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 118

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 118
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 118

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and for five months traced him from place to place, finally capturing him in Portland, Oregon. The splendid detective work of this long pursuit and the dogged persistency with which Sheriff Mil- let hung on the trail of the burglar after other officers had given up the chase, won for him the admiration of all who knew the facts. King is now in the Walla Walla penitentiary under life sentence, sent there from King county, the first in the state to receive such sentence under the law permitting and directing that this severe penalty be imposed on persons convicted of a felony for the third time.

Upon retiring from the sheriff's office, Mr. Millet took up his residence on a farm one mile west of Mount Vernon which he had purchased while in the lumber business. He lived there until March, 1905, when he sold the place, moved to Anacortes, and purchased the Hotel Vendome, of which he is still the host.

Mr. Millet was married in 1882 to Miss Kate Ward, born in Wisconsin, the daughter of Daniel Ward. Her father, a native of Vermont, born in 1814, moved to Illinois in early life. He frequent- ly has walked over the site of the city of Chicago, then a wild, desolate marsh, giving no promise of the wonderful metropolis which was to spring up as if by magic. He lived in others of the central states, came to Washington in 1874, and was re- siding in Tenino at the time of his death in 1884. The mother, Mrs. Jane (Christian) Ward, was born in New York in 1829 and died in 1880 at Tenino. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Millet : Maude, in March, 1884, the first white child born in what is now Burlington, then only a logging camp; Winfield S., in Mount Vernon, in November, 1887; Robert, in Seattle, in October, 1896. Mr. Millet is prominent in fra- ternal circles, being a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Iloo Hoo. Ile loyally supports the Democratic party. He is a thorough and practical business man, a progressive, public spirited citizen, a genial, open hearted neighbor and friend. The respect and good will of the community are his in abun- dant measure.

ROWLAND E. DAVIS, formerly a representa- tive from San Juan county, now superintendent and vice-president of the Porter Fish Company, of Seattle, is a resident of Anacortes. Born Sep- tember 21, 1861, in Ontario, Canada, his parents are James L. and Amelia C. (Barnum) Davis, both also natives of Ontario, the father, born in 1832, the mother in 1840. They are now living in Victoria, British Columbia. The oldest child of a family of eleven, Rowland E. Davis enjoyed the rare privilege of acquiring a large share of his education under the instruction of his mother,

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a very gifted woman, a graduate of the Toronto Normal School, in which institution she was a suc- cessful teacher prior to her marriage. Leaving home at the age of nineteen, he went on board a steamboat that he might master the art of navi- gation. The following sixteen years were spent on the water, during which he became engineer, still holding an engineer's and a master's license. Coming to Washington, February 17, 1868, via the Isthmus of Panama, he resided in Clallum county two years, moving to San Juan county in the fall of 18:0. He, with his father, made a trip up the Swinomish slough in March, 1868. Only one set- tler had made a home on the flats at that time, and seeing nothing promising in the vast desolate region, the father returned to San Juan island. on which he had taken up land, living there until 1903. In 1896, recognizing a splendid opening in the fishing industry of Puget sound, Rowland Davis abandoned agricultural pursuits, and two years later became associated with George T. Mires and Company, of Portland, Oregon, remain- ing with the company till the fall of 1901. The North American Fishery of Anacortes having pur- chased this company's holdings, Mr. Davis became a partner in the new firm, superintending the traps and floating equipments of the company. When the firm failed in 1903, Mr. Davis and T. J. Gor- man leased the fishing plant of the Rosaria Straits Packing Company for the season of 1904, purchas- ing it the winter of 1904-5, and operating it under the firm name of the Porter Fish Company of Seattle. Some idea of the magnitude of the busi- ness may be formed from knowing the annual out- put, which will amount this season to 7,500 cases of fish, with an approximate value of $325,000. Displaying his characteristic energy and ability, Mr. Davis attends to the manifold responsibilities devolving upon him as superintendent of the busi- ness. To his accurate knowledge and untiring zeal, the success of the firm is in a large measure duc.

Mr. Davis was married in La Conner in 1884, to Amelia D. Haroldson, born in Lansing, Iowa, in 1865. Moving with her parents, Ole and Par- nella Haroldson, to Fidalgo island in 1878, Mrs. Davis received her education in the schools of the island. Being very deft with her needle, she went to The Dalles, Oregon, and learned dressmaking. Her father, a native of Sweden, engaged in farm- ing till his death on Fidalgo island. The mother, born in Norway, is still living on the old home- stead on the island. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have the following children: Linwood, born on Lopez island, January 28, 1886; Vivian, born in Fidalgo harbor. in October, 1889; Carlisle, born in De- catur, in 1890; Naverign and Harold, twins, born in Decatur, in 1892; Don S., born in Richardson, in 1893: Ruth E., born in Decatur, in 1899. Mr. Davis is a prominent Blue Lodge Mason, and a

member of the Elks lodge, No. 92, of Seattle. His family attend the Methodist church, to which he is a liberal contributor. For many years a loyal Republican, he was persuaded, in 1901, to represent San Juan county in the legislative halls of the state, and filled the office with honor. He is now chairman of the central committee of Ska- git county. He is a public spirited citizen, one who can always be relied upon to heartily endorse every advance movement. Possessed of rare ex- ecutive ability and acumen, combined with strict integrity, Mr. Davis is one of the most popular and influential men of Anacortes.

JAMES T. MARCH, a prominent lumberman residing just across the channel from Anacortes, on Guemes island, was born in Knox County, Missouri, December 26, 1868. His father, David L. March, the descendent of a well known pioneer family of Missouri, was born in that state, and is now residing with his son on the island. Martha (Edens) March, the mother, is a Kentuckian, and also still living. His father having moved to Colorado in 1877, James T. March received his education in the schools of that state. Coming with his father to Washington when nineteen years of age, he worked in the logging camps for several years, then went to Alaska when the news of the wonderful gold deposits thrilled the hearts of men in 1898. Two and a half years later he returned to Anacortes, pursuing the same business that had previously engaged his attention, that of logging.

Mr. March was married at Ferndale, Wash- ington. September 2, 1903, to Laura M. Smith. born January 1, 1875, in Whatcom county. Her parents are Henry and Alice (McComb) Smith, pioneers of Washington, now living on Nooksack river. Mrs. March received a liberal education, supplementing the elementary education acquired in the Whatcom common schools by a course in the normal at Lynden, and later, at Bellingham. Completing her training, at the age of nineteen she began her career as teacher, winning a large measure of success in the following ten years, which she devoted to the profession. Though not actively engaged in politics, Mr. March is an car- nest and loyal member of the Republican party. IIe owns a fine forty acre farm on Guemes island, well stocked and equipped with the modern ma- chinery necessary for successful farming. Mr. March is well informed on all matters relating to the lumber business, having given it hiis almost constant attention for many years, and this accu- rate knowledge, combined with his natural energy, will enable him in the future to secure still larger returns. He is known throughout the community as a man of thrift, industry and correct principles.

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SKAGIT COUNTY

BETHUEL C. RANOUS, millwright and car- penter, one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of Anacortes, was born in Prince Edward County. Ontario, March 30, 1834, the son of James Ranous, a native of the same place, born in 1805. The elder Ranons resided for some time in Wisconsin and California. eventually returning to Canada in 1859, however, via Cape Horn, but he again took up his residence in the Golden West, and was in Santa Ana, California, at the time of his death in 1888. Mrs. Rachel (Courter) Ranous, the mother, born in New York state in 1810, made her home with a daughter in Prophetstown, Illinois, after the death of her husband until she passed away at the age of ninety. Bethuel Ranous remained at home for the first fourteen years of his life, then went to New York and served a three year apprenticeship to the trade of mill- wright, then located in Rochester, New York, whence, in 1854, he returned to Canada on a visit. He accompanied his father to Beloit, Wisconsin, and five years later started with a band of cattle across the plains to Sacramento, California, the trip occupying six months. He wintered there and in the spring returned to Virginia City, Ne- vada, where he had located a claim on his way west. His property had been jumped in his ab- sence and he purchased another property which he soon disposed of rather than use force to retain possession. While employed at Virginia City, he learned that his wife, whom he had left in Wis- consin, had started west and was in Oregon. She had written him on her departure, but the letter never reached him. He immediately joined her in Oregon and on returning in the spring to Ne- vada found his property again had been jumped. He spent a few months in Dayton, Washoe and Reno, Nevada, and worked a while at his trade in the latter place, then for a time carried freight =500 from Sacramento to the mines, then took charge of the mill and floom owned by Yarrington, Bliss & Trytle. in Carson City. In this work he established a reputation for ability and industry, which secured him the superintendency of the mills of Fair, Flood. Mckay & O'Brien at Reno. He next went to Vir- ginia City, later to Walker river, working three years at his trade. Later he bought a livery busi- ness in Los Angeles, California, which he sold after running it six months. He crossed Yuma desert with a mule team, to Phoenix, Arizona, then the most notorious city of the West, where he was given an important position of foreman in the construction of mills. His next move was to Guy- mas, Mexico, where for two years he built cars for a railroad; then he went to Magdalena and built a stamp mill, returning to California three years later. He is next found on board a vessel bound from San Francisco to Victoria, then in company with the late John Ball he took up his

residence at Sterling, Washington. In the fall of 1883 he sailed up the Skagit river and took a homestead of 160 acres near Sauk. The next year he helped build the first Odd Fellows hall at Mount Vernon, then he located at Avon and in- vested in eighty acres of land which he was en- gaged in improving during his six years' residence in that locality. Having eventually disposed of his ranch, he purchased the Bay View Hotel, and ran it two years, then rented it and moved to Burling- ton, thence to California by team, making the trip for the benefit of his wife's health. Three years later he traded his hotel for real estate in Ana- cortes. On his return to Washington, which was effected also by team, he again became a citizen of Mount Vernon and bought a ranch upon which he resided until coming to Anacortes two years ago.

Mr. Ranous has been twice married, his first wife being Mary ( Allen) Ranous. Three chil- dren were born to this union, two of whom, Leona and Leota, are now residing in San Francisco. In Avon, in 1880, he married Mrs. Ellen J. Walker, whose first husband was drowned in the river. She is the mother of the following children by her former husband: Mrs. Winona Whaley; Mrs. Maggie Anderson, deceased; Mrs. Nettie Ange- vine; Mrs. Jennie Dawson; Albert Walker; Mrs. Carrie Castello, and Edith, deceased in infancy. Mr. Ranous is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows and Mrs. Ranous is identified with the Rebekahs. Mr. Ranous has been a life long Re- publican but never has had political aspirations. He is a man broadened by the varied experiences incident to his life and by his extensive travels over the western states, though Nevada was his place of residence for twenty-one years, and he has now been in Washington for twenty-two. In the forty-seven years of his life on the Pacific coast he has naturally seen his share of Indian warfare, but, though he has had many narrow es- capes, he received no wounds at the hands of the red men.

HENRY C. BARKHOUSEN, one of the ear- liest settlers on Fidalgo island, was born in Rush- ville, Schuyler County, Illinois, January 15, 1835, the son of Conrad and Louise ( Pilgrim) Bark- housen, Prussians who came to the United States in 1832. Henry was the youngest of three chil- dren, and his father having died when he was an infant, he early began life for himself, securing, however, a fair common school education. On the death of his mother, he started for California via the Isthmian route in 1856. After putting in a short time at mining he worked in a blacksmith shop at Stockton for a time with his brother-in- law, but in May, 1858, he came to Bellingham bay,

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where very shortly he joined in the Fraser river rush occasioned by gold finds. Returning in a short time to Bellingham, he lived there for seven years. In 1860 he was elected county auditor and he served two terms of one year cach, also was in the legislature in the session of 1863-4. In 1865 he came to Fidalgo island and took up the land on which he now resides. Mr. Beale, William Monks, Enoch Compton and George Cagey being his only neighbors when he arrived, though Iliram A. March came shortly after. He immediately commenced to clear his land and, as did the others, to raise cattle and hogs. He has scen all the im- provements made on the island, and has watched Anacortes grow from a wilderness of nature to the present bustling town. The first postoffice on the island was established at Fidalgo, about one mile from Mr. Barkhousen's place. the first postmaster being William Monks, and Mr. Bark- housen assistant, though the latter later became postmaster himself. In 1890 he established a store at Fidalgo, but lost it in the financial stress of the carly nineties.

Like many others of the early settlers of the Northwest Mr. Barkhousen took a wife from the native tribes, marrying her according to Indian ceremony at Whatcom in 1860, but unlike many other white men in similar relation he declined to hold that that marriage was not binding in the eyes of the law. He held the relation sacred and argued that an admission of its lack of force would brand his children as illegitimate. As a result he would not be remarried according to civilized usages and was indicted by a grand jury for the offense against statute, but was acquitted by Judge Greene. To this union have been born these chil- dren: George, Maria. Henry, Fred. Isabella, Louise and Danicl, all but three of whom are mar- ried and have homes of their own. Mr. Barkhous- en is a Republican and has been ever since attain- ing his majority, casting his first vote for Millard Fillmore. The home farm consists of twenty-four acres of excellent land, situated five miles southi- east of Anacortes, and is devoted to the raising of sheep and cattle. Mr. Barkhousen is one of the respected citizens of the community, honored as one of the foundation builders of the country, a man of principle and high integrity.

WILLIAM R. MASSEY. a well known farm- er of Anacortes, was born in Plumas County, Cali- fornia, February 13, 1863, the son of Thomas and Eleanor (Leake) Massey, both natives of Eng- land. Immigrating to America in 1852, the father settled in Illinois first, and in 1857 crossed the plains with an ox team to California. Ile spent the remainder of his life mining in Plumas county, his death occurring in 1811. The mother is liv-

ing, at the age of eighty-four, with her son Will- iam. Acquiring his education in the schools of California, William R. Massey went into the mines at the age of sixteen, being thus employed until he came to Washington in 1892, and rented the farm near Whitney, owned by John Ball, his brother-in-law. Ile purchased the farm on which he now resides in 1899-one hundred and forty acres situated on Fidalgo Bay. He has forty acres of it in excellent shape, and has a fine orchard of two hundred and fifty trees. He devotes his time to diversified farming, believing that this method yields larger returns. A thoroughly practical farm- er, well informed on all matters relating to agri- culture, he is rapidly winning the success which his untiring energy so richly merits.

Mr. Massey was married in Skagit county in 1897, to MIrs. Jennie Tuper, the daughter of Vidd and Birdie (Johns) Todd. Born in Minnesota, in 1822. Mrs. Massey received her education in that state, and was there married to her first hus- band, Mr. Tuper. Two children were born to this first union, Mable and Ruben. Mr. Massey is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity; his wife is a Rebecca. In political belief Mr. Massey is a Republican. As school director he has taken an active part in the educational affairs of the island. A man of sterling character, he enjoys the confi- dence and respect of all who are in any way asso- ciated with him.

FRED II. MARCHI. Among the prosperous young farmers of Anacortes stands the one whose name gives caption to this biography. He was born on Fidalgo island, April 20, 1877, the young- est child of Hiram A. and Katie ( Hilton) March. His father, a native of Vermont, born in 1826. learned the stone mason's trade in New York and Boston. After working for some time in the for- mer city he went to California in 1853 via the Isthmus of Panama, remaining there until he came to Washington in 1858, at the time of the gold excitement in the Frazer river district. Ile stopped in Whatcom for a year, then took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres on Fidalgo island, moving his family to the island four years later. IIe devoted his time first to fishing then to rais- ing cabbage and cauliflower seed. In the early sixties he was sheriff of Whatcom county for two years. At the time of his death, February 5, 1905. lie was fruit inspector, a position he had held three years. The mother of Fred March was born in Troy, New York, in 1841, and died April 2. 1894. Fred HI. March received his education in the common schools of Anacortes, and at the age of eighteen went to sea on a sailing vessel, the trip lasting a year. He engaged in mining in the Cas- cades for a time, and then returned to manage his

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father's ranch, which he now owns, having pur- chased it from the heirs when the estate was di- vided after the death of the father. He has fifty acres under cultivation, giving especial attention to sheep raising. He has seventy head of a superior breed. IIe also has a fine orchard comprising three acres. His specialty is raising cabbage, caul- iflower and pea seeds.

Mr. March was married on Fidalgo island, September 26, 1904, to Miss Bessie Cook, born in Kansas in 1883. Coming with her parents to Ana- cortes in 1890, she acquired her education in the schools of this town, supplementing the training received by a course in the business college at Mount Vernon. Her parents, Frank and Nellie (Dodson) Cook, both natives of Iowa, are now residing on Fidalgo island. Mr. March is promi- nent in fraternal circles, being a past grand mem- ber of the Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife are Rebeccas. Mr. March is a well-known Republi- can, taking an active part in all political matters. JIe is a public spirited citizen, deeply interested in the growth and development of the town, county and state. Possessed of youth, health and ambi- tion, combined with strict integrity, his future suc- cess is assured.

JOHN G. THOMAS, a well-to-do farmer re- siding five miles southeast of Anacortes, was born in England, January 7, 1852. His father, George H. Thomas, born in England in 1829, immigrated to the United States in 1868, settling in turn in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas and Washington. He took up land on Fidalgo island in 18:5, and con- tinued to reside on the island thereafter until his death. Ann (Davis) Thomas, the mother, was also a native of England. Leaving his fatherland at the age of seventeen, John G. Thomas grew to manhood in the United States, and after reaching his majority located in Whatcom, Washington, in 1873. He mined three years in the meantime, purchasing the farm that he now owns. In 1876 he went to Nanaimo, British Columbia, and he spent the next three years in the coal mines there, re- turning then to his ranch for a short stay. He followed mining also in King county for a few months, then in 1882, moved his family, which had been on the farm during his absence in the mines, to Snohomish county, near Everett. They made their home there for the following eighteen years while he was engaged in mining in the vari- ous camps. In 1900, he located permanently on the island. He has forty acres of farm land, ten of which are in an excellent state of cultivation, and his place is well stocked with cattle, horses and sheep, giving abundant evidence of thrift and good management.

Mr. Thomas married, at Seahome, Washington, 1

in 1896, Miss Mary A. Thomas, who was born in England in 1859, but who had acquired her edu- cation in the schools of Iowa and Washington, Her parents, David P. and Catherine ( Holmes) Thomas, both natives of England, are now living in Edison, Washington, well-known pioneers of this state, having come in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have the following children: David B., born in Edison; William J., in Nanaimo, British Columbia; Samuel, in King county ; Katherine, in Skagit county ; Edna, Sarah R. and Annie. Mr. Thomas is a prominent member of the Odd Fel- lows, and in politics an active Republican. He has been road supervisor and member of the school board, in both of which positions he gave the community valuable service. He is an active and industrious man, of upright character, pos- sessed of the respect and esteem of his many ac- quaintances.

JAMES M. DEAN, one of the most popular agriculturists of Anacortes, residing one mile east and six miles south of town, was born in Mans- field, Ohio, September 21, 1855. His father, Ben- jamin W. Dean, born in Ohio in 1820, was one of the well-known pioneers of that state. Mary J. (Harford) Dean, the mother, was a native of Pennsylvania. Her parents were of Holland Dutch descent. Receiving his elementary education in the common schools of Ohio, James M. Dean was later graduated from the high school at Mansfield, then being desirous of preparing himself for a business career, he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, and he completed his course at the National Business College there at the age of twenty-five. Enter- ing a mercantile house in his native town in 1881, he remained four years, then accepted a position as traveling salesman. He went to Kansas in 1885, and taught for the ensuing three years, then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, but soon after this he located in Washington, spending the first sum- mer near Walla Walla, and coming in the fall to Puget sound, where he purchased property on Fi- dalgo island. He handled lumber for a time, then was employed as a clerk in Anacortes, but he has made his home on the ranch for the past seven years. He is a practical and progressive farmer who rapidly is winning success. He owns one- eiglith of a two hundred acre farm which is well stocked with thoroughbred Jersey cattle, to which he gives his especial attention.

Mr. Dean and Miss Rosalie Miller were united in marriage on Fidalgo island in 1898. Mrs. Dean was born at Howard Lake, Minnesota, No- vember 2, 1877. Her parents moved to the island when she was five years old and she acquired her education in Skagit county. Her father, George W. Miller, born in Indiana in 1845, went with his

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parents to Minnesota when he was eight years old. As he grew to manhood he learned the millwright and carpenter trade and in 1882 came to Fidalgo island. He and L. R. Freeman have the honor of founding the town of Gibraltar, this county, in 1889. He bought the farm that his son-in-law, James M. Dean, now owns, and took up a pre- emption claim. He is now living at Anacortes. Mrs. Dean's mother, Mrs. Mary ( Goodsell) Miller, was the daughter of Charles and Chloe J. Good- sell. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dean; Morris H., in Skagit county, March 17, 1901; Charles M., also in Skagit county, May 25, 1903, and Mary E., September 9, 1905. Mr. Dean is a past grand of the Odd Fellows and has taken all the degrees. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. IIe is a loyal Republican but never has desired to enter the po- litical arena. A man of unusual intelligence, pos- sessed of sterling virtues and a genial disposition that attract men to him, he is naturally one of the most influential citizens of the community.

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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 118

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