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 7
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HON. WILLIAM H. PLUMMER.
Whatever else may be said of the legal fraternity it cannot be denied that mem- bers of the bar have been more prominent actors in public affairs than any other class of the community. This is but a natural result of causes which are manifest and require no explanation. The ability and training which qualify one to practice law also qualify him in many respects for duties which lie outside the strict path of his profession and which touch the best interests of society. Holding a position of precedence among the members of the bar of Spokane, William H. Plummer has also been prominent in political circles in the state and has served as a member of the Washington senate.
His birth occurred in New England, for he is a native of Westboro, Massachu- setts, born August 19, 1870. His parents were John D. and Sarah Plummer, the father a shoe manufacturer at Westboro, in which city the son spent his boyhood and youth. His early education was supplemented by a course in the State Normal school at Cortland, New York, and Cornell University, and he made preparation for the bar as a student in the law office of Warren & Kellogg, of Cortland. He has resided west of the Mississippi since 1888, in which year he settled at Albu- querque, New Mexico, and was later admitted to the bar there. He had not yet found the location which he sought, however, and in 1889 he came to the northwest, establishing his home in. Colfax, Whitman county, Washington, where he opened an
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office for the general practice of law, which he followed in that city and in Farm- ington for three years. In the spring of 1892 he came to Spokane and feels that he has no desire to make another change of residence, for here he has found business opportunities which he sought, and the proof of his ability as a lawyer is seen in the large and growing clientage accorded him. In 1895 he became corporation counsel for the city and filled that position for two years. In 1896 he was elected to represent his district in the state senate as a candidate of the silver party and served for four years in the upper house of the general assembly, during which pe- riod he was elected president pro tem to preside over the senate, and also pre- sided over the joint session of the house and senate. He was likewise chairman of the judiciary committee of the senate and in that as in other connections he did important work for the state. In politics he is a republican, well versed in the ques- tions and issues of the day, and his advocacy of the party has been an element in its growth and success.
On the 3d of November, 1909, Mr. Plummer was married to Miss Verna L. Charest, a daughter of Dumas and Idell Charest, of Phillipsburg, Montana. He has attained high rank in Masonry, having taken the thirty-second degree of the Scot- tish Rite, and he also belongs to El Katif Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has likewise membership connections with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Spokane Club. He is now concen- trating his energies upon his profession and while undoubtedly he is not without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, he regards the pursuits of private life as being in themselves abun- dantly worthy of his best efforts and he gives to his clients the benefit of marked talent, broad learning and unwearied industry.
LOUIS G. KELLER.
The beneficial effect of a sound education when it is backed by a worthy ambition is clearly illustrated in the lives of many of the most successful men of America. A younger generation is now coming upon the stage and it is the opinion of competent authorities that as time passes these young men will be able to give a good account of their stewardship. In the class designated is Louis G. Keller, who is now en- gaged in the hardware business at Colville. He was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, Sep- tember 5, 1881, a son of Louis E. and Louisa (Brunswick) Keller. The mother died in 1889, but the father is still living and has reached the age of fifty-seven years. There is fighting blood in the family, as is indicated by the fact that the grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Mexican war.
Louis G. Keller received his preliminary education in the public schools of his native city and later entered Woodward high school, from which he was graduated in 1900. In July of the same year Mr. Keller came to Spokane, Washington, and a short time afterward went to the Big Ben country, where he was employed for a year in a general mercantile store owned by his uncle. He attended the University of Colorado for one year and at the end of that time returned to the Big Ben coun- try and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. After two more years of attendance at the University of Colorado he was graduated, receiving the degree
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of LL. B. in 1905, and in the same year he was admitted to the bar of Colorado. However, he believed that eastern Washington presented superior advantages and he engaged in the real-estate business at Spokane for one year, at the same time recuperating his health. He spent a year in the Big Ben country and in 1907 lo- cated at Colville and associated in the hardware business with a Mr. Stannus, under the firm title of the Stannus Keller Hardware Company. The members of the firm are energetic and competent and the patronage has increased from year to year, the business now being one of the most flourishing of the kind in the country. Mr. Keller in addition to his investment in the store is the owner of ten acres of land near Colville and one hundred and sixty acres in the Big Ben country.
Politically he has ever since he reached manhood supported the republican party and in 1910 was a member of the republican county central committee. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, and he is also a member of the Phi Delta Theta college fraternity. He takes great interest in the promotion of all movements for advancing the welfare of the com- munity and is a valued member of the Colville Chamber of Commerce, of which he was president in 1910. While attending school he was a cadet and in his senior year was elected captain, which is considered the highest honor that can be be- stowed upon any pupil in that institution. Judging by what he has accomplished, the confidence of his young companions was not misplaced and Mr. Keller can ap- parently look forward to a constantly widening field of endeavor. From the outset of his active business life he has steadily progressed and the high esteem in which he is held by the people of this section is convincing evidence of his personal worth.
ALBERT LAURANCE FLEWELLING.
Albert Laurance Flewelling was born in a log house on a small farm near the town of Hanover, Michigan, October 26, 1861. His father, Abram P. Flewelling, was of sturdy Welsh stock, tracing his ancestry back to the last king of Wales. His mother, whose maiden name was Rosana Sprague, was of Scotch-Irish parentage dating back to the early settlement of America before the Revolution.
The early life of A. L. Flewelling was spent on a farm near Lansing, Michigan. He was educated in the public schools, and at an early age he began school teaching. At the same time he began reading law, spending his vacations and spare time in a law office. Hc was admitted to the bar in open court in the month of November, 1886, and the next spring he began the active practice of law at Crystal Falls, Michigan, in the heart of the great Lake Superior iron district. During his early practice he became identified with a number of the strongest mining companies of the district and later was associated with Corrigan-Mckinney & Company of Cleve- land, Ohio, who at that time were the largest independent producers of iron ore in America, and for fifteen years immediately preceding the year 1906 he was General Counsel for that concern and acquired for himself through training he received by reason of his affiliations a large amount of mineral lands in Michigan, which he still owns.
In March, 1906, Mr. Flewelling came to Spokane as general manager of the Monarch Timber Company of Idaho and the Continental Timber Company of
A. L. FLEWELLING
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Washington and purchased the home which he now occupies at 2120 Riverside ave- nue. Under his management these companies purchased very large tracts of tim- ber land in the Panhandle of Idaho and in northwestern Washington and when the holdings of these companies were purchased by the Milwaukee Land Company Mr. Flewelling became and still is the vice president and general manager of the last named company, with its principal western office in the Old National Bank Build- ing in Spokane.
Mr. Flewelling is a republican in politics and a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Spokane Club and the Spokane Country Club and also the Ranier Club and the Arctic Club of Seattle. He is director in the Spokane & Eastern Trust Company and the Union Trust & Savings Bank of Spokane.
On May 10, 1887, Mr. Flewelling was married to Lottie A. Weatherwax, who is also an attorney, and for many years was associated with her husband in active legal work. They have only one child, a daughter, born in 1888, Eethel F. Sander- son, wife of C. B. Sanderson, now living in Spokane.
BYRON N. WHITE.
A glance at the history of past centuries will indicate at once what would be the condition of the world if the mining interests no longer had a part in the indus- trial and commercial life. Only a few centuries ago agriculture was almost the only occupation of man. A landed proprietor surrounded himself with his tenants and his serfs, who tilled his broad fields, while he reaped the reward of their labors; but when the rich mineral resources of the world were placed upon the market, in- dustry found its way into new and broader fields, minerals were used in the pro- duction of hundreds of inventions and business conditions were revolutionized. When considering these facts we can in a measure determine the value bestowed upon man- kind by the mining industry. Byron N. White. is numbered among those who are connected with the development of the rich mineral resources of the northwest. He was born in Ontario, Canada, June 7, 1851, a son of John M. and Elizabeth White, who removed to northern Michigan when their son Byron was about three years of age. The father there engaged in mining and other business enterprises. He was a millwright by trade and also built concentrators.
His son, Byron N. White, attended such schools as the district afforded and at the age of thirteen years began work in the mines. In 1870 Mr. White was engaged in mining in Colorado placer gold mines, and remained for a year. He became with Mr. Angus Smith, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, interested in the opening and one of the owners of the Aragon mine, an iron-bearing property on the Menominee range, and was manager of the company for about two years. He next opened and developed the Smith mine on the Crystal Falls range, which was also an iron-bearing property and was owned by Angus Smith. Mr. White continued his operations on the copper and iron range and was very successful. In the winter of 1891 he came west to spend the winter months on the coast and escape the severe climate of northern Michigan. With a mind appreciative of every opportunity, while looking around he became interested in the Slocan Star mine, located at Sandon, British Columbia, and with a syndicate purchased this property for the Byron N. White Company. Vnl 11-4
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He is the president and general manager of the company, and the results of their operations are too well known to need special comment or commendation. He is also president and general manager of the Yukon-Pueblo mines in Alaska, where he spends a part of his time. In Spokane he is one of the directors of the Exchange National Bank.
Mr. White is a member of all the different branches of Masonry, including the Mystic Shrine, and also belongs to the Spokane Amateur Athletic Club. He is now well known as one of the capitalists of the city whose operations in the mining districts of the west have been an element of public progress and prosperity as well as of individual success.
LAWRENCE L. LEWIS.
By dint of unremitting application, always bearing in mind the remote goal to which he was tending, Lawrence L. Lewis has patiently mounted the ladder round upon round until he stands today a recognized factor in western educational circles, and a prominent member of the Idaho bar. A native of Illinios, he was born in Marion, Williamson county, November 30, 1870, his parents being William T., and Anne Ary (Howell) Lewis. After the usual grammar and high-school education he attended Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, Indiana, and was graduated from that institution in 1894, receiving the degree of B. S. He then entered the teaching profession accepting the position of principal of the high school in his native town, and remained there one year, returning to Valparaiso University for post-graduate study, remaining until January 1, 1896. He then departed for the west, arriving in Heppner, Oregon, on April 13, 1896, and made his residence. in that locality dur- ing the summer of that year. Being elected to the position of superintendent of schools in Pendleton, Oregon, he removed thither, teaching school during the ensu- ing year. By this time Mr. Lewis had already established for himself the reputa- tion of being a progressive educator, well prepared for his work and energetic and determined in the execution of his duties, and was thereupon called to take the chair at the head of the science department in the Eastern Oregon State Normal school at Weston, Oregon. This position he filled with much credit to himself and to the permanent benefit of the school, since his liberal policy in the organization of the department of science and the thoroughly modern equipment which he was largely instrumental in securing, have advanced the reputation of the school in no small degrce.
From the time when he made his earliest plans in regard to the future Mr. Lewis had in mind ultimately to enter the law as his profession, and being at length prepared to gratify his desire, he left Weston, Oregon, and entered the law school of the University of Michigan in the fall of 1899, receiving his degree of LL. B. in 1902. Hc then returned to the west where his services in the educational field were again needed, and in 1903 he founded the high school at Canyon City, Grant county, Oregon, teaching there during the years 1903-4 and 1904-5. He holds a life diploma as a teacher from the state of Oregon, and is vitally interested in the problems of modern education and the development of the school system in the state of his adoption. In February, 1906, he took up the practice of law, beginning
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his career in Baker City, Oregon. On July 8th, of the same year, he came to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where he opened a law office and established a practice which has been steadily increasing in scope and importance. In 1907 he was appointed by United States District Judge Frank S. Dietrich the referee in bankruptcy for the county of Kootenai, state of Idaho. Mr. Lewis, who is a member of the bar of the supreme courts of Michigan, Oregon and Idaho, and also of the United States courts, has built up his reputation in the law by his conscientions regard for the ethics of his profession quite as much as by his excellent handling of the cases entrusted to him and his vigilance in safeguarding the interests of his clients.
In his political views Mr. Lewis is a conservative, being a republican of the old school, and in fraternal circles he is connected with the Masonic order, holding membership in Weston Lodge No. 65, F. & A. M., Weston, Oregon, and Blue Moun- tain Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M., of Canyon City, Oregon. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows through Weston Lodge No. 58. As one of the prominent residents of Coeur d'Alene he takes an active interest in the civic welfare of his community and also in the advancement of its commercial growth, supporting financially and with his encouragement every measure that will con- tribute to the public good.
DON F. KIZER.
In the eight years of his connection with the bar Don F. Kizer has made substan- tial progress and is now practicing as partner of the firm of Pngh & Kizer. He is vet a young man but the position which he has attained as a member of the legal fraternity might well be envied by many an older practitioner. He was born at Paris, Ohio, August 28, 1880, a son of Frank and Mary Kizer of that city, who in the year 1890 brought their family to Spokane. The father became prominent as a leader in the republican party here and served as city commissioner under Mayor Powell, filling the office from 1892 until 1894 inclusive. His death occurred in Spokane in 1900.
At the usual age Don F. Kizer had begun his education in the public schools of Ohio and following the removal to Spokane continued his studies here until he entered upon preparation for the bar as a student in the State University of Michi- gan at Ann Arbor. He was graduated with the class of 1904 and the same year was admitted to practice in the courts of Washington. Soon afterward he was appointed deputy prosecuting attorney under R. M. Barnhart and served as chief deputy under F. C. Pugh, retiring from the office on the 31st of December, 1910. On the following day he entered into partnership relations with Mr. Pugh in forming the present firm of Pugh & Kizer, and they have already gained a clientage that places them in a satisfactory position among the representatives of the Spokane bar. Mr. Kizer is also the vice president of the Armstrong Machinery Company, manufactur- ers of ice machines and refrigerating machinery, one of the largest plants west of the Mississippi river.
On the 12th of October, 1905, occurred the marriage of Mr. Kizer and Miss May Edith Armstrong, a daughter of the late Major James M. and Lida B. Armstrong, of this city. They now have one child, Edith, born April 12, 1907. Mr. Kizer is
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not a club man nor is he associated with fraternities. He votes with the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but otherwise concentrates his energies upon his professional duties and is most devoted to the in- terests of his clients. He spares no labor in the preparation of his case and enters the court well fortified for defense as well as attack.
GILBERT B. IDE.
One of the most active and useful citizens of Colville is Gilbert B. Ide, whose name introduces this sketch. This position he has earned by his untiring interest in promoting the growth of his adopted town and his willingness at all times to as- sist in advancing the welfare of his county and state. Few men in eastern Wash- ington have been as successful in attracting the attention to the advantages of this portion of the state as a place of residence or business. He was born in Marquette county, Wisconsin, January 27, 1856, a son of Frederick and Atlanta (Glover) Ide. The parents were pioneers of Wisconsin, arriving in that state from Massachusetts and Vermont respectively. One of their sons gave his life in defense of the Union at the time of the Civil war, being a member of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infan- try. The father died in 1898 and the mother passed away four years later.
Gilbert B. Ide received his early education in the public schools of his native state and subsequently attended Durand Academy in Pepin county for two years. He assisted his father on the home farm until twenty-three years of age and then, in 1880, emigrated to this state. For one year he engaged in farming in the Palouse country and then took up his residence in Spokane, where he was identified with the livery business. In 1885 he came to Colville and built the Columbia livery stable, which he conducted for one year. The following year he was elected sheriff of Stevens county and was reelected two years later, serving for two terms to the general satisfaction of the people regardless of their political affiliations. He also was ex-officio assessor of the county form 1888 to 1890. In 1893 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Colville and at intervals until 1899 gave his attention to farming. He opened the Colville Hotel in 1892 but was forced to close his place in 1893, at the time of the panic. In 1899 he entered the real-estate busi- ness with his father-in-law, Jacob Stitzel, and has ever since been closely identified with this line, displaying judgment and discrimination which have met with merited recompense.
On the 30th of January, 1889, Mr. Ide was married to Mrs. Kathrine (Stitzel) Backus, and to this union six children have been born, namely, Marjorie, Mary, Jessie, Martha, Fred and Lilian. The father of Mrs. Ide is now deceased. He was a prominent member of the community and at the time of his death was United States land commissioner. This office is now filled by Mrs. Ide.
Politically Mr. Ide gives his support to the republican party, of which he is an earnest advocate. He filled the office of chairman of the republican county central committee from 1888 to 1890 and in 1889 was a delegate to the republican state convention at Tacoma. He has also attended several county conventions in a simi- lar capacity and has at all times shown the interest of a patriotic citizen in the elec- tion of competent men to office. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order,
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being past master of Colville lodge, and he also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. He is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and is first vice president of the Federation of Commercial Clubs of Stevens county. He was instru- mental in the establishment of the county fair grounds and was manager of the county fairs for ten years, until 1910, when he resigned. He was also commissioner from Stevens county for the Alaska-Yukon Exposition and was superintendent of exhibits for the county during the period of the exposition, accomplishing much good in securing settlers for this region. He has met with deserved success in his business and, as he possesses a genial and companionable nature and has been faithful in the discharge of every duty, either public or private, it may be truly said of him that he represents the substantial citizenship of Stevens county.
ALBERT VICTOR CHAMBERLIN.
Albert Victor Chamberlin was the founder of the American Trust Company of Coeur d'Alene, of which he has been secretary and treasurer and also manager ever since its organization. To Mr. Chamberlin likewise belongs the distinction of being the first man to come into the town with outside money, for the purpose of reviving and stimulating the commercial and industrial interests of the community.
A native of Ohio, his birth occurred in the city of Cleveland on July 15, 1871, his parents being Anson Bartlett and Martha Melissa ( Bishop) Chamberlin. The father was for many years in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, having been ticket agent at Milwaukee for over forty years, but he is now living retired. In the maternal line, Albert V. Chamberlin traces his ancestry back to Oliver Cromwell, his grandfather, one of Ohio's pioneers, being a direct de- scendant of the founder of the British commonwealth.
In the acquirement of his education Albert Victor Chamberlin attended the common schools, completing his course in the high schools of Milwaukee and Min- neapolic. Feeling that he was qualified to commence the heavier responsibilities of life, at the age of seventeen years he laid aside his text-books and began his business career. His first position was in a bank in Minneapolis, where for eighteen months he discharged the duties of a clerk with efficiency and intelligence. He subsequently become bookkeeper and accountant for a railroad company in Milwau- kee, withdrawing to take the position of sales manager for a lumber company in northern Michigan. In 1893 he decided to see what the western coast offered to a man of his capabilities and located at Seaitle, where he remained for two years. At the expiration of that time he returned to the middle west, remaining there until 1899. In the latter year he came to Coeur d'Alene and organized the Gun- derson & Chamberlin Lumber Company, purchasing the McFarland sawmill. A few months later he disposed of the enterprise to the Coeur d'Alene Lumber Com- pany, whose plant is now located on the site of the old McFarland mill. Mr. Chamberlin then turned his attention to the real-estate and insurance business. which proved to be very remunerative, and in 1906 organized the American Trust Company, ever since devoting the greater part of his energies to its its development. He still has some valuable property interests in the state and he also owns some timber lands in Oregon. When the Exchange National Bank of this city was or-
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