Washington Pioneer Dead 1913
By Thomas W. Prosch
In the list of departed pioneers
following, record is made only of those that have come to the
attention of the biographer. There were others, no doubt, but of
them he had no knowledge. Those are considered pioneers who
lived in the State of Washington, and who were on the Pacific
Coast before I860. The number of such who died in 1913 was
greater than in any previous year. The average age and the
average number of years on the coast, were also greater. The
information here presented was obtained principally from the
newspapers of the day. Regret is expressed that it was not in
all cases equally full and complete.
Anderson, Andrew Died at Walla Walla
Feb. 2 1 , aged 85 years. He was a pioneer of 1856, a farmer and
a veteran of the Civil War.
Andrews, Lyman Beach Born in New York
State, Feb. 1 0, 1829, died at San Diego, Cal., March 31, aged
84 years. He came to California in 1859, and in 1860 to Seattle,
where his home was ever afterward. He was a prominent citizen
for half a century. Mrs. Andrews died in 1 908. He left one
daughter and three sons.
Bagley, Susannah Rogers Born in
Massachusetts, May 8, 1819, died at Seattle, Oct. 11 , aged 94
years. Married in 1 840 to Daniel Bagley, who died in 1 905, she
and he removed to Illinois, where they remained until 1852, when
they came to Oregon. In I860 they moved on to the north, to
Washington, from Salem to Seattle. He was chiefly instrumental
in building the second church in the city the Methodist
Protestant and of the location and building of the Territorial
University in 1861. A son, the well known Clarence B. Bagley,
survives them. Greenlaw, Wilhelmina Born in Pierce county, died
at Tacoma Oct. I 8, aged 59 years. She was the daughter of
Frederick Meyer, one of the soldiers under Captain Hill, who
established Fort Steilacoom in I 849. She left six sons and four
daughters.
Bean, Sarah L. Born at McMinnvilIe.
Oregon, Oct. 6, 1851; died at Seattle, Nov. 9, aged 62 years.
She came to Washington in 1875. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. R.
Bean, came to Oregon in 1845. Miss Bean's mother and sister
survive her.
Bersch, Mary Born in Switzerland, Dec.
15, 1832, died in Vancouver, August 27, aged 80 years. Mrs.
Bersch came to the United States in 1851 and to Washington in
1853. Her living descendants included six children, forty
grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Blanchet, John B. Born in 1840, died at
Vancouver, Feb. 4. aged 73 years. He came west in 1846, and
lived all the following years at Vancouver. He was a nephew of
Bishop Blanchet and also of. Arch-bishop Blanchet, the two first
high Catholic Church dignitaries in this state.
Boyd, Levi Born in Ohio, September,
1812, died at Walla Walla, Feb. 6, aged a little more than 1 00
years. He crossed the continent in 1843, and remained in Oregon
and Washington until 1861. He then went East and joined the
Confederates in their effort to divide the Union. Soon after the
conclusion of hostilities he returned to Walla Walla, where he
continued to reside to the end of his long life. He was a
bachelor.
Brown, Mrs. Chandler Born in Thurston
County, Washington, Sept. 18, 1855; died at Centralia, Dec. 20,
aged 58 years. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Axtell, immigrants of 1852.
Caldwell, R. P. Born in Tennessee, June
15, 1834, died at Everett about Feb. 1, aged 79 years. He came
to California in 1856, to Oregon in 1859, and to Washington in
1901. His wife, two daughters and two sons survive him.
Charlton, Charles Alexander Born in
Virginia, March 23, 1829, died at Colville, Oct. 8, aged 85
years. He came to Oregon in 1850, where he remained until his
removal to Washington, a few years ago. He like the majority of
the other men of the time, served in the Indian War of l855-'56.
His wife remains.
Christ, Philip Born in Germany, May 24,
1824; died at Vancouver, Washington, May 6, aged 89 years. As a
member of Company L, First U. S. Artillery, he came by ship to
the Columbia River in 1849, and under Major Hathaway, was one of
the men who established Fort Vancouver, or Vancouver Barracks.
Upon discharge he settled there, and there spent the last
sixty-four years of his life. Upon the same ship came another
company M, Captain Hill which was sent to Puget Sound, and
established Fort Steilacoom, the same year, these two being the
first military posts in the State of Washington.
Clark, Elizabeth Frances Born in
Missouri, died in Seattle, Sept. 26, aged 72 years. She came to
Oregon in 1853, and to Washington in 1860. She left eight
daughters and two sons, besides sisters, brothers and other
relatives.
Cloquet, August Died June 14, at Toledo,
aged 87 years. He came to Washington in 1851. For sixty years he
dwelt in Lewis County. He left seven children.
Cook, James W. Born Aug. 22, 1833; died
in Portland, Oregon, Oct. 25, aged 80 years. He came to Portland
from Chicago in 1855. He was one of the first men to go into the
salmon canning business, more than forty years ago. He had
canneries on the Columbia River and at Blaine and Port Townsend
on Puget Sound. His surviving relatives include his wife and two
daughters.
Darragh, John. Born in New York State in
1830; died at Edmonds, Jan. 13, in his 83d year. He was an
Oregon pioneer of 1851. He remained there and in Washington
until 1883, when he returned to New York. In 1902 he came back
to the Pacific and made his home in Edmonds. He participated
prominently in the 1855-56 Indian war. A wife and daughter were
left.
Dougherty, Thomas A. Born in Pierce
County, Washington, Jan. 3, 1853, died in Seattle Aug. 28, aged
61 years. His wife born in 1853 and who came to Washington in
1870 died three weeks before him. Mr. Doughter's father, Wm. P.
Dougherty, came to Oregon in 1843, and his mother, Mary
Chambers, in 1845, both coming to Pierce County before 1850. His
mother, a brother and a sister survive him.
Faucett, Rachel A. Died at Auburn, May
27, aged 88 years. She came from Missouri to Washington in 1
854. The family lived ten years in Pierce County and forty-nine
years in King. She left three daughters, one son, fourteen
grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Fisher, Lydia Ann Born in Oregon, Jan.
30, 1848, died near Fisher's. Clark County, April 10, aged 65
years. All her life, every hour was spent in Oregon or
Washington, the last fifteen years in this state. Three sons and
a daughter were left.
Freeman, Rosina Died in Seattle, Sept.
5, aged 83 years. She was the wife of Thomas P. Freeman, who
came to California from Pennsylvania in 1849. She followed in
1850. They removed to Seattle in 1873. They were colored people.
He died about twelve years ago. A daughter is all that is left
of their family.
Gaillac, Malinda Born in Missouri in
1837, died at Olympia August 22, aged 76 years. She came with
her parents (Packwoods) to Washington in 1 845. Nine sons and
daughters were left.
Gale, Joseph Marion Born in Illinois in
1 836, died at Orting. March 17, aged 77 years. He came to
Oregon in 1853. He served in two Indian wars, and also the Civil
War. He was a teacher and a newspaper editor.
Gatch, Thomas Milton Born in Ohio, Jan.
29, 1833, died at Seattle April 23, aged 80 years. He came to
California in 1856 and to Washington Territory in 1859. He was a
teacher in the higher branches of learning and in the higher
schools of the country. He was principal of the Portland
Academy, twice president of Willamette University, president of
the University of Oregon, and president of the University of
Washington. Two daughters and one son survive him.
Gendron, Eliza Born at Nespilem,
Washington, in 1821; died at Marcus, Washington, Dec. 1 9, aged
92 years. Her father was one of the early Pacific Coast trappers
and fur traders. Her mother was an Indian woman. All her own
life was spent in this state, a longer time than that of any
other white or half white person known. She married Alexander
Gendron in 1844, her husband being a Hudson Bay Company
employee. She was the mother of fourteen children, grandmother
of fifty-two and great grandmother of twenty-one.
Goodridge, Gardner Born in Maine, Feb.
28, 1833; died at Florence, May 10, aged 80 years. He came to
California in 1853, to British Columbia in 1858, and thence to
Washington after a short stay. He left four children.
Haley, John Born in New York in 1840,
died at Ellensburg, August 20, aged 73 years. He came to
California in 1856, and to Washington in 1879.
Hardison, James W. Born in Polk County,
Oregon, in 1845, died at Wahkiakum in March, aged 68 years. His
whole life was spent in Oregon and Washington. A widow and four
children survive.
Heitman, Henry Died at Ridgefield, Clark
County, Jan. 13, aged 80 years. He came from the Eastern States
in 1853. He was a farmer, and by industry and economy was
enabled to acquire 1,800 acres of agricultural land. Four
daughters and two sons survive him.
Jaggy, John Born Jan. 14, 1829, died at
Vancouver, Jan. 30, aged 84 years. He came to California in
1857, and after a few months moved to Washington Territory. He
was long a leading citizen of his home community. A wife, two
daughters and a son survive him.
Jaggy, Margaret Wintler Born in
Switzerland, died at Vancouver, July 4, aged 88 years. She came
to the United States in 1852 and to Washington Territory in
1857. For thirty-five consecutive years she was treasurer of the
Vancouver Methodist Church. Mr. Jaggy died Jan. 30, 1913. They
left three children.
Krumm, John Born in Germany, died at
Kent, Sept. 6, aged 86 years. Mr. Krumm came from Ohio to
California in 1849, and ten years later moved on to Washington,
settling in White River valley. He left a wife, two sons, two
daughters and three grandchildren.
Latham, John Born in England, June 22,
1837, died at Tacoma, August 6, aged 77 years. He came to Oregon
in 1856, and to Washington in 1860. He left a wife, five
children and fourteen grandchildren.
Laws, Andrew Jackson Born in Illinois.
March 13, 1833, died at the old soldiers' home at Orting, Jan.
15, aged 80 years. In 1852 he came to Clark County, Washington,
where he made his home. Like most other young men of his time,
he served in the Indian war, from Oct. 20, 1855, ten months, its
whole period, in the western half of the territory. Mrs. Page, a
daughter, of Vancouver, was left.
Little, Daniel Born in Maine, died at
Castle Rock, June 29. He came to Washington in 1852, and has
resided ever since in Cowlitz County. Six children were left.
Livingston, David Born in Pennsylvania,
died in Seattle Feb. 5, aged 82 years. He came to Puget Sound in
1853, and thereafter made his home. His wife died in 1906. They
had three children George W., Clara and Josephine.
Loomis. Louis Alfred Born in New York
State. Oct. 9, 1830 died at Loomis Station, Pacific County, July
19, aged 83 years. He was a pioneer of 1852. He served among the
Oregon volunteers in the Indian war of 1855-56. Five children
were left.
Masterson, James Died in Seattle, May
24. He came to Oregon in 1851, and to Washington in 1873. He
left three children.
McKinlay, David Born in California in
1854; died at San Francisco, April 10, aged 59 years. He came to
Victoria, B. C, and from there in 1873 to Seattle, which was his
home to the end. Mr. McKinlay left a valuable estate to found an
orphans' home, upon the death of his surviving wife.
Miller, Edward Born at Syracuse, N. Y.,
May 25, 1832, died at Shelton, Oct. 15, aged 81 years. He was a
farmer, a trader, an early day Puget Sound navigator. A widow,
two daughters and a son were left.
Miller, Eva L. Born in California in
1859, died at Seattle, Dec. 5, aged 54 years. She came to
Seattle in 1882 as the wife of Dr. P. B. M. Miller. A son and
three stepdaughters were left.
Montgomery, Matilda Ann Born in
Illinois, died at Meyers Falls, Jan. 2, aged 80 years. She came
to Oregon in 1850, and for a number of years lived in Linn
County. From there she moved to Dayton, Wash., where she
remained until she went to Meyers Falls in 1906. She is survived
by three daughters and two sons.
Moore, A. C. H Died at North Yakima,
March 29, aged 76 years. He came overland to California in 1849.
From there he moved on to Oregon, and about thirty years ago
came further north, to Long Beach, Wash. A widow, five daughters
and two sons survive him.
Nelson, John M. Born in Kentucky, April
14, 1824; died at The Dalles, Oregon, April 4. He came to
California in 1847, a few years later to Oregon, and still later
to Washington, his last home being at Valley, this state. He was
a remarkable linguist, being able to talk with Indians of
sixteen different dialects. Twenty-seven grandchildren and eight
great grandchildren are his living descendants.
Neely, David A. Born in 1823, died at
Kent, in King County, Dec. 31st, 1912, aged 89 years. Mr. Neely
came from Missouri, and in 1854 settled on the land claim in
White River valley, where he lived the following almost
fifty-nine years. In the Indian war of 1855-56 he was driven
from home by the savages, and he at once retaliated by
en-listing in the territorial military service against them. He
was second lieutenant of his company, and for a time was in
command, owing to the retirement of Captain Edward Lander and
First Lieutenant Arthur A. Denny. He was married in 1848. His
wife, 87 years of age, survives him; also five children,
fourteen grandchildren, and sixteen great grand-children. [Note.
The foregoing went to the printer too late for publication in
the list of deceased 1912 pioneers, and is therefore placed
here. T. W. P.]
Newell, Therese Born near Portland,
Oregon, June 4, 1856, died at Seattle Jan. 26, aged 57 years.
She was a school teacher and unmarried.
Newhall, William Died in New York, Dec.
19, aged 84 years. Deceased was a well-known Pacific Coast
navigator, coming around the Horn first in 1847. The barkentine
Amelia was one of his latest and longest commands. He was a Son
of the American Revolution, a Pioneer and a Mason, all at
Seattle. Two daughters and a son are left, in addition to
relatives slightly more remote.
Parker, Gilmore Hays Born at Sacramento,
California, in 1859; died in Seattle, Dec. 29, aged 54 years. He
was the son of Capt. John G, Parker, who came to Puget Sound
more than sixty years ago, and was one of the first steamboat
men and first merchants of these parts. The son followed the
father into the steamboat business. He was master of several
steamers, including the T. J. Potter, Bailey Gatzert, Greyhound,
City of Everett and Telegraph. His ancestors on the mother's
side were the well-known Hays family, than whom none were more
prominent in Washington Territory from fifty to sixty years ago.
Captain Parker left a mother, two sisters and two brothers.
Thomas W. Prosch.
Pettygrove, Benjamin Stark Born in
Portland, Oregon, Sept. 30, 1846, died at Port Townsend, March
7, aged 67 years. His father, Francis W. Pettygrove, settled on
the Portland townsite several years before, and was one of the
town projectors. He suggested the name and bestowed it, his
partner in the enterprise favoring Boston instead. When this
boy, this first white male child born there, came along, the
question of sovereignty in Oregon was not settled between Great
Britain and the United States, as far as known to the people of
Oregon, though, as a matter of fact, it had been settled three
and a half months before. A ship came in having on board a
passenger named Benjamin Stark, who had a newspaper in which was
the first report of the conclusion of the matter on the basis of
the international boundary line on the 49th parallel. The
Pettygroves were so pleased that they named their boy after this
stranger. Streets in Portland are named Pettygrove and Stark.
Benjamin Stark stayed there, became a prominent citizen, and
represented the state in the U. S. Senate. The Pettygrove family
removed to Port Townsend in 1852 and were among the founders of
that city. B. S. Pettygrove lived there almost sixty-one years.
After a married life of nineteen years, his wife died in 1893.
They left one son.
Phelps, Susan E. Died in Seattle, Sept.
22, aged 81 years. She came to California in 1849, and to
Washington in 1889. One daughter was her only descendant.
Prosch, Charles Born in Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1820; died in Seattle, Nov. 22,
in the 94th year of his age. He came to California in 1853, and
to Washington Territory in 1858. He published a newspaper at
Steilacoom and later one at Olympia, during the first fourteen
years of his residence in Washington. His was the first daily
paper in Olympia. He was also engaged in the first newspaper
published in Tacoma. He was a member and officer in four
churches in Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle, two of which, in 1873
and 1889, he assisted in organizing. He was also more or less
engaged in many other enterprises and works of pioneer days. He
left a son, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
Rhoades, L. H. Born in Illinois in 1844,
died at Bay Center, July 14, aged 69 years. He came to Oregon in
1850, and to Washington in 1862. Probably no couple in the state
were married younger than Mr. and Mrs. Rhoades, he being 16
years and she 15 years old in 1860 when united. She and ten
children were left.
Rose, Alfred Percy Born in Pennsylvania,
died at Metaline, May I, aged 76 years. He came to California in
1858, and later lived in every state and territory west of the
Rocky Mountains, and Mexico and British Columbia besides. A
widow, a son and a daughter survive him.
Ross, Eliza Jane Born in Illinois, Dec.
10, 1830; died at Puyallup, Nov. 26, aged 83 years. She and her
husband, Darius Mead Ross, came to Oregon in 1851, and lived in
that state for twelve years. In 1 863 they came to Washington,
and made their home on a farm in Puyallup Valley. Two sons, two
daughters, nineteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren
survive her.
Russell, D. L. Born in Virginia, died at
Vancouver, Aug. 25, aged 78 years. He came to California in
1849. He engaged in the Civil War. In 1864 he came to Washington
Territory. A wife and four children were left.
Scheule, Josephine Born at Vancouver,
died at Portland, Ore., Aug. 27, aged 60 years. She was a widow,
but had three children.
Shaw, James O. Born in Maine, died at
White Salmon, April 11, aged 86 years. He was a '49er of
California, but in the 1870s settled in Klickitat County,
Washington. A widow and three children survive.
Shaw, James O. Born in Maine, died at
White Salmon, March 30, aged 86 years. He came by ship to
California in 1849. In 1870 he took a homestead in Klickitat
County. A wife, a son and two daughters were left.
Sparks, Margaret I. Born in South
Carolina, died at Boisfort in March, aged 93 years. Her first
husband was Wm. A. Brewer. They came to Oregon in 1853. He died
in 1858. In 1860 she moved to Washington Territory, where she
married John G. Sparks. She left six children.
Spooner, Thomas J. Born in Kentucky, May
18, 1836; died near Portland, Oregon, Nov. 30, aged 77 years. He
came to Oregon in 1859. In 1882 he moved to Tacoma, but in 1893
went back to Oregon. He left a widow and four sons.
Stangroom, Marc Lareviere Born in
England, May 22, 1832; died at Bellingham, Oct. 25, aged 81
years. He came to California in 1855, and to Bellingham in 1888.
A son and two daughters were left.
Stevens, Margaret L. Born at Newport, R.
I., in 1816; died at Boston, Nov. 4, aged 97 years. Mrs. Stevens
was the widow of Isaac Ingalls Stevens, the first Governor of
Washington Territory, 1853 to 1857, and who, as a Union General,
was killed at the Battle of Chantilly, Sept. 1, 1862. She came
to Washington Territory in 1854, and the house that was built
for her sixty years ago still stands in Olympia, one of the
oldest buildings in the state. She was in Washington City during
his Congressional and later military careers, but returned to
the Territory in 1867, with her then grown children. After some
years the family removed to Boston. A son, two daughters, five
grandchildren and two great grandchildren are her living
descendants.
Titus, Eliza At Lacenter, Clark County,
Nov. 14, Mrs. Eliza Titus died. She crossed the plains with her
parents, named Rice, who took a donation claim sixty years ago.
Eliza was twice married, first to John S. Pollock, and in 1875
to M. Titus, She left four children by the first marriage.
Tukey, John Fossett Born in Bangor, Me.,
Aug. 6. 1830. Died in Jefferson County, March 1, aged 83 years.
He came to the Pacific Coast by ship in 1850, and two years
later settled on a land claim on Discovery Bay, where he made
his home for sixty years. He served among the volunteers in
1855. His wife died a year before him. They had no children.
Walker, Cyrus Born in Maine, died at San
Mateo, Cal., Oct. 1, aged 86 years. He came to California in
1849, and to Washington Territory in 1853. He was identified as
an employee with Messrs. Pope, Talbot and Keller in the location
and erection of the saw mills that have been operating at Port
Gamble for the last sixty years. When Keller retired Walker took
his place as the Puget Sound head, and for almost half a century
so remained. Under him the company acquired other saw mills at
Utslady and Port Ludlow, timber lands, ships and other
properties. The company in its early days built a steamer which
it called the Cyrus Walker, and which had a longer existence on
Puget Sound than any other craft. Mr. Walker acquired large
personal properties, and became one of the wealthiest men in the
state. He left a wife and son.
Watson, Phoebe C Born in Illinois, Feb.
19, 1840, died in Chehalis, March 9, aged 73 years. She crossed
the plains in 1848 with her parents, Jacob Conser and wife. She
was married in 1860, and in 1872 the family went upon a farm
near Chehalis. She was survived by five sons.
Whitworth, James Edward Died in Seattle,
July 11, aged 72 years. He came to Oregon in 1853 and to
Washington in 1854. Married in 1869, his wife died several years
ago. His descendants Include ten children and twenty-one
grandchildren.
Williamson, John R. Born in New York
State. Feb. 16, 1827, died at Seattle, Oct. 1 9, aged 87 years.
He came to California m 1851; and to Washington in 1853, with
Cyrus Walker and the others who were here to build a saw mill at
Port Gamble. There he was employed for several years, and a
similar time at Seabeck in a like work, when, in 1863, he joined
with others in a saw mill enterprise at Freeport, now Seattle.
He was an engineer, a machinist, an iron founder in fact, a
master mechanic. He left a son and a daughter.
Wood, Helen R. M. Mrs. Born in
Australia, died at Dungeness, March 1, aged 55 years. She came
to Puget Sound when a child one year old.
Back to
Washington AHGP
Source: The Washington Historical
Quarterly, Volume VII., January, 1916
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