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 57
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ZORA E. HAYDEN.
Zora E. Hayden, city commissioner of public safety in Spokane and well known for many years as a representative of lumber interests here, was born in Lysander, New York, September 13, 1862. His parents were Zora and Mary Hayden, the former a direct descendant of the Hayden family of Haydensville, Connecticut, that was prominently represented in Revolutionary days by those who served in the Continental army. In early life Zora Hayden removed to the Empire state and there engaged in farming, but both he and his wife passed away many years ago. The members of their household were: Zora E., of this review; Susan M., died at Owatanna, Minnesota, 1907; John L., a farmer of Lysander, New York; Herbert L., an attorney at law, who died at Madison, Minnesota, 1911: George S., a farmer, who died at Lysander, New York, 1908; Ella M. Wilcox, of Spokane, Washington; Mary Benton, of Ira, New York; Marion Wayne, who died at Ly- sander, New York, 1872; and Carrie E., of Spokane, Washington.
Zora E. Hayden was educated in the district schools of his native town and in his youthful days worked for a time with his father upon the home farm but felt that its opportunities were too limited to meet the demands of his budding ambi- tion and left home to secure his fortune elsewhere. Believing that the west of-, fered better chances he made his way to Lac qui Parle, Minnesota, where he worked on a farm for eight months, and then secured a position in a bank at Madison, Minnesota, and at the same time studied law for a period of a year. He next turned his attention to the lumber business in which he continued in Madison for one year. He afterward removed to Forest City, Iowa, where he conducted a
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lumberyard for a period of four years, and then disposed of his interests there and went to Estherville, Iowa, where he also engaged in dealing in lumber. About eighteen months were there spent, after which he removed to Austin, Minnesota, where he continued in the same business for eight years. In the spring of 1903 he arrived in Spokane and identified himself with the lumber interests of the state of Washington, forming a company known as The Hayden Lumber Company and owning retail lumberyards in the Big Bend country, with general offices at Spokane, Washington. He continued actively in the trade later as a wholesaler, until elected city commissioner in the spring of 1911. He still retains an interest in the F. R. Woodbury Lumber Company as its vice president. Gradually he has won a fair measure of success and has become recognized as one of the enterprising and in- dustrious business men of this city.
On the 21st of October, 1888, in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Hayden was united in marriage to Miss Lucy G. Julian, a daughter of Gilbert and Mary Julian, of Cam- illus, New York, who were direct descendants of the famous St. Julian family of France. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden have one son who is living, Marion L., now a fresh- man in the University of Washington at Seattle. They also lost two children, Ray, who died in infancy; and Zoe L., a daughter, who passed away in Spokane at the age of eleven years. The family reside at No. 2504 Manito boulevard. Mr. Hay- den holds membership with Truth Lodge, No. 213, F. & A. M., of Forest City, Iowa, and has taken the Scottish Rite degrees in Spokane and has also become a member of El Katif Temple of the Mystic Shrine in this city. He likewise be- longs to the Spokane Club and has many friends both within and without that organization. In politics he has long been an active republican yet never an office seeker nor has he held public positions until elected city commissioner. He is, however, in hearty sympathy with the effort to promote clean government and rid the country of machine rule, and stands with those who are attempting to make party organization of value to the people and not a source of individual benefit.
JOHN B. HESS.
Of John B. Hess it has been said: "He was a man of high principles, classed as a congenial, kind-hearted, honorable citizen." He was known in professional cir- cles in Spokane as a leading lawyer whose thorough preparation for the bar was followed by careful study of every case which was entrusted to him. He was born September 15, 1860, on a farm near Giessen, Germany, and was a son of Johann George and Marie Elizabeth Hess. At a very early age he was left an orphan and was thus thrown upon his own resources. He attended school in his native town and then began to learn a trade. He was twenty-three years of age when in 1883 he bade adieu to friends and fatherland and sailed for the new world. After spend- ing nearly two years in work and study in Boston he returned to New York and took up the study of law in Columbia University, from which he was graduated with high honors in the class of 1889. Thus qualified for the practice of his chosen profession he came to Spokane in the following winter and opened a law office. From the first he met with good success, devoting his remaining days to his chosen profession. He had a wide knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, carefully
JOHN B. HESS
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investigated every point bearing upon his cases and entered the court prepared to present his cause in a strong and logical manner. He was connected with much important litigation and won many notable victories in the courts. He also ex- tended his efforts into industrial and financial fields and became recognized as one of the representative business men of Spokane as well as one of its learned and successful lawyers. He was a stockholder of the Washington Water Power Com- pany, the Spokane & Eastern Trust Company, in which he was a director, the Ore- gon Electric Railway Company and was the owner of considerable real estate, having made wise investments in property which, in the course of time brought him good financial returns. Sound judgment guided all of his business activities and made his efforts of practical worth in the conduct of the interests with which he was connected.
Soon after the death of Mr. Hess the following resolutions were unanimously passed by the officers and directors of the Spokane & Eastern Trust Company at a meeting held at Spokane, Washington, March 24, 1908, at 3:15 P. M., and pre- sented to the bereaved family, as were also resolutions by the Bench and Bar Association of Spokane, which show to some extent the esteem and high regard in which he was held by his associates in financial and legal circles and are a recogni- tion of his great abilities.
"WHEREAS, the members of this board have learned with sincere regret of the death of one of their fellow members, John B. Hess, Esq., at Los Angeles, Cali- fornia, on Sunday, March 1, 1908;
"WHEREAS, Mr. Hess has been for many years closely connected with the com- pany in its business and legal affairs, and since January 15, 1907, has been a mem- ber of its board of directors, during which time his sagacious counsel, kindly dis- position, loyalty to his friends and unswerving fidelity to the interests entrusted to his care, were made manifest on so many occasions that the board entertained for him the highest regard and esteem; and
"WHEREAS, in Mr. Hess' untimely death it feels that it has lost one whose place cannot be readily filled and each member a true friend ;
"THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That this board's sincere sympathy be extended to the family of Mr. Hess in its bereavement; that this resolution be spread upon the company's minutes and that a copy thereof be sent to his family.
"J. P. M. Richards, President,
"R. L. Rutter, Secretary, "Gustav A. Sipes,
"Committee."
"WHEREAS, John B. Hess, a member of the bar, of this city, has been called from his earthly labors by the Ruler of all the universe, and
"WHEREAS, Mr. Hess has been for twenty years, last past, a useful, honest and faithful member of the Spokane bar and his qualities of honesty, ability and fidelity to the interests of his many clients had endeared him to them, as well as to his brother members of the bar, and
"WHEREAS it is meet and proper that we express at this time our high regard for him and extend to his family our sympathy in this their time of sorrow and trouble, therefore
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"BE IT RESOLVED by the bar that in the death of Mr. Hess the bar has lost an able, honest, faithful and valued member; his clients have lost a friend and advisor ; this community has last one of its best citizens and his family has lost a kind and affectionate head.
"BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the presiding judge of the superior court be requested to spread upon his minutes this resolution and,
"BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Mr. Hess' family.
"Alex M. Winston, "L. H. Prather, "B. C. Mosby, "Committee."
On the 20th of December, 1894, at Waterville, Ohio, Mr. Hess was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M. Christmann, a daughter of Jacob M. and Friedericka (Metzgar) Christmann, who settled in the Maumee valley, Ohio, early in 1840. The former owned and operated one of the largest flour mills in the country. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hess were born two children, Marie Elizabeth, born November 14, 1896, and John Jacob, born July 2, 1899. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 1st of March, 1908, Mr. Hess passed away in Los An- geles, California. He had been a faithful and devoted member of the Lutheran church and in politics he was a loyal republican, always actively interested in the growth and the success of his party, and at all times giving his earnest allegiance to those measures and movements which are of most value as factors in the general welfare. He was a life member of the Masonic lodge and he belonged also to the Spokane Bar Association, the Young Men's Christian Association, Sons of Herman, the German Turn Verein and the Spokane Athletic Club, all of which indicate the nature of his interests and activities. In all of the relations of life he commanded the confidence and respect of his fellowmen because of his close adherence to high ideals. Those who knew him, and his friends were many, felt for him genuine re- gard and good-will. He deserved much credit for what he accomplished, for he started out in life empty-handed and the success he achieved and the position to which he attained were the reward of his earnest and well directed labors.
NULTON E. NUZUM.
Nulton E. Nuzum, an eminent lawyer, and particularly distinguished in the field of criminal law, is practicing as a member of the firm of Nuzum & Nuzum, in Spokane, although his legal business has called him into various other districts of the northwest. He is also very well known in connection with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, in which he has been honored with high office. His birth occurred in Wisconsin, April 28, 1862, and in the public schools of that state he acquired his early education, after which he went upon the road as a trav- eling salesman, representing Phelps, Dodge & Palmer, a Chicago wholesale shoe house, from 1883 until 1889. In their employ he visited Spokane twice a year, be- ginning in 1885, and immediately after the disastrous fire in Spokane in 1889,
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he brought his samples to this city and made his services of much value to the shoe merchants who found it necessary to secure an entire new stock to again engage in business.
Mr. Nuzum had no intention, however, of remaining upon the road as a travel- ing salesman all his life, and while thus engaged he devoted every leisure moment to the study of law, carrying his law books with him. In the year 1893 he was admitted to the bar and purchased an interest in the law firm of Griffiths & Moore. When the second member, J. Z. Moore, was appointed to the superior court bench, the firm became Griffiths & Nuzum, and so continued until 1896, when Mr. Nuzum formed the existing partnership with his brother R. W., under the firm style of Nuzum & Nuzum. In his former association he was attorney for the street rail- way and gas company, but when the present firm was formed he withdrew from all company business of that character to enter upon the general practice of law. Nulton E. Nuzum's firms have defended fifty-four men and women charged with murder in the first degree in eastern Washington, Idaho and British Columbia, and have the unparalleled record of only one conviction for manslaughter, at which time Bill Eddom was sentenced for five years and Eddie Spencer, who ad- mitted the killing, was convicted of murder in the second degree and sentenced to an indeterminate period of from one to ten years. In a number of the murder cases he has defended, Mr. Nuzum has been associated with Frank Graves. Mr. Nuzum has made investments in real estate until he now has extensive property holdings.
His work as a member of the bar has brought Nulton E. Nuzum rather more than local prominence and he has become perhaps equally widely known through his connection with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He was for one year exalted ruler of Spokane Lodge, No. 228, B. P. O. E. and was district deputy grand exalted ruler for the eastern division of the state of Washington for two terms. He became a charter member of the local lodge and when George Turner, afterward United States senator, was exalted ruler, Mr. Nuzum served as esquire. He passed through all the chairs of the order and when presiding officer there were eleven hundred members. Mr. Nuzum was elected presiding officer of the Eagles lodge, holding the position for one year, was chairman of the grievance and ap- peals committee of the Grand Aerie for two years and of the judiciary committee for a similar period. For two decades he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, now connected with Red Cross Lodge No. 28. He is likewise a member of the Spokane Athletic Club and of Coeur d'Alene Boat Club and is interested in all manly outdoor sports. As a member of the Chamber of Com- merce he has been a cooperant factor in various projects for Spokane's upbuild- ing. He votes with the Republican party, but has never been a delegate to state or county conventions, keeping strictly out of politics save for the support which he gives to the principles in which he believes by the exercise of his right of franchise.
On the 4th of September, 1883, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Mr. Nuzum was married to Miss Flora B. Watson, a daughter of P. H. Watson of Wisconsin, who was of English descent. The only child of this marriage, Harold N. Nuzum, born in April, 1890, is now a first-year student in the law department of the North- western University, at Chicago, and expects following his graduation in 1913, to enter his father's law office. Mr. Nuzum's record constitutes a creditable chapter
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in the history of the Spokane courts and of the northwest. His practice is ex- tensive and of an important character, and he is notable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. At no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitations of the question at issue. It has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them.
ORR H. GREENE.
Orr H. Greene, one of the leading citizens of Ritzville, is a prominent factor in financial circles as the president of the Pioneer National Bank and is also the chief executive officer of the Greene Investment Company. He likewise represents a number of other important enterprises in an official capacity. His birth oc- curred in northwestern Pennsylvania in 1867, his parents being Nelson H. and Lucinda (Tuttle) Greene. In 1884 the family home was established at Ritzville, Adams county, Washington, where Nelson H. Greene opened a mercantile estab- lishment. He also took an active part in public affairs and from 1885 until 1888 served as sheriff of Adams county. At the time of the organization of the Pioneer National Bank he became its president, serving in that capacity from 1901 until his death in 1905. His wife had been called to her final rest in 1904.
Orr H. Greene obtained his education in the graded and high schools of the Keystone state and began his business career as a clerk in his father's store. On attaining his majority, in 1888, he became a partner in the enterprise, being thus successfully identified with mercantile interests until he and his father sold out in 1895. Subsequently they turned their attention to the buying and selling of real estate. In 1901, when the Pioneer National Bank was organized, O. H. Greene became the cashier of the institution, acting in that capacity until his father's de- mise in 1905. For the past six years he has held the office of president and in this connection has ably directed the affairs of the bank in a manner that has con- tributed to its continued growth and success. His other official connections are as follows: president of the Greene Investment Company, of Ritzville; secretary of the Ritzville Improvement Company, of Ritzville; secretary of the Ritzville Pub- lishing Company, of Ritzville; vice president of the First National Bank, of Lind, Washington; vice president of the First National Bank, of Washtucna, Washing- ton; and vice president of the First National Bank, of Medical Lake, Washing- ton. He is preeminently a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide in- fluence, and the soundness of his business judgment is such that his cooperation is continually sought in the control and management of important commercial or financial concerns.
Mr. Greene has been married twice. On the 5th of October, 1892, he wedded Miss Bessie M. Bennett, a daughter of James Bennett of Ritzville, Washington, who was a pioneer settler of Adams county, taking up his abode there in 1880. Mrs. Bessie M. Greene was called to her final rest in 1899, leaving a daughter, Lucile, who is now being educated at Smith College of Northampton, Massachusetts. On the 30th of April, 1907, Mr. Greene was again married, his second union being
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with Miss Laura Davenny, a daughter of W. H. Davenny, of Ritzville. By his second wife Mr. Greene has one daughter, Martha Lucinda, whose natal year was 1910.
In politics Mr. Greene is a stanch republican, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party. In 1895 and 1896 he served as mayor of Ritzville and his administration was characterized by many measures of reform and improve- ment. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, his membership relations being with Ritzville Lodge, No. 101, A. F. & A. M .; Sprague Chapter, R. A. M .; Oriental Consistory, S. P. R. S., of Spokane; and El Katif Temple, N. M. S., of Spokane. He is a well balanced man, mentally and physically, possesses sufficient courage to venture where favoring opportunity is presented, and his judgment and even-paced energy have carried him forward to the goal of success.
FRED E. ROBBINS.
Fred E. Robbins, a prominent and respected resident of Ritzville, is now serv- ing as mayor of the town. He is a leading factor in financial circles as the pres- ident of the First National Bank and since June, 1899, has managed the Ritzville branch of the White River Lumber Company, of which concern he is the vice president. His birth occurred in Vassalboro, Maine, on the 25th of August, 1866, his parents being Oliver P. and Martha T. (Pierce) Robbins. The father, an agriculturist of the Pine Tree state, served as a member of the Twenty-first Maine Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war.
Fred E. Robbins attended the common schools of his native state in the ac- quirement of an education and after putting aside his text-books worked for his father until twenty-one years of age. In 1887 he came west to Gardiner, Oregon, there being employed in a sawmill for fifteen months. In the spring of 1889 he went to Alaska and there spent more than three years in search for gold, return- ing to Seattle in the fall of 1892. Subsequently he made his way to Hoquiam, Washington, where for eight months he worked in a sawmill, after which he re- turned to Maine. During his two years' residence in that state he pursued a course of study in the Dirigo Business College at Augusta, being graduated from that institution in 1893. In 1894 he came to Cumberland, Washington, and con- ducted business as a general merchant of that place until February, 1897. At that time he removed to Black Diamond, Washington, there carrying on general mercantile pursuits until May, 1899, or until he sold out. He then purchased an interest in the White River Lumber Company, whose mill is at Enumclaw, Wash- ington, and became vice president of the concern. In June, 1899, he came to Ritz- ville, Washington, to take charge of the retail yards of the company and has since acted as the manager of the same. He is the president of the First National Bank of Ritzville and is likewise the chief executive officer of the Ritzville Publishing Company and the Ritzville Improvement Company. He has been an important factor in business circles and his prosperity is well deserved, as in him are em- braced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and in- dustry that never flags:
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On the 12th of March, 1896, Mr. Robbins was united in marriage to Miss Emma Mansell, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Mansell, of Boone, Iowa. Mrs. Robbins passed away on the 13th of March, 1910, leaving four children, as fol- lows: Norman, who was born on the 31st of December, 1896; Martha, whose birth occurred August 6, 1898; Mabel, whose natal day was October 16, 1900; and Fred, who was born November 26, 1902.
In politics Mr. Robbins is a republican and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have elected him to positions of public trust. He served as mayor of Ritzville from 1902 until 1904 and acted as councilman during the years 1909 and 1910. In 1910 he was again chosen mayor of Ritzville for the year 1911 and in this position of responsibility has fully justified the expectations of his constituents. From the time of its organization until the 1st of September, 1911, he served as secretary of the library board. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Ritzville Lodge, No. 101, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and Sprague Chapter, No. 6, R. A. M. He is likewise a mem- ber of the Spokane Club of Spokane. His influence is found on the side of prog- ress and improvement, while to many measures for the public good he has been a most generous contributor. Throughout his business career he has endeavored to make all his acts and commercial moves the result of definite consideration and sound judgment. There have never been any great ventures or risks in his busi- ness career, but by honest, dependable methods he has made steady progress, his course at all times being characterized by energy and system.
JOSEPH SHEPHERD ALLEN.
A resident of the territory and state of Washington since 1871 and of Spokane and the immediate vicinity since 1881, and for many years engaged in active legal practice on both sides of the Cascades, the subject of this sketch has had excep- tional opportunities of witnessing the marvelous growth and development of the state, and few men are more honorably identified therewith.
Joseph Shepherd Allen was born at Crawfordsville, Indiana, December 6, 1849. His father, Joseph S. Allen, was an able and prominent physician of that placc, serving in the Civil war as surgeon of the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His mother, Hannah (Beard) Allen, was a daughter of Hon. John Beard, one of the able politicians in the early period of Indiana history. John Beard represented his county in the legislature of Indiana, almost all the time in the senate, for six- teen years. He was the first receiver of the United States land office at Crawfords- ville, receiving the appointment from President Harrison. He was active in whig politics and in the organization of the national republican party, attending the first four national conventions of that party as a delegate. It has been claimed by his friends that no single individual contributed more than he to the first nomination of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.
Young Joseph S. Allen received his education at the public and private schools of Crawfordsville and at Wabash College, located at that place. He removed with his parents in 1865 to Rochester, Minnesota, returning later to Crawfordsville to resume college work. At the age of eighteen he began the study of law, entering
J. S. ALLEN
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for that purpose the office of Stearns & Start at Rochester, Judge Start of the firm named at present being chief justice of Minnesota. Mr. Allen was admitted to the bar at Rochester on attaining his majority and removed soon thereafter, in 1871, to Olympia, then the capital of the territory of Washington and now the capital of the state. Here he entered into a partnership with his brother John B. Allen, now deceased, at one time a United States senator from the state of Washington, for the practice of law. The partnership and practice continued for ten years, when his health failed and he was compelled to seek an open-air life. For this pur- pose he removed in 1881 to Five Mill Prairie, in the close vicinity of Spokane, pur- chasing a half section of land there, where he continued to reside and engage in farming until 1884, when he removed to Spokane, entering into a legal partner- ship with the late Hon. Jacob Hoover under the firm name of Hoover & Allen. In 1885 Hiram E. Allen, a brother, was admitted to the firm, its name then becoming Allen, Hoover & Allen. In the following year Mr. Hoover withdrew and Judge Adolph Munter entered the firm, its name becoming Allen, Munter & Allen. Mr. Allen continued in active practice until 1888, when his health again failed and he was compelled to seek recuperation in California. After three years spent in this quest he returned in 1891 to Spokane, where his business interests and plans re- mained and which he always called his home. He built a home in the northeastern suburbs, near the site of the present city of Hillyard, where he owned a large tract of land, which is now known as Rochester Heights. He resided here until the spring of 1903, when he removed to his present residence, 1407 Eleventh avenue, in the beautiful Cannon Hill district.
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