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 65
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Carlos H. Weeks entered business life in connection with the operating depart- ment of the Pennsylvania Railroad, filling the position of assistant train dispatcher at Wellsville, Ohio, for four years. Removing westward, he settled in Iowa and became a member of the Northern Editorial Association. He helped to organize and became assistant editor of the Decorah Bee, published at Decorah, Iowa, but after some time entered the employ of the Great Northern Railroad Company, fill- ing positions in the operating and traffic departments up to the time he resigned in 1896. In the meantime, in 1891, he had come to Spokane, and was acting as gen- eral agent at this place. On severing his connection with the railroad, he became associated with the Spokane Dry Goods Company, becoming a member of that firm and assisting in the reorganization of the business. For eight years he was connected with that company and then withdrew in order to give his attention to making investments in land and other properties. The time has since passed in this way and in connection with the investment business he is representing several coal mines as wholesale agent. All of his mining interests and coal properties are located in British Columbia, Montana and Pennsylvania, and are now operated under the firm style of the C. H. Weeks Coal Company, of which he is president, with F. E. Pope as secretary-treasurer. Their offices are in the Peyton building in Spokane. Mr. Weeks owns considerable city property in Spokane, together with irrigated lands in the Methow valley and suburban property in San Diego, Cali- fornia. He has displayed particularly keen judgment and sagacity in placing his investments, which have been attended with notable and gratifying success. More- over, in the development of land interests lie has contributed to general as well as individual prosperity.
Mr. Weeks was united in marriage to Miss Carolyn A. Barney, a daughter of
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Dr. A. G. Barney, a banker and the owner of immense property and farming in- terests at Charles City, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1883. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Weeks was celebrated at Charles City, September 13, 1884, and on the 27th of June, 1909, they were separated by the death of the wife. An only son, Kenneth B., who was born in 1893, died in 1894. Mr. Weeks has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and is now chairman of the Progres- sive Republican League. He is also serving on the congressional committee and the county executive committee, and he does all that he can, consistently with the development of his business interests, to further the welfare and secure the success of his party. He takes a deep interest, too, in the moral progress of the com- munity and in charitable work, is serving as director of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association, is a trustee of the Westminster Congregational church, and is president of St. Luke's Hospital board. He holds to high ideals of manhood and citizenship, and he regards business as but one phase of life, never permitting it to exclude an active participation in and support of the other vital interests which go to make up human existence.
DAVID R. MCCLURE.
David R. McClure, president of the Crystal Laundry Company and connected in various other ways with important business enterprises of Spokane, was born at LaChute, Argenteuil county, of the province of Quebec, Canada, in 1858, his parents being James C. and Janet (Rodger) McClure. The father was born in Ayr, Scot- land, and in early life he came to America, residing for some time in Canada ere his removal to California in 1851, at the time of the gold excitement there. He afterward returned to his home in Canada and reared his family at LaChute, his son, David R. McClure, pursuing his education in the public schools of that place, to the age of fourteen years, when he began earning his own living. He entered the employ of Charles Wales & Son, of St. Andrews, in the province of Quebec, in a general mercantile establishment, where he remained for three years. The knowl- edge he gained of the business during that period proved of untold benefit to him during his subsequent career. In 1876 he went to Montreal and secured a position with L. Cushing & Son for three years and then entered the employment of F. & G. Cushing, wholesale dry-goods merchants, at No. 18 St. Helen street for a year. After that he associated himself with Beal, Ross & Company of Montreal, in the capacity of bookkeeper and customs clerk in the wholesale dry-goods business, con- tinuing in that position for four years. He was long actuated by a desire to engage in business on his own account, and in 1884 he opened a dry-goods and boot and shoe establishment at Cowansville, Quebec, conducting his store with good success for twelve years, at the end of which time he sold out. This was in 1896 at which time he removed to Dansville, New York, where he took charge of the new laundry that was but recently installed at the Jackson Sanitarium. Nine months later he started for the Klondyke, attracted by the discovery of gold in Alaska, but on the trip he stopped off at Spokane and was so well pleased with the city and its pros- pects that he decided to remain here. He then entered into partnership with F. T. McCollough under the firm name of the Crystal Steam and Hand Laundry.
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From the beginning the enterprise prospered and later the business was incorpo- rated as the Crystal Laundry Company with David R. McClure as the president. Their trade has now reached extensive proportions and the business returns a gratifying annual income. In addition Mr. McClure is a stockholder in the Wash- ington Brick & Lime Company, in the Rocky Mountain Cement Company, the Spokane Taxicab Company and the Trustee Company. His judgment is sound, his enterprise unfaltering and upon the broad basis of diligence and determination he has built his success.
On the 8th of September, 1886, Mr. McClure was married at St. Andrews, Quebec, to Miss Margaret E. Davis, the fifth daughter of Theodore Davis of that place. They now reside at West 918 Augusta avenue. Mr. McClure holds member- ship with the Inland Club and is a life member of Oriental Lodge, No. 74, F. & A. M .; Spokane Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M .; and the Independent Order of Foresters at Spokane. While a resident of Spokane Mr. McClure has at all times com- manded the confidence and good-will of his fellow citizens by reason of his personal worth as well as his business ability, and as the years have gone by, he has steadily advanced toward the goal of success, winning his prosperity through well defined and intelligently directed labor.
JOHN BIRCHARD ANDERSON, M. D.
Dr. John Birchard Anderson, who has given such notable service to the city of Spokane as head of the health department, is a native of the city of St. Louis, Missouri. His birth occurred on the 12th of October, 1868, his parents being James T. and Maria L. (Birchard) Anderson, the father for many years having been a well known dealer in agricultural implements in St. Louis.
Reared amid the refined and cultured environments of a comfortable home, John Birchard Anderson was early made to recognize the necessity of utilizing his opportunities to the best possible advantage if he expected to achieve a desirable position in life. At the usual age he entered the public schools of his native city and after completing the course was a student for a time in the preparatory de- partment of Drury College, Springfield, Missouri. It had long been his ambi- tion to become a physician, so returning home he matriculated in the St. Louis Medical College, which is affiliated with Washington University. He assiduously applied himself to his professional studies and in 1892 was awarded the degree of M. D. Immediately following he was appointed assistant surgeon for the Terminal Railway Association of St. Louis and remained in the service of this company for two years. His efficient discharge of his duties and creditable progress brought him the recognition of his alma mater and in 1894 he was made assistant to the professor in the diseases of the ear. He held this chair for three years, and then resigned in order to engage in private practice. Like many other young professional men he felt that it would be easier to establish himself in a community where he was compelled to win recognition on his own merits so in 1898 he gave up his office in St. Louis and in the following February started for Washington. Upon his arrival in this state he first located in Rosalia, where he successfully maintained an office for ten years. He early became known to the community as a practitioner of more
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than average skill and during the greater part of his residence there held the position of city health officer. In 1908, he gave up his practice there and came to Spokane, where he has ever since been located. During the first three years of his residence here he had an office at 5 Indiana avenue and devoted his entire attention to his private practice, which increased very rapidly in that time. In April, 1911, he was appointed city health officer, the duties of which he discharged in connection with his own practice until the following October. As he was giving such excellent service and was accomplishing such gratifying results, the city made it worth his while to withdraw from private practice entirely and give his undivided thought and attention to the work of the department. He is a man of progressive ideas, yet is too practical and conservative to become extremely radical, but the working out of his theories has made a marked change for the better in the sanitary and health conditions of the city, and this condition will be still more marked with the further development of the system he is inaugurating. Dr. Anderson is un- usually well qualified for the duties he is performing, not only having the essential professional knowledge and experience, but the executive ability and powers of, organization necessary for the carrying out of his ideas.
In St. Louis on the 24th of April, 1896, Dr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Ophelia V. J. Le Marshal, daughter of Eugene Le Marshal of that city, who for many years was treasurer of Carondelet. The Le Marshals are one of the old and well known French families who have long been identified with the city's development, having first located there in 1830.
Dr. Anderson is affiliated with the Scottish Rite of the Masonic fraternity, having been initiated in Goodhope Lodge, No. 218, F. & A. M., of St. Louis, of which he is a past master. He now holds membership in Spokane Lodge, No. 34, F. & A. M. and he also belongs to the chapter. He is a past patron of the Eastern Star of Rosalia and is affiliated with the Order of Eastern Star of Spokane. He is also a past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, both of Rosalia. Being an enthusiastic admirer of the northwest he is an active worker in the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, and indorses its various movements, and is a member of the Inland Club. Although he has been a resident of this city for less than four years, Dr. Anderson has become well known in the community, not only because of his excellent public service but by reason of his genuine personal worth, which has been the means of his winning the esteem and stanch support of a large circle of personal friends.
ASBERY ENGLISH ELLIS.
Asbery E. Ellis, deceased, a pioneer of Spokane county, was born in east Ten- nessee in 1833, but when five years old was taken to Newton county, Missouri, where he lived for the ensuing fourteen ycars. He then started on a long journey across the plains to Oregon, making the entire trip by ox teams and passing the winter in Salt Lake City. Upon his arrival he engaged in school teaching and followed that profession for a number of years afterward.
In 1878 he removed to Spokane county, coming all the way by ox team. He then engaged in the milk business and in farming for a number of years. He
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subsequently held a position as clerk for Mr. Cannon and Mr. Glover, but later purchased a farm of two hundred and ten acres on Moran Prairie, where his home was until the date of his death. Mr. Ellis planted an orchard of one hundred and thirty acres, one of the largest, if not the largest in this county. He was at one time owner of what is now Union park and his family still retain ten acres in that part of Spokane. During his lifetime, Mr. Ellis was always an active, enterpris- ing man and was a substantial and influential citizen in the communities in which he lived.
Mr. Ellis was united in marriage, to Miss Ada A. Baltimore, of Oregon, in 1860, and seven children were born to bless this union: Ida, now Mrs. Sylvester Heath; Nora; Cheater; Carson; Mabel; Clara; and Olive, who married A. E. Keats. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis were both stanch Methodists and Mrs. Ellis is still a member of the Wesley Memorial Methodist Episcopal church on Moran Prairie. Mr. Ellis died on May 10, 1896.
EDWARD J. DAHMS.
Edward J. Dahms, well known in the insurance circles of Spokane, has attained a prosperity which is the legitimate outcome of intelligently applied knowledge. He is president of the Edward J. Dahms Company, Incorporated, which has its offices in the Eagle building. He was born in Moline, Illinois, on the 18th of October, 1860, his parents being John J. and Ida M. (Vierich) Dahms. The father's death occurred in 1896 and the mother passed away in 1876. They were among the early settlers of Moline, and the father erected the first brick store in that city.
Edward J. Dahms acquired his education in the public schools of Illinois and there prepared to enter college. He was a student in Columbia University in New York city, and after finishing his course in the law department he was admitted in 1885 to the bar of the state of Illinois. For five years he was engaged in prac- ticing law in Moline before going to Chicago where he practiced until 1901. In that year he came to Spokane as local agent for a general insurance company. During the first six years of his residence in this city he placed himself definitely in the insurance circles and his ability was speedily recognized. In 1907 he organ- ized the Western Empire Insurance Company which is capitalized at five hundred thousand dollars. It is hoped that in a short time this company, which deals extensively in fire insurance, will be able to raise its capitalization to one million dollars. He is vice president, general manager or general agent for a number of large insurance companies and director of the Alma Mining Company. Because of his legal training he at all times displays keen discernment and is capable of logical thinking in the controlling of all business interests with which he has been associated.
Mr. Dahms was married in San Francisco, California, on the 30th of November, 1886, to Miss Lysett M. Alley, a daughter of Dodridge and Mary (Johnson) Alley. To this union four children have been born: Edward J., Jr., who is engaged in the real-estate business in Calgary, Alberta; Chauncey L., who is living on a ranch; Hazel L., who is attending high school and also taking a special course
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in elocution under Mrs. Belden; and Mary-Gale, also a student in the high school of Spokane.
In politics Mr. Dahms is a republican, and fraternally he is connected with the Elks Lodge No. 228. He also holds membership in the Arion Club and the Inland Club. His business record is one any man may be proud to possess, and he has become extensively known as one of the prominent business and insurance men of the northwest. He commands the respect of his associates and is today one of the highly esteemed members of the business circles of Spokane.
OTTO AUGUST OLSSON.
Otto August Olsson, who is a stockholder and official in a number of mining en- terprises of Idaho and Montana, is also well known throughout this section of the state as a violinist of far more than average ability. He was born in Sweden, on the 18th of June, 1872, a son of S. A. and Mathilda Olsson, and there he was also reared and educated. After the completion of the high school course in his native town he entered the University of Stockholm, where he pursued a course in mining engineer- ing. Upon attaining his majority Mr. Olsson decided to seek his fortune in the United States and in 1893 took passage for America. Upon his arrival in this country he located in Chicago, where for two years he engaged in the teaching of music, remov- ing at the end of that period to Michigan where he continued his teaching for another eighteen months. In 1897 he returned to Europe for further musical study, entering the Royal Conservatory at Dresden, where he studied violin under Professor Rapoldi, and vocal music under Dr. Mueller. He completed his work in both of these depart- ments in 1901, and was awarded his degree and teacher's certificate. Returning to the United States he came to Montana, locating in Butte where he established a studio and engaged in teaching both violin and vocal music, in addition to which he also gave recitals, being well qualified for public work. He devoted his entire time and at- tention to his art for the succeeding five years, during which time he made two trips to Europe, the first one for pleasure solely and the second one to attend his parents' golden wedding and to look over some mining properties in Norway. Mr. Olsson succeeded in building up large classes in both lines of his art and met with very Incra- tive returns. He made trips to the Coeur d'Alene mining district on various occasions and invested in several companies engaged in operations there, feeling confident from his knowledge of engineering and mining of their ultimate successful outcome. In 1906 he removed to Wallace, and while he still continues to devote considerable time to his musical studies, his principal energies are engaged in mining pursuits. He is the general manager of the Phedora Mining Company, which is de- veloping a silver and lead claim adjoining the holdings of the Jack Waite Mining Company, the proprietors of a productive mine of good standing. He is also presi- dent of two other mining companies and secretary and treasurer of thirteen others.
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At Spokane, Washington, on the 5th of April, 1911, Mr. Olsson was united in marriage to Miss Alfrieda Carlson, a daughter of Alfred Carlson, a farmer of Das- sel, Minnesota, who brought his daughter to the United States, when she was a child one year of age. Mr. and Mrs. Olsson are residing at No. 107 Bank street and are most pleasantly located.
OTTO A. OLSSON
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Mr. Olsson has always been a republican and was elected to the office of justice of peace here in 1908 and reelected in 1910, which office he now holds. He was ap- pointed referee in bankruptcy by Hon. Frank S. Dietrich, judge of the United States court, district of Idaho, in February, 1911. Fraternally he is a member of the Ma- sonic order, being identified with Wallace Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M. and he also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, his local connection being with Lodge No. 9. Both Mr. and Mrs. Olsson have many friends in Wallace to whom Wallace Lodge, No. 331; while he maintains relations with his fellow countrymen through the medium of his membership in the Scandinavian Brotherhood of America, Lodge No. 9. Both Mr. and Mrs. Olsson have many friends in Wallace to whom they graciously extend the hospitality of their pleasant home.
DEXTER MARK THOMPSON.
Dexter Mark Thompson is president of the Spokane Valley Irrigated Lands Company and his work in business circles has been of far-reaching and beneficial effect. He has contributed in substantial measure to the improvement and up- building of this section of the country and his interests are now of a most important character. During the period of reconstruction following the financial panic in the early '90s, he was connected with the Hypotheek Bank, having full charge of its real-estate department. His administration under the most liberal policy of the bank brought success and confidence to a great many people who were on the verge of bankruptcy. It was the bank's policy and his work that made it possible for many to emerge from financial disaster and prepare for the future with energy and renewed confidence. Mr. Thompson was also one of the pioneers in connection with D. C. Corbin and others who demonstrated to the people the importance of irrigation in this district. His success in the matter has caused many to follow in his footsteps and the whole state of Washington stands today upon the threshold of a new era, when by reason of this irrigation its name will become distinctive as that of one of the foremost states of the Union.
Mr. Thompson was born October 6, 1857, at McHenry, McHenry county, Illinois. His father, Mark Thompson, was a native of Ohio. He represented an old New England family, his father removing from Massachusetts to Ohio, after- ward to Illinois and eventually to Minnesota, where Mark Thompson was living, when, in response to the country's call for troops, he enlisted for service in the Civil war. His regiment went to Fort Abercrombie to suppress the Indians and the following summer was sent south. There Mr. Thompson was taken ill and was returned to St. Louis, where his death occurred in 1863, resulting from illness occasioned by privations on the march to Arkansas. He had married Lucy A. Dennison, a lady of English descent, who was born in the state of New York and died in the winter of 1910, when eighty-four years of age.
Dexter M. Thompson was only a young lad when his father died. He began his education in the common schools of Minnesota and afterward attended the high school of Winona, that state. When he had reached an age that called for his activity in the business world, he started out for himself in connection with the insurance and real-estate business in Winona, in 1878 forming a partnership with C. A. Bierce, with whom he was associated for two years. He then removed to Vol. II-31
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Austin, Minnesota, and for four years was engaged in the fuel business. Remov- ing to Spokane in the spring of 1884 he here made a set of abstracts, besides conducting an abstract and loan office for a period of eight years. Gradually he extended his efforts into other fields of activity, entering the real-estate and loan business, which he followed for two years and during that period made a set of tract indexes for the county. In 1894 he became connected with the Hypotheek Bank and for nine years had charge of its real-estate department. This bank during the reconstruction period after the panic had a vast amount of work to do in order to restore the confidence of the people, and in bandling its landed affairs, a man peculiarly adapted to the work was needed. It became Mr. Thompson's duty to get the property in shape to sell that it would bring in a good revenue to the bank, and it was the liberal patronage of this financial institution that stimu- lated the people to action after the general financial depression. The bank at that time held in Spokane county property to the value of about three million dollars. Mr. Thompson had much to do with formulating the bank's policy and the story of his ability is told in the statement that no mortgage company ever stood higher in the estimation of the people than the Hypotheek Bank during its reconstruction period. At that time Thomas G. Thomson, now deceased, was manager of the bank.
Since severing his connection with the Hypotheek, Dexter M. Thompson has been associated with P. T. Becher under the firm name of Becher & Thompson in a general real-estate and loan business. While irrigation was in its infancy they did and still are doing the business for D. C. Corbin in the distribution of irrigated tracts. They have purchased a great amount of his land and have assisted him In the sale of his property.
While working for the Hypotheek Bank W. L. Benham filed on the original water rights of the Spokane river and all the lakes and constructed the first canal from Liberty Lake, bringing the water down to what is now known as Greenacres. Five hundred acres at that place then belonged to the Hypotheek Bank and were sold to Mr. Benham for twelve and a half dollars per acre, being offered at this cheap price in order to encourage irrigation in Spokane valley. In 1909 Mr. Thompson organized the Spokane Valley Irrigated Lands Company, which became selling agent for all the irrigated lands in the Spokane valley. It is a close cor- poration, composed of Dexter M. Thompson, president; E. G. Taylor, vice presi- dent; Phil T. Becher, treasurer; and C. T. Young, secretary. This company is placing upon the market lands that are very productive by reason of the irrigation and their work is constituting an important element in the upbuilding and progress of this section.
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