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 108

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 108
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 108

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SKAGIT COUNTY

MATTHEW BESSNER, one of Skagit coun- ty's pioneer citizens, now engaged in agricultural pursuits at his fine farm on the Skagit delta, is the son of another well known pioneer of this region, John Bessner. Born in Luxemberg, Germany, De- cember 5, 1829, the elder man came to the United States early in the fifties, settling ultimately in Minnesota. There he followed farming until 1875, that year coming west to Puget sound in the hope of bettering his condition. At Whatcom he en- tered the coal mines, in which he spent two years, in the meantime sending for his family in 1876. A year later he removed to the town of La Conner, worked out a year, then rented a farm two years, at the end of which period he bought a tract, diked and sold it. In 1880 he removed to the Ska- git delta, renting a half section of school land, then in its wild condition. After many years of toil and hardship. he reclaimed the entire tract, sold half of it (he having purchased the 320 acres), and on the remainder successfully farmed and raised stock until his death. February 12, 1905. Mrs. Mary (Beninger) Bessner, his wife, also a native of Lux- emberg. was married in Ohio, and with her hus- band underwent all the privations common to pio- neer life on the American frontier. Her death oc- curred in April, 1904.

Matthew Bessner, fifth in a family of twelve children, was born October 16, 1867, in Dakota County. Minnesota. When only a lad of nine years he accompanied his mother and the family west to the new home founded on the shores of Puget sound by the father, and in Whatcom and Skagit counties received his rearing and education. He remained at home on the farm until twenty-two, working the last year for wages, then rented one of Edward Mc- Taggart's farms near Edison. A year and a half later he removed south to the Skagit delta, where he rented a place owned by a brother. Subsequent- ly he rented land three years from his father and following that the old Rollins place for five years. In 1902 he purchased his present farm, embracing 120 acres of as fine land as there is in that section, upon which he has erected an excellent seven-room dwelling and substantial outbuildings, thus giving him a most convenient as well as a valuable piece of property. It lies ten miles southwest of the coun- ty seat. The stock includes sixty neat cattle and nine head of horses.

Miss Annie Summers, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Cleverly) Summers, well known residents of Skagit county, was united in marriage to Mr. Bessner. at Mount Vernon, June 18, 1902. The Summers family is of English descent, both par- ents of Mrs. Bessner being natives of England, born in 1848 and 1849 respectively. They became early settlers in the Swinomish country and were prominently identified with the subjugation of the tide lands. A comprehensive sketch of their lives appears elsewhere among these biographies. Mrs. Summers passed away at Pleasant Ridge, Skagit

county. December 9, 1889. Mrs. Bessner was born near Fir, December 17, 1878, and is, therefore, one of Skagit's own daughters. Her education was ob- tained in the schools of her native county. Two children have blessed the union: Herbert D., born April 14, 1903, and Mildred C., August 27, 1905. Mrs. Bessner is a member of the Baptist church, her husband, a communicant of the Catholic. Po- litically, he is a Republican, liberal in his views, and in matters of public interest is ever active. Suc- cessful in his business, a citizen shirking no obli- gation placed upon him, and estecmed by his asso- ciates, Mr. Bessner is identified with that type which is steadily pushing Skagit county to the front.

LARS DANIELSON, one of Skagit county's substantial Norwegian citizens, successful farmer, and prominent in the development of the Skagit river's delta from a tide-swept waste into its pres- ent stretch of grain fields, gardens and meadows, resides just west of Fir in the very heart of that rich district. His birthplace is the northern part of Norway. He was born May 17, 1856, to the union of Daniel and Guro ( Johnson) Johnson, both natives of the same country. Both father and moth- er have attained to ripe old age, the former now being eighty-five and the latter eighty-three, and still hale and hearty. They long ago crossed the ocean and at the present time are living in Skagit county with their children, Mr. Danielson and Mrs. George Hansen. The youth of Mr. Danielson was spent upon the farm and attending the common schools of the district, thereby laying firm the foun- dation for manhood. When he reached the age of seventeen, like so many lads of that sea-faring peo- ple, young Danielson left the farm for the fishing trade, spending the succeeding four years in that industry. Then he joined a vessel and for six vears sailed before the mast over many seas. At last, however, this part of his nature apparently be- came satisfied, he left the sea and returned home. After two years with his parents, the attractions of America grew irresistible to him and in 1883 he again bade his native Norway farewell, reaching Michigan soon afterward. There he lived two years, engaged in logging, then came direct to the Skagit country and located near Fir, arriving almost simul- taneously with the creation of Skagit county. The rich possibilities of the delta region appealed strongly to him, so strongly that he bought eighty acres of wild land on an island near Fir. Apply- ing himself with vigor and perseverance to the work of transforming this tract of swamp land into a farm. he soon had the satisfaction of watching the cultivated acreage grow little by little into oat and hay fields until finally the whole tract was produc- ing bountifully. In all he built 575 rods of dike, which is a high testimonial to his industry and skill, representing the toil of years and the denial of many a comfort. However, feeling that he could better

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BIOGRAPHICAL

his condition, Mr. Danielson sold the old place in 1902 and with a portion of the proceeds again in- vested in land in a more desirable location. This tract is now his home. When he moved on it only fifteen acres out of forty were cleared, but with characteristic energy and perhaps with the pioneer's longing to be constantly conquering wild land, le fell to work and now has thirty acres in cultivation, a new twelve-room, modern house, excellent barn, sheds and other outbuildings, all substantially fenced.

The marriage of Mr. Danielson took place in Skagit county in 1885, Miss Carrie Engen, a daughter of Lars and Lizzie Engen, becoming his bride. Both parents lived and died in Norway, where also Mrs. Danielson was born in 1858. She received her education in the schools of her native country, remaining there until 1881, at that time coming to California. Thence she came north to Washington Territory in 1884. To this union five children have been born, the oldest of whom, Jennie, born in 1886, died in the fall of 1904. The others are Donald, Eddie, Lucy and Carl. Both Mr. and Mrs. Danielson are members of the Lutheran church. Politically, he is identified with the Re- publican party. The responsibilities of American citizenship Mr. Danielson has shouldered willingly, filling the offices of school director and other pre- cinct positions at different times, and at present serv- ing his district as dike commissioner. Dairying has claimed Mr. Danielson's special attention of late years, his efforts in this, as in other branches of agriculture, meeting with excellent success. There are in his career many object lessons of value to the younger generation of Skagit's citizenship, not the least of which is the supreme worth of industry, perseverance and foresight.

EDWARD CALLAHAN, the energetic young farmer residing five and one-half miles northwest of Mount Vernon, is a native son of Washington, born near La Conner, Skagit county, November 15, 1818, the son of James and Harriett ( Ball) Calla- han. The father is one of the early settlers in Ska- git county, where he came in 1876, and where he still resides. He was born in Ireland, August 28, 1841, and came with his parents, James and Mar-, garet ( Hartigan) Callahan to Canada when but six years of age, and one year later crossed the line into the United States, settling in Indiana, where he grew up to young manhood, learning the cooper's trade under his father's directions. He later en- listed in the war of the rebellion, in Company G, 181st Ohio Volunteers. At the close of the service he returned to Aurora, Indiana, and engaged at his trade and also served two years as marshal and was agent for a sewing machine company. In 1876 he set his face westward, going first to San Fran- cisco, thence to Port Townsend, where he took boat for Whatcom county, of which county his brother-

in-law, M. D. Smith, was at the time auditor. He went from there to the farm of Mr. Smith on the Samish Flats, where he engaged in farming, and in a short time pre-empted a tract of land near Pa- (lilla, and later purchased the land where he still resides, one of the solid farmers and respected pio- neers of the county. The mother was born in Ham- ilton County, Ohio, in 1812, the daughter of Sam- uel and Mary (Wyatt) Ball, of English birth, who settled there in 1836, where they passed away many years ago. Edward is seventh in the family of eleven children, and was the first child born after his parents came to the Puget sound country. He grew up on the Samish Flats, receiving his educa- tion in the schools of that community, and remained at home until twenty-one, when he engaged in farm- ing for himself. renting forty acres of his father's place. This he still farms, but has rented addi- tional land, where he resides and farms the two to- gether.

Edward Callahan and Annie Jenne, were united in marriage at Padilla, November 27, 1901. Mrs. Callahan was born on Whidby island May 5. 1882, the daughter of George and Mary (Halfrick) Jenne, who settled on that island in 1826, coming eight years later to the Swinomish Flats. The father was born in Germany, May 19, 1854, and came to the United States at the age of fourteen. He departed this life in Skagit county, January 3, 1902. The mother was born in Illinois September 14, 1854, and was married at the age of nineteen ; seven children were born to this union, of which Mrs. Callahan is the fifth. Politically Mr. Calla- han is a Democrat. He is a diversified farmer, and in stock raising is breeding the Guernsey cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Callahan come of pioneer stock and are themselves native productions of the state of Wash- ington.

JOHN CALLAHAN, residing on the old Calla- han homestead, immediately north of Padilla, was born in Ohio, near the Indiana line, on Christmas day, 1815, but has no memory of his native state. having been brought by his parents to the Puget sound country when but one year of age. His father, James Callahan, a native of the Emerald Isle. came to the Western continent with his par- ents in 1842, at the age of six years, and he was reared in the state of Indiana, where his parents settled in 1848. He was working at his trade of cooper, when, in 1861, the call for troops was made by President Lincoln to suppress the rebellion, to which call of his adopted country he promptly re- sponded, enlisting in Company G of the 181st Ohio Volunteers, and served with faithfulness and dis- tinction until honorably discharged. At the end of his service he went to Indiana, where he lived until 1876, when he came to the Puget sound country. and settled on the Swinomish Flats in what is now Skagit county, renting the farm belonging to his

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brother-in-law, M. D. Smith, who was at that time auditor of Whatcom county. Later he took up) land for himself and also purchased a tract, on which he now resides. He has been one of the ac- tive and progressive pioneers of the county. The mother, Harriett (Ball) Callahan, was born in Ohio, May 11. 1842, the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Wyatt) Ball. Her parents were natives of Eng- land, who came to the United States in 1836, set- tling in Hamilton County, Ohio, where they con- tinued to reside until their death. The senior Mr. and Mrs. Callahan were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1862, their union being blessed with eleven children, of which John is the sixth in order of birth. His schooling in Skagit county was supple- mented by a course in the Wilson Business college of Seattle, and at the age of twenty-one he went to work for his brother James on the farm, continu- ing with him for some three years. He then en- gaged in farming for himself, renting the old home- stead of his brother James, which he has farmed for the past five years.

Mr. Callahan and Miss Matilda Jenne were united in marriage August 7, 1901. Her father. George F. Jenne, was born in Germany, May 19, 1854, came to the United States when but fourteen years of age, and in 1876 to the Northwest, settling on Whidby island, where he farmed for eight years, and thence to Swinomish Flats on the mainland. He was a man of studious turn, well read and up- to-date in current events. He passed away Janu- ary 3, 1902, respected by a large community of friends and acquaintances. Mary (Halfrick) Jenne, the mother, was a native of Illinois, born September 14, 1854, to the union of Leonard and Catherine ( Mowery) Halfrick. Mrs. Callahan was born on Whidby island, August 27, 1879, and re- ceived a liberal common school education in Ska- git county. She was married at the age of twenty- two. She is the mother of one child, Harriett M., born in Skagit county, March 22, 1903. Religions- ly Mr. and Mrs. Callahan are members of the Catho- lic church, while in politics Mr. Callahan is a Demo- crat. Not only pioneers themselves, Mr. and Mrs. Callahan come of pioneer stock, on both sides of the family, doubly entitling them to a place in the history of Skagit county.

JOHN KILL, the well known owner of Deer- foot Farm, noted throughout the Skagit country for its fine stock, is one of Puget sound's substan- tial and successful citizens, justly deserving of a place among these records. Of German descent, he himself was born in the fatherland, March 14, 1861, the son of Matthew and Katrina (Elges) Kill. The father was a butcher by trade and fol- lowed it successfully until his death in 1898, while still residing in Germany. Mrs. Kill was the moth- er of three children, of whom the subject of this

sketch is the youngest; she, too, passed away in the old country.

After obtaining a common school education, John learned the butcher's trade in his father's shop and while still in his teens left home to seck his fortune. He traveled throughout Germany, Hol- land and France four years, working at his trade, returning when nineteen to the old home. Two years he remained there, then decided to cast his lot with the inhabitants of the United States to which so many of his countrymen, had come and established prosperous homes. With this idea in view, in 188? he crossed the Atlantic and proceeded to Dakota County, Minnesota. Six months of hard work in the wheat fields at fifteen dollars per month were followed by two years in the mines at Lake Linden, Michigan, after which he spent three years working at his trade in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 188? he made his advent into the Pacific Northwest, his first employment here being with the Rice & Gardiner market, Seattle. Fire destroyed this busi- ness in August, 1889, forcing young Kill to seek employment elsewhere. This he obtained as a ware- house man in a hide and fur establishment of Seat- tle, later going on the road for that house. The year 1895 witnessed this ambitious young man undertake an enterprise that called for unusual grit and con- fidence, namely, the establishment of a meat mar- ket at Juneau, Alaska. Success crowned his ef- forts and a year later he sold out for a tidy sum and returned to Seattle, becoming a partner in the firm of Hibbard & Norton. This house operated extensively during the Klondyke excitement, Mr. Kill at one time personally taking a drove of cattle in to Dawson City. That was in 1897. A year later the firm was dissolved, but Mr. Kill continued operations in the far Northwest. For a time he was engaged in taking provisions and stock into Northwest Territory, Canada. In 1899 he opened markets at Dawson City and Nome, being the pio- neer of that business in the latter city. When one considers that Dawson City is within the Arctic circle and that Nome is far up the Alaskan coast toward the land of icebergs, these business projects become noteworthy as unusual pioneer enterprises. While carrying to success his Alaskan ventures, Mr. Kill at one time cleared $42,000 in seven months, a most astonishing record. Finally, in April, 1900, he decided to enjoy his fortune in a milder climate and under less strenuous conditions, so he returned to Puget sound and purchased the farm which is now his home. The tract embraced 160 acres of highly improved Swinomish flat land, the equal of any land in the United States, and this Mr. Kill has further improved until it is now consid- ered one of the very best places in the county. Nat- urally fond of stock, he is now engaged in breeding Shorthorn cattle and Percheron horses with the idea of becoming a leader in raising fine stock. His Shorthorn herd now consists of eighty head, while in his stables are twelve selected horses. Mr. Kill

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also intends to spare no money or pains in raising high grade driving and trotting stock.

The marriage of Miss Louisa Heilser to Mr. Kill took place at St. Paul in 188 :. Her parents, Tobius and Veronicka ( Rettenbacher) Heilser, both of whom are now dead, were natives of Switzer- land, the mother coming from the canton of Tyrol. Tobius Heilser came to St. Paul when a young man and there conducted a tailoring establishment for a number of years. Louisa Kill was born in St. Paul, December 1. 1862, and in that metropolis was rear- ed and educated. Two children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kill: Mrs. Katie MI. Tingler, born in St. Paul, March 12, 1888, now re- siding in British Columbia ; and Frederick, born in Seattle. July 2, 1897. The family church is the Roman Catholic.

In fraternal circles, Mr. Kill is prominent as a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is one of the charter members of the Arctic Brotherhood, an Alaskan fraternity. He is an active supporter of the Republican party, always aggressive in dissem- inating its doctrines. Few men are better fitted than he to succeed in his stock and general farming projects, especially in the former, and already Deer- foot Farm is becoming recognized for its select cat- tle and horses. It is of such men as he, aggressive, staple. capable and progressive men, that the back- bone of any community is made and this instance is no exception to the rule.

ARTHUR W. FLAGG is one of the bright young business men and farmers of the Swinomish flats and is fast making a name for himself among the members of the community as a success at what- ever he undertakes. He was born in New Bruns- wick and came to Skagit county with his parents when eighteen years of age. His father, Benjamin Flagg, also a native of New Brunswick, was in his earlier days a carpenter by trade, but took up farm- ing after coming to Washington. He is still living at Avon. Mary (Daggett) Flagg, the mother, was born in New Brunswick ; she died on the homestead near La Conner in 1890, the mother of four chil- dren, of whom Arthur is the oldest. Arthur W. Flagg received his education in New Brunswick before coming to Washington. His first years here were spent as a farm hand. On becoming of legal age he filed on a preemption of eighty acres near Avon, selling out several years after proving up. In 1891 he opened a drug store at Avon and con- ducted it for five years, selling out to go into the employ of the Hayton-Dunlap hardware store in La Conner. After a year and a half in the hardware business. Mr. Flagg bought a farm on the Samish and operated it for three years. He sold out there and bought his present place of eighty acres six miles west of Mount Vernon in 1901.

In 1893 at Seattle Mr. Flagg married Miss Rose Dunlap, daughter of Isaac Dunlap, retired farmer

and stock raiser near La Conner, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Susan ( Maxwell) Dunlap was born in Iowa, and is still living near La Conner. the mother of seven chil- dren. Mrs. Flagg was born during the residence of her parents in California, in the last days of 186%. and came to Skagit county when ten years old. She received her education in the schools of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Flagg have three children : Philip, Frank and Robin, all born in this county. In poli- tics Mr. Flagg is an ardent Republican. He is much interested in the efficiency of the schools and is serving a term as clerk of the school board of District No. 15. The farm consists of sixty-five acres under cultivation, the balance in pasture. Mr. Flagg is interested in stock raising and has thirty head of cattle as his chief venture in that direction. By his energy, application to business and his ad- ministrative qualities, he is building up a handsome fortune. At the same time he does not confine all his energies to his private matters, but takes a lively interest in all affairs which pertain to the betterment of his community.

PATRICK H. MALOY, one of the substantial farmers of the region west of Mount Vernon, has, like many other successful men and good citizens of Uncle Sam's domain the blood of the warm- hearted Celt in his veins, both his parents being natives of Ireland. The family, however, has long been identified with developments in the new world, having settled in southwestern Illinois in its pioneer days, when neighbors were few and far scattered. They contributed their full share toward the win- ning of Madison county, earning the honor that is always due to those who convert the wilderness in- to an abode for civilization and "cause the desert to blossom as the rose."

Born in Madison county, in 1862, our subject passed there the first twenty-one years of his life, assisting his parents in the struggle with pioneer conditions and receiving such educational advan- tages as the primitive schools afforded. also work- ing a couple of years as a farm hand in the neigh- borhood. Upon attaining his majority he struck out for the West, and in due time was a resident of Skagit County, Washington, where he spent a half decade, or nearly so, as an employe on different farms of the flats country. His ambitions during all this time were for land ownership and independ- ence, however, and even before he was ready to bid farewell to farm work for others he had taken a pre-emption near Fredonia, on which he proved up and sold in 1889. Three years before that he had engaged in farming on his own account on lands held by leasehold, achieving a very satisfactory success, and with his profits and the savings of his years of toil and the proceeds of the sale of his pre- emption claim. he purchased in 1889 the fine one hundred and twenty acre farm, six miles west of

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Mount Vernon, on which he now resides. The samle energy and good judgment which enabled him to secure the purchase price of the land have been employed in its improvement and cultivation, with the result that the heavy timber which origi- nally grew upon it has been removed, the marshy portions have been drained, and the whole has been converted into a valuable, profit-yielding farm. At this writing sixty acres of it are seeded to timothy and fifty-five to oats, while upon the remaining five acres are the farm buildings and yards, and a splen- did little orchard of prolific and well chosen fruit trees. Realizing the profit of stock on the farm and the benefit accruing therefrom to the land it- self, he keeps considerable herds of both cattle and horses, all high grade animals.

Mr. Małoy was married in Seattle in 1887 to Miss Katie Dwelley, whose father, Joseph F., was a native of Boston, in which city he worked as a mechanic for a number of years, eventually moving to Wisconsin. He farmed in the Badger state for a time, then moved to the Skagit valley, becoming one of its first settlers. The mother of Mrs. Maloy. Mrs. Angeline (Wells) Dwelley, a native of New York, is at present a resident of La Conner. Mrs. Maloy has the distinction of being one of the first white children born in the Skagit valley. the date of her birth being 1871, and inasmuch as she has received her education there and has re- sided there all her life, she is in the fullest sense of the word a daughter of Skagit county. She and Mr. Maloy are parents of ten children, all like their mother natives of the county, namely: George, Jo- seph, Clinton, Aileene, Lucille, Edna, Patrick H. Jr., Eva, Vesta and Isabel. The family are communi- cants in the Catholic church, and Mr. Maloy is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in politics a Republican, though of an inde- pendent turn, voting for the candidate always whom he considers the best. The ability to do hard work, coupled with administrative capabilities of a high order, is responsible for his success in his business, while uprightness and integrity have gained him the confidence of his neighbors and 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 108

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