An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, page 303
	
	JAMES MONAGHAN, one of the earliest and most prominent settlers of Spokane,
was born in county Cavan, Ireland, in 1840, the youngest of four children born
to John and Mary Ann (Riley) Monaghan, the mother having been born in the same
county and the father in county Monaghan. The father was a stonemason by trade,
and both died in our subject's infancy. The latter was reared by his maternal
grandparents, and educated in the national schools. At the age of sixteen years
he joined, in New York, his brother Robert, who had come to this country when a
young man, and graduated in medicine. James was employed as his clerk until
1858, and in that year came to the Pacific coast, by way of the Isthmus,
reaching Vancouver in May, of that year. He was first engaged in ferrying on the
Des Chutes river, in Oregon, one year; worked on the steamer, Colonel Wright,
the first steamer on the upper Columbia river, until in September, 1860; took
charge of a ferry on the Spokane river, twenty miles below Spokane; later
purchased the ferry, and in 1865 built at that place a bridge, which is still in
use. In 1869 Mr. Monaghan went to Walla Walla for a short time, and the
following year purchased an interest in a store at Chewelah, Washington, also
buying from the Indians a farm on which a part of the town site is now located.
He still owns this property, which has become very valuable. In 1873 he removed
to Colville, where he was engaged in merchandising until 1879, then went with
the United States troops to the mouth of Foster creek, and the following spring
to Chelan. During the year of 1880 he took supplies by boat from Colville to the
mouth of Foster creek. Mr. Monaghan next came to Fort Spokane, where he engaged
in contracting for Government supplies, and also served as postmaster and
post-trader of that post from 1882 to 1885. In company with C.B. King he erected
the first private boat on Lake Coeur d'Alene, running from Coeur d'Alene to Old
Mission during the gold excitement. In 1884 these gentlemen laid out the town
site of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, of which our subject still owns a large part; in
the following year the latter removed to that place to manage his various
enterprises; and in 1887 came to Spokane. In 1889 he erected his present
residence, and also owns other city property. He organized and is now president
of the Spokane Cab & Transfer Company, president of the Spokane Savings Bank,
director of the First National Bank, and was one of the first City
Commissioners, but resigned that position in 1892. Politically, he affiliates
with the Democratic party.
	Mr. Monaghan was married in 1870, to Margaret McCool, a native of Ireland
and a daughter of Robert McCool, who removed to Walla Walla, Washington, in
1859. To this union has been born five children: John Robert, born in Chewelah,
Washington, and now a naval cadet at Annapolis, Maryland; Margaret, Ellen,
James, and Agnes. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
	
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer
	
	
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