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 42
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J. Grier Long pursued his education in the Tuscarora Academy of Pennsyl- vania, and in the Washington and Jefferson College near Pittsburg, being graduated from the latter with the A. B. degree in 1887. In the interval between these academic and collegiate courses he engaged in teaching in the public schools of his native state for five years and following his graduation again engaged in teach- ing for three years. In 1891 he arrived in Spokane and has since been a repre- sentative of financial interests here, becoming identified originally with The Penn- sylvania Mortgage Investment Company, of which he was made manager in 1896. In 1902, associated with Messrs. Webster and Connelly he organized The Wash- ington Trust Company of which he has since been the president and active manager. This is today one of the most progressive of Spokane's banks and is growing rapidly. The same gentlemen also organized the Union Park Bank and the Union Savings Bank in 1902, and of these Mr. Long is likewise the president. He is also the president of the Washington National Life Insurance Company which has been recently organized. His success is attributable in no small measure to the fact that he has ability to coordinate forces and bring seemingly diverse elements into a harmonious whole. He seems to see from the outset the possibilities for accomplishment and ever sets his mark high, striving constantly to bring his insti- tutions to that level.
Mr. Long is also a very active republican and is now serving for the third term as a member of the school board. He was one of the committee of fifteen ap- pointed to prepare the new city charter that was adopted at the time the city took on the commission form of government. He is always loyal to his obligations of citizenship, recognizing the duties as well as the privileges of each individual in
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this connection, and his efforts have ever been of the practical and resultant form, which has characterized his business activities.
On the 10th of October, 1895, Mr. Long was united in marriage to Miss Maude G. Sorter, a daughter of Albert and Louise Sorter of this city. They have three children, Lloyd, Frances Louise and James Grier, the eldest being now a high- school pupil. Mr. Long is well known in fraternal and club circles of this city, belonging to the Knights of Pythias and to Spokane Lodge, No. 74, F. & A. M. He likewise holds membership in the Spokane Club, the Spokane Country Club and the University Club, and is in hearty sympathy with the progressive movements of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is also a representative. He belongs to the First Presbyterian church and for twenty-one years has served as an elder. Twice he has represented his church in the general assembly, in the meeting held in Minneapolis, in 1899, and again in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1910. He is a director of the San Francisco Theological Seminary and has been very actively associated with every movement to better social conditions in Spokane, feeling that every man and woman should be given an opportunity for advance- ment. He realizes, as few men have done, the obligations and responsibilities of wealth and is ever ready to extend a helping hand to one who is willing to help himself. In his investigation of political, economic and sociological conditions he keeps abreast with the best thinking men of the age, striving to promote even- handed justice and recognizing the principle which is the basic element of modern civilization-the brotherhood of man.
SPENCER E. CARR.
Spencer E. Carr is president of the S. E. Carr Company, Inc., proprietors of a large department store at the corner of Riverside avenue and Post street. This establishment which is one of the most successful commercial enterprises of the northwest had its inception October 4, 1908, at which time the line of trade was con- fined exclusively to women's goods. In September, 1910, however, they added men's goods, making this a regular department store. In May, 1910, a restaurant was opened in the basement and they are today making this one of the strong features of their enterprise. The S. E. Carr Company, Inc., operates today forty-eight stores throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, being perhaps the most important factor in the commercial interests of the northwest. These stores are all operated under different names but are all financed by Mr. Carr. He is one of the most extensive advertisers of the northwest and that this bears its results is indicated by the fact that the company's sales of candy for the year 1910 amounted to nine carloads. The Spokane establishment has furnished meals to as high as six thousand people in one day in its restaurant. The store bears the reputation of being the fastest in growth in the northwest and Mr. Carr has secured the leases on property which will allow him to increase the establishment with two hundred and twenty-five feet frontage on Riverside avenue.
His business plans are like himself, large and well proportioned. Sound judg- ment passes upon every idea that occurs to him but when his plans are once per- fected they are carried forward rapidly to successful completion. The business en- Vol. II-20
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terprises which he has financed set the standard of trade in this part of the country. Being an excellent judge of human nature he has been enabled to surround himself with an efficient corps of assistants and he always demands that great care shall be exercised in the selection of the personnel of the house, and that the plans and methods pursued shall be of a most worthy and progressive character.
DARIUS MASON, M. D.
On the eightieth anniversary of his birth-April 1, 1910-Dr. Darius Mason retired from the active practice of medicine, in which he had been engaged for al- most sixty years. Within that period he had advanced to a foremost position in the ranks of the medical fraternity, his work frequently exciting the attention and admiration of his colleagues and contemporaries. Because of his success and the value of his service his rest in the evening of life is well merited. He was born at Swansea, Massachusetts, April 1, 1830, a son of Olney and Lillie (Pierce) Mason, and a grandson of Noble Mason. After attending the common schools and the Friends' Academy of New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he pursued his studies from 1847 until 1850, he entered upon the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Lyman Bartlett, of New Bedford, who was physician for the Mason family. He attended a course of lectures at Harvard University but on account of the climate of Boston not agreeing with his health, he went to New York city and attended two courses in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in that city, graduating from this institution in 1853. His reading was later directed by Dr. Robert Watts and Dr. Willard Parker, of New York city. He then received appointment to the posi- tion of physician to the Randall's Island Hospital, where he remained until 1855, when he located for practice in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, there successfully fol- lowing his profession for twenty-two years, or until 1877, save for a period which he spent at the front as a Union soldier during the Civil war. On the 25th of September, 1862, he was commissioned surgeon of the Thirty-first Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, and did active duty on the field until December 27, 1863, when he became draft surgeon for the board of enrollment for the third district of Wisconsin.
Following the close of the war Dr. Mason removed from Prairie du Chien to Mil- waukee and when the medical department of the University of Wisconsin was or- ganized, he accepted the professorship of gynecology in the university there. He continued his work as an educator and practitioner in that city until 1886, when he came to Spokane, continuing his professional duties here to the time of his retire- ment on the day on which he reached the age of eighty years. Sixty years of his life had been devoted to preparation for and in practice of the science of medicine and within that period he always held to the highest ideals concerning his profession, endeavoring to promote scientific knowledge and to make his understanding of the practical work of the profession as comprehensive and thorough as possible. It had been his custom to keep full memoranda of the cases which came under his observa- tion and he had some very interesting records. These, together with his library and instruments, were destroyed during the great fire of 1889. The Doctor has performed many laparotomies and other difficult surgical operations, often with truly marvelous success. His contributions to medical literature include reports on the
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vesico-vaginal fistula and reports of famous medical and surgical cases met in his extensive practice. Throughout his professional career Dr. Mason has stood high with his brethren of the medical fraternity and while in Wisconsin was honored with the presidency of the State Medical Society. He is an honorary member of the Northern Iowa Medical Society ; a member of the Medical Society of the State of California; of the American Medical Association, of which he has been an officer; the Rocky Mountain Medical Society; the Medical Society of the State of Wash- ington, of which he was president in 1895; and of Spokane County Medical Society. He aided in organizing the last named in 1888 and during the first two years of its existence was its president.
In 1861, while yet a resident of Wisconsin, Dr. Mason was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Brisbois, a native of that state. In 1886 he wedded Miss Ella J. Bean, who was also born in Wisconsin, and who holds a prominent position in social circles of Spokane. Dr. Mason has never had any children of his own, but some idea may be had of his intense love for his fellow beings from the fact that he and his wife have raised and educated five children, all of whom are happy and prosperous.
Fraternally Dr. Mason is well known as a member of Spokane Chapter, R. A. M., and Cataract Commandery, No. 2, K. T., of Spokane. He has long been promi- nent in the order and in his life has exemplified its beneficent spirit. He is like- wise a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and has identified him- self with many learned scientific bodies. He is the last of the Mason family and the last surviving member of his college class of 1853. To him has been accorded the prize of keen mentality in the evening of life. His has not been an old age of retrospection. He lives in the present and hopes for the future of his city and his country. He keeps in close touch with the important events of the day and gives out of the rich store of his wisdom and experience for the benefit of others.
D. LAURENCE SMITH, M. D.
In a history of the medical profession of Spokane, mention should be made of Dr. D. Laurence Smith, who has engaged in practice here constantly since 1888. In the intervening years, covering almost a quarter of a century, he has kept pace with the progress that has continually promoted the efficiency of the medical fra- ternity, and his ability has brought him a large business. He was born in New York city, July 24, 1849, a son of Joshua and Mary (Kelsey) Smith, who were residents of the metropolis. His father also won the M. D. degree, having been graduated from the College of London, but he never engaged in practice. After coming to America he carried on business interests for a time in New York, but in 1849 removed to San Francisco, California, where he was engaged in the im- portation of English goods.
Dr. Smith pursued his early education in the public schools of San Francisco, the Jesuit College of Santa Clara, California, and afterward attended the New York University, where he completed an academic course in 1883. He then began prep- aration for his chosen life work, pursuing his medical course in the New York University, winning his professional degree in 1887. He practiced there for one
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year and in 1888 came to Spokane. He was en route for Seattle, intending to make that city his home, but an accident held up the train at Spokane, and utilizing the period of enforced waiting by taking a drive around the city, Dr. Smith was so well pleased with the district, that he decided to locate here. For twenty-four years he has practiced in Spokane, and his ability has kept him in the front ranks of the medical profession of the Inland Empire. He keeps in touch with what is being done by eminent members of the profession throughout the country and his perusal of the best medical literature has brought him wide knowledge of scientific principles. He has held the position of county physician and of county health officer, and also served as county coroner from 1902 until 1904. He is now president of the staff of the Sacred Heart Hospital, and has done considerable and important hospital work in addition to his private practice.
In October, 1902, Dr. Smith was united in marriage to Katherine Hays at Port- land, Oregon, a daughter of Isaac Hays of that city. Dr. Smith is connected with various fraternal organizations, and is now surgeon-general, with the rank of brigadier-general, of the Patriarchs Militant, of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He belongs also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being a life member of Lodge No. 228. He is also affiliated with the Woodmen of the World and with the Royal Highlanders and the Tribe of Ben Hur. In the strict path of his profession his membership relations are with the County and State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. In his practice he is always care- ful in the diagnosis of his cases, and conscientious in the performance of his pro- fessional duties. His colleagues recognize his worth and ability and that public opinion is favorable to him is indicated in the liberal patronage accorded him.
A. G. GRAY.
Although one of the younger representatives of the Spokane bar, A. G. Gray has established himself in a .creditable position as a representative of the legal profession here. He was born at Preston, Minnesota, on the 23d of January, 1876, his parents being A. D. and Emma (Seeley) Gray, the former a leading lawyer of Preston where he is now filling the office of district judge.
Through the period of his boyhood A. G. Gray largely devoted his attention to the acquirement of an education in the public and high schools of his native city. Whether an inherited tendency, natural predilection or environment had most to do with his selection of a life work, it would perhaps be difficult to determine. At all events he resolved that he would become a member of the bar, thus following in his father's footsteps, and to this end pursued the law course in the University of Minnesota, from which he was graduated with the class of 1900. He then lo- cated for practice at Ada, Minnesota, where he remained for four years, and in 1904 came to Spokane, where he opened an office and has since engaged in prac- tice, the number of his clients annually increasing while his work is becoming of more and more importance. He is strong in argument and his deductions follow in logical sequence. He never neglects to give a thorough preparation and is thus well fortified in his position, being able to defend his case by a correct citation of principle and precedent. In the field of politics he is also active, being identified
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with the insurgent republicans. While he has never sought nor desired office for himself, he successfully managed the campaign of United States Senator Poindexter when he was a candidate for congress.
On the 12th of November, 1901, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Frances Wash- burn, a daughter of W. W. and Mattie (Horton) Washburn, of Preston, Minnesota. Their three children are Douglas, Horton and Elizabeth. The family attend the First Congregational church in which Mr. Gray holds membership. They reside at No. 1006 Woodfern avenue where, in 1908, he erected a pleasant dwelling. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while in more strictly social lines he is connected with the Altamont and Civic Clubs. He has the happy faculty of winning friends and of retaining them and his circle of acquaintances in Spokane is constantly broadening.
GEORGE MUDGETT.
George Mudgett, a pioneer of Spokane and the Inland Empire, was born in Jones county, Iowa, December 25, 1856, and is a son of Gilman Clifford and Rebecca (Haymaker) Mudgett, of that place. His father was a farmer and attorney and was at one time the county judge of Jones county. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union, having or- ganized Company L, Third Iowa Cavalry, of which he was made captain, serving with that rank for three years and later being mustered out as major of his regi- ment. In 1874 he removed westward with his wife and two of his sons, R. M. and George, establishing his home in Humboldt county, California.
Previous to that time George Mudgett had been a pupil in the public schools of. Iowa and was a youth of eighteen at the time he left his native state for the Pacific coast. He was associated with his father and brother in farming and in the timber business in Humboldt county until October 1879, when he resolved to enter upon an independent business career and made his way north to Walla Walla, and there he remained in that vicinity until March, 1881, when he came to Spokane and en- tered the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company under Engineer Harry McCartney, between Spokane and Pend d'Oreille Lake, after which he embarked in business on his own account, furnishing live hogs and poultry to the Chinese con- struction crews, numbering about ten thousand men, along the line of the Northern Pacific Railroad, between Sandpoint, Idaho and Drummond, Montana, covering a period of two years. Prosperity attended him in this undertaking, enabling him to purchase a ranch in the southeastern part of Whitman county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In the fall of 1887, however, he returned to Spokane, where he engaged in the live-stock and butchering business. He thus continued actively in trade until the fall of 1894, when he was elected county treasurer on the people's party ticket for a term of two years. He was reelected and at the end of four years was out for one term to comply with the state statutes, after which he was again chosen, on the democratic ticket, for the same office which he held for two more terms, making a total of eight years' service in the office of county treasurer of Spokane county. His next public office was that of commissioner of streets and police of the city of Spokane, in which position he continued up to the time the
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present commission form 'of government was instituted in the spring of 1911. His record in office was most creditable, characterized by fidelity to duty and business- like dispatch of the work of his office. He has been very prominent in the demo- cratic party and is recognized as one of its leaders throughout this part of the north- west.
On the 10th day of June, 1885, at Genesee, Idaho, Mr. Mudgett was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Miller, a daughter of John B. and Marguerite (Phipps), Miller, of Whitman county, who were pioneers of the northwest. Mr. and Mrs. Mudgett have two children, Gilman Clifford and Sylvia Marguerite, both of this city. The family residence is at No. 1430 Mission avenue and was erected by Mr. Mudgett in 1903. He holds membership with the Woodmen of the World and has many sincere friends throughout the city and this section of the state. His ability is recognized by those who called him to office. His record as county treasurer is, indeed, a commendable one, which is indicated by the fact that he was four times elected to that position. Business men have confidence in him and entertain for him the warm regard which one man gives to another when he feels that he has had ยท proof of his worth.
ELMORE F. BOYLES.
Great have been the obstacles and difficulties which Elmore F. Boyles has over- come in winning his way from a most humble and prosaic position in the busi- ness world to a place of affluence. Today he and his brother are the owners of Granby Court, one of the finest apartment buildings in the city and a monument to one of the best pieces of financiering ever done in the northwest. His life rec- ord is another illustration of the old adage that, "Where there is a will there is a way."
Iowa numbers Mr. Boyles as one of her native sons, his birth there occurring February 20, 1864. His parents, Edward F. and Nancy (Rowland) Boyles, were both natives of Ohio and the former was of Irish descent. He was born in 1825 and his life, which was devoted to the carpenter's trade, was terminated in death in 1885. He had for thirteen years survived his wife, who passed away in 1872. In their family were three sons and two daughters, the brothers of our subject be- ing: Page, who has always been associated with Elmore F. in business projects ; and John, who is connected with the Washington University at Seattle. The sis- ters are: Alice, the wife of Walter Reynolds, of Los Angeles, California; and Emma, the wife of Tom Gray, one of the first commissioners under the commission form of government in Keokuk, Iowa.
After acquiring his education in the country schools of his native state Elmore F. Boyles went to Arizona where he was employed as a miner and engineer in connection with the mines and afterward became boss of the company boarding house at Tombstone, Arizona. He there continued from 1886 until 1891, and in the latter year came to Spokane, bringing with him five thousand dollars which he had saved from his earnings. Soon all of this was lost and in 1896 he went to the mines on a prospecting trip, there continuing until 1899. He then returned to Spokane with his brother Page and their combined capital consisted of about
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five cents. The two brothers have never been separated, have had but one bank account and have ever worked and shared together in a rare example of brotherly love and devotion. Elmore F. Boyles has always taken the initiative, but Page Boyles has the executive ability, and thus the labors of each forms a complement to the labors of the other. They have shared together almost untold hardships and difficulties, and it was an arduous fight to gain a start after their return to Spokane, but in April, 1899, they established a diamond drill business under the name of the Inland Empire Cooperative Mining Company. The original members were to take interests in property and drill prospect holes, assessing their own stock for the purpose of paying for the work. By the 1st of August, they had ten thousand dollars in bank subject to check. After two years of failure to develop anything of value, the stockholders decided to put up no more money and the Boyles brothers turned to contracting with their outfit. They have since engaged in this undertaking and have built up a large business, bringing them in about eighteen thousand dollars annually. Operating under the name of the Boyles Brothers, they are known throughout this section of the country as men of marked business calibre and enterprise, resourceful far beyond the majority.
The process of the business development of Elmore F. Boyles and his brother is most interesting. As previously stated, he takes the initiative and his brother the executive management. In 1891 he sold some stock for A. L. White in the Old Ironsides mine, receiving as his commission two thousand shares. He regarded it practically as worthless but held it until 1900, in which year it became valu- able. At the solicitation of Page Boyles, who has the utmost faith in the ability of his brother to accomplish whatever he sets out to do, Elmore F. Boyles in 1903 decided to erect a building. His cash capital, consisting of only fifty dollars, was put up in an option on part of lots 4, 5 and 6, block 25, Glovers resurvey addition to Spokane on Madison street, a half block south of Riverside. The price of the property was four thousand dollars. He sold Old Ironsides stock for twenty- five hundred dollars and at that time was drawing a salary of fifteen hundred dol- lars as manager of the Diamond Drill Mining Company. He paid for the lot and with seventeen hundred dollars which came to him from his wife he imme- diately contracted for the building of the basement of the property for twelve hun- dred dollars. It seemed that luck was with him and yet it was because those who became his associates in the business project felt faith in his ability and indefatig- able industry. About that time through the agency of Andrew Shaw he met a man from the Pacific States Investment Company who decided to put up the money for the Boyles Brothers for the erection of a two-story brick building covering part of the ground, the cost to be sixteen thousand dollars. Through George Braley they were enabled to obtain furniture from the Grote Rankin Company to the amount of seven thousand dollars, Mr. Braley standing his security. The rental of the building and the wages of the brothers enabled Mr. Boyles to develop the property until it is one of the finest apartment buildings of this city, known as Granby Court, so named in compliment to the Granby Company, whose stock was really responsible for the building. This is now a three-story and basement struc- ture, containing seventy-five rooms, with all modern improvements, representing an outlay of forty-two thousand dollars for the building and fifteen thousand dol- lars for the furniture. In this enterprise Elmore Boyles has justified the faith of his brother as to his ability. He and his wife are conducting the house, which
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