warrenw
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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