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 54
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
-
WILLIAM E. RICHARDSON
.
ARY
ACIDA LEHOX T . DEN FOUNDATIONS
503
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
The other member of the family is Judge Richardson, who pursued his edneation in the public schools of Portland, Oregon, where he spent his boyhood until 1871. Hle was at that time thirteen years of age and with his father and grandfather he traveled through this country from Polk county, Oregon. with a band of cattle. They came over the Cascade mountains through eastern Oregon and to the present site of Spokane through the Coeur d'Alenes to Bitter Root valley, where they re- mained for a year and a half. The country was a wilderness, with very few settlers between Walla Walla and the Idaho line. They heard that there were some falls on the Spokane river but were not sufficiently interested at that time to go to look at them. On this journey Judge Richardson rode a little buckskin pony all the way. There had been trouble with the Indians a few years before but things had quieted down and a delightful trip was enjoyed. There was no trouble, for Colonel Wright had thoroughly subdued the red men. In order to bring them into subjection and prevent further hostilities against the white race the colonel had collected all their ponies to the number of fifteen hundred and had driven them up to a bend in the river near the present site of Opportunity. where he shot them. That took the backbone out of the uprising and the Indians surrendered. In consequence thereof they always afterward regarded Colonel Wright as a truly terrible man. The Richardsons, grandfather. father and son, had made the trip into this country look- ing for good ground for stock. The farmers cultivated the ground for several years before they realized that the Palouse was good for anything at all, an old man named Calhoun, from Virginia, being the first to demonstrate the fact that the great Palouse country would raise wheat. After this Judge Richardson was graduated from the Christian College of Monmouth. Oregon, now the State Normal School, completing his course in 1882 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He thercafter divided his time between school teaching and carpenter work . from 1882 until 1887 and on the expiration of that period he came to Spokane, where he began reading law in the office of S. C. Hyde. He prepared for the bar with characteristic thoroughness and determination and was admitted to practice in 1890, after which he successfully followed his profession until elected judge of the superior court for the district com- prising the two counties of Spokane and Stevens in 1896. He served for two terms and made an execllent record on the bench, his decisions being strictly fair and im- partial and a clear exposition of the law demanded by the points in the case. Ile retired from office in January. 1905. and since that time has continued in the active practice of law, holding no other office until the 1st of April, 1911, when he was appointed first assistant to the corporation counsel of Spokane. While he continues in the general practice of law he largely eschews criminal law practice, confining his attention to the various branches of civil law, for which he is particularly well qualified.
Judge Richardson was one of the attorneys in the Colville valley drainage proj- ect and also in a similar project in the Kalispell valley. He has paid much atten- tion to mining litigation and in that way at times has acquired interests in mining properties but has since disposed of them. He is interested, however, in irrigation enterprises and is now connected with what is known as the Whitestone irrigation project. Aside from his activity in his profession and in connection with business undertakings. he has been a recognized leader in political circles. Ilis allegiance was given to the republican party until 1892. when he joined the populist move- ment. In 1896 he was elected on the people's party ticket. a fusion ticket of the
504
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
populists and demoerats. to the office of superior judge and for the second term was eleeted on a fusion of the two parties, his name being placed on the democratie ticket. He has always been a elose student of political problems and questions and in that connection keeps abreast with many of the best thinking men of the age.
On the 19th of February. 1889, at Albany. Oregon, was celebrated the mar- riage of Judge Richardson and Mrs. Viola I. Miller, a daughter of George Patter- son, who was a pioneer of Oregon and came from Wisconsin to the Pacific coast in 1849, at which time he made his way to California. He afterward journeyed north- ward and died in 1908. Judge and Mrs. Richardson have two sons: Curtis, twenty- two years of age, who is now an architect of Spokane: and Hugh, who was born in February, 1898, and is still in school.
Judge Richardson is a Mason, holding membership in Spokane Lodge No. 31. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World, the Inland Club and the Chamber of Commerce and his interests are broad and varied. bringing him into active eon- neetion with much that touches the general welfare of society at large. He has held to high ideals in his profession and has been found an able, faithful and eonseien- tions minister in the temple of justice, giving to his elient the service of superior talent, unwearied industry and broad learning. yet never forgetting that there are certain things due to the court, to his own self-respeet and above all to justice and a righteous administration of the law, which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of sueeess permits him to disregard.
D. K. OLIVER.
When the Spokane country was much more largely inhabited by the red than by the white raee, D. K. Oliver eame to the northwest, arriving in 1878. He left the impress of his individuality upon the changes which here occurred in the trans- formation which was wrought. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Frank- lin county, August 30, 1845, and there he largely devoted his youth to the mastery of the branches of learning taught in the public schools. He was only a youth of seventeen when his patriotie spirit prompted his enlistment for service in the Civil war, joining Company E, Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry, in 1862. He continued with that command until the elose of hostilities and participated in eleven different important engagements with the Army of the Potomae. He never faltered in the face of danger and the same fearless allegiance to duty character- ized him throughout all of his after life.
When the war was ended Mr. Oliver started for the west and had many in- teresting and sometimes thrilling experiences during the period of development on this side of the Mississippi. In 1866 he traveled from Kansas City, Missouri. to Sante Fe, New Mexico, driving six yoke of oxen that were hitehed to a prairie schooner loaded with eight thousand pounds of bacon. Every phase of pioneer life in the west became familiar to him. At different times he was employed in California, Nevada and Oregon and in November, 1878, traveling by river and wagon, he at length reached Spokane. Here he engaged in carpentry for several years and through different summer seasons devoted his time to prospecting and mining, having an interest in numerous mining elaims. Following his arrival in
505
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
Spokane he purchased an interest in the Wiscombe, Johnson & Oliver Planing Mill which had upon it the first steam whistle ever blown in Spokane. This marked the opening of the present industrial activity that now prevails here. During the last ten years of his life he devoted his time to mining and to the supervision of his real estate and other personal interests. That his judgment was sound was manifest in the success that ultimately came to him as the result of his careful investments and unfaltering activity. In 1892 he built the Oliver block at Nos. 332-331 Riverside, a two-story brick structure with a society hall on the second floor.
Mr. Oliver was married in Dallas, Oregon, on Christmas day, 1873. to Miss Amanda Ham, a native of that state, and unto them was born a son, Charles W., who now devotes his time to looking after his father's estate and the business con- nected therewith. He married Kathleen Donahue, of Spokane, and they now have two children. David K. and Ruth May. The family circle was broken by the death of D. K. Oliver on the 28th of January, 1906. He had always given his political allegiance to the democratic party but was never interested in politics to the extent of seeking or desiring office, as many have done. He, however, at one time served as a member of the city council, filling that position in 1896-7. lle was a prominent and valned member of Reno Post. No. 47. G. A. R., and was for eleven years quartermaster thereof and also was senior department com- mander of the department of Washington and Alaska. He likewise held mem- bership in Spokane Council. No. 1371, R. A., and was ever loyal to the organi- zations with which he was associated and the principles for which they stood. He was widely known among the leading citizens of Spokane and the northwest con- try, his acquaintance constantly broadening from pioneer times until his death. Ile was found to be a reliable man under all circumstances and his genuine worth was manifest in the friendship and regard which were uniformly tendered him.
OSWALD N. SUKSDORF.
Oswald N. Suksdorf, an enterprising young ranchman of Spangle. Washing- ton. is a native of this state, his birth having occurred at White Salmon. Klickitat county, on the 25th of June. 1883. his parents being D. and Christiana (Schaeffer) Suksdorf, early pioneers of this state, who are now residing at Spangle.
Oswald N. Suksdorf was reared on his father's ranch and attended the public schools until he was fifteen years of age, in the acquirement of his education. He then laid aside his text-books and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Thereafter he devoted his entire energies to the work of the ranch, assisting his father with the tilling of the fields and care of the crops for seven years. At the expiration of that time he went to lowa and pursued a commercial course in the Imsiness college at Davenport. Following his graduation he taught for one win- ter but at the end of that time he returned to Spangle and again took up the duties of an agriculturist. At the end of a year he withdrew from this in order to become associated with A. M. Dewey, who is mentioned at greater length else- where in this work, in mining operations. This connection lasted until July 1. 1911. when Mr. Suksdorf once more identified himself with ranching. His min-
506
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
ing speculations proved quite profitable and he is now interested in a number of claims that he has every reason to feel assured will ultimately yield handsome dividends. He is one of the directors of the Q. S. Mining Company and he is also a stockholder in the Doyle Consolidated Mining Company.
Mr. Suksdorf is unmarried and continues to make his home on the ranch with his parents. In politics he is independent, always giving his support to such men or measures as he deems most likely to subserve the highest interests of the public. He is a capable young man of high standards and is held in favorable regard in Spangle, where he has been known from early childhood and has many friends, the majority of whom were the comrades of his boyhood.
HOMER E. ESTES.
Homer E. Estes, clerk of the district court and ex-officio auditor and recorder of Latah county, Idaho, has passed practically his entire life in Idaho, although he is a native of North Carolina, having been born in Caldwell county, that state, on the 26th of July, 1876. His parents are Homer R. and Nancy E. (Greer) Estes, also natives of North Carolina, whence they removed in the spring of 1886 to Idaho. Here they located on a homestead in Idaho county that the father operated until the fall of 1902, when the family removed to Latah county in the vicinity of Moscow, where the father continued operating a farm until the fall of 1907, when he and his wife and youngest son removed to Gridley, California, where he continues to follow agricultural pursuits. The Estes' are a very long-lived family, the grandfather of our subject having passed away in 1907 at the age of ninety-five years, the entire period of his life having been passed in North Caro- lina.
The education of Homer E. Estes was begun in the common schools of his native state, where he resided until he was a lad of almost ten years, and continued in those of Moscow. After the completion of his course in the latter place he studied for three years in the University of Idaho, then pursued a commercial course in the Moscow Business College. In 1900, at the age of twenty-four years, he entered the employ of the David & Ely Company, a large mercantile firm of Mos- cow, Idaho, in the capacity of bookkeeper, remaining with them for ten years. He applied himself intelligently and systematically to whatever he undertook, proving such an efficient employe that in less than two years after entering their service he was head of the counting department, and had entire charge of the office. Hav- ing been elected to the office of clerk of the district court and ex officio auditor and recorder of Latah county in November, 1910. he resigned his position with the David & Ely Company at the first of the year in order to assume the duties of his office, his term expiring in four years from January 10, 1911.
Moscow was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Estes to Miss Etta Strong, a daughter of J. R. Strong, on the 18th of November, 1903. Mr. Strong is one of the pioncers of Latah county, who was probate judge for four years and is now serving as city clerk of Moscow. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Estes, as follows: Helen, whose birth occurred in 1904; Virgil, whose natal day was in 1905; and Murray, who celebrated the second anniversary of his birth in 1911.
507
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
The family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church in which the parents hold membership, and fraternally he belongs to Moscow Camp, No. 3653. M. W. A., of which he is one of the trustees, and Moscow Lodge. No. 1. K. P., of which he is the present chancellor commander. Ever since attaining his majority. Mr. Estes has taken an active interest in all political affairs, giving his support to the men and measures of the progressive republican party. His first official position was that of clerk of the loeal board of education of the Moscow city schools, which he filled most acceptably from 1905 to 1910, and the past year he has been chair- man of the board. Mr. Estes is highly regarded not only in Moscow but through- out Latah county by all who have had either social or business relations with him, as he is a man of sound principles and upright conduet with well defined ideas of right and wrong to which he as rigidly adheres in all of his transactions as he expects others to do.
ANDREW CHRISTENSON.
Andrew Christenson, who has been actively identified with the growth and development of the town of Laclede and also of Bonner county, has served as treasurer of the latter since the time of its organization in 1907. His birth oc- curred on the island of Laaland. Denmark, on the Ist of March. 1862, and he lost his parents while he was still quite young. He attended the schools of his native land in the acquirement of an education and in 1880 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling at Alden, Minnesota, where he spent a year and a half with the construction gang of the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. Subsequently he clerked in a store at Alden until the spring of 1888, when he came west, settling at Seneaguoteen, Idaho, and began ranching. In 1891 he opened a store and in 1899 began the operation of a sawmill. On the 30th of April. 189t, he was appointed postmaster of Seneaguoteen, holding that position until 1902, when the postoffice was abolished. He then disposed of his store and sawmill to the Laclede Lumber Company, taking stock in the new concern as part payment, and moved across the river to what is now Laclede, Idaho. Until 1906. however, he managed the store for the Laclede Lumber Company. In 1901 he was appointed postmaster of Laclede, serving in that capacity until he resigned the office in 1907 in order to assume his new duties as treasurer of Bonner county, which had just been organized. He was elected county treasurer in 1908 and in 1910 was reelected. so that he is still the incumbent in that position. He is the only man who has held the office thus far and has won an enviable reputation for ability as well as fidelity. Mr. Christenson was likewise one of the organizers of the Bonner County National Bank and has since served as a director of the in- stitution.
In April, 1885, Mr. Christenson was joined in marriage to Miss Mary Peter- son, a daughter of Peter and Anna Elizabeth Peterson of Alden, Minnesota, who came to the United States from the island of Moen, Denmark. in 1866. Our sub- jeet and his wife have eight children, five sons and three daughters, as follows: Hilda, the wife of James Crockett, of Dutton, and the mother of two children; Peter, a ranehman of Dutton, Montana; Andrew, Jr., a student of the Idaho State
508
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
University at Moscow : Anna, at home; and Olga, Robert, Victor, and Carl. The family home is at Laclede.
Mr. Christenson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and acted as county commissioner of Kootenai county during the years 1905 and 1906. Since its organization in 1907 he has served as president of the Bonner County Fair Association and he is now president of the Commercial Club of Sandpoint, Idaho, He is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and being a member of the grand lodge of Masons of Idaho, while in 1910 he acted as senior grand deacon and in 1911 was elected junior grand warden. While it was still in existence he was master of Laclede Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is now past master and present secretary of Lakeside Lodge, No. 42, A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to the following organizations: Sandpoint Chapter, R. A. M .: Temple Commandery. No. 8, K. T .. of Coeur d'Alene; Idaho Consistory, No. 3, S. P. R. S., of Coeur d'Alene ; and El Katif Temple, N. M. S., of Spokane. Mr. Christenson is likewise prominent in the Scandinavian Brotherhood, being a member of Sandpoint Lodge, No. 21, and the grand vice president of the United States for 1910. He is at the present time vice president of the Inland Empire Grand Lodge of the S. B. O. A. Coming to the United States when a youth of eighteen, he wisely utilized the opportunities afforded in a land unhampered by caste or class and has worked his way steadily upward to a position of pros- perity and leadership in his community.
JOHN LAWRENCE HARPER.
Business interests bring John Lawrence Harper many times to Spokane and have made him a familiar figure among capitalists and leading citizens here. He is manager of the Republic Mines Corporation, the company having its office in the Old National Bank building of Spokane. Washington numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Goldendale, Klickitat county, August 23, 1873, his parents being Martin V. and Margaret (Johnson) Harper, both of whom are still living. They were pioneers of the northwest, having crossed the plains in 1852 when still in the childhood period of life. The Harper and Johnson fam- ilies established homes in the vicinity of Olympia and there the youthful days of the parents of John L. Harper were largely passed. His father afterward became a prominent factor in public life and twice represented his district in the territorial legislature. While thus serving he aided in organizing Franklin county. being the leader of the delegation having that object in view. For a long period he was successfully engaged in mining and other frontier pursuits but for the past few years has lived retired-one of the honored pioneer citizens of the state.
John L. Harper pursued his education in the public schools of Goldendale and Yakima and in the "College of Hard Knocks," as he expresses it. He was only fourteen years of age when he began carning his own livelihood. He was very young to shoulder the burdens and responsibilities of life and the lessons which he learned in the school of experience were often difficult ones, but ultimately they were mastered and have since been used to his advantage. He served an apprentice- ship in a printing office at Yakima and later as a journeyman printer traveled
J. 1 .. HARPER
PUSTI LIBRARY
ACH LEHOX TILGEN FOUNDATIONS
5H
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
through western Idaho and Washington and at times conducted newspapers in Oakesdale. Rosalia and Bellingham, Washington. His rise in journalistic circles was but a forecast of what was to come to him in later years in other fields. After seven years' connection with the newspaper business he became actively engaged in mining and since that time has operated largely in Ferry county, although he spent one year in Alaska and has mined all through this section of the United States. He is now the controlling factor in the Republic Mines Corporation, being gen- cral manager of the company, which operates the largest mine in the state. He is also general manager of the North Washington Power & Reduction Company and of both companies serves as a director and as chairman of the executive board. He likewise has several other mining interests and, moreover, is vice president and one of the directors of the Ferry County State Bank at Republie.
On the 24th of November, 1896. Mr. Harper was married to Miss Anderson, the only daughter of D. F. Anderson, who was one of the pioneer residents of Whit- man county, coming to the northwest from Kansas. He afterward represented that county in the state legislature and is well known by reason of his active support of the wheat-rate legislation secured under the name of the Anderson hill. He was likewise a Civil war veteran.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harper have been born two children, Lawrence Anderson and Evelyn Ora, the elder now five years of age, while the little daughter is in her second year. ' Mr. Harper gives his political allegiance to the liberal wing of the democratie party and as representative from Ferry county in 1905 was one of the lone democrats in the state legislature during that session. He is interested in the vital questions and problems of the day and keeps well informed on all that per- tains to general improvement. At the same time he most eapably manages important business interests and is now recognized as one of the leading mining men of the Inland Empire.
MARIS E. LEWIS.
Maris E. Lewis, vice president of C. & M. E. Lewis Company and of the First Trust & Savings Bank of Moscow. Idaho, is one of the enterprising and promi- nent business men of the city, of which he has been a resident for the past seven years. His birth occurred in lowa in 1861, his parents being Charles and Jane (Pierce) Lewis. The father was engaged in the real-estate business in Orange City, łowa, until 1902. when he came to Moscow, Idaho, where he continues to be identified with the same business, but now resides in Pasadena, California.
In the acquirement of his education Maris E. Lewis attended the public schools of his native state and the State Agricultural College at Ames, lowa, leaving the latter institution in the year of 1879. After leaving college he returned to Orange City and began his business career in his father's office. He continued to be identified with this enterprise for twenty-five years, at the expiration of which period, in 1904, he came to Moscow and organized the corporation of C. & M. E. Lewis Company, with Charles Lewis, president; M. E. Lewis, vice president ; and E. G. Lewis, secretary. He continues to be identified with this company in the same official capacity, and he is also vice president and a member of the board Vol. II1-26
512
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
of directors of the First Trust & Savings Bank of Moscow. Mr. Lewis is reeog- nized as one of the leading real-estate dealers and business men of the county. He possesses muel foresight and perspicaeity and direets his undertakings with intelligence, eoneentrating his energies upon the attainment of a definite end.
At Orange City, Iowa, in 1885, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Van de Steeg, a daughter of Gerrit Van de Steeg, one of the pioneers of northwestern Iowa. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis as follows: Howard K., who graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1910, and is now an ensign in the United States navy; E. G., who is secretary of the C. & M. E. Lewis Company ; Carl P. and Charlotte, students at the State University of Idaho; and Maris V., who is attending the publie schools.
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.