USA > Washington > History of Washington the evergreen state : from early dawn to daylight with portraits and biographies Vol. II > Part 53
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WHITE, J. D., a farmer and stock-raiser, located in Whetstone Hollow, near Waitsburg, Wash., was born in Iowa in 1854. Living with his parents till he at- tained his majority, he accompanied them across the plains in 1864, journeying with ox-teams, there being no less than one hundred and twenty-five wagons in their train. They were six months on the way, being so fortunate as to escape
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any difficulty, beyond the loss of some stock, with the many hostile Indians who then beset the way and were the terror of the emigrant. Arriving at Grand Rond Valley, they remained there a year, removing from thence to the Willamette, and from there to Weston, Ore. Leaving Weston in 1875, Mr. White settled on his present farm in 1876. Here he cultivates six hundred acres of fertile land, growing all kinds of small grain. His fine orchard, prolific in yield, his large barns, abundant machinery, and blooded stock, all testify to the successful and remunerative labors of their proprietor. Mr. White has held the office of Schoo1 Director for several years. He was married in 1886 to Miss America E. Ritter, daughter of John H. Ritter, a prominent Oregon contractor. Two children grace their union. Politically Mr. White is a Republican.
WHITFIELD, WILLIAM, of Snohomish, Wash., was born in Middlesex County, England, September 1st, 1846, and received a common-school education in his native country. In 1864 he came to America, and arrived at Victoria, B. C., in December of that year. In January, 1865, he came to Clallam County, Wash., and a few months later to Snohomish, where he engaged in the lumbering indus- try. This he continued until the fall of 1869, when he went to Melbourne, Aus- tralia, and remained there six months. Returning to this country in 1870, he remained at San Francisco a short time, and then removed to Evansville, Ind., and entered the employ of the Evansville Gas-Light Company. In June, 1872, he returned to Washington and again engaged in the lumbering business, on the Snohomish River, which he continued until 1876. In 1877 and part of 1878 he served as Deputy Sheriff of Snohomish County, and in the fall of the latter year was elected Sheriff. Mr. Whitfield made an able and efficient Sheriff, and so satisfactory to the people was his administration of the duties of that important office that in 1880 he was re-elected to the same position. Since the expiration of his second term in 1882 he has been engaged in various enterprises, princi- pally ranching and inerchandising. He is at present a member of the firm of Vestal & Whitfield, general merchants, at Snohomish.
Mr. Whitfield was married in May, 1872, to Miss Alwine Geue. Two daugh- ters and three sons have been born to them. Mr. Whitfield is a prominent Mason, being a member of Lodge and Chapter. He is an active factor in the prosperity of Snohomish, and takes a lively interest in everything calculated to advance the public good. He has always maintained an unsullied record as a business man, while his life in every way has been exemplary and above reproach.
WHITTAKER, FRANK E., physician and surgeon, of Palouse, Wash., was born in Ohio in 1853. His father, J. T. Whittaker, was an Ohio farmer ; his mother, Annie Whittaker, being also a native of the Buckeye State. Mr. Whittaker was educated for the profession of his choice in the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, graduating in 1875 with the degree of M.D. He then came out to Oregon, located at Dallas, and began practice, remaining two years and a half, and in 1878 removed to Prineville, in the same State. In 1884 he migrated to Washington Territory, and selected his present place of residence at Palouse City as the best field for his future efforts. After practising for a year alone he asso- ciated himself with Dr. Williams, a partnership which still continues. They
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have been eminently successful, and have a large and increasing practice among the best people of Palouse. Dr. Whittaker was married in 1879 to Miss Lizzie Colver, of Albany, Ore. They have two children. The doctor is the owner of valuable property in Oregon. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a close student and a careful practitioner, devoted to his profession and the best interests of his numerous patients.
WILEY, JOHN, attorney-at-law, of Seattle, Wash., was born on a farm in Iowa, October 22d, 1857, received his early education in the public schools of his native State, took a course at Peirce's Business College, at Keokuk, Ia., and then en- gaged in farming for five years. After reading law in the office of Governor Agee, of Nebraska, he was adınitted to the Bar March 11th, 1861, and immediate- ly entered into a partnership with his preceptor, practising under the firm name of Agee & Wiley, at McCook, Neb. He came to Seattle in April, 1889, and at once resumed the pursuit of his profession, alone at first, but afterward as the senior member of the firm of Wiley & Bostwick, which still exists. Mr. Wiley was married in Aurora, Neb., May 31st, 1883, to Miss Libbie H. Haworth. The law firm to which Mr. Wiley belongs bears an excellent reputation and enjoys a large and lucrative practice, their clientage being by no means confined to the Queen City.
WILLIAMS, BYRON H., a dealer in harness and farming implements, finds his home and business location in Fairfield, Spokane County, Waslı. Mr. Williams is by birthı a Canadian, being a native of Ontario, where he was born in 1869. His father, a farmer, now living in South Dakota, was an Englishman, but proved his loyalty to his adopted flag by serving through our Civil War in the Third Wisconsin Infantry, receiving wounds which made him crippled for two years, with such consolation as a pension may afford. His mother, born in Wisconsin, still survives, and dwells with her husband in Dakota. Passing from the district school at fifteen, Mr. Williams entered the Normal School at Valparaiso, Wis., and devoted himself for two years to the study of civil engineering. Coming West, he spent a couple of months in Spokane City, whence he removed to his present location and estab ished the business in which he is now engaged. A member of the Methodist Church, an Odd Fellow, a Republican, a keen business man, well-to-do, owning liis store building and residence, he is-still unmarried.
WILLIAMS, FRANK A., merchant, of Ellensburg, Wash., was born in Minnesota in 1859. His father, Jeremiah Williams, was a native of England and by occu- pation a farmer ; his mother, Anna R. (Elsey) Williams, being of the same nation- ality. Educated in the public schools of his native State, though: his teaching was practically the training of his own commercial experience, Mr. Williams began his life work as an educator, following the calling of a teacher for two years. We next find him clerking in a store ; four years glide away in this em- ploy until 1884, when he came to Washington Territory and located at Ellens- burg, established himself in his present business, taking as a partner Mr. William McGuinas. The firm was later dissolved, Mr. Williams buying out his partner in May, 1892. The firm is now Williams & Smithson. They have a leading trade
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in hardware and vehicles, besides a large commission grain business, which is constantly increasing with the growth of the country about them. Mr. Williams is the senior partner and personal manager. He is a more than usually capable cal- culator, and possessed of fine administrative faculties. The Smithson Block, in which their store is located, is one of the best situated for business purposes in the city. Mr. Williams was married in May, 1887, at Dayton, Wash., to Miss Clara Lynch, of Minnesota. They have one child. He owns a fine city residence, has other realty, and is interested in stock-raising besides. He is a Republican in politics, taking an active interest in all that tends to the advancement of that party.
WILLIAMS, H. ORVA, physician and surgeon, of Palouse, Wash., was born in Newport, Ky., in 1851. His father was Issachar Williams, of Cleveland, a mas- ter mechanic, and his mother, Velina Asenath Williams, was a native of Eliza- bethton, Vt. Young Williams' earliest schooling was obtained at Wilbur Acad- emy, Oregon, where he took a scientific course. His medical training was re- ceived at the Medical Department of the Willamette University, at Portland, Ore., from which he graduated in 1879 with the degree of M.D. Upon the completion of his studies he established himself at Palouse, Wash., where he began a prac- tice of a general character. He was married in 1887 to Miss Lizzie Major, of Martin's Ferry, O. They have two children. The doctor is the owner not only of a city home, but of a stock ranch in Oregon. In political preference he is a Republican.
WILLIAMSON, FRANK E., Postmaster at Pomeroy, Garfield County, Wash., was born in Michigan in 1849. His father, John Williamson, was a Pennsyl- vanian and a farmer ; his mother, Melissa (Wright) Williamson, being a native of Vermont. Educated in the public schools of his native State, Frank, on finishing his studies there, engaged in farming. He later removed to Louisiana and re- mained there for a year and a half, engaged in clerking. Returning to Michigan, he went from there to the Pacific Coast and located at Dayton, Wash., where he passed one and a half years in various occupations, and then came to Pomeroy, where he still resides. He was appointed Postmaster in March, 1890, and has proved himself a capable incumbent of that office. He was married in 1881 to Miss Jennie Day, of Oregon, and has four children. He has a pleasant city resi- dence, and is the owner of other realty. Fraternally he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he is a Republican. Personally he stands well in the community as a reliable business man, popular with all classes. He conducts a general grocery store, in addition to his official duties.
WILLISON, DR. HENRY CLAY, physician and surgeon, of Port Townsend, Wash., was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., October 26th, 1844, received a common-school education, and at the age of seventeen entered the Battle Ground College of Indiana, taking the scientific course. At eighteen he entered the Federal Army, serving in the Civil War until honorably discharged in 1864, when he returned home and re-entered college. He finished the scientific course,
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then taught, school for two years in Indiana and Missouri, devoting his leisure hours to the study of medicine. He entered the Medical Department of Ann Arbor in 1869, remained one year, then took the spring course at Jefferson Medi- cal College, Philadelphia, going from thence to the University of the City of New York, where he graduated as M.D. in 1872, and accepted a position on the medical staff of the Department of Public Charities and Corrections of that city. He afterward removed to Delphi, Ind., and practised there until 1873, when he came to Washington, spending the winter at Olympia, and removing to Tacoma in the following spring. He remained at the latter place a year, and was then appointed Resident Physician of the Asylum and Penitentiary located at Steila- coom. He held this office for eighteen months, and then came to Port Town- send, where he still resides, and has built up a large and lucrative practice. He was elected in 1889 to the Constitutional Convention at Olympia, in 1890 to the Presidency of the Washington State Medical Society, and in 1892 as delegate to the American Medical Association. He is also Vice-President for the State of Washington of the Pan-American Medical Congress, whose next meeting will be held at Washington, D. C. The doctor was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for Lieutenant-Governor of the State of Washington in 1892, but was defeated, though running twenty one hundred votes ahead of his ticket. He was married at Delphi, Ind., in 1872, to Miss Martha A. Milroy, of that State. They have two daughters. Fraternally the doctor is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having occupied all the chairs of the subordinate Lodge. He has also been Treasurer of the State Grand Lodge. He was one of the incorporators . and is a large stockholder of the Puget Sound Iron Company, located at Irondale, a suburb of Port Townsend, the ground on which the works stand having been . donated by Dr. Willison. While in charge of the Asylum at Steilacoom, he, with the co-operation of the Territorial Medical Society, organized a movement to abolish the contract system of caring for the insane, theu prevailing in the Ter- ritory of Washington, and was largely instrumental in obtaining the passage of a legislative act establishing the Washington Asylum for the Insane to be governed by a board of trustees, as in other States of the Union.
WILSON, A. A., attorney-at-law, of Palouse, Washı., was born in Ohio in 1853. His father, John Wilson, was a Pennsylvanian and a master workman by occupa- tion ; his mother, Martha MeLellan, being a native of the same State. Eighth in a family of ninc children born to his parents, the subject of our sketch was educated in Greentown Academy, at Perrysville, O., and at Cornell College, at Mount Vernon, Ia., taking the classical course, but without graduating. He studied law at Mansfield, O., and was admitted to the Bar of that State at Co- lumbus in 1882. He came immediately to Washington Territory, where he en- gaged at first in teaching at Walla Walla and Pullman, an occupation which he pursued for two years, when he abandoned it and located at Palouse to engage in the active practice of the law, in which he has achieved a success which leaves no reason for dissatisfaction. He has been married, but is now a widower. He is the owner not only of city real estate, but of valuable farm property with a fine fertile soil, and raising an average of twenty-two bushels of wheat to the acre. In politics he is a Republican. Personally he is a man fully appreciated and fairly popular in the community where he dwells.
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WILSON, DAVID, capitalist, of Tacoma, was born on a farm in Bureau County, Ill., March 13th, 1853. Until the age of fifteen he resided at home, attending the grammar school of the county, then entered the Lombard University at Gales- burg, Ill. At the age of eighteen he left Illinois for Santa Cruz, Cal., remaining there until 1887, engaged in various mercantile pursuits. Then he journeyed to Washington and located at Tacoma, which has been his residence ever since. He was immediately elected Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, and while holding that position became impressed with the idea of developing the wheat shipping interests of Tacoma, and organized the Tacoma Dock and Warehouse Company, being the first grain warehouse built in that city. During the same year he erected the three-story block known as the Wilson Block, one of the largest buildings in the city at that time. In 1888 he built the Hotel Yakima at North Yakima, the Columbia Hotel at. Davenport, and two other busi- ness blocks. In 1889 he commenced the construction of the California Block, a five-story office building and one of the largest on Puget Sound. In 1890 he began the Wilson Hotel Building at Anacortes, and completed it in 1891. Since then he has erected various brick structures at Anacortes, Daven- port, and Harrington. In 1888 he organized the Columbia Investment Company, owning the town site of Davenport. He is the largest stockholder in that cor- poration, and also in the Union Wharf Company of Anacortes. In December, 1891, he organized the Tacoma Mining Exchange, of which institution he is President, and in July, 1892, the Bay Horse Mining Company, of which he is President. He holds the same relationship to the Ontario Land and Irrigation Company of Cregon, which proposes to irrigate ten thousand acres of hitherto arid territory in Malhear County of that State. Such a record needs no words of commendation to prove the thoroughgoing business character of our subject.
WILSON, EUGENE T., of Ellensburg, National Bank Examiner for the States of Washington (Eastern), Idaho, and Montana, was born in Wisconsin, December 11th, 1852. In the spring of 1866 he crossed the plains with his parents to Mon- tana. He received his education in the public schools of Iowa and Wisconsin ; from 1870-76 was engaged in book-keeping, then came to Washington Territory and located at Dayton, where he took up land and farmed it. He served in the Nez Percé Indian War as First Lieutenant of Volunteers. He sold his claim in 1879 and removed to Pomeroy, where he found employment as a book-keeper, and was appointed Postmaster in the same year by President Hayes. In 1887 he came to Ellensburg as manager for Nelson Bennett's dry-goods establishment of Ellensburg. He was married in 1877 to Clara, daughter of J. M. Pomeroy, founder of the city of that name, and Martha (Trimble) Pomeroy, his wife. They have four children. Mr. Wilson was elected Senator to the first and second State Legislatures to represent Kittitas County, and was presiding officer for one session, and Chairman of the Republican State Committee for two years. He has also filled with great acceptance various local offices. He is a clear thinker, a good debater, a versatile writer, and an able correspondent for various papers throughout the State, having been bimself a newspaper proprietor and journalist, both at Pomeroy and at Dayton. He is a Mason, a Republican in politics, and the owner of valuable realty in Ellensburg and elsewhere. He is at present Grand Commander of Knights Templar for the jurisdiction of Washington.
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WILSON, W. E., contractor and builder, of Seattle, Wash., was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., January 28th, 1844, and received his early education in the Normal School at Fort Edward, N. Y. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in the Union Army and participated in many of the decisive battles of the war. He served with the Army of the Potomac, and was slightly wounded at Gaines Mills. He was honorably discharged July 11th, 1865, and at once started for Chicago. We next find him in Iowa and Montana. In the latter Territory he remained a year, and in the fall of 1867 went to Salem, Ore., where he engaged in business and spent three years. He was married there to his present wife, Miss Sadie Warren, daughter of Dr. William Warren, of Salem. Two children, a son and a daughter, have been born to them. The son, now in his twenty-sec- ond year, is Cashier of the City Water Works. Mr. Wilson removed with his family to Seattle July 1st, 1870, where they still reside. On his arrival he clerked in a store for a few months, and then became Master Mechanic for the Seattle Transportation Company, and also Superintendent of Mines, holding the former position four and the latter two years. He then became a contractor and builder, constructing a portion of the Tacoma Water Works. He is at present the Super- intendent of the City Water Works of Seattle, a position which he was appointed to fill for two years, June 1st, 1892. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic.
WINDUS, WILLIAM J., merchant, of Pullman, Wash., was born in Allegany County, N. Y., in 1855. His father, John W. Windus, was a native of Walling- ford, Berkshire, England, and by occupation a farmer ; his mother was Lydia Van Antwerp Windus. Second in a family of four, William was educated in the dis- trict schools of his native State, but his training has been practically acquired in business life. He located in Iowa and became a merchant. In 1877 he visited England and remained three years. After his return he journeyed to Iowa, en- gaged in the boot-and-shoe trade, and so continued until 1883, when he came to the Territory and took up land in Whitman County, devoting himself to stock- raising. After five years spent in this employment he relinquished it to take up the furniture business, in which he is still interested, having an invested capital of some $8000. He was married December 25th, 1889, to Mrs. Jennie Partch, a native of Iowa. They have one child. Mr. Windus is the owner of a pleasant city home and other real estate. He has been for two years a member of the School Board, taking a warm interest in educational matters, as well as in the general welfare of the community at large. He is a member of the societies of Chosen Friends and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
WING, FREDERICK A., of Seattle, whose administrative abilities are amply shown by his varied and excellent record in many financial efforts, was born in Streetsborough, Portage County, O., January 8th, 1853. His parents settled dur- ing his infancy in Galesburg, Mich., where he received his early education. Mr. Wing began his business life as a dry-goods salesman for a firm in Battle Creek, Mich., when, after a practical mercantile experience of eighteen months, he resumed his studies, taking a two years' partial course in Olivet College, then resumed his old position in Battle Creek, where he remained a year. Returning to Galesburg he
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formed a partnership with his father under the firm name of B. A. Wing & Son (milling). This partnership continued for four years. Going to Hudson, Mich., he entered into business with J. K. Boies, being the junior partner of J. K. Boies & Co., general merchants and bankers. He remained till 1885, when he established a dry-goods business in Hastings, Neb., but sold out in two years to open a mortgage and loan office at Fort Scott, Kan. Coming to Seattle in 1889, previous to the great fire, he became identified with the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company as its General Manager for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Utah, being their Pacific Northwest Department. He wrote over three millions of new business during the year 1892, being an increase of one hundred per cent. over the preceding year, all owing to his fine executive talent and incessant industry. Mr. Wing was married on Octo- ber 28th, 1875, to Miss Eva A. Boies, a daughter of the Hon. J. K. Boies, of Hudson, Mich. It is needless to say that Mr. Wing is a prominent citizen of Seattle and a man of affairs.
WINN, HON. JOHN R., Superior Judge of Whatcom and San Juan counties, Wash., was born October 1st, 1862, in Randolph County, Mo., near Roanoke. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the Roanoke Academy. After teaching school in his native county two terms, he left home at the age of twenty years, going to Grafton, Dak., where he followed the same calling for four terms. During this time he devoted his leisure hours to the study of the law and was admitted to the Bar in 1885. After two years' practice at Grafton, he came to Washington Territory in 1888, and located at Snohomish. Here he resumed the practice of his profession and continued for two years. In 1889 he was elected Superior Judge for the counties of Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom. Eighteen months later the Legislature divided the district, and he continued as Judge for Whatcom and San Juan counties. In 1892 he was re-elected, and is now serving his second term. Judge Winn, during his occupancy of the Bench, has been noted for his courtesy, industry, and acuteness, as well as for his learn- ing and firmness. Policy has little, if anything, to do with his decisions, his conclusions being reached by critical analysis presented with legal and logical force. His mind is judicial in tone and temperanient ; in no one could there be better harmony between mental and moral forces. In all the elements which constitute a worthy citizen he excels. He is a man of strong convictions, of great sincerity and high sense of duty. He follows his convictions regardless of personal consequences ; is firm, without being dogmatic, but maintains lis opin- ions fearlessly. In modes of thought and life he is eminently practical, and abounds in domestic affection, and is earnestly loyal to principles and friends.
Judge Winn was married August 1st, 1890, to Miss Lula L. Piles, of Ken- tucky. They have one son, Roland B.
WITHAM, C. W., contractor and builder, of Colville, Wash., born in Abbot, Me., May 24th, 1847, is the son of Jacob and Dorothy (Pierce) Witham. His father was a farmer. Educated in the common schools of his native State, the war fever of 1861 drew him into the army, and we find him enlisting at the early age of sixteen in the First Maine Cavalry, a regiment with which he served until the
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close of the war. He then returned to Maine and resumed his studies by attend- ing a select school for three months. In September, 1865, he removed to East Saginaw, Mich., and engaged in the lumber business for three years. He thien worked at his trade (carpenter and builder) in the same place. In 1890 he came to Colville, Wash., where he still resides. Since his arrival lie has erected for himself a two-story brick building, the lower part being of stone and iron. It is 30 × 80 feet, and is located on one of the best streets in the city. In Michigan he built the Saw and File Works of East Saginaw, and the National Bank Build- ing, besides a large hotel building at Sault Ste. Marie, all enduring monuments of his architectural skill. He was married to Miss Sarah E. Reading, at East Saginaw. She bore him one child, and died in 1887. In 1889 he was married again, to Miss Maggie Saunders, of Grand Rapids, Mich., by whom he lias one daughter. Mr. Witham was badly wounded at Appomattox on the morning of General Lee's surrender. He has been a member of the School Board twice, of the City Council three times, and is now Chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Colville.
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