From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com)
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JOSEPH H. PELKEY
	Joseph H. Pelkey, who resides about one mile north from Orient, is 
one of the well known mining men of this section. He came here first with the
intention of handling the trade on the stage road, having a stopping place.
His station was called the Halfway House, and he did a good business until
the railroad came in. Since then he has not entertained so much travel, but
it is well as his mining interests have developed so that he is occupied with
that important with that important industry now almost altogether. Mr. Pelkey
has various claims, among which may be mentioned the McKinley, the Dewey,
Idaho Number One, and Idaho Number Two, all in the Rock Cut district, in 
Stevens county. Mrs. Pelkey also has a very promising prospect, known as the 
Minnehaha. Mr. Pelkey has devoted himself to mining with a keen sense of the 
importance of the industry and has brought a wealth of excellent wisdom and 
judgement to bear in his labors and he has some excellent properties.
   Joseph H. Pelkey was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on November 16, 1847,
the son of Joseph and Catherine (Shenbum) Pelkey, natives of France and 
Germany, respectively. They came to the United States when young and married 
in Sheboygan, in 1845. The father went to California and died en route. The
mother then moved to Racine and for eight years operated a boarding house.
She married a second time, Oliver Reno becoming her husband. They removed to
Minnesota, where Mr.Reno died. His widow is now dwelling on a farm in Otter-
tail county, Minnesota. By the first marriage two children were born, Joseph
and Mrs. Nellie Williams. Two children also were born to the second marriage.
Our subject went to school in Racine until he was twelve, then engaged in saw
mill work until 1863, December of that year marking the time of his 
enlistment in Company G. Twelfth Wisconsin, under Captain Bodkin. He was in 
severe service from enlistment to his honorable discharge at Louisville,
Kentucky on July 16, 1865. He was wounded in the battle of Atlanta and was 
captured once, but escaped after two hours. Following the war, Mr. Pelkey
returned to Wisconsin, then came on to Minnesota. He did stage work, also 
following saw milling, then farmed, then operated a hotel in Wandena for 
three years. Next Mr. Pelkey came to Dakota and took land, which he sold and 
in 1888 came overland to Spokane. He followed shingle making there a spell 
then contracted to furnish the Spokane Falls & Northern railroad wood. While 
in this he settled near Marcus, and from there in 1890, he entered the train 
service on that road. For over six years he was in this capacity and in 1897,
he settled where he now dwells and since then has continued actively engaged 
as mentioned above.
   October 1, 1870, Mr. Pelkey married Miss Mary J., daughter of Nicholas and
Maria (Schryver) Farrington, natives of New York. One child has been born to
this union, Katie, deceased. Mr.Pelkey is a strong Republican and always 
manifests a becoming interest in political matters. He is a member of the 
G.A.R. and stands well in the community. 
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