USA > Washington > Spokane County > Spokane > History of the city of Spokane and Spokane County, Washington : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 14
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of the paper entirely over to his sons, but on the retirement of A. T. Brownlow, he again took charge of the Independent as manager and editor in the latter months of 1911. All the time he was engaged in newspaper work, Mr. Brownlow was constantly trying to promote and develop the mining industry in the locality by interesting capitalists throughout the country. He is still very much interested in mines and mining, and having been more or less actively identified with the work for nearly a quarter of a century is well informed and is regarded as an authority, owing to his wide and varied experience. He was one of the first men in the state to write exhaustively on the natural resources of this part of the coun- try for eastern papers and periodicals, his efforts along this direction unquestion- ably having been productive of results.
On the 20th of September, 1879, Mr. Brownlow was united in marriage to Miss Jane J. Truman, the event being celebrated at Genoa, Nebraska. Mrs. Brownlow, who passed away on the 27th of June, 1910, was a daughter of George and Susan Truman, and was one of the last members of the Society of Friends. Eight chil- dren were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Brownlow: Gertrude S., who became the wife of W. D. Smith; Alexander T., who married Irene Toner; William K., who is asso- ciated with the Independent; Ralph A., who married Iva Mowatt; and Truman Y., Arthur W., Helen and Alta M.
The political views of Mr. Brownlow coincide with the principles of the demo- cratic party, for whose candidates he always casts his ballot. He has taken an active interest in municipal affairs during his residence in Chewelah and served for four years as mayor, having entered upon the duties of that office in January, 1906. Mr. Brownlow has been an enthusiastic promoter of the town at all times and is a member of the Commercial Club, to all of the efforts of which association he gives his support and cooperation. Although he has not long resided in Chew- elah he has won and retained the esteem of its best people, who hold him in high regard because of his many substantial personal qualities and high standards of citizenship.
ORRIS DORMAN.
Orris Dorman, whose contagious enthusiasm has been a factor in the upbuilding, settlement, development and progress of the west, is justly classed with the represen- tative business men of Spokane, where he has important realty holdings. He is here engaged in the real-estate, investment and banking business, his association with the latter being that of vice president of the Fidelity National Bank. His birth occurred in Sigourney, Iowa, April 28, 1871, and he is therefore yet a young man. His salient qualities include the enterprise and ambition of youth and in the conduct of his affairs he brooks no obstacles that can be overcome by persistent and earnest purpose and effort. His father, Hiner Dorman, was a native of Indiana and represented an old Pennsylvania family of German descent. He devoted his life to farming, save for a period of nearly four years, when he served as a private in the Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, during the Civil war, his regiment being attached to the Army of the Mis- sissippi. His mother was a descendant of General Morgan of Revolutionary war fame. Hiner Dorman was united in marriage to Miss Martha Knox, a cousin of
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James Knox Polk, at one time president of the United States. She is living in Ritzville, Washington, and is of English descent. Her father's name figured prom- inently in connection with the family tree, of which Press Knox was a leading repre- sentative. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hiner Dorman there were born three sons and three daughters: Orris; Ortho, who is associated with his brother in the real-estate busi- ness and who married Alice Jay; Jess, a newspaper man, residing at Calgary, Al- berta, Canada ; Lois, the wife of John M. Woehr, the owner of an orange ranch at Redlands, California; Alice, the wife of V. A. Chargois, of Ritzville, Washington ; and Lou, who is making her home with her mother in Ritzville.
Orris Dorman was a young lad when brought by his parents to Washington in 1887, and in the common schools and the Normal school of Cheney he pursued his education. He then turned his attention to the newspaper field, becoming connected with the Ritzville Times, continuing in that field from 1895 until 1898. During the succeeding three years he was connected with mercantile and real-estate interests in that place, and in 1903 he came to Spokane, where he concentrated his energies upon real-estate investments and banking. Here he devotes much time to financial inter- ests as vice president of the Fidelity National Bank. He first became associated with real-estate interests, when in 1897 and 1898 he invested heavily in unimproved lands in the Big Bend and Palouse country. This formed the basis for his present exten- sive holdings. With a keen insight into what the future held for the wheat country, he wisely made his purchases of property. He was one of the first to advocate the advisability of investing in those districts and at an early day would frequently go aboard an immigration train from the east with dodgers, which referred to the hidden wealth of the virgin soil. His belief in the country and his activity in exploiting its resources were the cause of much of the material development of this part of the state. He has been the means of bringing much money into the country, peopling a vast tract of semi-arid land, which has been converted through the labors of the settlers into one of the garden spots of the world. Mr. Dorman still owns finely improved wheat ranches in Whitman county and time has proven the wisdom of his judgment and his investments. His stock in the Fidelity National Bank also brings him a good annual dividend and he has had active voice in the management of the bank as its vice president since January, 1911. Some idea of the volume of business trans- acted by this bank may be gained from the fact that the deposits in June, 1911, were one million, five hundred and twenty thousand, three hundred and fifty-one dollars, and sixty-two cents, while on the 7th of January of the same year they were only one million, one hundred and eight thousand, one hundred and thirty-nine dollars, and twenty-four cents, showing a gain in five months of four hundred and twelve thous- and, two hundred and twelve dollars, and thirty-eight cents. The capital stock is two hundred thousand dollars, the surplus and undivided profits fifty-four thousand, nine hundred and thirty-five dollars, and eighty-six cents, and there is in circulation two hundred thousand dollars. The bank is certainly in a most healthy condition and its business activity and success are attributable in no small degree to the efforts of Mr. Dorman. Mr. Dorman is also connected with the firm of Dorman Brothers as president, and he is vice president of the Otis Orchard Company, president of the Newman Lake Canal Company, and secretary of the Inland Securities Company.
He does not concentrate his energies, however, upon business affairs alone but cooperates in many movements having direct effect upon the general welfare, upbuild- ing and prosperity of the community. He is a director of the Young Men's Christian
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Association of Spokane and has ever taken a most helpful interest in its work during the two years of his connection therewith. In politics he is an active democrat and was elected chairman of the county central committee in 1910, but press of business made it impossible for him to accept the position. Frequently he has been a delegate to the city, county and state conventions, and he does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party. He cooperates in the projects for munic- ipal progress that find their root in the Chamber of Commerce and no movement for the welfare of Spokane seeks his aid in vain. Fraternally he is connected with Spokane Lodge, No. 228, B. P. O. E. and he is a member of the Inland Club. He attends the Christian church.
On the 9th of March, 1898, at Walla Walla, Washington, Mr. Dorman was married to Miss Etta E. Zaring, a daughter of Alvin and Mercy Zaring, the former a pioneer of that country and now a retired orchardist, who came across the plains in 1862. The mother is long since deceased. As the name indicates, the family is of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Dorman have become the parents of four chil-' dren: Donald O., aged twelve; Dorothy M., aged ten; Martha A., aged eight, and Richard A., aged six, all now in school. For twenty-five years Mr. Dorman has been a resident of Washington and has therefore witnessed much of the growth and development of Spokane and the surrounding country. That he has made wise use of his time and opportunities is evidenced in the success which has come to him, and that the course he has followed is consistent with the highest principles of manhood and citizenship, is indicated in the warm regard which is uniformly extended to him.
RALPH CARLTON DILLINGHAM.
Without any special advantages at the outset of his business career Ralph Carl- ton Dillingham has steadily advanced and the steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible. No unusually fortunate conditions awaited him but with de- termined purpose and laudable ambition he has met competition in honorable manner, has proven his worth and today receives the reward of indefatigable and honorable effort in his position as a partner in the leading wholesale and retail paint business in the inland empire. He was born at Thomaston, Maine, June 12, 1867, so that the width of the continent separates him from his birthplace. He is one of the three sons of Edward L. and Elizabeth (Carlton) Dillingham, who were also natives of the Pine Tree state. The father is still living in Thomaston, where he is engaged in general merchandising. He represents an old New England family of English lin- eage. In his home town he has been active in political work and is now serving as selectman of his village. His wife, who was also of English descent, although the Carlton family was founded in New England at an early day, died in Maine in 1869. The only brother of our subject is George Dillingham, who is now associated with him in business in Spokane.
At the usual age Ralph C. Dillingham entered the public schools of Thomaston, mastered the work in successive grades and eventually became a high-school pupil. His early business training was received in his father's store, in which he clerked for two years and then went to Chicago. He was in the employ of Wadsworth, How- land & Company, paint manufacturers, for three years and in November, 1889, came
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to Spokane, where he entered business circles as a wholesale and retail dealer in paints, forming a partnership with Charles H. Jones, which relation has since been maintained under the firm style of Jones & Dillingham. For twenty-two years this firm has existed and they are today the leading and largest paint house in Washing- ton on the east side of the mountains. They established a retail enterprise but soon began the manufacture of paint, selling to the wholesale trade, and they also manu- facture art glass and mirrors and are jobbers of plate glass. Aside from his com- mercial interests Mr. Dillingham has many important business connections in Spo- kane and has been a large investor in real estate, his property holdings now returning to him a gratifying income.
On the 8th of June, 1892, Mr. Dillingham was married in Spokane to Miss Edith Paine, a daughter of George W. Paine, a real-estate dealer of Spokane, who repre- sents an old Maine family but lived for a time in Illinois before coming to Washing- ton. Mr. and Mrs. Dillingham have two daughters, Evelyn and Elizabeth, both of whom are students in Brunot Hall. The family have a beautiful home justly cele- brated for its extensive and warm-hearted hospitality, and the parents are very prom- inent socially. Mr. Dillingham enters with zest into the interests and work of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scot- tish Rite, also holding membership in the Mystic Shrine. He belongs also to the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and Spokane Lodge, No. 228, B. P. O. E. He is interested in politics as a supporter of democratic principles, has been a delegate to city conventions and was nominated for the office of city councilman, but a democrat has never been elected in his ward. He holds membership in the Chamber of Com- merce and is interested in its various projects for Spokane's welfare and upbuilding. He is now the president of the Spokane Club, a member of the Spokane Country Club, the Spokane Athletic Club and the Spokane Tennis Club, all of which indicate something of the nature of his interests and recreation. He is at all times alert to the interests of his business and to the welfare of the city and labors as earnestly for the one as for the other.
JULIUS STOHLE.
Julius Stohle, prosperous owner of a well equipped meat market in Medical Lake, Washington, was born in Germany, January 5, 1877. His father, Melchior Stohle, died in 1907, while his mother, whose maiden name was Paulina Haas, is still living. Passing his childhood under the parental roof Julius Stohle obtained his education in the public schools of his native locality, where he was trained in accordance with the rigid but thorough and disciplinary rules of the German educational system. At the age of fourteen years he crossed the Atlantic locating with his uncle at Alton, Illinois, and there learned the butcher trade, at which he worked for five years. He then left Alton and from that time until 1903 he worked at his trade in a number of different places, in California, Oregon and Montana. He purchased a butcher shop in Medical Lake, Washington, in 1903, which he has conducted ever since, meeting with much success in his enterprise. He is competent in his work and conscientious in his dealings with his customers, so that he enjoys a large and steady patronage.
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With an eye to the future he has invested his savings in western lands, owning a tract of two hundred and sixty acres of rich farm land near Medical Lake.
Mr. Stohle was married to Miss Augusta Vaas, on February 20, 1908, at Cheney, Washington. They are the parents of a son, Louis. Mr. Stohle and his wife worship in the Catholic church and in his political faith he votes with the republicans. Com- ing to America in 1891 when a mere boy, Mr. Stohle gives evidence of what a new- comer to our shores may do in a comparatively short space of time provided he has good judgment, is not afraid to work, is temperate and thrifty in his habits and can recognize the opportunities which are everywhere open to the earnest young man who is determined to win his way.
GEORGE E. STONE.
George E. Stone is now serving as sheriff of Spokane county and during his resi- dence in this district, covering nearly twenty years, has been a prominent factor in the development of the country, his activities being largely directed toward the im- provement of farming lands lying adjacent to the city of Spokane. He was born at Avon, Livingston county, New York, December 7, 1861, and is a son of George S. and Susan Jane (Streeter) Stone, both of whom were natives of New York, but are now residing in Spokane county. They are descended from old New England families and both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of Mr. Stone were soldiers of the war of 1812, Ebenezer Stone serving with the rank of colonel, while Hazelton Streeter was a drummer.
During the boyhood of George E. Stone, his parents removed with their family from New York to Wisconsin, and his education, begun in the common schools of the former state, was continued under public instruction in the latter and also in the State Normal school of River Falls, Wisconsin. The winter months were devoted to the acquirement of his education, while the summer months were given to work upon his father's farm. When about twenty years of age he began teaching school in St. Croix county, Wisconsin, but later turned to railroading as a locomotive fireman and steam shovel engineer, working at the latter pursuit during the summer months, while in the winters he was a fireman upon the road. While thus engaged he resided at dif- ferent times in Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado, Wisconsin and northern Michigan. He first visited Spokane in February, 1889, and finding here the fairest land he had ever seen, concluded to make his home here. He did not feel however, that he was financially able to carry out his plans and therefore returned once more to the occu- pation of firing and shoveling, sending his money back to Spokane for the purchase of land and in February, 1892, with his brother-in-law purchased four hundred and eighty acres, becoming a permanent resident of this district, making his way beyond Deep Creek, where he engaged in farming for nine years. In 1901 he sold his interest in the four hundred and eighty-acre tract and took up his abode in the city, where he became connected with a crematory company, acting as its secretary and treasurer for eight years dealing during this time also quite extensively in real estate. The crematory was then turned over to the city and is now the Spokane Crematory.
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After disposing of some of his real-estate holdings in the city, Mr. Stone pur- chased land near Rockford, which he cleared and placed under cultivation. Not long afterward he invested in other property, becoming the owner of a tract four miles from Deep Creek, which he also cleared and planted. In this way he contributed largely to the material development of the district in which he was located, but closing out his farming interests, he purchased land on Third street in the south- eastern part of the city, and also twenty lots with a nice residence on Nora avenue, and various other pieces of property. He has taken an active interest in civic mat- ters and through his efforts much has been accomplished in the improvement of streets in the localities where he was interested.
Appreciative of the privileges of citizenship and believing it the duty of every. individual to support his honest opinions in regard to the vital questions and issues of the day, Mr. Stone has taken active part in political work and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have on several occasions called upon him to fill positions of public trust. For six years, from 1884 until 1890, he was justice of the peace of Deep Creek precinct. Prior to 1896 he gave his political allegiance to the republican party but since that time, has advocated democratic principles. He has been a delegate to nearly every county convention since residing in Spokane county and has also been chosen as a delegate to two or three state conventions, including the democratic state conventions held in Ellensburg and Tacoma. In 1908 he was candidate for sheriff against F. K. Pugh, on which occasion he was defeated, although he ran twenty-four hundred votes ahead of his ticket. In the fall of 1910 he was once more the opponent of Mr. Pugh and won out with a clear majority upon official count of nineteen hundred votes. He is employing business methods in the conduct of his office and is endeavoring to give the taxpayers the best administration possible. He has been successful in his private affairs and has done all in his power to promote the mining interests of the district, backing his opinions with finan- cial support. He was one of the men who received material remuneration for their confidence in the Sullivan Company in the Fort Steele mining district, in British Columbia.
On the 15th of December, 1887, in Hammond, Wisconsin, Mr. Stone was married to Miss Daisy V. Gates. They are well known socially in Spokane and the adjoin- ing districts and have gained many friends during the period of their residence in this part of the state.
FREDERICK V. PHINNEY.
Frederick V. Phinney, one of the reliable citizens of Coeur d'Alene, is the pres- ent incumbent of the office of county surveyor of Kootenai county. He was born September 5, 1872, at Arcola, Illinois, his parents being George B. and Bessie (Goodall) Phinney. His father was a civil engineer and followed this calling throughout his life, assisting in the construction of various railroads in almost every section of the country from Massachusetts to California.
Frederick V. Phinney obtained his education in the grammar school of his native locality and in the high school of Fort Scott, Kansas, after which he attended the University of Kansas at Lawrence, that state. He began active work as levelman
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in Utah on the construction of what was then called the Utah, Nevada & California Railroad, but is now known as the Salt Lake, Los Angeles & San Pedro Railroad. He remained with this company two years when he returned to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he became assistant city engineer, a position which he held for several years. In 1899 he went to Wallace, Idaho, and engaged in mining engineering, continuing in this occupation for eleven years. He then came to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in January, 1910, and established himself in the business of surveying, finding much demand for his specialized knowledge of engineering and surveying. In November of the same year he was elected to the position of county surveyor for a term of two years. As a public official he has demonstrated his ability to serve the public good in a most efficient manner and to the complete satisfaction of the residents of the county who find him altogether obliging, and whenever called upon to appeal to his judgment or his technical knowledge have entire faith in the accuracy of his conclusions. In deference to his thorough equipment he has been appointed a member of the examining board of engineers for the state of Idaho.
On December 19, 1905, Mr. Phinney was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Key, a daughter of Thomas Key of Clarks, Nebraska. They reside in a pleasant home at No. 611 Garden street, Coeur d'Alene, where they are often the center of a merry group of guests who find much enjoyment in their cordial hospitality. In Masonic circles Mr. Phinney occupies an honored place. He is a thirty-third degree Mason, secretary of Kootenai Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M., the secretary of all the Scottish Rite bodies in Coeur d'Alene, and also deputy of the inspector gen- eral of the Scottish Rite of northern Idaho. Socially he finds recreation in the Commercial Club of Coeur d'Alene in which he is a popular member. He is a loyal friend and well liked by all who know him for his straightforward, unde- monstrative nature, and the kindly spirit which he manifests toward all.
AUBREY LEE WHITE.
Aubrey Lee White is one of the prominent and successful men of the Inland Empire who have grappled with big problems in finance, who have capably di- rected and managed mining and railroad interests and have won brilliant success in everything they have undertaken. Mr. White has not specialized as many have done but has extended his efforts into many directions, finding ample reward in every line for his industry, perseverance and determination. Nevertheless business represents but one phase of his character and interests. Regarded as a citizen and in his social relations he belongs to that public-spirited, useful and helpful class of men whose ambitions and desires are centered and directed in those chan- nels from which flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest num- ber. His civic pride has led to tangible efforts in all movements for the city's progress and he has also been a pioneer in the development of irrigation interests, making personal sacrifice and devoting much time and money to bringing water to the arid lands, improving their productiveness and having moreover the satis- faction of seeing such districts reclaimed, becoming second to none in fertility in the world. Much of his work in behalf of Spokane has been in the direction of the "city beautiful." He has been a cooperant factor in the Municipal League and
AUBREY LEE WHITE
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in kindred movements and marches in the front rank of those men who have up- held the welfare of the city and its people.
Mr. White is a native of Houlton, Maine, born February 17, 1869. His father, George White, was a native of New Brunswick and died in 1885, after having throughout his business life followed the occupation of farming. The well known "Guide to Plymouth" which gives a full account of the Pilgrim fathers and their descendants shows the name of White to be a corruption of the name Wise, which was of Holland origin. The family was established on American soil on Long Island and the great-great-grandfather of Aubrey L. White was an itinerant preacher and a loyalist who served as chapalin in King George's army. In recognition of his services to the crown King George gave him a grant of sixty acres of land in the Keswick district of New Brunswick which he afterward exchanged for property at Hodgdon, Maine, which his father owned. The Guide to Plymouth gives an account of Perigrine White, together with mention of the cradle in which he was rocked, for he was the first white child born on the American continent. The founder of this branch of the family was William White, who came from Plymouth as a passenger of the Mayflower. In the maternal line Aubrey L. White comes of English lineage. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Jane Maria Beards- ley, was born in New Brunswick and died in 1873. She was a daughter of Ralph Beardsley, who married a Miss Curry from Scotland. The grandfather, John Beardsley, was the fourth of the Johns of the family in direct line to become identified with the Episcopal clergy. Captain John Beardsley, the great-great- grandfather of Mrs. White, was in the English service with the troops of King George in the Revolutionary war and his brother, Levi Beardsley, was at one time lieutenant governor of the state of New York.
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