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 45
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On the 9th of October, 1909, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Phillips, a daughter of J. B. and Josephine (Matherly) Phillips, fuller mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
In political matters Mr. Hill is a republican, and through the columns of his paper at all times gives his unqualified support to the men and measures of this party. Although he has not yet attained his twenty-fourth year, Mr. Hill holds a position in the business world and in the regard of the community that would be a eredit to many an older man. His years have been well spent, each contributing its full quota toward the attainment of the standard he has ever held before himself as the fulfilment of life's purpose.
GEORGE WASHINGTON NYE.
One of the well known business men who has been identified with Garfield, Whitman county, Washington. sinee 1887, is Mr. George Washington Nye, eashier of the Garfield National Bank. Mr. Nye was born in Ohio. August 21, 1859, a son of James and Anna (Sherriek) Nye. both natives of the Buckeye state. He received his education in the public schools of Ohio, finishing at the normal school at Ada in that state. In 1879 he became a teacher in his native state, a profession which he followed until in 1885, when he removed to Gilliam county, Oregon, where he continued teaching, his first experience being under the time-honored boarding- around system. His next experience in making a livelihood was when he became a elerk in J. W. Smith's general mereantile store in Arlington, Oregon, where he was employed until the summer of 1886, removing to Colfax, Whitman county, Washington. on the 1st of June of that year. On his arrival in that eity he se- eured employment as a elerk in the store of A. E. Braeman, where he remained until January 1, 1887, at which time he settled in Garfield and entered into part- nership with J. C. Lawrence and Greenville C. Holbrook in the hardware business. He owned a half interest and was general manager of the business, a connection which he maintained until 1889. He was then variously employed until in 1890 when he went to Kendriek, Idaho, and laid out the town site. In November of the same year he returned to Garfield and established the Bank of Garfield, of which he became a stoekholder, director and eashier. In 1898 he engaged in the real-estate business and was connected with this until in 1901, when he returned to the banking business in connection with the Bank of Garfield, which at that time was a private institution and of which he became part owner and assistant eashier. Mr. Nye retained his connection with this bank until 1908, when it was
GEORGE W. NYE
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reorganized as the Garfield National Bank with Mr. Nye as cashier, a position which he has since held.
On the 14th of June. 1887, Mr. Nye was married, in Ohio, to Miss Priscilla B. MeCleery, a native of that state and a daughter of William MeCleery, also of Ohio. Unto them have been born three children: Eva, the wife of Fred Boyd, of Garfield, who has a little daughter : and Blanch and Beryle, yet at home. Mr. Nye in his political allegiance affiliates with the republican party. He is a dis- tinguished member of the Knights of Pythias, having filled all of its chairs. In his religious association he is a Presbyterian, holding the position of trustec of his church.
The active and successful business career of George Washington Nye in the great northwest, particularly in Garfield, where he has longest resided, has con- tributed in a marked degree to the upbuilding of the business and social interests of this section. Reliability and integrity have been characteristic of him through- out his career and his cordiality of manner as well as his personal magnetism and optimistic nature have surrounded him with an unusually large circle of intimate business, social and fraternal friends. He takes an active interest in all those projects which are calculated to advance the city and county and is in all respects one of the most valuable and able members of the community.
GUSTAVE REITH.
Gustave Reith, manager of The Holly-Mason Hardware Company, located at Howard and Railroad streets, is well known in the business circles of this city, hav- ing been actively identified with the above named concern for twenty-two years. He is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Lansing, that state, in 1861, and a son of John and Henrietta ( Kerndt) Reith. His parents were born and reared in Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States about 1851, locating in lowa. They were subsequently married in Dubuque, whence they moved to Lansing, where for many years the father was engaged in the hardware business, being one of the pioneer merchants of the town.
Reared at home, Gustave Reith. attended the common schools of his native town in the acquirement of an education until he was sixteen years of age. Laying aside his text-books he then entered upon a business career in his father's store. In the three years he served as a clerk there he familiarized himself with the business sufficiently to warrant his seeking a larger field, and at the expiration of that period he went to Chicago, where for four years he was employed as clerk to the manager and buyer of a large wholesale hardware company. This was prior to the advent of the typewriter and telephone, and naturally conditions and methods at that period bore little resemblance to those of the present. He was ambitious and en- terprising and was impatient to make progress, so in 1885 he decided to come to the Pacific coast. believing that here he would find better opportunities and greater advantages than were afforded east of the Mississippi. Upon his arrival in the northwest. in 1886. he located in Spokane, where he remained until February of the following year when he went to the Coeur d'Alene mining district. There he he- came associated with J. H. Boyd in establishing the first hardware store on the
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south fork of the Coeur d'Alene river. This was operated for three years under the name of J. H. Boyd & Company, but at the expiration of that time they sold it to J. R. Marks & Company of Murray, Idaho, who owned hardware stores in all of the principal mining towns in the Coeur d'Alene distriet. In June, 1889, Mr. Reith returned to Spokane and entered the employ of The Holly, Mason & Marks Hard- ware Company, now The Holly-Mason Hardware Company, as a department buyer and manager. He was subsequently promoted and for the past fifteen years he has oeeupied his present position, having general supervision of the buying for the general establishment and he also engages all of the help. When he first be- eame identified with this enterprise it was located on Riverside avenue and was an exclusive retail store, but they have sinee extended the seope of their activities by adding a wholesale department. During the period of Mr. Reith's management this has been promoted along intelligent lines and has developed in a marvelous manner, so that the greater part of their business now is done with the retail merchants. It is one of the largest hardware houses not only in Spokane but in the northwest and it is rapidly growing, their receipts showing marked inerease from year to year.
Mr. Reith is unmarried and for the past ten years has made his home at the Spokane Club. He has always been very much absorbed in his business interests and has never devoted much time to either social or publie affairs. However, he is a progressive man and meets the requirements of good citizenship by appearing at the polls on election day and he ean always be depended upon to give his sup- port and cooperation to any movement that he feels will tend to advance the best interests of the community. In common with the majority of business men in this vicinity he is heavily interested in mines, owning some shares that will ultimately prove very valuable and also in real estate in the city. During the long period of his residence in Spokane. Mr. Reith has formed many elose ties among those with whom he has been associated and now has a large eirele of friends, who hold him in high regard both by reason of his excellent business ability and because of his many fine personal qualities.
W. S. BLISS.
W. S. Bliss has been engaged in the restaurant and bakery business in Reardan for the past thirteen years. As he has met with sueeess in the development of this enterprise he has extended his activities in various other lines and is financially interested in several local eoneerns. His birth oeenrred in Mount Vernon, Jeffer- son county, Illinois, on Christmas day. 1872, his parents being Noah J. and Gilitha (Green) Bliss, likewise natives of Illinois. The father, who was a veteran of the Civil war, devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits until his death in 1889.
Reared at home in the acquirement of his education, W. S. Bliss attended the publie schools of Mount Vernon until the death of his father, which occurred when he was seventeen years of age. As his mother then needed his assistance he laid aside his text-books and during the succeeding ten years devoted his entire time and attention to the work of the farm. At the end of that time he decided to come to the northwest, feeling assured that he would here find better opportunities and advantages in a business way than were afforded in the more thiekly settled
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portions of the cast. He came to Washington in 1899, first settling in Tacoma. He did not have a trade, but as teachers were in great demand and their services were well remunerated he secured a certificate and engaged in teaching for four months. At the end of that time he went to Clark county, and there for two years he followed such pursuits as provided him with an honest and honorable means of earning his living. As he was thrifty and temperate in his habits he managed to save from his earnings, during that time, four hundred dollars. His next removal was to eastern Oregon, where he was employed on a stock ranch for six months. This work did not prove entirely congenial, however, so he gave it up and went to Pendleton, that state. He only remained there for a brief period and then returned to Washington, being located in Spokane for a short time. From there he came to Reardan in 1892, and here he has continued to reside.
When he came here. Mr. Bliss decided to engage in business for himself and purchased a restaurant and subsequently built a bakery that he has ever since operated. That he has prospered in his undertaking is evidenced by the fact that on three different occasions he has been compelled to enlarge his quarters. Ile is a practical man with high standards of commercial integrity and is conducting his business in such a way as to win and retain the confidence of those who give him their patronage. As he has prospered he has extended his interests by investing in various local enterprises, and he is now a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank of Reardan and the Western Empire Insurance Company of Spokane. He is likewise a stockholder and director of the Farmers' Telephone Company of Reardan and stockholder and general manager of the Kettle River Mining Company.
Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America and the Foresters. He also belongs to Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., while he votes the republican ticket. He takes an active interest in all municipal affairs and has for some years discharged the duties of justice of the peace. Mr. Bliss is highly regarded in local business cireles, as he conducts his transactions in an honorable, straightforward manner, while in matters of citizenship he is enter- prising and progressive.
GEORGE BANDY.
George Bandy, one of the enterprising young business men of Wilbur, is the proprietor of a drug store in the conduct of which he is meeting with a gratifying measure of success. His birth occurred in Lincoln county, North Carolina, on the 4th of April, 1879, and he is a son of Robert H. and Amy (Beal) Bandy, who are likewise natives of North Carolina. The parents removed to Washington in 1887, first locating at Harrington but the following year they came to Wilbur, and here the father engaged in agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the prominent and substantial ranchmen of the county. He has now withdrawn from active work and is living retired in Wilbur, where he and his wife enjoy the comfort and ease as well as leisure made possible by the competence acquired through the intelligent di- rection of their activities in early life.
The first eight years in the life of George Bandy were passed in his native state, where he was introduced to the elements of English learning. After coming to
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Washington he continued his education in the grammar and high schools of Lincoln county until he was graduated from the latter institution. He subsequently entered the State College at Pullman, where he studied for four years being graduated with the class of 1901 with the degree of Ph. G. Upon the completion of his course in pharmacy he returned to Wilbur and took a position in the drug store of Dr. B. H. Yount, where he had been employed during his vacations while attending college. He remained in his service until 1903, when he purchased the store which he has ever since conducted with increasing prosperity. Mr. Bandy is an energetic man of progressive ideas and has manifested unusual capability in the development of his establishment. He carries a large and well assorted stock of drugs, patent and proprietary medicines, toilet articles, stationery and such other sundries as are usu- ally to be found in a store of this kind. His place is neat and attractive in appear- ance and favorably located, and as his goods are fully commensurate with the prices charged he is enjoying an extensive and profitable trade. Much of his success must be attributed to a pleasing personality. genial manner and a desire to accommodate all who accord him their patronage. Mr. Bandy has the utmost confidence in the future development and progress of the northwest, and as his eirenmstances have warranted he has invested in property and is now the owner of five hundred acres of fine wheat land, which he is renting to good advantage.
On the 18th of February, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bandy to Miss Martha Alderson. a native of Virginia. and they have become the parents of one child. Amy Elizabeth.
Mr. Bandy is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of Spokane. In his political views he is a democrat, but he is not an aspirant to pub- lic honors, although he takes an active interest in all municipal affairs, and enthusias- tically champions every new movement that he feels will advance the interests or general welfare of the community.
LEE ODGERS.
Lee Odgers, editor and manager of the Davenport Tribune, the only democrat paper in Lincoln county, is rapidly becoming recognized as one of the capable newspaper men of the county. He was born in Otoe county, Nebraska, on Oc- tober 16. 1882, and is a son of the late James and Laura May (Harper) Odgers. His father, who was a native of Cornwall. England. upon his arrival in this country first located in Lambertville. New Jersey, removing from there in 1868 to Otoe county, Nebraska. Here he resided until 1888 when he came to Washington. first locating in Douglas county, where he served as commissioner of the United States Circuit Court. In 1891 he was joined by his family from Nebraska. He subse- quently became associated with G. K. Reed in laying out the towns of Almira, Hartline and Coulee City, acquiring extensive realty holdings in this locality. Newspaper work next engaged his attention and he founded the Almira Journal and the Coulee City News, while in 1900 he came to Davenport and founded the Tribune, in the publication of which he was engaged until his death on the 5th of December, 1908.
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The school days of Lee Odgers began in his native state, the education there acquired being supplemented by further study in the public schools of Douglas county, Washington, after which he returned to finish in the higher institutions of Nebraska. After laying aside his text-books he entered a jewelry store in Coulee City, where the family was residing at that time, and spent two years in learning the trade. At the expiration of that period he turned his attention to newspaper work, becoming associated with his father in the publication of the Coulee City News. Ile continued to be connected with this journal until they disposed of it, when he came to Davenport and gave his assistance in founding and editing the Tribune. which he has conducted alone ever since the death of his father. He has proven himself well qualified for the work he has undertaken by the excellent paper he is editing and the capable manner in which he conducts his business. He is an am- bitious and energetic young man, who devotes the columns of his paper to the en- thusiastic support of every progressive movement or public enterprise launched in the town, to the interests of which he is ever most loyal. His upright principles and high ideals are to be recognized in his editorials where he fearlessly espouses every cause he deems to be right, regardless of the trend of public opinion.
Mr. Odgers is unmarried and makes his home with his widowed mother and brother Carl. who has not yet completed his education. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. In his political views he is a democrat, and ever gives the support of his paper to the candidates and principles of his party. Ile takes an active interest in municipal affairs and was elected city clerk on the Ist of Decem- ber. 1901. and on the first of the following January assumed the responsibilities of the office, of which he has ever since been the incumbent, the length of his term bespeaking the efficiency of his service. Mr. Odgers is held in high esteem in both the political and commercial circles of the town, by reason of his many fine personal qualities as well as the rare business sagacity he has displayed in the con- duet of his affairs.
JAY P. GRAVES.
The men in the world who take the initiative are comparatively few, the vast majority being content to follow in the footsteps which others have marked out. Occasionally, however, there are found men with the pioneer spirit who advance beyond their fellows and in new and untried conditions find the opportunities of success. Of this class Jay P. Graves is a splendid representative and the salient characteristics of his life and of his work have constituted not only effective forces in the attainment of his personal success, but also important factors in the develop- ment of the great northwest. He was born in St. Marys, Illinois, June 27. 1859, a son of John J. and Orrilla Landon ( Berry ) Graves, of St. Marys, Hancock county. Illinois. The ancestral line is traced back to Captain Thomas Graves, who settled at Jamestown. Virginia. in 1608, having crossed the Atlantic on the William and Mary, the second ship to make the voyage. He took a leading part in the affairs of the colony and was a member of the first house of burgesses assembling at James- town in June, 1619. This was the first legislative assembly in America and on the
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monument erected to commemorate that event the name of Captain Thomas Graves appears. The family were "landed gentry" and continued to reside in Accomac county, Virginia, until the close of the Revolutionary war, when the great-grand- father of Jay P. Graves removed to Boone county, Kentucky. where he had a land grant for services rendered the continental government. In his honor Graves county in that state was named. His son, Major Reuben Graves, of Boone county, Kentucky, grandfather of Jay P. Graves, served in the War of 1812 and was a major in Colonel Johnson's regiment during the Indian wars, leading the charge of the troops against the red men at the battle of Tippecanoe. He secured the tomahawk of the famous Indian chief, Tecumseh, and it is still in the possession of the Graves family. He also served with distinction in the Mexican war. He continued a resident of Kentucky until 1839 when, seeing the awful results of slav- ery, he determined to move to a state in which the system did not exist. Therefore, he gave his slaves their freedom. disposed of his property in Kentucky and with his family and a number of other settlers, sixteen wagons being in the caravan, removed to Illinois, settling at St. Marys, which place they founded.
John J. Graves. the son of Major Reuben Graves and the father of Jay P. Graves, continued to follow the traditions of the family and became a large land- owner. extensively carrying on agricultural pursuits. He and his neighbors built the first railroad in that section and he was one of the subscribers to the stock of the line. This was a branch of what is now the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy, extending from Galesburg to Quincy. He married Orrilla Landon Berry, a daugh- ter of Dr. Jonathan Berry, of Grand Isle, Vermont, who was chief surgeon on the American flagship at the battle of Plattsburg in the War of 1812. Their family numbered four sons, who have become prominent factors in the development and progress of the northwest.
Of these Jay P. Graves completed his education in Carthage College, being graduated therefrom in 1880. For some years thereafter he engaged in the hard- ware business at Plymouth, Illinois, but the opportunities of the west attracted him and in the latter part of 1887 he arrived at Spokane, then a comparatively small but rapidly growing town. Believing that this would be an advantageous field, lie here engaged in the real-estate and investment business until 1895, when he ac- quired mining properties in British Columbia and embarked upon a career of marked activity and success in that connection. He was instrumental in establish- ing the Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting and Power Company. Limited. This organization was completed on the 30th of June. 1901, and he has since been its vice president and general manager. This corporation is the largest in the Dominion of Canada engaged in copper mining, its product amounting to thirty million pounds of copper annually, besides gold and silver. In 1903 he was an ac- tive factor in the organization of the Spokane Terminal Company, the Spokane Traction Company, the Spokane and Inland Railway Company and the Cocur d'Alene and Spokane Railway Company, all of which were consolidated under the name of the Spokane and Inland Empire Railroad Company. the merger becoming effective in January, 1907. Of this system Mr. Graves was the president, as he had previously been of its various component roads. It operates two hundred and fifty miles of clectric railway and derives its current mainly from its own power- generating plant which it constructed on the Spokane river at Nine Mile, about twelve miles below the city. Mr. Graves disposed of his interest in the company
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about a year and a half ago to the Great Northern Railroad, being forced to do this on account of his health, but continued to act as president until his successor was appointed. in the summer of 1911. His investments include considerable bank stock and he is now one of the directors of the Old National Bank, the Union Trust Company and the Union Securities Company.
On the 9th of October, 1880, in Carthage, Ilinois, Mr. Graves was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Cox. a daughter of John W. and Julia (Wilson) Cox, who had lived within ten miles of the Graves homestead and who came from Vir- ginin and settled there. They have one child, Clyde Merritt Graves, born May 9. 1882. Mr. Graves has recently erected a beautiful new country home near Waikiki, where he owns a tract of land of one thousand acres, and he plans to make this the finest country home in the northwest. He is president of the Spokane Country Club and a member of the Spokane Club. the Spokane Amateur Athletic Club and of the Annandale Country Club of Pasadena, California. He also holds membership with the Sons of the American Revolution and takes an active part in the affairs of that organization. His has been a notable record and his splendid success has resulted largely from the fact that he has ever readily recognized the opportune moment, that he has carefully formed his plans and shown strong determination in their execution. In short. his life has marked a steady growth as the result of honest, persistent effort along the line of honorable and manly dealing. His aims have always been to attain to the best and he has never failed in any enterprise to which he has devoted himself.
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