The US GenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the 
general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that 
this material not be used in a commercial manner. 

From History of North Washington, published 1903, now in public domain. 
Submitted by Candy L. Grubb April 25, 1997. Both above notices must remain 
when copied or downloaded.

candyg@ieway.com

_____________________________________________________________________________

ELIJAH M. DENNY

	Elijah M. Denny, ex-sheriff of Stevens county and one of its
best known and prominent citizens, is now dwelling on his estate of 
two-hundred acres, six miles west from Springdale.  He has a beautiful
and valuable farm, which is well improved, with a fine eight room
residence, barns, fences, and so forth.  Mr. Denny raises hay and
general crops and also pays much attention to handling stock.
	Elijah M. Denny was born in Henry county, Iowa, on May 6, 1849,
the son of James M. and Jane A. (McCarthy) Denny, natives of Kentucky
and Indiana, respectively.  The father came to Iowa when it was still a
territory and was present at the consummation of the Blackhawk purchase.
He was a prominent stockman and farmer and passed away in 1902, after
spending a successful life of eighty-seven years.  The uncles of our
subject were all through the War of 1812.  The mother of Elijah M. died
in her fifty-ninth year, some twelve years since.  Our subject was 
reared amid the favorable surroundings of a rural abode and after
attending the common schools, took a course in the Howes Academy at
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.  From twenty to twenty-two he was engaged in teaching
near his home.  In May, 1872, he left the parental home and came on an
emigrant train to Tulare county, California.  Having perfected himself
in the carpenter trade previous to this he was fitted to take up that
work and followed the same for a time on the coast.  The Mr. Denny engaged
with the Pacific Coast Patent Office Company, and travelled all through
the northwest.  In 1879, he established a printing business in Portland
and also was correspondent for various journals, having carried this on
with his patent office work also.  In the spring of 1881, he sold out
and came to Spokane, where he engaged in mechanical work for the govern-
ment under Colonel, now General Merriam.  He assisted to construct
Ft. Spokane and in 1883, while in this capacity, Mr. Denny located his
present place in Camas prairie.  Since then he has continued steadily
here with the exception of the time spent in travelling for his wife's 
health.  She was taken hence by death in the Santa Clara valley, California,
on August 1, 1887.  One child, James Harvey, was born to Mr. and Mrs.
Denny, who now resides with his father.  The marriage of Mr. Denny and
Miss Elizabeth J. Pritchet occurred on March 10, 1886.
	In 1896 Mr. Denny was elected sheriff on the Populist ticket.
Two years later the Republicans and Democrats both combined to defeat 
him, but so great was Mr. Denny's popularity with the people, that he
was reelected by a larger majority.  He had done excellent work on
making arrests on the international boundary and his faithfulness has
made him a favorite with the people.  Mr. Denny has always labored for
the upbuilding of the county and his efforts have resulted in great good.
He has ever been an enthusiastic supporter of better roads and his 
energetic labor brought about the completion of the Cedar canyon road.
Fraternally, Mr. Denny is affiliated with the I.O.O.F., Springdale Lodge.
	On February 16, 1904, Mr. Denny married Miss Ida A. Shaffer,
the nuptials occurring in Spokane, where the bride had resided six years
previous to her marriage.  She is the daughter of Colonel G. F. and 
Emily B. (Brouse) Shaffer, of London, Ontario, where Mrs. Denny was born
and reared.  She was liberally educated and after he years of study took 
up the work of the educator herself.  She held responsible positions in 
the high schools for many years in her native land.  Colonel Shaffer's
father was one of the United Empire Loyalists and sat in Parliament for
twenty-seven years.
	It is of interest to note that when Mr. Denny was serving his 
first term as sheriff of Stevens county, the territory now embraced in
Ferry county was part of Stevens county and that made Stevens county
the largest county in the state of Washington.