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 31
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officers continued through 1905 and 1906, the fair being he id in the former year from the 9th to the 15th of October and in the latter from the 24th of September, to the 6th of October. George T. Crane had succeeded to the presidency, with Mr. Cosgrove still as manager, when the fair was held from the 23d of Septem- ber, to the 5th of October, 1907. It was opened on the 5th of October, 1908, and lasted for five days, with the same officers as in the previous year, and they con- tinued also through 1909, the fair being held from the 20th to the 25th of Septem- ber. Mr. Crane was succeeded by John L. Smith, with Mr. Cosgrove as secretary, and the fair extended from the 3d to the 9th of October, 1910. It lasted for six days in 1911, beginning on the 2d of October, with the same officers. The fair was established with the idea of encouraging agricultural and horticultural pur- suits and has grown to remarkable proportions, the average attendance during the first year of Mr. Cosgrove's residence here being forty-six hundred per day, while in 1910 the average attendance was eighteen thousand six hundred. The total number of entries for prizes in 1904 was one thousand five hundred and eighty-one and in 1910 six thousand eight hundred and nineteen. This is now the largest fair of the kind west of St. Paul and has been a stimulus to fruit-raising and stock-raising interests in the northwest.
Mr. Cosgrove is well known in fraternal, social and club connections. He has taken the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites in Masonry, belonging to the commandery and the consistory, and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He was also senior warden of the blue lodge while in the east. His college fraternity is the Phi Gamma Delta and he is a member of the Spokane Club, the Spokane Country Club, the Spokane Athletic Club, the Inland Club and the Rotary Club. Mr. Cosgrove was married November 27, 1911, to Miss Leora K. Gentry, of Spokane.
MARCUS D. WRIGHT.
Occupying a place in the foremost ranks of those who have made a fortune in the development and exploitation of the timber lands of the west is Marcus D. Wright, who resides at Hayden Lake, Kootenai county, Idaho. A native of the Mis- sissippi valley, he came west in 1871, at the age of twenty years, his birth having occurred in Bowling Green, Kentucky, April 16, 1851. His parents were John W. and Mary (Gibson) Wright, the former a prominent Baptist minister of Kentucky.
Marcus D. Wright obtained his education in the common schools of Kentucky and at the age of sixteen years entered business life as a salesman for a pump con- cern in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was employed in this capacity for four years when he gave up his position and went west, locating in Montana. There he conducted a freighting business in summer and drove a stage during the winter for the follow- ing six years. In 1877 he accompanied General Sherman on his tour of inspection of all the frontier posts, covering the territory extending from Montana over the old Mullen road to Walla Walla, Washington. Subsequently he resided in Colfax, Whitman county, Washington, where he drove a stage until 1878. In that year he came to Spokane and engaged in the livery business, buying out the stable owned by James N. Glover. In 1881 he gave up this enterprise and went to Idaho to look over the prospects for an investment in real estate. Finding a suitable tract of land, he purchased a half-interest in forty acres from C. W. Wood and on that site laid
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ALMA FOUNDATIONS
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out the town of Westwood, now known as Rathdrum. In conjunction with George B. Wannacott he called a meeting of the residents of this locality and organized Kootenai county. He was appointed the first assessor and tax collector, as well as deputy sheriff. serving in these positions until the first general elections of the county. In October, 1882, during the great mining excitement in this section of the country, Mr. Wright took the first pack train into Pritchard Creek, Eagle City, Idaho. Two years later he engaged in business at Rathdrum, Idaho, conducting a general mer- cantile establishment and also contracting to railroads for the sale of timber and ties. The latter branch of his business increased so rapidly that he discontinued his gen- eral mercantile establishment and has since that time concentrated his entire atten- tion upon the lumber business, furnishing lumber supplies mainly to the Northern Pacific Railroad. Within the last twenty-three years he has supplied approximately twenty million ties which, at a rough estimate, would be sufficient, if laid end to end, to circle the globe. He was also financially interested in the First National Bank of Coeur d'Alene, of which he was president for several years, resigning in 1910 in or- der to devote his undivided attention to his lumber interests.
On March 18, 1881, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Bertie Piper, a daughter of Dr. John J. Piper, of Peone Prairie, Washington, who was for twelve years one of the county commissioners of Spokane county, Washington. Mrs. Wright passed away in 1901, being survived by her husband and seven children, two sons and five daughters. In 1903 Mr. Wright was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Marie Bennett, a stepdaughter of A. M. Canon, of Spokane, Washington. Fra- ternally Mr. Wright is connected with the Elks, Lodge, No. 228, of Spokane: the Knights of Pythias of Coeur d'Alene, and the Odd Fellows of Coeur d'Alene. The Wright home is known as one of the handsome residences of this locality, being situated at Hayden Lake, on one of the finest farms in the state of Idaho, a traet of land comprising about six hundred aeres. It contains a fish preserve covering an area equivalent to one hundred and sixty acres, which is filled with black bass and trout, and affords some of the finest opportunities for fishing in the state. Never losing sight of the goal which lay before him, Mr. Wright has been stead- fast in the pursuit of his ideals and by dint of close application and unceasing effort has won his reward in the generous measure of success which has been his.
JOHN M. DUNN.
John M. Dunn is one of the foremost representatives of the real-estate inter- ests in Spokane. He was born on the 9th of June, 1865, at Columbia, New Hamp- shire, a son of Thomas and Jemima (Temple) Dunn. The father was a promi- nent agriculturist of New Hampshire and also took an active part in the political activities of his native state. He always gave his support to the republican party and served as a representative in the New Hampshire state legislature from Coos county for two years. The mother's death occurred when her son John was but eleven years of age. To their union two daughters and five sons were born, all of whom remained in the east with the exception of the subject of this review.
John M. Dunn pursued his education in the public schools of his native town. and subsequently was engaged in agricultural pursuits before taking up railroad- Vol. 111-15
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ing. Having heard of the opportunities the west offered to the energetic and deter- mined, he decided to leave his native state and locate permanently in the north- west. By hard work he had accumulated forty-three dollars. With this money as his capital he set out for St. Paul, Minnesota, from which city he worked his way to Havre, Montana, arriving there about the time that the Great Northern Rail- road had been extended to that city, which consisted of two tents. As there did not seem to be much prospect for work there he continued his journey to Great Falls, Montana, where he arrived on the 13th of November, 1888. He re- mained in that city for eight years, being employed throughout the greater part of his residence there in the wholesale grocery business. Subsequently he re- moved to Butte and engaged in mining, later becoming foreman and superintend- ing the erection of the three largest sheet iron smoke stacks that have ever been put up in the west. Thrift and energy were among the salient characteristics of his nature and were fast winning him financial success. By saving his money he was able to return to Helena and engage in the retail meat-market business. Shortly afterward he opened another store in Great Falls. Both of these enterprises netted him considerable money before he disposed of them and came to Spokane in 1901. Immediately upon his arrival in this city he engaged in the real-estate business under the firm name of Dickson & Dunn, Mr. Dunn serving as president. They were very successful in their various ventures and opened the Dickson & Dunn orchard tracts, four miles north of Hillyard. This property consisted of two hundred and forty acres. They also dealt extensively in local real estate. In 1910 Mr. Dunn sold his interest to Mr. Dickson and has since devoted his entire time and attention to the management of his private real-estate holdings, which consist mostly of homes and similar income properties. What he has accomplished shows his business ability and power and, arguing from the past, his friends predict for him a still more successful future.
Mr. Dunn was married, at Great Falls, Montana, on the 14th of February, 1897, to Miss Lena B. Elliott, a daughter of George and Barbara Elliott, of Fargo, North Dakota. They reside at No. 333 Euclid avenue. Mr. Dunn holds mem- bership in the Methodist church and fraternally is a member of Spokane Lodge, No. 228, B. P. O. E .; Red Cross Lodge, K. P., in which order he has passed through all the chairs and has twice been representative to the grand lodge; the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan; Tyrian Lodge, No. 96, F. & A. M .; the Modern Woodmen of American; and Spokane Acric, No. 2, F. O. E.
WILLIAM A. HALTEMAN.
William A. Halteman, of Spokane, who is now filling the office of United States marshal for the eastern district of Washington. was born in Dayton, Ohio, June 27, 1860, and came to this state in 1890. He first located at Port Townsend, where he became interested in real estate and also owned a third interest in the Townsend Leader, which at that time was an eight page daily. While at Port Townsend he was elected to the state legislature in 1895 and two years later removed to Spokane and became interested in mining. In 1904 he went to Ferry county and had dircet supervision of the Meteor mine for four years. While there he was again called to
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public office, being elected to the legislature from Ferry county in 1907, and the following year was selected as executive commissioner of the state of Washington at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.
Mr. Halteman was married on the 29th of February, 1892, to Miss Elizabeth Frazier, of Peoria, Ilinois, and both hold membership in the Baptist church.
JOHN HUSTON CLARKE.
John Huston Clarke, senior partner of the firm of Clarke & Eaton, well known hardware dealers in Whitman county, has been prominently identified with the com- mercial activities of Lacrosse for the past six years. His birth occurred in Knox county. Illinois, on the 5th of February, 1868. his parents being William Y. and Mary (McCormick ) Clarke, both natives of Ireland.
The son of a farmer. John Huston Clarke was reared in the country. acquiring his early education in the district schools. After leaving school he assisted his father in the operation of the farm until he had attained his majority. but as agri- cultural pursuits were not altogether to his liking he entered the State Normal School at Peru, Nebraska. He was graduated from this institution with the class of 1894, and for three years thereafter engaged in teaching in that state. In 1897 he came to Elberton. this county, where he taught until 1900, when he decided to withdraw from this profession and identify himself with commercial activities. He became associated with Hugh Eaton and they established a hardware store in El- berton, which they conducted under the firm name of Clarke & Eaton. This enter- prise flourished in a most gratifying manner from its inception, and five years later they extended the scope of their activities by founding a store in Lacrosse. As it proved to be as lucrative as their first establishment, in 1908 they opened another branch at Endicott. Since then they have sold the store in Elberton and now con- centrate their efforts upon the operation of the two last established. They are both enterprising and industrious men, of practical ideas and progressive methods and are numbered among the prosperous and representative business men of the county. Owing to their capable and intelligent direction of their interests they have succeeded in building up an excellent patronage. that is constantly increasing, their business showing a marked growth from year to year. They carry a full and well selected stock of shelf and heavy hardware as well as farming implements in their stores, that they offer at reasonable prices, the quality of their goods being fully commen- surate with what is asked. Gracious and courteons in their treatment of patrons they strive to accommodate and please all, believing that a well satisfied customer is the best medium of advertising.
At Spokane, Washington, in 1906. Mr. Clarke was united in marriage to Miss Blanche B. Howell, a native of the state of Illinois, and a daughter of Charles Il. and Mary (Holland) Howell, who were born and reared in West Virginia. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clarke. Mary Caroline and John Howell.
Mr. Clarke is affiliated with Lacrosse Lodge, No. 155. A. F. & A. M., in which he has held all of the chairs; and Colfax Chapter. No. 31. R. A. M. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and has held all of the offices in the local camp. He votes the republican ticket, but has never aspired to public honors
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or the emoluments of office, having preferred to give his undivided attention to his business. Mr. Clarke's commercial career in Whitman county has been character- ized by the foresight and sagacity that invariably lead to the goal of success, when concentrated upon a definite purpose. In his transactions he has always been found absolutely honorable, his integrity being above question, and he is held in high es- teem by all who have had dealings with him.
HARRY GREY DE PLEDGE.
Harry Grey De Pledge, who has been cashier of the First Trust & Savings Bank ever since its organization six years ago, was born in England on the 16th of Feb- ruary, 1860, and is a son of Jonathan and Emily (Grey) De Pledge.
Reared in his native land, when old enough to choose a vocation Harry G. De Pledge decided to follow the sea, so upon leaving school he went on a naval cadet training ship to qualify for the merchant marine. He went to sea in 1875, serving as midshipman for four years. At the expiration of that period, in 1879, he passed his examination for second mate, but the following year he joined a colony that was coming to the United States. They located in Iowa, but Mr. De Pledge only re- mained with them for about a year, removing to San Francisco in 1881. Upon his arrival in the latter city he entered the service of one of the steamship companies and sailed on the Pacific until 1882, when he returned to Towa and worked for Close Brothers, land agents. In 1883 he again came west, locating in Portland, where for a time he was employed in railroad surveying. Later he was appointed deputy county surveyor of Multnomah county, Oregon, and was the first to claim the right to the waters of the Bull Run which now supply Portland. Two years thereafter, in 1885, he joined a party of engineers who were surveying for the railroad through Colfax, and upon his arrival here Mr. De Pledge decided to locate. He obtained a position with Knapp, Burrell & Company as manager of the first grain house here. He retained this position until 1887, and then removed to Pullman and engaged in the grain business. The venture proved to be successful, but at the end of a year he undertook to construct and manage two warehouses at that point for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. In 1889, Mr. De Pledge returned to Colfax and en- tered the bank of Perkins & Mills. The following year he became cashier of the Bank of Pullman, continuing in this capacity after the reorganization of this in- stitution in 1891 into the First National Bank of Pullman. He remained there un- til 1894, when he resigned and became associated with O. E. Young in the grain business at Pullman, under the firm name of De Pledge & Young. In 1898, Mr. De Pledge was appointed deputy treasurer of Whitman county, and returned to Colfax, where a year later he became assistant cashier of the First National Bank. Upon the organization of the First Trust & Savings Bank in 1905, he was made cashier and has ever since been retained in this capacity. He is also a stoekholder and a member of the board of directors of this institution and is a stockholder of the Western Union Life Insurance Company, and is likewise financially interested in a fire insurance company.
Portland, Oregon, was the scene of Mr. De Pledge's marriage in 1890 to Miss Jane S. Crockett. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. De Pledge, Ruth Grey, Cedric Grey, Cuthbert Crockett and Desmond Gerald.
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The parents are members of the Episcopal church, and fraternally Mr. De Pledge is athiliated with the Masonic order, being treasurer of the blue lodge and past high priest of the chapter, and he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In his political views he is a staneh republican and is now and has been for several terms city treasurer, and he is also clerk of the school board, and for many years was a school director. Ile takes much interest in the development of Colfax.
LAURENCE RANKIN HAMBLEN.
Lanrenee Rankin Hamblen is a member of the firm of Hamblen & Gilbert. attorneys at law, engaged in general practice although specializing to some cx- tent in corporation law. in which connection they have a large and representative elientele. Mr. Hamblen was born at Rondont. New York, May 15. 1871, his parents being Charles E. and Charlotte (Pinkham) Hamblen. The mother's peo- ple were among the earliest settlers of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and it was there her birth occurred. The father, also a native of the Old Bay state. was descended from English ancestors who settled in America about 1650. The family was rep- resented in the Revolutionary war and Charles E. Hamblen was numbered among the defenders of the Union eausc in the Civil war as a member of Company H. Thirty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry. He participated in a number of important engagements including the battle of Cedar Creek. During the latter part of his life he was engaged in the real-estate business in Spokane, where his death occurred in 1889. His wife survived until 1901 and the living sons and daughters of the family are: Laurence R .: Robert N., who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Spokane: Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Shaw and resides in Spokane; and Mabel R., also living in this eity.
In the public schools of Minneapolis Laurence R. Hamblen pursued his early education and afterward entered the Methodist College of Spokane; which he at- tended until 1892. He had come to this city with his parents in 1887. After leaving the Methodist College he was employed here for two years and then entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1896 with the LL. B. degree, having pursued the full law course whereby he was qualified for active work at the bar. He entered upon the practice of law in Spokane in the fall of 1896 as a member of the firm of Hamblen & Lund. Later changes in the part- nership have led to the adoption of the firm name of Hamblen, Lund & Gilbert and afterward to Hamblen & Gilbert. They have a large and satisfactory general practice and have also been attorneys for the North Coast Railroad for the past two years and are now division attorneys for the Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Company.
On the 10th of September, 1904, was celebrated the marriage of Laurence R. Hamblen and Miss Frances Gilbert, a daughter of F. W. Gilbert, now deceased. who was the general superintendent of the Northern Pacific Railway Company at St. Paul. The three children of this marriage are Charlotte, Herbert M. and Mary G. Mr. Hamblen has spent the major part of his life in Spokane and is widely and favorably known to the majority of its citizens. He has watched with interest the progress of events which have marked the development and growth
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of the city and in various ways has contributed to the work of general improve- ment and upbuilding. While in college he became a member of the Delta Chi and is now a member of the Spokane Club. He is in thorough sympathy with the work of the Chamber of Commerce, in which he holds membership, and through political channels he has done much active and valuable public service. He votes with the republican party and has attended city, county and state conventions, being known as a delegate to the conventions at Spokane and Tacoma. He has also acted as a member of the city, county and central committees and believes that party organization should be made the means of procuring good government and a righteous administration of the laws. In 1907 he was appointed to the position of corporation counsel for a term of two years. These were stirring times in the history of the city when excitement was often intense, for at that time Spokane entered upon its great work of reform, cleaning out the cribs, closing the saloons on Sunday and turning a watchful eye on all gambling. Mr. Hamblen as corporation counsel was closely associated with this work and then, as at all times, his influence was strongly on the side of law and order, reform and progress.
CHARLES WILLIAM HESS.
Charles William Hess, who has been identified with the business interests of Colfax for the past eight years, was born in Fulton, Illinois, on the 17th of October. 1863, and is a son of John G. and Catherine (Murphy) Hess, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Ireland.
During the childhood of Charles William Hess his parents removed to Janes- ville, Wisconsin, in the public schools of which city he began his education. Later they returned to Illinois, settling in Joliet, where he continued his studies, until their next removal to Grand Island, Nebraska. When he was sixteen years of age, he left school and went to work as a member of a railroad construction gang at Emporia, Kansas, and from there on was self-supporting. As he was energetic and performed such tasks as were assigned him with more than average intelligence and efficiency, his worth was readily recognized and he was promoted at various times, continuing in the service in the west and south until 1898. In the latter year he was offered a position as division roadmaster on the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, at Colfax, which he readily accepted. He remained in the employment of this company until 1904. when he came to the conclusion to give up his position as a dependent and to go into business on his own account and to that end purchased the cigar and tobacco store of C. A. Cary, of this city. In the conduct and develop- ment of his own business he has manifested the same qualities that have character- ized him as an employe and he is meeting with success in his business. He is pro- gressive and enterprising in his methods, courteous and accommodating to his pat- rons and keeps a class of goods that is fully commensurate with the prices. all of which facts have assisted him to build up a profitable trade.
Plattsburg, Missouri, was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Hess on the 20th of January, 1892, to Miss Hallie N. Smith, a daughter of E. T. and Emma (Tillery) Smith, both natives of Kentucky, and they have become the parents of one son, Edwin A., who is a resident of Spokane.
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Fraternally, Mr. Hess is identified with the Masonic order, being a past senior deacon of Iliram Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & A. M .; past high priest of Colfax Chapter, No. S. R. A. M .; and past patron of Washington Chapter, No. 16. O. E. S. He is also a member of Colfax Lodge, No. 1, K. of P. The political views of Mr. Hess conform to the principles of the democratic party for which candidates he casts his ballot save at municipal elections, when he gives his support to such men as he deems Fest qualified to subserve the interests of the community irrespective of party lines. He is a man who is entitled to the full credit for his achievements, as he has been entirely dependent upon his own resources since he was a youth of sixteen years, and his advancement must be attributed to his personal efforts.
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