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 53
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ROBERT RICHARD MCCORKELL.
Robert Richard MeCorkell, who is engaged in breeding fine horses at Med- ical Lake, was born in Jones county, lowa, April 30. 1861. His parents, Joseph and Mary Jane (Moore) MeCorkell. were among the carly settlers in that state, arriving there in 1841. The father's death occurred in 1910 but Mrs. MeCorkell is still living.
Robert R. McCorkell acquired his education in the public schools of Des Moines, and was graduated from the high school of that city in 1882. Recog- nizing the wealth of resources in the soil of the west, and having the energy and ambition to enter a career in which he could succeed and win both material gain and personal satisfaction, he engaged in farming in his native state. After fol- lowing this for three years he entered the grain business at Westfield, lowa, and three years later removed to Akron, lowa, where he was in business until 1908. In that year he came to Medical Lake and is now successfully engaged in breed- ing fine horses, this being an occupation which brings ample reward in a growing and rich country.
On the 13th of July, 1892. Mr. MeCorkell married Miss Katherine Deull of Akron, lowa. Mrs. MeCorkell spent the greater part of her life before her mar- ringe acquiring an education, first in the public schools of New York, then in the University of South Dakota from which institution she was graduated, and finally
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as a student at Cornell University. To Mr. and Mrs. MeCorkell three children have been born : Roberta May and Berniec E., both students at Medical Lake high school, and Grace Irene, deceased.
Mr. MeCorkell gives his politieal support to the democratie party, and has throughout his life been active in its eireles. He has held the position of town elerk for five years and served as councilman for several terms. Fraternally he is associated with the Masonic order, being a member of the blue lodge, No. 102, A. F. & A. M., having served as its secretary for four years, in Freedom Lodge, No. 134, lowa, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which organiza- tion he is past chancellor. He also holds membership in the M. B. A., and the American Yeomen. He is a man of unusual ability, and industry, and these qual- ities are making him one of the prominent citizens of his community.
LEWIS CASS CROW.
Lewis Cass Crow, one of the well known farmers of Whitman county, now residing in Pullman, is president of the Washington and Idaho State Farmers' Educational and Cooperative Union, for which position he is well qualified and is discharging his duties with efficiency. He was born in Indiana on the 3d of November, 1851, and is a son of Malcolm M. and Elizabeth (Clem) Crow, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Kentucky. Malcolm M. Crow erossed the plains with his wife and family in 1853, locating in the Willamette valley, Oregon. He subsequently took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty aeres in Lane county, that state, devoting his energies to its further development and cultivation for many years.
The boyhood and early youth of Lewis Cass Crow were spent very similarly to those of other lads of that period living on the frontier, save that he was given better educational advantages than fell to the majority of the pioneer youths. His early schooling was obtained in his home distriet, but in 1870 he entered Philo- math College at Philomath, where he spent five years, being awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1875, while he had the added distinction of being a member of the first class graduated from that institution. After his graduation he was offered the chair of natural seience in his alma mater, which he held for one year, at the same time devoting his summers to agricultural pursuits. In 1877. he came to Whitman county. loeating in the vicinity of Palouse, where he filed on one hundred and sixty aeres of land. In connection with the cultivation of his claim, Mr. Crow continued to teach until 1896, being one of the pioneers in this profession in Palouse. After giving up the work of the school room, he gave his undivided time and attention to the operation of his ranch, where he continued to reside until 1910, when he removed to Pullman with his family in order to give his children the benefit of better educational advantages than were afforded in the country.
Soon after the completion of his college course in 1875, Mr. Crow was united in marriage to Miss Maria McQueen, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of William and Sarah (Banks) MeQueen, the father a native of New York and the mother of England. Mr. and Mrs. Crow have ten children and eighteen grand-
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children, as follows: Chester Dale, a resident of Whitman county, who is mar- ried and has four children: Charles Sumner, of Saskatchewan, Canada, who is likewise married and the father of four children: Sarah, who married G. M. Sills of this county by whom she has had three children; Anna, the wife of R. W. Day, of Montana, and the mother of three children: William Malcolm, who is married and residing in this county, the father of two children; Adelbert. who is still at home: Alva, who married Glen Harlow of Whitman county and has two children ; and Harry Lewis. Virgil Bryan and Lanche, all of whom are at home.
The family affiliate with the Christian church, and Mr. Crow is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Farmers' Union. His political views ac- cord with those of the democratic party for whose candidates he casts his ballot except at municipal elections when he gives his support to such men and measures as he deems best qualified to subserve the highest interests of the community. In 1894, he was elected on the people's ticket to the state senate, where he served for six years. As he was engaged in teaching for nineteen years, he has al- ways taken much interest in all educational matters and in 1891 he was appointed a member of the examining board of Whitman county, and he has served as school dircetor on several occasions. During the thirty-four years of his residenee in this county, Mr. Crow has witnessed its almost phenomenal transformation as the vast prairies have been converted into highly cultivated and improved farms, and the local settlements have grown into thriving villages and towns, provided with all the conveniences and comforts of modern civilization.
FRANKLIN EDWARD WOLFE, M. D.
Equipped by training and long experience in various places Dr. Franklin Ed- ward Wolfe is well qualified for his chosen profession, the practice of medicine, and since becoming a resident of Medical Lake. Washington, has occupied the position of attending physician at the State School for the Feeble-minded located here. Born in Clarkston, Michigan, he is a son of pioneer settlers of Michigan and is the oldest of a family of five children, four boys and a girl, all living except the daughter whose death occurred in 1877. The father, John C. Wolfe is living but the mother, whose maiden name was Lucy C. Frick, passed away in 1909.
Reared in his native locality Franklin Edward Wolfe acquired his education in the public schools of Michigan and at the age of eighteen years entered normal school preparatory for college, being thus enabled to receive his degree from the University of Michigan after a two-years' course at that institution. He then entered the Medical College of Brooklyn, New York, from which he was grad- uated in 1890. He began the practice of medicine in Woodstock, Connectient, but remained there only a short time when he removed to Michigan and for the next twelve years practiced in that state in various places, during the first five years at Metamora, then for two years at Grayling, for two years at Detroit and for three years at Lewiston. At the end of this time he returned to Detroit where he took a post-graduate course at the Detroit Medical College and after five months of study set out for the west locating at Hatton, Washington, and there prac-
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ticed medicine for half a year. He has never left the state of Washington but praetieed during the ensuing years in various places. After Hatton he re- moved to Govan. where for five years he condueted a drug store in connection with his practice, then to Camas, for a year engaging again in the two allied depart- ments of medicine, then to Medical Lake where he has practieed ever since and likewise is the attending physician on the staff of the State School for the Feeble- minded. Conseientious in the performance of his duties Dr. Wolfe is considerate and sympathetie toward his patients whom he never fails to inspire with faith in his ability as well as his kindly concern for their welfare.
On July 24, 1895, Dr. Wolfe was united in marriage to Miss Ella L. Townsend, a daughter of Clark and Jennie (Blair) Townsend, at Metamora, Michigan. The children born of this union are: Townsend Harold, Gerald Franklin, Max Donald, Franklin, deceased, and Hazel Marguerite. Dr. Wolfe is a republican in his politieal convietions. While not eager to hold political offiee he does not shirk his civic duties and is at present serving his second term as clerk of the school board of Medical Lake. He is variously connected fraternally, being a member of the blue lodge of the Masonic order, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Independent Order of Foresters. De- voted to the interests of his family and loyal to his friends Dr. Wolfe is held in high esteem wherever he is known.
MILTON CLARK GRAY.
Milton Clark Gray, one of the prominent stoek breeders of Whitman county, who is also well known in the real-estate cireles of Pullman. was born in West Virginia on the 12th of April. 1856, and is a son of William Jesse and Mary Ann (Dague) Gray, also natives of West Virginia. The Gray family traee their aneestry baek to the early colonial days. some of our subjeet's forefathers having participated in the Revolutionary war. They were formerly residents of Pennsylvania, the grandfather, Mathew Gray, having been born and reared near Ryerson's Station. Greene county. His sons, ineluding William J., responded to the country's eall for volunteers and went to the front during the Civil war, thus maintaining the reputa- tion for patriotism the family had long ago established. Agricultural pursuits always engaged the energies of William J. Gray. who passed away in 1872, when he was still in his prime.
The early years of Milton Clark Gray were marked by many hardships and privations. He was a lad of only sixteen years when his father died. but, being the eldest child, the operation of the small home farm largely devolved upon him, while he was compelled to render the family further assistance by hiring out to the neighboring farmers. The wages for work of this kind at that period were very low. for money was searee and many were seeking employment, so that the lad was compelled to serve many times from daylight to dark for the paltry sum of thirty-seven and a half cents a day. The succeeding eight years brought about various changes and lessened his responsibilities. so that in 1880 he was able to realize the ambition of his life and supplement his meager education by attending the Ohio Wesleyan University and Ada University. He was able to continue his
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MILTON C. GRAY
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studies in these institutions for two years and at the expiration of that time he again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in the summer. while the winter months he devoted to teaching in Ohio and Ilinois. As he was enterprising and ambitious he carefully saved as much of his earnings as possible and during four succeeding years acquired sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business for himself. An opportunity was afforded him to become associated with Robert Bur- gess & Son, well known breeders and importers of fine stock at Wenona, Illinois. This proved entirely satisfactory in every way and he has ever since been engaged in this business. He remained in the vicinity of Wenona for four years, after which he went to Emporia, Kansas, still retaining a business connection with the Burgess company, however. Disposing of his interests in Kansas and Ilinois six years later, he removed to Minnesota, where he followed the same business until 1898. In the latter year he went to Nebraska, where he established a stock importing establish- ment that be operated until 1902. when he again disposed of his interests and came to Whitman county, where he has ever since resided. Mr. Gray has met with ex- cellent success in his undertakings and, being a man of foresight and good judg- ment as well as unusual sagacity, he has directed his activities with intelligence, and his efforts have been substantially rewarded. To him is largely due the improve- ment of the horse stock in the Pacific northwest. In addition to his large and well established importing business he has acquired extensive holdings in real estate, owning about four thousand acres of fine grain land in British Columbia and Alberta. Of recent years he has been investing quite heavily in property, although he still continues to engage in the stock business.
At Crete, Nebraska, in May, 1900, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Cora E. Streeter, of Wisconsin, a daughter of Gaylord D. and Marie (Adams) Streeter, na- tives of New York. In the maternal line Mrs. Gray is descended from the Adams family that provided America with so many eminent men, belonging to the branch of which John Quincy Adams was a member. One daughter, Mariana, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray.
The family in religions matters is liberal, favoring no special creed. Fraternally Mr. Gray has attained high rank in the Masonic order, being affiliated with the blue lodge and chapter and also the commandery. He likewise belongs to the Odd Fel- lows. Maccabees and Elks. His political support he gives to the democratic party save at municipal elections, when he casts his ballot for the man he considers best qualified to subserve the interests of the majority. He has always taken an active interest in all local affairs and in 1907 he was elected mayor of Pullman, which was the year the saloons were voted out, a movement in which he was largely instru- mental. Mr. Gray is a man of many fine qualities and such strength of character that he inspires confidence in all who have dealings with him. He is a believer in the Jeffersonian principle which is exemplified in his own life and is a widely read student of and a writer upon economic questions. What he is and what he has achieved must be entirely attributed to his own efforts, as he has made his own way from carly boyhood and is in every sense of the word a self-made man, his success being due to his determination of purpose, persistence and definite aim. Conserva- tive and cautious in his methods, he takes a full inventory of his powers and pos- sibilities of success before undertaking a new venture, and as a result knows exactly what his plan of action will be and concentrates his entire forces upon the achieve- ment of his ambition.
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In closing this sketch, it will not be amiss to quote from a testimonial handed Mr. Gray over thirty years ago. by the faculty of the university at Ada, Ohio. at the time when from laek of funds, as well as a sense of duty to his mother and the balanee of the family, he was obliged to withdraw from the institution before grad- uation. From said testimonial, the following paragraph is given:
"Mr. Gray has been a student at this institution for several terms, and of the thousands who come under our instruction, we seldom find a man whom we ean com- mend so favorably. He is a gentleman of most pleasant manners, a kind and gen- erous heart, with a strong will. a sensitive conscienee, a elear strong mind, and pos- sessed of striet habits of industry :- we believe him worthy of high trust."
In the light of our subjeet's subsequent life and achievements. the opinion formed of him by his mentors in earlier days, seems to have been fully justified.
STEPHEN S. GLIDDEN.
What the northwest would have been without the development of its rich min- eral resources eannot be imagined and much less determined. It is well known, however, that many of the most prominent upbuilders of the Inland Empire are those who have been active in its mining interests and the sucecss which has erowned their efforts is the legitimate reward of earnest and well directed labor and of sound business judgment. Stephen S. Glidden was numbered with those who owe their advancement to their operations in the Coeur d'Alene district and vet in other fields he proved equally eapable in business connections. He was born in Northfield. New Hampshire. in 1828. and passed away at Los Angeles, California. March 17. 1903. His parents. Charles Mills and Aliee M. (Smith) Glidden, were also natives of the old Granite state and their ancestors were prominently identified with the development and welfare of New England at an early period in the colonization of that part of the country, representatives of both families being aetively eonneeted with publie interests. The great-great- grandfather of Stephen S. Glidden in 1704 founded the town of Northfield and was the largest taxpayer. He represented the town of Northfield in the New Hampshire legislature for a period of over forty years and the great-grandson of the first Glidden in New Hampshire represented the same town in the same august body in the same eentennial year of that town. There are in the possession of the Glidden family some old and interesting papers dating back one hundred and twenty-five years, showing the appointment of Charles Glidden, grandfather of onr subjeet, to the office of deputy sheriff and that of justice of the peace.
Stephen S. Glidden reecived his education in Tilton Academy at Northfield, New Hampshire. He was eighteen years of age when he removed to Ohio. where he became interested in the iron business, being appointed manager of an iron blast furnace for manufacturing pig iron. He followed that pursuit in the vieinity of Portsmouth, Ohio, until after the elose of the Civil war, when he removed to Tennessee. For several years he remained there and then went to Alabama. where he was also identified with the iron trade. In 1880 he engaged in the wholesale grocery business in St. Paul, Minnesota, under the firm name of Glidden, Griggs & Company, condueting this enterprise successfully until 1885. He went to Thomp-
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son Falls, Montana, in the spring of 1881 to attend to the opening of a branch store for Glidden, Griggs & Company and while there bonded the Tiger mine through John M. Burke. Selling out his interests in St. Paul, he came west in 1885, attracted by the developing northwest. He located with his family in Spokane and soon afterward began operating in the mines of the Coeur d'Alene district, becoming one of the large shareholders of the Tiger mine and also one of its stockholders after its consolidation with the Poor Man. He disposed of his interests in this property to Charles Sweeny about four years prior to his death and concentrated his energies largely upon financial interests in Spokane, having in 1890 established the Old National Bank of this city. which is now one of the ' largest banking institutions of the northwest. He was its first president and continued in that capacity until he sold his interests in the fall of 1902. Besides his operations in the field of banking and mining he had real-estate holdings in and near Spokane, displaying sound judgment in his judicious investment in realty.
In 1855 Mr. Glidden was united in marriage to Miss Sue Garret and unto them were born seven children: Mary Alice, Mrs. G. W. James. Mrs. F. R. Culberson, Harry Mills, Stephen Clifton, Charles and Mrs. A. W. Perkins. Mrs. Glidden passed away September 23, 1911. In the later years of his life Mr. Glidden retired from active business that he might spend his leisure hours in travel and in pursuit of other things which afforded him interest and pleasure. Death came to him, however, after three months. Spokane lost thereby one of its most valued citizens, for he had been very active in its upbuilding and welfare. His success came from the fact that he utilized every moment and opportunity to the best advantage and the most envious could not grudge him his prosperity so worthily was it won and so honorably has it been used.
ISIDOR MAGNUSON.
Isidor Magnuson, who for nearly a decade has been successfully identified with the business interests of Freeman, is one of Sweden's thrifty and enterprising sons. His natal day was the 12th of October. 1867, his parents being Magnus and Caro- lina (Johnson) Johnson, both of whom are living.
Isidor Magnuson was reared to the age of fifteen years in his native land, to whose common schools he is indebted for his education. From his earliest boy- hood it had been the ambition of his life to come to the United States, so in 1882 he took passage for this country, locating in Illinois. He remained there during the succeeding four years, industriously applying himself to the duties of a farm hand, when he decided to come to the northwest. Upon his arrival in Washing- ton he first located in Spokane where for ten years he was employed by the Wash- ington Brick & Lime Company. At the expiration of that period he was trans- ferred to the plant at Clayton, this state, where he remained for a year, thence going to Freeman and continuing to work for the same company for five more years. He was ambitious to advance more rapidly and realizing that such an ac- complishment could not be brought about on a salary, he decided to engage in business for himself. Because of his thrifty and energetic habits he had been able to save the greater part of his salary, and had accumulated sufficient capital to
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embark in the general mercantile business. Mr. Magnuson carries a well selected and assorted stock of goods, and his manners to his customers are such, while his prices are reasonable, that he has succeeded in building up an extensive and profitable trade. Although he was compelled to begin in a small way, as the years have passed he has been able to extend the scope of his activities and now owns a very attractive store.
Spokane, Washington, was the scene of Mr. Magnuson's marriage to Miss Elizabeth Norris, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Norris, the event occurring on the 5th of September, 1897. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Magnuson there has been born one son, George, who is attending school.
In religions matters Mr. and Mrs. Magnuson are protestants. Politieally he is a republican, and although he takes an active and helpful interest in promot- ing the development of the community, he has never participated in political af- fairs further than to cast his ballot, his undivided attention having been de- manded in the promotion of his own interests.
JUDGE WILLIAM E. RICHARDSON.
Judge William E. Richardson, who sinee the 1st of April, 1911, has been first assistant to the corporation counsel of Spokane and who has made a ereditable record as judge of the superior court for the distriet comprising Spokane and Stevens counties, is not only deserving of mention as a distinguished lawyer and jurist of the Inland Empire hut also as one of its pioneer settlers whose residenee here dates from the days when the Indians were numerous in this section of the state and when the district between Walla Walla and the Idaho border was largely an undeveloped and unsettled wilderness. Judge Richardson speaks with authority upon many points relative to the history of this seetion. He was born in Lane county, Oregon, August 1, 1857, and comes of a family of English origin although long represented in America, its members in different generations taking active part in the wars in which the country has engaged. His great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution and his grandfather was a soldier in the Black Hawk and other Indian wars which constitutes chapters in the history of the middle west.
His father. William C. Richardson, was born in Illinois and came across the plains in 1852, arriving in Polk county, Oregon. He had made the journey with his father, who took up land in that district, while William C. Richardson, shortly after reaching his destination, turned his attention to carpentering. He established his home in Portland and was there identified with building operations. He remained for fifty-eight years a resident of the Paeifie northwest, passing away in 1910. Forty years before his wife had been ealled to her final rest. Her maiden name was Hes- ter Craig and she was of Seoteh descent. She was born in Arkansas and in 1852 started aeross the plains with her parents. both of whom died while en route. The death of Mrs. Richardson occurred in 1870 and she was survived by her two sons and two daughters : Frank Richardson, who is engaged in stoek-raising in San Diego. California, and was for many years a deputy sheriff of Arizona; May, of Portland. Oregon : and Jennie. who is living in Newport, Oregon. The father by a second marriage. had one daughter, Effie, who resides in Portland, Oregon.
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