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 181

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 181
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 181

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In 1883, in New York, Mr. Olsen married Miss Christiana Olsen, like himself a native of Denmark, the daughter of John Olsen. The year of her birth is 1856. She remained with her parents in the old country until coming to the United States in 188 ?. In political views Mr. Olsen is a Socialist ; in frat- ernal connection a member of the Danish Brother- hood. Mr. Olsen at present has ten head of dairy cows and six head of stock cattle.

ANDREW B. MICKELSON, a farmer two and a half miles north of Cedarhome, is one of the interesting characters of this section of Snohomish county. He has lived on his homestead, taken up in 1884, leading the life of a bachelor and observing the affairs of the great world outside with very little excitement. Mr. Mickelson comes of a family of long life, and though himself past the half-century mark of existence is hale and hearty. He was born in Norway December 6, 1819, the youngest of six children of Mickel and Anne ( Davidson ) Hansen. The father was born in 1807 and was still living when, five years ago, his Puget sound son last heard from him. His father, the grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, lived to the remarkable age of ninety-nine years. Mrs. Hansen, born in 1806, was also living when her son received his last communi- cation from his native land. The children of this re- markable couple, in addition to Andrew, are Lars, Corinne, Hans, Peter and Annie. Mr. Mickelson attended school until he was fifteen years of age. though he says that the school was a poor one, and he merely obtained the rudiments of an education.

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Until he was twenty-nine he led a rather desultory life, working at odd jobs and doing the best he could. In 1818 he came to this country, and after passing three years in Minnesota as a farmhand, came to the Puget sound country. He spent three years in Seattle at work of all kinds ; then, in 1884, came to Snohomish county and located on his pres- ent place. selecting one hundred and sixty acres as a homestead. When Mr. Mickelson first came to the vicinity of Cedarhome the forest was in its virgin state and means of communication and transporta- tion were few. He brought his supplies and house furnishings part way by boat, then came some dis- tance with pony and sled and finished the journey, carrying his belongings on his back. He com- menced the work of clearing the place at once, but has been in no hurry to strip the ground of its wealth of timber. Eight acres have thus far suf- ficed for his wants, for he leads the simple life and enjoys the solitudes of the woods. In politics he is a Republican. He milks two cows and has three stock cattle, along with forty head of sheep. He is an agreeable man, well liked by those with whom he comes in contact, satisfied to live his life in his own way without striving after ideals and formal- ities concerning which many people vie with each other.

NILS O. EKSTRAN, whose dairy farm lies one mile north of Cedarhome, is one of the successful farmers of the Cedarhome section of Snohomish county. His dairy business is flourishing and he is recognized as one of the substantial business men of the community. Mr. Ekstran was born in Swe- den in 1856, the son of Ole and Nellie (Nelson) Ekstran. In his carly life the elder Ekstran was in the Swedish army for seven years, but later in life he became a farmer, and he is still thus engaged in the old country. Mrs. Ekstran died in Sweden in 1899, leaving five children, namely: Nels O., Par- melia. John, who is living in Brooklyn ; Nellie and Mary. Nils O. Ekstran attended the Swedish schools until he was fifteen years of age, and made his home with his parents until he was twenty-five. He worked out for farmers in his home land until 1881. then came to the United States and located in Minnesota, where for two years he was engaged as a farmland. He came to Washington in 1883 and, after passing three months in Seattle, settled in Skagit county, where he worked out for a year, then renting a place for three years. This venture was entirely successful, but Mr. Ekstran decided to cast his fortunes in with Snohomish county, so came to Stanwood in 188S. A year as farm employe was followed by another as operator of a leased farm, then, in 1890, he purchased of John Anderson his pleasant place of forty acres. He at once com- menced to clear the land of its timber and now has twenty acres under cultivation, with the remainder

in condition for pasture. Soon after obtaining oc- cupancy of this land, Mr. Ekstran erected his mod- ern seven-room house, in which he has since made his home.

In 1889, at Seattle, Mr. Ekstran married Miss- Hannah Swanson, daughter of Ben and Cecelia (Ol- son) Swanson, natives of Sweden and parents of six children-Swan, Bertha, Hannah, Olaf, Lena and August. Mlrs. Ekstran was born in Sweden in 1866 and emigrated to the United States when twenty years of age, coming directly to Skagit county, where she had friends. For three and a half years before becoming the bride of Mr. Ekstran she sup- ported herself by her own exertions. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ekstran: Hattie, Nellie, Ruth, Edna, Herbert and Hazel. In his political relations Mr. Ekstran had allied himself with the Populists up to 1904, but since that time- he has been impressed with the policies of President Roosevelt and is now a firm supporter of that ex- ccutive. In lodge affiliations he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and also is in the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Insurance Association. The family are members of the Methodist church. In addition to his home farm, Mr. Ekstran leases twen- ty-three acres of bottom land along the Stillaguam- ish river. Mr. Ekstran has been very successful since branching out for himself, his energy and thrift accomplishing much toward establishing him as one of the forceful factors of the business com- munity.

WESLEY J. FENLASON, one of the well known pioneers of Snohomish county, now residing at Florence, was born in Crawford, Maine, Novem- ber 6, 1837. His parents, William and Betsey (Scavey) Fenalson, were also natives of Maine. The father died in 1860, at the age of seventy-eight ; the mother, in 1859, aged sixty-six. The youngest of a family of ten children, Wesley J. Fenlason, re- ceived his education in the common schools, leaving home at the age of seventeen. He went to Lincoln, Maine, and worked on a farm for four years, until on account of his father's failing health he was needed at home. After the death of his father he continued to farm for several years, and then de- cided to find an opening in the Northwest. Leaving the East in 1868 he at length located on Port Susan, and in 1875 wrote to his wife, who had remained in Maine to sell the farm and join him. After en- gaging in the logging business for nine years, he then took full charge of a logging camp on the Stillaguamish river, owned by James Long. Hav- ing sold his property on Port Susan, he invested in the farm upon which he now resides, whither he moved his family. A part of the land was covered with stumps, the balance was in timber and tide land. At the close of six years spent in the logging camp, he began work on the farm, and now has one

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hundred and twenty acres in an excellent state of cultivation and sixty-eight unimproved. His prin- cipal crops are hay and oats. He is extensively in- terested in dairying, having a fine herd of fifty-five milch cows. Jersey and Holstein, crossed. He also has a large number of fine hogs, Chester White and Berkshire. Prior to 1898 he made his home on the bottom lands of his farm, he having built his house, barns and warehouse there. The river devastated these low lands, destroying his orchard and render- ing it necessary for him to tear down his buildings and rebuild on the hill beyond. That involved great labor and expense, but he cheerfully met the dis- aster, and is now enjoying a large measure of pros- perity.

In 1856, Mr. Fenlason and Mary A. Munson were united in the bonds of wedlock. Mrs. Fen- lason was born in 1838, the daughter of Jonathan and Margaret (Tinker) Munson, both of whom were natives of Maine. Her father died in 1887, aged eighty-five ; the mother, several years previous. at the age of seventy-five. Gladly sharing the toils and privations incident to the life of the early set- tlers in the desolate wilds of the Northwest, Mrs. Fenlason made happy the little home by her sun- shiny presence and manifold charms. When re- verses came her undaunted faith banished their gloom. A devoted wife and mother, a kind, sympath- etic neighbor and friend, her death in November, 1904. threw a shadow over the entire community. The following children were born to this happy union : Mrs. Ella A. Rowell. of Ellensburg. Wash- ington ; David A., of California; Vine, at home ; Mrs. Ida M. Hanson, who with her husband lives at the old home; Mrs. Emma Harrison, of Seattle; Mrs. Lilla B. Holcomb. of Florence. Two others, twins. died in early infancy. Mr. Fenlason is a prominent Mason. In politics he is independent. casting his ballot in each instance for the man, and, as for himself, never aspiring to any political office. The Methodist church claims him as a loyal mem- ber. A thoughtful, earnest man, broadened by the experiences that have befallen him. Mr. Fenlason is an influential citizen, honored and respected by his fellow men.

LOUIS I. FLO. whose carcer is a splendid il- lustration of what may be accomplished by a young man possessed of energy, ambition, and sound busi- ness principles, was born in Norway October 1. 1847. the son of Ivar and Bertha (Erasmusson) Stevenson. The parents, both natives of Norway, are deceased. the father having died many years ago, the mother. in 1895, at the age of ninety. Seven children were born to this union. Louis I. Flo being the youngest. Like many of the successful men of all times. he became self-supporting when a mere hoy. and thus carly developed the sturdy elements of character that were to play such an important

part in his after life. Taking up the work that first presented itself, he farmed for five years, acquiring his education by diligent use of the opportunities af- forded by the common schools. Though his father had for years been a successful farmer in Flo, Nor- way, it was not long before Louis decided to fit him- self for some other occupation. Choosing the car- penter trade, le at once applied himself to master- ing its details, and he followed that work for six years. Naturally fond of the water and a life of ad- venture, he then went to sea, making long voyages to distant countries, and sailing almost around the world during the eight years thus spent. It was a wonderful experience for a young man of an observ- ing turn of mind. and influenced his whole subse- quent life. Returning to Norway, he was forced to serve two years in the army, in accordance with the laws of that country. At the expiration of this time he came to the United States, locating in Minnesota. Undaunted by the fact that he had barely ten dollars in his pocket. he soon found employment in the lum- bering camps of the neighboring state, Wisconsin, near Menominee, and remained three years. Going thence to Faribault County, Minnesota, he farmed two years, and then invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land. Two years later he purchased another tract, comprising eighty acres. He was this engaged for the following twenty-eight years, at the end of which time he disposed of his property and came to Florence, Washington. Prior to taking up his permanent residence here, he made an extended tour through Idaho, Utah. Montana and Washing- ton in search of a desirable location. The result of his careful study of the conditions found in these several states was that he bought one hundred and forty acres in Florence, Washington, which he con- sidered possessed advantages afforded by no other section that he had visited. He now has one hun- dred acres of this farm in an excellent state of cul- tivation, the balance is in valuable timber. His principal products are hay and oats. He also has a fine dairy, to which he devotes careful attention.

Mr. Flo was married September 1, 1828, to Sarah Hausen, a native of Minnesota. Her parents, Andrew and Martha (Cjos) Ilausen. both born in Norway, came to the United States in 1860 on their wedding journey and established a home in Min- nesota. The father died in 1900 ; the mother is now living with her son, Doctor Otto Hausen, a well known physician of Forest City, Iowa. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Flo, as follows: Mamie, who died in infancy ; Mamie, sec- ond, died in 1900, at the age of twenty-one years ; Mrs. Betsey Peterson, of Faribault County. Min- nesota : Ivar, born Angust 9, 1881 : Andrew, March, 23, 1886: Manda, in 1886: Sarah, in 1889 ; Laura, in 1891; Martha, in 1893; Rasmus died in infancy ; Ruth, Stephen and Mina. Mr. Flo is a loyal member of the Republican party and he and his family at-

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tend the Lutheran church. To visit Mr. Flo's splen- did farm, thoroughly equipped with all the modern appliances for successful work, an estate easily worth $20,000, remembering that the sum of his cap- ital wa's at one time a paltry ten dollars, is to be im- pressed with his remarkable energy and skillful management. His upright character, sterling worth and extensive property hoklings render him a man of great influence in the community.

LARS P. HANSON. one of the influential citi- zens of Florence, Washington, residing one-half mile west and an equal distance south of town, was born in Norway July 22, 1865. His father, Paul Hanson, also a native of Norway, immigrated te the United States in 1842. He became a resident of Washington twenty-four years ago. His death oc- curred at Florence in 1900. Mary (Snakweik) Hanson, the mother, also a native of Norway, died at Florence in 1901, the mother of four children. One son, Ilans, was killed in Michigan in 1883, and a daughter, Elizabeth, died at Florence in 1894. Few educational advantages were possible to Lars Hanson, who was engaged in helping his father clear a place for a home in the dense forests at the age when he. if conditions were otherwise. would have been in school. Of a bright, inquiring turn of mind, however. he in later life made good the loss of early training, and received his preparation for life's duties in the wider school of experience. His parents having moved to Washington, he found em- ployment in the woods, after working for some time on the farm owned by James Long. In 1897 he pur- chased seventy-seven acres of land near Florence. which he farmed, together with two other pieces of property up the river for a period. During the fol- lowing years he frequently invested in real estate, which he in turn sold. In July, 1904, he became the owner of the one hundred and forty-acre farm on which he now resides.

Mr. Hanson and Lena Wald were united in mar- riage November 25, 1894. Mrs. Hanson was born in Norway, and came West with her sister, now the wife of Ole Eide, of Stanwood, Washington. Her father is still living in her native country ; the mother died before her daughters left home. Five children have gladdened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hanson : Inga, Hannah, Peter, Edwin and Oscar. Mr. Hanson is a thorough believer in Republican principles. Among the minor positions he has held is the office of road supervisor. He and his family attend the Lutheran church, to which he contributes liberally. He has a splendid farm, all under culti- vation, the principal products being oats and hay. He is also interested in dairying, has a large herd of fine cattle, and by careful attention to details re- alizes a substantial income from this source alone. His beautiful twelve-room house, modern in all its

appointments, is the finest home to be found in this entire locality, and reflects the owner's taste as well as his care for the happiness of his wife and family. A man of strict integrity and excellent business abil- ity, Mr. Hanson enjoys the confidence of all his ac- quaintances.

JOHN B. LEE. one of Stanwood's thrifty, pros- perous agriculturists, was born in Ottertail County, Minnesota, March 13, 1869. His father, Berg O. Lee, a native of Norway, came to the United States in early life and was a resident of Wisconsin at the ontbreak of the Civil War. He answered his adopted country's call for volunteers, and enlisted in the Fifteenth Wisconsin regiment. He and his wife. Olena ( Kranshans) Lee, also of Norwegian birth, are now living with the son whose name forms the caption for this article. The father is seventy-two years of age; the mother ten years younger. John B. Lee spent his boyhood on the farm in Minnesota, acquiring an education and also a practical knowledge of farming. In 1887 he came West to Tacoma, Washington, remaining four years, during which he was employed by the Northern Pacific railroad as boiler-maker. Leaving there in the early nineties, when the hard times began to be felt in all lines of trade. he located in Norman, Washington, and leased a farm for a period of eight years. For about six months out of the year the roads were impassable, thus making the work very difficult and unsatisfactory. At the expiration of the lease in 1895 he went to Alaska, and was quite successful, at one time purchasing the claims on Eldorado Creek owned by "Klondike" Anderson. He resided in that country till 1898, returning with sufficient means to buy the one hundred and thirty- three-acre farm on which he now lives. Twenty- five acres of this land had been cleared. The fol- lowing year he made another trip to the gold fields of Alaska, remaining five years. He has since de- voted his entire time to the cultivation of his farm, has now forty acres under cultivation, devoted to diversified farming and dairying. He owns a fine herd of Jersey cattle.

Mr. Lee was married July 1, 1899, to Lillian DeVoe, a native of Chicago, Illinois. Her parents, both deceased, were of French nativity. Mr. Lee is a member of the Fraternal Brotherhood of America. Although never taking an active part in political matters, he is a loyal supporter of Republicanism. The energy, ambition and upright business prin- ciples that have won for him his present financial success, have also secured the confidence and re- spect of his fellow citizens.

PETER NESS, Whose comfortable estate lies one mile southeast of Florence, is one of the well-

Lars P. Hanson

Mrs Lars Person

Residence

MR. AND MRS. LARS P. HANSON AND RESIDENCE

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOK TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

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known farmers of this part of the county. He was born in Norway September 27, 1846, the son of John and Ingobar ( Barosdatter) Peterson, both of whom spent their lives in Norway, their native land. Leaving home at the age of twelve. Peter Ness found employment as a herder of cattle in the sum- mer months, and in the woods during the winter. He was cruelly treated by his employer, and allowed very few educational advantages, hence he deter- mined to seek another opening. Finding employ- ment in a flour mill, where his diligent efforts to please were appreciated, he remained seven years. For a number of years following he was engaged in fishing, but knowing that the United States offered great inducements to thrifty, energetic young men, he immigrated in 1882, locating first in Minneap- olis, Minnesota, where he worked in a lumber yard six months. He, in company with three others, left for Seattle that year. His acquaintances tried in every way to discourage him, prophesying dire mis- fortune if he located in the "wild and woolly west." the only inhabitants of which, according to their belief, were thieves and robbers. Disregard- ing their well-meant but mistaken counsel, he lo- cated at Stanwood, Washington, after a two weeks stay in Seattle. A few months later he re- moved to Pilchuck, Snohomish county, and took a homestead there, which he hekl for the next ' four years. While a resident of Stanwood he and C. Oleson, now in Norway, built the first piledriver in the town, and drove the piles used in the con- struction of the first boom and wharf built here. He took contracts for this kind of work for the next three years, then sold out and returned to his native country in 1888. Eight months later he brought his bride to Stanwood, and soon pur- chased fifty-five acres, all densely covered with the finest kind of cedar timber, which at that time was of no use save to build the rude houses and barns, there being no market for it. Clearing a small plot of ground, he erected a cabin and at once began the arduous undertaking of clearing the land. He, now has thirty-five acres in cultivation, devoting it almost entirely to dairying.

In 1888 Mr. Ness married Karan Martha OkIstat- ter Dybwad, who gladly shared with him the toils and privations of those early pioneer days. Her par- ents have never visited America. In political belief Mr. Ness adheres strictly to Republican doctrines, but he has never cared to participate actively in po- litical affairs. Ile and his worthy wife attend the Lutheran church. During his extended residence here Mr. Ness has been permitted to witness mar- velous changes in the surrounding country, and has rejoiced to see the "wilderness blossom as the rose" under the skillful management of pioneers like himself, who believed in the glorious future of this wonderful Northwest.

HALVOR P. HUSBY. Among the hardy pio- neers of Snohomish county whose brave endur- ance of the manifokl hardships and dangers of those early days has made possible the splendid growth and development of today is found Halvor P. Husby, a native of Norway, born in April, 1859. His parents, Peter and Magnild Husby, still live in Norway, the land of their birth. Mr. Husby is the fifth of a family of eleven children. He spent the first twenty-two years of his life on his father's farm, acquiring a practical knowledge of the work which has claimed so large a share of his atten- tion. He then decided to seek an opening in the United States, and sailed in 1881. Locating in Stockton, California, he remained a year and a half, coming thence to Stanwood, Washington, in the fall of 1882. After farming and working in the woods for a time he took up a homestead con- sisting of 160 acres, a mile west of Norman, on which he now resides. At that date. 1885, it was all densely covered with timber. There were no roads, the only means of bringing supplies from Stan- wood being by canoe, and mail reached him but once a week. Two cows that he brought with him when he settled on the claim were nearly lost before reaching their destination. Several years elapsed before wagon roads were con- structed. Year by year he has been engaged in clearing his land, and now has twenty-five acres in meadow, and thirty-five in pasture. He is exten- sively interested in dairying, has thirty head of graded stock, and is a member of the Stanwood Co-operative Creamery Company.

Mr. Husby was married in 1884 to Annie Hal- seth, a native of Norway, who in childhood came with her parents to the United States. They set- tled first in Dakota, but later became residents of Silvana, Washington. She having been a lady of remarkable strength and sweetness of character. Mrs. Husby's death in 1891 was the occasion of especially profound sorrow in the community. She was the mother of three children, Gunder. Peter and a baby who died in infancy. Mr. Husby is a member of no political party, preferring to vote for the man whom he deems best fitted to fill the office. lle is one of the prosperous and influential citizens of the region, possessing the good will and respect of all with whom he is associated.

SIGWARD J. EDSBERG, whose farm of eighty acres lies on the Highland road to Silvana east of Stanwood, has been very successful in his opera- tions since coming to Snohomish county a decade and a half ago. He has cleared two farms in the forest: now operates a dairy and is in excellent circumstances. Mr. Edsberg was born in Nor- way September 22, 1861, the oldest of the six children of Johnnes and Caroline (Martenson)

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Edsberg, natives of the land of fjords, who are still living in the country of their nativity. Sig- ward J. Edsberg remained at home with his par- ents until his marriage in 1885. He then, after having passed another year in Norway, came to' the United States with his bride to make a home. Their first stop was in Minnesota, where he worked at farming for two years, following which he came to the Puget sound country and passed two years in Seattle, doing contract work in clearing land. Mr. Edsberg then came to Snohomish county and preempted forty acres of timber land near Bry- ant, later homesteading 160 additional acres, on which he remained seven years, clearing it for crop and pasture. On selling out he purchased eighty acres of timbered land, where he now lives. Of this tract he has cleared twenty-six acres and on it is carrying on a dairy business, with eight cows at present constituting his herd. The farm is a model one of its kind, comfortable, convenient and well equipped.

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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 181

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