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 195

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 195
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 195

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GEORGE W. ANDERSON, farmer and dairyman residing a mile northwest of Granite Falls, one of the leaders in his community, bears the distinction of being the first settler in that sec- tion of Snohomish county in addition to being an early pioneer of both that and Skagit counties. . \s is the case with many of Puget sound's pioneers, he is a native of the old Pine Tree state, and was born November 11, 1857, at Dover, the son of David and Sarah E. (Hassell) Anderson. The elder Ander- son was born in Maine also, in 1828. of Scotch de- scent, belonging to a family which for generations had lived along the Atlantic coast. When barely of age he joined the rush to the newly discovered Cali- fornia gold fields, rounding the Horn in 1819, among the first of Maine's argonauts. Upon his return East he engaged in farming and while so occupied passed away in 1882. Mrs. Anderson, the mother of George W., is a native of the Old Bay state. de- seended from one of its oldest families, and is at present residing with Mr. Anderson at the ripe age of seventy-seven. The subject of this biography attended the common schools of his native state and later the Foxcroft Academy. Until he was twenty years of age he remained with his parents on the farm. then detemined to try his fortune in the far West. crossing the continent to Portland and the Willamette valley. In September, 1878, he came north to LaConner, Whatcom county, and assisted

Olaf Polson to harvest his crop on Brown's slough. Shortly afterward Mr. Anderson joined the army of prospectors engaged in exploiting the Ruby creek mines at the head of the Skagit river, spending two summers and one winter there. He, Porter Durley, Charles Bramer, and W. II. Davis owned the "Rough and Ready" placer, at the mouth of Ruby creek, claimed to have been the best mine in the (liggings. At first the owners made money, but eventually a disastrous washout of their dam, an expensive one, swept away their means and they were forced to sell out at a sacrifice. After spend- ing a winter in Seattle, Mr. Anderson worked a short period logging on Hood's canal. being then called East on account of the serious illness and final death of his father. The next year he re- mained in Maine, settling the affairs of the estate. then, accompanied by his mother, came to Snoho- mish City. Early in the spring of Isst he came up the Pilchuck and filed on his present place just at the edge of Granite Falls, locating a short time be- fore William Turner, the second settler. arrived. Mr. Anderson experienced a hard time in reaching his place, crawling on his hands and knees through the brush part of the way. llis brother-in-law. W. HI. Davis, also became one of the early settlers in the vicinity. Mrs. Anderson, the mother of George W., was one of the first white women to settle in the locality. The few settlers there freighted their supplies part way up the valley and packed them in on their backs the remainder of the way. Having located on an old "burn," Mr. Anderson was en- abled to put in a small crop the first year, thus giv- ing inception to his farm. However, he was obliged to work at times in the woods to secure sufficient money with which to improve his place. The carly pioneers spent a month, soon after locating. in building a crude road down the valley. Before he proved up on his homestead. however, he engaged in the logging business one year with Fred Anderson of Snohomish, the firm sending their logs down the Stillaguamish river to Utsalady. After being in the logging business five years. Mr. Anderson withdrew and with II. J. Andrus built a saw-mill near the present town of Machias, which they oper- ated two and a half years. They then leased it to Blackman Brothers and later sold it to the latter. after which Mr. Anderson returned to his ranch to which he has since devoted his entire energies and skill with highly successful results.

Mr. Anderson and Miss Eva I. Andrus, a daugh ter of Horace J. and M. J. ( Parker ) Andrus, were united in marriage December 25, 18 1. She passed away March 26, 1903, after becoming the mother of four children, three of whom survive her : Jennie. Elvie Fay, and David HI. ; Ada A. is deceased. Miss Elizabeth Twogood, the daughter of Barley Two-

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good. a Granite Falls pioneer of 1889, residing in the neighborhood, has since been married to Mr. Anderson. She was born in Michigan, December 28, 1875. Both her parents were born in Michigan and were pioneers of that state, in which she her- self was reared and educated. Mrs. Twogood is cleceased. Mr. Anderson is a charter member of Granite Falls, Camp, No. 8,355, Modern Woodmen of America, and for several years has been consul of this thrifty camp. In politics, Mr. Anderson is also active as a Democrat, being chairman of his pre- cinct committee. He has several times refused to accept the nomination for county commissioner in his district. He has also served as a member of the local school board, thus evidencing in still another way his interest in public affairs and desire to as- sume his full responsibilities of citizenship. His land, two hundred acres, lies in one body and is con- sidered a valuable tract, one of the fine farms of the community. Seventeen cows constitute a select dairy herd on this place, from which he ships cream to Snohomish regularly. A wide-awake, energetic. capable man of affairs, interesting himself in the betterment of the entire section in which he lives, and its earliest pioneer. he is universally esteemed, respected and accounted one of the county's sub- stantial citizens.

JULIUS HANSON, successfully engaged in general farming and dairying just west of Granite Falls, is among the earliest pioneers of that section of Snohomish county. His life has been one of more than ordinary interest, its scope of incidents being spread over a goodly share of the globe. Hc was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, October 8, 1858. to the union of Carl and Sophia Christina ( Samuel- son) Hanson, both natives of Sweden also. The father, a seafaring man, was born July 21, 1821. He was serving as a captain when last heard from years ago, but whether he is now dead or alive is not known to his son. The mother, wife of Captain Hanson, died in 1859, when Julius was only a year and a half old so that of her he remembers noth- ing. The lad attended the common schools of Sweden until the age of fourteen, when, just after confirmation, he joined his father on the sea. Two years later he joined another ship's crew and dur- ing the next ten years his whole life was spent be- fore the mast. At the age of eighteen he shipped on an American vessel and after voyaging for a year reached the United States at the port of New York. During the following six years he shipped from New York to various foreign ports, visiting Eu- rope, South America, India, China, Honolulu and the Philippine islands. While off the Philippine coast his ship encountered a disastrous typhoon which

wrecked the vessel on the coral reefs of Cebu is- land. Little did he then think as he stood among the saved that some day not far distant that territory would be under the protection of the Stars and Stripes after a war with the Spanish people. In 1882 the adventurous sailor rounded the Horn to Frisco and there bade farewell to the sea, his only home for so many years. After fifteen months mak- ing ties in the woods of Mendocino County, Cali- fornia, he came to Snohomish county and engaged in work for Blackman Brothers in their camps near Snohomish City. Two years later, in 1885 he went up the Pilchuck river and took a claim a mile east of the present town of Granite Falls, being among the first settlers in that vicinity, a few of the others being George Anderson, William Turner and W. H. Davis. Mr. Hanson assisted in the building of the best roads and with the others endured all the hardships and dangers incident to pioneering in so isolated a spot in the heavy timber. For a long time he worked on his place in the summer and in log- ging camps during the winters. The old homestead was his home until 1905, when he sold it and pur- chased eighty acres a little more than a mile west of town.

Mr. Hanson and Miss Cora May Messner were married July 3, 1892. She is a native of Michigan, born November 21, 1872, and is the daughter of Lewis A. and Mary E. (Marsh) Messner, pioneers of Granite Falls, whose sketches appear fully else- where in these records. Mrs. Hanson, herself, ex- perienced pioneer life in Snohomish county, com- ing here when a young girl. Four sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, Hilmer Lewis, Vic- tor Ernfrid, Carl Rudolph, and Gustav Oscar. Mr. Hanson is affiliated with the Odd Fellows and the Court of Honor, to which latter order his wife also belongs. Politically, he is an independent voter, always seeking out the best men, realizing that hon- est, competent officials count for more than issues. He is deeply interested in the cause of education. and assisted in organizing the pioneer school district in his community and in erecting the little school- house, built by donations of labor and money. He has also served as road supervisor of his district. Public-spirited, energetic and capable along the dif - ferent lines of activity he pursues, and possessing confidence in the future of his county, Mr. Hanson holds the esteem and respect of his fellow men and deserves the prosperity that has come to him after the hard struggles on a western frontier.

CHRISTIAN BROWNE, whose well improved and sightly farm lies only a mile east of Granite Falls, is one of the honored pioneers of this section of Snohomish county. In his quiet but forceful way

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he has for the past seventeen years devoted his en. ergies and abilities to hewing out a home in the erst- while forest, and at the same time has contributed to the general progress and prosperity of his com- munity. Born in Liebig, Germany, October 22. 1846, he comes of strictly Prussian stock. His father, Christopher Browne, who passed away years ago at the age of eighty-four, was the owner and captain of a canal boat along the river Rhine. Han- nah (Waspffarleng) Browne, the mother of Chris- tian, died previous to her husband's death at the age of seventy-nine. The subject of this review received a good education in the German schools and when sixteen years of age was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade. At the conclusion of his three years' service, or in 1865, he entered the Ger- man army and served during the internal war be- tween the German states preceding the formation of the empire. In 1820, after spending five years at his trade. the ex-soldier re-enlisted, this time enter- ing the army of the empire at the time of the Fran- co-Prussian War. His enlistment was made in the Sixty-seventh regiment, Ninth Army Corps, which was placed for frontier duty along the Danish bor- der for six months. After the war, the young vet- eran of two armies returned to Hamburg and opened a general produce store, which he operated with fair success until July 8, 1823. At that time he sold out and came to the United States. Imme- diately proceeding to Chicago, which city he reach- ed after the great fire, he there spent three years, going east then to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he entered the rolling mills and iron works at Columbia. That place was his home until 1883. when he returned to Chicago, spent a year in that city, and then went to Springfield, Illinois, and re- sumed his old occupation in the steel and iron mills. For several years he was thus engaged in Spring- field, going thence in 1888 to Washington Terri- tory, in company with Joseph Il. Klaus. These men, on the day of Seattle's great fire, were on the upper Pilchuck river locating claims. Mr. Klaus took a homestead upon which he is still living. while Mr. Browne, for a consideration of one hun- dred and seventy-five dollars bought the relin- quishment of a man named Thompson to the place which is still his home. The tract he pre-empted first, but after living on it two years, unsurveyed. Mr. Browne took it as a homestead. The date of his actual settlement on this farm was October 12. 1889. There was but one road into the district and that a very poor one from Machias over which Mr. Browne transported the few household furnishings he brought with him. For many years the farm did not return him a living, compelling him to get out and work for others to obtain the necessaries of life. Now, however, he has a large portion of it

cleared and in cultivation and is reaping the re- wards of honest toil, patient perseverance and un - ceasing energy.

Mrs. Lizzie Beinhauer, also a native of Ger- many, was married to Mr. Browne in Pennsylvania in 1882. She was born in the old country June 10, 1819, and came to the United States with her broth- er Henry in 1868. She was married previous to her union with Mr. Browne. Four daughters and one son have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Browne: Ber- tha, the oldest, aged twenty-four, now the wife of Edward Fawner : Hannah, now Mrs. William Nor- ton ; Katie and Emma, at home; and John, also at home. The married children reside at Granite Falls. The family are communicants of the Lutheran church. Mr. Browne is regarded highly by all who know him, as is also his wife, and he is looked upon as one of the community's sterling men of unques- tioned integrity and stability.

HENRY L. ATWOOD, whose thrifty ranch lies snugly and picturesquely located among the hills two miles east of Granite Falls on Atwood creek, a branch of the Pilchuck river, is one of the true pioneers of Snohomish county. He came to this region when it was in its wild state, more than seventeen years ago, and has not only witnessed its transformation into a prosperous district of farms and towns and mines, but he has in fact contributed personally to this wonderful development of a west- ern frontier. Though born in Boston, Massachu- setts, in the very heart of the populous East, he carly sought the freer' life of the West and like many another young man of his time reached fur- ther and further westward. engaging in the various occupations and meeting with the common exper- iences incident to frontier life, until he finally found himself in Washington Territory in 1887. after hay- ing visited Colorado and the southwestern portion of the United States. Ile followed logging in Kit- sap county for a time, then came northward and in February, 1889, by the aid of a compass located his present ranch, being among the first in this section. His nearest neighbors, and they were miles away, were Julius Hansen down by the Pilchuck, and the small settlement in the vicinity of William Turner at what is now Granite Falls. Mr. Atwood had to build a trail in order to get to his place and for a long time packed in everything on his back, indicat- ing but one of the trials of building a home in the Washington woods. More than two and a half years elapsed before he was able to file on his land, the survey not being made previous to that. He carly joined with his neighbors in builling roads. new trails in asking for a new post-office at Granite Falls, and and in other public matters of vital in-

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terest to the growth of the community. Like many others he was compelled to work out for a time in order to support himself, but of late years has given his ranch his entire attention with the result that he has cleared a large portion of it and otherwise laid the foundation for what will soon be one of the finest, prettiest places in this section of the county. i Recently he has erected a commodious, comfortable dwelling that adds to the value and appearance of the farm.

Mr. Atwood was united in marriage, February 26, 1904. to Mand J. Fay, a native of Hardwick, Vermont. She is the daughter of Frank Fay, a vet- eran of the Civil War, at present engaged in farm- ing, who is descended from American Colonial stock. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Deborah Brown, is also a native of the Green Moun- tain state, and of Colonial stock. Mrs. Atwood was clucated and reared in Vermont and New Hamp- shire. One child has been born to this union : Frank Fay Atwood, born May 11, 1905. Mrs. Atwood be- longs to the Baptist church. Mr. Atwood is affili- ated with one fraternity only, the Odd Fellows. Both he and his estimable wife are esteemed members of the community in which they live while he is re- garded as one of the substantial men of this section, in addition to the position he has attained by reason of his pioneership and the part he has played in the growth of western Snohomish county.

JOHN A. THEURER, successful mill owner of Robe, is one of the well known men of the Pacific Northwest, having been identified with the lumber and milling business since he came to this state in 1889. He is also well known politically, having been a member of the house of representatives at the last session of the state legislature, in which he took a prominent part, being a member of the com- mittees on tide lands, state, school and granted lands, mines and mining, printing and supplies. Mr. Theurer was born at White Lake, Muskegon Coun- ty, Michigan, on New Year's Day, 1863, one of the six children of John and Augusta ( Popkey) Theu- rer, natives of Germany. Mrs. Theurer died in 1898, in her fifty-sixth year, but Mr. Theurer, now eighty-two years of age, is living in Everett, to which place he came two years ago. Jolin A. Theu- rer passed his early life in Montague, Muskegon County, Michigan, where he obtained a common school and academic education. At sixteen years of age he entered the employ of a shingle mill, remain- ing with the company until in 1887 he left Michi- gan and went to New Mexico. He remained there but a short time, however, going on to California, where he resumed work in a shingle mill. Eight-

een months later, in 1889, he came to Snohomish County. Washington, and entered the employ of Blackman Brothers, remaining with that well known lumber firm for the next six months. He then became financially interested in the firm of J. F. Webber & Company, builders of a shingle mill at Cathcart. After operating this mill for some time, Mr. Theurer left it to associate himself with: the lease of R. Hembridge's mill at Granite Falls. For three years this connection continued and at the close of the lease-term, Mr. Theurer came to Robe and purchased a small plant. From that be- ginning in the fall of 1898 he has built up his pres- ent establishment, with a saw-mill of sixty thousand feet daily capacity and a shingle mill with a capacity of one hundred and fifty thousand per day. There is also a planing mill in connection. and he owns as well good timber lands, and a logging railroad about two and a half miles in length.

In April, 1901, Mr. Theurer married Miss Ella Raesch, a native of Michigan who came to Wash- ington with her parents. Mr. Raesch has passed away but Mrs. Raesch is a resident of Robe. In fraternal circles Mr. Theurer is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, and of the Concatenated Order of Hoo Hoos. In politics he is an active Republi- can, though he was a Democrat prior to the time of the assassination of the late President MeKinley. Mr. Theurer is a business man of exceptional abil- ity, a citizen of the best attainments and principles and an efficient public official. No one has been more active in the development of the industrial resources of the Northwest, and as an energetic participant in its progress he is well worthy of prominent mention in these annals.

THEES KACKMAN, the well-to-do pioneer farmer residing one mile south and a mile west of Bryant, was born in Germany March 2, 1866. His parents, Peter and Hedwig (Willers) Kack- man, were also born in that country. The father came to Washington in 1885, and now, at the age of eighty, is making his home with a daughter, Mrs. Metta Enselmann, who lives near Arlington. The mother died in her native land in 1878, aged forty-seven. Thees Kackman is the youngest of a family of six children. He received his education in the schools of his native country. and at the age of seventeen, in company with two sisters, Katrine and Hedwig, sailed for the United States. They located first in Minnesota, remaining there three years on a farm. Deciding to find a home in the Northwest, Mr. Kackman then went to Seattle, and thence to Stanwood. He soon made a trip up the

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river, and a year later took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on which he now lives. It is situated a mile from the Stillaguamish, and at that early date could be reached only by that means, there being no roads. With the exception of a few places where the trees had been burned off, the land was covered with timber. The nearest store and post-office was at what is now known as Silvana, a distance of nine miles down the river. During the first few years he brought all his supplies up the river in a canoe, and then packed them on his back to the ranch. He later made a trail over which an ox team could be driven, and constructed a rude wagon with wheels sawed out of a large fir tree. He still has this relic of those by-gone days in which the old adage, "Necessity is the mother of inven- tion," was every often proved true. With the as- sistance of a neighbor his first cook stove was brought to the cabin, fastened to a pole. While holding his claim he worked out a part of the time to support his family. A school-house was built soon after he came to this locality, and a post-office and store followed in the course of the next three vears.

Mr. Kackman was married March 31, 189 ;. to Selma T. Frenzel, a native of Wisconsin. Her parents, Charles and Elwina T. (Schultz) Fren- zel, both of German nativity, died in Wisconsin, whither they immigrated in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Kackman have had four children, Peter IL., Otto L., Selma E. H .. and Henry, of whom all are living save the youngest, who died June 13, 1905, aged seven months and nine days. Mr. Kackman is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and on political questions he votes an independent ticket. He has held the office of road supervisor for two years. He is known as an earnest, indus- trious, conscientious man, and is respected as such by his fellow citizens. Of his original claim he now has forty acres in crops and pasture, upon which he keeps a fine herd of cattle, devoting much attention to dairying. He is also very successful in raising vegetables, for which he always finds a ready mar- ket. His thrift and good management are apparent on every side, and have enabled him to attain his present prosperity.

SAMUEL S. ERDAHL, one of the honored pioneers of Bryant, Washington, residing one-half mile cast of town, was born in Norway. June 21, 1858. Ilis parents, Samuel S. and Bretha Erdahil. are living in their native country, Norway, the fath- er aged cighty-four, the mother, seventy-three. Of their seven children Samuel S. is the oldest. After receiving his elementary education in the common

schools, he attended a military school for three years. He left home May 24, 1881, to avail himself of the greater opportunities to be found in the United States and, locating in Winnebago County, Iowa, farmed there for some time, going thence to Minnesota. The severe winters of the latter state did not please him, so he decided to try the milder climate of Washington, and in June, 1885, came to Stanwood. Later he filed on the land he now owns and moved onto it. There were but five settlers in Bryant at that early date. Is it was so far from the river, it was necessary to cut a trail, and later, a wagon road to Stanwood. Some idea of the labor involved in this undertaking may be had from the fact that Mr. Erdahl spent his entire time for four months on it, and the other settlers nearly an equal amount of time. Stanwood had the nearest post- office and store. It was eight years after he came before Mr. Erdahl could get a wagon to his house. For the first two years he did not have even a yoke of oxen, and was thus obliged to do all his work by hand. When he eventually became the proud possessor of a cow. in order to provide her with food, he packed hay on his back a distance of two miles. It was no slight task to keep her sup- plied with food, but the luxury of having milk am- ply repaid him for his toil. Every foot of the ranch was covered with timber when he filed on it. He now has twenty acres in cultivation, and one hun- dred and forty in pasture. Dairy interests occupy the larger share of his time and attention. His thorough familiarity with the conditions on which success depends, and his careful attention to details enable him to realize a substantial income from this industry alone.

In the fall of 1881 Mr. Erdahl and Susan Berge were married in Iowa. Mrs. Erdahl was born in Norway and came to the United States at the same time that Mr. Erdahl came. Hler parents are de- ceased. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Erdahl, two of whom, Breta and Harry, are deceased. The others are Samuel, Hannah, Martha, Breta, Harold and Annie S. Although a loyal sup. porter of the Republican party, Mr. Erdahl has never had any desire to take an active part in politi- cal matters. He and his family are identified with the Lutheran church. Possessed of the sterling characteristics that everywhere insure respect and confidence. Mr. Erdahil is a citizen of whom Bryant is justly proud. During his long residence here he has witnessed wonderful changes, and by reason of his vivid recollections of the early days is able to fully appreciate the modern improvements and con . veniences that all are now privileged to enjoy. In a quiet, unassuming way he has contributed his full share to the growth and development of this local- ity, and his influence and means can always be re-

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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 195

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