USA > Washington > History of Washington the evergreen state : from early dawn to daylight with portraits and biographies Vol. II > Part 41
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Since Mr. Rhoades took up his homestead he has acquired considerable other property adjoining it, and has now about five hundred acres of tide land and high land together. He still owns his residence in Bay Centre, but lives princi- pally at Sandy Point. Although engaged largely in farming and stock-raising, his principal business is the oyster trade, which he carries on extensively and which yields him large profits. Mr. Rhoades was County Commissioner for a term of two years. He has been on Shoalwater Bay for nearly thirty years, and is one of the oldest pioneers in this section.
Mr. Rhoades was married in 1860 to Miss Catharine Parrott, of England. They have had thirteen children, eleven of whom are living-Phoebe Helen, born October 5th, 1863 ; Rufus Dee, born November 24th, 1865 ; Jane Maria, born February 22d, 1868 ; Minnie Belle, born December 3d, 1870 ; Amy Joyce, born March 25th, 1873 ; Charles Owen, born March 12th, 1875 ; Mary Augusta, born August 8th, 1877 ; Alice Maud, born January 5th, 1880 ; Emma Catharine, born December 29th, 1882 ; Grace Darling, born December 5th, 1884; and Walter William, born May 11th, 1888. Mrs. Rhoades left England in 1851 at the age of seven years, with her parents, and crossed the ocean in a small brig, the Josephine. After a passage of seven months they landed at Portland in the spring of 1852. She therefore is one of the pioneer ladies of the Pacific North- west and well deserving of mention in this connection. Mr. Rhoades is one of the leading men of this section of Pacific County, and has scores of friends who respect him for his fair and honest dealings. He is always ready and foremost in everything that will promote and advance the best interests of his county, and possesses the esteem and respect of all who know him. He is one of the direct- ors of the Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company, running from Astoria to Sealand. He has been for a number of years President of the Native Oyster Company of Bay Centre, which is now doing a thriving business with Portland and San Francisco markets. He has recently laid out a town site on his property at Sandy Point, giving it the short and very appropriate name of Sea Port, being only a few miles from the deep blue sea, with a broad channel of sixty feet in depth, alongside of one of the finest harbors in the world. He contemplates put- ting this property on the market in a short time, thereby hoping to receive some compensation for his pioneer deprivations.
RHOADES, LUCIUS ANDREW, was born in Oregon on January 2d, 1859. At the age of four years he moved with his brother Lewis to Bruce Port, Wash., and remained there in the oyster business for several years. Then he moved to Sandy Point, two miles distant from Bay Centre, where he still remained with his brother in the same business. Mr. Rhoades has lived in Bay Centre for about sixteen years ; he bought lots here and built himself a residence, in which he still lives. He is now engaged on his own account in the oyster business and is doing a thriving trade. He was married in 1884 to Miss Clara H. Matthews at Bay Centre. She died on September 6th, 1889. They had one child, Henry Lucius Rhoades, born August 29th, 1885. This child, their only one, died on Novem- ber 25th, 1887, and was buried at Bay Centre.
Mr. Rhoades is one of the most liberal and progressive men of this section, and is always foremost in advancing the best interests of the community. Dur-
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i ng his entire career he has received constant tokens of the high respect and con- sideration of the community in which he lived, and has many warm friends.
ASHTON, JAMES M., was born in Belleville, Hastings County, Canada, August 28th, 1859. He attended Albert University, Belleville, and subsequently Uni- versity College, Toronto, where he took an LL.D. and A.B. course, graduating from Osgood Hall, Toronto, in 1882. The same year he went to Chicago, where he read law for a short time ; then he went to Denver. About that time the mining excitement through Colorado had subsided, and the mines were permitted to remain undeveloped largely through the lack of sufficient capital to work them. Mr. Ashton soon left Denver and started to seek a point at which to be- gin his professional career. He took the Southern Pacific as far as Tucson, Ari., and from there went to Guymas, Mexico ; thence to Los Angeles, finally arriving ' at San Francisco at the time of the excitement concerning Puget Sound.
Hearing of Tacoma, he went there for the purpose of being admitted to the Bar. He learned that Tacoma was the legal and practical terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The town at that time had a population of fifteen hundred people; this was in the fall of 1882. He at once opened an office and made a specialty of admiralty practice and marine law. In about six months he had a heavy practice in all branches of the law, which he maintained for five years. In 1888, together with Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Chapman as counsellors of the Northern Pacific and other roads, he took charge of that company's business in Washington and other States and Territories.
Mr. Ashton's career has been somewhat varied and romantic. He left college in his Sophomore year, on account of failing health as the result of hard study, and spent the term of two and a half years in Texas and Mexico driving cattle, and in driving what was then known as the Western Trail. It was after this experience that he returned with renewed health to Toronto and Chicago, where he com- pleted his course of studies. Mr. Ashton is a large land-owner and promoter, has large mining interests, and is extensively interested in building.
He is called by some the father of the entire street railway system of the city of Tacoma, which is extensive. He is connected with numerous large private enterprises throughout the State. He is a Mason, in which fraternity he has at- tained a high rank. He has been connected with the National Guard of Wash- ington for seven years, and is now Commanding Officer of the Tacoma City Troop, the crack cavalry organization of the State.
On June 1st, 1892, he was married to Miss Frances Davies, the daughter of D. T. Davies, Esq., Superintendent of the Southern Pacific Company.
Captain Ashton is a man of great energy, and few, even in this busy city, find their time more thoroughly employed than he. Possessed of fine business quali- fications, rare judgment and a high degree of executive ability, his connection with any business project commands for it confidence and ready support. He is one of the men of the times ; one who feels the tide of local affairs ; a man of the people, who acts from wholly conscientious motives, and whose ambition has never exceeded his sense of duty.
ARTHUR, HON. JESSE, Superior Judge for the counties of Spokane and Stevens, was born in Kershaw District, near the historic town of Camden, N. C., January
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14th, 1847. He attended the common schools of Camden and then entered the University of Virginia, where he took a scientific and classical course. He left the university in the spring of 1867, going to Cincinnati, O., where he attended the Cincinnati Law School during the sessions of 1869-70. He was admitted to the Bar in Newport, Ky. Previous to his admission he was interested in street railways, having built the road between Newport and Dayton, of which road lie was also manager. In 1873 he began the practice of his profession at Newport, and so continued until 1889. During his residence in Kentucky lie took an active interest in politics, as a member of the Democratic Party, and was re- peatedly called to positions of public trust and honor. In 1886 he was elected Mayor of Dayton, but resigned before the expiration of his term. He served two terms as City Attorney of Dayton, and also acted as Temporary Judge of the Circuit Court of Campbell County for two terms. He came to Spokane in Octo- ber, 1889, and here resumed the practice of his profession, at once taking a promi- nent place among the leading lawyers of the city. In November, 1892, he was elected Superior Judge for the counties of Spokane and Stevens. The rapid progress which Judge Arthur has made since his advent in Spokane bears evi- dence of unusual ability. As a lawyer he ranks among the best in the State. His legal abilities have been tested in many important cases which have attracted wide attention, and in all of which he has acquitted himself admirably. His painstaking industry, his power of incisive analysis, his large knowledge of the principles and precedents of the law are conspicuous. As a pleader he particu- larly excels, his style of speaking being always clear, pointed, and forcible. In his judicial capacity he has administered the duties of his important position with ability and impartiality, establishing a reputation as a judge which is highly creditable, and to which succeeding years and experience cannot fail to add new laurels. Personally he is a genial and pleasant gentleman, and has a wide circle of close and intimate friends.
Judge Arthur was married September 10th, 1890, to Miss Florence Bell Rus- sell, daughter of R. M. Russell, of Spokane.
BELKNAP, WEBSTER C., is a farmer residing five miles east of Fairfield, Wash. His father, Ransom A. Belknap, was born in Kentucky in 1820, and is still living on the old donation claim in Benton County, Ore., where he settled in 1848. He married Mahala Starr, who bore him nine children, and who is still living. Webster C., the fourth child, was born on the homestead in 1850. He attended the district school until he was twenty-one, then took a six months' course at Willamette University, Salem, Ore. After he left school his father presented him with eighty acres of the old farm, which he operated until 1877. In that year he removed to Palouse, Waslı., and after a short stay here took up his present farm, beginning a career of intelligent industry which has been a pros- perous and happy one. He has four hundred and eighty acres, three hundred and fifty of which are under cultivation, and has a fine orchard of one hundred and thirty trees. The residence and farm buildings are neat, modern, and well arranged, and bear evidence of the thrift of their owner. Mr. Belknap was mar- ried in his native county to Miss Ida Clark, of Iowa. Her mother died at Latah, Wash., in 1891, and her father is still living at that place. Mr. and Mrs. Bel-
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knap have seven children-Chester C., Maynard M., Foster G., Clark R., Hovey H., Carrie N., and Stella P. The family are consistent and devout members of the Methodist Church. In politics Mr. Belknap is an earnest Republican, and in 1892 was the candidate of his party for State Senator in the Fifth Senatorial Dis- trict. He is methodical and exact in his business methods, an honorable dealer, and a helping friend to the poor. He has a large social nature, and loves the society of old acquaintances.
SMITH, DR. A. J .- A successful member of the medical profession is Dr. A. J. Smith, of Oaksdale, Wash. He was born in Pennsylvania April 15th, 1854, the eldest of nine children of Moses K. Smith, a farmer. His early education was self-acquired. He entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Balti- more, Md., and was graduated in 1885, with the degree of M.D. He located first in Devil's Lake, N. Dak., and after practising there for three years, came to Washington and finally settled in Oaksdale in May, 1888. Since coming to Oaks- dale, Dr. Smith has easily advanced to the front rank of his profession. He is fortunate in that combination and balance of qualities that make their possessor specially adapted to the art and practice of medicine. He has an active tempera- ment, quick observation, fine perception, and that reflection that ultimates in the good judgment of the practitioner. These qualities, animated by that divine principle of growth that keeps a perpetual student and learner abreast with the freshest fact and thoughit, are full explanation of the wide demand for his profes- sional services. The doctor is a Republican, and has served as a member of the City Council. He is a member of the fraternities of Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen. Dr. Smith was married July 3d, 1889, at Pekin, Ill., to Ida J., daughter of Gustin S. and Amanda (Davis) Patton. She is a native of Pennsylvania, and is of Scotch-Irish ances- try. Before her marriage she was one of the leading educators of her native State, and is justly proud of her record as a teacher. In manner she is cultured and refined, and she presides over the beautiful home of her husband with dig- nity and grace.
DOWNING, CHARLES O., County Clerk of Spokane, was born in Knox County, Mo., June 11th, 1867. In the spring of 1871 he removed to Polk County, Ore., with his parents, and one year later to a place called Downing Gulch, in Whit- man County, where they remained until 1875, when they settled in Colfax, Wash. Young Downing received the benefits of the common schools of Colfax, and in 1880 attended Bishop Scott's Academy at Portland, Ore. On the completion of his studies he became book-keeper for his father, who was engaged in mercan- tile business at Colfax, and continued in that capacity until 1883. He then em- barked in the dry-goods business for himself at Spokane, but after one year sold out and went into the Cœur d'Alene Mines, where he engaged in a general supply and mercantile business. In the fall of 1884 he sold out his entire stock, and in the following spring again entered the service of his father. His next venture was in the stock business. This continued but a short time, after which he took a thorough course at the Jacksonville (Ill.) Business College. On his return to Washington he was employed by the Northern Pacific Elevator Company as grain-
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buyer, and remained with them until the fall of 1887. In December of that year he was married to Miss Ida L. Davis, of Spangle, Spokane County. They have one child, a daughter.
From 1887-89 Mr. Downing was engaged in various occupations, and in the fall of the latter year he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Spokane County, under E. H. Hinchliff. In the spring of 1890 he was elected City Clerk of Spokane, and held that position two terms. In July, 1892, he was nominated for County Clerk on the Republican ticket, was elected by a handsome majority in Novem- ber following, and entered upon his official duties January 10th, 1893. Mr. Down- ing has been prominently connected with the National Guard of Washington for a number of years. He was a musician in the Second Regiment Band stationed at Spokane, for three years, and November 19th, 1892, was appointed on the staff of Major C. B. Johnston, as Inspector of Small Arms Practice, with rank of First Lieutenant, and upon June 29th, 1893, was elected Captain of Troop D, First Cavalry Battalion, stationed at Spokane, which position he now holds. Frater- nally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, also a charter member of Phœnix No. 45, of the city of Spokane. He is a charter member of the Western Star Division No. 7, Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias, and is the present Captain of that division. In politics Mr. Down- ing is a Republican ; but while a firm and consistent believer in the cardinal prin- ciples of his party, he is without a particle of partisan bigotry or intolerance. As a public official he is painstaking and efficient, discharging every duty im- posed upon him with strict integrity. The honorable success he has thus early achieved gives promise of higher advancement in years to come. Personally he . is pleasant and affable in manner, easily wins and holds friends, while his stand- ing in the community as an honest and upright citizen is of the highest.
EDSEN, EDUARD P .- The subject of this sketch is one who has worked his way into prominence and influence by self-sacrifice, perseverance, and hard knocks. Colonel Edsen is a native of Germany. He was born near the city of Hamburg. After a preparatory course in the schools and colleges of that city, he finished his education at the universities of Berlin and Heidelberg, and then made a tour of the world, spending four years in constant travel. He came to the United States in 1875, and in November of that year landed in Portland, Ore. All the money he possessed in the world was a half dollar. Although poor in purse, he was rich in hope. He at once set out to find employment, and suc- ceeded in obtaining a situation on the farm of William Freels, near Sandy Post- Office. He was too ambitious and energetic for the monotony of farm life, and after spending the winter at Mr. Freels' he left in the month of March, 1876, and located at Brookfield, Wahkiahkum County, Waslı., where he spent one sea- son fishing for salmon for Hon. J. G. Megler, who owned the cannery at that place. In August of that year the season closed, and Mr. Edsen returned to Port- land.
Realizing the necessity of a business education, he took a course in a business college in that city, and studied the English language at the same time under a . private tutor. In March following (1877) he found himself greatly in need of money, and in order to replenish his exchequer he accepted a situation as deck
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hand on the steamer Annie Faxon, which was then plying between Celilo and . Wallula, on the Columbia River. He was at his post of duty on the boat all day, and when night came and the other men of the crew were asleep, the " midnight oil" in his lamp was burning while he mastered his studies.
He quit the life of a steamboat man in August of that year and went to Walla Walla, where he chopped wood and made fence-rails until the spring of 1878, when a position was offered liim in the wash-house of the City Brewery, which he accepted, and his name was entered on the pay-roll of the proprietor, John H. Stahl. Here it was that his business qualities began to develop, and by virtue of his energy and close attention to his duties, and his integrity of character, he was promoted to the rank of book-keeper and manager of the establishment. Notwithstanding the fact that his duties and responsibilities had increased, he found time to continue his studies, a part of which was devoted to the study of law.
He remained with Mr. Stahl until the spring of 1880, and then took a trip to Yankee Fork, Ida., on the Salmon River. Here he spent the summer. At this time he had about $2500, which he had saved from his earnings since coming to America, all of which was lost in mining investments during the excitement in . the Yankee Fork and Wood River districts. He then returned to Walla Walla, and in September resumed liis old place with Mr. Stall, where he remained the following winter.
In May, 1881, he formed a partnership with Judge V. D. Lambert, under the firm name of Lambert & Edsen, the purpose of which was to conduct a real estate and insurance agency. While thus engaged he continued the study of law pre- paratory to his admission to the Bar.
He felt that his field of operations was limited, and in order to get into a larger one he left Walla Walla in the summer of 1883 and came to Seattle, then a place of only about five thousand inhabitants. Before locating here he visited Tacoma, Port Townsend, and Olympia on a prospecting tour, but finally selected Seattle as his future abiding-place.
Closing up his business in Walla Walla for good, he became a citizen of Seattle on December 1st, 1883, and has resided here ever since. In January, 1884, lie was admitted to the Bar of what was then Washington Territory, and at once entered upon an active practice in the profession of his choice. On November 1st, 1889, he formed a partnership with Will H. Thompson and John E. Hum- phries under the firm name of Thompson, Edsen & Humphries, one of the leading . law firms of the Pacific Coast.
Mr. Edsen is an accomplished linguist, being familiar with the English, Ger- man, French, Spanish, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish tongues, and by reason .of his proficiency in this respect he is very popular with the foreign population. In politics Mr. Edsen is a Republican, and an active member of his party ; and though often solicited to become a candidate for office, he has repeatedly refused to do so. He is also an active member of several secret and benevolent societies, including Olive Branch Lodge No. 4, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; Seattle Encampment No. 21, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; Canton Seattle No. 3, Patriarchs Militant, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; Queen City Lodge No. 10, Knights of Pythias ; Rainier Division No. 18, Uniform Rank Knights of
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Pythias ; Columbia Lodge No. 10, Ancient Order of United Workmen ; Rainier Council No. 1399, Royal Arcanum, and Crystal Council No. 46, Order of Chosen Friends. He is also one of the founders of the Seattle Turn Verein, and has been for the past four years President of the George Washington Branch of the Irish National League of America.
It would seem as though the above associations would not only steal a march on his time and labors, but would fill him full to overflowing with engagements : not so, however, for he is an expert drill-master, and in 1884 organized Company D, National Guard of Washington, and was its first Captain. He was also the founder and first Captain of Rainier Division No. 18, Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias, and as such has participated in competitive drills at Seattle, Tacoma, and New Westminster, B. C., carrying off prizes at each drill. He is at present the Assistant Judge Advocate-General of the Washington Brigade.
Mr. Edsen is a man of powerful physique, commanding appearance, and wonderful activity. What he starts in to do he does and does it with all the might and power that is in him, and by virtue of this might and power he has overcome difficulties and attained eminence of marked distinction among his fel- low-men. The portrait appearing in this volume is a splendid likeness of him. Mr. Edsen is also quite a literary man, and over the nom de plume of " Veritas" has written both prose and poetry of a commendable character for some of the best journals and magazines of this country.
CAMPBELL, FREMONT, Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Washing- ton for Pierce County, though still a young man, has been prominently identified with the political and commercial history of Washington during his residence there. Prominent in his profession and an influential citizen, he enjoys to an unusual degree the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He was born at Ridgeway, Dane County, Wis., October 7th, 1857. After attending the common schools he took a course at the State University, graduating from that institution in 1877. He soon after removed to the State of Iowa with his parents, where he remained one year, then went to Nebraska in the employ of the United States Land Department, in selling the Pawnee Indian Reservation, during which time he pursued his legal studies under Major John Taft until 1879, when he removed to Belmont, Nye County, Nev., and was there admitted to the Supreme Court of that State, and practised law for a year. In 1880 he came to Tacoma, Wash., then a small village, and continued the practice of law, and also engaged in the grocery business as a member of the firm of Rebard & Campbell until 1883, when he disposed of his interest to John S. Baker. In the fall of 1883 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and served in that capacity for two years, after which he continued in the practice of law. In 1888 he was again elected Prosecuting At- torney, and served until March 5th, 1890, when he was appointed by Governor Ferry as Superior Judge of Pierce County, his associate upon the Bench being Hon. Frank Allyn. In the fall of 1891 he was elected Superior Judge of Pierce County for the term of four years. Pierce County being one of the largest coun- ties in the State, the office is one which requires energy and ability, and Judge Campbell has discharged the duties of his office with unswerving impartiality and justice.
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The judge has had a large and varied practice since his admission to the Bar, and his professional career has been marked by industry, integrity, and fidelity to his clients. In political preferment Judge Campbell is a Republican, and has always been an active and energetic member of the party. He was delegate from Pierce County to the first Republican State Convention at Walla Walla. He served two years as Chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, but resigned the chairmanship on appointment to the Bench. He was one of the in- corporators and stockholders and the General Manager of the Tacoma and Lake City Railroad and Navigation Company, which built a line of standard-gauge railroad from Tacoma to American Lake, which was being extended from Lake City on American Lake to Olympia when it was sold by the incorporators to the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and is now being made a part of that com- pany's main line from Tacoma to Portland.
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