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 99

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 99
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 99

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).

DAVID EVERETT KIMBLE, a pioneer among pioneers, one of the real forces in the recla- mation of the Skagit valley from its primeval wild- erness, is the honored citizen whose life we shall here seek to concisely portray. Upon the old home- stead in the bend of the river just below Mount Vernon, surrounded by peace and plenty, amid the scenes of his most noteworthy labors, he is passing the declining years of a long, useful life.

Aaron Kimble, the father of David, was a pio- neer of the middle West, into which he entered as a lad of twelve from his native state, New Jersey. In Ohio he learned the plasterer's trade and there lived until 1832, when he removed to Park county, Indiana. From Indiana he went to Missouri eight years later and resided until his death in 1846. Nancy (Snodgrass) Kimble, his wife, was born in 1812, a native of Virginia, and there lived with her parents until they went to Ohio. In that state she was married. She survived her husband forty years, living in Missouri until 1820, then joining her son at Mount Vernon with whom she lived until the grim reaper overtook her. Five of their chil- dren are dead also: Vina, Joseph, John, Aaron, Newton and Mary ; the remaining three are Mrs. Martha Clifton, Mrs. Clarinda Gates and the sub- ject of this sketch. He was born May 5, 1828, on the old farm in Fayette county, Ohio, but received his education and arrived at man's estate in Mis- souri. In 1861 he took up his residence in Illinois, but lived there only a year, next going to Indiana, where he ran a saw-mill engine for a time. Re- turning to Illinois in 1863, he followed teaming in Cass county until he came to the Pacific coast. The trip across the plains with his family in 1868 was filled with the usual dangers and hardships incident to such a trip. Arriving at Puget sound, Mr. Kimble immediately joined his wife's folk on Whid- by island and resided nearby for several months. AAt that time what is now Skagit county had barely a score of white settlers and the Skagit valley was entirely unoccupied except by a number of white men with Indian wives, living on the delta. Into this wilderness Mr. Kimble plunged and February

528

SKAGIT COUNTY

3, 1869, staked out the claim which is now his home. This place was the furthest inland at that date and right at the lower end of the historic log jam which blocked higher navigation by any kind of a boat, thus preventing the settlement of the inland region. As the most isolated settler in the county Mr. Kimble passed through a great many interest- ing pioneer experiences. The Gates, Gage and Kimble families settled near each other about . the same time, shortly after the claims were taken in 1869, being the first white families on the Skagit. However, settlement on the river was extremely slow until the removal of the jam in 1878 and the founding of Mount Vernon just above the Kimble place about that year.

Mr. Kimble was united in marriage to Minerva Jane Bozarth in Indiana, Christmas day, 1862. She comes of a well-known pioneer family, her father having been Urvan E. Bozarth, who settled on Whidby island in 1852. He was born in Kentucky in 1822, but left the Blue Grass state at the age of seventeen to live in Missouri. His death occurred on Whidby island in 1870. Mrs. Elizabeth (Rice) Bozarth was a native of Missouri and there reared and educated. The Bozarth family is prominent in the early history of Whidby island. Mrs. Kimble was born February 2, 1845, and reared by her grandparents, with whom she lived until her mar- riage. A large family has been the fortune of this union : Balzora, born August 15, 1863 (deceased) : Edward, March 18, 1864, a well-known resident of the lower valley: Charles W., September ?? , 1865 (deceased ) ; Clarinda, November 20, 1866 (deceased ) ; Minerva Elizabeth, January 24, 1869; Nancy B., October 30, 1820; Joseph, December 25, 1872 ; Ida, January 6, 1875 ; Zenia, April 29, 1876; George, March 8, 1819; Harry, July 11, 1881; Anna, October 9, 1883; and Rufus, January 5, 1886. The family are members of the Baptist faith. Mr. Kimble is a Democrat, but of late has not taken as active an interest in politics as when he was younger. He has served upon the local school board and in many other ways shown his public spiritedness and a desire to bear his respon- sibilities as a good citizen, The Kimble ranch of seventy acres well improved and having upon it more than 1,000 bearing fruit trees is a high testi- monial to its owner's thrift and taste, and it is ap- propriate that he and his wife should now be en- joying the fruits of their long, weary labors as pioneers of that community.

ABNER B. CORIELL, one of the heroes of Shiloh and Vicksburg, is a native of Ohio where he was born at Portsmouth, April 2, 1842, the son of Isaac and Elizabeth ( Beard) Coriell. His fath- er, also born in the Buckeye state, in 1803, grew up on his father's farm, leaving it when he began life for himself in the shoe trade. Moving to Greenup county, Kentucky, two years later, he there had a

tannery and shoe factory, selling out in 1850, to remove to Muscatine County, Iowa. Here he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of fifty- two. His wife, born in the state of Ohio, in 1803, died four years prior to her husband. Mr. Coriell spent his early years working on the farm, first for his father and then for others. Among the thousands of young men who in the first flush of manhood an- swered the call to arms in 1861. none bore a braver heart than did Mr. Coriell, who enlisted September, 1861, in Company C, of the Sixteenth Iowa Infan- try. Having received a severe wound in the arm at the battle of Shiloh, he was home on a furlough for six months, joining his company at the end of that time, at Vicksburg. Actively engaged in the fearful siege of that city, he was there discharged on account of his wounds. After his recovery he farmed for a year, and then longing, perchance, for adventure, he crossed the plains by wagon to Nevada, later going to Salt Lake, where he re- mained for some time. In 1865, Virginia City, Montana, became his home for a year, which he spent in mining. A trip from this city to Omaha, Nebraska, on horse back was completed in fifty- five days, and here he tarried for a short time, go- ing thence to Iowa, and later accepting a position as pilot on the Missouri river, which he retained for nine years. Coming to the state of Washing- ton in 1875, his first position was in the mines at Newcastle, east of Seattle ; this, however, was soon given up, and logging near Green river, substitut- ed. In 18:6, he came to Mount Vernon, and here. took up a claim six miles northwest of the city, spending his time for the next three years on the farm. A trip to British Columbia was the follow- ing step in the eventful life of Mr. Coriell, and when, after three years' residence there, he returned to Mount Vernon, he disposed of his property, and now resides with Mr. David Kimble of whose farm he has the entire charge. His brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Jane Coriell, George, now dead, Sanford, Sela, Louisa Reed, Mary Ann (deceased). Charlie, James, Isabelle Willett, Mrs. Lucretia Pascal (de- ceased). With such a record behind him, it is need- less to say that Mr. Coriell is a prominent member of the Grand Army, and one of whom his com- rades are justly proud : while his sterling character has won for him the respect of his many acquaint- ances.

EDWARD DAVID KIMBLE, identified with the logging interests of Mount Vernon for the past twenty years, is a native of Illinois, born in Spring- field, March 18, 1862, the son of David Everett and Minerva Jane ( Bozarth) Kimble, a sketch of whom is found elsewhere in this history. His father was born in Fayette county, Ohio, May 5, 1828; his mother, also claiming Ohio as her birthplace, was born February 10, 1845. The parents are now liv- ing in Mount Vernon. Coming with his parents to-

529

BIOGRAPHICAL

this city at the age of nine, Edward D. Kimble here spent the following nine years, leaving home at the age of eighteen to seek his fortune in the Frazier river district, British Columbia, where he was engaged in farming. In 1884 he took up his permanent residence in Mount Vernon, and there began the business that has claimed his attention to the present time.

Mr. Kimble was married at Boundary bay, British Columbia, March 18, 1884, to Mary Martin, who died the following year, at Mount Vernon. To her father, Samuel Martin, of Indi- ana, belongs the distinction of having been one of the very first settlers in the Frazier river country to which he came in 1864. His home is now in Blaine. Washington, but he spends much of his time farming in British Columbia. Her brothers and sisters are as follows: Charles, Joseph, Wil- liam, Lucy, Myrtle, Isabelle and Betsy. On No- vember 11, 1892, Mr. Kimble was again married, Mary Miller this time being his bride. Her fath- er, a farmer of German ancestry, died in Califor- nia three years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Kimble have three children : Emma, Walter and Erwin. Mr. Kimble is a Democrat, but has never sought politi- cal prominence. He is a member of the American Yeoman fraternity. His wife is connected with the Lutheran church. Mr. Kimble, in connection with his logging business, owns an excellent wood saw. He also rents a farm upon which he resides. He is the second child in a family of thirteen, of whom the other members are: Belzora, Charles W., Clo- rinda, Minerva Elizabeth, Nancy B., Joseph, Ida, George, Zenia, Harry, Anna and Rufus. A man of good business ability, honorable in all his deal- ings with his fellowmen, of strictest integrity, and one who is at all times animated by a spirit of fair- ness and justice, Mr. Kimble holds the respect and confidence of all.

GEORGE MORAN. Among the many men of foreign birth who have made the United States the home of their adoption, finding therein success and friends, must ever be numbered the subject of this sketch. Born in Ireland in 1851, the fourteenth child of James and Maria (O'Toole ) Moran, both natives of Ireland, where the father followed farm- ing, Mr. Moran received his education in the moth- er country. When he had reached his majority, he sailed for the United States, where he settled first in Michigan, following the logging business there for three years. In May of 1876, he decided to visit the wonderful land that lay beyond the Rockies and investigate the rich resources of which he had read. Locating in what at that time was a part of Whatcom county, Washington, there re- maining for five years during which time he was engaged in logging on the Skagit river, he came at length to Mount Vernon in June, 1881. Here he owned and operated the Mount Vernon House for

several years, meanwhile filing on a homestead claim on which he commuted at the end of two years, and also taking up a timber claim. Having disposed of his hotel, he went into the retail liquor business in 1890 in Mount Vernon, which line of trade still claims his attention. He has made Mount Vernon his home since 1876.

Mr. Moran was married in Mount Vernon April 1, 1885, to Margaret Knox. the daughter of John B. Knox, who came from his native land, Scotland, to Washington territory in 1815, where he took up a homestead near the site of Mount Vernon, his present home. He had successfully followed the trade of a carpenter in the land of his birth. Mrs. Moran was born in Arkansas in 1867, but having removed with her parents to Skagit county when quite young, she here received her education, and became a bride at the age of eighteen. Mr. and Mrs. Moran have one child, John P., born in Mount Vernon, March -, 1888. A boy of unusual talents, he is now attending the Washington State Univer- sity at Seattle, from which he will graduate in the class of 1907, at the early age of nineteen. Mr. Moran is a prominent member of the Democratic party and an enthusiastic advocate of its principles. to which he has been a lifelong adherent. He is also a member of influence in the following fra- ternities : Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and the Concatenated Order of Hoo Hoo. He and his wife are members of the Cath- olic church. In addition to the homestead and timber c'aims already mentioned, Mr. Moran is also the owner of several valuable pieces of property in Seattle. Among the pioneers of Skagit county Mr. Moran has a wide acquaintance and friendship, and as a man of his word, who will redeem a pledge made or a promise given, none take precedence over him. Still in the prime of life, he has doubtless many years before him in which to enjoy the fruits of his wise management and skilful industry.

ANDREW A. JOHNSON, a prosperous farm- er residing in the Beaver Marsh district, four and a half miles southwest of Mount Vernon, was born in Sweden in 1849, the son of John- and Anna ( Pear) Johnson, natives of the same country, the father having been engaged in farming there until his death. The mother now resides with her son in Mount Vernon. After securing his education in the common schools of Sweden, Mr. Johnson began learning the trade of carpenter and wagon maker. His father having died when he was a small boy, he was entirely dependent upon his own efforts, and having heard of the superior advantages of- fered to young men in the United States, he came thither at the age of twenty-one, after a brief stay of four months in Canada, locating first in Chi- cago where he arrived three days after the great fire. At the end of eighteen months he took up track laving on the railroads in Wisconsin and

530

SKAGIT COUNTY

Michigan, and later was employed in the iron mines of Lake Superior. In the spring of 1871, he re- moved to California, where he spent a year and a half in the Napa valley, first on a ranch and later as a carpenter assisting in the construction of the asylum of Napa county. In San Francisco he was employed by the same contractor for several months, after which he went to Peru, South Amer- ica, and there fell a victim to disease and misfor- tune. Homeless, ill, destitute of money and even personal apparel, all of which had been stolen from him, the future seemed a blank. However, help came in the darkest hour from the fraternal order with which he was connected, the Odd Fellows, who kindly secured his passage back to San Fran- cisco, and rendered him financial assistance until his health was restored and he had found a business opening. As bridge builder for the Southern Pa- cific railroad, he was one of the first to open the work at Port Costa, going thence to Arizona as foreman wagon maker for the same road, and was later employed by them in building the road from Sweetwater to within a few miles of San Antonio, Texas. Upon its completion he went to the Mo- have desert with the company outfit and there fol- lowed his trade for six months at the end of which time he returned to California to assist his brother who was superintendent of the Nevada dock at Redding, California. Having visited La Conner, Washington, in 1883, he was so favorably impress- ed that a year later it became his home, and here for the ensuing eight years he worked at his trade and on his farm. Many houses and barns in this locality bear witness of his skill as a carpenter. Dis- posing of his interests in 1894, he bought his pres- ent farm near Mount Vernon, and has since made this his home.

Mr. Johnson was married February 2, 1884, to Miss Berta Eliza Anderson, a native of Sweden who came with her sister to the United States in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have five children : Anna M., Carl G., Alice (deceased), Oscar F. and Arthur J. He is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen at La Conner. Both he and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Johnson is an earnest advocate of the Republi- can party, and has several times been elected dele- gate to the conventions of his party. Interested in educational matters, he has given to it time and at- tention, serving as school director in his district. His fine farm of eighty acres produces from three to four thousand pounds of oats, and from four to four and one-half tons of timothy, to the acre. He owns a good dairy, and sells the product as cream. He has recently built a beautiful new home, thus surrounding himself with the evidences of the pros- perity he so richly merits. He is known as a pub- lic spirited citizen, deserving the respect and esteem of his many acquaintances.

JOHN JUNGQUIST, well known as a farmer and stockman, residing three miles southwest of Mount Vernon, was born in central Sweden in 1858, his father being August Jungquist, a farmer who came to this country in 1888 and now resides with his son in Mount Vernon. Hannah (Swanson) Jungquist, the mother, was a native of Sweden, and came with her husband to America, where she died in 1901. Attending the common schools of the country, and serving two seasons of fifteen days each in the army, as all who pass the examinations are required to do, Mr. Jungquist spent the early years of his life. To him as to so many of his countrymen, the United States was a synonym for opportunity and success, and thus having reached his majority, he crossed the ocean, locating in Osage City, Kansas, where he worked in the coal mines for two years. Desiring to investigate the Northwest, he came to Seattle by way of San Fran- cisco in 1883, found employment at brick making under the contractors. Lewis & Ranky. with whom he remained till October when he filed on his present homestead. So densely timbered was the land that only here and there could glimpses of the sky be seen. Wagons and roads were alike un- known conveniences, only one man in all that sec- tion owning anything that might by courtesy be des- ignated as a wagon, and he, Frank Buck, had con- structed it, using wheels sawed out of logs. The woods were full of bears that often came to eat ber- ries as Mr. Jungquist toiled on clearing off the tim- ber. Frequently he remained in the woods for weeks at a time, seeing no white man except an oc- casional trapper making his rounds. Everything needed for the work was sent up the Skagit river and packed to its destination.

Mr. Jungquist was married January 29, 1891, to Amanda Wersen, of Sweden, born February 16, 1871. She came to this country in 1888, and her mother followed September 14, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Jungquist have four children : Amile, born Janu- ary 14, 1893 ; Iver, September 14, 1894: Gust, Feb- ruary 1, 1896; and Eveylene, May 22, 1901. Mr. Jungquist is an independent voter. His farm of one hundred and sixty acres, eighty of which are under cultivation, yielding excellent returns in oats, hay and stock, is a substantial proof of years of energy and thrift, while the esteem accorded him by his fellow-citizens bears witness of his sterling worth.

JOHN AXEL LUND, a farmer and stockman residing six miles northwest of Mount Vernon, is a native of Sweden, born near Lule in 1859, the son of John A. and Elsie M. Anderson, both born in Sweden, in which country the father also died and the mother still makes her home. Like most of the boys of his country, Mr. Lund spent his early years in gaining a thorough knowledge of farming on his father's farm, after which he engaged in salmon fishing for several years. Longing for adventure,

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

John Ball

Eleanor, hr. Ball .

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONE

535

BIOGRAPHICAL

he in company with three sailors started for Aus- tralia, when he had reached his majority, but by some strange freak of chance they landed in New York. Taking up the work that first presented it- self he followed railroading for a few months, and later went to Chippewa County, Wisconsin, where he began logging, remaining in that locality for eight years. In the spring of 1889 he came West; and after a brief stay in Seattle, proceeded to La Conner to visit a friend. Pleased with the country, he soon found a position on a farm. retaining it for six years, at which time he invested in his present farm near Mount Vernon. His industry and thrift are plainly apparent in the many improvements which he has made upon it, building new barns and fences in addition to a neat and commodions dwell- ing place.

Mr. Lund was married January 2, 1897, to Miss Hannah E. Carlson, who was born in Sweden in 1871, and found a home in the United States in 1890. Her mother still lives in her native country, where her father died several years ago. Two children have gladdened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lund, Alice M., born April 21, 1898, and Ruby M., born April 30. 1902. Mr. Lund is a loval supporter of the Republican party. He is deeply interested in the educational matters of the county, and in his position as school director favors every advance movement. It is hearty co-operation such as he gives that has made possible the vast improvement everywhere apparent in our common school system. Mr. and Mrs. Lund are members of the Lutheran church. Arguing from his own success as well as that of others. Mr. Lund believes Skagit county to be the very best county in the world, as far as his travels have afforded opportunity for him to ob- serve. He is giving special attention to short-horn cattle, which he is breeding extensively. A man of earnest purpose and high principles. he worthily holds the esteem of his acquaintances.

JOHN L. NELSON was born in 1857. near Christianstad, in Sweden, a country that has given to the United States so many of her thrifty, indus- trions citizens. His parents were Nelson and Bet- tie (Johnson) Larson, natives of the same country in which they spent their entire lives, the father dying in 1891 and the mother nine years previous- ly. Having substituted for his surname the first name of his father. Nelson, he received his educa- tion in the common schools of the country. working meanwhile on his father's farm. Availing himself of the greater opportunities offered by the United States to young men of ambition. Mr. Nelson crossed the ocean in 1880, arriving in Chicago August 15th, when the National Republican con- vention which nominated Garfield for President was in session. That was his introduction to the country of which he is now such a loyal citizen. After working in a tailor shop for a year, in March

of 1881 he went to Sacramento valley, California, where he followed farming for two years, coming thence to La Conner. Employed by Olif Polson for some time, he later, together with Mr. Alquist, leased a large farm on the Skagit delta which they operated for a year, turning it over to the owner at the end of that time. Having purchased the farm on which he now resides, situated on North Fork, Beaver Marsh, five and one-half miles from Mount Vernon, he took up his abode there in 1885. It was a wild, desolate country at that time with no roads and no bridges spanning the turbulent waters. The few brave pioneers who made that their home were dependent upon the Indians to row them over from La Conner and Mount Vernon in scows. Severe floods often endangered their lives and the property they had secured at the price of such arduous toil. At one time while working for Mr. Polson the water was unusually high, flooding the house and rising to the level of the beds.

Mr. Nelson was married in December. 1882, to Miss Hilda Emanuelson, a native of Sweden, whose death occurred January 11, 1900. Three children were born to this union. Axel, Emma and Carl A. Mr. Nelson is a public spirited man, interested in the educational advantages of the community in which he has been school director, and now the im- portant office of dike inspector. In political mat- ters he is a firm believer in Republican principles. In the Pleasant Ridge Methodist church no one occupies a more prominent position than Mr. Nelson, who is trustee, class leader and steward. Own- ing forty acres under cultivation, upon which he raises oats and hay, a stockholder in the Pleasant Ridge Creamery Company, he is justly considered one of the successful men of the county, and holds the good-will and esteem of all.

JOHN BALL, pioneer farmer and stock raiser, residing on his extensive ranch equidistant from Mount Vernon and La Conner on the famous Swinomish Flats, has for years been an active force in the progressive development of Skagit county and the redemption of its soil from nature's state. That he has wrought well since his first advent within the county precincts is evidenced on every hand. Born in Harrison. Ilamilton County, Ohio, April 1. 1838, to the union of Samnel and Mary ( Wyatt ) Ball. he was there educated in the schools of his community and learned the carpenter trade. working at the bench with his father. The elder Ball. a native of England, was born in 1988, and followed carpentering and was married in his native land. Shortly after his marriage he and his wife came to Canada, and after a brief stay there settled in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1836, where he later departed this life. The mother of our subject was born in England in 1803, where she grew to young womanhood and was married. coming with her hus- band to America, where she reared a family of nine

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 99

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