An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 90

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

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the horses moving." The following day, while approaching the American Falls of Snake river, an Indian camp was seen in the distance, and, drawing near, the Indians rushed out shonting: "How-dy-do ! How-dy-do ! Stop ! Stop !" repeating their salutations as the train kept moving. They began firing from the rear, but, producing no effect, attempted to head them off. By keeping the horses in action Mr. Denny out- stripped them and escaped without accident, but always felt that the warning and advice of that agent at Fort Hall possibly saved his family from massacre.

From the Dalles the wagons and part of the family were freighted down the river to Port- land, while others took the horses by the Bar- low trail across the Cascade mountains to the Willamette valley and on to Portland. Mr. Denny then drove np the valley to Marion county, and located in the Waldo hills, remain- ing until 1859, then joined his sons in Seattle, where he resided to the time of his death in July, 1875.

He served one term in the Territorial Legis- latnre, and by advice and counsel was an active spirit in Republican politics.

D. T. Denny was reared upon the farm, educated in the common schools of Illinois, and crossed the plains with his father in 1851, arriving in Portland on the 17th day of August. Ilis first occupation was in assisting to unload a brig from Boston, with a cargo of merchan- dise for Thomas Carter, thereby earning his first $3 on the Pacific coast. Thus he labored as opportunity offered until September 10th, when he started for Puget Sound as helper to John N. Low, in driving a band of cattle. They crossed the Columbia river at Vaneonver, then along the north side to the Cowlitz river, and up by the regular trail to Olympia. There they fell in with Leander Terry and Robert Fay, the latter about starting with salt and necessary utensils put up Salmon on the Dwamish river. They arrived at the point now ealled West Seattle September 25, 1851, then not a white settler in the locality. Terry, Low and Mr. Denny then hired two Indians with a canoe to take them up the river and round the bay. returning to camp on the 28th. Terry and Low then located claims on the Alki Point, and Denny assisted Mr. Low in building his cabin, the first started in King county, which was then a portion of Thurston county. Mr. Denny then remained to guard the claim while

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

Mr. Low returned for his family, also carrying a letter to A. A. Denny in Portland, describing the surroundings. They then embarked with their families and friends upon the schooner "Exact" en route for the Queen Charlotte mines, and were landed at Alki Point in No- vember, the little colony then numbering A. A. Denny, John N. Low, C. D. Boran and W. N. Bell, with their families, inelnding the subject of this sketch and Mr. Terry. Cabins were then constructed to accommodate the several families, and in the spring of 1852 A. A. Denny, Boran and Bell located claims constitut- ing the present site of Seattle, and D. T. Denny and Mr. Boran started for Portland for their horses. Upon their return our subjeet located his claim, fronting upon Elliott bay and form- ing the present site of North Seattle, a portion of whichi he platted and laid off.

He was married January 23, 1853, to Miss Louisa Boran, a native of Illinois, who crossed the plains in their company. Their first log house was built near the water front on Depot street, and in 1854 they rebuilt on what is now Mercer street, between Willow and Box. Mr. Denny began clearing and improving land for farming purposes, reclaiming eighty acres for farm, garden and pasture, and as opportunity occurred he increased his acreage by purchase until he had acquired 1,080 acres adjoining and contiguous. He then continued farming up to 1883, meanwhile having cleared about 300 acres of land for city purposes, which he had laid off and platted as North Seattle, his first plat being in July, 1869, to which he subsequently made several additions. In 1880 he purchased an interest in the Western Mill Company located at the south end of Lake Union, with a capacity of 80,000 feet of lumber per day.

'To this and real estate interests he then gave his attention to 1889, when he organized and incorporated the Rainier Power & Railway Company, merging the Western Mill Company with the railroad franchise from Yesler avenue through the Denny-Fuhrman addition, crossing Lake Union to Ravenna park, and covering a distance of seven and a half miles. Mr. Denny was elected president and is still acting in that capacity. The road is fully completed and in operation, by electric power, the electric plant being located at the mill, and therefrom they are also supplying North Seattle with electric light for domestic purposes, and are extending their wires to other parts of the city. Mr.

Denny has been an extensive builder of resi- dences through his several additions and built his present residence, fronting on Temperance street, between Republican and Mercer, in 1890, the grounds covering the entire block.

His family numbers five children: Emily Inez; Abby, wife of Edward L. Lindsley; John B., secretary of the Rainier Power & Railway Company; D. Thomas, general manager of the Electric Road & Light Plant; and Victor W. S.

With the formation of King county Mr. Denny was elected the first County Treasurer, and served in that capacity for eight years, then three years as probate judge, and later as a member of the City Council.

For thirty-two years he has served as Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, divided among the First Methodist Episcopal Church, the Battery Street Church and the Trinity charge, and for two terms served as delegate from the Puget Sound Conference to the General Conference held in New York city in 1888, and Omaha, Nebraska, in 1892.

Mr. Denny is one of the honored landmarks of Seattle, who assisted in reclaiming the land from nature's fastnesses, nurtured by advice and counsel the struggling young settlement, and by financial and physical assistance has rendered material service in developing a city which is destined to become the metropolis of the great Northwest.

H ENRY C. DAVIS, Claquato, Lewis county, Washington, has long been iden- tified with the interests of the Northwest. He was engaged in the drug business at Tacoma for abont eight years, and was also City Treasurer for three years, after which he turned his attention to real-estate dealings and did a successful business in that line for several years. He built the first three-story brick building that was ever erected in Tacoma. At present he is a general speculator and always alive to public improvement.

Mr. Davis was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1845, and lived there until he was about five years old. In 1851 he was brought by his parents to Portland, Oregon, coming across the plains with ox teams and being six months en route. His father, Lewis II. Davis, was born

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in Windsor county, Vermont, in 1794, and was a man in whose make-up were found all the elements of a true pioneer. Ile served as Captain in the war of 1812, and also participated in the Black Hawk war. The Davis family remained in Portland one year, after which they moved to Drew's mill near Cowlitz Land- ing in Lewis county, Washington. A year later they moved to Claquato, where the father of our subject erected a sawmill and gristmill, laid ont the town of Claqnato and built a court- house, which he donated to Lewis county. He also built a church and a schoolhonse, and con- structed many miles of public road. Here Henry C. Davis has since resided, with the exception of the time he was engaged in busi- ness at Tacoma, his parents having passed away some years ago.

Mr. Davis married Ida A. Scott, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1867. She emigrated with her parents to Lewis county, Washington, in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one dear little girl, Ethel L.

T HOMAS M. REED, Jr., Register of the United States Land Office, with headquar- ters at Seattle, was born in the old historic town of Coloma, California, in January, 1857. He was the eldest son of Thomas M. and Elizabeth H. (Finlay) Reed, the former of whom was one of the argonauts of California, and concerning whose life detailed mention is made on another page of this volume.

The subject of whom we here make record was prepared for college in the schools of Wash- ington Territory, and then entered Princeton College, New Jersey, gradnating thereat with the class of 1878. Returning to Washington, he entered the law office of Hon. Elwood Evans, of Taeoma, and later the office of Hon. James McNaught, of Seattle, and was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of the Territory in 1881. He then entered the practice of his profession at Olympia, forming a copartnership with J. T. Brown, which association continued until 1885. Mr. Reed then practiced alone for two years, at the expiration of which time he removed to Seattle, continuing in the line of his profession.

In 1889, under the administration of Presi- dent Harrison, Mr. Reed was appointed by the

President and confirmed by the Senate as Reg- ister of the Land Office, with headquarters at Seattle. His district covers the public domain of northwestern Washington, extending 130 miles south from the British line and from the Cascade mountains to the sea.

Mr. Reed was married in Olympia in 1887. to Miss Ida, danghter of Gen. T. J. McKenny, whose biography appears in this history. One child, Irving, has been the issue of the above union.

Socially Mr. Reed affiliates with the Royal Arch Masons and is a Past Odd Fellow.

C W. PITCHFORD, a farmer of Chelatch- ie prairie, Clarke county, was born in Jefferson county, Illinois, October 9, 1848, a son of Samuel and Mary E. Pitchford, both deceased. The father died when C. W. was bnt a few months old, and the mother sur- vived until 1891.

Mr. Pitchford resided in Illinois until 1867, when he emigrated to Oregon, locating upon the Umpqua river. Later he removed to La Center, Washington, and from there to his pres- ent farm. This now consists of 160 acres, sixty under cultivation and devoted to general farming.

In political matters Mr. Pitchford is a stanch and active Democrat, and in fraternal relations he is a member of Amboy Lodge, I. O. O. F., and also of Grange No. 79, P. of H.

He is a man of a family. He married Miss Mary E. Bowlin, a native of Indiana, and they have had eight children, namely: Mary B., now the wife of Harry Gregory: Harriet E., Clar- ence, Leslie, Etta, Franklin, Ella and Elva, -- the unmarried being all still at ther parental home.

N ORVAL H. LATIMER .- Among the representative and successful financiers of Seattle, we find the subject of this sketch, who though one of the youngest financiers is manager of the oldest banking honse in the State of Washington. He was born in Monmouth, Illinois, May 7, 1863. His parents, William G. and Martha J. (Pierce) Latimer, were natives of the same locality, and

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descended from pioneers of the State. Norval H. was reared upon the farm and was educated chiefly by self-application by lamp-light after the duties of the day were performed. While engaged in the harvest field, in the summer of 1881, he was approached by officers of the First National Bank of Kirkwood, Illinois, and therenpon tendered the position of bookkeeper. The offer was such a surprise to young Latimer that he asked for time to consider, but subse- quently accepted and there commenced his banking and financial education. As book- keeper and assistant eashier, he remained in the bank until the fall of 1882, when he came direct to Seattle, and upon making application to Messrs. Horton & Denny, bankers, for a position, was engaged as bookkeeper. As a financier of marked ability his efforts soon became appre- ciated, and he successfully ascended the scale of responsibility until placed in entire manage- ment. This bank was originally organized by David Phillips and Dexter Ilorton, in 1870, under the firm name of Phillips, Horton & Co., and so continued until the death of Mr. Phillips in March, 1872, when Mr. Horton continued alone, adopting the name of Dexter Horton & Company. Mr. A. Denny entered the bank at this time, as executor of the Phillips estate, and after closing the affairs of the estate he took one-half interest in the bank under the existing firm name, which Mr. Horton offered to change at the time, but being fully satisfied with the name Mr. Denny declined to allow the change. This arrangement continued up to 1887, when the bank was reorganized as a State bank under the name of Dexter Horton & Co., bankers. The interests were somewhat changed and Mr. Wm. S. Ladd, of Portland, became president. They incorporated with a capital of $200,000, and have accumulated a surplus of $100,000, with $86,923 49 as undivided profits. The em- inent success of the banking house speaks louder than words of the able and efficient manage- ment which has been accorded.

Mr. Latimer was married in Seattle, in 1890, to Miss Margaret Moore, native of Illinois. The union has been blessed with two sons.

Through the destruction of several buildings in the fire of June, 1889, Mr. Latimer was quite a heavy loser, but has since erected the brick block corner of Maine and Commercial streets, 60 x 111 feet, four stores and basement, and is interested in other real-estate enterprises. IIe assisted in organizing the Columbia National

Bank at New Whatcom, in 1889, with a capital of $100,000, and lias continued his interest as vice-president.

Such is briefly the history of one of Seattle's active, enterprising business men, who arrived upon the coast withont financial capital, but who by good judgment and keen foresight in invest- ing his savings and making his negotiations has rapidly come to the front, and to-day is recognized as one of the most able and successful financiers of the city of Seattle.

D. HHINCKLEY, one of the honored pioneers of Seattle, was born on High Prairie, St. Clair county, Illinois, June 30, 1827. His parents, Timothy and Hannah (Smith) Ilinekley, were natives of Maine, where their ancestors were among the pioneers of the State. Timothy Hinckley was a ship carpen- ter by trade, and started westward in 1816, first locating in Hamilton county, Ohio, where he was married. In 1818 he removed to Illinois, traveling by water and going up the Mississippi river on one of the old " broad-horn " flat-bot- tom boats, which was " poled " on its way along the shores, this being before the days of steam navigation. He took up a claim on High Prairie, and then worked as wheelwright in St. Louis and elsewhere, thus supporting his family during the pioneer experiences. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and at- tended the winter schools of St. Clair county, up to his fourteenth year, when he began work- ing with his father in the sawmill at Belleville, Illinois, and learned the trade of engineer. Reaching his majority in 1848. young Hinckley then struck out for self-support, and going to Lexington, Missouri, he engaged in the milling business and remained until 1850, when he joined three companions and with a prairie outfit of horses and mules crossed the plains to California. After a pleasant experience of ninety days they arrived safely at Hangtown, now known as Placerville. There Mr. Ilinckley engaged in mining, which he pursued in various localities until February, 1833; then, going to San Francisco, he embarked by sailing vessel for Portland. Thence, in company with flenry Adams, now of Kent, and Frank Mathias, now deceased, he came overland to Olympia and down

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the. Sound to Seattle, then but a very small hamlet. Mr. Hinckley began work as engineer at the Port Madison mill and later in the same capacity for II. L. Yesler at Seattle, and Cap- tain Renton at Port Orchard. He also served as engineer of the old steamboat "Traveler," which plied between Olympia and Vietoria, earring mail, passengers and freight. While thus engaged he towed the first raft of logs ever taken down Puget Sound. Thus, in steam- boating and milling, Mr. Hinckley was occupied until 1875, when he retired to his small farm of nine acres, bordering on Lake Union, and there began clearing and improving. With cows, chickens, fruit and gardening, he provided for his family. accepting such other occupation as he could secure. He bought a lot 120 feet square,-the present site of the Hinckley Bloek, -- at an early day, paying $250 therefor, and in 1890 built the present spacious and handsome building. He still resides at Lake Union, where he owns four and half acres of his original purehase.

In politics Mr. HIinekley was formerly a Whig, but later became a Democrat. Ile served in the Territorial Legislature in the session of 1856-'57, and was the originator of the bill creating and organizing the county of Kitsap. He has since served two terms in the Legisla- ture; was one of the early Justices of King county, and has served as a member of the City Council. Mr. and Mrs. Hinckley have seven children who lived to years of maturity, viz .: Katharine II., now Mrs. Perry Polson, of La Conner; Charles B .; Clara D., now Mrs. Sher- man; Moran, of Seattle; Ferdinand; Walter R .; Ira; and Lyman.

A MOS BROWN, one of the successful pioneers of Puget Sound, was born in Bristol, Grafton connty, New Hamp- shire, July 29, 1833. His parents, Joseph and Relief (Ordway) Brown, were natives of the same State, and of Scotch and English ancestors, who were among the pioneer settlers of the country. Joseph Brown was a prominent lumber manufacturer, with extensive mills ou the Merrimac river, where he dealt in masts and spars and conducted a general milling busi- ness, which he superintended until he was sixty

years of age, when two of his sons succeeded him in the business and are still carrying it forward.

Amos Brown was reared to habits of industry, and as work was placed before study at that early period his opportunities for acquiring knowledge were exceedingly limited. He began work in the lumber camp at the age of ten years, and in mature years engaged in driving logs on the river, and being a fearless and daring youth he soon excelled in this oc- cupation and became an expert in the busi- ness, securing the highest wages. He also worked in mills, until he became superintend- ent, possessing a thorough knowledge of every department. Leaving home at the age of twenty-one years, he followed lumbering up to 1858, when the Fraser river gold excitement broke ont and he acquired the " fever," sold his interests and started for the new El Dorado of the Northwest. Going to New York, he secured steerage passage, by the Panama route, to Victoria, British Columbia, paying $255 for continuous passage. The voyage was nnevent- ful, except the discomfort of overcrowded steamboats, but suffering no accidents he duly arrived at Vietoria, then to find the golden bubble broken, the hopes of thousands blasted, and the town overcrowded with suffering, starving humanity. Disappointed but not dis- heartened, Mr. Brown began looking about for work, and with his knowledge of lumbering interests at once sailed for Port Gamble, when he found ready employment at $75 per month and expenses. He took charge of a logging eamp for the first year. He then bought an in- terest in logging teams, seeured contracts with the mill company, and conducted a very suc- cessful business for two years, when he sold his interests and returned to the employ of the company under salary, and filled positions of trust up to 1865, when he resigned to visit his old home in New Hampshire.

In 1859, without visiting Seattle, Mr. Brown was induced to purchase property on Spring street, between Second street and the water front, and in 1861 made his first visit to the town. In 1863, he and Messrs. M. R. Maddoeks and John Condon built the old " Occidental " hotel, on the present site of the Occidental Block, and the hotel was conducted about two years by Messrs. Maddocks & Brown. Our sub- ject then sold his interest to John Collins, who now owns the property. Mr. Brown returned to

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Seattle in the spring of 1867, and then formed a partnership with I. C. Ellis of Olympia and resumed the lumber business, which was con- tinued very successfully for ten years, Mr. Brown then operated alone up to 1882, when he sold out and retired from business, except in looking after his private affairs, which, owing to the increased values of lands, and his extensive operations in real estate, represented a hand- some fortune. Ile still owns valuable business property, improved, and large tracts of timber lands in several of the counties adjoining the Sound.

Mr. Brown was married, in the fall of 1867, to Miss Annie M. Peebles, native of New York, and the same fall he erected his cottage home on the corner of Front and Spring streets, where his family have since resided. Ile served the city one terin in its council, and the State for two years, as one of the directors of Steilacoom Hospital for the Indians. Ile has five chil- dren: Ulson L., Brownie, Ora, Anna and Helen.

Mr. Brown is Republican in politics, and formerly was an active partisan, though latterly he leaves the work to younger men. He is genial and hospitable in his associations, possess- ing a kind and generous nature and enjoying the respect of a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances,

L IEUT. JOHN W. RUMSEY is a resi- dent of Seattle and is actively concerned in her real-estate interests. He was born in Batavia, New York, March 6, 1838. His father Joseph E. Rumsey, removed with his parents to Batavia, New York, in 1801, and was there reared, educated and finally married, being united to Miss Lucy M. Ransom of Connecticut. He followed the life of an agri- culturist up to 1866, and then retired and passed the remaining years of his life in Chicago. John W. remained with his parents npon the farm and improved the educational facilities of the locality until 1855, when he went to Chicago and entered the employ of Rumsey Bros. & Co. and there remained until April, 1861, when, with the commencement of the war and the call for three-months troops, he went out with the Chicago Battery, later known as Company A, First Illinois Light Artillery, that being the first company of volunteer troops to leave the

State. They went at once to Cairo, Illinois, where they did valiant service in holding that city to the Union, and also made frequent raids into Missouri and about the northern portion of the State. At the completion of the term of service, the company re-enlisted almost to a man and insisted that the terms of service be " for the war," whether three, five or ten years. After re-enlistment they were forwarded to Paducah, Kentucky, where they made their headquarters, with frequent trips through the surrounding country, until the organization of the army, under General Grant, when they proceeded up the Tennessee river and partiei- pated in the capture of Forts Henry and Donel- son, and then moved ou to Shiloh, where they were on the extreme left during the battle of the first day, and on the second day reported to General Sherman and were stationed on the extreme right. General Sherman ordered them into position and personally designated the points to be shelled. Because of the bravery of the battery the officers gained his cordial friend- ship, and subsequently, when the request was made by Sergeant Chase for passes to enable them to go back for supplies, General Sherman said, " My compliments to that three-gun bat- tery; and they can have anything they want."

Mr. Rumsey was elected Junior Second Lieu- tenant by the company at Paducah, Kentucky, and was commissioned First Lientenant by Governor Richard Yates, of Illinois. By subse- quent promotion he ascended the scale until he became Senior First Lientenant and was fre- quently in command of the battery. From Shiloh Company A continued under General Sherman's command, actively participating in the battles of Corinth, Memphis, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, Mission Ridge, and the first battle of Resaca, May 13, 1864, when Lientenant Rumsey was wounded, disabled and sent to the general field hospital at Bridgeport, Alabama, and thence to his home in Chicago, where he received honorable discharge in August, 1864. After recuperation he spent one year in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, as superintendent of the Garden City Oil Company. In February, 1866, he returned to Chicago and engaged in business on the Board of Trade, in the handling of grain and provisions, and there continued until Novem- ber, 1888, when, having learned of the resources and opportunities of the Puget Sound distriet and particularly of Seattle, he started for that

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favored locality. Duly arriving, he was agree- ably impressed with the city and people and at once looked for investments in city and in acre property, directing particular attention to the vicinity of Ballard, where he has since conducted large transactions. His methods of business have been in the buying and selling of land, and not in operating on the commission basis, and his interests extend over the city and also include acre property in Kitsap county.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 90

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