STATUS: AVAILABLE - $10.00 + SHIPPING
PHOTOGRAPH INFORMATION
NAME(S): Wm Finney & Co. General Merchandise
PHOTOGRAPH: # 3209
OTHER INFO: None
PHOTOGRAPHER: Unknown
CARD SIZE: 13.8 cm x 11.2 cm
WHERE PURCHASED: Gasquet, California
WHEN OBTAINED: August 25, 2015
RESEARCHED
INFORMATION
WILLIAM FINNEY, a progressive and influential citizen of Davenport, Lincoln county, is engaged in the general merchandise business.
He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, June 12, 1833, the son of James and Rebeckah (Briggs) Finney, natives of Pennsylvania. They
removed to Ohio in 1802, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying at the age of ninety-three, the mother at eighty-eight.
They were the parents of twelve children, five of whom are still living, Andrew, Joseph, Nancy, Susan, and William.
The latter, the subject of this sketch, received his earlier education in the public schools of Morgan county, Ohio, and later in Washington
Academy, Guernsey county, where he stood high in his classes and was graduated with honors. At the age of twenty-one he commenced
the world for himself, engaged in farming and other employments. In 1868 he removed to Illinois where he was interested in the sawmill and
lumber business which he followed successfully for fifteen years. He then began the manufacture of brick and tiling, and for four years was,
also, interested in a general mercantile store. During the greater portion of the year 1887 he traveled in California, and in 1888 came to
Washington, locating at Davenport. He purchased the "Pioneer Store," in which he conducted business until 1898, when he was burned out,
his loss by this disastrous conflagration being thirty thousand dollars. He rebuilt, erecting a pressed brick front structure twenty-seven by
eighty-eight feet in dimensions, and also a handsome dwelling. He owns ten town lots in Davenport, and his residence is supplied by a private
water system installed at his own expense.
Mr. Finney was married in 1858 to Melissa Hayes, a distant relative of President Rutherford B. Hayes, and, daughter of Joseph and Margaret
(Logue) Hayes, natives of Vermont. They located in Ohio, where they died. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Finney: Emmert, in
Spokane; Addie, wife of C. M. Waters, of Pullman, Washington; William H., with his father, and Othie, living with his parents. In earlier days Mr.
Finney's political affiliations were with the Republican party, but he is at present a liberal. At the time of the incorporation of the city of Davenport
he became the first treasurer, was mayor four years, and served two or three terms in the city council. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge,
Royal Arch Chapter and Select Council. He joined the I. O. O. F. when twenty-one years of age. Mrs. Finney is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
NOTES
No persons identified in photograph. I purchased this one just because it was interesting.
SOURCES
The above 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.