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 171

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 171
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 171

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

MARTIN GETCHELL, retired lumberman, residing now in the city of Lowell, has spent nearly fifty years in the Puget sound region, and of this long period more than forty years have been passed in Snohomish county. Comparatively few men in the county to-day possess such a record as this, coupled with which is the additional record of a career of usefulness and integrity.

Martin Getchell is one of Maine's hardy, stal- wart sons, a descendant of colonial American stock. His father, George Stillman Getchell, was born at Machias, Maine, September 22, 1803, and in that

vicinity engaged successfully in lumbering and farming, passed all the years allotted him, his death occurring December 6, 1888. Mrs. Taphenes (Longfellow) Getchell, the mother of Martin Get- chell, was also a native of Machias, born February 12, 1805. Her father was an American patriot, who served throughout the War of 1812. Mrs. Taphenes Getchell died December 1, 1888, five days before her husband passed away. The subject of this sketch was born at Marshfield, March 15, 1832, the oldest boy in a family of nine children. His educational training was such as he could obtain during a few months each year until he reached the age of fifteen, when he commenced assisting his father in the woods. Maine continued to be his home until 1852, in which year he arrived on Puget sound after a long, dangerous trip from the other side of the continent. The great forests of this in- land sea had been the principal attraction to this young lumberman, and upon arrival in Jefferson county he at once plunged into the logging industry, then in its early morning of development. He par- ticipated in the Fraser river rush of 1858. His stay lengthened into a six years' residence, during a part of which time he logged in Snohomish county, helping to clear of timber the townsite of Snohomish, the Sinclair and Ferguson lands. He then returned to Maine for his family, having de- termined to locate permanently in Washington. Upon his return, Mr. Getchell came to Snohomish county and located upon the marsh just across the river from the spot where the city of Lowell was afterward built. He remembers when three houses constituted Snohomish City and transportation was almost wholly by canoes. At that time there were only three large boats running on the sound. He erected the first warehouse in Snohomish City, building it with rough logs. He also remembers when 160 acres lying immediately north of James street, Seattle, could be purchased for $500. Mr. Getchell applied himself industriously and skilfully to the lumber business in Snohomish county with successful results in the years that followed his settlement. Through panic and prosperity, dis- heartened by low prices and encouraged by high ones, facing hardship and privation, he labored ccaselessly and uniformly, ever contributing to the material progress of his county, until at last ad- vancing age forced him to surrender the greater part of his business activities to younger men. About fifteen years ago he purchased a place at Lowell, and upon it erected his present comfortable residence. He also owns sixty-five acres of rich marsh land across the river from the town.

Miss Olive L. Ireland was united in marriage to Mr. Getchell in East Machias, Maine, May 6, 1853. She lost her parents by death when but a child, and was reared by friends who adopted her. Skohegan, Maine, is her birthplace, and December 14, 1832,

MR. AND MRS. MARTIN GETCHELL

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION

939

BIOGRAPHICAL

the date. The family consisted of four children, all of whom except Mrs. Getchell are now dead. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Getchell, namely: Mrs. Medora Porter, who lives at Mount Vernon, Skagit county; Mrs. Zella B. | Machias to New York, Florida and the West Indies. Lawry, the wife of a Monroe banker, who resides near Snohomish, and Everett M., a citizen of Ev- erett. Two daughters are deceased-Edna P. and Daisy T. Mrs. Getchell is a member of the Con- gregational church and is connected with the De- gree of Honor and Rebekah lodges, while Mr. Getchell is affiliated with the A. O. U. W., and in politics is a Republican. One of the pleasant events in the lives of this esteemed couple was the cele- bration, in May, 1903, of their golden wedding, a celebration arranged by the A. O. U. W., Odd Fel- lows, Relief Corps, Degree of Honor and Pioneers of Snohomish County, unitedly. It was an elabo- rate social event, eloquent in its expression of kindly feelings of the members of these various or- ganizations toward Mr. and Mrs. Getchell. The presents bestowed were many and valuable.

In the past half century Mr. Getchell has wit- nessed in the Northwest one of the most remark- able developments ever chronicled in our national history. Not only has he witnessed it at close range, but he has been privileged to participate actively in it, to the mutual advantage of himself and his fel- low citizens.

TERRESSER B. DREW, residing in the city of Lowell, is among the pioneer women of Sno- homish county who have endured the hardships incident to the settlement of a new country and are therefore deserving of special mention in this work. If possible, the lives of these heroic frontier women were lonelier, more desolate, than those of the men, for the sphere of the former is narrower and their number generally fewer along the border. Though briefer accounts appear concerning the lives of pioneer women than of those of the sterner sex, nevertheless recognition of their hardihood and sterling qualities has been fully as prompt and as complete. The subject of this review was born in Eastport, Maine, April 30, 1832. the daughter of John and Frances (Chandler) Lingley, of an old American family, and the latter of English descent. The father was born in New York state, about 1780. a member of a well-known colonial family. He went to Maine when a young man and there en- gaged in general merchandising, which he pursued until his death at St. Johns, New Brunswick, in 1855. Mrs. Lingley, too, passed away at St. Johns. Terresser B. Lingley grew to young womanhood in Eastport, Maine, there receiving a good educa- tion in the public schools and otherwise preparing herself for life's stern duties. At Machias, Maine, November 5, 1853, she married Captain Augustine Drew, who was born at Marshfield, Maine, May 28,

1829, and was there reared and educated. At the age of nineteen he commenced his maritime carcer, soon rising to a captaincy. For twenty-five years he commanded vessels sailing from the port of

However, in 1829 he retired from the quarter deck, came to Snohomish county and took a homestead near the present city of I.owell. To the improve- ment and cultivation of this place he devoted the remainder of his life, passing away at Lowell. July 15, 1890. By his sterling. manly qualities and geni- ality, Captain Drew won the respect and esteem of his fellow pioneers, in whose general welfare he ever took a deep and abiding interest, and his de- mise was mourned as a distinct loss to the com- munity in which he labored. Two years after he came West, Mrs. Drew joined him. When she came this region was a wild, undeveloped country, with only a semi-weekly mail service by boat from Seattle. Lowell consisted of one store and a soli- tary hotel, both conducted and owned by E. D. Smith, who was also postmaster. Upon her hus- band's death, Mrs. Drew and her two sons, Oscar and Leavitt, aged twenty-five and seventeen re- spectively, resolutely continued to operate the farm until it was sold, the greater portion of it being purchased in 1892 at fifty dollars an acre by Everett townsite promoters. Since that time Mrs. Drew has been living in retirement at her comfortable home in Lowell, passing her declining years in peace and plenty, well carned by a long, useful life. She is affiliated with three fraternal orders-the Rebekahs, 'the Women of Woodcraft and the Women's Relief Corps, her brother William having - served as a soldier in the Civil War. To the mar- riage of Captain and Mrs. Drew seven children were born: Oscar, who was killed accidentally in Alaskan mines in 1894: Sarah, whose death oc- curred in 1903: Anna, living in Augusta, Maine ; Emily and Nettie, residing in Seattle, both married ; Leavitt, killed by accident in Montana, April 18, 1905 : and Laura, married, whose home is in San Francisco. Both sons were members of the I. O. O. F. Of the Lingley family, only Mrs. Drew. next to the youngest child, and William, are still living. Honored and esteemed by her neighbors and a wide circle of loyal friends, rich in those qualities of mind and heart which endear her to all and make her life a useful. unselfish one, Mrs. Drew is as influential in her sphere as was her estimable. husband in his.

FRED SMITH, whose fine farm lies two miles cast of Lowell, is one of the self-made native sons of the Puget sound country. Starting with noth- ing. he has now an excellent piece of land, which he is rapidly converting into a modern dairy farm. Mr. Smith was born at Port Discovery in 1868. His mother died when he was very young, and his

940

SNOHOMISH COUNTY

father became lost to him years ago. The lad ob- tained his education in the schools of Washington. When sixteen years of age he came to Snohomish county with a family named Roberts, with whom he made his home until twenty years old, when he started to fight life's battle on his own account. These early days were full of excitement and life was surrounded on all sides by pioneer conditions. The Roberts' goods and supplies were moved up the river in a canoc, thence into a slough and finally landed at the house from a ditch. The stock was driven over trails through the woods and generally the supplies were packed in on the back. There were then no schools, no churches, no stores, nc postoffices. Mr. Smith lived on the place for four years, during the greater part of which the family lived nearer the town.

In the fall of 1885 Mr. Smith had his hardest ex- perience. He had gone to bed as usual, not in the least suspecting that before morning he would be roused to face a strenuous situation. At ? o'clock he was awakened by a commotion emanating from the cattle and stock. He arose and found that the river had arisen to such a height that the whole farm was flooded except a knoll on which the stock had taken refuge. The fence was torn down to allow the cattle to make their escape. Immediately the frightened animals stampeded and Mr. Smith was nearly run down. The stock was finally rounded up in the loft of the barn, after five hours of hard work, often in water up to the armpits. At twenty years of age Mr. Smith engaged in work on the neighboring ranches and in the woods. In 1893 he acquired an interest in seventy-two acres of land where he now lives, the remainder at that time being owned by J. H. Mack, whose interests Mr. Smith subsequently obtained. The land was all in brush, but by dint of hard work he has since cleared fifty aeres and paid off a mortgage of $1,500. He is now devoting his attention mainly to dairying, keep- ing twenty-four head of stock at the present time. He is breeding Jerseys, and plans ultimately to en- gage in dairying exclusively.

In September, 1900, Mr. Smith married Miss Sarah Quimby, a native of Snohomish county and daughter of Benjamin F. and Mary Quimby, old- time residents of the county, both of whom are now dead. The father was born in Maine and followed the sea for years. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born two children, Grace and Bernard Ralph. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican. He has just commenced to reap the results of the former years of severe and ardent struggle with Nature in clear- ing his land and getting it into shape for cultivation, and has every prospect of still greater prosperity to come.

IVER JOHNSON, one of the Snohomish val- ley's prominent pioneer dairymen and stockraisers,

residing two miles east of Lowell, to which he came years before inception was given to the present city of Everett, is a typical representative of the sturdy Norwegian race, born in the old country in 1843. His father, Ole Klaven, who took his name from the old family homestead, was a farmer by occupa- tion. He passed away in Norway in 1850 at the age of forty-five. His wife, Seneva ( Honveken) Klaven, also a native of Norway, died in 1903 at the unusual age of ninety-five. The subject of this sketch is the third child of this union, there being three girls and two boys in the family. He worked at home on the farm until thirteen years old, then commenced working on his own responsibility on various neighboring farms and following the sea. In 1866 he crossed the ocean to the United States and at once entered the pineries of Wisconsin, at that time one of the most active lumber regions in the world. Five years he worked in the woods of the Badger state, then crossed the plains to the present site of Fort Sill, Oklahoma. This govern- ment outpost had been laid out only two years pre- viously down in the very heart of the Indian coun- try, and for two years he worked on the construc- tion of the fort. At the end of this period he went to Jewell county, Kansas, and took a pre-emption claim. Upon this he proved up later and there re- sided eleven years. In Kansas Mr. Johnson pros- pered, acquiring three farms. During this period he made several trips to the Pacific coast, visiting California, Oregon and Washington, and as a re- sult finally decided to locate on Puget sound. Re- turning home, he disposed of his land and stock and returned to the sound, landing at Mukilteo in 1887. Thence he came up the Snohomish river by boat and bought a portion of his present place, which at that time was in its wild state, without house or clearing. With courage and industry he com- menced raising stock, farming on a small scale and getting his land into better condition, but for many years it was slow, discouraging work. Fortunately he had some money, so that he was not obliged to work for others to obtain a living, and gradually he developed his farm. At first he purchased all supplies in Snohomish. Now Mr. Johnson has a splendid 200-acre farm, substantial, fertile, and well stocked, all indicative of the thrifty character of its owner and his skill. His stock herd consists of about thirty-five head.

Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Caroline Alderman, a native of Wisconsin, at Chicago, in 1874. She is the daughter of Walter and Gunel (Berg) Alderman, the father of German birth, the mother of Norwegian descent. To this marriage four children have been born : Sarah and William, living at home; Julia, married; and Freddia, who was accidentally drowned in the Snohomish river in 1894, at the age of ten.

Fraternally, Mr. Johnson is affiliated with the

941

BIOGRAPHICAL

Odd Fellows, belonging to the Lowell lodge. His political connections are with the Republican party, with which he has always been identified. His love for the fatherland has never grown cold in all the years that he has been absent, and in May, 1906, he leaves to attend the coronation ceremonies incident to the placing of Haakon VII., Norway's newly elected king, upon the throne. This will of course be an event of worldwide importance. As a pio- neer of Snohomish county, Mr. Johnson has borne his share of hardships and now deserves to reap the rewards that are coming to him, in addition to which he holds the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.

ISAAC ASBERY .- Among the foremost. pro- gressive business men of Marysville stands Isaac Asbery, of the well-known hardware firm of Smith & Asbery. He is a native of Indiana, born Febru- ary 13, 1852. in Park county. His parents, Will- iam and Margaret ( Richards) Asbery, were born in Kentucky. the date of the father's birth being 1845. The father was a descendant of early pio- neers of that state. He moved with his parents to Indiana in 1828, assisting in clearing up a home- stead, and there his death occurred when he had reached the age of sixty-six. The mother, in her eighty-third year, is now living in Indiana. She is the mother of four children. Isaac Asbery received his education in the common schools of his native state, and meanwhile picked up the butcher tra le, his father being at that time engaged in the busi- ness. At the age of eighteen he rented his father's farm and operated it for fourteen years, or until 1884, when he went to Coos county, Oregon, and farmed for several years. He located, in the spring of 1888, at Olympia, Washington, remaining there till February of the next year. when, having pur- chased twenty acres of land situated two and one- half miles north of Marysville, from James Come- ford in the fall of 1888, he moved his family on it. It was then densely covered with timber which he cleared off. seeding the tract to grass. Four years later, in 1893, he moved to the southern part of California, making that his home for a year. at the end of that time returning to Indiana. Ile owned a grocery and meat shop in that state for several years, but in 1898 again took up his residence in Washington. After farming on his ranch for two seasons, he moved to Marysville, he and Fred Smith purchasing the hardware business previously owned by Edmund Smith.

Mr. Asbery was married in Park county, Indi- ana, in 1822. to Miss Josephine Akers, the daugh- ter of Joel and Mary ( Angell) Akers, both natives of Virginia. Her father lived for some years in Indiana, going from that state to Kansas in 1876: his home is now at Pomona, Kansas. The mother

was the descendant of a well known family that owned large numbers of slaves in colonial days. Mrs. Asbery is also a Virginian, born October 11, 1852. She acquired an excellent education in the schools of her native state. Four children have been born to this union: Sanford T .. born in Indi- ana, now living in Marysville; Mrs. Ethel M. Wil- cox, whose husband is a well known clerk for Metzer & Wildes, of Everett, also born in In- diana, and two children. twins, who died in infancy. Mr. Asbery is prominent in the Ma- sonic fraternity ; he is also a communicant of the Baptist church, and in the position of clerk gives to its various interests the same careful attention which he bestows on his personal affairs. He is a member of the Republican party, but has never sought any political preferment. By serving his patrons courteously and with due thought as to their needs, while adhering strictly to high principles, Mr. Asbery is building up a fine trade, and estab- lishing an enviable reputation for the firm. As a man of unquestioned business ability, his opinion concerning any public enterprise carries great weight and few residents of Marysville have con- tributed more largely to the upbuilding of the town than has this honored citizen.

FREDERICK SMITH, of the well-known hardware firm of Smith & Asbery, of Marysville, is one of the most enterprising and practical business men to be found in Snohomish county. A native of Yorkshire. England, the date of his birth was June 3. 1865. His father, Edmund Smith, was born in England in 1847, and after acquiring a thorough education was married in that country. Immigrat- ing to the United States, he settled in Oskaloosa, Iowa. and farmed until the spring of 1883. He then moved to Washington Territory, purchasing 160 acres of land from Dennis Brigham, the ranch comprising a portion of the site of Everett. In 1890 he soll this property to Rucker Brothers, who first laid out the town of Everett. That year he opened a hardware store in Marysville, the first in the town, and was thus the pioneer in that line of business. Ten years later he sold out to his son and Isaac Asbery, who have continued the enterprise which he had so firmly established. Locating in Montesano, Washington, he started a bakery, and is now devoting his entire attention to it. His wife, Jane (Johnson) Smith, is also of English nativity. To this union five children were born, Frederick being the oldest. He acquired a thorough educa- tion in the schools of lowa, whither his parents had moved during his childhood. He was eighteen when the family found a home in Washington. Working on the ranch with his father until he reached his majority, he then studied telegraphy. his first position being in the office of the Pacific

942

SNOHOMISH COUNTY

Postal Telegraph and Cable company at Bothell, King county. So carefully and conscientiously did he discharge his duties that the company retained him for a period of nine years. After a three months' vacation he accepted the management of the Sunset Telephone and Telegraph Company at Mount Vernon, and a year later was transferred by the company to Whatcom. The following year he was stationed at Seattle, remaining there until 1900, when he and Mr. Asbery formed a partnership and purchased the hardware business of Mr. Smith's father.

Mr. Smith was married at Bothell, September 23, 1890, to Frances Felmly, a native of Missouri, born in 1820. Her father, Andrew J. Felmly, also a Missourian, born at Lathem, became a resident of Washington in 1883, and is now living at Seattle. Mrs. Smith received a careful education in the schools of that city. She and Mr. Smith have one child, Jennie W., born at Bothell, August 1, 1891. Politically. Mr. Smith is a loyal Republican, and as a member of the city council he has manifested his publie spirit by taking an active interest in the af- fairs of the town. In the Odd Fellows' fraternity he is a past grand. Mrs. Smith is a prominent Rebecca, is a past grand, and has been honored by being chosen to represent the lodge. In addition to his interest in the hardware business, Mr. Smith owns some valuable city property. He is a keen, alert business man, devoting his splendid talents to his rapidly increasing trade. His well known in- tegrity of character and his genial personality have won for him an enviable position among his asso- ciates.

FRANK L. BARTLETT, one of Marysville's well-known merchants, was born near Lone Rock, Wisconsin, September 2, 1862. His father, John Bartlett, was a native of Vermont. Moving to Wisconsin in the early days, he was one of the hon- ored pioneers of that state. He later made his home at Lansing. Minnesota, and engaged in the mercantile business for several years, then sold out, continuing, however, to reside there till his death. Martha Bartlett, the mother, was born and mar- ried in the state of Vermont, and was of English descent ; she was the mother of six children. Frank L. Bartlett spent his early years in the schools of Wisconsin and Minnesota, acquiring a practical education, of which he was to make such good use in after years. At the age of fourteen he began working out on the neighboring farms and was thus employed for six years. In the spring of 1886 he went to California, finding an opening in a general merchandise store at National City, where he where he worked as clerk for two years. He later returned to Minnesota, but after an eight-months residence decided that California suited him better,

so went to Los Angeles, working there the next fourteen months. In 1890 he went to Seattle, to investigate the conditions existing in the great northwest country, and at the end of two months thus spent came to Marysville. He at once ac- cepted a position as clerk in the store owned by Mark Swinnerton, proving so valuable to his em- ployer that he was retained for five years. Having established a reputation for energy and good busi- ness judgment, he was tendered the position of manager of the hardware establishment of Edmund Smith, which he accepted, and was thus employed until the spring of 1898, when he purchased the general merchandise store owned by Tatham Brothers. To this business he has since devoted his entire time, and has had the pleasure of seeing it grow year by year under his wise and careful management.

At Marysville, in 1895, Mr. Bartlett and Mrs. Amelia Fox were united in marriage. Her father, George Shaffer, was born in Germany. Coming to the United States in early manhood, he located in Indiana, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. His death occurred in that state many years ago. Mrs. Bartlett was born in Indiana in 1864, and there received her education. She was left an orphan in childhood. Her first marriage was to John Fox, of Indiana, and to this union one child, Ruth, was born. Her husband's death occurred in Marysville. The following children have been born, in Marys- ville, to Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett : Rex, Carl J., Millie M., Iris L., and Frank L. Mr. Bartlett is a firm believer in the doctrines of the Democratic party, which he supports in every possible way. He may justly be termed a self-made man, his career afford- ing an excellent illustration of what an ambitious, energetic young man can accomplish.

THOMAS D. DAVIES, one of the well known residents of Marysville, residing three and one-half miles northeast of town, on Kellogg Marsh, was born in South Wales, September 10, 1861. His parents, David and Sarah ( Williams) Davies, were also natives of Wales. The father, born in 1815, followed farming till his death, in 1882. The mother is still living in that country, at the age of eighty. Thomas D. Davies, one of eight children, when a mere boy of ten years, began working in a coal mine. Later he secured a scanty education in, the common schools, again entering the mines at the age of thirteen. He was thus employed until, in 1881, he left home, immigrating to the United States, locating first in Colorado, and a year later in Pennsylvania. After mining in the latter state a year, he came to Washington in August, 1883, set- tling at Newcastle. At the end of his fourth year of residence in this state he made a visit to his na- tive country and also England, returning to Wash-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 171

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