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 3
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The year 1883 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Pettet in Spokane and, believing that the city would enjoy rapid and substantial growth at a later day, he made considerable investments in real estate. The following year in connection with F. R. Moore, now deceased. F. Chamberlin and William Nettleton, he secured the block on which the county courthouse now stands and at their own expense these gentlemen erected a building for the reception of the county records when they were brought from Cheney. In association with Messrs. Moore and Chamberlin Mr. Pettet also established permanent are lights for the streets. From this part- nership developed the present Edison Electric Light Company of Spokane. It was this company that purchased the lower falls of the river and the land on which the big power plant of the Washington Water Power Company now stands. He invested in considerable business property together with a large amount of north- side residence property and with the growth of the city and demand for realty. his holdings grew in value, in time making him one of the wealthiest residents of Spo- kane.
On the 7th of November. 1850. in Milford, Worcester county, Massachusetts. Mr. Pettet was united in marriage to Miss Caroline S. Dean, a daughter of Syl- vester and Charlotte (Cutler) Dean, both representatives of old and well known Massachusetts families. The former was a son of Seth Dean, a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Sylvester Dean became a merchant of New York, where he long continued in business. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pettet were born two children. The son George is now assistant secretary of the Spokane & Eastern Trust Com- pany. The daughter. Grace, became the wife of J. P. M. Richards, president of the Spokane & Eastern Trust Company, and unto them were born five children: Grace, who is the wife of the Rev. E. P. Smith, of Boise, Idaho, and who has two children, Dorothy and Cornelia ; Caroline, the wife of Lieutenant Sherburne Whip- ple. of the United States army now stationed in the Philippines and by whom she has one son, Sherburne ; and JJohn Vanderpool, Josiah and William Pettet Richards. In the spring of 1889. three months before the great fire. Mr. Pettet was stricken with typhoid fever from which he never fully recovered. The latter years of his life were largely spent at his home, Glasgow Lodge, on the North boulevard, where he had a forty-acre tract of land within the city limits and a beautiful residener on the banks of the Spokane river, fitted up in English style. His eightieth birthday was celebrated by a garden party attended by over two hundred of his friends. It was said of him: "Mr. Pettet's benign influence has been very sensibly felt in Spokane to the development of which he has contributed incalculably. Ile Vol 111-2
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has always been a man of great energy and his superb business ability and keen foresight made him eminently successful in his various enterprises."
In his political views Mr. Pettet was a republican during the early days of his residence in this country but in later life became a stanch demoerat. He attended the Episcopal church until old age compelled him to remain away from the house of worship, after which he always observed the Sabbath in services at home. He was a most congenial, entertaining man, of kindly nature and greatly enjoyed the companionship of young people. He died in November, 1904, in London. He and his wife three years before had left Spokane for an extended tour of the old country and were on their way home when both were taken ill in London. Mrs. Pettet improved but her husband gradually failed until the end eame. He was then about eighty-six years of age. His had been a long, well spent and honorable life, and it is said that no one who met him, even easually, would ever forget his frank personality. He was a remarkable and unique character and a most valuable citizen. He sought out his own ways of doing good but they were effective ways, productive of immediate and substantial results. He contributed much to the pio- neer development of the city, giving impetus to its industrial and commercial in- terests in the era which preceded the fire and also in the period that followed the great eonflagration. His wise judgment and clear insight were often used for the benefit of others as well as in the conduet of his own business affairs and he stood as a splendid type of the Anglo-Saxon race who finds or makes his opportunity and uses it to the best advantage.
STANLEY ALEXANDER EASTON.
Stanley Alexander Easton. living in Kellogg, has since 1902 acted as manager of the Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Company. His birth oc- eurred in Santa Cruz, California, on the 17th of April, 1874. his parents being Giles A. and Mary Elizabeth (Gushee) Easton. The father, a California pioneer, was an early officer of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company and later entered the ministry as one of the pioneer Episcopal elergymen of San Francisco. His demise oeeurred about 1896.
Stanley A. Easton supplemented his early education by a course of study in the department of mining engineering of the University of California, from which he was graduated in 1894 with the degree of E. M. He first came to Wardner, Idaho, in 1896 and as a mining engineer entered the service of the Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Company but was absent for several years, working at his profession in British Columbia, other parts of Idaho. Colorado. and all the principal mining eenters. Returning to Wardner in 1902, he took charge of the properties of the Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Company as manager and in this capacity has ably served to the present time. It has been dur- ing his administration that the Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Company erected the Young Men's Christian Association building in Kellogg. In the line of his profession Mr. Easton is connected with the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the Mining Metallurgical Society of America and the Institute of Mining & Metallurgy, of London, England.
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On the 15th of November. 1906. Mr. Easton was united in marriage to Miss Estelle Greenough of Missoula, Montana, a daughter of Thomas 1. Greenough, the prominent mining and railroad man of Montana and Idaho, who passed away in July, 1911. Our subject and his wife have two children. Ruth and Jane, who were born in the years 1907 and 1910 respectively.
Mr. Easton's fraternal relations are with Wardner Lodge. No. 31. 1. F. & 1. M .. of which he is master, and Wallace Lodge, No. 331, B. P. O. E. He is like- wise a member of the Spokane Club of Spokane and belongs to the Idaho Sons of the American Revolution. His business career has been marked by steady advance- ment and he has ever maintained an unassailable reputation for integrity as well as enterprise.
JAMES M. SIMPSON.
James M. Simpson, actively engaged in the practice of law in Spokane since 1902. now has a large clientage that has connected him with much important liti- gation tried in the courts of this and adjoining states. He is a western man in that he was born this side of the Mississippi river, which event occurred in Knox county. Missouri, on the Ist day of January, 1860, his parents. Benjamin and Perlina Simpson, being pioneers of that county.
He entered the public schools there when a boy of six years and after com- pleting the course of study therein prescribed. attended the State Normal School al Kirksville, Missouri, from which institution he graduated in the full course of four years in June, 1886. Mr. Simpson first came west in 1882, locating at Deer 1.odge. Montana, remaining west but a short time, when he returned to Missouri to complete his education and again came west to Deer Lodge, Montana, where he engaged in educational work until 1901. having charge of the public schools of that place. He devoted the hours that are usually termed leisure to the study of law and was admitted to the bar of that state in June. 1893. Mr. Simpson con- tinued his educational work for a time after his admission to the bar, but has now been engaged in the active practice of his profession for about fifteen years. His careful analysis and logical deductions, and his correet application of precedent and principle to the points at issue, were factors in his success. In 1901 he he- came prosecuting county attorney of Powell county, Montana. serving in that ca- pacity for nearly two years. In 1902. he resigned the office of county attorney of Powell county. Montana, and came lo Spokane, where he has since continued in the practice of the law. He has a large and well selected law library and has remained a student of the principles of jurisprudence to this day. His work done before the courts has won him the recognition and admiration of his professional brethren and has awakened the confidence of the general public lo an extent that has brought him a gratifying clientage. Mr. Simpson has always taken an active interest in politics, but has not sought office. having been a candidate for office but once in his life.
Mr. Simpson was married, July 1. 1886. to Miss Kate M. Funk, a daughter of Thomas W. and Rachel Funk, of Kirksville. Missouri. Mrs. Simpson is also a graduate of the State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri, having graduated in
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the class with Mr. Simpson in June. 1886. They have one child James C. Simp- son, of this city. Mr. Simpson is identified with three of the leading fraternal organizations. Holding membership in the Masonic fraternity, he has attained high rank and is now a member of El Katif Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to Imperial Lodge, No. 134, 1. O. O. F., and to Camp No. 99, W. O. W. He belongs also to the Central Christian church and thesc associations in- dieate much of the nature of his interests and the rules of conduct upon which he bases his life. Those who know him-and his acquaintance is wide-have faith in his ability and his manhood and thus the circle of his friends is continually growing.
FRANK PIERSON TEBBETTS.
Frank Pierson Tebbetts, who was formerly engaged in the practice of law. but since locating in Spokane three years ago has been identified with various activities. was born and reared in Salem. Massachusetts, his birth occurring on the 29th of October, 1883. He is a son of Irving S. and Annie M. (Cunningham) Tebbetts. and in the paternal line is descended from the early Puritan settlers of New Hampshire, while his forefathers on the mother's side emigrated to America during the French and Indian war, in which some of them participated. They have been seafaring people for many generations. having long sailed out of the port of Gloucester, Massachusetts.
After the acquirement of his early education which was obtained in the public schools of his native city. Frank Pierson Tebbetts decided upon a legal career and matriculated to this end in the law department of Boston University. being awarded the degree of L.L. B. with the class of 1905. While pursuing his professional studies he took up special work in the liberal arts at Harvard University, specializing in literature thereby practically doing eight years work in the space of four. Im- mediately following his admission to the bar of Massachusetts, he became associ- ated with James M. Marden and they engaged in a general practice in both the criminal and civil courts of Boston under the firm name of Marden & Tebbetts. During his student days, Mr. Tebbetts became quite deeply interested in settle- ment work and after establishing an office in Boston he took up his residence at "South End House." This is one of the best-known and most highly successful settlements conducted in America and is under the charge of Robert A. Woods, a friend of Jane Addams of Hull House, Chicago, and of Toynbee Hall. London. Literary pursuits always engaged much of his time and he contributed to various publications. his products being chiefly essays of an editorial nature, and he was at one time editor and publisher of a magazine known as "The Inquisitor." He likewise organized about the same time a literary society, known as the "Bo-Tree." that numbered among its members many well known poets and writers of New England. In 1908. Mr. Tebbetts made a trip through the northwest and was most favorably impressed with Spokane, recognizing and appreciating its wonderful natural advantages. and feeling convinced that it had a great future ahead of it. He found the enterprise and enthusiasm that characterize the people in this section a very great contrast to the dignified conservatism of his native state, but it fascinated him, nevertheless, and he became so thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the west
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that he determined to make it his home. Returning to Boston, he disposed of all of his interests there and removed to Spokane, with the expectation of opening a law office here, but there were so many advantageous openings along other lines, that promised better returns in less time for the same amount of energy, that he gave up all thought of continuing in his profession, and turned his attention to other activities. He identified himself with the Chamber of Commerce and was assistant manager of the apple show in 1909, and later he became associated with the Spokane Title Company, of which he was assistant manager. In 1911, he as- sumed charge of the city business of the Edward J. Dahm Company as secretary, including fire. casualty and liability insurance, and at the present time he has under way a project to make Spokane one of the insurance centers of the west. He has already secured a mber of general agencies for this city and has other contracts ready to close and others still under advisability.
This city was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Tebbetts in June, 1911. to Miss Elizabeth A. Turrish, a daughter of James J. Turrish, who came to Spokane in 1876. He is a brother of Henry Turrish of Duluth, Minnesota, one of the well known Iumber magnates of the United States. Mrs. Tebbetts is a graduate of Holy Name Academy and Normal School of Spokane, having qualified herself to teach but was married before she identified herself with that profession. She is quite talented and is a musician of more than average ability, as are also her two sisters. Mr. and Mrs. Tebbetts have a very attractive residence, built in the Swiss style, located at 711 Twelfth avenue. the hospitality of which is graciously ex- tended to their many friends, who are always assured of being most delightfully entertained at "Chalet Alpenstein," as their home is named.
Mr. Tebbetts has always been an earnest and active worker in the Young Men's Christian Association, especially in committee work, both in Salem and since Jo- eating here. While residing in Massachusetts he was a member of the Second Corps Cadets of Salem, which was originally General Washington's company of body guards, and has for many years been the erack regiment of the state. Mr. Tebbetts is affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, belonging to Salem Lodge. No. 797. of Salem, Massachusetts, of which his father is past ex- alted ruler. In politics he is a progressive and while living in Salem in 1907 he represented his ward in the city council. He was also at one time secretary of the board of trade of that city. Mr. Tebbetts is a man of high ideals, who fully appreciates the bonds of humanity. He is tireless in his efforts to forward all beneficient movements, giving his support to every undertaking that he feels is at all likely to advance the welfare of the community. He believes in Spokane and is helping to build its civic and commercial future.
WILLIAM HORTON FOSTER.
The life record of William Horton Foster is perhaps representative of the laws of heredity. He is not only descended from an honorable ancestry but by a most creditable record has added laurels to the family name and his son, Warren Dun- ham Foster, has also added notable achievement to the family record. Mr. Foster's choice of a profession was that of the law and he continues in general practice as counsel for the Spokane & Eastern Trust Company of Spokane.
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A native of Montreal, Canada, Mr. Foster was born June 6, 1863. His par- ents were E. C. and Judith Ellen ( Horton) Foster, the father being a native of Canada and a representative of an old New England family of English descent that was founded in America prior to the Revolutionary war. He became a lawyer and was assistant attorney general of the United States at the time of his death. While born across the border his parents were citizens of the United States so that he never had to take out naturalization papers. He was with the department for many years, first as general agent of the department of justice and afterward successively in different positions which finally brought him to that of assistant attorney general of the United States. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Judith Ellen Horton, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1810. She pursued her education at Lima. New York, and afterward removed to Clinton, Iowa. She studied law, was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1872, (one of the first women to be admitted) and was associated with her husband in practice under the firm style of Foster & Foster. She became very prominent in political and temperance circles, being widely known as speaker in behalf of republican principles and as president of the Woman's Republican Association of the United States. The name of J. Ellen Foster became known from one end of the country to the other. She was very prominent in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and was superintendent of its legislative department. When that organization affiliated with the prohibition party she united with the non-partisan Women's Christian Temperance Union. She was one of the officers of the American Red Cross Society and was one of the delegates to the international convention at St. Petersburg, Russia, and ever maintained a foremost position as a noted public lecturer to the time of her death, which occurred in Washington, D. C., Angust 11, 1910. Her work and the notice of her demise was mentioned by the press throughout the en- tire country. A son. Emery M. Foster, was a prominent newspaper man, who died in New York in 1909. He was managing editor of the Chicago American, and New York and Philadelphia papers and at the time of his death was editor of the New York World.
William H. Foster pursued his education in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. and in the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree. In 1885 he was admitted to the bar of Illinois and in 1910 was admitted to practice before the courts of Washington. He followed his pro- fession in Geneseo from the time of his graduation until 1900 and during the succeeding nine years in Chicago. In December, 1909, he arrived in Spokane and while he specialized in the localities where he previously resided in corporation law. he engaged in general law practice for a time as a member of the firm of Cullen, Lee & Foster, leaving that firm in January 1912. to become counsel for the Spokane & Eastern Trust Company.
Mr. Foster is a recognized leader in republican ranks and has done important work as a member of county committees, being an officer of the League of Republi- can Clubs. He was also a member of the state executive committee of Illinois and was a delegate to several national and state conventions. He has long been in- terested in educational work and is a member of a number of national societies for the advancement of education along various lines, including the American His- torical Association, the American Academy of Political and Social Science, and the American Economic Association.
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In May, 1885, at Geneseo, Illinois, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Edith Dunham, a daughter of Charles Dunham, a lawyer with whom Mr. Foster was formerly associated in the practice of his profession under the firm style of Dunham & Foster. He was a leader in democratie circles and was elected to the state legislature in the district that had a normal republican majority. He was also repeatedly a candidate for congress in republican districts and was offered the position of ambassador to Russia by President Cleveland but declined the honor. He was very prominent in his profession, in politics and as a man and was ever recognized as a strong man in his honor and his good name. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have become parents of a son, Warren Dunham Foster, who is department editor of the Youth's Companion although only twenty-four years of age. He has a phenomenal record, having progressed by leaps and bounds. He possesses the western "ginger" and enterprise and has used these effectively in the east. His training was received on Chicago dailies and he was graduated from the Chicago University, after which he served for one year as instructor in English at the Ames University, of Ames, lowa. He then went to the Youth's Companion to accept a temporary position but has remained with that paper continuously since. Mr. and Mrs. Foster hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal church of Spo- kane and are interested in the various activities which tend to uplift humanity and which bring a nearer, clearer knowledge of the political, economic and sociological conditions of the country. Mrs. Foster being president of the Spokane Young Women's Christian Association. Their influence has always been given on the side of progress, reform and improvement, and their labors have been effective forces for good.
T. O. BURRILL.
An enterprising and highly successful young business man of Harrington is to be found in the person of T. O. Burrill, who for the past decade has been engaged in contracting and building in Lincoln county. He was born in Umatilla county. Oregon, on the 25th of April. 1879, and is a son of Sanford and Ann (Stewart) Burrill. The father, who was a minister, followed his profession in Illinois until 1877. when together with his wife and family he came to Washington, arriving in Walla Walla on the Ist of January. He remained there for six months, when he was sent to a church in Weston, Oregon, that he retained for two years. At the expiration of that time he filed on a homestead and for several years devoted his energies to the improvement and cultivation of his ranch and for five years was in the hardware business in Adams, Oregon. In 1890 he came to Harrington and engaged in the mercantile business, but he soon disposed of this and again turned his attention to farming. Later he returned to the ministry and was so occupied for seven years. He passed away in 1909, one of the honored pioneers of the state and a veteran of the Civil war, having gone to the front as a member of a company of the Forty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The greater part of the boyhood and youth of T. O. Burrill were passed on his father's ranch, in the cultivation of which he gave such assistance as he was able. In the acquirement of his education he attended the common schools of his native
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eounty and Harrington, and at the age of twenty he went to Tacoma, where he at- tended the preparatory department of Puget Sound University for two years. He then learned the earpenter's trade, and upon his return to Harrington he engaged in contracting and building in which he has met with gratifying suceess. He is not only an excellent workman but he is thoroughly reliable and trustworthy and can always be depended upon to keep his word in a business transaction. These qualities have been important factors in promoting his progress and today he is ranked as one of the foremost men in his line in the town. Although he is young he has had much experience and has been awarded contracts for many of the most important public buildings in the town, including the city hall, opera house. bank and Methodist Episcopal church, as well as many of the best residences. Mr. Bur- rill has prospered in a most satisfactory manner and, in addition to his fine busi- ness, is one of the stockholders in the Burrill Orchard Company of Washington, organized by the heirs of the late Sanford Burrill.
On the 5th of December, 1907, Mr. Burrill was united in marriage to Miss Maud Graff, a daughter of Fred and Kate Graff, well known pioneers of Lincoln county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burrill hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active interest. while for six years he has been superintendent of the Sunday sehool. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and in politics he is independent, giving his support to such men and measures as he deems best adapted to serve the highest interests of the com- munity. Mr. Burrill is an energetie, progressive young man, who highly merits such success as he has met with, as he always applies himself elosely to his business in the conduct of which he conforms to the highest standards of commercial integrity.
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