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 33
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J. FLOYD TIFFT, D. M. D.
Dr. J. Floyd Tifft, the present mayor of Colfax, is one of the leading praeti- tioners of dentistry in Whitman county, where he has been following his profession for the past eight years. He was born in Syeamore, Illinois, on the 23d of June, 1878, and is a son of Elan D. and Josephine (Saum) Tifft, both natives of Illinois. The paternal grandfather was John Tifft, who was born and reared in Vermont and traeed his aneestry baek to the early colonial days of New England, his forefathers having come to Ameriea on the Mayflower. The maternal ancestors eame from Penn- sylvania, which was the native state of the grandfather, Nicholas Saum.
Dr. Tifft was reared in his native state to the age of eighteen years, and there began his education, which was completed in the high school of Hutchinson, Minnesota, where he removed with his parents in 1896. Having decided upon a professional career in the choice of a voeation, he matriculated in the depart- ment of dentistry in the University of Minnesota, where he pursued his profes- sional studies. While in college he took a prominent part in athleties and for three years was a member of the football team. He was graduated with the de- gree of D. M. D. with the class of 1902, and almost immediately thereafter eame to the northwest, Joeating in Seattle there following his profession until he eame to Colfax. Here he has since been located and, owing to the high standard of his work, has sueeeeded in building up a good following. In the course of his residenee here he has established a reputation which is most commendable and his patronage is remarkable for its size and elass. He is in every way a worthy representative of his profession, his excellent training in connection with his
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inherent mechanical skill having united in making him a dentist of much more than average ability.
At Spokane, this state. on the 5th of June. 1907, Dr. Tifft was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Laura E. Ross of lowa, a daughter of August and Johanna (Gustoff) Kupper, both of Germany. Dr. Tifft is a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 21. A. F. & A. M. and is treasurer of the chapter and likewise a member of Moscow Lodge, No. 219. B. P. O. E., and of Colfax Lodge, No. 3, K. of P., in which he has passed through all of the chairs, and has twice been a delegate to the Grand Lodge. During his university days he joined the Delta Sigma Delta fraternity, and he is now identified with the Washington University of Minnesota Alumni Association, while he maintains relations with his fellow practitioners through the medium of his connection with the Washington State Dental Society. His political indorsement is given to the republican party and for three years he was a member of the town council and he is now filling the mayor's chair. He has always taken an active interest in local polities and is now and has been for some time past the chairman of the county central committee. Dr. Tifft is a man of high ideals and standards that he strives to maintain in his public and profes- sional as well as private life and has won the esteem and respect of many of the best citizens of the town, who in turn have evidenced their confidence in his worth by calling him to the highest office in the municipality.
CHARLES A. LIBBY.
Charles A. Libby is proprietor of one of the finest photograph studios in Spo- kane and has a business which is most creditable for a young man of his years. He has not yet traveled life's journey for a third of a century. his birth having occurred in Olympia, Washington, September 19. 1879. His father, George A. Libby. a na- tive of Maine. left New England to become a resident of California, where he es- tablished his home in 1853. The mother. Elizabeth (Maurer) Libby, a native of Germany, came to America in 1867, arriving in Idaho the same year, where she re- sided until her marriage in 1869. The father became very prominently and widely known in mining circles throughout the western country because of his extensive and important operations in connection with the development of mining resources on the Pacific coast. His death occurred in 1898.
In the public schools of the capital city Charles A. Libby began his education at the usual age and passed through consecutive grades until his graduation from high school. after which he devoted one year to a commercial course. At the age of nine- teen years he was employed as a clerk in a clothing store in Olympia and after a short time went upon a business trip to Alaska, thus spending the summer of 1898. Following the death of his father he came to Spokane with his mother and family. consisting of his brother. George H. Libby, who is now associated with the Phelps Lumber Company, and two sisters: Addie C., who conducts the Libby Art Studio: and Ruth H .. at home.
Following his removal to this city Charles A. Libby secured a clerkship with Ar- mour & Company in their branch office but after a brief period withdrew from that connection and spent one year in the employ of the B. L. Gordon Wholesale Grocery
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Company. He then turned his attention to photography, establishing his studio in 1893. By continuous study, work and experience he has developed one of the finest studios in Spokane, his work being of the most artistic nature, manifesting also the latest improved processes of the photographie art. His patronage is now extensive and its continued growth is assured, owing to his knowledge of the business and the fact that he keeps in touch with improvements that are continuously being made in photographie work.
On the 12th of July, 1905, Mr. Libby was united in marriage to Miss Gretehen Sehlessler, of St. Panl, Minnesota, and they have one son, Charles, Jr. Mr. Libby votes with the republican party. Outside of business hours he gives his time and attention to his home, caring nothing for elub and society affairs. He holds to high ideals in his chosen profession and, working continuously for improvement, has made a most ereditable busines record.
EDWARD S. ROSS.
Edward S. Ross, of the Ross Investment Company, has contributed to the development and improvement of the city through well condueted business interests that add not only to individual sueeess but also to the public prosperity. His birth oc- curred at Penfield, New York, October 26, 1853, and of that state his parents, Oliver C. and Betsey (Sherman) Ross, were early settlers. The father devoted his atten- tion to farming while in the east and in the year 1884 he eame to Spokane with his family, which then consisted of himself, wife and two sons. Edward S. and George L., both now of this eity, and a daughter. The parents have traveled life's journey happily together for sixty-two years and now at the advanced ages of eighty- eight and eighty-seven years, respectively, are living with their daughter, Mrs. Franees Linfield, the widow of George Linfield.
After acquiring his early education in the public sehools of Rochester, New York, and pursuing a more advanced course in Rochester Collegiate Institute, Edward S. Ross became his father's assistant in farming operations in the Em- pire state and was thus engaged until the family came to Spokane in 1884. For three years thereafter he did general work in and around the city and then se- eured a quarter seetion of land in the valley, upon which he began market gar- dening and fruit growing. He was the first in this section to cultivate asparagus and tomatoes for the market and such was the excellenee of his products that he was soon aeeorded a good market for all that he raised. He later acquired other property adjoining his original traet and while at first this was a long way from the city, the boundaries of Spokane have sinee been extended until his property has been included within the corporation limits and is now known as the Rossvale addition. For a considerable period Mr. Ross continued the raising of vegetables and fruit, and the suecess of the business enabled him to make investments along other lines. Thus from time to time he extended his interests and is now presi- dent of the Ross Coal Company, which he organized for the conduct of a whole- sale eoal business in Spokane. He was likewise the organizer of the Ross In- vestment Company and remained as its general manager until 1908 since which time he has been its president. He is still interested in the projeet and the eom-
EDWARD S. ROSS
BRARY
X
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pany today has a large clientage. He is also a heavy property owner not only in this city but throughout the Spokane country and also has large landed pos- sessions in the Kootenai valley.
On the tth of September, 1879. Mr. Ross was married to Miss Mary Clark, a daughter of Orrin and Jeannette ( Millard) Clark, of Penfield, New York. They have become parents of five children: Linfield S., who is acting as secretary and treasurer of the Ross Investment Company; Elwyn G .. vice president of the same company ; Orrin Clark, who is an artist, employed by the MeDermid En- graving Company, of Spokane: Edward Wayland, who is an apprentice in the latter company; and Edna. the wife of Laurence M. Parker, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Mr. Ross is a charter member of Grace Baptist church, which his family at- tend. He has never sought to figure prominently in club circles or in public connections outside of his business interests. He has closely applied himself to the tasks that have been his, and since he has successfully accomplished the work in hand he has turned his attention to other projects. He has never regarded any position as final but rather as the starting point for successful accomplish- ment in other directions and through his individual merit, ability, close applica- tion and unremitting industry. he has gained a creditable position as one of the leading business men of Spokane.
JOHN ENOS MCFARLAND.
John Enos MeFarland, a resident of Republic, is" prominently connected with mining operations, having made extensive and judicious investment in mining prop- erties in his district. He is now a large stockholder and a director in the Republic Mines Corporation, and general superintendent of the North Washington Power & Reduction Company. He is also interested in the Imperator-Quilp Company, The Hope Company, the Knob Hill Company and others, all of which indicates his prom- inence in this fieldl and his thorough understanding of the business which constitutes a basic clement in the growing prosperity of the northwest.
Mr. MeFarland was born in Elma, Washington, December 5. 1877. His father, William O. MeFarland. died in 188t, after a residence of thirty years in the north- west. He crossed the plains to Oregon in 1851 and soon thereafter moved to Che- halis county, of which he was the first or second sheriff. In this section of the country he married Susanna Slover, who is a native of Oregon and now makes her home in Republic.
Jolm E. McFarland was edneated in the public schools of this state and in the Blair Business College at Spokane, finishing his course there when twenty-three years of age. Previous to attending business college. however, he was engaged in the dray and transfer business at Farmington, Washington, and subsequent to his college course he entered the employ of the Kettle Valley Railroad Company, of which he practically acted as secretary until appointed to the office of county clerk of Ferry county, this state. He filled that position for eighteen months. during which time he entered into busines relations with J. L. Harper, with whom he has since been associated in mining interests. His holdings are now quite extensive Vol. 111 1G
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and judieious investment and keen sagacity have characterized all of his under- takings. He is today eonneeted with some of the most valuable mining properties of his distriet and their operation is returning to him a good income.
At Colfax, Washington, June 14. 1903, Mr. McFarland was united in marriage to Miss Allie Montgomery and they have three children. Mildred Aliee, Jaek S. and Robert E. In his political views Mr. MeFarland is a demoerat, active in the loea] party ranks. He has served as secretary of the party campaign committee and of the democratic eounty eentral committee. He also headed a loeal option movement at Republie but it was defeated. He is a member of the Republie Booster Club, in which connection he is doing everything in his power to promote the welfare and progress of the town. His religious faith is that of the Christian church and the different elements in his life are well balanced factors, leading to the development of a strong and honorable manhood which constitutes him one of the prominent and progressive citizens of the Inland Empire.
WILLIAM ROSS ANDERSON.
William Ross Anderson, who has been identified with the banking interests of Colfax for the past eight years. was born in eastern Tennessee on the 28th of No- vember. 1875. his parents being William H. and Lonise (Blankenship) Anderson, natives of the same state.
When he was fourteen years of age William Ross Anderson left the public schools and hegan qualifying for a business career as a clerk in a general mercantile store. Recognizing the need of further education, at the end of two years he returned to the publie school for a time and subsequently pursued a commercial course. In 1893 he again engaged in elerking, continuing to follow this occupation for three years. At the expiration of that time he became a bookkeeper in the Citizens Bank of London. Tennessee. but he resigned this position at the end of two years and be- eame associated with John H. Kimbrough in the general mereantile business at Morganton, Tennessee. He had always been most desirous of coming to the north- west and so disposing of his various interests in Tennessee in 1903 he removed to Colfax. Immediately upon his arrival he entered the employ of the First National Bank. continuing in their service for two years. In 1905 the First National Bank and Colfax National Bank consolidated under the name of the Colfax National Bank and he was taken over by the new institution. Two years later he became assistant cashier of the First Savings & Trust Bank of Whitman county, leaving their em- ploy in December. 1909. to become eashier of the Farmers State Bank of Colfax, the duties of which position he has ever sinee discharged. Mr. Anderson owns stoek in the bank with which he is now identified and he is also interested in the insuranee business.
At Morganton. Tennessee, on the 19th of April. 1899, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss May Kimbrough, a native of that state and a daughter of John H. and Ida (Magill) Kimbrough; who were also born in Tennessee. Three daugh- ters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, Ida Louise. Bessie Roe and Esther Mae.
The family affiliate with the Congregational church. Mr. Anderson is a mem-
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ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias, being past chancellor and a member of the Grand Lodge of Washington. He belongs to the Commercial Club of Colfax and votes with the re- publican party. He has never in the sense of the politician been an office seeker nor tried to gain politieal preferment for any ulterior motive or finaneial gain, but has served as postmaster while residing at Morganton, receiving his appointment under President MeKinley, and is at present eity treasurer of Colfax, being elected in 1911. During the period of his residence in Colfax, Mr. Anderson has always man- ifested high business principles and striet integrity in all of his transactions, and has thus won and retained the respeet of all with whom he has had dealings.
HARRY J. NEELY.
Harry J. Neely, prominently known in connection with irrigation projects and real-estate dealing in the Spokane country, is a splendid type of that elass of men who have the ability to plan and to perform and who are prompt, energetic and notably reliable in all business transactions and who recognize and utilize op- portunities that lead to general progress as well as to individual success. He was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, March 1. 1867, and is a representative of an old American family of Scotch-Irish descent that has been prominent in Pennsylvania through many generations. Early records show a deed from William Penn for land purchased by a member of the Neely family. Samuel W. Neely, the father of Harry J. Neely, was born in the Keystone state and for a time resided in Illinois, serving as treasurer of Henry county, that state, for four years. He is now a retired merchant of Lincoln. Nebraska. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Katherine M. Gamble, was also born in Pennsylvania and represents one of the old families, also of Scotch-Irish origin. She, too, is living in Lincoln and has reached the advanced age of eighty years. A son, W. W. Neely, is living in Spo- kane, where he is engaged in horticultural work, and a daughter. Sue G. Neely, makes her home with her parents.
Harry J. Neely was edueated in the public schools of Woodhull, Illinois, and as a boy began learning the printer's trade at Cambridge, Illinois. Subsequently he removed to Wyoming, where the winter of 1886-7 was passed and in the spring of the latter year he began the publication of the Sheridan Post. a weekly repub- liean paper at Sheridan, Wyoming, owned by prominent residents of that place. He was thus connected with newspaper interests until November, 1889, when he came to Spokane. Here he was first employed in a job printing establishment located near the north end of and faeing the Monroe street bridge, which was then a wooden structure. Before the close of the year, however, Mr. Neely went to Wilbur. Washington, and took a position on the Wilbur Register. A year later he purchased the paper and continued its publication for eight years. The country was new at the time and he used his publieation to further the interests of the district, bringing it into public notice and thus exploiting its resources and ad- vantages. To do this he thoroughly acquainted himself with the district and its property values and eame to be largely regarded as an authority upon realty and was consulted concerning the purchase of property. Thus he was foreed into the
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real-estate business and after disposing of his paper continued to handle property in that locality for four years, returning to Spokane in 1901. Here he opened a real-estate office. becoming associated with Governor M. E. Hay and his brother, E. T. Hay. While at Wilbur he sold several townships to actual settlers, also pro- moted the road up the San Poil river to Republie and built the first ferry in that country across the Columbia river. At the opening of the south half of the Col- ville reservation he was the first to receive the news and the first to go there and give the word that started the dynamite which warned the prospeetors to put up their notiees. While connected with the Hay brothers they developed the Hay's Park addition to Spokane and continued to handle farm lands in the Big Bend country. The second year after his return to Spokane. Mr. Neely engaged in ir- rigation work on his own account, becoming interested in general irrigation pro- jeets. He also took up the sales ageney for a large property on the Columbia river and afterward accepted the agency for the Spokane Valley Land & Water Company. representing J. C. Cunningham and others. In this connection he dis- posed of eighteen hundred aeres, selling off East Greenaeres and Old Green- aeres, after which the property was taken over by D. C. Corbin, the present owner.
About that time Mr. Neely formed a partnership with C. F. Young and C. M. Speek and organized the present firm of Neely & Young. Ine., taking over some lower land on the Columbia river below Wenatchee. There he installed a pump- ing plant and planted all the tract to a commercial orchard, which is just now coming into bearing. The distriet comprised four hundred and fifty-five aeres but he has since sold a part of it. In the spring of 1905 he took the management of the sales ageney for the Opportunity property. comprising three thousand acres. sold off the land and brought in many of the families now located there. When he undertook the work, there were only four families and three school children in the embryo village. Over five hundred families are now located there and no- where could be found a more contented and prosperous people, for the conditions which there exist are ideal. Before the sale of Opportunity was completed the firm accepted the sales agency of Hazelwood. west of Spokane, and practically sold all of that traet of twenty-six hundred aeres. In 1909 they purchased four hundred and thirty-six aeres a mile and a half east of Spokane and installed an irrigation plant, which is the most complete and substantial to be found in any little irrigated distriet in the United States. They called this district Orehard Avenne and have practically sold the entire property as suburban home sites. In the fall of 1910 Mr. Neely and associates purchased the famous Burrell orehard at Medford, Oregon, comprising six hundred and five aeres, nearly all of which is in hearing. He went to Chieago and sold the greater part of this to a wealthy elass. at priees ranging from one thousand to twenty-three hundred dollars an aere. In Spokane the firm since its organization has sold property worth approximately seven million dollars, this being principally irrigated farm, fruit and hay lands. They own twenty-six hundred and forty aeres of wheat land in the Big Bend eoun- try under eultivation, have a traet of timber land in Stevens county and own two hundred and ten aeres of irrigated lands in the Spokane valley, part of which is already in bearing orehards, while the remainder is being developed. Mr. Neely is also interested in the Spokane Title Abstraet Company. He has been one of the most active in development projects in the northwest. owing to an understanding of the opportunities and resources of the country and faith in its future. Through
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his influence many hundreds have obtained homes in this district and the growth of the Inland Empire, especially in that region adjacent to Spokane, is attribut- able in large measure to his work, his methods at all times being practical and re- sultant.
At all times Mr. Neely's aid can be gained for any project that he believes of practical value and worth in the upbuilding and development of the northwest. In 1908 he was manager of the Spokane National Apple Show, was one of its organ- izers and took a very active part in making the project a success. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, is one of the active members of the publicity com- mitter and has labored to advance the interests and purposes of the organization throughout the entire period of his residence in the city. His activity has also extended to political circles and he is known as a stalwart advocate of republican principles and an active worker in party ranks. He has been a delegate to city. county and state conventions from Lincoln county and was one of the thirteen in his precinct who stood immovable in support of republican principles while the silver movement swept over this part of the country. He has been a member of the county central committee and to political work brings the same practical methods and sound judgment which have been characteristic of his business career.
In social and fraternal relations, too, Mr. Neely is well known. He has at- tained high rank in Masonry as a member of the consistory and of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds membership with the Knights of Pythias, the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan. the Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was a member of the famous 150,000 Club and acted as its president in the year 1909. Pleasantly situated in his home relations, he was married at Mondovi. Washington, on Thanksgiving Day of 1890, to Miss Florence G. Smith, a daughter of T. N. Smith, a farmer and one of the old-time residents of that section, living there since 1883. The three children of this mar- ringe are: Amy Jane, now a student in Whitman College: and Marguerite and Suella, who are attending Brunot Hall.
In a review of the life history of Harry J. Neely it is evident that personal abil- ity and not fortunate circumstances has constituted the basis of his advancement and success. Dependent upon his own resources from his boyhood days. his has been a strenuous career in which he has based his advancement upon the sub- stantial qualities of industry and determination. He has ever regarded the duty nearest at hand as the most essential one and in its faithful performance has found courage and strength for the succeeding duty. Thus step by step he has advanced until he stands today among those who are leaders in the real-estate field in Spokane.
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