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 20
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ASA V. BRADRICK.
Asa V. Bradrick, one of St. Maries' capable and progressive business men and the secretary, treasurer and manager of the Milwaukee Lumber Company, was born in Union county, Indiana, on October 26, 1864, and is a son of Mahlon and Sarah (Warman) Bradrick.
He attended the common schools of Union county in the acquirement of an edu- cation up to the age of eighteen years, when he laid aside his text-books and entered the employ of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company in the capacity of agent and operator at the various stations on their line. He remained in their service for twelve years, during four of which he was also county clerk of Union county. In 1894 he withdrew from the railroad business and went to Connersville, Fayette county, Indiana, where he devoted his energies to the breeding and raising of stock, at the same time publishing a paper in Connersville. He continued in these occupations for three years and then went to Shelbyville, Shelby county, Indi- ana, there establishing a daily and weekly newspaper, known as The Jeffersonian. This publicatoin received favorable public notice because Mr. Bradrick used its columns to expose political graft, his being one of the first papers in the state to make public denunciation of this nefarious practice.
He remained in Shelbyville until the fall of 1901, when he came to Idaho, lo- cating in Priest River, where he became associated with others in the organization of The White Pine Lumber Company, of which he was secretary. After being identi- fied with this enterprise for about three years, he disposed of his interests and in 190-1 went to Spokane, Washington. In connection with W. H. Gerhart, of Omaha, Nebraska, he established a wholesale lumber business, the second concern of the
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kind to be operated in Spokane. Five years later he removed to St. Maries and organized the Milwaukee Lumber Company, with Fred Herrick of Milwaukee, Wis- consin, as president, W. D. Harrigan of Fulton, Alabama, as vice president, and Asa V. Bradrick as secretary, treasurer and manager. It is a well organized and thoroughly established industry, having the only steel and concrete mill in the northwest. Their plant is thoroughly modern in every respect, the planing mill being operated by electricity, while they furnish light and power to the city of St. Maries. It is the first company to have entered into extensive contracts with the government for timber and they are now building twenty miles of logging road, branching off from the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound Railroad, thirty miles east of St. Maries, by means of which they will be able to reach large bodies of timber for which they have contracted. Their mill has a capacity of two hundred and fifty thousand feet per day, and cut forty million feet of Idaho white pine dur- ing the first year of operation.
Mr. Bradrick was married on the 13th of May, 1885, to Miss Harriet Macdou- gal, a daughter of Alex and Amanda Macdougal, of Union county, Indiana. Of this union there were born two children: Quincy, who was born in 1889 and died in 1907, and Asa W., who was born in 1891 and is a student of the Washington State College of Pullman, Washington.
Much attention has always been given by Mr. Bradrick to all church and public work, and while living in Spokane he was affiliated with the First Methodist Episco- pal church. He was a member of the building and finance committee that raised the funds for the rebuilding of their church edifice following its destruction by fire in 1907, while at that time he was also a trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association, rendering much assistance to this organization in their efforts to get the funds for their present building. As trustee of the One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Club of Spokane he gave efficient service, and he proved to be a most capable chairman of the committee that raised the money for the building of the Children's Home of that city in 1908, raising forty thousand dollars in one day. Mr. Bradrick always contributes generously of both his time and money in promot- ing any philanthropic movement, not as a matter of duty but as availing himself of a privilege that affords him pleasure.
PHILIP CASEY.
Railway service presents great attractions to men of alert and energetic nature and thousands of the most competent young men of America have found in the railway business a satisfactory channel for the exercise of their talents and ener- gies. Of this number is Philip Casey, who is now agent for the Great Northern Railroad at Hillyard. He was born at Rockland, Michigan, June 26, 1870, a son of John and Katherine (Dunne) Casey. The father was a lover of the Union and served valiantly in the Civil war. He died in 1888 and the mother passed away in May, 1884.
Philip Casey lived at Rockland until four years of age, when the family moved to Champion, Michigan. He attended school until fifteen years of age and then began working as a telegraph messenger boy, at the same time acquiring a knowl-
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edge of telegraphy. A year later he became operator for the Duluth South Shore & Atlantic Railroad. He then attended the Spencerian Business College, of De- troit, Michigan, for one year, and after leaving this school accepted a position in the office of Robinson & Company, a wholesale boot and shoe house, of that city, and remained for eighteen months. On account of the death of his father, he re- turned home and became telegraph operator and ticket clerk for the Duluth South Shore & Atlantic Railroad and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, for three years. Withdrawing from this position, he removed to Superior, Wisconsin, and there became connected with the Great Northern Railroad Company as clerk in the freight office, and remained in this position for six months.
He was next employed in the auditor's office of the Great Northern Railway at St. Paul as revising clerk and continued there for one year. After leaving St. Paul he served for eight years as agent at Bonners Ferry, Idaho; for ten months at Wilson Creek, Washington; and for six and one-half years at Bellingham, Wash- ington. Since September, 1909, he has been agent at Hillyard and, as he possesses a fine address, good business capacity and understands every detail pertaining to his office, he has made many friends for the railway company and ranks among the most popular men of this section.
In 1898, at Duluth, Minnesota, Mr. Casey was married to Miss Eva Stewart, and to this union four children have been born, Edward, Helen, Philip and Robert, the three eldest of whom are now attending the public schools. Mr. Casey is not identified with any political organization but is a member of Knights of Columbus and a supporter of all movements that have for their object the promotion of the best interests of the community. Starting as a boy upon his own resources, he has held closely to principles of truth and justice, at all times performing his duty to the best of his ability, and it may be said of him that he has added not only to the comfort and happiness of his own family but to the advancement of all with whom he has had business or social relations.
BRADFORD S. SHEIRE.
The effect of conscientious application backed by a worthy ambition to advance to a place of responsibility is clearly shown in the record of Bradford S. Sheire, cashier of the First National Bank of Hillyard. A native of Detroit, Michigan, he was born January 17, 1860. His father, Romaine Sheire, was a soldier for the Union in the Civil war, enlisting in Company F. First Michigan Engineers, under Colonel Ennis. He participated in the battle of Mills Spring and many minor engagements and also marched with Sherman's army to the sea. He died in 1904. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Elvira Hopkins. Jeremiah Mead, the great-grandfather, was also a soldier. He served in the Rev- olutionary war as a private in Captain Matthew Van Benschoven's Company, Colo- nel Dink Brinkerhoff's Regiment, which was the Second Regiment of Dutchess County Militia of New York state.
Mr. Sheire of this sketch received his preliminary education in the public schools of St. Paul, Minnesota, and later became a student of the St. Paul high school, from which he was graduated in 1878. At the age of eighteen he began learning
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the painter's trade at St. Paul and entered the employ of the Great Northern Rail- way in that state, and continued with this company until 1895. In the year last named he was transferred to Hillyard as foreman of the paint shop for the same road, a position which he filled for thirteen years. In 1908 he was appointed assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Hillyard and discharged his duties so acceptably, that in April, 1911, he was advanced to the position of cashier. This office he has filled to the entire satisfaction of the directors and patrons of the institution, and owing to his special aptitude for the position he has assisted mate- rially in promoting the interests of the bank.
On the 4th of August, 1881, Mr. Sheire was married at St. Paul to Miss Fran- ces A. Gibbs, a daughter of Darius S. Gibbs. The father in his younger days served in the Mexican war in the same company as Ulysses S. Grant, who was then a second lieutenant. Later Mr. Gibbs wore the uniform of the blue in the great Rebellion under General Grant. Mr. and Mrs. Sheire are the parents of four children: Mary A., now Mrs. P. R. Flanagan; Alice L .; Elvira; and Mabel M.
Politically Mr. Sheire supports the republican party and served as city clerk of Hillyard from 1907 to January 1, 1909. He belongs to the Sons of Veterans and the Sons of the American Revolution and also is an active member of the Odd Fellows. He has passed through the various chairs of the subordinate lodge and encampment and is a past grand and a past chief patriarch. In addition to mem- bership in the orders named he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America and is a member of the Hillyard Chamber of Commerce, serving as its treasurer. In religious matters he is affili- ated with the First Baptist church, of which he is a member. He is a man of good business capacity, acknowledged integrity of character, and also possesses an energy and progressiveness which are prominent attributes of leaders in all lines of endeavor. He has won a gratifying measure of prosperity and is recognized as a reliable and substantial citizen whom to know is to honor.
HARRY S. MARTIN, M. D.
In a thorough preparatory course and later in post-graduate work, Dr. Harry S. Martin laid the foundation for the success and progress which he has attained as a practitioner of medicine and surgery. For fourteen years he has followed his profession in Spokane, at all times keeping in touch with the advancement that is being made by those who are regarded as leaders in this field. He was born, April 30, 1856, in the city of Guelph, Ontario, his parents being Peter S. and Elizabeth (Hall) Martin, both of whom were natives of England. The father's birth occurred in Nottinghamshire, while the mother was a native of Berkshire. She was descended from one of the old families of central England but Peter S. Martin represented a family that came originally from Normandy with William the Conqueror, at which time the name was spelled Martyne. Peter Martin was a farmer and stockman and in the ycar 1851 crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel to Canada, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits and also took a some- what active part in public affairs, serving as councilman and registrar of Welling- ton county. He died in 1888, while his wife passed away in 1893. The two
DR. HARRY S. MARTIN
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brothers of Dr. Martin are: Frank M., M. D., who is a graduate of Toronto Uni- versity and now resides at Dundalk, Ontario; and George Martin, who is manag- ing a farm at Valley ford, Washington. He wedded Mary Gerrie, two of whose brothers married daughters of the Martin family. The three sisters of Dr. Martin are: Ada, the wife of James McKee, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Vancouver, British Columbia, their daughter, Mrs. Hindley, being now the wife of Spokane's mayor; Emma, the wife of the Rev. Andrew Gerrie, residing in Tor- rington, Connecticut; and Martha, the wife of Rev. John P. Gerrie, who is now editing a newspaper at Stratford, Ontario.
Dr. Martin devoted his youthful days largely to the acquirement of an educa- tion, attending the high school at Fergus and at Mount Forest, Ontario, and later the Ottawa Normal School. His medical education was obtained in Victoria Uni- versity at Toronto, Ontario, where he won his professional degree. His first ap- pointment was that of resident physician in the Toronto General Hospital and subsequently he embarked upon an independent practice near Guelph, Ontario, where he remained for eleven years. He next went to Chicago, where he spent nine months in pursuing post-graduate work in the Northwestern and Rush Medical Colleges and in a post-graduate school of medicine on Dearborn street. In May, 1897, he arrived in Spokane and in July of the same year took the state board medical examination, after which he at once entered upon active practice, in which he has since continued. He is ever careful in the diagnosis of cases and his judg- ment is sound and reliable. His work has commanded the respect of his profes- sional brethren, who appreciate his close conformity to a high standard of profes- sional ethics and the ability which he displays in the administration of remedial agencies. He is now secretary of the staff of the Sacred Heart Hospital, which is the pride of Spokane, and has occupied the position for several years. He was also the first city bacteriologist of Spokane, instituting the movement for the estab- lishment of the department and made a fine record as the incumbent thereof.
On the 24th of June, 1886, occurred the marriage of Dr. Martin and Miss Margaret L. Brown, a daughter of Dr. M. J. Brown, of Detroit, Michigan, now deceased. Her father was a cousin of Frances Folsom, who became the wife of Grover Cleveland. He belonged to a well known old family and was distinguished for his service in the Union army. Dr. and Mrs. Martin have two sons: Douglas Ewart, nineteen years of age, now attending Whitman College; and Frank McPher- son, eight years of age, attending the public schools.
Dr. Martin is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is interested in all its plans and movements for the development of the city, the exploitation of its resources and for the promotion of its material interests. His political support is given to the republican party and he is identified with many fraternal organizations, including the Masonic, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World and the Canadian Order of Foresters. He has been a noble grand in the Odd Fellows lodge, a master workman of the Workman's lodge, and medical examiner of the Wood- men of the World. In more strictly social lines he is also well known as a member of the Spokane Club and the Country Club and as a life member of the Spokane Athletic Club. He is an enthusiastic member and one of the directors of the Young Men's Christian Association and for several years served on the finance committee during the time the present building was erected. His life has been an expression Vol. 11 -- 10
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of many notable principles and he is well known as an exemplary representative of the various societies to which he belongs and which have their root in beneficent purpose. In his professional service he has ever held to high ideals. With him sound judgment has never been sacrificed to hasty opinion and while he manifests a progressive spirit in adopting new ideas and improvements, he has never been quick to discard old and time tried methods which have had their root in long ex- perience and bear the sanction of sound judgment.
JOHN K. McCORNACK.
The steps in the orderly progression of John K. McCornack are easily dis- cernible and have brought him from a comparatively humble position in the business world to an important place in financial circles, for he is now vice president of the Union Securities Company of Spokane, in which connection he displays a thorough knowledge of the banking business in every particular, with ability to coordinate its affairs and extend its connections. He has always been a resident of the Pacific northwest, his birth having occurred upon a farm near Eugene, Oregon, April 4, 1863. His parents were Andrew and Maria (Eakin) McCornack, both of whom were natives of Scotland, the mother being a direct descendant of the royal house of Stuart of Scotland. The father belonged to an old Highland Scotch family with an almost irreproachable record. It is said that none of them ever became wealthy and none of the name were ever accused of a crime. The ancestry can be officially traced back to 1260 and they held Scotch leases from 1310 to 1836. Honesty and integrity, loyalty and truth were among their marked characteristics and none who knew them could speak of them but in terms of respect and esteem. On coming to America Andrew MeCornack, Sr., settled first in Elgin, Illinois, and afterward Andrew McCornack, Jr., crossed the plains with horses and ox teams in 1852, bringing with him his wife and five children. That was the year during the period of gold excitement on the Pacific coast, when emigration was heaviest, and they suffered the usual hardships and privations incident to such a trip. At length, how- ever, they reached Oregon and the father took up the occupation of farming near Eugene. He was a public-spirited man who served as school director and in other local offices and also represented his district in the Oregon legislature. His death occurred in 1871 and his wife passed away about thirty years later. The six brothers and five sisters of John K. McCornack are as follows: Walter R., who was a farmer and stockman and also sheriff of Lane county, Oregon, is now de- ceased. Edwin A. is a resident of Eugene, Oregon. William A. is a retired physi- cian living in Oakland, California. Eugene P. is engaged in the practice of law in Salem, Oregon. Herbert F. is a retired physician and fruit grower of Eugene, Oregon. Frank H. is engaged in the lumber business at Klamath Falls, Oregon. Helen I. is the wife of J. G. Stevenson, of Eugene. Nettie M. is the wife of Charles M. Collier, also of Eugene. Agnes M. is the wife of Dr. E. P. Geary, of Portland, Oregon. Mary E. is also living in Eugene, and Leathe is the wife of Frank Wells, of San Francisco.
John K. McCornack pursued his early education in the public schools of Eugene and afterward attended the state university, from which he was graduated in 1882.
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His first work was at government surveying, in which he engaged while yet attend- ing college, spending five months of the year in the field and the remainder of the time at his studies. Later he entered the state land office at Salem, Oregon, as chief clerk, remaining there for two years, after which he went to California. He spent two years in that state, employed on construction work in Mendocino county, and in the winter months attended business college. He then returned to Salem, spend- ing a short time in the land office, and later entered the United States Land Office at The Dalles about 1886. There he worked as chief clerk for a year, after which he secured a position as bookkeeper in The Dalles National Bank, remaining there until July, 1889. At that date he went to Palouse, Washington, where he organized the Security State Bank, of which he became a director and cashier, having exclu- sive charge of the bank from its opening in September, 1889. After a time he was elected to the presidency and at all times was its manager until his removal to Spokane in May, 1910. In January of that year he was elected vice president and general manager of the Union Securities Company and came to Spokane to seek a broader field of usefulness for his industry and enterprise, which are his dominant qualities.
While in the Palouse country Mr. McCornack filled the office of city treasurer and mayor. His time, however, was devoted principally to the bank, although he also operated largely in saw milling and was the owner of considerable farm land there, the greater part of which was under cultivation, most of it being planted to grain. He also owned a large amount of timber land. He still retains the presi- dency of the Security State Bank, is president of the Lewiston National Bank of Lewiston, Idaho, and president of the Idaho Trust Company of Lewiston. The Union Securities Company, of which he is vice president and general manager is incorporated for one million dollars and owns large interests in thirty-two banks located throughout the Spokane country and its trading zone-the district known as the Inland Empire. The organizers believed that such a project would be profit- able, but the main object was to raise the standard of banking by careful manage- ment and auditing and through close supervision from the head office. The directors are F. A. Blackwell, J. A. Caughren, Jay P. Graves, T. J. Humbird, T. L. Green- ough, John Porter, Fred B. Grinnell, J. K. McCornack and D. W. Twohy, the last named being president. The investors in this company are among the best known and successful business men of the northwest who, wishing to invest in bank stocks, but feeling the responsibility in the banking business and the necessity of closer attention and more full knowledge than their other interests allowed them to give to this class of investments, conceived the idea of an investment company to hold and look after bank stocks. They believed that by using the best manager they could get for their company as a sort of adviser for the various banks in which they should be or become interested, the best auditor obtainable, and the best system of reports, they could safeguard the banks in the system much better than acting singly in their ownership, and probably both raise the standard of banking and at the same time make equal, if not greater, profits. However, the main objects were safety in bank-stock investments, and this of course would mean safety to deposi- tors, as well as ability to properly care for borrowers. The details of the Union Securities Company were quickly worked out, the company formed in 1909, and Mr. McCornack elected vice president and general manager late in that year. In that position Mr. McCornack has made a notable record, wisely developing his na-
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tive talents and powers and so using his opportunities that he has reached a promi- nent position and one that contributes as well to the financial stability of the north- west.
In January, 1888, Mr. McCornack was married to Miss Mary F. De Huff, a daughter of P. W. De Huff, a retired resident of The Dalles and one of the pio- neers of Oregon who crossed the plains with the earliest settlers and took charge of the first steamboat on the upper Columbia river running from Lewiston. Mrs. McCornack crossed the plains when a young girl. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCornack have been born two children: Robert De Huff, who is in the State University at Eugene, Oregon; and Helen, now a student in the Spokane high school. Mr. Mc- Cornack holds membership in several fraternal and social organizations, belong- ing to the Odd Fellows lodge, in which he has passed all the chairs, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He also has membership relations with the Spokane Club, the Spokane Country Club and the Inland Club. In politics he is a republican and was always an active worker in party ranks until the last few years. He has been a member of the county committee, has been a delegate to county and state conventions and was mayor of Palouse for three years and treasurer for three years. The demands of his banking interests are now too heavy to allow active participation in politics, especially as an office holder, but do not preclude his cooperation in various movements of good citizenship whereby the welfare and npbuilding of the city are advanced.
WILLIAM G. BURCH.
William G. Burch is successfully engaged in business as a member of the sta- tionery firm of J. W. Tabor & Company of Wallace, owning a half interest in the enterprise. His birth occurred at Walla Walla, Washington, on the 18th of June, 1876, his parents being Dr. B. F. and Laura (Havermale) Burch. The father, a physician by profession, came to Walla Walla from Illinois and later took up his abode in Spokane. He was the original proprietor of the Hotel Spokane, and was at one time one of the most extensive property owners in Spokane. The maternal grandfather of our subject came to that city in 1875, took up a homestead and began its development, but at the time of the Indian troubles there was obliged to remove his family to the island. The mother of William G. Burch was one of the very few white women in Spokane during the Indian unrest. She still makes her home there and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community.
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