An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 89

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

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James G. Swan, concerning whose life this sketch makes treatment, pursued his prepara-

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tory educational work at Medford until he at- tained his fifteenth year, when he went to Boston, and, as a clerk, became connected with the establishment of a ship-chandler. When twenty-one years of age he engaged in the same line of business for himself and continued np to 1849, then sold out, and on the ship " Rob Roy" embarked for San Francisco, via Cape Horn, ar- riving in 1850.

In 1852 he came to Shoalwater Bay, then a part of Oregon, and engaged in the oyster bnsi- ness, shipping to San Francisco. In 1856 he went to Washington, District of Columbia, and became private secretary to Governor Isaac I. Stevens, delegate to Congress. While there Mr. Swan made the acquaintance of Professors Baird and Henry, of the Smithsonian Institu- tion, which circumstance led up to his later effi- cient work for that institution. In 1857, while visiting his brother in Montgomery, Alabama, Mr. Swan wrote a book entitled "The North- west Coast, or Four Years in Washington Ter- ritory," which was published by Ilarper Broth- ers. In 1858 he returned to the Territory and settled in Port Townsend. In 1860 he became connected with the trading port at Neah Bay, and in 1862 was appointed teacher on the In- dian Reservation by Henry A. Webster, Indian Agent. He continued their incumbency for four years. While there he wrote the history of the Cape Flattery Indians, which was pub- lished by the Smithsonian Institution in 1869. In 1866 Mr. Swan returned to Port Townsend and was elected Justice of the Peace, and en- gaged in the practice of admiralty law, which he had studied in Boston prior to 1849, under the preceptorship of Peleg W. Chandler, an em- inent admiralty lawyer. In 1871 he was elected Probate Judge of Jefferson county and con- tinned in that office about seven years, and has since retained the title of Judge.

In 1875, on the revenue cutter " Wolcott," he made a special cruise to Alaska to secure Indian manufactures and relics for the collection in natural history and ethnology at the Centennial Exposition. In 1878 he was appointed Inspector of Customs at Neah Bay and served four years. In 1883, by special request from the Smithson- ian Institution, he went to Queen Charlotte's islands and made a collection of antiquities and modern mannfactures of the IIaida Indians, which collection forms the preponderance of the ethnological material in the National Muse- um from the region abont Dixon entrance to

Queen Charlotte Sound. He has been a collab- orator of the Smithsonian Institution since 1856, with the founding of that collection. In the Smithsonian report of 1883, Spencer F. Baird, Secretary, wrote as follows: "The most important research prosecuted under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution was that by Mr. James G. Swan in the Queen Charlotte Islands. For more than a quarter of a century his contri- butions have been most noteworthy. To him we owe very extensive collections illustrating the life and work of the Indians on Puget Sound, as also everything relating to the fisheries of that region, whether prosecuted by the savage or white man."

As Assistant United States Fish Commis- sioner, Judge Swan has made a study of the fish and sea food of the Pacific, has written much valuable information upon the subject, and his collection of aboriginal fishing instruments at the National Museum has attracted great at- tention. Judge Swan has served as United States Fish Commissioner for fifteen years. He is Hawaiian Consul at Port Townsend, Commis- sioner for the State of Oregon, United States Commissioner, practitioner of admiralty law, and an active member of the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce.

He was married in Boston in 1841, to Miss Matilda W. Loring, who died in 1863, leaving two children: Charles H., a prominent hy- dranlic, sanitary and civil engineer of Boston; and Ellen Matilda Swan, who also resides in that city. Judge Swan has resided in Wash- ington through its whole Territorial existence, and is a respected and valued citizen of the State.

L EVI W. FOSS, of Seattle, Washington, was born at Machias, Washington county, Maine, April 7, 1838, a son of Rufus and Jane (Crocker) Foss, natives also of that locali- ty. The boyhood days of our subject were passed upon the farm and in the logging camp, and he received the limited educational advan- tages of three months' school during each year. With the Fraser river gold excitement of 1858, young Foss became enthused with a spirit for mining, and in May, 1859, sailed from New York, via the Isthinus and San Francisco, and. landed at Port Townsend June 25, following.

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He discovered that the gold excitement was not prolific in affording opportunities, and he then followed his old oceupation of logging two years on Hood canal. The following five years was spent in Port Ludlow, and in the spring of 1866 his old desire for mining returned. Mr. Foss again went to the Cariboo Mines, where he spent three seasons, remaining at the mines during the summers and passing the winters at Port Townsend, where he owned an interest in a butchering business, under the firm name of Booth & Foss. In the spring of 1869 Joseph Borst entered the partnership, and they estab- lished a branch house in Seattle. In the spring of 1871 Mr. Foss removed to this city to look after his interests, and the purchasing of cattle for his firm. He secured the stock in eastern Washington, driving the herd across the monnt- ains in summer, and in the winters bringing them down the Columbia river. In Angust, 1874, the partnership of Foss & Borst was organized, and they conducted a wholesale and retail establishment until in February, 1885, when onr subjeet returned to Port Townsend. In 1887 he took up his permanent residence in Seattle, where he has long been an investor in real estate. He has erected several residences and business houses in the city, and his present beautiful home was completed in the summer of 1889, the former residence having been de- stroyed in the disastrons fire of 1889. 1Ie platted the Foss addition to Port Townsend in June, 1888, comprising forty acres, much of which he still owns; has 500 acres in other localities, and much real estate in Seattle.

In 1883 our subject was nnited in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth (Rowland) Briscoe, of St. Johns, Newfoundland. For twenty-three years Mr. Foss has been a member of the Masonic order. He is now retired from active business, and is devoting his time to his private interests and the enjoyment of the accumulations of his days of arduous labor.

FLETCHER McNAUGHT

Among the business developers of Seattle, few have come more conspicuously to the front than the subject of this sketch, who is of Scotch- Irish ancestry, and was born in McLean county, Illinois, August 17, 1855. Ilis parents, George and Nancy (Franklin) McNaught, na-

tives of Indiana, removed to Illinois, where Mr. MeNaught followed farming and the stock businsss.

Joseph F. was reared to the habits of farm life, passing the summer in labor and the winter months at school, as was the custom with farm- ers' sons. At the age of eighteen years he entered the Wesleyan University at Blooming- ton, Illinois, and graduated in June, 1877. Ile then completed his legal studies in the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. At this time James McNaught, an elder brother, had established himself in a legal practice in Seattle, and upon his invitation to join him in the profession MeNaught re- moved to Seattle in July, 1878, and two months later was admitted to the bar, and the firm of McNaught Brothers was instituted. With the reputation which James McNaught had already aeqnired, the business rapidly increased to vast proportions, taxing the energies of both parties. In 1881, Elisha P. Ferry, the present Governor of Washington, became a partner, and two years later John H. Mitchell, a son of the senator from Oregon, joined the firm, when it became known as McNaught & Mitchell. When Mr. Ferry retired to take an active part in the man- agement of the Puget Sound National Bank, and James MeNaught went to St. Paul as the assistant general solicitor of the Northern Pacific Railroad, Joseph formed a partnership with Judge Roger I. Greene, C. H. Hanford, present United States district judge, and John HI. McGraw, under the firm name of Greene, McNaught, Hanford and McGraw. This firm continued an active practice up to February, 1888, when failing health, cansed from over- work, foreed Mr. McNaught to withdraw and take a rest from professional labor. During his ten years of practice, his firm under the different styles had been doing the largest busi- . ness of all on the Sound. The result of such incessant labor, though gratifying from a pro- fessional and pecuniary standpoint, was too severe and rest became imperative. Ile then made is journey East, and by the recreation of travel, with his naturally good constitution, nature restored herself and he again returned to Seattle. Instead of resuming his profession, as the real-estate interests of himself and brother had become so valnable, he decided to devote himself to its management and develop- ment. This departure opened a field of opera- tions in which he had already evinced rare

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

judgment, and, with his genius at financiering, his operations became extensive, and from that time his financial snecess has been most remark- able.

The management of his own and brother's interests constitute only a part of the work he has performed. As the organizer of syndicates and the enlistment of capital in various enter- prises he has had no superior in the Northwest. To enumerate the corporations which he has been instrumental in creating, in all of which he is a large stockholder and of which he is either president or manager, will give an idea of his abilities in that direction. These corporations are as follows: McNaught Land & Investment Company: capital, $400,000; McNaught Town Site Company : capital, $100,000; McNaught- Collins Improvement Company: capital $200,- 000; Lake Washington Belt Line Company: capital, 8600.000; Broadway Investment: capi- tals, $100,000; Seattle Silver Mining Company : capital, $100,000; Talisman & Stalwart Con- solidated Company: capital, $1,000,000; Puget Sound & Union Stockyards; Fidalgo Improve- ment Company; Fidalgo Land Company; Union Investment Company; and numerous other interests of a personal character.

As an organizer and manager of vast and varied interests Mr. McNaught has no superior, and it is largely to his personal supervision that the above vast enterprises are carried to suc- cessful conclusions. Not alone here does he rest, but he is also among the foremost in promoting every project to advance the pros- perity of Seattle. "With his superabundance of aeres, Mr. McNaught cannot forget his some- what weakened physical condition, and the necessary rest and relaxation is gained by cruis- ing about the Sound with his steam yacht " Aquila," and with rod, gun and dog engaging in the sports so freely offered. He also owns Protection Island, which contains 500 acres of fine farming land, all well improved, and as a sporting preserve is well stocked with Golden, Silver, Green and Mongolian pheasants and quail.

Mr. McNaught was married in Blooming- ton, Illinois, in December, 1887, to Miss Jennie E. lodge, and they have two children: Helen Fairfax and Carl Shelby.

Fraternally Mr. McNaught affiliates with the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. Po- litically he is a Republican, positive in his con- victions and a strong believer in the principles

of his party; but he has no desire for political aggrandizement, the management and develop- ment of extensive business enterprises offering to him a more congenial field of labor.

F RED. GASCHI, Commissioner of King connty, and a resident of Seattle, was born in llelmstedt, Germany, February 20, 1843. He was educated in the schools of that city np to the age of fifteen years, when he was apprenticed for three years to learn the trade of machinist. Completing his term of service, and desiring an opportunity to follow his pro- fession, his attention was turned to the broader possibilities of the United States, and he em- barked for New York, thence, by the Panama ronte, to San Francisco, where he arrived in the fall fo 1861. Ile soon found occupation as ma- chinist in the Miners' Foundry and was employed up to August, 1864, then enlisted in the Sixth California Infantry, and after three months' service at Benicia he was detailed for special service on the line of Panama steamers and there remained up to his discharge in November, 1865. Returning to San Francisco he resumed work at the Miners' Foundry and continned until 1870, when he came to Puget Sound, and was there employed at his trade and in various oceupations at Seattle, old Taeoma, Port Blake- ly and contignous milling points. In 1883 he was elected Councilman from the Second Ward, and chairman of the street committee.

In 1888 he was the nominee of the Repub- lican party as County Commissioner was duly elected, and made chairman of the Board, and by re-election in 1890 and '92 has continued in that capacity, with four years yet to serve. As a Commissioner he was been an enterprising and progressive officer; and, being endowed with foresight and good common sense, his methods have been salutary, and his actions in accord with the wishes of his constituents. With the in- crease of population, his duties have proportion- ately increased, but are performed with system- atic regularity and meet the approval of the people. Under his first term of service the connty courthouse was located and constructed, much personal attention being given by him to plans, specifications and work of erection and fitting. The improvements and facilities of the poor farm have been vastly increased, and there

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protection is given to from forty-five to sixty of the county poor, sixty-two of the 157 acres are under cultivation, and by wise management the farm has become almost self-supporting, county roads have been improved. bridges constructed, and the affairs of the county have progressed with the rapidity of settlement and develop- ment.

Mr. Gasch was married in San Francisco, in 1869, to Miss Anna Landgrebe, of German descent. Two children have been born of this union, llaida and Fred. C. Socially Mr. Gasch affiliates with the John F. Miller Post, G. A R., and with the I. O. O. F., of which he was Distriet Deputy Grand Master.

When first coming to Seattle Mr. Gasch rec- ognized the advantageous location of the city and the probability of its ultimate vast develop- ment, and by the judicious investment of his savings he is now the possessor of valuable business and resident property. During his long political service he has maintained his principles of honesty and fair dealing, and he enjoys the respect of all who know him or are brought in contact with him in business rela- tions. Has been for years and is still President of the German Benevolent Association.

F RANK LA ROCHE, the popular and artistie photographer of the city of Seat- tle, was born in Philadelphia, Penn - sylvania, June 20, 1853. His parents, Aaron and Anna (IIersh) La Roche, were natives of the same city, descended from French and German ancestry, who were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. Subject was educated in the schools of Philadelphia, and at the age of 17 years entered upon his life work, by taking a position in a photographic studio in his native city. After two years of study and practice, he engaged in business, at Quaker City, and in 1873 went to Manch Chunk, following a gen- eral photographie business, and also attending to the taking of views of the Lehigh Valley railroad. In 1875 Mr. La Roche went to Flor- ida on a viewing expedition, making his head- quarters at St. Augustine. In 1876 he started for Australia in the interest of Harper Bros. of New York city, to view the South Sea islands for illustrations, but on arrival at Honolulu his partner was taken sick and the trip was aban-

doned. Returning to the States Mr. La Roche then opened a gallery at Salt Lake City, and in 1878, he was employed by the United States Government to make seventy-eight negatives of the transit of Mercury, and twenty-three similar negatives for the French government. During the exposition at New Orleans Mr. La Roche was employed in varions galleries, and also traveled through the State, giving instructions in photography. In the spring of 1888 he opened a gallery at Des Moines, Iowa, and in competition at the State fair he secured six out of seven prizes for excellency of workmanship. In July, 1889, he came to Seattle, bringing with him the necessary equipment for a first- class gallery. Arriving just after the fire, he found the city in ashes, but at once opened a gallery in the Kilgen block, subsequently remov- ing to the top floor of the Downs block, where he has fitted up a studio, embracing a large sur- face measurement, and making one of the largest and most complete galleries in the Northwest. Mr. La Roche has given much attention to viewing, and has a very complete series depicting Alaska and Puget Sound scenery, embracing upward of 3,000 negatives. lle, however, devotes more particular attention to a high-class portrait photography. Through his extended acquaint- ance in the East he learns of and secures the latest improvements, which, in connection with his pronounced ability, enables him to produce artistic effects unexcelled in the Northwest.

He was married in Seattle, in 1891, to Miss Ida M. Crary, native of Kentucky, and his home is situated on Rochester avenue, overlooking Lake Washington and the magnificent scenery of the Cascade and Olympic mountains.

S G. HILL, D. D. S. Among the prominent practitioners of dentistry in the city of Seattle is he whose name initiates this review. He was born in Muscatine, Iowa, October 24, 1864. His parents, Sylvester G. and Martha J. (Dyer) Ifill, were natives of Rhode Island and Maine respectively, descended from Puritan stock of English ancestry. Sylves- ter G. Hill was a lumber manufacturer, operat- ing his own mill np to 1852, when he moved to Iowa and continued the same occupation until 1862, when he took an active part in organizing the Thirty-fifth Regiment, Iową

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Volunteer Infantry, and was elected and com- missioned Colonel. The service of the regiment was in the Red river country, and through the Mississippi valley in frequent raids and skir- mishes; and while engaged in the last charge on Nashville, Tennessee, in command of a brigade, Colonel Hill was killed, in the advanced line of battle.

S. G. Hill received his literary education in the Iowa public schools and then entered the Philadelphia College of Dentistry and graduated therefrom in 1884. He commenced practice in Davenport, Iowa, and continued with gratifying snceess for three years; then made a trip to Europe and traveled extensively through En- gland and France, practicing his profession in the dental institutes of those countries. He returned to the United States in the fall of 1890 and came direct to Seattle, where his brother, F. A. Hill, then resided. Dr. Ilill at once opened offices for the performance of operative and mechanical dentistry, and has built up a very lucrative patronage among the representa- tive families of the city.

He was married in 1892, to Mrs. Jennie (Eppler) Hasbrouck, a native of Illinois. Dr. Hill has allied himself with the interests of Seattle, and takes great pride in her natural resources and rapid development.

B JELICH, Harbor Master at the port of Seattle, was born in Austria, in March, 1858. Ile attended school at Trieste until thirteen years of age, and then shipped as apprentice on the Austrian bark " Cainan," owned by his muele and operating between Europe and America. He subsequently sailed on the " Desati " as ordinary seaman, on the "Cebeli" as able seaman and on the "Reuben" as second mate, continuing in Atlantic and European waters. He was discharged in New York city, in June, 1878, then crossed the con- tinent to Stockton, California, where he had uneles residing. After a brief visit his passion for the sea took him to San Francisco, where he shipped on the British vessel " Loekee " for Liverpool, and followed the sea until taken sick in 1881. He then returned to Stoekton and later engaged in the hotel business at Fresno, California. In 1885 he was appointed special inspector at the Custom House in San Fran-

cisco, and continued in such incumbency for abont nine months, after which he followed various occupations at Fresno, San Diego and Bakersfield, and in Angust, 1889, came to Seat- tle. Ilis occupation was then quite varied in civil and political lines until December 1, 1892, when he was appointed Harbor Master and Port Warden at Seattle. His duties cover the moving of vessels, anchorage, surveys of cargoes, and all interests connected with shipping in the port. Ile is unmarried, Democratie in politics, aud a member of the Masonic order.

H AZARD STEVENS, the only son of Isaac Ingalls and Margaret L. (Hazard) Stevens, was born in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1842. Ile was educated in Boston and Cambridge, and in 1861, although under age, enlisted in Company C, Seventy- ninth Ilighlanders, New York Volunteers, his father being Colonel of the regiment. IIis service was in the campaigns of Polk, Freder- ieksburg, the Wilderness, Shenandoah valley, and from Petersburg to Appomattox and the surrender of Lee's army. His service covered four years and one month. He was wounded three times, and for meritorious condnet and bravery was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Ile was mustered out in October, 1865.

In. 1866 Mr. Stevens returned to the Pacific Coast, and at Portland was appointed agent of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, with headquarters at Wallula. In 1867 he was ap- pointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the Territory of Washington. He then removed to Olympia and discharged the duties of that office for a period of three years, meanwhile engaging in the study of law under the Hon. Elwood Evans, and in 1870 was admitted to the bar.

During his vacation in 1870, accompanied by P. V. Van Trump, he ascended the precipitous sides of Mount Rainier, they being the first to explore the summit of that snow-capped mount- ain. That fall he was appointed attorney for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, and as such rendered efficient service to the com- pany. In 1874 he was appointed by President Grant as Commissioner to look after the claims of British subjects upon San Juan island.

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Returning East in 1875, Mr. Stevens entered upon a professional career in the city of Boston, and has continued the practice of law there up to the present time. In 1885 he took an active part in reforming the charter of the city. He was elected to the Legislature the same year, and the succeeding year reported the bill, and was instrumental in securing its passage, which, being a lopted, has produced a salutary revolu- tion in the city government. In 1886 Mr. Stevens was nominated to Cougress from the Third Congressional District by the tariff re- formers, and in 1888 and 1892 was a member of the Tariff Reform League Committee of New England and took an active part in the Cleve- land campaigns.

D T. DENNY, one of the pioneers of Seattle, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, in 1832. His parents, John and Sally (Wilson) Denny, were natives of Ken- tucky and Virginia respectively. About 1816 they removed to Washington county, Indiana, the country then being sparsely settled. Mr. Denny sought that country for his health, and after locating his claim he devoted his time to ont-of-door exereise, and from the game and bee trees in the locality he procured sustenance and regained his health. Ile also engaged in farming and remained in that locality to 1824; then removed to Putnamn county, near Green- castle, remaining about twelve years, then located in Knox county, Illinois. He was a member of the Illinois Legislature in 1840-'41. and in 1849 was elected State Senator.

In 1851, with four wagons and seventeen horses he transported his family to Oregon. Starting April 10th, they crossed the Missis- sippi river at Burlington, the Missouri river near Council Bluffs, thence proceeded np the north side of Platte river to the Sweetwater river, then by Fremont's Pass, by Forts Hall and Boise and Snake river to the Dalles, where they landed after eighty-seven days of travel. They started with a company of twenty-two wagons, but, horses traveling faster than oxen, the others gradually fell behind. No trouble was experienced until arriving at Fort IIall. There the clerk of the IIndson Bay Company cautioned them that in case the Indians approached and wished them to stop, " to keep

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 89

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