Steilacoom Washington

Biography of E. R. Rogers

E.R. Rogers, born in Freeport, Maine, on November 29, 1829, began his seafaring career at fourteen. He reached San Francisco in 1849 and briefly mined for gold before engaging in various ventures. In 1852, he attempted a gold expedition to Queen Charlotte Island, ultimately shifting focus to lumber in Puget Sound, where he partnered with Samuel McCaw. Their successful merchandising business included constructing the first brick building north of the Columbia River in 1859, solidifying their presence in the region before McCaw’s passing in 1881.

Fix, Earl George – Obituary

Earl George Fix, aged 50, passed away on March 25 while being transported to a local hospital. A lifelong resident of Tacoma, he was born in Steilacoom and worked as a carpenter, affiliated with Carpenters Union No. 470. He is survived by his wife, Alice R., a daughter, Linda Jane, three sons, Leslie W., Randal R., and Dennis W., and his mother, Olive A. Fix. Funeral services will be held on Monday with burial at Sumner Cemetery.

Wheeler, Abraham Lincoln – Obituary

Abe Wheeler, aged 73, passed away on April 1, 1937, after a brief illness and surgery at Ellensburg General Hospital. A resident of Kittitas Valley since 1871, he was the last of six children from pioneering parents and had been married for over 53 years to Laura McEwen Wheeler, also a descendant of early settlers. His family home, a historic log cabin, served as a center for the community. Survived by his wife and three children, Wheeler was an active member of the local Baptist church and the Woodmen of the World.

Biography of Hon. Jesse B. Ball

Hon. Jesse B. Ball, a pioneer of 1853, founded the thriving city of Sterling along the Skagit River in Washington. After working in mining and stock business throughout California, he moved to Puget Sound in 1867, engaging in farming and logging. In 1878, he established Sterling, where he managed a store and logging camp before transitioning to farming and real estate. A Republican and long-time postmaster, Ball also fought Indigenous peoples in early California. He narrowly escaped disaster on the steamer Josephine and has seven children.

Biography of A. C. Campbell

Alexander Colin Campbell, born in Ontario in 1833, is recognized as a prominent pioneer in Puyallup, Washington. Known for his integrity and perseverance, he transitioned from blacksmithing to successful ventures in farming and hop-growing, achieving significant wealth through hard work. He faced numerous hardships, including business failures and financial setbacks, yet consistently rebounded. As a community leader, he has served in various civic roles, including mayor, and has established a successful mercantile business with his sons. Campbell’s legacy reflects the spirit of early pioneers who shaped the region.

Biography of Benjamin Brown

Benjamin Brown was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1831 and emigrated to America in 1857, settling first in Michigan. He moved to California the following year, where he worked in the Siskiyou mines until 1868. After a brief period at the Frazer River mines, he settled in the Grande Ronde Valley, contributing to local development. Married to Francis Kirk, he raised five daughters and maintained a notable presence in the community’s early history, including interactions with local Indigenous tribes.

Biography of Hon. William R. Downey

Hon. William R. Downey, born in Kentucky in 1808, is well-known among the pioneers of Puget Sound. His father was a Revolutionary War hero. Downey moved to Missouri with his family and later settled in Puget Sound in 1853. He served in the Indian War of 1855-56 and held various positions, including county commissioner and later, mayor of Steilacoom. Celebrating his golden wedding anniversary in 1887, he lived a life of integrity and public service, leaving a legacy with his surviving family and descendants.

Biography of Rev. John F. Devore, D. D.

Rev. John F. Devore, D.D., born in Kentucky on December 7, 1817, dedicated his life to ministry after being inspired by his religious upbringing and the writings of Bramwell. He joined the Rock River Conference in 1842 and later served extensively in the Oregon and Puget Sound conferences, contributing significantly to the establishment of churches, schools, and community services across Washington. Devore’s devotion, energy, and leadership left a lasting impact on the communities he served until his passing on July 28, 1889.

Biography of John Flett

John Flett, born in 1815 in Rupert’s Land, was a key figure in the 1841 Red River immigration to the Oregon territory, organized by the Hudsons Bay Company. He participated in a difficult journey across challenging terrains, ultimately reaching Nisqually in November 1841. Despite the failures of the company to fulfill its agreements, Flett settled in Oregon, where he worked as a farmer and later became an influential Indian interpreter under Superintendent General Joel Palmer. Flett’s remarkable life reflects the complexities of colonial settlement and relations with Indigenous peoples in the region.

Biography of Hon. Emory C. Ferguson

Hon. Emory C. Ferguson, born March 5, 1833, in Westchester County, New York, pursued carpentry before moving to California in 1854. Engaging in various enterprises including mining and merchandising, he settled in Snohomish, Washington, where he built a log cabin and established a general store. A prominent figure in local politics, he served multiple terms in the territorial legislature and contributed to Washington’s statehood. As a successful businessman and landowner, Ferguson became a key community leader and a significant taxpayer in Snohomish County.

Biography of Hon. Charles Eisenbeis

Hon. Charles Eisenbeis, born in 1832 in Prussia, emigrated to America in 1856, establishing his career as a baker in Port Townsend shortly after arriving. He became a successful business owner and investor, acquiring significant real estate in the region. Eisenbeis served three terms as mayor and was the first city treasurer, alongside his work on the Washington Board of Health. He married Elizabeth Berghauser in 1865, with whom he had four children, and later wed Kate E. Marsh, establishing a notable legacy in his community.

Biography of Capt. Warren Gove

Captain Warren Gove was a prominent resident of the Pacific Northwest for over thirty-five years, having settled in Puget Sound in 1853. Born in Edgecomb, Massachusetts in 1816, he began his maritime career at thirteen and became a ship captain before a shipwreck in 1844 led him to seek new opportunities. After marrying Hespsibah Crooker in 1842 and fathering five children, he moved to Steilacoom, Washington Territory. Gove was respected in his community, serving in various political offices and contributing significantly to the region’s growth.

Biography of Bedford L. Martin

Bedford L. Martin was born in Arkansas in 1847 and lost both parents by age four, later raised by an uncle in Indiana. At seventeen, he enlisted in the Tenth Indiana Cavalry, enduring severe battles and imprisonment during the Civil War. After the war, he explored various states for a permanent home, eventually homesteading in Steilacoom, Washington. Martin became a successful businessman in La Conner, where he gained respect in the community, owning property and raising a family.

Biography of W. H. Mastin

W.H. Mastin, born in Knoxville, Illinois in 1840, is a notable figure in Colfax, Washington, recognized for his contributions to the community through the establishment of the Thielson House hotel. His diverse early career included harness-making and various trading ventures across the Pacific Northwest, reflecting resilience as he rebuilt his business after multiple fires. Mastin’s story exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurship, emphasizing not only personal gain but also a commitment to enhancing community life, making him a respected and successful citizen.

Biographical Sketch of Wilhelm Otto Roesch

Wilhelm Otto Roesch, born in Germany in 1855, immigrated to the United States in 1870 and gained extensive experience in the brewing industry across various locations. He worked in San Francisco, Steilacoom, and Portland before establishing his own brewery in Port Townsend. After operating a brewery in Heppner for a year, he returned to Germany, where he married Anna Rapps. Roesch eventually returned to Oregon and now manages a brewery in Pendleton, where he has three children: Freda, Wilhelm Lewis, and Herbert Otto.

Biography of Col. William H. Wallace

Col. William H. Wallace was born on July 19, 1811, in Troy, Ohio, and raised in Indiana, where he became a lawyer. He moved to Iowa in 1835, serving as colonel of state troops and holding various legislative positions. In 1853, he relocated to Washington Territory, where he was appointed governor by President Lincoln and later served as the first governor of Idaho Territory. Wallace practiced law and held the position of probate judge in Pierce County until his death on February 7, 1879. He was married to Suzana Brazelton and had three children.