| Documents
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 | Death of Mrs Hoskinson 1891
"Mrs. Nellie M. Hoskinson, aged 44 years, died very unexpectedly at her home in Edgewater of paralysis of the heart, yesterday morning. She had been ailing for a few days, but noting serious was apprehended." |
 | Hoskinson settlement in Eagle Harbor 1878
"Quite a settlement is springing up on Eagle Harbor, Kitsap county, about a mile and a half from Port Blakely. There are already six families located there, those of Messrs. R. M. Hoskinson, James Ryan, J. T. Hoskinson, W. C. Hoskinson, Mr. Reeves and Mr. J. C. Hornbeck....The Messrs. Hoskinson are experimenting. They have set themselves to the undertaking of demonstrating to the Puget Sound public and the world generally, the practicability of farming our fir and cedar uplands with profit. We predict the success of the experiment without doubt or hesitation." Not sure who the J. T. Hoskinson mentioned in the article is. A brother to Riley? |
 | Riley offers for sale his land in Smith's Cove 1878
"For Sale! VALUABLE LOT Of 33 1-2 Acres, LYING ON SMITH'S COVE, 2 1/2 MILES North of the Centre of Seattle. Sald land in beautifully situated, so as to command a view of a large portion of the Bay and Sound; has Spring of never-falling water; soil good, well adapted to the production of fruits and vegetables. Six acres are about half cleared. Said land is offered at $20 per acre." $20 and acre is over 10X was Riley paid for the land six months earlier per his Jul 12, 1877 letter to The Osage County Chronicle. |
 | Nellie Hoskinson grants right-of-way to railroad, 1888
"Twenty-five instruments dedicating land, some for the right of way of the Seattle, Lake bore & Eastern Railroad Company, and others to the city for Railroad avenue, according to the ordinance of the city council, were filed yesterday. C. P. Stone and wife. Nellie M. Hoskinson and husband, and William Ashworth and wife signed warranty deeds giving the railroad company right of way upon condition that it stop ail local and suburban trains on signal at Edgewater." Unclear what "and husband" means here given Stuart and Nellie divorced in 1888. Was Stuart Involved or did she do this on her own? Stuart files a court case against Nellie in 1889 for something that is later dismissed in 1890 for failure to show up in court. See article below. |
 | Stuart F. vs Nellie M. Hoskinson case dismissed 1890
"Superior Court - Lichtenberg, J. ...Stuart F. Hoskinson vs. Nellie M. Hoskinson et al. - Case called and plaintiff not appearing case is dismissed at plaintiff's cost." Uncertain what this case was about. Perhaps the railroad right-of-way granted above. |
 | The Fir Lands 1889
Another description by Riley describing his family's early years on Bainbridge Island, this one giving the exact date of their arrival. "Came to Bainbridge island February 13, 1878; took a soldiers' homestead in the dense wood, stayed in an old log shanty 'till we could clear a space to build a house, and put in a little garden. Having only $250 to begin operations, we found it pretty hard to make ends meet for the first two years. We had no road, no team, in fact, nothing but strong arms and willing minds. As fast as we could clear a small space we dug it with mattock and spade, planting fruit trees of various kinds, also, small fruits. All of which prospered finely, and yielded a rich reward. Our return of fruit from the second year of residence to date has constantly been on the increase. Till this year we had cherries, plums, prunes and pears by bushels and some 250 bushels of choice apples....We brought with us a few chickens which also proved a success from first start, to date. Last year, we had some 130 brown Leghorn hens, which from January 1, 1887, to 1888, yielded us 1488 dozens of eggs, averaging about 30 cents per dozen. Net profit for the year, $308. From January 1, 1888, to date - December 8, 135 hens have laid 1575 dozens of eggs, netting us a little over $300. Of fruits, we have already sold over $300 worth, and have quite a lot on hand." |
 | Elizabeth Hoskinson rheumatism cure 1896
Elizabeth apparently suffered greatly from rheumatism for years prior to this date. In this advertisement, Elizabeth credits the Copeland Institute with curing her completely in 48 hours! She appears in several advertisement for the Institute around this time. Includes an image of her. |
 | Hoskinson contributes to Washington State Board of Trade pamphlet 1891
After pleading with state officials for years in letters to the editors of Seattle newspapers to promote immigration to the State of Washington, in 1891 Riley is invited to author with a Mr. Bell a section on local climate for just such a publication, to be prepared by the State Board of Trade. "Secretary W. F, Rupert, of the State Board of Trade, has received a number of answers from those whom he has asked to contribute chapters to the forthcoming pamphlet of the board...the signal service observer, Mr. Hoskinson and Mr. Bell, on the climate..." Signal service observers were a group of volunteer weather observers who supplied newspapers and the US government with local weather data. Riley was part of the signal corps in Kansas, became first Seattle's observer upon moving to Seattle and then Port Blakely's observer after moving to Bainbridge Island. |
 | Letters of Inquiry 1880
In addition to being a prolific letter writer to editors of various newspapers, Riley apparently corresponded with readers of said letters from all over the country. In this article, he relates his responses to: "One man wants to know whether it would pay him to bring out and run a portable sawmill. Another wants to know if there is an opening here for a brickyard. A third inquiries about dairying. Still another wants to know if we have room for one more blacksmith. An individual asks if a paper mill will pay. A young, hearty woman inquires if she, able and willing and not ashamed, can find work to support herself. Another lady writes: "Is there a chance for me to get a home where I can have good society and school my fatherless children?...", serving as friendly employment advisor to prospective Seattle immigrants. |
 | Lands for the landless 1886
Riley advertises some of his land for sale: "THE SUBSCRIBER. LIVING ON Eagle Harbor, nine miles weat of the city of Seattle, will sell a portion of his homestead in lots of 5, 10 or 20 acres each, at the low rate of $30 per acre, said land has been logged off and burned off until it is quite easily cleared." Likely buyers would be immigrants to Port Blakely seeking work in the Hall brothers saw mill and shipyard. |
 | Daughter born to S F Hoskinsons 1884
"HOSKINSON - In this city, June 14, to the wife of s. F. Hoskinson, a daughter." |
 | Teacher wanted for Eagle Harbor 1883
Riley begins advertising for a teacher for the school he helped build at Eagle Harbor. |
 | Riley offers part of his Eagle harbor land for sale 1883
"ANYONE WISHING TO PURCHASE a tract of 80 acres of land, beautifully situated on Eagle Harbor, nine miles west of Seattle, would do well to call and see it. The quality of the land is the same as I now cultivate. Price, $10 per acre." |
 | Seattle weather 1878
Within a year of moving to the Seattle area Riley is already reporting the weather. |
 | Work for Immigration Society
"I enclose to you a letter from J. L. Mills, Esq., El Paso, Col, as a sample of the inquiries pouring in upon me from various States of the Union. I send this to you that your Immigration Society may more fully recognize the necessity of sending truthful information to the States east and south of us. The Directory will not fill the demund, as it is nearly all Seattle." |
 | Five year anniversary of Hoskinson homestead at Eagle Harbor/Port Blakely 1882
Riley gives brief update on his homestead to The Seattle Post Intelligencer: "Our fruit trees, now five years old, are loaded with fruit; we have all the apples, plums, prunes and cherries we can use, and quite a lot of nice pears. Our strawberry crop was three hundred and thirty-two gallons, sold for $175, all in hard money. Last year our one hundred hens netted as $188; this year they are doing equally as well." |
 | Send information East 1882
Riley again beseeches local officials to send information for immigrating to Washington Territory to eastern States: "I have had numerous letters published in several Eastern papers and have answered more than three hundred private letters from individuals, asking information respecting this Territory, and have sent off at least one-half of all the city papers I get. I have no other interest to serve in all this than to try and benefit my fellow man. It seems to me if all others who are directly interested in the settlement of our Territory would do as much in proportion to their means and ability...Why will not our monied men awake to the best interests of our common country." |
 | S. F. Hoskinson help wanted 1883
Stewart Hoskinson apparently working at the Puget Foundry in Seattle at this time; "WANTED. A GOOD MAN. WHO UNDERSTANDS grading and underdraining. Apply to S. F. Hoskinson. at Puget Foundry." |
 | To all lovers of flowers 1884
"I HAVE THIS DAY SENT TO THE care of Alfred Snyder, commission merchant of Seattle, W. T., a splendid assortment of Tulip bulbs (mixed colors) to be sold at the low rate of twenty-five cents per dozen. From now to the middle of November will do to plant them. MARTHA HOSKINSON. Eagle Harbor." This ad was reprinted in The Seattle Post Intelligencer every week from 22 Aug 22 to 21 Oct 1884. |
 | An elegant bouquet 1885
"An elegant bouquet came over yesterday from Mrs. R. M. Hoskinson, of Eagle Harbor, consisting of roses, marigolds, petunias, pinks, snapdragons, mignonettes, honeysuckles, bachelor buttens, dahlias, rose geraniums, and other beautiful and sweet scented things, all grown in the open air. That such flowers can be picked in this latitude in the open garden the last of October is wonderful indeed." |
 | Riley elected to board tasked with preparing Kitsap County bid for World Fair
"FOR THE WORLD'S FAIR. Kitsap County is now Thoroughly Organized and in Earnest. Edmond S. Meany, press agent of the Washington World'a Fair Association, left last night for San Juan county to organize his work there. Through his earnest efforts Kitsap county has come into the line for the World's fair....The Kitsap county Board of Trade (tasked with preparing the county's bid) has just been organized. Those of the county's representative citizens who have already been elected to membership in this organization are as follows:...R. M. Hoskinson, of Eagle Harbor." |
 | Riley becomes land agent 1891
Riley apparently becomes a land agent for land on Bainbridge Island. This ad ran several times in Jul and Aug 1891. Note the price is much higher than similar land Riley offered for sale in 1883 ($10/acre) and again in 1886 ($30/acre). Land values apparently increased substantially over the decade. "For SALE-LAND ON BOTH SIDES OF Eagle harbor; also 100 acres near Port Blakely; some beautiful bottom and the other upland; well suited for fruit growing, grass or vegetables; all easy of access; two steamers twice each day; sold lands to be sold in lots of 5 acres each at $40 to $60 per acre; terms half or more cash in hand; balance, 1 year with 10 per cent interest; come and see. R. M. Hoskinson, Agent, Madrone post office, Kitsap county, Wash. |
 | How to preserve apples 1891
Riley invents a building to preserve apples after picking and shares the details with readers of The Seattle Post Intelligencer. "R. M. Hoskinson, of Madrone, Wash., has sent to the POST-INTELLIGENCER two Newton pippin apples as specimens of a quantity he has preserved fresh for ten months in a house of his own design. The apples are as good as if just picked, the only sign of age being a slight shriveling of the skin. For the information of other fruit growers Mr Hoskinson gives the following description of his storage house..." |
 | Stewart seeks buyer for his farm in Madrone 1892
"FOR SALE - SEVEN ACRES IMPROVED land; good house, 4 rooms; stable, boathouse, orchard 100 trees, meadow; all fenced; with furniture and organ or or without. Inquire S. F. Hoskinson, Madrone, Wash." |
 | Martha contributes needlework for Chicago World's Fair 1893
"Seattle Women's Work at Chicago. Although the matter of arranging for an exhibition at the Word's fair of the work of women in Seattle was put off till very late it begins to look as though a very creditable showing would be made. For some time past Miss Campbell has been receiving such work and contributions at her room, No. 32 Hinckley block, until considerable quantity has been submitted....Mrs. M. P. Geiger and Mrs R. M. Hoskinson have contributed handsome needle work. Mrs Hoskinson's contribution is remarkable from the fact that she is 73 years old." |
 | Riley organizes Eagle Harbor Republicans 1892
"EAGLE HARBOR, March 11.- (Special) - A rousing Republican meeting was held at the Eagle Harbor schoolhouse Wednesday evening. A club was formed with R. M. Hoskinson in the chair and J. K. Ewing as secretary." |
 | Kitsap County Prohibitionists convention 1892
Riley selected to represent District 1: "SIDNEY, Aug. 8.-- [Special.|-The Prohibitionists of Kitsap county held a county convention at Sidney on August 8, and elected delegates to the state convention and nominated candidates for county offices....Nominations for county officers were made as follows:...R. M. Hoskinson; commissioners--first district, W. H. Morgan; second district, F. A. Grow; third district, S. A. Denniston. The resolutions reaffirm the principles of the national platform and pledge their efforts in securing local reform." |
 | Stewart sells book about Confederate Prisons 1880
Stewart ran this ad several times in The Seattle Post Intelligencer offering as book agent A Story of Southern Military Prisons, written by John McElroy, published by D. R. Locke, Toledo OH, 1879. An interesting read. Stewart likely identified with McElroy's account having been a Confederate prisoner himself. |
 | Riley again offers land for sale
This offer ran for at least a couple weeks in Mar and Apr editions of The Seattle Post Intelligencer. "FOR SALE - Improved and lands at Eagle Harbor, Kitsay county, Wash. prices 30 to 50 per cent lower than two years ago; three improved pieces have dwellings, outhouses, fruit orchards etc.; terms easy, Address R. M. Hoskinson, Madrone P. O., Wash." |
 | Stewart grows Japanese golden lily 1894
"S. F. Hoskinson, of Eagle Harbor, brought to the city yesterday and placed on exhibition a fine specimen of the Japanese lily Lilium auratum, This plant was grown by Mr. Hoskinson and contains 100 blossoms, each of which ls fully developed and very fragrant, It is unusual for one of these plants to produce more than fifteen to thirty blossoms in other climates." |
 | Stewart and wife at Chicago World's Fair 1893
"At the World's Fair. Chicago, Sept 16. - This was Texas, New Mexico and railroad day at the World's fair. The weather was delightful. The total admissions were 233,010 of which 199, 213 were paid. The railroads made railroad men and their families welcome at the White City and arranged pleasant bits of travel for them and sundry entertainments....Tonight fireworks were sent off on the lake front. Prof. Baldwin made a ballon ascension, and Jean Welzman gave and exhibition of high rope walking....Visitors from Washington registered at the state building as follows:...From Madrone - F. S. (should read S. F.) Hoskinson and wife (Elizabeth)." |
 | Nellie Hoskinson Probate 1893
"Estate of Nellie Hoskinson - Annual account; set for hearing Oct 6." Odd that her estate appears to still be in probate 2-1/2 years after her death. |
 | Funeral Nellie M. Hoskinson 1891
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 | Small pox outbreak on Bainbridge Island 1877
Interesting article about a small pox outbreak on Bainbridge Island, about the same time the Hoskinson's were arriving in Seattle, and only a year before they moved to their homestead on Bainbridge Island. Stewart Hoskinson's 3rd wife Nellie Burnett Andrews lost three children ages infant, 3 and 5 years in 1878 in Seattle while with her first husband Stephen Andrews. Small pox may have been the cause. The article contains a lot of racism and fear-mongering re potential spread by local Indians: "SMALL POX - ...the outbreak of small pox at Port Orchard is proving to be quite a serious matter; like a prairie fire in the West, there is no telling where it will end....Two white men and several half-breed children at Port Orchard are down with the disease, while two Indian have already died of it....Indians often come direct from the homes of their sick friends to Port Madison and Blakely and mingle with people and other Indians (note Indians are apparently no people!) there, we are further informed...Indians are naturally very cautious in exposing themselves to contagious diseases. But though they regard such pestilence with a sort of superstitious horror, and are generally disposed to give infected neighborhood a wide berth, their fear is that of crude ignorance, and as they are entirely uncontrolled by reason, they act in such case very much on the same principle as panic stricken beast during a fire, which in their terror have been known to plunge headlong into the flames, when every effort was made to abet their escape. Therefore it is but folly to claim that the natural fear the Indians entertain of this disease will prevent a spread of it among themselves, or their communicating it to the white population...The authorities of Kitsap county should at once blockade Port Orchard harbor, and shut in the diseased Indians and white men so effectually as to prevent the possibility of their communication with other Indians in any manner. Unless this be done the smallpox is certain spread, and, as we said before, there is no knowing where it will end." The clipping goes on to relate a story about a doctor investigating a small death at Salmon Bay, north of Seattle, where another outbreak was expected.
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 | Hoskinsons win big at the King Co. Industrial Fair 1879
Riley wins prizes and honorable mentions for variety of vegetables and grasses. Martha wins in seed peas, pickles, and several sewing and quilting categories. Daughter Ida also wins in a few sewing categories. Prizes are $1 for each food related win, butter knives and salt spoons for the sewing and quilting categories. |
 | David Hite injured 1891
"David Hite, of Eagle Harbor, was brought to the Providence hospital yesterday to be treated for a severe cut across the instep, received while slashing underbrush. The wound was not dangerous, and Hite will not be confined for any length of time." |
 | David Hite released 1891
Despite the previous article's speculation that "Hite will not be confined for any length of time," it appears he was hospitalized for more than two weeks after his accident on Apr 2; "David Hite, who has been treated for an axe cut across the instep of the foot, received while grubbing, was discharged yesterday." |
Fisher Family Genealogy