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"Spokane and The Spokane Country - Pictorial and Biographical - Deluxe Supplement." Vol. II. The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1912. (No author listed.) pgs. 262-264.
THE Inland Empire claimed no more loyal citizen or one more deeply
interested in its welfare and progress than Roderick Mackenzie, whose death
occurred January 19, 1912, at San Diego, California, where he usually spent
the winter months, for the cold of the more northern district proved
unfavorable to him in the evening of his life. He had the deepest attachment
for Spokane and this section of Washington and his public spirit was manifest
in many tangible and effective ways. He was one of the builders of the Inland
Empire and was closely identified with the development of the surrounding
country, especially Liberty Lake. He was born in Nova Scotia in 1838 and was
there reared and educated. He was twenty years of age when he removed to
Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked as a carpenter for the ensuing six
years. He then removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he took a contract for a
portion of the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, which was then
being built. With the first money he made he purchased property in what is now
the center of the business district of that thriving city, but he eventually
disposed of his real estate and became extensively interested in cattle
raising, also giving considerable attention to other stock. He was very
successful in that work in the middle west but eventually disposed of his
holdings in that section of the country, in order to remove to the Spokane
country, where he arrived in June, 1890. Soon afterward he purchased eight
hundred and six acres surrounding Liberty Lake and there engaged in
diversified farming. He also built a hotel and kept a fleet of boats on the
lake, which became famous as a resort. This is now one of the most popular
resorts in the Spokane country. Upon his farm he placed full-blooded stock,
including Jersey cattle, and he did much to advance the standard of cattle and
stock in general raised in this section. His improved methods of farming
constituted an example that many of his neighbors followed to their lasting
benefit. In fact, he was always on the side of progress and improvement and
his labors and substantial support proved elements for advancement in many
ways. He aided the telephone company in securing the right of way and in
establishing its line, was a strong advocate of good roads and he added much
to the beauty of the country by planting many thousands of trees. He was also
a stalwart champion of the cause of education. On retiring from active
business, he sold his hotel and land to the Palouse Land Company. He gave the
Inland Electric Company a right of way and a tract for terminals on his
property. He retained one hundred and sixty acres of his holdings for his own
use and thereon he made his home up to the time of his death. At the time of
his demise he was vice president of the South-ern Building Company of San
Diego, California, where he spent the winter months. He also had holdings in
Spokane, owning much city property together with real estate in Colfax,
including the Mackenzie building, a modern and well appointed apartment house.
He was likewise the owner of the Postoffice building and other properties in
Colfax and had from time to time made judicious investments in real estate
which brought to him good financial returns.
Mr. Mackenzie was married in Nova Scotia in 1869 to Miss Anabel
McLean, and unto them five children were born: Charles L., who is now a banker
of Colfax; William, residing in Liberty Lake; John, who is one of the managers
of the Savoy Theater of San Francisco; Mrs. Bert Terry, of East 1417 Seventh
avenue, Spokane; and Mrs. Carrie McKinnon.
Mr. Mackenzie never aspired to or held public office. His was a
splendid example of a well spent life, characterized by fidelity to high
ideals. He took an active and intelligent interest in all matters of
citizenship and in the conduct and administration of public affairs and gave
his political allegiance to the republican party. Fraternally he was connected
with the Masons and his religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church.
He was a man of marked business ability and strong magnetic personality who
attracted friends and held them. Those who needed aid found him very
charitable and benevolent but his assistance was always given most
unostentatiously. Those who met him in a business way entertained for him high
respect; and those who came within the close circle of his friends had for him
warm love, for his sterling qualities were many and gained for him
affectionate regard from those who knew him.
Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton
* * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individuals featured in the biographies.