USA > Washington > History of Washington the evergreen state : from early dawn to daylight with portraits and biographies Vol. I > Part 63
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REAVIS, JAMES B., attorney-at-law, a well-known jurist of Yakima County, and a resident of Yakima City, was born in Missouri in 1848. His father, John N. Reavis, was a Kentucky farmer ; his mother, Elizabeth (Preston) Reavis, was, as her maiden name indicates, a descendant from a prominent family in that State. Educated in the public schools and the University of Kentucky, at Lex- ington, Mr. Reavis studied law at Hannibal, Mo., and was admitted to the Bar in 1874. He immediately went to California, engaging in practice in the Golden State until 1880, when he removed to the Territory of Washington, locating at Goldendale, where he associated himself with Judge Dunbar, now of the Supreme Court of Washington. Coming to Yakima in 1883, still in partnership with Judge Dunbar, they built up a large and lucrative practice. In 1885 Mr. Reavis represented the five counties of Spokane, Stevens, Douglas, Yakima and Kittitas in the Upper House of the Territorial Legislature. He was also Regent of the
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Territorial University for two years (1888 and 1889). He has been a member of the School Board for a number of years, and takes great interest in educational ad- vancement. He was nominated in 1890 for the office of State Supreme Judge on the Democratic side, but failed by a vote which, however, ran ahead of the con- gressional and senatorial tickets. Mr. Reavis was married in 1891 to Miss Min- nie A. Freeman, a native of Nashville, Tenn. They have one child, a daughter. Mr. Reavis is a man of property, and is highly respected by all who know him.
REDMON, THOMAS J., merchant, of North Yakima, was born in Illinois in 1865. His father, P. G. Redmon, was a farmer and well-known citizen of that State ; his mother, Rose (Replogle) Redmon, was also a native of Illinois. Educated in the public schools and at a military academy in Oxford, Md., young Redmon began life as a school-teacher in Missouri, doing creditable work as an instructor in Holt County of that State for six years. In 1889 he came to Washington and located at North Yakima, taking the position of clerk in a hardware store until 1891, when, in partnership with a Mr. Walker, he established his present busi- ness, beginning with a small capital (about $1000), and is doing an annual busi- ness of about $30,000. This is a solid proof of success, and the best commentary on the prudence, energy, and business skill of the partners interested. Mr. Red - mon was married in 1892 to Miss Belle Dunn, daughter of the Postmaster at Yakima, who was one of the earliest settlers in this region. Mr. Redmon is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a Democrat in Politics. In 1893 he was elected a member of the City Council and Chief of the North Yakima Fire Department.
REED, THOMAS MILBURNE, was born in Sharpsburg, Bath County, Ky., De- cember 8th, 1825, of Scotch-Irish parentage-Garnett B. and Nancy B. (Work- man) Reed. When about nine years of age his parents moved on to a farm. When he was twelve years old his mother died. A year or two afterward his father, becoming hopelessly involved by signing notes as security for others, was compelled to sacrifice his property, and removed to a different part of the State, leaving Thomas M. with three brothers and an infant sister under the care of an uncle. The two younger children were adopted by the uncle ; the three older boys-Thomas being the second, aged fourteen-were left dependent upon their own efforts for support. Thomas arranged to make his home with this uncle - James Workman. He stipulated to work on the farm at $8 a month during the spring, summer, and autumn months, with the privilege of attending school in winter, paying all his own expenses except board.
At the age of eighteen years, having improved his limited educational advan- tages as much as possible, and with a capital of less than $10 in pocket, he left the farm and started out to battle against adversity as best he could. The out- look was neither bright nor promising, at times almost hopelessly discouraging. Comparatively penniless, with but little education, he met with many a heart- aching struggle in efforts to avoid sinking into the open gulf of despondency. But he finally succeeded in securing a situation as teacher of a country school in a county not far distant from the place of his birth. He taught only one summer season, but this added greatly to his advantage, and opened up the way for his better success in life.
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At the close of his teaching experience he obtained a situation as under clerk in a mercantile establishment. For five years he continued in that business, gradually advancing to higher grades of service, as chief book-keeper and general manager of other similar establishments in which he was employed. In Feb- ruary, 1849, he resigned his situation as manager of a mercantile house in Ken- tucky and emigrated to California via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving at San Francisco July 26th, 1849. For two years he engaged in practical mining in Sac- ramento and El Dorado counties. In 1851 he began merchandising at George- town, El Dorado County, and continued in that business and mining operations until 1857, when he removed to the tlien Territory of Washington. He held sev- eral positions of honor and trust during his eight years' residence in California, such as Postmaster, County Treasurer, County Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, etc. On his arrival at Olympia he was at once appointed agent of Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express, a position he had also held in California. His principal business, however, for a few years was merchandising.
On the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, in response to the first call for Union volunteers, a company was organized at Olympia, of which Mr. Reed was elected Captain. The general Government, however, declined to accept the ser- vices of this company, owing to the cost of transportation, etc. It may be proper also to state that Mr. Reed was a volunteer for the Mexican War, in a Kentucky company raised in 1847, but the company's services were not needed, and it was disbanded.
In the spring of 1862, and at intervals up to 1865, he made several visits to the Florence gold mines in Idaho, having mining properties in that section. Dur- ing portions of this time he was Deputy Collector of United States Internal Reve- nue, under Hon. P. D. Moore, both in the eastern and western portions of this district. While operating in the mines of Idaho he was elected to the Legislature for Idaho County (then a portion of Washington Territory), and served as Speaker of the House for the session of 1862-63. After Idaho was set off from Washing- ton and organized into a separate Territory, Mr. Reed was elected in 1864 to the Idaho Legislature, representing Nez Perce County.
Having been admitted to practise law in the courts of Washington Territory, he was apointed Prosecuting Attorney for the Idaho District, serving one term during his temporary residence in that district. In 1865, on resuming his resi- dence in Olympia, he entered the office of the United States Surveyor-General as chief clerk, remaining in that position for seven years, after which he entered the field as United States Deputy Surveyor, continuing in that relation, with occa- sional off intervals, for eight years. In 1877 he was elected to the Legislative Council of Washington Territory, representing Thurston and Lewis counties, and was honored with the station of President of the Council, session of 1877. Dur- ing the closing hour of that session he was nominated and confirmed as Territo- rial Auditor, and continued in the latter position until January, 1888. In 1889 he was chosen and served as a delegate in the Constitutional Convention to frame the constitution for the State of Washington. At the first election for State officers he was elected State Auditor, receiving the highest number of votes of any of the Republican nominees.
Mr. Reed has frequently been called to mourn the loss of loved ones ; parents,
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brothers, sister, wife, children have preceded him to that bourne to which all humanity are certainly wending their way. He has been married three times. Cf his four surviving children, Thomas M. Reed, Jr., is married and resides in Seattle ; the other three, grown to man and womanhood, with his present amiable wife, constitute a lovely household, justly entitled to their many friends in their home city.
Thus briefly outlined, Mr. Reed's public and private life has been an extremely busy one. The lustre of his career in this is not dimmed but brightened by that of his Masonic record. A little past the age of twenty-one, before leaving " old Kaintuck," he was initiated into Holloway Lodge No. 153, Fleming County, on March 30th, 1847, and raised June 7th, 1847, since which time he has been always an active Mason. In 1858 he affiliated with Olympia Lodge No. 1, where he is now a member. He bas filled the positions of Secretary, Warden, and Wor- shipful Master ; of the latter, six years in California lodges and three in Olympia. He was Grand Master of Washington three terms, and Grand Secretary for the exceedingly long period of thirty-one years, and still holds the fort, showing con- clusively that the right man was found for the right place. He was exalted to the Holy Royal Arch in October, 1853, in Sherburne Chapter No. 47, Kentucky, has held the offices of Excellent King and High Priest, and is now Past Grand High Priest and Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter. He received the Knight Templar degree in Sacramento Encampment in February, 1857, and is an honorary member of Oregon Commandery No. 1, of Portland, Ore. He has held the position of Grand Secretary of the Grand Commandery of this jurisdiction, and is now the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Commandery. In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty-third degree.
Mr. Reed's Masonic career has been one in which his brethren delight to do him honor. The Pacific Slope from north to south has not a Masonic body but would open wide the door in his welcome. His long service in subordinate and grand organizations has endeared him to all. The literary ability he exhibits is that of a thorough knowledge of the Order, its law, its moral code, its jurispru- dence, embracing within its true scope and work the tenets of its profession and their practice, also its sublime mysteries and teachings. His name is an authority upon the law and teachings of Masonry ; in practice he is a recognized example for his consistent life and conduct, his obedience to its tenets of brotherly love, relief, and truth. May he be able to continue in his high and noble career for many years to come.
REED, WALTER J., hotel proprietor, of Cle Elum, Wash., was born in Scot- land fifty-one years ago, the son of John and Isabella (Craig) Reed, both natives . of the land which the " canny Scot" is so proud to call his own. He came to America with his parents in 1848, locating in Ohio, being then a child of six. Educated in the common schools of Ohio and Pennsylvania, he began life in the latter State mining coal. In 1861 he enlisted in the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, went to the front, and joined the Army of the Potomac. He did gallant service during his three years' campaigning with the Union Army in many battles and skirmishes. He was honorably discharged in 1864, and re- turned to his former occupation in Pennsylvania. Removing to the Pacific Coast,
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he first located in Oregon, then went to California, and in 1879 came to Washing- ton Territory, settling at what is now the city of North Yakima. Here he re- mained for five years engaged in farming and stock-raising. Migrating to where Cle Elum now is, he founded the town and established himself in the hotel busi- ness, in which he is still successfully engaged. He was married in 1864, at Pitts- burg, Pa., to a Miss Stiener, a native of that State. Mr. Reed is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the owner of considerable realty, both city and suburban. Cle Elum and its vicinity owes much to Mr. Reed as one of the largest factors in developing its material interests, particularly of its coal deposits, of which he was one of the discoverers.
REEDER, LEVI BRANSON, attorney-at-law, of Kettle Falls, Stevens County, Wash., was born September 7th, 1865, at Eureka, Woodford County, Ill. His father was a Pennsylvania farmer, his mother a native of Ohio. At five years of age young Reeder began his education in the common schools of his native place, which he continued to attend for four years. In March, 1874, he removed with his parents to Albany, Ore., remaining till October, 1879 ; thence to Umatilla County, in the same State, where his parents resided until the death of the father in 1892. They had a wheat farm of, twelve hundred acres there. Mr. Reeder taught school for one season in 1883 in Umatilla County, and then commenced attending the high school at Athena, Ore. He taught another term in the spring following, and then entered the State Normal School at Monmouth, Ore., taking both the collegiate and normal courses, and graduating in 1887. He travelled in the summer of that year, writing insurance for the State Insurance Company of Salem, Ore., then taught school for six months. He was nominated in April, 1888, for County Superintendent of Public Instruction on the Republican ticket, but was defeated, the county being strongly Democratic. He then resumed his insurance business for a time. In the fall of 1888 he went to Ann Arbor and entered the Literary Department, taking a course in political economy and ora- tory. After a rest for recuperation on Lake Michigan, he re-entered Ann Arbor, this time in the Law Department, and returned next spring to Oregon, spending the summer with his parents. He was married July 3d of that year to Miss Laura L. Zeiger. They have one daughter. Mr. Reeder returned to Ann Arbor and completed his law course. In August, 1891, he located at Kettle Falls, where he now resides, actively engaged in practice. He is the Republican nomi- nee for Prosecuting Attorney. He is counted an active and energetic man, and commands the confidence of the community.
REEVES, CHARLES S., whose business and personal record is closely associated with that of Allen C. Mason, Tacoma's most prominent business man and finan- cier, has hardly a competitor in the City of Destiny in popularity. He was born in Elgin, Ill., December 6th, 1860. He is a son of Edwin F. and Sarah A. Reeves. His early education was received in the Elgin Academy, from whence he went to the University at Ann Arbor, of which institution he is a graduate. Determining to devote himself to the law, he became a student in the office of Judge Crosby, at Chicago, and was admitted to practice in the courts of Illinois in 1883. After two years' practice in Chicago, he removed to Tacoma in Feb-
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ruary, 1887, and took charge of the Land Department of Allen C. Mason's busi- ness, whose clientage extended to all parts of the Union. Few men could have filled it, with all its varied interests and complications, so thoroughly as did Mr. Reeves. He found respite from his labors in an elaborate tour around the world, from which he returns to receive the warm welcome of a host of friends. He is still Mr. Mason's right-hand man.
RICKEY, JOHN, Treasurer of Stevens County, a farmer and capitalist, was born in Knox County, O., October 19th, 1844, being the son of Foster and Nancy (Bolls) Rickey, of that State. Left an orphan at an early age, he received only the little education the district schools of that early day could afford. In 1859 he removed to Iowa and began an adventurous and varied life, involving the pur- suit of many occupations, which our space does not permit us to enumerate, until his arrival in Washington in 1866. Here we find him engaged with more or less success in mining, contracting, trading, general merchandising and steamboating, bringing into all the same activity and shrewd business intelligence which has always characterized his operations and so largely conduced to his eminent suc- cess. In 1888 he was appointed Treasurer of Stevens County for an unexpired term, and in 1889 he was elected to the same office on the Republican ticket, which he still fills. He was married October 9th, 1892, to Miss Delphine Janett, of Stevens County, Wash., by whom he has one son and three daughters. His homestead, located on the Columbia, at Grand Rapids, fourteen miles southwest of Colville, known as Rickey's Landing, is famous for its fruit, producing an average of thirty-five thousand pounds annually. He has also a ranch of three liundred and twenty acres less than two miles south of Colville devoted to hay, and still another of one hundred and sixty acres six miles from that place. He is the owner of ten buildings in Colville, and is now erecting a three-story brick structure, which will be the finest in the place, to cost $14,000, and contain all modern improvements. Mr. Rickey was Justice of the Peace at Marcus for six years. He is a stanch Republican, and has always taken an active interest in politics. A prosperous and widely popular man, he finds in his private interests and the duties of his responsible official position abundant employment and con- stant increase both in wealth and general reputation.
RIGGS, MATTHEW, who is engaged in the restaurant and bakery business at Dayton, Wash., was born in Ohio in 1848. His father, Robert Hughes Riggs, was a Virginia planter, and his mother, Sophronia (Wing) Riggs, a native of Ohio. Young Riggs, who was the eldest in a family of six, was educated in Ox- ford, in his native State. He first located in Oregon, but in 1871 removed to Columbia County, Wash., where he engaged in lumber-milling for five years, and for about the same length of time in a woollen mill at Dayton, We next find him cleiking for a well-known firm, after which he bought out the bakery and restaurant of W. H. Vanlew, in which business he still continues, making it the most important of its kind in the city. He was married in 1874 to Miss Julia Thronson, a lady of good family, in Wisconsin. Six children grace their union. He is the owner of a pleasant home, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Democrat in politics, and a man generally esteemed by his fellow-citizens.
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RINEHART, ISAAC N., of Waitsburg, a farmer, was born in Pennsylvania in 1848. His father was a native of that State and a soldier of the Civil War, losing his right arm at the battle of Antietam. Receiving his early education in the schools of Pennsylvania, young Rinehart first turned his attention to farming. After years of wandering he came to Washington Territory in 1878, bought two hundred acres seven miles south of Waitsburg, of what has proved in his care ex- ceedingly fertile and remunerative land. He was married in Pennsylvania in 1873 to Miss M. C. Cox, whose father was a leading farmer and office-holder of Juniata County. Seven children have been born to this union. Mr. Rinehart is a representative man among those who supply the most substantial basis for the upbuilding of a new country-the tillers of the soil.
RINEHART, WILLIAM V., of Seattle, Wash., was born December 28th. 1835, at Clark's Hill, Tippecanoe County, Ind., and was reared on a farm. His educa- tion was acquired at Farmer's Institute, a Quaker school, eight miles from Lafay- ette, Ind. At the age of eighteen he made the long and tedious overland jour- ney to the Pacific Coast, driving an ox team, and entered the Downieville, Cal., gold mines August 25th, 1854. He removed to Southern Oregon, and entered the Aulthouse Creek Mines in March, 1856, This was at the time of the Rogue River Indian troubles, and Mr. Rinehart assisted in the protection of the settlers against the depredations of the savages and helped to build the stockades in Illinois Val- ley. He left the mines in 1859 and became a clerk in the general merchandise store of A. B. McIlwaine, at Sailors' Diggings, now the town of Waldo. After the outbreak of the Rebellion the Regular troops were withdrawn from the mili- tary posts in Eastern Oregon, and it became necessary for the settlers to take measures for their own protection against the Indians. In December, 1861, Mr. Rinehart assisted in recruiting Company F, First Oregon Cavalry, at Kirbyville, Ore., and was mustered in as its First Lieutenant January 2d, 1862. His promo- tion quickly followed. On April 23d, 1863, he became Regimental Adjutant, December 22d, 1863, Captain, and June 24th, 1865, Major of the First Oregon Infantry, in which capacity he served as commandant at Fort Klamath until August 25th, 1866, when it was garrisoned by Regular troops. The military ser- vices rendered by Major Rinehart during this period of danger were of incal- culable benefit to the exposed settlers, and his prompt and efficient measures pre- ยท vented any serious depredations from the Indians.
Resuming civil life, Major Rinehart again engaged in mercantile pursuits. An ardent Republican in his political convictions, he soon took a most active and influential part in maintaining the ascendency of his party, though he was actu- ated by no mere personal ambition. In 1868 he made a thorough canvass of Grant County in the interests of his party, and two years later canvassed the State in the interest of Hon. George H. Williams, of Portland, for the United States Senate. In 1869 he was appointed Postmaster at Canyon City, and held that position until 1874. From 1876-82 he was Indian Agent at Malheur, Ore. In De- cember, 1882, he removed to Seattle and engaged in the grocery business, although devoting his attention principally to real-estate transactions. Here he at once took a most prominent part in local political affairs. His political sagacity and ability for leadership were soon recognized, and he became a trusted leader of the
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Republican Party. He was a member of the City Council from the First Waid in 1884-85. In 1888 he was elected to the Territorial Legislature, but before his term began Washington was admitted to Statehood. At the first State election he was elected State Senator. Declining a second term, he accepted the appoint- ment of Commissioner of Public Works, the most responsible position under the new municipal charter. His appointment met the warm approval of the press and public irrespective of party. As a public speaker Major Rinehart is noted for clearness of thought, concise perspicuity of expression, and intense earnestness and candor, qualities which have most weight in political discussions. He is pro- gressive and public-spirited in his ideas, and his entire career has been marked by energy, reliability, and integrity. He possesses in an eminent degree the qualities most needed in a public official. He is naturally courteous in manner, painstaking in the performance of every duty, and has a high order of adminis- trative and executive ability. During the years of his public life he has so acted as to leave the impression under all circumstances of being moved by a conscien- tious desire faithfully to discharge every trust, a record which has firmly estab- lished him in the confidence and respect of the public. He is an active Mason, and has served as Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Washington, also as Eminent Commander of Seattle Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar.
ROBARTS, JOHN, a member of the Farmers' Alliance, cultivates his one hun- dred and sixty acres, located four miles southwest of Fairfield, with a care that leaves nothing unimproved. Well stocked, rich in orchard trees, and responding nobly to the toil of the husbandman, he has no reason to regret his choice or the vocation he has selected. Mr. Robarts was born in Ohio in 1827. Both his parents were natives of the Keystone State. His father is dead, but his mother, a very aged woman, still survives, and makes her home in Iowa. The subject of our sketch has been twice married, his first wife, whom he espoused in Iowa in 1849, being Miss Elizabeth Clark, of Indiana. She bore him five children. He married his present wife, Miss Adeline Hall, in 1878. They have five children. Mr. Robarts had but nine months' schooling, being in charge of his father's farm from a very early age till he reached, twenty. Obliged to give up blacksmithing from the failure of his eyesight, he came to Oregon in 1850, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. Failing in this, he sold out and migrated to Washington, settling first in Walla Walla County, from whence, after a ten years' sojourn, he removed to his present home.
ROBINSON, J. O., attorney-at-law, of Seattle, was born in Thomaston, Me., July 7th, 1831, and received his rudimentary education in his native town. He entered Bowdoin College, from which institution he graduated with the degree of B.A. in 1854. After teaching school for a year he began the study of law in the office of Ruggles & Gould, at Thomaston, and was admitted to the Bar in 1857. Entering at once upon the life work he had chosen, he practised for two years in Rockland, Me., then for three more in Thomaston in partnership with Mr. Gould, of that city. Removing to Mahanoy City, Pa., he remained there until 1878, when he returned to Thomaston and reopened offices in that town and Rockland. In February, 1891, he migrated to Washington and located at Seat-
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