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 22
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dences which were built after designs that he made were those of James Clark, C. H. Reeves, E. D. Sanders and William F. Zimmermann, and he was also the archi- tect of the Webster and Lincoln schools. In addition to his profession he is a director of the Exchange National Bank.
On the 14th of October, 1903, in Spokane, Mr. Held was married to Mrs. Kate C. Logan, a daughter of I. T. and Melinde C. Benham, of this city.
In politics Mr. Held is independent, nor has he ever been an office seeker but recently has been appointed a park commissioner. He is a prominent member of the Chamber of Commerce and in the summer of 1911 represented Spokane and the state of Washington on the Boston Chamber of Commerce official tour of En- rope for the purpose of creating an interest in the old world in the fifth congress of the International Chamber of Commerce to be held in Boston, in 1912. Mr. Held belongs to Imperial Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F .. to the Spokane Club and is a life member of the Spokane Amateur Athletic Club. He was one of a com- mittee of fifteen of the Spokane Club who acquired the site and assisted in rais- ing the funds to erect the new clubhouse. Evidences of his skill and ability are seen on all sides in Spokane and with the upbuilding of the city that has sprung into existence since the time of the fire he has been closely associated.
FRITZ MARSCHANTE.
Fritz Marschante is proprietor of the Pacific Hotel and is equally well known in financial and mining cireles, being a heavy stockholder in some of the leading mining companies operating in the northwest. He was born in Strassburg, Ger- many. January 29, 1871. and his parents. John and Anna Marie (Hoffman) Marschante, were also natives of that city, where they still reside, the father being now retired from active business. He is of French deseent and a representative of a prominent family. He served as a soldier under the emperor Napoleon IH and has various mementos in recognition of his bravery and loyalty. He was on active duty much throughout the time of his connection with the army and was a non-commissioned officer. In days of peace he devoted his time as wine grower and dealer and was the owner of large vineyards until his substantial success en- abled him to retire from active life. His wife, too. belongs to a leading fam- ily of southern Germany, her people being at one time the richest in that part of the country and owners of large forests. Michael and Charles Marschante, brothers of Fritz Marschante, are still residents of Germany and have been sol- diers in the army. The only daughter of the family who is living in America is Lonise, now the widow of Victor Dessert, and a resident of Spokane. The other daughter, Mary, is the wife of George Entzminger and they make their home in Germany.
In the public schools of his native city Fritz Marschante pursued his educa- tion to the age of sixteen years, when he came to the United States, arriving in Spokane in 1890. Here he first secured employment in the Pacific Hotel and has occupied nearly every position in connection with the conduct of the hostelry of which he is now the proprietor. In 1903 he sceured a lease on the building and has since been conducting the hotel with excellent success, making it one of the
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popular houses of the city, to which is accorded an extensive patronage. Aside from this Mr. Marschante is interested in the Traders National Bank of Spokane and is widely known as a representative of mining interests. He was one of the promoters of the Jack Waite Mining Company, of which he is a director, he and his associates purchasing for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars the property which lies in the Cocur d'Alene mining district and comprises three claims and a fraction. This is a silver lead property which is listed and shipments are made to International, Utah; and to Salida, Colorado. The company is capitalized for one million, five hundred thousand dollars, and sold one million, four hundred thousand shares. No treasury stock, however, is offered now. The present officers of the company are: Robert Sheffels, president; J. P. Schroeder, vice president; and Albert A. Piller, secretary-treasurer.
In addition to his connection with the Jack Waite Mining Company. Mr. Marschante is the vice president of the Bear Top Orofino Consolidated Mining Company and was one of the promoters of the Orofino, which merged with the Bear Top, making a group of twenty-one claims. They are shipping four hundred and fifty tons per month at the present time and the output is constantly on the in- crease. This is a lead silver property located in the Coeur d'Alene district and the officers of the company are: Dr. George Rohrer, president; F. Marsehante. vice president; and Joc N. Thenes, secretary-treasurer. Mr. Marschante is still in- terested in the Black Horse mine, of which he was at one time a director. This is also a lead silver property in the Coeur d'Alenes and there are nine claims in the group. He is likewise interested in several other mining ventures and in addi- tion he owns a section of land in Stevens county, which is a hay farm under cul- tivation. Into industrial circles he has also extended his efforts, being now a stockholder and the vice president of the Crescent Woodenware & Box Manufactur- ing Company, which is a profitable enterprise, manufacturing all kinds of wooden- ware and boxes. Its officers are: Reinhard Martin, president and treasurer; Fritz Marschante, vice president; and Meyer Rosenberg, secretary and manager. The ex- tent and importance of the business interests of Mr. Marschante indicates some- thing of his ability, his enterprise and his initiative spirit.
On the 19th of October, 1902, in Spokane, Mr. Marschante was united in mar- riage to Miss Florence La Pray. a representative of one of the oldest white fam- ilies of Stevens county, Washington. Her father, Joseph La Pray, located in that county in 1859 and built the La Pray toll bridge twenty-five miles down the river. In pioneer times he hauled freight, using several teams in this way between Walla Walla and Colville. Mr. and Mrs. Marschante arc the parents of two children. a son and daughter, Fritz and Marion.
Mr. Marschante is a freeholder of Spokane and in politics is an active re- publican. representing his party at different times in state conventions and doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He belongs to the Ancient Order of Red Men and the Foresters of America, also to the Inland Club and to the Chamber of Commerce. While his business activities have been of constantly growing importance, he has found time to cooperate in public meas- ures for the general benefit of the community and his efforts on the whole have contributed to the progress and upbuilding of this section of the state. His rec- ord furnishes a notable example of a self-made man, as from the age of sixteen ycars he has been dependent upon his own resources, working his way upward by
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means of indefatigable industry and unfaltering determination. In every position which he filled he proved his worth and gradually came to a place where he was able to control important interests. From that time his efforts have been of con- stantly broadening scope and he is recognized now as a man of force in the bust- ness and mining cireles of the northwest.
EDWARD J. ROBERTS.
Edward J. Roberts, general superintendent of the Spokane International Rail- way Company, is one of the prominent civil engineers of the northwest, being thoroughly familiar with the great scientific principles which underlie his pro- fession and with the active work incident to the various departments of civil en- gineering. He has always been prompted by landable ambition and the high ideal of service which he placed before himself has been reached. Throughout his life he has been identified with the Missouri valley country or the far west. He was born on a farm in Columbia county, Wisconsin. September 9, 1857. Ilis parents. Evan W. and Elizabeth (Williams) Roberts, were long identified with agricultural interests there. Upon the old homestead the son was reared, being afforded the opportunity of supplementing his early education, acquired in the district schools of his native county, by study in Ripon College of Ripon, Wisconsin. Following his graduation from that institution, in 1880, he turned his attention to railroading and throughout his entire life has directed his efforts in this broad branch of labor. Ilis first position was that of axman on the Chicago, Milwaukee. St. Paul and Omaha Railroad, but the following year. in 1881, he came west with the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, then engaged in construction work and in locating crews. lle made his headquarters at Glendive. Montana, and was first employed as a leveler but afterward became assistant construction engineer and subsequently locating engineer. In 1883 he went to the Canadian Pacific Railroad and aided in locating their line through the Selkirk mountains. In 1881 he was in charge of the location and construction of that road. continuing his work on the completion of the main line until the latter part of 1885. 'In the succeeding winter he was locating en- gineer with the St. Paul & Duluth Railroad and in 1887 was appointed chief engineer of construction in charge of all surveys and construction on an extension of the St. Paul. Minneapolis & Manitoba. now the Great Northern Railroad, from Mi- not, North Dakota, to Great Falls, Montana. The building of this railroad extension of five hundred and fifty miles in six months was the record for rapid railway con- struction in the United States. At that time Mr. Roberts was a young man of but twenty-nine years yet he completed the longest stretch of railroad in the shortest time of anyone who had undertaken a similar work. His plans were well formu- lated, the work carefully systematized and the results achieved brought to him the attention of railway builders and men throughout the country.
Mr. Roberts' connection with Spokane dates from 1888, in which year he visited the city and made the survey for the Spokane & Eastern from Davenport to the Columbia river. The following year he took up his permanent abode here and joined D. C. Corbin as chief engineer of the Spokane Falls & Northern Railroad
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and has sinee been associated with Mr. Corbin in all of his enterprises. Among the roads which they have built are the Nelson & Fort Shepherd, in British Col- umbia ; the Columbia & Red Mountain Railroad; and the Spokane International Railroad. After Mr. Corbin sold the Spokane Falls & Northern, Mr. Roberts was made general manager of the Sweeny mines, in the Coeur d'Alene distriet. These included the mines that were afterward consolidated under the name of the Federal Mining Company and Mr. Roberts became the first general manager. At this writing, in 1911, he is general superintendent for the Spokane International Rail- way Company; the Corbin Coke & Coal Company, of British Columbia; president of the Union Iron Works of Spokane; and a director of the Exchange National Bank and of the Union Trust & Savings Bank.
Mr. Roberts was married on the 13th of December, 1883, to Miss Mary Tracy, a daughter of J. M. and Rebecca (Davis) Tracy, of Liverpool, England. Her father was a noted railroad contractor and took a prominent part in the construc- tion of the Siberian Transcontinental Railway. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts now have five living children: Edward J., Jr., of Corbin, British Columbia; William T., a civil engineer of Spokane; John A., a student of this city; Marian Elizabeth; and Daniel Corbin. One son, Panl, was drowned in October, 1910, when twenty-three years of age. The family reside at No. 1923 First avenue. Mr. Roberts has never been interested in politics nor is he identified with any fraternal organizations. He belongs, however, to the Spokane Club and has many friends in its membership. His ability and the importance of his business connections have brought him into prominent identification with the development and upbuilding of the northwest.
DAVID P. JENKINS.
There came to the northwest in an early day men of prescience, who were able to recognize something of what the future had in store for this great and growing western country. Recognizing the advantages due to situation and natural re- sourees, they exemplified their faith and hope in their works and upon that foundation builded their fortunes. Among the strongest of the enterprising men who saw in Spokane opportunities for the future, David P. Jenkins was num- bered. In the years which have since followed he has not only gained prom- inence and snecess for himself but has also contributed in notable measure to the npbuilding and progress of the city of Spokane, and bis name is indeed an hon- ored one here and his work will remain as a monument for generations to come.
David P. Jenkins was born on a farm near Mount Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio, August 25, 1823, his parents being Israel and Elizabeth (Horsman) Jen- kins. The father was a native of Virginia but was an orthodox Quaker, and as his religious belief and principles were in direet opposition to slavery, he left home in early manhood and started on the trail over the Alleghany mountains, crossing the Ohio river at Zane's Landing into a free territory. He bought land and planned for the building of a cabin, after which he returned to Virginia and fur- ther completed arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage. Two years later he brought his wife to his claim in Ohio and as the years passed became a prosperons farmer. By his first marriage he had eight children, of whom
DAVID P. JENKINS
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David P. Jenkins was the youngest, and by a second marriage there was born one son.
It was upon the old home farm in Ohio that David P. Jenkins was reared, and the common schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges. supplemented by a course in the Mount Pleasant Seminary, a Quaker institution. He took up the study of law when eighteen years of age in the office of General Samuel Stokely, of Steubenville, Ohio, being there a fellow student with Samuel Wilson, afterward a distinguished lawyer of San Francisco. He completed his legal studies in the Law School of Cincinnati and in the winter of 18th was ad- mitted to the bar, after which he engaged in practice for some time in Cincinnati. Subsequently he was located at Hennepin, Ilinois, and at La Salle, that state, and was making satisfactory progress in his profession when the Civil war broke out. Governor Yates without his knowledge or consent commissioned him major of the First Ilinois Cavalry, which was the first cavalry regiment organized west of the Alleghany mountains. Putting aside all personal and professional con- siderations he entered the service and was with his regiment until it disbanded in 1862, when he returned to Illinois. The governor then authorized him to assist in recruiting the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry, of which he was commissioned lieu- tenant colonel and during the greater part of the succeeding three years he was in command of the regiment and took part in many of the most important en- gagements and events of the war until after the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston, when, at his request. he was discharged from the service.
On again entering the legal profession Mr. Jenkins practiced for three years in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was afterward located for a time in Logansport, In- diana, and in Georgetown, Colorado. He came to. Washington at the suggestion of Major General Milroy, who at that time was United States Indian agent for the territory, and for six years thereafter was a resident of Seattle. The reports which reached him concerning eastern Washington, especially in connection with the approaching completion of the Northern Pacific - Railway, led him in 1879 to visit this part of the state. He proceeded up the Columbia river and thence overland and settled in Spokane, where he became owner of one hundred and fifty-seven acres of valuable land, on which he built a home. thus being estab- lished as one of the principal property owners at the beginning of the development of the city. His keen sagacity enabled him to recognize the possibilities here and appreciating something of what the future had in store for this great and grow- ing western country, he cast in his lot with Spokane's settlers and has since been an active contributor to its progress and improvement. His homestead covered the area comprised within the boundaries of what are now Howard and Cedar streets and extending from the Spokane river northward to a point beyond Mallon avenue. Out of this district he gave to the city the site of the present court- house, comprising a full city block. He also gave the ground for the old Spokane College but this reverted to him when the school passed out of existence from lack of support. He also gave the ground for the Plymouth Congregational church and parsonage at the corner of Adams and Mallon avenne, although he was not a member of the church. His daughter. Mrs. Rue, however. attends that church. The Jenkins Institute, which he established, has already had liberal support from him and probably will receive still more in the future. This school was founded by Colonel Jenkins and meets a need in educational training. It offers vocational Vol. III-11
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courses, because young men must be specially trained to make their way in the world. It is the object of the institute to make its students efficient both in skill and character and to this end an excellent teaching force has been secured, all being men of experience, who are experts in their various lines and who inspire as well as instruct their pupils. Colonel Jenkins gave to the school a permanent endowment fund of fifty thousand dollars and the project is one dear to his heart. Colonel Jenkins has always taken a great interest in the Young Men's Christian Association and the Jenkins Institute has baek of it the spirit of that organiza- tion in its attempt to surround boys at the critical and formative period of their lives with such influences and aids as will develop a robust physical, mental and moral manhood.
For a number of years Colonel Jenkins maintained a large farm at Chewelah, Stevens county, and there gave the land on which to erect a high school, which has been called the Jenkins high school. He also made a gift of five thousand dol- lars to establish a school of domestic science, with the proviso that the city or other citizens raise a similar amount.
On the 28th of November, 1849, Colonel Jenkins was united in marriage at Granville, Illinois, to Miss Hannah Lobdell, the third daughter of George A. and Almira Austin (Preston) Lobdell, of that place. Mrs. Jenkins died in Ohio, in July, 1879. They had three children: Annie M., who was born in Hennepin, Illi- nois, and died in La Salle, that state, in 1858; George M., who was born in Hen- nepin. and died in Spokane in 1904; and Emma F., who was born in La Salle, Illinois, and is the wife of William H. Rue, who came from Englishtown, New Jersey, and is now a resident of Spokane. By her marriage there are two daugh- ters, Annie and Mabel Rue. The former is the wife of Charles D. Robinson, of Spokane, and they have two children, Frances and Dorothy. The younger daugh- ter, Mabel. resides with her mother at No. 1914 Ninth avenue in Spokane.
Colonel Jenkins is now in his eighty-ninth year, and while no longer an active factor in the business world. the "precious prize of keen mentality" is yet his and he still feels a deep interest in the world's progress and what is being accomplished. He has ever been a public-spirited and loyal citizen of Spokane, contributing in large measure to the various projects and movements for its upbuilding and one need but review his history to know how sincere and helpful an interest he has taken in the work of general advancement. His name is inseparably interwoven with the records of Spokane and he certainly deserves mention as one of its upbuilders. His life has ever been faultless in honor, fear- less in integrity and stainless in reputation, and thus he has come to old age with the high respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
JULES LYLE PRICKETT.
In the business career of Jules Lyle Prickett, now a prominent representative of mining interests in Spokane, all days have not been equally bright. Indeed he has seen the gathering of storm clouds which have threatened disaster and has met the force of the financial storm yet, undeterred by this. he has with resolute purpose continued on his way, retrieving bis lost possessions and working steadily
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upward until he has reached a high plane of affluence. His record is another proof of the fact that the west offers almost boundless opportunities to the man of deter- mination who is not afraid of work.
He was born in Edwardsville, Illinois, April 18, 1855. and is a son of John A. and Elizabeth M. ( Baernsbach) Prickett, the former a prominent banker and business man of Edwardsville, where he conducted the private bank of J. A. Priekett & Son and also operated a flour mill having a daily capacity of one thousand barrels. He had served as captain of a company in the Mexican war and was severely wounded at the battle of Buena Vista, having been carried off the field in the same ambulance with Jefferson Davis. He lived, however, to enjoy many years of business activity and prosperity, his death occurring in 1897, while his wife survived until 1909, also passing away in Edwardsville. They were the parents of two sons and three daughters: Jules L .; Harris E., now of Seattle; Minnie, the wife of Cyrus Happy, of Spokane: Jessie, the wife of W. W. Green- wood, of Seattle ; and Clara, the wife of W. H. Jones, of Edwardsville, Illinois.
In the public schools of his native eity Jules L. Prickett pursued his early education and afterward went to Germany, where he attended the technical schools of Darmstadt. When his education was completed he returned to the United States and joined his father in the banking business, remaining at Edwardsville until 1888, when he came to Spokane, where he also became a factor in banking eireles. He was a director and the second heaviest stockholder in the First National Bank of Spokane, of which James N. Glover was the president and the principal stockholder. Mr. Priekett also organized and became the largest stockholder of the Spokane Savings Bank and served as its cashier. These institutions collapsed in the financial panie of 1893, Mr. Prickett losing every dollar that he had. The Spokane Savings Bank paid the depositors in full, but Mr. Prickett did not realize a penny on his holdings. Hle afterward turned his attention to mining interests and was the secretary for a number of years of the Cariboo mine in British Co- lumbia and one of its stockholders, which venture led him to become interested in many other mining properties. He has also been actively connected with busi- ness projects of Spokane. He was one of the original incorporators and stock- holders of the Washington Water Power Company and acted as director thereof for a number of years. His keen sagacity enables him to usually foretell the out- come of any business situation and on the whole his life has been crowned with success that places him now with the substantial residents of Spokane, his labors contributing to the development and material prosperity of the northwest as well as to his individual interests.
Mr. Prickett resides at No. 825 Seventh avenue with an interesting little family. He was married September 28, 1892, to Miss Mary Estelle Sherlock, of Portland, Oregon, who is a daughter of Samuel and Rose Sherlock, pioncer resi- dents of that city. They have three children: Lois Elizabeth, Mary Estelle and Jules Lyle, Jr.
Mr. Prickett belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. holding mem- bership in Lodge No. 9 of St. Louis. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and he belongs to the Spokane Country Club and was one of the organizers and for three terms the president of the Spokane Club. He votes with the re- publican party but aside from this is not active in politics. The concentration of his energies upon business affairs precludes great activity along other lines, and
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in the control and development of his interests his record contradicts the old adage that opportunity knocks but once and proves the fact which every individual should recognize-that every day and every hour holds its opportunity and that the faith- ful performance of the duty that lies nearest at hand fits one for the duties of suc- ceeding days. Undeterred by failure and by obstacles, he resolutely set his face toward the goal of success and has made a good record in the race of life.
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