Cutchiej
Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
JOHN M. CUTCHIE is one of the
deserving pioneers whose labors have been bestowed in a wise manner in
the Okanogan country for some twenty or more years with the happy result
that he now possesses considerable property as evidence of his thrift and
industry. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on April 1, 1848, the
son of Maxum and Matilda Cutchie, natives of Montreal, Canada, and Detroit,
respectively. The father came to Detroit when a small boy, being
one of the first residents of that now great city. With his wife
he is now dwelling in Port Huron, Michigan, aged eighty-six. In addition
to our subject, two other children, George and Nora, were born to this
worthy couple, who both live in Port Huron. When our subject was
eleven, the family removed from Detroit to Port Huron, and there he completed
his education which was begun in Detroit. In 1876 he came thence
to Reno, Nevada, and then on to San Francisco. The following February
he came by steamer to Portland, and later did logging on the Columbia.
After this he was in Lewiston, and in 1878 came to Spokane. He followed
packing along the line of the Northern Pacific, and after a time in Seattle
went to the Fraser river region. He mined there, and also on the
Thompson river near Kam Loops. It was in 1885 that he came to the
Okanogan country, and since that time he has devoted himself to the improvement
and development of the resources of the country. In 1892 Mr. Cutchie
settled where we find him at the present time, about thirteen miles north
from Loomis, on the Similkameen. It is an estate of two hundred acres
and well improved. The land is on the bottom and raises the best
of alfalfa, timothy and all productions idigenous to this latitude.
In addition to general farming, Mr. Cutchie also raises and handles
stock.
On July 23, 1890, Mr. Cutchie maried Miss
Sarah A., daughter of Daniel and Bridget (Dailey) Lenton, natives respectively
of England and Ireland. Both parents died when Mrs. Cutchie was small,
and in 1888 she came to the Okanogan country to visit an only brother,
Joseph L. Being well pleased with the country she remained, and later
was married. To Mr. and Mrs. Cutchie one child, Claude Lenton Cutchie,
was born on December 11, 1892.
In early days Mr. Cutchie had to freight his
supplies from Sprague, and it was hard work, as all the old pioneers found
it, to haul loads without roads, and ferry them across the Columbia in
canoes, swimming the horses. Mr. and Mrs. Cutchie are highly respected
citizens and have many friends in the surrounding country.