Washington Pioneer Dead 1914

The obituaries following are those of pioneers whose deaths have come to the notice of the biographer. The information given is chiefly obtained from the newspapers of the day. For the purposes of this article those only are considered pioneers who had lived upon the Pacific Coast before 1860, and were residents of the State of Washington.

Barlow, Byron Born at Plymouth, Michigan, in 1838; died at Tacoma July 5th. He came to Cowlitz County, Washington, in 1853. In 1862 he went into the gold mining country of Idaho and adjacent parts. As a lieutenant he was engaged in the Indian troubles of 865-66. In 1870 he was member of the Territorial Legislature, and in 1890 of the State Legislature. He held various other public offices, and also was identified with a number of commercial enterprises, the chief one being the building of the first graving dock in the Puget Sound Navy Yard, by Byron Barlow & Co.

Bernier, Peter. Born in Lewis County, Washington, in 1848, died at his home in the same county, Dec. 18th. He was a relative of Marcel Isadore Bernier, who was born at Spokane Nov. 10th, 1819, and who died in Lewis County Dec. 27th, 1889 the first white child born in either Oregon, Washington or Idaho. The Bernier family were among the first white people to come here to live, being connected with the fur traders of a century ago. In 1830 the family went back to Eastern Canada, but in 1841 returned and located on Newaukum Prairie about half way between Puget Sound and Columbia River, where has ever since been the family home.

Bolton, Mary Born in England in 1833; died at Tacoma April 18th. With her husband, William Bolton, she came to Puget Sound in 1850, on the ship Norman Morrison. They took a 640-acre donation claim on the Sound between Steilacoom and Tacoma. He was the first shipbuilder in this state, three schooners of 60 tons each being turned out of his yard during his first three years there. His death preceded that of his wife several years.

Brannan, Sarah Born at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Nov. 24, 1841; died at Okanogan, Jan. 27th. She was the daughter of Capt. B. F. Henness, a Thurston County pioneer of 1852. During the Indian war of 1855-56 Henness was Captain of a Company of Volunteers, and a fort at or near Tenino was named after him, in which his family and others lived for protection against the savages. Henness was one of the first grist millers of Washington. Sarah married Joseph Brannan in 1857 and thereafter for most of the years dwelt in White River Valley, King County. Joseph Brannan was a brother of W. H. Brannan, who, with his wife and child, were killed by the Indians near the town of Auburn, Oct. 28th, 1855.

Burr, Martha R. Born at Wiscasset, Maine, March 29th, 1840, died at Seattle Dec. 8th, aged 75 years. In 1850 she came to the Columbia River by ship, where her father, Capt. Nathaniel Crosby, was engaged in trade in partnership with his brother, Capt. Clawick Crosby. In 1851 Martha married Capt. Samuel C. Woodruff, and for several years lived at Hong Kong. He died, and she and her two children came to Olympia, where in 1865 she married Andrew J. Burr. He died in 1890. The last seventeen years she made her home in Seattle. She left five children.

Cooper, W. B. Died at Centralia, Jan. 23d, aged 71 years. He had lived in Southwestern Washington since 1852. Five sisters survive him.

Davids, Thomas J. Born in New York Aug. 30, 1834; died near Oregon City, Sept. 26th. He came to Washington in 1850, and lived in the southwestern part of the state almost sixty years.

Doughtery, Julia Born in Ireland in 1826; died in Seattle Feb. 23d. She came to California in 1849; to Oregon in 1863 and to Washington in 1873.

Furth, Jacob Born in Bohemia, Austria, Nov. 13th, 1840 ; died at Seattle June 2d. He came to America in 1854. In 1858 he was in California, where he lived twenty-five years, first at Nevada City, then at North San Juan and last at Colusa. He was a merchant, and by industry, foresight, saving and care he prospered, accumulated and became well-to-do. In 1883 he removed to Seattle, and started the Puget Sound National Bank, he being cashier. Under his politic and skillful management, the bank extended, its capital being repeatedly increased. Later he was president, but still the head man. When the Puget Sound was merged in the Seattle National he went with it, the largest and most influential stockholder. Mr. Furth joined the Chamber of Commerce soon after coming here, was a trustee twenty-four consecutive years, and once president. He was identified with many business enterprises, the leading one being the electric companies that owned the railways in Bellingham, Everett, Tacoma, Seattle, the two interurbans, light and power plants, heating plant, Renton coal mine, etc., one of the largest establishments of its kind in the world, he being its president. These things being true, he was necessarily a citizen of great wealth, usefulness and fame. He was tolerant of others, in religion, politics and business; was shrewd, courteous and deservedly popular. A widow and three daughters survive him.

Gillespie, James. Born June 28th, 1853, at Winnebago, Wisconsin; died Feb. 9th at Coupeville. He came to Portland, Oregon, in 1858, and to Whidby Island, Washington, in 1859. He married Keturah, daughter of Capt. Thomas Coupe, after whom the town of Coupeville was named. She and three sons survive.

Guild, Emily M. Born in Washington County, Oregon, in 1854, died at Woodland, Clark County, Dec. 11th. Her maiden name was Larue. In 1871 she married Berick C. Guild, and in 1882 they removed to Woodland, where they lived the thirty-two following years. A mother, a sister, three brothers, a husband, five children and numerous grand children and other relatives were left.

Harris, George W. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1848; died in Seattle Nov. 6th, aged 67 years. His father died when he and his younger brother were small boys. The mother came to Seattle in 1859, where she soon after married Charles Plummer, he being a prominent citizen dating back to 1853, a merchant, wharf owner, town builder and public-spirited man. The boy, George, went to the town schools, including the first in connection with the University. His stepfather at one time took him into partnership in the store. Mr. Harris served the Port Ludlow Mill Company as bookkeeper for ten years. Upon his return to Seattle he became agent for Wells, Fargo & Co., and at the same time entered the banking business as George W. Harris & Co. In 1883 he and others organized and started the First National Bank. With John Leary he owned the Post, one of the two newspapers of the town. It was consolidated with the Intelligencer, the result being the Post Intelligencer, of which for two years he was a one-quarter owner. He was a quiet, unobtrusive, retiring man and in his later years was not much seen or known. A wife and two daughters survive him.

Hathaway, Elizabeth Electa. Born in Ohio May 7, 1827, died at Vancouver Dec. 20th, aged 87 years. She and J. S. Hathaway were married in 1846, and came to Washington in 1852, spending the remainder of their lives at Vancouver.

Hemenway, Stacey Born in Laporte County, Indiana, in 1836; died on the Klamath Indian Reservation, Oregon, Feb. 19th. Came to Oregon in 1853; served in the army during the civil war, as Surgeon of the Ninth Illinois Regiment. After the war he came to Washington Territory, and was the first Superintendent of the Territorial Insane Asylum. For twenty-five years he was in the Indian service on the Klamath Reservation.

Hopkins, Lucy S. Born in Illinois in 1833; died in Seattle April 11th. She was daughter of Edward D. Baker, one of the great men of the nation during his time orator, statesman, soldier and citizen. She came to California in 1850 and was married in 1854 to Capt. Charles Hopkins. Thereafter they lived in Vancouver, Olympia and Seattle. Capt. Hopkins was U. S. marshal in Washington Territory, and his son, Charles, held the same office in Washington State. Three sons and a daughter were left by Mrs. Hopkins.

Jacobs, Orange Born at Genesee, N. Y., May 2d, 1827; died at Seattle May 21st. He came to Oregon in 1852 and remained there until 1869, in Marion and Jackson Counties. He taught school, practiced law, edited a newspaper and did other things in pursuit of a livelihood. Though in the political minority a Republican he was prominent in the public affairs of that territory and state. He was appointed by President Grant associate justice of the Supreme Court in Washington Territory and still later chief and reappointed the latter. He served as judge six years, when he was elected Delegate to Congress and reelected, serving four years ending in 1879. Shortly after his return to the territory he was elected mayor of Seattle, and when the city became much greater he served the people as corporation counsel. Some years later 1897 to 1901 he was judge of the Superior Court of King County. He was a territorial legislator. Between times he practiced law. Twice he was president of the Washington Pioneers. He was also a regent of the University. A willing, helpful man, a good talker, a writer of ability, genial and sympathetic, he was popular, respected and honored by all. A wife and seven children were left.

Jamieson, Winfield Scott Born in Maine August 5th, 1833; died at Port Gamble Oct. 29th. He came to California in 1854 and on to Washington the same year. He entered the Puget Sound lumber business, and at that was chiefly occupied the remainder of his days. For a couple of years he was in the British Columbia gold mines. He left a wife, two sons and two daughters.

Karr, James A. Born in Indiana in 1834; died at North Yakima Nov. 5th. He came to California in 1855 and to Washington in 1858. In 1862 he settled on Gray's Harbor before any town was there begun, and there he remained forty-two years, when he and his family removed to Yakima. His wife was the daughter of Ekanah Walker, one of the missionaries at Spokane in 1838, where she was born. Mrs. Karr is said to be the oldest native born white person living in the State. Their daughter, Mrs. Ruth Karr McKee, is now President of the State Federation of Women's Clubs. Besides his wife, Mr. Karr left five daughters and three sons.

Kees, Samuel M. Died at Walla Walla Jan. 23d, aged 78 years. He came by ox team to Oregon in 1848, settling at Lebanon. In 1861 he removed to Walla Walla, where he was a cattle farmer. A widow and two children survive him.

Landers, L. O. Died at Lisabeula, King County, June 6th, 86 years of age. He came to California in 1851, and a few years later to Oregon and Washington. In 1880 he settled on Vashon Island, where he spent the remainder of his days.

Littlejohn, James K. Died in Seattle June 28th, aged 65 years. He crossed the continent with the family in 1852, they settling at Olympia and being well known in the district of country thereabout. Three brothers and three sisters survive him, residents of Tacoma, Olympia, Grand Mound and Centralia.

Longmire, Ellen Born in Oregon in 1856; died at Tacoma June 6th. She was a member of the Thornton family of Thurston County. Her husband, John A., was of the pioneer Longmire family of the same county. Eleven children were born to them, ten of whom are now living.

Maddocks, Henry C. Born in Herman, Maine, in 1830; died at Seattle Sept. 13th. He came to San Francisco in 1851 and to Washington in 1880. He was a contractor and builder.

Martin, Harvey A. Born in Danville, Illinois, Dec. 18th, 1840, died in Kelso Dec. 8th, aged 74 years. He came to the Territory when a boy. In 1856 he joined Capt. Hamilton J. G. Maxon's Company of Mounted Volunteers. At Vancouver to fight the Indians, serving from Feb. 13th until the company was disbanded in April, though at the time he was but 15 years of age.

Monohon, Martin Born in Madison County, Ohio, Oct. 26th, 1820; died at Seattle Sept. 8th, aged 94 years. He moved on to Indiana in 1821, to Iowa in 1844, to Oregon in 1853, and to Washington in 1871. He never went to school, but learned to read and write after attaining maturity. He was a talker, and strong of mind and will. In 1861 he was elected to the Oregon Legislature. He was twice married, in 1841 and 1851, and he had two daughters and three sons.

Morris, Moses. Born in 1829, died in Seattle Dec. 24th, aged 85 years. He came to California in 1851 and to Washington Territory in 1854. He lived forty-four years at Tolt. The last year he was with his daughter in Seattle. He was buried at Snohomish.

Mustard, John Born in Lee County, Virginia, Sept. 30, 1835; died at Dayton Feb. 13th. He came to Golo County, Cal., in 1854, and to Columbia County, W. T., in 1866, He was a farmer. In 1880 he was sheriff. A widow and six children were left.

Ostrander, John Y. Born in Cowlitz County, W. T., April 26, 1857; died at Olympia March 1st. He was member of one of the best known pioneer families, after whom the town of Ostrander, in Cowlitz County, was named. He studied law under William Strong, one of Oregon's first judges. He held several offices in Olympia, Seattle, and Juneau. Eleven years he lived in Alaska. His wife was Fanny S. Crosby, they being married in 1880. He had seven sisters, who survived him.

Page, Thomas Percival. Born in Galway County, Ireland, in 1832, died at Kent Dec. 11th, aged 82 years. He came to Washington Territory in 1853 and during most of the years since he was a resident of Walla Walla, where he served the people as Commissioner, Auditor, Postmaster and Legislator. In 1877 he raised a company of volunteers to fight the Indians in the Bannock war. A widow and six children survive him.

Parker, Isaac Born at Waltham, Massachusetts, March 4, 1829 ; died in Seattle Oct. r3th. He came to California in 1851 and to Washington in 1853. His first occupation was as a machinist in putting up a sawmill at Appletree Cove for San Francisco capitalists. It was no more than completed before it was found to be in the wrong place. It was taken down and again set up at Port Madison, where it passed into the ownership of George A. Meigs. Parker went with it, and stayed by it a long term of years. He knew Chief Seattle quite well, their places being so close that the chief's home was then known as the Port Madison reservation. Mr. Parker invested his spare money in Seattle, where he later made his home, at one time was city treasurer, erected two brick buildings, and otherwise did what he could. A wife and two sons were left.

Peterson, Clara D. Born at Steilacoom, July 13th, 1856; died at Tacoma March 5th. She was one of the three daughters of Capt. Warren Gove, who, coming from Boston, made his home in Pierce County in 1853. She married Capt. John T. Cormick in 1876, who died in 1882; her second husband being Charles E. Peterson, married in 1886, Mrs. Peterson belonged to several different societies, but was greatly attached to the Pierce County Pioneers, of which she was one of the organizers and treasurer to the time of her death, A husband, son and daughter and two sisters survive her.

Peterson, Margaret Chambers Born at Steilacoom June 29th, 1856; died at Seattle July 20th. She was the daughter of Judge Thomas M. Chambers, who crossed the plains to Oregon in 1845, and who soon after settled upon a land claim in what is now Pierce County. Margaret married Oliff Peterson, and was the mother of three sons. She belonged to six different societies, in all of which she took interested, active parts. She was secretary of the Pierce County Pioneer Association from its beginning in 1903 to the end of her life.

Pontius, Albert Born in King County in 1859; died at Seattle May 3d. He was a son of Resin W. and Margaret Pontius. His father, a brother and a sister survive.

Rhoades, Mrs. F. M. Died at Santa Cruz, California, Nov. 25th. With her parents, named Mounts, she came to Washington Territory nearly sixty years ago. Mr. Rhoades was Indian agent at Chehalis, and also Territorial legislator. They were farmers in Thurston County. She was 77 years of age.

Richards, Mary Elizabeth Died in Portland, Oregon, June 26th, aged 64 years. With her parents she came to Oregon and Washington in 1852. Her father, Thompson B. Speake, was a chair maker, the first in this country. He made chairs to stay, and they have stayed in thoroughly good condition for fifty and sixty years. They lived in Chehalis and Thurston Counties. Mary was postmistress at Fulton, Oregon, for twenty years, prior to which she had been postmistress at Tualatin.

Rowland, Susan. (Died at Roy Dec. 3d, aged 95 years. She was born in Canada, and was married to William Rowland. She came to Oregon in 1853, and later to Washington.

Sackman, Elizabeth Ware. Born in Philadelphia Feb. 28th, 1834, died at Seattle Dec. 21st, aged 81 years. Her father, named Sylvia, died when she was small, and her mother, Sarah M., subsequently married Capt. William Renton. In 1847 he took his family to Ireland, his ship being loaded with foods for the famine stricken people there given by the charitable men and women of the United States. In 1849 he sailed for California, again accompanied by the family. He had the machinery of a saw mill in his vessel, which he brought to Puget Sound in 1853, and left in working motion at Alki Point. In 1854 he moved it to Port Orchard, where after some years he sold it to Colman & Glidden, and put up a new mill at Port Blakeley. The family came to Puget Sound in 1858. Here the daughter, Elizabeth W., spent most of her remaining days, being twice married to Joseph W. Phillips and Daniel J. Sackman. In 1889, then a widow, she removed to Seattle, and interested herself in the religious, charitable, fraternal and social life of the city. She left two children, seven grand children and other relatives.

Sanborn, Homer D. Born in Merrimac County, N. H., in 1833; died at Tacoma, April 7th. He came to Oregon in 1857, and for most of the years since lived in Portland.

Sanderson, John H. Born in Boston, June 27, 1832; died in Seattle March 22d, He came to California in 1850 and to Washington in 1869. He was a merchant in Seattle for many years. He and his wife were largely instrumental in the organization of the Plymouth Congregational Church. She was also one of the organizing members of the Ladies' Relief Society. Both belonged to the Pioneers. The wife and daughter were left.

Sargent, Elijah Nelson Born in Indiana Dec. 8th, 1827; died at his home near Rochester, Thurston County, Aug. 24th. He came to California in 1849, and in 1850 to Washington, taking a donation land claim at Grand Mound, where he had his home for sixty-four years. He was a member of the unfortunate gold mining expedition to Queen Charlotte Islands in 1852, their schooner being wrecked and the white men all held by the Indians for ransom. The Sargent family was a noted one, the father, three sons and two daughters E. N. Sargent, Francis Marion, Wilson, Mrs. Matilda Saylor and Mrs. Rebecca Kellett.

Shephard A. F. Mrs. Born in Racine County, Wisconsin, Aug. 27, 1848; died in Seattle, Jan. 2d, 1914. She came to Oregon in 1850 and to Washington in 1860. She lived in Snohomish and Chehalis Counties, but in 1894 settled in King. In 1873 she became the wife of Charles Shephard.

Slocum, Laura. Born Jan 1st, 1838, died at Long Beach, California, Dec. 24th, aged 76 years. With her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Riggs, she came from Iowa in 1852. The following nine years they lived at Washougal. In 1861 she moved to Vancouver, which was her home the following fifty-three years. Her husband was Charles W. Slocum, deceased.

Slater, John F. Born in Maryland; died in Seattle June 25th, aged 73 years. He came to California in 1850 and to Washington in 1903.

Sweazea, James William Died in Seattle March 31st, aged 66 years. He came from Missouri in 1859. He lived thirty years in Walla Walla before 1890. Three sons and a daughter were left.

Taylor, Harriet E. Born in Massachusetts in 1833; died at Seattle Oct. 11th. She and her husband, William H. Taylor, came to California in 1859 and to Washington in 1861. They lived at Port Townsend, Freeport, Kalama, Olympia and Seattle during the remainder of their lives. He was in the customs service, the lumber and coal trades, railroad and steamboat traffic and insurance business. She was of kind disposition, helpful to her friends and neighbors in the church, in society and in private life. Being a widow and without children, Mrs. Taylor left a considerable estate to helpless children, needy friends and other worthy individuals.

Thompson, Edward H. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1827, died at Fall City, King County, Dec. 2d, aged 87 years. In 1848 he came to the Pacific Coast. After a long residence in Washington Territory he went to Illinois, lived for a number of years, married, and in 1882 returned to Washington. Two daughters survive him.

Thompson, Susannah. Born in 1840, died at Fern Hill, Pierce County, Dec. 27th, aged 74 years. She was the daughter of William M. Kincaid, pioneers of 1853. She married Levant Frederick Thompson, a leading citizen during his long life in that county, where he built the Segwaletchew Sawmill sixty years ago, was a general farmer and extensive hop grower, a member of the first Legislature of Washington Territory, in 1854, and also member of the first Legislature of the State of Washington, in 1889-1890. Mrs. Thompson lived sixty-one years in Pierce County. She was the mother of four children.

Vanderpool, James Born in Missouri in 1835; died in Linn County, Oregon, Sept. 27th. He was an Oregon immigrant of 1846. While he lived most of the years in Oregon, he had dwelt parts of the time at Port Townsend and Walla Walla.

Waddell, Susan S. Born in Lawrence County, Illinois, Aug. 6th, 1835; died in Seattle March 7th. She belonged to the Lewis family, which came to Clark County in 1852 and to Thurston County the year after. She left six children and a number of grandchildren.

Webb, Amanda, Jane Born May 7, 1673, at Frankfort, Illinois; died at Tacoma Aug. 7th. In 1853 she came to California and in 1862 to Washington, her father being John T. Knox, Indian agent at Skokomish. She married Thomas Webb in 1866, and they lived on Hood's Canal until 1908, when they removed to Tacoma. He died in 1910.

Winchester, Frances E. Died in Seattle Nov. 20th. He came to California in 1852, and ten years later to Walla Walla, Washington Territory, where he is said to have opened the first photograph gallery. His surviving descendants were two sons.

Wood, Mrs. Solomon Born in Polk County, Oregon, Sept. 1 2th, 1846; died at Walla Walla May 15th. She was the daughter of John Waymire. All her 68 years of life were spent in Oregon and Washington. To her husband, a stock farmer, she was married in 1862.

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Source: The Washington Historical Quarterly, Volume III., October 1908 to 1912