Pierce County, Washington - The whole text, 1927 (part 16 of 27)

George Dean secured his educational training in the public schools of Pierce county and then began working on his own account, shaving hoops. In 1879, when twenty-one years of age, he moved to Swan lake, nine miles northwest of Eatonville, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of timber land, to which the only road was a trail. He was one of the first settlers in that locality and his first move in the development of his place was the building of a small log house, after which he entered upon the task of clearing the land and constructing a road. He now has thirty-five acres of the land cleared, the remainder being devoted to pasture. He keeps twenty-five head of Holstein dairy cattle, some of which are pure bred, and a registered Holstein sire. He raises abundant crops of hay, grain and potatoes and during the years that he has resided here has been more than ordinarily successful, being numbered among the enterprising farmers of his locality. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres of good timber land in Yakima county.

In September, 1889, Mr. Dean was united in marriage to Miss Christina Hagerdorn, who was born in Honolulu, Hawaiian islands, and is a daughter of Henry and Meta Hagerdorn, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to Pierce county in 1887. The father died in 1921, and the mother is still living here. To Mr. and Mrs. Dean have been born two children: Daisy. is the wife of Oscar Lowell, of Shelton, Washington, and is the mother of four children, Dorothy, Evelyn, Daisy Genevieve and Ted; William is married and has two children, Margery and Cleo. Mrs. Dean died in November, 1896.

Mr. Dean has shown a commendable interest'in the public welfare of his community and has rendered effective service as road supervisor and member of the school board. He is a man of splendid personal qualities, candid and straightforward in all his relations with his fellowmen, courteous and accommodating as a neighbor and of strict integrity in all his actions, because of which qualities he holds an enviable place in the estimation of all who know him.

One of the leading osteopathic physicians of Pierce county is Dr. Clarence B. Utterback, of Tacoma, where he has built up a large and remunerative practice. Well grounded in the theory and practice of his profession, he has been very successful in the treatment of human ailments, and has also gained high standing as an enterprising and public-spirited citizen. Dr. Utterback was born at Dodge Gity. Kansas, on the 5th of August, 1889, and is a son of Adam and Alma (Wallace) Utterback, who brought their family to Puyallup, Washington, in 1889. For a number of years the father was engaged in the hardware business but is now operating a grocery store, in which he is meeting with success.

C. B. Utterback secured a good education in the public schools and then entered the College of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons at Los Angeles, California, where he was graduated, with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy, in 1915. He oe one returned to Puyallup and practiced his profession there until the United States e tered the World war, when he enlisted in the medical corps and was engaged i * ae hospital service until the close of the conflict, when he was honorably "diehee 'a ea boa one Dr. Utterback came to Tacoma and opened offices in the Fidelity ey ne and he is now numbered among the busy and successful professional men of r is a member o e nights of the Maccabees and Modern ; ite op enya ibe men with the Pierce Geode bperpethn: Soc : ate Osteopathic Society. iti intai independent attitude, and in all matters caectline ee idee omnia he

Dr. Clarence B. Utterback John Flett

The pioneers of Pierce county were largely men of sterling character and outstanding public spirit, who wrought well the task to which they set themselves and to whom their respective communities owe a debt of gratitude for what they accomplished in the development of the county. Among these was John Flett, who stood high in public confidence and esteem for he was a man whose sterling personal qualities well fitted him for helpful service in his day. A native of Winnipeg, Canada, he was born on the 5th of August, 1815, and was a son of George and Margaret Flett, the former a native of the Orkney islands, Scotland, and the latter a native of Canada.

John Flett had but limited opportunity to attend school in his youth, being largely self educated. In 1841 he went to Oregon, locating at Forest Grove, where he took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres of land, which he developed into a good farm, operating that place until 1859, when he sold out and came to South Prairie, near Orting, Pierce county, where he took up a homestead, including the land on which the town now stands. He brought one hundred head of cattle with him from Oregon and for several years successfully conducted a stock ranch. His sons then took over this ranch and he became interpreter on the Puyallup Indian reservation, serving also as government Indian agent. Later he bought eighty acres of land near Sumner, a part of the Woolery donation claim, and lived on it one year, moving then to the Indian reservation. About 1876 he moved to section 26, on the old Bradley donation claim, five miles east of Steilacoom, where he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land. Here he made his permanent home, remaining here continuously up te the time of his death, on December 138, 1892. He is survived by his widow, who is now past ninety years of age and remarkably active for her years.

Mr. Flett was twice married, first to Miss Charlotte Bird, who was born in Winnipeg, Canada, the daughter of James Bird, who was a native of Canada and the father of seven children. Mrs. Charlotte Flett died about 1850, and in 1856, at Forest Grove, Oregon, Mr. Flett was married to Ellen Monroe, who was born at York Factory, Canada, a daughter of David and Nancy Ann (Daley) Monroe, the latter also a native of Canada. David Monroe was born at Inverness, Scotland, and went to Canada in young manhood. He located at York Factory, where he was employed as a cooper by the Hudson Bay Fur Company. In 1842 he went to Forest Grove, Oregon, took up a donation claim and there engaged in farming until 1883, when he sold out and retired, moving to Forest Grove, where his death occurred in 1886, at the age of one hundred and one years. His wife died about 1840. They were the parents of six children, all of whom excepting Ellen are deceased, namely: Findlay, Sandy, Christena, Ellen (who became the wife of Mr. Flett), Catherine and David. Mr. and Mrs. Flett had five children: Charlotte, deceased; John "Joseph, who lives in Tacoma; Anna J., deceased, wife of George Chapman; Andrew and George Alexander, both of whom are deceased. By a former marriage, Mrs. Flett became the mother of two children, William H. Cooper, who lives in Oregon, and Minnie, who is the wife of J. C. Fairchild, of Seattle.

Mr. Flett was a man of great energy and accomplished much in his day. He took great interest in the development and welfare of the pioneer communities in which he lived and was a man of prominence and influence among his fellowmen, who held him in the highest regard for his high personal character and his splendid er ae Chapman was born in Linlithgow, Scotland, on June 23, 1865, and is a son of James and Janet (Henderson) Chapman, both of whom also were born in Scotland. The father died in 1885 and the mother is still living. They were the parents of nine children, namely: George, William, Janet, Margaret, John (who lives in Seattle), Alice, James; and two who died in infancy. Mr. Chapman secured his educational training in the public schools of his native Jand and then learned the trade of joiner and carpenter, at which he worked until 1888, when he came to the United States and located in Iowa, where he lived about a year, being em- ployed at his trade. In the fall of 1888 he arrived in Tacoma, Washington, and followed carpentering for about ten years. After his marriage in 1895, he bought sixty acres of the old Bradley donation claim, ten miles southwest of Tacoma, and began the task of clearing the land. In the course of time he developed a good farm and for about fifteen years he ran a dairy of forty-five cows. In 1910 he sold the cattle and took a trip to Scotland, where he remained through the summer. On his return he leased the farm and has not since engaged in its active operation. He owns a good team of horses and keeps busy at odd jobs and in the care and cultivation of a fine garden.

On June 27, 1895, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage to Miss Anna J. Flett and they became the parents of one child, Ellen Monroe Chapman. Mrs. Chapman died September 17, 1921. Mr. Chapman has taken a deep interest in the welfare of his community and rendered effective service as a member of the school board at Hunt's Prairie. He is a man of straightforward manner, is friendly and cordial in his social relations and has long commanded the confidence and good will of his fellowmen.

Torger Peterson

; Among the real pioneers of Pierce county, who throughout the years have contributed of their efforts to the development and progress of the communities in which they have lived, must be numbered Torger Peterson, who for more than forty years has resided in the southern part of the county, being one of its first settlers. He has taken an active and effective part in advancing the best interests of his section, not only in the development of his own material affairs, but in matters looking to the general improvement of the locality, and he has long been honored as one of the representative men of the community.

Mr. Peterson was born at Holt Sogn, Norway, on the 22d of January, 1855, and is a son of Peter H. and Enna (Olsen) Langtvet, both of whom died in that country. The father lived on and cultivated the old farm which has been in the possession of the family for three hundred and fifteen years. Mr. Peterson received a good education in the public schools of his native land and at the age of fifteen years -he went to sea as a cabin boy; was promoted from time to time until at the age of twentyone years he became first officer. He followed the sea for a number of years, sailing to all parts of the world, and was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the Centennial exposition of 1876. On his retirement he returned to his native land and for a time was engaged in the building of wooden ships.

In 1880 Mr. Peterson came to the United States and for about a year was located in the central states. He then returned to Norway and in 1883 brought his family to this country. He went west to the Missouri river, and took up a pre-emption claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land about one hundred miles west of Ashton South Dakota, which was his nearest settlement. He made the first wagon track across the prairie in that section of the country and on one of his hunting trips he was surprised and captured by a band of Sioux Indians. However, when he was taken before the Indian chief he told so straight and truthful a story that he was set free. He continued to live in Dakota two years and then, on July 8, 1885, he arrived in Tacoma. In 1887 he took up a homestead in Ohop valley, being the firet white man to discover this beautiful locality, in July of that year. At that time his land was mainly covered with swamps and heavy brush, and conditions were so bad that it took him two days to travel six miles through the jungle. In April, 1888, he built a small log cabin, splitting boards for the floor, and then set himself to "the task of clearing and draining the land. This was a big undertaking and entailed a vast amount-of the hardest sort of work, but in the course of time he got one hundred acres cleared and under cultivation, and the farm has always produced abundant crops. Mr. Peterson has made many splendid improvements on the place, erecting a new barn in 1904, a fine, modern home in 1905, and a good silo in 1920 He devoted himself closely to the operation of his farm until 1906, since which time his son Peter has been in charge. He keeps forty head of grade and pure-bred Holstein cows and registered Holstein bulls, and his principal field products are hay and root crops, while vetch and wheat are raised for silage. He uses a tractor in the fields and all of his farm equipment is up-to-date in character,

In 1876 Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Aase Elena Olsdatter Goderstad, who was born and reared in Norway, a daughter of Ole and Karen Torgerson, and to them were born five children, of whom two survive, Peter and Anna both born in Norway. The daughter is at home. The son, who was born in Norway in 1888, married but his wife died October 12, 1915, leaving five children, Theodore L., Helen, Carleton, Pearl and Alice. Mrs. Peterson passed away February 10, 1926.

Mr. Peterson has always taken an active interest in public affairs. In 1906 he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners and was reelected, serving six years, and during this period he laid the first concrete paving in the state of Washington, an evidence of his practical and progressive spirit. Good roads and better educational facilities have always been dominating principles with him and he rendered effective service for a number of years as a member of the school board. From 1917 to 1919 he represented the thirty-sixth district in the state legislature, where he served on several important committees and ably looked after the interests of his constituency. During former years Mr. Peterson did considerable road contracting and built many miles of highway for the county. In all of his affairs he has shown a soundness of judgment and keen foresight that has earned for him a high place in the estimation of his associates.

Axel Henry Hedborg

One of the leading farmers and most prominent citizens of southern Pierce county is A. H. Hedborg, who has gained his present prosperity through his individual efforts, directed by sound judgment and wise discretion. He is progressive in his methods and up-to-date in his ideas and has long been regarded as one of the representative men of his section of the county. Mr. Hedborg was born in Sweden, May 22, 1867, and is a son of Carl and Matilda (Lithander) Axel. His father was a sea captain and in 1849 came to California in the great gold rush of that period. He followed mining several years there and also mined in British Columbia. Later he built and owned a schooner, which he successfully operated in the coast trade, but eventually returned to Sweden, where his death occurred in January, 1907. His wife died August 4, 1920. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Jennie, Axel Henry, Sigrid, Anders, Sven, Einar, Anna, Elsie, Hilda and Alrik, who also was a sea captain.

Axel Henry Hedborg was well educated in the public schools of his native land and was then employed four years as a bookkeeper on a large farm there. On June 5, 1887, he arrived in the United States and located in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he lived about two years. In the spring of 1889 he came to Tacoma, Washington, and was employed on a ranch that summer. On September 5, 1889, he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in section 2, township 15 north, range 4 east. The land was covered with a heavy growth of timber and brush, through which no roads had been constructed, and in this jungle he first built a small log house, after which he began the formidable task of clearing the place. He now has the land all fenced and seeded, thirty acres being under cultivation, while the remainder is in pasture and woodland. He keeps about seventy-five head of cattle and a pure-bred Shorthorn bull, the larger number of the cattle being kept for beef purposes, while twelve are kept for dairy purposes. His chief crops are hay and potatoes, which are produced abundantly. In 1923 Mr. Hedborg bought one hundred and sixty acres additional, thus making him the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of splendid land. He has made many permanent and substantial improvements on the place, which now ranks among the best farms of the locality. He has devoted himself indefatigably to the operation of his ranch and has been successful to a very gratifying pen May 6, 1898, Mr. Hedborg was united in marriage to Miss Brita Matilda Anderson, who is a native of Sweden and a daughter of Erik and Anna Anderson. Her father came to the United States in 1880 and squatted on a tract of land in the Ohop valley, of which he was the first settler. There he remained until 1885, when he took up a homestead on Ohop lake, where he remained until 1900, when he sold that place and made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Hedborg, until his death, in September, 1906. The mother died in her native land in September, 1872. They were the parents of four children, Erika, Eva, Lina and Brita. To Mr. and Mrs.

Hedborg have been born four children, as follows: Curtis Axel, born October 13, 1899, was graduated from the high school at Eatonville and from the State Agricultural College at Pullman; Ida Matilda, born October 9, 1901, also graduated from high school and from the State College and is now teaching in the public schools at Eatonville; Sadie Elizabeth, born September 25, 1905, is the wife of Jesse Cronkhite and the mother of a daughter, Bertha May, born September 15, 1925; Helen Lydia, born J anuary 31, 1909, graduated from the Eatonville high school and is now a student in the State Agricultural College. Mr. Hedborg is a member of Alder Lodge, No. 256, I. O. O. F., and State Grange, No. 790, at Alder. He has taken an active interest in local educational affairs and rendered effective service for many years as a member of the school board, helping to build five different schools in his district. He is a man of progressive disposition, as the appearance of his farm indicates, and stands for the best things in life.

F. T. Beers holds an extremely responsible position as manager of the Dupont powder factory, at Dupont, which is one of the important industries of Pierce county, and here, as elsewhere, he has given distinctive evidence of marked executive ability, as well as fine technical knowledge of the business with which he is identified. Mr. Beers is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1875, and is a son of John L. and Catherine (Zacharias) Beers. His father was born in 1844, at Dundee, New York, and was of English descent, while his mother, who was born at Emmetsburg, Maryland, in 1847, was of German lineage. John L. Beers was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in 1862, at the age of seventeen years. He served until the close of hostilities, taking part in the battle of Gettysburg and twenty-six other major engagements. In 1866 at Emporium, Pennsylvania, he engaged in the hardware business, which he successfully carried on until 1875, when he sold his interests there and moved to Florida. Buying a large tract of land, he began to plant oranges, being one of the pioneer orange growers of that state, and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1896. His wife died in 1898. They were the parents of four children, namely: John, deceased; Charles, who is an orange grower in Florida; F. T.; and Pitt, who is a clergyman at Springfield, Massachusetts. Connected with this family was Alanson Beers, who was prominent in organizing the first provisional government of Oregon territory.

F. T. Beers received his elementary education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and Florida, and then entered Pennsylvania State College, from which he was graduated in chemistry in 1898. He then spent a year as assistant chemist in that institution, after which he joined the Bellefonte Furnace Company, at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, where he remained a year. From there he went to Emporium, Pennsylvania, as chemist for the Climax Powder Company. Three years later, in 1903, that company was taken over by the Dupont Powder Company and Mr. Beers went with that corporation. In 1908 he was transferred to Barksdale, Wisconsin, as manager of the plant there, which, during 1918, was the largest plant in the United States manufacturing "T. N. T." In September, 1923, Mr, Beers was transferred to Dupont Pierce county, as manager of the plant here and is still holding that position. * 1906 the Dupont company bought five thousand acres of land between Tacoma and Olympia and established what is now the second largest powder plant in the United States, having a capacity of forty million pounds per annum. Three hundred men are employed in the plant, which is located on one of the most historic spots in the state of Washington, being on the site of the old fort of the Hudson Bay Fur Company, which was erected in 1833. The factory manufactures black powder and dynamites of every description, shipping by water to the Philippines, Alaska, Hawaii and South America. The company is planning to mark with bronze tablets the site of the first mission in what is now the state of Washington, it having been established in 1841, and on the company's grounds is also the oldest building standing in the state of Slee tart = having been erected in 1843.

n r. beers was united in marriage to Miss Clara i i of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Herbert ©. and Martha COCA reo AER were of English descent. _To Mr. and Mrs. Beers have been born five children Catherine, who was born in Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the University of

Vermont, is the wife of L. O. Paris and they have a son, Troxell; Margaret, who was born in Florida, is a student in the University of Washington, at Seattle; F. T., Jr., born in Pennsylvania, is a student in the University of Washington; Mary Elizabeth, who was born in Wisconsin, is a pupil in the grammar school; and Jean also is in school. Mr. Beers is a Mason, has passed through the chairs of the blue lodge, and has taken the degrees of both the York and Scottish rites. He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He is a man of fine personal qualities and has gained a host of warm and loyal friends since coming to Pierce county.

Charles F. Metsker

Charles F. Metsker has become widely known throughout western Washington for his well made and accurate maps and atlases and today is regarded as the leader in his line in the Pacific northwest. Well qualified by natural aptitude and training for this very important line of work, he has performed a distinctive service in these publications, which have proven to be absolutely dependable. The greater part of his life has been spent in this section of the country. Mr. Metsker is a native of Kansas and is a son of L. A. and Ada M. Metsker, both of whom are now living in Tacoma. They came to Oregon in 1883 and in 1890 located in Lewis county, Washington.

Charles F. Metsker attended the public schools there and then took up the mechanical course in the University of Washington. Later he engaged in civil engineering, at first confining his attention to drafting, and in 1905 came to Tacoma and entered the employ of L. A. Nicholson, with whom he remained for eight or ten years, doing drafting and other inside work. During the World war he served as chief draftsman for the Duthrie shipyards at Seattle, and was afterwards for two years with the Skinner & Eddy Engineering Company. Later he was with the Todd shipyards one year, drawing all the water piping plans for the scout cruisers which that firm was building. He then rejoined Mr. Nicholson, with whom he remained a year, after which he located in the Equitable building and engaged in civil engineering, surveying, blue printing, photo lithographing and map making on his own account. One year later he came to his present location, at 93014 Pacific avenue, where he is well equipped for the conduct of his business under the best conditions. He is now specializing in making maps and atlases, covering Washington, Oregon and Idaho, and is meeting with very encouraging success, his being one of the only two firms in the northwest engaged in this work. In 1926 Mr. Metsker issued an atlas of Tacoma, on a scale of two hundred feet to the inch, which will be kept up to date, and which is regarded as very accurate. It is in regular atlas form, the pages being seventeen by thirty and one-half inches in size. This city atlas is regarded widely as a notable achievement of its kind, as it is vastly superior in detail to the ordinary city atlas. The size and shape of every building and its relation to the block and lot is indicated. He has also made an atlas of Pierce county, as he has of all the counties in Washington west of the Cascades, the maps being by townships, on a scale of two inches to the mile. Mr. Metsker is a member of Tacoma Lodge, No. 22, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Tacoma Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Afifi Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. A hustling, wideawake business man, doing well whatever he undertakes, and characterized by sterling integrity in all of his affairs, he is well deserving of the splendid reputation which he has established throughout this community.

John Mosolf

John Mosolf is a worthy representative of one of the sterling old pioneer families of Pierce county, members of which have done their full part in the great task of clearing and developing the fine farm lands of this county. He has led an active life, devoting himself closely to the advancement of his interests, and at the same time has shown an effective interest in the public welfare. Mr. Mosolf was born in Contra Costa county, California, May 4, 1876, and is a son of George and Theresa

(Birch) Mosolf, the former a native of Posen, Germany, and the latter of Vienna, Austria. The father was reared and educated in his native land and there learned the trade of a brewer. In the '60s he came to the United States and for several years lived in Wisconsin and Nebraska. In the early '70s he came to California and engaged in mining for a number of years. In 1879 he came to Washington and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, township 19, range 4, all of which was heavily covered with timber. There were no roads and it became necessary for him to carry in his provisions and supplies from Puyallup, a distance of eight miles. After building a small log house, Mr. Mosolf entered upon the task of clearing the land, which in the course of time he developed into a good farm, and thereon he lived until his death, which occurred October 15, 1906. The mother is still living here. To this worthy couple were born eight children, as follows: John; George; Joseph and Anton, both deceased; William; Mrs. Annie Rooney, of Tacoma; Mrs. Lena Warwick, of Puyallup; and Mrs. Mary Hartson, of Everett, Washington.

John Mosolf secured his educational training in the Woodland school, in Pierce county and at the age of sixteen years went to work in logging camps, in which line he was engaged until 1904. He then operated his father's ranch for two years, and in 1907 he bought sixty acres of land adjoining the home place. The land was heavily covered with timber and brush and, after: building a good house, he began clearing the land and getting it into cultivation. It is now about half cleared, the remainder being in woods and pasture. He is giving considerable attention to fruit, raising large crops of red raspberries and strawberries, and also has a fine bearing orchard of cherry trees, from all of which he derives a nice income. He has made many substantial improvements on the place, which is now one of the best ranches of its size in this locality, as well as one of the most attractive.

On February 1, 1905, Mr. Mosolf was united in marriage to Miss Edith R. Peters, of Seattle, Washington, daughter of Manuel Peters. To Mr. and Mrs. Mosolf have been born four children: Alice, after graduating from high school, took a course in a business college and now holds a good position in Tacoma; John A. is a graduate of high school and is planning to go to college; Margaret is now in high school: and Louis is in grammar school. Mr. Mosolf has taken a deep interest in local public affairs and has served fifteen years as road overseer. He donated land and helped to organize the Forest Grove school and rendered effective service as a member of the board. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, at Puyallup. A man of industrious habits, splendid personal character and friendly among his assoglavs and neighbors, he is well deserving of the high place which he holds in public esteem.

William J. Roberts

One of the most distinguished civil engineers of the state of Washington is William J. Roberts, of Tacoma, whose achievements have gained him well merited distinction in his profession. He has been a resident of this state since boyhood and secured his elementary education in the public schools. He was graduated from the University of Oregon, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1886, and subsequently his alma Hee Sees him vibes his Master's degree. He took the civil engineering course in the Massachusetts Institute of Techn ivi : of Science in civil engineering in 1891. ittokcheg ial sie adiaane a

Mr. Roberts first engaged in civil engineering in Portland, bu the Hood river valley, where he became engaged a hydraulic and mareini hg re neering. In 1892 he laid out the first irrigation works in that valley, and on the completion of his work in that locality he became city engineer of Colfax Washington. He was then appointed associate professor of civil engineering at 'the Washington State Agricultural College, at Pullman, which position he filled ably and satisfactorily for thirteen years. During this period he had over two mie six hundred students in his classes, who are now scattered all. over the world Since leaving the college, Mr. Roberts has been engaged in the private practice of his profession. In January, 1914, he came to Tacoma as chief engineer of the Inter- County River Improvement, in which capacity he had charge of the expenditure of two million dollars in the improvement of the Puyallup river over a period of nine years. He has since laid out the plans for the development of the port of Kelso-

Longview, and has made many reports on large projects. He is widely recognized as an able and conscientious engineer and his work has been highly creditable to him.

Mr. Roberts' home is on Steilacoom lake. The family includes six children, the three oldest of whom are graduates of the University of Washington. Mr. Roberts is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Waterworks Association. He is a republican in his political views and served as state highway commissioner of Washington in 1911-12-13. During the World war he was chief engineer in charge of the construction of the water and sewer systems of Camp Lewis. Unassuming in manner, yet kindly and affable in his. social relations, Mr. Roberts has made a host of warm personal friends since coming to Tacoma and is held in high esteem by all who have come in contact with him.

Charles Stier

Charles Stier, who owns and operates a good farm near Kapowsin, has had a varied career, having worked at different occupations in many parts of the country. He exercised sound judgment when he finally chose Pierce county as his permanent home, nor has he been disappointed here, for he has met with very gratifying success as a farmer, while at the same time he has gained a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen. Mr. Stier was born in Jackson, Michigan, in 1863, and is a son of Joseph and Johanna Stier, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1855, settling in Monroe county, Michigan, of which locality the father was a pioneer. He took up a homestead, which he developed into a good farm and thereon spent the remaining years of his life, his death occurring in 1916. The mother is still living. They were the parents of three children, namely: Mrs. Mary Preppernau, of Tacoma; Charles; and Walter, of Tacoma.

Charles Stier attended the public schools of Michigan and then went to work on his own account, driving a team for several years. When twenty years old he bought an ice business in Adrian, which he ran for eight years, and in 1887 he removed to Tacoma. For a short time he drove a team and then bought a small novelty store at Tacoma avenue and Ninth street, in partnership with his brother-in-law. He next turned his attention to the draying business in that city, operating several teams, and followed that line for about ten years. He then went to work on the street railway, operating one of the first electric street cars in Tacoma. He was with that line about ten years, subsequently going to Alaska, where he spent one season as a gold miner. During the hard times of 1895 he drove a team as far east as Chicago, from which place he went to Adrian, where for several years he served as a member of the fire department. He then returned to Tacoma and soon afterwards engaged in farming on Clover creek, where he remained several years. Then, after a short stay in Tacoma, he went to Lewis county, this state, where he farmed for six years. In 1920 Mr. Stier bought the old Christian Holz homestead, on section 24, township 17, range 4, near Kapowsin, comprising forty acres, of which he now has about twenty-eight acres in cultivation. He keeps eight good grade cows and raises sufficient hay for his stock, meeting with success in the operation of the place. In 1922 he built an attractive house and has made a number of other worthwhile improvements on the ranch.

In 1887 Mr. Stier was united in marriage to Miss Susan Allabach, who was born in Michigan and died in 1897. They had a daughter, Bessie, who is now the wife of C. C. Pixley, of Michigan, and has two children, Susan and Helen. In 1906 Mr. Stier was married to Miss Anna M. Breunig, who was born in Adrian, Michigan, a daughter of Adolph and Laura E. (Thieme) Breunig, both of whom were natives of Germany, the father born in Baden and the mother in Saxony. They came to the United States in the middle '50s, lived in New York for a time and then settled in Michigan, where the father engaged in the wholesale and retail cigar business until his death, which occurred in January, 1897. His wife passed away in April, 1907. They were the parents of nine children, namely: Caroline and Louise, deceased; Fred W., Anna M., Adolph, Nathalia J., Laura C., Marie H., and Edna E., who is the wife of J. W. Welliver and has a son, Joseph Edward, born September 13, sade Stier is a member of Mountain View Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Kapowsin, and Chinook Tribe, No. 10, I. O. R. M., at Tacoma, while he and his wife are members of Mountain Star Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, at Eatonville. Mr. Stier has shown a commendable interest in public affairs, but has never been an office seeker. His judgment is sound regarding matters of general interest as well as in the conduct of his private business and as a man and citizen he is highly esteemed.

Walter L. Johnson

Walter L. Johnson has long been actively identified with the paint business in Tacoma and is regarded as an expert in his line, while as a business man he has evinced qualities of the highest order, winning the respect and esteem of all who have come in contact with him. Mr. Johnson was born in Urbana, Ohio, in 1875, and is a son of Francis L. and Anna (Smith) Johnson. In 1888 the family came to Tacoma and the father, who was a carpenter by trade, preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land where Camp Lewis was later located. He soon afterward moved to Edison, which is now called South Tacoma. A post office was established at Rigney and our subject's grandfather, Horatio G. Johnson, was the only postmaster there. He owned a truck farm in that locality. Francis L. Johnson followed the carpenter business during all of his active years but is now retired and lives with his son, Walter L.

The latter secured his education in the country schools and then learned the trade of a painter. He was first employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad; was afterward with the Tacoma Railway & Power Company, and later was with the A. S. Johnson Company as a paint salesman. In 1916 he became a salesman for the Bass- Hueter Paint Company, and two years later was made local manager for that concern. In 1923 the store was moved to 938 Broadway, where they occupy three floors and a warehouse, carrying a large and complete stock of paints, oils, wall paper and glass. They do a wholesale and retail business and employ one traveling salesman. Mr. Johnson has given his best efforts to the interest of the business, which, under his judicious management, has enjoyed a steady and substantial growth.

On April 15, 1896, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Beck, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but was living in Tacoma at the time of her marriage. To them have been born three children. Ruth is now the wife of Harold R. Home, of Walla Walla, Washington, and they have three children. Walter H. is with the Royal Ice Cream Company of Tacoma. Grace is the wife of Harvey B. Tolson, of Portland, Oregon.

Mr. Johnson is an independent republican in his political views, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the degree of a Knight Templar, and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Kiwanis Club, the Tacoma Gun Club and the Washington Amateur Field Tryout Club. Faithfulness to duty and a strict adherence to principle have gained for him the confidence of all who have had dealings with him, while his friendly manner has won him a host of warm and loyal friends.

Henry Drum

: For nearly forty-five years Henry Drum has been one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Washington, his activities in varied lines bringing him not only distinction in public estimation but also a well deserved reputation as a man of marked ability and ripe judgment. He was a potent factor in the early days in Sian Es a aan and well ordered state government, and during the subsequent aie - Bis if aye in affairs contributing to the public welfare and the development Mr. Drum was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, on the 21st of and is a son of William and Sarah (McConaughey) Drum, the latter see Tatras = Scotch-Irish ancestry. His father was born in 1831 and died in 1899 while the mother was born in 1829 and died in 1861. The subject of this sketch was their only child. After the death of his first wife, William Drum married again, by which union he had two children, Robert, who lives at Girard, Illinois; and Bertha who is now the wife of McPherson Thompson, residing at Champaign, Illinois. William

Drum lived in Macoupin county all his life and became a prominent merchant in Girard. He was also distinguished in the Masonic order, having served many years as master of his lodge.

Henry Drum secured his preliminary education in the public schools of his native county and then attended the University of Illinois. After teaching school two years in Illinois, he went to Nebraska, where he continued as a teacher one year. In 1883 he came to Tacoma, Washington, and turned his attention to the banking business, becoming one of the organizers of the Merchants National Bank, of which he was cashier and later vice president. He was identified with that institution about ten years and connected with various other important enterprises in Tacoma during that period. He was also actively connected with political affairs, becoming recognized as one of the leaders of the democratic party, and in 1886 he was elected mayor of Tacoma, in which position he served one term. Under his administration the city made marked progress in the way of public improvements and civic advancement. Mr. Drum later served three years as member and president of the city board of education, during which period a number of splendid school buildings were erected. He also served several years as park commissioner and had much to do with the laying out and improvement of the city's park system.

In 1889, when Washington was admitted to statehood, Mr. Drum was elected to the state senate, being the only democrat elected to the upper house. In that body he rendered valuable service as a member of committees on revenue, taxation and education. He was influential in securing the passage of a special educational bill, which he introduced for the cities of Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane, empowering those larger cities to adopt and develop the present advanced educational system. He collaborated with Dr. Franklin B. Gault, then superintendent of schools in Tacoma, in framing a law bringing the membership of school boards up to the present number of five. His large business experience, his keen sagacity and ripe judgment well qualified him in helping to formulate the first legislation of the new state, and his eminent services as senator gained him added prestige throughout the state. A stanch democrat in his political views, he rendered his party valuable service through three different campaigns, and during Cleveland's second administration he was tendered the position of collector of customs for the port of Puget Sound. This post he declined.

In 1890 Governor Ferry appointed Mr. Drum one of the two national commissioners for the state of Washington to the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago. In this position he took an active participation in the commission's proceedings. He was also selected by Governor McGraw as a member of the board of trustees of the State Reform School, a position he held for six years.

During the financial panic of 1893 he sustained severe reverses and then accepted a deputy collectorship of customs at Tacoma under the position he had previously declined. He served for two years and proved to be an exceptionally efficient official.

It was at this time that Dodwell & Company, a large importing firm, in connection with the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, began the first real importation in large quantities of oriental merchandise from India, China and Japan. Following the inauguration of this combination a very large volume of business was conducted at the port of Tacoma, exceeding in value many times over the importations to all of the rest of the Puget Sound district. Since this was a much shorter route to New York than around Cape Horn, a very large portion of the raw silk and tea importations passed through the port of Tacoma. In addition there was a very material increase of customs duty paid entries of general merchandise. All of this at the time was new business for this sub-port but was handied by Mr. Drum in a manner entirely satisfactory to the department at Washington, D. C. On his retire ment from the post, he received a commendatory letter from the collector of customs for the Puget Sound district stating that he was the best informed customs official in the state of Washington.

A trip to Alaska for business purposes in 1898 kept him there about a year, but the fall of 1900 found him again in the state of Washington in charge of the state democratic campaign which elected Governor Rogers. After the 1900 state campaign he went to Spokane only to move to Olympia when he was appointed to the state board of control by Governor Rogers. On the death of the latter he resigned from the board of control and opened a real estate and insurance office in Olympia. This business he conducted successfully for four years. In 1905 Mr. Drum went to

Wherever Mr. Drum has lived in the state he has taken an active interest in civic affairs and during his residence in Seattle, an amendment to the city charter was effected by an election in 1910, and a municipal plans commission was thus created to consist of twenty-one members, to procure plans for the arrangement of the city with a view to such expansion as might meet probable future demands. Mr. Drum was selected by Mayor Gill as a member of the commission, his nomination coming from the Manufacturers' Association as their representative, as provided by the charter amendment, creating the commission. The work of this commission lasted over fifteen months. Mr. Drum was a member of two of the important committees of the commission, and his work in this connection was. one of the most important civic efforts of his life's experience. The report of this commission is embraced in a printed volume of more than two hundred and fifty pages and it has been a controlling factor in the subsequent development of the city of Seattle.

When Ernest Lister was elected governor of the state in 1912, he called upon Mr. Drum to take the superintendency of the state penitentiary at Walla Walla. This offer was made as a result of Governor Lister's personal knowledge of Mr. Drum's business and executive ability. Governor Lister had served with him on the state board of control during the Rogers administration and knew of his successful business activity in Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle.

It was at this point in his life that Mr. Drum took a stand that was destined tu leave its mark in political circles in the state and gain him some notice nationally. He refused to accept the post until Governor Lister had signed the law abolishing capital punishment which had been passed during the 1913 session of the state legislature. Mr. Drum declined to be the instrument through which a human life is taken. His resignation as warden of the prison in April, 1921, when he was called upon to be the executioner of a man convicted of murder, by the 1919 law which again legalized capital punishment, is an example of how rigidly he adhered to his first position in this matter. He would not dodge the letter of the law and ask others to do what he would not himself do, even if that were permissible. Letters of commendation from friends and strangers alike in all parts of the nation crowded his mails when his stand was made known through the press.

As superintendent of the state prison for eight years Mr. Drum crowned his public life with the most signal success ever attained by any superintendent of the prison up to that time. He established a farm which helped the prisoners to contribute something to the cost of their support and has saved the state huge sums that before had been a part of its necessary appropriations. Notably, during the World war the prison farm and creamery kept the state penitentiary - the only state institution to operate during that biennium within its appropriation. He operated the jute mill successfully, and one of his last contributions in a business way was the investigation of California metal enameling works which resulted in the ultimate establishment of the present automobile license plate plant at the state prison. This was established during the summer and fall of 1921 after he had resigned and was the direct result of his favorable recommendation for such a plant to the state board of control during the 1919 session of the state legislature.

A later report from a legislative committee made to the 1927 legislature shows that the jute mill during his administration made three hundred thousand dollars net profit to the state, whereas previously its operation had not been profitable. ae ee ppapetsnicut se ieee four biennial reports to the state board of

. al treatise on prison management and prison reform. In them are told of reforms effected to increase the quality of citizenship among th prisoners and provide a means for them to participate in the earnings of th WERE: tentiary as well as to make the institution self-supporting. The last of th ' atts in September, 1920, sets forth a new and novel plan by which prisoners eth Pate desperate character from all states would be segregated from the les ataan iat clined and banished to an island where they would be under the eeaele se Ghee, as government. This plan advocates self-government among the banj ' " Sata under federal supervision with ultimate parole possibl thr nid Uaae EPR citizenship lines. 5 possible through advancement along

William H. is not married and lives with his parents at Gravelly Lake. There he has engaged in the poultry business on his father's home place.

Barbara died September 16, 1924, as the result of an injury sustained while climbing Mt. Hood in Oregon. She was graduated from the University of Washington with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and later specialized in botany and bacteriology at Washington State College, by which institution she was granted the degree of Master of Science.

Dorothy is the wife of F. G. Wills, who is manager of a savings and loan association in Portland, Oregon. They have three children, Frances Ann, William Henry and Marjory.

Henry Drum is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of both the York and Scottish Rites, including the thirty-second degree.

The state of Washington has been signally favored in the class of men who have administered its affairs in official capacity, and in this connection Mr. Drum has received distinctive recognition, serving his community and the commonwealth faithfully and ably in positions of large responsibility. He has been distinctively a man of affairs, wielding a wide influence among those with whom he has been associated, ever having the welfare of his state at heart and contributing of his best efforts to its progress and development. Unostentatious, open-hearted and candid in manner, his record stands as an enduring monument to his ability and integrity, and today no man commands to a higher degree than he the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.

Herman Schodde

Herman Shodde, extensively and successfully engaged in farming in the Buckley district, has realized prosperity through his consecutive and. wisely directed efforts. He has led a busy and useful life and today no man in his section of the county is held in higher esteem than he. Mr. Schodde is a native of Westphalia, Germany, where he was born on October 15, 1873, a son of Fred and Elizabeth Schodde, both of whom died in Germany. The father owned eighty acres of land and was a successful farmer. To him and his wife were born five children, as follows: Louisa, who remains in Germany; Henry, who lives in Nevada; Herman, of this sketch; William, who lives on the old home farm in Germany; and Henrietta, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio.

Herman Schodde acquired a good, practical education in the public schools of his native land and when fourteen years old was confirmed in the Lutheran church. In 1890, at the age of seventeen years, he came to the United States and located in Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand until 1894, when he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and worked at the butcher's trade until 1899. He then came to the coast, stopping first at Portland, Oregon, after which he traveled all over the west and then went to the Klondike gold field in the spring of 1900. For a year and a half he worked for wages there and then leased some good claims, which he worked successfully until 1907. On his return to the States, he located in Seattle, where he lived until 1910, when he bought the old Connell donation claim of three hundred and twenty-four acres, which had been taken up in 1854 and is located on sections 25 and 26, township 20, range 5. In the following year he built good barns and in 1915 a new hop house. Here he has exercised excellent judgment in all of his operations. He raises large crops of hay, grain and hops, also keeps a good dairy of thirty Holstein cows, with a registered sire, and his farm is in the best of condition, both as to the care of the soil and the buildings and equipment, this being one of the most valuable farms in this section of the county.

In 1908 Mr. Schodde was united in marriage to Miss Sophie Behrens, who is a native of Germany and a daughter of Herman and Caroline Behrens, both of whom died in their native land. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living, namely, Herman, Fred, August, Henrietta, Sophie and Louisa, the last named

Mrs. Schodde are the parents of four children, Herman, William, Fred and Walter, all of whom are natives of this state, and the three eldest are attending high school. Mr. Schodde is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Buckley, and he has served several years as a member of the Buckley school board. He is a firm believer in public improvements in the matter of schools and roads and is regarded as one of the progressive and public-spirited

The oldest shoe house on the coast is that now operated at Tacoma by C. M. Pessemier, who owns two stores here, one at 1342 Pacific avenue and the other at 927 Broadway, both of which have been markedly successful. Mr. Pessemier is a good manager, keeps up-to-date in his styles, and his business methods are such as make friends of all who patronize him. He was born in Belgium on the 15th of January, 1863, and is a son of Charles and Justine (Vollet) Pessemier. In 1882 the family came to the United States, locating in St. Marys, Kansas, where the father engaged in the drug business, and he and his wife died in that city.

C. M. Pessemier received a good education in the public schools of his native land, and after coming to this country he attended night school, thus quickly gaining a command of the English language. At the age of twenty years he engaged in the shoe business at St. Marys, operating a store about six years, and in 1888 came to Seattle, Washington, where he opened a shoe store at 912 Second avenue. He continued the business at that place until 1905, when he came to Tacoma and, buying the building at 1342 Pacific avenue, engaged in the shoe business there. He met with large success and in 1917 opened another store at 1122 Broadway, which was afterward moved to 927 Broadway, where it is still located. He specializes in Douglas shoes at the Pacific avenue store, while at the Broadway store he carries I. Miller and Stacy Adams shoes. Prompt and efficient service is insisted upon in both stores, and every customer is assured of courteous treatment and satisfaction in the quality of the goods he buys.

In 1888 Mr. Pessemier was united in marriage to Miss Marie DeBaker, who also is a native of Belgium, coming to this country' with her parents at the same time the Pessemiers came over. To Mr. and Mrs. Pessemier have been born five children: Justine is the wife of Frank McMinnim, of Portland, Oregon, and they have seven children. Vetalia is the wife of William M. Smith, of Tacoma, and they have one child. Walter, who is associated with his father in business, was married to Miss Gladys Snyder, and they have three children. Victor, who is in his father's Broadway store, is married and has a son. Camile, Jr., is also in the Broadway store.

Mr. Pessemier is a republican in his political views and he and his family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus, as are the sons, and he also belongs to the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. Camile is a member of the Rotary Club. Mr. Pessemier has proved himself a loyal and patriotic citizen, faithful in the performance of the duties of citizenship and kindly and generous in his relations with his fellowmen. For these reasons, he has long commanded to a marked degree the esteem and good will of all who know him.

One of the progressive and prosperous poultry farmers in Pierce county is Fred A. Kropf, Jr., who, by his indomitable energy and sound common sense, has attained a noteworthy place in his particular line of effort, having now one of the largest poultry plants in this county. Mr. Kropf was born in Seattle, Washington, April 3, 1898 and is a son of Fred A. and Sophie (Rahe) Kropf, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Germany. They came to the United States in 1877 settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they remained several years, and then went to California but did not remain long, coming to Seattle, Washington, in 1889. There the father opened a tailor shop, which he successfully conducted to the time of his death,

May 11, 1924. The mother is still living in that city. They became the parents of five children, namely: Rose, who is the wife of C. H. Wolf and has a son, Ronald; Fred A., Jr.; William, who is a salesman and lives in Tacoma; Edward; and Albin, who is a salesman and lives in Seattle.

Fred A. Kropf, Jr., was educated in the public and high schools of Seattle, and then attended the Oregon State Agricultural College one year. At the age of seventeen years he started out on his own account, leasing a ranch of one hundred and twenty acres near Swan lake, where he ran a dairy for a few years. He then entered the college at Corvallis, Oregon, devoting his time to intensive study of the poultry business, and on his return to the ranch gave his attention to poultry, starting in with one thousand hens in 1922. He cleared about six acres of land and erected his first chicken house, twenty by ninety feet, and in 1924 built two new houses, each twenty by one hundred and thirty-five feet, in which he installed water and light systems. He has steadily increased his flocks until now he has three. thousand three hundred hens. He is now preparing to hatch as well as raise chickens. He bought the ranch in 1922 and now has about forty-five acres in cultivation, raising good crops of hay and wheat, and he also owns a fine team of draft horses. He is now preparing to build a fine modern home on the ranch.

In May, 1922, Mr. Kropf was married to Miss Olga Bjorklund, who was born in Tacoma, a daughter of John and Bettie Bjorklund, both of whom were born in Sweden and settled in Tacoma about 1886. The father still lives in that city, where he follows the trade of a stonemason. To him and his wife were born seven children, Edith, Emma, Henry, Olga, Ellen, Frances and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Kropf have two children, Marliss, born August 11, 1923, and Janice, December 18, 1924. Mr. Kropf is a member of the Washington Cooperative Poultry Association and of the Ohop Grange. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. Wisely using his time and his opportunities he has steadily worked his way upward and has become one of the leading poultrymen of Pierce county.

H. Jacob Stelling

H. Jacob Stelling is an example of what can be accomplished by persistent industry and the exercise of sound common sense, even in the face of discouraging conditions, for he came to this country in boyhood, unable to speak our language and without financial capital, but he possessed the essential elements of success within him and through the years has gained both prosperity and the respect of his fellow citizens, being now regarded as one of the substantial farmers of his section of the county. H. Jacob Stelling was born in Hamburg, Germany, on the 1st day of December, 1874, and is a son of Johan and Gesche (Popp) Stelling, both of whom died in Germany, the father in 1880 and the mother in 1914. The father was a sailor, serving as a mate on sailing ships of that day. To him and his wife were born four children, Mrs. Anna Knelper, H. Jacob, Peter John and Mrs. Augusta Helmold.

H. Jacob Stelling attended school in his native land and continued his education in the old Maplewood school after he came to Puyallup. He came to the United States in 1890, at the age of fifteen years, making his way at once to Puyallup, where he was employed at gardening by Henry Benthien, remaining with him about nine years. In 1899 Mr. Stelling and his brother John bought twenty acres of wild land at Puyallup, from which they cleared the timber, and there lived until 1907, when they sold the place and bought eighty-two acres, two and a half miles northwest of Puyallup, half being bottom land and the remainder hill land. Twenty-five acres had been cleared and they cleared twenty-five more acres, and about fifteen years ago they divided the property evenly between them. As soon as they had some of the land cleared, Jacob Stelling began raising garden produce for market and during all the intervening years he has followed that line of farming to a large extent. He now has five acres of choice rhubarb, practically all of which is sent to Seattle, besides which he raises lettuce and cauliflower on a large scale. He also has two acres in blackberries and three acres in prunes and he leases twenty acres of land at Sumner, which he devotes to the raising of choice vegetables. He is an expert vegetable grower and for a number of years has displayed fruit and vegetables at county fairs and the Washington state fair at Yakima, winning many first prizes, and has always been a prize winner at the Western Washington state fair at Puyallup. For ratifying success in this line of business. : eb alah paige te 8, 1898, Mr. Stelling was married to Miss Anna Stelk, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich Stelk, who are still living in that country. They are the parents of five children, Herman, Emiel, Ferdenand, Helen and Mrs. Stelling, who came to the United States in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Stelling have seven children: Herman, who is now employed in Tacoma, graduated from the Puyallup high school, had two years in the University of Washington, where he intends to eventually complete his course, and also took a course in Knapp s Business College, in Tacoma; Herbert is married and has a son, Earl, born in January, 1924; Ella, who is a graduate of the Puyallup high school and a business college, is now employed in a lawyer's office in Tacoma; Alvin is a student in high school; Matilda, Walter and Robert complete the family. Mr. Stelling is a member of the Washington Berry Growers' Association and of the Rhubarb and Lettuce Growers' Association. He has gained his present prosperity only through hard and persistent effort and the exercise of sound judgment, but he is now very, comfortably situated, and throughout the community is held in high esteem because of his personal character and the wise use he has made of his opportunities.

Gustave G. Bresemann

One of the popular summer resorts on the coast is that operated by Gustave G. Bresemann at Spanaway lake, where he has provided every facility for the enjoyment and pleasure of the thousands who throng there during the season. He has shown himself particularly well adapted to this business and has left nothing undone to make the place desirable and attractive. Mr. Bresemann was born May 2, 1886, at Spanaway, and is a son of Gustave F. C. and Bertha (Vogel) Bresemann. The father was born in Ludershagen, Prussia, March 20, 1845, and the mother was born at Peoria, Illinois, in 1856, their marriage occurring January 9, 1877. The former is a son of Emmanuel and Mary (Vierkle) Bresemann, both of whom died in Prussia, the father in 1849 and the mother in 1866. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom have passed away except Gustave F. C., who is the youngest. He was educated in the public schools of his native land and then learned the trade of cabinetmaking. In 1865 he joined the Prussian army and fought in the war with Austria, taking part in several important engagements. He left the army in 1867 and. in 1869 came to the United States. For about a year he was employed in a sewing machine factory in Chicago, Illinois, and in 1870 came to Pierce county, Washington. Locating at Steilacoom, he engaged in carpenter work and built the first large brewery on the coast. The next year he engaged in the furniture manufacturing business in partnership with August Burow and leased the Davis place at Lake Steilacoom. He also leased the Byrd fiour mill, which he operated simultaneously with the furniture factory, which was the first furniture making establishment in Pierce county. In 1876 Mr. Bresemann took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land near Spanaway, on which he erected a factory and there also manufactured furniture, the machinery being run by water power. In 1882 he built a sawmill at Lake Spanaway, for which he cut logs that he hauled to the mill with heavy trucks and horses. He ran that mill about six years and in 1889 sold it to the Tacoma Light & Power Company. He then moved to Tacoma and again engaged in furniture manufacturing, in partnership with Mr. Klee, continuing in that line of business until 1902, when he sold out to Gamer Brothers and bought a business block on G street and retired from active business affairs. He is still living in that city and has a large apartment building, containing twelve suites of rooms, from which he derives a nice income, and also has a storeroom, which he leases. He is a charter member of Germanie Lodge and of the Druids. To him and his wife were born five children, namely: Gertrude, who is the wife of Robert Young, and they have three children, Dorothy, Helen and Robert; Paul, who was married to Miss Elzie Titja; Emmanuel, who is married and has three children, Muriel, Berl and Betty Ann; Mrs. Bertha Stover, a widow, who lives in Redlands California and is the mother of two children, Kenneth and Ruth; and Gustave. Q grocery store at 1805 South G street, Tacoma, which he successfully managed until 1909. He then sold the business and, coming to Spanaway lake, leased forty-five acres of land fronting on the water and established an amusement park. He built a large restaurant and has installed many other things on the grounds which contribute to the enjoyment of the public. He has one hundred boats and canoes, a large dance hall and amusements of all kinds. So well established is the reputation of his place that he now entertains about ninety per cent of the picnics from Tacoma. 'He has a bathhouse, with between one hundred and fifty and two hundred lockers, and in 1924 he bought from the state fifteen hundred feet of shore line, which will eventually greatly increase in value and gives him plenty of room for expansion.

On June 16, 1909, Mr. Bresemann was united in marriage to Miss Alpha Storlie, who was born in Lanesboro, Minnesota, a daughter of Levi and Marie (Moger) Storlie, the former a native of Wisconsin and the latter of Minnesota. Mr. Storlie was engaged in farming in Minnesota, but in 1906 made his way to Tacoma and soon afterwards bought a farm of three hundred and sixty acres at Hillhurst where he lived about five years. He then retired and moved to South Tacoma, where his death occurred January 17, 1915. The mother is still living there. They were the parents of ten children, namely, P. Oscar, Carl J., Alpha, Malvin L., Henry, Mrs. Louise La Costa, Nettie, Lela, Goldie and Palmer. Mrs. Bresemann is actively engaged in the business management of their amusement park, and has shown herself an able and capable woman, being an important factor in the success of the enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Bresemann are the parents of two children: Eugene, born February 26, 1907, a high school student in Tacoma; and Delbert, born September 24, 1914, now in grammar school. Genial and social in disposition, Mr. Bresemann easily wins friends and this has been a contributing factor to the substantial success which is crowning his persistent and intelligently directed efforts.

W. T. Smith

A member of one of the old and highly esteemed families of Pierce county, W. T. Smith, of Parkland, has stamped the impress of his individuality upon his community and has added luster to the honorable name which he bears. He has led an eminently active life and his well directed efforts have been rewarded with a very gratifying measure of prosperity. He was born on the old Smith ranch here on the 14th day of March, 1862, and is a son of Peter and Martha F. (Bradshaw) Smith, the former born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1817, while the mother was born at Staley Bridge, England, in 1824, and in 1844 came to the United States with her parents, who settled in Wisconsin, where she met and became the wife of Peter Smith. In 1852 they left that state and made the long journey across the plains, with ox teams and covered wagons, to Portland, Oregon. After living there about a year, they settled at Steilacoom, Washington, moving later to Clover Creek, and soon afterwards took a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 7, 8, 17 and 18, township 19, range 3, most of which was good prairie land and well watered by two creeks which flowed through it. Later Mr. Smith bought three hundred and twenty acres additional and on this place spent his remaining years, his death occurring in January, 1905. His wife died November 2, 1887. To them were born seven children, as follows: James T., who was born in Wisconsin and died in 1921; Isabell, the wife of Robert Thompson, of Tacoma; Betsy, who died in infancy; Peter J., who lives in Ashland, Oregon; W. T.; Mary M., who is the wife of Ba Re Davie, of Carlisle, Washington; and George H., who died in 1920.

W. T. Smith attended the public schools near his father's place and remained at home until his marriage, in 1888, since which time he has lived on ninety acres of the old home farm. He has a comfortable and attractive place, which bears the name of "The Poplars,' from the beautiful grove of poplar trees that surround a pretty little lake, which is well stocked with trout, while the home grounds are artistically decorated with shrubbery and flowers. Mr. Smith is holding a good position in Tacoma. ] , ; ,

On May 23, 1888, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Wilson, who is a native of Iowa and a daughter of William and Isabella (McMillan) Wilson, the father a native of Canada, born in 1836, and the mother born on the island of Isla, Scotland, in 1840. Her father came to the United States in 1866 and. located in

Iowa, where he farmed and worked at the carpenter trade until 1877, when he came to Washington and located at Puyallup. Here he became a carpenter and bridge builder for the Northern Pacific Railroad, with which company he remained until 1882, when he bought two hundred acres of the Smith ranch, where the town of Parkland is now located. Later he sold most of his land, but continued to live there until his death, which occurred July 12, 1914. Mrs. Smith's mother went to Toronto, Canada, in 1849, and was there married to Mr. Wilson. Her death occurred May 7, 1915. They became the parents of nine children, Daniel, Elizabeth, Angus, Flora, Mary, Mrs. Susan Stevenson, Willie H., Elizabeth and Flora, of whom Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Stevenson and Willie H. are the only ones living. Mrs. Smith taught school in Pierce county for four years prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born the following children: Bessie May, deceased; Ruth Isabel, a trained nurse; one who died in infancy; Mrs. Flora Elizabeth Jarrett; William Wilson, who graduated from North Pacific College, at Portland, Oregon, and is now practicing dentistry in Tacoma; Mrs. Isla E. Jones, who is the mother of two children, Betty May, born April 28, 1923, and Robert C., born November 380, 1924; and George L. Mr. Smith served for a number of years on the school board at Lakeview and has long been regarded as one of his community's most highly esteemed citizens.

Stanley Valentine Bell

Stanley Valentine Bell, dependent upon his own resources from the age of twelve years, is now engaged in the printing business at 1012 A street in Tacoma, and whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own efforts. He was born at Queenston Heights, Ontario, August 20, 1873. In the acquirement of an education he attended the public schools in Dundas, Ontario, being graduated from the grammar school when twelve years of age, after which he went to work. He carried a paper route of a small town weekly in Dundas, Ontario, one day each week and during the remainder of the time was employed as printer's devil. When fourteen years of age he left home and went to Toronto, Ontario, where he was employed at his trade until he came to Tacoma, arriving in this city on the 7th of June. 1890. He secured a permit from the union and went to work on the Tacoma News, and later he was admitted to the union and given a working card when but soreaiead years of age. Throughout his entire business career he has continued in the line in which he embarked as a young tradesman and his developing ability has brought him prominently to the front. On the Ist of July, 1926, he removed his printing business from Commerce street to a new plant at 1012 A street, where the equipment is thoroughly modern and up-to-date. Six or eight men are steadily employed here.

Mr. Bell is the father of three children: Stanley Meath, Charles Edward, and Margaret, now Mrs. J. T. Ryan, all born between the years of 1896 and 1900. On March 3, 1919, Mr. Bell wedded Mrs. Nettie (Moriarty) Gantz, of Tacoma.

Mr. Bell has always been a republican in politics and he has membership in the Chamber of Commerce. His military experience covers three years' service as a private of Company C of the Washington National Guard. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Eagles and the Elks, while his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church A contemporary biographer said of him: "As the architect of his fortunes he has builded wisely and well and in winning business advancement he has at the same time gained the respect and good will of those with whom he has been associated."

Louis A. Mahncke

In the business history of Tacoma no family has been known than that of Mahncke, and the éhigeenpabligada sey iphekeeiirasisen. Company has for over forty years stood for all that is best in its line The pr , ic. secretary and treasurer of the company, Louis A. Mahncke, is an expert ereruien: both by training and experience, and is deservedly held in high esteem b ll ets know him. He was born practically on the spot where he now lives, Déstribext :, >

Louis A. Mahncke secured his early education in the public schools of Tacoma and in 1900 went to Germany, where he attended private schools about one year. He then returned to Tacoma and continued his studies in the public schools until 1907, when he entered the Pacific Lutheran Seminary at Olympia, where he remained until 1910. He next entered the horological department of Bradley Polytechnic Institute, at Peoria, Illinois, where he studied jewelry and watchmaking for one and a half years, after which he went to Schenectady, New York, where he was employed at his trade until 1914. Returning to Tacoma, he was with his father in the store until 1918, when he enlisted for service in the World war, joining the air service as an instrument mechanic. He was sent overseas to England and when hostilities ceased he received an honorable discharge December 30, 1918. He at once rejoined his father and in 1920 took over the business in connection with his brother, being now the secretary and treasurer of the company.

On June 4, 1919, Mr. Mahncke was united in marriage to Miss Mildred Gertrude Vogeler, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Otto and Emma Vogeler, the former of whom is deceased, while the latter is living in Tacoma. To Mr. and Mrs. Mahncke have been born three children, Doris Mae, deceased, Barbara Ellen and Gertrude Louise.

Mr. Mahncke is a member of Lebanon Lodge, No. 104, A. F. & A. M., of which he is now junior warden; Tacoma Lodge, B. P. O. E., and the American Legion. He also is an associate member of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He has taken an active interest in evertyhing that is in any way related to the prosperity and welfare of Tacoma and is numbered among its most enterprising and progressive business men.

Ludwig Reise

Ludwig Reise is one of the pioneers of the Puget sound country, where he has cleared and developed two splendid farms and has thus contributed in a very definite measure to the progress of this state. He has lived a long and useful life and now, in the golden sunset years of his career, is able to retire from active labor and takes things easy in his beautiful home, near McMillan. Mr. Reise was born in Schleswig- Holstein, Germany, on the 2d of May, 1850, and is a son of Ludwig andj Adolphina Reise, the former of whom was engaged in the mercantile business throughout his active life. Both parents died in 1908. Of their six children, two are living, Ludwig and Adolph, the latter also living near McMillan, this county.

Ludwig Reise attended public and high schools of his native land. He then studied agriculture and horticulture and for several years served as manager of large estates in northern Germany. In 1883 he emigrated to the United States, making his way direct to Tacoma, Washington. The same year he went to Whatcom county and took up a homestead on the Nooksack river, near Bellingham, the land being covered with timber and brush. He built a small log house and then proceeded to clear the land, creating a good farm, on which he lived for twenty years, raising hops and conducting a dairy. In 1903 he sold out there and, coming to Pierce county, bought the Patten ranch at McMillan, consisting of one hundred and forty acres, half bottom land and half hill land, located on section 12, township 19, range 4. About fifteen acres of the land had been cleared and Mr. Reise has cleared off practically all of the bottom land, on which he has raised splendid crops. In 1908 he built a fine, modern house of eight rooms, which is surrounded by a beautiful lawn, ornamented with flowers and shrubbery. He also has a large and well arranged barn, a commodious hop house and other farm buildings, the place being well improved in every respect. His principal crop has been hops, and dairying has also been a source of substantial income for him. His son, Otto, has fourteen acres in berries and grows bulbs for the market. Mr. Reise gave his close and undivided attention to the operation of the farm for many years but has now leased the place to his sons, Otto and Adolph, and he and his wife are now retired, but still live in their attractive home on the farm.

In 1887 Mr. Reise was united in marriage to Miss Elise Bachman, who was born in Switzerland, a daughter of Ulrich and Barbara Bachman, both of whom died in Switzerland, the father in 1878 and the mother in 1896. They were the parents of four children, Ulrich, Jacob, Elise and Marie, of whom Mrs. Reise is the only one living. Mr. and Mrs. Reise have seven children, as follows: Willie, who _was born in San Francisco, California, and now lives in Yakima, Washington; Lucwig, who died in infancy; Helen, who is the wife of Albert Jensen, of this county; Adolph, who was born in Whatcom county and is married and has a son, Donald; Elsie, who is the wife of Kenneth Spooner and has two children, Vernita and Kenneth, Jr.; Otto, who is married and has two children, Wilmer and Otto, Jr., and Herman, a student in the University of Washington, where he is specializing in electricity and radio. }

Mr. Reise has been actively interested in the public affairs of the communities in which he has lived, having served several years as road foreman in Whatcom county and a number of years as a member of the school board since coming to Pierce county. A man of sterling qualities of head and heart, he has faithfully done his part in every walk of life, his record commending him to the favorable consideration of the representative people of his section of the county.

O. A. Kalland is recognized as one of the energetic and successful business men who have not only gained success along their individual lines of effort but have also contributed to the prosperity and prestige of the Sixth avenue district of Tacoma, one of the best business sections of that city. In the course of an honorable career he has enjoyed the confidence of his associates and neighbors and is regarded as one of the representative men of his locality. He was born in Stearns county, Minnesota, in 1888, and is a son of Martin and Oleana Kalland. His father, who was a farmer by vocation, is deceased, and the mother still lives in that state.

O. A. Kalland attended the public schools of his home state and was reared to the life of a farmer. He learned the trade of buttermaking, and at the age of seventeen years became a delivery boy for a grocery store. In 1909 he came to Tacoma and obtained employment as a clerk in the grocery store of I. F. Belsvig, in Old Town. In 1912 he bought the grocery store of E. A. Thomas, at 4302 Sixth, avenue, and put in a general stock of goods. In this enterprise he met with encouraging success and in 1922 erected a new building, sixty by sixty feet in size, at the corner of Sixth avenue and Stevens street, where he is now carrying complete stocks of groceries, meat, dry goods, hardware and other important lines, and has built up a large and remunerative trade. His success has been gained through his persistent efforts and the exercise of sound judgment in all of his operations, and he is regarded as one of the solid and substantial merchants of his district. He employs four people and runs 2n automobile delivery.

In 1912 Mr. Kalland was united in marriage to Miss Esther Mellander, of Tacoma, and they are the parents of three children: Loel, aged thirteen years; Embert, aged eleven years; and Elwood, aged five years. Mr. Kalland is a republican in his political views and is a member of the Jefferson Improvement Club, and he is well thought of in the community.

settler on the site of what is now Kapowsin, Pierce ooanty Sie ee terested spectator of the wonderful transformation that has been wrought in this aed since he first acquired his squatter's right here in 1888, nearly four decades ago. Mr. Hilgert was born in Germany in 1852 and is a son of Willi i

Hilgert, neither of whom ever left their native land. He aiidadedetis manure ie home neighborhood and remained under the parental roof until seventeen ears of age, when, just prior to the Franco-Prussian war, he emigrated to the United Stat going to Niagara Falls, where lived a former schoolmate of his. There he ganic in a paper mill during the winter months, and the following summer learned th baker s trade. After remaining there about a year, he went to Chicago, where f. : short time he was employed in a bakery, and then went to Michigan "At that tir _ he was so hard up for ready money that he was compelled to pawn hid watch to ake his railroad ticket. He worked in the woods and was there during the great forest fires of that year, which was also the year of the great Chicago fire. He remained in the woods until 1888, having been promoted to camp foreman and timber cruiser.

In 1888 Mr. Hilgert came to Washington with Mr. Hewitt and did some timber cruising for the St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company. He first lived at Orting, Pierce county, for four or five months, and was the first man to come to Lake Kapowsin, having covered practically all of Pierce county in the course of his cruising trips. That same year he bought a squatter's right to one hundred and fifty-two acres of land on Lake Kapowsin, having about a mile of lake frontage and embracing what is now the townsite of Kapowsin. He located on the land in the fall of 1888 and, there being no roads at that time, he was compelled to pack in all of his goods and supplies from Morgan lake. He had a small cabin on the place and, after cruising for a short time longer, he settled here and entered upon the task of clearing the land. With his wife's assistance, he cleared about fourteen acres and they soon converted the place into a good farm and a comfortable home. In 1900 they went to Germany on a visit and on their return a town was started here. Before the trip they sold to the railroad all their land excepting twenty-one acres and later the railroad bought the remainder except two acres. In the early days here they were compelled to undergo many privations and inconveniences, all of their trading being done at Orting or Tacoma, and it was several years before there was even a road through to Orting. In 1923 they built their present home in Kapowsin, where they are now comfortably situated. When they first packed in their goods, Mrs. Hilgert was compelled to wear rubber boots in order to travel over the flooded land. They endured the unpleasant conditions, for they had before them the vision of future days of prosperity, and they are now enjoying the fruits of their early efforts. They are both great nature lovers and every year they pack into the mountains for a week or two "near to the heart of nature."

In 1884 Mr. Hilgert was married to Miss Mete S. Lange, who was born near Green Bay, Wisconsin. No children have been born to them, but in the kindness of their hearts they took one of Mrs. Hilgert's nephews, Chester Lange, when four years of age, and have given him the same ¢are and attention that a child of their own would have received. Their home is beautifully situated, the grounds being ornamented with trees, shrubs and flowers, and is a very inviting and attractive home. Mr. Hilgert has been a good citizen in every sense of the term and stands deservedly high in the admiration and respect of his fellowmen.

Theodore He. Faulk

In the business world, the collection of bad accounts is a matter of great importance and it is also one of the most difficult things for an ordinary firm to handle successfully. In western Washington this problem has been very satisfactorily solved by Emil N. Faulk and Theodore E. Faulk, the latter commonly known as "Ted." They have so systematized the collection business as to have made a remarkable record, and a large number of the leading business firms on the Pacific coast are among their clients.

Ted Faulk was born in Stromsburg, Polk county, Nebraska, on the 7th day of October, 1894, and is a son of John and Anna Faulk. His father, now deceased, was for fifty years a section foreman on the Union Pacific Railroad. The mother still lives in Nebraska. They were the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom Ted is the fifth in order of birth. Mr. Faulk and his three brothers came to Washington and Ted completed his public school education in the high school at Aberdeen.

In April, 1917, on the entry of the United States into the World war, he enlisted as a private in the Air Service, in which he became an expert, and was kept in this country as an instructor throughout the war. At that time, he was one of the four "Four-Way Aviators" in this country, flying balloons, dirigibles, airplanes and seaplanes, in all of which he did solo work. When discharged from the army, he was the commanding officer of his company.

On his return to civil life, Mr. Faulk entered the University of Washington, where he was graduated in 1920. During his college years, he took a leading part in athletics, and in 1920 was captain of the football team. Since leaving college, he has been actively identified with the National Association of Creditors, Inc., which was established in 1912, by William Geisler. In October, 1922, the business was purchased by E. N. and Ted Faulk, and they have made a remarkable success of it, Ted E. having charge of the Tacoma office. In October, 1926, they established the Pacific Coast Adjustment Company at Seattle, and in November they started an office at Auburn, Washington. E. N. Faulk has had a collection agency in Aberdeen since 1911, and it is the system that he evolved in these fifteen years that has enabled the other Faulk agencies to be so successful. The company employs thirty-seven people and has twelve automobiles for the use of its agencies. These companies do the largest collection business on the Pacific coast, specializing in hard accounts and individual small accounts. They employ attorneys on a yearly retainer, and in Pierce county they sue from fifty to sixty accounts a week. They get results, and this fact has been their best advertisement and the secret of the remarkable success which is theirs.

On March 4, 1921, Mr. Faulk was united in marriage to Miss Martha Hogue, of Puyallup, and they are the parents of a son, Theodore Hogue, five years of age.

Mr. Faulk is independent in his political views, and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the American Legion, the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, the Tacoma Kiwanis Club, the Tacoma Country and Golf Club, and the Chamber of Commerce. He is a man of marked individuality, straightforward in manner, and of sound business judgment, and the prosperity which is his is well merited.

William R. Messick

One of the most enterprising and highly respected farmers of the Sumner district of Pierce county is William R. Messick, who operates a large and productive truck garden, and is meeting with well deserved success. He was born in Andrew county, Missouri, in 1861, and is a son of Nathan and Mary Messick, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and the latter of Missouri. The father followed farming during practically all of his active life. To him and his wife were born seven children, namely: William R.; Hattie, deceased; Dabner R.; Maggie; Annie; Elmer; and Josephine, deceased. The parents are both deceased, the mother dying in 1880 and the father in 1886.