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 78
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Mr. Day gives his political allegiance to the democracy, believing firmly in its principles. He has never sought nor desired publie preferment, however, and the only office he ever held was that of secretary of the Idaho state senate during the fifth session, 1898-9. He is a faithful communicant of the Roman Catholic church and a valued member of the Commercial Club of Boise, Idaho; the Spokane Club of Spokane. Washington ; the Arlington Club of Portland, Oregon; and the Sierra Madre Club of Los Angeles, California. His business career has been marked by a thorough understanding of each task which he has undertaken and by that continu- ous progress which logically follows constantly expanding powers and employment of opportunity.
ALBERTUS BENJAMIN BAKER.
Among the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Pullman whose efforts have largely contributed toward the development not only of this city but the county at large must be numbered Albertus Benjamin Baker, who for twenty years was actively and prominently identified with various commercial activities in Whitman county. A native of Minnesota, his birth occurred in Chatfield on the Ist of Feb- ruary, 1860. His father, J. Il. Baker was born in Maryland and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Hayles, was a native of Ohio. In the paternal line he is descended from a long line of colonial ancestors, his forefathers having participated in the Revolutionary war.
Albertus B. Baker attended the public schools of his native state until he was six- leen years of age when he laid aside his text-books in order to begin preparations for his commercial career. He was an energetic, ambitious youth and in common with such was most impatient to begin his life work. Mercantile pursuits had always attracted him strongly and he began his business career as a clerk in a general store in Chatfield. Naturally upon him devolved many and various tasks, all of which played an important part in promoting his development and making of him the capable business man he is today. A general store in a country town affords ex- cellent opportunities to the industrious youth, who realizes that the successful mer- chant attains his position through the various processes of evolution that make him familiar with every detail of mercantile pursuits. He was connected with this enter- prise for four years, at the expiration of which time he decided to seek new fields of activity and went to South Dakota. Upon his arrival there he filed on a pre- emption and a timber claim, industriously applying himself to the cultivation and improvement of his land during the succeeding two years. During that time he added to his holdings until he had acquired four hundred and eighty acres of land, all of which he brought under cultivation. In 1882 he became associated with Henry II. Cheatham in establishing a general mercantile store, which they conducted under the firm name of Baker & Cheatham. This undertaking proved to be very suc- cessful and they extended the scope of their activities by buying grain and putting up warchouses at various points along the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. They continued their enterprises until 1888, during which period they de- rived substantial profits. In the latter year they traded both store and land for equities in Minnesota property, and Mr. Baker returned to his native state. Ilis
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undertakings during the succeeding three years proved unsatisfactory and in 1891 he incurred heavy losses and decided to establish himself amid new surroundings. With this purpose in mind he removed to Washington, loeating in Pullman, where he again became associated with Mr. Cheatham in buying grain. During the first year of their operations the Cheatham-Baker Company handled one million, six hun- dred thousand bushels of grain at a net profit of sixty-five thousand dollars. This success greatly encouraged them and the future seemed most promising, when 1893, being a wet year, and otherwise most unfavorable to the trade brought them a heavy loss of one hundred thousand dollars. They again dissolved partnership and from then until 1896 conducted their operations independently. In the autumn of 1896, Mr. Baker withdrew from the grain business and became identified with J. T. Lo- baugh in handling farming implements and vehieles of various kinds. This enter- prise was conducted under the firm name of J. T. Lobaugh & Company, with Mr. Baker acting as secretary and general manager. The undertaking thrived from the beginning, becoming one of the largest and best known establishments of the kind in this section. It continued to be conducted as a company until 1901, when Mr. Baker purchased the interest of his partner and thereafter was sole proprietor. In 1911, he disposed of the business, in order to give his entire time and attention to his other interests and has now entirely withdrawn from commercial activities.
A man of unusual foresight, Mr. Baker recognized the wonderful possibilities the country afforded when he first came to Washington. He foresaw the great cx- odus from the cast to the Paeifie coast with a corresponding increase in property values, and in anticipation of the opportunity to be thus afforded made such invest- ments as he was able from time to time until he now owns eight thousand, eight hun- dred acres of land in different parts of the state. Sixteen hundred aeres of this is being cultivated under his personal supervision. It is located in Adams county where he has one thousand acres planted to winter wheat. During the long period of his residence here Mr. Baker has been connected with various enterprises, some of which he helped to organize. He was one of the proprietors of the Pullman Flour Mills, and he was also a stockholder in the electric light plant and the Pullman Opera House. One of his most valuable assets as a business man is the intuitive faculty of discerning an opportunity, where the average person sees none. Although he has retired from the cares and responsibilities of an active business life, Mr. Baker's time is fully oceupied in the supervision of his property.
At Aurora, South Dakota, in 1882, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Phillips of Wisconsin, a daughter of Hugh and Catharine Phillips, and they have become the parents of three children: Mabel S., the wife of Arthur Hooker, of Spokane, Washington ; and Henry L. and Grace O., both of whom are still at home pursuing their studies.
The family affiliate with the Congregational church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Baker belongs to Whitman Lodge, No. 19, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master, having twiee held the chair ; and he is likewise the first High Priest of Pullman Chapter, No. 31, R. A. M., and gave such satisfaction that upon his retirement he was presented with a signet ring as a token of esteem. He is also a past patron of the Order of the Eastern Star of Pullman. As a member of the Woodmen of the World, he has held the chair of consul three times, and he belongs to the Aneient Order of United Workmen and Moseow Lodge, No. 247, B. P. O. E. His connection with organizations of a more purely social nature is con-
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fined to the Pullman Club, of which he was formerly a director. He is one of the enthusiastic members of the local Chamber of Commerce, and gives his unqualified support and cooperation to its various efforts directed toward the development of the community. Mr. Baker is a democrat in his political views and has several times represented his ward in the city council, and while a resident of Aurora, South Da kota, he discharged the duties of postmaster for four years, having been appointed to this office in 1881 under President Cleveland. He is one of the representative citizens of the town and belongs to that admirable class of pioneers who have made the northwest what it is, their enterprise and enthusiasm ever gooding them on to renewed efforts despite the obstacles and defeats they encountered in their carly en- deavors. Mr. Baker is a man who would be an acquisition to any community, possess- ing the initiative that qualifies him to become one of the leaders in the promotion of the public interests and their development.
EDWIN SCOTT KNOWLTON.
Edwin Scott Knowlton, manager of the Potlatch Lumber Company of La Crosse, Washington, was born in Minnesota on October 21, 1863. He is a son of Barnard K. and Amanda (Phillips) Knowlton, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio.
Reared at home Edwin S. Knowlton attended the common schools until he was seventeen in the acquirement of an education. Laying aside his text-books in 1880 he became self-supporting and during the succeeding four years clerked in a grocery store. Ile was an ambitious youth and aspired to a business of his own, and with this thought in mind he applied himself diligently to mastering every detail of the enter- prise with which he was connected. In 1881, soon after attaining his majority, he opened a grocery, but in 1887 entered the employ of the Great Northern Railway & Steamship Company, at Superior, Wisconsin. He continued in their service five years, and at the expiration of that time he went to Albert Lea, where he worked as a collector. In 1895, he removed to lowa, and kept books for a year then located on a farm in Nebraska. His entire attention was given to agricultural pursuits dur- ing the succeeding five years, but at the expiration of that period he again changed his place of residence. Washington was his destination on this occasion, and upon his arrival here he located in La Crosse and entered the employ of R. A. Woods, who was in the lumber business. He remained in his service until 1906, when he withdrew to become traveling auditor for the Potlatch Lumber Company, and three years later he was made manager of their yard at this point. Success has attended the efforts of Mr. Knowlton since coming to Washington, and he is now vice president of the First State Bank of La Crosse and also a member of the board of directors, as well as one of the stockholders. He likewise is financially interested in the Standard Lumber Company of which he is a director. Mr. Knowlton applies himself intelligently and industriously to anything that he undertakes, his efforts always being concentrated upon the attainment of a definite purpose. He is progressive in his ideas and sys- tematie in his methods, carefully planning every undertaking. To this fact, no less than his foresight and executive ability can be attributed the success of his efforts.
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In this city on the 7th of May, 1907, Mr. Knowlton was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Rathbun, of Nebraska, and a daughter of A. C. and Elizabeth (Sehoon- over) Rathbun. Fraternally he is affiliated with La Cross Lodge, No. 155, A. F. & A. M., of which he is secretary ; and Colfax Chapter, No. 34, R. A. M. He also be- longs to the La Crosse Commereial Club, while his politieal support he gives to the republican party. At the present time he is one of the county committeemen. Mr. Knowlton has been a resident of this city for ten years, during which time he has manifested the qualities that elass him among the enterprising and capable business men of the town.
E. D. REITER.
E. D. Reiter, an attorney of Spokane, was born in Green Springs, Ohio, October 27, 1877, a son of P. E. and Alice ( Klose) Reiter, the former a farmer of the Buck- eye state. At the usual age, he attended the public schools in the country, until at the age of fourteen he began teaching, by which means he was enabled to attend school at Ada, Ohio; Valparaiso, Indiana ; and Heidelberg University at Tiffin, Ohio. Mr. Reiter pursued his law studies with George E. Schroth, a well known attorney of Tiffin, Ohio, as his preceptor and later, upon coming to the Spokane country in 1899, he continued his law studies with attorney H. A. P. Myers of Davenport, Wash- . ington. In June, 1900, he was admitted to practice before the bar of this state.
Conservative in his tendeneies, he is an ardent republican in polities and while a resident in Lincoln county, he was in 1904 eleeted a member of the state legislature, where he was one of the potent factors in seeuring the passage of a railway eom- mission bill. In January, 1909, he removed to Spokane, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law.
In 1899. at Bloomville. Ohio, Mr. Reiter was married to Miss Marian Fry, a daughter of John W. and Martha E. (Lane) Fry, of Davenport, Washington. Her father is one of the pioneer ranchmen of Lincoln county, having come to this state from California twenty-eight years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Reiter have beeome the par- ents of two children, Ellis D. and Francis Marion.
R. D. ANDERSON.
R. D. Anderson, who is serving his second term as treasurer of Lincoln county. has been a resident of Davenport for about six years. His birth oeeurred in Wells. Minnesota. on the 11th of March, 1873, his parents being John and Louisa (Rieh) Anderson, natives of Springfield, Ohio. They emigrated to Minnesota during the ter- ritorial days and the father was a member of the constitutional convention of that state. In 1871 they removed to Illinois, settling in Hamilton.
R. D. Anderson was only a child of one year when his parents removed to Illinois, and when old enough to begin his education he entered the public schools of Hamilton. He attended both the graded and high schools and when a student of
E. D. REITER
THE NEW YORK
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PUBLIC LIBRARY!
VIELEN FUJANATIVAA
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the latter he employed such time as was not occupied with his lessons in mastering the printer's trade in a local newspaper office. In 1890, at the age of eighteen years, he left home and came to the northwest. He first settled in Sprague, this state, where he filled various clerical positions and for five years was in the service of the Northern Pacific Railway, being employed at the local station. In 1897 he went to British Columbia to assume the duties of business manager of the Nelson Daily Miner. He retained this position for two years and at the expiration of that time returned to Sprague and purchased the Sprague Times. His ownership of this organ covered a period of about eight years, during seven of which he edited and pub- lished the paper, but the last year he leased it to J. M. Cummings. After selling out the Times was consolidated with the Independent under the name of the Sprague Independent-Times, and Mr. Anderson came to Davenport to take the position of chief deputy in the county treasurer's office. At the next election, which was held in 1908, he was elected county treasurer, assuming the duties of this office in January. 1909. He proved efficient in the position and in 1910 he was reelected to the office, his term expiring December 31. 1912. Mr. Anderson enjoys the distinction of be- ing president of the Association of County Treasurers of the State of Washington. having been elected to this office at the meeting held in 19t1.
At Sprague, Washington, on the 2d of September. 1896. Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Lora A. Smith. a daughter of M. D. and Alice M. Smith, and they have become the parents of Merrill Dean Anderson.
Fraternally Mr. Anderson is a member of the Knights of Pythias and his political support is given to the republican party. He is widely known and highly esteemed in Lincoln county, where he has given most efficient service both in the discharge of his public duties and as editor and proprietor of one of the leading weeklies. He is a man with high standards of citizenship, who fails not to recognize his duties to the community and is ready to promote its welfare on every possible occasion.
. FRANK LEO GRINSTEAD.
Frank Lvo Grinstead, of the firm of Jesseph & Grinstead, is one of the successful and rising young attorneys of Colville, where he has resided for the past thirteen years. His birth occurred in Memphis, Missouri, on May 29, 1875, his parents be- ing Benjamin R. and Kate A. (Rugh) Grinstead. They are both living, the father having attained the age of sixty-four and the mother sixty-five years. Ben- jamin R. Grinstead is a veteran of the Civil war, having served in Company E. Third Iowa Cavalry under General James N. Wilson. In both the paternal and maternal lines our subject is descended from patriotic men, whose services have ever been freely accorded their country in times of peril. His grandfather in the pater- nal line was a captain in command of an Indiana company during the Mexican war. while his great-grandfather Grinstead was lieutenant in the Revolution, and the great-grandfather in the maternal line was a volunteer in the same war.
Frank Leo Grinstead was reared at home and attended the public schools until he completed the high school course, after which he became a student of the Northern Missouri Normal school, graduating from this institution with the class of 1897. Im- mocdiately thereafter he came to Washington, and during the succeeding three years Vol IDI 3:
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taught in the public schools of Stevens county. A man of strong personality, an efficient instructor and capable disciplinarian, he met with success and at the ex- piration of that period was the successful candidate for the office of county super- intendent, being reelected to the same office two years later. He had not entered the profession, however, with the expectation of making it his life vocation, but simply used it as a means to an end. and subsequently applied himself to the mas- tery of the principles of jurisprudence, having taken a course in the law department of the University of Iowa and being admitted to the bar in May, 1906. Thc following year he became associated in practice with L. C. Jesseph, under the firm name of Jesseph & Grinstead. Both men being of more than average capabilities, they are meeting with success and the firm is recognized as one of the most able of the city. Ambitions and enterprising, there is no task too great to tempt Mr. Grin- stead to its mastery and as a result he is rapidly coming to the fore in his chosen profession.
A worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Grinstead is affiliated with the Royal Arch chapter, of which he is a past high priest and he is also a past master of the blue lodge. In polities he is a republican, and has always taken an active interest in the workings of his party, serving as a delegate to both county and state conventions since 1902. Mr. Grinstead is one of the many enterprising and progressive young men of the city, whose future seems assured and most promising.
SAMUEL HENRY CONE.
Samnel Henry Cone is a member of the Spokane bar, practicing as junior partner in the firm of Lindsley, MacMillan & Cone. He came to the northwest as govern- ment agent, and deciding to locate here has already become well established in his profession, although he has lived in Spokane for only about five years. He was born July 20, 1878, at Crafton, Texas, a son of John Miller and Jane Cone. His parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were all natives of Tennessee. Both his grandfathers were soldiers in the Confederate army during the Civil war, and his maternal grandfather, Joseph Guttry, was also a veteran of the Mexican war. His great-grandmother, Mrs. Samuel Pike, is still living at the remarkable old age of one hundred and twelve years. In 1855 his parents drove over the trail from Ten- nessee to Texas and are still residents of Crafton where they have lived for the past forty years.
After completing a course in a high school of Clay county, Texas, Samuel H. Cone entered the Trinity University and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1902. He taught school at Lehigh. Indian Territory, prior to his last year in the university, being connected with the educational work there from October, 1898 until June 20, 1901. Following the completion of his college course he entered upon the practice of law in Indian Territory. When out of sehool he had no library and turned his attention to the deteetive service. He entered the employ of the United States government as a special agent and he continued in this connection until Sep- tember 3, 1910. He was sent by the government to the northwest, and being pleased with conditions here determined to permanently locate in Spokane, where, since the Ist of November, 1910. he has engaged in the practice of law as a member of the
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firm of Lindsley, MacMillan & Cone. In the meantime his position with the United States government had taken him into every state of the Union and he won fame through his successful work in capturing criminals. Of two hundred and eighty- four cases on which he worked in the northwest there were only two that were lost before the trial jury. In almost every other case conviction was secured and in the majority pleas of guilty were entered. Mr. Cone's long experience in the gov- ernment service has brought him knowledge that is of rare value and assistance to him in the practice of law, enabling him to understand men and their motives, to read character and thus to bring out in cross-examination the salient features most bene- ticial to his cause.
On the 24th of February, 1901. in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Mr. Cone was married to Miss Helen Parker, who was born in Mentor, Ohio, June It, 1882. They have one son, Charles Samuel Cone, who was born in Oklahoma City and is nine years of age. Mr. Cone has been a member of the Amarilla Lodge, No. 923, B. P. O. E., of Amarilla, Texas, since August 15. 1901. He also holds membership with the Samaritan Lodge, No. 52. I. O. O. F., of Spokane. Washington, and his religious faith is that of the First Presbyterian church of Spokane. In these membership rela- tions are indicated the principles which govern his life and which have controlled him in all his connections with his fellowmen. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party. Few men have a wider acquaintance throughout the country, and wherever Mr. Cone has gone he has gained the high regard of those with whom he has come in contact. He has never faltered in the performance of duty, and although his life work has led him to study the methods of the criminal class he has never lost his faith in mankind nor his belief in the fact that the world is growing better through the civilizing influences of Christianity. In his profession he is becoming well established, and earnestness, thorough preparation and close study, which are always concomitants of success, are gaining him advance- ment at the bar.
JOSEPH WARREN OLNEY.
Joseph Warren Olney, who is now serving his fourth term as mayor of Latah, is engaged in contracting and painting. He was born in Oregon, on May 20, 1860, and is a son of O. W. Olney, who passed away in 1896. The father was one of the pioneers of the northwest and served as lieutenant in the early Indian wars, among them being that of the Rogue river valley.
In the pursuit of an education Joseph Warren Olney attended the public schools of his native state until he had attained the age of nineteen years and then engaged in the cattle business in Lake county. Oregon. Disposing of his interests in 1882. he went to Colfax. Washington, where he was a subcontractor on the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company for two years. At the expiration of that period he located on a ranch in the vicinity of Colfax, devoting his entire attention to its operation until 1891, when he came to Latah. During the first two years of his residence here he continued to follow this vocation but withdrew, in order to embark into the con- tracting and painting business, which he has ever since followed. Mr. Olney has met with financial success in his various undertakings and besides his other interests is one of the stockholders of the St. Joe Mining & Milling Company.
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In Spokane, Washington, in December, 1890, Mr. Olney was married to Miss Mary Krokstrom, and unto them have been born seven children, William, Orville, Alexander, Stena, Edith, Oscar and George.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Olney are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of which he has been a steward and trustee for the past eight years, and he is presi- dent of the Epworth League. He is also vice president of the Coeur d'Alene dis- trict of the Laymen's Association. In fraternal relations he is a past consul com- mander of the Latah Camp of the Woodmen of the World. Political activities have engaged much of Mr. Olney's attention, his support being given to the prohibition party. He has served as councilman and marshal in Latah and has been called to other public offices here and elsewhere. As the incumbent of the mayor's chair he has discharged the duties and responsibilities attached to that office with a rare degrec of efficiency as is attested by the long period of his term. Mr. Olney possesses a high sense of honor and is conscientious in his endeavors to fulfill his duties in pub- lic and private life to the best of his ability.
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