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 160

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 160
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 160

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JOSEPHI MALLETT, whose farm lies one mile and a half northward from the city of Sno-

homish, is one of the pioneers of Snohomish county, having come here in 1878. Ilis life has been a busy one, and in its span Mr. Mallett has been en- gaged in numerous lines of activity. He was born in Lee, Penobscot County, Maine, in September of 1855, the son of Joseph and Mary ( Ware) Mallett, who were also natives of the Pine Tree state. The elder Mallett was engaged in lumbering and in milling the greater part of his life. Mrs. Mallett died in 1890, the mother of three children, Gerish, Albert and Joseph. The elder Mallett passed away when Joseph Mallett was but four years of age. The lad received an excellent education in the com- mon schools of his native state and also in the nor- mal school. He worked at various occupations as a youth and at the age of twenty left the rigorous climate of his native state for the Pacific slope, traveling over the Union Pacific to San Francisco. After a short time in the California capital, in 1876 he came to the Puget sound country and for a year worked in the woods near Tacoma. The follow- ing year was passed at work in a saw-mill at Port Gamble. It was in 1878 that he came to Snohomish county, his first work here being in the logging and lumbering lines. After two years of this kind of work, Mr. Mallett was employed in the Cathcart Hotel, where he remained for a year, then the sub- sequent years until 1888 were passed in logging on his own account. In the year mentioned he opened the Penobscot Hotel in Snohomish, which he con- ducted successfully for a period of three years. In 1891 Mr. Mallett purchased a farm just north of the city, but soon sold it to Charles Lawry, return- ing to the city to open a saloon, restaurant and opera house. He continued in this line for two years, then having exchanged town property for the valuable estate he now occupies on Blackman lake, he removed to the latter and he has since re- sided on the farm.

In 1882 at Snohomish Mr. Mallett married Miss Julia E. Jones, a native of Delaware and daughter of John and Leah (Jones) Jones. Mr. Jones died when his daughter was but a child. The mother is still living, a resident of Everett. To Mr. and Mrs. Mallett have been born two children, Ella J. and Ruth C. In politics Mr. Mallett is a Democrat, though an admirer of President Roosevelt, but he is not generally active in affairs political. Mr. Mal- lett is one of the leading and most popular men of the community, highly respected and esteemed by those who know him best.

GARMIT DANHOF, now one of the progres- sive agriculturists of Snohomish county, was, only a few years ago, merely a part of the military ma- chinery of the government of Holland. He served in the army and by meritorious conduct and ap- proved service received promotion and then, un- able longer to withstand the limitations of an

8:3

BIOGRAPHICAL

oligarchy, purchased his release from the service in order that he might become a free citizen of the United States. Mr. Danhof was born at Nieder- land in December of 1872, one of five children of Garmt and Witske Danhof, both of whom lived and died in Holland. Young Danhof attended the common schools of his native place until eleven years old when he was thrown entirely upon his own resources. For seven years he worked at farming, utilizing spare moments in reading, and in this way acquiring an excellent education. When eighteen years of age he entered the field artillery of the army of Holland and thereafter for three years he served with merit, receiving promotion to the mounted police. He had served four and a half years in this capacity when he determined to leave Holland, come to the United States and build a home. The military service of his native land seemed irksome to him, and when the opportunity presented itself Mr. Danhof purchased his release from the service by paying another man $150 to serve out the remainder of his six-year term. He came to the United States in 1899 and settled in Paterson, New Jersey, where he remained two months, leaving there to go to Grand Rapids, Mich- igan. In the latter city he was employed for four- teen months in the gas works. In 1901 he came to Seattle, where for nearly a year he was employed by the gas company in its factory. He then came to Snohomish, and he has since been engaged in farming and dairying. His present home lies one mile south of the city of Snohomish, where he leases a farm. He is also the owner of a fifty-acre farm of well improved land five miles south of the city.

Just prior to leaving Holland, Mr. Danhof mar- ried Miss Maria Bussema, daughter of Carl and Elizabeth (Campen) Bussema, farmer folk of Hol- land. Mr. Bussema died when Mrs. Danhof was but three months old. To Mr. and Mrs. Danhof have been born six children: Witske, Elizabeth, Jantje, Maria, Garmt and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Danhof are members of the Christian church; in politics the former is non-partisan. He is at pres- ent pursuing diversified farming, paying, however, considerable attention to dairying, possessing thirty head of stock. Success has crowned his efforts in the country of his adoption and with it has come in abundant measure the kindly regard of neigh- bors and acquaintances.

CHARLES L. HILL, one of the newcomers to the ranks of Snohomish county agriculturists and horticulturists, is a man of varied experiences. Ile was born in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, in September of 1857, one of the seven children of Amos and Cordelia (Arnold) Hill. The elder IIill was a native of Crawford County, Pennsylvania,

who went to the Sucker state in the 'forties and was there during the Mormon troubles when Leader Smith was killed and the Latter Day Saints were driven out of the state. Mr. Hill invented a wooden pump and was engaged in manufacturing pumps at Galesburg until in 1868 fire for the sec- ond time destroyed his factory, causing heavy losses. Mr. Hill then went to Livingston County, Missouri, and for eight years thereafter was en- gaged in farming. In 1886 he went to the Black Hills and located at Sun Dance in stock raising. He continued at this business until his death in 1893, caused by a vicious stallion. Mrs. Hill, a na- tive of Maine but of French extraction, is living with a daughter in New Mexico. Her children are : Mrs. Mary E. Merrill, Rapid City, South Dakota; Charles L., of Snohomish; Mrs. Carrie Hamilton, of Everett; Mrs. Cora Moore, of Den- ver, Colorado; Frank A., postmaster at Raton, New Mexico, and a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having served as a sharpshooter in the First Volunteer cavalry, familiarly known as Roosevelt's Rough Riders ; Mrs. Grace Brennan, of New Mex- ico; and Edna, a graduate of the Galesburg Con- servatory of Music. Charles L. Hill, aside from a short time passed in the common schools of Gales- burg, had few opportunities for the acquisition of learning but as the years have passed by he has taken advantage of reading and intelligent obser- vation to accumulate a vast fund of information concerning men and things. His boyhood days were passed for the greater part on a Missouri farm. In 1882 he went to Rapid City, South Da- kota, and entered upon the life of the cowboy of the plains. During the twenty-two years Mr. Hill rode the stock ranges of Dakota and Wyoming he had many experiences, becoming an expert with the lariat, and in all that pertained to the handling of range stock. Of buffalo and antelope hunting he had his share. He was at the Pine Ridge Indian agency during the uprising of the Sioux. He came to Snohomish in 1904 and purchased his present farm, lying three-quarters of a mile north of the corporation limits of the city, where he is engaged in diversified farming and fruit culture.

In November of 1889, while living in Wyoming, Mr. Hill married Miss Mattie Stone, a native of Colorado and daughter of Lew and Maggie Stone, Ohioans who became farmers in Colorado Soutli Dakota. To Mr. and Mrs. Hill have been born two children, Harvey L. and Inez. Mr. Hill is a member of the Knights of Pythias, while Mrs. Hill belongs to its auxiliary, the Degree of Honor and both are communicants in the Baptist church. In politics Mr. Hill is a Republican and an ardent ad- mirer of President Roosevelt. Ile is respected and popular in his home community, as a man of ex- cellent qualities of mind and heart.

874

SNOHOMISH COUNTY

WILLIAM DEERING, living two and a half miles north of the city of Snohomish, is one of the first settlers of this county, having come here in 1874 when there were only a few white families in the territory now embraced within the county limits. Mr. Deering was born in Aroostook County, Maine, in February, 1847, the third of the twelve children of William and Sarah (Sawyer) Deering, who passed their entire lives in the farming and lumbering industries of the Pine Tree state. The elder Deering passed away in 1895 and his wife two years later, each after having attained the age of four score years. Of their children five are now residents of Snohomish county: George B., Wil- liam, Edwin L .. Mrs. Fred V. Foss and Mrs. Edith Sprague. William Deering received a common school education in his native state. At the out- break of the Civil War he enlisted in the Fifteenth Maine infantry and served two years in the opera- tions around Richmond and in the early campaigns in the South. Upon being mustered out Mr. Deer- ing returned to his native state and engaged in work in the woods until 1868 when he removed to Pennsylvania and later to Wisconsin, in both states logging in the lumber sections. In 1874 he came to Washington, and he carried on lumbering operations here until fifteen years ago when he met with an accident which has crippled him for life. He then purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of land where he now lives, to which he has since added thirty acres more. The im- provements were most meager when Mr. Deering took possession of the place, the chief feature being a "shake" cabin. Mr. Deering now has fifteen acres under plow and twenty-five in pasture. He devotes his attention to dairying and hog raising. His twenty head of cattle are mostly Jerseys and his thirty-three head of hogs are of the Berkshire and Poland China breeds.

In 1881 Mr. Deering married Miss Delia Elwell, daughter of Tamlin and Sarah (Watson) Elwell, of whom mention is elsewhere made in this volume. He was married a second time eleven years ago, his present wife having been Miss Georgianna Cram, a native of Maine whose parents passed away when she was a child. By his first marriage Mr. Deering has two children, Tam and Ulma, the former of whom is attending the Snohomish high school, the latter of whom is at home. In fraternal circles Mr. Deering is a Mason, a charter member of Snohomish lodge, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is a Repub- lican, taking an active part in party affairs. He has served one term as coroner. In religious per- suasion he is a Baptist. Mr. Deering is a man of sterling manhood, highly respected in his commu- nity.

ANDREW J. FLORANCE, though a resident of Snohomish county but a few years, has already established himself in the confidence and esteem of the community as a man of sterling character and attainments. He was born in Penetanguishene, Simcoe County, Ontario, carly in 1853, the fourth of the sixteen children, (eleven of whom are still living), of James and Jessie (Wood) Florance. The elder Florance was born in Manchester, England, the son of a soldier in the British East Indian army for twenty-one years who late in life received land from the government in recognition of his services. Ile is now a resident of Bellingham, Whatcom county, and is seventy years of age. Mrs. Jessie Florance was born in India, where she grew to womanhood. It is related of her that when a child she tamed a venomous snake which was kept about the Wood home as a plaything and curiosity. Mrs. Florance is still living, having attained the age of sixty-nine. Andrew J. Florance was taken by his parents to Chippewa County, Michigan, when but a lad. At twelve years of age he commenced the activities of life as chore boy on board the lake steamer. Antelope, which was sunk before he com- pleted his first voyage. For a number of years afterward he was on the old City of Owen Sound. During his service on the Great Lakes he steadily advanced until when he abandoned the work he was a second engineer. The seventeen years fol- lowing his quitting of the lakes were passed as an engineer for the saw-mill of the Hall-Munson Company of Bay Mills county. He left that firm on the first day of December, 1900, and came to Washington, settling at Machias, where, on a pre- vious visit, he had purchased ten acres of land. He has since added five acres and is devoting himself to raising poultry, garden produce and fruit, also carrying on a small dairy establisment. Mr. Flor- ance still owns four lots and a house in Brimley, Michigan.

In March, 1891, Mr. Florance married Miss Martha Noble Bole, daughter of Richard and Mar- tha ( Noble) Bole. The mother dying when Mar- tha was an infant, she was adopted by her grand- parents, John and Mary Noble, was raised by them and until her marriage was known by the name of Noble. The father is still living, a resident of Michigan, to which state he removed from Simcoe, Ontario, the birthplace of Mrs. Florance. Mr. and Mrs. Florance have one child, Dottie Hester, born October 30, 1896. In fraternal circles Mr. Flor- ance is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, Mrs. Florance being a member of the woman's auxiliaries of those orders. In politics Mr. Florance is a Democrat and in re- ligious persuasion an Episcopalian. He is one of the worthy citizens of Snohomish county, a man ! of genial qualities and worthy principles.

875

BIOGRAPHICAL

THOMAS N. RICHARDS, to whom belongs the honor of having been one of the early pioneers of the Sound country, resides two and one-half miles southeast of Snohomish on the Monroe road. He was born in Devonshire, England, December 21. 184C. His father, Thomas Richards, was a well known merchant in England for many years, and ran a livery establishment in connection with his merchandise. Esther (Parker) Richards, the mother, was also of English nativity. Like most young people, Thomas Richards secured his edu- cation in the common schools, and at an early age began contributing to his own support. His first position was that of toll gate keeper in Berkshire, which he held for a year, and then followed various occupations for a time. Thrilled by the thought of a life spent on the sea, he went as an appren- tice on a merchant sailing vessel when but a boy of fourteen, but not finding it quite as he had antici- pated, he returned to his home the following year. Two years afterward he joined Her Majesty's ser- vice, and remained in the ranks for six years, serv- ing four years of that time in India. To visit the land across the waters, rich in natural resources and abounding in splendid openings for industrious men, had long been a cherished plan, and in 1869. finding himself in position to carry it out, he sailed for the United States, crossed the Isthmus of Pan- ama, and came to Washington, via San Francisco. Locating on Whidby island, he purchased land near Coupeville, and there he spent almost thirty years of his life, developing the country and lay- ing the foundation for the civilization of today. Years of toil brought their own satisfying reward, and when in 1899 he left his ranch and settled in Snohomish county, he had the pleasure of leaving behind him convincing proof of his ceaseless toil. He is still engaged in agricultural pursuits, devot- ing especial attention to dairying.

The marriage of Mr. Richards and Miss Ruby Burce, of Maine. was celebrated in Seattle, Decem- ber 18, 1880. Mrs. Richards is the daughter of John and Ada Burce, both of whom were born in Maine. Filled with patriotism Mr. Burce enlisted for the Civil War, and served four years in the Ninth Maine volunteers. He was stricken with fever while before Richmond and died in a short time. The mother now resides in Whatcom county. To Mr. and Mrs. Richards sixteen children have been born, all but two of whom are still living. Having been brought up in the Episcopal faith Mr. Richards naturally inclines to that denomina- tion, while his wife is a devoted member of the Methodist church. In politics he is a Democrat. During his long residence in this state Mr. Rich- ards has been prominently identified with its his- tory, and has contributed materially to its growth and prosperity. Ile is widely known, particularly in the western part of the state, and is highly

esteemed both for his upright character and his splendid record as a pioneer.

THOMAS J. FINNIGAN, one of the thrifty and industrious farmers of Snohomish county, re- sides one and one-half miles southeast of Snohom- ish, on his fine one-hundred-acre farm. He was born in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1859, the son of Patrick and Mary (Galegher) Finnigan. The father, leaving his native land, Ire- land, in early life, settled in Pennsylvania, where he still lives, and for many years worked in the anthracite coal regions. The mother was born there, and spent her entire life within the boun- daries of the state, dying in 1865. He being bereft of a mother's fostering care when but a child of six, Thomas J. Finnigan's education was sadly neg- lected, a few short months covering the entire time spent by him in the school room. That although handicapped by this lack of training he has made a splendid success of life is due to his keen powers of observation and his insatiable thirst for knowledge. At an age when other boys were busy with their tops, marbles and balls, his childish hands were toiling down in the dark, damp coal mines of his native state. He was thus employed until he had passed his seventeenth birthday, and so well had he performed the duties that fell to his lot that he had won the approval of his employ- ers. Leaving home at that age he found a posi- tion in the coal mines of Indiana, and he worked there for some time, until he had sufficient funds to start in business for himself, then selecting Bra- ził, Indiana, as a desirable location, he opened a grocery store which he conducted for a number of years, his natural ability enabling him to man- age the business successfully. In 1889, he was seized with a desire to visit the Northwest, so dis- posed of his stock, and at once set out for Puget sound. Arriving there in due course of time, he went on to New Castle, Washington, and spent the following three years farming. He then de- cided to avail himself of the privilege of home- steading a claim, and in 1892 filed on land on the west bank of Woods Creek, where he made his home for several years afterward. Going then to the Monte Christo mining district he there resumed his boyhood occupation and remained so employed until 1900, at which time he came to Snohomish county, and in 1903 he purchased the property he now owns.

Mr. Finnigan and Miss Mary A. Lord were married in Brazil, Indiana, October 16, 1882. Mrs. Finnigan was born in Indiana as were also her parents, William and Lydia ( Kane) Lord, who now reside in Clay County. Indiana, where the father is a well known agriculturist. Mr. and Mrs. Finnigan have four children: Geneva M .. a suc- cessful teacher in the schools of Monroe, Washing-

SNOHOMISH COUNTY

ton : Margaret I., Lawrence L. and Gilbert L. Mr. Finnigan has three sisters residing in his native state. In politics he is independent, identifying himself with no political party, but casting his bal- lot in each instance for the man whom he believes will best serve the highest interests of the people. Because of his life long regret that he could not have had the benefits of a liberal education, Mr. Finnigan has always been deeply concerned about the advantages afforded his children, and has been instrumental in securing excellent schools in this locality. Both he and his estimable wife are held in the highest esteem in the community in which they live. Their home is a social center where all are made welcome and royally entertained.

MITCHEL LORD, a prominent agriculturist residing three miles south of Snohomish, Washing- ton, was born September 15, 1846, in Canada, sixty miles from Quebec. His ancestors, escaping from a vessel wrecked on the Saint Lawrence river, found a home in Canada on the Atlantic coast, and thus became identified with the history of this con- tinent. Nissett Lord, his father, was a well known farmer until his death in 1875; the mother, Sera- phine Lord, died in 1857. Naturally of a studions turn of mind, Mitchel Lord acquired an excellent practical education in the schools of his native country, and was thus well equipped for a success- ful career. Leaving home at the age of twenty, he crossed the border and settled in New York. After farming for a year, he decided to seek an opening in Cleveland, Ohio, so went there, and found temporary employment in the ship yards. The following three years were spent in the lum- ber regions of Michigan, whither he had gone in search of a desirable location. But he was con- vinced that the Northwest afforded greater oppor- tunities for advancement to young men who were willing to work, so he left the East in 1870, going over the Union Pacific railroad to San Francisco, and thence by boat to Puget sound. After arriv- ing at his destination he spent several months in the lumber camps near Port Gamble, and then re- moved to Lowell, Washington, where he remained until 1879, in which year he purchased his first real estate,-cighty acres situated three miles south- east of Snohomish. In 1884, he took as a home- stead claim, the fine ranch on which he now lives. As one of the pioneers of this locality, he endured all the hardships and dangers inseparably con- nected with life in a new, undeveloped country, toiling early and late to clear his land and fit it for cultivation, meanwhile assisting in opening up roads and preparing for the civilization that was to follow. To have been one of those brave. daunt- less men who labored so unselfishly for the good of future generations, is an honor of which any man might well be proud.

Mr. Lord and Miss Kate Babcock, a native of Buchanan County, Missouri, were married in Se- attle, May 12, 1879. She is the daughter of Ben- jamin and Sarah (Porter) Babcock, the father a native of Maine, the mother, of Missouri. The father, a mill man, died in 1873 in Missouri. The mother, who was afterwards married to J. A. Davis, moved to Snohomish County, Washington, in 1875, and lived there until her death in 1883. Mrs. Lord came to Snohomish county with her mother in 1875, and saw real pioneer times, having helped carry supplies in on her back to the ranch on the west of the marsh, southwest of Snohomish. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lord: Fred, Albert C., Lottie, Cecil B., Emery M., Floyd E., Maude E., and Nola M. One son, Emery M., enlisted in the United States navy, and is now on the United States flagship, "Ohio," where he is already winning an enviable reputation for ability and skill. Mr. Lord has been prominently identi- fied with the Masonic fraternity since 1876. His political beliefs are in accord with the doctrines of the Republican party, to which he has given his life-long support. His property holdings con- sist of two hundred and ten acres of fertile land, of which one hundred acres are in excellent cul- tivation. While devoting his attention largely to. dairying, he also raises horses, sheep and hogs of a superior quality. His beautiful home, a model of architectural skill, is built on a terraced elevation overlooking the lovely valley of the Snohomish river, and is by far the most imposing residence in the county. The grounds around it are carefully laid out and kept in exquisite order, evidencing the taste and wealth of the owner. It is a picture of rural loveliness that, once seen, can never be for- gotten. Surrounded by all these unmistakable evi- dences of the prosperity that has crowned years of unceasing toil he recalls the early days of struggle and is able fully to appreciate the luxury of to-day. A man of sterling worth he commands the confi- dence and respect of the entire community.

ABRAHAM PEDEN, to whom belongs the unique distinction of being a veteran of the Mex- ican War and also an honored pioneer of the Northwest, is now residing on his fine farm located three miles southeast of Snohomish on the Mon- roe road. He was born in Ohio, October 17, 1828. His father, Joseph Peden, was a Virginian by birth, and for many years was engaged in the milling business, retiring, however, some years before his death in 1864. The mother, Margaret (Burres) Peden. a native of Maryland, traced her ancestry back to a distinguished Scotch family that settled on the Atlantic coast very soon after the landing of the Pilgrims. Her death occurred in 1850. After acquiring his education in the common schools of the Buckeye state, Abraham Peden

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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 160

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