From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com)
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JOHN T. MAHER
	John T. Maher, who is one of the earliest residences of the Colville
valley residing now about three miles south from Valley, was born in Albany,
New York on May 10, 1861, the son of Thomas and Catharine (Smith) Maher,
natives of Ireland. The father was an immigrant to this country when a child,
and received his education in Albany county, New York. He followed lumbering 
in later years and in 1883 came, with John T., to the Colville valley where 
his death occurred in 1895. The mother was called away to the world beyond in
1897, at Albany, New York. Our subject was educated in New York and completed
his training with a fine course in Bryant & Strattons college. Then he ent-
ered a large institution, the Merchants National Bank, at Albany, and from
the position of messenger he worked up to general bookkeeper and was entru-
sted with much responsibility. In all this career, Mr. Maher manifested an
ability and trustworthiness that unhesitatingly commended him to the estab-
lishment, and had it not been that he was forced from indoor by the failure
of his health, he doubtless would have been one of the leaders of the inst-
itution to-day, for during the time that he was there he accumulated by wise
investments over twenty thousand dollars. With the fine sum of money in New
York drafts, our subject came, in the spring of 1883, with his father to
Spokane. A short stay in that then new village, and we find Mr. Maher expl-
oring the Colville valley. He selected the place where he now lives and pur-
chased a squatter's right of L.D. Ferguson for two thousand dollars, probably
the highest price for a right in the valley to that time, and a precedent
largely followed since. Mr. Maher at once gave his attention to raising stock
and hay. He has been very successful in both these lines and has marketed
thousands of tons of the latter and sold many head of stock. His estate
increased to nearly nine hundred acres but recently he sold four hundred
acres. In addition to the industries mentioned, Mr. Maher has paid
considerable attention to mining and owns various properties in different 
localities. Mr. Maher has never ventured upon the matrimonial sea and his 
sister is keeping house for him at the present time. In reference to 
political alliances, he says,"I am a Democrat,and proud of it." He has 
always taken a keen interest in the welfare of the community but has never 
sought offices for himself. He is an adherent of the Catholic chruch.     

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