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 66
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On the 17th of April, 1878, Mr. Thompson was married at Osage, Iowa, to Miss Anna D. Richardson, a daughter of John and Delight Richardson. The latter's brother, Dr. D. Ransom, was a manufacturer of the famous Ransom Hive Syrup and was a very wealthy physician of Buffalo, New York. Another brother was a partner of Chester A. Arthur in the practice of law and the family, of English descent, was founded in New England at a very early epoch in the history of this country. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two sons: Percy B., a civil engineer by profession, who is now engaged in raising apples on irrigated lands in the Spokane valley; and Lonis M., an electrical engineer, who is now devoting his attention to the raising of apples at Pasadena Park in the Spokane valley. He was married
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July 19, 1906, to Lottie Schnell, a native of Wisconsin, and they have three daughters, Irene, Carol and Lois.
In politics Mr. Thompson is a republican and has long been an active worker in republican ranks. In 1886 he was elected assessor of Spokane, filling the office for one term, and in 1904 he was elected to the state legislature from the fifth dis- trict. He served as chairman of the appropriation committee while a member of the house and was elected a member of other committees. He was chairman of the city central committee for three years, from 1903 until 1906, during which period Herbert Moore was elected mayor over Floyd Daggett, winning by a good majority, although the contest was a very fierce one. Mr. Thompson has always been active in civic matters and his eooperation can ever be counted upon to further movements and measures for municipal welfare and progress. He secured for the city of Spokane the present site of the water reservoir on Ninth avenue and Pine street. This embraces a tract of nine aeres which was bought for twenty-six thousand dollars on June 28, 1905. Between the time the contract was made and the money was paid the value of the land had increased ten thousand dollars. The next cheapest site offered to the city would have eost five thousand dollars more, with an additional cost of twenty-five thousand dollars for piping. The reservoir as now constructed is divided into two parts, holding a total of twenty million gallons. Mr. Thompson is prominent in Masonry, holding membership with Spokane Lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M., while in the consistory he has gained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is also connected with the Mystic Shrine. The Inland Club also counts him among its members. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in Westminster Congregational ehureh.
His is a notable and inspiring record. From a comparatively humble position in the business world he soon passed on to positions of executive control, subse- quently bending his energies largely to organization, to constructive efforts and administrative direction. Possessing broad, enlightened and liberal-minded views, faith in himself and in the vast potentialities for development inherent in his country's wide domain and specific needs along the distinctive lines chosen for his life work, his has been an active career, in which he has accomplished important and far-reaching results, contributing in no small degree to the expansion and material growth of the northwest and from which he himself has also derived substantial benefits.
FRANK HENRY BURR.
Frank Henry Burr, secretary and treasurer of The Eshleman-Burr Company, well known representatives of real-estate interests, has had a somewhat varied and eventful career, in which natural and acquired ability have brought him into prom- inent relations with the business interests and therefore with the development of Spokane. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, May 21, 1877, and was educated in the publie schools of that city and in the Ohio State University, where he took up the study of medicine. He did not, however, complete his course, for at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered his services to the government, enlisting as hospital steward in the Medical Corps.
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He was made chief steward of the First Division, First Brigade, Field Hospital, at Chickamauga Park, Georgia, and with his command was sent to the front, serving for five months in Porto Rico.
Following his return to the United States Mr. Burr was for a short time en- gaged in the drug business in Columbus, Ohio, and then went upon the road as a traveling salesman, representing a jewelry house. The next progressive step in his career was made in 1902, when he organized the Burr-Patterson Company, of Detroit, Michigan, and began the manufacture of jewelry. He was president of the company and as such directed its affairs. He also traveled all over the western country in the interests of the business and frequently visited Spokane. Recognizing the possibilities of the city, he became one of its enthusiastic advo- cates and at length determined to ally his interests with this progressive metropolitan center of Washington. In 1908, therefore, he severed his commercial and manufacturing interests with Detroit and came to Spokane to join the Eshle- man-Harvey-Burr Company. Here the nature of his business changed entirely, for he began operating in subdivisions of city property, applying himself with unfaltering energy to mastering the business situation and acquainting himself with the values of property and the possibilities offered in the real-estate market. In 1910 Mr. Harvey withdrew and the firm name has since changed to The Eshleman-Burr Company. Their success has been phenomenal and yet the secret of it is not far to seek. The partners are both extremely enegretic and progressive men, who recognize and utilize opportunities, who have made it their purpose to thoroughly acquaint themselves with the business in every phase and to establish a reputation for honesty and reliability that shall give them high standing. Indeed, they today rank with the foremost real-estate men in the northwest and their business is constantly increasing in its scope and importance.
On the 10th of June, 1903, Mr. Burr was married to Miss Edith Clark, at Vandalia, Illinois, a daughter of Daniel M. and Rebecca Clark of that city. The young couple are prominent socially, the hospitality of many of the best homes being freely accorded them. Mr. Burr maintains an independent attitude concern- ing political questions, voting as his judgment dictates. He belongs to Corinthian Lodge, No. 241, A. F. & A. M., at Detroit, Michigan, holds membership with the Spanish-American War Veterans, of Spokane, and is also a member of the Univer- sity Club. Well descended and well bred he has won for himself a most enviable position in Spokane, enjoying in full measure the confidence and good-will of colleagues and contemporaries.
SYLVESTER HEATH.
Sylvester Heath is authority on many matters connected with the history of Spokane, for he became a resident of the city, when it was little more than a hamlet and has watched its progress, growth and development from that time to the present. Moreover, he has aided in the work of general advancement and while promoting private business interests, whereby he has won notable success, he has also contributed to general prosperity. He was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, March 20, 1847, one of a family of three sons and three daughters, whose parents
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were John and Sarah (Glass) Heath, both of whom were natives of Clark county, Indiana, the former of English and the latter of German descent. The Heath family was established in Indiana in pioneer days, representatives of the family settling there in 1832. The Glass family were owners of large farms in the Ohio valley. For many years John Heath carried on general agricultural pursuits and thus aided materially in the development of his native city. His death occurred in 1897. The two brothers of our subject are: Robert H., a farmer of Collins, Iowa; and C. A., a merchandise broker of Indianapolis, Indiana, who enlisted for service in the Union army during the Civil war but ere its close was honorably discharged on account of ill health. The three living sisters are: Eliza A., now the wife of Marion Brandon, of Noblesville, Indiana; Elizabeth, the wife of J. W. Kimberland, of Holcomb, Kansas; and Polly Ann, the widow of Andrew Yaryen, and a resident of Fortville, Indiana.
Sylvester Heath pursued his education through consecutive grades in the public schools of Indianapolis until he had become a high-school student. Part of his education was acquired in the building in that city in which Henry Ward Beecher preached. Crossing the threshold of the business world, Mr. Heath was first em- ployed as a bookkeeper in Indianapolis, holding that position from 1870 until 1878, when he removed to Walla Walla, Washington, and the following year came to Spokane. He was attracted by the opportunities of the northwest and hoped that in this section of the country he might progress in business until gratifying success should be his. This hope has been more than realized, for he is numbered among Spokane's capitalists. On first coming to this region he settled on a tract of land at White Bluff Prairie, which is now included within the subdivision called Hay- ford. There he engaged in general farming and in raising horses but the life of the town attracted him and taking up his abode in Spokane he secured a position in the general merchandise store of Cannon & Warner, in which the postoffice was located and there served as a clerk. The Bank of Spokane Falls was established in the same building and Mr. Heath was employed in the bank as well as in con- nection with the store and postoffice. When the latter was first opened it consistcd of a three foot slant top desk made of rough pine boards, with a hinged lid on top and the entire box was placed on top of the dry-goods counter, with its back toward the public. A slot was cut in the face for letters and when Mr. Heath collected the mail he simply lifted the lid and took the letters out. The whole device was most primitive. By its side on the counter was an apple box which served as a receptacle for newspapers. There was a smaller box for Chinese letters and the Chinese looked over the mail and took out what they wanted. It was one of the duties of the postmaster to address letters for Chinese in English for forwarding. On the same desk which constituted the entire postoffice, he did the bookkeeping for the store. It has been the privilege of but comparatively few men to see a city of the first class grow from the open, wild prairie in so short a space of time. The· busi- ness developed with the growth of the city, especially the bank and postoffice, so that is was necessary to separate thesc. Mr. Heath acted as deputy postmaster for a time and was afterward appointed postmaster, filling that position for seven years. He also became proprietor of a book and stationery store, which he con- ducted in connection with the postoffice until the business grew to such volume that again the two institutions had to be separated. Mr. Heath then concentrated his energies upon the management and control of the stationery business until the
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memorable fire of 1889, when his store was destroyed. He then withdrew from commercial interests, turning over the stationery store to J. W. Graham, now John W. Graham & Company, the leading stationers of Spokane. Mr. Heath con- centrated his energies upon his real-estate interests, for from time to time he had made investments in property and now his attention is given wholly to the super- vision of his own affairs. His realty holdings are large and the continued rise in value has gained him recognition as one of Spokane's capitalists.
On the 4th of June, 1882, at Spokane, Mr. Heath was united in marriage to Miss Ida E. Ellis, a daughter of Asbury E. Ellis, an orchardist of Spokane county, since deceased. Her father was a pioneer resident of this section of the country and represented an old southern family. He was a prominent political leader and . his labors in various directions were of substantial worth in the community. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Ada A. Ellis, is still a resident of Spokane. Mr. and Mrs. Heath are very prominent in the city and their home is an attractive one, not only by reason of its handsome and tasteful furnishings but also because of its warm-hearted hospitality. During the Civil war Mr. Heath was a member of the state guard but had no chance for active service. Since attaining his major- ity he has supported the republican party and has ever been a stalwart advocate of the principles in which he believes the root of good government is to be found. He holds membership in the Methodist church and his well spent life, honorable and upright at all times, has gained for him the high regard and unqualified respect of his fellowmen.
ROBERT EARLY MCFARLAND.
Robert Early McFarland is one of the successful attorneys of Coeur d'Alene, where he has resided for the past twenty-seven years, during the greater part of which period he has been more or less prominently connected with public affairs. He was born at Independence, Missouri, on the 21st of November, 1857, and is a son of the Rev. William B. and Elvira (Early) McFarland. The father was one of the pioneer ministers of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, in Missouri, and the mother was a daughter of Colonel Joab Early of Virginia and a sister of General Jubal A. Early.
In the acquirement of his education Robert Early McFarland attended Central College, at Fayette, Howard county, Missouri. He subsequently entered the law of- fices of the late Senator Vest and George L. Hayes of Sweet Springs, that state, and later studied under the direction of Judge Henry P. Strother, of Marshall, Missouri. In June, 1880, he was admitted to the bar in the latter place and immediately there- after came west, believing that better opportunities were afforded young men in the newer sections of the country. He first located in New Mexico, where he engaged in practice until the spring of 1884. During that period of his residence there he met with success in his profession and achieved some reputation as a politician, having been called upon to represent his county in the territorial legislature in 1883 and 1884. In March, 1884, he came to the Coeur d'Alene mines, locating at Murray, Idaho, and the following autumn he was elected probate judge of Shoshone county. He retained his office until the spring of 1885, when he was appointed register of the
ROBERT E. MCFARLAND
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United States land office at Coeur d'Alene, in which capacity he served for five years. At the expiration of that time he again engaged in the practice of his profession, and in 1896 was elected attorney general of the state of Idaho on the Democratic ticket. Ten years ago Mr. McFarland left the democratic party and became a republican, but has never since ran for office. Mr. McFarland's practice has developed to such an extent that for more than a decade it has required his entire attention.
He is a man of forceful personality and keen mental powers, being in every way a credit to the profession he represents. During the period of his connection with the legal fraternity of Coeur d'Alene, Mr. McFarland has been identified with some of the important litigations of the state. He always presents his evidence in a com- mendable manner, manifesting his careful and conscientious study of the points at issue, as well as his comprehensive understanding of the legal technicalities involved. His practice has grown in a most gratifying manner and among his clients are now numbered many of the prominent citizens and corporations of this section of the state.
Murray, Idaho, was the scene of Mr. MeFarland's marriage, on the 21st of No- vember, 1885, to Miss Marie V. Pendy, a daughter of John and Catherine Pendy of that town. There were few weddings in this vicinity at that time and to Mr. and Mrs. McFarland belongs the distinction of being the first couple married at the Coeur d'Alene mine. They are the parents of five children, as follows: William B., who was born on the 11th of January, 1887; Kathleen, whose birth occurred on the 17th of October, 1889; Robert Early, Jr., who celebrated his nineteenth birthday January 18. 1912; John Anthony, whose natal day was the 3d of September, 1903: and Joseph C., who was born on August 11, 1907. The family reside at No. 601 Foster street, this city, where they have a comfortable and pleasant home.
Fraternally Mr. McFarland is affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of Lewiston, Idaho; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Modern Woodmen of America ; all of Coeur d'Alene. He also holds membership in the Com- mercial Club of this city and is an honorary member of the Tillicum Club. He is one of the progressive citizens of the town, whose wide information and unprejudiced views on all vital subjects of the day give weight to his opinions on matters pertain- ing to the welfare of the community, in promoting the development in which he always takes an active interest.
WILLIAM B. MCFARLAND.
William B. McFarland, who is one of the more recent acquisitions to the legal fraternity of Coeur d'Alene, is a most creditable representative of his profession. He is the eldest child of Robert Early and Marie V. (Pendy) McFarland, and is one of Coeur d'Alene's native sons, his birth here occurring on the 11th of January, 1887.
After completing his preliminary studies, which he pursued in the public school of this city, William B. McFarland studied for a time at both Lewiston and Boise. subsequently entering Gonzaga College at Spokane. He was graduated from the lat- ter institution with the degree of Bachelor of Arts with the class of 1907. Having decided to enter the legal profession he then went to Georgetown University at Wash- ington, D. C., where he mastered the principles of jurisprudence, being awarded the degree of LL. B., in June, 1910. Returning to Idaho he took the state examination
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and was admitted to the bar at Boise, on September 19, 1910, and has ever since been engaged in practice in this city. He is still very young, just having passed the twenty-fifth anniversary of his birth, but his preparation for his profession has been most thorough. In addition he possesses the presence, the ready command of Eng- lish and the acute mental faculties so essential to success in this of all professions.
Mr. McFarland resides with his parents at 601 Foster street, this city. He is a very active worker in the Roman Catholic church of which he is a communicant, and is the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, of this state, having been appointed to this office in February, 1911. He is also a member of the Tillicum Club of Coeur d'Alene and of the University Club of Spokane. Mr. McFarland is very popular both professionally and socially in this city, and his future as gauged by the present . gives every assurance of being most promising.
J. F. MAST.
Since 1870 J. F. Mast has been connected with the development of the west. He is, therefore, familiar with the pioneer history of the country and with all of the advantages that have been secured through the labors and efforts of its enter- prising citizens. He resides upon his ranch four miles from the Mead postoffice. His birth occurred in Conestoga, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1850, a son of Jacob K. and Frances (Gehman) Mast. The father was an extensive landowner in Pennsylvania, holding title to farms in Lancaster and Berks counties.
J. F. Mast spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and attended the district schools to acquire his preliminary education, which was later supplemented by a course in the normal school at Millersville, Pennsylvania. Like the majority of boys born on farms, he was forced to work even at a very early age and when but a boy of twelve years he helped drive a herd of sheep from Canton, Ohio, to Harris- burg, Pennsylvania, and in 1863, during the Civil war, he was engaged in driving cattle. One trip was made at the time the Confederate army entered Pennsylvania. He was driving stock into Harrisburg and in trying to keep away from the southern army it was necessary to drive all night and they had succeeded in barely crossing the bridge at Chambersburg when it was burned by the northern troops to check the progress of the invading army. On the 16th of August, 1869, Mr. Mast left Philadelphia for California, going via the Rock Island Railroad to Omaha, Nebraska, and thence over the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroad to San Francisco, the trip being made one month after the road was completed. The towns between Omaha and San Francisco through which the road traversed were tent towns and during this trip the train stopped where the golden spike, which marked the junction of the Union Pacific with the Central Pacific, had been placed and Mr. Mast secured a piece of the tie into which it had been driven. Even at this early time the tie was practically gone, having been carried away by souvenir hunters. An incident which expresses to a certain extent the lawlessness which existed in that early day is shown somewhat by relating a fight which took place among a party of gamblers at one of the stations where the train stopped for the passengers to alight to procure food. Such was the lack of control exerted by officials over this lawlessness that the passengers fled in terror to the refuge of the
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train. During almost the entire trip the only meat which they could secure was buffalo meat and nearly every day they saw large herds of buffalo roaming over the prairies. Mr. Mast has lived to see a remarkable transformation in the country as these pioneer customs have been replaced by evidences of a progressive and advanced civilization. The tents used as homes in the early days have been super- seded by commodious and substantial residences built in modern styles and the native prairie grasses have been replaced by products that are cultivated by the farmer of today. After reaching San Francisco he spent a year on his brother's ranch in Mendocino county and many times while at work in the fields with three Indians it was necessary for him to keep his revolver at hand in order to preserve his life from the attacks of the Indians. In 1870 he entered upon an independent career by engaging in the meat business in San Francisco, remaining there until 1876, when he traded this establishment for one thousand acres of land in Sonoma county, near Healdsburg, this place being known as the Old Foss stage station on the road to the geysers. There he successfully carried on a sheep ranch until he disposed of the property in 1880, having decided to remove to the Spokane country, where he has since resided. He removed from San Francisco with his horses and belongings by boat as far as Portland and thence by a smaller boat to The Dalles, Oregon. From there he drove to Spokane via Walla Walla, there being no rail- roads at that early time. Arriving here on September 14, 1880, he purchased of the railroad company a half section of land on Peone Prairie and subsequently after selling it bought another half section from the railroad company, which with an additional purchase of forty acres constitute the three hundred and sixty acres which he now owns and cultivates. This has all been brought under a high state of productivity, being devoted principally to the growing of grain and alfalfa. When he first arrived on Peone Prairie there were only three or four settlers there in addition to the Indians who roamed at will throughout the country. There was not a dwelling between Spokane and Peone Prairie, his ranch adjoining that of Chief Peone, the celebrated Indian chief who was a descendant of a Hudson Bay trader. He was a man of the highest honor and of great influence among the early settlers and the Indians. His descendants are now among the well known people of the province of Quebec and he lived on his donation claim for forty years. In 1882, while Mr. Mast was plowing on his ranch, a neighbor rode over to ask him to help in settling some trouble with the Indians with whom he was having some difficulties about fencing land. Mr. Mast immediately gave his assistance and helped muster a force of six men besides himself, but as soon as Chief Peone heard of the affair he came and asked that the matter be settled by arbitration. This was done in a way satisfactory to all concerned. When Mr. Mast desired to go into the city of Spokane during the first years of his residence here he was accustomed to cross the river where the Division street bridge now stands. The ferry boat made a charge of one dollar for crossing. Later, when traffic grew heavier, the fare was reduced to fifty cents and subsequently Mr. Mast was one of the subscribers who raised the money to build the first bridge across the Spokane river. He has been a resident of this section for over thirty years and is right- fully a member of the Pioneer Association of Spokane. He likewise holds mem- bership in the Peone Grange Husbandry of America. He has always been in- terested in politics and, although he has never sought nor desired political office for himself, he has for many years been chairman of the Peone central committee of the republican party.
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