USA > Washington > History of Washington the evergreen state : from early dawn to daylight with portraits and biographies Vol. I > Part 34
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Mr. Metcalf was elected Secretary of the Board of Public Works of Tacoma in 1890, and resigned in June, 1891. In May, 1892, he was induced to again take the position, and still holds it. He is interested in several mining and real-
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estate enterprises, and was one of the first to foresee and profit by the possibilities of Everett, although pinning his faith and residence to Tacoma. He was married ʻ in the spring of 1887 in Minnesota.
LILLIS, HENRY M., Chief of the Tacoma Fire Department, is a fair example of what energy and perseverance will do for a man. Chief Lillis, as he is popu- larly called, was born in Lansing, Mich., February 14th, 1856. At the age of three years he removed with his parents to Stillwater, Minn., and two years later to St. Croix Falls, Wis. Here he resided until he reached the age of sixteen, alternately attending school and learning the trade of millwright. Shortly after reaching his sixteenth year he went to Stillwater, Minn., where he attended the high school two years and graduated with honors. The next three years were devoted to teaching school in Polk County, Wis., holding at the third year the position of President of the Polk County Teachers' Association. His first politi- cal honor was his election as a member of the County Board of Commissioners of Polk County, Wis. Becoming anxious to visit other portions of the country, he travelled through the Southern States, finally reaching Texas, where he remained three years, working at his trade in the cities of Galveston, Houston, San Antonio and Waco. His next trip was to the mining districts of Nevada and California, remaining about one year in the mining districts lying in and about Virginia City, Carson City, Bodie, and Candelaria. Becoming dissatisfied with mining, he went on horseback from Reading, Cal., to Roseburg, Ore. He settled at Albany, Ore., and became interested in a saw-mill at Waterloo, and in the construction of the Oregon Pacific Railroad from Corvallis to Yaquina Bay.
After spending about one year in Oregon, he moved to Washington Territory in May, 1881, and located in the First Ward of the city of Tacoma, then known as Old Tacoma, where, with the exception of six months spent at La Conner, teaching school, he has since resided. In 1883 he became principal of the Long- fellow School, in which position he remained six years. While engaged at school work he pursued the study of law, and was admitted to the Bar in November, 1887. In April, 1885, he was nominated by the Republican Party to represent the First Ward in the City Council, and was elected unanimously. In 1888 he was re-elected, holding his seat in the City Council continuously for five years. In August, 1884, he became an active member in organizing the Eagle Hose Com- pany No. 2 of Tacoma Volunteer Fire Department. In April, 1886, he was elected First Assistant Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department of the city and held the position for three years. In November, 1886, he was elected Justice of the Peace from the First Ward, and served two years, holding court after school hours each day. In May, 1889, he was elected by the Republicans of the Twenty-first District, of Pierce County, to represent said district in the Constitu- tional Convention, which framed the present State Constitution. On March 1st, 1890, he was elected Chief of Tacoma paid Fire Department, and under his man- agement the present department has grown, until to-day it stands without an equal on the Pacific Coast.
MANN, CHAMPION B., the present Treasurer of Thurston County, is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Crawford County, Pa., in 1844. Like that of
Moary to. Peterson
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so many of the self-made men of this country, his early life was spent upon the farm. At the age of twenty years he came vid Isthmus route to Oregon, locating in the Willamette valley, where he taught school for six years, being Principal during two years of that time of the Collegiate Institute, of Jefferson, Marion County. He came to Olympia in 1870, and after teaching school for six months, purchased the Puget Sound Drug Store, and has continued that business ever since. This was the pioneer drug store on the sound, having been established in 1853. In 1873 he was married to Miss Evangeline S. Brewer, of Olympia. During the whole term of his residence in Olympia, Mr. Mann has taken an ac- tive interest in public affairs. He is an earnest, zealous Republican, and has repeatedly been the recipient of honors at the hands of his party. In 1872 he was appointed Deputy County Treasurer, which office he filled for one year. He was elected to the office of City Treasurer for three successive terms. In 1884 he was elected County Treasurer, and has, by successive re-elections, held that position ever since. The satisfactory manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office has won the good will of all, irrespective of party. He is justly regarded as one of the most reliable and trustworthy citizens of Olympia, a man of perfect integrity of character and untarnished reputation. He is a man of pleasant address, of generous and kindly instincts. and possesses many warm friends. He is a Past Grand in Olympia Lodge, No. 1, Independent Order Odd- Fellows, the first Odd Fellows Lodge organized in the Territory of Washington, and is also a Past Master in Washington Lodge, No. 9, Ancient Order United Workingmen.
KING, C. B., of Avondale Farm, was born in Iowa, March 16th, 1843, the son of David King, a prosperous farmer of Lee County. His early years were spent on his father's farm, attending during this time the district schools of the neigh- borhood. At the age of ten years he crossed the plains to Oregon with his par- ents. The family settled at Corvallis, and young King assisted his father in his business of milling and farming until he was seventeen years of age, and then started out for himself. He followed various pursuits, travelling through Southern Oregon and California, trading, mining, and handling stock until 1861, when he came to Walla Walla, Wash. The years 1861 and 1862 were spent in Walla Walla, the Salmon River mines and Florence, and in the fall of the latter year he returned to Oregon. In 1864 he again removed to Walla Walla, and en- gaged in packing, going into the Boise Basin in Southern Idaho with supplies, and to Montana in the fall of 1864. Crossing the Mullan trail in 1865, he re- turned to Montana with pack trains, and went to Reynolds City, on Bear Gulch, then a placer camp. After his return he went to Elk City, Ida., then a booming placer camp, and there engaged in handling beef, operating his pack train and supplying the miners with milk, doing a profitable business.
In 1868 Mr. King returned to Walla Walla, and married Miss Mary A. Cox, daughter of Anderson Cox, of Walla Walla County. After his marriage lie returned to Oregon, and remained there until 1870. In that year he came to Washington again and located a farm on Union Flat, afterward taking up a ranch on what is now the town site of Colfax, Wash. Here he engaged in the cattle business with Tom Smith, now State Senator, until the fall of 1873, when he re- moved to Colfax, then just starting up.
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There he engaged in the drug business, kept a livery stable, and operated a stage line to Lewiston, Ida., Palouse City, Spokane Falls, Fort Colville, and other points. In 1880 he removed to the present site of Spokane Falls, then a frontier village, and associated with his present partner, Mr. Monaghan. They carried on a livery business until 1882 and built the first telegraph line from Spo- kane Falls to Fort Spokane. In 1882 they established the sutler's store at Fort Spokane, and purchased the one at Fort Sherman. Mr. Monaghan operated tlie former while Mr. King managed the latter for four years. During this time they established a line of steamers between Cœur d'Alene City and the mission, which was afterward sold to D. C. Corbin, and is now a part of the Northern Pacific system.
In 1886 Mr. King removed again to Spokane, where lie engaged in the real- estate business for a number of years, and became thoroughly identified with the growth and progress of the town. Having secured a large tract of land adjoining Hayden Lakes, he determined to make his home there, and he has erected a beautiful residence overlooking the smaller lake, called Fernwood Lake, in one of the loveliest spots in the State. His farm of over eighteen hundred acres is level and beautiful. The lake is a popular summer resort, and bids fair to become one of the most attractive places in the State.
In 1883 Mr. King, with his partner, laid out the present town of Cœur d'Alene City, most of which they now own. The new electric railway which is being built from Spokane to this place will make it one of the most attractive and pros- perous towns in the State, and will greatly enhance the value of the property of Messrs. Monaghan & King.
Mr. King lost his first wife in 1878, and in 1880 he married Miss Belle Wimpy, daughter of Major Wimpy, of Spokane. He has been blessed with three chil- dren-Homer, aged nineteen ; Guy, fifteen ; and Jennie, ten-all living.
The above is but a plain, brief outline of the principal events in the career of our subject, and inadequately tells the story of Mr. King's life. It is difficult in few words to accurately describe a character. Only the more salient features can be fitly expressed. The lights and shades can be understood only by those who come in contact with the man under various circumstances. Mr. King is a sa- gacious business man, on the alert to legitimately promote his business interests ; by wise investments and the prudent conduct of his personal affairs he has ac- cumulated a competence which places him in an independent financial position, able to use his best energies and best faculties in discharging the duties of his trust. He is a public-spirited citizen, in harmony with advanced ideas, intelli- gent progress, and the best methods of promoting the good of his country gener- ally. Withal, he is genial and warm-hearted, and beloved by a large circle of friends. His lovely home is constantly filled with visitors, who carry away with them the pleasantest memories of their host and his happy family.
MARKS, T. E .- Many of the most observant writers who liave visited the State of Washington have remarked the youth of its leading men. While it is true that some of its most honored citizens are well advanced in years, it is equally true that most of the men who have aided in bringing the State to its present prosperous and flourishing condition are still young in years. Such an one is the
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subject of this sketch. T. E. Marks, the present City Clerk of Snohomish, was born in Wellington County, Ont., July 19th, 1867.
His preparatory education was acquired in the primary schools of his native town, after which he attended the High School of Listowel, graduating and receiving his first grade certificate in 1884. He then entered the Ontario Com- mercial College, completed the full course in the remarkably short space of six weeks, and graduated in 1885. Soon after this he became bookkeeper in a large dry-goods house at Listowel, and later entered the employ of Roth Brothers, grain
merchants of the same place, remaining with them several years in the capacity of cashier and bookkeeper. He next became Manager of the Harriston Flax Mills, and so continued for one year. He came to the Puget Sound in 1888, and after spending some time at Vancouver and Victoria, B. C., and Seattle, Wash., he finally settled at Snohomish, where he has since resided. He began his busi- ness life in the latter place as bookkeeper for England & Paul, and shortly after- ward became bookkeeper and cashier for Isaac Cathcart, with whom he remained about two years.
In 1890 he became a partner of C. E. Paul, in the real-estate business, form- ing the firm of Paul & Marks. The combination proved an excellent one, and the business of the firm has reached an immense magnitude. They own a large amount of valuable property in Northwestern Washington, including three addi- tions to the flourishing town of Everett, an addition to Marysville, bay view additions to Edmonds and Mukilteo, five hundred acres of choice land adjacent to Everett, and considerable valuable property in the city of Snohomish. They are also the owners of several valuable mining properties, and were prominently identified with the opening of the Monte Cristo and Silver Creek mining districts. Mr. Marks is a notable example of the energetic young business men of the coast. He came to Washington without means less than five years ago. To-day he is the directing spirit of an establishment which has been an important factor in the material growth of the State, and promises to be a still greater power in its future prosperity.
WILBUR, LOT, the popular druggist of Snohomish, Wash., is a notable exam- ple of the progressive, intelligent, and enterprising business men who are devot- ing their energy and strength to the development of the material interests of the State of Washington. He was born in Lapeer County, Mich., in 1846, and re- ceived a common school education. Early in life he embarked in the lumber business in his native State, which he followed for six years. He then engaged in the drug business in Mentorville, Dodge County, Minn., continuing the same for nine years. In 1875 he came to Puget Sound, arriving at Seattle in Novem- ber of that year. Soon afterward he located in Snohomish, and again engaged in the drug business, which he has continued to the present time. By careful attention to details, keen business foresight, and untiring industry, he has built up a large and lucrative trade. His charming personal qualities, his rugged integ- rity, and his open-hearted manner attach him to all those who come in contact with him. Throughout his long residence in Snohomish few have been more prominently identitied with its welfare and progress than Mr. Wilbur. Always strong in his faith in the city's future, he has been an enthusiastic supporter of
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every movement to advance its material interests. Intensely practical in his ideas, and possessed of that rare good sense so essential to success, he has been quick to perceive and turn to account every opportunity for advancement. He is a large property holder in Snohomish, and is justly regarded as one of the leading, substantial business men of the city, which has no more sincere and loyal friend than he. IIe was a member of the first City Council of Snohomish, served as County Treasurer for two terms, and was Probate Judge one term. He is a member of Snohomish Lodge No. 12, Independent Order Odd Fellows, and of Forest Lodge No. 46, Ancient Order United Workingmen. He was married in 1868 to Miss Jennie Moore, of Marshall, Mich. They have no children.
JOHNSON, JONATHAN, Cashier of the Farmers' and Traders' National Bank of Johnson, Wash., was born near Cadiz, Harrison County, O., January 20th, 1846. His parents were Quakers, honest and industrious. His mother died when he was but six years old. His father, Robert Johnson, owned a small farm of about twenty-three acres, and it required hard work and rigid economy to earn a living and educate his three children. Jonathan, the only son, received a good common school education, but was obliged to work on the farm when not attending school. At the age of seventeen he taught his first term of school. When Jonathan was about twenty years of age he removed to Missouri with his father, who bought a farm there, and continued teaching school winters and working on the farm sum- iners. He began trading in a small way, and was successful ; but his first important venture, the purchase of a patent right, was a flat failure, and at the age of twenty- four he found himself $50 in debt, with nothing to show for it. After teaching another term, he attended business college in Macon, Mo. He received a first grade teacher's certificate, and again set to work in the school-room and upon the farm, to get a start for himself in the world. Two simple precepts which his father taught him early in life have ever been of great benefit to him : " Strive to excel ;" " Always try to do right." He labored hard and accumulated slow- ly for some four or five years, when a bank failure left him stranded again. This, which seemed the greatest misfortune of his life, proved the greatest blessing from a financial point of view.
Having heard of government land in Washington, he gathered together the fragments of his savings and started for the Northwest, arriving at Walla Walla July 4th, 1877, with but a few dollars in his pocket. He soon obtained work driving a header wagon, and after the harvest went to the Palouse country to look for land. It was in the time of the Nez Perce Indian troubles, and though no depredations took place in the Palouse country, the settlers thought there was danger, and many left the country. Mr. Johnson purchased the right to a fine quarter section of land, where the town of Johnson now stands, for $40, and the former owner departed for Iowa. He also took up an adjoining claim, thus starting with three hundred and twenty acres. The next season a fire burned his wagon and harness and all the rails he had been hauling for several weeks, caus- ing a loss of $200, an exceedingly severe blow at that time. Walla Walla, ninety to one hundred miles distant, was then the base of supplies for this region. With no market, high prices for supplies, high rates of interest and low prices for produce, money was exceedingly scarce. Only land was cheap. Mr. Johnson
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taught school in winter (five years in one school-house) and improved his land in summer, working early and late. He raised crops of wheat, barley, flax, etc., which convinced him that the region was destined to become a rich agricultural section. By hard work and just dealing he established a reputation in business circles for honesty and prudence, which enabled him to command credit ; so when the Union Pacific Railroad was built to Moscow, twelve miles away, he ventured to buy more land. When tickets were placed on sale at Moscow he bought the first through ticket from that place to New York City, went East, and revisited the scenes and friends of his earlier days, returning the next spring better satisfied than ever with his humble home in the Palouse country.
The next year was an important one in Mr. Johnson's life, for on June 26th, 1887, he was married to Ella, daughter of J. H. Lewis, a large landholder of Whitman County. She has proved a true wife and worthy helpmate. On their wedding trip they rode on the first through passenger train on the switchback of the Northern Pacific Railroad over the Cascade Mountains, to Tacoma. The same year the Spokane and Palouse branch of the Northern Pacific was built from Spokane to Genesee, Ida., passing through Mr. Johnson's land, where a siding was located to allow farmers a convenient place to ship their grain. The large shipments of grain each year and the fertile territory on all sides suggested the idea of a town ; Colton, the nearest station, being five miles away. A post- office named Johnson was established in October, 1888, and in 1891 the town of Johnson began building. Business developed rapidly, the Farmers' and Traders' Bank was organized, Mr. Johnson was chosen Cashier, and the bank was opened for business February 9th, 1892. It has done a profitable business from the start.
Through a life of great activity and frequent changes, Mr. Johnson has main- tained an unblemished character and adhered to pure and elevated principles, winning deserved success by honest business ability and untiring energy.
AYER, CHARLES H., County Attorney, is among the prominent and successful men of the State of Washington, and has been a resident of Olympia for a number of years. He was born in April, 1862, in Saybrook, Middlesex County, Conn., was raised on a farm, and educated in the public schools of Saybrook and at Seabury Institute in the same place, leaving there in 1880 to take a course of law in the Law Department of Yale College, from which he graduated in the year 1883. In June of that year he was admitted to the Bar of the same State. He came to Olympia in the spring of 1884 and opened a law office in the November following. In 1885 he entered into copartnership with Gerret T. Thorn, continu- ing until elected City Attorney in the spring of 1886, which office he held continuously until elected County Attorney in January, 1890. He is now partner in the firm of Allen, Ayer & Franklin, Judge T. N. Allen, formerly of Lexington, Ky., being the senior member, and Mr. H. R. Franklin, of New Haven, Conn., the junior member. This growing young State affords a promising outlook for men of his calibre, and offers one of the most fertile fields for legal talent in the United States. As a lawyer, Mr. Ayer has many qualifications that would gain him prominence in any community. An industrious student, an incessant, me- thodical worker, he has thus early in his professional career made for himself a place
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among the ablest lawyers of the State. The official honors already conferred upon him bear testimony of the high regard of his fellow citizens, and give promise of a brilliant future.
PETERSON, FRANK MILLARD, born in Portland, Ore, March 21st, 1855, left there with his parents in August, 1858, and came to what was then known as Chehalis Point, now Peterson's Point, where his father had located in 1857. He remained there until March, 1862, when he and his mother returned to Portland, and his father went east of the mountains. Frank remained in Portland with his mother until 1864, when they returned to Washington, and in 1869 moved to Olympia.
In 1870 his parents returned to Peterson's Point, and he went to the Quinaiult Reservation, as interpreter for the Government. He filled that position until the spring of 1871, then returned to the Point, and later moved to North Cove, Pacific County, and engaged in the hotel business in partnership with Thomas Roney, also running a stage line from there to Peterson's Point. This partnership had continued about two years when Mr. Peterson became the sole owner, and con- tinued the hotel business for two years, and the stage line for three years. He carried the mail from North Cove to Peterson's Point for sixteen years and drove the stage eighteen years.
In 1890 he again located at Peterson's Point, where he is successfully engaged in stock-raising, owning twenty-five hundred acres of valuable land. A portion of this property is laid out into town lots, which are offered for sale. This is one of the most desirable locations for sea-bathing on the coast, and bids fair to become a thriving pleasure resort in the near future. A fine steamboat touches here every day in the year, and during the summer months three or four steamers land here daily. Mr. Peterson was married July 6th, 1887, to Miss Mary A. Tanger, of Ilwaco. They have one son, Millard, born December 13th, 1889. Mr. Peterson has a fine home at the Point, and is one of the solid business men of Chehalis County, esteemed and respected by all classes.
HILL, JOHN M., was born in Osceola, St. Clair County, Mo., December 14th, 1852. In the summer of 1853 the family crossed the plains with ox teams, going direct to Yamhill County, Ore., and settled near the town of Lafayette. Our subject was raised on a farm, and at McMinnville, Ore., received the benefits of a good common school education. At the age of twenty he began teaching school, which vocation he followed for two years. In 1874 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Arthur, of Hillsborough, her family and Mr. Hill's having crossed the plains together. After his marriage he removed to Whitman County, Wash., where he took up a homestead and pre-emption claim and engaged in farming and stock-raising, being one of the first settlers in that locality. He was elected County Commissioner of Whitman County for a term of four years, and during his service in that office removed to Pullman, Wash., his present residence. Here he engaged in the farm-implement business, which he has continued ever since, and is now one of the proprietors of the Pullman Hardware Company. He has been successful in his business ventures, and is a large owner of real estate in and around Pullman. Mr. Hill has always been a zealous Republican, and his
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repeated success in political life fully attests his popularity with the people. In 1888 he was elected a member of the first City Council of Pullman. In 1890 he was elected Chairman of the Republican Central Committee, and in the same year was appointed by President Harrison Supervisor of the Census for Eastern Washington. He has served public interests with the same diligence and fideli- ty manifested in his own business, and he belongs to that class of men who can always be counted on to do their full share in enterprises for the public good. Socially he is kind and genial and is highly esteemed. He is a member of the fraternal orders of Knights of Pythias, Free Masons, and Ancient Order United Workingmen.
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