An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 104

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1172

USA > Washington > Skagit County > An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 104
USA > Washington > Snohomish County > An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 104

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FRED P. CHELLMAN is one of the colony of Swedish born American citizens who have turned the Skagit forest into smiling farms and out of the

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change have created fortunes for themselves and their families. Mr. Chellman was born in Sweden October 8, 1852, the son of Peter and Maric Peter- son, being fifth in the circle of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson remained in their native land until death some years ago. Mr. Chellman re- mained on the home farm until he was past thirty years of age, coming to America in 1881. He re- mained one summer in Colorado and then came to Washington, his first employment being in a saw- mill at Port Blakeley. The following winter he passed at a logging camp on the Skagit, and it was during this engagement that lie selected a part of the heavily timbered forest for his future home. In the summer of 1883 he made a filing on the land, which included some marsh land as well as timber. With his own hands he has cleared the land of its trees and has diked and drained the low places. Of that original 160 acres eighty are now in grass and a second eighty in oats, the yield of both crops be- ing heavy. At a later time Mr. Chellman added by purchase eighty acres of cleared land to the west of his original place, three miles south and one mile west of Mount Vernon. He has made his home here since 1883.

In 1887 Mr. Chellman married Miss Annie L. Benson, who had come to Washington that year from her home in Sweden. She was nineteen years of age and had received her education in the old country. Two children have been born to this union, Alma C., and Anna V. Aside from grow- ing grasses and grains, Mr. Chellman has turned his attention with success to the raising of Dur- ham cattle and has developed a well selected herd. In politics he places little faith in party platforms and party pledges, but considers the candidate and casts his ballot for the individual whom he believes to be the best qualified for a given office. The fam- ily attends the Methodist church. As pioneer, citi- zen and successful farmer and stock raiser, Mr. Chellman ranks well to the front; while as a busi- ness man his present holdings in rich farm lands, stock, etc., with his substantial home, fully attest his executive ability.

AXEL ANDERSON, well known as a pros- perous farmer, living three and one-half miles southwest of Mount Vernon, is a native of central Sweden, born July 29, 1869. His father, Anders Carlson, a farmer born in Sweden in 1828, was a man of influence, whose excellent education fitted him to fill with honor the various offices he held to the time of his death in 1875. Sophia (Bangt- son) Carlson, also of Swedish birth, was the mother. She died in her native land in 1897. Making the best use of the educational opportunities afforded by the common schools of the country and in the meantime doing his share of the farm work, Mr. Anderson grew to manhood. Having brothers and sisters residing in the United States who wrote

home in glowing terms of the country and its open- ings, he decided to find a home there also. He reached Osage City, Kansas, in 1889, and began work in a coal mine, continuing there for a year, at the end of which he came to La Conner to accept a position on the farm of his cousin, Charles Elde. He and his brother, Nels Anderson, bought a forty acre farm and also rented land which they tilled for three years until he was offered the management of Judge Powers' hop ranch. He purchased his present place in 1899, and has since greatly im- proved it, building his cosy, comfortable house, and surrounding it with tasteful, well-kept grounds.

Mr. Anderson was married April 26, 1898, to Miss Anna Sward, who was born in the northern part of Sweden, but came to the United States when a young girl. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have had three children, only one of whom, Carl Axel, is living. Mr. Anderson has one brother, Nels, and three sisters, Christina Charlstron, Anna Lendblom and Nora Elde. In political matters he is an independent voter. He is a worthy member of the Woodmen of the World. Being a careful manager he secures large returns from his ranch, the products of which are hay and stock. Thrifty and industrious, and withal a man of integrity, he commands tlie respect of the entire community.

GUST LENDBLOM, a well-to-do farmer resid- ing three and one-half miles southwest of Mount Vernon, was born in east Sweden September 23, 1856, the son of Jonas and Anna Lendblom, both natives of Sweden. Having served thirty-six years in the army of his native country, the father came to the United States in 1877, and died here the fol- lowing year at the age of sixty-one. His mother was born in 1815, and died in Kansas in 1903. The youngest of a family of seven, Mr. Lendblom has the following brothers and sisters: Anton, liv- ing in Minnesota ; Carl T., Charlotte, Lena and Leonard, all residents of Kansas. The first twenty years of his life were spent on his father's farm in Sweden, acquiring a practical knowledge of affairs that would bring him success in later years. When the family emigrated to the United States in 1877, he first found employment in Osage City, Kansas, where he worked in the mines in the winters, and at stone masonry, summers. Thirteen years later he went to Michigan, securing a position as a stone mason which he held for two years. at which time he decided to locate in the Northwest. Coming to Skagit county July 20, 1893, le rented a farm which he worked until 1899, when he purchased his pres- ent home.

Mr. Lendblom was married August 25. 188?, in Osage City, Kansas, to Miss Anna Anderson, born in Sweden in 1860, the sister of Axel and Nels An- derson. Mr. and Mrs. Lendblom have the follow- ing children : Judith. Martin (deceased). Carl, Edith (deceased), Lillie, Edith, Hugo, Gunuar,

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Hector and Rhoda. The family attend the Baptist church of which both parents are active members. Mr. Lendblom is an independent voter, believing that to be the surest means of securing wise and just legislation. He owns thirty acres of land which he is fast bringing under cultivation. He is interested in dairy matters, and sells his product as cream. A hard working honest man of good moral standard, he enjoys the respect and confidence of his neighbors and friends.

NILS ERICKSON, farmer and dairyman, re- sides on his ranch four miles southwest of Mount Vernon. For generations his ancestors have been natives of Sweden, in which country he was born, near Ostersund, December 6, 1857, the son of Eric and Elizabeth (Nelson) Erickson. His father, born in 1840, is a farmer in his native country. His mother died in 1896. Mr. Erickson has one sister, Anna Westin, and two brothers, Peter and Lewis, all residents of Seattle, Washington. Northern Sweden, his home for the first twenty-one years, is a poor farming country, yielding only a bare living even with diligent labor. The many advantages to be enjoyed in the United States influenced him to make his home there in 1878. Locating in Oberlin, Kansas, he rented land for a time, but the severe drought that brought dismay to so many caused his efforts to be almost a complete failure. Discour- aging it certainly was, but not disheartening to a man of his fine courage. Securing from his labor just enough money to purchase a ticket to the great Northwest, where man's success is not so dependent upon the ofttimes fiekle rainfall, he came to Stan- wood, Snohomish county, and at once began clearing land. The following spring, in 1891. he sent for his family, who had remained in Kansas, meeting them at Skagit City, near which he bought a piece of school land which became their home until in 1900 when they removed to their present farm. It was densely covered with heavy timber and the task of elearing and bringing it to its present state of cultivation has indeed been laborious, and has been accomplished entirely by his own untiring efforts. He has ten aeres in fine condition, and all the rest in pasture land.

Mr. Erickson was married in Kansas, January 10, 1890, to Miss Carrie Wineburg. an acquaint- ance who was born in his native parish in Sweden, and came to the United States in 1878. Her par- ents were likewise natives of Sweden, her father fol- lowing farming. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have seven children: Sophia, William, Ellen, Jennie, Alice, Allrick and Harris, who attend the Swedish Baptist church, of which the parents are members. Mr. Erickson is a member of the Republican party. He has filled the office of road supervisor, and for a' number of years was clerk and school director in his district, known as the Harmony distriet, which is recognized as one of the very best in this part

of the county. He is a patron of the Mount Ver- non creamery, to which he sends the milk from eight cows. By industry and wise management he has won for himself and family, under adverse con- clitions, a home and a place in his community, and to-day is recognized as a worthy citizen, holding the esteem of all who know him.

O. J. JOHNSON, for many years engaged in ministerial work in his native land, Sweden, and also in the United States, and now a prominent farmer residing four miles southwest of Mount Ver- non, was born near Ostersund, February 17, 1856. His father, John Johnson, a farmer in Sweden, was born in 1835, and died in 1888. The mother, Agnes (Olson) Johnson, was also a native of the same country, dying there in 1885. Having worked with his father on the farm, and attended the public schools, Mr. Johnson entered college at the age of nineteen, taking a two years' course. He then de- eided to enter the ministry of the Lutheran church, and studied privately with a professor of the col- lege, after which he went as traveling missionary for that church for six years, resigning at that time on account of his health. He married soon after, and purchased his father-in-law's farm which he owned until 1888. Dissatisfied with the political conditions of his country, in which the right to vote is purely a property qualification, no one being allowed a ballot who has not either four thousand dollars worth of property or an income amounting to eight hundred dollars. and believing that Russia would eventually conquer the Scandinavian people, thus making the situation one of far more peril, he determined for his children's sake to leave the land of his fathers. He had once made a trip to Minne- sota, and had been impressed with the superior ad- vantages that the United States offered, so at this time he migrated to Rawlins County, Kansas, and rented a farm. A year and a half later, in 1890, he came west, first to Stanwood, Snohomish coun- ty, and soon after to Skagit county, where he bought land on the Skagit delta. In 1899 he invested in his present property near Mount Vernon, which he' has greatly improved, there being then only an or- chard on the place. For two years, from 1896 to 1898, he traveled for the Baptist Publishing Com- pany, selling their publications throughout the coun- try, and also frequently preaching. Previous to this time he had been pastor of the Swedish Bap- tist church for four years, 1892 and 1896, which pulpit he again filled for two years after giving up the field work, tendering his resignation as pas- tor in 1902. He believes that his ministry is ended, and is now devoting his entire time to agricultural interests. He is an enthusiastic advocate of a farm- ers' co-operative union, with its own commission merchants and its home store, and has succeeded in arousing a great deal of interest in his plans. Several meetings have been held, and the organ-

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ization elected the following officers: Mr. Johnson, president : Andrew Anderson, vice-president ; Wil- liam Wells, secretary, and Robert Gunther, treas- urer. He was sent as a delegate to the meeting held in Seattle in March, 1905, in which all the co- operative organizations in the western part of this state were represented, and brought back cheering reports of the work done in other places. He thinks it will not be long before the organization here and elsewhere will be perfected, and this will mean much greater returns to the farmers when their own commission merchants handle their products in the Seattle market.

Mr. Johnson was married in Sweden in 1881, to Miss Carrie Nelson, born in that country. They have two children, Jonas, born in Sweden, August 12, 1883, and Annie E., also born there, in 1887. Both children have decided musical ability, playing several instruments with proficiency. Mr. Johnson has been school director for some time, and dike commissioner for one term. In general appearance he thinks Skagit county resembles Sweden, but is vastly superior in every way, particularly in the ad- vantages offered to the ambitious poor man. An earnest, progressive citizen, broadened by the varied experiences that have entered his life, Mr. Johnson is a valuable addition to the community which now claims him as a resident.

FRANK JUNGQUIST, a well known farmer and dairyman who resides on his farm four miles southwest of Mount Vernon, came to the United States when he was nineteen years of age. His father, August Jungquist, was born in Sweden in December, 1835, and farmed there until he came to the United States in 1888, where he now lives with his son, John Jungquist. Hannah ( Johnson) , the mother, was born in Tyrunga, Sweden, in 1831, and died in May, 1901. Mr. Jungquist, born in Sweden, west of Jutland, May 10, 1867, received his education in the common schools of his coun- try, while he also acquired a practical knowledge of farming. A brother, John, and a sister, Chris- tina, the wife of Marsh Miller, being residents of the United States, he was familiar with the oppor- tunities to be found here, and decided to make this his home. Arriving in La Conner August 24, 1886, he at once found employment with a thrashing ma- chine, the first he had ever seen. Two and a half years later he bought his first real estate in this country, and in 1899 purchased his present ranch, situated by the river dike. He has remodeled the house, and also greatly improved the farm.

In Seattle, January 29, 1891, Mr. Jungquist was married to Miss Ellen Warsen, born November 21, 1872, near Linkoping, Ostergatlands, Sweden. Her father. Anders Anderson, a farmer, died Novem- ber 26, 1878. Her mother, Johanna (Johnson). was born April 15, 1839, and came to the United States September 21, 1892. Mrs. Jungquist has

been a resident of this country since 1890. Four children have been born to this union, Alice, Elmer, Fredolph and Emma. Mr. Jungquist is a loyal member of the Republican party. A firm believer in the common school system, he advocates the em- ployment of the best talent that can be secured and is ever found laboring to carry to successful issue these progressive ideas. He has a fine dairy of twenty cows and in company with his brother, Klos, owns a farm of fifty-six acres, on which is located their creamery, bearing the name of the Skagit City Creamery, the product of which is eas- ily sold at the highest price. That this portion of the United States is the best possible location for an active, enterprising man, is a firm conviction in the mind of Mr. Jungquist, and his success certainly demonstrates the soundness of his judgment.

OLUF INMAN NELSON (deceased). When after a weary illness of eighteen months this promi- nent pioneer died at his home four and one-half miles southwest of Mount Vernon, on November 10, 1904, the cause of truth and right lost a brave champion, and the community an honored citizen and friend. He was born in Sweden, January 15, 1844, the son of Inman and Kristine Nelson, both natives of that country, in which the father died many years ago, and the mother in 1846. Mr. Nel- son spent the first twenty-four years of his life in the home-land, immigrating to the United States in 1868, but returning in 1872 for his bride. His first home was in Illinois, thence he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he remained till 1876, at which time he decided to go west. After a year in Seattle, his wife who had remained in Nebraska, joined him and they came to Skagit county, near La Conner, where he at first rented land and farmed. Later he bought a farm in the Beaver Marsh district, which unfortunately he was obliged to give up when the panic of 1893 palsied the finances of the nation. Previous to this he had been very successful, owning both the farm above men- tioned and also the one on which his family now resides.

Mr. Nelson was married in Omaha, Nebraska, June 22, 1872, to Miss Celia Bainston, born in Sweden, April S, 1847. Her father, Baint Nel- son, was a well known shoemaker of Sweden, and died in that country in 1900, at the age of eighty- three. Bertha Swanson, her mother, also of Swed- ish nativity, was born in 1806, and died September 11, 1891. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were born the following children: Alfred, born March 15, 1878, now attending the university at Seattle, from which he will be graduated in the class of 1906: Minnie and Otto, twins; Victor and Benjamin, the latter also attending school; and three others now de- ceased. Bravely taking up the burdens laid down by her husband, Mrs. Nelson has charge of the farm in the absence of her eldest son, attends to

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the dairving, and also devotes time and attention to poultry raising. During Mr. Nelson's life he was an earnest member of the Socialists, actively engaged in promulgating the doctrines in which he so firmly believed. Always a man of pronounced views, he had the courage to adhere to his convic- tions, regardless of the cost. For many years a member of the Swedish Methodist church, though at the time of his death not connected with any so- ciety, he has been a life-long student of the Bible, and was an earnest Christian, following the light as he saw it.

GEORGE J. WOLF, a successful and energetic farmer residing three and one-half miles south- west of Mount Vernon, was born near Richland, in Richland County, Wisconsin, November 29, 1860. Michael Wolf, his father, a native of Germany, in which country he followed the baker's trade for many years, immigrated to the United States, lo- cating first in Michigan, and later, in 1850, in Madi- son, Wisconsin, at that time only a small town. Opening a bakery, he remained there for some time, when he moved to Richland county, having re- married after the death of his first wife. He was living there on his own farm at the time of his death in 1870. Anna Rosa (Lassa) was the moth- er. Born and raised in Germany, she was first married to William Klousie, after whose death she met and some years later married Mr. Wolf. She clied in South Dakota in 1901, at the age of sev- enty-four. The early life of George J. Wolf did not differ from that of the average American boy, as it was spent on his father's farm learning many lessons of industry and economy, and attending the common schools of the state. The first year after he became of age he assumed the care of his moth- er's farm, going later to South Dakota, where he spent seven years in farming and dairying. In 1891 he came to Skagit county and bought his present place, at that time simply a part of the woods, wholly destitute of improvements. For the next two years he rented land which he farmed until his own could be diked, and the task of clearing it begun. Having been appointed dike commis- sioner by the county, he levied a tax and con- structed what is known as the "high dike" which extends a mile. Then began the work of clearing his own land and building houses and barns. Two years later he returned to South Dakota and took up a homestead in Buffalo county, residing there six years. This property he still owns. To his former home in Skagit county which he held while in Dakota, he returned in December, 1902, and has since given it his entire attention.

Mr. Wolf was married in South Dakota, De- cember 4, 1889, to Miss Mary E. Fredlund, daugh- ter of J. J. and Maria ( Johnson) Fredlund. Her father has been a resident of Skagit county for fourteen years. Mrs. Wolf was born in Bergen,

Norway, in 1868, and came to the United States in 1881. Her brothers are Jules, Edward, Robert and Joseph Fredlund, all living in Skagit county, and Albert Fredlund, now in Alaska. Mr. Wolf's own brothers and sisters are as follows: John H. and David M., general merchants in South Da- kota, Adolph G., a banker, Anna Rosa Smith and Dorothy, all likewise residents of South Dakota. He has three half-brothers and one half-sister. Abraham, William, Caroline and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have six children living and one, David F., deceased. They are as follows: Charles Wes- ley, Jesse Benjamin, Ira J., Marie, Leonard G. and Edwin R. All the family attend the Methodist church, of which the father and mother are active members. Mr. Wolf is a member of the Repub- lican party, and was in office while in South Da- kota. He is now school director and clerk in his district. Intensely interested in the educational mat- ters of the county, he agitated the building of an addition to the school house in his district and the employment of another teacher, and has had the pleasure of secing both his plans carried out. It is now a graded school, and one reflecting credit upon its officers and patrons. Ilis farm of twenty acres is in a very desirable location, situated on the corner opposite the school ground. He secured his land by clearing off another tract of equal size. He is devoting his time principally to raising vege- tables and to his dairy interests. Thrift and in- dustry are everywhere apparent, and arc securing for him a large measure of success and influence.

JOHN H. CARLSON, a prosperous farmer living four miles southwest of Mount Vernon, has had a more varied career than have most young men of his age. Born in south Norway, near Chris- tiana. November 1, 1867, he is the son of Carl Jacobson, a native of Sweden who came to Norway when a young boy, and is now, though nearly eighty years of age, an engineer on one of the coast steamers. Wilhelmina ( Hanson) Jacobson, the mother, was born in Norway about the same time that her husband was, and is still living. Hav- ing attended the schools and passed the examina- tion, which is required by law in Norway, he also afterward spent some time in night schools. He learned engineering with his father and at eight- een began life on the ocean, making eleven trips to Montreal on a steamer, and later sailing to Eng- land, the United States and other countries. This practical experience on the occan is a preparation required of all who would enter the marine service of Norway, to enter which at that time was his am- bition, one, however that he entirely abandoned when he grew to manhood. In his carly teens he had worked in a bottle factory, where he became quite proficient in the art of glass blowing. He had observed the resources and superior advan- tages of the United States when on his ocean

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voyages he had touched her shores, and decided to make this his future home, which he did in 1888. He intended to enter the machine shops when he arrived in this country, but changed his plans and was employed in a paint, sash and door factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the largest manufactory of its kind in the world at that time. Three years later he came west to Bellingham, then known as Seahom, taking up carpenter work with contractors for several years. He purchased his first real es- tate in Ferndale, which, after improving, he sold some two years later, at that time locating in Whatcom, where he operated a planer in a plan- ing-mill until he came in 1898 to Skagit county. That winter he and three others-O. J. Johnson, Frank Jungquist and brother, bought of Henry Wright a 100-acre ranch, which was divided up, the place on which he now resides falling to his lot. There was only an orchard on it then, and everything else in the way of improvements has been added since. He built his own house, barns means to make the improvements on his property. and fences, and cleared off nearly the entire place. In the meantime he ran a donkey have sufficient hauling off logs, that he might engine, used in Much of the carpenter work in this locality has been done by him. He and Nils Erickson had the contract for the building of the school-house in Harmony district.

Mr. Carlson was married in Wisconsin, July 28, 1889, to Miss Anna Edd, born in Sweden, a friend whom he had known in Norway, and who came to the United States in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Carlson have four children, Esther, Ruth, Elmer and Edna. In the Swedish Baptist church Mr. Carlson is a prominent member, having served as treasurer for many years. The educational mat- ters of his community receive his attention and his hearty financial support. He has a brother, Charles, who is chief engineer on an ocean steam- er plying between the Philippine Islands and the West Indies. The other members of his family are Emil, Hildorine and Elise. Mr. Carlson has twenty-two acres, and devotes much time to his dairy, now milking nine cows, and selling the sepa- rated cream to the Mount Vernon creamery. Ear- nest, ambitious, and withal a manly man, he is highly esteemed by his many acquaintances.

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An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 104

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1906 Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1172

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1172