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 202

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 202
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 202

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JOHN A. SWETT. Among the few business and professional men of Snohomish county who can claim the distinction of having been born within its limits. is numbered John A. Swett, the enter- prising editor of the Sultan Star. His birthplace was Snohomish City and the date of his birth Feb- ruary 11. 18:1, at a time when this town was prac- tically the only one in the county.

John H. and Martha ( Burham) Swett, the par-

ents of the subject of this biographical review, are natives of Maine, both descended from Colonial stock. Actor Swett, the father of John H., was the son of a patriot of the Revolutionary period in American history, and was successively a sailor. farmer and lumberman. At but twenty years of age John H. Swett, who was born June 2, 1841, in Washington county, came to the Pacific coast, via lanama, and was engaged at various occupa- tions in the Golden State until May, 1864. At that time he came north, stopping at Portland, Victoria and finally reaching Port Townsend. A period of logging followed on Hood's Canal and the White river near Seattle. In the fall of 186; he pur- chased a team and commenced logging for himself at Pleasant Elarbor. continuing in business success- fully until 1820, when he visited his old home in Maine. On his return he went to Hood's Canal. where he was employed until March, 1873, that date marking his permanent settlement in Sno- homish county. Three years later he was compelled to retire from the woods because of a crushed leg. In 1846 he was chosen county auditor and served the county with great credit two full terins. Since that time Mr. Swett has been engaged in the transfer business at Snohomish to which he brought the first team of horses. He has served his city as councilman for several terms and is con- sidered one of the substantial citizens of his conti- munity. well worthy of a place among its honored pioneers. Mrs. Martha ( Burham) Swett is a daughter of Captain George Burham, who served as an officer in the War of 1812. Before her mar- riage she taught school in Maine several years. She was born in 1843, and married December 5 1814. at Portland, Oregon, having come west alone for the purpose of marrying the man of her choice. Of their two children, both sons, the younger is George B., born October 11, 1882. now in the en- ploy of the Northern Pacific at Snohomish.

John A. Swett, after receiving a careful educa- tion in the schools of his native town. entered the office of the Daily Sun, owned by Will J. Sawyer. to learn the printer's trade. Naturally fond of journalistic work, he desired to have a practical knowledge of all its details, and so rapidly did he acquire this training that he was soon able to enter the employ of the Seattle Times and the various papers published in Everett. For two years, just prior to the founding of the Sultan Star. Septem - ber 2. 1905, he was employed on the Monitor of Monroe, Washington. The Star is a well written. four-page paper. which although in its infancy. gives evidence of vigorous life. It is independent in political matters, as is also its editor, its avowed ambition being to contribute to the growth and de- velopment of the town and county in every possible way. Mr. Swett is identified with the Foresters of America. Of the latter fraternity he is a charter member of the re-organized court at Sultan, and

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holds the office of financial secretary. Mr. Swett possesses a genial personality and excellent busi- ness ability along his chosen line of endeavor and is justly considered one of the county's promising young men.

CHRIS. THYGESEN. The life of this well known and esteemed pioneer of Puget sound, now a resident of the Skykomish valley, affords a splen- did and inspiring illustration of the power of stead- fastness of purpose and force of character in the pursuit of material success. A stalwart integrity. an indomitable will and the ability to grasp and make the most of opportunity are marked attri- butes of this successful Danish American.

Born in Veile, Denmark, September 16, 185-4. Chris. Thygesen is the third in a family of eight children. Thyge Mortensen, the father, who was born in 1814, a descendent of an old Danish fam- ily, led a useful life, full of activity and diversity of occupation. He passed away in 1903, in his native land, which he had never left. Christine Rye (Jacobsen) Thygesen, the mother, also born in 1814, was a member of an illustrious family, one noted in the military history of Denmark. Gen- eral Rye was one of her relatives. She departed this life in 1904, having survived her husband only a year. As a lad the subject of this sketch attended the public schools summers and worked out win- ters. He was an apt pupil evidentiy. for soon his efforts came under the notice of a minister, Rev. Ribe, who interested himself in the struggling bov. finally securing for him a free scholarship in the high school. At the age of sixteen the young man engaged in agricultural work, following this three years. In the meantime he had learned of the great advantages afforded young men in the United States, and determined to avail himself of them. 1873, with the assistance of his brother, Le secured enough money to pay his passage across the ocean, and he worked his way from New York to Wisconsin, whither so many of his countrymen had preceded him. When he reached his destina- tion he hadn't a cent and for two days had not had a meal.

Undaunted, however, by such an unpropitions entrance into American life, Mr. Thygesen sought and found work in a dairy, and soon saved enough money to repay his brother's loan and to carry hin to the Pacific coast, then he started for Sacramento. California. He arrived without unusual incident and went to work on a farm in the Sacramento valley. During the next year and a half he saved three hundred and sixty dollars. On April 27. 1877, he landed at Seattle. The Pacific Northwest suited his desires, so he took a homestead in the White river, eleven miles above Seattle and com- menced its improvement. At this time he sent for his betrothed, who in due time reached San

Francisco safely, but there became lost. Finally a friendly Danish policeman found her and the young woman who had accompanied her to the United States, took them to his own home and advertised' for Mr. Thygesen, whom, fortunately, he soon dis- covered. Mr. and Mrs. Thygesen remained on the- White river ranch seven years, during part of which time they both worked out, she cooking and hie doing whatever farm work he could find to do. Having sold his place for one thousand six hun- dred dollars, he then bought a farm in the same neighborhood for four thousand dollars, and es- tablished the Valley Dairy, selling the milk in Se- attle. At this time he handled three hundred gal- lons a day, much of which, however, he purchased from his neighbors. But the business proved too- exacting for his health, and he returned to the farm. In 18SS he was appointed postmaster at White River and the same year opened a general store there. In 1890 he had a three-story building, well stocked, in addition to his ranch, and his en- tire holdings were valued at twenty thousand dol- lars. Mr. Thygesen that year purchased a large saw- mill at Sumas, Washington county, together with four hundred acres of timber land, having sold his. King county property for fourteen thousand dol- lars. Then came the financial storm of 1893, leav- ing him but one thousand dollars out of the wreck.

But adversity brought to Mr. Thygesen's aid a true friend who had great confidence in his busi- ness abilities. The friend advised the establish- ment of another store at White River, offering to back the enterprise with a loan of three thousand dollars. Mr. Thygesen accepted the offer and suc- cess crowned his endeavors. After three years- in the store he engaged in handling livestock for the Seattle market, following this line of business six years. In 1900 he decided to make anctl:er more determined effort to regain his feet and ac- cordingly came to Snohomish county with the in- tention of again taking up agriculture. He. with his son Clement, and his eldest daughter Manda, journeyed with team across the country to the Skykomish valley. The Wallace Lumber Company had just begun extensive operations at Startup and for that point Mr. Thygesen headed. The son went to work in the mill at two dollars a day, the daug'ı- ter found employment in the hotel at one dollar a Gay, while the father secured an option on a forty- acre tract of land nearby and commenced the im- provement of it, at the same time erecting a board- ing house in town. Mrs. Thygesen shortly after- ward joined her husband and the whole family worked to a definite end. At the conclusion of two years' work, they had saved two thousand dol- lars, besides having partially improved their lan.d. The next year they operated two boarding houses, but unfortunately fire destroyed one, causing a loss of seven hundred dollars. In 1903 they sold the remaining hotel and removed to the ranch situated

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just a mile west of Startup. Now Mr. Thygesen has one hundred acres of land, fifty of which are cleared and well improved, and is devoting much of his attention to dairying, with which he has been familiar since boyhood. He has also won success at fruit growing.

The marriage of Mr. Thygesen and Miss Karen Maria Clemensen, the daughter of Clemen and Christine ( Magdalene) Hansen, was solemnized at San Francisco January 15, 1868. Iler father was a government mail carrier in Denmark for twenty- four years. When a young man he served in the Danish-Prussian War in 1848 and won distinction on the field of battle. He was presented by the king with two medals of honor, which are now in the possession of Mrs. Thygesen and valued by her as such tokens should be. Mr. and Mrs. Han- sen came to the United States in 1882 to make their home with Mr. Thygesen. The aged veteran passed away in May, 1904, but Mrs. Hansen survives, re- siding with her daughter. In Denmark, Mrs. Thy- gesen was a schoolmate of her husband, when in- ception was given to the attachment which even- tually brought their lives together. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thygesen : Chris Jr., Clement, Amanda, Lydia. Christine, James Blaine, Marie, Ernest and Pearl.

Mr. Thygesen is a good citizen of strong convic- tions and the ability and willingness to back them up, the kind of a man that takes an interest in the public welfare. For sixteen years he has filled the office of justice of the peace in the communities where he has resided, and he is still serving his community in that capacity. He was a delegate to the Good Roads convention at Olympia in 189-4 and took an active interest in its sessions. Ever since he perceived the advantages of this region he has been a substantial force in inducing emigration to locate on Puget sound and while in the White River valley brought many of his countrymen to that section, being the leader of the movement. When the Everett Chamber of Commerce inaugu- rated its advertising campaign in 1905. Mr. Thy- gesen was selected to represent his section of the county and contributed materially to the success of the enterprise. He wrote an article of marked strength for the benefit of homeseekers which was published under the title "In Quest of a Home," in the Great Northern Bulletin and which has been spread broadcast over the United States. \ great flood of personal correspondence followed, which Mr. Thygesen has unshirkingly cared for with ex- cellent results. Of the large number who have come to the county as the result of his work, fully twenty families are located in the vicinity of Startup. It is this phase of his activities especially that is winning for him a warm place in the hearts of all who know him and are conversant with his broad public spirit. Politically, he is a faithful member of the Republican party and an active,

tireless worker in its ranks. While a resident of King county he was at one election his party's can- didate for legislative honors, but was defeated in a hard contest.

HENRY L. BALDRIDGE, the well known superintendent of the State Salmon Hatchery at Sultan, Washington, was born March 30, 1871, in Kentucky, which state was also the birthplace of his parents, William and Phoebe J. (Beverly) Baldridge. The father, born in Tennessee, is now living in IIamilton, Washington, retired; the mother died there in 1882. She was born in Vir- ginia. Of a family of nine children, Henry L. is the third. After acquiring his education in the schools of his native state, he came west in 1886, with his parents who May 21st of that year settled in Hamilton, Washington, at that time an unprom- ising wilderness. For nine years he worked in the woods, gladly contributing his earnings to aid in supporting the family during the first six years. He then mined for a short time, still making his home at Hamilton until he entered the employ of the state in 1897. Having held the position of as- sistant fish culturist at Baker for more than three vears and demonstrated his practical knowledge of the work. he was tendered the stiperintendency of the state hatchery when it was established in Sul- tan September 1, 1900. He has made a thorough and exhaustive study of the entire subject of fish culture, thus becoming familiar with its various phases, and establishing for himself a reputation as an authority on the subject.

Mr. Baldridge and Annie Richardson were mar- ried July 28, 1898. Mrs. Baldridge, a native of Ohio, born July 24, 1882. came to Washington with her parents, Andrew and Eveline Richardson. They are now residing in Hamilton where the father fol- lows his trade as a mechanic and carpenter. Mr. and Mrs. Baldridge have one child, James L., born July 12, 1899. Mr. Baldridge is an enthusiastic member of the Republican party, always taking an active part in political affairs, but never desiring office for himself. A rising man of excellent qual- ities, thrifty, industrious and energetic, he holds the respect and good will of the community.

NATHAN BARKER JONES, superintendent of the "Forty-Five" mine situated twenty-four miles from Sultan, Washington, is one of the most widely known mining men of the Northwest. He is a native of Lynn, Massachusetts, the date of his birth being August 18, 186%. His father, John A. Jones, born in 1827, also in Lynn, traced his ancestry to earliest American stock. He was a painter by trade, and died in 1901. Lucy (Kim- ball) Jones, the maternal ancestor. received her education in Maine, the state of her nativity. She

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died in 1ss1, at the age of fifty. Nathan Barker Jones acquired his education in the common schools prior to leaving home at the age of thirteen to make his way in the world. Going to lowa he went to work for Gilman Brothers, well known cattlemen of that region, remaining till 1883, when he went to western Texas and rode the range for two years. After engaging in the stock business till twenty-three years of age, he decided to take 111, mining, and at once went to Chihuahua, old Mexico. Two years later, in the spring of 1893, he came to Sultan Basin, Washington, entering the employ of the Monte Cristo Developing company. which was then working the "Forty-Five" mine. He was with the company for a year, mining and running a pack train. Following this, Mr. Jones spent some time with the Little Chief company, and later spent one summer packing from Sky- komish to the mines in that district. During all these years he had been making a careful study of mining in its various branches, and was thus quali- fied to accept the position of superintendent of the "Forty-Five" mine when it was tendered him by the Consolidated company in December, 1895. The mine was then closed, but he was soon instrumental in having it reopened, and from that time till the property was bonded by the Magus Mining com- pany in the summer of 1901, he had entire charge of its development. The previous year, when this property was acquired by the A. W. Pinkham estate, he was retained in his former position. Ap- preciating the fact that he was the right man in the right place the present stockholders appointed him superintendent of construction, with complete control of their outside mill, roads, etc. This mine is conceded to be the best developed property in the Sultan Basin, and has been an extensive ship- per, having furnished one hundred and two thou- sand dollars worth of ore. A good wagon road connects it with Sultan. A force of thirty-five men is employed to operate it, and a still larger number of workers will be needed as its develop- inent progresses.

Mr. Jones was married January 20. 1898. to Mary E. Jones, born near Toronto, Canada, Ali- gust 13. 1876. Her parents, Alexander and Mar- garet (Ferguson) Jones, are both living. Her father is.a well known railroad contractor, farmer and packer. Mrs. Jones received a thorough edu- cation in the schools of Toronto. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have three children, born in Sultan, Lucy M., born January 2, 1899; Evelyn F., June 1. 1902; Nathan P., March 15, 1904. Fraternally, Mr. Jones is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is influential in the ranks of the Republican party, but is never found as an office seeker. Since coming to Sultan he has purchased an eighty-acre farm, one-half of which is within the corporate limits of the town, and has erected a beautiful home. modern in all its appointment>.

The success attending Mr. Jones in his chosen field of activity is due to his extensive knowledge of the mining industry, his keen, practical business ability, and the push and vim with which he takes hold of and carries on the work. These character- istics are fully recognized in his home community. where he is esteemed for his many sterling quali- ties as citizen and neighbor as well as business inan.

JOHN F. WARNER, the well known mer- chant of Sultan, Washington, was born in Ander- son County, Indiana, in February, 1864. Elias Warner, his father, a native of Virginia, settled in Indiana in early life, and engaged in farming. He died at the age of fifty-two, when his son John F. was but eight days old. The mother. Selinda ( Pierce) Warner, also a Virginian, was born in 1821, and died in 1888. She was the mother of sixx children, five of whom are now living in the Fast. John F. Warner enjoyed unusual educa- tional advantages. supplementing his elementary training by attending the Indiana State Univer- sity. Leaving home at the age of nineteen he went to Missouri and taught there for a short time, but soon returned to his native.state where he had pre- viously secured his first experience in teaching. He then decided to take up the study of law, and en- tered the office of Robinson and Lovett at Ander- son. In 1886 he completed the course and was admitted to the bar. His residence in Washing- ton dates from the spring of 1892, when after a four months' visit in Missouri he reached Sno- homish. Later he took up a homestead near Sky- komish. residing on it a few months and then re- turning to Snohomish. He had sought a location in the west with the full intention of practicing law, but found on his arrival that the prospects were unfavorable, and hence changed his plans. and temporarily resumed his former profession. teaching. He accepted the position of principal of the Sultan schools, which then had an attend- ance of eighty pupils of whom only two were In- (lians. At the close of the second term he re- signed, and having previously bought an interest in the Sultan Cash Store, he devoted his entire attention to the business that was conducted under the firm name of Hawkes and Warner. A year later he purchased his partner's interest. and in 189% erected his present place of business. By ad- hering to upright principles, while also making a careful study of the needs and requirements of his customers, Mr. Warner has built up a splendid trade, increasing his capital stock from one thou- sand three hundred dollars to six thousand five hundred dollars. In 1898 he in partnership with Mr. Harris, opened a branch house in Monroe. Washington, known by the firm name of Harris and Warner. This, too, is doing a thriving busi- ness.

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Mr. Warner and Miss Belle Johnson of Galla- tin, Missouri, were married in 1888. Mrs. War- ner's parents, William and Mary ( Yates) John- son, were born in Virginia. The father is still liv- ing in Missouri: the mother died in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Warner have one child, Ellis E., born March 18, 1890, now attending the Snohomish High School. Mr. Warner affiliates with the Democrats. but has no desire to be prominent in political cir- eles. Knowing him to be a man of unusual mental attainments combined with rare practical ability. his friends at one time nominated him for the leg- islature, only to find that he gracefully but firmly refused to accept the honor. In religious belief he is a Spiritualist. Vespasian Warner, the well known pension commissioner at Washington, D. C., is a first consin of Mr. Warner. Of the War- ner family of which he is a descendent there are now but three adult male members, but as he jok- ingly says there is little danger of extinction of the family name since he has one son, a brother in Kansas, three, and the cousin previously mentioned. seven. Mr. Warner has a wide acquaintance throughout the county, and is held in the highest esteem.

A. LOUIS PETERSON. the popular proprie- tor of the Sultan Hotel at Sultan, Washington, was born in Amherst, Wisconsin, July 1. 1866. His father. Andrew Peterson, was a native of Sweden. Immigrating to the United States he became one of Wisconsin's pioneers. He was a veteran of the Civil War having enlisted in the Forty-Fourth Wisconsin Volunteer regiment. At the close of the war he resumed his former occupation, farming. He died in 189; at the age of sixty. The mother. Ann ( Peterson) Peterson, also born in Sweden. died in Wisconsin in 18:4. A. Louis Peterson has a brother. Fred Peterson, who lives in Sultan, and a sister residing in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Mr. Peterson spent his boyhood acquiring an education in the schools of his native state. and working on the farm. At the age of twenty-two he decided to scek his fortune in the great northwest, going di- rect to Seattle, Washington, and thence in a couple of weeks to Buckley, where he found employment in a hotel. Remaining but a short time he went to Tacoma, and soon to Murray island. A year later he took up his residence in Florence, Snohomish county, working there as in the previous towns, at whatever he could find to do. In 1890 he em- barked in the restaurant business at Whatcom, and clevoted his attention to that for the following three years. Lured by the tales of the fortunes that others were making in the mines of British Columbia, Mr. Peterson left Whatcom in 1894 with a pack horse, riding along the telegraph trail to the Omenica country in British Columbia. There he resided two years, prospecting and trapping,

meeting with only limited success. Going to Van- couver and thence to the mines at Harrison lake, he hired out for a year during which time he never ieft the camp even to visit the neighboring town. At the end of that time, finding he had sufficient means to take him to the Klondike gold fields, he started for Dawson in the spring of 1899. He reached Skagway in February, and in the following month rode overland by dog express to Dawson. His previous experience in the mines of British Columbia was there repeated for the first year, but the second brought better success. That fall he purchased two claims for seven hundred and fifty dollars, and as soon as possible began prospecting. with the gratifying result that before midwinter he had found dirt worth one hundred and fifty dollars to the pan. After taking eight thousand dollars out of the claims he sold them and returned to. Washington, having spent almost three years in the north. Locating at Stanwood. he purchased an interest in the Palace Hotel which he owned until May. 1902. when he sold out and came to Sultan. The hotel he now owns he bought Sep- temiber 3, of that year. Since that time he has built an addition twenty-eight by seventy feet, thus doubling the amount of room in the building. and has now by far the best appointed hotel in this part of the county. With characteristic energy and thoroughness he has made a practical study of the requirements of the traveling public, and by catering to these preferences has built up a splen- did business.

Mr. Peterson was married in November, 1902. to Miss Elizabeth Barker, a native of California. Her parents are deceased. Mr. Peterson is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of the Eagles of Snohomish and the Foresters of America at Sultan. In political belief he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, and is always deeply interested in local politics. He is one of the most influential members of Sultan's city coun- cil. and a man whose judgment and ability are recognized by his fellow citizens.

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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 202

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