From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904 Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHRISTOPHER A. LEDGERWOOD Christopher A. Ledgerwood is to well known in Stevens county to need introduction, but an epitone of his interesting career can not fail to be interesting to all. He was born in Roseburg, Oregon, on December 16, 1860, the son of Hon. Thomas and Eliza J. (Barlow) Ledgerwood, being thus a true westerner by birth as he has been in progressiveness, sagacity and frankness since. The father was born in Missouri, and in 1852 crossed the plains with ox teams, making settlement in Roseburg, Oregon. When the Boise Basin mines were discovered, Mr. Ledgerwood drove cattle there and in that business he did well gaining a comfortable fortune. His last venture netted him one thousand dollars in thirty days. He was one of the first settlers in the Grande Ronde Valley, in Oregon, the nearest neighbors being thirty miles distant. In 1874 he was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature and showed himself capable in the halls of legislation as in business lines. In 1879 Mr. Ledgerwood came to Lincoln county, Washington, and there gave his attention to farming and stock raising until 1898, when he retired from business, locating in Kettle Falls, in this county, where he still lives. The mother of our subject was born in Indiana, where she received her education and married the eldest son of Mr. Joseph Lane, who later became governor of the state of Oregon. Her husband died and she came to Oregon with her father-in-law's family and in Roseburg met Mr. Ledgerwood whom she later married. Our subject received his education in Oregon and in the Cheney school in this state. At the age of twenty-two he took up life's duty for himself and at once learned the butcher trade. He took meat contracts from the government and in 1885 located a shop in Colville,it being the first one there. In 1889 he opened a shop in Kettle Falls,and there was in business until the town began to go down. In the meantime he had taken a homestead and this was improved in good shape. In 1894 Mr. Ledgerwood assisted to organize the People's Party in Stevens county and managed the same to a successful issue, every candidate being elected with the exception of the sheriff. In 1896 Mr. Ledgerwood conducted another successful campaign, every officer being elected with the exception of the prosecuting attorney. In 1898 he was manager again, but the republicans, Silverites, Democrats and other combined to defeat the People's party, and so honors were divided. In 1900 Mr. Ledgerwood was nominated for sheriff against Frank Ferguson,Republican,and won the day by a good majority. In 1902 Mr. Ledgerwood again took the field against Mr. Ferguson, the latter gaining the day. After his term of office was expired Mr. Ledgerwood opened a gent's furnishing establishment in Colville, which is now doing a fine business. In addition to this Mr. Ledgerwood has added a fine boot and shoe department and is meeting with good success. His uniform geniality, deferential treatment of all, and his unquestioned integrity have won him hosts of friends and a large patronage. Mr. Ledgerwood has the following brothers and sisters: William E., Robert S., Joseph, Lafayette and Mrs. Mary Ferguson. In Lincoln county, on November 1,1888, Mr. Ledgerwood married Miss Mary A., daughter of Neil and Mary (McLoud) McGillivrey, natives of Canada. The father is living in Lincoln county, but the mother is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs Ledgerwood have been born two sons, Neal, born on September 4,1889; and Creed,born June 10,1890. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent.