USA > Washington > History of Washington the evergreen state : from early dawn to daylight with portraits and biographies Vol. II > Part 42
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Judge and Mrs. Campbell are delightful entertainers, and at their spacious mansion on the shores of American Lake, surrounded by a beautiful park, their friends are always welcome. They have five children, three brave boys and two charming little girls. The judge is still a young man, and has a bright future before him.
BAKER, JOHN S .-- Among the younger men of Washington none is more favor- ably known than the subject of this sketch. The substantial success which has rewarded his efforts in business is but the natural result of well-directed energy and enterprise, strengthened by a remarkable talent for financiering. At an age when most men have barely commenced their career he has attained a position of prominence among the most successful business men of the State. Mr. Baker was born in Cleveland, O., November 21st, 1861, and at the age of four years removed with his parents to Chicago, Ill. His early education was acquired in the common schools of the latter city, and at the age of sixteen years he entered an office on the Chicago Board of Trade. Here he manifested remarkable apti- tude for business, and won the commendations and confidence of his employers, who promoted him from time to time. Believing, however, that the best chance for a young man would be found in a newer country, he gave up his position in 1881 and came directly to Tacoma, where he obtained a clerkship in the office of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Four months later he joined the staff of the Transcontinental Survey of that company, and engaged in field work for several months. He then embarked in the general merchandise business at Carbonado, where he continued for about eight months, and in June, 1883, he returned to Tacoma and established himself in the wholesale and retail grocery trade, under the firm style of John S. Baker & Co. This business was carried on successfully until September, 1888, when it was merged into the Tacoma Grocery Company. Mr. Baker became one of the managers of this company, and continued as such until 1890, when he disposed of his interests in order to devote his entire time to his building and banking business, which at that time had reached large propor- tions.
He was one of the originators of and largest stockholders in the Fidelity Trust Company and one of the principal organizers of the Capital National Bank of Olympia, of which he is a director. He is a director of the National Bank of
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Commerce of Tacoma, and is largely interested in the Western Washington Ex- position, the Tacoma Smelter Company, the Tacoma Woollen Mills, and the Pa- cific Navigation Company. He also has large investments in mining properties in Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia. Mr. Baker was elected to the State Senate of Washington, and served two terms in that body, but declined further political honors, as his extensive business interests demanded his whole attention. He is warmly attached to the home of his adoption and takes an enthusiastic and active interest in all enterprises tending toward its advancement. His success in business has placed him, while yet young in years, in affluent circumstances, and broadened his opportunities to still further contribute to the general good of the community. He is a man of pleasing manners, of liberal and kindly instincts, and possesses many warm friends, while his integrity of character commands the respect of all who know him.
Mr. Baker was married May 12th, 1887, to Miss Laura Ainsworth, the eldest daughter of Captain John C. Ainsworth, a pioneer of Oregon and one of the organizers of the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company. An only daughter, Bernice Ainsworth, blessed their union. The untimely death of Mrs. Baker, which occurred November 6th, 1890, cast a gloom over the community, where she was widely known and loved for her many estimable qualities of mind and heart.
PAUL, JOHN P., was born in the State of Ohio, August 10th, 1828, and was educated in the district schools of his native place. At the age of sixteen he went to Cincinnati, where he learned the carpenter's trade, following that occu- pation until 1853, first at Cincinnati, then at Lexington, Ky., and afterward at Nashville, Tenn. Hearing wonderful reports of the then comparatively unknown region beyond the Rockies, he determined to investigate for himself, and on February 22d, 1853, he left New Orleans for California via the Nicaragua route. He arrived at San Francisco on March 20th, and two days later started for Nevada City. After working at mining in the latter place for a time, he returned to San Francisco, and soon afterward went into the mines at Placerville, then called Hang Town. After working there about three months he started out on a pros- pecting tour to Gold Canyon, where he found indications of rich silver deposits where are now the great silver mines of Nevada. Returning to Downieville, Cal., he worked in the mines there for two months, then went to Shasta City, from there to Marysville, and thence to San Francisco, where he remained until the spring of 1854. The next four years were spent in mining in Calaveras County, and in the spring of 1858 he went into the Frazer River Mines in British Columbia, where he remained until the summer of 1859. Returning again to California, he settled in Marion County, where he resided until 1862.
He then went to the Salmon River Mines, Idaho, thence to Wallula, Wash., where he worked at his trade, and later to Portland, Ore., where he remained until 1867. In that year he settled at Knappton (then called Cementville), Wash. After working at his trade there for about two years, he took up land on the peninsula and engaged in the cultivation of cranberries. This venture did not prove successful, and he removed to Oysterville, and worked at his trade there until 1882. Then he bought the John Crellen place, the present site of Nahcotta,
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also purchasing three hundred and twenty acres adjoining, and engaged in stock- raising. A portion of the Crellen claim he plotted and laid out into town lots, and founded the town of Nahcotta. It is only about two years since the town was laid out, and it is now a thriving little place, with a wharf eighteen hundred feet in length, where three steamers land daily, besides several others carrying freight and passengers to and from South Bend, Stanley, and other ports. It is also the terminus of the Ilwaco and Shoalwater Bay Railroad. The name Nahcotta is de- rived from an Indian chief, whose camp was directly in front of Mr. Paul's resi- dence. Mr. Paul was married September 5th, 1882, to Miss Mary L. Andrews, of California. The life of our subject has been one of great activity and frequent changes. Blessed with a rugged constitution, he is still hearty and vigorous, and is enjoying all the comforts of a happy home with his good wife, surrounded by many friends, and possessing the respect and esteem of all who know him.
MCGOWAN, PATRICK J .- One who bears the double honor of having been born on the natal day of Ireland's patron saint, and of being one of the daring band of Argonauts and a pioneer of Oregon and Washington, is Patrick J. McGowan. Mr. McGowan first saw the light on March 17th, 1817, in Cararakeel, County Mayo, Ireland, where he received an ordinary school education, such as the facili- ties of that day afforded. Leaving his native land at the early age of eighteen, he went to England, where he remained for the next seven years, residing at Liverpool, Ashton-on-the-Willows, and in London. In 1842 he came to the United States, and settled at Ellicottville, N. Y., where he remained for the ensuing six years. He engaged in the clothing business, and enjoyed a marked degree of success, but on account of ill health was compelled to seek a more favorable climate. He decided upon going to California, and arrived at San Francisco in July, 1849. When his health had improved sufficiently, he went to the mines, and engaged in mining, a pursuit which at that time levelled all dis- tinction of rank, age, or education in California. He remained at the mines until the fall of 1849. In the winter of the same year he returned to San Francisco, where he was taken sick ; upon his recovery he returned to the mines, and con- tinued his mining operations until the close of 1850.
With the money acquired in his mining ventures Mr. McGowan branched out as a merchant, and purchasing a stock of clothing, opened a store of clothing in Portland, Ore. He went to New York City for the purpose of increasing his stock, and while there was married to Miss Jane M. Huntly, of Ellicottville, N. Y. He returned to Portland in January, 1852 ; but a year later was compelled to leave there on account of his wife's failing health and go to Chicago. His busi- ness was conducted during his absence by Mr. Andrew Robarts. One year later Mr. McGowan withdrew from the firm, and returning to the coast, disposed of his interest. In 1853 he purchased a claim of three hundred and twenty acres at Chinook, Ore. (now Washington), which was a part of an old mission grant originally purchased through a French missionary named Leonette. On the restoration of his wife's health, in 1857, Mr. McGowan returned to Portland, and engaged in the general merchandise business for nearly four years. During this time Mr. William Church had been admitted to the firm, and upon Mr. McGowan's retirement, bought out his interest. The importance of the fisheries now claimed
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Mr. McGowan's attention, and, returning to Chinook, lie established a cannery in conjunction with the catching and preparing salmon for shipment. In 1883 he admitted lis four sons as partners, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of McGowan & Sons. In 1888 he enlarged his business by the erection of two additional canneries, known as the Buchheit Packing Company, and the following year a fourth cannery was built on the Chehalis River, and all of his enterprises liave been successful. Mr. McGowan's private life has been a happy one, though he had the misfortune to lose his wife in her sixtieth year. Seven children graced their union, five sons and two daughters. Four sons are now living, named James W., John D., Charles C., and Henry S., respectively.
FOUTS, WILLIAM H. H., Postmaster of Dayton, Wash., was born at McCon- nellsville, Morgan County, O., December 10th, 1841. His father, William Fouts, was a carpenter and builder ; his mother, Lydia (Ellis) Fouts, was from Maine, of old Plymouth stock. They came to Oregon in 1852 with their family, where young Fouts was educated, completing his studies under one of the leading edu- cators of the State, after which he was engaged in various pursuits, principally boat-building and contracting. He served two terms as County Clerk of Clackamas County, on his second term receiving the largest majority of any one on the ticket. Migrating to Washington in 1882, he with two partners purchased the Dayton Woollen Mills, which he operated three years as superintendent and man- ager. He was elected Police Judge, and served two years with credit and ability. Having taken an active part in politics as delegate to State conventions and as Chairman of the County Committee several times, he was in 1889 ap- pointed Postmaster, the position he now liolds. He takes pride in being Past Master of the oldest Masonic lodge west of the Rocky Mountains-Multnomalı No. 1, of Oregon. His wife, formerly Miss Melissa M. Bartol, of Maine, is a refined and educated woman of distinguished New England stock. They have a fine suburban home and interests in business property. The oldest son, Will H. Fouts, is the youngest prosecuting attorney in the State, being elected at the last election ; is a rising lawyer of that section, and fills his office with credit and marked ability.
MACLACHLAN, JAMES A., M.D., of Dayton, Wash., was born in Aylmer, Ont., in 1860. His father, Archibald MacLachlan, a Canadian farmer, died when James was only nine years old, leaving a widow and eight children (of whom James was fifth), the oldest of whom was sixteen, in very moderate financial cir- cumstances. Young James received a common public-school education, and at seventeen became apprenticed to a miller and learned the milling business, which he followed at home till 1881, when he started West to better his fortune, and located in Dayton, Washı., where he worked at his trade for a period of two years, when his healthı required a change of occupation, and he went to the moun- tains and worked in the timber till 1883. During all this time his ambition was to become a physician, and now lie decided to go East and begin his studies. He returned to his old Canadian home, and had about decided to study dentistry when, at the earnest solicitation of Dr. G. F. Clark, of Aylmer, he began the study of medicine under the latter's direction. He remained in Dr. Clark's office
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two years, or till 1886, when he went to Ann Arbor, Mich., well equipped by his previous hard study of medical subjects to enter the homœopathic department of the State University, located in that city. In the latter part of 1889 he gradu- ated from this institution with high honors, and came West, re-locating in Day- ton-this time as J. A. MacLachlan, M.D. He became associated with Dr. W. W. Day, an old-established physician of Dayton, and his success as a practi- tioner began. After a partnership of one year he struck out for himself, and now, after four years of active practice, he is known and very highly esteemed, both as a physician and a man, for miles around Dayton. He is still a keen stu- dent, and his library contains a fine collection of the latest and best medical works. The year 1893 marks an epoch in his history, the occasion being his mar- riage on March 28th to Miss H. C. Judson, a most estimable young lady of Port- land, Ore. He has indeed well earned his popularity in exemplifying the old Latin quotation, " Omnia vincit labor," for by his labor he has overcome great obstacles that would have discouraged most men.
BORIES, EMIL, A.M. and M.D., born in 1852, a native of Austria, but an American by adoption, stands prominent among the practitioners of the healing art not only in the town where he practised, but in the surrounding region. His father, Herman Bories, was eminent as a linguist and teacher in Austria ; his mother, Rosa Freeman, was also a native of that empire, the subject of our sketch being the oldest in a family of ten children born to them. The doctor received his early education in the public schools of Portland, Ore., taking also an academic course there previous to becoming a student in Bellevue Hospital, New York City. He is also a graduate of the Medical Department of the Uni- versity of Vermont, taking his degree of M.D. in 1885. Coming immediately to Washington, he began the building up of the fine practice which he enjoys to-day, thanks to his acknowledged skill, rare ability, and that peculiar talent for keen and accurate diagnosis which marks the man well fitted to fill the delicate mis- sion of healer and alleviator of pain. The doctor's library is not only extensive, being one of the finest of its kind, but is well read and constantly consulted by its proprietor. In many other things Dr. Bories is most fortunate. Besides the responsibilities and rewards of his growing practice, he is the possessor of a very handsome residence in the city, with other valuable property in various parts of the State. He is a member of various secret societies, including the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights, Woodmen, Daughters of Rebecca, and others too numerous to mention. He is also an author of considerable reputation, taking a large interest in the current literature of the day. In his medical capacity he is a member of the Railroad Surgeons of the United States, and also of the State Medical Society. Dr. Bories married in 1890 Miss Carrie Ginder Sheimer, a native of Baden, Ger- many, a talented lady of fine artistic tastes and ability.
ROSCOE, CHRISTOPHER THEOPHILUS, State Representative from Snohomish County, was born near Cherubusco, Clinton County, N. Y., the eldest boy in a family of ten, the son of a farmer. His grandfather, Theophilus Roscoe, and his wife were early French settlers of Canada, and his maternal grandfather, who is still living in Clinton County, N. Y., is of English and French descent. His
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father, C. T. Roscoe, enlisted in the Nineteenth New York Volunteer Infantry at the age of seventeen, and served nearly four years, being shot in the right leg. Our subject attended the district school of his native place until he was eleven years old, when he removed with his parents to Muskegon, Mich. At thirteen years of age he drove a team in the lumber woods, and at fifteen worked on the Muskegon River at rafting logs. For the next three years he was employed on dredgers and tugs as fireman and wheelman. Desiring the advantages of a good practical education, he devoted his spare moments to reading and study, and during the winters attended school. In 1887 he entered a law office as a law student, and a few months later entered the office of Messrs. Bunker & Carpenter. Mr. Roscoe's active participation in politics began at a very early age. When but nineteen years old he was a delegate to the Republican City Convention, and in 1888 was a delegate from Ottawa and Muskegon counties to the Michigan Senatorial Convention. He attended the Republican National Convention at Chicago in 1888, and was Secretary of the Harrison and Morton Club of Muske- gon in the succeeding campaign.
In the fall of 1888 he removed to Washington with his parents, who settled at Edmonds, Snohomish County. It was his purpose to begin the practice of law upon his arrival here ; but the territorial law at that time prevented any one com- ing here without a certificate of admission from being admitted to the Bar until after a residence of eighteen months in the Territory. He arrived at Seattle November 4th, 1888, registered as a law student, and immediately sought em- ployment, which he found with the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad. For five months he worked on the railroad bridge which was then being built over the Snohomish River at Snohomish City. At the expiration of this time he took up a pre-emption claim about four miles back of the town of Edmonds, and while proving this claim he worked in a saw-mill at Edmonds, for George Brackett. While here he received a commission as Notary Public, and made real- estate transfers, took acknowledgments, etc. In the spring of 1889 he was a dele- gate to the Republican District Convention of Snohomish and Skagit counties to appoint delegates to the Constitutional Convention. After proving and selling his pre-emption claim, he was elected County Clerk of Snohomish County, Octo- ber 1st, 1889, being at that time but twenty-one years of age. He entered upon the duties of the office on the Monday following the admission of Washington as a State. In the fall of 1890 he was renominated by acclamation, and was elected by the overwhelming majority of six hundred and fifty, receiving more than two thirds of all the votes cast. In August, 1892, he was nominated for representa- tive in the Legislature and elected. Having continued the study of law, he was admitted to the Washington Bar February 5th, 1891, but will not begin the prac- tice of his profession until the expiration of his term as representative. He has been interested in several newspaper enterprises ; helped to start the Salton City Journal, and was at one time part owner of the Snohomish Daily Sun and mem- ber of the State Press Association. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of Snohomish Lodge No. 25, Knights of Pythias, and of Edmonds Lodge No. 32, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is Captain of Colonel E. N. Young Camp, Sons of Veterans. He is also a member of the Snohomish County Board of Trade, and of the Chamber of Commerce of Snohomish City.
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The honors already conferred upon Mr. Roscoe bear evidence of unusual ability in one so young. During his incumbency of the office of County Clerk he filled that important position with great credit to himself and with advantage to the community. Under his guidance the affairs of the office were well administered, and he displayed a remarkable executive capacity and an earnest zeal worthy of the highest commendation. As representative in the Legislature he introduced, among others, a bill prohibiting the sale of cigarettes, which passed both Houses ; also a bill prohibiting the payment of laboring men's wages in time checks, which was endorsed by all labor organizations. He was a member of the following com- mittees : Judiciary, Roads and Highways, Labor and Labor Statistics, Chairman of Insurance.
DENNIS, GRAHAM BARCLAY, was born June 1st, 1855, of a father of English descent and a mother of German descent. Rev. M. J. Dennis, the father, is a minister of the Gospel, an author and linguist of wide reputation. His scholastic training was in the great universities of Oxford, England, and Heidelberg, Ger- many. His entire life has been devoted to the labors of his profession ; and although now sixty-three years of age, he is still actively engaged in the great task of lifting the lives of men to a higher plane through the medium of the pul- pit and his written works. Mrs. Sophia Dennis, the life companion of this rare old scholar, was reared a Catholic, but became a Protestant later on. She is a model type of the modern progressive woman, a person of fine sensibilities and good judgment. To her the sons and daughters owe much of their tact and finesse in the management of affairs. The higher attainments of life are promi- nently characteristic of the family. Mr. William B. Dennis, editor of the Port Townsend, Wash., Daily Leader, is a strong writer and an excellent business man. The younger daughter, Mary B. Dennis, now a principal of the high schools of Brooklyn, is the author of a work on the " Science of Leaves," of " Walking Science," Chautauqua Literary Circles, and a frequent contributor to various publications, and the only woman upon whom the Ph. D. degree has been conferred by the University of the City of New York. The older sister, Julia B. Dennis, is a scholarly person of rare culture, especially in the classic and modern languages, and is now engaged in literary work, as a co-laborer with her father, at Newark, N. J.
These brief sketches have been incidentally thrown in to give, if possible, a better idea of the character of the subject of this sketch.
The greater portion of Mr. G. B. Dennis's early life was spent in Cincin- nati, O. He was a diligent student, active and untiring in all his boyish pursuits. His independence of spirit and natural business aptitude were manifested at the early age of eight years as a newsboy, rising early in the morning and selling until time to appear for breakfast and prepare for school. This was continued for some time without the knowledge of his parents. When they interposed, his answer was in the exhibition of a good report on school examination. This same evidence of ambition and determination to succeed has been a marked character- istic with him throughout life-an ambition not so much to accumulate wealth as to succeed for the sake of success.
At the age of fourteen he left school to begin life for himself. His parents
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desired that he should become a professional man, and strongly urged the cou- tinuation of his studies. A compromise was reached by apprenticing himself to a druggist, in order to acquire a practical knowledge of pharmacy. He remained three years, working by day and attending lectures at night. At this period he moved to Dayton, O., engaging as a clerk to a tobacco manufacturing concern. At the end of a year he resolved to invest his earnings in a better education, and after debating as to whether he should take a course in a commercial school or attend regular college, he decided to go to Bethany College, West Virginia. Al- though very limited of means, by the exercise of strict economy he managed to get through, acquitting himself with high credit. He then entered upon a new field of labor-as city editor of the Dayton, O., Daily Journal. The all-night work told heavily upon his constitution, and he resigned to take the assistant business management of that paper. He held this position for three years, during which time he kept several sets of books for other business firms, necessitating the burn- ing of the midnight oil.
Finally he resigned this position to further the invention of an electric postage- stamp canceller, which he had designed in his leisure hours. After devoting some time to this he found himself confronted with an indebtedness of a thousand dol- lars. Such a sum was appalling to the then penniless man. The work upon the invention was necessarily suspended until some more propitious time.
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