Spokane, Washington - History, 1912 (part 9 of 23)

A year afterward, in 1890, Thomas H. Brewer left his position as office boy with the Rochester & Pittsburg Coal & Iron Company at Walston, Pennsylvania, and came to Spokane. He realized the benefit of commercial college training and here attended the Spokane Business College during the months of December. 1890, and January, 1891, receiving therefrom a graduate's diploma. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper with John P. 'V^ollmer, of Lewiston, Idaho, in June, 1891, but after two months was transferred to Vollmer, Idaho, now Troy, where for two years he acted as bookkeeper and assistant manager of Mr. Vollmer's store. In 1893 he was transferred to Genesee, Latah county, Idaho, becoming bookkeeper and collector in Mr. Vollmer's store at that point and in February 1894, he was appointed cashier in Mr. Vollmer's private bank - the First Bank of Genesee. The work there was not very arduous, for the bank at that time had less than five thousand dollars on deposit. In December, 1894, the manager of the Vollmer store at Genesee, which was run in connection with the bank, resigned and Mr. Brewer was then made general manager of the store, serving in the dual capacity of manager and bank cashier until August, 1897, when he organized the Genesee Exchange Bank at Genesee, Idaho. For eight years he served as its cashier and was then elected to the presidency, which position he still fills. Seeking a still broader field of operation along banking lines he came to Spokane in !May, 1906, as vice president of the Fidelity National Bank and two and a half years later resigned and was elected vice president of the Exchange National Bank of Spokane. In January, 1911, he organized a syndicate which took over most of the stock of the Fidelity National Bank to which Mr. Brewer then returned as president. In addition to his presidency of the Fidelity National and of the Genesee Exchange Bank he is vice president of the First National Bank of Pullman, Washington, and of the Security National Bank of Cheney, Washington, and is a director of the First National Bank of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and of the Trustee Company of Spokane. His ability enables him to readih' and successfully solve complex business problems, especially in the field of banking. He has been a close student along that line, has made himself familiar with the condition of the country and its business prospects and his sound judgment of men and affairs constitutes one of the chief forces of his success.

It was in 1904 that !Mr. Brewer was married to Miss Winifred Walbridge, a daughter of George J. and Ella (Merritt) Walbridge. To Mr. and Mrs. Brewer have been born two children, boys, Lawrence Walbridge, in 1909, and Robert Thomas in 1911. Mr. Brewer is well known in fraternal and club circles. He belongs to Oriental Lodge, No. 74, F. & A. M., and Imperial Lodge, I. O. O. F., also to the Spokane Club and the Inland Club. He is likewise a member of the Westminster Congregational church of Spokane, is one of the trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association and is treasurer of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, all of which indicates the nature of his interests and the high purpose which dominates him in his private and public life. His aid can always be counted upon to furtlier any movement for the material and moral progress of the city and for its upbuilding and the exploitation of its resources and opportunities. The progressive steps in his life are easily discernible and eacli forward move has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. He has never left anything to chance but has labored to acquaint himself with every phase of business with which he has been connected and thus has gradually advanced to the prominent position which he occupies as a representative of banking interests in Spokane.

E. F. Cartier Van Dissel

In business circles E. F. Cartier Van Dissel is notable by reason of his executive ability which has been manifest in the organization and management of important industrial enterprises. He has been a resident of Spokane since 1897 and is now the president of the Phoenix Lumber Company, operating a sash, door and box factory. Their enterprise has enjo.ved substantial growth, bringing them into close connection with the material progress of this city.

Mr. Van Dissel is a native of Holland, born January Si, 1863. His parents. Dr. E. D. Cartier and Mary (Jongeneel) Van Dissel, were also born in Holland, where the father still makes his home, recognized there as a prominent physician. He has engaged in practice for sixty years and in his profession is following in the footsteps of his father. His wife died in 1900. In his family are three sons and seven daughters, the brothers of our subject being: P. ]\I. Cartier Van Dissel, vice president of the Phoenix Lumber Company, who makes his home in Springdale, Washington; and Dr. M. C. Cartier Van Dissel, a practicing ph3'sician of Holland. His sisters are: Mrs. E. Kerkhoven, a resident of Spokane; Mrs. Vos, Mrs. Warsinck and Mrs. Eling Schwurman, all of Holland ; Mrs. A. Klinkert, the wife of Dr. A. Klinkert, a physician of Holland; and Miss A. C. Cartier and ^liss A. Cartier Van Dissel, who also make their home in that country.

E. F. Cartier Van Dissel pursued his education in Arnham, Holland, and in early life engaged in the nursery business. He was married on the 22d of December, 1890, to Anna Elizabeth (Kolif) Van Oosterwyk, a native of Holland, and, wishing to use his time and talents to the best advantage in a business career, he soon afterward came to America, believing that its opportunities were broader than could be secured in his native land. It was in the year of his marriage that he arrived in California where he became manager of the Holland Colony at Fresno. Seven years passed in that state and in 1897 he came to Spokane to make a report of the possessions of the Amsterdam Trustees Kantoor. The company at that time owned the waterfalls which later passed into the possession of the Washington Water Power Company. In the development of the interests in his charge Mr. Van Dissel in 1898 established the Phoenix Sawmill which was then controlled by a foreign corporation which, however, was changed to a Washington corporation in 1906, under the name of the Phoenix Lumber Company, of which Mr. Van Dissel became president, having previous to that time served as manager. His brother, P. M. Cartier Van Dissel, became the vice president, with R. Insinger as secretarytreasurer; Frank Post, of the firm of Post, Avery & Higgins as trustee; and I'lver M^yn Lang as trustee for the Holland interests. The business has been developed along modern lines and the plant now comprises sawmills, a sash and door plant, a box factory and planing mills. The capacity is one hundred thousand feet of lumber per day. These factories are supplied with the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work. The company also owns seventy thousand acres of timber land in Stevens comity which they operate at present from their own railroad, bringing the raw product to the mill. They established business with a capital of thirty thousand dollars and something of the growth of their undertaking is indicated by the fact that the enterprise is now capitalized for eighty-five thousand dollars. Their trade is mostly local although they ship to some extent to the eastern states, their output going as far as Pittsburg. The growth of the business is notable even in this district of rapidly developing enterprises and its splendid success is attributable in large measure to the executive force, keen sagacity and discrimination of the president. In addition to his other interests he is a director of the Spokane & Eastern Trust Company, of the Western Union Life Company and the Fidelity Building & Loan Association, and is interested in North Yakima irrigation projects.

Mr. Van Dissel is also connected with other projects of a more public character. He is now chairman of the board of trustees of the National Apple Show, is a director and was one of the organizers of the Interstate Fair and is a trustee of the Chamber of Commerce, taking an active interest in the civic matters of the chamber. At all times he gives his cooperation to practical and well planned measures for the public good and, bringing to bear the wisdom of a practical business man, his efforts in behalf of the public progress have been far-reaching and effective. He is an enthusiastic advocate of the northwest and its opportunities, and has never regretted the fact that business interests brought him to the coast, for he here found the chances which he sought and has continuously advanced in those fields where energy and perseverance, intelligently directed, always reach fruition. Those who meet Mr. Van Dissel in social connections find him a genial gentleman of unfeigned cordiality and these qualities have made him popular among the membership of Spokane Lodge, No. 228, B. P. O. E., the Spokane Club, the Spokane Country Club, the Seattle Athletic Club, the Inland Club and the Spokane Tennis Club, to all of which he belongs, his membership therein indicating in considerable measure the nature of his recreation and interests outside of business.

Thomas F. Spencer

Active and energetic, Thomas F. Spencer closely watches every opportunity for the attainment of legitimate success and has made constant progress since starting out in the business world on his own account. He is now secretary of the Kelley- Clarke Company, wholesale grocery brokers, import and export commission merchants. He was born in San Francisco, April 24., 1862, his parents being Aaron G. and Mary (Tuite) Spencer, the former a mining engineer of that city, who came across the plains from Syracuse, New York, during 1850, and for many years operated several placer gold mining companies in the northern part of California. They directed the education and training of their son, who was a pupil in the public schools, until having passed througli consecutive grades, he became a high-school student, graduating in San Francisco. When his text-books were laid aside, he was employed in the commissary purchasing department and later in the o])erating department of the Southern Pacific Railroad for several years.

Spokane And The Inland Empire 291

During the spring of ] 890, with his brother Frank A. Spencer he came to Spokane and entered into business ; this was the first branch founded by that company although several others have since sprung into existence. Later they opened and established houses in Portland, Seattle and Tacoma, associating, in the three cities named, with Charles H. Clarke, and for several years conducted the business as Spencer-Clarke Company. Later Frank A. Spencer withdrew, joining as manager and junior partner, the old and well known firm of Allen & Lewis, of Portland, Oregon, who have been in the wholesale grocery business for nearly half a century. On January 1, 1901, the business of the Spencer-Clarke Company of Portland, Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane and the house of Philip F. Kelley, of Seattle, were consolidated, greatly enlarged and incorporated as the Kelley-Clarke Company, under which title they have since conducted the business, in 1905 adding and opening another house in San Francisco, from wliich office the business in California is handled and conducted. The Kelley-Clarke Company is today one of the largest concerns of its kind in the United States, having over one hundred and fifty representatives in the eastern jobbing markets as well as direct resident, and selling and buying representatives in all the important European and Oriental cities. They make a specialty of all kinds of canned goods and in the year 1911 their sales will exceed three million cases ; their annual business is approximately thirty million dollars. They now have houses in San Francisco, Portland, Spokane, Seattle and Tacoma, with associate houses in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia. They are the sole selling agents for the Northwestern Fisheries Company, operating fourteen salmon canning plants in Alaska, as well as selling agents for a number of Puget Sound and Columbia River salmon packers, and distributing approximately a million cases of salmon annually. They are Pacific Coast representatives for the Proctor & Gamble Distributing Company, of Cincinnati, the Beaver Soap Company, of Dayton, Oliio, tlie Merrill-Soule Company, of Syracuse, New York, and Hollirooks Limited, of Birmingham, England ; they are also representing in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, the Western Sugar Refining Company, The California Fruit Canners Association, the D. Ghirardilli Company, of San Francisco; the Louisiana State Rice Milling Company's seventeen rice mills, Spencer-Kellogg & Company, Buffalo, New York ; Wm. Underwood & Company, of Boston ; Towle Maple Products Company, of St. Paul, Minnesota; John C. Siegfried & Company, of Kobe, Japan; Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company, of Muncie, Indiana; The Curtis Olive Company, of California and Godillot & Company of Bordeaux, France; and a number of California dried fruit and nut packers. They are also representing the Union Bag and Paper Company, Arbuckle Brothers, The Enoch Morgan & Sons Company, James Pyle & Sons, the Church & Dwight Company and Hills Brothers, all of New York city; the T. A. Snider Preserve Company, of Cincinnati; the Postum Cereal Company, of Battle Creek, Michigan; the O. & W. Thum Company, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Saint Charles Condensing Company, of St. Charles, Illinois; the Hutchinson Kansas Salt Company, of Hutchinson, Kansas; Douglas & Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; the Cream of Wheat Company, Minneapolis; Libby, McNeil & Libby, and tlie Quaker Oats Company, and Frazer Lubricator Company, of Chicago; the Riverside Mills of Augusta, Georgia; the Portland Cordage Company of Portland, Oregon, as well and a large number of eastern packers of corn, peas, canned fish and vegetables, and a number of large cereal and milling companies. The business lias been largely built up through the

In 1883 Mr. Spencer was united in marriage to Miss Minnie A. Spencer of San Francisco, and they have three children, Mabel, Genevieve and Sybil, who are with their parents at 427 Seventh avenue, in a pleasant home which Mr. Spencer built during 1907. He has always eschewed public office, and kept himself entirely free from any entangling political connections. He is, however, prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Oriental Consistory, No. 2, S. P. R. S. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce while in organizations of a more strictly social character he is well known as a member of the Spokane Club, the Spokane Country Club, the Spokane Tennis Club and the Rotary Club. He is one of those men who are never too busy to be cordial, and never too cordial to be busy.

Conrad Wolfle

Conrad Wolfle, president of the United Copper Mining Company, and also interested in the Florence Silver ^Mining Company, was born in South Dakota, September 27, 1871. His father, Conrad Wolfle, a native of Germany, is now living retired in Portland, Oregon, where he established his home in 1890. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Anne Mayer, was also born in Germany and is a resident of Portland. The sons and daughters of the family are as follows: Conrad, of this review; F. R., who is his associate in business; David H., professor in the high school at Bremerton, Washington; E. A., a resident of Ainsworth, British Columbia; Marie, residing in Portland; and Barbara, who married William Fredericks, of Irving county. Alberta.

While a resident of his native state Conrad Wolfle began his education in the public schools and afterward continued Jiis studies in Oregon. He first engaged in farming, leaving home in 1889, and later he worked on the railroad, his time being thus taken up with different pursuits until 1895, when he first arrived in Spokane. He went from here to Rossland, British Columbia, where he became actively connected with mining interests. He worked in the mines and acquired property and again in 1897 he came to Spokane. He reported on mines all over the western country from Arizona to British Columbia, including Nevada, Idaho, Montana, California and Oregon. He organized the Golden ^Monarch Mining Company in British Columbia which was incorporated with Mr. Wolfle as president and manager; F. E. Bobbins, vice president; and C. H. Claudius, secretary and treasurer. They own property in Ymir, British Columbia, and after the successful organization and development of that company Mr. Wolfle extended his efforts in other directions, organizing in 1905 the United Copper Mining Company of which he also became president and manager with W. G. Collins as vice president and Gale Smith as secretary and treasury. They own mines at Chewelah, five miles nortlieast of Spokane, there being ten claims in the group. Over six thousand feet of underground work has been done, including tunnel, shafts, drifts .and up-raises. The deepest work is six hundred feet and the width of the ore vein ranges from six to twenty-five feet. It has copper nnd silver values and of the low-grade ore six hundred tons shipped realized ten dollars per ton, while the high-grade ore brought from one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred dollars per ton. The}- shipped to Granby, Northport and Trail, making shipment to the last named place owing to a shut-down of the other two. The average output is one hundred tons per day. They have just completed a one hundred-ton mill for low-grade ores and their property is well equipped with all kinds of machinery, electric plants, shops, etc. The company also owns three hundred and twenty acres of timber land adjoining. Nearly all the work has been done on the ore and there is now being made a tunnel of thirty-five hundred feet which will give a depth of one thousand feet, and of this five hundred feet have been completed at the present writing. Mr. Wolfle is also interested in the Florence Silver Mining Company, owning property three miles north of Ainsworth, British Columbia. There are four claims containing a splendid body of ore, of galena, silver and lead values. Its property- is a promising one on which twelve men are now working, and shipment will begin in the spring of 1912. The United Copper Company has on its pay roll from thirtyfive to fifty men and is a close corporation, the greater part of the stock being held by Mr. Wolfle, Mr. Collins and Sidney Rosenhaupt. The company has made a number of displays at the Spokane and Seattle fairs and has been awarded a number of prizes for their exhibits every time they have been placed on display. The copper averages from two to three per cent in low-grade ore and in silver from eight to fifteen ounces, while in the high-grade ore the copper averages from eighteen to twenty-five per cent, from two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty ounces in silver, and from two to five dollars in gold. The recent ore chutes now opened, however, are averaging better than those formerly worked. Mr. Wolfle is interested in other mining ventures and owns in different parts of British Columbia several large tracts of land.

On the 29th of October, 1899, Mr. Wolfle was married at Ritzville to Miss Pauline Cook, a daughter of the Rev. Cook, minister of the Congregational church. Two children were born unto them but both are now deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wolfle are members of the Westminster Congregational church, in which he has served as a trustee for a number of years and in the work of which they are both actively and helpfully interested. Fraternally Mr. Wolfle is connected with the Maccabees and he is also a member of the Inland Club. His activities touch the general interests of society and he is known as a cooperant factor in many projects relating to the social, intellectual and moral progress of the community as well as to its material development. His ideals of life are high and he shapes his course in harmony therewith.

Patrick Clark

Patrick Clark, one of the best known mining men of the United States, was born in Ireland, March 17, 1850. He came to America in 1870 when a young man of twenty years, going to California and later to Butte, Montana, arriving there in 1876, where he became closely associated with INIarcus Daly, as foreman of the Alice mine. He later opened the Anaconda mine for Mr. Daly in the capacity of foreman and was associated with him for seven years. During the succeeding four years he was with ex-Senator Clark, of Montana, in his mining enterprises. Watchful of opportunity, he came to Spokane in 1887 and opened up the Poor Man mine in the Coeur d'Alene district. He was part owner of this and acted as general manager. Later he operated at Rossland, British Columbia, where he opened the War Eagle mine in association wth jMessrs.. Finch and Campbell of this cit}'. The Republic mine was also opened by Mr. Clark. His connection with some of the most famous mines of the country renders further comment concerning his position in mining circles needless. He has always concentrated his energies upon his mining interests and has been an extensive investor from British Columbia to Mexico. In 1877 Patrick ClaTk participated in the battle of Big Hole of the Nez Perces war, under Senator William A. Clark as major in command, with General Gibbons as commander-in-chief.

In 1881 in Butte, Montana, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Mary Stack and they have six children, three sons and three daughters, namely : Ella, the wife of Harry Richards, of Spokane; and Rhea, Katherine, Patrick, Jr., John Francis and James Blaine, all yet at home. Fraternally Mr. Clark is connected with the Elks Lodge, No. 228, of Spokane. His record is one of the notable examples of successful achievement attained by men of foreign birth who in early manhood have sought the opportunities of the new world.

Frank Truman Post

Frank Truman Post, of Spokane, was born on a farm near Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York, April 16, 1862, a son of John Fobes and Harriet (Lillie) Post. His paternal lineage is traceable to an early colonial period in New England, and one of his ancestors was Colonel Abraham Post, of Connecticut, who fought in the wars against the French and Indians. Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of Mr. Post, Oliver Post and David Lillie, were natives of northern Vermont, and, following the movement of emigration westward, went to St. Lawrence county. New York, where his father and mother were born, lived and died. His father, during the latter years of his life, was president of the First National Bank of Canton in that county.

Mr. Post received his early education in the country schools, was prepared for college in the union school of Canton, New York, and was graduated from the St. Lawrence University in the class of 1883 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In his junior year he took the Sherman Latin prize and Russell oratorical prize. He was a member of the Beta Theta Phi while at the university, and although there was then no chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa at that institution he was elected to the latter society after his graduation. His alma mater conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts. Upon the completion of his collegiate course he studied law in the office of Russell, Post & Robinson at Canton and in 188.^ was admitted to the New York State bar. He then took a special course of one year in the Harvard Law School. From December, 1886, to March, 1889, he practiced his profession at Lowville, Lewis county, New York. Removing at the date last named to Spokane, Washington, he soon became known for energy and ability in his profession. For some months in 1 893 he was corporation counsel, but he resigned that position because of the increasing demands of his private practice. Under the firm style of Blake & Post he was in partnership with Judge Richard B. Blake until the letter's death in 1900. He then organized the law firm of Post, Avery & Higgins, whicb still continues, occupying a leading .position among the legal copartnerships of the state of Washington. Mr. Post's practice has always been in the civil branches of the law exclusively, and he has been and is the representative of important interests.

Though his career has been confined strictly to this profession, he has participated somewhat actively, as a citizen, in political affairs. He is a prominent republican, has frequently figured in state and local conventions of the party, and in 1908 was delegate-at-large to the republican national convention at Chicago. He was president of the Spokane Countj" Bar Association in 1909 and 1910, and the Spokane University Club, 1910-1911, and is president of the Harvard Club of Spokane, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Society of Colonial Wars.

He married, August 17, 1893, Mary C. Phillips, a daughter of Henry A. Phillips, of Lowville, New York. They have two children, John Phillips Post and Harriet Christine Post, twins, born April 7, 1897.

William J. Hindley

The machinery of government is of little value if the men who occupy the public offices do not have strict regard for the duties and obligations that devolve upon them. The life history of William J. Hindley, mayor of Spokane, is that of one whose allegiance to the public welfare is unquestioned. In many fields of activity he has demonstrated his reliability and capability, all of which recommended him to his fellow townsmen as one worthy of high municipal preferment and capable of administering the public affairs of a rapidly growing western city. He is still a young man, his birth having occurred, November 10, 1872, in the parish house of a Congregational church in Ontario, Canada, of which his father, the Rev. John I. Hindley, was the pastor. His mother, Mrs. Hannah (Lister) Hindley, was a descendant of the famous Lord Lister's family of England and thus William J. Hindley has back of him an honorable and distinguished ancestry. His lines of life have been cast in harmony therewith, inasmuch as he has made good use of time and opportunity and has made his labors a serviceable factor in the world's work. He was only fifteen years of age when he crossed the border into the United States and supplemented his early public-school course by study in Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio. He, too, turned to the ministry and was ordained in 1893, being appointed to his first pastorate at Embro, Ontario. He afterward accepted a call from the congregation at Guelph, Ontario, and then, after preaching for nearly ten years, entered the home missionary field and in 1902 was sent to the northwest provinces and territories of Canada. While traveling in the interests of the church which he thus represented he often passed through Spokane and learned to like the city. The Pilgrim Congregational cimrch here extended to him a call in 1903 and, accepting it, he became closely identified with the interests of the city, contributing particularly to its moral development and growth , during the eight years of his pastorate. On the expiration of that period he stepped from the pulpit into polities and his labors in the latter field brought him at length to the mayoralty. He had always held to the broader thought that the pastor's work concerns the interests of the workaday world and became prominent in all public enterprises in this city, using his influence to maintain high standards in every connection. It was the better element of Spokane's citizenship which called him to the office which he is now filling and in which connection he is giving to Spokane a businesslike administration, characterized by retrenchment in needless public expenditure and by reform and improvement along many lines. iSIoreover Mr. Hindley has done important work in organizing the Associated Charities of which he was the first president. He was also the probation officer of the first juvenile court here, giving his services in that direction without remuneration. He has also been chaplain of the Chamber of Commerce of Spokane.

On the 2d of October, 1895, at Bellwood, Ontario, Mr. Hindley was united in marriage to Miss Ada McKee, a daughter of James and Ada (Martin) McKee, and they are now parents of three children, Berta, Margaret and Philip Martin. Mr. Hindley is prominent in Masonry and belongs to El Katif Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has had the distinction of being the first clergj'man potentate in the history of the order. He also belongs to the Elks Lodge of Spokane, No. 228, and to Imperial Lodge, No. 134, I. O. O. F. He is an attractive public speaker, having been endowed by nature with a gift of oratory, and receives calls from all parts of the Pacific coast to address different bodies upon various questions. His reading is broad and his close investigation enables him to speak with authority upon many of the vital problems of the day. His pleasing personality also adds to his popularity and association with him means elevation and expansion.

Charles William Mohr

The lumber industry was one of the early sources of income to the settlers of the northwest and has remained a chief feature in the progress and prosperity here. With this field of activity Charles William Mohr has been closely associated for more than a quarter of a century, now owning a lumber and shingle mill in Spokane. His birth occurred in Brown county, Minnesota, April 4, 1860, and he has always lived west of the Mississippi, his entire life being imbued with a spirit of western progress and upbuilding. His father, John F. Mohr, was born in Germany, was a farmer and carpenter, and as a young man came to the new world. Nearly all of the members of the Mohr family are professional men and are widely known. Paul Mohr has an extensive circle of acquaintances in Washington as a railroad builder and contractor and was associated with A. M. Kennan in building the Palouse road for the Northern Pacific and also the Spokane Falls & Northern road. Jolin F. Mohr followed carpentering, did much important work in the northwest and led a life of usefulness and activity until his labors were ended in death in 1894. Two years later his wife passed away. She bore the maiden name of Henrietta Muhs and was also born in Germany. Her father was a distinguished soldier of that land and after coming to this country took an active part in suppressing the Indian troubles in Minnesota. Unto John F. and Henrietta Mohr there were born three sons and a daughter Charles W. ; John A., a farmer, who divides his time between Spokane and Ritzville, and married Lizzie Schloman ; Robert A., who married Edith Beneke and is an electrician for the Washington Power Company, living in Spokane; and Edith, the wife of Louis B. Stutz, who is engaged in the insurance business in Spokane.

At the usual age Charles W. Mohr became a pupil in the public schools of his native state and after putting aside his text-books he spent a few years in farming in connection with his father. Later he turned his attention to the implement business and threshing, which he followed at New Ulm, Minnesota and at Milbank, South Dakota. He also devoted a part of his time to general merchandising until 1 883, in which year he came to the Pacific coast, making his way first to California, and in June of that year arrived in Spokane.

Here Mr. Mohr continued in the lumber and threshing business, operating a lumber mill and also doing threshing throughout surrounding districts. To this work he has practically devoted his attention throughout the period of twenty-eight years in which he has lived in Washington. In 1900 he extended the scope of his labors by adding a shingle mill in Spokane, which has a capacity of forty thousand shingles daily. The business has grown steadily and its substantial character has brought him a most gratifying return. His mill is located at the corner of Adams and Sharp avenue and his plant is well equipped. The first week in which he was in Spokane, Mr. !Mohr purchased real estate, investing in property just south of the Review building and since that time he has bought and sold real estate more or less. Moreover, he has been an interested witness of the growth and progress of the city and relates many interesting reminiscences concerning the rapid changes which have made the city of Spokane what it is today, for it had less than a thousand population on his arrival. He can recall the time when there was nothing on the north side of the river but a few shacks and one crossed the stream by means of a little wooden bridge. Foreseeing the growth of Spokane, he has invested quite extensively in property and in addition to his mill holdings has large real-estate interests here, which return him annually a gratifying income.

While the business interests of Mr. Mohr have been of growing importance, they have not prevented him from taking active and helpful part in many movements and measures which have contributed to the public good and on various occasions his fellow townsmen have called him to public office, where he has proven his worth in positions of trust and responsibility. He has taken an active interest in politics since attaining his majority and has always been an advocate of republican principles. While living in Brown county, Minnesota, he served as road supervisor and for several years he has been city councilman of Spokane, having been first elected in May, 1907, while in 1910 he was reelected for a two years' term in the fourth ward. The adoption of the new commission form of government the following May resulted in the new city commissioners taking charge. He was a member of the most important council the city has ever had. During his incumbency many measures of vital importance were passed, among these being one which provided for the construction of the ^Mission avenue bridge, the Olive avenue bridge, the Howard street bridge, the Monroe street bridge and two bridges over Hangman creek. It was also while Mr. Mohr was a member of the council that the whole water system, including stand pipes and reservoirs was established and nearly all street paving was done under that administration. The franchises of the Milwaukee and Northern Coast railroads were granted and the old city hall was sold and the new site was condemned, while plans for the building of the new sewerage system were approved. Mr. Mohr also served as city commissioner for three years and was deputy under Sheriff Pugh during his first term. He has been a delegate to county and city conventions, only missing twice in twenty-eight years, and several times he has been a member of the city central committee and for two years was a member of the county central committee. The progressive projects of the Chamber of Commerce for municipal benefit and for the promotion of material progress in Spokane received his hearty indorsement and he is regarded as one of the valued members of that organization.

One the 25th of April, 1883, Mr. Mohr was married to Miss Laura A. Stutz, a daughter of Conrad Stutz, a tinner and hardware man of Mankato, Minnesota. They now have four children: Jesse C, a mechanic, who is operating a shingle mill for his father; George W., who is a mechanic and is now employed as salesman at the Standard Garage in Spokane; Frank M., who is a chauffeur with Ham, Yeardsly & Ryrie; and Rosella, at home. The family attend the Methodist church and their influence is always on the side of right, truth and justice. Such in brief is the life history of Charles William Mohr, whose progress throughout his business career has followed in the wake of untiring energy and determination.

Dr. John G. Cimningham, a distinguished physician and surgeon of Spokane and one to whom the country owes much for his interest and practical efforts in the development of the Alaska coal fields, was bom in Winona, Minnesota, December 20, 1872, a son of John M. and Mary A. (Johnston) Cunningham. His father was a Minnesota farmer and is now living retired in St. Paul. Notwithstanding his eighty years he is still very active and in excellent health. The son was provided with liberal educational opportunities and received his professional training in Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1897 with the M. D. degree. He entered upon the practice of medicine in that city in connection with his brother. Dr. D. H. Cunningham, with whom he remained for a year and a half. Thinking, however, the far west would offer a better field, he came to Spokane in the fall of 1898 and here entered upon active practice. He has since remained a representative of the profession here and his ability has placed him in a foremost place as a representative of the medical profession of the northwest. He has made two trips to Europe, traveling extensively over that country, doing post-graduate work in various centers of medical learning and visiting all the leading hospitals and medical colleges of Europe and America. He specializes in surgery, is a member of the staff of the Sacred Heart Hospital of Spokane and is the surgeon of the Great Northern Railroad at Spokane.

Aside from his practice Dr. Cunningham has demonstrated his ability and resourcefulness in the field of business, in which prosperity has attended his efforts. He is the owner of large tracts of land and city property in and near Spokane and is also the owner of a large tract in the Horse Heaven country, being interested in the development of about thirty thousand acres there. He is largely responsible for the development of the Alaska coal fields, being the first one to send an expert there,, at his own expense, to explore and investigate the coal deposits of that country. With his associates he has spent upwards of three hundred thousand dollars in the exploitation and development of the coal mines of Alaska and in this connection displays marked courage and foresight in bringing to the attention of the world the great coal resources of the northwest. He and his associates undertook the work in a most systematic manner, planning wiselv for the opening of the country, the building of roads and the development of this great' industry. Dr. Cunningham is also interested with his brother, Clarence Cunningham, in the Coeur d'Alene mining district.

In his social relations Dr. Cunningham is widely known as a member of the Spokane Club, the Country Club, the Spokane Amateur Athletic Club and the Elks Lodge, No. 228, of Spokane. His geniality and his cordiality win him friends wherever he goes and he leaves the stamp of his personal worth upon all with whom he comes in contact.

On the 30th of June. 1904, Dr. Cunningham was united in marriage to Miss Claudia Petite, of Chicago, and they have a daughter, Margaret Claudia, born November 6, 1905. Mrs. Cunningham is a singer of note. She was at one time prima donna with the celebrated Bostonians and for the last two years has been studying grand opera in Europe with Cotogni, of Rome, as one of her instructors and was also a pupil under Professor Herman De Vries, of Paris. She made a very successful debut in grand opera in Rome, Italy, also sang before Queen Marguerita and received from Italian opera managers most flattering offers to return. She found that, contrary to the reports concerning the reception of American singers by the Italians, she was most favorably and enthusiastically received, her splendid vocal and dramatic power winning for her encore after encore. After singing before Queen Marguerita, whom she found very gracious and loveable, the queen presented her with a magnificent cluster of American beauties and appeared much interested in ]\Irs. Cunningham's replies to the queen's questions concerning her family. She has sung the principal roles in La Sonambula, Rigoletto, Traviata, Lucia and Madame Butterfly, and was asked by the Italian composer Storti to create the principal part in his new opera Venezia. She also appeared in concert in Rome and scored successes which have made her services sought by various managers. Dr. and Mrs. Cunningham have a most attractive home at No. 1722 Riverside avenue and are most prominent in social life in the city, aside from the prominence gained by the scientific attainment of the one and the artistic ability of the other.

Frank Johnson

Incontrovertible proof of the superior business ability of Frank Johnson as a building contractor is found in many of the largest, most substantial and most beautiful of the buildings in Spokane and this section of the northwest. He has also extended the scope of his activities to include the sale of lumber and his twofold business is now being carried on under the firm style of Frank Johnson & Son. his only son, William F. Johnson, having entered into partnership with Iiim. A native of Holland, he was born at The Helder, June 5, 1845, his parents being Frank and Suzanna Johnson. The father was killed in battle in the East Indian islands in 1849, while serving as captain of a battery of the colonial troops of the Holland army. The mother afterward became the wife of Daniel Baker and in 1852 the family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Baker, Frank Johnson and his brother John, who is now a lamp manufacturer of Cleveland, Ohio, came to the United States. They lived for two years in New York city and then removed to Buffalo, where, after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools and thus preparing for life's practical and responsible duties, Frank Johnson entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. He thoroughly mastered the business, becoming an expert workman. One of the most important chapters in the record of his early manhood covers his service as a soldier of the Civil war. When but seventeen j'ears of age he enlisted at Buffalo, on the 14th of August, 1862, in Company M, Eleventh New York Volunteer Cavalry, which constituted President Lincoln's bodyguard. His war record has been written up in the local press as follows:

"The regiment was on detail, directly under the orders of the secretary of war, to work in conjunction with the secret service department. It consisted of twelve hundred men and while part was detailed for the president's bodyguard, part was engaged as dispatch bearers to the front and on patrol duty in the city of Washington, D. C. It was the duty of its members to hunt up suspicious spies and marauders reported on by the secret service men. They were subject to be called on at any moment, day or night. Part of their duty was to reconnoiter the bands of the enemy, constantly on the alert at the outskirts of the capital, and thwart the threatened kidnaping of the president and his cabinet officers.

"During the summer Mr. Lincoln took up his abode at the soldiers' home, about five miles from the city, to and from which to the White House he had to be carefully escorted every day.

"After seventeen months on this duty there came an urgent demand for an efficient regiment of cavalry from the Department of the Gulf to clear Louisiana and the adjoining states of bushwhackers and guerrillas, in consequence of which ]SIr. Johnson embarked ]\Iarch 8, 1864, with his regiment at Alexandria, Virginia, for New Orleans, from which city he proceeded to take part in all the important engagements of the department. Mr. Johnson was in the heavy operations against Mobile, Alabama, which led to its capture April 1], 1865. His last important engagement was at Germantown, Tennessee, on the night of April 26, 1865. Mr. Johnson had a horse shot under him at Leaf river and was shot in the leg at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was mustered out at Albany, New York, but discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, June 12, 1865."

With an unstained military record Mr. Johnson returned to his home in Buffalo and continued his residence in the east until 1880, when careful consideration of the subject of a removal to the west led him to the determination that he would trj' his fortune on the Pacific coast. Accordingly, in 1880 he came to Spokane by way of Walla Walla and here began in the contracting and building business. At that time the city contained only a few hundred population but, because of its rapid growth, it offered excellent opportunities to the carpenter and builder ;ind, ever recognizing the fact that the present and not the future is the time to which the individual must look for his advancement, Mr. Johnson put forth strenuous and capable effort to establish himself in business circles in this section of the country. For a time he was foreman of the building construction crew of the Northern Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at Sprague, and was the builder of the original Northern Pacific depot in this city. At this time the government desired to erect Fort Spokane at the junction of the Spokane and Columbia rivers and Mr. Johnson was engaged to supervise the work under Lieutenant Colonel H. C. Merriam, who is now a retired brigadier general of the United States army. He had supervision of the entire building and to that work devoted his attention from 1882 until 1884. The enviable reputation which he had won in his chosen field of labor even in that early period of his career is indicated in the following letter:

The bearer hereof, Mr. Frank Johnson, has been employed for the past two years at this post under my command as master builder and it gives me great pleasure to state that he has proved himself a thoroughly competent man in that capacity, as well as an honorable and reliable gentleman in every respect. He is a man of excellent judgment, thorough in all work entrusted to him, and a most skillful manager of mechanics and laborers in forwarding work of construction.

It was while engaged in government work that Mr. Johnson formed the acquaintance of the Jesuit priests, who visited the fort in order to conduct religious services for the soldiers of Catholic faith, and at the request of his Jesuit friends he designed and later erected the first Catholic church in Spokane. He also erected the first buildings of the Gonzaga College, which today is one of the most noted institutions of the entire northwest. He likewise erected the Sisters' School of Spokane and built the west wing of the original Sacred Heart Hospital. One of the most noted buildings which he erected before the fire was the three-story Keats building, which stood on the site of the present Traders Bank building. Since the fire of 1 889 he has been closely associated with the improvement of Spokane along architectural lines and evidences of his skill and handiwork are seen in the Granite block, the Pacific Hotel, the Holley building, the Mason & Marks Company building, now Pantages Theater, and J. J. Browne's residence, which is now owned by Robert E. Strahorn. In 1908 he erected the large new office building of the Washington Water Power Company. He has admitted his son William to a partnership under the firm style of I'rank Johnson & Son and they not only occupy a foremost place among the building contractors of the city but are also conducting an extensive and profitable trade as hardwood lumber dealers, exclusively.

Mr. Johnson was married in Buffalo, New York, on the 22d of June, 1872, to Miss Louisa Luke, a daughter of John and Margaret Luke, of that city. Mrs. Johnson became very prominent in the \A''omen's Relief Corps in the early days of Spokane and her death, which occurred in 1 899, was deeply regretted b}' many friends as well as her immediate family. In addition to the son already mentioned there are two daughters: Margaret, the wife of Frank Pipgras; and Amelia, the wife of George Thomas. Both are residents of Spokane.

Throughout his entire life Mr. Johnson has maintained the same spirit of loyalty and patriotic devotion to his country that he manifested when on the battlefields of the south and he is the composer and writer of the song "Unfurl Old Glory to the Topmast Breeze," which he completed in 1908 and which has caused him to be the recipient of thousands of complimentary letters from all parts of the United States. He belongs to Sedgwick Post, No. 8, G. A. R., and his spirit of patriotic reverence is also manifest in his membership in the Scott Keyes Memorial Association of the United States. He belongs also to the Jeffersonian Association of the United States and to the Pioneer Society of Spokane. He is a life member of the Elks Lodge, No. 228, and also holds membership with the Fraternal Order of Eagles. That he is interested in the city and its progress is indicated by his active cooperation with the projects and plans of the Chamber of Commerce, in which he holds membership. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and from 1899 until 1903 inclusive he was a member of the city council as a representative of the third ward. He acted as chairman of the committee of judiciary legislation and was also a member of the committees of license, health and police. He exercised his official prerogatives at all times in support of what he believed to be for the public good. He has ever placed the general welfare before personal aggrandizement and the interests of the many before partisanship. In his business life he has adhered to the strictest commercial ethics and his gradual advancement has been won at the cost of earnest, self-denying effort and through the exercise of superior ability that for many years has caused him to be numbered with the leading builders of the Spokane country.

Ely P. Spalding

Ely P. Spalding, president of the Pacific Timber Preservative Company, was born in Chicago, Illinois, April 18, 1862, his parents being William and Maria (Sedgwick) Spalding, the former a Board of Trade operator of Chicago for many years. The son entered the public schools at the usual age, continuing his studies tlirough successive grades until he left the high school to enter business life, and for four years he was employed in his native city. He then resolved to seek opportunities elsewhere and went to San Pedro, New Mexico, where he worked in the smelter of San Pedro & Canon del Agua Copper Company of that place. During the three years there passed he thoroughly acquainted himself with all branches of mining and assaying. He then returned to New York city and devoted the next ten years to the brokerage business.

In 1890 Mr. Spalding again came to the west, this time settling in tlie Coeur d'Alene country, where he was connected with the old Sierra Nevada Mining Company first as assistant assayer and then as assayer for the company. From the Coeur d'Alene district he went to Portland, Oregon, and engaged in handling mining properties in that state for about three years. After a year spent in Alaska he returned to the United States and was for some years an examining mining engineer, examining and reporting on properties all the way from Mexico to Alaska. In 1901 he took a bond on the Monarch mine of Monarch, Idaho, of which he is president. He is also president of the Coeur d'Alene-Norfolk Mining & Smelting

E. P. Spalding Spokane And The Inland Empire 309

His efforts, too, have been extended to other lines, all of which have constituted features in the general development as well as in individual success. He built the Idaho Northern Railroad, which is now a branch of the Oregon & Washington Railway & Navigation Company and of which he was vice president and general manager up to the time of its sale. He was also vice president and general manager of the Big Bend Water Power Company which is now a part of the Washington Water Power Company system and known as the Long Lake project. It was sold about two years ago and Mr. Spalding is now concentrating his energies largely upon his executive and administrative duties as president of the Pacific Timber Preservative Company of which A. M. P. Spalding, his wife, is the secretary and treasurer. This company treats railroad ties at a lower expense than any other process that has been developed and there is every indication that the business will grow to be an extensive one. They have portable plants which they can put on cars and take to the place where the ties are found, thus saving the expense of having a large central plant and hauling the ties to and from that plant. In this business Mr. Spalding has an enterprise which is of a most promising character and undoubtedly he will reap the success which has usually attended his efforts.

On the 5th of December, 1906, Mr. Spalding was married to Mrs. Anna ]M. Phillips, and they reside at the Spokane Hotel. He holds membership in the Spokane Club, the Spokane Country Club and the Inland Club and is also a member of the Elks Lodge, No. 331, at Wallace, Idaho. The salient points in his character have been close application, unfaltering industry and intelligent investigation of every subject that has come under his control in connection with business interests. His opinions are regarded as expert authority upon questions relating to the mining interests of the west and he has an extensive acquaintance in mining circles. Wherever known he commands the good-will and confidence of those with whom he has come in contact and is now accorded a most creditable position in the business circles of this city.

Harl J. Cook

Not only in the electrical field of business as newspaper publisher and editor, or later as the promoter of irrigation projects has Harl J. Cook become known. His work in behalf of those interests which have their root in a broad humanitarian spirit has been most effective and beneficial and this alone would entitle him to recognition as one of the representative and worthy residents of Spokane. He was born in Salem, Iowa. July 11, 1857, and represents one of the oldest families of that state, his parents, Isaac and Mary .lane (Bishop) Cook, having located tlierc in 1825. The father engaged in contracting and building until 1894, when he retired from business life and came to Spokane to live with his son Harl .1. His death occurred in this city in 1909, when he had reached the age of eighty-four years, while his wife died several years before in Salem, Iowa.

To the public-school system of his native state, Harl J. Cook is indebted for the early educational privileges accorded him. Later he had the benefit of instruction at Ackworth College, in Ackworth, Iowa, an institution conducted under the auspices of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. Later he attended Simpson Centenary College, at Indianola, Iowa, and when he felt that his educational foundation was sufficient to enable him to make a creditable position in the business world, he began learning the printer's trade in the office of the State Leader, at Des Moines, Iowa. He was also for a time associated with Mills & Company, publishers of law books in that city. Later he devoted a period of six years to teaching school and afterward became associated with the Daily Capital, of Des Moines, Iowa, becoming its first city editor. He then transferred his activities to North Dakota, where in 1882 he embarked in the newspaper business, in which he continued until the spring of 1886, when he made his way to Murray^ Idaho, and thence came to Spokane. At that time the Chronicle was a weekly paper, edited by H. T. Cowley ; the city was growing rapidly and a daily evening paper was thought to be a necessity, so that in company with Major A. E. Routhe and H. T. Cowley, he organized a new paper and began the publication of the Evening Chronicle as its editor. About a year later he sold his interest and turned his attention to the real-estate business. He had been closely watching and studying conditions of the northwest and believed that the opportunity for improvement was ripe, becoming one of the first men to advocate irrigation in the valley, writing many articles on this subject for his paper. He later assisted in the organization of the first irrigation company of this section. This was the Spokane Valley Land & Water Company, of which he remained a trustee until it was disposed of to D. C. Corbin and W. L. Benham, who put the first water on the valley. Since that time Mr. Cook has largely devoted his time and energies toward the development of new conditions to the city and has thus contributed much to the improvement and adornment of Spokane. He has been active in the development of the Liberty Park, Altamont and Cliff Park additions, the last named being the most beautiful residential sections of Spokane. Other parts of the citj' have also been improved through his efforts. He seems to readily recognize opportunities which others pass heedlessly by, and his labors have been a tangible asset in making the city what it is today.

But while large business projects have claimed the attention of ]\Ir. Cook, his interests have not been narrowed down to commercial activities alone. He has always been a student of life, has been quick to recognize an obligation and has never been neglectful of duty. Over twenty years ago he became one of the founders of the Spokane Humane Society, which owns its own home, impounds stray stock and catches and destroys unlicensed dogs. This is the only institution of the kind in the United States that is self-supporting. The present organization is: John A. Fitch, president; Harl J. Cook, vice president; and Joseph R. Rudersdorf, secretary and manager. The work is certainly most commendable. It has its root in that broad sympathy which has feeling for every living thing. The political support of Mr. Cook is given to the republican party and his qualities of leadership have also made him ijrominent in that line, so that he' was called to public office, serving as countv assessor in 1895-6. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, to the Spokane Club and the Spokane Amateur Athletic Club.

Mr. Cook has two daughters: Clara L., the wife of Dr. L. B. Williams, of Spokane ; and Verna B., who is now studying architecture and interior decoration in Paris, where she has received high praise for her abilit}' during the five years in which she has there prosecuted her studies. Mr. Cook has led a most active life and his business balances up with the principles of truth and honor. In fact he has alwaj's been regarded as the strongest center of the comniunity in which he moves. It is men like these that are active factors in every idea and work, that helps to develop the success of all big cities and it is to be hoped for the civic pride and substantialitv of this section that there are manv more like him.

Ernest C. Wood

Ernest C. Wood, civil engineer, was born in Plymouth, IMassachusetts, on the 29th of July, 1866, and is a son of Charles T. and Sarah (Harris) Wood, both of whom are still living. The great-grandfather Captain Thomas Harris waS a prominent citizen of Massachusetts and after the Civil war served as one of the commissioners who settled the noted Alabama claims. During one of his many journeys to St. Petersburg, where he was entertained by the czar, he escorted the Grand Duchess Olga to a masquerade ball. Charles T. Wood was a soldier in the Civil war where he saw much active service. He is a thirty-third degree member of the Masonic Order.

Ernest C. Wood acquired his early education in the public schools of Boston, where he was then residing, and subsequently entered a private school to acquire commercial education before entering upon his technical studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After his education in these institutions had been completed he was employed as assistant superintendent of works and civil engineer at Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston, during 1886-1887. While holding this position he had charge of over one hundred men. In 1887 he came west and continually followed civil and mining engineering in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon and British Columbia, before coming to Washington nine years ago and accepting responsible positions of trust in various large enterprises. From 1905 to 1908 he was chief assistant city engineer of Spokane, and was in charge of the water works construction during the greater part of that period. He built the pumping plant, force mains and reservoir at Ninth avenue and Pine street, and designed and developed the original unit of the underground water supply system. Having passed the United States reclamation department civil service examination in several divisions he has been fully qualified to serve as superintendent of construction and also as construction engineer. In the engineering circles of Spokane he ranks high, and the large patronage which he enjoys attests the recognition which is given his ability, his integrity and his conscientious discharge of his duties. He is now acting in the capacity of mining engineer for the San Toil Consolidated Company, of Republic, Washington. His offices in the Jamieson building indicate the large undertakings in which he is constantly engaged.

On the 3d of February, 1901, Mr. W^ood was married to Miss Myra Lutes, a daughter of Luther and Sarah (Siverling) Lutes. To this union has been born one child, Clifford Cleveland, who is now deceased and interred at Fairmont cemetery of this city. Politically Mr. Wood is a progressive republican and a most active member in the political circles of the various communities in which he has resided.

He has served as assistant treasurer in Aspen, Colorado, in 1888 and 1889, and in March, 1911, was a candidate for the office of city coinmissioner of Spokane. He is a firm believer in civic improvement and has done all he could to further the development and improvement of any measures instituted for the public welfare. Honest, broad-minded, capable and practical, his advice is frequently sought and always followed in any measures regarding which he may have been consulted. His professional life has not occupied his whole attention as he is devoted to his homes, both in Spokane and Newman Lake where he resides during the summer. This latter (Owls Head) is one of the beautiful summer residences in that locality and has been so built and improved as to give Mr. and Mrs. Wood all the comforts and luxuries to which his success has entitled them.

Mr. Wood is a third degree Mason and vice president and director of the Spokane branch of The American Mining Congress, and in 1909 served as a delegate to the mining congress at Goldfield, Nevada, his appointment being authorized by the governor of Washington and Chamber of Commerce of Spokane.

John Lafayette Wiley

Among the men who have been prominent in shaping the political history of the democratic party in Washington, is numbered John Lafayette Wiley, who is also recognized as one of the strong and able members of the Spokane bar, filling the position of prosecuting attorney at the present time. He was bom in the village of Vermont, Illinois, April 5, 1870. His father, John L. Wiley, a native of Pennsylvania, was a representative of an old New England family that settled in America prior to the Revolutionary war. They were of Scotch-Irish descent and a number of the name rendered valiant aid to the cause of liberty when the colonists attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression. John L. Wiley, Sr., learned the trade of a carpenter and builder and for many years followed that occupation. He died in Spokane September 30, 1911. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Ann Haines, was also born in the Keystone state and belongs to an old New England family that settled in America during colonial days and took part in the Revolutionary struggle. The Haines were of both German and English descent and were connected with the Pennsylvania Quakers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John L. Wiley, Sr., there were born three sons, the brothers of our subject being: Thomas H., who is engaged in the real-estate business in Omaha; and Harry M., who is devoting his time to the purchase and sale of property in Spokane.

John Lafayette Wiley, whose name introduces this record, entered the public schools of his native state, passing through consecutive grades to the high school and afterward attended the Western Normal College of Bushnell, Illinois. He then entered the newspaper field, being employed for a brief period on the Times and later on the Tribune, of Minneapolis, his services in that connection covering two years, after which he took up the study of law. His professional work was done in the law department of the University <jf Minnesota and in Kent Law School in Chicago, where he took the appellate court examination in 1891 and was then admitted to practice. For ten years thereafter he remained a member of the Illinois bar, at the end of which time he came to Spokane, where he has since engaged in the practice of law. In Januarj^, 1910, he was appointed assistant corporation counsel but resigned that ofGce after his election to the position of prosecuting attorney on the 8th of November, 1910, for a term of two years. He is thus the incumbent in office and in the discharge of his duties he has won high commendation from all concerned. Although this is a strong republican county, Mr. Wiley was elected by a majority of twelve hundred, only three other democrats on the same ticket being elected to office. This fact is proof of his ability and personal popularitj^ He has always been an advocate of democratic principles and has taken an active interest in the affairs of the party since coming to the state, attending both the county and state conventions, including the convention held in Spokane in 1908. He is now serving as a member of the county central committee.

On the 18th of Alarch, 1909, Mr. Wiley was united in marriage to ]Miss Mary H. Martin, of Spokane, a daughter of T. H. and Katherine E. Martin, representatives of an old Maine family. Her father and mother are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have an interesting little son, John L., who is of the third generation of that name. Mr. Wile}^ belongs to the Inland Club and during the seven years of his residence in Spokane has gained a wide acquaintance. It is said that in no section of the country is a man rated more entirely by his individual worth and merit than on the Pacific coast, and judged by this standard Mr. Wiley has established himself in a position that is commendable and enviable, being recognized as a moving force in democratic circles and also as one whose ability before the bar entitles him to the political honors which have been conferred upon him.

Frederic Phair

Frederic Phair, interested largely in improved city property while his efforts as a contractor and builder have contributed much to the work of making Spokane the beautiful city that it is toda.v, was born in Buttevant, County Cork, Ireland, November 27, 1863. His parents were the Rev. John Pickering and Elizabeth Phair, the former vicar of the parish of Buttevant and regimental chaplain to the troops of Buttevant Barracks.

Frederic Phair pursued his education in a private school of Dublin, Ireland, and in 1883, when a young man of but twenty years, crossed the Atlantic to New York city. Having some natural inclination toward wood work, he began carpentering and followed the trade for five years, during which time he attended evening lectures and classes on architectural and building subjects at Cooper Institute in New York. In April, 1888, he married and came immediately afterward to Spokane, for he had become convinced that the great and growing western country- oilered better opportunities to young men. He was employed for a short time as a journeyman and then entered the contracting and building business on his own account. His work today stands as a splendid monument to his ability and has been an important feature in the improvement and adornment of the city. He erected the Paulsen building at a cost of eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars; the Exchange Bank, one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars; the Young Men's Christian Association building, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ; the Masonic Temple, one hundred thousand dollars ; the Spokane Athletic Club build- ing, sixty thousand dollars ; the Spokane Club, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars; the San Marco apartments, sixty-five thousand dollars; the Spokane Dry Goods store, one hundred and forty thousand dollars ; and others which are notable features in the attractive architecture of the city. In 1892 he erected the Idaho state building at the Chicago exposition, a large log house costing about twentyfive thousand dollars, and in 1896-7-8 he duplicated this in England for an English gentleman at a cost of forty thousand dollars. He is interested extensively in improved city property and his realty holdings return to him a gratifying income. He has kept not only abreast of the times in architecture but has been in the vanguard in the northwest, his operations largely setting a standard for activity in the field in which he labors. Mr. Phair is financially interested in the Spokane & Eastern Trust Company, of which he is a director, and he is also a trustee of Brunot Hall.

In New York city, on the 18th of April, 1888, Mr. Phair was united in marriage to Miss Mina Isabel Rogers, a daughter of M. Rogers, of Breagogue House, Buttevant, County Cork, Ireland. Their children are Lascelle R. and Harold G. The parents hold membership in All Saints Protestant Episcopal church and Mr. Phair is warden of All Saints Cathedral. He did active service in behalf of the public-school system in this city as a member of the board of education from 1892 until 1898. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he was a member of the county convention that nominated Miles Poindexter, now United States senator, for prosecuting attorney for Spokane county. In his fraternal relations Mr. Phair is connected with the Masons as a member of the lodge, chapter, commanderj' and M3'stic Shrine, and he belongs to the Spokane Club, the Spokane Athletic Association, the Spokane Rod and Gun Club and the Country Club. Personally popular, he has displayed those qualities which in every land and clime win friendship and regard. The steps in his orderly progression in business are easily discernible and his even-paced energy has brought him to a prominent place in the industrial and financial circles of his adopted city. Moreover, his sound judgment causes his opinions to be sought in relation to various private and public interests and in all matters effecting the municipal welfare he has manifested a public-spirited devotion to the general good.

Lewis P. Larsen

History in Washington is in the making. The great broad valleys, fertile plains and mountain sides give splendid opportunity for the development of every branch of agriculture, commerce and mining and into this great district, rich in its natural resources, have come hundreds of enterprising, progressive men from the east, imbued with the purpose of wisely using the time and talents in the attainment of success through the development of the country. To this class belongs Lewis P. Larsen, a capitalist, and the founder and builder of the town of Metaline Falls. He was born in Denmark, March 7, 1876, and is a son of Anders and Petrea Larsen, who still reside in that country. He pursued his education in the schools of his native land, taking a technical course and in 1895 he came to America, making his way to Salt Lake City. In that locality he spent about » year as cowboy on a ranch but later secured employment in the mines of that region. His arrival in the Spokane country was in 1897, at which time he located at Wallace, Idaho. There he followed mining and was connected with the firm of Larsen & Greenough, one of the prominent mining firms of the northwest. His early educational training has proven of immense value to him in the conduct of his business affairs in later life. His knowledge and capability soon won him recognition as an exjiert mining engineer and in 1900 he became connected with tlie Last Chance mine at Northport, Washington. In 1905 he discovered the deposits of cement rock at the present site of Metaline Falls and interested F. A. Blackwell and others in the undertaking, with the result that the Inland Portland Cement Company was organized, erected its building at a cost of one million dollars and is today supplying the needs of the entire Inland Empire in this particular. Theirs is the largest and most complete cement plant in the northwest. Its mills and buildings have a floor space of several acres and the plant is most thoroughly equipped with modern machinery and with all the facilities that promote the manufacture and the interests of the trade. From the time of liis discover)' of the cement rock here Mr. Larsen has not only taken an active part in the upbuilding of the town but has been the prime spirit in founding and developing Metaline Falls. He has introduced the most progressive ideas, putting forth every effort in his power to make this an ideal western city. Its site is a notably beautiful one on a picturesque peninsula at the confluence of Pend d'Oreille river and Sullivan creek and is the northern terminus of the Idaho & Washington Northern Railroad. The town lies at a level of one hundred feet above the river and has had a phenomenal growth since it sprang into existence during the summer of 1910. Thirty-five business houses are already in operation, two excellent hotels afford first-class accommodations and civic improvements are being promoted at a rapid rate. The general plan of the town was conceived by Mr. Larsen, owner of the town site, and it is laid out on strictly modern lines with a beautiful park system and playgrounds. It is supplied with electric lines, has a never failing supply of the purest water and there is now in process of erection a twenty-five thousand dollar school building. The natural contour of the town site lends itself to ideally arranged residence districts and a perfectly beautiful system of parks. On the entire west and north sides the park slopes to the very water's edge. In laying out the streets the utmost care has been given to preserving the natural beauty of the place. An electric light system has been installed and aside from being a director of the Inland Portland Cement Company, Mr. Larsen is now president of the Metaline Falls Water Company, also of the Larsen Realty Company, the Larsen Lead Company and The Lead & Zinc Company, all business enterprises of Metaline Falls. He has studied methods pursued in town-building elsewhere in the northwest, has improved upon plans previously followed by others and has avoided all that is likely to lead to difl^culties.

In 1906 Mr. Larsen was united in marriage at Port Carbon. Pennsylvania, to Miss Bertha Brown, a daughter of George and Mary Brown, of that city. They now occupy a very beautiful home at Metaline Falls, which Mr. Larsen erected in 1910. He belongs to the Spokane Club and the Inland Club, also of Spokane. He has never held or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which are of rapidly growing importance. The town which he has founded and wliich stands as a monument to his enterprise and progressiveness is not only most beautifully situated but lies in the midst of a district of splendid natural resources and of agricultural possibilities. He displayed notable sagacity and foresight in choosing the location, and the business methods which he is pursuing insure the continual growth and prosperity of this new and enterprising city of the northwest.

Samuel Rika Stern

Samuel Rika Stern, a prominent corporation lawyer of Spokane, who has continued in active practice in this city since June, 1891, was born in Syracuse, New- York, July 7, 1855. His father, Abraham Stern, a native of Germany, settled in Sj'racuse on coming to America and was there engaged in the jewelry business. He married Rebecca Rika Strauss, also a native of Germany. Her death occurred in 1871, while Mr. Stern passed away in 1887. In the family were two daughters and one son: Belle, the wife of Joseph Michaels, of Rochester, New York, who is at the head of Michaels, Stern & Company, one of the largest clothing firms in that section; Ray, the wife of J. M. Wile, a banker of Rochester, New York.

The other member of the household was Samuel R. Stern, who acquired his education in the schools of Syracuse, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-school student. After putting aside his text-books he turned his attention to professional interests and became managing clerk for Ruger, Wallace & Jenney of Syracuse. When Judge Wallace was appointed United States judge, Mr. Stern continued with him, acting as clerk in his office until admitted to the bar in his native city. His leisure hours had been devoted to the study of law and under the wise direction of Judge Wallace he mastered the principles of jurisprudence that qualified him for the active work of the courts. He first engaged in general law practice in Syracuse and there remained until June, 1891, when he came to Spokane. Here he immediately entered upon the practice of law, in which he has since continued. To him has been accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage. His legal work as counselor and advocate has been of an important character. He is the representative of the Harriman railroad lines in Spokane, and has been for about twelve years representing the Great Northern, and he has also been connected in his professional capacity with various other corporate interests. His standing among his professional brethren is indicated in the fact that he was honored with election to the presidency of the State Bar Association in 1898.

The only political office that Mr. Stern has ever held was that of assistant prosecuting attorney of Onondaga county. New York, but after one year he resigned, having no liking for public office. He is a republican free lance and has always taken an active part in the politics of the state of Washington.

In Rochester, New York, in 1883, Mr. Stern was united in marriage to ^Miss Libbie W. Wile, a daughter of Joseph Wile, the first wholesale clothier of that city, and they have one son, Harold Gross, who is a graduate of Cornell Universitj' and a mechanical engineer, who spends his time in Spokane and Seattle, being a member of the firm known as the Moran Engineering Company, doing business in Spokane, Seattle and North Yakima.

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Mr. Stern is prominent in lodge circles. In Masonry he has attained the thirtysecond degree of the Scottish Rite, holding membership in Spokane Consistory and also with the Mystic Shrine. He is connected with the Knights of Pythias of Spokane and is the oldest Elk in the northwest, having joined that order in Syracuse, New York, when it was strictly an order for actors. He was admitted very soon after it was founded about 1880 and in his professional capacity there was entrusted to him nearh' all of the theatrical litigation of central New York, representing in dififerent contests such famous people as Fanny Davenport, William Gillette, Primrose & West and others. He handled the litigation between the Mallory brothers and the Frohmans and was the legal representative of the owners of many opera houses. Mr. Stern wrote sketches for them which are recorded successes. He possesses marked literary ability and is the author of stories and articles which have appeared in the magazines and newspapers. He has been a frequent contributor to the press when traveling, and when on a trip around the world wrote a series of letters which attracted much attention, and elicited favorable comment from the critics. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the Spokane Athletic Club, the Spokane Tennis Club, the Spokane Transportation Club, and the Spokane Progress Club. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and in connection with its work went to China as a member of its commission, and had the distinction in San Francisco of giving the shortest biography of any member of the commission, amounting to onlj' about four lines. He is modest, never sounding his own praises, but his work and its success in various relations is widely recognized and he is honored by the profession and the general public.

Hon. D. C. Coates

Hon. D. C. Coates, who is serving as one of the five citj' commissioners of Spokane, has resided here only since 1906 but in this brief period has become a prominent figure in political and labor circles and has made for himself a host of friends. Natural abilitj' has fitted him for leadership and organization and the public positions which have come to him have been a merited reward for unselfish effort on behalf of the people whose interests he holds dearer than his own personal advancement. While serving as lieutenant governor of the state of Colorado, his life record was published in volume entitled Biography of Colorado, which we herewith produce in full:

"David C. Coates, of Pueblo; lieutenant governor of Colorado, was born in Brandon, Durham county, England, August 9, 1868. He was one of eleven children born to George and Mary (Hodgeson) Coates, who immigrated with their family to the United States in 1881. His father, who was a skilled mechanic, first located at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The following year he obtained employment in the steel works of Pueblo, Colorado, and moved his family to that city, where he has since resided. Limited means deprived our subject of a liberal education but he made good use of the few years he had in the common schools and availed himself of every opportunity to indulge his love for broad general reading. As is natural with a logical mind, his reflections became formulated into theories and those theories in turn eventuated in fixed principles of which his later deeds are the sincere expression. His first experience in the great world of toil was by his father's side in the Pueblo Steel Works, where he learned the initial lesson in the injustice to which labor is subjected and began to feel in an indefinite way that the producers of wealth should be the owners of that wealth.

"At the age of fifteen years he left the mills and entered the office of the Pueblo Evening Star, learning the trade of a compositor and acquiring a full knowledge of the printing business. A few years later, in partnership with his brother, he established the Pueblo Press, which he sold out in 1887. He then went to Denver and for three years was employed on the Rocky Mountain News. After this he had the distinction of being associated in the publication of the first socialistic paper issued in this country, the Coming Nation, first published at Greensburg, Indiana. In 1896 he formed a partnership with Otto F. Thum and began the publication of the Pueblo Courier, the official organ of the labor organizations for the state of Colorado.

"Mr. Coates is known as a facile and forceful writer on general topics, but his most earnest and effective effort has been in the direction indicated. He was the leader of the organization of the Colorado State Federation of Labor in 1896, was elected secretary of this organization in 1897, reelected in 1898, elected its president in 1899 and reelected in 1900. In every case he received the unanimous vote of the organization. He has natural genius for organization. There is not a camp or mine in the whole state that he has not visited, and that there are now more than fifty thousand laboring men in Colorado, operating under the regime of unions and mutual support, is verj' largely owing to his unremitting endeavors.

"In 1896 Mr. Coates was nominated for the state legislature. His election was defeated but on so close a ballot that the case was litigated. The verdict gave him a majority of the votes but his opponent retained his seat secure in the possession of the electoral certificate. Mr. Coates was a conspicuous figure during the great smelter strike in 1899, and its amicable adjustment was largely due to the influence of his wise and conservative action. In September, 1900, Mr. Coates received the nomination of the democratic and fusion forces for lieutenant governor of Colorado, to which office he was elected by a plurality of over twenty-five thousand. This indorsement and honor came to him unsought and was a most substantial tribute to a most worthy character. Those who have known Mr. Coates since his boyhood speak of his loyalty and sincere purpose and the remarkable courage and ability with which he follows out and urges his convictions. Mr. Coates was married in Denver, October 14, 1890, to Miss Sarah B. Pearce. They have one child, a daughter. Hazel Marie, born at La Porte, Indiana, February 1, 1893."

Before Mr. Coates left Colorado the democrats offered him a renomination for lieutenant governor, or the congressional nomination as he might choose, but he was entirely out of sympathy with political methods which were then dominant, as it seemed that personal interest and not public welfare was the constitution of the majority of political leaders in that state. The corruption that was so evident, disgusted him so thoroughly that he resolved to have nothing more to do with political management or office there. In 1901 he removed from Pueblo and made his home in Denver until 1903, during which period he was for some time acting governor of the state during the absence of Governor James B. Ornian. The west, however, attracted him and he resolved to become a factor in the upbuilding of the great empire which was springing up be.vond the Rockies. He therefore sought a favorable business, purchasing the Tribune, a newspaper of Wallace, Idaho, of which he took charge in January, 1904. In July, 1906, he was visited by representatives of the Spokesman-Review of Spokane, to whom he sold out, as they desired to establish a daily paper in Wallace.

The same year !Mr. Coates removed to Spokane and organized the printing firm of Coates, Hughes & Coates, in connection with his brother William and H. L. Hughes. During the period of his residence in this city he lias taken an active interest in labor and political affairs and is widely recognized as the champion of the interest of the many as opposed to the interests of the favored few. In the fall of 1909 Mayor Pratt appointed him one of the seventeen members of the preliminary charter commission to investigate old and new forms and to report in regard to adopting the new. After three months' investigation the commissioners sent in their report in favor of the adoption of the commission form of government and Mr. Coates took an active part in the campaign for the purpose of calling for an election of fifteen freeholders. When it had been decided upon to hold the election he was nominated and elected as a member of the commission that formulated the present charter of the city. He has reason to be proud of the fact that he is the father of the preferential system of voting. He took an active part in the campaign for the adoption of the charter which carried on December '28, 1910. On the 7th of March, following, he was elected a commissioner on the nonpartisan ticket, being one of five elected out of ninety-three candidates, receiving the third highest when the vote was first taken. He was assigned to the position of commissioner of public works and all the city improvements are in his department, including bridges, streets, sewers and asphalt plants. A vast amoimt of work is being done at the present writing, his department representing the spirit of progress which is rife in Spokane and is making this one of the most enterprising and attractive cities in the Pacific coast country. He believes in "doing the right thing and doing it today as well as looking forward to tomorrow."

Mr. Coates has attended numerous county and state conventions as delegate for the populist party and after its absorption in 1892 by the democratic party he joined the socialists, with whom he has since been identified. With him principle is ever above partisanship and his political activity and service have ever been the expression of his deep interest in the general welfare. He has one possession which he prizes highly - a gold watch, which bears the inscription "Presented to D. C. Coates by the Members, Senate of Colorado, Thirteenth General Assembly, 1891," each one of the thirty-five members of the senate contributing to the gift.

On the 14th of October, 1890, at Denver, Colorado, Mr. Coates was united in marriage to Miss Sarah B. Pearce, a daughter of Samuel Adams Pearce, who was a volunteer from Pennsylvania and fought in the Civil war on the Union side, taking part in the battle of Gettysburg and other important engagements. He was a representative of an old Pennsylvania family.

Mr. Coates became a member of the ]SIaccabees in Pueblo, Colorado, and was transferred to Tent No. 15, in Spokane. He joined the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Wallace, Idaho, and now has his membership in Spokane Lodge, No. 2, B. P. O. E. His wife has taken an active part in women's organizations and has held manv' oflices in the Ladies of the Maccabees. She is the financial secretary of the Spokane Woman's Club and secretary of the Woman's Suffrage

League and took an active part in the suffrage campaign in Spokane. Having resided in Colorado and Idaho^ both of which states give women the franchise, it is only natural that she should take an active part in the suffrage movement in Spokane. She is one of the officers in the Woman's Non-Partisan League, which was organized to take part in the city elections and which carries on a general educational campaign. Mr. Coates belongs to the Social and Moral Hygiene and similar clubs and is greatly interested in human welfare work. His sympathies reach out to all mankind and a helping hand is ever extended to those who seek to climb upward. He has been a close and discriminating student of the political, sociological and economic questions of the country and has ever kept abreast with the best thinking men of the age.

Charles R. Hesseltine

Charles R. Hesseltine is president of the United Securities Company, a financial underwriting and promotion company, and is widely known as one of the promoters of the northwest whose labors, capacity for organization and powers of direction have constituted an effective and valuable element in the development of the northwest. The enterprising spirit characteristic of this section of the country and its growth finds expression in his life. He is a western man by birth, training and preference, for he was born in Clackamas county, Oregon, December 20, 1879, his parents being Appolis H. and Elva (Cain) Hesseltine. The father crossed the plains with his parents in the early '50s, making the journey from Iowa to the Pacific coast. The family first settled in California, where thev remained for two years and then made their way northward into Oregon. The grandfather of our subject was Eli Hesseltine, who became one of the first settlers of Clackamas county and bore an active part in the work of reclaiming that region for the purposes of civilization. His son, Appolis H. Hesseltine, built the first saw and shingle mill in that county and in other ways the family were closely identified with the early improvement there. In 1889, however, they crossed the Cascade mountains by team and settled at Wilbur, Lincoln county, Washington, where the father did contract work for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company and thus bore his share in the development of that section.