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 32
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ROBERT CRAMPTON MCCROSKEY.
Robert Crampton MeCroskey. a well known retired agriculturist of Whitman county, who for many years has been actively identified with banking circles in both Pullman and Palouse, was born in Monroe county. Tennessee, on the 10th of March, 1815. He is a son of John and Priscilla ( MeCray ) MeCroskey, both natives of Ten- nesser. The family originally settled in Virginia and there they were prominent in early colonial times.
In the acquirement of his education, Robert Crampton MeCroskey attended the common and private schools of his native state until he had attained the age of seven- teen years. In 1862. he laid aside his text-books and enlisting in the Thirty-first Arkansas went to the front in defense of the Confederacy. He enlisted as a private, but although he was very young he early gave evidence of possessing the force and energy as well as executive ability entitling him to a more responsible position, and he was promoted until he became captain of his company. Owing to his seniority he was subsequently placed in command of the Fourth and Thirty-first regiments and the Fourth Battalion of Arkansas Volunteers, which he lead in the battles of Frank- lin, Nashville and Bentonville and other minor engagements. Soon after his re- turn home in 1865. he entered Croton College in Tennessee, from which he was graduated in 1868. The following antun he engaged in teaching, continuing to follow this profession in his native state until 1870, when he removed to California. locating in Monterey county. There he resumed teaching, being actively identified with this vocation until 1874, when he was elected superintendent of schools in Monterey county. He served in this capacity for six years, at the expiration of which time he purchased one hundred and ten acres of land and turned his atten- tion to ranching. His efforts in this direction prospered and he was later able to extend his holdings by the addition of another two hundred and fifty acres. In 1887. he disposed of his interests and came to Whitman county, buying one hun- dred and sixty acres of land at twenty dollars per acre in the vicinity of Garfield. where he makes his present home. He is a man of progressive ideas and intelli- gener, who has most capably directed his undertakings and has been rewarded with corresponding success. Having unlimited confidence in the future of this state with the development of its rich natural resources, he invested heavily in real estate and is now the owner of over two thousand acres of valuable land, that is under high cultivation. In 1909, Mr. MeCroskey withdrew from the active work
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of the fields and turned the operation of his raneh over to his sons and has ever sinee been living retired. Although his principal interests have been along the lines of farming and real estate, he has been identified with various other local en- terprises, and in 1890 was associated with others in the organization of the Gar- field Hardware & Mercantile Company of which he was president for several years. The following year, in 1891, he assisted in the organization of the Bank of Garfield and was one of the directors of this institution until they were foreed out of business by the panie. At the present time he is the president and a director of the Pullman State Bank and also the Palouse National Bank of Palouse.
At Madisonville, Tennessee, in September, 1882, Mr. MeCroskey was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Houston, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of Joseph E. and Eliza (Hair) Houston, likewise natives of that state, while in the paternal line she is descended from the same branch of the family as Sam Houston. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. MeCroskey, as follows: Robert Cramp- ton, Jr., who married Miss Helen R. Weseo, of Portland; Joseph Houston, who married Miss Marion Flood, of Spokane; Gladys, who is a student at the Wash- ington State College: and Blanche M. and Earl MeCray, who are still attending sehool.
Fraternally Mr. MeCroskey is affiliated with the Masonie order and the Knights of Pythias. being past grand chancellor of the latter, and he also belongs to the Artisans. He has always been an enthusiastic champion of the different agrienl- tural organizations, and is president of the local branch of the Farmers' Union and is also officially connected with the county society. He is an active member of the Garfield Commercial Club, while his politieal support he gives to the dem- oeratie party, and has always taken mueh interest in governmental affairs. In 1890 he was elected to the state senate, serving with effieieney in this capacity for three years, while he has been a member of the local school board and since 1897 one of the regents of the Washington State College. Mr. MeCroskey is versatile and has the faculty of adapting himself to the needs and requirements of almost any position he could be called to, as has been manifested by his efficient service in official eonneetions in both business and publie life.
NATHAN M. BAKER, M. D.
Success always depends upon an intelligent understanding of one's own eapaeities and limitations and the fact that the latter may be eliminated to the same great extent that the former can be cultivated. Realizing this Dr. Nathan M. Baker in his life work has attained distinction, applying himself elosely to the mastery of the great scientific principles which underlie the practice of medieine and surgery. Moreover, his ability enables him to see the logieal relation between eanse and effeet and thus in his practice his labors have been attended with excellent results, bringing him into important relation with the medieal fraternity. He has praetieed continuously in Spokane since 1895, having as the basis of his sueeess broad knowl- edge of medieal principles, acquired in the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Baker was born September 26, 1859, in St. Peter, Minnesota, a son of Nathan M. and Elmina (Perry) Baker. The father was one of the pioneer settlers of Minnesota, taking up his abode in that state in 1857. At the time of the Civil
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DR. N. M. BAKER
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THE NEW LOOK PUBLI LIBRARY
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war he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in the Ninth Minnesota Infantry with which he did valiant service on the battlefields of the south.
At the usual age Dr. Baker became a pupil in the public schools of his native city and afterward enjoyed the benefit of instruction in the University of Minne- sota, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree in 1881. Ilis professional training was received in the University of Pennsylvania and upon his graduation with the class of 1889 his professional degree was conferred upon him. He spent three years in the State Hospital of Minnesota, during which varied hospital practice gradually broadened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency, For two years he was assistant superintendent of the State Hospital at St. Peter and his work in those connections well qualified him for the onerons and responsible duties that have devolved upon him since he entered upon the general practice of medicine in Spokane in 1895. His ability has carried him into important profes- sional relations. His knowledge of medicine in every line is comprehensive and at all times he keeps abreast with the best thinking men of the profession, his investigation and research bringing him success beyond that of the average practi- tioner. With a nature that could never be content with mediocrity he has advanced step by step in his profession and his labors have been of great benefit to his fel- lowmen. He holds membership in the Spokane County Medical Society, the Wash- ington State Medical Society and the American State Medical Association.
On the 1st of July, 1895, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Baker and Miss Minnie J. Bluhm, of Minnesota, and they have two children. Violet E. and Morton C. The family reside at E. 945 Mission avenne. Dr. Baker belongs to Oriental Lodge, No. 71, F. & A. M., to the Independent Order of Foresters and to the University Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and the offices he has held have been in the path of his profession. He served as coroner from 1898 until 1902 and for six years was a member of the city board of health. Ile is a gentleman of broad general culture as well as high professional attain- ment and finds his friends among the best residents of Spokanc.
GEORGE CLARENCE JEWETT.
George Clarence Jewett, cashier of the National Bank of Palouse and also at this writing in 1912 the mayor of the town. was born in Wright county .. Minnesota, on the 27th of November, 1876. He is a son of Aaron H. and Jane ( Emerson) Jewett. both natives of Vermont and descendants of well known New England families of early colonial days.
The early years in the life of George Clarence Jewett were passed in his native state, to whose public schools he is indebted for the greater part of his education. Having decided to pursue a business career he subsequently took a course in a commercial college at Mankato, Minnesota, thus more fully qualifying himself for the practical duties of life. In 1897 he went to Bordulac, North Dakota, where for two years he was engaged in the grain business. In 1899 he became a bookkeeper in the Maple Lake State Bank, continuing to serve in this capacity until the spring of 1900 when be removed to Pasadena, California, and took a position in the First
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National Bank of that city. In July of the following year he onee more took up his residenee in Minnesota, as a member of the staff of the Second National Bank of St. Paul. He resigned this position in July, 1902, to enter the employ of Ross & Davidson, well known financiers of North Dakota, where they are operating twenty-four banks, entering their service in the capacity of an assistant cashier. He proved to be a very efficient and reliable employe and was later promoted to the office of cashier, the duties of which he discharged until 1906. In the latter year he became associated with R. P. Ward of Waseca, Minnesota, and removed to Columbus. North Dakota, where he established the First International Bank. He remained there until June. 1909. when he came to Palouse and opened the Na- tional Bank of which he has ever since been cashier and one of the stockholders. Mr. Jewett is in every way well qualified for the position he holds, not only striv- ing to protect the interests of the stockholders but those of the patrons of the bank as well, to whom he aecords the greatest consideration and this has unquestionably been one of the factors in the upbuilding of the institution.
In North Dakota on the 21st of June. 1901. Mr. Jewett was united in marriage to Miss Minnie C. Sander, of Wisconsin, and a daughter of Henry Sander. and they have become the parents of four children: Milton A., Viola J .. Alta Margaret and George Donald.
Fraternally Mr. Jewett is affiliated with Palouse Lodge. No. 16. A. F. & A. M., of which he is treasurer. and he also belongs to the Chapter, R. A. M., of Carrington, North Dakota. He has passed through all of the chairs of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Oriental Lodge. No. 26, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political sup- port he gives to the republican party. and although he has been a resident of this eity but for two years he has made such a favorable impression in the community that he has been honored with the highest office of the municipality. He has high standards regarding the responsibilities and duties of citizenship and ever since granted the right of franchise has taken an active interest in all political affairs. and in 1909 was a member of the legislature of North Dakota. During the period of his residence here, Mr. Jewett has at all times evidenced the qualities that have won him the respect and esteem of all with whom he has had dealings both as a public official and business man. his methods of conducting transactions being in strict accordance with the highest business principles.
CHARLES EDWARD MAX.
Being attracted to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. as an excellent place of promising opportunities for a business man to locate in, Charles Edward Max, in 1906. gave up the railroad work to which he had been trained and engaged in the hardware and implement business, meeting with such unwonted snecess during the brief period of the past six years that his establishment is now aecounted one of the largest hardware and implement houses in northern Idaho, and his importance as a dealer in this department of the mercantile life of the state is attested by the numerous offices to which he has been elected in various hardware organizations. He was born on March 6. 1861. at Tippecanoe. Miami county, Ohio. His father,
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Samuel Max, was a descendant of the Pennsylvania Dutch and was a most enthu- siastic adherent to the Union cause serving throughout the Civil war with Company G. Eleventh Regiment Ohio Infantry. His mother, Nancy Elizabeth ( Hyatt) Max, was of English descent and a daughter of one of the first business men in Tippe- canoe, Ohio.
Charles Edward Max was educated in the grammar and high schools at Tippe- canoe, Ohio, and for his first work labored on a farm until 1882. Interested in railroad work he took up the study of telegraphy and routine office work and se- cured employment with the Big Four Railroad at Troy. Ohio, six miles from Tippe- canoe. this being up to that time the farthest distance that he had ever ventured from home. In 1883 he entered the employment of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company with headquarters at St. Louis, serving as telegraph operator and agent at different points for a year and a half. In 1885 he was sent by the same com- pany as division agent on the Cairo branch of their road and in 1886 was ap- pointed agent on the main line at Piedmont, Missouri, where he remained fifteen years. For the sake of his wife's and his own health he then removed to Rialto, California, severing his connection with the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, with whom he had been employed for eighteen years, and accepted a position as agent for the Santa Fe Railroad in which capacity he acted for five years when he entered the hardware business. During all the twenty-four years of his railroad service his record was perfect, and for his devotion to duty and his conscientious regard for carrying out his instructions and maintaining the company's high stand- ard of efficiency he was constantly advanced from position to position without any solicitation on his part.
Through careful management and with an eye to the future Mr. Max had by this time saved of his earnings a sufficient sum to enable him to invest in some enterprise that would make him independent and insure him a good income and consequently in 1906 he came to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and founded the mercan- tile establishment known as the Branson-Max Hardware Company of which he became president, continuing in this relation with the firm to the present time. Well trained in the systematie excention of business details and keeping an ever watch- ful eye on the fluctuating conditions of the market and the constantly varying de- mands in the industrial and agricultural world he has not only built up his business to its present flourishing proportions but has become known as one of the very keen and up-to-date business men, whose spirit of enterprise contributes in no small de- gree to the growth of the community.
His popularity and the leading position which he occupies may be gauged by the honors which have been accorded him at the hands of his fellow tradesmen. He is the president of the Pacific Northwest Hardware & Implement Dealers' As- sociation, and also president of the Pacific Federation of Hardware and Imple- ment Dealers, an organization which embraces the states of Idaho, Washington. Oregon and California, having been elected to the latter position at the last con- vention at Sacramento, California, March 15, 1911. He was appointed a delegate to the meeting of the National Hardware Association held at Little Rock, Arkansas, at which he was greatly instrumental in adjusting some important matters con- nected with the hardware business.
The marriage of Mr. Max and Miss Helen Dunn of Iron county, Missouri. was solemnized at Jonesboro, Arkansas, in 1881. Two children were born of this
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union: Anreola, born in 1888. who is the wife of Earl Tibbott, of Rialto, California, and who now resides in Oregon; and Samuel, born in 1890. who attends the Uni- versity of Puget Sound, where he is studying medieine. Mrs. Max passed away in 1900 at Rialto. California, after suffering under a cloud of ill health for some time. In 1901 Mr. Max was again married. his second union being with Miss Luey E. Conrey. of Piqua. Ohio. a daughter of Joseph R. Conrey. one of the most sue- eessful farmers in Ohio, engaged in seientifie farming. By this marriage there is a son. Dwyer Edward. born August 15, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Max are members of the Methodist Episcopal ehnreh of Coeur d'Alene and he has been the president of the board of trustees ever since his eon- neetion with this ehureh during his residenee in the town. He is prominent in Ma- sonie eireles, being a member of Kootenai Lodge, No. 34. F. & A. M., and of Chap- ter No. 12, R. A. M., of Coeur d'Alene, in which he has held all the offices, and Temple Commandery No. 8. of Coeur d'Alene. He was elected grand prelate of the Knight Templars of the state of Idaho and. furthermore holds membership in El Katif Temple of the Mystie Shrine, of Spokane. Mr. Max is well known throughout Idaho and the adjoining seetion of the country and takes an active part in every movement designed to further the welfare of society at large. At the time of the great railroad wreek at Gibbs Siding. Idaho; which oeeurred on the oeeasion of the opening of the Coeur d'Alene reservation, when thirteen people were killed, he was appointed one of the commissioners to deeide the cause of the accident. In September, 1911, a distinctive honor was eonferred upon him by his selection to serve as a member of the advisory board of the University of Puget Sound, of Ta- eoma, Washington. Mr. Max has come into the enjoyment of a substantial ineome by means of ineessant and earefully directed activity and owns property in Lafay- ette, Indiana. besides the handsome residenee in which he lives at No. 822, Garden street. Coeur d'Alene. In matters of business as well as in his private relations he maintains a standard of honor from which he never departs, believing that hon- esty is the best poliey, and that a elear eonseienee is the most desirable joy in life.
EDWARD HENRY LETTERMAN.
Among the pioneer citizens of Pullman who have substantially contributed to- ward the upbuilding and development of the community must be numbered. Edward Henry Letterman. who has been a resident of this town for thirty-two years. Until recently he has been aetively identified with various loeal enterprises. but he is now living retired. his various properties providing him with a handsome income. He was born in Germany on the 13th of March. 1840, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Benton) Letterman, also natives of the fatherland, where the mother passed away.
When old enough to begin his education, Edward Henry Letterman entered the government schools of his native country. continuing his student days until he had attained the age of fourteen years. His text-books were then laid aside and he was apprentieed to the blacksmith's trade. to the mastery of which he diligently applied himself until 1857. The entire family desired to found a new home in the United States, but eireumstanees prevented such plans at that time. Edward, how-
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ever, although only a youth of seventeen years had evinced the judgment and fore- sight of one many years his senior, and it was decided that he should go to the new world as the family's emissary and become established. The year 1857 saw him on his way to America and he arrived here with ten dollars in his pocket. unfamiliar with the language and customs of the country, but with a stout heart, that knew no fear for the future. He first located in Little Falls, Herkimer county, New York. where he obtained work in a dairy at twenty-five cents per day. Hours were long and his tasks were heavy, but as twenty-five cents was considered good pay for a youth of his age at that time he remained faithful to the work. Anxious to bring his people of this country, he denied himself every comfort and sometimes even the necessities of life, hoarding every cent until he had accumulated seventy- five dollars. This sum he immediately forwarded to his father and soon thereafter was joined by him, two sisters and two brothers. By means of thrift, the rigid ceonomy and unceasing diligence, be acquired a sufficient sum to purchase eighty neres of land in Michigan in 1879. His family immediately thereafter took up their residence in the western state, but Mr. Letterman remained in Herkimer county until the following year when he joined his family in Michigan.
Ile energetically applied himself to the cultivation of the farm until December, 1861. when he enlisted in Company I of Colonel Berdan's Sharpshooters. His baptism of fire was received at Yorkton, following which he engaged in many notable conflicts until the battle of Fair Oaks, in which he was wounded. Soon thereafter he also fell a vietim to typhoid fever and, as soon as he was able to leave the hospital, was sent to Washington, D. C., where he was discharged in 1863. Returning home, he gave such assistance as his health and strength permitted in the work of the farm until the 24th of August, 1861. when he reenlisted in the First Michigan Cavalry, as a member of Company F. under General Custer and again went to the front. He remained in the service until the close of hostilities, being mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on June 16, 1865.
Again resuming the duties of civil life, during the succeeding two years he devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits on the home farm in Michigan. In 1867. he turned his attention to commercial activities and es- tablished a lumberman's supply store that he conducted with substantial returns for ten years. At the expiration of that period. in 1877. he came to Washington, locating at Goldendale, where he engaged in the sheep business. This undertaking proved to be a most unfortunate venture, as his herd was caught on the prairies by a terrible blizzard and he lost forty-two hundred head of sheep. This calamity decided him to withdraw from the business and in 1879 he homesteaded some land, upon which he resided until 1882, when he came to Pullman and established a hardware and implement store. In the autumn of the following year he dis- posed of the store and began buying land, acquiring in all about two thousand acres that he laid out in six additions to Pullman. He was always a public-spirited man, taking much interest in the community's development and he presented two hundred and thirty acres of this land to the state for the Agricultural College, and gave seventy-five aeres to his friends. In the meantime, this section of the state had become a great grain country and in 1885. Mr. Letterman engaged in the wheat business: first, as buyer for the Portland Flour Mills Company; and later for the Balfour-Guthrie Company. This departure proved to be a Juerative under- taking. and in one year he sold one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of wheat
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in the east at an inerease of twelve eents over the loeal market. When the panie came in 1893, it eaught Mr. Letterman in its clutches, leaving him practically penniless, but he is not of the type of men that are easily vanquished, and resolutely he began to reestablish himself in the business world. He again engaged in the grain business, buying and selling wheat until 1901, when he invested in lands adjacent to Pullman, aequiring gradually very valuable holdings that he has im- proved. Having passed the age of three seore and ten, Mr. Letterman has now withdrawn from the exaetions of an active business life, although he looks after his property, all of which he is renting.
At Goldendale, Washington, on Christmas day, 1881, Mr. Letterman and Miss Mary E. Tatham were united in marriage. She is a native of the state of New York and a daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Woods) Tatham, both of whom were born in England. Ever sinee granted the right of franchise by naturalization. Mr. Letterman has given his allegiance to the republican party. He has always taken a personal interest in political activities and in 1892 was state representative from this district. In every sense of the word he is a self-made man, such sueeess as he has achieved in the long course of his business career being entirely attribut- able to his own well concentrated and intelligently directly efforts, as he came to this country praetieally empty handed. His life is but one of the many that have eonelusively demonstrated that the essential assets for a successful career in Ameriea are unceasing energy and determination of purpose.
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