corvallis, that State, and completed his education in the public schools of Portland, Ile was then employed as a clerk

for a time, and subsequently engaged in farm- ing in Clarke county, Washington, near Mount Pleasant, where he still owns 160 acres of par- tially improved land. Mr. Chandler recently became manager of the Columbia Mercantile Association's store in Washougal, which was stocked and its doors opened to the public two and a half years ago. They carry a full and complete line of general meechandise farm im- plements, groceries, and all kinds, of country produce.

Mr. Chandler was married in Clarke county. in 1882, to Miss Fannie Graham, a native of California. They have four children: Elvin, Harry, Agnes and Hazel. In political matters, Mr. Chandler is identitied with the People's party, and is a member of the Board of School Directors. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 43, of La Camas, and the Pa- trons of Husbandry, No. 197.

A LEXANDER K. McBROOM, one of the foremost lawyers of Spokane, Washing- ton, and a member of the firm of Mc- Broom & McBroom, was born in Geneseo, Illinois, July 23, 1857. He is the eldest son of Hon. James and Margretta (Kaiser) McBroom, natives of Ireland and Switzerland respectively, his mother's family being literary people. His father, a tanner by trade, is one of the prominent bankers and financiers of Geneseo, he having come to America at an early age and located in Illinois.

The subject of our sketch began his education in the public schools of his native town and, after successfully passing through their courses, entered Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio. From there he went to the State.Uni- versity at Champaign, Illinois, there complet- ing a classical course. His attention from the first was to prepare himself for the practice of law, and after leaving Champaign he went to Chicago, entering the Union College of Law, from which he emerged with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.

Deciding that the West offered the best op- portunities for a young man in his profession, he came to Washington and located in Spokane, in 1885, at once establishing himself in the practice of law. Recently he became associated with his brother, J. H. McBroom, under the

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firm name mentioned at the beginning of this sketch, previons to this time having practiced alone. From the first he met with signal suc- cess, and he now enjoys a large and Incrative practice. IIe has handled some of the largest estates and corporation interests in Washington.

During his residence in Spokane Mr. McBroom has made some excellent investments and ae- quired considerable property. He has mining interests in both Washington and British Co- lumbia, and is a stockholder in the following in- stitutions: the Spokane Street Railway Company, Electric Light Company, Washington Water Power Company, and the Citizens' National Bank.

Mr. McBroom was married in Jannary, 1889, to Miss Jennie Remington, a native of the same place in which he was born. They have one child, Cassins R. Their pretty home, " Sage Cottage, " is located at 207 East Third avenne, Spokane.

Politically, Mr. McBroom is a Republican, devoted to the interests of his party. He is a member of the Unitarian society, a church or- ganization. Personally, he is nearly six feet tall, is easy and graceful in manner, and has the bearing of a thorough gentleman. He is of a literary turn of mind, has always been a great student, possesses unusually fine conversational powers, is frank and cordial with all, and his many estimable traits of character have won for him hostsof friends. Mr. McBroom has before him a future which promises honorable distinc- tion.

R E. M. STRICKLAND, manager of the Pennsylvania Mortgage & Investment Company's interests at Spokane, Wash- ington, is an enterprising and popular young man, and is justly entitled to some con- sideration on the pages of this work. The com- pany he represents has a capital stock of $500,- 000, which is invested chiefly in Washington and Idaho. It is one of the most reliable firms in the Northwest, and annually handles an im- mense amount of business.

Mr. Strickland was born at West Chester, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1867, son of Nimrod and Rose (Gould) Strickland, both natives of the Keystone State. His father was a lawyer, and his grandfather was Judge of the Common Pleas Court and held various State offices dur-

ing his life in Pennsylvania. The subject of our sketch is the oldest in a family of three chil- dren. He took a classical course in the academy at West Chester, after which he entered the office of Hon. R. E. Monaghan, at that place, one of the most prominent attorneys of Pennsyl- vania, and remained with him for three years. He was admitted to the bar in 1888 and prac- ticed about four months. At the end of that time he came West and located at Spokane, where he has since remained. Upon his arrival here he was engaged as attorney for the Pennsylva- nia, Mortgage & Investment Company, of which he is at present the efficient manager.

He votes with the Democratic party and takes an active interest in political matters.

M S. BISHOP, one of the early pioneers of Klickitat county, was born in New York, in 1841, a son of J. E. and Alva- nia (Johnson) Bishop, natives of Ver- mont and New York. They were married in the latter State, where they remained until death. Our subject spent his early life on a farm in his native State, but at the age of twenty- five years removed to Michigan, where he was first engaged in carpentering and sawmilling, and later in blacksmithing and wagon-mann- facturing. October 5, 1874, Mr. Bishop emi- grated with his family to California, locating at Petaluma, Sonoma county, and was there en- gaged at carpentering for four and a half years. In April, 1879, they located at Spring Creek, five miles west of the city of Goldendale, Klickitat county, Washington. He has 200 acres of well improved land, 120 acres of which is plowed, and the remainder is used as pasture. In addition to general farming and stock-raising, Mr. Bishop is also engaged in the milling in- dustry, the main part of his mill being 30 x 36 feet, with additions 24 x 30 feet and 12 x 30 feet, located on Spring ereek, with a capacity of 10,000 shingles per day: he also mannfactures sash, doors and all work for carpenter building. Spring creek rises from two springs three-quarters of a mile from Mr. Bishop's home, affords sufficient water for the mill, and extends a half mile through the place, giving plenty of water for the stock. His large two-story residence, 16 x 32 feet, with an L, 22 x 62 feet, is situated on a natural building site, and is surrounded by shade

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and ornamental trees. He also has a large barn, 52 x 62 feet, besides numerous ontbuildings for ponltry and stock. The farm produces a quan- tity of fruit for home use.

Mr. Bishop was married September 21, 1868, to Miss Desiah J. Spencer, a native of New York, and a daughter of J. R. and Senialı (Hayes) Spencer, also born in that State. They were married and died in Michigan. Our sub- ject and wife have one child, Octavia J., born in Petaluma, California, in November, 1877. Mr. Bishop affiliates with the I. O. O. F., Gol- dendale Lodge, No. 15, and his wife is a mem- ber of the Rebekah degree. In political matters, he is identified with the Democratic party, and takes an active interest in school, township and county affairs.

D T. DREWRY, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser near Olympia, and one of the oldest pioneers of Washington, was born in Kentucky November 6, 1836. He is essen- tially a self-made man, having been left an or- phan at the early age of six, and his career may well serve as an example to all poor and deserv- ing young men as illustrating what industry and perseverance can accomplish.

His parents, S. O. and Elizabeth Drewry, died in Kentucky, after which the subject of this this sketch made his home with an uncle, who resided on a farm in Nodaway county, Missouri. While there he was engaged in farın work and in attendance at the district schools, when, on arriving at young manhood he began working for himself, being varionsly employed until he was seventeen years of age. Having by this time heard of the marvelous opportuni- ties of the Northwest, he left Missouri on May 1, 1853, for this untried land. He crossed the plains, and in Angust of the same year arrived in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, where he secured work. He remained here but a short time, however, and we next find him in Olympia, Washington. Having crossed the plains with Colonel William Cock, Mr. Drewry now commenced work for that gentleman as a carpenter, to assist in building a hotel in Olym- pia known as the Pacific House, in which Mr. Drewry remained in the employ of Colonel Cock for more than two years. He was then employed with a surveying party for a few

months, after which, in 1855, he joined a com- pany of rangers, under command of Captain C. Eaton, and served in the ranks two months, and afterward in the Commissary department for about three months. This was during the Iu- dian war in Washington Territory.

After the war, Mr. Drewry worked at general Jabor around Olympia and in Thurston county for about three years, being engaged during the year 1857 on a farm owned by Smith Weed, situated seven miles from Olympia. He was married in 1858 to Emeline Weed, his employ- er's daughter, a native of Connecticut, born in 1841. Her parents also were both natives of that State, her mother's maiden name having been Abigail Simmons. Smith Weed died in 1875; his widow yet lives and makes her home with the subject of this sketch, who has a large farm, well stocked with cattle and horses. Dur- ing his residence on the farm, he was at one time for three years interested largely in a livery barn in Olympia, but now devotes his entire at- tention to his agricultural and stock interests. He has three sons: A. D., E. V. and H. O., the last being the only one who is married.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 81

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