Spokane, Washington - History, 1912 (part 7 of 22)

He has never been actively interested in politics nor has he ever aspired to pc^tical office. He belongs to Imperial Lodge, No. 184, I. O. O. F., but his time is mostly given to the development and improvement of the lands which the company is placing upon the market. They now have over three thousand acres in orchards, one thousand six hundred acres at Waver ly and Fairfield. Already they have sold many tracts which are being converted into fine orchards and indeed many of these orchards are now in splendid bearing condition although the trees are yet young. Mr. Graves and his associates in the company have made a. careful study of the character of the soil and recognize its adaptability for the production of fruit and vegetables. He is himself much interested in agricultural and horticultural pursuits and his labors along those lines have constituted an example for others, indicating what may be accomplished when the raising of fruit, grain and vegetables is conducted according to the best improved and scientific methods.

Dr. William B. Pickrell, physician and surgeon, whose time and energies are concentrated upon his professional duties, thereby being productive of excellent results, was bom in Sangamon county, Illinois, January 19, 1878. His parents were James H. and Margaret T. (Bedford) Pickrell, also of Sangamon county, his father a well known and prominent resident of Illinois. He had a wide acquaintance among leading agriculturists throughout the country, being one of the most famous breeders of shorthorn cattle in the United States. He owned a famous herd and his prominence in that connection is indicated by the fact that he became president of the American Shorthorn Breeders Association^ which position he filled for many years. His interests^ too^ were of a broad and varied nature as is indicated by the fact that he was made one of the trustees of the University of Illinois. It is said that he had almost as wide an acquaintance throughoat the United States and Europe as any man with the exception of Grant and Roosevelt, and his popularity was well deserved for he was very cordial in manner and appreciative of the good qualities of others. Moreover, he was resourceful, energetic and progressive in business and did much to improve the grade of cattle raised in the United States, thus contributing in substantial measure to the prosperity of the agricultural class.

After pursuing his preliminary education in the public and high schools of Chicago, Dr. Pickrell studied mechanical engineering for a time in the Armour Institute of that city, but changing his plans, he decided to become a member of the medical profession and to this end became a student in the Dunham Homeopathic College of Chicago, where he was graduated in 1898. For several years he practiced at Springfield, Illinois, and then pursued another course in the Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated in 1906. Thinking that the west furnished better climatic conditions together with business opportunities he came to Spokane in that year and has since developed a constantly growing practice. He is a man of quiet and retiring disposition and habits but his recognized personal worth and professional ability have gained for him the respect and good will of all who knew him. He belongs to the Spokane County and Washington State Medical Societies and is also a member of the American Medical Association.

At Springfield, Illinois, on the 14th of March, 1900, Dr. Pickrell was united in marriage to Miss Frances Taylor, a daughter of Dr. I. H. and Irene (Constant) Taylor, of that city. They have two daughters, Dorothy K. and Irene. Dr. Pickrell belongs to Oriental Lodge, No. 74, F. & A. M., but is connected with no clubs and is not actively interested in politics, preferring in his leisure hours to devote his time to the interests of his home and family.

Oliver Hall

Oliver Hall, who is now serving his third term as state senator from this district, has been a resident of Colfax for the past thirty-four years. He was bom in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 17th of February, 1852, and is a son of Luman and Lydia (Crossett) Hall, the father, a native of Vermont and the mother of the state of New York.

During the early childhood of Oliver Hall his parents removed to Canada, but subsequently located in northern Wisconsin. He began his education in the common schools of Canada, and completed it in those of Wisconsin and of Mankato, Minnesota, where the family later resided. He terminated his school days at the age of eighteen years, in 1870, and thereafter gave his entire attention to farming. From then until 1876 he was associated with his father in ag^ cultural pursuits in Minnesota, but in the latter year they came to Washington. When they first removed to this state they located in Seattle, where they resided for a year ; then came to Colfax. Here the father and son engaged in the manufacture of wagwis and buggies and also sleighs^ this being the first industry of the kind north of the Snake river. This enterprise was operated under the firm name of L. Hall & Son until the father's death in 1880, after which Oliver Hall conducted the business under his own name. Various activities engaged the attention of Mr. Hall during the pioneer days and in addition to the wagon and carriage business he also sold pumps and windmills from 1877 to 1900. Possessing much foresight and sagacity, he has always had the faculty of recognizing and utilizing to his advantage opportunities not discernible to the less resourceful individual, and to this can be attributed much of his success. Agricultural pursuits have strongly attracted Mr. Hall for many years, and he is now devoting his time to farming and fruit growing.

During the long period of his residence in Whitman county, Mr. Hall has taken an active and helpful interest in all public affairs, particularly those of a political nature. He casts his ballot for the men and measures of tlie republican party and for several terms was a member of the Colfax council, while from 1894 to 1902 he was a member of the state senate from this district. His services in this capacity were rendered with a rare degree of efficiency, and were generally satisfactory to the community at large, so that in 1910 he was again sent to the senate, his present term expiring in 1914. Here as elsewhere Mr. Hall has manifested the initiative and strong powers of organization and executive ability that have always characterized him in the direction of any undertaking. He was a most valuable acquisition to the commercial circles .of- -Colfax- duripg- the early days, and to his perspicacity, resourcefulness and dfetemftfiitiorf i>f "pi^rpose can be attributed much of the development of that period, i Fratfei'iiany he is affiliated with Hiram Lodge, No. 21, A. F.* & A. M.; Colfax Chapter, No. 8, R. A. M;; and Colfax Lodge No. 4, K. P., of which he is past grand chancellftt ' and* p^3t. supreme representative. He also belongs to the Ancient Order 'of United Workmen, being past grand master and past supreme representative of this organization; and he is a past dictator of the Order of Moose. He has been an enthusiastic member of the Colfax Commercial Club since its organization, and he is also affiliated with the Inland Club of Spokane. Enterprising and public-spirited ,Mr. Hall is one of the popular men of the county, where by reason of his loyalty to his friends and the community, and his straightforward, upright transactions he is held in high esteem by all who know him.

Merton E. Jesseph

Merton E. Jesseph, who is assistant prosecuting attorney, was bom June 7, 1871, at Cold water, Michigan, a son of Rev. L. E. and Leora (Sinclair) Jesseph, who were bom in Rochester, New York, and Michigan respectively. The father is of English descent and his parents came to this country shortly after the Revolutionary war. They first settled in Massachusetts but later removed to Rochester, New York. Prior to the Civil war they removed to Coldwater, Michigan. Rev. Jesseph was a Congregational minister for thirty-four years and at the time of his death, which occurred on the 15th of December, 1905, at Kettle Falls, he was serving as mayor at that town. He came to Colville on the 1st of April, 1893, to assume the pastorate of the Congregational church. He remained in that city for three or four years, then located in Fairfield where he remained four years. During his residence in those places he frequently preached in Spokane. After giving up that charge he located in Harrington, where he remained the five years previous to his removal to Kettle Falls. He preached in that town until the time of his death, which occurred about five years later. His mother was a member of the Hart family, many of whose members distinguished themselves in the professional world. Mrs. Jesseph, the mother of our subject, is at present residing in Colville. Her maternal grandfather was a member of a prominent Scottish family and her mother was an Adams, the daughter of a cousin of President Adams. Her maternal grandfather served in the Revolutionary war and subsequently in the Mexican war. To Mr. and Mrs. Jesseph six children were bom: L. E., who is now serving his second term as auditor of Stevens county; Merton, who is the subject of this review; L. C, a member of the law firm of Jesseph & Grinstead, of Colville; Ward, who is cashier of a bank at Edwall, Washington; Edith, the wife of Bliss Phillips, county treasurer of Stevens county; and Flora, who is residing at home.

Merton E. Jesseph pursued his education in the public schools of Douglas, Michigan, and there prepared to enter Elmira College at Greenville, Illinois. After leaving the latter institution he taught school in Pleasantdale, Kansas, Stevens county, Washington, and Rock Creek valley in Spokane county, having come to this state with his father in 1898. Three years later he returned to Colville, where he had previously read law and had been admitted to the bar on the 24th of November, 1894. He resumed his practice and remained in Colville until Ferry county was created. He removed to Republic in 1898 and in 1901 was elected prosecuting attorney of Ferry county. He served one term and in April, 1903, came to Spokane, where he took up the practice of law in partnership with Adolph Munter. This firm continued for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Jesseph began practicing independently. He has concentrated his energies chiefly upon criminal law, specializing in its various lines. After spending about two years in Mexico he was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney of Spokane in the spring of 1911, a position which he holds at the present time. He has also interested himself in mining operations. When he was but eighteen years of age he went to Telluride, Colorado, and associated himself with various mining operations in that vicinity. He is also interested in Republic properties and in connection with some of his friends he operated the Young America at Bossburg under lease. During his two years' residence in Mexico he became interested in property there and spent considerable money in developing mining tracts in Guanajuato. He is still interested in the Young America at Bossburg.

In April, 1896, at Rockford, Mr. Jesseph was married to Miss Ida Creighton, a daughter of Dr. J. R. Creighton and a sister of Glen B. Creighton, county assessor. The father's death occurred in 1907, in Spokane, where he was a prominent general practitioner. During the Civil war he served as surgeon and subsequently resided in both Kansas and Rockford before coming to Spokane. To Mr. and Mrs. Jesseph four sons have been born: Merton R. and Glen Leonard, aged fifteen and nine respectively; and Louis and Don, who are six and three years of age respectively.

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In politics Mr. Jesseph is a democrat and while manifesting that interest which always indicates loyal and progressive citizenship he has never been a politician in the sense of seeking office as a reward for party fealty excepting in such instances as will give him opportunity to make use of his legal talents. In the campaign of 1898 he was a candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney of Stevens county and he took an active part in every campaign from the time the right of franchise was bestowed upon him until 1904. When N. S. Pratt was candidate for mayor he took an active interest in promoting his election and was closely associated with him during his term of office. Mr. Jesseph represented his party in a number of county and state conventions ard served as secretary of the democratic county central conmiittee of Stevens county in 1894, and during the campaign of 1904 covered the territory of Spokane county with Judge Prather. He was also a member of the county central committee for the five years previous to the spring of 1911. He is prominently mentioned in connection with the superior judgeship in 1912. In 1890, while he was residing in Pueblo, Colorado, he was a member of the National Guard of Colorado. He also holds membership in the order of the Moose, the Inland Club and the Chamber of Commerce. As a speaker he is strong and forcible, clear in expression and always commanding attention. His mind^ too, has been trained in the severest school of reasoning imtil close investigation has become habitual with him. By reason of personal worth, professional skill, political responsibility and his close conformity to a high standard of ethics in both private and public life he has gained a prominent place in the regard of those who know him.

Carroll Smith, M. D. '

In the seven years of his practice as a physician and surgeon Dr. Carroll Smith has been located in Spokane and his standing with the profession is indicated in the fact that for four years of this period he has been honored with election to the office of secretary of the Spokane Medical Society. His birthplace is far off, for he is a native of Conover, North Carolina, his natal day being November 27, 1878. His parents, William P. and Candace C. (Stine) Smith, removed from Conover to Rosalia, Washington, in 1892, and the father is now a prominent ranchman of Whitman county, taking an active and helpful part in the promotion of the ag^cultural and stock-raising interests of that section.

In his youthful days Dr. Smith was a pupil in the public schools of North Carolina and afterward continued his studies at Oakesdale, Washington. It was bis ambition and intention to become a member of the medical profession and to that purpose he entered the University of Idaho for a preparatory course, matriculating subsequently for the medical course at the medical department of Northwestern University at Chicago, graduating with the class of 1904. In the fall of the same year be came to S]>okane and opened an office, having since remained in this city. His work has won gratifying recognition in a constantly growing practice and two years ago he was made chief medical inspector of the public-school children, having been one of the originators of this admirable system for the prevention of disease in Spokane. In manner he is genial and the hopeful attitude which he maintains often proves most inspiring in the sick room. He seems to recognize the mental as well as physical condition of his patients and knows just how to direct thought so as to give nature the best opportunity to utilize remedial agencies in the restoration of health. That the medical profession of Spokane have appreciation for his ability and his strict conformity to professional ethics is indicated in the fact that, beginning in 1907, he was annually elected for four successive terms to the oflSce of secretary of the Spokane Medical Society, of which he is a member. He likewise belongs to the Washington State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Smith also holds membership in the Spokane Country Club and the University Club. He is well known in this city where he has won many friends, the simple weight of his character and his ability carrying him into important professional and social relations.

Carl A. Pearson

Willingness to apply themselves to the tasks which come to hand and practical economy are qualities characteristic of those of Swedish origin. These qualities are essential to anyone to enable him to meet the conditions he finds in the business world and pave the way for a prosperous career. They are salient characteristics of Carl A. Pearson, whose birth occurred in Sweden, on the 6th of September, 1860. He is a son of Carl and Helena (Peterson) Pearson, both of whom were also bom in Sweden. The father, whose death occurred in 1908, was actively connected with lumber interests and was also one of the incorporators of the first match factory. He was prominently known in his precinct, occupying a position corresponding to that of mayor in one of our American cities. The mother is a descendant of a prominent family and during her residence in Dunkehallar was well known for her charity work. At present she is residing in Jonkoping. They were the parents of three children: Carl A., the. subject of this review; P. O., who is residing in Sweden; and Anna, who is the wife of A. G. Anderson, a contractor of Seattle.

Carl A. Pearson received more than ordinary educational advantages. After pursuing the course of studies offered in the common schools he entered the high school of Jonkoping, from which he was graduated and subsequently was in civil service in his native land for six years. He also entered the army for the required two years' service. At the age of twenty-one years he came to America and immediately located in the northwest. He first engaged in railroading for the Northem Pacific but after being in their employ for six years entered the hotel business at Superior, Wisconsin. After being thus employed for fifteen years he came to Spokane in 1901 and has since been engaged in the real-estate, mining and timber buying and selling business. He sold vast quantities of timber in Idaho and does a general real-estate business, dealing both in inside and outside property. His operations cover territories in three states, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. His ambition has led him to seek opportunities also in the mining business and he is interested in the Mineral Hill Mining Company of Porthill, Idaho, of which organization he is secretary and treasurer. This property has been under development and some of its ore is about ready for shipment. There are nine claims, their ralne being in copper, silver and lead. They are well equipped with shafts and sereral tunnels to a depth of two hundred and seventy-five feet. Andrew Stenseth, of Spokane, is president of the company and M. Strandberg, also of Spokane, is vice president. It is incorporated for a million and a half under the laws of the state of Washington, its head offices being in this city. Mr. Pearson is also interested in other mining properties and has been the medium of many transfers. He was one of the organizers of the Surety Investment Company and is at pgresent serving as its president and manager. This company deals in general real estate, mines and timber lands. When Mr. Pearson came to this country he brought with him those qualities - perseverance and economy - which could not help but assure him of eminent success. Having been equipped with a good education before leaving Sweden, he used this training to good advantage in this country and engaged in such pursuits as those with less scientific training might have found unsatisfactory. At the time of his arrival in the Spokane country he found little more than a comparatively insignificant civilization but, believing in its future expansion and greatness, he was confident that he would not go amiss in confining his energy and efforts to this vicinity.

At Superior, Wisconsin, Mr. Pearson was married, in October, 1898, to Miss Hilda Sward, a daughter of Gustav Sward, of Sweden. They had twin daughters^ of whom Alfhild survives. In politics Mr. Pearson gives his support to the republican party and during his residence in Wisconsin was very active in political drdes. He served on county and state committees and as delegate to state conventions. He also held the position of supervisor in Douglas county for two years. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Swedish Lutheran church of this city. Mr. Pearson is one of the few freeholders of Spokane and as such enjoys the privileges which are accorded to a few of the early residents of this city. His officers are at 120% Wall street.

John Henry Shaw

John Henry Shaw, who is president of Shaw & Borden Company, one of the largest stationery, printing and engraving houses in Spokane, and dealers in bank supplies, is a native of New England. He was reared in the eastern states and there pursued his education in the public schools. As soon as he put aside his text books he learned the printer's trade, and has since managed and edited several publications. Previous to coming to the state of Washington he was in the government employ in Washington, D. C, for several years. In 1890 however, he left the east and came to Washington where he helped establish the firm of which he is now president. He has been a resident of this city for several years daring which time his ability has won public recognition on various occasions when he has received appointments on commissions which have id do with the upbuilding of this section of the country. He was one of the honorary commissioners appointed by the Chamber of Commerce of Spokane and he was a member of the delegation from the Associated Chambers of Commerce of the Pacific Coast which went to China in the interests of the general business of the western section of the country and to see what could be done to establish closer and better trade rela* tions between this country and the far east. It is due to the Spokane Chamber of Commerce that Mr. Shaw went with Mr. Held of the Boston Chamber of Commerce when that association asked that Massachusetts be represented^ the governor of Washington appointing Mr. Held. Mr. Shaw was also a member of the committee which went to Europe to invite the Chambers of Commerce of Europe to attend the international meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of 1912 which is to, be held in Boston. While they were abroad they spent some time in examining the trade relations and in visiting the various manufacturing and commercial centers of the continent.

Fraternally Mr. Shaw is a Mason. He has been coronated a thirty-third degree Mason of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite^ and has served as grand commander of the Knights Templar of his state. Vitally alive to the questions and issues of the day he is always ready to give to his city that service which is due as a public-spirited citizen.

Dr. Charles F. Eikenbary has become recognized as one of the foremost practitioners of orthopedic surgery on the Pacific coast and his continuous study has kept him abreast with the most advanced representatives of that branch of the profession. He is actuated in all of his professional service by high ideals and by broad humanitarian principles and his labors have brought him a measure of success that is indeed creditable, desirable and well deserved. He was born in Eaton, Ohio, January 30, 1877, a son of Peter S. and Calista E. (Crandall) Eikenbary. His father was very prominent in republican politics in Ohio and for years filled the office of recorder, his continuance in the office being evidence of the faithfulness and ability with which he discharged the duties that devolved upon him. He was afterward made steward of the state hospital at Dayton, Ohio, and is now living retired at Eaton.

After mastering the branches of learning taught in the public and high schools of Eaton, Dr. Eikenbary entered the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and on a foundation of broad literary learning has builded the superstructure of his professional knowledge. He was a student in Rush Medical College of Chicago for a four years' course, which he completed in 1903. He afterward went to New York and served for one year as interne in the New York Hospital for Ruptured and Crippled. On the expiration of that period he returned to Chicago where he practiced his profession for three years, coming thence to Spokane in the spring of 1907. While he has broad general knowledge of medicine and surgery he has specialized in his reading and in his work in orthopedic surgery and at the present time limits his practice to that field. He is the only specialist in this line between Seattle and St. Paul and has built up a very large practice, patients coming to him from a wide territory. His ability is acknowledged by those prominent in the profession and such has been his research and investigation that his opinions have come to be largely regarded as authority upon anything relating to his special branch.

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On the 5th of October, 1904, Dr. Eikenbary was married in Eaton, Ohio, to Miss Edna Fisher, a daughter of Judge Elam and Mira (Still) Fisher. They reside at No. 603 East Ermina avenue and have two children, Calista and Edna. Dr. Eikenbary belongs to Tyrian Lodge, No. 96, F. & A. M., but is not active in dub life nor in political circles. He has preferred rather to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties and is a member of the Spokane County and Washington State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. However Dr. Eikenbary has not been unmindful nor neglectful of his public duties and so well is his interest in civic affairs understood by his fellow citizens that in December, 1911, he was honored by election to membership on the board of education of the city of Spokane. He has very wisely, industriously and conscientiously developed the talents with which nature endowed him and the unremitting industry which he has displayed in acquainting himself with the principles of the profession has brought him to a conspicuous, prominent and honored position in connection with his chosen life work.

Lee Weeks

Lee Weeks, who is interested in promoting mines and whose offices are in the Realty building, was born in Vermilion, South Dakota, February 26, 1876, a son of Canute and Caroline (Nelson) Weeks, of Norwegian and Scottish lineage respectively. The father, who is at present residing in Vermilion, is a land owner and capitalist, the foundation of whose fortune was laid in the purchase and sale of land and cattle. He arrived in the territory of Dakota at the age of nineteen years and later joined Company B, Dakota Volunteers, as lieutenant, serving during the Indian wars. He has been a member of the state legislature since South Dakota's admission to the Union. He is a director of the Clay County National Bank and of the First National Bank, and has served as regent of the University of South Dakota. Throughout the state Mr. Weeks is well known because of the responsible positions of trust and political preferment which he has held. The mother, who was bom in New York, died in 1895. Her brothers took part in the Civil war and her sister is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. To Mr. and Mrs. Weeks six children have been bom: Lee, who is the subject of this review; Nelson, county auditor and clerk of Vermilion, South Dakota; Martin, who has charge of the home farm at Vermilion; Mamie, the wife of Charles C. Gunderson, a railroad attorney of Vermilion ; and Anna and Nellie, both of whom also reside at Vermilion.

Lee Weeks made his home in South Dakota until 1907. He pursued his education in the public schools of that state and subsequently was a student in the University of South Dakota, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1898. After the completion of his college course he remained at home until 1907, when he came to Spokane and engaged in the real-estate, insurance and loan business, representing his father's interests in the latter. He has been engaged in this business up to the present time and his operations are principally along the lines of loans, insurance and buying and selling acre tracts. His success has been remarkable.

Mr. Weeks brought the Story Homeward tracts, which are situated west of Spokane on the Medical Lake Railroad, on the market, and has disposed of one hundred and thirty acres. He also put the Vineland acre tracts on Moran Prairie, southwest of Spokane, on the market. This property is almost entirely disposed of. But he has not confined his interest to real estate. He is also dosely connected with various mining propositions, assisting in the development of mines in New Mexico and acting as general manager of the Jalisco Gold Mining Company. The property of this company consists of two claims in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, one of which, the North Extension, contains about forty acres of ground, and the other, the South Extension, about fifteen acres. Between these two tracts there lies one of the richest gold mines in the state of Jalisco. Mr. Weeks is also vice president of the Lost Horse Company in southern Idaho, the property of which consists of three silver and copper claims, all now under development. Al~ though the ore is low grade there are large bodies of it and the company has shipped quantities of it to Salt Lake. That Mr. Weeks is interested in industries other than real-estate and mining is evidenced by his position as manager and director of the Multitype Machine Company and his secretaryship of the Farmers Union Realty Company. These various business enterprises have brought him substantial success and he is today enjoying not only the personal satisfaction which is felt by every man who succeeds in his business undertakings but is also reaping the financial reward which is his as a result of the earnest and persistent labor which he has expended according to the most modern and scientifically approved methods.

Mr. Weeks is a democrat and has served as delegate to both county and state conventions. He was at one time assessor of Clay county. South Dakota. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the" Episcopal church. Fraternally he holds membership in the Masonic order of South Dakota and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Pocatello, Idaho. He is also a member of the University Club of South Dakota. Realizing at an early point in his career that success depends upon the individual and not upon his environment, he has developed his native talents by exercise in the active affairs of business life and has long since passed beyond the ranks of the many. He stands today among the successful few.

Dr. Joseph Edward Gandy, a Spokane capitalist, whose identification with the city dates from the spring of 1880, has through his business activity proven a most potent factor in the work of upbuilding and development here. The evidences of his sound business judgment and judicious investments are found in many of the substantial buildings of Spokane and his devotion to the public welfare is evidenced by the fact that he was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce and has been a substantial and generous supporter to a large number of public projects.

Dr. Gandy was bom at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, August 24, 1847, a son of Thomas and Minerva (Ross) Gandy. In the year 1848 the father removed from

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Philadelphia to Wisconsin when he engaged in teaching school^ in farming and in other occupations. His wife was a descendant of Edward Carpenter Ross^ who came to this country from Scotland in 1670 and settled in Vermont. Subsequently representatives of the family removed to Ohio and in 1836 when a young girl, Mrs. Gandy accompanied her parents to Linn county, Iowa. She afterward made a visit to Wisconsin and there met Thomas Gandy who sought her hand in marriage. They resided for a few years in the Badger state and then removed to Linn county, Iowa, in 1849. It was in that county that Dr. Gandy largely spent his youthful days and acquired his preliminary education in the district schools. On the 10th of May, 1864, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company D of the Forty-fourth Iowa Infantry when a mere boy in his teens. With that command he served until the close of the war and took part in several engagements in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. He was one of the youngest soldiers of the northern army but his fearlessness and loyalty were equal to that of many a veteran of twice his years.

When the war was over Dr. Gandy returned home and completed a classical course in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1870. He then took up the study of medicine in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was graduated from the medical department with the class of 1878. For two years thereafter he practiced at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and in 1875 arrived in Washington, settling first in Tacoma, where he engaged in practice for five years. In 1879, when a member of the territorial legislature from Pierce county, he supported and was a leading ^actotf i^ the; dii-ision of Stevens county, thereby creating Spokane county a^* tettig0i^rijl(y< j^st^Sblishing the county seat at Spokane Falls, which was later removed to Cheney.

Dr. Gandy dates his residence in 9pokanp,froir\^tbe sprihg of 1880, at which time the population of the city numbered '.but'two' hundred arid fifty. It had already entered upon a period of rapid growth, however, for in the previous year its inhabitants had numbered but one hundred. There were only three stores in the settlement and the little village showed every evidence of being upon the frontier. Dr. Gandy at once purchased a plat of land near the corner of Howard and Front streets, where the Union block now stands, and thereon erected a building. Since that time he has been very active and prominent in the building operations of the city and the evidences of his progressive and enterprising spirit are seen in many of the substantial structures here. In 1883 he was associated with Moore & Goldsmith, R. W. Forrest and E. B. Hyde in building the first Union block of Spokane, which was the second brick building erected in this city and stood at the southeast comer of Howard and Front streets. The year after his arrival here Dr. Gandy was also appointed surgeon for the United States army and filled that position for two years, at the end of which time he resigned to continue in the private practice of medicine until 1889. His building operations have long continued and have been an important feature in Spokane's development. Among some of the later structures which he has erected were the two Union blocks, the building now occupied by Tull & Gibbs, the Gandy block on Sprague avenue and the new Hotel Willard, which is at the comer of First and Madison streets and is one of the modem hostelries of the northwest. He has also figured in connection with financial affairs here, for he was one of the organizers of the Exchange Naticmal Bank, also of the Citizens National and the Big Bend National

The life history of Dr. Gandy if written in detail would present a most faithful picture of pioneer conditions and experiences in this section of the country. In 1877 together with five other men he made a trip on horseback from Tacoma to the Yakima and Pasco country. They crossed the Cascade mountains and followed the McClellan path through Natches Pass to old Yakima City. From that point they traveled all over what is now Klickitat and Benton counties, coming out on the Columbia river and thence returning to Yakima. This was during the period of the Nez Perces uprising. There are few men capable of s{>eaking with as much authority upon matters connected with the history of eastern Washington as Dr. Gandy, for not only has he been an interested witness of all the events and changes which have occurred but has also been an active factor in the work that has wrought the wonderful transformation which has evolved the splendid civilization of the present day from the wilderness of pioneer times. Moreover, he has been active in shaping the political history of the state, for in 1877 he was first elected a member of the territorial legislature from Pierce county, in which he served a term of two years. Following the admission of the state to the Union he was elected a member of the general assembly in 1889, in 1890 and in 1893. He was a member and the first president of the Spokane city council in 1882, serving one year. In 1884 and -1885 he was chairman of a committee which was organized for the purpose of collecting funds and building good roads, eight thousand dollars being secured in three months, and he had charge of the expenditure. So satisfactorily was the work accomplished that the farmers solidly supported the measure to remove the county seat from Cheney back to Si>okaDe, which was accomplished by a large majority. In 1885 and 1886 Dr. Gandy was one of the principals in raising by subscription one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars to build the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railroad into Spokane; was a member of the committee; and subscribed one thousand dollars besides personally soliciting funds. In 1887 he was a large subscriber to the Great Northern Railroad fund for the purpose of buying the right-of-way for that road through Spokane and also Mr. Corbin's railroad in 1898, this being the Spokane Falls & Northern, which was subsequently absorbed by the Great Northern - ^the Hill system. About 1896 he also subscribed largely for the fund to purchase the ground for Fort Wright. In politics Dr. Gandy has always been a stalwart republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party as factors in good government, yet never placing partisanship before the general welfare nor personal aggrandizement before the public good.

Dr. Gandy has been married twice. By the first marriage there were two children: Hon. Lloyd E. Gandy, a prominent attorney of this city; and Mary Leona Gandy, now living in Seattle. On the 28d of January, 1902, Dr. Gandy wedded Harriet Ross, widow of the late Andrew J. Ross. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., of which he is a past commander, and at the present time is medical director of the department of Washington and Alaska. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and was a charter member and the first vice president of the Spokane County Medical Society. He was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce and is prominent in the Pioneer Society, which he served as president in 1910. No history of Spokane and the Inland Empire would be complete without extended and prominent representation of Dr. Gandy, for his record as a soldier^ as an official, as a medical practitioner and as a business man has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good-will of all with whom he has been brought in contact, his private activities and his public service winning him high encomiums from his fellowmen.

While one of the younger medical practitioners of Spokane, Dr. J. Glen Harbison has given proof of his knowledge and ability in the line of his chosen profession and has thereby won substantial recognition of his ability in a growing practice. He was bom at Springfield, Illinois, July 12, 1881, and is a son of William H. and Ida E. (Sanner) Harbison, the former an architect and contractor of Springfield. He directed his son's education which was acquired in the public and high schools of his native city. In a review of the different professions and commercial and industrial interests in search of a congenial life work. Dr. Harbison at length determined to enter upon the practice of medicine and in preparation therefor became a student in Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, in which he completed the regular four years' course and was grculuated in the class of 1905. His first actual experience came to him as interne in the Cook County Hospital of Chicago, where he remained for a year and a htdf. He then pursued a post-graduate course in the medical department of the University of IllincMs, which granted him a diploma in 1907. In the summer of the same year he came to Spokane where he has since followed his profession and has a growing practice. College training today supplies young men with knowledge that previous generations had to acquire through the slow and painful process of practical experience, and splendidly equipped for his profession. Dr. Harbison has had no difficulty in convincing the public of his ability and winning a fair share of the pubhc patronage.

Along professional lines Dr. Harbison is connected with the Spokane County Medical Society, the Washington State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He also belongs to the Royal Highlanders and his religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Central Christian church.

James A. McLean, who has been interested in engineering feats in the northwest since 1887, was born in Canada, east of Toronto, on the 8d of June, 1866, a son of John and Isabella (Clark) McLean, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The father died in 1906 at the age of eighty. The mother removed to Canada as a pioneer in 1888, when she was but sixteen years of age. Her death occurred in 1908. To their union seven children were born: James Archibald, the subject of this sketch; Alexander, a resident of Oakland, California; Samuel A., who resides in Chesaw, Washington ; John N., a resident of Nez Perce, Idaho ; Alice Isabella, the wife of Charles Spotswood, of San Jose, California; Maggie, the wife of John Blaine^ of Toronto, Canada; and Catherine Jean, who is the wife of Charles Steffins, also of Toronto, Canada. The paternal grandfather of James A. McLean served for twenty-one years in the British army and was captain of his company for many years and participated in several important battles.

James A. McLean pursued his education in the common schools of Canada. When he had completed his studies he removed to Montana and was employed in railroad construction work. In 1887 and 1888 he was engaged in building railroad for the Montana Central between Butte and the ttmnel. After completing this piece of work he went to the Coeur d'Alene country and built railroad for the Northern Pacific known as the Missoula cutoff. While in that part of the country he was also engaged in opening up the Grouse mine on Chloride Hill. In 1892 he moved to the west side of the Cascade mountains and built a portion of the Great Northern main line. In 1 893 he built a portion of the Fort Shepherd & Nelson Railroad near Nelson, British Columbia. The following year he went to California and engaged in building a railroad from Monterey to Fresno and subsequently he moved to Shasta county, where he built a road from Keswick to Iron Mountain. In the autumn of 1896 he went to Trinity county, California, and erected eleven and a half miles of five-thousand-inch fiume and nine thousand feet of tunnel. This undertaking covered a period of about two years and at the expiration of that time he went to British Columbia, where he took a construction contract on the Columbia & Western between Brooklyn and Gladstone. After completing this he went to Idaho, building a portion of the Clearwater Short Line, then purchased a sawmill and took out one hundred thousand ties for the Northern Pacific Railroad. He then engaged in building railroad at Republic, Washington, and also at Rexford on the Great Northern. In the fall of 1906 he discontinued his connections with the railroads and entered the mining business. He acquired the Grant Consolidated Copper Mining Company, owning property at Chesaw, Washington. It comprises a group of ten claims, to which he has added ^ve more since he has been managing the company. They have developed twelve hundred feet of underground workings and have a hundred horse power plant, drifting at a depth of six hundred feet. The values of twelve car loads have six per cent copper and four dollars in gold and silver. One vein is fifty- four feet between the walls and the other is twenty-four feet between the walls. It has a granite foot wall, a lime-hanging wall and diorite filling. To Mr. McLean falls the task of developing this property and blocking out the ore. His exceptional ability is showing itself in the success he is having in finding the veins and bringing the ore to the surface. As soon as the railroad is extended to the property he will begin shipping the metal. He has also other mining interests and in these he is meeting with similar success.

On the 29th of December, 1897, Mr. McLean was married at Sacramento, California, to Miss Miriam W. Govan, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Govan. The father came to California from Philadelphia and is descended from the Scotch family from whom the town of Govan, in Scotland, derives its name. He moved to California as a pioneer and died at the age of eighty-three years, being the oldest member of the Veteran Odd Fellows some fifty years standing. His wife survived him three years and died at the age of seventy-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Govan were the parents of nine children, those surviving being: William, an officer in the state capital at Sacramento, California; Robert, a mining pro- moter and capitalist of Tonopah^ Nevada; Elias, who is connected with realestate and banking interests at Sacramento^ California; Agnes, the widow of Thomas B. Hall, whr was a wholesale merchant of Sacramento, California; Jeannle W., who is engaged in educational work in Sacramento, California ; and Miriam, who became the wife of James A. McLean, of this review. To Mr. and Mrs. McLean four children have been born: Miriam, Elise, Robert Govan and Jean. Mr. McLean gives his political support to the republican party* The family attend the Presbyterian church. Mr. McLean is prominent in Masonry, holding membership in Lodge No. 10, F. & A. M.; Nez Perce Consistory of Lewiston, Idaho; and El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane. He also belongs to the Illinois Conmierdal Men's Association. He is regarded as one of the most prominent mining promoters in Spokane and the benefits which many of his fellow citizens have derived from his advice have won him a large circle of admirers.

Thomas Hye

Thopoas Hye is engaged in the real-estate business in Spokane and is also interested in the Spokane Taxicab Company, the Northwestern Drug Company and other enterprises. This, however, does not cover the extent of his activities, which are many, and are of an important character, contributing to the development and progress of the communities, in which they are located. Mr. Hye is recognized as an alert, enterprising business man, and his determined purpose enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he attempts.

A native of Rhode Island, Mr. Hye was born in Providence, February 20, 1868. His father, Frank Hye, was of Irish lineage, but was a natire of Providence and became a prominent and influential resident of his home town, where he served as city councilman. He was a soldier of the Civil war, with the Second Rhode Island Infantry and continued at the front throughout the long struggle. His death occurred in 1898, while his wife survived until 1905, passing away in Spokane. She bore the maiden name of Catherine Golden and was bom in Ireland. She belonged to a prominent Irish family that later became well known in Rhode Island, where many representatives of the name are still living. The tiiree brothers of Thomas Hye are: Frank, who is connected with the mining industry at Elk City, Idaho; Leo, who is night cashier with the Washington Water Power Company; and William, with the Spokane Taxicab Company. The sisters are: Mrs. Mary Carlin, of Spokane; and Mrs. Agnes Plummer, who is now traveling in Europe.

In the common schools of his native city Thomas Hye mastered the branches of learning, which usually constitute the public-school curriculum, completing his studies in the high school at Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Turning to business life he first engaged in merchandising in Bernalillo, New Mexico, and afterward turned his attention to mining in that state in 1879. He subsequently was again identified with mercantile pursuits until 1884, when he entered the employ of a mining company in Copper City, New Mexico, which pursuit claimed his attention for five years. In 1889 he went to Denver, Colorado, where he spent almost a year, and in September, 1890, located at Farmington, Washington, where he again conducted a mercantile enterprise. In 1892 he bought out the Farmington Trading Company, conducting business until March, 1897, when he disposed of bis stock and removed to Spokane. His first identification with business interests here was as proprietor of a billiard hall in the basement of the Rookery building, the first exclusive billiard hall in the city.

* In 1899, Mr. Hye made a trip to Dixie, Idaho, to open some mining property, and there with his associates built two mills and did considerable development work. Mr. Hye still retains his interest in the North Star Group there. For the past nine or ten years he has been engaged in the real-estate business, trading, buying and handling his own properties. He makes a specialty, however, of trading and exchanges, and has become well known as an operator in real estate in Spokane. At one time he owned the Albion block on Howard street, also the Franc block on Front avenue, which was afterward torn down by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. He has also owned several apartment houses on Post and Third, and on Augusta and Lincoln streets. He buys and sells all the time and his operations here have been an important feature in real-estate activities in Spokane.

Aside from his Spokane interests, Mr. Hye is a heavy stockholder in a group of mines in Coeur d'Alene, now being developed, the property being locatal on Eagle creek, near Murray. He also owns much other mining stock and he is interested in the Washington Brick & Lime Company, the Idaho Lime Company and in other corporations and business projects. He is one of the heaviest stockholders in the American Manufacturing Company, making pumps, water wheels and wrenches, with a factory on Division street. They are in control of fourteen different patents and they also put out a rotary pump. In fact all of the things manufactured are made from their own patents, including current motors, wrenches and other devices. Of this company, which is incorporated for two million dollars, Mr. Hye is the secretary and treasurer, with Charles L. Kik, of Spokane, as president; and Walter L. Elkins, of Spokane, as vice president. Mr. Hye is likewise interested in the Patent Holding Company, owning the Diamond Cai^ riage Works, and in the Inland Improvement Company, operating in land in and near Spokane. He is also vice president and one of the largest stockholders of The Iceless Refrigerator Company.

On the 1st of June, 1896, at Farmington, Mr. Hye was married to Miss Mattie Fultz, a daughter of Matthew Fultz, a pioneer of California and of Washington, who crossed the plains to the former state in 1849, and came to Washington at a very early day. He was of German descent and is now deceased. Mrs. Hye's mother, who after her first husband's demise married David Delaney, is an adopted daughter of Marcus Whitman and one of the survivors of the dreadful Whitman massacre. Mrs. Delaney *s sisters are: Mrs. Kate Pringle, deceased, who was prominently known in the northwest; and Mrs. William Helm, of Portland, Oregon.

In politics Mr. Hye is a democrat and active in the party work. He has served as delegate to county and state conventions and as a member of county and state central committees, acting in the former capacity, and has done much to aid his friends in obtaining office. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, in which he has filled all of the chairs and is now a past chancellor and past deputy grand chancellor. In the Odd Fellows society he has also filled all of the chairs in the local lodge, is a past grand and past chief patriarch. In the Woodmen of the World he is past counselor commander and he belongs to the Eagles and to the Chamber of Commerce. He went to New Mexico in the pioneer epoch in the history of that state and became largely familiar with frontier life there, owing to the unsettled condition of the country, the Apaches being very troublesome at that time. Since then he has been connected with pioneer experiences in Tarions sections of the country and his labors have always constituted an effective element for progress and improvement.

Robert C. Sweatt

Robert C. Sweatt, a Spokane architect whose well developed powers have foond expression in the erection of some of the fine buildings of the city, was bom in Chicago, December 8, 1872, a son of John B. and Elsie L. (Carlisle) Sweatt, who were then residents of Chicago and since 1903 have made their home in Spokane, where the father is engaged in the contracting and building business.

In the public and high schools of his native city the son acquired his education and pursued his architectural course in Columbia University of New York city. He afterward went to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where he followed his profession for about three years. In 1904 he came to Spokane, where he entered into partnership with Lewis R. Stritesky, under the name of Stritesky & Sweatt, the junior partner being in charge of the designing department, while Mr. Stritesky superintended and building operations. In 1906 the firm was dissolved, since which time Mr. Sweatt has practiced his profession alone. Among the principal buildings which the firm designed and erected were the Shoshone county courthouse at Wallace, Idaho, the Westminster apartments of this city and the Schade Brewery Company's buildings. Since the dissolution of the partnership Mr. Sweatt has designed the new Peyton building, the Children's Home, the Lever Hotel and the Knights of Pythias temple here, and one of the more recent of his works has been the Spokane County Tuberculosis Hospital. He is also the oiScial architect of the school board and under his supervision the city is making plans to completely revolutionize their future school buildings.

Mr. Sweatt has never held public ofiice but has been actively identified with the insurgent republican party and was one of the leaders in the contest for a commission form of government. He was a member of the committee and chairman of the sub-committee on meetings that directed and carried on the fight and finally succeeded in securing the adoption of the commission plan.

Mr. Sweatt is pleasantly situated in his home life, having been married on the SOth of September, 1896, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Miss Jennie Odegard, of that city, a daughter of John and Maren Odegard. Her mother is still living but her father, who was a teacher and educator by profession, has been dead several years.

In Masonry Mr. Sweatt has attained the Knights Templar degree and he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge. He is a member of the Inland Club, the Spokane Society of Social and Moral Hygiene, is a director of the

Town and Country Club and a trustee of the First Universalist church. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the executive committee on the first Enakops carnival and a member of the executive committee who will have charge of the new Auditorium to be erected in Spokane. He has entered into all progressive public measures and is a champion of the city and her welfare.

Edward James Cannon

Well versed in all departments of the law and especially proficient in corporation law, Edward James Cannon by the consensus of public opinion is placed in a foremost position among the distinguished attorneys of Spokane and at the same time is active in control of important invested interests. He was born on a farm near Wamerville, Juneau county, Wisconsin, February 21, 1866, a son of James and Eliza (Noonan) Cannon, both of whom were of Irish lineage. The maternal grandparents were both natives of Ireland and Michael Noonan, the grandfather of Eliza (Noonan) Cannon, was a civil engineer and overseer of public works in the south half of Ireland during the famine times. His wife reached the remarkable old age of one hundred and nine years. James Cannon has devoted his life to farming and now makes his home in Cresco, Iowa. His family numbered eleven children, the brothers of Edward James Cannon being: Harry, who is a prominent physician and surgeon of St. Paul; John M., an attorney of Ritzville, Washington; George, who is practicing law in Minnesota; and James, who is engaged in the insurance business in Minneapolis. The daughters of the household were: Mary, the wife of M. A. Montague, who is engaged in the land business in Iowa; Lyda, the wife of P. M. Daly, in the interior department of Washington, D. C. ; Marcella, the wife of Thomas Gerraghty, an attorney of Valdez, Alaska; Margaret, the wife of Frank J. O'Rourke, of Freeport, Illinois, who is assistant editor of a daily paper there; and Theresa and Katherine, at home.

When Edward J. Cannon was a lad of eight years the family removed to the Hawkeye state and following the acquirement of his more specific literary education he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, in the fall of 1887 and there entered upon the study of law in the office of Thompson & Taylor, who directed his reading until his admission to the bar on the 1st of June, 1890. He then entered upon the practice of his profession in St. Paul, where he remained until January 1, 1906, when he came to Spokane, having received the appointment of division counsel for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company for that portion of the line extending from Paradise, Montana, to the Columbia river and including all of its branches. In this capacity he still continues and at the same time is counsel for the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railroad from Pasco eastward. In addition he practiced in partnership with Arthur B. Lee, the firm pursuing a general practice and enjoying a high reputation for ability in the profession. Since that time changes have occurred in the firm and there are now six lawyers in the office. They represent seven of the casualty companies doing business in Spokane and Mr. Cannon is also attorney for the First National Bank of Hillyard and the National Bank of Commerce of Spokane. As division counsel of the Northern Pacific he has twelve hundred miles of road under his legal direction and is legal adviser for altogether two thousand miles of road.

Edward J. Cannon Spokane And The Inland Empire 237

In addition to his other railway connections he is attorney for the Camas Prairie Railroad and the Washington^ Idaho & Montana Railroad. In the field of corporation law his work has been of a very important character. He is also attorney for the Stanton Padding Company and attorney for various irrigation companies^ and probably no firm in Spokane has a more extensive corporation practice. They employ their own court stenographer and their own claim agent. Outside the strict path of his profession Mr. Cannon has extended his efforts into other fields and is now president of the First National Bank of Hilly ard and a director of the National Bank of Commerce of Spokane. He is also president of the New World Life Insurance Company and acts as its counsel. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land^ on Half Moon prairie^ which is devoted to the raising of fruit.

On October 9^ 1890, at St. Paul, Minnesota, Mr. Cannon was married to Miss Helen L. Appleton, a daughter of James B. and Louise (Walker) Appleton, of Osage, Iowa. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cannon, Louise Marie, Helen Eliza and Marcella. At 416 East Rockwood boulevard is situated the family home, over which Mrs. Cannon graciously presides and where she dispenses cordial hospitality to the numerous friends of the family who are wont to gather there for many a pleasant hour.

Mr. Cannon is well known in social connections as a member of the Spokane, Spokane Country and Inland Clubs and is a life member of the Spokane Athletic Club. He likewise belongs to Spokane Lodge, No. SS8, B. P. O. E., and the Eaiights of Columbus, in which he has held all the chairs. He is also connected with the Chamber of Commerce and his cooperation i^. given to every movement instituted by that organization for the benefit and upbuilding otth^ city. His entire life has been characterized by continuous advanceni|ent. Every step in his career has been a forward one and the thoroughness with which he has mastered every task and performed every duty constitutes the secret of his success. In the law he has never failed to give careful preparation and a keen analytical mind enables him to readily determine the salient points in a case and apply legal principle and precedent correctly. In the field of business, too, his sound judgment has manifested itself in judicious investment and the wise control of his interests.

At the age of fourteen years W. J. Kommers could not speak a word of the English language; today he occupies an enviable position in the world of finance as a representative of banking interests in Spokane. The heights to which he has risen in his business career indicate a life of intelligent and well directed activity and a thorough mastery of the tasks he has undertaken. He was bom in Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, January 13, 1872. His father, Mathias Kommers, was bom in Germany and was the son of a prominent German citizen and military officer. In early life Mathias Kommers came to the new world and for many years was engaged in general merchandising but is now living in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He had one brother who served in the Civil war and was wounded in the strife. Mathias Kommers was united in marriage to Margaret Wolf, a native of Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, and a member of a family that was represented in the Revo- lutionaiy war and also in the Civil war. She^ too^ is of German descent and it was the language of the fatherland that w'as spoken in the Kommers home^ where the family included five sons and three daughters^ the brothers of our subject being: Adolph^ now of Spokane; Louis, living in Wabeno, Wisconsin; Alphonse, a resident of Antigo, Wisconsin; and the Rev. Joseph Kommers, of Hortonville, Wisconsin. The sisters are Mary, Angeline and Anna, all residents of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

W. J. Kommers was educated in Mount Calvary, a resj^cted rural community of German settlers, to the age of fourteen years when he was sent to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he attended the Pio Nono College, pursuing a commercial course, which was completed by graduation with the class of 1889. The following year he accepted a position as bookkeeper for a hardware company in Superior, Wisconsin, where he remained for a year, when the Northwestern National Bank was formed with Mathias Kommers as one of the stockholders, and his son, W. J. Kommers, was given the position of messenger in the bank, to serve the fif st year without salary. He remained with that institution in various capacities for twelve years, serving during the last four years as its cashier. In 1902 he came to Spokane to join D. W. Twohy, who with his associates was at that time perfecting the purchase of the Old National Bank. He has since been connected with these gentlemen, becoming assistant cashier but having more particularly in hand the interior organization and development of the bank. He spent much of his time in advertising the institution and bringing it to public notice, had charge of the working force and systems of the bank and assisted also in the credit department. In the fall of 1909 the growth of the bank made it necessary to find new quarters and the new site and the erection of a building for the Old National Bank and all the details were placed in charge of Mr. Kommers. The volume of business that developed in this connection was so great that he was practically disassociated with the work of the bank in the conduct of his daily interests for the next two years, his labors only ending with the complete rental of the building and an organization developed to operate it. Prior to this undertaking he was given carte blanche for three months and traveled all over the country, studying architecture and planning the details of the bank and its offices. His suggestions and ideas were accepted, for the officials recognized that he thoroughly knew the needs of the bank and possessed, moreover, knowledge concerning the requirements of office tenants in the city. The responsibility ef fixing the rental space of every square foot in the immense building and putting it on a paying basis was his. His work was completed on the 1st of January, 1911,. when the Old National Bank moved into its new home. Without relinquishing his position as assistant cashier of the Old National Bank and also continuing to serve as assistant secretary of the Old National Bank Building Company, Mr. Kommers was elected to the cashiership and directorate of the Union Trust & Savings Bank, an institution allied to the Old National Bank and conducted under practically the same ownership. He is so engaged now and is serving the same interests. He has always displayed special fitness for the building up of organizations to rank with the representative business enterprises of the northwest and has given special attention to the question of publicity, believing that judicious advertising is one of the potent elements in success. To bring to the knowledge of the people the institutions which he has represented, their purposes, their plans and their merits, has been on^ of the chief features of his business activity^ as for instance when the first column of steel was set for the Old National Bank building fifty per cent of the space in the building had already been rented and signed up. Architects say that this is a record unprecedented in the annals of office building erections and Mr. Kommers has won a deserved reputation thereby.

On the 21st of September, 1897, in Superior, Wisconsin, Mr. Kommers was united in marriage to Miss Louise Klinkert, a daughter of J. A. Klinkert, retired, of Superior. Mr. and Mrs. Kommers have become parents of three children: Wilham A., Henry K. and Margaret, all in school. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Kommers is president of a German club, a newly organized society called the Spokane Arion Society, composed of the representative Germans of the city. He is also a member of the Spokane Athletic Club and the Inland Club, is vice president of the Loyola Athletic Club and a trustee of the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and in politics is a republican where national issues are involved but at local elections casts a ballot independent of party affiliation. His entire life has been characterized by a continuous progress that has brought him to an enviable position in financial circles. He has made a most thorough study of business conditions and opportunities and has contributed not a little to the success of the banking interests with which he is connected. His colleagues and contemporaries recognize his force and ability and entertain for him the warm regard which is ever the expression of a recognition of individual merit and worth.

James B. Valentine

Working at the forge in his early boyhood, then advancing slowly but steadily and surely step by step as he proved his worth, ability and enterprise, James B. Valentine is today at the head of several important business projects in SpK)kane and at the same time his labors have constituted a factor in public progress. His woric in securing the appropriation for the opening of the Columbia river from BridgepK)rt to Kettle Falls is indeed commendable and the value of his labor in this connection can hardly be overestimated. It is characteristic of him that all through his life his private interests and public work have been given their due relative pro]K>rtion of time and effort.

One the 26th of January, 1868, James B. Valentine first saw the light of day in Scotland. His parents, Stewart and Isabella (Grieve) Valentine, were also natives of Scotland and representatives of old and well known families of that country. The father died in March, 1908, and the mother on December 28, 1911, in Montrose, Scotland. In the family were four sons and two daughters: James B.; Charles W., a resident of Heppner, Oregon; David and George, who are living in Scotland ; Mrs. Jane Stone, a widow, residing at Montrose ; and Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Falconer, of Elzell, Scotland.

James B. Valentine was educated in the common schools of Scotland and in that country learned the blacksmith's trade, devoting four years to its mastery. He afterward spent a year in Edinburgh and then came to the United States. For a 8h(Mrt time he remained in Boston, Massachusetts, but in 1886 became a resident of etistern Oregon. For two years he followed his trade, proving himlself not only a capable but also a reliable workman. In January, 1888, however, he went overland to the Big Bend country, where he took a preemption and timber claim eighteen miles northeast of Waterville. There he continued to work at his trade on his own account until the fall of 1 892, when he was elected to the office of sheriff, occupying that position until the spring of 1897. He then removed to Bridgeport, where he engaged in the hotel business until the spring of 1898, when he became a resident of Spokane. Just before his removal to this city he organized the Bridgeport Land Company, owning thirty-two hundred acres, and was actively engaged in the development of that project as general manager until after they brought water to the district and all of the ditches were finished. He still retains his official connection with the enterprise and is also secretary of the Bridgeport Developunent Company, owning seventeen hundred acres just outside of Bridgeport. When success has been achieved in one project he extends his efforts to still other fields and is now closely and prominently associated with various business enterprises, which are important elements in the work of general development and improvement here. He organized the Arctic Cold Storage Warehouse Company in March, 1909, becoming its vice president, and in April, 1911, organized the Merchants Produce Company, of which he is the president. Both companies are incorporated. He handles cold storage products and the warehouse has a capacity of one hundred and fifty carloads for cold storage and two hundred and fifty carloads for dry storage. The Merchants Product Company conducts a general commission business and ships east and to all parts of the country, mixed and straight carloads of fruit. Like most of the settlers of the northwest, Mr. Valentine was at one time interested in mining, having done some prospecting in 1890 and 1891 but afterward he retired from that field. He is interested in the Washington Bond & Mortgage Company, of which he was one of the organizers, in the spring of 1910, and of which he is the secretary and treasurer. This company has commodious quarters in the Empire State building and deals principally in Washington farm loans. He is likewise connected with the Bridgeport Highlands Orchard Company, owning property six miles north of Bridgeport.

In his political views Mr. Valentine is a stalwart republican, active in the party which he has represented in county and state conventions and also serving as a member of the county and state central committees. He filled the office of sheriff of Douglas county from 1893 until 1896, inclusive. It was then a new and generally lawless district and he saw some hard service and had considerable experience in the four years in which he filled the office but he succeeded in reducing lawlessness and crime to a minimum and many of his official acts have made history in that county. Perhaps his most important public service has been done as one of the river commissioners, appointed by the state government in 1909 for a term of two years. In that connection he was instrumental in securing an appropriation of fifty thousand dollars for opening up the Columbia river from Bridgeport to Kettle Falls. He worked, as a member of the commission for about a year and a half on the river, purchased the steamer Yakima and good equipment and in the meantime secured a one hundred thousand dollar appropriation from the government, with the understanding that the commission would loan the boat and its equipment for the service. This they did and in addition returned five thousand dollars to the government when the work was completed. Steamers are now run- ning between the points named and the work of opening up the river has been of immense valae to the district. The accomplishment of this task is due to quite an extent to Mr. Valentine^ whose public spirit prompted him to give his time and effort to a work which he recognized as most essential in the development of the district^ affording cheap and excellent shipping facilities.

In October, 1899, Mr. Valentine was married to Frances Scully, of Wenatchee, Washington, a daughter of William D. Reeder, an old soldier and pioneer of that country, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. The four children of this marriage are : Isabella, Etta and James, who are in school ; and Howard, at home. The family attend the Presbyterian church and Mr. Valentine is a member of the blue lodge of Masons at Waterville and of the shrine and consistory at Spokane.

He is also a member of the Spokane Lodge of Elks, No. 228. He has returned to Scotland for a visit to his old home, friends and family, but has the strongest attachment for the land of his adoption and its institutions, recognizing the fact that this is a land of opportunity where the road to usefulness and success is open to aU. A man should never be judged solely by what he has accomplished but also by the distance between his present position and his starting point. The record of Mr. Valentine viewed in this way shows his life of industry to be one indeed worthy of emulation, admiration and respect. Starting out as a boy at the anvil, he is today active in the control of many important projects which are factors in the progress and upbuilding of the northwest.

Samuel H. Friedman

In a history of Spokane's self-made citizens, mention should be made of Samuel H. Friedman, who established his home here in 1890 and in the intervening years to the time of his death made steady progress in a business way, owing to his indefatigable energy, his firm determination and keen sagacity. He was born in Illinois, January 14, 1865, and pursued his education in the public and high schools of Atlanta, that state, until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he became clerk in a general mercantile store. Gradually he worked his way upward and from his earnings saved such sums as he could each year until in 1887 he had acquired an amount sufficient to enable him to engage in merchandising on his own account.

After three years, however, he disposed of his interests in the middle west and came to the Pacific coast, settling in Spokane, where he established a loan business. In 1891, in company with P. E. Fisher and A. J. Reise, he purchased the Cascade Laundry, then a small plant with only a few employes and but one delivery wagon. The business prospered, however, and grew steadily. They not only controlled a large portion of the trade of this city and surrounding district but also established branch offices in many of the towns of eastern Washington and Idaho and were given the patronage of the dining and sleeping cars of the Great Northern Railroad Company. Mr. Friedman was ever alert and watchful, carefully guarding the interests of his business, and his reliable methods and the excellent work which ^W8 turned out by his establishment constituted the chief forces in its success. He ^''W an enterprising, progressive man, possessing the determination and energy needful for upbuilding and maintaining a large business undertaking. He became one of the trustees of the Spokane Laundry Association and was a member of the executive conunittee of the Oregon & Washington Interstate Laundry Association. He continued actively in business until his death.

In Atlanta^ Illinois^ on the 19th of November^ 1884^ Mr. Friedman was married to Miss Lillie M. Reise^ a native of that town and a daughter of Augustus J. and Elizabeth (German) Reise^ who were both natives of Germany and on coming to America settled in Atlanta^ Illinois, the father devoting his life to farming in that part of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Friedman was bom a daughter, Helene E., now the wife of W. Lament Barnes of the Fidelity Bank.

The death of Mr. Friedman occurred on the 28th of August, 1904. Fraternally he was prominently identified with the Masonic order, holding membership in Tyrian Lodge, No. 96, F. & A. M., the Royal Arch chapter and the council, and he was also a life member of the Spokane Amateur Athletic Club. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he took an active and helpful interest in the welfare of the city. He was one of the best known men of Spokane and all who came in contact with him recognized that he was most kindly in spirit. His genial disposition won him the love of many and his well spent life proved that success is ambition's answer.

Charles H. Merriam

In the practice of law and in the field of real-estate operations Charles H. Merriam has won more than local recognition. He is closely associated with the work of upbuilding the west and yet he has never been so busy with his individual interests that he could find no time for cooperation in military affairs or public projects. He is now giving much of his time to a railway project which if completed will mean a valuable asset in the opening up and development of the great region lying between Portland and Spokane. The entire width of the continent separates Mr. Merriam from his birthplace, for he is a native of Maine, bom November 10, 1859. He was reared to manhood in that state and in the acquirement of his education completed a high-school course and afterward spent three years in study in the University of Maine. In 1 887 he went to Fort Robinson, Nebraska, where he served as assistant mechanical engineer for a time, and then proceeded to Fort Laramie, Wyoming, where he served as chief mechanical engineer until 1 889. That year witnessed his arrival in Spokane where he entered upon the study of law under the direction of his brother, Willis H. Merriam. A few years were devoted to a further course of reading and in 1891 he was admitted to the bar of Washington. He entered upon the active work of the profession and was steadily building up a good practice in Washington and Idaho, when his labors were interrupted by his service in the Spanish-American war. With the outbreak of hostilities between this country and Spain he enlisted in Company A of the First Regiment of Washington Volunteers, leaving Spokane on the 80th of April, 1898. He was mustered into the service on the 9th of May and on the 28th of October, left San Francisco for Manila, where he arrived on the 2d of December. He was stationed in the Paco district of Manila and on the 19th of January, 1899, was transferred to Company h, participating with that command in all of the engagements of the First Washington^ his services being characterized by faithfulness and valor. He received special mention from Colonel WhoUey and also a written recommendation for a commission in the volunteer service^ in recognition of the distinguished aid which he had rendered at the capture of Pateros on the 14th of March, 1899. He was one of eight who brought boats up the Pasig river in the face of a murderous fire for the purpose of conveying the remainder of the command across, and assisted in making the crossing, the regiment being under fire all the time.

With the other members of his company Mr. Merriam was mustered out No- Tember 1, 1899, at San Francisco, whence he made his way to Spokane and resumed the practice of law. He reached this city on the 6th of November and in January, 1900, was appointed deputy county clerk under James L Drain, afterward adjutant general of the state. He continued in that office until January 15, 1901, when he formed a partnership with Charles F. Uhlman under the firm name of Uhlman & Merriam for the conduct of a real-estate business. In that connection he was one of the organizers of the railroad company known as the Spokane & Columbia River Railroad Company, of which he was elected secretary-treasurer. They obtained the water-power site now being improved by the Washington Water Power Company near La Prey bridge, known as Long Lake. Later Mr. Merriam sold his interest for Eve thousand dollars. Since then he has largely been connected with the mayor's office, especially with Herbert C. Moore, acting in the capacity of his private secretary. He was also clerk for two terms in the state legislature, both in the house and the senate. Mr. Merriam has always been prominently identified with the republican party and has been a popular campaign speaker, doing much to further the interests of the organization. He is now particularly active in connection with the development of Spokane and the Inland Empire, doing everything in his power to promote the welfare of this portion of the country. At the present time he is laboring earnestly to promote the electric railway enterprise, involving in the neighborhood of eight million dollars. If the project is carried out successfully it will mean the expenditure of twenty million dollars and will connect Spokane and Portland. In the meantime he continues in the practice of law and in his real-estate operations and is interested also in promoting an irrigation project in connecticAi with the railway project. He is likewise interested in mining and is engaged in the development of a gold and silver property on Palmer Mountain, Okanogan county, Washington.

On the 1st of May, 1901, in Jackson, Michigan, Mr. Merriam was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Westren, a daughter of Philip D. and Elizabeth Westren, the former a farmer of Jackson. They now have one child, Jennie E. Merriam, bom May 22, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Merriam hold membership in St. Matthew's Episcopal church, in the work of which he is much interested. He is a member of the church club, is chorister of the church and is a licensed lay reader under the bishop. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all of the chairs, and is now a past grand. He also belongs to General Charles King Camp of the Spanish War Veterans and at one time served as chaplain but has resigned. His preliminary military experience came to him before the Spanish-American war for prior to going to the Philippines he had been appointed captain of Company G, of the Second Regiment of the National Guard of Washington, serving with that rank until he resigned in order to remove to

Idaho and practice law. He is also affiliated with John A. Logan Camp^ No. i, of the Sons of Veterans^ of which he has served as past captain. He likewise holds membership with the Eaiights of Malta and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. In politics he has always been an active republican^ giving loyal support to the party in his efforts to secure the adoption of its principles which he deems most conducive to good gpovernment. His activities and interests have thus covered a broad field and have been especially effective factors in promoting the interests of the community and the state along many lines. He is a man of marked enterprise^ laboring earnestly in behalf of whatever he undertakes^ and his sound judgment^ guiding his indefatigable industry^ brings to successful conclusion many of the projects with which he is associated.

Mark Wood Merritt

Notable among the proprietors of heavy landed interests in Washington is Mark Wood Merritt, of Rosalia, Whitman county, now living a life of comparative retirement. He was bom in Pike county, Missouri, October 4, 1854, his parents being Thomas and Susan (Suddreth) Merritt, both natives of Virginia. The Merritt family is of French origin, the grandfather, Nicholas Merritt, and the great-grandfather both having been born in France. The latter took part in the Revolutionary war and the grandfather, who settled in Maryland, was a soldier in the War of 1812.

Mark Wood Merritt was educated in the common schools of Pike county, Missouri, and pursued his studies until 1878, when he devoted his entire time to assisting his father in the work of the farm, thus continuing until 1877. In that year he rented a farm in Missouri and continued farming on his own account in that state until the spring of 1882, when he decided to remove to Whitman county, Washington. After arriving in this state he settled two miles east of Rosalia where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land and from time to time increased his holdings until he now possesses eight hundred acres in that community. He also owns twenty thousand and eighty acres in Douglas county, Washington. He has given a great deal of attention to the raising of stock, his specialty being the breeding of fine horses of which he owns one hundred and fifty-three head. During his active career as a horse breeder he achieved a national reputation having sold his horses in all parts of the United States. Another important branch of his farming activity was dairying, his operations along that line being quite extensive. Beside the heavy landed interests Mr. Merritt possesses, he is also a director of the First National Bank of Rosalia, a director in the Rosalia Telephone Company and a director and the president of the Rosalia Supply Company.

Mark Wood Merritt was married to Miss Edna Wells in Pike county, Missouri, in 1878. She is a daughter of William E. and Martha (McCoy) Wells, both natives of the state of Missouri. To this union were born four children: Henry, residing in Whitman coimty, who is married and has two sons; Martha, the wife of Allen McClaine, of Pearl, Washington, and the mother of two daughters; Richard, yet at home; and Jesse, who died at the age of nineteen years.

Spokane And The Inland Empire 247

The political allegiance of Mr. Merritt is given to the democratic party ^ for the measures and candidates of which he always casts his vote and he has held the office of road supervisor for eight years. He also takes a great interest in educational matters^ having been a member of the local school board for twelve years. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order and of the Woodmen of the World. He is also active in his membership in the Commercial Club of Rosalia.

Prime factors which have conduced to the attainment of Mr. Merritt's unusually prosperous and useful business career have been his great business ability^ his ontiring industry^ his habits of economy and the wise direction and management of the properties which he began to accumulate comparatively early in Ufe. He started out in the business world single-handed and alone to carve a career which logically followed as the result of his own well directed efforts along business lines. He had the courageous spirit in abundance and was not afraid to make investments which his common sense and intuition told him would prove profitable. He reveled in work^ took a keen interest in the management of his business affairs and gave unflagging attention to all the details which a business life entails. After serving his community and in fact the district at large in the useful ways outlined above Mr. Merritt has been enabled at a comparatively early time in life to retire from the active and more onerous duties which he followed long and successfully. In return he is now enjoying life, surrounded by an extensive circle of warm personal and business friends among whom he has always been held in the highest esteem and regarded with the greatest respect. "

Developing business conditions have made commercial training a necessity. In this age when everything is done with a rush and where rapid and accurate results must be obtcuned in order to meet competition each individual should be thoroughly qualified for the duties which devolve upon him, and to meet the need for thoroughly trained help the commercial college has been established. Today the Northwestern Business College of Spokane is regarded as one of the foremost educational institutions of the northwest and as its president Mr. Higley has given to this section of the country a school of particular merit. He has lived in Washington for fourteen years, having come to Spokane in 1897. He was then a young man of about thirty years of age, his birth having occurred in St. Charles, Minnesota, November 24, 1867. His parents were Francis M. and Maria E. (Chamberlain) Higley, of that dty, where his father conducted business as a hardware merchant save that at the period of the Civil war he res]K>nded to the country's call for aid and served at the front with Brackett's Battalion of the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. He passed away many years ago, but the mother of our subject is still living.

As a public-school student of Minnesota, Miles M. Higley passed through consecutive grades until he became a high-school student and later he attended the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Illinois. Recognizing the need for business training among the young people of the country, he went to Marinette, Wisconsin, where he opened a commercial school, which he conducted with gratifying success from 1889 until 1897. In the latter year he sold out and came to Spokane, thinking to find a still broader field of labor in this rapidly growing section of the country. He purchased the Northwestern Business College from its founder, E. H. Thompson, and inmiediately began to reorganize and build up what is uniformly conceded today to be the best business college in the northwest. In 1899 the company was incorporated with Mr. Higley as president and general manager and Clinton P. Brewer as secretary. The faculty now numbers ten instructors, day and evening classes are maintained and there are three distinct courses of study. Their attendance numbers about seven hundred pupils each year, coming to them from the Dakotas, Montana, Oregpon, Idaho, Washington, Oklahoma and British Columbia. It is estimated that the college is the means of bringing from one hundred and fifty thousand to one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars to Spokane each year. The system of instruction is most thorough and graduates are qualified to take up responsible positions in the business world. Already many of their students are making for themselves creditable names and positions as factors in the commercial life of this and other cities.

On the 19th of April, 1897, Mr. Higley was married to Miss Mae F. Shields, of Marinette, Wisconsin, a daughter of Charles £. and Josephine (Wilson) Shields, of that city. They were pioneer residents of the Badger state, where Mr. Shields was engaged in the lumber trade. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Higley have been born a daughter and a son, Florence Lucille and Warren, who are with their parents in a beautiful suburban home which stands on a block of fourteen acres at Glenrose. Its hospitality is proverbial and its good cheer is enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Higley is greatly interested in the welfare of Spokane, proof of which is found in his earnest cooperation with the various projects and plans of the Chamber of Commerce for the upbuilding of the city. He belongs to the Rotary Club and to Imperial Lodge, No. 134, I. O. O. F., but is perhaps best known ou^tside of bis college connections in the Masonic fraternity, his membership being with Spokane Lodge, No. 84, A. F. & A. M.; Spokane Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M.; Spokane Council, No. 4, R. & S. M.; Cataract Commandery, No. 8, K. T. ; Oriental Consistory, No. 2, A. A. S. R.; and El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He has ever held to high ideals in the conduct of the college and has the ability to inspire pupils and teachers with much of his own zeal and interest in the work.