USA > Washington > History of Washington the evergreen state : from early dawn to daylight with portraits and biographies Vol. I > Part 45
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
EATON, JOHN D., County Commissioner, of Colfax, Wash., was born in New York State in 1833. His father, William Eaton, was a native of Massachusetts, and by occupation a farmer ; his mother, Elizabeth (Perkins) Eaton, was born in the Empire State. Eighth in a family of ten children, young Eaton received his early education in the public schools of Ohio. Removing to the then Territory of Washington, he located in Thurston County, where he became a stock raiser, a business which he still continues to combine with other occupations. Coming to Stevens County (of which Whitman, previous to its division in 1872, was a part), he settled there in 1871. In 1882 he was elected County Commissioner. He owns a valuable farm of thirteen hundred acres. He is a Democrat in poli-
560
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
tics, an old settler highly respected by all who know him, filling the office which he holds with ability and to the general satisfaction of his constituents.
ECKLER; GEORGE, of Dayton, Wash., was born in Vermilion County, Ill., in 1837. His father, Jacob Eckler, was a Kentucky farmer : his mother, Catherine Peorer, was also a native of that State. Educated in the schools of Oregon, where he removed with his parents at an early age, young Eckler taught school in different parts of that State for two years, and then spent seven years in mining in Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. In 1867 he returned to Oregon and engaged in saw-milling for five years ; then removed to his present location at Dayton in 1872. Here he followed the same business, in which he still continues to employ himself. He was married in 1869 to Miss Catherine Carothous, a native of Mis- souri. They have four children. Mr. Eckler is the owner of valuable property, both city and suburban, including four hundred acres under cultivation. The whole amount of his holdings is twenty-two hundred acres. He has been a mem- ber of the City Council for six years, of the Biennial Legislature of Washington, and of the School Board for four years. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons, with which order he has been connected since 1868. He is warmly in- terested in the cause of education, having been instrumental in passing bills greatly to the advantage of the public schools. A Republican in politics, Mr. Eckler is one of Dayton's most respected citizens, highly esteemed in the com- munity.
EDDY, COLONEL THOMAS V., of Olympia, Wash., was born in McHenry County, Ill., October 23d, 1854. His father, John Eddy, was born in England, July 15th, 1821, and died September 4th, 1886, at Marengo, Ill. He was Sheriff of McHenry County, Ill., for several years, and held various other public offices. He was Captain of Company E, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, during the Civil War. At the close of the conflict he engaged in farming. taking an active inter- est in political matters up to the time of his death. Our subject's mother was born in England, September 18th, 1825, and died in Clay Centre, Kan., in 1889. Thomas V. received his early education in the district schools of his native county, and at the age of eighteen entered the high school of Memphis, Ill., which he at- tended one year. After a short scientific course at the Elgin (Illinois) Academy, he began the study of law in the office of Hon. A. B. Coon, at Marengo, Ill., and in 1880 was admitted to practice in the appellate courts of the State. In the campaign of 1880 he stumped Northern Illinois for the Republican Party, and during the following winter was Clerk in the United States Senate. In 1881 he settled in Watertown, Dak., and there began the practice of his profession. In 1883 he was elected a member of the delegation of one hundred and fifty sent to Washington to plead the cause of Dakota for admission to statehood. Colonel Eddy was selected by the delegates to make the address to the President, which he did at the White House in the presence of the entire delegation. In the presi- dential campaign of 1884 he made many speeches in the interest of the Republi- can ticket in various towns of Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. He was Secretary of the Republican Territorial Convention which elected delegates to the Conven- tion of 1885, when South Dakota adopted a constitution, elected State officers,
561
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
and established a State government without an enabling act. He was elected a member of the House of Representatives, and was unanimously chosen speaker of that body. In the presidential campaign of 1888 he again took the stump and spoke in various parts of Iowa and Minnesota. In the spring of 1889 Colonel Eddy located in Seattle, Wash., and engaged in law practice there. In the great Seattle fire of June 6th, 1889, he was burned out, but continued to reside there until the beginning of the State campaign the following fall. In this campaign he took an active part, making speeches in all parts of the State in favor of the Republican ticket. After the election lie settled at the capital and again engaged in law practice, which he has since continued. He is the senior member of the firm of Eddy & Gordon, one of the leading law firms of the State. In the last presi- dential campaign he again stumped the State, delivering more than fifty speeches. He owns considerable real estate in Olympia and vicinity. He is a member of Harmony Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Olympia. Colonel Eddy is a man whose strong common sense and business ability would enable him to attain eminence in any community. Added to a cultivated mind, well grounded in the principles of the law, he has a good voice and a graceful presence. He argues with eloquence and with a good deal of action and rhetorical display, and is well known as an orator through his political addresses. In all the kindly relations of acquaintance, neighbor, and friend, the genial and manly elements that consti- tute the truest bond of human intercourse are conspicuous ingredients in his char- acter.
EGBERS, FRANCIS M., farmer, of Ritzville, Wash., was born in Louisiana in 1835. His father, Charles Egbers, was a native of Germany, and by occupation a farmer ; his mother, Magdalene Amons, was of the same nationality. He located in Hancock County, Ill., passed a year and a half in Colorado, returned to Illinois, and engaged in farming, a pursuit which he has ever since followed. In 1883 he migrated to Washington and settled at Ritzville. He was married in 1861 to Miss Elizabeth Wilcox, a native of England and a resident of Illinois. Five children grace their union. Mr. Egbers has been blessed not only in the character and standing of his children in the community where he dwells, but in the possession of a fine farm and a sufficiency of this world's goods. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was elected Treasurer of Adams County in 1890 for two years, but declined re-election. He holds license as a local min- ister in the Methodist Church, of which he is a member.
EGBERS, R. C., Superintendent of Public Schools of Ritzville, Wash., was born in Hancock County, Ill., in 1866. His elementary education was obtained in the public schools of his native State, but it required the self-acquired knowl- edge of ten close years of study to make him the accomplished scholar of to-day. Locating in his native county, he became a teacher, and in 1886 came to Washing- ton and settled in Ritzville, where he followed the same calling. He was ap- pointed a member of the Examining Board of Teachers, and in 1888 was elected Superintendent of Public Schools, an office which he still holds, and which his large experience and great ability abundantly fit him to fill. He was married in 1888 to Miss Rhoda M. Bardwell, a native of Minnesota. They have one child.
562
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
Mr. Egbers has a pleasant city home, and is a holder of both city and suburban property. He is a member of the Good Templars, a Republican in politics, and a candidate for re-election to the office he now holds. He is a man of fine mind, improved by study and culture, a pleasing conversationalist, and a wise adminis- trator of the duties of his position.
EGLIN, A. D., farmer, of Tampico, Yakima County, Wash., was born in Can- ada in 1835, being the fifth of a family of eight children born to Cornelius and Mary Ann (Folson) Eglin. His parents, who were natives of New York and New Jersey respectively, went to Indiana, where they remained ten years, taking young Eglin with them. In 1854 he crossed the plains with ox-teams with only five wagons in their train. The smallness of the party probably tempted the Indians, who attacked them, one hundred and fifty strong, at Malhuer, killing some of their cattle and endeavoring to surround them ; but being reinforced, they re- pulsed their attack and had no further trouble with them. They crossed Green River on rafts which they built. Reaching the Cascades, they had their wagons upset and suffered somewhat from hunger, but finally reached Eugene City. After a brief residence there Mr. Eglin removed to Jackson County, Ore., where he engaged in mining. Four years more in the mines of California were fol- lowed by twelve years' residence near Salem, Ore. He was married in 1859 to Miss Martha Crews, daughter of Benjamin Crews, of Missouri. Eleven children were born to this union. Removing to Yakima, Wash., Mr. Eglin settled on his present farm, where he owns two hundred and two acres and raises over two hundred bales of hops. He has hop-houses, a fine orchard, and all needful acces- sories, and is a breeder of fancy stock, having one hundred head, including many fine horses. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics a Republican.
EISENBEIS, CHARLES, a pioneer of Port Townsend, and another eminent exam- ple of what business enterprise and energy can accomplish, was born in Prussia, July 10th, 1832 ; received his early education in his native land, was apprenticed to his father, a baker and miller, served his time, and continued to work at his trade until 1856, when he emigrated to America. After two years' residence at Rochester, N. Y., he came to Port Townsend in the spring of 1858 and opened the first bakery in Jefferson County and also the first cracker bakery on the Sound, with gratifying results. He was Port Townsend's first Mayor, serving three suc- cessive terms. He built the first stone house ever erected in Jefferson County, and is now one of its heaviest realty holders and taxpayers, owning among other property several brick structures in the heart of the city. He came to Port Town-
send a poor man, but industry and opportunity combined have made him inde- pendently rich. He was married in 1865 at San Francisco to Miss Elizabeth Berghauser, a native of Prussia. They have eight children. His eldest son, Charles, acts as his business manager. Mr. Eisenbeis is a Mason of twenty years' standing, has served oue year as Treasurer of Port Townsend and twice as a mem- ber of the Board of Health. He is a director of the Port Townsend Southern Railway, and has been since its organization President of the Port Townsend Mill Company and of the Dry Dock Company.
563
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
EKLUND, L. N., was born in Meeker County, Minn., in 1859, and at the age of three years moved with his parents to Kandiyohi County in the same State. Here he resided and attended school until he was nineteen years of age, then moved to Kittson County, where he engaged in the grain and brokerage business for some years with success. Seized with the ambition to strike out into new paths and make a career in some new part of the country, he came to Washington in 1888 with Holcomb & Sweet, purchased eighteen hundred acres of land at South Bend, and founded the town of that name. The project proved success- ful, and the property rapidly enhanced in value. One half of it was given to the Northern Pacific Railroad Company in consideration of their building to South Bend. Mr. Eklund was not only an indefatigable worker, but a man of fine busi- ness capacity. The substantial success which rewarded his efforts in business placed him, while young in years, in affluent circumstances, and broadened his opportunities to contribute to the material good of the community in which his lot was cast. His integrity and nice sense of honor under all circumstances won for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he had dealings. He was Vice-President of the First National Bank of South Bend. He was married No- vember 4th, 1881 to Miss Nellie Olney, at Appleton, Minn. Mr. Eklund died November 8th, 1892, at Indio, Cal., where he had gone for his health.
ELDRIDGE, H. D., farmer, of Dixie, Walla Walla County, Wash., was born in Iowa in 1858. His father was a native of Ohio. He came to Washington Terri- tory in 1880. He is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of fine land two miles southeast of Dixie and of six hundred and forty acres north of Waitsburg, all productive. He was married in 1884, at Dixie, to Miss Mary Barnes, the daughter of a farmer of that section. Three children grace their union. Mr. Eldridge is a man of marked individuality, strong principles, and good business ability. He is one of the pioneer Prohibitionists of the State. His father, who made many friends, is still living at the age of sixty-eight years, and is still kindly remembered by those who knew him best. It is such men as these-the quiet, progressive, unobtrusive laborers in the great army of the world's industry -that have made Washington what she is-a State with a people of which any commonwealth might be proud.
ELDRIDGE, HUGH, capitalist, of New Whatcom, Wash., is a native son of the Evergreen State, having been born in Schome, now part of New Whatcom, on December 14th, 1860. He received his early education in his native town, in the University of Seattle, and the Pacific Business College of San Francisco, Cal., and then remained on his father's farm until 1886, when he was elected County Auditor of Whatcom County. He was re-elected in 1888, but was taken ill dur- ing his second term, and obliged to travel for his health. He returned to New Whatcom in 1891 and incorporated the electric street railways connecting Fair Haven with Lake Whatcom, and traversing the principal streets of both cities. He is also President of the Bellingham Bay Street Railway and one of the incor- porators of the Bellingham Bay National Bank of Whatcom and the Columbia National Bank. He is also one of the directors of the Puget Sound Loan, Trust and Banking Company, located in Whatcom. In politics he is a stanch Republi-
564
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
can, and active in the interests of that party. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is also a director and President of the Bellingham Bay and Eastern Railway Company, a director and Vice-President of the Bellingham Bay Land Company, and a director of the Bellingham Bay Gas Company.
ELLSWORTH, HON. P. C., attorney-at-law, of Seattle, was born in the State of New York, January 18th, 1846. He received a common school and academic education at Auburn and Moravia, N. Y., became a law student in the office of Judge Bateman, at Auburn, and was admitted to the Bar in that city in 1867. After five years spent in mercantile pursuits he began the active exercise of his profession in 1873 at Benton, Ia. In the fall of 1878 he removed to Nebraska and continued to practise until April, 1879, when the Leadville mining excite- ment drew him thither in search of fortune. Removing soon after to Buena Vista, lie resided there five years, during which time he served as County Attor- ney, City Attorney of Buena Vista, and Associate Attorney of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, until it went into the hands of a receiver. In 1884 he removed to Southern California, where he was actively engaged in politics, serving as a judge during a portion of his stay there. In June, 1889, he located at Seattle, Wash., where he at once resumed and still continues practice. He was married in Washington, D. C., to Miss Alice Gregory, on February 8th, 1868. They have two sons, the elder being twenty-one, and now foreman of a large printing house in California. The younger is also a graduate of the com- posing-room in the same establishment. Judge Ellsworth has been a Mason since 1871, a member of the Royal Arcanum since 1888, of the Foresters for two years, and one year of the Order of the Golden Shrine.
EMERY, JUDGE C. D., of Seattle, was born in Wellsborough, Pa., May 17th, 1833. He attended the academy at that place up to the age of seventeen, when lie entered the West Point United States Military Academy as a cadet. He studied law and was admitted to the Bar at Williamsport, Pa., in 1853, being but twenty years of age. He at once began to practise in that town, and in 1858 was elected District Attorney, serving three years, and actively interesting him- self in politics until 1872, when he removed to Seattle and immediately resumed the active pursuit of his profession. He has held office as United States Commis- sioner for seven years past, proving himself, as heretofore, capable and energetic in the public trusts committed to his charge. He was married March 17th, 1858, to Miss Lavinia D. Evans, of Philadelphia. One son and three daughters grace their union.
ERICKSEN, ERICK, farmer and stockman, of Ellensburg, was born in Norway in 1830. His parents were both natives of that country, his father being born there in 1790, where he farmed, and died in 1860, leaving nine children, of whom Erick was the fifth. Receiving his early education in Norway, young Ericksen emigrated to America in 1857 and located in Wisconsin, where he worked in a saw-mill for five years. He then removed to Idaho, where he became a miner. After a visit to his native country he came to Puget Sound and finally to his pres- ent farm in the Kittitas Valley, where he took up a homestead about ten miles
565
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
east of Ellensburg, and now owns two hundred acres. He was married in 1871 at Seattle, to Miss Katie Larson, who was born in Norway in 1850. They. have six children. Mr. Ericksen is the owner of a fine farm with good outbuildings and many improvements, but still remembers the days when the Indians were a constant menace to the peaceful settlers of Washington, and the rifle was no less needful than the plough.
ERWIN, DAVID H., farmer and stock-raiser, of Prescott, Walla Walla County, Wash., was born in Iowa in 1850. His parents were natives of Ireland, the father dating back to 1807 and the mother to 1811. Married at the age of nine- teen, the elder Erwin emigrated to America in 1828, working as a stone-cutter in New York for ten years. In 1837 he became a farmer in Ohio, where he died. Young Erwin was educated in the Iowa public schools, and attended one of higher grade for two years. He then became a teacher, following this vocation for two years, at the end of which time he removed to Oregon in 1878, where he renewed his studies for a year and then returned to teaching. In 1880 he came to Washington, worked for a while on the Union Pacific Railroad, then took up a homestead claim, and now owns and farms three hundred and seventy acres two miles west of Prescott, cultivating land which he finds both productive and remunerative. He was married in Walla Walla County in 1883 to Miss Mandy McCall, daughter of a prominent farmer. Three children have been born to them.
ERWIN. SAMUEL H., farmer, of Prescott, Walla Walla County, Wash., was born in Ohio in 1827. His parents were both natives of Indiana. His father was County Clerk of Lynn County, Ore. Young Erwin rather singularly attributes his lack of early education to the prevalence of the " shaking ague," then so prevalent in the early days in Iowa, where his parents resided. He says also of his dislike to the unaccustomed encumbrance of shoes, that when "first intro- duced, he would pack them under his arm until he got within sight of the church, then put them on and remove them when the services were ended." Losing his father at the age of twelve, he left Iowa in the spring of 1853, and made his home in Lynn County, where he remained until 1859, and then removed to his present place of residence. In 1852 he married Miss Harriet Bolden, of Iowa, who crossed the plains and died in 1864. He then married Miss Mary J. McCall, of Lynn County, Ore., who was born on the overland route to the Pacific. Mr. Erwin had his share of the Rogne River Indian troubles, was County Commis- sioner for six years, and took an important part in the building of the Walla Walla County Court House. He is the owner of eight hundred acres of fine land, and prides himself on his orchard and nut-bearing trees. He says, " Every in- dustry I have thus far undertaken has proved a complete success." He was a representative exhibitor of his horticultural triumphs at the World's Fair, and practically demonstrated their productions to be excelled by none in the Walla Walla Valley.
" ESHELMAN, DUDLEY, of North Yakima, Wash., and County Clerk of Yakima County, was born in Scotland County, Mo., in 1861. His father, Frederick
566
IIISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
Eshelman, was a Pennsylvania farmer. Educated in the public schools, supple- mented by an academic course, and still further by teaching in California, he spent the years from 1875-78 in the latter State. In 1878 he emigrated to Klickitat County, Wash., where he engaged in school-teaching for six years, and then devoted himself to mercantile pursuits. He filled the position of Deputy Post- master at Goldendale, being appointed to the full office by President Cleveland, which he continued to hold until 1888, when he removed to North Yakima and returned to merchandising. In 1889 he was elected County Clerk on the Democratic ticket, and was re-elected in 1892 for a term of three years. He was married in 1881 to Miss Anna Billington, a native of Wisconsin. He is the owner of a pleasant city home and other valuable property in the vicinity of Yakima. He is Lodge Deputy of the Knights of Pythias and a member of the National Guard, being Captain of Company E, Second Regiment. He is a popular young man in the community, and has many friends.
ESHELMAN, REV. JACOB T., of North Yakima, and State Senator from Yaki- ma and Klickitat counties, was born in Scotland County, Mo., May 8th, 1852. His father, Frederick Eshelman, was a Pennsylvania farmer ; his mother, Emily (Cave) Eshelman, was a native of Kentucky. Second in a family of five children, Jacob was educated in the academy at Memphis, Mo., and at the Illinois State Normal School, taking the higher English course and part of the classical. His first location was in Illinois, and his initial occupation teaching. He took a law course also in Missouri, but did not apply for admission to the Bar. Kemoving to California in May, 1876, he joined his parents there and returned to teaching. He came to Klickitat County, Wash., in 1878, sent for his parents and brother, and took up homesteads. In 1880 he was appointed Principal of the public schools of Goldendale, filling that position for two years. He then filled the office of Treasurer of Klickitat County for four years. He was ordained a minister of the Christian Church June 21st, 1881. He was elected School Superintendent in 1880. He served as pastor of the Christian Church at Goldendale for six years, then accepted a call to that of North Yakima, where he still serves. He was in- vited to take charge as business manager of an institution (religious) near Tacoma, but gave up the position and returned to North Yakima. He was nomi- nated by the people of Yakima and Klickitat counties to represent them in the Constitutional Convention, and was elected a member of that body, being highly commended by the press for his work in this and other public positions, including that of State Senator for the twelfth district. He was married May 2d, 1880, to Miss Prudie Billington, of Wisconsin, whose ancestors came over in the May- flower, and settled in Maine. They have three children. Mr. Eshelman is a Democrat and a large property holder.
ETTINGER, U. L , attorney-at-law, of Palouse, Wash., was born in De Kalb County, Ind., November 22d, 1860. His father, Reuben Ettinger, was a native of Pennsylvania and a mechanic ; his mother, whose maiden name was Electa Jackson, being from New Jersey. Fourth in a family of seven children, young Ettinger received his education in the public schools of his native State, but is practically self-taught. He studied law with Ruby & Wilson, of Palouse City,
567
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
and was admitted to the Bar at Colfax, Wash., in 1889. His practice has been of a general character, and he has been eminently successful. He was a member of the first State convention, and seconded the speech made by the Chairman of the Pierce County delegation which placed Governor Ferry in nomination. He has been an active member of various county conventions. He was married April 8th, 1891, to Miss Josephine H. Stinson, a native of Illinois, and daughter of J. H. Stinson, a leading lawyer of California. Mrs. Ettinger was one of the Board of Lady Managers of the World's Fair from this State. A close student and pos- sessed of keen business judgment, it is needless to say that Mr. Ettinger is a suc- cessful practitioner, a man of natural ability, who has surmounted many obstacles and overcome difficulties which would have proved stumbling-blocks to a less persistent character.
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.