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 69
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In September, 1878, Mr. Olson was married in Norway to Miss Hannah John- son, a daughter of John Johnson, and to this union twelve children have been born: Olaf, who married Libby Neaville; Clara, now Mrs. Cruise; Olive, who wedded A. Roland; John, who married Maud Mitchell; Hoken, who married Carrie Ackley; and James, Louis, Minnie, Albert, Oscar, Lena and Edwin. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have given their children every desirable opportunity of educa- tion and trained them to become useful and honorable members of society, a credit to the family and to their country and state. Mr. Olson has set a worthy example of industry and loyal citizenship and is one of the most highly respected men in this part of the county. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church to which he is a liberal contributor. In politics he adheres to the republican party. He is an active worker in behalf of good government and served as town- ship treasurer in 1909 and in 1907-8-9 was a delegate to republican county con- ventions at Spokane. A lover of liberty, he was fortunate indeed to seek a home in America, for here his early dreams have been more than realized and the future gives promise of still greater accomplishment.
WILLIAM SEEHORN.
William Seehorn, who to his friends is familiarly known as Billie Seehorn, one of the progressive business men of Spokane, is the owner of the Seehorn Transfer & Storage Company, which has its headquarters on South Lincoln street. He was born in Adams county, Illinois, on the 19th of August, 1860. His grandparents were among the early settlers of that state, arriving there in 1820. The parents, John D. and Almira (Bean) Seehorn, passed away in 1903 and 1872 respectively.
In the common schools of Illinois William Seehorn received his education until he was fourteen years of age. At that time he laid aside his text-books and began work on the home farm, assisting his father in the daily duties and at the same
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time gaining his first experience in the working world. At the age of nineteen years, desiring to enter upon an independent career and believing in the possibilities which the west offered, he came to Spokane and has since made this city his abode. During his first two years' residence he worked as a laborer and subsequently ac- cepted employment at the North Pacific Hotel for four years. During these six years, because of his exceptional ability and conscientious labor, he accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to establish a transfer and storage business, of which he is still the owner and manager. He now enjoys a large patronage and his rapid advance in the business world has been due wholly to his own efforts. He has ever been fair in his dealings with the public and has firmly established himself in the business circles of Spokane.
On the 3d of August, 1886, Mr. Seehorn was married to Miss Nora Cowean, a daughter of C. T. and Anna Cowean, who reside four miles west of Spangle, Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Seehorn two children have been born, Frank and Claude. Mr. Seehorn is deeply interested in all measures which tend to further the development of Spokane. Not affiliating with any political party, he casts his vote for the man or measure which he thinks will be most efficient in assisting in a gov- ernment which will work for public welfare. His spirit of determination, which enables him to unfalteringly pursue a course which he has marked out until it reaches its culmination in success, has won for him the respect of his fellow citizens.
JOHN L. WARN.
John L. Warn is the senior partner of The Toggery, Ltd., an exclusive men's furnishing-goods house, with which he has been connected since February, 1911. He was born on the 4th of September, 1865, at Frostburg, Maryland, and is a son of William and Jane (Williams) Warn.
Reared in the state of his nativity in the acquirement of his education John L. Warn attended the public schools. He began his business career at the age of twenty years, when he opened a drug store in Blue Earth, Minnesota. He con- ducted this business, of which he was the sole proprietor, until 1894, when he dis- posed of his interests and went into the shoe business, taking a position as traveling salesman for Kellogg, Johnson & Co., of St. Paul, Minnesota. His territory covered the states of Iowa and Minnesota for seven years, following which the company transferred him to Salt Lake City. During the first year of his residence in the west he had the state of Utah and the southern portion of Idaho, but in 1902 he was given northern Idaho and Spokane, Washington, thereafter making his head- quarters in the latter city. At the expiration of the following year he severed his connection with this firm and became the representative of the Sherood Shoe Com- pany, of St. Paul. He continued in the employment of the latter company until February, 1911, when he came to Spirit Lake and became associated with H. L. Hanson in the organization of "The Toggery," of which Mr. Warn is president, and Mr. Hanson secretary and treasurer. They keep a well selected stock of boots, shoes, clothing and furnishing goods, which they offer at reasonable prices. They have a very attractive store and are most courteous and gracious in their treatment of patrons, and have succeeded during the brief period of their operations in build- ing up a good trade.
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For his wife Mr. Warn chose Miss Margaret O. Kaupp, a daughter of Otto Kaupp of Blue Earth, Minnesota. Mr. Kanpp has for many years been prominently connected with the public life of the town, having served as county treasurer for several terms, while he was postmaster during the Cleveland administration, this office now being held by his son, who received his appointment in 1903. Three chil- dren have been born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Warn: Mary Beatrice, whose birth occurred in 1891, now the wife of F. R. Winston of Spokane, a son of P. H. Winston; William Otto, who was born in 1894; and Margaret Brenda, born in 1906.
In 1886, while residing in Blue Earth, Mr. Warn became identified with the Masonic fraternity, and is still a member of Blue Earth Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. M. and a charter member of Mount Zion Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M., also of Blue Earth. The religious views of himself and wife are manifested through their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the faith of which denomination they have reared their family. Although he has been connected with the commercial life of Spirit Lake but for a brief period, Mr. Warn has made a most favorable impres- sion in the town both in his business and social relations, and his success in con- nection with "The Toggery" seems to be assured.
EDWARD JOSEPH O'SHEA.
The financial circles of Spokane are ably represented by Edward Joseph O'Shea, who is secretary of the New World Life Insurance Company, having offices located in the Old National Bank building. His birth occurred in New York city on the 15th of April, 1873, his parents being Daniel and Ellen (Hassett) O'Shea, both of whom are living. Daniel O'Shea came to the United States from Ireland, his native country, when he was fifteen years of age. He served in the United States navy in the Civil war and was a participant in the battles of Fort Fisher, Port Royal and fought under Admiral Farragut at New Orleans.
Edward Joseph O'Shea acquired his education in the public and Catholic schools of New York, and subsequently attended New York City College for two years. Desiring, however, to start upon an independent career and to make his beginning in a country which offered unlimited possibilities to a man of energy and ability, he came to Spokane in 1889. At first he was employed in the Fort Spokane Post Trading establishment for nine years, and during a part of this time acted also as postmaster. The trading post was closed about 1898, and Mr. O'Shea accepted a position as credit man for the McGowan Brothers Hardware Company. He was thus employed for three years before engaging in the gents-furnishing and tailor- ing business at 407 Riverside avenue with R. H. Wallace as partner. During the eight years in which he was interested in this enterprise he made the acquaintance of many of the prominent men of the husiness circles of Spokane and also won the respect and regard of all with whom he had dealings. After he disposed of this business he became secretary of the New World Life Insurance Company, and has since been thus engaged. He is one of the directors of the company and was associated with E. J. Cannon, Dr. H. B. Luhn and others as its organizers. He is also a director of the National Bank of Commerce.
In politics Mr. O'Shea is independent, having no sympathy with the machine rule which largely dominates the parties, but seeking rather to support men and
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principles. He holds membership in the Spokane Club and in the Spokane Amateur Athletic Club, of which he has been director and secretary for two years. He is fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, was deputy grand knight of Spokane Council, No. 683, and for three years district deputy for eastern Wash- ington. He also holds membership in Spokane Lodge No. 228, Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks, and in religious faith is affiliated with the Catholic church.
GARIBALDI ALBI.
America has given opportunities for successful careers to many energetic and ambitious Europeans who have come west with the determination to make the most of the advantages offered by a new and rapidly developing country. The natives of the northern countries of Europe bring with them the sturdy and thrifty in- dustrial habits of their representative nationalities, and by applying these traits in their undertakings in America win remarkable success. The sons of Italy however, find climatic conditions, labor ideals, living necessities and racial characteristics antithetical to those of southern Europe, and when they rise in the commercial and industrial world in the United States they do it by sheer force and strength of character and energy, and by a perseverance which is not only phenomenal but highly commendable. To this latter class belongs Garibaldi Albi, who is the owner of real estate in Spokane and who is acting as steamship agent and also managing a real-estate business at 220 Washington street. His birth occurred in Italy on the 14th of January, 1861, and he is a son of Joseph and Rose (Veeltri) Albi. The father's death occurred in 1902 and the mother is still living.
Garibaldi Albi received his education in Italy, but, with the exception of those for the wealthy, the educational advantages of Italy are limited. With his meager education as his only asset Mr. Albi set out to earn his own way in the world at the early age of ten years. He first went to Sicily where he worked for five years before going to Tunis, Africa, where he was employed for three years. In these countries where there is little room to rise both because of limited industrial activities and poor agricultural advantages, Mr. Albi realized that he must come to America if he would win the success which he desired. Consequently he left Europe and Africa and went direct to Denver, Colorado, where he resided for a while. During his residence in that city he was employed in railroad work, and subsequently fol- lowed the same line of work throughout the northwest, including Canada. He came to the Spokane country in 1889 and accepted employment in several lines of work until he engaged in the saloon business which he conducted until 1907. In that year he entered the real-estate business and has since been conducting this most profitable enterprise. He also has a steamship agency, and in that way has the op- portunity of being of much assistance to many Italians. So ably has he conducted his various undertakings and so thrifty have his habits been that he is at present the owner of a large and valuable brick building located at Front and Washington streets.
On December 24, 1892, at Senora, California, Mr. Albi was married to Miss Louise Ottobone, a daughter of Gerolimo and Maria Ottobone. To this union seven children were born: Joseph, who is studying law in Washington, D. C .; James,
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Theodore, Rose and Stella who are attending school in Spokane; and Loretta and Lenora. Mr. Albi has cast his vote with the republican party since he has been a naturalized citizen of this country, and he holds membership in the Roman Catho- lic church. He has never regretted his determination to come to America and be- cause of his adaptation to the life of this country he has been remarkably success- ful, and has thoroughly established himself in the business circles of Spokane.
ALGERON SIDNEY KING.
Algeron Sidney King, who holds the Spokane agency for the Otis Elevator Company and who is also extensively interested in mining propositions, was born in New York state, on the 3d of November, 1826, his parents being Earl Douglas and Mary (Bunnell) King, whose deaths occurred in 1870 and 1890 respectively. Of their children three survive: Algeron Sidney, the subject of this review; and two brothers who are two and four years younger respectively. In the war of 1812 the father served as a drummer boy and was a musician in a regimental band in the Civil war.
Algeron S. King was a student at the Canandaigua Academy at Canandaigua, New York, until twelve years of age and subsequently attended the Brockport Col- legiate Institute of Brockport, New York. When he had completed the courses of- fered in these institutions he started to learn the cabinet-maker's trade at seventeen years of age. He completed his training in this pursuit at Buffalo, New York, and later returned to Brockport, where he was actively engaged at his trade until he reached his twenty-fifth year. At that time he removed to Milford, Michigan, where he followed his trade for three years before going to Commerce, Michigan, and engaging in the foundry business for ten years. Subsequently he was located at Pontiac, Michigan, where he operated a foundry for twenty-three years. At that time he came to Spokane and in this city he was one of the active promoters of the iron industry. He was one of the founders of the Union Iron Works and for three years was prominently identified with that company. During the next three years he had a short period of rest but later took up the pattern-making trade, which he followed a short period before becoming the Spokane agent for the Moline Elevator Company. Subsequently this company was taken over by the Otis Elevator Com- pany and Mr. King has since acted as their agent. In addition to these business operations which he conducts at his office in the Paulsen building he is also inter- ested in the United Copper Mining Company and the Surprise Mining Company, and he is one of the owners of the Ajax block of prospects near Murray, Idaho, and is a director of the Horn Silver Mining Company, which is located in the Okanogan country.
Mr. King was married to Miss Eliza Jones at Brockport, New York, in June, 1857. To their union three children were born, Fred B., Edward D. and Eliza, the last named passing away in 1907. Mrs. King's death occurred in 1863. In June, 1864, Mr. King was married at Commerce, Michigan, to Eliza Hungerford, and to their union one child was born, Mary, whose death occurred in 1892. Mrs. King died in 1876 and Mr. King was married in August, 1877, his third union being with Miss Elizabeth Shay, whose death occurred in 1896.
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Mr. King gives his support to the republican party and he has been very active in the political circles of the various cities in which he has resided. He served as alderman at Pontiac, Michigan, for four years and was also a member of the school board for four years and president of the Chamber of Commerce for three years. He is a member of the blue lodge of the Masonic order. He is a most capable agent and the Otis Elevator Company value his services and consider him one of their prominent western employes. His courtesy and geniality win him many friends in business circles and are among his valuable assets in his various under- takings. His conscientious attention to his duties and his business ability have placed him in the foremost ranks among the active citizens who are interested in the commercial growth of Spokane.
J. CHARLES H. REYNOLDS.
J. Charles H. Reynolds, right-of-way tax and claim agent for the Idaho & Wash- ington Northern Railroad, has been a resident of Spirit Lake since the town was founded, during which time he has figured prominently in the development and organization of the municipal government. He was born in Knoxville, Illinois, on the 27th of May, 1866, being a son of John C. and Ellen (Hansford) Reynolds. The maternal grandfather, Dr. Hansford, was one of the early settlers of Fort Dearborn, now Chicago, Illinois, and one of its first judges.
Reared amid the environments of a good home, J. Charles H. Reynolds obtained his preliminary education in the common schools, subsequently pursuing a course in higher mathematics at Knox College. He became self-supporting at the age of sixteen years when he accepted a clerkship in a wholesale and retail paint, oil and glass store in Galesburg, Illinois. Four years later he resigned this position to become general material agent in the construction department of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, covering the territory from Chetopa, Kansas, to Pueblo, Colorado, for two years. In the summer of 1888 he became identified with the Winfield Mortgage & Trust Company of Winfield, Kansas, where he early gave evi- dence of being more capable than the average young men filling similar positions. His varied experience had made him resourceful, while the responsibility connected with his railroad position had developed his initiative and executive ability, so when the firm decided to open a western branch in Spokane, Washington, they selected Mr. Reynolds as the one best qualified for the management of their new office. He removed to Spokane in January, 1889, continuing with this firm and other mortgage companies until the summer of 1906, when he was employed by the Washington state railroad commission as an expert to appraise the rights-of-way of all of the railroads operating in the state. This was an entirely new department at that time, the state of Washington being one of the first to make a complete appraisement of the valuation of the property of the railroad companies. He retained this position until March, 1907, when he became right-of-way tax and claim agent for the Idaho & Washington Northern Railroad, with headquarters at Spirit Lake, and here he has ever since been located.
Mr. Reynolds was married at Spokane, Washington, on October 27, 1889, to Miss Eleanor Randall, a resident of that city, and they have become the parents of
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two children: Roger R. Reynolds, who was born in 1890; and Dorothy E., whose birth occurred in 1892.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are members of the Episcopal church, and he also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with Spirit Lake Lodge, No. 57, A. F. & A. M., of which he is worshipful master. His connection with orders of a more purely social nature is confined to his membership in the Inland and Athletic Clubs, both of Spokane. A man who never shirks his civic duties or responsibilities, upon his arrival here Mr. Reynolds quickly recognized and assumed his share of the obligations in organizing the municipality. He organized the first school board in the town and was a member of the same during the years 1908 and 1909, when he became chairman of the board of trustees of Spirit Lake, holding this office during 1909 and 1910. Capable and resourceful, his executive ability and powers of or- ganization have made him a most valuable acquisition in the development of the town, in the interests of which he has worked tirelessly.
CHARLES F. WIKSTROM.
Charles F. Wikstrom, who is president and treasurer of the Mckinley Mining Company, which he incorporated, and whose offices are in the Realty building, was born in Sweden, on the 9th of July, 1868, his parents being John M. and Anna (Ulrichson) Wikstrom, whose deaths occurred in 1881 and 1896 respectively. The father was a minister in his native country and stood very high in his profession.
Charles F. Wikstrom received his education in the public schools of his native country and after finishing his studies came to the United States, locating first at St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, where he was in the employ of his uncle, who was a railroad contractor. He remained in that city for two years before removing to Cloquet, Minnesota, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for four years. Later he settled in Superior, Wisconsin, where he held a clerical position with a mercantile firm for four years before he started an independent store at Allouez, Wisconsin. He became one of the prominent citizens of that town and was its first postmaster. After remaining there seven years he came to Spokane, where he has since resided. His first employment in this city was with Greenough Brothers, whose assistant manager he subsequently became. Later he was associated with two produce honses as salesman and on the 26th of October, 1908, he in- corporated the Mckinley Mining Company. He has since been engaged in mining operations. He gained his first insight into the details of the mining business during the first few years of his residence in Spokane, during which time he dealt somewhat in mining, and because of the successful outcome of these ventures he decided to enter that pursuit permanently. He is now president and treasurer of the company, which is capitalized at one million dollars. Up to this time there has been a con- siderable amount of development work done on the property and they have drilled down four hundred and seventy feet. They have all the necessary equipment for modern mining operations and it will doubtlessly prove that this mine is one of the most valuable in the northwest. He is also interested in a coal mine at Lost Spring, Wyoming.
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Mr. Wikstrom gives his political support to the republican party and in religious faith is affiliated with the Lutheran church. He holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, the United Order of Foresters and the Scandinavian Brother- hood of America. The western part of this country has given opportunity for suc- cess and advancement to many Scandinavians who have come here in search of the the opportunities which are seldom met with in their native country. They have brought with them the sterling traits of the Scandinavian race-thrift, industry, reliability and the capacity for hard work, all of which are among the necessary qualities for success. Among the citizens of Spokane who were born in Sweden Charles F. Wikstrom stands out prominently as one of the most progressive, ener- getic and successful.
ARTHUR G. ELSTON.
Although Arthur G. Elston is now giving his undivided attention to the prac- tice of general law in Spokane, he has seen active military service as a volunteer in the Spanish-American war and has been honored with positions of importance by the United States government, which he faithfully served. He is a young man to have accomplished so much, his birth having occurred in Waterloo, Canada, February 26, 1873. His father, Robert Elston, was born in Cornwall, England, and was an attorney. Following his arrival in the new world he was employed by the city of Waterloo and served as prosecuting attorney there for a number of years before the birth of his son Arthur. Later he acted in an advisory capacity for the city but died in 1879. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mar- garet Brown, was born in Lachine, Canada, and is now living in Spokane. She is of Scotch English descent and is a cousin of the Hendersons, prominent ship builders of Nova Scotia. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Elston were parents of the fol- lowing named: William R., an employe of the Inland Empire Railroad Com- pany; John D., a baker of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Jane, the wife of John Richardson, of Boissevain, Canada.
The fourth member of the family is Arthur G. Elston, who pursued his edu- cation in the city schools of Montreal to the age of eight years and afterward in the common schools of Milton, North Dakota, to which place his parents had removed. Subsequently he entered the University of North Dakota, and after- ward attended Georgetown University in Washington, D. C., from which he was graduated with the LL. D. degree in 1906. For seven years he engaged in teach- ing school in North Dakota before he took his law degree and was also employed by the Deering Harvester Company as sales agent and collector. But all business and personal interests were put aside when his country became involved in war. His patriotic spirit was aroused by the attitude of Spain in relation to the United States and following the declaration of war he enlisted on the 18th of April, 1898, in Company C of the North Dakota Volunteers. He went to the Philippines and was discharged September 30, 1899, when he was mustered out with his regi- ment. He saw much active service and was credited with thirty-six skirmishes and engagements. He was very fortunate in that he was never wounded, receiv- ing not even a scratch. While in the Philippines the headquarters of the regi-
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