An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 86

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 86

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1886 Mr. Frink established the first electric-light plant in the city, and was the first un the coast to use the Edison system. This was known as the Seattle Electric Light, which was consolidated with other companies in 1892, and formed the Union Electric Light Company, of which Mr. Fink continues as vice-president. He is also a director of the Seattle Savings Bank and owns valuable business and residence prop- erty in the city. Mr. Frink lost his first wife in 1875, and she left two children, Egbert F. and Gerald. He was again married in 1877, to

Miss Abbie Hawkins of Illinois. They have three children: Frances G., Helena and Ethena.

In polities Mr. Frink is a Republican, and has been frequently called upon to serve npon the School Board and City Council, and in 1890 was elected to the State Senate for a period of four years. Mr. Frink is recognized in the community as one of her ablest business men, his principles being established upon honesty, integrity and justice to all men.

J ESSE W. GEORGE, one of the respected pioneers of the Northwest territory, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, November 11, 1835. His father, Presley George, was a native of Virginia, where his ancestry settled prior to the Revolutionary war and took active part in that memorable conflict. Presley George moved to Ohio about 1820 and engaged in farm- ing, subsequently marrying Miss Mahala Nick- erson, a native of Massachusetts and of Puritan stock. Mr. George followed farming in Ohio up to 1851, when, with his wife and three sons, Hugh N., Jesse W. and M. C. George, he started for Oregon. The first stage was by steamer down the Ohio and up the Missouri river to a little town called Weston, seven miles above Fort Leavenworth. There they purchased their prairie outfit, consisting of two wagons, ten yoke of oxen, a number of cows and two American mares. They were accompanied by several families from Ohio and their entire train num- bered about seventy-five people. The journey was without partieular incident, and very snc- cessfully accomplished to the Dalles. There the families shipped by water to Portland, the young men crossing the mountains with the stock. It being late in the fall they were over- taken by a snow storm, and with no feed for the cattle, already in weakened condition, many of the animals died from hunger and exposure. They got through with seven yoke of oxen, five cows and both mares, the horses being very valu- able in that early day. Proceeding to Portland the families united and Mr. George pushed up the valley to Linn county, and passed the winter near Washington Butte, where they found a little log cabin, about twelve feet square. Mrs. George was soon taken sick and Hngh became cook for the family, besides teaching school five miles distant, walking back and forth morning

590

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

and evening. Jesse found employment at hew- ing timber two miles distant, but was on the ground at daylight and continued as long as he could see, receiving therefor one bushel of wheat per day. The nearest mill was thirty miles dis- tant, making a three-days journey with a team, and the flour was so black that in the present day of bolted flour it wouldn't be considered fit to eat, and yet during the large emigration of 1832 flour sold at twenty-five cents per pound, wheat $6 per bushel, and the most remunerative labor was splitting rails at six " bits " per hun- dred and board yourself. In the spring of 1852 Mr. George took np his donation claim of 320 acres, and there resided up to 1875, when he moved to Portland.

Jesse W. remained at home up to his twenty- fifth year, securing such educational advantages as the country afforded. He was married in 1860, to Miss Cassandra Eckler, who came to Oregon with her brothers and sisters in 1853. Her mother died while she was yet in infancy, and her father on the trip across the plains. After his marriage Mr. George settled upon his own farin near Lebanon, where he engaged ex- tensively in grain-farming and was actively connected with local affairs. He served for several years as trustee of Santiam Academy at Lebanon, and as a Republican took an active interest in political affairs. In May, 1872, he mnade a trip to Seattle and was impressed with prospects of the young city. Returning to his farm he arranged his business and with his family and team, drove to Portland, thence went by steamer down the river to the mouth of the Cowlitz, and thence drove to Seattle, having nice weather and a delightful trip. Upon lo- cating in Seattle he at once entered actively into the business development of the city, acquir- ing extensive real-estate and property interests. Ile was one of the three original organizers of the Washington Iron Works, and actively as- sisted in the projection of the first railroad from Seattle, being one of the committee to secure right of way from Seattle up the White river valley to Puyallup Station. During later years he has acted in a similar capacity for the Union Pacific railroad company and at present is en- gaged in work of the same nature for the Seattle and Montana railroad company.

In July, 1884, he was appointed by President Arthur as United States Marshal for the Terri- tory and served until after the change of admin- istration. During the great fire of June, 1889,

he suffered a considerable loss of property, but with the spirit of enterprise which had character- ized so many of his actions, he at once set about re-building and has since constructed on the corner of South Second and Main street a fine six-story building, which forms one of the no- table structures of the city. Mr. and Mrs. George have four children: Janet (now Mrs. W. H. Llewellyn), Amy, Mark and Hugh.

Socially Mr. George affiliates with the Masonic order, being a member of the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and thirty-second degree, Scottish rite. At present he is Presi- dent of the Washington Pioneer Association. Mr. George is a man of sound business jndg- ment and firmness of character, which, united to his high integrity, make him a well recog- nized power in the community. ,

W ILLIAM H. REEVES, one of Seattle's enterprising citizens, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in June, 1835, the oldest son of Morgan and Hannah (Barclay) Reeves, natives of the same State, their ancestors having settled there prior to the Revolutionary war, and having been stanch sup- porters of the interests of the young colonies. William H. received his preparatory education in his native county, then entered Jefferson College in Washington county, later known as Washington and Jefferson College and gradu- ated there in 1857. This college was the oldest Presbyterian College west of the Alleghany mountains and was the alma mater of Hon. James G. Blaine and other gentlemen who at- tained national reputation. After graduating young Reeves went to Louisiana and spent one year in teaching school in East Feliciana Parish. Within this time he began reading law. In 1858 he went into Texas and taught near Austin for one year, then removed to Matagorda county, where he continued teaching and reading law, and became concerned in loans and investments and identified with the people. He was thus engaged when the war broke out, his residence being with Colonel Rugeby, a prominent sugar grower and planter. Not anticipating a serious war, and wishing to stand by his investments, Mr. Reeves remained in the country up to 1862. when the people became suspicious of him and he felt it was time that he started for the North

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

to avoid being impressed into the Confederate service. Owning a fine thorough-bred horse, one of the best in the county, he surreptitiously stole away and started upon his perilons journey, when any moment might mean death. Yet he held even that as preferable to entering a confliet in which his father and brothers might be in line upon the Federal side, Ile soon found companions bent upon a similar ef- fort, and, without going into detail, suffice it to say that after three months in the saddle-un- dergoing all sorts of dangers and experiences, through which his fearlessness and quickness of speech carried him safely-he ultimately crossed the Federal lines and returned to his family and friends in Pennsylvania, appearing to them as though restored from the dead. Shortly after he went to Cincinnati and seeured a elerkship in a general merchandise store, and there remained in positions of trust and responsi- bility up to 1866, when the death of his father took him back to the family. After settling the es- tate, he removed the family to Page county, Iowa, and there established the members upon a farm. After getting them properly located, in 1866, Mr. Reeves started for California. The Indian troubles that year prevented his making the trip overland, so he went to New York and thenee by steamer and the Panama route, arriving in San Francisco in June of the same year. Desiring to nourish his scanty cash capital, teaching seemed to him the first ocen- pation to pursue. Fortunately the State Board of Education was then in session, and to them he applied, and though rusty in his studies from long cessation from teaching, he passed the ordeal and rather to his own surprise re- ceived a first-grade certificate. The examina- tion of teachers was followed by a ball and there Mr. Reeves met Miss Luey Baldwin, of New York. With the lapse of time this ac- quaintance ripened into love and they were united in marriage in 1870. Mr. Reeves began teaching in 1868 in Greene valley, Solano county, and continued until 1870; then after his marriage le, in company with his wife, took a sailing vessel for l'uget Sound, and, after a trip of eleven days, landed at Port Madison, whence upon a little steamer, they crossed to Seattle, where they arrived in February, 1870, the city then having about 2,000 inhabitants. Leaving his wife at the hotel, Mr. Reeves started out to see the town, finding little but "Indians, trees, and water," Ile wished to

leave the country, but his wife didn't care to return by sailing vessel, and learning of the fine farming land on Snohomish river bottoms, Mr. Reeves went there and entered a claim, upon which he subsequently proved up. 1 flood during the first year drowned his cattle and destroyed improvements; still he persisted and remained until 1870, when, with his fam- ily, he went East and passed one year. Return- ing to the territory in 1877 the farm seemed too quiet and he located in Seattle. There he formed the acquaintance of Angus Mackintosh, and shortly after Mr. Reeves purchase i one- half interest in his abstract business, his be- ing at that time the only abstract books in King county. During the first five years not a dol- lar was taken out of the business, but by the inerease of funds a loaning business was com- menced and the private banking honse of Mackintosh & Reeves was established. The business increased so rapidly that in 1881 they sold the abstract books, and in 1883 incorpo- rated the Merchants' National Bank, sinee which time Mr. Reeves has continued as stock- holder and director. He then retirei from ac- tive business and has since been engaged in loaning his money and attending to his private interests.

Mr. and Mrs. Reeves have three children: William H., Jr., Minnie II, and Jessie M. The children are all being educated at Stanford Uni- versity in California. Mr. Reeves is a mem- ber of no fraternal societies or political coteries, but, being very happy in his domestic ties, is devoting his life to the maintenance and happi- ness of his dear ones. Ile is a man of genial disposition, keen foresight and good judgment; is a kind friend, beloved by his family and re- spected by all who know him.

G EORGE HI. HEILBRON, manager of The Guarantee Loan and Trust Com- pany, of Seattle, was born in Boston, Massaclinsetts, November 3, 1860. Ilis father, Abram Heilbron, was a native of Para- maribo, Dutch Guiana, but emigrated to the United States in early manhood, and locating in Boston engaged in the manufacture of jewelry. Ile was subsequently married to Miss Susan Clark, of Massachusetts, and after continuing his business for a number of years, retired

522

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

from active life, though he still lives in the city of his adoption. The preliminary education of our subject was secured at Dwight's grammar school, Boston, and Roxbury Latin school. In the fall of 1879 he entered Ilarvard College and graduated thereat with high honors in the class of 1883. Ile then entered Boston University law school and graduated at that institution in 1886 with special distinction. During his term at the law school he was connected with the editorial staff of the Boston Globe. In the fall of 1886 he was admitted to the bar of Suffolk county, Massachusetts, and soon after entered the law office of Swasey & Swasey, to secure practical experience, but after a short time he decided to locate on the Pacific coast, and in April, 1887, arrived in Seattle, and commenced practice of his profession in the office of Burke & Haller. Three months later he assisted in the organization of the Guarantee Loan and Trust Company, which was incorporated in July, 1887. He accepted the position of secretary, and in 1889 was made manager, which position he still holds. This company was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, which was in- creased to $200,000 in 1889, and which is now fully paid up. They transact a general bank- ing business with a savings bank department. The accumulations up to October 31, 1892, show a surplus of $20,000, with $17,367.94 un- divided profits and a deposit of $312,146.09.

Mr. Heilbron is also a director of Washing- ton Territory Investment Company, King Conuty Investment Company, and of the com. pany operating the Madison and Front Street Cable railroad system. He is treasurer of the American District Telegraph of Seattle, and Secretary and Treasurer of the Seattle Theater Company, lie being one of the three enterprising gentlemen who built the Seattle Theater in the summer of 1892.

In politics he is Republican. In 1890 he was appointed a member of the board of public works under the new charter, the position at that time being one of the most important and responsible under the city goverment. His ap- pointment was indorsed by the people irrespec- tive of party lines, while with equal unanimity the press of the city commended his selection. Ile has also served two years on the school board and for two years was chairman of the Republican city and county committees. Mr. Heilbron was married in January, 1886, to Miss Adelaide E. Piper, of Boston, Massachusetts.

Two children have blessed this union: George II., Jr., and Adelaide. Socially Mr. Ileilbron affiliates with the I. O. O. F. and is Regent of Rainier Council, Royal Arcanum.

In the business circles of Seattle Mr. Ileil- bron holds a position of power and influence which he has deservedly earned. Thoroughly progressive in his ideas, but still conservative and prudent, he is an excellent type of that young manhood which in the past has done so inneh for Seattle and upon which the future prosperity of the city must largely depend.

H ENRY VAN ASSELT, the only living represntative of the first settlers of King county, was born in Holland, April 11, 1817, his ancestry having for generations lived in that country, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Our subject was upon the farm, be- came an expert and licensed hunter, and was educated in the schools of the locality. At the age of nineteen years he became subject to mili- tary duty and was drafted into the army, join- ing the Second Battalion of Yagers, and being placed upon the frontier between Holland and Belgium. He was engaged in this service a little over three years, until peace was consum- mated between the two countries. Ile thien followed hunting for the nobility and farming with his parents up to 1847, when he learned of America and its greater opportunities, and sailed for this country upon the bark Suelhyd, from Amsterdam, and after a passage of forty- nine days landed in New York, July 17, 1847. Ile then went to New Jersey and worked nine months for 835,-those were days of "tariff for revenne only,"-then proceeded from Albany by canal to Buffalo, and thence by lakes and river to St. Louis, where he worked five months; then to Bloomington, Iowa, in which vicinity he re- mained until the spring of 1850, when he made one of a party of eight to cross the plains to California, paying $100 for his food and trans- portation. At the fork of California and Oregon roads, they decided to go to Oregon, and duly arrived at Oregon City September 21. The trip was one of great pleasure to Mr. Van Asselt, as opportunity was given for hunting, in which he was very successful. Near Oregon City he hired with a farmer for two months at

523

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

$75 per month, then began making shingles, which occupation he followed up to February, 1851, when he joined a small company and went to the gold mines of northern California. Much time was spent prospecting and about tive and one-half weeks in mining, when the water gave out and they divided their accumu- lation, which rendered $1,000 -to each member of the party. Flour was selling at $1 per pound, bacon $1.25, and other things in pro- portion, and he decided to return to the Willam- ette valley. On the way the party fell in with L. M. Collins, who had a claim on the Nes- qually river, Washington Territory, and learn- ing of the tine fishing and hunting in that sec- tion our subject was easily induced to accom- pany him. They celebrated July 4, 1851, at Oregon City, then proceeded, by Tualatin plains, to St. Helen. While crossing the river from that point Mr. Van Asselt accidently shot himself in the shoulder and was obliged to re- turn to St. Helen for treatment, and there re- mained thirty days, then joined his friends on the Nesqually. While boarding with Collins he carefully explored the country in every di- rection for a place of settlement, but not being satisfied, he decided to return to the Willamette valley, and his friends would accompany him. This did not suit Collins: so he spoke of fine farming land forty miles down the Sound, where the Indians were so numerous that the whites were afraid to settle. Van Asselt and Samuel and Jacob Maples then agreed to go with him, and on September 12, 1851, they started upon their journey in a small canoe, and, two days later, entered the month of the Duwamish river, up which they journeyed to the junction of the White and Black rivers. The country seeming to suit, they all located claims and a portion of the one taken by Mr. Van Asselt still remains in his possession. At this time, the site now occupied by Seattle was inhabited solely by Indians, and there was not a white settler within the boundaries of what is now King county. Returning to the Nesqually, Mr. Collins sold his claim, and with a scow purchased at Olympia the combined party moved their animals and effects to the new locality- where they built log cabins-and with the de- mand for squared timber and piling from the San Francisco market, they engaged in supply- ing ships and in exchange secured the necessa- ries of life. The locations already made were soon followed by the settlement of the Dennys

and Terrys at Alki point, and later by Mr. Yesler, who erected a sawmill, thus affording occupation for the settlers in procuring logs for the mill. In exchange they seenred lumber for building purposes. The hardships and priva- tions were many, while the settlers were con- stantly exposed to the treachery of the Indians who surrounded them. Mr. Van Asselt being an expert hunter and also carrying his arm in a sling much of the time, aroused the curiosity of the Indians, and they wished to feel the wound and the shot under the flesh, and being filled with superstition they believed that when a man was shot and carried the lead in his body he could not be killed by shooting. This no . doubt saved him from many assaults, although his life was threatened. His correct aim and deadly fire seemed to them supernatural and they became afraid of him and called him "Sucway"- devil. In September, 1855, the Indian war broke ont by several massacres on White river, and the remaining settlers fled to the block houses at Seattle. Throughout the war Mr. Van Asselt rendered valuable service in protecting the settlers, and in 1857 engaged in carpentering and cabinet work, subsequently returning to his farm to find buildings and fences destroyed and everything to be rebuilt.

He was married in December, 1862, to Jane, daughter of Jacob Maples. This union was blessed by four children: Mary A., deceased : Jacob H., Hattie J., wife of Rev. W. O. Bana- dom, and Ella Nettie.

In 1883 Mr. Van Asselt removed to Hood river, Oregon, and farmed for six years, then returned to Seattle, where he has since resided, retired from active business. lle has always been a supporter of Republican principles and quite active in the campaigns. In addition to being a pioneer and State builder he is a man of strict integrity and unsullied reputation.

D A. SPENCER, secretary and manager of the Home Fire Insurance Company of Seattle, was born in Watertown, Con- nectient, in 1840. His parents, George C. and Eliza (Partre) Spencer, were natives of the same State, descended from Puritan stock, of English and French Huguenot ancestry. George C. followed a varied occupation in Connecticut and subsequently moved to Newburg, New

524

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

York, where he engaged extensively in the manufacture of soap. His son, the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools and then entered Williston Seminary in Massa- chusetts, where he completed his education. Ile then joined his father at Newburg and was engaged in the factory up to 1860, when he went to China and for four years was employed in the commission houses of Bull, Pardon & Co. of Hong Kong and H. Fogg & Co. of Shanghai. In 1864 Mr. Spencer re- turned to the United States and began the study of law with his uncle, Judge John Pitcher, of Mt. Vernon, Indiana, a lawyer of promi- nence, who died in 1892, aged ninety-eight years, and being the last living member of the first Indiana Legislature. Mr. Spencer was ad- mitted to the bar at Mt. Vernon, in 1865, when by reason of the illness of his mother, he re- turned home and at his father's urgent request joined him in the manufacturing business. In 1868 the factory was sold and our subject en- gaged in the life insurance business in New York and Pennsylvania. This occupation he followed two years, then accompanied his father to Atlanta, Georgia, and engaged in manufac- turing. On account of the unsettled conditions existing in the South the business was not a success, and Mr. Spencer entered the Govern- ment service in the office of the United States Marshal at Atlanta, and as cashier and Chief Deputy remained until 1877, when he was ap- pointed United States Treasury Agent, and served in that capacity until January 1, 1880. Ile then resigned and settled in Keokuk, Iowa, and was there appointed Deputy County Treas- urer, and held the office until 1884, when he re- moved to San Francisco, and, in Jannary, 1885, went into the office of the Pacific Insurance Union. In February, 1887, he became special agent and adjuster for the Oakland Home In- surance Company, which position he resigned in October, 1889, to accept the secretaryship and general management of the Home Fire Insur- ance Company of Seattle. This company was established in 1888 by the leading bankers and business men of the city, with a subscribed cap- ital of $100,000, only ten per cent. of which was paid up. When the great fire of 1889 swept through the city of Seattle, like many another local company, the IIome had a large amount of insurance in that portion of the city which burned and the loss to the company amounted to $85,000. In spite of the fact that

almost every stockholder was an individual loser, the money was at once put up and the losses paid as promptly as those of any other company doing business in the city. The stockholders immediately voted $150,000 additional stock, which with the exception of small amounts was taken by the original holders; and there has been comparatively little change in the company to this date. When Mr. Spencer assumed the management the company was doing very little business, but his experience added a new im- petus, and the company is now classed among the first of the State.

Mr. Spencer was married at Newburg, New York, in 1868, to Miss Ida J. Rayner, a native of New York city. They have two children, Mary and Edward A. Mr. Spencer is a devotee of his profession, and, being endowed with keen foresight and good judgment, is eminently fitted for the position to which he was so honorably called.

G EORGE II. FORTSON, City Attorney of Seattle, was born in Elberton, Georgia, October 19, 1860. His parents, George G. and Louisa S. (Wall) Fortson, were natives of the same State, their ancestors having settled in the State prior to the war of the Rev- olution. George G. Fortson was a planter by occupation upon an extensive scale, owning and operating about 2,500 acres of land. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared upon the farm and educated in the schools of the locality. IIe followed agricultural pursuits up to January, 1882, when he completed his law studies at Washington, Georgia, under the preceptorship of IIon. William M. Reese, ex-Superior Judge and one of the most prominent attorneys of the State. In September following Mr. Fortson was admitted to the bar, before the superior court of Georgia. Ile entered at once into practice and formed the co-partnership of Col- ley & Fortson, which continued about two years. In November, 1885, he went to Palatka, Flor- ida, and engaged in practice. and also invested in fruit lands, but during the winter following, the orange trees were nearly destroyed by frost, and the loss of fruit was followed by a year of terrible depression, which brought finaneial dis- aster upon Mr. Fortson and he left the country in the fall of 1886 with barely enough money

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 86

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