USA > Washington > History of Washington the evergreen state : from early dawn to daylight with portraits and biographies Vol. I > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
Politically Judge Little is a Republican, and his political star is not yet at its zenith, and the grand young State of Washington may yet do herself proud by elevating Judge Little to the Supreme Bench of the State or to a seat in the Senate of the United States, either of which he would fill with distinguished ability ; and if his party prevails, he is very soon to be called into the public service of his State.
SIMMONS, DANIEL W., of North Yakima, Sheriff of Yakima County, was born in Oregon in 1861. His father, James T. Simmons, was a Wisconsin farmer, his mother, Martha M. Bennett Simmons, having been born in Ohio. Educated in the public schools of Oregon, and a student also for a year at Columbia College, Portland, Ore., he removed to Yakima County, Wash., and began active life as a Deputy under Sheriff J. J. Tyler, a position which he continued to hold until his election by the Republicans in 1890 to the office of Sheriff. He was re-elected in 1892 on the same ticket for a further term of two years. Mr. Simmons was mar- ried in 1883 to Miss Mary A. Mabry, a native daughter of the Evergreen State. They have a family of three children. Mr. Simmons is a property-owner, the possessor of a valuable hop yard and other desirable realty. Fraternally he is a Mason, Odd Fellow, and Knight of Pythias of the uniformed rank. He is a Republican in politics and an influential factor in the progress of his party, and has proved himself efficient in the offices committed to his care.
Frank. M. Peterson
463
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
ELLIS, MYRON H., of North Yakima, Auditor of Yakima County, was born in Iowa October 22d, 1863. His father, Amos Ellis, was a farmer and a native of Ohio, his mother, Elizabeth (Robertson) Ellis, being from Tennessee. Myron obtained his early education in the public schools of Iowa, supplemented by a commercial course at Des Moines, but in reality he was essentially self-taught. His first occupation was in the life-insurance business at Des Moines, where he continued a year. He then engaged as Manager for L. E. Alyn's mercantile es- tablishment at Steamboat Rocks, Ia., with whom he remained until he came West in 1888, locating at North Yakima, and finding employment in the sheriff's office for a year. He then engaged with A. B. Weed, hardware merchant of Yakima, the present representative-elect for that county. He left this position to under- take business for himself, in which he continued until he sold out in 1890, having been elected to the office of Auditor of Yakima County. He was re-elected in 1892 on the Republican ticket. He was married in 1890 to Miss Clara J. Sinclair, a native of New Brunswick. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias, and Past Grand of the ' Odd Fellows. The son of an old Western pioneer, Mr. Ellis shows a record worthy of the stock from which he is descended.
THRONSON, JOEL A., of Dayton, Sheriff of Columbia County, Wash., was born in Santa Clara County, Cal., June 30th, 1864. His father, Willis Thronson, was a Norwegian farmer, and his mother, Annie Thronson, was of the same nationality. Educated in the public schools of California and Washington, though practically a self-educated man, in September, 1873, Mr. Thronson located on a farm near Dayton, and followed agricultural pursuits until about three years ago, when he became a dealer in grain. He was elected, in 1890, Sheriff of Co- lumbia County, on the Democratic ticket, to hold office for two years. He is engaged in the real-estate business under the firm name of Raymond & Thron- son. He is the owner of one of the finest residences in the city. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order United Workingmen, and Woodmen of the World. Politically he is a Democrat, and one of the leading men of that party in Eastern Washington. He makes hosts of friends, thanks to his genial and generous nature, and is the youngest man who may claim to hold the office of Sheriff in the Northwest.
He was, in January, 1893, united in marriage to Miss Etta Fouts, the estimable daughter of the present Postmaster of Dayton.
MATHEWS, JOHN W., a talented and promising young attorney-at-law, de- servedly occupies a prominent place among the leading citizens of Pullman, Wash., and furnishes an instance of a worthy exception to the text that "a ' prophet is without honor in his own country," for local prints speak of him as " an industrious, energetic, and close student of law, with a high and noble regard for his profession," and numerous other excellent things relative to his private life and character which the space allotted to a biographical sketch does not permit us to recall.
Mr. Mathews is a native American, born in Allen County, Ind., April 27th, 1864, being the seventh child of Samuel and Elvira Mathews, natives of Ohio.
21
464
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
His school days were spent at the little frame schoolhouse on his father's farm ; at the Methodist Episcopal College of Fort Wayne, Ind .; at the Eastman National Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and in the Law Department of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, Mich. He commenced the study of law in the office of Spencer & Jenkinson, at Fort Wayne, Ind., read one year, then went to Auburn, Ind., and read one year in the office of Hon. D. D. Moody, and then entered the Law Department of Michigan University, taking the full two years' course, and graduating from that famous institution in the Class of 1889. When seventeen years old Mr. Mathews resolved to get a college education without any assistance in a financial way from his parents. He started in with $75, remaining at college until that was spent ; then taught school to earn more money to enter college again. Thus he continued until he had laid that splendid foundation for the practice of his chosen profession, at which he has been and now is very successful.
In the month of July, 1889, soon after graduating at Michigan University, Mr. Mathews formed a copartnership with Hon. D. D. Moody, of Auburn, Ind., for the purpose of practising law. The partnership existed for one year, and was then dissolved by mutual consent, as Mr. Mathews desired to go West. In May, 1891, he came to Pullman, Washı., where he opened a law office and commenced to practise his profession, where he has built up a lucrative and increasing busi- ness and has made for himself the reputation of liking nothing better than to try and to win a farmer's cause ; for, being a farmer's son, he well understands the trials and needs of the agriculturist, and has for him always a most hearty sym- pathy. Although most thoroughly equipped, and already a man of many attain- ments, Mr. Mathews is, from both habit and principle, a close student, still giving the most earnest attention to all business committed to his hands, well knowing that earnest, conscientious labor is the sure and only true means by which the lawyer may secure future substantial prominence.
SNELL, MARSHALL K., an able and successful lawyer of Tacoma, was born at Ottumwa, Ia., January 4th, 1860, and is the son of Dr. John Marshall King, who, as a physician and surgeon, served during the War of the Rebellion. Having acquitted himself creditably, and being dangerously wounded, Dr. King returned to his wife and family November 1st, 1864, and died three days thereafter. A few days later the terrible disease of small-pox broke out, and the mother and other members of the King family excepting Marshall were laid to rest beside the veteran father. During the excitement that prevailed at the time, Marshall was sent to the pest-house and afterward to the State Orphans' Home at Farm- ington, Ia., where he remained till past seven years of age, when he was adopted by William J. Snell, a farmer, and his name changed from J. Marshall King to Marshall K. Snell. His foster parents moved to Western Wisconsin shortly after his adoption.
Mr. Snell's boyhood was spent on a farm, working during the summer months and attending school during the winter, and many times, after working in the field all day, lie would sit up by the dim light and study his books, and by untiring perseverance he obtained a good common schooling. When eighteen he commenced teaching school and reading law ; afterward attended the Wisconsin State University and Law School, graduating in June, 1881, and in July took up
465
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
his residence in the city of Seymour, Wis., where he practised his profession, and held city and county offices until 1888. At this time, hearing favorable reports of Tacoma, he went to that city.
On January 4th, 1882, Mr. Snell was married to Jennie R. McDonah, of Cen- treville, Wis., and has one son, William Arthur.
But few know the untiring efforts of Mr. Snell to gain his present rank in the legal profession. The little room at the farm-house where he spent the hours after his day's work in summer, and the wood stove by whose flickering light he read his books in the winter evenings, could tell something of it, as could also the cheap room and board at college ; but these are seldom mentioned. It is rather the kind words of cheer received from friends during this period of his life that are proudly remembered by him.
Mr. Snell inherits the strongest patriotism, and to him the words " Union veteran" are synonymous with gallantry, devotion to country, and the sacrifices of one who has fought and endured danger and hardship for the republic and its institutions, all of which he loves, honors, and reveres.
Though a busy lawyer, he is an active member of the National Guard of Wash- ington, and a commissioned officer, being a Colonel of Cavalry on the staff of the Brigadier-General.
As a lawyer in the civil practice, Mr. Snell represents railroad and other cor- porations, and his practice extends throughout the State. His clients have faith in him for his integrity, ability, shrewdness, and faithful guardianship of their legal interests. Illustrative of Mr. Snell's success as an advocate in criminal cases, the fact is noted that he has successfully defended and thereby obtained the ac- quittal of seven men charged with murder in the first degree ; and of the large number of persons charged with different crimes whom he has defended, all but six have been acquitted.
Mr. Snell is reserved in his manner, a man of good habits and close applica- tion, yet withal an athlete, well versed in the science of self-defence, an excel- lent shot, and one of the best horsemen in the State.
By careful attention to business, becoming economy, and commendable enter- prise, he has acquired property to an extent that ranks him among the wealthy men of Tacoma. Among his possessions is a rich law library second to no private collection of the kind in the State of Washington. He is also the owner of one of the largest improved farms in Western Washington, " Valley View Farm," where fine horses and cattle are raised and kept.
Mr. Snell is not a politician, but takes much interest in all public matters. A's a citizen he enjoys the confidence and esteem of a host of people, and while · he cherishes the friendship of the worthy among the humblest, he is also the associate and peer of the most prosperous and exalted of his fellow-citizens.
HAM, DAVID T., one of Latah's most prominent citizens, was born in Minne- sota in 1857. His father, Edwin, crossed the plains in the " ox team" emigra- tion of 1859, locating at Red Bluff, Cal., where he enga ged in farming and stock- raising. In 1869 we find him a hotel-keeper in Nevada; then in 1872 in the cattle business at Elko, Nev., until 1883, when he came to Washington, estab- lishing himself at what is now Latah. Buying land, he started the first store in
466
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON. 1
that place with his son, the subject of this sketch, as partner. They continued to do a successful business until 1888, when they sold out ; but many other en- terprises occupied and continued to engage the attention of this active and far- seeing firm, such as stores in Cœur d'Alene and the buying and selling and improvement of land. The father died in 1890, a strong and earnest worker in the Methodist Church, of which he was a member, and for the Republican Party, to which he was a close adherent. No man did more for the advancement of the city in which he dwelt than this pioneer citizen of Latah. His useful life found recognition in the respect of his fellows and left many tokens to preserve and dignify his memory. David T. was educated in the public schools of Oakland, Cal., receiving the final finish in the University of the Pacific, at San José. In 1887 he went to Spokane and took charge of the firm's business in that city till 1890. Fortunate in all things, he married, in 1880, Miss Emma Daniels, of New York. Like his father, he is an enthusiastic Republican, and a successful worker in the enterprises in which he engages.
CÆSAR, PHILIP VANDERBILT, President of the Metropolitan Savings Bank, Ta- coma, was born in Franklin, N. J., June 21st, 1866. In his infancy he removed with his parents to Staten Island, and four years later to Mobile, Ala., where he resided until his eleventh year. He then removed to Newburgh, N. Y., and attended the high school of that city. In 1880 the family returned to Staten Island, and there young Philip continued his studies under a private tutor. In 1884 he en- tered the Columbia College School of Art, where he pursued a course of study for two years. At the expiration of this term he entered the service of the New York Central Railroad Company as Clerk in the Treasurer's Office in New York City. Six months later, failing health compelled him to give up this position, and he entered the employ of W. S. Nichols & Co., of 33 Wall Street, N. Y., in whose service he continued about three years, first as Clerk and afterward as Cashier.
In July, 1889, Mr. Cæsar came to Tacoma, Wash., where he became connected with the Tacoma Building and Savings Association (now the Metropolitan Sav- ings Bank). He began as Assistant Cashier ; in January, 1891, was promoted to the Cashiership, and in November, 1892, was made the President. He also has charge of the interests of Mr. George W. Vanderbilt, of New York City, who owns the Pacific National Bank Building, and the Vanderbilt and Barker Building in Tacoma. Mr. Cæsar is an excellent example of the energetic young business men who are doing so much for the growth and development of the Pacific Northwest. In the management of affairs he has shown a high order of executive ability, and the prosperous condition of the enterprises with which he is connected is largely due to his energetic exertions. He is warmly attached to the home of his adop- tion, and takes a lively interest in all enterprises tending toward its advancement.
He was married April 29th, 1890, to Miss Fanny L. Little, daughter of Judge John W. Little, of New York City. Mr. Cæsar is a grandson of Captain Jacob H. Vanderbilt, of Staten Island, N. Y. His father was Major Erastus Sparrow Purdy, son of Governor Samuel Purdy, formerly of California, and President of the Senate of that State for several years. Major Purdy died in Cairo, Egypt, where he was Pasha on the staff of the Khedive. He was the third white man who ever
467
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
put foot in Darpoor, Abyssinia. He led about fifty thousand Egyptian troops on an exploring and surveying expedition into Abyssinia, where he made many im- portant discoveries. The natives, intimidated at such a large body of men, were not inclined to fight, and hence but little bloodshed occurred. Major Lovell Purdy, uncle of our subject, was killed at Fredericksburgh.
PARKER, JOHN A., was born in Clay County, Ill., in 1859, and when one year of age removed with his parents to Fountain County, Ind., where he received an academic education and commenced to teach school at the age of eighteen years. He taught long enough to take a course at college, and entered Central College in 1876, graduating from that splendid institution with distinction in 1880. Immediately upon his graduation he began the study of law, and in 1882 was ad- mitted to the Bar. He began the practice of his profession in Crawfordsville, Ind. Hearing of the wonderful advantages of the Pacific Northwest, he decided to come here, and on September 15th, 1883, he left Crawfordsville, coming di- rect to Tacoma. Here he applied himself with renewed energy to his profession, entered at once into a good practice, and his business has been steadly and rapidly increasing ever since. He has closely and diligently devoted himself to his pro- fession, and to-day ranks with those lawyers who lead the Pierce County Bar. Mr. Parker is a man of firm judgment and practical business sense, and his personal integrity and high character are well known to the entire community. He is naturally a man of positive, well-grounded convictions, and he is open and candid in the expressions of his views. On questions of public policy, his position is always clear and emphatic. In politics he is a firm believer in the principles of the Democratic Party, and an active promoter of its interests whenever op- portunity offers. In the fall of 1892 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for Superior Judge, and, though defeated, ran several hundred ahead of his ticket. He was one of the organizers of the Commercial Bank of Tacoma, of which he is a director, and he is also the attorney for the bank. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Commercial Club.
MADIGAN, FRANCIS E., was born October 4th, 1859, in an old log house in Dodge County, Wis. His father was one of the pioneers of that county, having purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from the Government in 1842. In 1844 he married Miss Elizabeth Mulvaney, daughter of a neighboring pioneer farmer. This union proved a happy one, and prosperity soon blossomed on the little farm. Eight children blessed their home, five girls and three boys, Francis E. being the seventh child. When he was four years old his mother died, and in the next year his father married Miss Ellen McCarthy. The father being of a cold, stern nature, and having no education, cared little for company himself and kept his children at home. Thus debarred from the society of their neighbors, these children grew up with unusual love and affection for one another. Only three are living-a brother, who has been County Attorney of Redwood County, Minn., for the last six years ; a sister, who still resides at the old homestead, and Francis E. The latter early took a great liking for study. The school which he attended was the best country school in the neighborhood ; two teachers were employed in winter. Francis diligently applied himself to his studies, and at the
468
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
age of sixteen was acknowledged to be the best scholar in the school. Desiring the advantages of a more liberal education, and fearing to ask his father for money, he determined to earn for himself the means to continue his studies. After working a year and a half, and saving $200 in cash, he went to visit his brother in Lamberton, Minn. After working there nearly a year, he attended, during the winter, the school of his brother, who was County Superintendent and the teacher at Lamberton. The next spring he worked on the railroad as a section hand and also on the grade. Late in the following fall le determined to take a course at the St. Paul Business College. After paying travelling expenses and tuition and purchasing books, he had no money left, but he found a place where he could saw wood, care for horses, build fires, etc., and for two years he worked for his board while he attended the business college and high school.
After leaving St. Paul, he began his career as a teacher by teaching two terms in Dunn County, Wis., and afterward attended the Normal School at River Falls, in the same State. He next attended Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., for a short time, when his money gave out, and being unable to obtain employment as a teacher, he worked during the summer in a stone quarry near Owatonna, Minn., and in the following fall attended the Baptist Academy at Owatonna, until he obtained a situation as teacher of a country school seven miles north of that place. The next spring he visited his brother, and then went to Chippewa Falls. After teaching three terms in Chippewa County, he went to Madison, Wis., determined to continue the modern classical course at the State University, followed by a course in the law school. Making known his intentions to the Faculty, he was advised, on account of liis age and the education he had already acquired, to begin the law course at at once. After attending the law school one year, he taught the village school of Birnamwood, Wis., for nine months, then returned and finished his course, graduating June 20th, 1888.
After graduating, he had but very little money left, and was in doubt what to do. Having received a letter from the West Publishing Company of St. Paul, soliciting his services as a clerk, he visited them, but the terms were so unsatis- factory he would not accept them. He found employment at the rooms of the Republican State Central Committee, and four weeks later was sent out by the committee as a campaign speaker. For six weeks he spoke nearly every evening in different parts of the State. After the election he determined to go West, and with a thousand-mile ticket and $30 in his pocket, he took the St. Paul, Minneap- olis and Manitoba train for Great Falls, Mon. When the train arrived at Fort Buford the conductor declined to accept his ticket for further passage, as it was limited to that point. He was obliged to pay his fare with the $30 in his pocket, and reached Great Falls on Sunday without a cent. Business was very dull, but after travelling about the town for a few hours, he met James Lawyer, a con- tractor, who told him he did not need any one, but would give him a few days' job for charity's sake. He replied that it was work, not charity, he wanted, and turned to go away. Mr. Lawyer called him back, and told him that he did need a man for about a week, and would pay him $2 per day, and on Monday morning Mr. Madigan began carrying the hod for masons who were building chimneys, and a few weeks later obtained employment in the Cataract Flour Mills. After saving a few dollars, he determined to see Spokane, and on his arrival there
469
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
found employment as Solicitor and Correspondent for the Review. This gave lıim an excellent opportunity to see the eastern part of Washington and Northern Idaho. Visiting the beautiful Wenachee valley, he determined to make his future home there, and gave up the newspaper business for the real estate and law, and represented the pioneer real-estate and law firm of the Wenachee valley. The great fires in Spokane, Seattle, and Ellensburg destroyed his business, the people of those cities finding use for their capital at home. Mr. Madigan had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, which took all the money he had, and was obliged to walk from Ellensburg to Seattle, arriving there without a cent. He first obtained employment for awhile in the brick yard of Smith Brothers at West Seattle, and afterward worked as Solicitor for the Tacoma Globe for six months. This gave him an opportunity to see the Sound country and Western Washington. He also taught school on Orcas Island, in King County and in the Wenachee valley, where he has returned to stay, with plenty of work and bright prospects for the future.
LANE, FRANKLIN KNIGHT, Editor and Orator, was born near Charlottetown, Prince Edward's Island, July 15th, 1864, and received his education in the public schools and university of the State of California, his parents having removed to that State early in his life. After a course of study in Hastings College, he was admitted to the Bar, but never practised, taking up journalism as a profession. He was editorial writer on several California papers, then removed to New York, where he served as correspondent for Western papers and special writer for the New York dailies, also contributing to various magazines. He is widely known as a political speaker ; stumped California when but eighteen years of age, and in succeeding campaigns lias spoken in all the Pacific Coast States, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. In 1890 he became one of the proprietors of the Tacoma Daily News, the leading Democratic paper of the State of Washing- ton, and is now its editor. As a newspaper man Mr. Lane is exceptionally bold, believing it to be a newspaper's duty to lead rather than follow. Mr, Lane is Scotch, English, and Irish in ancestry, belonging on his mother's side to the Morrow family, which for many generations represented Ireland in Parliament.
METCALF, RALPH, was born in Providence, R. I., in 1861, studied at Brown University and the University of Michigan, and graduated from the latter insti- tution in 1883. After serving on the staff of the Pioneer Press of St. Paul, Minn., for two years, he bought the Winona (Minnesota) Herald in 1885, and edited the same until the fall of 1889, when he bought a half interest in the Tacoma Morning Globe, and was editor in-chief of that journal as long as it was published. The Globe was considered one of the strongest and most influential papers in the Pacific Northwest. In the campaign of 1890 it was a very powerful factor, and to its influence was ascribed largely the overwhelming victory of its city and county ticket. When depression came in 1892, and it became impossible to sup- port two morning papers, the Globe was merged in the Ledger.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.