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 82
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In politics Mr. Robinson is a democrat but is not strictly partisan. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, in which he has served as past chancellor and is also connected with the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan. He is likewise a member of the Inland Club, of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Presbyterian church-associations which indicate much of the nature of his in- terests and the rules which govern his conduct. No one occupies a more en- viable position in business and financial circles, not only by reason of the suc- cess he has achieved but also by reason of the straightforward business policy which he has ever followed and the progressive methods which he has inculcated, leading to the development, upbuilding and settlement of a large tract and thus contributing to the general prosperity of eastern Washington. He has closely studied the possibilities of the country and the scientific methods which may be used in its improvement, and at all times works toward high ideals, his methods, however, being of a most practical character.
FRANK R. CORBALEY.
Frank R. Corbaley, land office attorney and abstractor of Spokane whose busi- ness interests, however, extend to irrigation projects and his activities to political service, was born in Plymouth, Indiana, March 18, 1854. In the year 1700, mem- bers of the Corbaley family sailed from Scotland and established a home in Mary- land. One of the family was numbered among the heroes of the Revolutionary
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war. The paternal grandfather of Frank R. Corbaley was a pioneer of Indiana and at one time had a sugar camp where the fine statehouse in Indianapolis now stands. His son, Richard Corbaley, was a native of that city, being the first white child born in Marion county, Indiana. He became a minister of the Church of God and at one time served as county clerk of Marshall county, Indiana. He died in 1903 and is still survived by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane Croco. She was born in Ohio and was the daughter of a farmer of German de- scent. Two of her brothers lost their lives when serving as soldiers in the Civil war. Mrs. Corbaley now makes her home in Los Angeles, California, where her eldest son, John A. Corbaley, is engaged in the hardware business. Another son, W. G. Corbaley, is owner of the waterworks at Eureka, Humboldt county, Cali- fornia. A third son, Platt M. Corbaley, was in Spokane in 1878 and built the old Blackhawk stables. He was one of the first deputy sheriffs here, serving at the time the Northern Pacific Railroad was being built. He is now engaged in planting orchards at Los Angeles, endeavoring to cultivate the same quality of apples as are raised in Washington by planting his orchards at the right altitude on the mountains. A. L. Corbaley, another son, is a farmer of Waterville, Wash- ington. The only sister, Marie O., is the wife of Leon Oppenheimer, of Spokane.
Frank R. Corbaley, becoming a resident of California in his childhood days, pursued his education in the public schools at Healdsburg and in the Western Busi- ness College at Livermore. He was first with the Western Union Telegraph Com- pany after entering business life, being employed in different parts of California, and he later engaged with the Wells Fargo Express Company and in railroading. He turned his attention to the hotel business at Lytton Springs and afterward en- gaged in the livery and stage business in Sonoma, California, until 1886, when he left that state and came to Spokane.
In this city Mr. Corbaley took up the real-estate business but afterward en- gaged in the live-stock business at Waterville, giving his attention largely to the raising of fine horses. In 1891 he accepted the position of deputy in the United State land office, where he remained until 1902, when he became connected with the Spokane land office. At length he resigned that position to engage in business on his own account as land office attorney, his previous experience in this field giving him comprehensive knowledge and thorough training. He does contest work and also the abstracting of land office records. He is likewise interested in irriga- tion property at Cashmere as a member of the Wenatchee Orchards Bonds Com- pany.
Mr. Corbaley has been married twice. In 1879, at Healdsburg, California, he wedded Miss Katie M. Cook, a daughter of Dr. Gordon A. Cook, of that place, who came west with Fremont in 1849, settling in Placerville, California, in that year. Dr. Cook participated in the Mexican war and carried messages between Washington, D. C., and General Scott's army. Mrs. Katie M. Corbaley passed away in 1887, leaving two children: Gordon C., manager of the Arthur D. Jones Company of Spokane; and Edna K., who was recently graduated as a nurse from Mayo Brothers, the celebrated specialists hospital at Rochester, Minnesota, and is now married to Walter J. Sperry, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and living in that city. On the 14th of October, 1904, at Spokane, Mr. Corbaley was again married, his second union being with Miss Effic Brockman, a daughter of George H. Brockman, retired, who came to this city in 1880.
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Politically Mr. Corbaley is well known as an active republican who has fre- quently served as a delegate in the county and state conventions and was a mem- ber of the Douglas county central committee. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, have called him to public office and in 1901 and 1902 he served as a member of the city council and as mayor of Waterville. He had previously been deputy assessor in Spokane in 1887-8, at which time the county assessment was seven million dollars, while today it is one hundred million dol- lars, the wide difference indicating something of the growth and prosperity of this district. Mr. Corbaley is a Mason, his membership being in Sonoma Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., of California. He started out in life without any special ad- vantages to aid him and has gradually worked his way upward, placing his de- pendence upon industry and determination rather than upon a fortunate com- bination of circumstances. He has won a creditable measure of success and his record shows what may be accomplished in the great west where opportunity is open to all.
PATRICK WILLIAM CLARK.
Although a young man, Patrick William Clark has already made for himself an enviable place in the world of finance through the management of some of his father's vast interests, for he is a mining expert. He also has extensive real- estate holdings which he personally supervises and which indicate his judicious investment and sound judgment. He seems to possess an aptitude for successful management and a keen sagacity that enables him to at once recognize the present and possible value of business conditions. He has always lived in the west and soon became thoroughly imbued with the progressive spirit which has been the dominant element in the upbuilding of this section of the country.
Mr. Clark was born in Butte, Montana, February 28, 1882. He is a son of Patrick Clark, who is better known throughout the west as "Patsy Clark" and of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Liberal educational ad- vantages were afforded the son, who completed his course of study in the George- town College at Washington, D. C. He has principally followed mining, looking after his father's interests in Nevada, there remaining until 1906, during which time he acted as superintendent for his father. He then went to old Mexico, where he spent two years, again supervising his father's mining interests in Jalisco. He became a resident of Spokane in 1908, after which he traveled considerably throngh this part of the country, investigating mining prospects, for he had studied min- ing engineering in New York. He passed expert judgment upon properties in connection with the assistance of other engineers and in February, 1910, he organ- ized the firm of Clark Brothers & Klein. His brother, James B. Clark, who is associated with him, was born in Spokane, September 1, 1888, and also attended Georgetown University of Washington, D. C. This firm is conducting a general real-estate business, practically handling only their own property, which lies largely in Spokane and Spokane county, although they also have some interests in the Coeur d'Alenes.
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On the 26th of December, 1908, Mr. Clark was married in Spokane, on which occasion Miss Edna Lavelle, a daughter of Geoffrey Lavelle of Butte, Montana, became his wife. Her father was a rancher and one of the old-time settlers of Silverbow county, Montana, where he was also long engaged in the lumber busi- ness. Mr. and Mrs. Clark now have one son, Geoffrey, who is two years of age.
In his political views Mr. Clark has always been a republican since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to Spokane Lodge, No. 128, B. P. O. E., to the Knights of Columbus and to the Catholic church. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Spokane Club, the Spokane Country Club, the Inland Club and the Spokane Amateur Athletic Club. He is interested in all manly outdoor sports, enjoys the companionship of those whom he meets in these different organizations and is a social, genial gentleman, whose interests are wide and varied and who is making his presence felt as a business man of substantial worth and activity in this community.
CHARLES GORDON BROWN, M. D.
Dr. Charles Gordon Brown, physician and surgeon, was born at Jacksonville, Illinois, July 6, 1848. His parents, Reuben S. and Sarah (Wright) Brown, were farming people of that district and in youthful days Dr. Brown attended the rural schools but supplemented his preliminary knowledge by a course in the Illinois Col- lege at Jacksonville, from which he was graduated with the class of 1871. He studied medicine at the Long Island Hospital of New York and was graduated with the class of 1876. He then returned to his native city where he located for practice, continuing there until 1882. Thinking, however, that the west offered better opportunities, he made his way to Helena, Montana, where he remained for five years. The succeeding year was passed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in 1888 he came to Spokane, where he has now remained in active practice for almost a quarter of a century. Ever since 1889 he served on the staff of the Sacred Heart Hospital and has been the chief surgeon of the Spokane International Railway since its organization. He is thoroughly versed in the great scientific principles which underlie his chosen life work and he keeps informed on the advancement that is being made by leading members of the profession through his perusal of med- ical journals and the best literature of the profession. He is conscientious and faithful in his work, holding ever to high ideals, and believes that the standard of medical practice should be kept very high. Dr. Brown is also well known as a representative and leading republican of this city and has been very prominent in the ranks of his party, his opinions carrying weight in its councils while his labors have contributed in considerable degree to its success. His fellow citizens, ap- preciative of his worth and ability, called him to the office of representative in 1891 and that his services in the state legislature won general approval is indicated by the fact that in 1896 he was sent to the state senate. He gave careful considera- tion to each question of importance which came up for settlement and is known as the "father of the state medical practice act," which set a standard for professional service, prohibiting from active practice all those whose qualifications were not adequate to the important demands of the responsible work in which they engage.
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His standing in the profession is indicated by the fact that he has been honored with the presidency of the Spokane County and State Medical Societies in 1892 and 1899, respectively, and his administrations contribute largely to the efficient work of those organizations.
On the 21st of December, 1871, Dr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Olive Stevens, a daughter of James L. and Rebecca (Sipes) Stevens, of Divernon, Illinois. They have one son, Carl Stevens Brown, of this city, and they reside at 716 Superior avenue. Dr. Brown is well known in Masonic circles and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Spokane Lodge, No. 228, B. P. O. E. He has a wide acquaintance in Spokane, and in political and professional circles throughout the state. It has ever been known that his position is not an equivocal one. What he says he will do, he does, and his reliability in every relation of life has gained for him the high confidence and regard of those who know him. He has advanced to a prominent position along several lines and deserves recognition as one of the leading repre- sentative citizens of the Inland Empire.
GEORGE A. ROHRER, M. D.
Dr. George A. Rohrer, one of the highly successful younger members of the medical profession of Spokane, who is located in the Jamieson building, where he has a very pleasant and appropriately furnished suite of offices, was born in Carson City, Nevada, in 1874. He is of Swiss extraction, his parents, Joseph and Regina (von Flue) Rohrer, having been born and reared in the little Euro- pean republic, and in the maternal line he is descended from one of the ancient, noble families of that country, his mother tracing her descent back in an unbroken line nine hundred years. In his early manhood Joseph Rohrer emigrated to the United States, locating, in 1871, in California and there he was later married to Miss von Flue, who made the long journey from the old country for that pur- pose in accordance with previous arrangements. They subsequently located in Carson City, Nevada, where the father was identified with the mining interests until 1879, when together with his wife and family he removed to Washington. They drove over the Oregon trail from Carson City to The Dalles, Oregon, and then came by way of Jackson, Umatilla and Walla Walla to Spokane. Upon their arrival here the father filed on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land, west of Spokane near what is now known as Grand View. There they still re- side, but they now only own one hundred and twenty acres of their original tract, having sold the remainder. They have brought this land under high cultivation and it is well improved with all modern conveniences, being now one of the valu- able properties of the vicinity.
The education of Dr. Rohrer was pursued in the common schools of Spokane until he had attained the age of fifteen years. Following the fire in this city in 1889 his parents sent him abroad, where he remained for thirteen years pursuing his studies in various colleges and universities of Switzerland and Germany and also of Paris. His course was completed with his graduation from the Univer- sity of Würzburg, Germany, in 1902, with the degree of M. D. Very soon there-
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after he returned to Spokane and established an office that he has ever since main- tained. He is a most capable physician and surgeon as has often been manifested during the nine years of his connection with the profession of this city and has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Rohrer keeps con- versant with new methods, treatments and discoveries in his profession through the medium of the County and State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association, in which he holds membership and which associations are the means of an exchange of professional opinion with his colleagues. As he has great con- fidence in the future of Spokane and the northwest he has invested quite exten- sively in real estate and owns several valuable properties in this section. He is also interested in the Coeur d'Alene mining district, and is president of the Bear Top, a silver and lead mine located near Murray, Idaho.
This city was the scene of the marriage of Dr. Rohrer in 1903 to Miss Mary Bucher, a daughter of William Bucher of Switzerland, and they have become the parents of one child, Elsie, whose birth occurred in 1904. They have a beautiful residence at 1918 Tenth avenue, this city, over which Mrs. Rohrer graciously presides, extending the hospitality of their home to their many friends. Dr. Rohrer is not affiliated with any fraternal order save the Sons of Herman nor does he prominently participate in political activities, giving his undivided atten- tion to the demands of his large and constantly increasing practice, as he is con- scientiously devoted to the interests of his patients.
FRANK HINMAN, M. D.
In a careful college training Dr. Frank Hinman laid the foundation for the success which has come to him in the general practice of medicine and surgery in Spokane. Oregon numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred at Forest Grove April 1, 1880. His father, Arvid Hinman, was also a native of that state and a son of Alanson, who removed westward from Oswego, New York, tak- ing up his abode in Oregon in the early '50s. Reared upon the western frontier Arvid Hinman was thoroughly familiar with the history of Oregon's development and progress, and became identified with the commercial activities of Forest Grove as a merchant. In 1881, however, he removed with his family to Moscow, Idaho, where he filled the position of postmaster for a number of years. His death oc- curred in 1892 but his widow, who bore the maiden name of Flora Elenor Smith, is still living.
After mastering the common branches of learning in the graded schools of Mos- cow, Dr. Hinman continued his education in the high school of Forest Grove, Ore- gon, and afterward attended Tualatin Academy of that place. Subsequently he en- tered Leland Stanford, Jr., University of California, where he completed his more specifically literary course by graduation with the class of 1902 with the degree of A. B. His professional training was received in Johns Hopkins University of Baltimore, Maryland, where he received his medical degree in 1906. To his the- oretical knowledge he added the practical experience of eight months' service as interne in the Johns Hopkins Hospital there.
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DR. FRANK HINMAN
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Dr. Hinman has been a resident of Spokane since 1907, at which time he en- tered upon a year's connection as interne with St. Luke's Hospital. In 1908 he opened an office for the general practice of medicine and surgery, and has since made steady progress, an extensive practice being now accorded him. At the pres- ent time he is city bacteriologist and is also pathologist of St. Luke's Hospital and a member of its staff. The Spokane County Medical Society to which he belongs has honored him with the position of secretary and he keeps also in close touch with professional advancement through his membership in the Washington State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the Spokane Country Club, the Spokane Tennis Club, and the University Club, of which he is a director. He greatly enjoys the companion- ship of people of kindred tastes and interests, yet he never allows social affairs to interfere with the faithful performance of his professional duties. He has a wide knowledge of advanced methods and this knowledge has stood the test in an active and growing practice.
ARTHUR BURCHAM LEE.
Arthur Burcham Lee is practicing at the Spokane bar as a member of the law firm of Cullen & Lee, and his work as a corporation lawyer is worthy of more than passing interest and attention. He was born in Clear Water, Minnesota, August 14, 1866, his parents being James and Rebecca (Burcham) Lee. The father was born in Dover, Delaware, and in tracing back his ancestry finds that the family is of English origin although representatives of the name came to America when this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. Settlement was made in Camden, New Jersey, where the record goes back to 1699. Thomas Lee, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, mar- ried Margaret Edmondson, a descendant of one of the oldest American families. James Lee was a farmer by occupation and on leaving the east established his home in 1857 in Wright county, Minnesota, where he was living on the frontier during the period of the Civil war. He died in 1899 and is still survived by his wife, who is a native of Ohio and now a resident of Los Angeles, California. Their family numbered three sons and three daughters: James Franklin, who was a member of the Minnesota legislature during the last session; Arthur B., the sub- ject of this sketch; William, who is living on the home farm at Clear Water, Minnesota; Sarah, who is the widow of George Furber, residing in Los Angeles, California; Mabel, a teacher in a mission school at Nagoya, Japan; and Lucy Grace, the wife of Leman Fish, who is engaged in the life insurance business in Minnesota.
In the common schools of Minnesota Arthur B. Lee mastered the elementary branches of learning and later was graduated from the state normal school at St. Cloud, Minnesota, with the class of 1890. Taking up the profession of teaching he served for two years as assistant principal of the high school in Fargo, North Dakota, and during the summer months was connected with the botanical depart- ment of the agricultural college of that state in making botanical surveys. When he had devoted two years to the profession of teaching he took up the study of law Vol. II-39
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in the office of Judge Burleigh F. Spalding at Fargo. He continued for a time with the firm of Newman, Spalding & Phelps, completing his studies while acting as assistant in their office. He remained with them until April, 1895, when he was admitted to practice by the supreme court of North Dakota, and at once opened an office at Fargo, where he remained in active practice until the 1st of June, 1907, being alone for a part of the time while later he was a member of the firm of Turner & Lee and afterward of Lee & Fowler. On coming to Spokane he formed a partnership with E. J. Cannon under the firm style of Cannon & Lee, this con- nection continuing until the 1st of August, 1910, when he became a member of the firm of Cullen, Lee & Foster. He has engaged in general law practice, specializ- ing somewhat in railroad work, both in North Dakota and Spokane. He has much corporation practice and is special counsel for the Washington Water Power Com- pany, for the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound Railway Company, and a num- ber of other corporations. His practice has constantly grown in volume and im- portance and is now of a distinctively representative character.
On the 11th of October, 1894, Mr. Lee was married to Miss Mary J. Mills, a daughter of Joseph and Celia Mills, the former a Minnesota farmer. Two chil- dren have been born of this union: Edward Arthur, now a high-school pupil; and James Sydney, who is also in school. The parents are members of the Vincent Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Lee belongs also to the Masonic fraternity in which he has attained high rank, being a member of the consistory and of El Katif Shrine. In politics he has ever been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and in North Dakota he frequently served as a dele- gate to party conventions but is not an active worker in party ranks at the present time. He nevertheless keeps well informed on the political and other vital ques- tions of the day and his influence is also an element in progress along material, social, intellectual and moral lines in Spokane.
ORA B. SETTERS.
As legal representative of the Washington Consolidated Telephone Company, the Western Casualty Company and other leading corporations, it is not diffi- cult to determine the professional status of Ora B. Setters who since the fall of 1905 has engaged in practice in Spokane. He was born in Sullivan, Missouri, July 4, 1876. His father, Peter Setters, was a native of Indiana and followed the occupation of farming yet devoted a portion of his time to the work of the ministry of the Baptist church. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union and commanded a company in the Forty-fourth Missouri Infantry as captain. He was descended from a family whose establishment in America antedates the Rev- olutionary war and was of Swiss German descent. He died in 1905 and is still survived by his widow, who is living in Reardan. Washington. She is of Irish descent, was born in Indiana and in her maidenhood was Helen Warren. In their family were nine children: Ora B .; J. W., a farmer residing near Seattle, Wash- ington; P. W., an engineer of Spokane; Dr. M. F. Setters, practicing medicine and surgery in Spokane; Charles, a farmer of Reardan; Mary, the wife of Wil- liam Kitt, of Reardan; Mamie, who married L. A. Cone, also a farmer of Reardan;
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