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 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
In 1900, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Lucha Goff. a daughter of W. C. Goff, of Waverly. Her parents were among the oldest pioneers of the Spokane country and Mrs. Smith was one of the first white children born in this district. She died very suddenly, April 14, 1909, leaving two children. Del Cary and Donald Goff. On the 17th of August, 1910, Mr. Smith was again married, his second union being with Rozella Dennic, a daughter of Richard R. Dennie, of this city, and they now reside at No. 723 Augusta avenue. Such in brief is the history of Del Cary Smith, who throughout his whole life whatsoever his hand finds to do. whether in his profession or in his official duties, or in any other sphere, he has done with his might and with a deep sense of conscientious obliga- tion.
FLOYD LEROY STOTLER.
Floyd Leroy Stotler. a member of the legal firm of Pattison, Stotler & Pattison, of Colfax, was born in Eldorado, Kansas, on the 6th of May, 1886. His parents are Floyd and Anna (Cresap) Stotler, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of West Virginia, while the paternal grandfather was Morgan Stotler. In the maternal line he is descended from one of the old southern colonial families. the Cresaps having been prominent in the south at the time of the Revolution.
When Floyd Leroy Stotler was a babe of one year his parents returned to Maryland, in the public schools of which state and those of West Virginia he was educated. In 1905. at the age of nineteen years he came west. locating in Port- land. Oregon. He had already decided to adopt the legal profession for his life vocation so entered the office of A. King Wilson of that city and there read law until 1906. From there he came to Washington and took a position as telegraph operator, devoting his spare hours to the study of law. The next year, in 1907,
462
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
he went to Tekoa, this state, and entered the office of J. D. MeMannis and J. P. Burson. where he continued his legal studies and at the same time pursued a correspondence course for two years. At the expiration of that period he re- moved to Colfax, spending a few months in the office of R. L. McCroskey of this city. In 1909 he was admitted to the bar and immediately thereafter returned to Tekoa, where he engaged in practice until 1910, when he again came to Col- fax. In the December after his return he became a member of the firm of Pattison, Stotler & Pattison with which he continues to be identified. During the period of his residence here Mr. Stotler has made a very favorable impres- sion in the community both professionally and socially and is succeeding in building up a very satisfactory practice. He has been called to publie office and at the present time is discharging the duties of deputy prosecuting attorney.
In matters politic, Mr. Stotler has ever given his allegiance to the democratie party and takes an active and helpful interest in all municipal affairs. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Colfax Commercial Club. Public- spirited and progressive in matters of citizenship he always gives his indorse- ment and cooperation to every movement inaugurated for the advancement of the community or the development of municipal enterprises.
FRED CUSTER PUGH.
Fred Custer Pugh, former prosecuting attorney of Spokane and an active prac- titioner at the bar. was born at Halsey, Oregon. December 18, 1876, a son of Felix Marion and Frances (Taylor) Pugh. His father, a farmer by occupation. was born in the Willamette valley in 1854 and was a son of Francis Asbury Pugh, who made the long journey aeross the plains from Jowa in 1847 and took up his abode in the Sunset state. Felix M. Pugh continued to reside in Oregon until 1878, when he brought his family to eastern Washington, locating first at Dayton, where he conducted a drug store for about two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Spokane and settled in the valley at what is known as the Saltese Lake, where they now live. Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Pugh were parents of four children: Fred C .. of this review: John Taylor, who passed away in 1904: and Gladys and Ruth, both at home.
Brought to Washington when but two years of age, Fred Custer Pugh has practically spent his entire life within its borders. His general education was acquired in the public schools of Spokane and in 1897 he was graduated from the high school. He then attended the University of Michigan for two years, after which he returned to this state and studied law in the offices of the firm of Vorhees & Vorhees, his preceptor being the late Charles S. Vorhees, who carefully directed his reading until his admission to the bar in 1901. He continued with the firm as assistant in their law work until 1904, thus gaining much valuable and practical experience. In that year he was appointed to the position of assistant prosecuting attorney under the late R. M. Barnhart and occupied that office until 1909, when he was elected prosecuting attorney on the republican ticket, filling the office for a term of two years. In 1910 he was the unsuccessful candidate for that position
463
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
and after his retirement from othice entered at once upon the private practice of law, in which he is making continuous advancement.
Mr. Pugh has an attractive home at Greenacres, which he erected in the year 1910. Here lives his little family, consisting of wife and two children. He was married on the Ist of September, 1901, at Denver, Colorado, to Schil Ragsdale, a daughter of Amos D. Ragsdale, of that city, and their two sons are Fred Custer and John Stanley. Mr. Pugh has pleasant relations with several fraternal organizations, belonging to Iroquois Lodge, No. 77, 1. O. R. M., the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Woodmen of the World. He has always lived in the northwest, has been an interested witness of the rapid changes and develop- ment that have occurred here and is ever willing to accord aid and cooperation to movements promoting the general welfare.
CHARLES A. GRAM.
Charles A. Gram, who has for a number of years been an active member of the bar, practicing for the past four years in Spokane, and previously in North Dakota, possesses the spirit of enterprise which is characteristic of the northwest and this quality has been the source of advancement which has brought him from the position of farmer boy to the place which he now occupies in business circles. He was born in Toronto, Canada, August 26, 1869. the only son of Jacob and Jane ( Lundy) Gram. The father came of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry, who settled in Pennsylvania about the time that William Penn founded the colony. The grandfather was one of the first settlers on the shores of Lake Ontario on the present site of the city of Toronto, and it was there that the father, Jacob Gram, was born. The family were closely identified with the district during its pioneer development and Jacob Gram ever remained prominent in his home com- munity and was called to a number of positions of public trust and responsibility. He died in 1891. His wife died December 15. 1911. She came of a family of Scotch-Irish lineage, her more immediate ancestors, however, being pioneers of Canada, and the famous battle of Lundy's Lane of the War of 1812 was fought on the farm belonging to her ancestors. By her marriage Mrs. Gram had four children, her three daughters being: Mrs. D. F. Rac, the wife of Dr. Rae, of Moscow, Idaho: Mrs. Henry Stong, of Pasadena, California; and Mrs. Frank MI. King. of Pembina, North Dakota.
After attending the common schools of Ontario, Charles A. Gram became a pupil in the University of North Dakota, where for two years he pursued a special course. As a boy he worked on his father's wheat farm in North Dakota and for two years engaged in teaching school before winning his university course. He afterward studied law with Captain Robert J. Mitchell, who had been a classmate of President James A. Garfield. In 1891 Mr. Gram was admitted to the bar in North Dakota and then formed a partnership with Captain Mitchell, with whom he practiced for four years at Sheldon, that state. He was afterward alone in the practice of law at Sheldon until 1900, when he was elected judge of the county court of Ransom county and remained upon the bench for six years, rendering judicial decisions which were strictly fair and impartial. In 1908 he came to
464
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
Spokane, where he has since engaged in the practice of law. In the meantime. however, he had had some experience in the field of real estate. for after the completion of his term as judge Mr. Gram had become a member of the law and real-estate firm of Gram & Hull. They are still related in their business connec- tion, Mr. Hull condueting the interests of the firm in North Dakota and Mr. Gram at Spokane. Their business includes both law and investments. Mr. Gram is also interested in the Liberty Lakes Orchard Company, of which he is president. and is also president of the Chinook Land Products Company. a company holding a large traet of timberland in British Columbia. He has recently become interested in the Interstate Manufacturing Company. Ine., of which he is the president and which is engaged in the manufacture of electrie sereens and appliances and is now doing a business which places it well upon the road to snecess. He is likewise the sceretary and treasurer of the Best Chance Mining Company, an incorporated company owning property in the Coeur d'Alenes, which is now under development.
In his political views Mr. Gram has always been a republican and was very active in political work in North Dakota. serving as a delegate to both county and state conventions for over ten years, and also acting as a member of both county and state central committees. He still votes with the party but is not an active worker in its ranks at the present time. He belongs to the Masonie fraternity, in which he has attained high rank, having become a member of the consistory and shrine in Fargo, North Dakota, while at the present time he is connected with the consistory and shrine at Spokane. In Masonie work while in North Dakota. both he and his wife were prominent in the Eastern Star, he serving as patron of the local chapter and as grand patron of the grand chapter. while his wife was secre- tary of Sheldon Chapter for a number of years, or until their removal to Spokane. Mr. Gram also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Maecabees and was connected with the Yeomen in North Dakota. He belongs to the Inland Club of Spokane and to the Chamber of Commerce and attends the Methodist church. His activities are varied, touching the general interests of society and in every connection his labors are actuated by a spirit of advancement and progress which makes his work of worth in the community.
.
VOLNEY D. WILLIAMSON.
What a story of thrilling interest would the life history of Volney D. William- son be if written in detail, for he has been a pioneer in various sections of the coun- try and has been among the first on the ground in many of the famous American mining camps. Moreover, he has contributed largely to the development of the mineral resources of the country, has been interested in Alaskan expeditions, in railroad building and real-estate operations. He was born in Oakland. Oregon, July 27, 1865, and is a son of Sol Williamson, for whom Williamson river of Oregon was named. His father was a native of Ohio and of English descent. He made the long journey across the plains in 1847, taking up a traet of land where the city of Portland now stands. He traded this claim for a yoke of oxen and in 1848 went to California. The following year, however, he returned to Oakland, Oregon, where he settled on a large tract of land. He was known throughout the district
V. D. WILLIAMSON
PUBLIC LIBRARY
A01 DH, LEHOX T DEN FOUNDATIONS
167
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
as the father of that part of the country, was consulted by the old pioneers concern- ing their property and investments and by his wise counsel and substantial aid as- sisted many of the new settlers who came to establish homes on the frontier. At that time it was necessary to haul all goods by team from Portland, Oregon. Mr. Wil- liamson was well-to-do and when his old friends crossed the plains he was always ready with money and teams to assist them. His neighbors were Indians, and an old Indian scout known as Billy slept on his hearth for several years. He fre- quently notified Williamson of the approach of Indians who were on a raid and he could then retreat about a mile from his house. there remaining in hiding during the time the Indians were in the neighborhood. He was a lover of fine stock and by a tragic coincidence his death was caused by a kick in the breast by one of his favorite horses. in 1868, when he was forty-four years of age. He had contributed largely to the upbuilding, settlement and improvement of Oregon and his name is honored as one of its pioneer residents. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Adeline Reed, was a native of Indiana, her family tracing their ancestry back to the time when as members of the William Penn colony they settled in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Williamson died in 1878. In the family were three sons and three daughters, the brothers of Volney D. Williamson being W. H., a resident of Idaho, and F. A., of Spokane. Ilis sisters were: Sarah J., who is the widow of S. J. Nelson, of this city ; and Mary and Estella, who are both deceased.
Volney D. Williamson pursued his education in the public schools and a busi- ness college of Portland, Oregon, and on leaving that state in 1878 came to Walla Walla, driving a team across the country. In 1879 he passed through Spokane and the Palouse country and returned to Sprague, where he was engaged in general merchandising until 1883. In the spring of that year he grubstaked a claim in connection with a Mr. Holmes and his brother F. A. Williamson and they were the first in the Coeur d'Alenes, except a man of the name of Pritchard, who staked the "Widow" claim, while they had the adjoining .property, called the "Last Chance." In the fall of 1883 Mr. Williamson made a trip to the Coeur d'alenes by way of Her- ron's Siding and came out the same fall, although he returned the following year. From Murray, Idaho, he went to Canyon Creck, where he assisted in laying out the town of Burke. Ile was afterward in Wallace and operated in the Kootenai Lake and Slocan country and was interested in the purchase and sale of the War Eagle, for which seven hundred thousand dollars was paid, the Center Star, which brought two million dollars, and the Crown Point, which sold for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He was also interested in the Spokane and several other large mining properties, all of which are now being successfully worked. He next operated in Republic and was interested in the purchase and sale of the Republic mines, the San Poil. Black Tail and several others, all of which are now being worked and are turning ont rich ore.
During all this time Mr. Williamson made his headquarters in Spokane. He traveled, however, for five years and made a trip around the world. During the '90s he made his headquarters in New York for eight years. He turned his at- tention to the mineral resources of Mexico, where he operated in connection with Victor M. Clement, and he was also interested to a small extent in South African properties while Mr. Clement was in that district. He became interested to a small degree in Coolgardie, Australia. He also owned the Treasure Box in Coeur d'alene, from which in hand mortars and arrastres they took out from two hundred to VOL. II 21
468
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
four thousand dollars per day, seeuring seventy-seven thousand dollars in two months. Mr. Williamson was also. while working the old Santa Rosa mine in Mexico, the discoverer of the first turquoise mine of that country.
In 1908 Mr. Williamson returned to Spokane. He was eonneeted during the early stages of its building with the Oregon Trunk Railway but eventually sold out to J. J. Hill. He has been a property owner in Spokane sinee 1886 and has always called this city his home. He owns mining interests in Mexico with the English Exploration Company of London and still retains small interests in the Coeur d'Alenes. He was interested in an expedition into Alaska during the early period of the excitement there and was connected with the early operations of the Crow's Nest Coal Company in British Columbia, of which he is still a stockholder. He has large investments in land in Oregon and is interested in several towns of that state, ineluding Madras, Redmond. Metolins and Lakeview. He is now president of the Inland Empire Company : president of the Williamson Investment Company, a corporation ; president of the State Bank at Metolius, Oregon: president of the Santa Rosa de Mazipil Mining Company. the Santa Rosa Development Company and was viee president of the International Metals Company of Mexico but recently resigned.
Mr. Williamson was united in marriage to Miss Mabel C. Cotter, of Denver, Colorado, in 1905. a daughter of J. Lambert Cotter. Mr. Williamson holds mem- hership in the Episcopal ehureh and is eonnceted with several fraternities and leading clubs. He is a life member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs to the Spokane Club, the Spokane Country Club, the Engineers Club of New York and was one of the committee which secured half a million dollars from Andrew Carnegie for the pur- pose of building the Engineers Club. He is likewise a member of the Arlington Club of Portland and of the Coeur d'Alene Boat Club.
Few men could speak so largely from practical experience of the west and its history, especially in connection with its mining interests. Mr. Williamson has made an excellent record in his business eareer, accomplishing what he has under- taken. his sound judgment preeluding the possibility of many false moves. He is today one of Spokane's wealthiest citizens and is honored and respected by all who are familiar with his life work.
OLAF L. OLSEN.
Olaf L. Olsen, secretary of the Areadia Orehard Company with offices at Spragne and Howard streets, is among Spokane's younger business men that Norway has furnished to this eity. He has the industry, perseverance and determination ehar- aeteristie of his raee and these qualities are always essential elements in the attain- ment of suceess. He was born in Norway, February 1, 1880, a son of Louis and Hannah Olsen, who came to America in 1886, first settling near Fargo, North Dakota. The following year a removal was made to Spokane, where for a time the father was employed as foreman in the Brickell sawmill. In 1889 the family removed to Deer Park, where Louis Olsen took up a homestead elaim upon which he has since resided.
Olaf L. Olsen was but six years of age when the voyage across the Atlantie was made. In the publie and high schools of this city he largely pursued his educa-
169
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
tion and after putting aside his text-books entered the employ of the Spokane Falls & Northern Railway as traveling agent. continuing with that corporation for three years. Desirous. however, that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he embarked in business on his own account in 1906. organizing the Olsen Mercantile Company of Deer Park, of which he acted as president and manager for three years, when he soll out to his father in order to become secretary and treasurer of the Arcadia Orchard Company in 1909. This is the largest irrigated land proposition of its kind in the world, the company having under irrigation over seventeen thousand acres. The business of developing this mammoth enterprise has required keen sagacity, well formulated plans and unfaltering discrimination, and in the possession of these qualities Olaf L. Olsen has contributed in substantial measure to the progress of the project which is not only a source of individual income but also a factor in the general prosperity and upbuilding of the district. He is also the vice president and treasurer of the Olsen-Robinson Company of Deer Park, which took over the business which was formerly operated under the name of the Olsen Mercantile Company, and which was repurchased from his father. He is likewise a director of the First State Bank of Deer Park.
On the 12th of August. 1903. Mr. Olsen was united in marriage to Miss Libbie M. Neaville, a daughter of John A. and Myra (Goodrich) Neaville, of Spokane. They have two children. Howard M. and John Lewis. Mr. Olsen holds member- ship in Deer Park Lodge. No. 134. F. & A. M., and in Deer Park Lodge, No. 185. I. O. O. F. He has passed through all of the chairs of the latter and is a member of the grand lodge. He also belongs to the Inland Club of Spokane, the Rocky Mountain Club of New York city and the Congregational church of Deer Park. His interests are wide and varied and keep him in touch with the world's progress. While yet a young man. he deserves classification among those who are acting as the upbuilders of the Inland Empire for he is now closely associated with a pro- ject. the immensity of which places it among the foremost undertakings for the development and reclamation of this section of the country. His insight enables him to recognize chances which others pass heedlessly by and he never fears to venture where favoring opportunity points the way.
THOMAS A. E. LALLY.
Thomas A. E. Lally, one of the most brilliant and accomplished young attorneys practicing in Spokane, with offices in the Old National Bank building, was born at Vail. Iowa, and is a son of Patrick E. C. and Kittie ( Hughes) Lally. of that place. The father is a prominent lawyer now living in Denison. Iowa. The son pursued his education in the public schools of Denison and in the Notre Dame University at Notre Dame, Indiana, where he was graduated with the degree of Ph. B. in 1906. He supplemented his more specifically literary course by study in the Harvard Law School at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1909. In the fall of the same year he came to Spokane, where he entered upon the practice of law and in September, 1910. on the organi- zation of the firm of Canon. Ferris. Swan & Lally. he became one of the partners.
470
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
In October, 1911, the partnership was dissolved and since that time he has practiced alone.
Mr. Lally is also director, general counsel and treasurer of the New World Life Insurance Company. He is accorded a liberal clientage in general practice and is counsel for many of the large corporations. His practice, which is of a most important character, places him in a prominent position in the legal profes- sion of the eity. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Inland Club but is not actively interested in polities.
1. E. McGOVERN.
J. E. MeGovern, who became actively identified with the business interests of Wilbur seven years ago when he established an insurance and real-estate office here, is connected with a number of local enterprises, one of which is the MeGovern & llarris Drug Company. He owns one-half of the stock in this concern, and is realizing good dividends on the investment as it is one of the thriving commercial activities of the town and is rapidly developing.
H. W. RICH.
A review of the life of H. W. Rich is the record of one who has attained dis- tinguished honors in connection with the land law cases of the northwest, having been successful in the trial of the most important cases of that kind ever held in this section of the country. His ability has developed through elose study and the careful preparation of each individual case he has handled.
Mr. Rich was born in San Jose, California, May 22, 1873. His father, Harri- son Rich, and his grandfather, James Rich, are still residents of that state, the latter now living in Ukiah at the remarkable old age of one hundred and two years. His father was a representative of an old English family that came to America from the north of England and settled in New York in 1700. Afterward a re- moval was made by members of the family to Springfield, Illinois, and James Rich left that place to come across the plains in 1848 with his family, being one of the first of the early gold seekers. He continued his identification with mining inter- ests until 1861. when he turned his attention to the stock business, in which his son Harrison succeeded him. The latter was born in Sacramento, California, in September, 1848. soon after the arrival of his parents on the Pacific coast, and he is one of the oldest of the native white residents of that state. Few indeed were the residents of Sacramento valley at the time of the arrival of the family. There James Rich took up his abode and afterward went to San Francisco, settling there before the establishment of the present town. He served as one of the vigilant eom- mittee of San Francisco in the old days when it was necessary for men of worth to bind themselves together and summarily execute the laws in order to check the great reign of crime and lawlessness then extant.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.