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 204

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 204
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 204

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EUGENE L. MORGAN. Among the pro- gressive, broad-gauged men who to-day form the main pillars of Snohomish county's citizenship

must be placed the well known resident of the Sky- komish valley whose name gives title to this bi- ographical review. Upon his extensive place, pic- turcsquely situated on a graceful bend of the river two miles below Sultan and said to be the finest ranch in the valley, he is engaged in diversified agricultural pursuits, giving especial attention to dairying and horticulture.

Of Scotch originally, the Morgans came to the American colonies many generations ago, and the immediate line from which the subject of this sketch is descended were pioneers of prominence in New York and Michigan. Leonard D. Morgan, the father, was a native of the Empire state, born at Utica, in 1797, and by trade was a carpenter. though he followed farming the greater portion of his long life. Immediately after his marriage in 1832, he and his bride set out for Michigan terri- tory and located in Berrien county, among the first. That county was his home most of his life. When the Civil War broke out, he went to the front as a lieutenant of Michigan infantry, and served throughout the notable conflict, winning a cap- taincy before being mustered out. Captain Mor- gan attained to not a little influence in his commu- nity and became known as a highly capable, public- spirited citizen. His death occurred in Minnesota in June, 1895. Clarinda (Majors) Morgan, the inother of Eugene L., was a native of Vermont, born in 1815, and descended from a colonial fam- ily. She passed away in 1859, the mother of seven children. The fourth child among these is Eugene L., who was born upon the farm in Berrien County, Michigan, January 21, 1850. He attended the pub- lic schools of his district until 1862, when he en- tered the Michigan Agricultural College at Lans- ing, the state capital. The motherless lad pursued his studies at the college throughout the exciting years which followed his entrance and was grad- nated therefrom in the year 1867, possessed of more than a fair education and especially equipped for the scientific pursuit of agriculture in all its phases. He soon joined his father in Minnesota and until 1872 was engaged in teaching school in that region. The Western fever then set his blood afire, and with the boundless enthusiasm of youth and all its rosy hopes, he joined the rush to the Black Hills. He emerged from the rush. for- tunately, with undisturbed equilibrium and one thousand seven hundred dollars in his pocket. then he returned to Michigan and built a mill at Crooked lake on the Flint & Pere Marquette railroad, near Big Rapids. This he operated three years, giving up the enterprise to go on the road for the West Michigan Lumber Company. During the next four years he traveled in Kansas, Illinois and Missouri, at the end of that time settling at Topeka. Kansas, and marrying. He engaged in contracting on an extensive scale, among other edifices building a large portion of the state hospital for the insane

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at Osawatomie, and was otherwise identified prominently with the business and social life of the city, which was his home until 1890. Some unfor- tunate business ventures and a natural desire to push still further westward at this time caused his . removal to Snohomish county, which he reached shortly after the admission of Washington as a state. At Snohomish City he took up his business as a contractor and during the next few years built many of the finest barns and buildings in the Sno- homish valley. He then leased land and engaged in stockraising and general farming to which he has since given his entire attention. He purchased his present place in 1899. It was formerly the property of John Elwell, who took it as a home- stead during the earliest period of the county's set- tlement. But little clearing had been done upon it when Mr. Morgan secured it and there was no road to it. He brought all his supplies across the river and in bringing over the first load drowned a team of horses. Practically unaided he has built fully two miles of road up the south side of the river to connect with the Sultan road and he ex- pects shortly to put in a ferry at his place. The hundred and ninety-two acres constituting his farm lie along the stream in crescent form for three- quarters of a mile, and of the tract forty-five have been cleared of the timber and improved with a commodious dwelling, barns and other buildings. A large orchard occupies several acres and this year the owner is setting out four acres to berrics for which the place is especially well adapted. El- well creek flows through the ranch to the Sky- komish river. All in all it well deserves the posi- tion it occupies among the finest places in the county, and will ever be a substantial testimony to the industry, skill and perseverance of its owner and maker.

At Topeka, Kansas, July 7. 1883, Miss Anna Morgan, the daughter of William and Frances ( Burns) Morgan, was united in marriage to Eu- gene L. Morgan. Her family, too, is of purc American stock, the grandparents being Pennsyl- vanians. William Morgan was born near Cincin- nati. Ohio, in the year 1812. the son of early pio- neers of the Ohio valley. and was married there in 1847. Mrs. Frances Morgan was a native of Cam- den, Ohio, born in 1820. Shortly after their mar- riage they removed to Illinois, and there resided until 1901, when they came to Sultan. Washing- ton. Their long. useful lives terminated about the same time, the husband passing away in Julv. 1902. and his faithful helpmeet the following Novem- ber. Mrs. Anna Morgan was born New Year's Day, 1860. at Eaton, Ohio. At the age of sixteen she went to Kansas. Later she attended the Nor- mal school at Junction City and she was engaged in teaching music at the time of her marriage. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan: Lec, born June 2, 1884, engaged

in business in the southern part of the state; Rex, May 8, 1887, assisting his father in the manage- ment of the ranch; Beatrice, January 22, 1889; and Claudia, October 5, 1891, the latter two at- tending school at Sultan. The Morgan home is a dispenser of true Western hospitality and cheer, and the starting point for many a gaming expedi- tion into the surrounding forests, which still abound with deer, birds and bears.

Mr. Morgan, while residing in Topeka, served for several years as its marshal, or chief of police, and was also a member of its board of aldermen. A loval Republican, he was active and influential in Kansas politics for years, a member of the state central committee and its assistant secretary for some time. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen. His has been a life of more than usual activity and influence and in his quiet but intensely energetic way he has contributed and is contributing materially to the substantial ad- vancement of Snohomish county. A residence of sixteen years within its confines has not only re- sulted in the acquirement by him of a comfortable competency but also in the establishment of an en- viable record as a man of integrity, ability and public spirit, deserving of a place among Snohom- ish county's representative pioneer citizens.

FRED S. BUCK, president of the Sultan Log- ging Company and vice-president of the Sultan Railway & Timber Company, together constituting one of the largest establishments of its kind in Snohomish county. is ranked among the most suc- cessful young limbermen of Puget sound, and his record gives ample proof that he is justly entitled to such a place. He is distinctly a self made man. as that term is commonly applied, who has gained his thorough knowledge of the lumber business by actual experience in every department since boy- liood. supplemented by naturally progressive ideas.

As is true of so many of the Pacific Northwest's lumbermen, Fred S. Buck is a native of the great peninsula of Michigan. He was born on a Kent county farm. August 5. 1872. the son of Eli S. and Eva ( Tacox) Buck. The elder Buck. now living in retirement near Grand Rapids, Michigan, is likewise a native son of that state to which his father came from New York in the early part of the nineteenth century and hewed out a farm among the vast pineries. Eli S. also engaged in agricultural pursuits during his earlier years. but later took up the master industry of that region and operated extensively along the shores of Lake Michigan, attaining prominence as a business man. When only seventeen years old he responded to his country's call to arms, enlisting in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry and serving until no longer needed. His wife, the mother of the subject of this review, bore the maiden name of Eva Jacox

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and was born in Indiana. When a mere child she was brought to Michigan by her parents and there married and lived until her death in 1902.

Fred S. Buck was educated in the public schools of Kent County, Michigan. Upon his grad- vation from the lligh school at Grand Rapids. it was but natural that he should join his father in the lumber business, which he did, going to the camps at Charlevoix. There he 'remained until 1895, mastering the many details of the industry and taking his share of hard knocks along with the rest of the men. Hard times caught the firm that year. forcing a suspension of business and even- tally the temporary abandonment of it by the young man. He saw an opening in the dairy busi- ness in Kent county and soon established a retail and wholesale trade of no mean proportions which occupied his attention until 1899. His health failed him at this period as a result of which he deter- mined to seek it in the balmy climate of the Pacific Northwest. A trip to Washington satisfied him that he need go no further and so impressed was he with the opportunities offered by the lumber industry that he forthwith located in Snohomish county, sold his dairy farm and bought a shingle inill at Snohomish. This plant he operated suc- cessfully four years at the same time maintaining boit and logging camps on the Pilchuck for three years. So pronounced is the difference between methods of logging in Michigan and Washington that he was obliged to learn much of the business over again and therefore moved slowly and con- servatively in his undertakings until his grasp should have become stronger. Following his sale of the shingle mill and withdrawal from operations on the Pilehinck, Mr. Buck in 1902 organized the companies of which he is still the active head. Large tracts of timber were purchased between Sultan and Monroe and with eight horses and horses for varding he commenced logging. donkey engine was soon purchased for vard- ing purposes, then steel was laid and the hauling was done by locomotives. The busi- ness grew rapidly. demanding better equipment. and finally the complete. modern plant now in use was installed. Seven miles of track. extend- ing northward from the Great Northern line a mile and a half west of Sultan, are now used, equipped with a locomotive and cars, in addition to which four donkey engines are used as yarders. The camp is situated at the railroad junction. One

hundred men are employed in all departments and a monthly average of two million five hundred thousand feet of fir and cedar is maintained. As- sociated with Mr. Buck in this enterprise is the well known capitalist of Snohomish. U. K. Loose. although the active management of the firm is vested in Mr. Buck, who resides near the camps.

At Grand Rapids, Michigan, May 6, 1902, Miss Viola MeCrath, the daughter of Lyman and Eliza

(Carroll) MeCrath of that city. and Mr. Buck were united in marriage. She was born in Kent county also, April 3, 1880, and received her edit- cation in the schools of that community, residing there until her marriage. Lyman MeCrath, who with his wife is at present residing with Mr. and Mrs. Buck at Sultan, is one of Michigan's pioneer sons, born in a log cabin near Grand Rapids in 1842. llis parents came to Michigan territory with ox teams in a very early day. Mr. MeCrath served during the Civil War in Company K. First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, and rose to a captaincy before the conflict closed. After the war he engaged in building and contracting, his trade being that of a mason, and was thus engaged for the most part during his residence in the East. Mrs. Eliza MeCrath was born in Ireland in 1848, crossed the ocean when a little child and was only ten years of age when Michigan became her home. .After completing her education she took up the profession of teaching and followed it several years before her marriage.

Fraternally, Mr. Buck is affiliated with the Odd Fellows. the Foresters, and the Concatenated Or- der of Hoo-Hoos. the last named being the lum- bermen's fraternity. Politically. he is identified with the Republican party. As a capable, thor- oughly trained business man, possessed of marked executive ability. he is contributing generously to the industrial development of the sound country. and as a citizen he is regarded as one of the county's strong men.

CARL ARNDT, one of Startup's prosperous citizens, was born in Prussia. November 30, 1855. His parents, Carl and Carolina Arndt, were both of German nativity. The father, born in 1832, immi- grated to the United States in early life, availing himself of the larger opportunities afforded by this country. He was residing in Minnesota at the time of his death. in the spring of 1905. The mother was born in 1833. and is still living. Of a family of seven children. Carl Arndt is the third. He was thirteen years old when his parents founded a a home in the United States, and from that time till he reached his majority he remained with them. After working for some time in the woods of Min- nesota he went to western Iowa. returning home. however, at the end of a year. He assisted his father in the work of the farm for the following twelve months, and then secured a position in a brewery at Lansing, Iowa. Six months later he gave up this work to engage in fishing on the Mis- sissippi river. and was thus employed for a year. during which. through the trickery of his partner. he lost $1,500. Moving to New Albin, Iowa, he opened a saloon, owning it for two years, when on account of the enforcement of Prohibition measures

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he was obliged to go out of business. Deciding to locate in the northwest, he came to Seattle, working in a saw-mill to earn sufficient means to bring his ; family from Iowa. A year later he sent for his wife and children, and on their arrival, settled on the homestead he had previously taken up as a squatter's claim. For the first year all his supplies were brought over. a trail from Snohomish to Sul- tan, and packed thence on his back, the trip occupy- ing a full day. In 1889, a year after Mr. Arndt took up his residence in this locality, a store and post office were opened. As his land was all densely timbered it was necessary for him to work out in the woods and mines for several years to support his family. Of his original 160 acres he now has twenty-five in excellent cultivation, and fifty more in pasture. He has a fine orchard covering one and one-half acres. The remainder of his land he de- votes almost exclusively to dairying and stock rais- ing. In 1900 he opened a saloon in Startup, leav- ing his family on the ranch which is situated a mile from town. In a few months his place of business was burned ont. but he soon opened the "Wallace." of which he is still the proprietor.

Mr. Arndt was married June ?, 1880. to Pau- lina Raughter, who was born in Brownsville. Min- nesota, May 6, 1859. ller parents, Jacob and Min- nie (Hankey) Raughter, were both natives of Ger- many. The father died when she was a year old: the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Arndt have twelve children, Mrs. Bertha Giddings and Mrs. Minnie Lane, of Startup : William. Carl Jr., Alfred. Dora, Rosie. Arthur. Hazel, Bert, Laura, and Lena. Mr. Arndt is a member of the Eagles of Everett. In political belief he adheres to Democratic princi- ples and always aids the party in every possible way. As a member of the school board for several years he has rendered the cause of education valu- able service. Ile assisted in erecting the first school- house in the town. This primitive structure, made of cedar shakes, has been replaced by a substantial four-room building. modern in its equipment. Mr. Arndt and his family are identified with the Luth- eran church. In addition to his ranch he has ac- quired during his residence here a large amount of mining property that he is developing. Surrounded by evidences of the prosperity that is his today, he recalls the time when his home was destroyed by fire and he and his family left without even the necessary amount of clothing to make them com- fortable. Previous to this, during the financial de- pression of 1893, he worked for twenty-five cents a day to purchase a sack of flour. At one time he and his family subsisted for six weeks on a diet of potatoes and salt, and even the latter article was procured on credit. Both he and his wife, who was one of the first white women to settle in this locality, were endowed by nature with the true pioneer spirit that makes light of seeming impossi- bilities and knows no defeat. It is a fitting reward

that success has attended their efforts in these re- cent years.

AMOS D. GUNN, well known throughout the county as the founder of Index, Washington, was born in Putnam county, Illinois, May 11, 1843. Ilis father, Luther D. Gunn, moved from Massachusetts to Illinois in 1835, and became one of the honored pioneers of that state where they still live. He and his wife. Emerancy (Collins) Gunn who is a na- tive of Vermont, celebrated their sixty-fifth wed- ching anniversary November 14, 1891. Mr. Gunn has passed his ninety-first birthday ; his wife is eight years his junior. Of their fifteen children, Amos D. is the oldest. He secured his education in the common schools of his native state, and remained at home till he was eighteen years old, when the Civil War broke out. Enlisting in Co. H. Twentieth Illinois regiment he served a few months and was then discharged on account of ill health. After his recovery he re-enlisted in 1864, becoming a member of Company B, 139 Illinois regiment. .After the war he located at Fort Smith, Kansas, and there held the office of deputy post master a year. Having decided to engage in agricultural pursuits he then moved to Iowa, and was thus employed for the en- suing nine years, during which he also embarked in the hardware business. The well remembered panic of 18:3 caused him heavy losses, which together with the nervous strain shattered his health. It was at this time that he made his first visit to Washington, and located a claim where Oaksdale is now built. He held this property for a short time only. as he then returned to Kansas, farming there for twelve years. His permanent residence in the northwest dates from March ?4, 1890, when he re- turned to Washington. A month later he purchased a squatter's claim on the present site of Index. that had been taken up as a homestead previous to that time. But which on account of Northern Pacific railroad claims had again to be filed on as a placer claim. The town of Wallace, situated twelve miles away, was the nearest supply point at that time. Two years later Mr. Gunn platted his land as the townsite of Index, and thus became identified with the earliest history of the town. He was appointed post master in 1891, when, largely through his in- fluence. the town secured an office. For several years he brought the mail from Wallace on pack horses. In 1898 the first mineral claims were lo- cated in this district, and the year following wit- nessed a rapid increase in the valuation of property. Mr. Gunn took advantage of this, disposing of a portion of his land while the excitement was at its height. There are several developed claims in this region, several of which are being worked at the present time, including the Copper Bell and Ethel.

Mr. Gunn and Perses E. Graves were united in marriage in February, 1868. Mrs. Gunn, a native

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of Illinois, was known and loved by a wide circle of acquaintances and friends. Her death in 1898 was a profound sorrow to the community. Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gunn, the six still living are as follows: Mrs. Nettie Doolittle. and Mrs. Stella Van Vechten, of Index; Mrs. Car- rie Hagath, of Monte Cristo; Mrs. Lena Schull. of Seattle; Luther C., a civil engineer in British Columbia ; Perses, the post mistress in Index. Mr. Gunn is prominent in fraternal circles, being iden- tified with the Masons, Elks and Redmen. Politi- cally, he affiliates with the Republican party, and for many years was very active in county affairs. As one of the substantial citizens of the town, his influence is always sought in the advancement of every public enterprise, and his judgment highly valued by his fellow townsmen. His property hold- ings are extensive, embracing a large share of the original townsite in addition to his beautiful home.

HENRY E. BAITINGER, of the mercantile firm of Baitinger & Ulrich of Index, Washington. is one of the representative business men of the town. His birth occurred in Stearns county, Min- nesota, September 30, 1871. John Baitinger, his father, is a native of Germany, who immigrated with his parents to the United States in the early "forties," finding a home in Minnesota. He still resides there, and after farming for many years has now, at the age of seventy-three, retired from active work. Frederika (Jaeger) Baitinger, the mother. also born in Germany, recently passed her sixty-ninth birthday. Henry E. Baitinger received his education in the common schools of his native state. He was but fourteen years old when, from choice, he began supporting himself, being em- ployed as clerk in a general store in Paynesville. Minnesota, and later, in Hutchison, a town in the same state. Locating in Eureka, South Dakota. eight years later, he spent the following two years as manager of the store owned by W. F. Krinke. and then removed to Putney, South Dakota, where he engaged in general merchandise business for himself. After three years' residence there he dis- posed of his interests, and came to Washington. opening a commission house at Everett. He soon found, however, that the town was not of sufficient size at that time to make this business successful. and therefore sold out at the end of nine months. Deciding that Index offered an excellent opening for a wide awake business man, he moved here. and became owner of the store previously belonging to Mr. Rogers. Thoroughly familiar with all the departments of the enterprise by reason of his long years of experience, he has built up a splendid business, and is now reaping the reward for his close attention to details and his strict adherence to upright principles. Store rooms covering nearly one-fourth of a block are required to accommodate

his large stock of merchandise, all of which is care- fully selected and up to date. Associated with hin in the business is W. F. Ulrich, also a man of practical ability.

Mr. Baitinger was married November 18, 1892. to Martha Schultz, of Minnesota, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Schultz, natives of Germany. Mrs. Baitinger was born November 5, 1872. Her parents- reside in Everett, Washington. Five children have- been born to this union, Hildegard V., Wallace W., Firman V., Clinton W., and Bernice B. Mr. Baitinger votes the Republican ticket and upholds the party in every way, but has never sought office- or cared to devote his attention to political matters. Mr. and Mrs. Baitinger are held in the highest es- teem by the entire community. The latter is a prominent member of the German Evangelical church. Although still a young man, Mr. Baitinger is recognized as one of the most enterprising busi- ness men of the town, holding a position of influ- ence among his fellow citizens that many an older man might covet.

CLIFFORD R. REDDING. Among the young men of Index, Washington, who have achieved an enviable success, stands the one whose name initiates this biography, Clifford R. Redding, the well known druggist and assayer. He was born in Niles, Michigan, March 4, 1876. His father. Frank M. Redding, a tinner by trade, was also a native of Michigan, the date of his birth being May 4, 1846, and his death January 19, 1878. The mother. Elmira ( Robinson) Redding, is a native of Owensville, Ohio. Five years after the death of her husband she moved to Edgar, Clay county. Nebraska, and there her son grew to manhood, acquiring his education in the schools of that local- ity. She recently passed her sixty-first birthday, having been born September 6, 1844. The thrift. industry and manliness that characterize him today were early manifested by Clifford Redding, who when a mere boy of nine spent his vacations work- ing in stores and offices that he might contribute to the support of his mother and thus lighten her bur- dens. All his leisure hours were employed in study- ing chemistry, and so diligently did he improve the time that after being graduated from the high school at the age of eighteen. he immediately accepted the position of assistant chemist at Omaha, Nebraska, tendered him by the Union Pacific railroad. Three years later he entered the employ of the Omaha and Grant Smelting Company as chief chemist, remain- ing one year, at the end of which time he resigned. Locating in Index, Washington, in 1898, he formed a partnership with L. Bilodeau, and opened an as- say office. At the end of a year he purchased his partner's interest in the business, and also the drug store formerly owned by Isaac Korn, both of which have engaged his attention since that time. Until

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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 204

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