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 203

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 203
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 203

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

WILLIAM COOK, city treasurer. a member of the city council, and a prominent merchant, of Sultan, Washington, was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land. July 29, 1865. Daniel Cook, his father, im- migrated to the United States in 1866, settling in Calais, Maine. In 1883 he came to Snohomish, Washington, and purchased a farm on the Sultan river. He was residing here when he died April 27, 1895, at the age of sixty-two. The mother, Hannah (Twidle) Cook, died December 21, 1902, aged seventy-six. She was the mother of one child. William. He acquired his education in the California schools, his parents having resided there prior to coming to Snohomish. After com-

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pleting his schooling he moved with his parents to Washington, where he learned the trade of painter and paper hanger, and followed it for a number of years. In September, 1875, he went to Eureka. California, where he resided until 1882 when he moved to San Francisco. Having been a resident of Snohomish county since 1883, Mr. Cook is very familiar with the conditions existing during these pioneer lays. When he came up the river for the first time it was by a trail on the bank. Supplies were conveyed to the few settlers by canoe. thus greatly increasing the cost of even the common ar- tieles of food. On the death of his father, Mr. Cook took up the work of the farm. continuing to be thus employed until June, 1905, at which time he bought out H. M. Meredith's stock of general merchandise, at Sultan, which he is now success- fully conducting.

Mr. Cook was married in 1893, Bessie Cole, a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, being his bride. Her parents, Brackett and Amy Cole, moved to California when she was four years old, and there she spent her girlhood. In 1889 they settled on the Snohomish river, near Sultan, where they sti !! reside. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have one child, Earl M., born May 27. 1894. Mr. Cook votes the Dem- ocratic ticket, and although cherishing no aspira- tions for office, takes an active interest in political matters. Mr. Cook is known as a man of strict integrity, one who believes in the practical appli- cation of the Golden Rule in every day business transactions. In addition to this he possesses a courteous manner that at once attracts those who are thrown in contact with him. That he will be eminently successful in the business in which he has recently embarked is a matter of firm convic- tion in the minds of his many acquaintances and friends.

GEORGE V. PEARSALL, the proprietor of the Pioneer Hotel, and the owner of a store and meat market, in Sultan, Washington, was born in Clinton County, lowa, June 18, 1860. His parents. William R. and Sarah ( Names) Pearsall, were both born in New York. The father was one of the pioneer settlers in lowa, but in later life set- tied in Washington, and died in this state in 1902. at the age of seventy-four. The mother has passed her sixty-second birthday. Of a family of four children George V. is the second. Like most boys he spent his boyhood at home acquiring an educa- tion in the common schools of his native state. At the age of twenty he left home, going to Texas where he remained one year. He has been a resi- dent of Washington since 1883, that being the year when he came to Snohomish, then only a very small town. He had previously learned the carpenter trade, and was thus engaged for a number of years after coming West. Believing that he could em-

ploy his time to better advantage along other lines than clearing a homestead, he never filed on any- thing but a timber claim, and that he disposed of many years ago. He has the distinction of having built the first piece of railroad in Snohomish county, having had the contract for constructing two miles of the Seattle and Lake Shore & Eastern road at Cathcart. Later he contracted for the con- struction of the Great Northern railroad in Wash- ington and the Canadian Pacific in British Colum- bia, spending in all nearly three years in this work. In 1891 he started a brickyard in Snohomish, which lie owned a year. During the financial depression of the 'nineties he followed various occupations. that he might not be idle. He purchased a storc in Wallace in 1891, owning it for a year, when he sold out and invested in the hotel he still conducts in Sultan. In recent years he has added a store and meat market, managing them in connection with his other business.

The marriage of Mr. Pearsall and Alice M. Bearse occurred June 25, 1890. Mrs. Pearsall, a native of Nebraska, is the daughter of James Bearse, of Ferndale, Whatcom County, Washing- ton, who until recently has been engaged in the drug business. He was born in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Pearsall have four children, Ellsworth E., Ralph M .. George E., and a baby not yet named. M1. Pearsall is prominent in fraternal circles. being identified with the Odd Fellows and the Foresters of America. He is independent in political belief. and is always deeply interested in political issues. although he is not an office seeker. As one of Sul- tan's most energetic and progressive citizens he tales an active part in the affairs of the city coun- cil of which he is a member. His influence is al- ways on the side of any movement that will con- tribute to the growth and development of the wel- fare of the town or county. During his long resi- dence in this county he has become well and favor- ably known in business, political and social circles.

GILES L. WELLINGTON, of the firm of Wellington & Baldwin, liverymen of Sultan Wach- ington, is, like his parents, Edwin R. and Mary E. (Colburn) Wellington, a native of Pennsylvania. . the date of his birth being May 20. 1867. His father. born in Buffalo, New York, followed car- riage building for many years. Now at the age of seventy-two, he is living in San Diego Califor- nia. He was a prominent soldier in the Civil War, having served three years and a half in the Eighty- Third Pennsylvania regiment. The mother died in 1897 at the age of sixty-two. Of her nine chil- dren Giles L. is the fifth. All are still living with the exception of two. Mr. Wellington received his education in the schools of Iowa, whither his par- ents moved when he was four years of age. . Dur-

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ing the winter months he worked, attending school only in the summer months. At the early age of thirteen he started out for himself, and for the next few years was variously employed. He at length learned the blacksmith trade and after spending two and one-half years in this occupation in Iowa, moved to Nebraska. In 1889 he migrated to Deer Lodge, Montana, mining there and at dif- ferent localities in the state for several years. De- siring to visit the Northwest he drove to the Yel- lowstone Park in 1899, and thence to Snohomish, Washington, accompanied by his family. Two years later he returned to Montana, remaining till 1903, when he again found a home in Washing- ton, and in November of that year purchased an interest in his present business. While a resident of Montana, he was unable to accumulate prop- erty, owing to heavy debts incurred by sickness, but in the last two years he has been very success- ful, and is now enjoying the prosperity his energy and industry so justly merit.

Mr. Wellington was married in Deer Lodge, Montana, September 16, 1893, to Effie Christopher- son, who died later, leaving motherless one child. Robert Effner. He was again married in 1892. this time to Mrs. Margaret ( Crow) Wellington, of Helena, Montana. Mrs. Wellington bore the maiden name of Margaret Crow, and was born in Woodbury County, Iowa, March 2, 1874. She is the daughter of Rev. Murray and Saralı ( English) Crow. Rev. Crow is an elder in the Baptist church at Parker's Prairie, Minnesota, and though past four score years of age, is still active. To this union one child has been born, James Murray. April 3, 1902 ; there is one other child, Florence H., by Mrs. Wellington's former marriage. The fraternal instinct is strong in Mr. Wellington, and he holds membership in the following orders : Eagles, Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, Sons of Veterans. and Foresters of America. In political belief he adheres to the doctrines of the Republican party, although he does not care to take an active part in county and state affairs. He is known as a thorough business man. one who at- tends personally to the details of whatever line of activity he is pursuing. He commands the respect of all who are associated with him.

NATHAN N. BAXTER, a prosperous agricul- turist residing one and one-half miles west of Sul- tan, Washington. was born in Bristol, Tennessee. April 14. 1864, in the same house in which his father, Rev. Nathan W. Baxter, was born. The elder Baxter, a former Baptist minister, was the direct descendent of one of the oldest families in the state. He died in 1904, aged sixty-six. Mary (Davault) Baxter, the mother, is a Virginian, and is still living in Tennessee, at the age of sixty-

seven. Nathan N. Baxter is the third child of a family numbering ten. He received his educa- tional training in the schools of his native state, and remained at home till he had passed his ma- jority. Going to Illinois he spent a year farming, and later resided for a time in Texas and also in New Mexico territory. In the latter state lie fol- lowed lumbering for two years, prior to his return to Tennessee, where he fully intended to make his permanent home. At the end of two years, how- ever, he again went to the territory of New Mex- ico, but soon decided to visit the Northwest. He reached Seattle in 1890, and after a two-days' stay came up to Sultan, at that time a small, unprom- ising town. He loaded his trunks on a freight wagon at Snohomish, and made the remainder of the journey on foot. Arriving here May 1, 1890, he located a homestead six miles north of Sultan which he owned until 1903, and on which he re- sided for six years. In 1892 he purchased a tract of land, but was unable to hold it during the hard times. For several years he worked at whatever he could find to do, and at one time made a trip to Atlin, British Columbia, in the hope of finding more remunerative employment. Failing in this, however, in October, 1899, he bought forty acres of land, the farm he now owns, to which in 1902 he added an adjoining eighty acres, giving him at present one hundred and twenty acres. There was little else but timber and stumps on the land at that time, and to make it yield a living for himself and family was no easy task. Purchasing seven cows and a hand separator for which he gave his note he embarked in the dairy business, with the satisfactory result that inside of the first nine months he was able to take up the note. The next year he increased his stock, and at the end of that time found himself entirely free from debt. Of his farm twenty acres are stumped and in cultivation. and twenty acres are in pasture. He has a select herd of twelve dairy cows.

Mr. Baxter was married August 21, 1893, to Inez E. Peake, a native of Oregon, born May 24. 1876. Her parents, Robert B. and Ellen (Ladd) Pcake, were pioneers in that state, her father hav- ing settled there shortly after the memorable gold excitement in California in 1849. Leavenworth, Washington, is now their home. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter have four children as follows: Mary El- len. born December 17. 1891; Florence Thelma. September 30, 1896; Ossie Gladys, August S. 1898: Nathan B., May 8, 1903. Mr. Baxter is a prominent member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In political matters he inclines to the principles of the Democratic party, although at times voting an independent ticket. Ilis religious beliefs are embodied in the Golden Rule, which he seeks to follow in his intercourse with his fel- low men. He is well known throughout the county, and is worthy of the respect he enjoys.

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WILLIAM H. ILLMAN, a prominent pioneer of Snohomish county, who has been identified with hei history since 1881, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1860. William Ilman. the father, to whom belongs the distinction of hav- ing printed the first postage stamp in the United States, was born in England January 1, 1819. Ilis father, who was also a printer, issued the first il- lustrated children's books in this country. The senior William Illman now resides with his son in

Sultan. Martha ( Adams) Illman, the maternal ancestor. was a descendent of the John O. Adams family of New York, and was the mother of eight children, of which William H. is sixth in order of birth. She died in 1866, at the age of forty-four. William has two sisters, Mrs. R. M. Folsom, of Snohomish, and Mrs. Grace W. Chase, of Sultan. and one brother, Harold W., living at Lake Ste- vens. After receiving a thorough education in the schools of Philadelphia, he taught for four years in Ontario, Canada. meeting with a large measure of success. He then went to Australia. remaining six months. when he found he had not the neces- sary funds for purchasing transportation to the United States. He therefore worked his way back on a vessel returning to this country, and on arriv- ing here at once entered the employ of the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company as foreman. While engaged in this work he at one time ex- ploded 20,000 pounds of powder, by far the largest blast ever fired on the road. A year later he came up Skykomish river and took up the land situated two and one-half miles east of Sultan on which he now resides. During the winter of 1883-4, owing to the freezing up of the river that was then the only means of reaching the ranch, Mr. Illman was destitute of all kinds of provisions save flour, and dependent on a rather scant supply of game. He was fortunate enough. however, to find deer most of the time, and occasionally something else in the way of meat to vary his monotonous diet. Later. when he had made quite a clearing in the dense forest, and was working up a promising logging business, a sudden rise in the river swept every- thing before it, leaving nothing to reward him for his months of toil. For the las' ten years he has devoted his time almost exclusively to fruit grow- ing, and confidently hopes very soo .? to explode the theory that peaches cannot be raised in this local- ity. He now has thirty-five acres cleared and in excellent cultivation. He is breeding thorough- bred Jersey cattle, and is already establishing a reputation throughout the county as an authority on the subject.

Mr. Illman was married in October, 1889, to Miss Lucy Wells of Chicago, who is the daughter of Alpheus and Ellen ( Soule) Wells. Mrs. I]]- man came west with her parents, when they found a home in Cowlitz County, Washington, where her father was for some time engaged in the manu-

facture of shingles. His death occurred there in 1903, after he had passed his seventieth birthday. The mother, a direct descendent of the famous Union spy, Soule, is still living, at the age of sixty- five. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Illman, William J., Alpheus, Walter, Adeline, Har- old and Winston. Of the Modern Woodmen of America Mr. Illman is a prominent member. He identifies himself with no political party, preferring to vote as his judgment dictates. At one time he was candidate for the office of county school super- intendent on the Populist ticket, but resigned on account of fusion, to the great regret of his many friends and acquaintances who recognized his pe- culiar fitness for the position. Few residents of Sultan are more conversant with its early history than is Mr. Illman, who is on friendly terms with "Sultan John" and other Indians of local celebrity. A broad minded, public spirited citizen, possessed of the manly character that at all times commands respect, he is one of Sultan's most popular resi- cients.

JAMES W. MANN, one of Sultan's well-to-do agriculturists, residing one and 'one-half miles southeast of town, was born in Maine, June 24. 1854. His father, John Frank, also a native of that state, was born in Penobscot county, October 22, 1832. He went to Saginaw, Michigan, August 12, 1866, and engaged in the lumber business until 1825, at which time he moved on a farm situated seventy-five miles west of Saginaw, in Mecosta county, Fork township. Later, after spending some time in California, he came to Washington, and was residing here on the subject's homestead at the time of his death in 1894. Susan A. (Church- ill) Mann, the mother, was born in Maine March 4. 1836. Her marriage took place July 24, 1853, in Maine. Of her seven children three are now living, James W. being the eldest. Her home is now in Sultan. A daughter, Mrs. Nettie Marso- lais, is also a resident of Sultan. Frank is also a resident of Sultan. Mr. Mann acquired his education in the state of his nativity, and in the meantime worked with his father on the river. When the family moved to Michigan he found em- ployment as foreman in the lumber camps remain- ing at home. Later, after farming and lumbering for a few years in Mecosta he migrated to Sno- homish, coming to his present location May 8. 1888. Ilere in this desolate wilderness, with an inverted washtub for a table, the family partook of their first meal on the ranch. Their home, a rude shake building, sixteen by sixteen feet, was but half roofed, as one side and end were built par- tially. There were four feet of floor. The near- est road was six miles away, the only way of reaching the claim being by canoe. So dense was the timber that during the winter months it was

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necessary to light lamps at three o'clock in the af- ternoon. Snohomish was the nearest supply point and postoffice. Twelve years elapsed before a road was built to the ranch. For the first few years both Mr. and Mrs. Mann worked away from home, in lumber camps and hotels, leaving the children in care of Mr. Mann's parents, who were living with them. Those were years of arduous toil, but both possessed the true pioncer spirit. and had no thought of abandoning their home in the forest. In 1892 the first school district was organized, Mr. Mann being a member of the first board and serv- ing for twelve years, and a board shack. sixteen by eighteen feet, built for the accommodation of the ten pupils that were enrolled. The second year after settling here, the neighboring families planned a little Fourth of July celebration, but owing to the impossibility of procuring shoes in the town for the children, the Manns could not attend. The many trials, hardships and depriva- tions incident to those pioneer days can be fully understood only by those who have had a like ex- perience in Western life. Mr. Mann now has sev- enteen acres of his claim entirely free from stumps. and an additional twenty-five partially cleared. He devotes his attention principally to dairying, and so thoroughly does he understand the subject that he secures a monthly income of sixty dollars from his cows. He owns twenty-eight head of cattle and several horses.

Mr. Mann was married July 4, 1827, in Sheri- dan Township, Mecosta County. Minnesota, to Clara L. Grove, a native of Pennsylvania, born August 21, 1859. Her father, John D. Grove, died during her infancy ; her mother, who bore the mai- den name of Mary C. Hower, born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1840, is now living in Michigan. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mann: Edward E .. April 19. 1880: Mrs. Lulu Patterson, of Monroc. September ?. 1878; a daughter, March 1, 1882, who died ten days later. Mr. Mann is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Foresters of America. In political belief he is independent. For many years he took a very active part in poli- tics, although refusing to accept any office. He was road superintendent in the district many years. A man of sterling integrity, truc to his convictions. Mr. Mann is highly esteemed by his fellow citi- zens.

L. ROY JOHNSON. of Sultan, owning and operating an extensive woodworking plant a mile south of town, under the firm name of the Creek- wood Manufacturing Company, is one of Snohom- ish county's able, aggressive young business men whose foresight in turning to new advantage a portion of the sound's great timber wealth is meet- ing with substantial reward. In addition to the

manufacture of lumber and shingles. the Creek- wood Manufacturing Company makes broomhan- dies, being probably the only factory on the sound engaged in manufacturing the latter article.

George William Johnson, the father of L. Roy of this review, was born at Adamsville, Wayne County, Michigan, February 2, 1832, and is there- fore among the first of the Peninsula state's native sons. His people were Pennsylvania Dutch. His mother's name was Mary ( Calkins) Johnson. As a lad he attended school in a log schoolhouse at Catville, Michigan, and at the age of fourteen. having lost his father and being motherless. he commenced making his own way in the world by peddling throughout the middle states. At the age of eighteen he went to live with relatives in Barry county and was there married at Woodland. Hast- ings then became his home for a short time after which he spent a winter shingle weaving at Bcar Lake. During the next few years he lived at Mus- kegon, working as a millwright. carpenter and con- tractor. following which he engaged in fishing on Lake Michigan. He removed his family by open boat to Grand Rapids shortly. thence went to Woodland, where he bought and for five years operated with success an upright saw-mill on Mud creek. He then bought a water power mill at Nashville on the Thornapple river, and in part- nership with Eli M. Mallett operated this and a steam mill several years. later adding a grist mill to the concern. However. Johnson & Mallett even- tually sold out and established a hardware store at Nashville. Later, they sold this also and built an excursion boat to run on Lake Michigan, but after operating it a short time. they went into the hotel and grocery business at Fremont, Michigan. From Harbor Springs, Mr. Johnson removed to St. Ig- nace and established the town's first furniture store, later adding a crockery and grocery depart- ment. He also engaged in building houses and in fact was connected prominently with the activities of his community in every way until July 27, 1889, when. having disposed of his property and inter- ests in Michigan, he set ont to erect a new home in the Pacific Northwest. Scattle was the family's home until 1892, when Mr. Johnson went into the furniture business at Sultan. While there he com- menced testing Washington's woods for the manit- facture of chairs, furniture generally and novel- ties, with gratifying success. In 1898 he acquired a tract of forty acres across the river, conveniently situated for the development of a large waterpower, and there erected the plant now owned by his son, in addition to which he commenced the improve- ment of his fine bottom land for farming purposes. In 1905, still vigorous and aggressive in business, in spite of his years, he removed to Seattle to en- gage in contracting, which he is following with success at the present time. Fraternally, he is a Mason. Mrs. Julia 31. ( Mallett) Johnson, his

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wife, the mother of L. Roy Johnson, is also a native of Michigan, born in Barry county, June 26, 1835, - her people being among the earliest pioneers of that state. Fler great-great-grandfather came to America from France; her mother was of Scotch descent. For several years previous to her mar- riage, which was solemnized February 22, 1853. she taught school. The eldest of her children. Elina, now deceased, was born at Hastings, Michi- gan, November 29, 1853; Ion, the next oldest, now working for the Seattle Electric Company, was born at Muskegon, September 27, 1857; Josie, now Mrs. Josie Meyers, was born at Woodland, June 4, 1861 ; and Leon Roy, the subject of this sketch. was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 2, 1876.

L. Roy Johnson received most of his education at St. Ignace, on the beautiful Straits of Mackinac, graduating from the High school of that little city. He accompanied his parents West to Washington. reaching the territory just previous to its admission as a state into the Union, and in 1892 came to Sultan to engage in business with his father. Sul- tan was his home until 1898, when he joined his father in establishing the Creekwood Manufactur- ing Company's plant, and he has since been iden- tified with the growth of the industry. He has fitted himself by close application and study to as- sume charge of the plant and is thoroughly con- versant with all the details of the work. Upon the removal of his father to Seattle, he acquired en- tire possession of the plant and business and is now preparing to resume operations, after a long shutdown, on a more extensive scale than ever be- fore. He is making a specialty of broomhandles. utilizing alder, maple and spruce timber, and be- sides handling the American trade is supplying the English trade with his product. The capacity of the plant is sixty thousand shingle, ten thou- sand feet of lumber and one thousand five hundred broomhandles every ten hours. A turbine wheel furnishes sixty-horsepower, while fully three hun- dred horsepower can easily be developed from the creek. Mr. Johnson is also an enthusiast on the subject of fruit raising in the Skykomish valley and is setting out a considerable portion of his place to apples. A large portion of the forty-acre tract is in cultivation, and sheltered by the foot- hills, with an abundance of wood and water, it is one of the coziest places along the river. Mr. Johnson is recognized as one of the substantial, in- dustrious and upright citizens of the community in which he has lived fourteen years, and is con- sidered one of Snohomish county's rising young men.

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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 203

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