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 21
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William G. Burch obtained his education in the schools of Spokane and when a youth of fourteen secured employment in the stationery establishment of John W. Graham, his brother-in-law. At the end of six years he became a traveling repre- sentative for Mr. Graham, remaining on the road for twelve years. In 1908 he came to Wallace, Idaho, and purchased a half interest in the stationery concern of J. W. Tabor, who had been conducting the business for twenty years. The firm is now known as J. W. Tabor & Company, and Mr. Burch has proven an active fac- tor in its continued growth and success.
On the 18th of July, 1899, in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Burch was united in mar- raige to Miss Harriette Spoor, a daughter of George E. Spoor, who took up his
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abode among the pioneer settlers of Spokane, but later removed to Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Burch have one son, Wallace Spoor, whose natal day was June 17, 1900. Mr. Burch is a member of Spokane Lodge No. 228, B. P. O. E., and also belongs to the United Commercial Travelers Association. There has been nothing sensational or unusual in his life history, which has been characterized by devotion to business dnties and cares. At all times bis actions have been sincere, his manner unaffected, and whether in commercial or social circles he deserves the respect of those with whom he comes in contact.
JULIUS GALLAND.
Julius Galland is president of the Northwest Loan & Trust Company, of Spo- kane, and in this as well as in other business connections has become widely known in this section of the country. He has always resided on the Pacific slope and the spirit of enterprise and progress characteristic of this section of the country has continually been manifest in his active life. He was born in Oregon, February 14, 1860, his parents being Solomon and Adelaide (Goodman) Galland, both of whom were natives of Prussia, but the latter was reared in England. She is now living in Spokane, having for many years survived her husband, who died in 1883. In early youth he left his native land for Australia, and afterward became a resident of California, arriving in that state in 1851. There he engaged in merchandising, conducting a store in San Francisco during the days of early mining excitement and of heavy emigration to that state. About 1858 or 1859 he went to Oregon, but in the meantime returned to Australia during the mining excitement there. He stood very high in Masonic circles. The three brothers of Julius Galland are: Theodore, who was president of the Northwest Loan & Trust Company, but died in May, 1908; and Adolph and Samuel, who are vice president and secretary re- spectively of the same company.
The brothers have always been associated closely in their business relations. Like the others, Julius Galland was educated in the public schools and academies of Oregon, and took up the study of law, preparing especially for railroad and cor- poration work under Senator Joseph N. Dolph. One year after his admission to the bar he came to Washington, arriving in the Palouse country in the spring of 1883. He took charge of a general mercantile business at Farmington and became associated with his two brothers, opening a store in Palouse in the fall of 1888 under the name of Galland Brothers. They further extended their activities by establishing a store at Wallace, Idaho, in the spring of 1889, and in the spring of 1891 they closed out their holdings in Palouse and Farmington preparatory to com- ing to Spokane, having decided upon a removal. Here they established a brewery business and in the fall of 1891 they disposed of their store in Wallace. In the same fall they began the erection of a building for the Galland Burke Brewing Company and had the plants fully in operation by June, 1892. In 1902 the Gal- land Burke plant was sold to the Spokane Brewing & Malting Company. It was four years after this that the Galland brothers organized the Northwest Loan & Trust Company, which is entirely within their ownership and control, with Clar- ence J. Smith as cashier. The business has a capital of one hundred thousand dol-
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lars with a surplus of about seventy thousand dollars. Its remarkable success for a new institution has awakened the admiration of bankers throughout this section of the country. Its policy maintains an even balance between conservatism and progressiveness and, carefully safeguarding the interests of depositors, the bank is making rapid strides toward success. The brothers are also largely interested in the Holland Horr Mill Company, and with that company own lumber across the river. They are also interested in the Spokane Title Company as directors.
Samuel Galland was born January 1, 1869, in Butteville, and was educated in the public schools and the high school of Portland. Adolph Galland was born August 17, 1865, at Butteville, and was educated in the same manner as his brothers. The former was married in June, 1907, to Miss Edith Hexter, of Portland, Oregon, a daughter of Levi Hexter, now deceased, who was in the wholesale hardware busi- ness as a member of the firm of Hexter, May & Company. Unto Samuel Galland and his wife have been born two children, Samuel and Theodore. Adolph Galland was married June 8, 1898, to Miss Mande Reubens, a daughter of Louis Reubens, now living retired in Spokane.
In addition to their other interests the three brothers are stockholders in a brewing plant at Wallace, Idaho, and in the Gambrinus Brewing Plant of Portland, Oregon. Julius Galland is a member of the Masonic fraternity and for thirty years has been a Royal Arch Mason. Both Samuel and Adolph Galland are life members of Spokane Lodge, No. 228, B. P. O. E., and Julius and Adolph are char- ter members of Tyrian Lodge, A. F. & A. M. All three brothers are members of the Spokane Athletic Club and Julius Galland is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. In politics he has always been a republican, active in the work of the party, and has been a delegate to city and county conventions. He is a business man of progressive spirit and unfaltering determination, who accomplishes every- thing that he undertakes and steadily works his way upward to success, employing modern business methods and wisely utilizing every opportunity that comes to hand.
ADOLPH DONART.
Adolph Donart, who established a floral and hothouse business at Coeur d'Alene in 1909, is now at the head of the most extensive enterprise of this character in northern Idaho. His birth occurred at Charlottenburg, Germany, on the 29th of August, 1880, his parents being William and Augusta Donart. In 1882 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Minnesota, where the father was engaged in business as a contractor and brick mason. In 1909 he left that state and joined his son Adolph at Coeur d'Alene, where he and his wife have since lived in honorable retirement.
Adolph Donart obtained his education in the public schools of Minnesota, and began working at the floral business when between twelve and thirteen years of age. He was subsequently employed by florists in Minnesota, Colorado, California and Washington and thus became thoroughly familiar with the science of horticul- ture. In 1909 he came to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and founded his present establish- ment, now conducting the foremost enterprise of this kind in northern Idaho. He has over twenty thousand square feet under glass, comprising ten hothouses equipped
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with all modern improvements. He raises both flowers and hothouse vegetables, supplying a large demand in Spokane and likewise making shipments throughout all parts of northern Idaho.
On October 5, 1911, Adolph Donart was married to Miss Genevieve Taylor, a daughter of Chipman Howard and Hannah Taylor, of Coeur d'Alene, the cere- mony taking place in Spokane. Mr. Donart has won a gratifying measure of prosperity for one of his years and it is safe to predict that a bright future lies before him.
JOHN MUSE BURKE.
Among the men whose names figure prominently in connection with the develop- ment of mining interests in the northwest was John Muse Burke. He started out in life practically empty-handed but steadily worked his way upward, energy and determination proving the basis of his success, which was also due to his recogni- tion and utilization of opportunity. He was a native of Virginia, born September 18, 1842, his parents being Thomas and Isabel Burke. The father was prominent and well known as the owner of a Virginia plantation on which he kept a number of slaves. He died when his son John was but five years of age and the mother passed away a few years later, leaving the boy an orphan. He was reared and educated by an uncle, John W. Burke, of Alexandria, Virginia, and acquired con- siderable knowledge of those fundamental branches of learning which are most essential as factors in success in later life. His uncle then placed him in a bank- ing establishment in Alexandria where he remained for several years, thus receiv- ing his practical business training. He next went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he was engaged. in banking for a short time, and removed thence to Omaha, Ne- braska, where he entered the banking house of Kountze Brothers, with whom he continued until the building of the Union Pacific Railroad into Salt Lake City. Mr. Burke then made his way westward with supplies, following the road into the Mormon citadel, after which he became interested in mining properties in that locality. Subsequently he was engaged in mining, smelting and merchandising in southern Utah where he remained until 1883, when he left that district, going to Murray, Idaho, during the gold excitement. He remained at that point for two years and was not only active and prominent in business circles but also became recognized as a leading worker in the ranks of the democratic party, upon whose ticket he was chosen to represent Shoshone county in the state legislature at Boise, Idaho.
Ever watchful of business opportunities and recognizing advantages which others passed heedlessly by, Mr. Burke became interested in the development of lead mines in Idaho and was afterward very active and prominent in the promotion of mining and other business interests in that state. That he was regarded as a lead- ing figure there is indicated by the fact that the town of Burke was named in his honor. He remained a resident of Idaho until 1887, when he came to Spokane, where he located permanently. He continued there in the mining business and it was he that handled the Tiger, Bunker Hill, Emma and Last Chance properties,
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which now helong to the Federal Mining Company. He was also interested in mining in Kaslo and Rossland, British Columbia, and varied and important busi- ness pursuits occupied his attention until his death, which occurred while he was on a visit in Pennsylvania, on the 13th of September, 1908. For a considerable period he figured as one of the most prominent representatives of democracy in Idaho and was the candidate of the party for governor of that state during the Cleveland administration.
On the 12th of September, 1872, in Salt Lake City, Mr. Burke was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Greenig, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Allen) Greenig, who were natives of Philadelphia and in 1850 came westward to Salt Lake City, where the father engaged in merchandising. Mr. and Mrs. Burke became the par- ents of one son, Daniel J., who is now engaged in mining. He married Estelle Bennett and they have two children, Daniel B. and Sarah A. An adopted daugh- ter, Sarah Eva Burke, is now making her home with Mrs. Burke in Spokane.
In religious faith Mr. Burke was an Episcopalian and his fraternal relations were with the Masons and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He was very charitable and possessed all of the charming characteristics of a southern gentle- man-hig-hearted, kind, liberal and very courteous. He gave freely of his means to those who needed assistance and again and again reached out a helping hand to fellow travelers upon life's journey. He was also ever ready to speak a word of encouragement or advice and his own example was an inspiration to others, showing what may be accomplished when determination and energy lead the way.
JACOB R. TAYLOR.
For more than twenty-eight years the firm of Binkley & Taylor has maintained a continuous existence, the partners being J. W. Binkley and Jacob R. Taylor, whose connection with the bar and operations in financial circles have constituted an important and forceful element in the general growth and prosperity of Spokane and outlying districts. The birth of Mr. Taylor occurred in Ontario, Canada, on the 21st of December, 1854, his parents being George and Margaret (Rymal) Taylor. In pursuing his education he spent some time as a student of the Collegiate Institute at Brantford, Ontario, and afterward prepared for the bar as a law stu- dent in Toronto University. On crossing the border into the United States he made his way to Denver, Colorado, where he took the required examination and was admitted to the bar in 1882. He then came to the northwest, with Seattle as his destination and in that city was joined by his cousin, J. W. Binkley. After a brief period in Seattle and a short stay in Tacoma they decided upon Spokane as a favorable location, and opened a law office, continuing in general practice for a time but later turning their attention to financial interests, organizing in 1884 the Northwestern & Pacific Mortgage Company under which name they carried on business until 1896. This was then taken over by the Northwestern & Pacific Hypotheek Bank and was followed by the organization of the North Pacific Loan & Trust Company. They deal entirely in farm and city mortgages and handle for- eign capital, mostly from Holland, having invested more than one million dollars in mortgages in this district.
J. R. TAYLOR
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Mr. Taylor is a prominent Mason, holding membership in Spokane Lodge, No. 34, F. & A. M .; Spokane Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M .; Cataract Commandery, No. 3, K. T. He is a thirty-second degree mason in Oriental Consistory, No. 2, Scottish Rite and belongs to El Katif Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also has member- ship relations with the Spokane Club and the Chamber of Commerce.
On the 11th of February, 1892, Mr. Taylor was married to Ada L. Martin, a daughter of Mrs. Jennie Martin, of this city, and they now have three children, Margaret J., Binkley R. and John R. They reside at No. 1305 Sixth avenue, where Mr. Taylor built a pleasant home in 1894. In his business life he has been a per- sistent, resolute and energetic worker, possessing strong executive powers, and added to a progressive spirit, ruled by more than ordinary intelligence and good judg- ment, there has been a native justice which has expressed itself in correct principle and practice.
THOMAS STUART GRIFFITH.
Thomas Stuart Griffith is the vice president of the wholesale grocery house of Benham & Griffith, one of the largest establishments of this character in the In- land Empire. He is likewise owner of the Glen Tana farm, which is known throughout the country because of its model equipment and also because of the fame of the Glen Tana kennels. Mr. Griffith was born in Toronto, Canada, July 22, 1862. He is the brother of the Rev. George T. Griffith, an Episcopalian clergyman of Chicago, and these two were the only children of Thomas and Lillie (Taylor) Griffith, both of whom were also natives of Toronto, Canada, and are now residents of Los Angeles, California. The father, who for many years was a wholesale grocer but is now living retired, is of Welsh-English descent, while the mother is of Irish lineage, representing an old family of Canada, where they are extensive property owners, her father at one time owning nearly all of Toronto.
Thomas S. Griffith pursned his early education under the direction of a tutor until qualified to enter the Upper Canada College of Toronto. When his education was completed he engaged with H. C. & C. Durand & Company, wholesale grocers of Chicago. Later Francis J. Kenneth, a son-in-law of Mr. Durand, established a commission business on the Chicago Board of Trade under the firm name of Mc- Cormick, Kenneth & Day. They had a big trade and opened branch offices with the first private wire out of Chicago to New York and St. Louis. Mr. Griffith did all the private business for this firm and other mammoth business enterprises of the middle west, continuing with them until he came to Spokane in March, 1888. At that time he entered in the retail grocery business, which he conducted alone for six months under the firm name of Thomas S. Griffith & Company. At the end of that time the name of the firm was changed to Benham & Griffith, and they entered into the wholesale grocery business. They were the first wholesale grocers to sell goods exclusively to retailers. Merchants at that time bought their goods in Port- land and the wholesale grocery house in which Mr. Griffith was a partner had to establish for itself a name and reputation in this district and to build up its trade from the slightest beginning. In fact retailers had to be educated to buy goods in Spokane. Yet, although this was the first wholesale grocery house here, their sales
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the first year probably amounted to about three hundred thousand dollars. Other wholesale houses were later established, 'and all of the wholesale grocery interests here now do a business amounting to eight million dollars per year, prov- ing an important feature in the commercial development and activity of the city. In 1889 the house of Benham & Griffith was destroyed by fire, at which time their location was on the present site of the Bank of Montreal. After the fire they re- moved to Post street and Railroad avenue, there remaining until 1908, when they located at their present quarters at No. 150 Spokane International Right of Way. They leased the property from D. C. Corbin and built a warehouse for themselves, one hundred and seventy feet long, facing the river, with a depth of one hundred and fifty feet to the railroad tracks. L. T. Benham is the president of the company, with Thomas S. Griffith, as vice president; Albert Benham, as treasurer; and R. L. Fry as secretary. Their business covers a radius of one hundred miles and they enjoy a most extensive wholesale trade, but with the new freight rate, which has just been gained, they will cover a much larger territory.
Mr. Griffith is the owner of the celebrated Glen Tana farm, the largest on the Little Spokane river, and adjoining the grounds of the Spokane Country Club. It consists of two thousand, two hundred and eighty acres and he controls seven miles of the Little Spokane river. The name of Glen Tana is today known through- out the United States. The dairy is thoroughly equipped in the most modern and progressive manner and one of its famous products is the Glen Tana bottled milk for babies, for which they milk three hundred Jersey cows. This was the first thoroughly sanitary dairy in Spokane and is considered one of the best,-by many regarded as the best-dairy of the Inland Empire. Upon the farm is to be found the largest number of springs upon an equal area in the state of Washington, there being one hundred and eighty-three upon this tract. There he established the fa- mous Glen Tana kennels, and the collie dogs here raised have been shown through- out the United States, winning more medals than any dogs shown from any other kennels in the United States. Mr. Griffith has largely advertised Spokane in this way. He has been an importer of dogs from Scotland and England and his ken- nels are among the largest in the United States. They have been removed to Tekoa, Washington, since the establishment of the Country Club. Mr. Griffith is a lover of horses and owns many fine registered animals. In earlier days he had some of the finest horses of the northwest, selling as high as from five to six thousand dollars. He organized the Spokane Gentlemen's Driving Club, of which he was president, and races were held every Saturday afternoon, which were quite an event to which every one looked forward. They were all gentlemen drivers and no one could attend except on invitation. In those days A. J. Ross, C. S. Penfield, H. G. Stimmel, Justin Leonard and other prominent early settlers had matinee races and drove their own horses, this being a favorite pastime among the early set- tlers. Racing continued for five or six years, at which time Tom Jefferson, a horse fancier, was very prominent here.
In addition to his mercantile and farming activities, with their kindred interests, Mr. Griffith has been concerned in many activities of a semi-public character. He is now a director of the Spokane Interstate Fair and was one of its organizers, as well as of the Chamber of Commerce. Of the latter he is now serving as a director and he was vice president in the early days when A. A. Newbery was president and Mr. Reeves secretary, while their meetings were held in a little room of the Spo-
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kane Hotel building after the fire. Mr. Griffith has always taken a great interest in the freight-rate contest which started about twenty years ago, and in behalf of the work went to Portland and to San Francisco to take testimony with Senator George Turner, an attorney, in rate cases. Fifteen or seventeen years passed be- fore the Interstate Commission obtained some concessions and the fight has since been kept up until the recent passage of the new freight rate. In the early days the most prominent business firms in the town were the Hally, Mason & Marks Com- pany and the Benham & Griffith Company. They always took a prominent part in all public matters and gave their support to all practical measures for the benefit of the city.
Mr. Griffithi was one of the organizers of the Spokane Gun Club and was also one of the organizers and is now vice president of the Inland Club. For many years he has been a member of the Spokane Club and also of the Spokane Country Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him.
In September, 1892, in All Saints church, in which they hold membership, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Brown, of Spokane, a daughter of George and Louisiana Brown, formerly of Brantford, Ontario. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have become parents of a daughter, Tannis, which is an Indian word meaning "our daughter." She is now attending school in Stanley Hall, Minne- apolis. Mr. Griffith belongs to that class of men who have come to the west well equipped with a liberal education and business experience and have recognized the opportunities and possibilities before them here. In his business life he has been a persistent, resolute and energetic worker.
WILLIAM CHANDLER GRAY.
William Chandler Gray is one of the best known men of the west in connec- tion with railroad construction and his activities closely allied him with the early history of California. All of the important railroad work of an earlier day there was done by him and remains now as a monument to his ability. Since coming to Washington his labors have been equally valuable as factors in the upbuilding and progress of this state and in Montana he has also left the impress of his individu- ality by the part which he has taken in its material development. He was one of the first men to plant Old Glory at the head of the famous Alder Gulch. His name is inseparably interwoven with the web and woof of Spokane's history, for he was one of the organizers of the city and county of Spokane and a member of its first city council. He thus aided in shaping its formative policy and in laying the foundation upon which has been built the present greatness and prosperity of the city. While mammoth business enterprises have claimed his attention he has found time and opportunity to cooperate in movements looking to the welfare and growth of the communities in which he has lived and labored and Spokane owes him much as one of her foremost builders.
Mr. Gray was born in Harmony, Maine, November 17, 1844, a son of James and Helen (McNutt) Gray. The father, a native of Vermont, was of Scotch de- scent, belonging to a family founded in America prior to the Revolutionary war.
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The mother, born in Maine, was of Irish lineage. James Gray conducted business for a long period as a manufacturer of carriages at Bangor, Maine, and there passed away in 1869 while his wife survived until 1887. In the family were three sons and three daughters: William C .; Samuel S., who is living at St. Johns, Oregon; Columbus, a resident of Hudson, Maine; Fannie, the wife of Frank Mercer, a property owner at Spirit Lake, Idaho; Emma, living in the east; and Lavoney, now deceased.
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