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 58
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GEORGE W. BISSON.
George W. Bisson, who for the past three years has been editing the Wilbur Register, was born in Geneva, Switzerland, May 24, 1874. He is a son of Hypolyte and Minnie Bisson, the father a graduate of the University of Paris. In the paternal line Hypolyte Bisson is a direct descendant of General Lafayette and had the distinetion of being a classmate of Victor Hugo. and a neighbor of Eugene Sue, the author of The Wandering Jew. Together with his wife and family he emigrated to the United States in 1876. locating in Minnesota. He is an electrical engineer and skilled mechanic and during the pioneer days together with his brother operated the steamer Otter on the Minnesota river. They also built and operated the first grist mill at Henderson, Minnesota, where the father now resides.
George W. Bisson was educated in the graded and high schools of Hender- son, Minnesota, and after being graduated from the latter he learned the printer's trade, which he followed for several years. 1Ie subsequently owned the Gibbon Gazette, of Gibbon, Minnesota, but after editing this paper for five years he dis- posed of it and came to Washington. He first located in Springdale, where for a time he owned and edited the Record. From there he went to America Falls Idaho, and bceame associated with J. L. Corey of Vancouver, British Columbia, in editing and managing the Industrial Magazine. The winter of 1906-7 he passed in San Jose, California, but in the spring he returned to Idaho and started the St. Joe Standard at St. Joe. Owing to the state of his health and the adverse conditions he there eneountered, he gave this up in the fall and took the foreman- ship of the Wilson Creek World of Wilson Creek, Washington. In the spring of 1908 together with his wife he came to Wilbur to assume the management of the Register, which he has ever sinee edited. On the Ist of November, 1911, Mr. Bisson extended his interests and took charge of the Walla Walla News, at Walla Walla.
At Spokane on the 15th of August, 1905, Mr. Bisson was united in marriage to Miss Julia Matilda Ketehum, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Ketehum, of Springdale, Washington. The father belongs to an old American family and is connected with the same families as George Washington.
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Mr. Bisson was confirmed in the Episcopal church and fraternally he is iden- tified with the Masonic order and the Odd Fellows. He has always been quite a sportsman and in 1902 was president of the Gibbon Gun Club, and received the medal for high marksmanship in clay pigeon shooting that year. In 1911 he was field captain of the Wilbur Rod and Gun Club, and his percentage was excelled by that of only one other member. In his political views, Mr. Bisson is a republi- ean but in municipal affairs he votes an independent ticket, giving his support to such men as he deems best adapted to subserve the highest interests of the com- munity.
CHARLES A. FIEDLER.
Charles A. Fiedler, to whom belongs the distinction of having erected the second house in Newport, has extensive realty interests in the town and its immediate vicinity. He was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of April, 1872, his parents being George and Ellen (Hoon) Fiedler, both of whom are now de- ceased, the mother having passed away in 1896, and the father in 1910.
When Charles A. Fiedler was a little lad his parents removed to Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He completed his preliminary education upon his graduation from the Hubbard high school in 1891. This was later supplemented by two years study in the Case School of Applied Sciences at Cleveland, Ohio. He then laid aside his text-books and sought employment, entering upon his first position with the Standard Oil Company at Oil City, Pennsylvania, where he re- mained for five years. At the expiration of that period he came west, locating at Newport, where he continued to look after their interests for a time. As prospect- ing appeared to him to offer better opportunities he withdrew from the employ of the Standard Oil Company and began locating and developing mining properties in the Metaline country. In December, 1899, he opened a saloon in Newport, that he successfully conducted for ten years. During that time he made judicious property investments here and began building and selling houses. He also erected the Antler Hotel, which he conducted until 1910, when he disposed of it. He still owns considerable property here, having a number of residences that he rents, and in 1911 he erected a solid concrete, fireproof theater. It is the best equipped and most pretentious building of its kind in the state and affords a seating capacity of four hundred. The building has been so arranged that its capacity can be in- creased as the demand grows. In addition to his local interests Mr. Fiedler owns property in Spokane and has made extensive investments in the Coeur d'Alene dis- triet. He has also thirteen patented claims in a group of mines in the Parker Mountain district in Pend Oreille county. He is well known in mining eireles throughout this part of the country, having been largely interested in promoting developments along this line.
Franklin, Pennsylvania, was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Fiedler on July 10. 1897, to Miss Jessie Karnes, a daughter of Henry and Margaret Karnes. Ou January 10. 1902, one child was born unto Mr. and Mrs. Fiedler. Charles A., Jr., who is now attending school.
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Fraternally Mr. Fielder is a Mason, being a past master of the blue lodge; and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having organized and installed the local lodge of the latter order. His political support he gives to the republican party, but is not an office seeker. Mr. Fiedler is very fond of traveling and a few years ago covered the greater part of the United States and Mexico with an automobile. He is one of the enter- prising and progressive citizens of Newport, toward the development of which he has made valuable contributions through his indefatigable efforts to promote its various utilities.
HORACE J. EMERY, M. D.
Dr. Horace J. Emery, whose laudable ambition to make his service of the ut- most possible value in the practice of his profession is indicated in the fact that he again and again returns to the east for special post-graduate work, thus keeping in close touch with the most advanced methods, has resided continuously in Spokane since 1902 and has here specialized in the practice of surgery. He was born in Kingston, Ontario, December 27, 1861. a son of James Emery, who was a pros- perous farmer there. His early education was acquired in the public schools of Kingston, supplemented by a course in the normal school at Toronto, Canada. His professional instruction was received at Queen's University, where he won the de- grees of M. D. and C. M. in 1885. He afterward pursued a special course in the Post Graduate School of Chicago and located for practice in Charlotte, Michigan, where substantial success awaited him in recognition of his ability and his devotion to his professional duties. He there remained until 1901, when the failing health of his wife caused him to seek for her a change of climate in the west. They re- sided for a brief period at Denver, Colorado, and thence went to Vancouver, British Columbia, where she regained her health. In 1902 they came to Spokane, where Dr. Emery at once opened an office. He has since built up a large practice, devot- ing his attention mostly to surgical work, his pronounced skill in this field being attested by the consensus of opinion on the part of the public and the profession. He returns often to Chicago for post-graduate work and, studying the methods of eminent members of the profession there, keeps in touch with the rapid advance that is being made in surgery.
On the 10th of April. 1889. at Jackson, Michigan, Dr. Emery was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Shipman, a daughter of Charles Shipman of that city. Mrs. Emery died in Pomona. California, September 28, 1908. She was a woman of great personal charm and beauty, who took a great interest in club and social life and organized the Woman's Club of Spokane, becoming its first president. She was also very prominent in society and her kindly and charitable nature drew to her a large circle of sincere friends and her early death was deeply regretted by all. She had a sister, Mrs. W. M. Saxton, who is also living in Spokane and is very prominent socially.
Dr. Emery is a republican whose political interest is manifest in support of the men and measures of the party at the polls, but he has never sought nor desired political preferment for himself. He has attained high rank in Masonry as a mem-
MRS. AND DR. HORACE J. EMERY
ANY
LE HOX V. LAT ONA
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ber of Charlotte (Michigan) Lodge, No. 120. F. & A. M .: Oriental Consistory, No. 2, S. P. R. S. ; and El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also holds membership with the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Chamber of Commerce, but his interest centers in his professional duties and the scientific phase of his work and he keeps in close touch with what is being done in the profession through his membership in the Spokane County Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
EDWIN T. CHAPIN.
Edwin T. Chapin, who in 1908 organized the E. T. Chapin Company of Sand- point, has since acted as president and treasurer of the concern, which is engaged in the manufacture of cedar posts, poles and piling. His birth occurred at Fair- mont. Nebraska, on the 3d of February. 1877, his parents being William Henry and Ersula (Norcross) Chapin. His preliminary education was supplemented by a course of study in the University of Nebraska, which institution conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1900. He made his initial step in the busi- ness world as an employe of a lumber firm in Omaha, there remaining for five years. On the expiration of that period he came to Sandpoint, Idaho, as sales manager for the Humbird Lumber Company, acting in that capacity for three years. In 1908 he organized the E. T. Chapin Company, which has since been under the direction of the following officers: E. T. Chapin, president and treasurer ; A. Kloeckner, secretary; and Dr. G. W. Roberts, of Spokane, vice president. They handle cedar products exclusively, manufacturing cedar posts. poles and piling. The business has enjoyed a steady growth since the beginning and its continued success is assured under the able direction of its chief executive officer.
In June, 1907. Mr. Chapin was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Kloeckner. of Spokane, Washington, by whom he has one son. Edwin K. Chapin, whose birth occurred in June. 1909. The Inland Club of Spokane numbers him among its members.
GEORGE FRANKLIN STIVERS.
George Franklin Stivers, who now resides in Garfield, Whitman county, was for many years a well known minister in the Christian church. He was born in Washington county, Illinois, August 18, 1851, his parents being Elisha and Lydia (Church) Stivers, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. His father enlisted in the army during the Mexican war and started for the front but on the arrival of his company at St. Louis word was received that the war was over and peace declared, so the volunteers were mustered out and returned to their homes. Ilis paternal grandfather, William Stivers, was a native of Ken- tucky and a fifer in the Mexican war, and his great grandfather on the paternal side served in the War of 1812. His maternal grandfather. John Church, was a native of Tennessee.
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George F. Stivers received his early education in the public schools of Illinois and when fourteen years of age moved to Missouri, where he continued to attend the public schools. In 1870 he took up the profession of school teaching and for six years taught in the public schools of Putnam county, Missouri. He then went to southwestern Texas and was engaged for five years in teaching in one school district in that state. In 1881 he returned to Missouri and taught school during the winter and farmed during the summer until 1883, when he went to Texas, where he entered the ministry of the Christian church. In 1885 he went to Arkansas and in connection with his calling as a minister in the Christian church he engaged in farming. In January, 1889, he came to Washington, locating at Garfield, in Whitman county, where he was pastor of the Christian church until 1901. During that time he was also a pioneer minister, traveling over the country, as Garfield was only a mission at that time, the present church having been built by Mr. Stivers. He was an earnest. forceful speaker and his zeal in behalf of the church and his almost untiring labor for the upbuilding of the different church activities made him a very popular minister, holding revivals and establishing churches in different parts of the country. He conducted many funerals and mar- riages, not only for his own church people but for those of other denominations. He was district evangelist for four years and a member of the state church board for three years.
In 1901, retiring from active ministry, he entered business life and, seeing the great future of this part of the country, he first bought a half section of land in Adams county. He continued buying and selling tracts of land, aggregating sev- eral sections. The success of his business being assured, he returned to Garfield and invested largely in land, since which time he has purchased valuable realty in Spokane and vicinity. in Pasco, Washington, and in Portland, Jefferson, Kla- math Falls, and Eugene, Oregon. He purchased land adjoining Garfield and set out an orchard and later bought various orchards surrounding this town. He also has platted two additions to Garfield and has been instrumental in the attraction of new business to the town, notably the flour mill and the electric car line. of which he was one of the five locaters. Mr. Stivers gave the initial contribution of five hundred dollars toward the Bible University at Eugene, Oregon, and in various ways has contributed of his means for the furtherance of Christian work. reaching a wider circle than would have been possible had he remained in the pulpit.
Mr. Stivers has been three times married. In Missouri, in 1870, he married Miss Clarissa J. Smith, who was born in Illinois, the daughter of William and Nancy Smith. Mrs. Stivers passed away leaving three children: Harvey C., of Tacoma, Washington, who is married and has five children, two sons and threc daughters; Clara, who married W. J. Vernon, of Eugene, Oregon, by whom she has three children, a son and two daughters; and Cora, who is the wife of T. E. McCroskey, of Eugene, Oregon, and the mother of two sons. In 1881 Mr. Stivers was again married. his second union being with Mrs. Susan (Smith) Trowbridge, of North, Missouri, who was born in Illinois, the daughter of William and Nancy Smith and a sister of Clarissa J. Smith, the first wife of Mr. Stivers. By this second marriage were born two sons: Thaddeus A., of Garfield, Washington, who is married and has three daughters; and Elijah V., of McMinnville, Oregon, who is also married and has a daughter. After the death of his second wife Mr. Stivers
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was again married, his third union being with Miss Oriana Vernon, whom he wedded in Roseburg, Oregon, July 2, 1907. She is the daughter of Allen C. and Ruth (Wheaton ) Vernon, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Indiana.
In polities Mr. Stivers is a prohibitionist, he being at one time nominated by that party for the office of state senator, and later as a candidate for presidential elector in Washington. In 1877 he served as county commissioner of Blanco county, Texas, and for two years was assessor in Putnam county, Missouri. Since resid- ing in Garfield he has served one term as a member of the city council. While in the Christian ministry Mr. Stivers was an able man and successful in his calling and since, on turning his attention to business, he has maintained high ideals and has become a power for good in whatever relations he has formed. Essentially a self-made man, he has reason to feel an honest pride in his achievement and in his position as one of the highly honored citizens of Garfield.
THOMAS J. KELLY.
Thomas J. Kelly, who has been successfully identified with the commercial activities of Newport at various times during the past eighteen years, is one of the well known citizens of Pend Oreille county. During the entire period of his resi- denee in the town he has been prominently identified with public affairs, and has three times been called to the highest office of the municipality. His birth oc- curred in Filmore county, Minnesota, on March 13, 1863, his parents being Pat- rick and Mary (Flynn) Kelly. They were among the pioneers of that state. having located there in 1856, when much of the country in that section was little more than a wilderness and was still infested with the Indians. There the father passed away in 1892, and the mother in 1903.
Reared at home in the acquirement of an education Thomas J. Kelly attended the public schools of Preston, Minnesota, laying aside his text-books at the expira- tion of his first term in the high school, when he was twenty years of age. Hav- ing decided upon a commercial career he thereafter turned his attention to busi- ness, devoting his energies to mercantile pursuits. In 1889 he came to the north- west and spent the succeeding six months in traveling in Oregon and Washington, looking at the country with the intention of subsequently locating here if he found conditions as they had been represented to him. In the fall of that year he went to Spokane, where for twelve months he conducted a grocery store and then went to Deer Park, where for a time he continued in the same business. He subse- quently became associated with his brother in the general mercantile business under the firm name of Kelly Brothers, but terminated this connection at the end of two years. After traveling for four months in Oregon and California seeking a location, he settled in Newport and here in the spring of 1893 he established a general mercantile business. He conducted this most successfully until 1906. when he sold out to the MeDonald Mercantile Company and retired from busi- ness activities for three years. In 1909 Mr. Kelly bought back the business from the MeDonald Mercantile Company that he has ever since been conducting. He has a very pleasant store, containing a large and carefully assorted stock of goods that he offers at reasonable prices. A man of pleasing personality he always
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aeeords his patrons the most courteous and careful consideration, feeling that a well satisfied customer is the best medium of advertising. He has met with a goodly measure of sueeess in the conduct of his business and in addition to his other interests is a stockholder in the Elk City mining properties.
On the 29th of November, 1892, Mr. Kelly was nited in marriage to Miss Mary M. Bcard, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Beard, the event being celebrated at Cheney, Washington. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly there have been born six children: Edward, Ruth, Mary, William, Alice and James, all of whom are attending sehool.
Fraternally Mr. Kelly is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has passed through all of the chairs. He also belongs to the Commercial Club of Newport and his political support he gives to the democratie party. He served as a member of the county board of education for a term of four years and in 1901 and 1906 was put up by his party as candidate for the legislature but was unsue- eessful on aeeount of various adverse conditions. Municipal affairs have always been given much of his attention and he has served as mayor of the town on three dif- ferent occasions, while he was a member of the town school board for four terms. He resigned the duties of both offices upon retiring from business, and sinee re- entering commercial life has given his undivided attention to the development of his personal interests. During the long period of his residenee in Newport Mr. Kelly has prominently figured in the development of the community, being one of the progressive eitizens whose influence has been used in promoting publie utilities, his indorsement and cooperation being given to every commendable movement.
GEORGE E. CANFIELD.
George E. Canfield, attorney at law, was born in Swanton, Ohio, August 21, 1876, a son of Henry C. and Melissa A. (Brailey) Canfield, of that town. His father was a carpenter and builder in early life but afterward turned his atten- tion to the occupation of farming. His business activities, however, were inter- rupted by his service in the Civil war, for during the progress of hostilities between the north and the south he enlisted in Company H, First Ohio Light Artillery. and was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant after serving for three years. In his military experience he followed the example of his aneestors, for he came from Revolutionary stoek, his grandfather, a native of Vermont, serving in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war. Afterward representa- tives of the family settled near Buffalo, New York, from which place Henry C. Canfield and others of the family removed to Ohio about the year 1855.
George E. Canfield was edueated in the public schools of Delta, Ohio, and in the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana, completing the literary course with the elass of 1900 and the law eourse with the elass of 1902. The west seemed to offer to him greater attractions than the older seetions of the country and immediately after his graduation he came to Colfax, Whitman county, Washington, remaining there one year. Removing from that place, he located at Tekoa. where he eon- tinued in the practice of law until 1907 and then eame to Spokane, where he has sinee followed his profession. While at Colfax he held the office of deputy
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prosecuting attorney of Whitman county. Since that time he has concentrated his time and energies upon his professional duties, which are growing in extent and importance. His name figures in connection with many of the leading cases which have been tried in the courts of this district and his work indicates his thorough familiarity with the law, while his careful analysis of his cases shows clearly his ability to accurately apply the principles of jurisprudence to the points in litigation.
On the 10th of July, 1907. Mr. Canfield was married to Miss Marion II. Ames, a daughter of Edgar 1 .. and Ella M. (Hall) Ames, of Minneapolis. They have two children, Katherine E. and Edgar H. Mr. Canfield is affiliated with many fraternal organizations which find in him a loyal representative, in sym- pathy with the principles which they advocate. His influence is always cast on the side of that which uplifts the individual and promotes the welfare of the community.
JOHN D. SLOCUM.
The late John D. Slocum, who for more than twelve years discharged the duties of postmaster in Valley, was one of the pioneers of Stevens county. He was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, on the 14th of February, 1844, and was a son of George and Mary ( Hurroon) Slocum, who were among the carly settlers of Iowa. They are both deecased, the mother having passed away in 1876 and the father in 1901.
John D. Slocum was only a child when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Jowa, to whose public schools he was indebted for his education. When the call came for troops to go to the front in the early '60s he donned the bhie. enlisting at Council Bluffs, Iowa, November 25, 1861, as a member of Company JI, Fifteenth lowa Infantry. After spending more than three years in the service he was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 21, 1865. following which he located in Council Bluffs, lowa, and for two years thereafter served an appren- ticeship at the painter's trade. He subsequently went to Fremont, Nebraska. where he followed his trade for five years, going from there to Lincoln and en- gaging in the same occupation for three years. At the expiration of that period he became a resident of Paola. Kansas, remaining there for eleven years, during which time he worked at his trade. His next removal was to Valley, but during the first two years of his residence in the state he spent the most of his time in Spokane, where he was employed. He was appointed postmaster soon after set- tling here and continued to be the incumbent of that office until June, 1910, when, owing to his rapidly failing health he was compelled to retire from active life. His condition did not improve but gradually grew worse and he passed away on the 27th of May, 1911.
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