USA > Washington > History of Washington the evergreen state : from early dawn to daylight with portraits and biographies Vol. I > Part 28
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In 1864 Mr. Parker, in connection with his other business, opened a Land Office at Walla Walla, at an outlay of several thousand dollars, to enable the set- tlers to file on their land claims without going to the Vancouver and Oregon City Land Offices, and commenced at the same time the practice of law. Although this business had now assumed such proportions as to require almost his entire time, he practised one year in the United States District Court, and became inter- ested in politics very successfully until 1869. It was during this time that the annexation of Southern Washington, lying south of Snake River (now the coun- ties of Walla Walla, Columbia, Assotin, and Garfield, of the State of Washington) became agitated, and was favored by Mr. Anderson Cox and many others. Mr. Cox, having been elected to the Washington Legislature, instead of reaching the Washington Legislature at Olympia, the capital, brought up at Salem, Ore., and endeavored to get a memorial passed by the Oregon Legislature, praying Con- gress that that Territory might be annexed to the State of Oregon. Mr. Parker hearing of this, at once opposed it secretly, and succeeded, by his influence with the political leaders of Washington, in preventing its consummation (as he under-
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stood it). The direct import of this move may not have been evident to those of less foresight : but that portion being Democratic, was all that was necessary to throw Oregon that way, and would have changed the entire political status of the nation. For his services and zeal in behalf of the country and his party Mr. Parker received the consideration and confidence of the Government, and it may be safely said that he could have procured almost any office or position in their gift pertaining to Washington Territory had he so desired.
On February 4th, 1869, Mr. Parker started to attend the inaugural of Presi- dent Grant. By means of a stage-coach, a sled, and a mud wagon, he succeeded in reaching the terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad at a little town called Wasatch, a distance of some eight hundred miles, to find the road blockaded with snow. After a few days the railroad company transferred the party to Rawlins, where they found two hundred more delayed passengers, many without provisions and money. Mr. Parker was selected as leader and one of a committee of three to devise ways and means of securing transportation and relief. After an unsatis- factory interview with the railroad officers, they started afoot, and after much trouble and many narrow escapes, they succeeded in reaching Cheyenne. From Rawlins they wired the Congressional Committee on Railroads, at Washington, at a cost of $40, a repeated message, for aid. After much suffering the party finally reached Omaha, and then Washington, three days after the inaugural. Mr. Parker was introduced by Horace Greeley, May 18th, 1869, to the Farmers' Club, American Institute, New York City, and given a hearing before this body as to Walla Walla valley and its various resources. This was published in many of the leading papers throughout the East in a circulation of over half a million (see report of said meeting in the New York Herald, Tribune, Sun, World, Times, Scientific American, Independent, Rural New Yorker, and many other papers), and this was the first legitimate advertising of the Walla Walla valley. As a result of this, Mr. Parker received a great many letters from various parts of the United States, which were faithfully answered. For two months or more he worked, serving the public at Washington City in working for better mail facilities and other important measures. Realizing the immense value of such work to them, Mr. Leland Stanford, President of the Central Pacific Railroad, and the authori- ties of the Union Pacific Railroad, and John Haley, Sr., of the stage lines, placed their transportation at the disposal of Mr. Parker gratis.
In August, 1855, Mr. Parker, in company with several others on an exploring undertaking, made the ascent of Mount Shasta, although reported impossible by Fremont. Of the party three were physicians, two of whom were overcome by the gases and sulphurous vapors escaping from the boiling springs of the old crater on top of the mountain. It was several weeks before their recovery, as the poison in the gases caused their faces to peel.
In 1869, while in Washington, it was through Mr. Parker's efforts that the Commissioner of the General Land Office changed the rules of the department so that the settlers could prove up by deposition instead of the personal appearance of witnesses, thus saving the cost of their journey to the Land Office, which was over $100 in each case.
After repeated efforts and failures for nearly two years made by the judges of the Supreme Court of Washington Territory, the delegate to Congress, and
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others, to have Registrars in Bankruptcy under the United States bankrupt law, Mr. Parker, through his private influence with Chief Justice Chase, succeeded in having three lawyers of his own selection appointed to fill these positions.
Mr. Parker was elected delegate to the Columbia River Waterway Convention at various places for five consecutive years by the Walla Walla Board of Trade, to aid and encourage the movement to open the Columbia for navigation, and it was through his work that much was done toward agitating this important ques- tion, as the people now living in the great Columbia basin drained by the Colum- bia River, a country whose area is over two hundred and fifty thousand square miles, equal in extent to the whole area of New England, New York and Ohio, and a portion of the State of Pennsylvania, would receive untold benefit by open- irg up the Columbia for navigation, as this area is teeming with the wealth of mines of gold, silver, copper, iron and the baser metals, an area capable of sup- porting many millions of people. Each year Mr. Parker was on the Committee for Memorial to the United States Congress, the most important committee ; and in October, 1890, he was unanimously elected their President, and continues to hold that position. (See Smalley's Magazine, St. Paul, August, 1887, on this and other subjects, and also referring to Mr. Parker and other documentary reports.)
After nearly a quarter of a century of close application to business indoors, Mr. Parker found it necessary to seek employment in the open air, and took to the saddle, superintending for four years the fencing and cultivation of several thousand acres of land which he had acquired in various counties. His diligence rewarded him by a return of from thirty to forty bushels of wheat to the acre on land (wheat only bringing thirty cents per bushel, owing to exorbitant transporta- tion charges and interest on money at the bank at 18 per cent. per annum) which ten years before he would not have paid the taxes on. He has been engaged since in superintending his farming and various other properties which his dili- gence has acquired.
On January 13th, 1872, he married Miss Laura Belle Glenn, of New Lisbon, Columbiana County, O., sister of Dr. J. G. Glenn, of Portland, recently deceased. Of three children, he buried two beautiful twin daughters, who died of diph- theria in the winter of 1878-79. He has one son now living, Orrin Glenn Parker, born June 2d, 1876.
After Mr. Parker's arrival in the beautiful Walla Walla valley, although he had travelled extensively throughout the United States in almost every latitude, the various and wonderful attractions of the valley, the mild, healthful, invigorat- ing climate, the various and prolific resources, producing almost every kind of vegetable, fruit, and grain, have kept him so charmed since first he saw the Eureka of his travels, that no place on the Puget Sound, or in Oregon, or Cali- fornia, or any part of the United States has induced him to change his home for the last thirty years.
Mr. Parker is now in the ripe, full years of a perfectly matured life, and has reached that point along the journey where he may pause and look back with a retrospective eye upon the ascent up which he has travelled, with a feeling of sat- isfaction that he has at least done his duty to his fellow-men. Although the road has been rough and the last few years fraught with pain and sickness, he has now reached the summit and regained his better health.
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His life has been exemplary in all worthy things ; charitable to the needy, and giving largely out of his bounty to any and all public enterprises tending to its welfare. He lived strictly temperate, even through years of early settlement, while intemperanee hurried many of his acquaintances and companions into untimely graves. His advice to all is, as the result of nearly forty years' actual litigation from the lowest to the highest courts in the land, and after mature deliberation and judgment, that it is far better for all disputes to be settled by arbitration rather than in the courts, although he has secured two peremptory mandamuses from the Supreme Court of the United States. He then could not get a just and equita- ble ruling in the lower courts on the merits of the case.
Now, last but not least, Mr. Parker's life has been a busy and a successful one, devoted to merchandise, the school-room, law practice, politics, and farm- ing. He has now reached the evening of his day, and glancing over his past, he is impressed with the goodness of God that has followed him, and the promise of the future awaiting them who love the Master. During these later years he has given much attention to thoughts of the future life, and to those who may peruse these pages, he commends the study of the Bible and the glorious hope which faith in the Lord Jesus Christ holds out to all men.
KILBOURNE, DR. EDWARD C .- There are few business men more favorably known in the city of Seattle than the gentleman of whom we write. His opera- tions in real estate have been of the most reliable character, and the services that he has rendered the city in calling attention to her advantages have been very great. In his personal character he has maintained an integrity worthy not only of the highest commendation, but of the imitation of young men.
Dr. Kilbourne was born in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia County, Vt., January 13th, 1856. Two years later the family removed to Aurora, Ill., where the youth and early manhood of our subject were passed. After attending the public schools he studied dentistry with his father, with whom he was afterward asso- ciated as a partner. In 1880 he gave up practice on account of ill health, and spent the next two seasons in Colorado. He then went to Chicago, Ill., where he remained until November, 1883, when he came to Seattle. Opening an office in this city, his high professional attainments were at once recognized, and he soon had an extensive dental practice. He was one of the principal organizers of the Washington Dental Association and its first Secretary. He was also first Presi- dent of the Territorial Board of Dental Examiners ; and largely through his influ- ence the present dental law, which has been the means of maintaining the stand- ard of the profession, was passed. Becoming interested in real estate, he retired from practice in 1888 to devote his whole attention to other enterprises. In addi- tion to his real estate transactions he became much interested in electric street railways, together with L. H. Griffith and F. H. Osgood. He was one of the organizers of the Seattle Electric Railway and Power Company, which put in operation the first successful electric railway on the Pacific Coast. Of this com- pany he was successively Secretary, President, and Treasurer, retaining his offi- cial connection with the company to within a short time of disposing of his in- terests therein. He is President of the Union Electric Company, which furnishes lights for all the streets of the city and three fourths of the commercial houses,
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besides running a large number of stationary motors furnishing power for indus- trial purposes. He is also interested in many other important enterprises, includ- ing the Fremont Milling Company, of which he is Vice-President. Dr. Kilbourne is a friend of every public enterprise ; a man of large liberality, using his pros- perity for the growth and improvement of the city. He is a man of great busi- ness sagacity, whose affairs and judgment are rarely at fault as to private under- takings or public enterprises. He is a Director of the National Bank of Com- merce, and President of the Seattle Building and Loan Association. He is a leading member of the Young Men's Christian Association, and for the last three years has acted as President of that organization. He is a Trustee of the Plymouth Congregational Church, and is deeply interested in church and chari- table work. A source of much pleasure and pride to him is his Sunday-school class of fifty young ladies. Early in life Dr. Kilbourne has attained to a position that would satisfy the ambitions of most men ; but his career, already brilliant in its achievements, promises to be of still greater benefit to the city and State in the years to come.
Dr. Kilbourne was married in 1886 to Miss Leilla Shorey, an estimable and accomplished lady, only daughter of O. C. Shorey, a pioneer and one of Seattle's most highly respected citizens.
JONES, DANIEL .- Few American cities can furnish so many instances where men have achieved success in the course of a very few years simply by well- directed effort as Seattle. The subject of this sketch is a striking example of the truth of this statement. Coming to Seattle only five years ago, practically without money, but possessed of good health and plenty of pluck and energy, he has rapidly pushed his way onward and upward until to-day he occupies a promi- nent place among the leading business men of the city. He was born in Bloss- burg, Pa., March 14th, 1856, and was reared on a farm at Williamsburg, Ia. He acquired his education at Iowa College, Grinnell, from which institution he was graduated in 1880. He attended Columbia Law School, New York City, for one year, and was admitted to the Bar in 1882 at Fargo, Dak., where he began prac- tice. One year later he removed to Minneapolis, Minn., where he engaged in the real estate business and remained for four years. The next year was spent in Duluth, also in the real estate business. Then, in 1887, he emigrated to San Diego, Cal. During his six months' residence in the latter place he gained considerable in- formation concerning the sound country, and resolved to try his fortune there. Accordingly he came to Seattle June 10th, 1888, and at once embarked in the real estate business as a member of the firm of Bowman & Jones. A few months later he opened an office for himself under the firm name of Daniel Jones & Co., and has so continued to the present time. With Mr. Guy C. Phinney he built the Butler Block soon after the great Seattle fire. This building he afterward sold to Chicago capitalists. Mr. Jones is a large owner of real estate in Seattle, and his operations in this line have exhibited sagacious foresight. He is also largely interested in mining at Monte Cristo, Wash., and is President of the Hannah Gold and Silver Mining Company. During his whole business life Mr. Jones has borne a high reputation as an honorable, straightforward business man. Every obligation he has assumed he has faithfully performed. He is progressive
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in his ideas, has firm belief in the future of Seattle, and to the extent of his abil- ity lends his aid to every project to advance and beautify the city. Personally he is a man of pleasant and winning manners, and has a wide circle of intimate friends. In 1890 he was appointed President of the first Board of Park Commis- sioners for Seattle.
Mr. Jones was married January 4th, 1889, to Miss Kate Gregg, of Wheeling, W. Va.
CHILBERG, ANDREW, banker, of Seattle, was born near Laholm, Sweden, March 29th, 1845. When still a lad his parents emigrated to America, settling in Iowa, where he received his early education in the county school near Ot- tumwa in that State, and left there with his father and older brother for Pike's Peak during the gold excitement of 1860. He returned to Iowa, and in 1863 crossed the plains by wagon train, arriving at Sacramento, Cal., September 24th, after a trip lasting five months. He visited a brother in Yolo County, Cal., then worked for two years on a farm, using his savings to complete his educa- tion. Removing to Stockton, he found employment for a year in West Brothers' nursery, during which time he attended the Stockton Business College, though suffering continually from poor health, brought on by exposure while crossing the plains. In 1866 he visited Iowa and obtained a teacher's certificate at Ot- tumwa, and taught school there for three years. He then engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store, remaining in that employment for six years. In 1875 he settled at Seattle, where he still lives. He occupied himself first in the grocery business with two brothers, the firm being Chilberg Brothers. He sold out in 1882 to en- gage in insurance. In 1878 he was elected to the City Council. In 1879 he received the appointment of Vice-Consul for Sweden and Norway. In 1882 he was elected by an overwhelming majority as County Assessor. He was appointed City Treasurer in 1885. In 1886 he accepted the position of City Passenger and Ticket Agent for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which he resigned in 1892 to assume the Presidency of the Scandinavian-American Bank of Seattle. He was married November 5th, 1874, at Ottumwa, Ia., to Miss Mary Nelson. They have one son. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order United Workingmen.
DILLMAN, L. C .- The active career of Mr. L. C. Dillman, of Spokane, offers to our readers and ambitious young men everywhere an example of pluck and energy worthy of emulation. Probably no State in the Union ever afforded the varied and flattering inducements for the exercise of financial ingenuity offered by Washington. But even under advantageous circumstances few men have dis- played the genius which has marked the career of Mr. Dillman, who has so quick- ly and successfully sprung to the front in the growth of Spokane.
Mr. Dillman is a scion of the Blue Grass State, being a native of Louisville, Ky., where he was born in 1856. His early education was acquired in the public schools, and it was not until he came to Spokane in 1883 that his remarkable financial ingenuity and executive ability were first shown. Accepting the first business opportunity offered, he took a salaried position for a short time, and then embarked in the real estate and investment business for himself. His pub-
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lic spirit and energy soon placed him in a position of prominence and importance, and no public enterprise in the interest of the town was undertaken without his material assistance and advice. One of the foremost in the ranks of public work- ers, he has guided, directed, and led in the development of that prosperous city with a diligence and determination which have brought Spokane to its present condition of commercial importance and prosperity.
He has now under his personal control and supervision real estate and mining properties to the value of over $5,000,000. One of the most powerful corpora- tions in the State, the St. Paul Land and Improvement Company, owes its exist- ence to Mr. Dillman, who has charge of its interests in the city. It is a syndicate which owns large tracts of land, and some of the most valuable real estate in this city and in Eastern Washington ; and the interests of the company are entrusted entirely to the hands of Mr. Dillman. He has guided the operation and super- vised their interests in the Northwest in a faithful, honest, and most successful manner. Another most important enterprise which owes its existence to the supe- rior business qualifications and foresight of Mr. Dillman is the Pacific Bullion Mining Company, with a capital stock of $1,000,000. The mines of this corpora- tion embrace several of the richest claims in the Kootenai country. Some are being developed very profitably, and have demonstrated the fact that the Kootenai region produces some of the richest and best paying ores of any mining region in the world. He has now inaugurated in connection with the Pacific Bullion Min- ing Company an organization which has for its object the opening up and de- velopment of the entire Kootenai country. They intend to build railroads and steamers to bring their mines in closer communication and effect easier trans- portation with and from this city. His spirit to aid in the general welfare and development of Spokane has manifested itself in the many liberal offers which Mr. Dillman has made with a view of fostering the industries in this city. He has offered sites for factories, and has donated without any compensation valu- able tracts of land upon which to locate an iron foundry, a glove factory, woollen and paper mills, a furniture factory, and a knitting factory. The aggregate value of these donations is not less than $75,000. In addition to these Mr. Dill- man made the most magnanimous offer to the Exposition Corporation. He was instrumental in the donation of a tract of land 300 × 300 feet, and valued at $60,000, in order to aid the enterprise, and the magnificent grounds upon which the imposing building is located was in part his gift. Mr. Dillman is the senior member of one of the most prominent real estate and investment brokerage firms in Spokane, and is also identified with many of the soundest and most substantial banking institutions here.
The building of the Great Northern Railway to Spokane was the result of the earnest and untiring work of Mr. Dillman in its behalf. For two years he was engaged in the effort to secure the road for this city. He pointed out to the President of the road the fact that by coming here he would secure a large and lucrative business for his road. He patiently answered all questions, and by ceaseless effort and unremitting energy overcame the many obstacles which pre- sented themselves. Since the building of the Great Northern Mr. Dillman has had entire control of the town sites along the road, which are destined to become some of the most important points in the State. Barren Ferry, Albany Falls,
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Rock Island, and a number of other town sites between the Cascade Range and Spokane are under his exclusive control and management.
The future magnitude of his business and financial interests can only be esti- mated, as the State is yet in its infancy ; but in addition to the above-mentioned enterprises, Mr. Dillman is a Director in the Washington National Bank, Presi- dent of the Pacific Bullion Mining Company, Director in the Spokane Hydraulic Mining Company, and Vice-President of the Union Stock Yards, besides serving as a Director in the Northwestern Industrial Exposition and numerous other institutions.
Mr. Dillman has resided in Spokane but ten years, but during that short period he has done more for the interests of the city than many accomplish in a lifetime. Hc enjoys the confidence and estecm of all he comes in contact with. Affable, courteous, and liberal, he numbers among his friends and acquaintances many of the most prominent men in the country. Untiring energy, integrity of purpose, and honest dealing have been the foundation upon which he has built his most successful career. To the character and business push of such men as Mr. Dillman the new Northwest is indebted for its rapid development and great strength.
DURHAM, NELSON W .- Among the newspaper men of Washington deserving of honorable mention is Nelson W. Durham, editor of the Morning Review. Though only in his thirty-third year, Mr. Durham has achieved an enviable posi- tion in the field of journalism. Educated at the printer's case and early taught the practical lessons of life, he has gained his present position through constant work and patient industry. He was born in the State of Missouri, and at the age of fourteen ycars left school and began the study of the drug business. Finding that employment unsuited to his tastes, he entered the office of the Atchison County Journal, and served an apprenticeship at the printer's trade.
In 1879 he went to Denver, Col., and in 1881 came to Portland, Ore. He pub- lished and cdited the Oregon Tribune in 1882, and in the following winter cn- tered the editorial office of the Portland Oregonian. He served on the staff of that great and controlling journal, under the able direction of Harvey W. Scott, until October, 1889, when he began his duties as editor of the Morning Review. Mr. Durham is a man of alert mind, and speaks and writes with admirable force. He is steadfast in his friendships, and has intellectual qualities that would bring him to distinction in any situation.
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