Suggested edit:
"A man without an enemy." This is how one friend described D.W. "Daddy" Fleet, who was a man that Montesanans came to adore. Whether it was his warming smile, vigorous grasp of the hand, the quick interest, the natural willingness to aid, his innate dignity... all won the respect and friendships that were his true reward and his real distinction.
David Wacker Fleet was born in 1851 in Virginia. He was the descendant of a family which included leaders in America since the 17th century, when Capt. Henry Fleet came to the colonies from England. Virtually every war from colonial times to the world war found members of the Fleet family fighting for their principals.
His brother, Brig. Gen. A. Frederick Fleet was on the staff of Gen. Henry A. Wise, commander of the 26th Virginians. General Fleet was also at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered to General Grant. On the Fleet plantation 15,000 men under Gen. Sheridan were once encamped. Despite the fact that the family had joined with the confederacy, Mr. Fleet recalled how shocked they were by the assassination of President Lincoln.
Mr. Fleet was trained as an engineer, graduating from Aberdeen Academy at West Point, Virginia, and then from Virginia Military Institute.
Following his graduation, he spent a few years in the teaching profession, but the same urge that brought his ancestors to America lured him west to new lands. He served as a government surveyor and worked in Wyoming and New Mexico before he came to the Pacific Northwest in 1883.
When he arrived in Montesano in 1883, it was the largest community of this region. Although the railroad was yet to push its way into this area, Montesano was then an active center, for timber claims were being taken
up and the tremendous logging and lumber industry was just beginning here.
By November 1883 Mr. Fleet had acquired his first real estate interests here. He purchased a lot on Pioneer and River and erected his own office building. Among his first jobs was platting the Dabney-Byles addition to Montesano.
That same year, 1883, Mr. Fleet became acquainted with Sam Benn. In December 1883, The Vidette reported:
"Engineer Fleet is at present engaged in platting a townsite for our friend Sam Benn at the mouth of the Wishkah. This is a good site and we trust that Sam may make his everlasting fortune out of it. He deserves to, for he is a royal good fellow, and has waited long for his ship to come in.
So began Aberdeen, and so, too, began the lifelong association with Sam Benn and D.W. Fleet that grew stronger over the years.
Mr. Fleet was named Montesano City Engineer in 1884 and one of his first projects was to establish the grade of Main Street in Montesano. He quickly established himself as a confident and capable individual among his fellow citizens, and was elected county auditor.
He was a lifelong Democrat, being an active member in party affairs.
In addition to being county auditor and city engineer, he later served as Montesano City Clerk and as deputy county auditor.
Despite his civic obligations, Mr. Fleet owned his own abstract business and for many years was considered the best informed man in the county on lands and titles.
Mr. Fleet married Lillian Favor in September 1884. She was the daughter of Nelson Waite, pioneer hardware merchant of Montesano.
"Daddy" as he was affectionately called, gained national distinction in his favorite sport -- trap shooting. He won state championships and participated in international meets, often accompanied by his son Reuben.
For years his home on Fleet St., which was named in his honor, was a center for social life here.
D.W. "Daddy" Fleet died on Feb. 23, 1937 at the age of 86.
In 1946, D.W.'s children, Reuben and Lillian Bishop dedicated Fleet Park to the City of Montesano in the memory of their father and mother.--The Vidette, February 18, 1999
Contributor: Thomas Moak (47512799)
"A man without an enemy." This is how one friend described D.W. "Daddy" Fleet, who was a man that Montesanans came to adore. Whether it was his warming smile, vigorous grasp of the hand, the quick interest, the natural willingness to aid, his innate dignity... all won the respect and friendships that were his true reward and his real distinction.
David Wacker Fleet was born in 1851 in Virginia. He was the descendant of a family which included leaders in America since the 17th century, when Capt. Henry Fleet came to the colonies from England. Virtually every war from colonial times to the world war found members of the Fleet family fighting for their principals.
His brother, Brig. Gen. A. Frederick Fleet was on the staff of Gen. Henry A. Wise, commander of the 26th Virginians. General Fleet was also at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered to General Grant. On the Fleet plantation 15,000 men under Gen. Sheridan were once encamped. Despite the fact that the family had joined with the confederacy, Mr. Fleet recalled how shocked they were by the assassination of President Lincoln.
Mr. Fleet was trained as an engineer, graduating from Aberdeen Academy at West Point, Virginia, and then from Virginia Military Institute.
Following his graduation, he spent a few years in the teaching profession, but the same urge that brought his ancestors to America lured him west to new lands. He served as a government surveyor and worked in Wyoming and New Mexico before he came to the Pacific Northwest in 1883.
When he arrived in Montesano in 1883, it was the largest community of this region. Although the railroad was yet to push its way into this area, Montesano was then an active center, for timber claims were being taken
up and the tremendous logging and lumber industry was just beginning here.
By November 1883 Mr. Fleet had acquired his first real estate interests here. He purchased a lot on Pioneer and River and erected his own office building. Among his first jobs was platting the Dabney-Byles addition to Montesano.
That same year, 1883, Mr. Fleet became acquainted with Sam Benn. In December 1883, The Vidette reported:
"Engineer Fleet is at present engaged in platting a townsite for our friend Sam Benn at the mouth of the Wishkah. This is a good site and we trust that Sam may make his everlasting fortune out of it. He deserves to, for he is a royal good fellow, and has waited long for his ship to come in.
So began Aberdeen, and so, too, began the lifelong association with Sam Benn and D.W. Fleet that grew stronger over the years.
Mr. Fleet was named Montesano City Engineer in 1884 and one of his first projects was to establish the grade of Main Street in Montesano. He quickly established himself as a confident and capable individual among his fellow citizens, and was elected county auditor.
He was a lifelong Democrat, being an active member in party affairs.
In addition to being county auditor and city engineer, he later served as Montesano City Clerk and as deputy county auditor.
Despite his civic obligations, Mr. Fleet owned his own abstract business and for many years was considered the best informed man in the county on lands and titles.
Mr. Fleet married Lillian Favor in September 1884. She was the daughter of Nelson Waite, pioneer hardware merchant of Montesano.
"Daddy" as he was affectionately called, gained national distinction in his favorite sport -- trap shooting. He won state championships and participated in international meets, often accompanied by his son Reuben.
For years his home on Fleet St., which was named in his honor, was a center for social life here.
D.W. "Daddy" Fleet died on Feb. 23, 1937 at the age of 86.
In 1946, D.W.'s children, Reuben and Lillian Bishop dedicated Fleet Park to the City of Montesano in the memory of their father and mother.--The Vidette, February 18, 1999
Contributor: Thomas Moak (47512799)
Suggested edit:
"A man without an enemy." This is how one friend described D.W. "Daddy" Fleet, who was a man that Montesanans came to adore. Whether it was his warming smile, vigorous grasp of the hand, the quick interest, the natural willingness to aid, his innate dignity... all won the respect and friendships that were his true reward and his real distinction.
David Wacker Fleet was born in 1851 in Virginia. He was the descendant of a family which included leaders in America since the 17th century, when Capt. Henry Fleet came to the colonies from England. Virtually every war from colonial times to the world war found members of the Fleet family fighting for their principals.
His brother, Brig. Gen. A. Frederick Fleet was on the staff of Gen. Henry A. Wise, commander of the 26th Virginians. General Fleet was also at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered to General Grant. On the Fleet plantation 15,000 men under Gen. Sheridan were once encamped. Despite the fact that the family had joined with the confederacy, Mr. Fleet recalled how shocked they were by the assassination of President Lincoln.
Mr. Fleet was trained as an engineer, graduating from Aberdeen Academy at West Point, Virginia, and then from Virginia Military Institute.
Following his graduation, he spent a few years in the teaching profession, but the same urge that brought his ancestors to America lured him west to new lands. He served as a government surveyor and worked in Wyoming and New Mexico before he came to the Pacific Northwest in 1883.
When he arrived in Montesano in 1883, it was the largest community of this region. Although the railroad was yet to push its way into this area, Montesano was then an active center, for timber claims were being taken
up and the tremendous logging and lumber industry was just beginning here.
By November 1883 Mr. Fleet had acquired his first real estate interests here. He purchased a lot on Pioneer and River and erected his own office building. Among his first jobs was platting the Dabney-Byles addition to Montesano.
That same year, 1883, Mr. Fleet became acquainted with Sam Benn. In December 1883, The Vidette reported:
"Engineer Fleet is at present engaged in platting a townsite for our friend Sam Benn at the mouth of the Wishkah. This is a good site and we trust that Sam may make his everlasting fortune out of it. He deserves to, for he is a royal good fellow, and has waited long for his ship to come in.
So began Aberdeen, and so, too, began the lifelong association with Sam Benn and D.W. Fleet that grew stronger over the years.
Mr. Fleet was named Montesano City Engineer in 1884 and one of his first projects was to establish the grade of Main Street in Montesano. He quickly established himself as a confident and capable individual among his fellow citizens, and was elected county auditor.
He was a lifelong Democrat, being an active member in party affairs.
In addition to being county auditor and city engineer, he later served as Montesano City Clerk and as deputy county auditor.
Despite his civic obligations, Mr. Fleet owned his own abstract business and for many years was considered the best informed man in the county on lands and titles.
Mr. Fleet married Lillian Favor in September 1884. She was the daughter of Nelson Waite, pioneer hardware merchant of Montesano.
"Daddy" as he was affectionately called, gained national distinction in his favorite sport -- trap shooting. He won state championships and participated in international meets, often accompanied by his son Reuben.
For years his home on Fleet St., which was named in his honor, was a center for social life here.
D.W. "Daddy" Fleet died on Feb. 23, 1937 at the age of 86.
In 1946, D.W.'s children, Reuben and Lillian Bishop dedicated Fleet Park to the City of Montesano in the memory of their father and mother.--The Vidette, February 18, 1999
Contributor: Thomas Moak (47512799)
"A man without an enemy." This is how one friend described D.W. "Daddy" Fleet, who was a man that Montesanans came to adore. Whether it was his warming smile, vigorous grasp of the hand, the quick interest, the natural willingness to aid, his innate dignity... all won the respect and friendships that were his true reward and his real distinction.
David Wacker Fleet was born in 1851 in Virginia. He was the descendant of a family which included leaders in America since the 17th century, when Capt. Henry Fleet came to the colonies from England. Virtually every war from colonial times to the world war found members of the Fleet family fighting for their principals.
His brother, Brig. Gen. A. Frederick Fleet was on the staff of Gen. Henry A. Wise, commander of the 26th Virginians. General Fleet was also at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered to General Grant. On the Fleet plantation 15,000 men under Gen. Sheridan were once encamped. Despite the fact that the family had joined with the confederacy, Mr. Fleet recalled how shocked they were by the assassination of President Lincoln.
Mr. Fleet was trained as an engineer, graduating from Aberdeen Academy at West Point, Virginia, and then from Virginia Military Institute.
Following his graduation, he spent a few years in the teaching profession, but the same urge that brought his ancestors to America lured him west to new lands. He served as a government surveyor and worked in Wyoming and New Mexico before he came to the Pacific Northwest in 1883.
When he arrived in Montesano in 1883, it was the largest community of this region. Although the railroad was yet to push its way into this area, Montesano was then an active center, for timber claims were being taken
up and the tremendous logging and lumber industry was just beginning here.
By November 1883 Mr. Fleet had acquired his first real estate interests here. He purchased a lot on Pioneer and River and erected his own office building. Among his first jobs was platting the Dabney-Byles addition to Montesano.
That same year, 1883, Mr. Fleet became acquainted with Sam Benn. In December 1883, The Vidette reported:
"Engineer Fleet is at present engaged in platting a townsite for our friend Sam Benn at the mouth of the Wishkah. This is a good site and we trust that Sam may make his everlasting fortune out of it. He deserves to, for he is a royal good fellow, and has waited long for his ship to come in.
So began Aberdeen, and so, too, began the lifelong association with Sam Benn and D.W. Fleet that grew stronger over the years.
Mr. Fleet was named Montesano City Engineer in 1884 and one of his first projects was to establish the grade of Main Street in Montesano. He quickly established himself as a confident and capable individual among his fellow citizens, and was elected county auditor.
He was a lifelong Democrat, being an active member in party affairs.
In addition to being county auditor and city engineer, he later served as Montesano City Clerk and as deputy county auditor.
Despite his civic obligations, Mr. Fleet owned his own abstract business and for many years was considered the best informed man in the county on lands and titles.
Mr. Fleet married Lillian Favor in September 1884. She was the daughter of Nelson Waite, pioneer hardware merchant of Montesano.
"Daddy" as he was affectionately called, gained national distinction in his favorite sport -- trap shooting. He won state championships and participated in international meets, often accompanied by his son Reuben.
For years his home on Fleet St., which was named in his honor, was a center for social life here.
D.W. "Daddy" Fleet died on Feb. 23, 1937 at the age of 86.
In 1946, D.W.'s children, Reuben and Lillian Bishop dedicated Fleet Park to the City of Montesano in the memory of their father and mother.--The Vidette, February 18, 1999
Contributor: Thomas Moak (47512799)
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