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 72
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
In politics Mr. Costello was a democrat but never took an active part in political work. He did not marry and shared his home with his sister Julia, who managed the household. Since his death she has returned to Alexandria, Ontario. Another sister, Annie. is the wife of A. J. Landreau. of Ottawa, Canada, and the brothers are Frank T., an attorney of Alexandria. Ontario, and John F., of Spokane.
PETER COSTELLO
ARY
M
685
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
The substantial qualities which Peter Costello displayed won for him an enviable position in the regard of his many friends. It is said that he never had any differ- ences with those who worked under him in any capacity and several of his assistants whom he deemed worthy be established in business. He was always willing to pro- mote his men when opportunity offered and their services seemed to justify it, and in the execution of his contracts he was thoroughly reliable and honorable. The Spokesman's Review at the time of his death wrote: "Few men in Spokane had a wider acquaintance than Peter Costello, and few had warmer friends. Quiet and reserved in his demeanor, he was slow in making friends but having made them he never lost them. He was a man of generous sensibilities, glad to respond to those in distress and there are many who benefited by his benefactions." The spirit of generosity prompted him at all times to extend a helping hand to those in need and his life, indeed. proved a serviceable factor in the world's work.
EDWIN D. SANDERS.
Prominent among those who have been most active in mining interests in the northwest is Edwin D. Sanders, of Spokane. He was born in Kansas City, Mis- souri. December 30, 1852. a son of Basil W. and Charlotte ( Best) Sanders, of that place. The father died when his son Edwin was but two years of age. Both he and his wife were natives of Virginia and the latter was a daughter of Captain John Best, of the United States army, who served with distinction throughout the war with Mexico. Following her husband's death Mrs. Sanders removed to Lawrence, Kansas, where she erected the second house in the city-a structure that is still stand- ing. In 1860 she went with her family to Battle Creek, Michigan. It was in the latter city that Edwin D. Sanders attended the public school. In 1877 he came to the west, settling first in Walla Walla. Washington, devoting his energies to mining enterprises. He prospected all over what is now the Spokane country and up into British Columbia. During the mining excitement in the Coeur d'alenes he was for a period of three years prospecting and mining there, after which he returned to British Columbia. He was one of the original owners of the famous LeRoi mines in 1889, becoming one of the directors of the company and one of the heaviest stock- holders. Mr. Sanders remained on the property continuously for five years or from 1893 until 1898, when it was sold to a British syndicate. Through its operation Mr. Sanders profited largely for the LeRoi mine was one of the most famous of that section. He was also interested in the Sullivan mine in the Fort Steele country in British Columbia and until the year 1910 remained one of its directors. He has been identified with the Powell-Sanders Company of Spokane since 1897 and is one of its largest stockholders and was president of the company until about a year ago, while at this writing he is serving as vice president and director.
On the 25th of May. 1876. Mr. Sanders was married at Battle Creek, Michigan. to Miss Maggie E. Willis, a daughter of Isane and Margaret Willis, of that city. Her father was a wealthy farmer of Calhoun county, Michigan, and her grand- father was a very prominent man in the early affairs of that state. having con- structed the Michigan Central Railroad and also secured an appropriation from con- gress for the preliminary survey of a ship canal to connect the lakes. Ile belonged Vol III -34
686
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
to an old Philadelphia Quaker family. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have two children, Charles W. and Dorothy, the latter thirteen years of age. The former served with distinction on three different oeeasions. being with Theodore Roosevelt at San Juan, in the Phillipines, and also in China during the Boxer uprising. After his return from the latter expedition he sustained injuries to his spine which have since made him an invalid. He has been honored by a personal visit from ex-President Roose- velt who is acquainted with the young man's splendid military record and recognizes also his marked personal worth.
Mr. Sanders has always been a republican and while he has never held publie office has played a very important part in shaping the destinies of the organization in this state. After eoming to Spokane he filled the office of deputy sheriff of the county for four years. He also acted as receiver for several large concerns during the panie days. As a eitizen none deserves higher commendation for what he has done toward the upbuilding and welfare of Spokane, his eooperation being always eounted upon as a valuable factor for public progress and improvement. He belongs to Oriental Lodge. No. 71, F. & A. M .; Spokane Lodge. No. 228, B. P. O. E .; and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 2. In the last named he has been a trustee and also a grand trustee of the national order and was recently reeleeted to the lat- ter office at the national convention of the Fraternal Order of Eagles held in San Franeiseo in the summer of 1911. He is also a member of the Chamber of Com- meree. In 1899 he erected a handsome residenee at the southeast corner of Seventh avenue and Washington street which stands today in the midst of beautiful grounds that are the highest exponent of the art of the landseape gardener.
EDWARD JARRETT TRAMILL.
Among the well known business men of Oakesdale, Washington, is numbered Edward Jarrett Tramill, dealer in real estate, formerly actively engaged in agrieul- tural pursuits and school trustee for nine years. He was born in Adams eounty, Illinois, January 13, 1865, his parents being James and Eliza (Landers) Tramill. He was edueated in the schools of Illinois where his boyhood days were passed and in 1879 took charge of the farm, his father having died in 1871. He continued operating that farm until 1884, when he and his mother removed to southwestern Kansas, where the mother filed on a homestead of one hundred and sixty aeres and bought another traet of equal size of railroad land. In 1886 he also took up a homestead of his own and operated it until 1888, in which year he commuted on his government elaim and in September of that year started to drive across the plains to the Paeifie eoast with mule teams. He arrived in Washington after a journey consuming two months and two weeks, and located at Walla Walla, where he was employed as a farm laborer until August, 1889, when he removed overland to Whit- man county, settling at a point seven miles northeast of Oakesdale. There he pur- chased one hundred and sixty aeres of land which he improved and brought under a good state of eultivation and later bought another quarter seetion adjoining. He remained on this farm until 1905, in which year he removed to Oakesdale and en- tered into partnership relations with John M. MeLean, operating a real-estate business under the firm name of E. J. Tramill & Company. This connection was
6-7
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
continued until 1909, when Mr. Tramill continued in the same business alone and has remained thus engaged since that time. He still retains his original one hun- dred and sixty aeres of land northeast of Oakesdale.
Mr. Tramill was married while in Kansas, on the 25th of July, 1887, to Miss Mary I. Dickinson, a native of lowa and a daughter of James W. Dickinson, who was born in Indiana, and Alvina (Stout ) Dickinson, a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Tramill have become the parents of five children; Leona Mary, of Pullman; and Grace Orbeline, Glenn Edward. Bryan Alfred and Theodore Vincent, all yet at home. In his political convictions Mr. Tramill is a democrat. He takes commendable in- terest in civic affairs and for nine years has been school trustee in his district. In his fraternal relations he is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World and the Farmers Union, where he is an active and valued member. For over a quarter of a century he has lived on the Pacific coast and during all that time he has been actively engaged in the upbuilding of the great northwest. He has contributed in many material ways to the development of the resources of this section and during his long business career in Oakesdale as a real-estate dealer and in connection with his school duties he has proved himself to be a valuable citizen and an untiring worker for the advancement of the county of his adoption. He has a wide acquaintance among all classes of people and is held in the highest esteem by all with whom he is brought in contact.
JAMES EWART.
James Ewart, who is serving as postmaster at Colfax, was born in Scotland. on the 5th of September, 1831, his parents being Robert and Sarah (McMillan) Ewart. He is one of the sturdy. thrifty natives of Scotland who left their native land to seek fortunes in a country unhampered by class or caste and which offers equal opportunities to all who show the requisites for success-industry, persever- ance, untiring energy and persisteney. In the schools of Scotland he received his education, and at the age of twenty, in 1851. he enme to America and settled in Rhode Island where he served his apprenticeship as machinist. For two years he worked at that trade before removing to Logan county, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and also in the contracting business. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B. Second Ilinois Volunteer Cavalry. as a private, and served until the end of the hostilities in the Civil war. In 1862 he was promoted to the office of lieutenant. and in 1863 was made captain. Ilis first engagement was the battle of Belmont. He also took part in the capture of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth and Mobile. At the close of the war he was mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, and discharged at Springfield, Ilinois. He again took up an agricultural carcer and in 1866 settled in Missouri where for five years he farmed. At the end of that time he set out for the west with two four-horse teams. In ninety days he arrived at Colfax and immediately settled in that vicinity. He erected the largest log house which then existed in Whitman county and engaged in farming on Union Flats. Late in the autumn of that year he was appointed auditor of Whitman county by the legislature. this being the year of the organization of Whitman county when it was divided from Stevens county. and Mr. Ewart had an opportunity to take an active part in its organization.
688
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
Mr. Ewart, being a man of more than ordinary ability and ambition also operated a sawmill ten miles from his home. Later he erected the mill at Elberton, which was the beginning of the settlement now known as Elberton. In 1874 he removed into Colfax and became manager of the Grange store and the following year purchased the John Davenport general merchandise store which has since been known as James Ewart & Company, general merchandise. While engaged in these business under- takings he erected the Ewart Honse at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars, which in 1881, was destroyed by fire. Previously, while her husband was residing at El- berton. Mrs. Ewart purchased the only hotel in Colfax. Because of the prosperity he was enjoying from his various undertakings Mr. Ewart desired to extend his business operations, and in 1882 he ereeted a shingle mill in Idaho where he re- mained for five years. At the end of that time. however, he returned to Colfax so he could give his children the benefit of the schools of that town. He soon erected a substantial dwelling for his family and also became manager of the sawmill. In July, 1898. he was appointed postmaster of Colfax, and has since served in that eapacity.
On the 13th of June, 1851, Mr. Ewart was married to Miss Janet P. Houston, a native of Scotland, and a daughter of James and Margaret (Gelchrist) Houston, also natives of Scotland. To their union ten children were born, six of whom sur- vive, namely: Sarah Jane, who is married to J. A. Perkins of Colfax, by which union she has four children; Robert, who is a resident of Aberdeen and is married and has three children: Susan, of Berkeley, California, who is the wife of W. II. Davenport, and has two children; Frances M. of Colfax, who is married to Leon Kuhn and has four children; Ada, of Berkeley, California, who is the wife of W. H. Holcomb, and the mother of two children; and James, of Colfax, who is married and has two children. Mr. and Mrs. Ewart have eighteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Mr. Ewart casts his vote with the republican party. He holds membership in the Congregational church, of which he is trustee. He is a member of Colfax Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M., the Chapter, R. A. M., in which he has held all the chairs, and is a Knight Templar and a Shriner. He also holds membership in Nathaniel Lyon Post, No. 19. G. A. R., in which he held all the offices, and belongs to the Colfax Commercial Club.
PAUL PATTISON.
Paul Pattison, prosecuting attorney of Whitman county, and a member of the law firm of Pattison. Stotler & Pattison of Colfax and Spokane. is a native of the former city. He was born on the 2d of January, 1887, his parents being John and Mary (Cairns) Pattison. the father a native of New York and the mother of Illi- nois.
In his early boyhood Paul Pattison decided to become an attorney, so after leav- ing the public schools he attended college at MeMinnville until 1903, when he en- tered his father's office in this city and applied himself to the mastery of the prin- ciples of jurisprudence. Soon after attaining his majority in January, 1908. he was admitted to the Washington bar and immediately thereafter was taken into
689
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
partnership with his father, under the firm name of Pattison & Pattison. He carly gave evidence of possessing the keen discernment, sente mental faculties and quick reasoning powers so essential in the legal profession and soon became recognized as one of the promising young attorneys of the county. Thoroughness has always characterized Mr. Pattison, who applies himself intelligently and conscientiously to the protection of his clients' interests. He is very careful in the presentation of his cases, exercising unusual vigilance in the preparation of his statements. His arguments are remarkable for their clearness and logic, the various points following each other in regular sequence to a definite and strong climax. When the firm opened another office in Spokane in 1909, Mr. Pattison was placed in charge of the Colfax office, and that he has proven thoroughly capable of discharging the respon- sibility is manifested by the number and standing of the firm's clients. At the pres- ent time in addition to the duties of his large private practice and the work of the firm. Mr. Pattison is also the incumbent of the other of prosecuting attorney of Whitman county.
In Colfax in November, 1906, Mr. Pattison was united in marriage to Miss Maude Smith of Washington and a daughter of Green and Etta (Smith) Smith, the father a native of Oregon and the mother of this state. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Pattison numbers three: Dorothy, John M. and Paul.
His political allegiance Mr. Pattison has ever loyally accorded the democratic party, and he takes an active interest in all municipal questions. He is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the chapter, Knights Tom- plar and shrine: and he also belongs to the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. His connection with organizations of a more purely social nature is confined to his mem- bership in the Inland Club of Spokane and the Spokane Amateur Athletic Club. while he maintains relations with the fellow members of his profession through the me- dium of the Whitman County and Washington State Bar Associations. Although he has just attained the age of twenty-five years Mr. Pattison occupies a position in his profession that would be a credit to a man of much greater experience, and his future gives every assurance of being one of great promise.
WILLIAM K. GRIFFITH.
Although a native of the south where he was reared and educated, William K. Griffith, now a resident of Cheney, fought in the Union army nearly a half of a century ago, becoming a settler in Washington where he has since made his home in 1877. He has through life been governed by a desire to promote the welfare of others, and at the age of seventy-eight has the satisfaction of remembering many kindly acts and generous deeds. He is a native of Anderson county, Tennessee, born September 2, 1833, a son of William C. and Cecilia Griffith. The parents came to Washington in pioncer times and the father was prominent as a lawyer and pen- sion agent. He died in 1898 and his wife passed away two years later.
Mr. Griffith of this review attended the common schools of Tennessee and at the age of eighteen he began teaching school in winter, devoting his time to farm- ing in summer. His sympathies were with the north at the outbreak of the Civil
690
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
war and he enlisted as a soldier in the Union army, becoming a member of Com- pany A, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry. He continued in defense of the flag for four years, being a large part of the time under General Sherman. After the close of the war he engaged in farming until 1877 and then cmigrated to this state, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land near the Palouse river, about three miles west of Colfax. After eight years on this place he sold out and took up a homestead on Deer creek, two miles west of Colfax. He also located a timber elaim in Whitman county, which he improved and afterward disposed of. He lived on his homestead for eight years when he once more sold out and bought one hundred and sixty aeres of good land near Garfield. Here he made his home for ten years, at the end of which time he moved to Cheney and bought eighty acres from one man and another tract of one hundred and sixty aeres which his eldest son had filed on. He is now living retired and has given his eighty acre farm to his son Robert, and his right to the one hundred and sixty acres mentioned above. to his son Samuel, who is cul- tivating it to excellent advantage.
Mr. Griffith was married in Tennessee, to Miss Harriet L. Stevens, whose nar- ents settled in that state during the first half of the nineteenth century. Three chil- dren have been born to this union: Samuel, who married Ada Graham; Robert; and Della. In politics Mr. Griffith adheres to the republican party, and the estimation in which he is held by his neighbors is shown by the faet that he is now serving as justice of the peace of Cheney district. He is connected with Cheney Post, No. 18, G. A. R., and he can elaim many warm personal friends in that organization. Ile witnessed many stirring scenes in his early manhood, having been a participant in the greatest war of modern times if not of all history. He has also noted the marvelous work that has been accomplished in redeeming Washington from its prim- itive condition to the uses of man. In both of these important undertakings he has ably performed his part, and he now enjoys the repose which rightly belongs to one who has borne the heat and burden of the day. In his deelining years he is sur- rounded by friends and is accorded respect as one of the most honored members of the community.
HON. RICHARD JENS NEERGAARD.
Conspicuous among professional men in the northwest is the Hon. Richard Jens Neergaard, a praetieing attorney at Oakesdale, Whitman county, who has also had a long and honorable political career. He was born in Tennessee, September 7, 1862, a son of Jens H. and Mary J. (Miller) Neergaard. The father was born in Ger- many and the mother was a native of Tennessee. The maternal grandfather was Ephraim M. Miller, a well known citizen of Tennessee.
Richard J. Neergaard was reared and edueated in the Blue Grass state and in 1882 taught in a country sehool. In the following year he removed to Ritzville. Washington, then Whitman county, and took up one hundred and sixty acres as a government homestead and also a timber culture claim of equal size. He remained on this land. where he followed agricultural pursuits, including the raising of stoek, until he seeured a title from the United States government. In 1887 he removed to Ritzville, having been elected county auditor of Adams county, a position which he
691
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
held until 1891. In that year, having previously studied law, he opened an office in Ritzville and engaged in the practice of his profession. About that time he was dected mayor of the town, an office which he held for a considerable period. In 1892 he was elected a member of the Washington state legislature and in the fol- lowing year removed to Oakesdale, where he continued in the practice of his pro- fession. In 1901-2 he served his county as prosecuting attorney, removing to Colfax. the county seat, in order to attend to his official duties. In 1903. after com- pleting his term of service in that office he returned to Oakesdale and continued his practice of law, which he has since followed. In connection with his brother-in law, George W. Hall, Mr. Neergaard has been interested in farming operations and the raising of hogs, horses and mules. The farm upon which this extensive business is carried on comprises twenty-seven hundred acres.
On the 24th of December, 1885, in Ritzville, Mr. Neergaard was married to Miss Etta Johnson, a native of Minnesota and a daughter of John L .. and Melissa ( Woodward ) Johnson, the father a native of Massachusetts and the mother of Ver- mont. To Mr. and Mrs. Neergaard were born three children. Harriet, William T. and John H. In his fraternal relations Mr. Neergaard is identified with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, in which he has occupied all the chairs, and the Woodmen of the World. Throughout his life he has been an independent. and by reason of his consistent support of efficient and suitable candidates and the ex- eellent service which he himself has performed while in public office he has long been recognized as a politician of the abler sort. His political career in conce- tion with his practice of law includes also service as county assessor of Adams county from 1885 until 1886, several terms as a member of the school board and also as city attorney of Oakesdale, while from 1908 until 1911 inclusive he occupied the office of mayor of Oakesdale. Such a record places him well in the forefront of the large number of efficient and honored citizens of Whitman county. Enjoying a state-wide acquaintance and being intimately known in political circles as well as in his professional activities, he wields an influence which is helpful and advantageous to the body politic and he contributes to the citizenship of Washington in a most masterly way.
CHARLES J. ST. HILL.
. Charles J. St. Hill, a retired minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, now successfully engaged in fruit growing in Fruitland, was born in British Guiana. South America. on May 21, 1868. His father, Frederick St. Hill, emigrated to South America at the age of twenty-one, and there engaged in the mercantile bus- iness for twenty-five years. Seven years after locating there he married Miss Frances White, and they were the only English speaking residents in a town of fifteen hundred inhabitants, representing all nationalities. After his retirement from business Mr. St. Hill removed with his wife and family to the West Indies, where he thereafter made his home. He passed away in 1903, but the mother is still living at the age of sixty and now resides in New York city.
In the acquirement of his education Charles J. St. Hill was sent to private in- stitutions, being placed when yet a small lad in an English school at Barbados, West
692
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
Indies. Having decided to follow the calling of a minister of the Methodist Epis- copal church, when he was twenty-two, he went to Montreal, Canada, and there spent two years studying for his profession. He then entered the missionary field, going into the Georgian Bay country, Ontario, where he spent two years in fruitful labor. From there he went to Minnesota and preached the gospel for five years, when he again entered the home mission field, locating in Montana. He followed his calling in the Rocky Mountains among the miners, and among the cowboys on the plains of Montana for a number of years. He subsequently came to Stevens county and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in the vieinity of Fruitland, where he is successfully engaged in fruit growing, having retired from the ministry in 1905.
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.