USA > Washington > History of Washington the evergreen state : from early dawn to daylight with portraits and biographies Vol. I > Part 53
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INMAN, JUDGE WILLIAM A., of Colfax, Wash., a leading lawyer and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Alabama in 1843. His father, William R. Inman, was a Tennesseean, his mother, Minerva (Kellogg) Inman, a native of the same State. Sixth in a family of seven children, our subject was educated in Missouri, to which State his parents removed when he was quite young. He read law in Arkansas, and was admitted to the Bar of that State ; was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit for six years. In 1875 he removed to Washington Territory, and for the next five years alternated between Port Town- send and Seattle, being associated at the former place with C. M. Bradshaw, one of the ablest lawyers in the State. He came to Colfax in 1879, was elected Pro- bate Judge in 1880, and filled that office for two years, and was again appointed Probate Judge in 1889, holding over for sixteen months. In 1861 he enlisted in a Missouri regiment commanded by Colonel J. S. Phelps ; re-enlisted in the Eighth Missouri Volunteers (cavalry), serving as Captain of Company K during the last eighteen months. He was present at the battle of Pea Ridge, Pilot Hill, Northwest Arkansas ; was also with General Davidson at the storming of Little Rock and numerous other engagements until his discharge in 1865. He was married in 1865 to Miss H. A. Crasson, a native of Illinois. They have four children living. Judge Inman is the owner of a fine home and other valuable property. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Grand Army of the Republic, General Lyons Post, No. 19, and has good reason to be proud of his highly honorable and soldierly war record. He is a Republican in politics, an able lawyer, a fine conversation- alist, and a most genial gentleman, beloved and respected by all who know him.
IRWIN, H. D., Postmaster of Garfield, Wash., was born in Illinois in 1853. His father, Samuel Irwin, was an Ohio farmer, his mother, Isabella, being a native of Illinois. A common-school education, supplemented by a course of study at Carthage College, prepared him for the business of life. After"a residence of four years in De Kalb County, Mo., where he engaged in teaching, he removed to Washington in 1889 and located at Colfax. Here he continued his avocation as an instructor until appointed Postmaster at Garfield, a position he has con- tinued to fill under the administrations of Arthur, Cleveland, and Harrison. He was married in 1882 to Miss Mina Syron, a native of Oregon. Three children bless their union. Mr. Irwin is a Democrat in politics, a Methodist in religion. He is the owner of a city home and suburban realty, a stockholder in various
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banking and mercantile enterprises, and withal holds a large investment in the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
JENKINS, F. E, farmer, of Walla Walla County, Wash., was born in Arkansas in 1842. His father, a native of North Carolina, born in 1800, after some years of not unremunerative wandering, went to Kentucky, where he met and mar- ried Allie E. Patrick, the mother of our subject. She was a native of Ken- tucky, born in 1810. They removed to Tennessee. Provided with such educa- tion as the district schools of that early day could afford, young Jenkins began farming in Arkansas, and then journeyed across the plains in a company of which a Mr. Baldwin was captain, in 1874, to Washington Territory, experiencing the usual amount of hardships and dangers then inseparable from the overland trip. He is at present a successful farmer near Waitsburg, and, to quote his own words, " is now upward of fifty years old, but still enjoys the privileges of a single life."
JENSEN, O. C., hardware merchant, of Sprague, Wash., was born in Denmark in 1851. His father, H. C. Jensen, was a farmer and a native of that kingdom, and his mother, Marie (Nelson) Jensen, was also of the same nationality. Young Jensen came to the United States in 1873 and located in California, where he pursued various occupations. After ten years' sojourn in the Golden State he removed to Sprague, Wash., where he established himself in the hardware busi- ness with Mr. Brook. This firm existed for six years, and on its dissolution the firm of Jensen & King was formed, with the large invested capital needful to sustain a business constantly growing more profitable. Mr. Jensen was married in 1886 to Miss Maggie Adams, a native of Scotland. They have three children. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He is a Republican in his political faith, and has been a member of the City Council. He owns a pleasant home and other valuable realty. He is one of those adopted citizens who not only adapt themselves without friction to the land of their choice, but must ever be welcome guests, adding to its wealth, pros- perity, intelligence, and moral tone.
JOHNSON, A. G., of Fairfield, Wash., a prosperous farmer, represents a nationality who are valuable additions to any community where they locate. In- dustrious, temperate and thrifty, Mr. Johnson may be proud to confess himself a Swede, in which country he was born in 1844. His father and mother were both born and died in Sweden. Educated up to the age of eleven in the common schools of his native land, he came to this country when quite a young man. He speaks and writes English with fluency, though a stranger to the language when he first reached our shores. A Republican in his political faith, he is, like many of his countrymen, a member of the Lutheran Church. His farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres, with its fruit-laden orchards, is located but a mile from Fairfield. Mr. Johnson has not yet found a wife among the maidens of his adopted land.
JOHNSON, H. A., of Starbuck, Wash., was born in Canada in 1844. His father, W. G. D. Johnson, was a Canadian farmer, and his mother, Catherine
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(Miller) Johnson, was a native of the same section. Educated in Canada, he located, on the completion of his studies, in Chicago, where he engaged in rail- roading and building. In 1875 he removed to California and settled in Sonoma County, where he became an engineer. His next migration was to Washington Territory, locating first at Walla Walla, and removing thence to his present place of residence at Starbuck, where he devoted himself to farming and stock-raising until four years ago, when he sold out and returned to Canada, after an absence of twenty years from his native province. Returning to Starbuck, he established himself in the butchering business, which he still continues. He is the owner of a large farm and stock ranch within half a mile of Starbuck, which bids fair, with the increase of the city, to become very valuable property. He is a Mason and a Republican. He is one of the pioneer settlers of Starbuck and one of its most enterprising citizens.
JOHNSON, JAMES LE BARON, Secretary and Cashier of the Metropolitan Savings Bank, was born in Boston, Mass., August 17th, 1869. Mr. Johnson, who is a son of Archdeacon Johnson, rector of Christ Church, New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y., comes of ancient ecclesiastical and highly intellectual stock, his great- great-grandfather having been the first President of Columbia College, while his ancestry for many generations have been noted clergymen of the Episcopal Church. He was educated in Trinity School, New York City, where he prepared to enter Columbia College, but received so flattering a business offer from the firm of Haddock, Spouk & Co., of New York City, to enter their employ as a salesman that he determined to accept it and forego a collegiate course. He remained with them until February, 1889, when he resigned to accept the position of bookkeeper to the Tacoma Building and Savings Association (now the Metro- politan Savings Bank), of which corporation he became the Assistant Cashier in December, 1890, from which he was promoted to his present position as Secre- tary and Cashier, a highly responsible trust, which he still holds. He is also one of the directors of the institution. Tacoma, in common with her sister cities of the Sound, is certainly to be congratulated on the high character and com- mercial enterprise of her young business men.
JOHNSON, J. R., merchant, of Pullman, Wash., was born in Minnesota in 1865. His father, Rasmus Johnson, was a native of Norway and by occupation a mechanic. Educated in the schools of his native State and those of Washington, on the completion of his studies he came to Pullman and engaged in merchan- dising. He has now a capital of $15,000 invested in his business, besides being a large real estate owner and a stockholder in the paper mills. He is a Republi- can in politics, and though still a young man, is one of those whose active minds and clear-sightedness in all that he finds to do promises well for his future suc- cess and gives him an enviable position in the community where he dwells and among whom he is highly appreciated as an enterprising, energetic business man.
JONES, E. A., merchant, of Palouse, Wash., was born in Franklin County, Iowa, in 1858. His father, Alphene Jones, was a merchant of West Virginia, his mother, Ziba (Evans) Jones, being from Indiana. Third in a family of five chil-
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dren, he received his education in the public schools of Oregon, and on the com- pletion of his studies engaged in mercantile pursuits in that State for three years. In 1858 he came to Washington Territory and settled at Palouse City, where he found a position as clerk to J. H. Milley, Herman & Kimmerskey. After three years of this service he began business for himself. At the end of a year he asso- ciated himself with his father, the firm name being Jones & Son (general mer- chandise). They were afterward fully incorporated with the Farmers' Trading Company, with an invested capital of $23,000, constantly enlarged to meet the demands of an increasing business, which amply remunerates its promoters. Mr. Jones was married in 1879 to Miss Sophia Jones, a native of Oregon. They have four children. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Republican in politics. He is warmly regarded by his fellow-citizens as a thorough business man, genial and generous in his nature, and always alive to the best interests of the community where he dwells.
JONES, FRANK R., grain dealer, of Pomeroy, Wash., was born in England in 1852. His father, William Jones, was an English merchant, his mother, Sophia (Bright) Jones, being also a native of the same country. Young Jones emigrated to America in 1870 and located in Canada. In 1879 he removed to Washington Territory and settled at Pomeroy, where he devoted himself to farming for several years. Prior to coming to Washington he had been in the Government employ as a Surveyor. Giving up farming he engaged in the grain business in the city of Pomeroy, in connection with the firm of Cranatell & Brothers, in whose employ he remained three years, when he left them to identify himself with the Pacific Coast Elevator Company, dealers in grain. The facilities of this company for handling grain are the largest of any on the Pacific Coast. Mr. Jones is Manager of the Pomeroy office. They do an annual business of about 750,000 bushels. Mr. Jones was married in 1882 to Miss Annie Humphrey, a native of Wisconsin. They have four children. A pleasant home and a fine collection of books add to the comfort of our subject, and speak well for his devotion to mental culture. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, a Republican in politics, and altogether a man of that class whom our free republic is ever welcome to receive and glad to utilize, a man of that class who make good citizens wherever the fortunes of life may lead them.
JONES, SEYMOUR, attorney-at-law and City Attorney of Anacortes, Wash., was born in Springfield, Ill., in 1862. At the age of twenty-one he was admitted to the Bar and practised law for five years in his native city. In the spring of 1889 he came West, spent a few months at Tacoma, and then located at Ana- cortes, where he has ever since resided, and is engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. In the fall of 1890 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Skagit County for the term of two years on the Democratic ticket, though the county is a strongly Republican one, his personal popularity overcoming all opposition. Mr. Jones takes an active part in politics, and is at present a member of the Democratic State General Committee. He is also City Attorney of Anacortes.
JONES, W. R., farmer, and a pioneer of Moxee Valley, North Yakima, Wash., was born in Coshocton, O., in 1826, being the fifth son in a family of nine chil-
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dren born to his parents. A common-school education, such as usually fell to the lot of the Western boy in those early days, prepared him for the varied and adventurous life he was destined to encounter. Leaving home in 1837, he went to Virginia, where he remained until 1845, and then removed to Missouri. In 1847 he enlisted for the Mexican War ; was engaged in keeping down the Indians on the road on his return to Missouri. He was married to Miss Mary Helen Splawn, daughter of Dr. Splawn, an eminent physician of that State. Three children were born to this union, of whom the eldest son is still living. In 1852 he crossed the plains by ox-team, escaping trouble with the Indians, and after a six months' trip arrived at The Dalles. He settled in Linn County, Ore., where he remained until 1880, then removed to Old Yakima, and from thence to his present home in 1881. Since then he has been engaged in farming, having two hundred and forty acres, fertile and largely productive, both in fruit and grain. He is also a stock-breeder. He worked at the carpenter's trade for many years. He is a Democrat in politics, going serenely down life's pathway, hopeful and buoyant, with the wife of his youth, yet feeling, as well he might, the effects of his pioneer days and early hardships.
JUDKINS, JOSEPH, farmer, of Latah, Wash., was born in California in 1857. His father, Lawrence Judkins, was an American miner. His mother, Annie (Darnell) Judkins, was also a native of the United States. Josephi was the second child born to his parents. He came to Washington in 1880 and established him- self as a farmer. He has a fine farm and still cultivates his fertile acres at Latah. He was married in 1880 to Miss Carrie De Havre. Two children, Frank and Clarence, are the result of their union. Mr. Judkins's place is a big crop-raiser, is well improved, and not only repays the labor of the present, but promises well for the days to come.
KEISER, MILLARD H., a farmer, of Waitsburg, Wash., is a native son, having been born in the Willamette Valley, Wash., in 1854. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1824, his mother in Iowa in 1828. His father, who was a soldier of the Mexican War, came to Oregon in 1849, being one of its earliest pioneers. The public schools of that State prepared young Keiser mentally for the life work before him, which he began by farming in Washington. In 1883 he bought four hundred acres seven miles south of Waitsburg ; it proved to be productive soil, and he still cultivates it with excellent results. He married Miss Clara McBride in 1884. She is of pioneer stock, received an academic education in Oregon, and previous to her marriage was a popular teacher for some years. They have two children. Mr. Keiser is not only a careful but a successful tiller of the soil.
KELLOGG, JAY A., of Dayton, real estate and insurance broker, was born in Belvidere County, Ill., in 1850. His father, Eli Kellogg, was a Vermonter and a farmer, his mother, Margaret (Passage) Kellogg, being a native of New York. Eldest in a family of four, and educated in the schools of California, to which State he removed at an early age with his parents, he finished his studies in St. Joseph's College (Humboldt County), from which institution he graduated.
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Remaining for a time in California, he engaged in the lumber and flour-milling business. Coming to Washington in 1879 he located in Columbia County and devoted himself to merchandising, in which business he continued for three years, until elected to the office of County Auditor, a position which he filled with dis- tinguished ability for six years. On retiring from office lie became a real estate and insurance broker, a business which he continues to follow. His office is said to be one of the handsomest and best equipped of its kind in the State. His sales and underwriting of policies are constantly increasing with the settlement and progress of the rapidly growing neighborhood where he resides. He was married in 1881 to Miss Coleson, a native of Belvidere, Ill., and a daughter of A. D. Coleson, a farmer of that State. They have two children, a boy and a girl. Mr. Kellogg has been Mayor of Dayton for three terms, and is at present the State Senator-elect from Columbia County. His father before him, Mr. Kellogg re- members with pride, was elected to the California Legislature on the American party ticket. Mr. Kellogg owns a handsome city residence, with other valuable improved property in the city of Dayton. He is a stockholder in various banks and corporations. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics a Republican. He is a very popular citizen, ever anxious for the progress and prosperity of his chosen home.
KELLY, THOMAS, of North Yakima, a farmer, of the Wemas Valley, Wash., was born in Kentucky in 1829, being the youngest of the then not unusual num- ber of eleven children born to his parents. His father was a Virginian, his mother from the Old North State. Young Kelly, with that eagerness to begin the battle of life so peculiarly American, left home in 1846 and went to Covington, Ky. In 1847 he crossed the plains by ox-team, " paying," as he expresses it, " the usual tribute to the Indians" in the shape of flour and other goods by way of " black- mail" or passport to journey in safety with their teams. They met with special difficulty in crossing Green River and also at old Fort Boise on the Snake. Ou reaching the Cascade Mountains they overtook soldiers feasting on roasted horse meat, their provisions having failed while engaged in service against the Indians, then giving trouble in that locality. A six months' trip, however, brought them safely to Oregon City, where they arrived October 12th, 1848. Here Mr. Kelly settled on a donation claim in the Willamette Valley. In 1856 he removed to Milwaukee, Ore., where he erected a saw-mill. Going from thence to Hillsbor- ough, he engaged in farming. In 1871 he settled on the farm of two hundred and forty acres where he stili resides. He is also a breeder of fine stock. He was married in 1853 to Miss Christina Sunderland, a daughter of Benjamin Sun- derland, whose fine farm lies near Portland, Ore. They have eight children, Mr. Kelly is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Republican.
KENT, BURDETT M., an extensive farmer and landholder, of Waitsburg, Walla Walla County, Wash., was born in New York in 1837. His parents were natives of New York State, but removed to Illinois, where Burdett received his early education. In 1874 he crossed the plains in the primitive fashion of those days, and located in Linn County, Ore., finding employment in the Lebyman Mills. In 1878 he removed to Washington Territory and took up a homestead on Dry
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Creek, near Dixie. He is now the possessor of no less than ten hundred and twenty acres of richly productive land lying four miles west of Waitsburg. It is finely improved and furnished with outbuildings of the newest and most con- venient class. Mr. Kent has added a barn, on which he especially prides himself. His wife, Mrs. Ella (Frink) Kent, of Waitsburg, was formerly a school-teacher, highly esteemed and beloved in that connection, in which she labored for several years. Four children are the fruit of their union. The outlook for Mr. Kent's declining years, if judged by the happy surroundings of the present, is certainly propitious and serene.
KETNER, RICHARD A., of Tacoma, Auditor of Pierce County, Wash., was born at Millersport, O., January 26th, 1851. His parents removed in 1859 to Leavenworth, Kan., where young Ketner was instructed in the common schools, taking two years of supplementary study in the Ohio Wesleyan University, having saved money enough to enter, but leaving on account of lack of funds. Fired by the military enthusiasm then permeating the loyal element at the North, he obtained, when but a youth of fourteen, the consent of his parents and entered the service of the Union Army, enlisting as a drummer boy in the Seventeenth Kansas Volunteers ; but on the day that he was mustered in his brother, who was a major in the First Kansas, returned from the field and cut short his mili- tary aspirations by compelling him to return home. He was, however, afterward employed as orderly in the Quartermaster's Department at Fort Leavenworth, serving in that capacity until the close of the war. We next find him in the employ of the Government as Surveyor of public lands in the Indian Territory, which occupied him for five years ; beginning as chainman, then compassman, but finally running some most important lines. During this service thirteen of his men were killed by hostile Indians. Returning to Fort Leavenworth, he engaged in insurance and then in the lumber business until 1888, when he located at Tacoma, Wash. Here he became the junior partner of the well-known insur- ance firm of Sampson Guiles & Ketner. They were also adjusters of losses to various underwriter corporations. Receiving the Democratic nomination for Auditor of Pierce County, he was elected to and still fills that very important office, discharging its difficult duties with marked ability and zeal. He was married June 23d, 1874, to Miss Harriet A. Gosline, of Pennsylvania. Six chil- dren grace their union, the sexes being equally represented. Such lives as Mr. Ketner's are living lessons and examples to the youth of our land. Self-made, energetic, not relying on outside aid-for he began life at the age of fourteen, and even then, when almost a child, contributed to the support of parents who needed his aid-Mr. Ketner is a worthy and distinguished member of various secret societies, being Eminent Commander of Ivanhoe Commandery, Knights Templar, a thirty-second degree Mason, and an active brother in that ancient fraternity. He is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and its principal officer in the State of Wash- ington.
KIEFER, JAMES, Assistant United States Attorney, of Seattle, was born near Easton, Pa., March 6th, 1860, and graduated from the Keystone State Normal School in 1880. He taught in the public schools near Carlisle and at Leighton,
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Pa., for about a year, and during this time began the study of law. He was admitted to the Bar in June, 1883, and began the practice of his profession at Mauch Chunk, Pa., where he continued until his removal to Seattle in 1889. Here he resumed practice, which he has since continued with gratifying success. He was appointed Deputy District Attorney for the counties of King, Kitsap, and Snohomish, under W. W. Newlin, and held that position until the death of Mr. Newlin. He was appointed United States Commissioner by Judge C. H. Han- ford. January 3d, 1893, he was appointed Assistant United States Attorney, and is now discharging the duties of that responsible position. A deservedly high reputation, both as a lawyer and as a public officer, has been attained by Mr. Kiefer earlier in life than falls to the lot of most men. To say that he has proven himself thoroughly competent in every position to which he has been called, is not only the truth, but surely a record of which he has a right to feel a pardon- able pride. His exemplary character and habits and the possession of unusually good judgment and business ability make him a most creditable representative of the young professional men of Seattle, and one whose future, judged by the past, is bright with promise. It is pleasant to note that in his domestic life Mr. Kiefer is blessed with all the elements which contribute to real contentment. He was married September 9th, 1886, to Miss Olive E. Swank, of Mauch Chunk, Pa., and their union has been blessed by one child, a daughter.
KILLMORE, W. D., farmer and stockman, of Kittitas Valley, Wash., was born in New York in 1841, his parents being natives of that State. His father was born in 1794, died 1859 ; his mother, born in 1796, died 1871, leaving ten chil- dren, of whom Mr. Killmore is the eighth. Educated in New York, he found employment as a fireman on the New York Central Railroad. After serving in that capacity for two years he was promoted to engineer, and so remained till the war fever sent him to the front as a soldier of Company F, First Colorado Cavalry (Captain S. H. Cook) in 1861. He was in many desperate conflicts, and after Lee's surrender was honorably discharged at Denver in 1865. With the soldierly spirit still strong upon him, he then enlisted under Benito Juarez, served in Mexico, and was an engineer in that employ for years. Returning to New York, he journeyed thence to Missouri in 1870, where he purchased a farm. He came to Washington in the spring of 1873 and was attacked by the measles in Seattle, where he was detained some time. In August of that year he reached the Kittitas Valley and took up land nine miles west of Ellensburg, where he now owns and cultivates five hundred acres, which will average thirty bushels of wheat. He lias a fine orchard and other conveniences. He was married February 18th, 1872, to Miss Josephine Rego, a native of Indiana, born in 1854. Six children have been born to them. Mr. Killmore is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 117, of Elgin, Ill., and of the Farmers' Alliance, being a Populist in politics. He is the owner of valuable irrigating ditch interests.
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