Spokane, Washington - History, 1912 (part 22 of 22)

Lillis Franklin Smith

The natural resources of Washington have made possible the fortunes of many of its citizens. The wealth of the land and timber tracts of this section has not only given employment to all who sought it but also brought such remunerative returns to their promoters that many of them are now among the wealthy citizens of the northwest. Lillis F. Smith, who, previous to his retirement was the owner of Ave thousand acres of valuable land, is one of the most prosperous and substantial citizens residing in Endicott. He was born in Pike county, Illinois, on the 25th of August, 1847, his parents being Joseph and Mary (Huntley) Smith, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, although the Smith family originated from Connecticut.

Lillis F. Smith acquired his education in the public schools of Illinois and subsequently at Lombard University at Galesburg. He continued his studies in this institution until February 11, 1865, when he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry as private. During his service he was chief clerk for General Dudley at Tullahoma, Tennessee. He was mustered out at Springfield in September, 1865. After he returned home he taught school and the following year assisted his father in the cultivation and improvement of the home farm. During 1865 and 1867 he both farmed and taught school, and the following year removed to a farm in Missouri, where he remained until 1883. During these years he gained much hard-earned experience in agricultural pursuits and by his industrious labor, careful management and untiring energy acquired sufficient money to remove to Whitman county* Washington, where he took up a homestead claim of one hundred and eighty acres and immediately began increasing his holdings until at one time he held title to five thousand acres of wheat land. In 1909 he divided part of his property among his six children and was able to give each about twenty-five thousand dollars worth of land. His success during his twenty-five years* residence in this state is almost phenomenal, and the results he obtained clearly attest his ability, energy and enterprising spirit. His property is some of the most highly developed in this section, and because of the careful study he made of the soil it has always yielded him bountiful harvests. He was interested in the Smith & Boardman general merchandise store in Endicott, was president, founder and director of the bank of Endicott from 1905 to 1909, was a stockholder, founder and president of the Farmer's State Bank of Colfax, and was a stockholder and director in the Exchange National Bank of Spokane.

On the 17th of June, 1869, Mr. Smith was married to Jannet Morey, a daughter of Moses and Lydia (Smith) Morey, natives of New York and Michigan respectively To Mr. and Mrs. Smith six children were born: Joseph E., who is a resident of Seattle, and who married Miss Emma Fonner and has two children ; Leta V., who is the wife of Charles L. Wakefield of Endicott, and has three children; Ina B. (Smith) Marsh, deceased, who was the mother of three children; Leslie J., who is a resident of Colfax and married Miss Minnie Stormmit and has four daughters; Claude M., of Endicott, who married Miss Lula Artz; and E. Deane, who is residing at home with her parents.

Mr. Smith casts his vote with the republican party and has been active in its circles. During 1891 and 1892 he served a& county commissioner, and for about ten years he was a member of the school board. In both these offices he had opportunity to show his interest in the development and civic welfare of the community. He holds membership in the Congregational church. Another instance of his public spiritedness is seen in the fact that the Endicott school library, which is one of the best in the county, has been largely furnished by means of funds contributed by Mr. Smith. To such men as he the northwest owes its gratitude. The hardships and privations which they endured have brought about the development of natural resources, the birth and expansion of industries - ^and in their train, prosperity and wealth.

Joseph H. Rosslow

Joseph H. Rosslow, an active representative of the legal profession in Spokane since his admission to the bar on the 18th of November, 1890, was bom in Highland county, Ohio, February 13, 1865, his parents being Augustus and Susan Rosslow, the former a contractor and builder. The son pursued a collegiate classical course in the University of Minnesota and won his B. A. degree upK>n graduation in 1887. In the meantime the family had removed to Faribault, Minnesota, and when his college days were over he took up the profession of teaching in that state, spending a year in the high school at Stillwater. In the summer of 1888 he became a resident of Spokane and in the fall of that year entered upon the study of law in the office of Houghton, Graves & Jones. He afterward continued his studies in the office of Turner & Graves, the partners being George Turner and

Frank Graves. On examination he was admitted to practice at the Washington bar on the 18th of November^ 1890^ and opened an office in Spdcane, where he has since remained. In 1896 he formed a partnership with W. D. Scott that was dissolved in 1902. For three years he was in the office of Voorhees & Voorhees and since 1905 has practiced alone^ securing a clientage Uiat has oomiected Inai with much of the important litigatkm hdd in tiie cooHm of tins district. He early recognized the fact that in as Mae of business is success attributable more directly to individaal iiisil and talent than in the practice of law and he has tkexefose SMtft carefully prepared his cases^ which have been presented in the slrong^ clear li^t of common sense and reason. At the same time he is seldom^ if ever^ at fault in the application of a legal principle or the citation of a precedent and these qualities have given him creditable standing as an able lawyer.

On the ISth of December^ 1908^ Mr. Bosslow was married to Miss Delia M. Sayer, formerly of Brownsville^ Oregon^ and they now have one son livings Walter S. Fraternally Mr. Rosslow is a prominent Mason^ having taken high rank in the order. He is identified with the different branches of Masonry in Spokane and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. His early political allegiance was given to the democratic party but since Bryan's second presidential campaign he has supported republican politics in state and national politics. He is fearless in defense of what he believes to be right and his support of any political measure is an indication of his firm belief in its efficacy as a factor in good government. Political honors and office^ however^ have had little attraction for him as he has always preferred to concentrate' his energies and attention upon the duties of his profession, with which he has now been actively allied for twenty-two years.