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 175

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 175
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 175

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waters. He spent the first six years in Minnesota, working at whatever he found to do. Learning of the opportunities offered to industrious young men in the undeveloped lands of the northwest, he went to Seattle where he worked for a few months, and then came on to the present site of Edmonds. Here he found employment at his trade, blacksmithing, in the various logging camps of the vicinity. By carefully hoarding his earnings he was able in a few years to open a shop for himself which en- gaged his attention for the following nine years. In 1900 he invested in a sawmill at Richmond Beach, but soon disposed of it and built the shingle mill he now owns at Echo Lake, three miles from Ed- monds. This plant has a daily capacity of 65,000. Inheriting the thrift and industry so characteristic of the Norwegian people, Mr. Sorensen has met with well deserved prosperity since settling in Ed- monds, owning now, besides his business interests, a beautiful residence in town.

Mr. Sorensen was married in 1887 to Miss Anna M. Thoreson, also a native of Norway. She came to Minnesota with her parents, Thore and Maria Thoreson. Mrs. Sorensen is a devoted mother to their three children, Ralph H., Otto N., and Edna Marie. Fraternally, Mr. Sorensen is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He adheres to the doctrines of no po- litical party, believing that he best discharges the responsibilities of American citizenship when he votes for the most capable man irrespective of his party affiliations. Although deeply interested in the municipal welfare of the town, he persistently refuses to hold office. When elected a member of the city council by those who knew his worth and intelligence, he at once tendered his resignation. A keen, practical business man ; a loyal and intelligent citizen ; and withal a gentleman of modest and re- tiring nature, Mr. Sorensen is held in the highest esteem by the entire community. He represents a class of foreigners whom America is delighted to welcome to her shores, knowing that they will con- tribute to her advancement, and perpetuate her pe- culiar institutions.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM H. HAMLIN, retired, is among the prominent and honored pioneer eiti- zens of Snohomish county and of his home city, Edmonds, of which he is one of the founders. His life has been filled with beneficent activity, devoted to the promotion of shipping interests and the de- velopment of the community of which he has been a resident so many years. Born in New York state, September 20, 1828, of good American descent on both paternal and maternal sides of the house, the subject of this review is the fifth child of ten that blessed the marriage of Romanta and Almira (Burnaham) Hamlin. The father was also a native of the Empire state, whose forefathers settled in

CAPT. WILLIAM II. HAMLIN

GEORGE BRACKETT

JOHN M. ROBBINS

CHIARLES HARRIMAN

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

959

BIOGRAPHICAL

Massachusetts about 1758, and who himself was born in 1800. He was a farmer and lumberman by occupation and was engaged in the Michigan pineries when his death occurred in 1844. Almira Burnaham-Hamlin was born in New York state, and was there married : her death occurred in Michi- gan, twenty-seven days before that of her husband. William H. Hamlin received his common school education in the states of New York and Pennsyl- vania. When fifteen years old he went to Michi- gan with his father. Only a year later fever laid its grip upon the family as the result of which both the father and mother died. The children there- upon returned to New York relatives, and thence William H. went to Pennsylvania. For two years he was in a delicate state of health. At the age of eighteen he entered the grocery of his brother-in- law, conducted it six months, then engaged in operating a boat on the extension of the Erie canal. Six months later he purchased a half interest in another boat and for a year hauled pig iron, coal and lime rock with good financial success. He then purchased the interest of his partner, sold the boat and went to Meadeville, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a half interest in a passenger boat. Of this canal boat he was captain for seven years, carry- ing passengers from Erie to the Ohio river. Fol- lowing this venture Captain Hamlin built a boat at Beaver Falls for use on the Illinois canal, took it down the Ohio river to its destination, and op- erated it until 1861. That winter he went to Daven- port. Iowa, thence came back to Mason county, Illinois, where he engaged in grain buying, still re- taining his steamboat interests on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Mason county remained his home until 1826, during which he followed con- tinuously grain buying and shipping. In the fall of that year he came west to Washington Territory, taking up his residence in Seattle. The next spring he bought a small boat for use in carrying on a general jobbing business on Lake Washington, and was thus occupied three years. Following this he brought his boat to the sound, lengthened the hull and commenced running hetween Port Madison and Seattle. also doing considerable towing. Those were days when the shipping of Puget sound was in its infaney and greater contrast can hardly be imagined than to compare the little vessels of that period with the present monarchs of the sea. the Minne- sota and Dakota: yet they paved the way for the present fleet of modern boats. After seven years of activity on the sound. Captain Hamlin retired to a pre-emption claim, now a part of the Edmonds town site, upon which he had filed about 1881, and there he has since resided. There were fifty-two and a half acres in this claim and in addition to that traet he purchased an adjoining traet of sev- enty-nine aeres, and later another piece of forty acres. Of this place he has sold one hundred and

six and one half acres to a Seattle syndicate for $21,300. He now has thirteen acres left and there makes his home.

Captain Hamlin and Emily Driggs, of Port- land, New York, were united in marriage in 1849. Of this union there is one child living, James W. Hamlin, a well-known vessel captain of Seattle, who was born in 1856. He is one of the widely acquainted sea-faring men of Puget sound, upon which he has operated boats for many years. Cap- tain Hamlin was again married at Seattle in 1880, his bride being Mrs. Marie Zindars, the widow of Harry Zindars, both of whom were among Seat- tle's earliest pioneers. Two children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Zindars, Edward and Emily. Edward, who bears his stepfather's name, is now one of the Queen City's business men, while his sister, who died at Seattle in 1898, was the wife of William Lentz. Mrs. Hamlin passed away in 1900.

Politically, Captain ITamlin is a Republican, and that he is highly regarded by his fellow citizens who know him best, men of all parties, is evidenced by the fact that he was elected second mayor of Edmonds, and by the further fact that he has served on the council nearly continuously since the city's organization. Fraternally. he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason of high degree, being a Knight Tem- plar. Captain Hamlin has reached a position in life which is attained by comparatively few, and now in his declining years after a long, useful life of varied attainments, he enjoys the crowning bless- ing of possessing the confidence, respect and good .will of his fellow men and women.

GEORGE BRACKETT of Edmonds, is the founder of that thrifty little municipality, one of its leading business men and an esteemed pioneer citi- zen of Snohomish county of which he has been a resident since 1876. He comes of both Yankee and Canadian stock, being the son of Daniel and Mary (Connell) Brackett, and was born in lower Canada early in the summer of 18-12. The father was a native of Portland, Maine, of American descent, and by occupation was a lumberman throughout his life. Most of it was spent in the Pine Tree state, but for a time he resided in the valley of the Restigouche, Canada, and the later years of his life were spent in the woods of Wis- consin, where his death occurred in 1885. Mrs. Brackett was a native of New Brunswick. She survived her husband only two years, passing away in Wisconsin also, the mother of twenty children. Of these six are living: William. Jane, George, Mary. Abraham and Ellen; the deceased are : James, Nancy, Daniel, Solomon, Johanna, Elijah. Thomas, Josiah. Eliza and John, Jennie, Daven- port and two who died in infancy. George. the

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subject of this review, lived at home with his par- ents until nineteen years old, having very little op- portunity to obtain the thorough education he de- sired. On leaving home, he went to Maine, entered the woods, and followed lumbering for four years, or until 1865, when he removed to Wisconsin, the vast forests of that state first beginning to attract general attention at that time. The next four years he spent in the Badger state, engaged principally in managing camps. In 1869 he came to the North- west to exploit the vast timber resources of Puget sound, locating first at Seattle. At that time the present metropolis was a town of about one thou- sand people and boasted a single small brick build- ing. Since that time Mr. Brackett has been inti- mately connected with the lumber business of this part of the country and with its progress in general, though some four years ago he retired from many of his former lines of activity.

It was in 1876 that he bought 147 acres of land at the site of Edmonds, and commenced logging thereon, with a view to transforming the tract into a farm later. Several years elapsed before the de- mand came for a business center at this favored point 'along the shore, but it came, and in response Mr. Brackett platted the town of Edmonds. He also erected the first mill in the town, building it in 1889. After operating it for three years he leased it, and three months later the plant was de- stroyed by fire, entailing upon its owner a loss of many thousands of dollars. At every stage in the town's development its founder has. been at the front, working with tireless energy and marked skill for the advancement of the community, as will be seen by referring to the history of Edmonds elsewhere in this work. Of his original holdings, Mr. Brackett has now disposed of all but a twenty- acre tract and various smaller parcels of land. Upon his twenty acres, highly improved with orchards, gardens and a commodious dwelling, and commanding a magnificent view of Admiralty In- let and its environs, he is now living, managing his property interests and farming on a small scale. His hospitable home reflects the congenial tastes and sterling qualities of mind and heart of its owner and host, drawing around him a wide circle of friends and well wishers.

JOHN M. ROBBINS, an honored pioneer of Snohomish county, who came here in 1878, is now residing near Marysville, three and one-half miles northeast of town, on Kellogg Marsh. He is a na- tive of Indiana, born May 27, 1857, the son of Richard and Jane (Larimer) Robbins. His father, born in Ohio in August, 1833, is now a resident of Marvsville. The mother was a Pennsylvanian by birth. John M. Robbins is the second of a family of twelve children, nine of whom are living. Dili-

gently improving the opportunities afforded by the common schools, he acquired an excellent education and at the age of twenty he began life for himself. The family having moved to Kansas by team, where they settled in Wilson county, he spent the following winter at home, attending school. In May, 1878, he started for Puget sound, in com- pany with D. F. Sexton. The trip, made with a mule team, lasted five months. The Bannock In- dians were then on the war path, so that it was a journey fraught with danger, but fortunately they did not encounter the savages. Mr. Robbins was employed the first winter in sawing cord wood and in working in a saw mill. The next spring he pre- empted 120 acres on the Skykomish river, near where Monroe is now located, which he sold some years later at the time he decided to move to Cali- fornia. After some two years' residence in Yolo county he returned to Washington, in 1882, accom- panied by a brother. They worked in the woods that winter, and in the spring leased a farm for two years. In March, 1887, he filed on the eighty-acre farm on which he now lives. Not an ax had touched this splendid growth of forest; no whistle save that of a steamboat had penetrated the vast solitude. Roads were unknown luxuries. Mail reached the little settlement of Marysville but once a week. Mr. Robbins now has forty acres cleared and in cultivation, and after long years of toil and privation is enjoying the prosperity that has crowned his later years.

February 11, 1886, Mr. Robbins and Addie Allen were united in marriage. Mrs. Robbins was born in Texas in September, 1856. To her belongs the distinction of having been the first white woman to find a home on Kellogg Marsh. Her death oc- curred in 1890. In June, 1893, Mr. Robbins was married to Lennie Teeple, a native of Canada, who came with her father to this county fifteen years ago. He has two children, Jessie and Alice, born to his first union. Although a loyal member of the Republican party, he has never had any political aspirations. As a broad-minded, intelligent man, and an active and energetic citizen, to this worthy pioneer is accorded the respect and admiration of the entire community. In February, 1906, Mr. Robbins accepted the superintendency of the county farm near Monroe, to which he has moved, leasing his farm near Marysville to his brother Herbert.

CHARLES F. HARRIMAN, who resides two miles south of Monroe, Washington, is numbered among the prominent agriculturists of the Tualco valley. His father, Charles Harriman, born in Maine, September 27, 1829, to the union of Joab and Jeanette (Hedge) Harriman, was the direct descendent of a distinguished New Eng- land family. On leaving his home in Maine,

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOF IFVAR TILY.

CHARLES F. HANSON

MRS. CHARLES F. HANSON

MRS. PETER GUNDERSON

PETER GUNDERSON

HORACE A. GREGORY

MRS. HORACE A. GREGORY

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BIOGRAPHICAL

the elder Charles Harriman went to the woods of northern Minnesota and engaged in lumber- ing there for a year and a half. Learning of the wonderful fortunes that had been made in the gold fields of California, he crossed the intervening states in 1852, and located there, fondly anticipating the glittering gold that was soon to be his. After eleven years of prospecting and mining, with varied success, he concluded to abandon the pursuit, and having carefully considered the advantages of many localities, finally decided to seek a home in the Northwest. He reached Puget sound in June, 1864, and in November of that year took up a pre- emption claim of 160 acres in Tualco valley, also a homestead adjoining this, using later his timber right. He thus acquired a large amount of land, and became one of the most distinguished pioneers of this region. He was prominent in the political life of that day; was honored by being elected county commissioner several years, and a member of the territorial legislature in 1813 on the Demo- cratic ticket. He also held many precinct offices, discharging his duties with uniform faithfulness and ability. His death in the spring of 1905 occa- sioned profound sorrow throughout the country, as his many sterling virtues had endeared him to all. His wife, Elizabeth Harriman, passed away in 1899. Charles F. Harriman, the son, was born in the beautiful valley of Tualco, May 16, 1868. He received his education in the common schools of Snohomish county, meanwhile assisting his father on the farm, and later working in the woods for a time. On the death of his father, he inherited the fine farm where he resides, and is now devoting his entire attention to general farming and dairying. He is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the work, and is known as an energetic, wide-awake farmer, one who keeps in touch with the current thought and investigation along that line. Two brothers, Caspar and Horace, reside near by, while three sisters are also living in the county: Mrs. Lizzie Hyde, Mrs. Emma Creshiel, and Mrs. Ella Tucker.

Mr. Harriman was married December 23, 1893, to Adeline Jimicum, a native of the Pacific coast, born in 1875. The seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harriman were as follows: An infant (de- ceased), Ray, Agnes (deceased), June, Ardy, Lena and Herman. Mr. Harriman is influential in the ranks of the Democratic party, serving its interests in every possible way. He is a typical Westerner, keen, practical, energetic in his business affairs, frank, generous and hospitable in his social inter- course with his fellow men.

PETER GUNDERSON .- Among the men who have steadily worked their way from poverty to affluence in Snohomish county, coming within its bounds in pioneer days and toiling steadily with

brain and brawn in an effort to subdue the land and render its riches available to man, the worthy pio- neer, Peter Gunderson, is deserving of a prominent place. Not ambitious for political preferment or personal aggrandizement, he belongs to the honest toiling class, who are the real strength and the proudest boast of any community. Coming to the Stanwood country in the middle 'seventies when land of good quality could be had for from ten to fifteen dollars per acre, he has seen the same lands advance until they are now worth fifteen times that sum. He has had his full share of profit from this advance, and is entitled to a full share of the credit for helping to bring it about through his contribu- tions to the general progress.

Mr. Gunderson was born in Norway, August 26, 1846, the son of Gudman Gunderson, who also was a native of Norway, born June 15, 1814, but who came to America with his family in 1866. He lived in Minnesota a year, then went to South Da- kota, where he farmed until his demise in 1888. Our subject's mother, Johanna ( Peterson) Gunder- son, was born in Norway June 29, 1815, and died in South Dakota in 1893.

The Mr. Gunderson of this article lived with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-two, then, in 1868, worked for farmers. He was thus employed and in farming on his own account in South Dakota until 1876, in which year he came to Snohomish county. Purchasing eighty acres of the place of which he is proprietor, three miles north of Stanwood, he began in good earnest the strug- gle for a competency. The land had been partly diked and he completed the process as soon as pos- sible. To his original property sixty acres more have been added, and the whole have been cleared, diked and brought to a high state of cultivation. While Mr. Gunderson gives most of his attention to hay and oat raising, frequently harvesting one hundred bushels to the acre on the average of the latter crop, he is a believer in diversified farming and keeps fifteen dairy cows besides other cattle, fifty head of sheep and a few hogs and horses. He has every reason to be, and is, well satisfied with the Stillaguamish country. His appreciation of its worth was, he says, heightened by a three-month visit to his old home land, which he made some eight years ago. While it is true that such men as he would get along well wherever their lot might be cast, it is also true that he owes to the resources of the Stanwood country. as well as to his own energy and good judgment, the fact that he is the owner of 140 acres of bottom land worth over two hundred dollars per acre. He has in addition one hundred acres of land on Eby Island, in the 3900- acre tract now being dyked that it may be put in cultivation ; also some lots in Everett, and a dwell- ing in Mount Vernon, where he expects to make his home.

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In the state of Minnesota in 1868 Mr. Gunder- son married Miss Betsy Larsen, daughter of Linus Larsen, a native of Norway, who eventually came to Minnesota and passed away there some ten years ago. Her mother was also a native of Norway, and she also died in Minnesota. Mrs. Gunderson was born on Independence Day, 1846. She and Mr. Gunderson had the following children, namely : Julia C. Lund, now dead; Mrs. Paulina B. Brant, Henry, Bertram, Mrs. Josephine M. Dahlgren, Mrs. Marie Holte, Marta Ovenell, Elmer, Emma, George and Ella E., living. The family belongs to the Lutheran church, and in politics Mr. Gunder- son is a Republican.

HORACE A. GREGORY, one of the promi- nent citizens of Granite Falls, Washington, was born in Steuben County, New York, August 16, 1841. His father, Horace G. Gregory, was a native of Delaware County, New York, born in 1805. Coming to Illinois in 1847 he farmed for eight years, then went to lowa, remaining till 1869, at which time he located in Rock county, Minnesota, and he made that his home for the remainder of his life. He died in 1871. Sarah (Vernold) Gregory. the mother, was also a New Yorker, the date of her birth being 1809. Her death occurred in Iowa in 1887. She was the mother of nine children, eight of whom grew to maturity, and six of whom still live. Horace A. Gregory was the sixth child. He has two brothers living in Washington, J. C. Greg -... ory, of Newport, and E. S. Gregory, of Everett. Mr. Gregory acquired his education in the common schools. He moved with his parents to Illinois be- fore there was a railroad in the state. When he paid his first visit to Chicago that city had a population of 3,000, and had yet to build its first dock. When the family migrated to Iowa, he went thither also, and he was residing there at the breaking out of the Civil War. He was one of five brothers who re- sponded to the call of their country, enlisting in July, 1861, in Company B., Seventh Iowa Infantry, but one brother died before being mustered into serv- ice. Mr. Gregory's first engagement was at Bel- mont. He was twice wounded during the battle, and was held a prisoner for seven days during which time his wounds were not even bathed. As a result of his injuries he was mustered out in 1862, but as soon as he was able to perform garrison duty he reenlisted as sergeant in Company E. Forty- Seventh Iowa Volunteers, and he served from that time until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He still carries Southern lead in his shoulder. Going, after leaving the army, to Rock County, Minnesota, which at that time had but five families residing within its boundaries, he lived there five years, and

at Louverne learned the printer's trade. In October, 1844, he started for Seattle, Washington, going by way of San Francisco and Victoria, British Colum- bia, the trip lasting three weeks. He proceeded at once to Snohomish, then composed of seven houses,. a store, hotel and saloon. The nearest mill was at L'tslady. He located a homestead three miles north. of town, to which he was obliged to build a road, but the next few years were spent mostly in work- ing out at whatever he could find to do, while he was- holding his claim. He moved up the Snoqualmie river in 1887, and a year later settled at Hartford, purchasing land near the latter town. He made that his home for twelve years, coming thence to Granite Falls, his present home. He assisted in building the first school house in the town in 1893. Since set- tling here he has not been engaged in the strenuous activities of life.

Mr. Gregory was married in 1864 to Mary J. Fleenor, of Indiana, who was born May 31, 1847, the daughter of Nicholas and Sarah (Calor) Flee- nor. Her father, born in Virginia June 17, 1811, was a well known pioneer of both Iowa and Indiana. He died in 1896. His father, a slave holder in the South, was driven to seek a home in Indiana on ac- count of his Republican views. The Civil War cost him the lives of two sons. The mother was a Vir- ginian, born September 6, 1815. After a lifetime of devotion to husband and family she died July 27,. 1886. She was the mother of eleven children, Mrs. Gregory being the fifth, and the oldest of those now -living. Mr. and Mrs. Gregory have two children, Grant and Frank, who are both married and living with their families at home. They own and operate a bolt camp, and also manage the ranch, having all things in common. That the home and all the busi- ness affairs are conducted in a perfectly satisfactory and harmonious manner is a delicate tribute to the character of the various members of the family whose tact and consideration for each other make possible such a happy arrangement. Mr. Gregory is a member of the William Hall Post, Number 107, of the Grand Army, and is also identified with the Masonic fraternity. He is a loyal and enthusiastic Republican, always taking an active part in political affairs. In 1870 he was one of the three commis- sioners who organized Rock County, Minnesota. He was elected chairman of the board of commission- ers, also was clerk of the district court. He also held this latter position in Snohomish county, being elected clerk of the first district court that convened in 1876, with Judge Lewis in the chair. He re- tained this position five years. The office of county auditor was his in 1882, but after holding it one year he resigned. During his long residence in Snoho- mish County he has been forceful in promoting its growth and development, contributing largely to its

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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 175

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