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

_____________________________________________________________________________


WILLIAM H. OAKES

	William H. Oakes, owner and operator of the Belleview fruit farm,
which lies three miles west from Meyers Falls, is certainly one of the
most successful fruitmen in this portion of the state.  He is a man of
excellent judgement, practicability, and tireless energy.  Being 
dominated by a sagacity which weighs well all parts of a question, he
has gone steadily forward, reaping a gratifying success at every turn.
The Belleview fruit farm is doubtless the largest in the county, and it
is surely one which shows model points in every detail.  Some of the 
fruit from this place reached the Pan-American exposition and attracted
world wide attention.  In the Interstate fairs at Spokane, Mr. Oakes
has always has a creditable exhibit and has carried off several prizes.
A few samples of the farm show what is being done there.  From one tree,
seven years old, Mr. Oakes gathered fourteen boxes of marketable apples
and from one fifteen years old, he gathered thirty-two boxes of
marketable apples.  From a ten year old cherry tree of the Olivet variety,
Mr. Oakes sold forty boxes.  Eighty-five acres of a half section are
bearing fruit of all varieties grown in this latitude, which also has a
fine vineyard and a large nut orchard.  All this vast producing acreage,
well kept and handled in the most improved manner speaks more eloquently
of the manner of man our subject is than one could do in even many words.
Surely, Mr. Oakes has done things that count.
	William H. Oakes was born in Bangor, Maine, on September 6, 1856,
the son of William J. and Olive (Hall) Oakes, natives also of Maine.
The mother's father was Simeon Hall.  He went to California in the days
of forty-nine,, made a fortune and returned to his native state.  The
latter years of his life were spent in the ministry of the Methodist
denomination.  His sons were all seafaring men, four of them being 
captains of steamships.  Two are now in San Francisco, Charles E. and
Andrew.  The paternal grandfather was a patriot in the war of 1812.
The father of our subject migrated to California and died there in 1901.
The mother, who is in her seventy-first year, is making her home with our
subject.  In the spring of 1870, the family came to Butte county,
California and there our subject did mining and lumbering.
	In October, 1879, Mr. Oakes married Miss Eliza A. Longley.
Her father, Andrew C. Longley, was a noted stage driver in early times 
and drove the first large mule team into Virginia City.  He crossed the
plains twice from Missouri and had some hard fights with the Indians.
His death occurred in 1901.
	In the spring of 1880, our subject came with his family in 
wagon from California to Walla Walla, and three years later he came to 
his present place.  He took a homestead and has since added as much more
by purchase.  In 1886, Mr. Oakes was one of a party of thirteen who cut
a trail one hundred miles in British Columbia and located the Silver King,
later called the Hall Mines.  He continued in mining until 1890, having
kept up the work of improving his farm during the same time.  Also Mr.
Oakes was successful in the construction and operation of the first
telephone line in Stevens county and it was a source of revenue to him
until he sold his interest in 1897.  The line extended from Spokane to
Rossland and other points in British Columbia as well as to Republic 
and adjacent points.  He was president and treasurer of the company and
his energy and wisdom were a vital part in its success.
	In addition to the orchards and general farming improvements,
Mr. Oakes has constructed a modern residence of eighteen rooms, one of the
finest in the entire county, and also has outbuildings, as barns, fruit 
houses, and so forth commensurate with its extensive operations.  He is
fruit inspector for Stevens county and the county is to be congratulated
that he will give of his time in this important office.
	To Mr. and Mrs. Oakes seven children have been born, named as 
follows:  Olive L., wife of J.J. Budd, of Spokane; Arthur W.; Ada A.;
William H.; Robert W.; George L. and Ethel.  Mr. Oakes came to Stevens
county without means and the brilliant success that he has achieved in
every line of endeavor he has taken up since coming here speaks very highly
of his ability as a financier.