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 172

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 172
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 172

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BIOGRAPHICAL

ington with his bride. He stopped in Franklin a few months, and then, in January, 1889, proceeded to Marysville, where five years prior to this he had purchased eighty acres, and had also taken up a homestead near the town. Of the eighty-acre tract of land, sixty acres were in the marsh districts, all heavily timbered with cedar. It was here in this wilderness that he and his brave young wife made their permanent home. All the supplies were packed in for some years, until a road could be made out of the rude trail that was the only means of reaching the ranch. There were only five white women in all that region at that early date, and it was not until 1896 that settlement became general.

Mr. Davies was married in 1887 to Ann Reese, born in Wales in 1864; her death occurred in 1896. In June, 1904, Mr. Davies was again married, his bride this time being Hannah Jensen, a native of Denmark. Her father. Rasmus Jensen, having died, she and her mother came to the United States, finding a home in Minnesota, where the mother died some years later. In his political beliet Mr. Davies is independent. He and his estimable wife are identified with the Congregational church. The subject of education is one that appeals very strongly to Mr. Davies, and as clerk and director he has rendered valuable service to the cause during his long years of service. He believes it to be one of the most important factors in our national growth and prosperity. He is an energetic, pro- gressive man, and it was largely through his in- strumentality that the rural free delivery and the farmers' telephone service were secured for this section. He, with eleven other farmers, built the telephone line from Marysville. Mr. Davies is rec- ognized as one of the successful agriculturists of this locality. He now has fifty acres of his farm in a fine state of cultivation, devoting it principally to mixed farming. His old home having been de- stroyed by fire in 1904, he has replaced it by a fine ten-room house, modern in all its appointments, and lighted with acetylene gas. As a man of in- dustry and correct principles, he holds the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.

CHARLES A. ANDERSON, who resides near Marysville, Washington, is one of the well known farmers of this section. Born February 1. 1863, in Sweden, he is the son of Adolph and Mary ( An- derson) Anderson, both of whom are still living in the land of their nativity, the father being seventy- five years old. The boyhood of Charles A. Ander- son did not differ from that of most of his com- panions. He acquired his education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-three left home to begin his career. He worked on farms and in thic woods for some time, but, anxious to avail himself of the larger opportunities to be found in the coun-

try across the ocean, he finally immigrated to the United States in 1888, where he first located in Illinois on a farm. Going thence to San Francisco he found employment in the redwood camps of Sonoma county, remaining two years. Hc then went to Seattle, and on to Snohomish, working for a year in the latter place. February 16, 1893, he came to Marysville, arriving in time to witness the remarkable snow fall of that year, when the ground on the level was covered to the depth of four feet. The following year he purchased twenty acres, all heavily timbered, and has made it his permanent home since that time. To clear and get it in shape for cultivation would have seemed a discouraging task to many men, but Mr. Anderson belonged to that class of hardy pioneers who found pleasure in surmounting difficulties. He now has his farm in an excellent condition, devoting it principally to the dairy industry, in which he is very successful. He markets the product in Everett.

Mr. Anderson was married in 1892 to Hilda Hanson, a native of Sweden, who came alone to this country. She is the daughter of Hans and Johanna Hanson. The mother died April 26, 1905; the father still lives in Sweden. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson one child has been born, Agnes, the date of her birth being September 11, 1894. She died May 13, 1903. In political belief Mr. Anderson adheres to Republican principles, but has never taken an active part in politics. He and his wife are prominently identified with the Lutheran church. He is a practical and successful farmer, progressive in his ideas, whose undertakings are prospered be- cause of the careful attention which he gives to anything that claims his interest. As a well in- formed and public-spirited citizen he is relied on to further the interests of town and county. During the twelve years of his residence here he has wit- nessed great changes in the surrounding country, and has rejoiced in the growth and development everywhere apparent. His energy, ambition and strict integrity have won for him the esteem of all who are associated with him in either business or social relationships.

OLE O. MOSKELAND .- It is a noticeable fact that many of the successful agriculturists of Snohomish country are of foreign birth, as is the one whose name initiates this biography. He was born in Norway, July 7, 1862. the son of Ole and Anna ( Oleson) Christianson, who are still living in the land of their nativity. Norway. The father has reached the age of seventy ; the mother is one ycar his senior. To this union eight children have been born, the subject of this sketch being the sec- ond child. Ole O. Moskeland spent his early years at home, acquiring an education and assisting his father in the support of the younger members of

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the family. At the age of sixteen he went to sea, remaining on the water the following ten years, during which he made two trips to Norway from the port of New York City. He then studied me- chanical engineering in New York, coming to Washington in 1890, when he had completed the course and secured a license. After a short stay in Seattle, he went to La Conner, making his head- quarters there for four years, during which time he worked in the woods and on the farms of that lo- cality. Later, he and a brother settled near Marys- ville, leasing a 200-acre farm on Kellogg Marsh. The land was nearly all covered with timber. In the next six years they succeeded in clearing off one hundred acres. At the expiration of the lease Mr. Moskeland purchased sixty-five acres of tim- ber land, which he has transformed into the fine farm on which he now resides. He has cleared forty acres in the five years since he became owner of the property, and now has twelve acres in crops. He devotes special attention to dairying, and is already winning a large measure of success along this line, possessing an excellent herd of cattle.

Mr. Moskeland was married April 23, 1898, to Mrs. Janette Turnbull. a native of England. She came to the United States in 1887 with her first husband. Her parents, John and Mary Storar, are both deceased. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Moskeland-John O., Albert S., who is deceased, Anna M., and Edward. Mr. Moske- land is a member of the American Order of United Workmen. He is a firm believer in the doctrines of the Republican party, although he has never cared to take an active part in political matters. The family are well known members of the Lutheran church. One of the thrifty and industrious citizens of Marysville, Mr. Moskeland is respected by his many acquaintances and esteemed by his associates.

LARS C. NILSON (deceased) .- Few resi- dents of Marysville, Washington. could claim a larger circle of sincere friends than this honored pioneer, whose death, occurring January 23, 1903, was the occasion of profound sorrow throughout the entire community.

Born in Sweden, November 7, 1855, to parents also of Swedish nativity, both of whom are now deceased, he received his education in the schools of that country, later assisting his father in the work of the farm. Thereby he became familiar with the details of that occupation, and laid the foundation for the sturdy manhood which was to follow, while establishing those habits of industry and energy that were to be the marked characteris- ties of the man. Many of his countrymen had im- migrated to the United States, there finding larger openings than were afforded in their own country, and, following their example, Mr. Nilson came to

Washington in 1887, arriving in Marysville. August 10th. That year he took a homestead of 160 acres, situated four and one-half miles northeast of town, on Kellogg Marsh. It was all heavily timbered, and could be reached only by a trail, thus necessitating the packing of all supplies. The ranch affording no- adequate means of support for his family during the first ten years, he worked out wherever he could find employment, and in the meantime toiled at all hours to clear his land. There were only a few set- tlers in this district at that early date, but others came in the course of the next few years.

Mr. Nilson was married in 1876 to Nettie An- derson, the daughter of Anders and Mary (Mun- son) Anderson, both of whom died in their native land-Norway. Bravely enduring the hardships. and risking the dangers of pioneer life, Mrs. Nilson stood by her husband's side, banishing the loneli- ness by her sweet, womanly presence, and affording the inspiration which only a true wife can bestow. With only three other white women in all that com- munity at the time when it first became her home, there must often have been hours during the en- forced absence of her husband when Mrs. Nilson longed for the companionship of other days, but no complaining word escaped her lips as she min- istered to the needs of her family, preparing a tempting meal from the all too scant supplies avail- able in that wilderness. Settlement having become more general in these last few years, life had just begun to grow less strenuous when her life-long companion fell by her side. With the rare courage so characteristic of her nature, Mrs. Nilson assumed the responsibilities from which a loving heart had previously relieved her, and with the aid of her fam- ily has managed the farm. At the time of his death Mr. Nilson had twelve acres under plow, twenty- five in pasture, and was devoting most of his at- tention to dairying. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nilson : Mrs. Hilda Meyers, of Marys- ville, whose husband is the well-known shoe mer- chant : Fred, Ida, Gusta, Adolph, and Christina. Mr. Nilson was a loyal Republican, always giving the party his undivided support, although he never aspired to any political office. He was a faithful and devoted member of the Lutheran church, in which his presence and support are now sadly missed. A kind, thoughtful husband and father, a loyal and trusted friend and neighbor, and an en- terprising and public spirited citizen, Mr. Nilson left behind him a memory that will not grow dim as the years slip away.

PETER PAULSON, one of the thrifty, indus- trious young farmers of Marysville, Washington, resides five miles north of town on the Big Marslı. He was born in Norway September 6, 1870. His par- ents, Paul and Tobine Paulson, also natives of Nor-

BIOGRAPHICAL

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way, are both deceased, the father passing away in 1897 at the age of seventy. Leaving home when nine- teen years old, Peter Paulson sailed for the United States, convinced that here were to be found su- perior advantages for a young man of steady, in- dustrious habits. After stopping in Seattle for a short time, he came on to La Conner and spent the summer of 1889 on a farin. Later he located at Marysville where he worked on farms and in the woods till 1897, at which time he rented the Hogan farm on Kellogg Marsh for a period of five years. So successfully did he manage his affairs that the year previous to the expiration of the lease he was in a position to purchase the 180 acres of land that now constitute his farm. There were at that time only five acres of it cleared and that was covered with stumps, but he now has twenty acres in culti- vation and eighty acres in condition to furnish pas- ture. He devotes the greater share of his attention to dairying, keeping a fine herd of cattle, and be- cause of his thorough knowledge of the industry and careful attention to its many requirements, is rapidly winning success. Last year on part of his farm he raised three crops of hay, a fact which evidences the wonderful fertility of the land.

On July 4, 1896, Mr. Paulson and Mary Larson were united in marriage at Seattle. Mrs. Paulson is also a native of Norway, born January 1, 1866. Immigrating to the United States, she first made her home in Iowa, coming to Marysville in 1892. Her father, Lars Larson, is deceased, but her mother, Anne Larson, lives in Norway. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Paulson : An infant, Paul. deceased : Paul, Adolph and Mil- lard. Mr. Paulson is active in fraternal circles, be- ing a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Foresters of America. He loy- ally supports the Republican party, although for himself he has never sought any political office. He and his family are identified with the Lutheran church. Earnest, ambitious and untiring in his zeal to make a success of life, he justly merits the prosperity that he now enjoys. Coming to this country in debt for a part of his fare, he is now sur- rounded by evidences of what he has been able to accumulate by his own unaided efforts, and he lias good cause to congratulate himself on deciding to make this his home.

LUDWIG A. HOVIK, a well-to-do farmer re- siding five miles north of Marysville, on the Big Marsh, was born in Norway, April 8, 1856. His parents, Andrew D. and Anna (Andersdatter) Hovik, both natives of Norway, are still living there, the father aged seventy-five, the mother, sev- enty-eight. The second of a family of ten children, Ludwig A. Hovik began early in life to support himself. His father was a contractor and builder, and as there was little along that line that a boy of

thirteen could do, he hired out to a farmer and fisherman, who in addition to exacting an unusual amount of work, treated him most cruelly, and gave him for the first year's labor but two pairs of wooden shoes and a suit of clothes. The following year he found employment as a shepherd. Return- ing home. he spent six months fishing for his father, after which he worked on a farm for two years. Going later to the city of Bergen, he re- mained there thirteen years, nine of which were spent in a gas establishment, he being employed as fireman. The first three years of his residence there he worked in a brewery. In 1886 he left his native land, sailing for the United States where so many of his countrymen had found homes, located at Red- wing, Minnesota, and worked for a time there on a farm, afterward going to Kenyon. There he found employment on the railroad. Having eventually decided to visit the Northwest, he came to Stan- wood, Washington, where he remained two months. going thence to Everett. He soon had charge of a crew of men and was engaged in dyking for the Everett Improvement Company. So faithfully did he discharge his duties that he was retained for four years. On coming to that locality he took up a small island embracing nineteen acres, which he later sold. The ensuing two years he worked on the docks, and assisted in building the first and only whaleback steamship ever constructed in Ev- erett or on the Pacific coast. By wise and careful management, he was able to purchase the eighty- acre farm on which he now resides. Very little had been done on it in the way of improvements when he bought it, so that its present condition is due solely to the thrift and energy of the owner, who now has ten acres in cultivation, and sixty in pasture. He is especially interested in dairying.

Mr. Hovik was married in Norway in 1877 to Johanna Johnson, also a native of that country, whose parents died there. She has a brother liv- ing in Washington. Nine children have been born to this union, as follows: Andrew and Mrs. Inga Rowley, living at Marysville ; Ingolf, Alfred, Louis, Janie, Agnes, Edward and Harold. Mr. Hovik is a loyal Republican. Hle held the office of road super- visor for a time, but aside from that has never ac- cepted any position of trust, except membership on the local school board. By eight years of service in that body he has attested his interest in the cause of education and his willingness to promote the same to the extent of his ability, even by discharging the duties of a salariless and usually thankless office. An earnest, conscientious man, he enjoys the esteem and confidence of those who know him, the good- will of all. He and his family adhere to the Lutheran church.

ISAAC HARTER .- Among the thrifty and in- dustrious agriculturists of Marysville, Washington,

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is numbered Isaac Harter, who resides six miles north of town. He is of English nativity, born in Lancashire, April 6, 1851. His parents, Isaac and Mary (Greenhalgh) Harter, were also born in England. The father, born in January, 1820, is still living; the mother died in 1859. The present wise laws relative to child labor had not been en- acted in that country, hence at the age of six years Isaac Harter began to work in the mines. It was a life full of hardships and dangers, but the child- ish hands toiled faithfully at their tasks, and the boy soon became known for his industry. Thus the years slipped by and he grew to manhood amid these unwholesome surroundings. Some idea of the existing conditions may be formed from the fact that at that time the average wages paid a man was from two shillings and six pence to three shil- lings a day. On that meager sum Mr. Harter man- aged to support a family for a number of years, while at the same time adding yearly to the fund which was to purchase transportation to the United States. To reach this favored country with its abundant opportunities and its rich reward for earnest toil was a cherished hope that was realized in September, 1881, when he and his family found a home in Iowa. After mining in Lucas county for five years, he immigrated to Tacoma, Washington, and remained there three months. On December 11, 1886, he filed on the 160-acre claim on which he now resides. The nearest trail was three miles away, and Marysville, where the store and postoffice were located, was six miles away. So dense was the forest that it was impossible to see objects but a rod away, and in order to reach the school house his children were obliged to make their way through the brush two miles. The first dwelling place, a rude cabin, is still standing. He had an income of ten dollars per month from property in Iowa, and this, with what he could earn from doing odd jobs, constituted his entire means of support during those first years while he was clearing his land and get- ting it in condition to cultivate. He now has four- teen acres in crops, and fifty in pasture. He de- votes much attention to dairying. Recalling the early years so full of hardships and the limitations necessitated by small means, he is able to appre- ciate to the fullest extent the prosperity that now crowns his efforts. His present home is finished in cedar which he himself split and carried out of the woods.

Mr. Harter was married in England March 23, 1873, to Jane Marsden. Her parents, David and Helen Marsden, are deceased. Her other relatives are living in England, her native country, where she was born in Fabruary, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Harter have four children: Mrs. Mary E. Bryan, of Marysville; Mrs. Elizabeth Kennedy, of Stim- son's Crossing ; John and Herbert, at home. Mr. Harter is independent in political matters, and now

holds the office of justice of the peace. In religious belief he is a Spiritualist. Since locating here he has been away from home but one winter, which was spent in the Black Diamond mine near Seattle. Two years ago he went to Bellingham for a short time, that being the longest trip he has taken in the last nineteen years. His success as an agricul- turist is due to the fact that he has given his farm such careful personal attention, instead of delegat- ing the responsibility to others. He is recognized as a man of energy and thrift, and holds the respect of his fellow citizens.

ARTHUR M. WESTOVER, the well known agriculturist residing six miles north of Marysville, on the Big Marsh. is a native of Dalhousie, Nova Scotia. He was born in May, 1863, the son of Daniel and Lucy (Silver) Westover, who were also born in that country. The father, born in 1823, followed farming and shipbuilding till his death in 1871. The mother is now living in Seattle, at the age of eighty-three. Arthur M. Westover, one of a family of eight children, acquired his education in the schools of New Brunswick, whither his par- ents had moved when he was seven years old. Later lie learned the carpenter trade, and was thus en- gaged prior to coming West. Leaving home when nineteen years of age, he went to Chicago, and re- inained there seven years. In 1888 he came to Seattle and made that his home for some time. While living there with his mother, he took up the homestead claim on which he now lives. All the supplies used by himself and the few other settlers in that region were brought from Marysville. A boat running to Seattle made tri-weekly trips at that time. The first schoolhouse was built the year after he came. There was then no trail extending to his land, the nearest one being a mile aawy. To- day three railroads run within three miles of his farm, and another will doubtless soon be con- structed. He avers that the sweetest music that ever greeted his ears was the whistle of the first Northern Pacific engine that passed his ranch. Of the one hundred and sixty acres constituting his original claim, he now has thirty-five in excellent cultivation, and twenty in pasture, and devotes his attention to diversified farming, believing that to be the most satisfactory. He has a large herd of cattle, and the usual number of other domestic ani- mals found on a well managed farm; also has a splendid modern home, with hot and cold water, and lighted with acetylene gas.

Mr. Westover was married in 1895 to Maud Avery, a native of Michigan, whom he met while living in Chicago. She is the daughter of Delbert and Celinda Avery, well known pioneers of Mich- igan, the latter of whom is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Westover have one child, Delbert D., aged seven years. Mr. Westover loyally adheres to Re-

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publican doctrines, but has never had any desire to be prominent in political matters. He and his fam- ily attend the Episcopal church. He is a thought- ful, intelligent man, and is justly considered one of the most influential members of the community. The respect and honor so freely accorded him by his fellow citizens is a tribute to his many sterling qualities.

LOUIS ANDERSON, residing a mile and a half southwest of Edgecomb and six and a half miles north of Marysville, is among the well known pioneer farmers of that section of Snohomish county, having lived there for nineteen years. He is one of Sweden's native sons, born April 26, 1854, the fifth child of Anders Swanson and Mary ( Mlun- son) Swanson. The father, a stonemason by trade, was born in Sweden in 1812, descended from one of the oldest families in the country, and passed away in 1900 after a useful life. The mother died in 1896 at the age of sixty-nine, after rearing a family of seven children, four boys and three girls. The subject of this review attended school and worked with his father on the farm until twenty- three years old. His brother. Peter, had come to the United States some time before this, and in 1818 Louis Anderson and Paul Polson crossed the ocean to join their relatives in the Pacific Northwest. The Polsons, originally from Loholm, Sweden, are among the oldest and most honored pioneers of Skagit county, and with this family Mr. Anderson was well acquainted in the old country. He went to work at general labor for the first two years of his residence in Washington, then a sparsely settled territory, after which he went to the cascades of the Columbia, Oregon, and managed a stone quarry for the government during the construction of the Cascade locks. At times he had seventy-five men under him. After seven years of this responsible work, or in 1887, Mr. Anderson resigned to en- gage in farming on 'Kellogg Marsh, Snohomish county, buying 120 acres for this purpose. The country was then wild and trails prevailed instead of roads. All supplies had to be packed in to the community by horse or on one's back, so rough was it at that time. Four years later he sold the place for which he had paid $250 at an advance of nearly $6,000, or for $6,500, though he had spent much time and money on it. With the proceeds Mr. Anderson invested in his present place, which then consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, of which only three were cleared. Since that time he has sold forty acres, but still has left one of the finest marsh farms in the community, and is constantly improving it. Mr. Anderson keeps a small, select herd of dairy cows.

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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 172

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