Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington, Part 101

Author:
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Spokane, Wash. : Western History
Number of Pages: 992

USA > Washington > Chelan County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 101
USA > Washington > Ferry County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 101
USA > Washington > Okanogan County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 101
USA > Washington > Stevens County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 101

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CHARLES A." BLATT is operating the Tenasket hotel at Molson, which is unquestion- ably the largest and finest equipped house in the county of Okanogan. It was built under his `supervision and he is conducting it to-day in first class shape. Mr. Blatt is an experienced host and his thorough knowledge of the care of guests, for whom he provides the best of every- thing, makes his place a popular resort for traveling people. It is a house of thirty-three rooms, well arranged, tastefully kept, and pro- vided with all modern conveniences.

Charles A. Blatt was born in Wood county, Ohio, October 28, 1860, the son of Daniel and Sarah A. (Strock) Blatt, natives of Pennsyl- vania and Ohio, respectively. They are now living in Mahoney county, Ohio, the father in his seventy-sixth year and the mother in her seventieth. Two children have been born to them, our subject and William G., engaged with the Pingree shoe manufacturers of Detroit, Michigan.

Charles A. attended school until the age of twelve, then engaged as salesman in a mercan-

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tile shop until 1880, when he went to Clinton, Missouri. The following year he made his ini- tial venture in the hotel business, continuing in the same for several years. In 1889, he went to. Kansas City and was traveling salesman for a wholesale jewelry house for five years. At the end of that period he went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and again took up the hotel business. After this Mr. Blatt filled the position of a first class host in Cripple Creek, Colorado, and later in Denver. It was in June, 1900, that he came to the reservation and decided to locate at Mol- son. The plans of the Tenasket house were drawn under his supervision and the same was erected and is now operated by him. He also handles a first class bar, well stocked.

On August 20, 1900, at Greenwood, British Columbia, Mr. Blatt married Margaret Milan, a native of Indiana. One child, Charles F. M., was born to them December 20, 1901.

Mr. Blatt is a member of the Eagles, and is one of the genial and affable men of this place. The traveling people say of Mr. Blatt that his hotel is one of the most comfortable and well- kept in the northwest.

HENRY P. DECENT is owner and pro- prietor of the steam laundry at Loomis. Wash- ington. He also owns about eighty-five acres of land one and one-half miles from the town, which is fenced and well improved. He oper- ates a first class laundry and does a very large business.

Henry P. Decent was born on February 20. 1865. in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Peter and Delephine (Savage) Decent, natives of Canada. The father was a shoemaker and the mother wrought in the tailor's art. They were both of French extraction, were married in Canada and came to Michigan in early days. He returned to Canada and afterwards came again to Michigan and now lives in Thompson that state, aged seventy and sixty-five, re- spectively. They are both highly educated and respected people. Our subject was educated in the public schools and early developed a talent for machinery, and was soon head sawyer in a large mill. On May 22. 1895. Mr. Decent married Miss Carrie H., daughter of Myron and Esther (Bartholomew) Laraway. Mrs. Decent was born at Reading on July 22. 1869.

and the father was born in Hillsdale county, Michigan. He and his father James Laraway, fought in the same company during the Civil war. His father was a college professor and died in the hospital.

Mrs. Decent's mother was born in Hills- dale county, Michigan, graduated from college and taught school for several years. Her fa- ther, Amos Bartholomew, was one of the first settlers in the Michigan forests. He cleared land, made bread from corn beaten in the mor- tar, and gathered his sweets from the maple groves. He finally became very wealthy and lived to be about ninety years of age. Mrs. De- cent was a graduate from the high schools but on account of ill health, she and her husband came west in 1898, to Great Falls, Montana. Mr. Decent handled a sawmill there, and her health was improved by the mountain air. In 1900 they came to Loomis and operated a boarding house for the Puritan mines. Later they started their present business. Mrs. De- cent early developed a great love for machin- ery and became an expert engineer, being the only lady engineer in Michigan. She is equally skillful with her husband in handling an en- gine now and they are doing a fine business at the laundry. Mr. Decent is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the W. W. He and his wife be- long to the Women of Woodcraft and the Maccabees and she is clerk of the former order. -

WARREN W. ALDERMAN is one of the well known and energetic men of Okanogan county, and is successfully handling several en- terprises at the present time. He was born in Story county, Iowa, on March 27. 1867, the son of Hezekiah and Rhoda (Smith) Alderman. natives of Ohio. Our subject grew up on a farm, and received his education from the com- mon schools. In 1882 he went to Valley county. Nebraska, and rode the range, after which he drove stage to Kearney Junction. Subsequent to this he followed foot racing and earned con- siderable money in this line. He never was beaten but once. and that was by the noted "Hy Pachen," but afterwards he beat him, and the two traveled together for several years. The race was one hundred yards, and he was known in his best days as one of the fastest runners on record.

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On November 9, 1887, in Box Butte county, Nebraska, Mr. Alderman married Miss Jessie P., daughter of Thomas and Clementine A. (Keller) Mckinney. In 1888 they came to Easton in the Cascade mountains, and later went to Portland. Afterwards they visited Spokane, and in 1890, located in Okanogan : county. Loomis then contained only two houses . and was known by the unique name of Rag- town. In December, 1891, he located his ranch on the south end of Palmer lake. He has one hundred and seventy-two acres all fenced, cul- tivated, and improved with barn, orchard, and so forth. It is all bottom land and very valu- able. Mr. Alderman devoted his attention to general farming and stock raising until recently, when he sold his cattle, moved to Nighthawk, and erected a commodious livery and feed stable which he is now operating with a good pat- ronage. He also has a good residence in Nighthawk.

On October 19, 1899, Mrs. Alderman was called to pass the river of death, leaving her husband and four children, Emmet H., Neil T., Dovie C., and Irvin A. On October 9, 1902, Mr. Alderman was married to Miss Jennie Z., daughter of Charles and Hattie (Mullen) Adair. Mrs. Alderman's parents came from the east in 1899 and are now living in Okanogan county. Our subject held the position of deputy treasurer and also deputy sheriff. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and W. of W., having filled the chairs in the latter order.

JOHN M. WENTWORTH, who is pro- prietor of the Wentworth hotel in Loomis, one of the leading hostelries of Okanogan county, was born in November, 1859, and is a prominent and influential mining man of the northwest. He came to this section when it was very new and has labored assiduously in mining most of the time since and a number of large and valuable properties well developed are evidence of his industry and wisdom.

Levant Wentworth was born on July 18, 1831, and his father, Uriah Wentworth, served in the Black Hawk war. Levant Wentworth was reared in Illinois, went to Nebraska and enlisted in Company I, Second Nebraska Cav- alry, on November 17, 1862, for nine months, but served one year and two days. He was in General Sully's command, holding the Indians

in check. He participated in the battle of White Stone Lake and after his discharge re- turned to Dakota county, Nebraska. In 1886, he went to Denver, in 1887 came to Walla Walla, thence to Spokane county, and in 1888 came on to Okanogan county where he en- gaged in mining and prospecting. He and his wife are now living in Loomis. Mr. Went- worth states that he has made and lost a great deal of money but five dollars which was the first money that he ever earned and which was lost gave him more pain than all the rest to- gether. He owns the Iron Mask, a valuable copper property, and has it well developed; also he has other mining interests.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth were born five children; George E., a noted horseman; John M., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Clara Wilson; Herbert; and William. Our subject remained with his parents until they reached Okanogan but had done mining work in vari- ous parts before that. In 1878 he took ore out of the gulch where the Bunker Hill and Sullivan is in Idaho but made no location. He was in various sections of the northwest en- gaged in different occupations, mining prin- cipally, and in the fall of 1888 began mining in Okanogan county. He was foreman and gen- eral manager in the Rush mining company, and on one occasion fell one hundred and sixty- five feet in the shaft. He owns one half inter- est in the Copper World, à valuable property with about three thousand dollars worth of development done. The ledge is one hundred feet wide and shows excellent values. He also has an interest in the Georgia and Hercules, which are showing fine, as well as in The Lone Pine and the Tuff Nut. In 1896 Mr. Wentworth bought his present hotel, a good property, which he has been operating successfully since. It has twenty sleeping apartments besides other rooms and is a popular place with the traveling public. In 1886 Mr. Wentworth married Miss Mary Domer, a native of Indiana.

W. L. DAVIS is one of the pioneers of Okanogan county. He owns a beautiful ranch on the Okanogan river about fifteen miles north from its mouth. The estate is located at the foot of Rattle Snake Point and has been hand- somely improved by Mr. Davis. On August 5, 1888, Mr. Davis took a squatter's right to

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his present place, paying therefor twelve dol- lars. Since that time, he has given his entire attention to general farming and to the im- provement of his property and has found the climate and soil thoroughly adapted to the production of all kinds of grain, alfalfa, vege- tables and so forth. He can successfully grow all kinds of fruits, except tropical. He has made a great success in producing various kinds of nuts, especially walnuts.

Mr. Davis remarks that this locality he be- lieves to be one of the healthiest on the Pacific coast and he is thoroughly satisfied with the country. He is a man of energy and progres- siveness and has done a work in this country worthy of great credit in horticulture. He and his wife are highly respected people and have many friends.

ALVIN R. THORP is doubtless the old- est settler in Okanogan county. He passed through this country as early as 1869 but did not locate permanently here until some time afterwards. He has one of the best farms in the county, two and one half miles north of Loomis on Toats Coulee creek. His land is supplied with plenty of irrigating water and he is holding the oldest irrigation right on the creek. He can raise any of the products of this latitude and has an abundance of grapes, peaches, apples and general farm produce. Mr. Thorp has cut as high as four crops of alfalfa in one year on one piece of land, and he usually harvests three. He has been very enterprising, experimenting with various productions, and has made a good success in raising peanuts. It is stated, however, that Mr. Thorp first planted roasted ones, but failed to have very good success with that variety.

Alvin R. Thorp was born in Howard county, Missouri, on December 22, 1832, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Still) Thorp. The father was born in Madison county, Ken- tucky, and was one of the earliest pioneers to Missouri. He died in Platte county of that state in his eighty-sixth year, ten years since. The mother was a native of Missouri and died in Platte county. Her grandfather, Joseph Still, was killed by the Indians and she was an orphan. He also was a native of Kentucky, and one of the first settlers in Missouri. The early ancestors on both sides were Virginians. Our subject is the oldest of thirteen children,

ten of whom are living, scattered in various parts of the United States. He grew up on a farm and received his education from the sub- scription schools of the time. On May 6, 1852, he left his old home and started across the plains with his uncle, Joseph F. Still, to California. He drove an ox team all the way and finally arrived in Placer county on Au- gust 27, where he spent some time in freight- ing.

Joseph F. Still, the uncle, was a true pio- neer and a man of excellent qualities. He wrought faithfully for the opening and up- building of California and remained there un- til his death, in 1900, being then eighty years of age. Learning of his sickness, our subject hastened to his bedside and fortunately arrived there about three weeks before his death. Mr. Thorp followed mining in the San Jose valley, California, and in 1858 came to the Fraser river, in British Columbia. It was with great credit to himself that he made his way through the then deep wilderness and gave his atten- tion to prospecting and mining. He remained there enduring all the hardships and privations known to the pioneer and miner. In 1869, he came to Rock creek and quit mining and since that time says he has never turned the dirt in search of gold. He operated a pack train there for a couple of years and then took a trip to Omaca, near the Alaska boundary line. This journey was attended with extreme suffering, for they were blocked in the ice and caught in snow storms. As they fell short of provisions it was a struggle between life and death, and a question whether they would ever get out of the wilderness alive. After this he came to Marcus. At that time there were very few people in this whole northwestern part of the Inland Empire. He soon turned his attention to farming and stock raising, and located his present place, where he has labored assiduously since. He packed his supplies from Walla Walla and later from Sprague and went to Fort Colville to get his mail. He has watched the coming of pioneers one after another, un- til finally the country has become one of the prosperous and well settled sections of the northwest.

Mr. Thorp married Julia, a native woman, and they have one child, Charles M. Thorp, who married Nellie Runnels. Her father, George Runnels, was one of the earliest pio- neers of this country. Mr. Thorp has about

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seventy-five head of cattle, and some fine horses, and is one of the well to do men of Okanogan county. In all the many years which he has resided here, Mr. Thorp has al- ways shown himself a man possessed of un- swerving integrity, and has displayed sagacity and industry in his labors.

FRANK GROGAN is one of the leading mining men now operating in the Okanogan country, and his success in this country pro- claims him a man of ability and energy. He possesses the sterling characteristics of those born in the Emerald Isle, and much of his suc- cess is due to the good Irish blood that flows in his veins.

Frank Grogan was born in Roscommon county, Ireland, on June 21, 1858, the son of Patrick and Louisa (Dingman) Grogan, both natives of Ireland. The father was a mer- chant, and descends from the famous Corne- lius Grogan, of Wicklow. The mother de- scends from the Kilronan family, prominent people in her native country. Both are now deceased. Our subject is first cousin to Gen- eral Michael Cochran, commander of the Six- ty-ninth New York, in the Irish brigade dur- ing the Rebellion. He fought in both battles of Bull Run. Our subject left home in 1871, and after spending a few days in Dublin and Liverpool, came by the steamer Adrian to Bos- ton, having a rough passage of nine days. The first place he visited after touching land was Bunker Hill monument. Later he attended the Holy Cross College at Worcester, Massa- chusetts, and then entered the liquor business. Following this, he did newspaper work in New York, and in 1887 went to Butte and Shasta counties, California, and took up mining. He was very successful until 1891, in which year he came to Okanogan county. Here he has done mining and prospecting since. He dis- covered the Worcester and Mckinley mines on Mount Chapaca, and organized a company in 1899, known as The Chapaca Gold and Sil- ver Mining and Milling Company, which now owns twelve claims. Our subject is a large stockholder, and general manager of the con- cern. They opened many thousand dollars worth of development work, and are now driv- ing a three thousand foot tunnel, which shows excellent values. Mr. Grogan also promoted

The Prospective Development Company, which owns a group of claims on Chapaca mountain. He is manager of this company and also of the Pinnacle Gold Mining Company, which owns property on Palmer mountain. General J. B. Metcalf, Judge W. H. Moone, E. Cosgrove, Mrs. Alice O'Neal, and J. S. Jurey are the prin- cipal owners of this property. Mr. Grogan has several other mining properties which also show well. He has a fine ranch about eleven miles north from Loomis, where he makes his home at the present time. It is well improved with buildings, orchards, fences, and so forth, and lies on the bank of the Similkameen river. Mr. Grogan has been a delegate to every coun- ty convention since coming here, and is prom- inent in the political realm. On May, 1900, at Seattle, Mr. Grogan married Miss Matilda, youngest daughter of Judge George and Kath- erine (Ford) Lawless, natives of Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Grogan is deserving of much credit for the manner in which he has pushed forward the mining industry in Okan- ogan county. He has been enabled to interest much capital, while his tireless energy and great ability in handling enterprises have brought about excellent results.

JOHN BEALL is one of the oldest pio- neers of Okanogan county, and has done the work of the real pioneer all his life, having lived in the remote regions of Illinois and Mis- souri before coming to the far west. He is dwelling now on his estate of 1.early two hun- dred acres, which lies about three miles north from Loomis, and there lie does general farm- ing and raises stock. He has a fine farm, with about one hundred and thirty acres in timothy, and a good orchard, one of the best in the county, which produces as fine fruit as can be found on the coast.

John Beall was born in Alabama, on Feb- ruary 21, 1837, the son of Lloyd and Eliza- beth Beall, natives of Tennessee. The father was a pioneer across the plains in 1849, and died in California. The mother died in the east. Our subject lived in Illinois and Mis- souri during his earlier years, and there stud- ied in the public schools. In 1857, he came across the plains with a companion, having a pleasant time hunting all the way. When they came into the country of hostile Indians, they

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would join some large train. After some time in California, they went through Nevada and Arizona, to Mexico, thence through New Mex- ico on back to the central states. In July, 1861, he landed in The Dalles, Oregon, having come overland with a pack train. He at once went to packing supplies from The Dalles and Uma- tilla Landing to all the leading mining camps in Idaho and Oregon, and continued at that business until 1871. In 1861 he was in Lewis- ton, and there had the pleasure of meeting his cousin, Tom Beall, the noted pioneer of that place. In 1871 Mr. Beall went to the regions of Fraser river and Cariboo, and then pene- trated the wilderness about three hundred miles north from that place prospecting. Return- ing, he bought cattle and settled on the Simil- kameen river in British Columbia, where he remained for several years until he bought his present place. At that time few white people were in the large territory now occupied by Okanogan county, and the mail was gotten at Ft. Colville. Supplies came from Walla Walla, and it was with great labor that they were brought in.

Mr. Beall married Miss Catherine, a daughter of George Runnells, an old pioneer of this section, and to them three children have been born, John, Louise, and Ellen.

JOHN M. PITMAN, one of the best known men in Okanogan county, is now serv- ing his second term as county treasurer, having been elected both times on the Democratic ticket, the second majority being much the larger. He is a man of uprightness and in- tegrity and is the center of a large circle of friends.

John M. Pitman was born in Jackson county, Missouri, on September 17, 1849, the son of Azariah J. and Louisa (Savage) Pit- man, both natives of Missouri. The father took a freighting trip to Santa Fe, New Mex- ico, in 1849, and had some hard times with hostile Indians. Upon his return, Dr. Savage, his wife's father, was ready to start across the plains, so he prepared for the trip and they set out in the spring of 1850. The mother was said to be dying of the consumption when they started, and the phyician said she would never cross the plains. She did, and is now in her

seventy-fourth year, living a retired life with her husband in Salem, Oregon. He is seventy- seven, well preserved, and hearty for one of his age. Our subject is the oldest of ten child- ren and the only son. Three of the sisters are deceased. He was educated in the Willamette valley, where his parents located, being turned from their intention of going to California. He completed his-training in the McMinville Col- lege. In 1861, when the family were living in the Willamette bottoms there came a flood and the steamboat took them from the roof of their house. . They lost all their property. Later they removed to Klicktitat county, Washing- ton, and there remained until 1901, when the parents removed to Salem, where they now re- side. Our subject went into business in Klicki- tat county, but failed and went bankrupt. Fol- lowing this, in the fall of 1887, he came to Okanogan county and went to mining. In 1892 he went back to Klickitat county and paid all his debts, although they were all outlawed. He has been universally known since as "Hon- est John," on account of this excellent action.

In 1876 Mr. Pitman married Miss Emma T. Gubser, in Washington county, Oregon. Her parents were natives of Switzerland and came to Iowa, whence in the fifties they crossed the plains to Oregon, where both died. Mrs. Pitman was the youngest of twelve children. Three children were born to this union, two of whom died from the effects of scarlet fever when infants, and the other, Emma Lorena, is living with our subject now. Mrs. Pitman died in May, 1886. In October, 1890, Mr. Pitman married Mrs. Emily E. Borst, who was born while her parents were crossing the Atlantic from England to the United States. Her father, Mr. Kellard, was a major in the English army. Mrs. Pitman made two trips across the ocean with her parents and finally came west from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to this county. Mr. Pitman entered a homestead five miles north from Loomis, and has devoted considerable attention to its improvement, hav- ing now a fine property. In addition to this he has mining property in this state and also in British Columbia. Mr. Pitman is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the W. W. His parents are devout members of the Baptist church. He and his first wife belonged to the Presbyterian church, while Mrs. Pitman now belongs to the Methodist church. They are highly respected

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people and have won for themselves the es- teem and confidence of all who may have the pleasure of their acquaintance.

WILSON M. TAYLOR. A seventeen years' residence in the territory now occupied by Okanogan county entitles tlie subject of this article to be classed as one of the pioneers. During this period of time he has been engaged in steady labor in various lines of industry, all tending to upbuild and develop the country and make himself one of the well to do citi- zens. His residence is four and one half miles west of Riverside, where he has three hundred and twenty acres of land. Two hundred acres of this are fine meadow, raising timothy and red top hay. The balance contains about one and one-half million feet of saw timber.

Wilson M. Taylor was born in Taylorville, Fayette county, Iowa, on June 14, 1852. His father, Dr. Silas Taylor, married Miss Mary Carnehan, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in Michigan in 1889. The doctor was a native of the State of New York, born in 1796, and the youngest of a large fam- ily. His father, John M., and two broth- ers, fought in the Revolution. The doctor commenced practice in Grand Rapids, Michi- gan, then came west to Iowa and located on land where Taylorsville now stands. In 1855 he went to Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1861 he went to New Ulm, Minnesota, and was there during the awful massacre of Au- gust, 1862. For seven days they fought off the murderous Sioux and finally help came. In the fall of that year Doctor Taylor went to Fillmore county and there died in October. Four children were born to this worthy couple, William H., Mrs. Louisa Willman, the sub- ject of this article, and Mrs. Elizabeth Win- chel. In 1877 our subject left home and went to Omaha and engaged in the Union Pacific shops. He soon became an engineer and drove an engine in that region for several years. In 1882 he came to Portland and engaged on the California railroad. It was in the fall of 1886 that he came to Okanogan and located on a ranch in Spring coulee. Later he sold this. Having become an expert sawyer, in younger years he went into the sawmill business. At this time he sold the ranch in Spring coulee and

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Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington, Part 101

Author: Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Spokane, Wash. : Western History Number of Pages: 992

Author:
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Spokane, Wash. : Western History
Number of Pages: 992