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 70
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A. G. ELSTON
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ment were at Manila. Mr. Elston took part in the Santa Cruz expedition, in the Laguna Bay expedition, in the Morong campaign and in the San Fernando ex- pedition, all under the personal supervision of General Lawton, and his company was badly cut up at the battle of Paete. Following his return from the Philip- pines he was quartermaster sergeant in the National Guard of North Dakota but resigned in 1905.
On his return to Grafton, North Dakota, Mr. Elston entered the employ of the government as law clerk in the department of the interior and finally reached the position of assistant chief of the division of lands in the Indian office. In 1908 he was appointed special agent of the general land office and served for one year, after which he was appointed assistant superintendent in the opening of Indian reservations. He assisted in the opening of the Coeur d'Alene, Flathead and Spokane reservations but resigned his position in the government service on the 23d of August, 1908, to enter upon the practice of law in Spokane. He has always been alone in his profession, continuing in general practice and also do- ing considerable corporation work. He is likewise interested in a mining com- pany in the Coeur d'Alene district and is engaged in developing the properties.
On the 17th of June, 1903, in Fargo, North Dakota, Mr. Elston was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Eaton, a daughter of Mary Eaton, of Stillwater, Minne- sota, whose father was a Civil war veteran of English descent. They have become parents of three children: Vernon, Helene and Vivian. Mr. Elston's fraternal relations have brought him a wide and favorable acquaintance. He is a Mason, belonging to Spokane Lodge, No. 34. He also holds membership with the In- dependent Order of Foresters, the United Commercial Travelers and the Spanish- American War Veterans. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as a delegate to county and state conventions both in North Dakota and in Washington. His position is never an equivocal one. He stands firmly in support of whatever he believes to be right and his course is character- ized by devotion to duty when in office and by loyalty to the interests of his clients in the practice of law.
H. J. FARNEY.
H. J. Farney, who is engaged in the contracting business, with offices on East Montgomery avenue, was born in Cheboygan, Michigan, on the 22d of April, 1882. a son of Dennis and Anna (Murtaugh) Farney, the latter of whom died in 1906.
H. J. Farney received his early education in the public schools of Cheybogan, Michigan, and at the age of fifteen years started to earn his own livelihood at Aslı- land, Wisconsin, accepting employment with a bridge construction firm at that place. He was there for one year before he came west, locating first in Portland, Oregon, where he worked for two years before going to Salt Lake City, Utah, and remain- ing there five months while he was employed on the big cut-off. After this work was finished he traveled through the Pacific west and accepted employment in various places until 1907, when he located permanently in Spokane, where he has since followed contracting and building. That he has been most successful in his undertakings is attested by the successful construction work which is found on the Vol. II-33
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Realty building, the Pacific Telephone building, the bridge at Pullman, Washing- ton, and one of the buildings of Gonzaga College. He also put in the steel work on the Spokane Bridge, which is three hundred and sixty-six feet long, the center span being two hundred and sixteen feet and the two end ones seventy-five each. He be- longs to that large and representative class of American citizens who started in at an early age and learned a trade by experience, working hard and availing themselves of every opportunity that presented itself, to study and gain advancement. His record shows what may be accomplished when energy, effort, persistency and per- severance are intelligently directed.
On the 17th of November, 1909, Mr. Farney was married to Miss Nellie Dona- hue, a daughter of James and Mary (Ryan) Donahue. To their union one child, Oliver, has been born. In politics Mr. Farney retains an independent attitude, preferring to cast his vote for the man or principle rather than according to party dictates. His fraternal associations are with the Knights of Columbus. In what- ever he undertakes he is actuated thereto by an earnest desire to promote the wel- fare of others as well as that of himself, and his influence is always found on the side of right and justice.
WILSON S. SWAIN.
Wilson S. Swain, who is president and manager of the Swain Detective Agency whose offices are located in the Empire State building, was born in Princeton, Illi- nois, on the 31st of March, 1856, his parents being William T. and Martha E. (Simmons) Swain. The father was a member of the Twelfth Illinois Regiment in the Civil war and was killed in the battle of Shiloh. The mother's death occurred in 1906. Mr. Swain acquired his education in the Illinois Soldiers' College with which he was connected until eighteen years of age. At that time he entered the employ of the government at Chicago as a register clerk in the postoffice depart- ment, and for three years he ably filled that position. Subsequently he removed to Central City, Colorado, and for ten years was engaged in mining interests, the last three of which he was also collector of internal revenue. He resigned that position to become captain of police and chief of detectives in Denver. For two years he was thus engaged before entering the Thiel detective service with which he was connected for twenty-four years. During this time he did detective service in all parts of the United States and became well known for his fearlessness and daring in detecting criminals and placing them in the hands of the law. In 1899 he came to Spokane as representative of the Thiel Detective Agency and served in that capacity until two years ago when he formed the Swain Detective Agency of which he is the owner and which is frequently employed when such service is required in this city. In addition to his vocation he is also interested in mining properties in this section of the country and is the owner of considerable valuable agricultural land.
In June, 1876. Mr. Swain was married to Miss Alice Dunn, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William F. Dunn, of Princeton, Illinois. To them two children have been born: Ethel, who is married to Arthur Linville, of Oakesdale, Washington; and Clara L., who is a stenographer and cashier for the Swain Detective Agency.
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Mr. Swain gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and holds membership in the Inland Club and the Spokane Amateur Athletic Club. Fra- ternally he is a Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, belonging to the Red Cross Lodge of Spokane, and of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Since he has taken up his residence in this city he has made many friends and has won many stanchi admirers among those with whom he comes in contact in both business and social relations.
FRED P. JOHNSON.
Fred P. Johnson, who is paying teller of the Scandinavian American Bank, was born in Bismark, North Dakota, on the 1st of January, 1884, his parents being Peter P. and Matilda (Beck) Johnson, both of whom are now residing in Spokane.
In his native city Fred P. Johnson received his education in the public schools and subsequently was a student in the high school for two years. At the age of fourteen, however, he began earning his own livelihood and started to work for his father in railroad construction work, serving in the capacity of timekeeper. He remained thus employed from 1899 until 1907, covering the territories of Wash- ington, Oregon and Idaho. During this time his headquarters were located in Spokane and in 1900 he pursued a course of study in the Spokane Business Col- lege. After severing his connections with the railroad he sailed for Europe and spent some time in traveling on the continent. Returning again to Spokane, he secured a position in the Scandinavian American Bank as savings teller and during the year of 1908 worked his way upward to that of paying teller, a position which he now holds. He has shown marked financial ability and because of his industry, his integrity and his mathematical accuracy he is proving a valued employe and stands high in the confidence and regard of the officials of the bank.
In politics Mr. Johnson is a republican and in religious faith holds membership in the Swedish Lutheran church. He is also a member of the Scandinavian Brother- hood of America and of the American Institute of Banking. He is making a care- ful study of the principles of banking and his keen interest in that subject led him to compete for a prize which was offered by the Washington Bankers Association for the best essay on the question of The Central Bank as a Factor in a Financial Crisis. His able discussion of the subject won him the first prize and also promoted his standing in banking circles. Mr. Johnson is unmarried and makes his home with his parents at 01325 Lincoln street.
SMITH ELY.
Smith Ely, a representative of real-estate interests, in which connection he has developed an extensive business, was born in Carrollton, Carroll county, Missouri, on the 11th of August, 1850. He is a son of L. B. Smith and Martha (Herndon) Ely, whose deaths occurred in 1897 and 1861 respectively. The father was a promi- nent citizen in Missouri and was connected with the William Jewell Baptist College of Missouri.
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Mr. Ely acquired his education at Williamson College, Liberty, Missouri, which he attended four years. Immediately upon having finished this course he engaged in the mercantile business at Carrollton until 1880. Subsequently he was similarly identified at Rich Hill, Missouri, until 1886 and for a few years following was en- gaged in the wholesale shoe business in St. Louis. In 1890, however, he disposed of this business and removed to Spokane, where he has since been engaged in the real-estate and loan business. He is well known as a most correct valuator of property and as a promoter of real-estate operations which have proven important and valuable factors in the city's growth.
On the 19th of November, 1874, Mr. Ely was married in St. Louis to Miss Josephine Gillispie, a daughter of David and Mary (Tyree) Gillispie. To this union three children have been born: Smith Jr., who is associated in business with his father; and Martha and Gillispie, both of whom are deceased. Politically Mr. Ely is a democrat, and in religious faith a Baptist, holding membership in the Grace Baptist church. He has been a member of the Baptist Mission Board of North Idaho and East Washington for twenty-one years, and for twenty years has ably served as its president.
OSCAR RAYMOND HOLCOMB.
A worthy representative of the legal profession of Ritzville, who has been more or less prominently identified with public life ever since he located here in 1896, is Oscar Raymond Holcomb, for the past three years judge of the superior court. He is a native of Indiana, his birth occurring in Gibson county on the 31st of December, 1867, and a son of Silas Mercer and Mary Ann (Hopkins) Holcomb, both mem- bers of Indiana pioneer families. The father went to the front as an officer of the Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the rebellion. He had the mis- fortune to be wounded at both the second battle of Bull Run and Antietam and was subsequently discharged because of his injuries. When entirely recovered he re- sumed the duties of civil life as a member of the bar, engaging in the practice of law in Indiana until his death on the 6th of June, 1906.
Reared at home, Oscar Raymond Holcomb obtained his early education in the public schools and subsequently attended the Southwestern Indiana Normal School. Having decided to adopt his father's profession for his life vocation he then matric- ulated in the Chicago College of Law in that city, being awarded the degree of LL. B. in 1892. After his admission to the Indiana bar he located at Evansville, that state, and established an office that he maintained until February, 1894. Be- lieving that the west afforded better opportunities and greater advantages for enter- prising and ambitious professional men, in the latter year he came to Ritzville and opened an office. He was quickly recognized as a man of unusual ability and soon had built up a good clientage, that steadily increased during the period of his pri- vate practice. In 1895 he was elected prosecuting attorney and at the expiration of his term two years later was reelected, but he resigned this office in 1898, in order to assume the duties of commissioner of arid lands for the state of Washington, to which he had been appointed by Governor J. R. Rogers. He served in this capacity until 1899, when he again turned his entire attention to his private practice. This
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engaged the greater part of his time until November, 1908, when he undertook the responsibile duties of judge of the superior court for Adams, Franklin and Benton counties, which he has discharged with rare efficiency. Judge Holcomb is unusually well qualified for the office he is now so capably filling, not only because of his thorough knowledge and understanding of all legal technicalities but largely owing to his keen perceptions, fine appreciation of the fundamental principles governing human actions and his rare sense of justice. His decisions are always characterized by a conservative yet logical and deliberate estimate of the law and the evidence, while in criminal cases the punishment stipulated is invariably justified and fully commensurate with the offense. Since he has been on the bench he has tried a large number of criminal as well as important civil cases, among the former being included eight murder cases.
On the 12th of June, 1894, Judge Holcomb was united in marriage to Miss Eva Staser, a daughter of Clinton Staser, at that time a resident of Indiana, where he had extensive realty holdings, but now living in Kennewick, Washington. Six chil- dren have been born to Judge and Mrs. Holcomb, Raymond, Maurice, Marjorie, Leland, Gladys and Maxine.
Judge Holcomb is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, having passed through all of the chairs of the local lodge. He is also a mem- ber of the orders of Knights of Pythias, and Modern Woodmen of America. His political support he gives to the democratic party in general, but votes very inde- pendently, and has always taken an active interest in municipal affairs. For six terms he represented his ward in the city council and in 1905 he was elected mayor but resigned from this office three years later in order to enter upon his judicial duties. Before going upon the bench he was extensively interested in various banking and business enterprises in Ritzville, the success of many of which can be attributed to his foresight and sagacity. During the long period of his residence here Judge Holcomb has been connected with practically every movement of any significance inaugurated for the development of the public utilities or to advance the community welfare, and yet he has always so conducted his efforts as to escape the aspersions that usually fall to the lot of men in prominent positions. His trans- actions have always been above question both in public and private life, and he is one of the highly esteemed and respected men not only of Ritzville but of the county.
BENJAMIN R. OSTRANDER.
Prominent among the men in business life in Spokane who have worked their way by the strength of personal merit and ability from stations of comparative ob- scurity to positions of note is Benjamin R. Ostrander, who is connected with the real-estate and loan business in Spokane. Mr. Ostrander has been interested in various mercantile and industrial concerns and with practically no means at the start has establshied himself in a business which requires both ability and capital for its successful management. His birth occurred in Ashtabula county, Ohio, on the 27th of November, 1843, his parents being B. R. and Hanna (Hebbard) Os- trander, both of whom are deceased, the mother having passed away in 1908.
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Benjamin R. Ostrander's early education was received in the public schools of Illinois. Leaving school at the age of eighteen years he entered Company H, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteers and served in the Civil war. At the time of his discharge he was an orderly sergeant. After his military duties were over he at- tended Lombard University at Galesburg, Illinois, for one year, and subsequently returned to Roseville, Illinois, where he accepted a position remaining for four years before becoming a partner in a mercantile business. He was interested in this concern for eleven years, and during that time gave it the greater part of his time and attention and his careful supervision. Subsequently he removed to Col- orado Springs, where for two years he was interested in the lumber business before going to Whitman county, Washington, in June, 1883, where, until 1894, he farmed and engaged in stock-raising. In agricultural pursuits he met with a good measure of success which was due to a large degree to his industry and careful study of the details of his undertakings. In 1894 he came to Spokane and since that time has been actively engaged in the real-estate business. He enjoys a large patronage, and because of his unwearying efforts and constant attention to business he has built up an enterprise which reflects great credit upon its originator.
On the 17th of November, 1870, Mr. Ostrander was married to Miss Olive Hoisington, a daughter of John and Josephine (Parks) Hoisington, of Warren county, Illinois. To them two children have been born, Max, who died in infancy, and Dwight, who married Miss Bertha Cadwell. In politics Mr. Ostrander is a republican and has been an active party member. He was a member of the first state legislature at Washington and served on the city council of Spokane for one term. In both these offices he fulfilled the duties which fell to his lot with efficiency and to the satisfaction of those who had placed their trust in him. He is a member of the Sedgwick Post of the G. A. R., and also holds membership in the Plymouth Congregational church. In business relations he holds to high ideals, socially he has won the respect and regard of his friends and acquaintances, and the efficiency of his work is bringing him a gratifying and constantly increasing patronage.
CHARLES M. DELAMETER.
The dream of an inland empire is fast becoming a reality through the efforts of men of progressive spirit and unfaltering courage and determination such as Charles M. Delameter. He was born in Potsdam, New York, October 25, 1870, one of a family of six children whose parents were James M. and Imogene (Shaw) Delameter. They, too, were natives of Potsdam and the mother is descended from ancestry represented in America prior to the Revolutionary war in which several members of her family took part. The genealogical line is traced back to France, where the name was originally spelled de Le Maitre. They were among the early French Huguenot families who left that country for England, removing later to New York. James M. Delameter was a farmer and at the time of the Civil war responded to the country's call for troops, and became a first sergeant in the Seventy- first New York Regiment of Volunteers. His death occurred in 1883, while his wife died in 1888. All of their five surviving children have settled in the northwest.
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After pursuing a course in the State Normal School in Potsdam, New York, Charles M. Delameter later became a student in the law office of Graves & Graves, attorneys of Spokane. His initial experience in the business world, however, came to him at a very early age. He was a youth of seventeen when he made his way westward to North Dakota and afterward to Montana, where he drove a stage and worked as a cowboy on the Diamond cattle ranch. He arrived in Spokane in 1894 and devoted some time to the study of law. In the meantime he had allied his inter- ests with those of the northwest through his investment in farm land in Idaho. He entered the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company in the special service department and was afterward advanced to the legal department, with which he remained until 1901, when he resigned and organized the claim department of the Graves Electric System, of which he took charge, remaining in that connection for five years. He resigned from the claim department in July, 1908, owing to the growing demands of his own law business. He had studied law at intervals through- out these years having begun when but sixteen years of age, and during his connec- tion with the Northern Pacific devoted his leisure hours to study. As previously stated, he became a student in the office of Graves & Graves of Spokane, who di- rected his reading for two years and in October, 1903, he was admitted to practice, since which time he has been actively connected with the work of the profession. In the early days of his connection with the bar he was appointed one of the at- torneys for the Travelers Insurance Company, which position he filled for seven years but resigned when he entered upon irrigation work. His practice has been largely in the field of corporation law and he is especially well known in connection with the legal phases of railway work. For five years he practiced in partnership with Bruce Blake under the firm style of Delameter & Blake but during the past four years has been alone.
The progressive citizen of the northwest, whatever else may be his business connections, usually becomes interested in projects for the development and improve- ment of this section of the country. He realizes the wonderful opportunities here for the upbuilding of a great inland empire and becomes imbued with the spirit that has made men accomplish big things on the Pacific coast. Here the history is but in the making and each day new chapters are written. Mr. Delameter, like other enterprising men who do not fear to venture where opportunity leads the way, has become connected with land and irrigation projects and is now president of the Little Spokane Land & Irrigation Company, which he organized, and of the Little Spokane Water Company, which was formed in May, 1910. This is strictly an irrigation power company and they have eleven hundred acres, twenty-two miles north of Spokane, on the Little Spokane river. They have developed two hundred and fifty horse power and pump from the river. They have now sufficient power for the irrigation of two thousand acres and have four hundred acres under cultiva- tion, on a part of which have been planted seven thousand trees which are now from one to four years old. Only a small part of this land is to be placed upon the market, the rest to be converted into a large dairy and fruit ranch. Within a year fifty thousand dollars have been invested in improvements and their efforts are con- stituting an important element in the growth and progress of this section. Their land lies in three level benches and is ideal for the purposes intended.
In addition to his interest in this project Mr. Delameter owns other adjoining lands and also property in Montana, Idaho and Spokane.
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On the 19th of March, 1903, Mr. Delameter was married to Mrs. Eleanor D. Griffitts, the widow of Thomas C. Griffitts, of Spokane, and a daughter of Charles A. Davis, of Au Sable Grove, Kendall county, Illinois. Mr. Delameter is a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. His initial connection with the order is with Spokane Lodge, No. 74, F. & A. M. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and in politics is a republican, active as a worker in party ranks in Spokane and serving at different times as a delegate to city conventions. He has never sought nor desired political office, however, preferring to concentrate his energies upon professional and business interests.
ALBERT J. LAUGHON.
Realizing at the outset of his career that all honorable success has its root in earnest endeavor and unfaltering perseverance, together with comprehensive knowledge that enables one to meet the needs of a specific business, Albert J. Laughon has ever so directed his efforts as to meet all three requirements and upon the foundation of natural and acquired ability, intelligently directed, he has builded his success, being now recognized as one of the foremost representa- tives of the bar of Washington. He was born in Texas, December 10, 1873. The family is of Scotch descent although long represented in America. An uncle of Albert J. Langhon is the Rev. W. A. Laughon, now a retired minister of Vir- ginia, where for many years he engaged in preaching as a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal conference of that state. John E. Laughon, the father of our subject, was born in the Old Dominion and is now living retired in Spokane. For many years he devoted his life to farming and during the period of the Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate army, serving under General Van Dorn and James C. Pemberton. He responded to the call of the south for troops at the beginning of hostilities and remained in active duty for a year, and then because of illness was honorably discharged, after which he went west to Nevada. By trade he was a carpenter and followed that pursuit in Virginia City, Nevada, when the Comstock mine excitement was at its height. From that city he went to San Francisco and by boat to New York. It was in July, 1880, that he ar- rived in Spokane county, where he followed the occupation of farming for a number of years, but is now living retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. At one time he took an active part in the politics of the county and has ever been in hearty sympathy with all movements and measures that promote public progress and improvement. He married Fannie A. (Flynn) Smith- son whose first husband had been killed in the war. She was born in Virginia and represented one of the old families of that state, her ancestors in both the paternal and maternal line having resided in this country from a period ante- dating the Revolution. The death of Mrs. Laughon occurred February 25, 1895, when she was sixty years of age. In the family were two sons, Albert J. and W. E. Laughon, the latter an engineer who was employed at the Bancroft School building for nine or ten years. The two half-sisters of our subject are: Katie, the widow of W. E. Pierce, a pioneer of the Spokane country, who was at one time owner of the Echo Mills and a business man of this city; and Mrs. Edward
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