From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904 Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHN B. SLATER John B. Slater needs no introduction to the people of Stevens county, having been prominently engaged in this county for eighteen years, both in private enterprise and public office, in all of which he has manifested that integrity and worth of character which have won for him unfeigned esteem and respect from the people of every class. Since he has been so thoroughly identified with the interests of the county, no mention of leading citizens would be complete were there failure to incorporate a review of his career. John B. Slater was born in Yreka, Siskiyou county, California, on April 10, 1860, being the son of James and Sarah J. Slater, who were numbered with the pioneers of Oregon in 1853. On June 29, 1859, they were married and at once removed to California, settling where our subject first saw the light. The father was engaged in mining and in 1862, removed with his family back to Oregon. When seven, John B. was called to mourn the death of his mother and this caused the father to break up housekeeping. After that the lad met with some of the hardships of life and early learned to become self reliant. He received his education from the public schools and the Santiam Academy at Lebanon, Oregon. Following school days, he learned the tinsmith trade and also the art of the pharmacist. In 1881, he engaged with the Northern Pacific as tinsmith and wrought for two years. Subsequent to that, Mr. Slater went to Heron, Montana and opened a drug store. The great rush to the Couer d'Alene occured in the latter part of that year and the beginning of 1884, and Mr. Slater being of a progressive and stirring spirit, was one of the first to ally himself with the movement. In 1884, however, he came out of the Couer d'Alene country and located at Medical Lake, Washington. He purchased the Medical Lake Banner and launched into the newapaper field. In the fall of 1885, Mr. Slater removed his plant to Colville and on November 17 of that year appeared the forst number of the Colville-Miner. On February 11, 1886, Mr. Slater received from President Cleveland the appointment of postmaster at Colville and for three years he was an efficient and popular incumbent of that responsible position. In the fall of 1886, the people called Mr. Salter to act as probate judge of Stevens county and at the expiration of his term of office in 1888, he was re-elected. In 1889, he was admitted to the bar of the state, for the practice of law and on the admission of Washington as a state, Mr.Slater was chosen the first prosecuting attorney of the county. He has frequently been delegate to the conventions, but otherwise than already mentioned he has never allowed his name to appear as candidate for any public office. However, he was appointed by Governor Rogers as a member of the State Board of Audit and Control, and served from April, 1900, to April, 1901, with acceptability to all. On December 30, 1902, the Nashville College of Law conferred on Mr. Slater the degree of Doctor of Laws. Aside from the practice of law since his admission, Mr. Slater has also engaged in mercantile pursuits, newspaper work, mining, and lumbering, with varied success, but ever with manifestation of wisdom and energy. At the present time, he owns his home in Colville besides other property and is at the head of a good practice in the law. At Lebanon, Oregon, on September 11, 1889, Mr. Slater married Miss Florence E. Ballard, daughter of the late Governor Ballard of Idaho. One son has been born to the union: Ronald B., in Colville, on September 29, 1891. Mr. Slater has the following named brothers: Wm. P., Jas. S., and Geo.R. He has always been allied with the Democratic party and has faithfully labored for the advancement of those principles deemed wisest and best. In 1887, Mr. Slater was made a Mason and has passed all the chairs. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.