The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 70
A portrait of James A. Karr appears in this publication.
A portrait of Mrs. Abigail Karr appears in this publication.

JAMES A. KARR.

While several years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since James A.
Karr passed from this life, his influence is yet felt and his memory cherished
by all who knew him. He was for many years a most prominent citizen of
Washington, contributing in marked measure to the development and upbuilding of
the state. He became an investor in lands in the Yakima valley which are still
being further developed and improved through the efforts of his son, Arthur T.
Karr, who is now the manager of the Karr estate.

A contemporary writer has said of James A. Karr: "The history of Hoquiam and of
the Grays Harbor country cannot be better told than by detailing many of the
incidents of the life of James A. Karr, who lived until November, 1914, to tell
the tale of the wonderful development of this section of the country, his memory
forming a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive
present. Fifty-seven years have come and gone since he filed upon a claim in
Chehalis, now Grays Harbor, county, in 1860, being then a young man of
twenty-six years. Until that district emerged from pioneer conditions much of
his life had been spent upon the frontier, for Indiana had taken on statehood
only eighteen years before he was born on Little Indian creek, not far from
Martinsville, Indiana, on the l8th of September, 1834. His earliest
recollections are of playing on the sand on the bank of that creek with his
little sister, who died after he left home. He has no memory of his father, save
as he saw him in death, the grief of his mother impressing this sight indelibly
upon the mind of the three-year-old boy. However, he remembers his grandfather
Karr, a fine type of the Irish gentleman, dressed like a squire in leggings and
hunting coat. After the death of the father the family removed from place to
place and was subjected to many hardships. Later the mother married a Mr.
Storick and again the family moved, settling on a good farm in St. Clair county,
Illinois, not far from St. Louis. There was much hard work to be done in the
further clearing and cultivating of the land and the Karr brothers did their
full share. Mr. Karr, however, recognized that as stepsons they had little
chance in life because of a lack of education and that they would always have to
depend upon severe manual labor. He often expressed a desire to attend school
but received no assistance from Mr. Storick, although his mother encouraged the
idea. At length, feeling that if he obtained an education it must be through his
own efforts, he left home at the age of fourteen years and hired out for the
summer at a wage of five dollars per month. At harvest time a man who could
swing a cradle or who could bind after the cradle was paid a much better wage
than the regular farm hand, and Mr. Karr proved that he could bind as well as
men of twice or thrice his years. Accordingly he did work of that character,
earning at first a dollar and afterward a dollar and a quarter per day, and the
money thus gained was used in buying books and clothing, while by working on
Saturdays and morning and night to pay for his board, he was able to attend
school for several months that winter. He afterward entered upon an
apprenticeship to the brickmakers' trade and the money which he earned through
the summer months in that way enabled him to again attend school in the winter.
One of his teachers, John Leeper, a graduate of McKendree College of Illinois,
proved an inspiration to him and assisted him in every possible way in his
studies. For six years Mr. Karr continued working in the summer and attending
school in the winter, and finally, with a partner, he established and operated a
brickyard, in which he won a measure of success that enabled him to pay his
board and devote an entire year to study, in which time he acquired a knowledge
of algebra, natural philosophy and astronomy. He was particularly interested in
the first named and his fellow students often called upon him to assist in
solving their problems. After that year he taught school for a term and then,
inclined to the study of medicine, he spent some time in a drug store. All these
experiences not only proved to him a means of earning a living at that period
but gave him a fund of knowledge upon which he called in his later pioneer
experiences in the northwest. He became one of the first school teachers and one
of the first brickmakers of Chehalis county when some years later he
established his home in the Grays Harbor country.

“In 1852, following the discovery of gold in California, Mr. Karr and his
brother decided to go to the mines, as this would enable them also to see
something of the world. Returning to Indiana, Mr. Karr, who was then twenty-one
years of age, settled his mother's estate, his share thereof being about five
hundred dollars, which furnished the brothers the capital for their trip.
Proceeding to New York, they took passage on a steamer bound for Panama, crossed
the Isthmus and thence proceeded northward to California, where they spent three
years in the mines. They made-Nevada City their headquarters but they did not
find the expected fortune and in 1858, attracted by the Fraser river excitement,
started north as passengers on the Anne Perry from San Francisco to Whatcom.
There they purchased a small boat to go from Bellingham Bay to the Gulf of
Georgia and thence up the Fraser river. Point Roberts extended into the gulf in
a southeasterly direction for quite a distance. South of this point the water
was quiet but on the river side there was a strong surf driven on by the
northwest wind. However, they decided to land on the north side in order to be
ready to make the start up the river, but while so doing their boat filled with
water and their provisions received a soaking, although little damage resulted.
Proceeding up the river, they stopped at Fort Yale for a week or more in
September, 1858, and there purchased Sockeye salmon from the Indians, which
furnished them many an appetizing meal when the fish was fried in butter.

"As the winter was coming on and there seemed to be no prospect of getting gold,
the brothers returned southward, accompanied by their partner, John C. Gove, who
became one of the pioneer settlers near Seattle. Purchasing their partner's
interest, they started back to the Sound and at Olympia sold their boat,
proceeding on the trail with their packs. They spent the night on Mound Prairie
at the home of a Mr. Goodell, whose son Ed had just been helping to make a
survey of the land at Grays Harbor. He told of the country and of the river
called Hoquiam, Mr. Karr and his brother retaining a distinct remembrance of
this. However, the brothers proceeded to Portland to spend the winter and there
entered the employ of Colonel Frush, who was building streets, for which purpose
he hauled gravel from the Willamette river bars. In securing the gravel the
brothers were able to earn three dollars per day and later they cut cordwood,
for which they were paid a dollar and a half per cord, and by working steadily
they could earn three dollars per day in that way. In the spring James A. Karr
ran the steam ferry across the Columbia, while his brother drove a team, but
they never abandoned the idea of returning to Grays Harbor and in August made
preparations for a trip into the new country. Returning to Olympia, they
purchased cloth from which they made a tent, and also laid in supplies for the
trip. Proceeding on their way, they stopped for a time at the ranch of
‘Blockhouse' Smith at Cedarville and there proceeded to make a canoe. The cedar
tree which they selected for the purpose split, so they secured a green
cottonwood growing beside the river. They hewed this out and, wishing to hasten
the work, they piled the canoe full of branches of vine maple, to which they set
fire, but found that they had burned a hole in the cottonwood. A thin board,
oakum and pitch repaired the damage, and packing their supplies in the canoe,
they started down the river, after two days reaching Cosmopolis, which was the
metropolis of this country. The district was largely an unsettled and
undeveloped region, the Metcalfs living at Montesano and the Scammons at
Wynoochee, which was the county seat. From that point they proceeded to
Hoquiam, rounding Cow Point and so coming into the mouth of the river. They
landed where the first schoolhouse was afterward built, near the present site of
the Hoquiam sash and door factory, and proceeding at once to the upland, Mr.
Karr found a level green bench which dropped abruptly into the tidal prairie,
where the grass grew tall among the scattered forest trees and a spring of clear
water issued from the hillside. So attractive was the site that Mr. Karr decided
to make it his home, while his brother chose a site across the river. Then they
began building a cabin of hemlock logs, chinked with dirt and soft sandstone.
Inventive ingenuity was brought into play to protect their cabin and its
supplies during their absence. The usual latchstring hung out, but instead of
opening the latch, as was customary, when it was pulled it only shut the more
tightly. But another string with a little block of wood attached was brought out
further on and the end concealed with soft earth. It was this string that opened
the door, but it would not be noticed by anyone who was not accustomed to such
an arrangement. However, one day when the brothers were absent from home.
Captain Winsor, a well known frontiersman, called. Used to all kinds of pioneer
devices, he soon discovered their arrangement and he and his party entered the
house, built a big fire and prepared a meal from supplies which they found.
After they were gone the fire in some way spread to the timber, burning away
the mantel and doing some damage to the interior, but fortunately the wet
hemlock logs of which the cabin had been built proved fireproof, so the Karrs
found their home only somewhat dismantled. They had met Captain Winsor and his
friends, who told them of their visit but little dreamed of the result of their
self-obtained hospitality.

"As time passed on, the brothers continued the work of clearing and developing
their places and in 1860, after making a trip to Olympia accompanied by Austin
Young, James A. Karr established a brickyard at Cosmopolis, hoping thus to
obtain ready money by supplying the commodity which the community greatly
needed. He was not only associated in this undertaking with his brother but was
also joined by Austin Young, Ed. Campbell and David Byles. They furnished brick
for the government barracks at Chehalis Point and when the buildings were
abandoned after the war, Mr. Campbell bought one and moved it to Hoquiam, where
it still stands on the east side of the river. The brick manufacturers furnished
brick for many of the fireplaces in the early homes and the income which they
acquired enabled the Karr brothers to secure many needed supplies.

"Olympia was a small village of about four or five hundred people when in March,
1860, Mr. Karr went there to enter his claim, which he secured as a preemption,
the homestead law having not then been passed. When Chehalis county was formed
James A. Karr was elected its first auditor and filled the office for twelve
years. There was no salary attached to the position but the incumbent was
allowed fees and three dollars per day for full time. In the winter of 1860 Mr.
Karr taught the first school at Cosmopolis in a little building erected from
lumber brought from Cedarville, while his own brickyard supplied the brick for
the fireplace and chimney. He had twelve or fifteen pupils, for several
families, including the Metcalf, Goodell, Smith, Byles and Young families, were
then living in the neighborhood. Christmas of that year was celebrated at the
home of Mr. Goodell, with speaking, singing and a general good time. The
families of the neighborhood gathered and the invitation was also extended to
the soldiers stationed there. It was feared that the Indians, knowing that war
was in progress among the whites of the north and the south, might go upon the
warpath, so that a garrison was maintained at Chehalis Point and a blockhouse
was erected at Cedarville. In the winter of 1861-2 Mr. Karr engaged in teaching
at Montesano and as there was little money in the neighborhood he was largely
paid in cattle, so that when he was ready to develop his farm he had quite a
small herd of excellent cattle. In the winter of 1862-3 he taught at Mound
Prairie. It was there that he had first heard of Grays Harbor when stopping at
the Goodell home in 1859. One of the sons, Ed Goodell, had in the meantime
married and removed to Forest Grove but Mr. Karr met him again at the close of
the school term in 1863.

"It was an occasion that, seemingly trivial, proved a most momentous one in the
life of Mr. Karr, for Mr. Goodell showed him the picture of an attractive
looking young lady, saying that he would give him the picture if he would take
it to the original. In a spirit of fun Mr. Karr took the picture and about that
time, desiring to see his brother on business matters and thinking that he might
find work at harvesting or masonry and thus bring in money needed for carrrying
on the farm at Hoquiam, he started for the place where his brother was working,
not far from Hillsboro, between Portland and Forest Grove, Oregon. In the course
of a conversation with a woman with whom his brother boarded Mr. Karr chanced
to say that he had the picture of a very nice looking girl. On seeing it the
woman exclaimed: `Why, I know her! That's Abbie Walker and she is teaching at
Hillsboro, only about a quarter of a mile away.' She proposed that they visit
the schoolhouse about the time the school would be closed. This plan was
carried out and Mr. Karr walked with the young lady to her boarding house, which
was some distance from the school. The old-time pioneer hospitality was
extended him by the people of the house and after remaining there through the
night he next day accompanied the young lady to school and they planned a ride
together to her home at Forest Grove, where they spent the following Saturday
and Sunday. The acquaintance progressed rapidly and when Miss Walker spoke of
making a trip east of the mountains to visit the scenes of her childhood near
Spokane, Mr. Karr replied that it would be a long, tedious journey and he
wanted her to go to Hoquiam with him. An immediate marriage was agreed upon and
was celebrated at the Walker home September 14, 1863, the bride's father, the
Rev. Elkanah Walker, being the officiating clergyman, assisted by Rev.
Chamberlain, of Portland, who was then visiting at their home. The wedding trip
consisted of a visit to the State Fair at Salem and a trip to Mound Prairie.

"Mr. Karr was engaged to teach the Little Rock school that winter and in the
spring he went to the farm to start the work, his wife remaining to finish out
the two months of school. In the latter part of March he returned and
accompanied his wife down the river to the homestead which they occupied for
forty years. They earnestly undertook the task of developing the place and the
labors of both were soon evident in its transformation and improved appearance.
The first year they had ten cows and butter constituted their chief export. Mr.
Karr remained continuously upon the farm save for the years 1875, 1882 and
1893, when he represented his district in the state legislature. As a member of
the legislature he carefully considered the vital questions which came up for
consideration and gave his support to many measures which have been far-reaching
in their beneficial effects. The journals of the house of the territorial
legislature show that Mr. Karr had been a most active agent in the educational
interests of the state, was on the committee of education and introduced the
bill providing for a common school system. He was one of the leading champions
of legislation establishing and supporting the State University. Chehalis was a
republican county, but as it did not contain enough people to form a district,
the legislature resorted to gerrymandering when the democrats were in power and
Chehalis was attached at various periods to different districts. It was first
joined to Pierce, and although a republican stood no chance of winning, Mr. Karr
made speeches throughout Pierce county, which was strongly democratic. At that
time he was defeated, but when Pierce and Chehalis counties were again joined,
Mr. Karr received a large majority in Pierce and said that he thought the
speeches he made several years before must have just begun to take effect. He
always kept in close touch with the questions and issues of the day from the
time when he acted as secretary of the first political meeting held in Grays
Harbor in 1860, on which occasion Governor Stevens was in the midst of his
campaign for delegate to congress.

"Mr. Karr actively continued the work of the farm and for ten years the family
lived in the original log cabin, although some additions and improvements were
added thereto. In 1874 he planned to build a new home, bringing lumber from
Elma, doors and window sash from Tumwater and brick from a schooner that had
carried its cargo from Portland. Mr. Karr quarried the stone for two fireplaces
from the bluff across the river and secured shingles at Montesano. When
materials were thus assembled a story and a half house was erected, facing the
south and overlooking the waters of the bay. It was a period when the settlers
had to depend upon their own labor for nearly all supplies and Mr. Karr
undertook the task of tanning leather, at first using smartweed and other
ingredients from the east, but he discovered the astringent properties of
hemlock and alder bark and from those made in tanning materials. After producing
leather this was cut up and shaped into boots and shoes for the family, Mr. Karr
making the lasts and pegs, and the shoes, it is said, made up in durability for
what they lacked in elegance.' All garments, even those for the boys, were
homemade and raincoats were made of unbleached cotton soaked in linseed oil. Mr.
Karr's former experience as a drug clerk enabled him to provide remedies for his
family when there was no physician near at hand and not infrequently he was
called upon to prescribe for his neighbors. He contributed to the social
enjoyment of the community by his violin music, having studied in Nashville,
Illinois, and afterward in Nevada City, California. While teaching at Cosmopolis
he gave instruction in music as well as in the common branches. It was at Mr.
Karr's suggestion that a trail was opened from Elma to Olympia over which horses
and cattle could be driven, and this trail proved the predecessor of the stage
road when a stage line brought the community into seemingly close connection
with the capital. Later Mr. Karr and Mr. Campbell were owners of a big
shovel-nosed canoe, with which they took their farm produce up the river in the
fall, finishing the journey by wagon, and on the return they brought with them
provisions to last for a year. They had little trouble with the Indians in that
locality, although when the Modoc war was in progress it seemed that there might
be an uprising at Grays Harbor.

"Mr. and Mrs. Karr became the parents of twelve children: Mary Olive is the wife
of H. L. Gilkey, who was cashier of the First National Bank of Southern Oregon
at Grants Pass, Oregon. Beatrice Abigail gave her hand in marriage to H. B.
McNeill, of Aberdeen. Elkanah Walker has passed away. Cyrus James is captain of
one of the merchant marines on the Atlantic. Henry Anderson, twin of Cyrus, died
at the age of fourteen years. Phoebe Rose is the wife of John Snow, manager of
ship yard at Vancouver, British Columbia. John Ross, a twin of Phoebe, is a
resident of Yakima. Ruth is now the wife of J. S. McKee, of Hoquiam. She is the
only woman member of the State Council of Defense and is the first woman regent
of the University of Washington. William Hay is deceased. Eunice Viola resided
with her mother in North Yakima until the latter's death. Levi Zebulon, the next
of the family, is a resident of Seattle. Arthur Thompson Karr resides at Yakima.
On the 14th of September, 1913, at North Yakima, Mr. and Mrs. Karr celebrated
their golden wedding anniversary.

"Mr. and Mrs. Karr gave their children good educational opportunities. School
was held during the summer months, and when the term was over the big family
living room at home was converted into a schoolroom, with homemade desks, and
the parents acted as instructors to their children until the older sisters were
able to assume the task of teaching. Mr. Karr was advanced in his ideas
concerning education and believed firmly that girls should be given the same
chance as boys and accordingly his daughters received as good educational
advantages as his sons. Three daughters graduated from the University of
Washington and Mrs. McKee has a Master of Arts degree and is a member of Phi
Beta Kappa, admission to which is gained only by high scholarship. Mr. Karr took
a great deal of pride in Mrs. McKee's fine scholastic record. In winter a
society was formed which was practically a parliamentary law club -- the first
on the Harbor -- and Mr. Karr acted as president. His children received training
therefore along that line and the instruction has proven valuable in later
years. With the passing of pioneer conditions the Karr farm, owing to the
progressive spirit of the owner, took on all of the improvements of modern
times and through his business ability Mr. Karr won very substantial success,
his estate becoming valuable. In 1904 the family removed to Yakima, where his
last years were spent and where his widow passed away November 9, 1918. He died
of apoplexy on the night of November 4, 1914. He had been keenly interested in
the general election which took place on the preceding day and particularly in
the fate of the prohibition law, had voted and seemed in his usual health. He
was a stanch republican in his political belief and fraternally was a Mason and
a charter member and past master of the Hoquiam lodge of that order. Although
there were many happy memories of early times, he looked back with no sigh of
regret to the past but rejoiced in the progress of the present and kept in touch
with the trend of modern thought. He had passed the eightieth milestone on
life's journey when called by death, but old age need not suggest as a matter of
course idleness and want of occupation. There is an old age which grows stronger
and brighter mentally and morally as the years go on and gives out of its rich
stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such was the record
of James A. Karr."

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.