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 192

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 192
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 192

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er, at Swift & Company's Malleable Iron Works. He was employed by that concern six years, his final leave taking being due to the inauguration of a strike. The same year, 1886, he came west to San Francisco, spent a short time there, then came to Puget sound. Snohomish county attracted him, and with his brother Claes, on the strength of in- formation furnished by a surveyor named Ander- son whom they met in Seattle, he came to his pres- ent place. The trio made the trip together, .Ander- son assisting in the blazing of a trail into the woods from Marysville. A squatter was holding down one claim at the desired spot, but for $110 he wil- lingly transferred his claim to Mr. Johnson, who took it as a homestead. Practically no improve- ments had been made on the place, there were no roads for miles around and everything in the way of supplies had to be packed on one's back from Marysville, itself a village of four houses. Among the things thus transported through the wilds to the little settlement by the brothers was a cook stove, which they brought in by sections. Før weeks at a time they saw no one. except perhaps straying Indians. In the spring of 188; sufficient ground had been cleared for the planting of vege- tables and when the small crop was gathered the potatoes were found to have done especially well. Mr. Johnson devoted himself mainly to clearing his land during the next few years, though much of his time was spent at various odd jobs which he secured and which added welcome amounts to his scanty capital. With the inauguration of work on the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern and Monte Cristo railroads in the vicinity he resumed his old trade as a wagonmaker and assisted in building both roads. In 1895, with his brother Claes and Ernst Eggert. the latter of whom had joined the Johnsons in 1888. Mr. Johnson of this sketch formed a partnership and built a shingle mill at Getchell. It was operated by this firm until 190?, when by the purchase of Peter J. Johnson's inter- ests, Mr. Eggert secured the full ownership of the concern. Mr. Johnson at that time removed to Seattle and erected a residence on East Green Lake Boulevard, which continued to be his home until the summer of 1905, when he returned to his farm. This place consists of 126 acres, well improved. beautifully located and possessing a modern eight- room dwelling. Soon Mr. Johnson expects to en- gage in the dairy business. He also retains his Se- attle property.

On November 30, 1903, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Mrs. Carrie Gummerson, also a na- tive of Sweden, who came to this country in 1900. She is the daughter of Gustavus Vinehart, who re- sides with Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. Fraternally. Mr. Johnson is affiliated with the K. O. T. M. : politi- cally, he is an active Republican, though not strongly partisan. Aways a public-spirited citizen, he took an active part in the organization of the local

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school district and assisted in building the school house upon a tract of land donated by his brother Claes. This brother, who was a true pioneer and an esteemed citizen, passed away in 1895. One other brother, John, resides on an adjoining ranch to Peter J. Jolinson. Mr. Johnson well deserves the rewards he is reaping after a life of toil and sacrifice on the Washington frontier, and is highly esteemed by his neighbors and associates as an hon- est, upright man, thrifty in business affairs, and public spirited and progressive as a citizen.

CALVIN L. HASKELL, a prominent resident of Old Hartford, Washington, has made this state liis home for the past thirty-four years, having moved with his parents to Snohomish when a boy of but twelve years. He was born September 18, 1859, in Mahaska county, lowa. His father, Judge Royal Haskell, was a native of Vermont, born in 1834. After living a few years in Indiana, he im- migrated to Iowa, making the trip with a team, and became one of the well-known pioneers of that state. After coming to Washington he held the offices of probate judge and justice of the peace for many years. He died in Seattle, July 4, 1889. Julia (Kinsman) Haskell, the mother, was born in Pennsylvania in 1837, and died in Snohomish in January, 1886. Calvin L. Haskell is the oldest of a family of six children, of whom two brothers, Howard and Warren, are living at Monroe, Wash - ington, and a sister, in Seattle. His education was secured in the common schools of his native state prior to 1871, at which time the family moved to Snohomish, Washington. Coming from San Fran- cisco, via Portland, to Pumphrey's Landing on the Columbia river, they there took a stage to Olympia and from that point the remainder of the journey was made by water. At Seattle they were obliged to change boats before proceeding to Snohomish, and this last part of the trip occupied from six in the morning till nine in the evening. E. C. Fer- guson was at that time the only business man in Snohomish. There being no hotel, his kind-hearted. wife invited the strangers to her home and made them welcome. In the course of a few weeks the father purchased a farm from David Sheridan, four acres of which were cleared. It was here that Cal- vin Haskell grew to manhood, and acquired the hab- its of thrift and industry which are still his prom- inent characteristics. In 1883 he took up a home- stead on the Pilchuck river four miles front Machias, which could then be reached only by a blazed trail. He and his brother spent a month's time with a team in cutting a road over which a diay could bring the household goods necessary for furnishing a tiny home for his bride. Almost a year elapsed before another settler came to this lo- cality. Previous to this the nearest neighbors lived at Machias. While in many respects a lonely life, it was still full of quiet content and happiness. Mr.

Haskell assisted in establishing the first school, and was a member of the school board for nineteen years, but two years ago he asked to be relieved of the responsibility he had borne so long and so faitli- fully. As other homeseekers located there they all united their efforts in building roads, and travel became much less difficult. While making this his home lie cleared thirty-five acres, and put them into cultivation. In 1903 he abandoned farming, and went to Index where he built a mill for Sylvester Smith. He then located at Edgecomb, contracting for some months. He has recently been appointed deputy sheriff, and is discharging the duties of his office with characteristic faithfulness and ability. In addition to the old homestead, he owns valuable property in Snohomish.

In November, 1883, Mr. Haskell and Mary Greg- ory were united in marriage. Mrs. Haskell was born in lowa in 1862. Her parents, Jasper and Effie ( Powers) Gregory, natives of New York, were pioneer settlers on the Pilchuck river, and hence she too, was raised on the frontier. During her early married life she ably assisted her husband in the arduous task of making a home in the wilder- ness, banishing loneliness by her sweet, womanly presence. Five children have been born to this happy union, Mrs. Agnes Kernan, of Snohomish ; Marion, Effie, Layton and Cecil, all of whom but the oldest daughter are still under the family roof. Mr. Haskell is a member of Odd Fellows lodge, No. 205, at Index, and also of the Woodmen of the World, at Everett. An enthusiastic Republican, he has always taken an active interest in political mat- ters, but has never had any desire to seek political honors for himself. He is a communicant in the Baptist church ; his wife, in the Congregational. He is a man whose sterling worth is at once appreciated by all who are thrown in contact with him either in business or social relations. During the early pio- neer days he was often associated with the Indians, whose treachery is proverbial, but even they recog- nized his manly character, and with but one excep- tion, proved true to the trust he reposed in them. -He is justly considered one of the most popular and influential citizens of the county, one whom any community might be pleased to claim.

CHARLES F. McDONALD, the well known merchant of Hartford, Washington, was born at Troy Corners, Oakland County, Michigan, Febru- ary 13, 1859. His father, John McDonald, a native of Scotland, came to Michigan in boyhood, and was engaged in farming when the call for volunteers came in 1861. He enlisted in the Thirteenth Michi- gan Infantry, and was killed on the famous battle- field of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. Mary (Fawl) McDonald, the mother, was also born in Scotland;

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BIOGRAPIHICAL

she is now living in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of ninety. Of her seven children, Charles F. is the sixth. Throughout boyhood his delicate health inter- fered seriously with his education, most of which he secured after he reached the age of nineteen. He had previously learned the carpenter's trade but did not follow it until some years later. After working on various farms for several years, he went to Da- kota, in 1881 and began farming for himself. Ilail- storms having destroyed his crops two years in suc- cession, he abandoned the work, and spent the next three years at his trade. Eventually deciding to seek a home in the Northwest, he migrated to Scat - tle in November, 1887. He was employed at his trade there for two years, then came to Snohomish county, August 17, 1889, and purchased a ranch where Hartford is now located. Ile then returned to Seattle to secure building materials for a hotel. In addition to the freight charges he was obliged to pay twenty dollars to have the train held twenty minutes while the lumber was unloaded on his farm. The following year he built a store, and he owned and conducted both it and the hotel for seven years, during five years of which he was also post-master. Closing the hotel he moved the store to Hartford Junction, and sold a half-interest to a partner, who soon bought out the other half of the business. Mr. McDonald then moved on his ranch, situated one- half mile out of town, and devoted his entire at- tention to farming for the ensuing five years. Later, his old store having been destroyed by fire, he re- built on the same site in 1901, and has since given his best efforts to building up a large trade.

Mr. McDonald was married in Dakota, August +, 1884, to Mary Curran, who died December 29, 1895. leaving a family of four children. On September 30, 1899, he remarried, Elizabeth Dorning this time becoming his wife. She is a native of Colfax, Wash- ington. Her parents, Peter and Ida (Smith) Dorn- ing, were born in Wisconsin. Her father, who now lives near Machias. Washington, was one of the pioneers in the eastern part of this state. The moth- er is deceased. Of Mr. McDonald's five children, Eva, Lilly, Jennie, Helen, Alice and Fred. all are living except Jennie, who died in 1881, aged four. Mr. MeDonald is active in fraternal circles, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen and the Eagles. In political belief he ad- heres to Republican principles, and loyally supports the party, while in religion he and his family are Congregationalists. Unfortunately Mr. McDonald has had a great amount of sickness in his family. At the time of his first wife's death five of his fam- ily were under the doctor's care, and one child spent an' entire year in the hospital. Notwithstanding the great expense thus incurred, Mr. McDonald has been able by careful management to meet his obliga-

tions and to become firmly established in the mer- cantile business. Ilis upright, manly character has won for him the respect of his fellow citizens, who recognize his sterling worth.

OSCAR SANDMANN, a prosperous farmer re- siding one and one-half miles southwest of Granite Falls, was born February 22, 1860, in Baden, Ger- many, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Simon and Carrie ( Walliser ) Sandmann. The father, a charcoal manufacturer, died in 1862, at the age of forty-five. The mother, eight years her hus- band's junior, died in 1903. She was the mother of four children, three of whom are still living in Ger- many. At the early age of seven Oscar Sandmann began to support himself by working as chore boy on a farm. By diligently improving his limited op- portunities he secured his education in the common schools. When fourteen years old he entered a saw- mill for the purpose of learning the business, spend- ing two years during which he received his board as compensation. He served in the German army in field artillery three years. Having become familiar with the various departments of the lumber busi- ness, he engaged in it till he immigrated to the United States in 1880. Hle located at Eau Claire, Wis- consin, for a year, and then sought an opening in the Ile vast northwest with its wonderful resources. went first to Seattle, making the trip via San Fran- cisco. After a three-months' stop there he pro- ceeded to Snohomish, coming up the river to where he now lives. Here he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. Taking his supplies to Machias on a wagon, he and a Norwegian friend. Ludwig Sandwig, who owned a claim a mile south of his, expected to complete the journey with : canoe. They loaded supplies and tools and hope- fully started on their trip, which proved to be an eventful one. Pushing from shore at one o'clock on Monday, August 1. 1883. they found a log jam im- peding their progress about every ten or twelve rods, thus necessitating the unloading of everything and carrying supplies and canoe over these obstructions. They also encountered numberless sand bars where they were obliged to do the same tedious work over again. At eight o'clock that night they found they had only traversed a mile and a half of the trip. Running on a snag in the swift current of the river. the canoe upset. His comrade lost even his shoes that were in it. They recovered as much as possible of the precious freight, but much of it was lost and a part of what was found was unfit for use. A shot gun and a saw were among the missing tools, Near- ly a month later Mr. Sandmann found the former by diving for it, but the latter is still missing. Moor- ing the canoe, they climbed up on the bank, and

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decided to wait the coming of another day before continuing their pilgrimage. U'ndismayed by the experiences of the previous day. they rose with the dawn the following morning and packed the few belongings they had rescued, along the bank of the river in relay trips. Four days after leaving Ma- chias they reached their destination. Mr. Sandmann erected a cabin, and then returned to Snohomish working in lumber camps while at the same time holding his claim. In 1890 he took up his perma- nent residence on it, beginning the arduous task of clearing the land and putting it in condition to culti- vate. Two years later a lumber company from Snohomish built a mill on his land. In less than a year the enterprise failed completely. thus occasion- ing him heavy losses. A Granite Falls company having built on the same site some two years later, they engaged in business for a time, but soon, how- ever. it shared the fate of the former company. Later, another firm opened up the business again. and made a success of it. In 1901 the Sobey' Manu- facturing Company purchased the mill, and still own and operate it. Mr. Sandmann has now eighty acres in cultivation, devoting it principally to dairying and stock raising. He has a fine herd of Durham cattle. A part of his land is leased to the lumber company. He is also largely interested in city prop- erty, owning besides his home eight other houses which he rents.

Mr. Sandmann was married September 19, 1899, to Annie Rheinhart, a native of Schulenburg, Fay- ette County. Texas, where Mr. Sandmann went for his wife. Iler parents, Andrews and Lena ( Becker) Rheinhart, have been residents of that town since their childhood. Her parents were born in Ger- many. They are farmers and stock raisers. Mr. and Mrs. Sandmann have two children, Oscar and Alvin. Although an active Republican, Mr. Sand- mann has never entertained any political aspira- tions, and has persistently refused to allow his name to come before the public. as a candidate for any office. He and his family are identified with the Catholic church. As a capable, energetic business man he has won a large measure of success. He is also a public spirited, enterprising citizen, cheerfully contributing time and means to the advancement of any enterprise that will prove beneficial to the com- munity. It was through his efforts that the co- operative store was formed in Granite Falls, and this is only an example of his keen, practical judgment.

WILLIAM D. JONES. Among the many men of foreign birth who have found in the United States a home and the prosperity which they sought, is numbered the one whose name initiates this article. He was born in Wales February 10, 1872. His

father, David Jones, the well known hotel proprie- tor of Hartford, Washington, was born in 1851. Margaret (Jones) Jones, the mother, died in 1884, at the age of thirty-three. William D. Jones is the oldest of seven children. His parents having moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania, when he was but five years old. he received his education in the common schools of that state. He began working in the coal breakers at the age of twelve. Three years later he decided to find an opening in the great Northwest of which he had so often heard and came west, lo- cating first in Franklin, Washington, where he re- mained eight years. During the next few years he drifted from one place to another, residing for a time in Wardner, Idaho, in the early 'nineties. He then mined in turn in Alberta, Montana, Vancou- ver island and Colorado. In 188? he determined to find a permanent home and establish himself in business, and after comparing the advantages af- forded by the various states which he had visited in his travels, selected Washington. Subsequent events have demonstrated the wisdom of his choice. Opening a saloon in Lochsly, he conducted it for two years, then removed to Hartford, his present home, where he is still engaged in the same busi- ness.

Mr. Jones was married in 1900 to Mattie Wil- liams, the daughter of a prominent family in Ken- tucky. She herself is a native of Wisconsin. Her parents, Benjamin and Ida Gertrude (Hall) Wil- liams, were both natives of Kentucky. The father died in 1882. The mother, now Mrs. Shackleford, is living at Columbia station, near Seattle. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Bernice G., the date of her birth being August 6, 1901. Mr. Jones is very popular in fraternal circles. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Green River lodge, No. 33, of Franklin, Washington, and of the Redmen ; also holds a life-membership in the Order of Eagles. In politics he adheres to Republican principles, loyally supporting the party in every way. While he does not seek political preferment for him- self, he nevertheless takes an active part in cau- cuses and conventions. He is a young man of good judgment and practical business ability. destined ap- parently to become a man of wealth.

EDWIN J. LANE, of Lochsly, has been promi- nently identified with the progress of Snohomish county for the past fifteen years and is to-day one of its strong business men and public spirited citi- zens. Endowed with unusual executive ability, backed by ceaseless energy, he is among the leaders in the county's development. exploiting its rich re- sources in various ways that demonstrate his faith in the sound country. His activities are not con-

EDWIN J LANE

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN SOUNDAND.

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BIOGRAPHICAL

fined to this county, but branch out into other sec- tions of the state, indicating a broad grasp of affairs.

Born in the latter part of 1863, near Ottawa, Canada, Mr. Lane is the youngest of five children and the only son of John and Sarah ( Worrell) Lane. The elder Lane was born in the ancient city of Quebec in the year 1820, but settled at Ottawa before the Canadian capital had developed into a town of any consequence, engaging in the mercan- tile business. In 1885 he left Ottawa for Toronto, where his death occurred in 1890. Mrs. Lanc. a native of Bryson, Ontario, passed away forty years ago. Edwin J. received his early education in the common schools, at nine years of age doing chores for his board while attending school. At the age of eighteen the young Canadian came west to Lytton, British Columbia, where he secured employment as a bridge constructor on the Canadian Pacific rail- way. He was later transferred to the division along the north shore of Lake Superior, then returned to Donald, British Columbia, and ultimately accepted a position in the bridge department of the Colorado Midland, going to the Centennial state in 1886. Two and a half years later he resigned to accept similar employment with the Denver, Texas & Fort Worth, and at the end of this contract went to Leadville. There he engaged in logging which interested him so much that he decided to seek the greater oppor- tunities this industry offered in the forest covered

Northwest. He reached Seattle in 1889, and for the time being engaged in street improvement work in company with a partner, the firm being Lane & Smart. Some time was also spent in Tacoma, after which Mr. Lane came north, to Port Gardner in the days before the city of Everett was built. Here he did some contract work for the Great Northern Railroad and acquired city property, one parcel of which he still occupies with his city home. Since the construction of the great paper mill in Everett by the Everett Pulp & Paper Company. Mr. Lane has furnished its raw material from the forests of Snohomish county. He is employing seventy-five men in his eamp near Lochsly, one of the largest in the county, equipped with the most modern appli- ances for logging. There, also, he has a farm em- bracing one thousand one hundred acres, known as Woodland Farm, which its owner is developing into a model Puget sound ranch. He is making a spe- cialty of faney bred stock, fruit growing, ete. His penchant for horses lies in the direction of standard bred trotting animals, some of his colts being the offspring of Mckinney, recognized the world over as one of the best stallions in his class. He also has some of Zombro's get. Of Ilolstein cattle Mr. Lane possesses a choice bunch, all registered. Four hun- dred pure bred I. O. C. hogs complete the list of stock to be found upon this well known farm.

Woodland Farm, however, does not comprise all of Mr. Lane's agricultural and stock interests for he has a large interest in a four hundred-acre irrigated tract. six miles from Prosser in Benton county. In both these farms he is associated with A. J. Agnew.

Mr. Lane and Miss Mary O'Reilly, a native of Canada also, were united in marriage in 1890. ller parents, Patrick and Victoria ( Julia ) O'Reilly, are now residents of Seattle. To Mr. and Mrs. Lane four children have been born: Harry, Mary, Bea- trice and Catherine. In church membership, Mr. Lane is an Episcopalian while his wife is a com- municant in the Catholic church. Politieally, he is a Democrat ; fraternally, a member of the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Lane is one of the substantial men of the state, a man of fine qualities of mind and heart, a citizen of public spirit, and a man of marked executive ability, as is shown by the success which has attended the varied lines of activity to which he has devoted himself.

WILLIAM A. CLARK. a prominent citizen of Machias, Washington, residing one-half mile north- east of town, was born in Winnebago County, Wis- consin, December 26, 1853. His father, Silas P. Clark, was born in Vermont June 26, 1824, settled in Wisconsin in early life and made that his home for many years. Several years after his sons located in Washington, he came hither also, and was living here at the time of his death, April 21. 1901. Eliza- beth M. (Hunt ) Clark, the mother, was a native of Mansfield, Ohio, born August 2, 1832. Her death occurred December 10, 1900. Of her eight children all but one are residents of Michigan. Owing to his father's ill health, William A. Clark began to sup- port himself when but twelve years of age, finding employment in the woods and mills for a time; an 1 later sailing on the Great Lakes. In 1812 he came to Washington via San Francisco in which city he was obliged to wait five days for a boat to carry him to the sound. Ile remained nine days in Seat . tle. then proceeded to Snohomish, at that time a very small town, and in a week he and his wife were hired to go to a logging camp on the Pilchuck. Loading all their earthly possessions in a canoe they went at once to the camp. Three months later, hav- ing located the land on which he now lives, he gave up his position and settled on the ranch. In the fall of that year, 1871, all the logging camps in Snoho- mish county abandoned work, and as a natural re- sult the mills were also closed. When Mr. Clark took up his residence here his nearest white neigh- bors were two miles away. His entire housekeep- ing outfit consisted of a cook stove, and even this proved to be a formidable burden, for the only way to reach his claim was by the river, which was so

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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 192

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