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 23
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CYRUS KNAPP MERRIAM. M. D.
The progressive spirit which has always actuated Dr. Cyrus Knapp Merriam in the practice of his profession has made him the pioncer in introducing advanced methods. He is the first in Spokane to utilize antitoxin in the treatment of diphtheria, and many other tangible evidences of his progressive spirit might be cited.
Dr. Merriam was born in Houlton, Maine, in 1848, a son of Lewis and Mary Ann (Foss) Merriam. The Merriam family was established in America about 1848, and on the other side of the Atlantic the ancestry can be traced back to 1400. The present form of the name is a corruption of Meryhm, or Meryham and the family seat was at Hadlow, County Kent, England. Representatives of the name in America participated in the Revolutionary war and members of the Merriam family were publishers of Webster's dictionary. Dr. Merriam's boyhood days were spent upon a farm and in his father's sawmill, only a portion of each year being given to the attainment of an education. In his early boyhood he picked wool on the farm for the manufacture of garments in the family mill. At length the farm was sold and the family removed two miles distant, where stood a sawmill which the father had built on the north branch of the Meduxnekeag. This was sold in 1861 and the family again located on a farm. Three of the children of the household responded to the country's call during the Civil war and others started out to establish homes for themselves. It was not until 1871 that Dr. Merriam had opportunity of supplementing his early education by study in Colby University at Watervile, Maine, where he became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He earned the expenses for his first term by river driving during the previous spring, having charge of a crew of men. It was only after a severe struggle in order to meet the expenses of his college course that he was gradu- ated in 1875. winning the Bachelor of Arts degree. Seven years later his alma mater conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree in recognition of the excellent original work which he had done in the meantime. Most of the expense of his university course was met by teaching during the vacations, yet he always says that he owes much to the kindly advise and financial aid of an older brother who was then an officer and is now a retired major general of the United States army. For some time his study and teaching alternated. He became sub-master in the Oliver Grammar School and teacher of penmanship in all the grammar schools of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and while thus engaged pursued a course of reading un- der Dr. Chamberlin of that city. During the winter of 1876 and 1877 he was high- school teacher in Rockport, Maine, and his earnings at that point enabled him to continne his medical preparation in Bellevue Hospital at New York. He studied
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the following summer under Dr. Burnham, a prominent surgeon of Lowell. Massa- chusetts, and also had the benefit of Dr. Benoit's instruction, but completed his medical education in the medical department of the University of the City of New York, now Columbia College, from which he was graduated in February, 1879. While in that institution he received private instruction in physical diagnosis from Professor A. L. Loomis, and in surgery from Professor John B. Darby, earn- ing high commendation from both for aptitude and skill. His first year's prac- tice was in partnership with Dr. Benoit and his income for the twelve months barely met his expenses. At the end of that time he was appointed acting assistant surgeon of the United States army and on the 13th of March, 1880, was assigned temporarily to duty at Vancouver Barracks, in what was then the territory of Washington. For eight years he was connected with the United States troops in the department of the Columbia, and was frequently in the field with soldiers who were directed to look after the welfare of the friendly Indians as well as to curb the renegades of Chief Moses' and Chief Joseph's bands and the Kalispells. In this connection Dr. Merriam was stationed at different times at Camp Chelan, White Bluffs, Fort Colville. Fort Coeur d'Alene (now Fort Sherman) and at Fort Spokane. Much of the time he was post surgeon and was highly complimented by Surgeon General John Moore. U. S. A., for efficient work and care in the treat- ment of critical cases. He learned many valuable lessons on the frontier and his work again proved the truth of the old adage that "Necessity is the mother of in- vention." Among other things he improvised a rawhide jacket splint with a de- tachable jury mast for supporting the head in cases of Pott's disease of the ver- tebral column, which admirably met the requirements and possessed the desirable qualities of strength, lightness and durability. He witnessed many of the events of pioneer life brought about through the lawlessness that so largely existed on the frontier, one of his early unpleasant experiences being the witnessing of the hang- ing at Colville, in 1881 or 1882, of an Indian who had killed a saloon keeper. Dr. Merriam having been appointed as medical officer to determine when life became extinct.
Dr. Merriam severed his connection with the army in December, 1887, and lo- cated in Spokane, where he has been very successful in building up a desirable practice. He was one of the founders of the Spokane County Medical Society and served as its secretary for the first two years. He also took part in the organ- ization of the Washington State Medical Society, over which he presided as presi- dent in 1890 and 1891. He is likewise a member of the American Medical Asso- ciation. In addition to a large private practice he has for eight years served on the staff of the Sacred Heart Hospital of Spokane but for many years has devoted his energies almost exclusively to his profession and has long ranked among the leading physicians of the coast.
In June, 1905. in Spokane, Dr. Merriam was united in marriage to Miss Miriam. the only daughter of General and Mrs. Thomas R. Tannatt. Her father was one of the pioneers of the northwest, prominently known in this section of the country. Dr. and Mrs. Merriam have one daughter, Elizabeth Tannatt, Theirs is a hos- pitable home, its good cheer being greatly enjoyed by many friends. He is also a frecholder in Spokane and has been in the mining business since 1896. being an officer in several mining corporations, his interests lying in the Elk City district of Idaho, in Old Mexico, and in British Columbia. In politics he is a republican
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but has never taken an active part in the work of the party. He has, however, been deeply interested in the welfare and progress of the northwest and his co- operation ean always be counted upon as an asset in Spokane's advancement and improvement. Yet, preeminently he is a physician and one whose high ideals of professional service have gained for him a prominent place among the physicians and surgeons of Spokane.
EDGAR F. GRAVES.
The remarkable development of the northwest deserves to rank with the seven wonders of the world. Men of the east with all the culture and training of the older seetion of the country have recognized the almost limitless possibilities of the Paeifie coast district and have come here to utilize the natural resources in the upbuilding of their individual fortunes and at the same time their labors constitute a forceful and effective element in the development of the region in which they labor. Of this class Edgar F. Graves is a well known representative and his busi- ness activity has constituted an important element in the real-estate operations that have been carried on in Spokane and throughout the Spokane country.
He was born in Panama, New York, June 2, 1861, a son of Lorenzo C. and Louisa (Moore) Graves. The family removed here in 1878 and located just west of Spokane on a ranch at what is now Meadow Lake. The father devoted his energies to the development of that property, carrying on general agricultural pursuits and at the same time he served for a number of years as justice of the peace, his continuation in the office being indieative of the fact that his decisions were fair and impartial. He and his wife now make their home in Los Angeles, California, and he has retired from active business. Their family number seven children, the brothers and sisters of Edgar F. Graves being: John W., now a practicing attorney of Spokane; Glen C., a commercial traveler: Walter, a drug- gist of eastern Oregon; Melville, who is engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in San Franeiseo; Lola, the wife of D. H. Anderson, of Spokane; and Pansy, who married Clifton Gilbert, a business man of Los Angeles.
Edward F. Graves supplemented his public-school education, acquired in his native town, by three years' study in the high school of Lowell, Michigan, and not content with the opportunities already afforded him he attended the Episcopal Academy of Spokane, following the removal of the family to the west. This was the first private school in eastern Washington and many of the pioneers of Spokane obtained their education there. For a brief period he engaged in teaching school during the years 1881-2 and then turned his attention to civil engineering, being engaged in the survey for the Northern Pacific Railroad for a few years. This work took him into the various seetions of the northwest. after which he returned to Spokane and seeured a homestead ncar Medieal Lake, devoting five years to the development and eultivation of that property. When Mr. Graves had secured the title to his homestead he came to Spokane and engaged in the real-estate and loan business. He had closely studied the situation, recognizing the fact that each year would bring a large number of people to the west and believing that real- estate dealing would prove a profitable source of income. Time has attested the
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wisdom of his opinion in this regard, for from the beginning he met with unusual success and has become recognized as one of the foremost real-estate operators in the Spokane country. Ranching, however, has always proved to him an attractive business and not wishing to sever his connection with that line entirely he purchased several farms in the Lalouse country and in the Meadow Lake district. Again and again he has added to his holdings until his possessions now aggregate eight thou- sand aeres which are being placed upon the market by the Hanaeur-Graves Com- pany in five and ten acre tracts. This company was organized in 1907 with Mr. Graves as the president and he is further operating along the same line as the vice president of the Meadow Lake Orchard Company. In his real-estate deal- ings he is attempting to develop the region for commercial orchard purposes and the district is proving very valuable because of the productiveness of the fruit trees which have here been set out. some of the finest apples and other fruits of the northwest being here raised.
On the Ist of January. 1884, occurred the marriage of Mr. Graves and Miss Hallie D. Davis, a daughter of James W. and Harriet D. (Sillamon) Davis, who were pioneer residents of this section. They became parents of eight children. namely: Ethel. the wife of Garrett Anderson, of Medical Lake; Grace, who mar- ried Allyn E. Post, of Coulce City, Washington : Emma, Edgar F., Jr .. Edwina, Iloward and Dorothy, all living at home; and John W., who passed away in 1909 at the age of sixteen years. The family reside at No. 1117 Tenth avenue, where Mr. Graves erected a pleasant home in 1907.
He has never been actively interested in polities nor has he ever aspired to political office. Hle belongs to Imperial Lodge, No. 134, I. O. O. F .. but his time is mostly given to the development and improvement of the lands which the com- pany is placing upon the market. They now have over three thousand aeres in orchards, one thousand six hundred acres at Waverly and Fairfield. Already they have sold many tracts which are being converted into fine orchards and indeed many of these orchards are now in splendid bearing condition although the trees are yet young. Mr. Graves and his associates in the company have made a careful study of the character of the soil and recognize its adaptability for the production of fruit and vegetables. He is himself much interested in agricultural and hor- ticultural pursuits and his labors along those lines have constituted an example for others, indicating what may be accomplished when the raising of fruit. grain and vegetables is conducted according to the best improved and scientific methods.
WILLIAM B. PICKRELL. M. D.
Dr. William B. Pickrell, physician and surgcon, whose time and energies are concentrated upon his professional duties, thereby being productive of excellent results, was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, January 19, 1873. His parents were James H. and Margaret T. (Bedford) Pickrell. also of Sangamon county, his father a well known and prominent resident of Illinois. He had a wide ac- quaintance among leading agricultorists throughout the country, being one of the most famous breeders of shorthorn cattle in the United States. He owned a famous herd and his prominence in that connection is indicated by the fact that
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he became president of the American Shorthorn Breeders Association, which posi- tion he filled for many years. His interests, too, were of a broad and varied nature as is indieated by the faet that he was made one of the trustees of the University of Illinois. It is said that he had almost as wide an acquaintance throughout the United States and Europe as any man with the exception of Grant and Roosevelt. and his popularity was well deserved for he was very cordial in manner and appreciative of the good qualities of others. Moreover. he was re- soureeful. energetie and progressive in business and did mueh to improve the grade of eattle raised in the United States. thus contributing in substantial measure to the prosperity of the agricultural elass.
After pursuing his preliminary education in the publie and high schools of Chieago. Dr. Piekrell studied mechanical engineering for a time in the Armour Institute of that eity, but changing his plans. he decided to become a member of the medieal profession and to this end beeame a student in the Dunham Homeopathie College of Chieago, where he was graduated in 1898. For several years he practiced at Springfield, Illinois, and then pursued another course in the Chieago College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated in 1906. Thinking that the west furnished better elimatie conditions together with business opportunities he eame to Spokane in that year and has sinee developed a constantly growing praetiee. He is a man of quiet and retiring disposition and habits but his recognized personal worth and professional ability have gained for him the respeet and good will of all who knew him. He belongs to the Spokane County and Washington State Medieal Societies and is also a member of the American Medical Association.
At Springfield, Illinois, on the 14th of March, 1900, Dr. Piekrell was united in marriage to Miss Franees Taylor, a daughter of Dr. I. H. and Irene (Constant) Taylor, of that eity. They have two daughters, Dorothy K. and Irene. Dr. Piek- rell belongs to Oriental Lodge, No. 74, F. & A. M., but is connected with no elubs and is not aetively interested in polities, preferring in his leisure hours to devote his time to the interests of his home and family.
OLIVER HALL.
Oliver Hall, who is now serving his third term as state senator from this dis- triet. has been a resident of Colfax for the past thirty-four years. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York. on the 17th of February. 1852, and is a son of Luman and Lydia (Crossett) Hall, the father, a native of Vermont and the mother of the state of New York.
During the early childhood of Oliver Hall his parents removed to Canada, but subsequently located in northern Wiseonsin. He began his edneation in the eom- mon schools of Canada. and completed it in those of Wiseonsin and of Mankato, Minnesota, where the family later resided. He terminated his school days at the age of eighteen years, in 1870. and thereafter gave his entire attention to farming. From then until 1876 he was associated with his father in agricultural pursuits in Minnesota. but in the latter year they came to Washington. When they first re- moved to this state they located in Seattle, where they resided for a year ; then came
OLIVER HALL
SPAAR
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to Colfax. Here the father and son engaged in the manufacture of wagons and buggies and also sleighs, this being the first industry of the kind north of the Snake river. This enterprise was operated under the firm name of 1. Hall & Son until the father's death in 1880, after which Oliver Hall conducted the business under his own name. Various activities engaged the attention of Mr. Hall during the pioneer days and in addition to the wagon and carriage business he also sold pumps and windmills from 1877 to 1900. Possessing much foresight and sagacity, he has always had the faculty of recognizing and utilizing to his advantage opportunities not discernible to the less resourceful individual, and to this can be attributed much of his success. Agricultural pursuits have strongly attracted Mr. Hall for many years, and he is now devoting his time to farming and fruit growing.
During the long period of his residence in Whitman county, Mr. Hall has taken an active and helpful interest in all public affairs, particularly those of a political nature. He casts his ballot for the men and measures of the republican party and for several terms was a member of the Colfax council, while from 1894 to 1902 he was a member of the state senate from this district. His services in this ca- pacity were rendered with a rare degree of efficiency, and were generally satis- factory to the community at large, so that in 1910 he was again sent to the senate. his present term expiring in 1911. Here as elsewhere Mr. Hall has manifested the initiative and strong powers of organization and executive ability that have always characterized him in the direction of any undertaking. He was a most valuable acquisition to the commercial circles of .Colfax during the early days, and to his perspicacity, resourcefulness and determination of purpose can be attributed much of the development of that period. Fraternally he is affiliated with Hiram Lodge. No. 21. A. F. & A. M .: Colfax Chapter, No. 8. R. A. M .: and Colfax Lodge No. 4. K. P .. of which he is past grand chancellor 'and past supreme representative. Hle also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being past grand master and past supreme representative of this organization; and he is a past dictator of the Order of Moose. Ile has been an enthusiastic member of the Colfax Commer- cial Club since its organization, and he is also affiliated with the Inland Club of Spokane. Enterprising and public-spirited .Mr. Hall is one of the popular men of the county, where by reason of his loyalty to his friends and the community, and his straightforward, upright transactions he is held in high esteem by all who know him.
MERTON E. JESSEPH.
Merton E. Jesseph, who is assistant prosecuting attorney, was born June 7. 187t. at Coldwater, Michigan, a son of Rev. L. E. and Leora (Sinclair) Jesseph. who were born in Rochester, New York, and Michigan respectively. The father is of English descent and his parents came to this country shortly after the Re- volutionary war. They first settled in Massachusetts but later removed to Roch- ester, New York. Prior to the Civil war they removed to Coldwater, Michigan. Rev. Jesseph was a Congregational minister for thirty-four years and at the time of his death, which occurred on the 15th of December. 1905. at Kettle Falls, he was serving as mayor at that town. He came to Colville on the Ist of April. 1893.
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to assume the pastorate of the Congregational church. He remained in that city for three or four years, then Joeated in Fairfield where he remained four years. During his residenee in those places he frequently preached in Spokane. After giving up that charge he located in Harrington, where he remained the five years previous to his removal to Kettle Falls. He preached in that town until the time of his death, which occurred about five years later. His mother was a member of the Hart family, many of whose members distinguished themselves in the pro- fessional world. Mrs. Jesseph, the mother of our subjeet, is at present residing in Colville. Her maternal grandfather was a member of a prominent Seottish family and her mother was an Adams, the daughter of a eonsin of President Adams. Her maternal grandfather served in the Revolutionary war and subse- quently in the Mexican war. To Mr. and Mrs. Jesseph six children were born : L. E .. who is now serving his second term as auditor of Stevens county; Mer- ton, who is the subject of this review ; L. C., a member of the law firm of Jesseph & Grinstead, of Colville; Ward, who is cashier of a bank at Edwall, Washington ; Edith, the wife of Bliss Phillips, county treasurer of Stevens county; and Flora, who is residing at home.
Merton E. Jesseph pursued his education in the public schools of Douglas, Michigan, and there prepared to enter Elmira College at Greenville, Illinois. After leaving the latter institution he taught school in Pleasantdale. Kansas, Stevens county, Washington, and Rock Creek valley in Spokane county, having come to this state with his father in 1893. Three years later he returned to Col- ville, where he had previously read law and had been admitted to the bar on the 24th of November, 1894. He resumed his praetiee and remained in Colville until Ferry county was ereated. He removed to Republie in 1898 and in 1901 was eleeted prosecuting attorney of Ferry county. He served one term and in April. 1903, came to Spokane, where he took up the praetiee of law in partnership with Adolph Munter. This firm continued for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Jesseph began praetieing independently. He has eoneentrated his energies chiefly upon eriminal law, specializing in its various lines. After spending about two years in Mexico he was appointed assistant proseenting attorney of Spokane in the spring of 1911, a position which he holds at the present time. He has also interested himself in mining operations. When he was but eighteen years of age he went to Telluride, Colorado, and associated himself with various mining opera- tions in that vieinity. He is also interested in Republie properties and in eonnee- tion with some of his friends he operated the Young Ameriea at Bossburg under lease. During his two years' residenee in Mexico he became interested in prop- erty there and spent considerable money in developing mining traets in Guana- juato. He is still interested in the Young Ameriea at Bossburg.
In April. 1896, at Rockford, Mr. Jesseph was married to Miss Ida Creighton, a daughter of Dr. J. R. Creighton and a sister of Glen B. Creighton, county as- sessor. The father's death oeeurred in 1907, in Spokane, where he was a prom- inent general practitioner. During the Civil war he served as surgeon and sub- seqnently resided in both Kansas and Roekford before coming to Spokane. To Mr. and Mrs. Jesseph four sons have been born: Merton R. and Glen Leonard, aged fifteen and nine respectively; and Louis and Don, who are six and three years of age respectively.
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In politics Mr. Jesseph is a democrat and while manifesting that interest which always indicates loyal and progressive citizenship he has never been a politician in the sense of seeking office as a reward for party fealty excepting in such in- stances as will give him opportunity to make use of his legal talents. In the cam- paign of 1898 he was a candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney of Stevens county and he took an active part in every campaign from the time the right of franchise was bestowed upon him until 1904. When N. S. Pratt was candidate for mayor he took an active interest in promoting his election and was closely associated with him during his term of office. Mr. Jesseph represented his party in a number of county and state conventions and served as secretary of the dem- ocratie county central committee of Stevens county in 1891, and during the cam- paign of 190% covered the territory of Spokane county with Judge Prather. He was also a member of the county central committee for the five years previous to the spring of 1911. He is prominently mentioned in connection with the superior judgeship in 1912. In 1890. while he was residing in Pueblo, Colorado. he was a member of the National Guard of Colorado. He also holds membership in the order of the Moose, the Inland Club and the Chamber of Commerce. As a speaker he is strong and forcible, clear in expression and always commanding attention. Ilis mind, too, has been trained in the severest school of reasoning until close in- vestigation has become habitual with him. By reason of personal worth, profes- sional skill, political responsibility and his close conformity to a high standard of ethics in both private and public life he has gained a prominent place in the re- gard of those who know him.
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