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 161

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 161
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 161

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BIOGRAPHICAL

found employment at home until 1842 when he en- listed in the Second Ohio Regiment, Company C., Volunteer Infantry at the opening of the Mexican war. During his thirteen months of service hie par- ticipated in many of the leading battles of the war, and although only a boy of nineteen, distinguished himself as a brave soldier. Returning to his home he remained there several years, and then, thrilled by the tales of the fabulous wealth abounding in the gold districts of California, he went thither in 1852, via the Isthmus of Panama. Having searched the golden sands of Eldorado county for three years with little success, he then went to the placer mines on the Salmon river, and remained thirteen years, after which he decided to change his occupation. Determining to seek an opening in the vast, undeveloped regions of the Northwest, he came to Washington in 1869. and after working a year at various occupations purchased the prop- erty he now owns, and took up agricultural pur- suits. That he has been very successful is readily believed by any one visiting his splendid one hun- dred and thirty-acre ranch on which is built a cozy, convenient house, modern in every respect. In addition to this he owns another farm one-half mile distant, consisting of forty-three acres.

Mr. Peden has been twice married, Miss Edna Martin of Ohio first becoming his wife. She was drowned in Ebey slough in July, 1870, three years after their marriage. He and his present wife, for- merly Miss Madalene Turner, were wedded in Sno- homish, in July, 1897. Mrs. Peden's parents died many years ago in Sweden, her native land. Mr. Peden is a loyal worker in the ranks of the Repub- lican party but has, personally, no political aspira- tions. A broad minded, public spirited man he has been instrumental in the growth and development of the county throughout the long years of his res- idence, cheerfully giving of his time and means to every public enterprise.

WILLIAM MORGAN, engaged in diversified farming in the valley of the Snohomish, has for more than twenty years now been actively identi- fied with its development with profit to the com- munity as well as to himself. A member of the well known Morgan family, he is the eldest son of Morgan Morgan Sr. and Hannah (Williams) Mor- gan, a biographical sketch of whom appears else- where in these pages. The elder Morgan, whose native country is Wales, came to Snohomish county a year before his son William and is one of the honored citizens of the county on account of his personal qualities and the zeal he has manifested in forwarding the best interests of his section. Mrs. Morgan, the mother, is dead. William Mor- gan was born in Cwnillynfell, Wales, April 10. 1865. There he grew to manhood in the great coal

mining regions, attending the common schools, and acquiring a practical knowledge of mining and agriculture. At the age of twenty-one he left the family homestead to make his own way, first work- ing on surrounding farms. In 1885, upon the de- parture of his father and his brothers Morgan and Charles for the United States to found a new home, William returned to look after the family and business matters, which occupied his attention for several months. Six months after the departure of his father, his mother died, and as a result of this sad event he hastened the closing up of busi- ness matters and before the expiration of the year was en route to the United States with the rest of the family, to rejoin his father at Snohomish. Near there the family located and at once began the establishment of the new American home. Wil- liam and his brother, Morgan, bought one hundred and sixty acres of semi wild land. paying fifty dol- lars an acre. A little later they divided this place and William purchased an additional forty acres, to this subsequently adding another tract of twenty acres given him by his father. In 1892 he and his brother Morgan established a saw-mill, but the ownership quickly passed into the hands of the younger brother, William returning to his farm. Two years ago, in 1904, he sold sixty acres for six thousand dollars, which left him a place of eighty-five acres to which he is now devoting his whole time and skill. When he arrived in the val- ley, although it contained a considerable popula- tion, the main portion of it was still wild with but few if any roads worthy the name.

Miss Hannah Daniels, the daughter of David and Anna Daniels, residents of Paradise valley, King county, became the bride of Mr. Morgan in September, 1898. Her parents, also, are natives of Wales, born during the middle 'forties. They came to America in early life and Mrs. Morgan was born in Wisconsin, in 1874. Later the family removed to Kansas, where considerable of her edu- cation was received. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan: Ethel. born February 27, 1901 ; and Mabel, September 4, 1903 ; both upon the Snohomish valley homestead. The family's religious affiliations are with the Congre- gational church, and Mr. Morgan is an active Re- publican. He has served his precinct as road super- visor. Of his eighty-five acres, half are rich bot- tom land, and all of it is well improved and sup- plied with comfortable buildings. Although still engaged in dairying to some extent, Mr. Morgan disposed of his large dairy interests when he sold part of his place in 1904. At that time he sold ten cows for sixty-five dollars each and the remainder for a sum but little less. Prosperous in his agri- cultural business, and impelled by a progressive spirit he has been a force in the upbuilding of the community and county, the highest respect and

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esteem of whose citizens he enjoys in abundant measure.

MORGAN M. MORGAN .- Among the pio- neers of the great Snohomish valley, men who en- tered it during its earliest stages of development, kept step with the rapid march of its wonderful progress, and who are today active in its business and social life, must be included the subject of this biographical review. The fact that he belongs to the well known Morgan family, being the sec- ond son of Morgan Morgan, a separate sketch of whom appears also in this work, gives him further prominence. Born in Wales, also the birthplace of his father, February 27, 1867, he comes from ancient Welsh stock, his mother being also of that nationality. Morgan Jr. was reared on the farm, attending the schools of the community, and as- sisting at home until he reached the age of eighteen. That year marked a memorable epoch in his life. His father, brother Charles and himself, left the old home that year, 1885, to seek the richer oppor- tunities and freer life of western America, intend- ing to send for the remaining members of the fam- ily as soon as established. Coming to the Pacific coast, the three located first at Newcastle, King county, drawn thither by old acquaintances at work in the mines there. In January, 1886, they came to Snohomish county, where, the following April, they received the sad news that the devoted wife and mother had passed away, an event which only hastened the departure of the other children for the United States. Upon reaching Snohomish the father at once bought one hundred and sixty acres of deeded land and the work of home-building was begun. There were then no roads worthy the name and really only very poor trails. Six years later, Morgan Jr. took a preemption claim nearby, which he added to his share of a quarter section previously purchased by his brother William and himself. In 1892 these brothers erected a saw-mill in the vicinity, the first one thereabouts, which soon passed into the sole possession of Morgan M. Morgan. This plant he operated successfully until 1901, when he sold out. He had also been engaged in farming, and since that date he has been giving his entire attention to his farming and business interests, which are of considerable mag- nitude.

Mr. Morgan and Miss Marie Detering were united in marriage December 2, 1896. Mrs. Mor- gan is of German descent, born in Germany, April 30, 1871, the daughter of Frederick and Henrietta (Dickman) Detering, both of whom are now dead. They came to Snohomish county in 1869 and set- tled near Monroe, among the early pioneers of that section, so that Mrs. Morgan received most of her education and rearing within the confines of Snohomish county. Three children have been

born to Mr. and Mrs. Morgan: Kenneth So tember 23, 1897; Willard, May 30, 1900; and Gil- bert, March 19, 1904. The family belongs to the Congregational church. Politically, Mr. Morgan is a liberal Republican. He has served his pre- cinct at different times as justice of the peace and constable. His estate embraces two hundred and fifty acres of rich valley land, and city property in Everett and Monroe, besides which Mrs. Mor- gan possesses a fifty-five acre farm near Monroe. Their home, three miles southwest of Snohomish, is prettily located, very comfortable and permeated by an atmosphere of hospitality and progressive- ness. Mr. Morgan is justly ranked among the leading citizens of the valley, esteemed for his per- sonal qualities and respected by all.

WILBERT F. EDDY, living one mile and a half west of Snohomish, is one of the pioneers of this section of the county, having first come here to work in a logging camp thirty-four years ago. Though some of the intervening years have been passed by him in other sections of the Pacific Northwest, the greater portion of his life since coming to the Puget sound country has been spent in Snohomish county. Mr. Eddy was born in Ed- dington, Maine, August 14, 1847, the fourth of six children of Timothy and Mary J. (Roe) Eddy, both of whom were natives of the Pine Tree state. They were descended from English stock. Tim- othy Eddy died in his native state in 1878. Wil- bert F. Eddy was born on his father's farm and received his education in the schools of the neigh- borhood. He remained with his parents until six- teen years of age, then enlisted in Company A of the Thirty-First Maine Volunteers ; and he served through the latter part of the Civil War with that command. Upon being mustered out at Bangor, Maine, he returned to the farm. In 1842, soon after his marriage, Mr. Eddy came to the Pacific Northwest. He chose Snohomish county for his place of residence and for three years worked in a logging camp, where Mrs. Eddy was also em- ployed as cook. Mr. Eddy was noted in those days as one of the most expert choppers. Six months of the year 1815 were passed in San Francisco. On his return from California Mr. Eddy went to Walla Walla and for four years was engaged in contracting to furnish ties to the Northern Pacific railroad for use in the construction of its trans- continental line. He returned to Snohomish county in 1879 and for a number of years fol- lowed the life of the woodsman, at times hiring out to others and at times engaging in business on his own account. In 1883 he took a homestead near Hartford, but four years later he sold out and moved to Snohomish, where he purchased a number of city lots and built dwellings, leasing the properties as soon as they were completed. In

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ASTOR. I EVOX TILDERS . DATIONS

HENRY SPURRELL

JOSEPH MARTELL

ULRICK R. ERICKSON

HERMAN MICHEELS

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1894 he purchased his present place of twelve acres and he has since devoted himself assiduously to its improvement. It is one of the fine country estates in the county, modern and complete in every detail. The six room house and the buildings have been constructed with care, and the place is con- sidered a model small American farm.

March 19, 1870, in Bradley, Maine. Mr. Eddy married Miss Charlotte Osgood, daughter of Jo- seph and Mary Osgood, both of whom were na- tives of the Pine Tree state. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy came across the continent soon after their mar- riage. In fraternal circles Mr. Eddy is a Mason and a member of the Grand Army: in politics he is a Republican, but does not always consider him- self bound to support candidates of his party. He and Mrs. Eddy are among the honored pioneers of the county and in the years of their residence here have done much to develop its resources, and to aid in its general progress. They are popular and highly respected by all who are honored with their acquaintance or friendship.

HENRY SPURRELL is an early settler of Snohomish county and one of the pioneers of the city of Snohomish. When Mr. Spurrell first came to this part of the country, settlers were few and hamlets fewer. In the forty years during which Mr. Spurrell has been active in Snohomish county, he has seen the community grow and has been himself a factor in creating that growth. He was born in England early in the year February 2, 1843, the son of William Spurrell, who was born near Portsmouth and followed the trade of barber during his entire life. Henry Spurrell's mother died when he was six years old, and of her the son has little memory. His school days were few, but in the course of a long and active life he has picked up a large store of information and is one of the well posted citizens of the county. At thirteen years of age he commenced life in the British Navy. During the seven and a half years he was engaged in this branch of Her Majesty's service, young Spurrell visited nearly every portion of the trav- eled seas and called at all the ports of the world which were of importance. In 1863 while in the harbor of Victoria, British Columbia, Mr. Spur- rell left the service and at once made his way to Utsalady and for three years worked in logging camps on Camano Island. In 1866 Mr. Spurrell came to Snohomish and passed the next succeed- ing two years in J. Berry's logging camp. During this time he purchased of an earlier settler liis right to a piece of land comprising one hundred and fifty acres and located a half mile west of the site of the present city of Snohomish, and filed a pre- emption. The land was covered with heavy tim- ber, but Mr. Spurrell had cleared twelve acres of it before selling it in 1870. He then went further

up the river and took up a homestead of one hun- dred and sixty acres of land. Mr. Spurrell lived here for twelve years and cleared and put under cultivation half of his land. He leased the place in 1886 and removed with his family to the city in order that his children might have the benefit of a school education. In the following year he opened a lumber yard, the first one in the city of Snohomish, and continued in the lumber business for thirteen years, selling out in 1900. Mr. Spur- rell then bought the oldest furniture store in the place and has continued in that business to the present time.

In Seattle in 1874 Mr. Spurrell married Miss Sarah Martin, a native of England who had come to the Puget sound country to be with a brother. Upon her marriage Mrs. Spurrell moved to' the Snohomish river country and taught the first school in that section of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Spurrell have been born five children: Harry F., now in the shingle business at Monroe ; Amy A., living at home; William M., at home; Mrs. Grace C. Jones, wife of the Pacific Express Com- pany's agent at Everett ; and Ivy, a student in the University at Seattle. In politics Mr. Spurrell is a Republican. He has served a term in the city council and is now a member of the school board. In fraternal circles he is an Odd Fellow, a Re- bekah, a Mason, a Maccabee and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The family is Episcopal in its adherence. In addition to his mercantile establishment Mr. Spurrell owns con- siderable property in Snohomish. He is success- ful in business and highly esteemed as a man and as a citizen.

JOSEPH MARTELL is one of the well known business men of the city of Snohomish, where he has a well stocked store of paints, varnishes, wall paper and builders' supplies. He also enjoys a reputation as an artistic painter and decorator, having learned his trade in the thorough-going system in vogue among craftsmen in England. Mr. Martell was born in Somerset County, England, January 26, 1862, the youngest of a family of twelve children, six boys and six girls. The par- ents were Frederick and Anne (Watkins) Martell, lineal descendants of Huguenots who fled from France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes and settled on English soil. The Martell genealogy can be traced back to the Thirteenth century. The elder Martell was a hotel keeper at Weston-super- Mare, a well known resort on Bristol channel. where he conducted business successfully until 1888 after which time he retired. Ilis death oc- curred in 1898 at Southampton in the home of his son where he was visiting. The mother of our subject died in the fall of 1890 at her home in England. Joseph Martell received his education

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in the grammar school of Weston-super-Mare and by the time he had attained his majority he had mastered the trade of painter and decorator. When twenty-one he left England and came to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he remained but a short time. He then went to Andover. New Brunswick, and worked at farming for about two years. Mr. Mar- tell for six years at various times worked at his trade in AAroostook County, Maine. In 18SS he returned to England for a four months' visit to the place of his nativity. On leaving England he came direct to Snohomish, Washington, where he has since resided.

In May of 1889 at Vancouver, British Colum- bia, Mr. Martell married Miss Alice Clements, a native of Devonshire, England. Mrs. Martell died in 1891, leaving one child, Frederick, who is liv- ing with his father. In September of 1895 Mr. Martell married Miss Alice Mckinley at Snohom- ish. The present Mrs. Martell is a native of Prince Edward's island in the gulf of St. Lawrence, where her father, a tailor by trade, passed away. Mrs. Martell came with her mother to Snohomish in 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Martell have been born three children : an infant, deceased. Annie and Clif- ford. Mr. Martell and his wife are members of the Baptist church, people of the sterling qualities of mind and heart which attract friends. In poli- tics Mr. Martell is a Republican. He takes a lively interest in questions of local importance. Mr. Martell is an enthusiast on the matter of the resources of Snohomish county and says that in all his travels he has never seen a country its equal in the matter of climate, natural advantages and present opportunities.

HERMAN MICHEELS, farmer, one mile south of Snohomish, is one of the men who has been able by dint of hard work and economical management of his affairs to raise himself from the position of day laborer to the proprietorship of a fine piece of farm property in the vicinty of one of the large communities of the county. This he has done within a very few years and solely by his own endeavor. Mr. Micheels was born in Germany in the summer of 1855, the tenth of a family of eleven children. Michel and Ernestina (Zuldorf) Micheels were German peasant folk who never left their native land. Herman Micheels ob- tained his education in the common schools of Germany and remained at home until he had at- tained his majority. When he was fifteen years of age, owing to the death of his father, he shouldered the responsibilty of caring for his mother and main- taining the home fireside. In 1880 Mr. Micheels came to the United States and settled in Wisconsin, obtaining work with a lumber company at Menom- onie. He remained there eleven years, leaving to come to Washington. For four years he worked

as a laborer in the city, but in 1895 he rented a farm east of town and operated it for four years. In 1899 he purchased his present farm of ninety- six acres, forty of which were then under cultiva- tion. Mr. Micheels has cleared twenty more and erected a fine house and large barns.

In 1876 while yet living in Germany, Mr. Mich- eels married Miss Ernestine Hine, a native of Ger- many in 1852 and daughter of William and Louise ( Kopnek) Hine, who were peasant folk. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Micheels : Mrs. Annie Deday, a resident of Granite Falls; Mrs. Amelia Dickson, living at Monroe ; Albert, a resident of Snohomish ; Mrs. Tilda Wolf, of Mon- roe : Martha. William, Augusta and Daisy. In fraternal circles Mr. Micheels is a Modern Wood- man. In church affiliations he is a Lutheran. In politics he is a Republican and an active party worker. He has forty-one head of Jersey stock. One of Mr. Micheels' chief characteristics is ability to work, another one being ability to make the most of the results of his labor. He is one of the sterling citizens of the community, a man enjoying the highest respect of its people.

ULRICK R. ERICKSON. a popular merchant tailor of Snohomish, is one of the men who believe that Snohomish county is a good place for a young man who thoroughly understands his business and is ready to apply himself to make the most of the possibilities lying before him. Mr. Erickson came to the Puget Sound country as a journeyman, and he is now the proprietor of a successful establish- ment. Mr. Erickson was born in Sweden Sept. 29, 1866, the fourth of five children of Ulrick R. and Christina Erickson. The elder Erickson was a builder and contractor in the old country, where both he and his wife lived and died. Young Erick- son obtained his education in the Swedish schools, but closed his formal educational training when fourteen years of age to become an apprentice to the tailoring trade. A number of years were passed in an establishment in Stockholm where the young man thoroughly learned all branches of his trade. In 1893 he decided to leave the land of his birth and on the 12th day of July of that year came to Tacoma. The subsequent six and a half years were passed in work at his trade in that city, and in 1899 he came to the city of Snohomish and en- tered the employ of a tailoring establishment. Three years later he purchased the entire interest of Wil- liam Heintz, and since that time has himself been sole proprietor of one of the most modern and up- to-date establishments of its kind in the entire county. His excellent and high-class workmanship recommends him, and his business is on the in- crease.

In 1882. while still living in Sweden Mr. Erick- son married Miss Christina Wickman, a native of

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ASTOR, LEVOR TILDEN STUNDATIONS

CHARLES S. VAIL

BOOKKEEPING,SHORTHAND,TYPEWRITING

ACME BUSINESS COLLEGE

ICAL LVELRESE UYLILYL.

ACME BUSINESS COLLEGE. EVERETT CAROLYN PACHIN, Conductor

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Sweden, whose parents are still living in that coun- try, the father being a painter by occupation. To Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have been born five chil- dren : Ilulda E., Ulrick, Carl S., Ellen and Elsie. In political views Mr. Erickson is a liberal, being bound by no party ties which obligate him to sup- port nominces whom he may deem unworthy of his ballot. His chief interest lies in the direction of the management and the betterment of the public schools. In fraternal circles he is a member of the Foresters of America, of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, while Mrs. Erickson is a member of the Royal Neighbors of America. As a business man, Mr. Erickson is enterprising and successful. Ile is popular with all classes of people, a man of intelli- gence and business ability, respected by all with whom he comes in contact.

CHARLIE S. VAIL, whose home, Glen Cot- tage, on the north bank of the Snohomish, is num- bered among the picturesque places of Snohomish county, is one of the representative young men of the community. He was born in Wayne county, in central New York, in the fall of 1867, the son of William B. and Rose Etta (Burlingham) Vail, natives respectively of Massachusetts and the Em- pire state, descended from colonial stock of Scotch and English ancestry. The elder Vail died in New York in 1904: the mother is living with her son, the subject of this biography. Mr. Vail received his education in the common schools of Wayne county, but at the age of fourteen was thrown upon his own resources for a livelihood. His first work was on the Erie canal. In 188? he went to Michi- gan and worked in the woods for one season, but he soon returned to New York, and he followed farming there until 1887, when he went once more to Michigan and engaged in hunting and trapping. For a number of years Mr. Vail moved about and followed various lines of activity at Grand Rapids, Michigan ; at Crystal Lake, Illinois, and in different parts of Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan, finally reaching St. Paul where he en- tercd the construction department of the Great Northern railway, being sent to Montana. Most of the year 1892 he passed in Spokane, but that fall he came to Snohomish county where he es- tablished and is still engaged in operating a salmon fishery. In 1898 Mr. Vail enlisted in Company B of the Independent Washington volunteers and served at garrison duty at Vancouver barracks during the absence of the regulars. He is now a member of Company K of the Second Washington regiment of the National Guard. He has one living brother, George Il. Living brothers and sisters of Mrs. Rose Etta Vail, Mr. Vail's mother, are: William, Selden B., and Edna Jane. Mrs. Vail's great grandmother was Sarah Hyde, one of the

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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 161

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