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 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
DR. S. P. SEABERG
541
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
where he has since been a prominent physician. He is well qualified by liberal education for the calling which he is making his life vocation and nature also seemed to intend him for the profession. Within a comparatively short time he has demon- strated his power to successfully cope with the complex problems which continually confront the physician. He is seldom, if ever, at fault in the diagnosis of a case or in the administration of a remedial agency. Although still a young man, he has become known as a physician of superior attainments and his constantly expanding powers are enabling him to pass on in the successive steps of progress toward the foremost ranks of the medical fraternity of this city.
On the 18th of September, 1907, Dr. Seaberg was married to Miss Ida Erick- son, a daughter of John P. and Charlotta Erickson, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. To their union one child, Dorothy Bliss, has been born. Although his professional duties require the greater part of his time and attention, still he has manifested considerable interest in local and national politics and, although he maintains an independent attitude, his views are usually in accordance with those of the republi- can party. He holds membership in the Modern Brotherhood of America, the Span- ish-American War veterans and the State, County and American Medical Associa- tions. He is local examiner for the Bethesda Sick Benefit Association of Spokane and for the local camp of the Modern Brotherhood of America. His religious affiliation is with the Swedish Tabernacle church. During his residence in Hanska he rendered that town efficient service as its health officer. In the northwest much of the progress in all lines of industry and also in professional circles is due to the energy, skill and reliability of the Scandinavian population. To this class Dr. Sea- berg is no exception and he is recognized as a man who does whatever he under- takes for the best interests of those whom he serves and for the honor of his profession.
JOHN E. ERICKSON.
John E. Erickson, treasurer of the Inland Mill Company, has been a resident of Spokane for over a quarter of a century, during which time he has been identified with various local activities. He was born in Sweden on the 19th of November, 1857, and is a son of Carl and Christina (Johnson) Erickson, both of whom are now deceased, the father having passed away in 1871 and the mother in 1907.
Reared in the land of his birth in the acquirement of his education John E. Erickson attended the national schools until he was sixteen. He then began earn- ing his own living, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits. He subsequently withdrew from this and learned the pattern-maker's trade, which he followed for two years. At the expiration of that period he erected a small grist and shingle mill, that he operated in connection with a little starch factory. In the development of this enterprise he did not meet with the success he had anticipated, so he dis- posed of it at the end of three years and took passage for the United States, with St. Paul, Minnesota, as his destination. For three months after his arrival in this country he worked on the railroad in the vicinity of the capital city, then went to Minneapolis and engaged in carpentry work. Having heard most glowing accounts of the many and excellent opportunities afforded in the northwest, three years later Vol. 11-26
542
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
in 1888, he became a resident of Spokane. Upon his arrival here he obtained a position as foreman with a contractor, but resigned this at the end of three years to enter the employ of the Russell & Park Sash & Door Company. He was identified with this enterprise for two years, and then went into the contracting business for himself, which he followed for three years with varying success. He next took a position as foreman with John T. Huetter, a well known contractor and builder, re- maining in his service for twelve years. Thrifty and enterprising in his habits, Mr. Erickson had always managed to save a portion of his earnings and had eventu- ally accumulated sufficient means to enable him to go into business for himself, so he resigned his position with Mr. Huetter and purchased an interest in the Inland Mill Company, and has ever sinve been treasurer of this industry. It is an intelli- gently and capably conducted enterprise of recognized standing and is in a thriv- ing and prosperous condition.
Spokane was the scene of Mr. Erickson's marriage on the 4th of August, 1888, to Miss Carrie Erickson, a daughter of Gus and Johanna Erickson, and to them was born one son, Theodore. The wife and mother passed away in 1895, and on the 16th of June, 1900, Mr. Erickson married Miss Emily DeFloune. Mr. Erickson is one of the pioneer residents of the north side of the city, and for more than twenty-three years has resided within a radius of three blocks of his present home. When he first located here this portion of the city was just beginning to be settled up and contained less than twenty-five houses.
In religious faith Mr. Erickson is a Lutheran and was one of the first members of the church on the north side, while his political allegiance is given to the republi- can party. Before leaving his native land he served for two years in the army, which is the custom in that country, and while he has always been most loyal to the United States and its institutions, he has a high regard for the land of his birth. Mr. Erickson has never had occasion to regret transferring his allegiance to this country, however, as he has prospered here and is now the owner of a comfortable home, while his ineome from his business is more than sufficient to provide for the needs of himself and family and is constantly increasing.
EARLE STANLEY PRINDLE, M. D.
Dr. Earle Stanley Prindle, who for the past nine years has been successfully identified with the medical fraternity of northwestern Idaho, was born in Charlotte, Vermont, June 10, 1869. He is a son of Henry William and Elizabeth N. (Squire) Prindle, and is descended in both lines from Quaker ancestry, his forefathers hav- ing located in New England during the early colonial days.
Earle S. Prindle acquired his early education in the common schools of his na- tive town, after the completion of which he entered the University of Vermont at Burlington. Having decided to become a physician, after leaving college he ma- triculated in the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1893. Immediately following his graduation he went to Menominee, Michigan, where he established an office and engaged in the practice of his profession for nine years. In 1902 he came to Idaho, locating at LaClede as surgcon for the LeClede Lumber Company of LaClede, the
543
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
Frost-Cope Lumber Company, of Wrenco and The White Pine Lumber Company of Priest River, Idaho. At that time he was the only registered physician between Sand Point and Newport, Idaho, and maintained a small hospital at LaClede for the accommodation of his patients. Owing to the condition of the roads during the rainy season and the limited transportation facilities, he was often times during the early years of his practice forced to make long trips on foot. When the town of Spirit Lake was first laid out in 1907 he came here and in October of that year began the erection of a hospital, which was completed in the following spring. A conception of the size of Dr. Prindle's practice can be formed from the fact that during the three years of his residence in Spirit Lake he has received over five hundred patients in his hospital. In addition to his large private practice he is surgeon for the Idaho, Washington & Northern Railroad and the Panhandle Lum- her Company.
On the 18th of December, 1894, Dr. Prindle was married to Miss Mary E. Hubbard, a daughter of George and Martha Hubbard, of Grandville, Michigan, and they have become the parents of three children: Kirk Hubbard, who was born in 1897; Alice Adelaide, born in 1900; and Mary Elizabeth, whose birth occurred in 1908. Dr. Prindle now makes his home in Spirit Lake, where he has erected a beautiful modern residence.
Despite the exactions of a large practice, Dr. Prindle belongs to the class of men who always find time to fulfill their civic and public responsibilities. He was chairman of the town board for two years and he has been president of the school board since it was formed in 1908. Fraternally he is a Mason and has attained high rank in that order. He is past master of the Menominee Lodge, No. 269, A. F. & A. M., and also of Spirit Lake Lodge, No. 57, A. F. & A. M. He is a member of Coeur d'Alene Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M .; Coeur d'Alene Commandery, No. 26, K. T .; and El Katif Shrine of Spokane, Washington. During his college days he affil- iated with the Greek fraternity, Sigma Phi and has always kept in close touch with its membership. Both Dr. and Mrs. Prindle are members of the United Presby- terian church of Spirit Lake, in the work of which they take an active interest. A pleasing personality, gracious manner and helpful spirit have done much toward making Dr. Prindle the successful physician he is. High ideals as to the duties of his office make him most conscientious and even when the exactions make his practice most arduous, he strives to alleviate all suffering whatever its naturc, either physical or mental. He is held in high regard in Spirit Lake both because of his ยท ability as a practitioner and his fine personal qualities, by means of which he has won and retained the loyal esteem of many.
RICHARD WATSON NUZUM.
For twenty years Richard Watson Nuzum has been practicing in the courts of Spokane and of Washington, and while in former years he devoted considerable attention to criminal law practice he is now concentrating his energies entirely upon the trial of civil law cases. From the beginning he has enjoyed a good prac- tice which has increased in volume and importance as the city has become more thickly populated, and the recognition of his ability has placed him in a prominent
544
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
position among the able representatives of the bar in this city. His birth occurred in Vernon county, Wisconsin, October 25, 1868. His father, the Rev. George W. Nuzum, was of English descent, belonging to a family that was founded in America prior to the Revolutionary war. It was represented at different periods in West Virginia and Ohio, and in the latter state George W. Nuzum was born. He be- came known as the boy preacher, entering the ministry at a very early age, and be- came in the course of years one of the best known preachers of the gospel in Wis- consin. He continued to devote his time to the work of the Methodist church until 1884, since which time he has been living upon a farm, being now eighty years of age. He wedded Mary F. Groves, a native of Ohio. She is of Dutch lineage and also belongs to a family that was planted on American soil when this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. She had five broth- ers who served in the Civil war, one as a surgeon and the others as volunteers. In the family of Rev. and Mrs. George W. Nuzum were the following children: I. F. Nuzum, a retired Methodist minister, who is living with his son, Dr. W. F. Nu- zum, a practicing physician of Spokane; John E., who is the owner of a number of lumberyards in Montana and Wisconsin but makes his home in the latter state; Dr. T. W. Nuzum, a physician and surgeon living in Janesville, Wisconsin; N. E. Nuzum, who is associated with his brother Richard in the practice of law; the Rev. W. O. Nuzum, now living at Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Jennie, the wife of T. J. Snodgrass, a minister of Wisconsin; Lucy M., the wife of George S. Grubbe, the president of the Bank of Mauston, at Mauston, Wisconsin; Mary N., the wife of the Rev. Thomas Foulkes, of Oregon, Wisconsin; and Jessie A., the wife of David N. Hunter, who is living in Viola, Wisconsin.
The other member of the family is Richard W. Nuzum, whose name introduces this record. After attending the public schools of his native state he continued his education in the Whitewater Normal and in the law school of the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated with the B. L. degree in 1890. He pur- sued law for a year in his native state and then came to Spokane, where he arrived in September, 1891. He entered the employ of the law firm of Griffith & Nuzum, the junior member being his brother, and with that firm he remained for four years, leaving them in 1895 to engage in practice alone. The following year, how- ever, he was joined by his brother and the firm of Nuzum & Nuzum easily maintains a foremost place among the lawyers of the Spokane bar. The practice accorded Richard W. Nuzum has always been of a high character. In the early days he had many criminal cases, defending a number of murderers. The firm were attorneys in the Garfield murder case arising from the killing of Lanford Summers. They also defended Selheim and Henry Seifert for the murder of L. H. Platter, a former deputy prosecuting attorney. The last murder case in which Richard W. Nuzum engaged was the defense of Mrs. Harris for the murder of her daughter's illegiti -. mate child, the defendant being acquitted on the ground of insanity.
Mr. Nuzum has also tried murder cases in Whitman, Lincoln and Stevens coun- ties, but during the past seven or eight years he has not engaged in criminal law practice but has confined his attention exclusively to the general practice of civil law. His knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence is exact and comprehensive and the presentation of his cases before the court indicates the careful preparation that he has made and which always constitutes one of the salient features of his cases. As opportunity has come to him for judicious investment he has become the
545
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
owner of considerable real estate and mining property and through this derives a substantial annual income.
On the 12th of June, 1895, Mr. Nuzum was married in Spokane to Miss Jessie E. Watson, a daughter of P. H. and Fannie E. Watson, both of whom were natives of England whence they came to America in early life, the father engaging in the shoe business in Wisconsin. Mr. Nuzum gives his political allegiance to the demo- cratic party and has been active in politics for five or six years, serving as a dele- gate to state and county conventions while in 1904 he was chairman of the demo- cratic county central committee. He has, however, never desired political prefer- ment as a reward for party fealty. He is prominent in the Spokane Lodge of Elks, of which he is a past exalted ruler, and he belongs to the Spokane Club, the Coun- try Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Coeur d'Alene Boat Club. Alert, en- ergetic and ambitious, he is a typical western man, whose progress in professional lines has been the result of his own, skill and ability. In his advocacy of the sec- tion of the country in which he lives he manifests a contagious enthusiasm and he has given practical demonstration of his faith in Spokane and the northwest through his investments.
HENRY KRECH.
Henry Krech, who is engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Spirit Lake, has the distinction of not only being one of the town's first settlers, but its first merchant, having displayed a stock of general merchandise for sale beneath a pine tree when the town was opened for settlement.
He was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, in 1859, and there he was also reared and educated, continuing to make his home in the fatherland until he was twenty-two years of age. In 1881 he decided to become a citizen of the United States, believing that he would find in the new world opportunities commensurate with his ability, and took passage for America. After following different occupa- tions in various parts of the country he located in Vallejo, California, investing his small capital in a cigar business. In this occupation he remained for three years when disposing of it he went to Tacoma and ventured into the barber supply busi- ness. Profitable results attended his efforts and he continued to be identified with this line until 1897, when he removed to Okanogan county, Washington, engaging in the general merchandise business in Loomis. He successfully conducted this enterprise for eight years, selling his store at the end of that time to Ellis & Ford. He was subsequently elected county assessor, but resigned his office in 1906, and the following year came to Spirit Lake, where for two years he again engaged in the general merchandise business. In 1909 he sold his stock to Hodgen & Company, Ltd. and has ever since been identified with the real-estate and insurance business. Spirit Lake is located in the heart of a great lumber region, and the town site was originally covered with stumps and a second growth of timber, but through the en- ergy of its enterprising citizens it has been converted into a beautiful town. The lots were placed on sale on the 3d of October, 1907, and the town was incorporated on the 20th of the following January. It is now less than four years old, and its growth and development has been nothing short of phenomenal. The population
546
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
numbers between sixteen and eighteen hundred, while its residence portion would do credit to a town several times its age and twice its size, containing not only com- fortable homes, but in many instances beautiful ones. Its business blocks are large, substantially constructed and modern in every way, and there are over four miles of cement sidewalks. Spirit Lake is a practical demonstration of what can be done in any town or community where the interests of the people are united and directed toward a definite purpose. There are two beautiful parks, Railroad Park and City or Blackwell Park, and good schools and churches. It is the only town of the size in the United States that is thoroughly modern in every way, having electricity and a good water and sewerage system. The spirit of thrift and enterprise, prog- ress and ambition is felt on every side and the future of this little city seems as- sured in every way, the combined payroll of its various enterprises now amount- ing to over sixty thousand dollars per month. Mr. Krech has been one of the prominent factors in this development and upbuilding, both as a business man and a public official, having been one of the foremost citizens ever since locating here.
On the 6th of June, 1888, Mr. Krech was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Hirschfeld, of Vallejo, California. One child has been born of this marriage, a daughter, Miss Eunice, whose birth occurred in 1891. She is a graduate of the Aquanis Academy at Tacoma, Washington, and is now making a special study of music, in which she has shown marked ability.
Mr. Krech takes an active and earnest interest in all municipal affairs and was one of the first trustees of the town, being appointed in January, 1908, while the following year he was elected justice of the peace, holding this office until 1911. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being a member of Tacoma Lodge, No. 174; and also to the Masonic fraternity, being identified with Spirit Lake Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. M. He is one of the public-spirited men of the town, always ready to give his assistance in promoting every movement that means the betterment of local conditions or the advancement of community interests.
HAROLD M. DUNPHY.
The splendid work that Harold M. Dunphy is doing in connection with the corporation counsel's office makes it imperative that mention be made of him in the history of Spokane. He is the son of Alexander and Isabel Dunphy, both of whom were born and raised in New Brunswick, Canada. His father and mother are of Irish and English descent, their ancestors having come to America prior to the Revolution, in which his mother's ancestors, the Greens, took an active part. The Dunphys of New Brunswick have mainly followed farming and lumbering for a livelihood. His parents moved to Pennsylvania in 1866 where his father spent several years in the lumber business. Later they moved to Iowa where Harold M. Dunphy was born, March 1, 1882, the youngest of four sons. In 1886, his father, Alexander Dunphy, came west followed later by his family. During his residence in the west he has devoted his time and energy to mining.
Harold M. Dunphy began his education in the public school of Carroll, Iowa, where he lived until about seventeen years of age. From Carroll the family moved to Spokane where he continued his education in the Spokane high school, graduating
H. M. DUNPHY
549
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
with the mid-winter class of 1902. During his senior year he was president of his class and was prominent both in athletics and debates. He was also president of the High School Debating Society of 1901 which had enrolled in its membership, men who have in subsequent years made an enviable reputation in their respective lines of work. Mr. Dunphy feels that he was especially fortunate in being affiliated with the mid-winter class of 1902 as it has the distinction of being one of the most democratic classes that has ever been graduated from the Spokane high school. For about a year and a half after graduating, he was employed with his brother who was engaged in the mining promoting business in Spokane, where he received a very valuable business experience. During this time he was an officer of the Spokane high school alumni.
In September, 1903, he entered the law department of the University of Mich- igan, won many friends and was one of the men who assisted in the establishing of a club house for western men known as the Rocky Mountain Club which very soon grew into one of the strongest organizations of the university. During the latter part of his university course he became associated with several students who put out a paper called the "Clarion," which was humorous in its character. He furnished the majority of the cartoons which gave him reputation among the Uni- versity of Michigan men as a cartoonist. At the ending of each college year, his work took a more serious turn. It was a question how to get enough money to return in the fall. The plan by which he endeavored to solve this was by selling books among farmers. In the summer he found himself the owner of a gold watch as a prize for efficiency in his work and four hundred dollars in profits. Before his uni- versity course was completed he had won for himself the reputation of being one of the best hustlers in the university. In June, 1906, he was graduated from the Uni- versity of Michigan having won his LL. B. In August, 1906, he returned to Spo- kane this being the first time since entering the university in 1903. At that time he found himself with responsibilities that made it impossible to go into the practice of law. In the latter part of August he became a member of the advertising force of the Spokesman-Review, where he showed himself to be an excellent advertising man. In February, 1907, he took charge of the Alexander & Company Advertis- ing Agency which he put on a successful operating basis. Later he was associated with the Advertising end of the Spokane Press and Inland Herald, where he showed himself as one of the most efficient business getters the papers possessed.
Having his plans laid to go into the law as soon as possible Mr. Dunphy be- came identified with the work of compiling data for bringing of suits in the treas- urer's office. Finally, he took up with the council, the lax method in which the special assessments had been handled and showed where in a short time it would be impossible to enforce collection and on his suggestion the council decided to give him .six months in which to see what could be accomplished. He began his work August, 1910 and by January 1, 1911, had turned over to the city twenty-seven thousand one hundred and seventy-five dollars and thirty cents. Mr. Morrill, who was then corporation counsel, promoted him to the place left vacant, January 1, 1911, by county prosecutor, Robert McWilliams. The work started by Mr. Dunphy was, however, continued and on April 1, 1911, the commission form of government came into power and he was asked to continue the work he had so successfully started and on April 1. 1911. he took up this work again and by July 18, 1911, he recovered for the city the sum of twenty-nine thousand six hundred and twenty-
550
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
seven dollars and seventy-four cents. This was so pleasing to the commission that his salary was advanced at a time when public sentiment was demanding a cutting down in all municipal expenditures. From July 18 to December 1, 1911, the amount recovered was eighteen thousand twelve dollars and ninety-seven cents. Thus in less than twelve months the amount received totaled seventy-four thousand eight hundred and sixteen dollars and one cent. He has now tabulated in his office something like eighty thousand dollars that still remains to be recovered in back indebtedness.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.