"Early History of Thurston County, Washington; Together with Biographies and Reminiscences of those Identified with Pioneer Days." Compiled and Edited by Mrs. George E. (Georgiana) Blankenship. Published in Olympia, Washington, 1914. p. 56. ISAAC INGALLS STEVENS Isaac I. Stevens, the first Governor, as well as the most prominent man identified with the early history of Washington, was born in a farm house belonging to his father, Isaac Stevens, at Marble Ridge, Massachusetts. He first saw the light of day March 25, 1818, and sprang from an honorable line of ancestry, one of whom, John Stevens, was among the original founders of Andover, Essex County, Massachusetts. Even from tender infancy the little Isaac gave promise of more than ordinary mentality. Before his fifth year the lad was sent to school and soon astonished his teacher with his remarkable power of memory and his application and devotion to study. After his tenth year he attended Franklin Academy in North Andover, where he studied the usual English branches. But about this time Isaac decided to leave school for a short time to enter the woolen mills owned by his uncle near Andover. At the end of a year spent in the weaving room he became so proficient in his work that he was able to manage four looms at a time, thus excelling the most experienced workmen in that department of the factory. Having reached the age of fifteen years the young Stevens entered Phillips Academy in Andover. Here, while leading his classes in his studies, he paid for his board and lodging by making the garden and doing the chores about the place of a citizen of that town. One of his school mates in describing Stevens' first appearance at the academy said: "The door opened and there quietly entered an insignificant appearing boy carrying in his arms a load of books nearly as large as himself. But the impression of insignificance vanished as soon as one regarded his large head, earnest face and firm and fearless dark hazel eyes." After a little over a year at this academy, through his excellent record for ability and scholarship, as well as the recommendations and efforts of his uncle, William Stevens, Isaac was appointed a cadet at West Point. Here he distinguished himself by rising to the heard of his class in mathematics and during the entire four years' course so well did the young man bear himself that when the academic board came to review the standings of the members of the class to award to each his proper grade it was found that Cadet Stevens stood at the head in every one of his studies. Upon graduation Stevens was promoted to be Second Lieutenant of Engineers and was ordered to proceed to Newport, R. I., to take part in the building of Fort Adams. At Newport the social life was much enjoyed by the young man, and it was while at a social gathering at this town that Lieutenant Stevens met the young lady who was afterwards to become his wife, Margaret Lyman Hazard. On July 1, 1840, Stevens received promotion to be First Lieutenant of the corps of engineers. His marriage to Miss Hazard occurred in September of the year following. Soon after his marriage Lieutenant Stevens was sent to Bedford to take charge of the repairs to the old fort there. And on June 9, 1842, a son was born to the young couple. This child was named Hazard, after the maternal grandfather. For the ensuing few years Lieutenant Stevens was in charge of engineering works at Portsmouth and later at Bucksport, Maine, and it was while engaged in this work that he received his orders for service in the Mexican war. Stevens' first work upon arriving at the seat of war was to seek out covered ways to allow the troops to pass to and from the batteries at Vera Cruz without loss from the enemies' fire. After taking this city by the U. S. soldiers, Stevens accompanied the troops into the interior of Mexico and was made Adjutant of the Corps of Engineers. At the battle of Chapultepec a severe gunshot wound in the foot required his retiring from active service fro the rest of the campaign. He was finally relieved and returned to the States. Again was he put in charge of military works at various places in Maine and New Hampshire, continuing here for the next five years. When the brevets were announced form the war department Lieutenant Stevens was brevetted Captain, August 2, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco and Major for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Chapultepec. Major Stevens from now on for the following few years was engaged as assistant to Professor A. D. Boche, chief of the United States Coast survey. But in the Spring of 1853, President Franklin Pierce appointed Major Stevens Governor of the newly organized Territory of Washington. Save for a few handful of settlers on the lower Columbia and on the shores of Puget Sound, and a few mining and trading posts in the interior, the whole vast region of Stevens' place of administration was unsettled and for the most part unexplored by civilized man. It contained many thousand Indians who regarded the settlement of the territory by the white man with jealous eyes; the Indian title to the lands had not been extinguished and there were many troublous questions to be settled with the Hudson Bay Company, which still held its posts in the territory and claimed extensive rights as guaranteed by treaty. To govern a territory under these conditions would have appalled most men, but Major Stevens not only applied for the appointment as Governor, but also asked that he be placed in charge of the exploration of the most feasible route for the railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast. Congress had recently appropriated $150,000 for the explorative survey of the proposed railroad. When the appointment as Governor to Washington Territory was confirmed, Major Stevens was 36 years of age and in the full prime and vigor of his manhood. Besides the stupendous task involved in the administration as chief executive in a new and unknown territory, with surroundings and experiences totally different from any he had met in previous experiences, Governor Stevens was also, by virtue on his appointment, made Superintendent of Indian affairs in the West. Surely the reader must be impressed with the courage and mental strength exhibited by Isaac I. Stevens in undertaking these duties and responsibilities, in addition to the formidable undertaking of exploring a railroad route to the Pacific Coast, through a totally unknown wilderness. How ably he responded to the demands laid upon him is a matter of history. Assembling an outfit at St. Paul, Minnesota, in which task Governor Stevens was called upon to overcome what to many would have been insurmountable difficulties, the exploring party started for the far off Pacific Coast. A history of this famous exploring trip, compiled by the Governor's son, Hazard Stevens, from the diary kept by his illustrious father, reads like a romance of adventure, so many exciting experiences were encountered and so many hardships and dangers successfully overcome. Arriving at the Columbia River, Governor Stevens followed the only route at that time to reach Olympia, the capital of the new Territory. Up the Cowlitz river by canoe, where the Indian crew had to progress foot by foot against the current of the flooded river, sometimes pulling the frail craft along by the overhanging bushes, then over a muddy trail by horse back, Stevens reached Olympia November 25, 1853, just five months and nineteen days since starting from St. Paul. He found waiting for him and his new Territorial Secretary, Charles Mason; Edward Lander, Chief Justice; J. V. Clendennin, District Attorney; J. Patton Anderson, Marshal, and Simpson P. Moses, Collector of Customs. These officials had reached Olympia, coming via the Isthmus to San Francisco, then by boat to Portland, and then up the Cowlitz River and over the trail. To quote from Hazard Stevens' "Life of Isaac I. Stevens": "It was indeed a wild country, untouched by civilization. A scanty white population numbering 3,965, were widely scattered over Western Washington and the Strait of Fuca. Among the settlers were Columbus Lancaster, on Lewis River; Seth Catlin, Dr. Nathanial Ostrander and the Huntingtons, on the Cowlitz; Alexander S. Abernethy, at Oak Point, and Judge William Strong at Cathalamet." The Governor's first act was to issue his proclamation for the election of a delegate to Congress and members of the first Territorial Legislature and summoning that body to meet in Olympia on the 28th of February, 1854. His next official act was to visit the Indian tribes around the Sound and to generally explore the waters of Puget Sound, Elliott Bay and the Straits, to learn of the general character of the harbors, etc. As this cruise was taken in an open sailboat, it could hardly be regarded as a holiday excursion in that stormy season, and among the swift tides and fierce gales of the lower Sound. One of the objects accomplished on this cruise was the decision that the little settlement of Seattle was the logical terminus for the proposed transcontinental railroad. At the assembling of the Legislature, when Governor Stevens delivered his first message, after reviewing the natural resources of this territory, he recommended the adoption of a code of laws, the organization of the country east of the Cascades into counties, a school system with military training in the higher schools and the organization of the militia. The Legislature adopted all these resolutions with the exception of the one regarding the militia, which omission proved to be unfortunate, as it left the people defenseless when the Indian war broke out less than two years later. After the close of the Legislature Governor Stevens returned to Washington, D. C., to make his report to the Department of the exploring and engineering expedition, and also to urge upon Congress the claims of the new territory. Completing his work in the National Capitol, Governor and Mrs. Stevens, with their four children, the two youngest being only two and four years old, respectively, sailed from New York, September 20, 1854, en route for their far western home. The rough experiences of this refined and cultured family is coming up the Cowlitz and over the trail and their bitter disappointment when beholding the capital city is graphically described in a letter written by Mrs. Stevens and reproduced in the historical sketch of Thurston County in the opening chapters of this volume. The Governor's family were installed in quarters consisting of two long, one-story building, one room wide, unplastered, but lined inside with cotton cloth. In the rear was a large yard extending to the beach. An Indian camp began at the corner of the yard. In the midst of these novel scenes and experiences the family soon began to feel at home and enjoy the western life. The Governor's days were now filled with strenuous labor, making treaties with the Indians, holding council with the Chiefs and endeavoring to cultivate their good will. A history of the various treaties entered into between Governor Stevens and the Indian tribes, the councils held and the long, dangerous and fatiguing expeditions taken by the Governor, would more than fill the pages of this volume, consequently only a brief mention is all that space will allow, and that of the most important ones. Governor Stevens was in the Blackfoot country holding council with the assembled bands and had just taken up his homeward march when a messenger, dispatched by Acting Governor Mason, reached him with the startling intelligence that all the great tribes of the upper Columbia country, including the Cayuses, Walla Wallas, Yakimas, Palouses, Umatillas, and all the Oregon Indian bands down to The Dalles, had broken out in open warfare. Stevens at once, and with incredible difficulty, hastened back to Washington, and after doing what he could to establish peace with the warring savages, undertook to reach Puget Sound by forced marches. This trip was taken in the dead of winter over and through deep snows in the mountains fording icy rivers and with scant provision and no comforts. When Olympia was finally reached he found the entire country was overwhelmed. The settlers had fled for the refuge to the small villages, with no resources of food or money. Starvation stared the pioneers in the face if prevented from planting and raising crops. There was also a deficiency of arms and ammunition. It was small wonder that the settlers were discouraged, and nothing kept many of them from leaving the country but their inability to get away. The Governor, by proclamation, raised 1,000 volunteers, called upon the people to build block houses and proceed with tilling the soil. He required all Indians on the eastern side of the Sound to move into reservations, sent agents to Portland, San Francisco and Victoria with urgent appeals for arms, ammunition and supplies. He issued territorial certificates of indebtedness to pay the volunteers, he freely resorted to impressment of teams, supplies, etc., wherever necessary, and while he appealed to the patriotism and good feeling of the volunteers he enforced strict discipline and punished misconduct. The people responded to the Governor's appeal with true American Spirit and patriotism. The Governor's policy during the war which followed was an aggressive one. His volunteers pursued the bands of Indians, routing them and keeping them from uniting with other bands. The history of the Indian war of 1855-56 is not within the scope of this work, but vivid pen pictures of individuals experiences are given from time to time in the reminiscences of the pioneers interviewed by the compiler. At the close of the war Governor Stevens disbanded the volunteers and disposed of the animals, equipment and supplies on hand at public auction. Owing to the large number captured there were more animals sold at the several auctions than the entire number purchased for the volunteer service. The sales of property netted more than $150,000. As the expenses of the volunteers had been paid in scrip the sales were made for scrip and many of the settler volunteers were glad to purchase stock, wagons and supplies in that way, although scrip money depreciated but little below par value. Owing to the discouraging condition of the territory after the Indian war and owing to the stand taken by the agents of the Hudson Bay Company, Governor Stevens was compelled at this time to issue a proclamation of martial law. This called for considerable censure from the enemies of the young Governor, but at a mass meeting held at the block house in the capital city, the course of the executive was fully endorsed with but 12 dissenting votes. Judge B. F. Yantis presided at this mass meeting and J. W. Goodell acted as secretary. During the time of the Indian trouble the Stevens family remained in Olympia, the children attending the public school, presided over by Rev. George F. Whitworth and his wife. Upon the return of peace the Governor began the construction of a home on the block of land he had purchased soon after his arrival in Olympia, which building is standing to this day, still in the possession of the son, Hazard Stevens. Upon completion of the house, Governor and Mrs. Stevens gave a hose warming, to which were invited the members of the Legislature, and all the townspeople. A description of this first Governor's reception to be held in Washington, is given in the reminiscences contributed by Mrs. J. G. Parker. The Governor, soon after his arrival in the West, adopted the garb of the country, slouch hat, woolen shirt and heavy riding boots -- a garb suitable for one constantly undertaking long an arduous journeys horseback and by canoe. In 1857 Stevens was elected Delegate to Congress, and in the Fall of that year resigned as Governor of Washington, returning with his family to the National Capital by way of Panama. congress adjourning, the Stevens family again returned to their Olympia home, where they lived in peace and happiness until Stevens was again elected for a second term as Congressman. At this second term the Governor devoted his best energies to securing payment of the Indian war debt. He was successful in securing payment of the Indian war debt. He was successful in securing good appropriations for military roads between Fort Benton and Walla Walla and between Steilacoom and Vancouver, secured $4500 for a boundary survey between Oregon and Washington, $95,000 for the Indian service, and also secured a new land office and district for the southern part of the territory. The war shadow was now hovering over the land and Stevens, upon his return to Washington, was instrumental in raising a company in Olympia, known as the Puget Sound Rifles, of which company he was elected Captain. Stevens now engaged in waging the third campaign for election as Delegate to Congress, in which he was opposed by Selucius Garfielde, but before the election was held, news of the attack on Fort Sumter reached the Pacific Coast. Governor Stevens at once withdrew his name as candidate for re-election to tender his service to his country. Here properly ends the life story of Isaac Ingalls Stevens as connected with the early history of Washington. A record of his military career and the soldier's death at the battle of Chantilly belong by rights to the historian of the Civil War. General Stevens fell in battle at the moment of victory. He had grasped the colors from a dying standard bearer, and was charging to the front, cheering to encourage his men, when the fatal shot found its mark. As he lay in death his hand grasped the flag staff, with the colors, for which the noble life had been freely given, resting upon his head and shoulders. A brief resume of the results achieved by Governor Stevens' seven years management of the affairs of the new territory show that he had made exploration of the northern route for a transcontinental railroad, had made treaties with 30,000 Indians, had extinguished Indian titles to many thousands of acres of Washington land, established peace among hereditary enemies over a larger area than New England and the Middle States, and by waging an aggressive warfare against the savage foe had saved the settlements from extinction. In addition to this Stevens took such a firm stand against British aggression at the time the controversy over possession of the San Juan Islands arose that this valuable group was saved to the United States. At the end of the war he disbanded the volunteers and adjusted financial claims to the satisfaction of the majority. Over three quarters of a million dollars were disbursed for the government, all accounts for which were found to be correct. In his career in Congress he secured the ratification of his Indian treaties, payment of the Indian war debt, the opening of the interior to settlement and the punishment of Indian murderers. ******************* Submitted to the Washington Bios. Project in June 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.