An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 98

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 98

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After spending a short time in Heppner, Oregon, Mr. Morris came to Goldendale, Klicki- tat county, Washington, and began the mastery of a trade, which he followed with marked suc- cess, serving an apprenticeship with A. C. Hall, a well-known blacksmith. He bought the busi- ness at the end of two years, carrying it on alone until 1892.

In September of the year just mentioned he was nominated, in the convention of the People's party, candidate for the office of Treasurer of Klickitat county, and carried the election the following November. His administration has been one reflecting credit upon himself and justifying the choice of his constituency. Mr. Morris is a member of Klickitat Lodge, No. 127, Modern Woodmen of the World, and is Master Workman of the local lodge, A. O. U. W.

Ile was united in marriage in Oregon, Feb- urary 9, 1872, to Miss Susan Gannt, who was born in Yam Hill county, Oregon, a daughter of Haines and Emily (West) .Gaunt. Her par- ents were pioneers of Oregon, having settled there early in the '50s. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have four children: Charles, Stella, Harry and Ruphns.

J OHN SPENCER, one of the pioneer plumbers of the Pacific coast, was born in West Derby, near Liverpool, England, January 8, 1833, descended from English an- cestry, who for generations had been connected with the plumbing business. At the age of thirteen years he began learning his trade, which in the old country combined plumbing. painting and glazing, and after an apprentice- ship of five years he became a finished and scientific workman. In 1851 he emigrated to the United States and entered the employ of John Hudson, of Brooklyn, New York, a repre- sentative plumber of that city, and with him remained until 1852, When Hudson decided to come to California, and, as young Spencer was the most competent of his several workmen, he decided to bring John to the coast. Hudson then started by the Panama ronte, while John made the passage by rounding Cape Horn, upon the good ship Eliza Mallory, and after a voyage of five months landed in San Francisco, October 20, 1852. Hudson then started a shop in San Francisco and our subject was his right-hand inan. There was no plumbing in that early day, the work being chiefly connected with engines and pumps. During the winter they fitted the first gas pipes in the city, at Austin's dry-goods store, Lawrence street. As jobs were nnfre- qnent, and the life of the city very gay and expen- sive, young Spencer soon exhausted his small capital, and, in the spring of 1853, with a few companions, decided to come to Puget Sound. They accomplished their plan by working their passage upon a sailing vessel. The schooner Dameriscove duly arriving at Steilacoom the boys then contracted with the captain to load the vessel with Inmber at Crosby's mill at Tumwater, and this work being accomplished their cash capital was increased. They then organized a gold expedition to the Olympic mountains, traveling by canoe across the Sound and up the Dacqneboose river. This trip was

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

mnade midst great danger from the Indians. They, however, returned with fair prospects, but with insufficient machinery the claim was never snceessfully developed. Our subject then engaged as cook in a logging camp at l'ort Dis- eovery at $20 per month, but was soon after promoted to "ax. man " at better wages, and subsequently became a partner in the business. He then purchased a half interest with Ben Gibbs, in the "Clallam- Bell," a five-ton center- board sloop, and did a general jobbing business about the Sound, making regular trips between Olympia and Dungeness, carrying passengers, mail, freight, ete. This business was continned very profitably about one year, but being in opposition to the Hudson's Bay Company, with no protection, it became very dangerous, and in 1855 Mr. Spencer retired from the business. He then decided to return to England to visit his parents, making the trip to San Francisco by sailing vessel. The attractions of that city soon exhausted his savings, and he engaged at his trade at $8 per day to go to Peru, and there worked about eight months, when he tired of the country and took passage on ship Wonata for London. After a pleasant visit with his family and associates, he sail for Melbourne, Australia, and immediately found work at bis trade at good wages, and for seven months was engaged npon the roof of the Parliament build- ings.

In 1857 he returned to England, and was married in Liverpool, to Miss Elizabeth Jane Prouse, remaining in that eity up to 1862. Wages were low and no opportunities were offered for elevating the mechanie, and he was impressed with a desire to return to Puget Sound. This he accomplished in 1862 by pay ing one-half of passage and assisting the stew- ard for balance of pay. He landed in Victoria, British Columbia, in August of the same year, with but $3.50 in his pocket and no friends in the country. Work was plentiful and he soon secured a contract, which, being successfully carried out, made for him both friends and a reputation. He opened a shop and soon became the leading plumber of that city. In 1864 he sent for his family, and continued his business in Victoria until 1870, when he removed to Stockton. California, and operated a shop for twelve months, then removed to Oakland and conducted the leading business of that city np to April, 1882. He then returned to the Sound country and located in Seattle, He brought

stock from Oakland and immediately opened a shop, which he successfully conducted up to the great fire of June, 1889, when he was burned ont and then retired from business, having so invested his carnings from time to time as to afford him a comfortable competency.

In 1890, after an absence of twenty-eight years, he and wife returned to the old country, and made a delightful visit amongst the scenes of childhood. Returning to Seattle he began improving his property for business and resi- dence purposes, and is now occupied in looking after his several interests.

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have seven children, all of whom have reached maturity: John W., Elizabeth M., now Mrs. J. H. Swyney; Louisa 1., now Mrs. R. C. Portway; Robert P., Mary A., Sammuel G. and Charles M.

Thus briefly have we related some of the trials of the Pacific coast pioneer, who has lived upon dried salmon and potatoes, clams, fish, etc., has made his own clothes from flour sacks and blankets, and who yet says that he has "never seen any very hard times." Ilis in- domitable will and energy have enabled him to overcome all obstacles, and hopefulness ever changed the shadows of life into rays of joy and brightness.

A W. ARNOLD, one of the most intelli- gent agriculturists of Whidby island, Washington, is a native of the State of New York, born November 10, 1830, and a son of J. B. and Harriet (Botsford) Ar- nold; the father was born in the year 1800, and died in 1892; the mother was born in 1806, and lived until 1891; both were residing in Indiana at the time of death. When A. W. Arnold was one year old his parents removed from Cayuga to Orleans county, New York, and thence to the State of Indiana in 1849; he lived on the farm in Indiana for two years, and then con- cluded to leave the Hoosier State with all its attractions for the Pacific coast. In November, 1851, he went to New York and set sail from that port for Aspinwall, crossing the Isthmus he again set sail, and was out seventy- nine days before San Francisco was reached; and the erew and passengers were near starvation before land appeared.

Mr. Arnold engaged in mining in southern California, and continued his search for gold

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

until 1857, when he came to Puget Sound and located at Port Madison ; here he turned his at- tention to the lumber and milling business, but the following year the Fraser river gold excite- ment led him to British Columbia; he pros- pected a few weeks, and then returned to the Sound, where he laid in a supply of tools and provisions. Returning to the mines he worked there one season; and then came back to the Port Madison mills; at the end of twelve months he went to the Port Discovery mills, where he remained three years. In 1863 he went to Whidby island in quest of a new ocen- pation; he bought a farm which he cultivated for a short time, and then purchased an interest in a fish-canning establishment, which he helped to operate on Clallan bay; disposing of this in- terest he returned to the island and engaged in farming.

On May 3, 1865, he was united in marriage to Phebe A. Carlton, a native of New England, born Mareh 16, 1842. Eight children were born in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold: Lizzie, J. C., Mary, H. B., F. E., B. A., Lillian H. and Phebe A.

About 1874 Mr. Arnold made a trip to the East, traveling extensively in that part of the country. Ile has been a prolific writer upon the subjects of agriculture and horticulture, and has been correspondent for several Eastern journals, devoted to all branches of farming. He has also thoroughly investigated the resources of Washington and has given the results for publication to the Post-Intelligencer of Seattle, the Tacoma Ledger, the Penman's Gazette of New York city, Iowa Ilomestead, and various local papers.

EORGE A. ELLSPERMAN, County Clerk and Clerk of the Superior Court of San Juan county, Washington, was born in Bethalto, Madison county, Illi- nois, September 21, 1865. Both of Mr. Ellsperman's parents were born in Bavaria, Germany,-his father, Charles Ellsperman, in 1826, and his mother, nee Marie Smith, in 1829. Ilis father emigrated to this country in 1843 and remained a short time in New York, thence moved to Columbus, Ohio, from where he went to Columbia, Illinois, where he met his wife and where they were married, about forty five years ago. They were among

the first settlers in Madison county, locating at Bethalto, where the father was engaged in ex- tensive cooperage business until the panic of 1873. They bad five ehildren, all with the ex- ception of George A. still being residents of Illinois.

George A. attended the high school in Bethalto, and by hard study passed through it at the age of fourteen, when he apprentieed himself to learn the cooper trade in E. O. Standard & Company's shops, completing his trade the following year, when his father died, his mother having died in 1871. He followed his trade for various lengths of time in twenty- eight of the United States and Territories, traveling extensively through the Northern, Western and Southern States until 1888, when he permantly located in San Juan county, Waslı- ington. Ilis first employment here was with the Roehe Harbor Lime Works, for about eight months, after which he spent fourteen months at the San Juan Lime Works, leaving the latter place to accept the position of foreman in the cooperage department of the Eureka Lime Works, continuing as such nearly two years, until the plant closed down. In the meantime he pre-empted 160 acres on San Juan island, and aceumulated other valuable property, one piece being a fine prune orchard and residence in the county seat, which he manages to look after besides his clerk's duties.

On January 2, 1892, Mr. Ellsperman severed his connection with the lime business and en- tered the employ of the Islander Printing and Publishing Company, and on March 1st formed a partnership with J. C. Clinton and leased the Islander plant, and officiated as local editor of that paper until he accepted the office of County Clerk and Clerk of the Superior Court, to which office he was elected November 8, 1892, on the Democratic ticket in a strong Republican county, receiving a majority of 129 votes out of 712.

Mr. Ellsperman fathered Mt. Dallas Lodge, No. 95, 1. O. O. F., of Friday Harbor, and be- came its first Noble Grand; was elected as dele- gate to the Grand Lodge at Walla Walla in 1892, and to that at Olympia in 1893. He with several others were instrumental in erect- ing the I. O. O. F. hall at Friday Harbor, it being the largest and most imposing edifice in the place, and having a large and comodions lodge room in the second story and a publie hall and opera house on the first floor. IIe is an

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enthusiastic member of the order, dating his membership from the time he was twenty-one years old.

Hle was married May 19, 1892, at New What- com, by Hon. Judge John R. Winn, to Eva Viola Cary, who was born in Lawrence, Kan- sas, October 20, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Ellsper- man are members of the Valley Presbyterian Church, and in their married life are blessed with one child: Winnefred Louise, who was born July 11, 1893.

Mr. Ellsperman is what the world is proud to call a self-made man, being to this day studions, temperate, and as a whole a typical American citizen. In June, 1893, he was unanimously elected School Clerk of the Friday Harbor school district, and enjoys the confidence of the citizens irrespective of party or politics.

J UDGE THOMAS MERCER, one of the few living pioneers who were identified with the early history of Seattle, was born in Mercersburg, Onio, March 11, 1813. and was the eldest son of Aaron and Jane (Dickerson) Mercer, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania. respectively. Aaron Mercer removed to Ohio in boyhood, being among the pioneers of that country. He learned the process of mannfac- turing woolen cloths and blankets and then operated his own factory very successfully for a number of years. In 1534 he was among the pioneer settlers at Princeton, Burean county, Illinois, and there spent the remainder of his life.

Fourteen children were born of this marriage and six of the number are still living, Thomas being the first born. His education was chiefly in the school of necessity, as labor was the chief occupation of the pioneer, and in the noble army of workers Judge Mercer has been arrayed throughout his life. He was a bright. active boy. quick in mathematics and mechanical work. His boyhood was passed in the factory of his father, and with his systematic methods and recognized ability he became foreman at the age of fourteen years and operated the factory up to 1834, when the family removed to Illi- nois and engaged in farming. In 1836 young Mercer started a store in a little, old, log cabin in Princeton, and this enterprise he prosecuted for one year, abandoning it then because of the close confinement entailed. He then returned to agricultural life.

In 1837 he took an active part in the division of Putnam county, and the organization of Bureau county, and incidental to his efforts in this connection,in visiting different localities, he killed a valuable horse by rapid driving. With the organization of the new county, he was elected the first County Clerk, but as the reve- nue yielded was but twenty-five cents per day he soon turned over the office to other parties.

Our subject was married in Princeton, in 1838, to Miss Nancy Brigham, a native of New Hampshire. He then continued farming up to 1851, when he sold ont, settled up his affairs, and in April, 1552, with his wife and four chil- dren. left his Illinois home, and with horse teams crossed the plains to Oregon. In the same train were Dexter Horton and William II. Shondy, both of Seattle. The usual adven- tures were encountered by the emigrants, but they met no disasters until they reached the Dalles, where Mrs. Mercer was taken sick, and at the Cascades she passed on to the other world. leaving a bereaved husband and fonr small children, the eldest being not quite four- teen years old. The following winter was passed in Salem, where Mr. Mercer purchased one-half interest in a blacksmith shop and worked from six A. M. to eleven p. M. Flour was forty dollars per barrel and all other pro- visions in proportion. In the summer of 1853 he removed his little ones to Puget Sound, traveling by boat to the Cowlitz river and then driving to Olyn, pia, the trail being al- most impassable. From Olympia he drove to Steilacoom, and there by boat to Seattle, arriv- ing here August 25, 1853. He took up a claim of 150 acres, adjoining that of D. T. Denny, all of which is now within the city limits. He brought to the primitive town the same team of horses which had transported him safely across the plains, and his was the first wagon brought to the town. flis claim being situate back from the water, the young men turned ont and assiste'l him in cutting a trail wide enough for his wagon to pass through to his ranch, and for a number of years he did the teaming for the town. In 1554 he built a box house, securing lumber from Yesler's mill. This house was somewhat open to the light of day, but it afforded protection and was soon improved. Part of his claim. being bot- tom land, was soon cleared, and the second year he raised in hay, oats and vegetables, sufficient to provide for his family and stock. Mr. Mer-

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cer was a hard worker and was progressive in his ideas, and soon became the leading farmer of the community.

For seven years he was mother. father and protector to his family of little ones, all of whom grew to maturity, and three of whom are still living: Mary J., wife of Henry Parsons; Susan, wife of David Graham; Alice, wife of Clarence B. Bagley.

In 1859, Mr. Mercer was married, in Salem, Oregon, to Miss Loretta II. Ward, of Kentucky, daughter of Jesse Ward, a pioneer of 1853; and returning to Seattle he continued his agricul- tural life.

With the organization of King county, in 1854, Mr. Mercer was appointed one of the first Commissioners, and in 1858 he was elected Pro- bate Judge and held the position for ten con- seentive years. With the increased settlement of the town and demand for residence property, Mr. Mercer platted the town of Eden and later that of West Seattle, from the sales of which he has realized a considerable fortune. He still retains a part of his original claim, which has increased to a value far beyond his fondest dreams. It fell to the lot of Mr. Mercer to name those beautiful lakes now the pride of Seattle. In an address delivered at a picnic in 1854 he suggested that the greater be called Lake Washington, after the father of our coun- try, and the lesser be called Union, as the probable future connection between the two great salt and fresh water bodies.

In 1883, he built his present commodions residence overlooking the modest cottage which was built in 1854, and which he still cherishes as a relic of the past. The home also commands a view of the great city which he has so mate- rially aided in developing. He has always been an enthusiastic believer in Seattle's destiny as the metropolis of the great Northwest, and upon every occasion has done his share to promote the city's good. His life has been a quiet and peaceful one, guided by a high sense of honor, and his present prosperity is chiefly enjoyed because of the possibilities of increasing his charities and deeds of benevo- lence.

J A. BAILLARGEON, proprietor of the Lace House, in Seattle, and one of the en- terprising and successful merchants of the Queen City, was born in Quebec, Canada,

in February, 1856, descended from French an- cestry. His father, who was a mechanic of great ability and an enterprising contractor, was attracted by the marvelous growth of Chicago, and moved there with his family in 1867, where he established a fine plant for working hard woods for inside finishing, etc., now carried on by two brothers of the subject of this sketch.

After attending the public schools of Chicago Mr. Baillargeon of this sketch entered upon his business career, in his thirteenth year, in a re- tail dry-goods store in Chicago, at the same time attending the night schools of that city, subsequently completing a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College. By perseverance and due diligence he passed through the several grades of clerkship until he became salesman of one of the leading estab- lishments of that city.

In 1878, with the enthusiasm of youth and desiring the greater opportunities of a newer country, he removed to California and spent four years as salesman in the leading dry-goods stores of San Francisco. In 1882 he entered the employ of Schwabacher Brothers, and came to Seattle to take charge of their dress-goods department. In 1883 he engaged with Will- iam P. Boyd for one year, and in 1884 formed the copartnership of La Tour & Co., and opened a store for the sale of fancy dry-goods. This business was commenced in a very small way, but by enterprising, intelligent management was vigorously pushed to a successful issue, and continned for three and a half years, when Mr. Baillargeon sold his interest and retired from the firm. He then opened the Lace House in the Union Block, dealing only in the finer qual- ities of dry goods and ladies' furnishings, and conducted a very extensive business up to the great fire of June 6, 1889, when his entire stock was destroyed, involving a total loss of $55,000. Ile immediately resumed business in a large tent on the southeast corner of Second and James streets, during the construction of the Occidental Block, and removed thereto on June 6, 1890, thus celebrating the anniversary of the great fire. Ilis store now covers an area of 60 x 90 feet, with basement, and is fitted up with the most improved facilities for con- ducting a large business, with a force of thirty employees in constant attendance. The busi- ness has increased to such an extent that larger accommodations had to be provided, and a handsome new building is in course of erection,

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when double the present room will be secured. The building is across the street from the pres- ent location, on the corner of Second and James, and is being built expressly for the business. The house employs a resident buyer in New York city, with office at No. 531 Broadway. Ilis stock embraces a general line of dry goods, both imported and domestic, which he pur- chases direet from the manufacturers of the East and in Europe. Mr. Baillargeon pursued his mercantile education with houses who con- ducted business upon a cash basis, and he was among the first to establish that system in Seattle, which has proven eminently successful, enabling him to buy on closer margins, and to prove the old adage that " a nimble penny is better than a slow shilling." IIe accredits his success to his thorough knowledge of every de- tail of his business, accompanied with vigilance, perseverance, a careful study of human nature, and the supplying of his customers' wants with- out selling spurious articles.

He was married in Seattle, in 1885, to Miss Abbie, daughter of John Collins, one of the prominent citizens of the State. They have five children: Marie, Emma, Cebert, John and Abbie. The family reside on the corner of Fifth and Harvard streets, where Mr. Baillar- geon has just completed a spacious and elegant home.

A LEXANDER J. ANDERSON, Ph. D., one of the prominent educators of the Northwest, was born of Scotch ancestry, at Grey Abbey, Ireland, November 6, 1832. When he was but fifteen months of age his parents emigrated to the United States and settled upon the banks of the St. Lawrence river, where his father engaged in farming. The subject of this review was educated at the in the public schools at Lockport, and at Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, detraying the ex- penses of his education by personal effort. For one year he maintained himself in school by sawing wood, working in gardens, and doing all manner of odd jobs. For the balance of the course he forestalled himself by serving as com- positor in a printing office. Later on he en- gaged in teaching school, inaugurating his pedagogic labor when about twenty-one years of age. Thus completing his college course, he graduated in 1856. After one year as princi-

pal of the public school of Lisbon, Illinois, he settled in Lexington, and there established a private school, which he conducted successfully for four years. He was then induced to accept the position as Principal of Fowler Institute at Newark, Illinois,-a school formerly popular, but at that time utterly reduced in standing and patronage. Professor Anderson began his work with bnt eleven pupils, but, nothing daunted, he entered the field with the enthu- siasm of past success, and after six years of labor he retired from the institution, which then showed an average attendance of 150 pupils. Returning to Lexington, he was ap- pointed Superintendent of the Public Schools, and continued in that capacity for two years, until 1869, when he was called to Pacific Grove, Oregon, as principal of the academic depart- ment of Pacific University. Shortly after ar- rival he was elected as Professor of Pedagogy and Mathematics, and remained five years, re- signing much against the wishes of the faculty. In 1872 he was selected as one of four promi- nent educators of Oregon to formulate rules and regulations for the government of the schools of the State, and was also chosen as examiner of teachers for State certificates and life diplomas. Ile also served as Superintendent of Schools for Washington county for one term. In 1874 he accepted the position of principal of the Central school in Portland, and remained two years. He also served one year as principal of the high school, and was then called as Presi- dent of the Washington Territorial University at Seattle, and, accepting the eall, removed to this city. The university was then in a pros- trate condition, but by personal supervision, hard work and able management he restored it to a position of prominence among the educa- tional institutions of the Northwest. After five years of faithful labor he was obliged to resign and remove to a dryer elimate, by reason of the failing health of his wife. His resignation was viewed with great regret by the entire people, and as expressive of their appreciation and gratitude a banquet was prepared in his honor and largely attended by the representative citi- zens of Seattle. Professor Anderson then re- moved to Walla Walla, where his wife found new strength, her life being certainly prolonged by several years. The Professor continued his educational work as president of the Whitman Seminary, another broken-down institution, for which he solicited subscriptions in this State

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 98

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