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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",  published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     WILLIAM T. WARREN.  A native of Bellevue, Jackson county, Iowa, born December 3, 1866, William T. Warren is now a successful practicing attorney of Wilbur, Washington.  His father, Thomas B. Warren, a native of the same county, was one of the well known characters of the northwest.  He came to Montana in 1876, and was for a number of years the postmaster at Dillon.  From this point he came to Spokane in 1886, and during Presidents Harrison's administration he was postmaster there.  About seven years ago he went to Okanogan county since which time until his death he was prominently identified with mining operations and with the profession of the law.  The subject's mother was Mattie L. (Grant) Warren, daughter of Israel Grant, who was first cousin to General U. S. Grant.  He was one of the early pioneers of Callaway county, Missouri, and for sixteen years was clerk of his county.  Mrs. Thomas B. Warren died in Spokane about 1894.  The father's death occurred in Spokane, March 17, 1904.  The only members of the family surviving them, besides the son mentioned above, are Lee G., Mrs. Jessie Nosler, and Mrs. Alta M. Hines, all of Seattle.
     In 1871 William T. Warren came with his parents to Franklin, Idaho, where he busied himself in selling papers and acted as agent for the Salt Lake Tribune at the terminus of the Utah and Northern Railway for two years.  We next find him in the postoffice at Dillon and at the same time conducting a news stand.  His schooling facilities were decidedly limited, he having access to the public schools only a few terms.  This, with one year in an eastern school, was all the schooling he ever received.  At the age of seventeen he was appointed assistant postmaster at Missoula, Montana, but on account of ill health he did not remain long in this work, but removed to the Bitter Root valley, where he lived on a stock ranch and rode that range for two years.  He next worked for a time on the Northern Pacific railroad on the Rocky Mountain division, his chief being Superintendent F. W. Gilbert.  He came to Spokane in 1886, where he made his home until 1893.  During his residence in Spokane he was variously employed, having served as clerk and bookkeeper for a mercantile house, assistant postmaster, clerk for Justice of the Peace F. M. Backus, real estate dealer, and lawyer.  He was in the real estate business at the time of the memorable Spokane fire and lost heavily from its effects.  While a law student he was married, December 3, 1890, to Kate W. Rockhold, the eldest surviving daughter of Jerry Rockhold, ex-county surveyor of Lincoln county.  Upon being admitted to the bar, Mr. Warren formed a partnership with Judge Backus, under whom he read law, and Judge Watkins, the firm name being Backus, Watkins & Warren.  The senior member of the firm later withdrawing, the business was continued under the name of Watkins & Warren until 1893, when Mr. Warren came to Wilbur.  He is now associated with the firm of Myers & Warren, one of the ablest law firms of the county.  He is not only a prominent man in his profession, but equally so in fraternity circles.  He is past master of the A. F. & A. M., of Wilbur; past counsel and present clerk of the W. W.; a member of the I. O. O. F., of Davenport; of the K. P., of Spokane; of the B. P. O. E., of Spokane; and of the Eastern Star, of Wilbur.
 

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