History of the city of Spokane and Spokane County, Washington : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume III, Part 13

Author: Durham, Nelson Wayne, 1859-1938
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 778


USA > Washington > Spokane County > Spokane > History of the city of Spokane and Spokane County, Washington : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume III > Part 13


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In the public life of the city Mr. Shaefer has also long figured prominently and is a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party, which in the spring of 1909 elected him a member of the city council. He was a member of the civic water commission that installed the system of wells whereby the city of Spokane is supplied with spring water instead of drawing its supply from the river. He also took a very active part in the work of the commission that was appointed to select and secure water-power rights for the city of Spokane, having in view the city ownership in the furnishing of power and light to the population. This com- mission has recommended a site at Pend d'Oreille and Priest river and it is hoped that within the next few years the city will by municipal ownership be able to supply power and light at very reasonable rates. Mr. Shaefer also became actively


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concerned in the contest for grade separation at the time the Milwaukee, St. Paul & Puget Sound Railway and the North Coast Railroad were granted permission to enter the city. Aside from his effective labors in behalf of municipal projects Mr. Shaefer is now actively concerned in efforts to promote the best interests and welfare of the commonwealth as a member of the state senate, to which he was elected on the republican ticket in the fall of 1910. He at once was accorded a position of leadership in the upper house, being now an active member of the judiciary committee and chairman of the committee on memorials and enrolled bills.


On the 18th of December, 1895, at Des Moines, Iowa, Mr. Shaefer was mar- ried to Mabel Braderiek Meservey, a daughter of John and Lois ( Dungan) Brad- erick, of that city. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaefer, George A. and Stella, the latter the wife of Edward J. Beard, of Spokane. During the period of his residence here Mr. Shaefer and his wife have been members of the First Congregational church of Spokane and he also belongs to the Chamber of Com- merce, the Inland Club, the Knights of Pythias and the Spokane Turnverein. They reside at No. 225 Seventeenth avenue and are well known socially.


Regarded as a citizen and in his social relations Mr. Shaefer belongs to that publie-spirited, useful and helpful type of men whose ambitions and desires are centered and directed in those channels through which flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number. In his public service in connection with both municipal and state affairs he brings to hear the sound judgment of the business man who believes in practical business methods in the conduct of both city and state business. While well grounded in the political maxims of both schools, he has also studied the lessons of actual life, arriving at his conclusions as a result of what may be called his post-graduate studies in the school of affairs.


JOSEPH H. BOYD.


With the development of industrial activity in the northwest Spokane has come in for a full share of those business interests which are ever a factor in gen- eral growth and prosperity because of the large number of men employed and the large amount of capital thus kept in circulation. Every successful business undertaking therefore becomes a factor in the city's advancement, and the place which is occupied by the National Iron Works in Spokane is a prominent one. Of this important industrial concern Joseph H. Boyd is the president and gen- eral manager. His has been an eventful and interesting career, for his experi- ences have been most varied. He was born in Devonshire, England, January 6, 1842, his parents being John and Martha Boyd. He was left an orphan when a little lad of six and at the age of nine years went to sca as an apprentice. In the ensuing seven years he touched at almost every port of importance on the face of the globe and gained comprehensive knowledge of the world and its peoples and from the experiences of life learned many valuable and oft times difficult lessons. When in the harbor at San Francisco, at the age of sixteen, he deter- mined to leave the sea and for a short time remained in that city but soon after- ward made his way to British Columbia, attracted by the gold discoveries on the


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Frazier river. This was in 1858. Later he was to be found in huuber camps of the Puget Sound country for a few years, and ardnous and unremitting toil taught him much concerning life's values and those things which are most worth while. In June, 1861, he went of Orofino, Idaho, the first mining camp in that state, there making his headquarters during the succeeding decade, in which he was engaged in mining. His efforts were gradually rewarded with a measure of suc- cess and with the capital acquired in that manner he went to Portland, Oregon, where he engaged in a real-estate and investment business and also became finan- cially interested in the Vulcan Iron Works.


For twelve years Mr. Boyd was a resident of Portland and in 1883 came to Spokane, where he entered commercial eireles as a hardware merchant under the name of the J. H. Boyd Hardware Company. He had built up a substantial and gratifying trade, when, in 1889, his entire stock was destroyed in the great fire which swept over Spokane, leaving him with a loss of forty thousand dollars above his insurance. His ability as a business man and his well known trustworthi- ness enabled him to obtain credit with manufacturers and he again started in business, admitting John W. Goss to a partnership. In 1890 they consolidated with Holly-Mason-Marks & Company, Mr. Boyd becoming a director of the new firm, with which he continued until 1897, when he disposed of his interests. Ten years before he had brought his iron work machinery from Portland and incor- porated the present company, of which he has continuously served as the presi- dent. while in 1890 he also accepted the position of general manager and has since concentrated his energies upon the control of this enterprise and the ex- pansion of its trade relations. The company's output includes gasoline and steam engines, boilers, elevators, architectural iron. quartz mills and crushers, con- centrators, ore cars. buckets. and general mill and mining machinery, wrought iron, iron and brass castings, etc. Their plant was originally located on the island in the river, where business was conducted for twenty years, but in 1907 a ic- moval was made to their present site at the corner of Division and Catalbo streets. after they had erected there one of the most complete plants of this kind in the northwest. Of Mr. Boyd it has been said: "Ile is possessed of unusual executive ability and owes his wealth and prestige as a manufacturer solely to his own energy and good judgment and to his splendid faculty for managing large enter- prises." In addition to his manufacturing activities in Spokane he has large min- ing interests in Coeur d'Alene.


Mr. Boyd has never sought progress in other fields outside of business and yet his fitness for office and leadership in different relations have been recognized by his fellow townsmen, who practically forced him into the office of councilman. He served as city alderman for two years and during the latter year was presi- dent of the council. While he does not desire political preferment his position regarding political questions has never been an equivocal one, for he has ever been a stalwart, advocate of republican principles. He belongs to Spokane Lodge. No. 34. F. & A. M. and to All Saints Episcopal church, in which he has been a vestryman.


It was on the 9th of August, 1871. in Portland, Oregon, that Mr. Boyd was united in marriage to Miss Mina Epperly, a daughter of John and Louisa C. (Graham) Epperly, who were pioneer settlers of Butteville, Oregon, where Mrs. Boyd was born. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children:


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Graham Boyd, who is secretary of the National Iron Works; Edith L., who re- sides with her parents in Spokane; and Edna MI., deceased.


Mr. Boyd certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He started out in life handicapped by a lack of advantages that many boys enjoy. Yet as the years passed on he learned many valuable lessons in the school of ex- perience and there awakened in him the ambition to make the most of his time and opportunities and gradually he has advanced, overcoming obstacles which have utterly discouraged many men, and today he is recognized as one who pos- sesses excellent ability as an organizer and has the power of coordinating seem- ingly diversified elements into a unified and harmonious whole. His personal popularity is due in large measure to his unfeigned cordiality, while his courtesy is unfailing and his integrity is above question.


WILLIS A. RITCHIE.


It is perhaps a trite saying that there is always room at the top and yet if this truth were really apprehended by the individual, statistics perhaps would not give as they do today the fact that the percentage of failures amounts to about ninety of those who attempt to conduct an independent business venture. Under- standing that the path of opportunity is open to all and that advancement depends upon the individual, his industry, his close application and his unfaltering deter- mination, Willis A. Ritchie has throughout his business life placed his dependence upon those qualities and has, therefore, reached a position of more than local prominence as an architect of the northwest. He has been a resident of Spokane since January, 1892, and during this period constant demand has been made for his services in the field which he chose as his life work and in which he has pro- gressed far beyond the point of mediocrity.


He was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, July 14, 1864. His parents, John E. and Margaret J. (McCoy) Ritchie, were at that time living upon a farm, although his father had previously become a member of the legal profession. Dur- ing the very early boyhood of his son Willis he removed to Lima, Ohio, where for twenty-five years he continued in the practice of law and then went upon the bench, serving as judge of the common pleas court at Lima for ten years. Pro- fessional ability and his personal worth gained him high rating as a representative of the legal profession in his county. There he died in 1908, having for about thirteen years survived his wife, who passed away in 1895.


After acquiring his more strictly literary education in the public and high schools of Lima, Willis A. Ritchie turned his attention to the study of architecture, pursuing a course outlined by the superintendent of architecture of the United States treasury department. He added to theoretical knowledge broad practical experience but never attended any technical schools. In 1885 he removed to Kansas and while practicing his profession at different points in that state main- tained his headquarters at Winfield. He was at that time but twenty-one years of age but already his ability in the line of his profession was supplemented by keen discrimination and sound judgment that won him a creditable place in busi- ness circles. He had branch offices at Arkansas City and Wellington and super-


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vised the ercetion of the new Federal building at Wichita. Kansas, costing two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. His identification with the northwest dates from 1889, at which time he became a resident of Seattle. there remaining for three years. During that period he devoted all his attention to public buildings and among some of the most prominent that he designed and supervised are the King County Courthouse of Seattle: the Whatcomb County Courthouse, at Belling- ham; the Jefferson County Courthouse. at Port Townsend; the Clarke County Courthouse, at Vancouver. Washington ; the Thurston County Courthouse, at Olym- pia: and the original building of the Soldiers' Home, at Orting, Washington. Coming to Spokane in January, 1892, he at once opened an office and the work which he had previously done in the state commended him to the patronage of the publie here. Soon the contracts awarded him were making a heavy demand upon his time and energies. The evidences of his skill and ability are found in the Spokane County Courthouse, the City Hall, and many of the beautiful homes of Spokane. He was also the builder of the Girls' Dormitory and Science Hall at the Idaho State University and he planned and supervised the building of the present state capitol, at Olympia. He is a constant student of that which bears upon his profession, early becoming familiar with all the recognized styles of good architecture, and has developed many original and attractive plans in the erection of the public and private buildings that he has erected in the northwest.


Mr. Ritchie has been married twice. On the 14th of July, 1887. at Winfield, Kansas, he wedded Etta Reid. a daughter of A. Lawson and Alice A. Reid, of that city. Mrs. Ritchie died in Spokane in 1901, leaving a son, John Reid Ritchie, who was born in 1894 and is now attending school here. An elder child. Margaret, who was born in 1888. had died in infancy. In September. 1902, Mr. Ritchie was again married, his second union being with Merriam P. Williamson, a daugh- ter of Frank F. and Etta Williamson, of Olympia. Her father was one of the pioneers of this state. He engaged in the lumber business and was the first to log with steam power on the Pacific coast. The Ritchie family residence is at No. 119 Seventh avenue.


Mr. Ritchie was formerly an active worker in the ranks of the republican party but does not take a prominent part at the present time. The demands of his business have been constantly greater and his advancement, which was as- sured by reason of his close application. landable ambition and thorough under- standing of the scientific principles underlying his work, has placed him in a prominent position among the architects of Spokane.


OSCAR CAIN.


Oscar Cain, filling the position of United States attorney for the Spokane dis- triet. was born on the 25th of May. 1868. in Ringgold county, Iowa. a son of Robert and Sarah (Brown) Cain, who in 1867 removed from Ohio to Iowa. The father had previously served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. enlisting in the Sixty-fifth Ohio Infantry. After ten years' residence in the Hawk- eye state Robert Cain took his family to lola. Kansas, where they resided until 1892.


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Oscar Cain began his education in the public schools of Iowa and continued his studies in Kansas, in a broad general knowledge laying the foundation for his professional learning. He took up the study of law in an attorney's office of Iola and was admitted to the bar on the 2d of April, 1892, passing the required exami- nation before the supreme court at Topeka, Kansas. Immediately afterward he came to the northwest and for one year was engaged in teaching school in the Willa- mette valley in Oregon. In February, 1893, he removed to Walla Walla where he entered upon the practice of law and in his chosen calling made rapid advance. During the period of his residence there he served for three terms as city attor- ney and was also for two terms prosecuting attorney of Walla Walla county. This brought him wide and valuable experience and the ability which he displayed in handling important litigation that came to him in his official as well as in private connection led to his appointment on the 17th of August, 1910, as United States attorney for the eastern district of Washington, which position he is now filling. with residence in Spokane.


On the 27th of June, 1901, Mr. Cain was married to Miss Abbie Waterman, of Walla Walla, a daughter of Samuel and Jane Waterman, of that city, who were pioneer settlers there. coming in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Cain now have a daughter Lois, eight years of age, and they reside at No. 1201 South Cook street, where he purchased a pleasant residence. In politics he has always been a republican, interested in the welfare of the party and thoroughly informed concerning the vital issues and questions of the day. His social relations are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the Spokane Club. His own intellectual attainments make him a congenial companion in those circles where well read men discuss the questions of the day and his close application and broad study in his profession have gained him high standing as a representative of the Washington bar.


HARRY OCHS.


One of the foremost citizens of Harrington is Harry Ochs, who has resided in Lincoln county for twenty-seven years, during which time he has made extensive and lucrative speculations in lands in this section. In addition to his valuable realty holdings he was one of the founders of the First National Bank of Har- rington, of which he has ever since been president.


Mr. Ochs was formerly a subject of Germany. having been born in Prussia, on December 19, 1854. his parents being Sebastian and Martha Ochs. He was reared and educated in the city of Frankfort. following which he entered the Ger- man army, in which he served for three years. He was discharged in 1879 and very soon thereafter decided to come to America. believing that he would here find better opportunities for advancement than were available in his own country. and in 1880 he took passage for the United States with California as his destina- tion. During the first four years of his residence in this country he followed va- rious pursuits in the latter state, but at the expiration of that time, in 1884, he came to Lincoln county and here he has ever since been located. When he first came here he filed on a homestead, two and a half miles south of the present site


HARRY OCHS


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of Mohler, but as he had but limited means it was necessary for him to work for other ranehmen in the vicinity in order to acquire the money to improve his land and place it under cultivation. In common with a large number of the pioneers he endured many hardships and privations, and encountered innumerable difficulties and obstacles before he became established. He was very ambitious, however, and possessed too much energy and determination of purpose to accept defeat and eventually won by reason of his persistent perseverance. By working for others until he had enough money to enable him to live, while he was placing his own ranch under cultivation, he made a start, and for some years thereafter he continued to hire out to other settlers in that locality, in order to obtain the means to further improve his own property. He often times became very much discouraged. for the early years were very hard, but he prospered with the passing of time and was able to extend his holdings until he now owns between five and six thousand aeres of fine wheat land that he is renting. He early recognized the wonderful possibilities this country afforded, and made judicious investments in land that he has since sold at a large advance over the original cost. No expense has been spared in the equipment and improvement of his home ranch. where he has erected a fine residence that is provided with every modern convenience and comfort. MIr. Ochs has always been a public-spirited man and has been financially interested in the devolopment of various local enterprises. In 1908, together with others he organized the First National Bank of Harrington, now one of the substantial and thriving financial institutions of the county, in which he is the largest stockholder. Before this bank was organized he served for years in the capacity of president of the State Bank of Harrington.


Mr. Ochs was married in April, 1900, to Mrs. . Emma (McCallup) Owen, who is a native of Illinois. Three children have been born of this marriage. Martha E., Harry L., and Clyde, while Mrs. Ochs has two daughters by a former marriage, Edith and Grace Owen. The family reside in Harrington.


The religious faith of Mr. Ochs' is manifested through his membership in the German Lutheran church, while his political support is given to the republican party. He is held in high esteem throughout the county, where he is widely known. having always manifested the highest principles and unquestionable integrity in all of his transactions. The success of Mr. Ochs but serves to substantiate the frequent assertion that there are unlimited opportunities for enterprising and industrious young men in this country if they will only persevere in their efforts to seek them. His achievements have been won through his individual endeavors, as he came to America practically empty-handed and has never been given any assistance save such as is accorded every man of recognized worth and integrity.


FRANK B. GREGG.


The term progress might be regarded as the keystone of the character of Frank B. Gregg. It has been manifest in all that he has undertaken and particularly in his business associations. Keen judgment, too, has enabled him to quickly dis- criminate between the essential and the nonessential and in utilizing the former he has worked his way steadily upward in the printing business, which he chose as Vol. III-1


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the field of his activity. having now one of the most extensive, best equipped and most liberally patronized job printing establishments of the northwest. He was born in Elmira, New York, July 31. 1850, a son of George and Hannah M. (Barr) Gregg, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. The Gregg family is of Scotch-Irish lineage and was represented in both the Revolutionary and Civil wars. George Gregg died in 1870 and was long survived by his wife. who passed away October 1. 1910. She was born in Norwich, New York. and also came of a family that was actively connected with the Revolutionary and Civil war contests. The Barrs, however, came originally from England. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. George Gregg was celebrated in January. 1819. and in May, 1871, some time after the death of her first husband. Mrs. Gregg became the wife of Edward Rutledge, who passed away July 26, 1911. The two uncles of our subject are Samuel W. and Henry M. Barr, both Civil war veterans and now living retired in Beloit. Wis- consin.


Frank B. Gregg was but a young lad when his parents removed to the middle west and in the public schools of the Badger state he pursued his education. His connection with the printing trade began January 19, 1865. when he accepted the position of "devil" and newsboy at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Gradually he worked his way upward. his ability and faithfulness winning recognition, and for twelve years he was manager of the Chippewa Herald, which was organized and owned by the late General George C. Ginty, one of the most prominent men of the state and one of the best known editors of the middle west. In 1888 Mr. Gregg removed to Superior, Wisconsin, where for fourteen years he published the Superior Wave. In 1894 a printers' strike occurred in that town in connection with the Telegram and Leader, morning and evening papers, resulting in March of that year in the publication by the printers of the town of a paper called the Daily News. This was published and printed by Mr. Gregg from March until August of that year and in the latter month the other two papers again took on a force of union printers. Mr. Gregg has been a member of the Typographical Union for thirty-eight years, joining it in Minneapolis while working on the Tribune in 1873. He has always been one of the active men of the organization and is an earnest lover of its principles. He was also one of the officers of the State Press Association and always one of its active members during the period of his resi- dence in Wisconsin. He left that state in June. 1902, to establish his home in Spokane, where he purchased the Quick Print from Winship & Ogden and has since conducted it. He carries on a general job printing business in all lines of printing and has won continuous success. The business was established by a man of the name of Wilcox about seventeen years ago and the publication was called the Quick Print. This is one of the best equipped offices west of Chicago and every kind of job printing is done, including bank work and bonding. The output is ever neat, many times artistic and at all times suitable for the occasion demanded. Mr. Gregg has kept abreast with the improvement that has been continually made in the printing business and the work of his office is the exemplification of that which is highest and best in the "art preservative" of arts. He is also a director of the National Bank of Commerce and he occupies an enviable and prominent position in business and financial circles, owing not alone to the success he has achieved but also to the straightforward business policy to which he has ever closely adhered.




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