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 111

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 111
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 111

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Mr. Scanlan was married at Mt. Vernon, Octo- ber 14, 1900, to Mrs. Stella ( Moffit) Abel, born in Indiana, the daughter of Eli and Margaret ( Knight) Moffit. Her father, a farmer now living in Mis- souri, was born in North Carolina. July 14, 1831, and in early boyhood was brought by his parents to Indiana, where he was educated. Her mother, a Kentuckian, born near Lexington, January 3, 184?, is still living. Mrs. Scanlan has two brothers, one living in Mount Vernon and the other in Fir, and she and Mr. Scanlan have one child, Leo James, born in Mount Vernon June 10, 1902. Mr. Scanlan is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows frater- nity at Genesee, Idaho, and a liberal supporter of the Episcopal church. The business capabilities so carly manifested have developed as the years passed, and to-day he is known as one of the progressive and successful farmers of Skagit county. He owns, be-

sides his farm, some valuable realty in Mount Ver- 11011.

ROBERT C. COLVIN, a man rich in the varied experiences incident to pioneer life in the far West, was born in Texas County, Missouri, April 21, 1859. His father, Young Colvin, of Irish descent, was born in northern Missouri in 1814, there spending his en- tire life. His death occurred in June, 1818. Grace Jane (Belsford) Colvin, the mother, was a Ken- tuckian, who, after receiving her education in the common schools of her native state, prepared her- self for teaching by a course in the Normal school. She was for several years a most successful teacher in Missouri. She died in October, 1889, after hay- ing been the devoted mother of ten children. In ac- quiring a practical knowledge of farming, and also an education in the common schools. Robert C. Col- vin spent the first twenty-six years of his life, leav- ing home at that time to be employed as a farm hand. By practicing strict economy he was able ten years later to purchase a claim which he held for a year, disposing of it when he came to Mount Ver- non. He worked out for the first year after his ar- rival here, then went up the Skagit river, thence up the Sauk river fourteen miles from its mouth, where he took up land. He made the journey to Sauk City by wagon, packing his goods on his back from there to his destination, a distance of some fourteen miles. Ably assisted by his faithful wife, who cheerfully braved all discomforts and dangers, he constructed a tent out of blankets to serve as a dwelling place till he could build a cabin. There were only four white women in all that vast region, and the nearest were a mile and a half away, Indian ranchers being their neighbors on both sides. After a residence of a year and a half, he moved to West Mount Vernon, where he built a house and occu- pied it for a year. Later he bought three and one- half acres half a mile from Mount Vernon, cleared it in two years, and traded it at the end of that time for city property in the town. He was employed in logging camps most of the time for the next eleven years, but in 1903 he purchased his present property, three acres, all now in excellent condition. He is devoting especial attention to fruit and vegetables, which command a ready sale on account of their su- perior quality. He is also a breeder of fancy Buff Leghorns and Barred Plymouth Rocks, and already has established quite a reputation in this line. Mr. Colvin's brothers and sisters are as follows: Charles L., engaged in logging in Mount Vernon; Mrs. Laura A. Hughes, living near Mount Vernon ; Mrs. Virginia Anderson, of Ballard; Joseph Y. and Henry E .. residents of the Indian Territory.

Mr. Colvin was united in marriage to Margaret Murr in July, 1885. She was born in Tennessee, February 13. 1858, of German descent, and received her education in her native state, after which she went to Missouri. Her father, John Murr, a farmer,

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spent his entire life in Tennessee, the state of his birth. Mr. and Mrs. Colvin have two children, Luke, born May 23, 1886, now at home; Dorothy Eldora, August 31, 1902. Mr. Colvin is a member of the Democrat party, but has never desired polit- ical preferment. Believing that a large proportion of the inhabitants of our cities can be reached and saved by no other agency, he is an earnest worker in the Salvation Army.

JOHN C. MORRIS, a popular and successful farmer residing four miles north of Mount Vernon, near the Avon line, is a native of Peterboro, Eng- land, born July 23, 1871. His father, George A. Morris, is a man of prominence, associated for many years with the well-known labor leader, John Burns, who is a personal friend of his. In the work of the National Association of Farm Laborers, with which he was for many years identified, he came in touch with many of the distinguished men of England, Gladstone, Bradlaugh and others, addressing meet- ings where they were also on the program. He was born in Huntingdonshire, England, February 6, 1844, but is now living in retirement in Mount Ver- non. Sarah G. (O'Donnell) Morris, mother of our subject, was also a native of England, the date of her birth being April 11, 1844. After a long life of devotion to husband and children, she died March 30, 1905. Having availed himself of the educational advantages afforded by the schools of Avon, to which point the family had moved, John C. Morris remained at home until he reached the age of twen- ty-one, when he began work in the logging camps and mills of the state. He was employed at this for ten years, tlien accepted a position in the United States engineering service, in which he spent the following four years, receiving at the end of that time an honorable discharge and recommendations of the highest order. He was a member of the party that succeeded in removing the immense log jam that had formed in the Skagit river in 1897, also assisting in the removal of obstructions from the Stilaguamish, Nooksack and Snohomish rivers, and in the construction of channels in these rivers. In 1904 he moved onto his present place of twenty acres, which he had owned for some time, and he intends now to make that his permanent home. He has fifteen acres of it in fine condition, the remain- ing five being still uncleared. He gives especial at- tention to fine cattle and horses, owning two head of Percheron horses, and eleven head of Durham and some Jersey cattle. He raises the finest pota- toes to be found in the locality. At present he is employed as mate on the United States snagboat, Skagit. He has one brotlier, George O., also a resi- dent of Avon, and his sisters, all natives of Notting- ham. England, are as follows: Elizabeth Spink, born February 6, 1866 ; Mrs. Sarah Mondhan, born April 13. 1813, now of Avon; Mrs. Gertrude Axel- son, born August 14, 188?, a resident of Fir ; Mrs.

Emma M. Allen, of Arlington, born May 10, 1878; Nellie Frances, born August 5, 1885, now at home in Mount Vernon.

Mr. Morris was married October 11, 1895, to Daisy McCain, the daughter of James and Helen (Beggs) McCain. Her father, born in Pennsylvania in 1844, was a prominent soldier in the Civil war, enlisting with the Ninth Illinois infantry. At the close of four years' service, during which time he had participated in some of the most severe engage- ments of the war, he received an honorable dis- charge. Starting for the Pacific coast with an ox team, he moved first to Iowa, thence to Nebraska, at lengthi reaching Woodland, California, where he spent several years. Coming to Mount Vernon in 1882, he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, the farm of his son-in-law being part of the orig- inal claim. The old cabin is still standing on it. The death of this well-known pioneer occurred in Avon, in March, 1891. The mother of Mrs. Mor- ris was born in Illinois in 1843, and died at Avon in December, 1880. Mrs. Morris, the youngest of a family of six children, has three sisters, Theodora H., Mrs. Elizabeth Wilds, and Mrs. Laura Murray, the latter two residing in Seattle. A brother, Wil- liam, lives at Clear Lake, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have two children, Amy, born Novem- ber 12, 1895, and Helen, October 8, 1897. Mr. Morris is a member of the Odd Fellows, in which order he is past grand, also is actively identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World, while Mrs. Morris is a member of the Re- bekahs, and takes an active part in the social af- fairs of the lodge. Mr. Morris is a loyal member of the Democratic party, but aside from discharging the duties of the office of deputy assessor in 1896, has never accepted political preferment. He and his family are regular attendants of the Methodist church. Earnest, industrious, a strict adherent of sound business principles, he is destined to be one of the influential members of the county.

ELLSWORTH M. STEWART, an energetic young farmer residing one mile west and two north of Mount Vernon, was born in Osage City, Kansas, April 30, 1878, the son of William W. and Alice B. (Frost) Stewart, now residents of Washington. His father, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, born in 1852, removed with his parents to Ohio, when he was a boy. He came to Washington July 28, 1902. The mother was born in Ogle County, Illinois, and acquired her education in the common schools of that state. She is the mother of the fol- lowing children : Luella (deceased) : Mrs. Ada Singer, living at Blarney Lake, Washington; Charles, of Avon; Fred and Peter, at home; Wil- liam (deceased), and Ellsworth M., whose name forms the heading of this biography. Brought by his parents to Trinidad, Colorado, when but a year old, he later moved to Gallup, New Mexico, remain-

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ing at home till he reached the age of twenty-one. Desiring, like so many other young men, to begin life for himself in the West, where the opportunities for success are manifold, he came to Mount Vernon in 1889, where he worked on a farm for two and a half years, going thence to Hamilton, to accept a position on the railroad. Three months later he lo- cated in Yakima, spending four months, during which he was ill most of the time. Upon his recov- ery he returned to Mount Vernon and took a con- tract for wood, the work lasting four months. He then worked on a farm until his father came to Mount Vernon in 1902, when together they pur- chased forty-seven acres of land, all heavily tim- bered. The work of clearing the property has oc- cupied the entire time of the younger Stewart, he having at the present time twenty-five acres in cul- tivation. He owns some excellent stock, twenty-five head of Durham cattle, hogs and horses. He also devotes some attention to poultry. Mr. Stewart is a Democrat, loyally upholding his party in every way. He attends the Congregational church, con- tributing liberally to its support. Possessed of youth, health, ambition and industry, he is one of the promising young men of the community, destined to achieve a large measure of success.

WILLIAM C. SINGER, a man who has made a success of life in spite of adverse circumstances that would have utterly discouraged a less resolute na- ture, was born in Iowa, March 16, 1851. His father, Herman H., a native of Illinois, was one of the pioneers of Clayton County, Iowa. Martha A. (Gould) Singer, his mother, was born in Vermont and died March 2, 1881. After the death of her husband she became the wife of Jesse B. Shellham- mer. She was the mother of thirteen children. His father having died when he was bitt four years of age, William C. Singer, when a mere child of nine, began working for a family who desired to adopt him. After three years of unappreciated toil he ran away, only to be bound to another family for three years. At the end of that time he began life for himself, devoting his entire time to farming, the work that has claimed his energies ever since. Re- maining in Iowa till he was twenty years old, he then went to Todd County, Minnesota, spending fif- teen years in the state. Benton County, Oregon, was his following location, where he took up land, which he later signed back to the government, not having been able to make it a profitable yield. He came to La Conner in 1889, was employed by a brother for a year and a half, after which he bought a team and rented a farm on Beaver Marsh. By thrifty econ- omy he was able four years later to purchase his present farm of fifteen acres, located 3 miles and a half northwest of Mount Vernon. All heavily tim- bered at the time he bought it, he has now four acres of it nicely cleared, and makes a specialty of dairy-

ing and poultry. He has a sister, Mrs. Sarah Horsey, residing in Anacortes.

Mr. Singer was married in 1875, to Rosetta Paul, the daughter of Alexander and Mary (Gould) Paul, the latter a native of Vermont. The eleventh child of a family of thirteen, Mrs. Singer has one sister, Mrs. Jessie Loomis, living at Avon. Mr. and Mrs. Singer have seven children as follows: Paul and Charles S., married and living in Avon ; Mrs. Mary O. Rose, of Anacortes ; Mrs. Martha A. Gunther, of Ridgeway ; Mrs. Leila Walker ; William H., at home, and Rosetta B. Mr. Singer is a well-known mem- ber of the Odd Fellows. He has always been a loyal member of the Republican party, and was road su- pervisor in 1895. He and his family attend the Methodist church. An earnest and industrious citi- zen, a kind and accommodating neighbor, he holds the respect and confidence of all who know him.

WILLIAM A. HAWKINS, residing on the eastern border of the famous Swinomish flats, is ranked among the thoroughly substantial citizen- farmers of the Skagit country. He has been a resi- dent of that region for nearly a quarter of a cen- tury, his advent antedating the organization of Skagit county, and in that period he has not only witnessed but has also actively participated in the wonderful progress made by this section. The in- stinct of pioneership is one of his birthrights, for his parents, William and Mary (Blanton) Hawkins, were reared on the frontiers of Tennessee and spent most of their lives along the Texas border. The elder Hawkins was born in 1817, the son of pioneer Tennesseans ; the mother was born in the same state eight years later. They became residents of Texas carly in life, and there Mr. Hawkins followed farm- ing and stockraising until his retirement from active pursuits. His death occurred January 13, 1905, in his eighty-ninth year, five years after that of his de- voted wife.

William A. was born in Cass County, Texas, February 23, 1852, the seventh child in a family of twelve. At the age of fifteen, in order that he might contribute something to the care of this large family, he left the paternal roof and sought the western portion of the state. There he spent eight years riding the range, during which he often drove cattle to Dodge City, Kansas, when it bore the repu- tation of being the toughest town in the West. By mere chance he finally drifted to Sevier County, Ar- kansas, which became his home for three years. There he married and entered the cattle business as an owner instead of an employe. From Arkansas he went to Coffeyville, Kansas, lived there a year, and then returned to the first named commonwealth. Ilis next removal was destined to be of more than ordinary importance to him, for it brought him to a new land, to a new industry and to a permanent home. After encountering the usual difficulties of a

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journey hundreds of miles in length, Mr. Hawkins landed at the little village of Mount Vernon, What- com county, February 27, 1882. Immediately after- ward he filed on a quarter section of timber land six miles west and a mile and a half north of that town, and began the erection of a home, meeting in the years which followed hardship and discouragement enough to have daunted a weaker heart . There were then no roads and only the poorest trails to the place. All that he and his family ate and wore for the first seven years he packed upon his back to the little forest home, and during all that time the house was never left alone, lest some harm might befall it. The life was a lonely one in many ways, the nearest neighbor for years being three miles away, but happy hearts made light of the difficulties and dangers, finding in the long, quiet hours an opportunity for that sweet companionship so lacking in the modern life full of complex and pressing duties and engage- ments. The woods abounded in all kinds of game, a veritable lumter's paradise. Steadily working year by year, Mr. Hawkins has cleared and put under cultivation seventy-five acres, replacing the first rude dwelling with an elegant home, modern in all its appointments and reflecting the owner's tastes. Al- ways planning for the happiness and comfort of his family, he intends to soon install a private light and water plant, which will add greatly to the conven- iences of his place. Like most pioneers, he has suf- fered reverses, but in the main has been highly suc- cessful and has accumulated a valuable property. Last year he made a trip to his old Texas home and St. Louis, Missouri, after which he is more settled than ever in the conviction that Washington suits him best of all. One sister, Mrs. Susan Plumlee, re- sides in Oklahoma, also two brothers, David and Peter : John and Ketchum, the two remaining broth- ers, live in Texas.

Mr. Hawkins was married December 26. 1880, to Miss T. C. Miller, a native of Arkansas. the daughter of Marshall and Louisa L. ( Glover) Mil- ler. The father was a native of the far South, who was killed in battle while serving in a Georgia regi- ment during the Civil war. Mrs. Miller, also de- ceased, was born in Georgia and was the mother of two children, of whom Mrs. Hawkins is the younger, her birth occurring in October, 1862. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins five children have been born: Mrs. Dixie Lowman, wife of the county superintendent of schools : and Alice, Donnie, Lucy and William Lewis, residing at home. In public affairs, Mr. Hawkins takes a deep interest. For a number of years he was identified with the educa- tional affairs of his district as a member of the board, but, while still retaining his interest, has re- tired from official activity. He is an ardent Demo- crat, loyally and actively upholding the principles of his party. The family attends the Methodist church, in which Mrs. Hawkins is a zealous worker. The Hawkins farm is devoted principally to oat raising,

but not exclusively so, as its owner gives especial attention to dairying and poultry raising also.

A devoted husband and father, interested and active in the progress of the community, thoughtful and honest in his dealings, and withal successful, Mr. Hawkins is indeed a representative citizen.

SILAS W. MARIHUGH, for many years a res- ident of Washington, and now engaged in diversi- fied farming four miles west of Mount Vernon, was born in Lawrence County, New York, in 1845. His father, Russell Marihugh, born in Vermont, was residing in Ohio at the time of his death in 1880. Elizabeth (Lennox) Marihugh, his mother, was born in New York City, and died in 1863. Remain- ing at home till he reached the age of twenty-one, Silas Marihugh then answered the call of his coun- try for volunteers, enlisting in the One Hundred and Eighty-second Ohio infantry, under Captain Roemer. Camping at Toledo for a time, the regi- ment was then ordered to Columbus ; thence to Lou- isville, Lexington and Nashville. Having helped to build Fort Butler, it was about to be pressed into active warfare at that point when relieved by a col- ored regiment comprising fifteen hundred men, of whom only five hundred remained after the engage- ment. Having received an honorable discharge in September, 1865, he returned to Ohio, and located at Defiance, working on a farm until 1869. He then went to Michigan, rented a farm and remained there for three years. The following fourteen years lie did teaming in Union City, Michigan, after which he again rented land for six years. Deciding then to find a home in Washington, he sold his posses- sions, and came to Bayview, here purchasing two lots. Thirteen months later he went to Cypress Island, still later making Bayview his home again. In 1891 he bought twenty acres of unbroken forest, beginning at once the task of clearing it prepara- tory to building a home. During his residence of twelve years in Bayview he purchased forty acres more of timber land, holding at the present time sixty acres, of which about twelve arc cleared. He rented his present home in January, 1904, and is now giving especial attention to dairving and grain raising. His farm is well stocked, having on it six horses of excellent blood, and fifty-one head of cat- tle, mostly Durham.

Mr. Marihugh was married June 6, 1868, to Em- ily Merchant, born February 19, 1847, in Defiance, Ohio. Her parents were Sampson and Emily (Temple) Merchant, both natives of Massachusetts ; the father was born in 1811, the mother in 1815. A farmer and hotel keeper, Mr. Merchant made his liome in New York for a while, later locating in Ohio, where he died in 1870. Mrs. Marihugh en- joyed unusual educational advantages, and begin- ning at sixteen taught for many years in Ohio and New York state. She died in Ohio in 1890, the

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mother of twelve children, Mrs. Marihugh being the seventh child. The others are as follows: Mrs. Susan Lovell, of Bayview; Mrs. Jennie Verrick, William, Charlotte and Joseph C., all residents of Ohio; Mrs. Eva Frank, of Avon: Aletta, living with Mrs. Marihugh. Mr. and Mrs. Marihugh's children are as follows: Clarence A. and Hugh, at Mount Vernon ; Fred. at home : Mrs. Blanche Elli- ott, of Bayview ; Daisy, at home, and two who are deceased. Mr. Marihugh is a member of the Lara- bee post of the Grand Army at La Conner, and is a loyal supporter of the Republican party. He has served as road supervisor, and is interested in edu- cational matters, always lending his hearty support to any movement for the betterment of the schools of the community. He and his family attend the Episcopal church. A practical farmer, thoroughly familiar with all departments of the work, he is winning a large measure of success.

M. McLEAN, one of the farmers residing one- half mile west and three miles north of Mount Ver- non, was born in Digby County, Nova Scotia, No- vember 30, 1856. His father, Daniel McLean, was born in the United States, where he was a ship car- penter, and also followed the trade in Nova Scotia, in which country he died in 1880. Abby ( Floyd) McLean, his mother, was also a native of the United States, born in 1826. Her death occurred April 26, 1905. Spending the first twenty-one years of his life in Nova Scotia, M. McLean acquired his educa- tion in the common schools of that country. He then came to the United States, working in a logging camp until 1872, when he went to New Brunswick to engage in farming. Three years later he removed to Maine, again working in the woods. Hearing of the vast opportunities offered in the great North- west, he crossed the continent, landing in King coun- ty in May, 1883. At the end of a year spent in the lumber camps, he located in La Conner, then the county seat, two hotels and stores comprising the entire business district. After farming for two years he once more abandoned that employment for logging, spending nearly seven years in the woods, in King and Snohomish counties. In 1885 he took up a homestead on Olympia Marsh, which he gave up later, going thence to Lowell, where he purchased forty acres of land and at once began the task of clearing off the heavy timber. Disposing of this property two years later, he made a trip east, bring- ing his bride with him upon his return to the West in 1890. He bought his present property in 1891, twenty-five acres, all timbered. He has now seven- teen acres in a fine state of cultivation, and devotes his energies to diversified farming. believing it to be the most profitable. He is raising draft horses, and has a nice herd of Jersey cattle, and breeds fine Berkshire and Poland China hogs. His brothers and sisters are as follows: Mrs. Clara Weir, of

Annapolis, Nova Scotia ; Mrs. Abby Berry and Mrs. Samira Peck, of Bear River, Nova Scotia ; Norman, of Grand Manan, New Brunswick : Wallace, of Sed- ro Woolley, but now in Blue Canyon, Whatcom county.

Mr. McLean was married at Grand Manan. Sep- tember 6, 1890, to Mrs. Nellie Harvey, born in No- vember, 1856, the daughter of William and Rebecca (Daggett) Benson, both natives of Grand Manan, the father born in 1831, and the mother in 1830. The latter is still living, and the former died Sep- tember 6, 1905. The oldest of four children, Mrs. McLean has a brother Frank and a sister, Mrs. Alice Fraser, living at Grand Manan. Another brother, Leonard, died in 1879. By her former husband Mrs. McLean has two children, Harry Harvey, of Grand Manan, and Mrs. Helen Parker, of Mount Vernon. Mr. McLean is a past grand of the Odd Fellows fra- ternity, which has honored him by sending him to the assembly of the grand lodge, of which he is also a member. His wife is a popular member of the Rebekahs. He has been an active worker in the ' Democratic party for many years. The past three vears he has been dike commissioner for this dis- trict. He and his family attend the Episcopal church, and both he and his wife are members of the Pioneer association. In addition to his farm, M .. McLean owns two city lots in Seattle. He has had his full share of toil, which was cheerfully per- formed, and to-day is crowning him with the success and prosperity he so richly deserves.

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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 111

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