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 41
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Mr. Riggs was married in Missouri. on November 12. 1867. to Miss Catherine F. Griffith. a native of that state, her parents being John and Catherine (Amos) Griffith, both natives of Kentucky. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Riggs were born five chil- dren, namely: Charles E., of Sand Point, Idaho, who married Della MI. Brown and now has two daughters; Catherine, who married Frank Bourn, of Rathdrum. Idaho, and now has two sons and five daughters: Robert F .. operating the old homestead farm, who married Ina Ledbetter and has three daughters; Bessie, the wife of T. A. Turnley, of Rosalia, and the mother of two daughters ; and James W., of Rosalia, who married Ethel Howard and has four sons and one daughter.
Mr. Riggs' political allegiance is generally given to the democratic party al- though he has independent tendencies and votes for members of other parties when he thinks candidates of superior ability and integrity are put forward. He has taken a particular interest in educational matters, having been instrumental in establishing two of the first schools in his district. He has also been a school trustee for a number of terms. Although Mr. Riggs encountered seemingly ir- retricvable disasters in his career and as late as 1893 suffered a financial loss rep- resenting years of hard labor and self-denial, he did not give up hope but pluckily set himself to the task of regaining his shattered fortune and by hard work and well directed efforts acquired a substantial competence which made possible his retire- ment. He has well earned the rest which he is now enjoying. not only on account of his many years of conscientious labor, his active participation in business and his pioneer experiences but also for the reason that he has taken an active interest in educational and social affairs which makes him a valuable man in his community.
HANS M. HANSEN.
Tribute is ever due to the man who through his own effort achieves success in a strange land. Of such as these is Hans M. Hansen, who came to Wilbur twenty-three years ago practically without means and with no knowledge of lan- guage or customs of the country. Yet, despite these handicaps he has attained a position that wins him the respect of the entire community. He is a native of Den- mark, as were likewise his parents Peter J. and Signa Hansen, and he was born on the 21st of March. 1863.
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Reared at home. Hans M. Hansen was given the advantages of a good educa- tion, his student days being terminated at the age of twenty-two years. He had long recognized America to be the land of opportunity, and feeling convinced that he would here find the advantages he sought. in 1889 he crossed the Atlantic and made his way directly to Wilbur. Of necessity he immediately set out to find em- ployment, and as he had no trade, he sought and found work as a chimney sweep, being the first man in the town to follow this occupation. Although he had at first to perform any kind of task that came to hand to provide himself with the bare necessities of life. he never became discouraged. his optimism and buoyant spirits leading him on to the goal to which he aspired. His enterprising spirit, ambition and energetic habits won him recognition and he gradually forged ahead. each oc- cupation advancing him a step in the business world. During the first four years of his residence here he engaged in various undertakings, taking anything that offered him honest and honorable employment. Those who engaged his services quickly recognized that he conscientiously performed his labor to the best of his ability, which faet proved a dominant factor in promoting his progress. He early manifested business sagacity and foresight and was always on the alert for op- portunities that he could turn to his advantage. As he was thrifty and temperate in his habits he managed to save a goodly portion of his earnings, eventually ac- quiring sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business on his own behalf. About 1893 he began buying and selling grain in this section, and met with success, his efforts in this direction proving so lucrative that he returned to Wilbur and erecting a large building engaged in the lumber and implement business. He pros- pered in this enterprise as in everything else with which he has been connected. With his usual perspicacity he foresaw that in a few years the land business was going to afford excellent opportunities and to meet these he disposed of his enter- prise in 1903, and established a real-estate office. Here as elsewhere his judgment lead him aright and he has met with most gratifying returns, and has been in- strumental in the upbuilding of Lincoln county, for he has been the direct means of bringing many settlers here. thus materially assisting in the development of the rural sections. Mr. Hansen is a man who applies himself closely and intelligently to anything he undertakes, knowing his business thoroughly, and as a result he is one of the best posted men in this section on land and land values, being con- sidered an authority in this line. There has not been anything meteoric about the progress of Mr. Hansen, as it has been the result of close application, clear judg- ment and intelligent concentration of power sustained by a determination of pur- pose that always refused to recognize defeat in whichever guise it might appear.
In Wilbur, in November. 1889, Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Bruhn, a daughter of Christian Bruhn of Denmark, and to them have been born seven children, in the following order: Jennie, the wife of Victor Lauritzen, of Wilbur: and Carrie, Alfred. Sigvert, Helga, Thyra and Julia, all of whom are at home. The family live in Wilbur, where Mr. Hansen has acquired a pleasant and attractive residence property.
The family hold membership in the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Hansen is treasurer. and in politics he is a republican. He has taken an active interest in municipal affairs and served for six years on the town council, discharging his duties with efficiency. In matters of citizenship he has proven to be progressive and public-spirited, being willing at all times to do everything within his power to
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advance the welfare of the community. As a business man he is highly regarded and is president of the Eastern Washington Land Company of Mansfield. this state. During the twenty-three years of his residence here, Mr. Hansen has evineed those qualities that inspire trust and confidence in all who have transae- tions with him. He has the highest regard for his word. is loyal to his friends, and discharges his duties with a sense of conscientious obligation to those who re- pose their trust in him.
WILLIAM DILL FOSTER.
William Dill Foster, superintendent of the Washington State Agricultural Col- lege farm. where he has been employed for the past eight years, was born in Scot- land on the 3d of February, 1855, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Waugh) Foster. the father a native of England and the mother of Scotland.
In the acquirement of his education. William Dill Foster attended the schools of his native land until 1873. when he turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits and during the succeeding seven years engaged with his father in farming. At the expiration of that period he fully realized that it was impossible for him to achieve the success in his native eountry to which he aspired and be determined to come to Ameriea. feeling assured that better opportunities awaited an ambitious and enterprising young man in the less densely populated sections of the new world. Therefore in 1880 he took passage for Canada. and upon his arrival there sought and obtained employment as a farm hand, receiving eleven dollars per month for his services the first year and thirteen the second. Later he engaged in fitting cattle. which proved to be more remunerative than general farm work, and meeting with good success in his new undertaking in 1895 he was given charge of a large dairy herd. He retained this position until 1903 when he removed to Pullman subsequently being engaged as foreman on the college experimental farm. As he is painstaking and trustworthy. as well as practical and methodical. Mr. Foster proved to be a most efficient man for the position, and when the farm was enlarged in 1908 he was promoted to the office of superintendent. Here he has had further opportunity to demonstrate his reliability and is discharging his duties in a manner highly satisfactory to those in charge. Enterprising and thrifty. by his excellent care and watchfulness over the property of the state he manifests the traits that usually characterize his countrymen and cause them to be gener- ally recognized as trustworthy and dependable. Mr. Foster still specializes in the fitting of cattle and hogs, in which connection he has acquired quite a reputation. and in 1906 he fitted the most valuable steer in the northwest.
In Ontario, Canada, in October. 1884, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kerr, a native of Scotland and a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Thompson) Kerr, of the same country. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Foster. as follows: William Henry, residing in Canada, who is married and has a son and daughter : Elizabeth. the wife of T. A. Ronson of Canada, and the mother of two daughters; and Margaret, who married E. H. Thompson, of Idaho.
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Mr. Foster is a trustee of the Presbyterian church. in the faith of which both he and his wife were reared and have trained their family. While he is a great admirer of American institutions, and likes the enterprise and energy that char- acterize the people of this great republic, Mr. Foster is thoroughly loyal to his native land and its principles. Although he made a prolonged visit to the scenes of his boyhood and youth in 1890, he has no desire to return there to live, having become too thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the new world to readily adapt himself to the existing conditions of the old country.
ALLAN R. SCOTT.
In the position of county commissioner important duties devolve upon Allan R. Scott. who is deeply interested in the welfare of the community which he rep- resents in office. He is typically a western citizen-alert. enterprising and pro- gressive. His birth occurred near Blackfoot. Idaho. September 17, 1873, his par- ents being John A. and Margaret (Noble) Scott, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The father, who represented an old family of that country, was born near Inverness, learned the carpenter's and builder's trade, and in 1870 with his wife came to the new world. They settled in Idaho, near Blackfoot, and in 1882 removed to Colfax. where the father followed his trade as carpenter and builder. In 1883 they came to Spokane, where he continued in the same line until his death in June. 1894. His wife. a native of Glasgow, survived him for fifteen Years, passing away in 1909. The only brother of Allan R. Scott is Donald Scott, a huilder of San Francisco. The four sisters of the family are: Jane, the wife of Charles Jones, a retired farmer of Sandpoint, Idaho; Helen, the wife of John Wetzel. a civil engineer of Spokane, Washington; and Katherine and Sadie M., both living in Spokane.
Allan R. Scott was but a young lad when the family removed from Idaho to Washington, and in the common schools of Spokane. he pursued his carly educa. tion. while later he attended the Spokane Business College and the State College at Pullman. Making his initial step in the business world, he was for eight years employed in the city engineer's department and afterward spent two years as a mining engineer in the Kootenai district of British Columbia and in the Coeur d'Alene district of Idaho. He worked in British Columbia under the provincial engineer. S. P. Tuck, and was employed by the city of Kaslo when the water- works were there being built. He also worked for a time as mining engineer at Sandon, British Columbia, and following his return to the United States was for two years engaged in the general practice of his profession in Spokane. After remaining for a time in the employ of the Northern Pacific and of the Washing- ton Water Power Companies, he became assistant engineer on the transmission line from Spokane to the Coeur d'Alene mine at Burke, Idaho. His activity and energy were unremitting and in all his business connections he has proven his worth in the substantial and gratifying results which have followed his efforts. In the spring of 1903 he was called to public office, being chosen county surveyor of Spokane county for a term of three years. In the fall of 1906 he was elected county engineer of Spokane county on the republican ticket and received indorne-
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ment for his first term in his reelection to that position in 1908. Still his fellow citizens were not content to have him retire from office, and on the 8th of Novem- ber, 1910, he was elected county commissioner from the first district. He is also one of the directors of the Bolo Investment Company of Spokane, a stock com- pany formed by the Spanish-American war veterans, and at one time was presi- dent of the Spokane Concrete Company, acting as its chief executive officer from its organization in 1901, until September, 1910.
Mr. Scott has an interesting military chapter in his life history, for during the Spanish-American war he enlisted in 1898 and served with the First Washington Volunteers. He had been a member of Company B. First Regiment National Guard of Washington, which had charge of Company L, and after the organization joined the volunteer service for duty in the war with Spain.
On the 31st of December, 1907, in Spokane, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Luella Davey, a daughter of Richard Davey, a descendant of an old family and a pioneer farmer of Spokane county, who came to the United States from Good- rich, Ontario. He is one of the few men now living who had the pleasure of meet- ing the old Jesuit priest who had charge of the construction of the historic old mission on the Coeur d'Alene river, built by the Jesuits. The priest explained to him in detail how the building had been constructed from whipsawed huuber, while marsh grass took the place of hair in the plaster. Both Mr. and Mrs. Scott are well known in Spokane. where they have a constantly increasing circle of friends. They attend the First Congregational church and Mr. Scott belongs to Tyrian Lodge, A. F. & A. M. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, of which he has long been an active supporter and he has attended several state and county conventions as delegate. Throughout his life he has been closely associated with the upbuilding and progress of the northwest, both along business and political lines and his work in this connection has been of a far-reaching and beneficial character.
J. EDWIN MOORE.
J. Edwin Moore, cashier of the First State Bank of Lacrosse, was born in Kansas, on the 12th of June. 1883. and is a son of James I. and Eldora (Harri- son) Moore. both of whom were natives of Iowa.
After completing the course offered in the public schools of Kansas and Wash- ington. J. Edwin Moore removed to Oakesdale, Whitman county, in 1899 and the following year was appointed assistant postmaster of that city for the years 1901 to 1903. Subsequently he was employed by the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company and after his removal to San Francisco acted as cashier for the same company until he returned to Whitman county. He located at Colfax and was again cashier for the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company until 1905, when he accepted the position of cashier of the First Bank of Lacrosse. Desiring to start upon an independent career and engage in business for himself, in 1910 he opened a hardware and furniture store. He conducted this until the following year, when the bank with which he had previously been connected was reorgan- ized as the First State Bank of Lacrosse. He was one of the promoters of this
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reorganization and after its completion became cashier. He is well qualified for the onerous and responsible duties which devolve upon him, for his previous train- ing was thorough and comprehensive and, having applied himself diligently to the mastery of the details and principles of the banking business, he is an active factor in the success of this institution. Although still a young man his ability and enterprise have placed him in a position in business circles that is enviable. Beside his interests in the First State Bank he is a stockholder and director of the Colfax State Bank and also interested in the Lacrosse Telephone Company, of which he was formerly secretary and treasurer.
On the 3d of November, 1907, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Cora F. Dezell, who is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a daughter of David and Susan (Whitlock ) Dezell, who were formerly residents of New York state. To their union one child. Marens D., has been born.
Mr. Moore gives his political allegiance to the republican party. His religious convictions find expression in his adherence to the Presbyterian church. Frater- nally he is identified with the Masonie order and holds membership in Lacrosse Lodge. No. 155, 1. F. & A. M .. in which organization he has held all of the chairs but that of master; and in Colfax Chapter. No. 31. R. A. M. He is an active member of the Commercial Club of Lacrosse. of which organization he is the present secretary and treasurer. He has always been active in the affairs of the community and he is considered a valuable citizen, highly esteemed for his busi- ness integrity, his personal worth and his devotion to the general welfare and im- provement.
JACOB F. HILL.
Jacob F. Hill, who is postmaster of Davenport and also secretary of the Big Bend Milling Company, is one of the pioneer settlers of the town, having re- sided here continuously for the past seventeen years. He was born in Oak Grove. Missouri, on the 8th of August. 1855. and is a son of Sterling and Sarah R. (Joyce) Hill, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Virginia. They located in Oak Grove during the early days of its history and there the father. who was a Baptist minister, followed his calling for some years. but subsequently engaged in the general mercantile business. In 1850 he took the overland route to California, spending the succeeding two years in Yreka, that state. At the expiration of that period he returned to Missouri where he spent the next five years. In 1857 he again came west accompanied by his wife and family. settling in Suisun, California. and he there engaged in farming. Later they removed to Idaho, but subsequently settled at The Dalles, Oregon.
As he was only a child of two years when he left his native state. Jacob F. Hill began his education in the public schools of California, remaining a student therein until he was ten years of age. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Idaho, where he continued his education. When they located in Oregon he entered the school at MeMinnville, that state, and there prepared for college, later matriculating at the University of Oregon at Eugene, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1880. The following six years he devoted to
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teaching in various parts of the state, and then returned to Eugene where he en- gaged in the general mercantile business. From there he went to Portland, eon- tinuing to give his attention to eommereial pursuits. In 1894 he removed with his family to Davenport. having accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Big Bend Milling Company. This company was incorporated in 1897, and in appre- ciation of the efficiency and capability he had displayed during the period of his connection with them Mr. Hill was made the seeretary. and has ever sinee re- tained this position. In 1905 he was appointed postmaster and was reappointed in 1910. and thus has been the incumbent of this office for six years, the duties of which he has discharged in addition to his responsibilities as secretary of the Big Bend Milling Company.
Mr. Hill was united in marriage on the 6th of October, 1887. at Portland, Oregon. to Miss Margaret E. Sparks, who passed away on May 29. 1904. Two children were born of this union: N. Russell. who is mentioned at greater length elsewhere in the volume: and Margaret. the wife of Carleton Hayes. of Seattle. Washington.
The fraternal relations of Mr. Hill are confined to his membership in the Masonie order. Aeaeia Lodge, No. 58. R. A. M., and the Woodmen of the World. In his political views he is a republican, giving his support to the men and meas- ures of this party and deeming its poliey best adapted to subserve the general interests of the country. Mr. Hill is one of the eapable business men of the town and in addition to his other interests owns a fine wheat farm of one hundred and sixty aeres near Adrian, Washington. During the long period of his residenee in Davenport he has won the esteem and regard of many of its citizens by reason of his possession of those substantial qualities that invariably win recognition. As a citizen he has always been progressive, giving his unqualified support in promot- ing the adoption of every measure that would in any way tend to forward the best interests of the community : while as a publie official he has given efficient and competent service.
GEORGE W. ARMSTRONG.
George W. Armstrong, occupying a responsible position with the J. F. Hill Paving Company, was born at Buffalo, New York, September 8. 1863, and is a son of William and Sarah Armstrong, of that plaee. His father. with his family moved to Brussels, Ontaria, and was one of the earliest settlers of that portion of Canada and before the railroads were built was engaged for twenty years in operating stage mail lines. The son, George W. Armstrong, received a publie- school education and worked upon his father's farm until twenty-two years of age. In 1886 he went to Buffalo. Cass county, North Dakota, where he engaged first in farming and then turned his attention to commereial pursuits, establishing and eondueting an implement business. Subsequently he was engaged in the banking business and for four years was eashier of the Exchange State Bank of Buffalo, where he resided altogether for thirteen years. During that period he was also a prominent factor in democratie eireles there and was a member of the state exeeu- tive committee for years. He also held some loeal offiees, aeting for a number of
G. W. ARMSTRONG
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years as chairman of the board of supervisors of Cass county, while for four years, under President Cleveland's second administration. he served as deputy United States marshal.
Mr. Armstrong came to Spokane in November. 1899, and here turned his atten- tion to real-estate and mining interests, with which he was connected for five years. In association with R. A. Hutchinson he incorporated the Salmon River Mining Company in Okanogan county, where they conducted business until 1902. when they disposed of their interest to Minneapolis capitalists. In 1905 Mr. Armstrong went to Priest Rapids on the Columbia river, in advance of the build- ing of the Milwaukee railroad to that district, and secured a tract of land of nearly nine thousand acres. He then incorporated a company known as the Columbia River Orchards Company, of which he was manager and secretary. They built fourteen miles of irrigating ditches and Mr. Armstrong was active in the develop- ment of that property until 1909, when he disposed of his interest and returned to Spokane at the request of Mayor Pratt, who in September of that year. in recog- nition of his ability and fitness for the office. appointed Mr. Armstrong a member of the board of public works and president of the police commission, which also carried with it the superintendency of the streets. He was also appointed presi- dent of the board of tire commissioners and was later made secretary of the board of public works and became its president upon the resignation of F. W. Wey- mouth. In this position the duties of superintendent of the waterworks also de- volved upon him. Under his supervision were made all of the additions to Spo- kane's water system, including the laying of seventy-eight miles of pipe. He de- signed the pumps that were installed to take care of this addition and conducted all the business in a most systematic, economical and yet progressive manner, so that his service to the city in this connection is almost inestimable. When the present form of commission government was adopted he went out of office, and so thorough and well formulated were his plans that the present water commissioner has seen tit to carry them out. Mr. Armstrong, is now devoting his attention to the interests of the J. F. Dill Paving Company and travels from Denver to British Columbia, winning the support of city councils where the Hill Company desires to put through big paving contracts.
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