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 55
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During the entire period of his residence in Moscow, Mr. Lewis has taken an active interest in all politieal affairs, giving his support to the republican party. He was state senator from Latah county in 1905 and 1906, and during that pe- riod was appointed by the legislature to serve on the state wagon road commis- sion, the other two members of this body being Governor Gooding and Joseph W. Wheeler. They expended one hundred thousand dollars in improving the roads in the mining distriets, which has undoubtedly been of material assistance in pro- moting the development of the state. Mr. Lewis is very publie-spirited and takes mueh interest in everything that will promote the welfare or development of the citizens not only of his immediate community but of the entire state. In April, 1906, he was appointed by Governor Gooding president of the board of regents of the State University for a period of two years. At the expiration of that time, in 1908, he was reappointed by Governor Brady for a six-year term, but he re- signed on July 10, 1911, as the exactions of his private interests preeluded the possibility of his creditably discharging the duties connected with the office. Fra- ternally, he is affiliated with Paradise Lodge, No. 17, A. F. & A. M., of Moscow, and Moscow Lodge, No. 219, B. P. O. E. He is likewise a member of the Cham- ber of Commerce of Spokane and of the Inland Club of that eity. His enter- prise and initiative as well as his executive ability would place Mr. Lewis among the foremost citizens of any community, as he is one of those who never shirk the responsibilities of citizenship, but always find the time and opportunity to fulfill every duty.
JOHN HOUSER.
With the passing of John Houser at Pataha, Washington, on the 30th of April, 1911, the Inland Empire lost one of its most honored and representative citizens. He was not only a pioneer settler of this part of the state but was also the mann- facturer of the first patent flour in America and for forty-five years was closely identified with milling interests in eastern Washington. He left a deep impress npon the community in which he lived by reason of his business activity and his ster- ling personal worth, and with the pioneer development of this section he was closely identified. His birth occurred at Jagstzell, Würtemberg, Germany, March 12. 1829. His father owned a small flour mill and the boy learned his trade in his native country. The mother died early and the son, seeking his fortune. wandered to
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America. He sought a sister in New York but failed to find her and wandered on to Chicago, which was then a little muddy village on the middle west frontier. He suffered from ague there and started southward, sick and homeless, searching. for fellow countrymen who would take care of him until he was able to work and then give him a chance to make a living in the new land. It was an unpromising beginning but it led to a manhood of stirring and useful life in the northwest. He was employed in various towns in the Mississippi valley until 1854, when he joined a party bound for the California gold fields. They met the usual hardships and experiences of travel across the plains in those days and at length arrived at Salt Lake City, where they were advised to tarry until the hostilities of the Indians had somewhat subsided. A party of thirty-three. however, decided to go on and near the Humboldt river they met other emigrants who were fleeing from the In- dians on foot. They had been attacked by a band of four hundred and advised retreat to Salt Lake. They were then one hundred and fifty miles from that point and lacked supplies and the captain of the party said he thought he could get them through, so that they voted to go forward. They reached the river and the captain said if they could make a place known as Stony Point they would be safe from at- tack. Traveling all night. against the captain's protest they then stopped to cat and rest. Mr. Houser was placed on guard and soon saw signs of approaching Indians, who were coming from the hills in all directions. The party hitched up and started for Stony Point, intending to make a running fight. The captain gave the command not to shoot until he said the word. The Indians came within thirty steps, shooting the horses with arrows. At length the captain said: "Boys. take your revolvers and don't waste a shot." The fighting continued for more than half an hour and hundreds of Indians-men, women and children-were killed, while of the white men ten or fifteen were wounded. As the party struggled on to the coveted point the Indians set fire to the high brush and grass. They tried to backfire but the wind turned so that they, too, suffered destruction. Speaking of this part of the experience. Mr. Honser said: "My clothes caught on fire and prople began to disappear. The fire was burning on both sides of the road and my horse wouldn't go. The fire and smoke was awful and the road just like an arch. The fire came together on top. I could see some of the men through this arch. I ran through and my clothes and hat were burning. The captain told me to roll in the sand and that put it out. but my face and hands were blistered. When the fire died ont a little bit we found thirteen of us left out of thirty-three. We had no water and we couldn't get to the river. Our tongues were swelled up so we could not move them. We traveled about a quarter of a mile and came to a place where there had been a spring. We had not a single cracker to eat and were about one hundred and fifty miles from any place. The captain said all we could do was travel and if the Indians caught us they would kill us, for we had no more ammunition." Subsisting on the roots of grasses along the way and at times drink- ing a little alkali water. for there was none else. they proceeded as best they could and on the fifth night after the fight Mr. Houser saw a light. Three or four of his companions had reached there before him. The trader who occupied the building told the men to stay outside and rest till morning. He kept them outside as long as he could and then would give them only a little stimulant. After resting for a while they started to look for something to cat and made their way into the kitchen, where the trader was making a big kettle of soup. He gave to each a small
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cupful but they could seareely swallow. Finally the trader told them that if he gave them anything more after their long fast, until the next day, they would all be dead in two hours. That night others of the party eame straggling in and finally the last of the thirteen survivors of the party was brought in by searehers. After recuperating for a few days they went on into the Carson valley, where they were received by the miners and given food and elothing, there resting the greater part of the year to regain their strength from their severe experienees.
Mr. Houser worked in the California gold fields until 1858, when he went to a new camp near the Fraser river. There he made a fortune in the mines but lost it, and in 1866 he left the mines to spend the winter at Colville, Stevens county. Washington. L. W. Meyers had just taken over the old Hudson Bay flour mill, which at that time was little more than a pair of burrs, which made Indian flour or simply coarse meal. Mr. Meyers learned that Mr. Houser was a praetieal miller and en- gaged him and after remodeling the mill with the aid of Mr. Meyers, who was an excellent cabinet maker and a man of good mechanical ability, Mr. Houser there manufactured the first patent flour and farina ever made in the United States. The next summer he returned to the mines but in the winter of 1867 again went to Col- ville. Upon his return Samnel and Joseph Oppenheimer. who had just acquired the Pend d'Oreille mill and had heard of Mr. Houser's work at the Meyers mill, en- gaged him to remodel their mill. which he did. He then manufactured farina and patent flour in that mill, the produet being exhibited at Salem during the Oregon state fair, on which oceasion he was awarded the first premium. They also shipped farina overland to Walla Walla and to the firm of Allen & Lewis in Portland, from the Oppenheimer mill. Fort Sherman. at Coeur d'Alene, which had hitherto obtained its flour from the Oregon Valley mills, was also supplied from this point.
In the early '70s Mr. Ilouser returned on a visit to his old home in Germany and was there married to Miss Marie Reiniger, at Stuttgart. They returned to Col- ville and remained there until 1879, when Mr. Houser bought the flour mill at Pataha, where he resided for thirty-two years. From the time he came down from the mines in 1866 until his death forty-five years later he was exclusively engaged in the flour milling business and was probably the foremost pioneer miller of the northwest. Whether he was remodeling the erude mills in the Colville valley or operating his mill at l'ataha, in Garfield county, he was always endeavoring to make a superior grade of flour, and at Pataha, for over thirty years, manufactured a special flour for the baker trade of San Francisco. Even today his trademark is so well known in that eity that the flour commands a premium.
Mr. Post, of Post Falls, wanted him to locate on the Spokane river, but this seetion was not considered wheat country then, so he went farther south. He continued in the flour milling business up to the time of his death and his success inereased year by year.
Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Houser: M. H., who is living in Portland; Mrs. Ross R. Brattain, of Spokane; Bertha M. and William J., both of Pataha. The wife and mother died at St. Helena, California, December 20, 1908. and Mr. Houser passed away at. Pataha. April 30, 1911. He was then eighty-two years of age. His white hair gave him a most venerable appearanec and his face indicated something of the struggles in which he had participated, and yet through all he maintained a kindly spirit and came off conqueror in the battle of life. He was indeed closely associated with the upbuilding and develop-
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ment of the Inland Empire, especially along his chosen line of business, in which connection he ever maintained the highest standards. Not to record the history of John Houser would be to make but an incomplete record of the Inland Em- pire and its development.
C. G. CORYELL REATH.
C. G. Coryell Reath is president of the Independent Rapid Transfer Company, in which connection he is engaged in a general transfer and storage business. He was born in Coquille, Oregon, March 23, 1877, and in both the paternal and ma- ternal lines is of Danish and German descent. His father was born in New York, April 16. 1828. and in April, 1847, started from Wisconsin, coming to Fort Hall in Oregon territory, where the immigration train of which he was a member sep- arated. One portion of the train went south while the division to which Mr. Reath belonged came on to Oregon through the Klamath Lake country and up to Rogue river near Grants Pass, then north through the Umpqua valley and across the California mountains, arriving at Eugene on the 25th of October, 1847. The only resident of that place was Eugene Skinner, who at that time was settled on his donation elaim where the city of Eugene now stands, The following year Mr. Reath made his way to California and in 1819 engaged in freighting over the route from Sacramento, north to the mines. In 1851 he returned to Oregon and located on his donation claim four miles southeast of Engene, at what was then known as Coryell Point. He was a member of Company E, Volunteer Cavalry, under Cap- tain Stephen Rigdon, during the carly '60s, and was at Salem, Oregon, in 1861 with the same company. He married Mary Caroline Miller, who was born in lowa. August 21, 1814. In 1862 she crossed the plains with her people, who, after arriving at Portland, Oregon, made their way up the Willamette valley, lo- rating six miles southwest of Lebanon. Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Reath wore mar- ried in 1872, near the town of Sweet Home, Oregon, and afterward removed to Coquille, Oregon, where C. G. C. Reath was born. In 1882 they came to Viola, Idaho, where the father conducted a blacksmith shop until 1888. The death of the mother occurred August 15, 1908, while the father passed away May 10, 1909.
In the common schools Clyde George Coryell Reath laid the foundation of his education and when but twelve years of age became a newsboy of Portland, selling the Oregonian and the Telegram, then, as now, two of the leading papers of the city. He also sold the old Mercury and Sunday Welcome. When thirteen years of age he entered the Postal Telegraph service at Portland and worked in every department. serving successively as messenger, clerk, bookkeeper, lineman, operator and chief operator until January, 1908, when he severed his connection with the company. He came to Spokane for the company in 1899 and worked for them until January, 1908, when he organized the Independent Messenger Company. Subsequently he extended the scope of his business by the establishment of a transfer and storage department and later he disposed of the messenger service. He is now at the head of the Independent Rapid Transfer Company, in the con- duet of a general transfer and storage business and also as general managing agent. The company is incorporated for twenty thousand dollars and in 1910
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his father-in-law, J. B. Gilbert, purchased an interest and became secretary- treasurer.
On the 17th of September, 1902, at Rockford, Washington, Mr. Reath was united in marriage to Miss Elva Gilbert, and they have two children, Donald and Nadine. They attend the Methodist church and Mr. Reath belongs to the Wood- men of the World. He is also the secretary of the Spokane Warehouse and Truek- men's Association. His politieal support is given to the republican party, yet he is not an active worker in its ranks. For three years, while a resident of Portland, he served as a member of Battery A of the First Regiment of the Oregon National Guard. His attention, however, is chiefly concentrated upon his business affairs, which are of growing importanee. Aside from the transfer and storage business he is interested in an irrigation traet east of Spokane as well as in a timber traet near Loon Lake, Washington.
J. H. TILSLEY.
In the period of early manhood J. H. Tilsley became a resident of Spokane and in the years which have sinee come and gone has borne an important part in the work of progress and development here. his real-estate operations contributing in large measure to the growth and improvement of the city. Moreover. he has studied conditions of the northwest, has learned to recognize its possibilities and east the weight of his influence on the side of advancement in all those lines that work for the permanent good of the Inland Empire.
Mr. Tilsley is a native of Newport. Kentucky, and he came from Greeley. Colo- rado, to Spokane. The conditions which confronted him here in that early period ere law and order had fully replaced the elements of lawlessness which are always a feature in a new community were astounding to the young man, for Greeley was a temperanee town and possessed of those forees which work for municipal advantage. However, the young man held himself aloof from all those inflnenees and activities that do not contribute to the best in manhood and citizenship and bent his energies to the performance of his duties as manager of the American Distriet Telegraph Company. He entered upon this position without previous experience in that line but elose application and determined purpose enabled him readily to master the tasks entrusted to him and although at different times in his life he has met diffi- eulties, hardships and almost unsurmountable obstaeles, he has nevertheless per- severed and his indefatigable energy and industry have at length brought him to a prominent position in real-estate and insurance eireles. In both departments of his business he has been accorded a large elientage. He is now especially interested in handling Greene's addition to Spokane, which he placed on the market in 1908. This is located on the north hill west of Monroe street and through his real-estate activities there many fine homes have been ereeted in that distriet, which has been converted into one of the attractive residence sections of the eity. The greater part of the addition has already been sold and Mr. Tilsley has been equally sueeess- ful in his real-estate estate operations elsewhere.
In his political views Mr. Tilsley is a republican and for one term served as deputy county treasurer under A. L. Smith. While he keeps well informed on the
J. HI. TIL.SLEY
HRARY
WK LENOX FU. IDATIONS
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vital questions and issues of the day he has never sought political honors, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon his business affairs, which are of constantly growing volume and importance. He is a stalwart advocate and supporter, however, of all movements that tend to promote public progress in this section of the country. Hle has aided in many of the leading projects that have made Spokane a city and has by his honesty of purpose made a host of friends in all walks of life. He can be found in every movement that has for its objeet the advancement of the city, yet his work is always done in a quiet and unassuming way. He never falters, however, until his purpose is accomplished and Spokane has benefited by the improvements instituted.
JOHN PETERS.
life of wisely directed activity generally yields gratifying returns and the experience of John Peters has been in accordance with the rule indicated. A ca- pable, energetic and successful business man, he has added to his reputation by his intelligent and judicious administration of the affairs of the State Bank of Spangle. He is prominent in the publie life of the community and his efforts partake of a practical nature that makes him one of the honored residents of Spokane county. Born in Clinton county, Jowa, June 25, 1868. he is a son of John and Katherine (Jacobs) Peters, the former of whom died in 1898 and the latter in 1904. The father was a soldier in the Civil war and served in Company I. Tenth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, participating in a number of im- portant battles and also in the march of Sherman to the sea.
John Peters received his early education in. the public schools of Iowa. At the age of ten years he removed with his parents to Washington and attended the common schools for four years, pursuing his studies for the next two years under private teachers. At the age of sixteen he began working in sawmills and five years later secured employment on a steamboat on the lower Columbia river. I 1889 he came to Spangle and applied himself to farming with very gratifying results for about fifteen years. He then entered the grain business with which he has since been continuously connected. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land near Spangle, which he purchased in 1891, and also owns a lumber claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Stevens county. In 1905 he organized the Bank of Spangle, which became the State Bank the year following. He has been president of this institution ever since it was founded and as the bank is conducted upon safe and conservative principles, it commands the entire confidence of the people throughout the region tributary to Spangle.
On the 28th of February, 1896, Mr. Peters was married at Fairfield, Washing- ton, to Miss Katherine Jurgens, a daughter of Claus and Katherine Jurgens, and to this union four children have been born, Albert, Louis, Gertrude and Frederick. Mr. and Mrs. Peters are consistent members of the Lutheran church, in which faith they are rearing their children. Mr. Peters has adhered to the democratic party ever since he cast his first ballot and has served as delegate to several county conventions. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. He has passed through the chairs of the latter organization and
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now holds the title of past counsel commander. In his affiliation with the I. O. O. F. he has been very prominent, is a member of the Encampment and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge. He has never been afraid of work and as he has promptly recognized business opportunities and has not hesitated to act upon his own judgment, his advancement has from the start been almost inevitable. It is men of this class who win the rewards of life and set an example that is of inesti- mable value in encouraging others to renewed effort.
MARSHALL W. TEEPLE.
Marshall W. Teeple, distributor for the Centennial Milling Co., has been a resident of Stevens county since 1899, during which period he has freely con- tributed both his time and services in promoting its development. He is a native of Canada, his birth having occurred in Woodstock, Province of Ontario, on Feb- ruary 9. 1845. His parents were L. C. and Mary G. (Tisdale) Teeple, both of whom are now deceased. the father having passed away in 1858 and the mother in 1874. His paternal grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Brock county, Ontario, of which he had the distinction of being the first magistrate. He also crected and operated the first grist mill in the county.
The boyhood and youth of Marshall W. Teeple were spent in his native town, where he was also educated, his school days terminating when he reached the age of fifteen years. Ile then applied himself to learning the millwright's trade, which he followed in Woodstock until 1863. going from there to Michigan. He subsequently removed to Pennsylvania. but later located in Chicago where he engaged in the Inmber business until 1874. His next removal was to Muskegon. Michigan, and there for thirteen years he devoted his entire time and attention to the manufacture of lumber. In 1887 he went south and during the succeeding two years he followed his trade at various' points between southern Missouri and the Gulf of Mexico. He came west in 1889, locating in Spokane. where he fol- lowed his trade for two years. during which period he installed the machinery in the Central Planing Mill of that city. From there he went to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where he engaged in millwright work from 1891 to 1899. Withdrawing from mechanical pursuits at the end of that period he came to Meyers Falls, Washington. and purchased sixty acres of land which he devoted to fruit culture until 1905 when he sold his ranch and moved to town. Soon thereafter Mr. Tceple assumed the duties of his present position and has ever since been identified with the same.
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. was the scene of Mr. Teeple's marriage on the Sth of February, 1869, to Miss Olive Bennett, a daughter of Thompson Bennett of that city. Three children have been born of this union: L. C., who married Emma McMahon : Grace, the wife of F. A. Empey, of Spokane; and Charles B., whose death occurred in 1892.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Teeple are active members of the Congregational church of Meyers Falls and take an earnest interest in the work of its various depart- ments. He rendered much valuable service when they were constructing their present church edifice and is now treasurer of the board of trustees. Fraternally
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Mr. Teeple is athiliated with the Knights of Pythias and belongs to the Grand Lodge of Washington. He is one of the oldest members in the state, having been identified with the order for over forty years. His political support he accords to the men and measures of the republican party, and during his residence in Muskegon, Michigan, he served for four years as a member of the board of city aldermen. Ever since loeating in Stevens county Mr. Teeple has taken an active interest in promoting its development. He assisted in organizing the Stevens County Fruit Growers' Association, and he was also one of those who founded the Fair Association of Colville and was its first president. He assisted in its reorganization and for three years thereafter acted as president of the Stevens County Producers' Association. It is the purpose of this association to advertise the county and its resources, thus a fair is held annually and exhibitions have been sent to Spokane, St. Louis and to the Chicago land show. He takes an en- thusiastie interest in the work of the commercial clubs and in 1910 used his in- fluence to bring about the federation of those in the county, realizing that better results would be obtained with less expenditure of both time and money by con- tralizing their efforts. Mr. Teeple has the most unbounded faith in the agricultural and industrial development of this section of the state, believing that its possibili- ties have as yet searcely been discovered, and on every possible occasion is untir- ing in his efforts to promote its future.
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