USA > Washington > Scandinavians on the Pacific, Puget Sound > Part 6
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Sivert Guligson Brekhus threw anchor where the Stilla- guamish disembogues its waters, 1873, but made his perma-
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SCANDINAVIANS ON THE PACIFIC.
N. P. LEQUE.
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SCANDINAVIANS AT STANWOOD.
nent habitation ten miles up the river. Two years later O. B. Iverson made his appearance as government surveyor, and al- most simultaneously N. P. Leque, Nils Eide and A. Danielson landed in fair-sized canoes. These pioneers had the sagacity and foresight to unfold the future, and bought three hundred acres of land together. The first named, O. B. Iverson, was elected to represent Snohomish county in the territorial legis- lature, where his keen intellect made palpable impressions. He now resides in Olympia, and is an active member of the government surveying staff.
N. P. Leque is a highly respected citizen, a gentleman in the true sense of the word. He was born in Kinservik, Har- danger, Norway, May 8, 1848, but moved with his parents to Ulvik when two years old. After receiving a good common school education, he entered the normal school in Voss, where he graduated with honor in 1865. The following year he en- gaged in teaching, but abandoned it after two years of success- ful experience. The 11th of April, 1868, he was married to Miss Maria Lindebrekke, a lady of fine intellect and noble aims, and the same year sailed for America, settling at Ver- million, Clay county, South Dakota, where he embarked in farming. The smiling Pacific created a desire for another journey, and July 31, 1875, he paraded the streets of Tacoma, with his family. He made a perambulation of the country, and in 1876 located on a beautiful island, which bears his nanie.
In 1886 he was elected county commissioner, served with
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distinction for two years, and declined renomination. He has been and is a valuable member of the Lutheran church of Stanwood, and has always sought to enhance the best interests of the community, morally and otherwise. For sometime he has been president of the Stanwood Co-operative Creamery.
Peter Leque, a close relative of N. P. Leque, is doubtless one of the most popular Scandinavians on the Pacific coast. He was born in Norway, but came to America in his early years, and received a fine education in the common schools and at the State University of Washington. Ever since 1875 he has resided on Leque Island, hard by Stanwood. He is a man of a grasping mind and elevated thoughts, a hard worker and a faithful representative of the common people. A man that the public has picked out to fill responsible posi- tions on the merit of honesty and ability. In 1888 he was elected county surveyor, in 1892 county assessor, and in 1894 county auditor.
O. K. Melby, proprietor of Melby Hotel, and a man of intelligence and fine training, has shared the struggles of pioneer life. He was born in Norway, came to the coast 1875, made a visit to Stanwood, and the following year located in the embryo villa permanently, being the first Scandinavian to engage in hotel business in this part of the state.
John Brygger, A. J. Brue, Peter Gunderson, Christian Joergensen, Martin Larson, Iver Egge, C. Toftezen, L. T. Land, O. J. Finley, Ole Ryan, Thomas Brue and John Brue are among the early settlers and the most prominent citizens.
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SCANDINAVIANS IN STANWOOD.
They are all independent farmers and potent factors in the upbuilding of the country.
The Norwegian Lutheran church of Stanwood is the oldest of the Lutheran churches on Puget Sound. It was
(67
BROY
NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH OF STANWOOD.
organized twenty-three years ago by Rev. L. Carlson, and has enjoyed the services of Revs. Emil Christensen, P. Isberg and C. Joergensen. At present it is in charge of Rev. L. C.
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15
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Encell & Fulle
1 C. P. LIEN
2 B. S. LIEN
3 MISS E. EGGE
4 A. BRUE
5 O. J. FINLEY
6 MISS A. FLOE
STANWOOD LUTHERSKE MENINGHEDS SANGKOR.
A. EGGE
8 O. J. LIEN
9 REV. L. C. Foss
10 G. J. HOLTE 11 A. GUNDERSON 12 E. EGGE
14 15
13 MISS P. JOHNSON MISS M. GUNDERSON O. E. BRUE
16 17
MISS M. S. LIEN MISS H. NAAS 18 G: NAAS
SCANDINAVIANS ON THE PACIFIC.
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Foss who has done much for Christianity and the Lutheran doctrine. He is a friend of the young people as well as of the old, the guiding spirit of the Young People's Society and a talented musician.
The Norwegian Singing Society is the pride of the com- munity, and has scattered laurels of accomplishment along the Sound. On many occasions it has been called to Seattle and other places to cheer and entertain the people with sweet melodies.
The progress and success of the Scandinavian business men of Stanwood are well known. S. A. Thompson's estab- lishment affords credit to the town, and Knud Knudson's drug and jewelry store compares nicely with similar concerns in the larger cities. B. Willard, the popular dairyman, hails from Denmark. His energy and keen intellect have always been at willing option for the good of his adopted country. A. Tackstrom, the genial postmaster, was born in Sweden, and has been of practical usefulness to his city. Edward Foss traces his birthplace to Norway, but has resided for years in Stanwood. He is a mechanic by trade, and a gentleman in demeanor. H. C. Anderson, the wealthy Klondiker, who re- sides near the city, is a conspicuous factor, especially in agri- cultural developments. The genial photographer, J. T. Wagness, has gained a standing among the people as a man of ingenuity in his chosen profession. Biographical sketches of men who have worked themselves up in an honorable way would doubtless be of interest to the readers. Such men as
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S. A. THOMPSON.
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SCANDINAVIANS IN STANWOOD.
S. A. Thompson, Knud Knudson, and others merit a place among the most prominent Scandinavians on the Pacific coast.
S. A. Thompson was born in Norway, 1864, where he received a splendid school education. In 1880 he arrived in America, locating at Story City, Iowa, remaining two years, then chose Moorhead, Minnesota, for his habitation. After a stay of four years in this city he migrated to Holdstead in the same state where he spent two years. Up to this time Mr. Thompson had been engaged in sundry occupations, clerking and manual labor, always devoting his leisure to the acquire- ment of an education. In 1888 he landed in Stanwood, and immediately embarked in business. For sometime he was connected with shingle mills, entered Irvine's store, clerked five years, and May 1, 1895, assumed possession of the whole firm. Mr. Thompson is a man of genial nature, kind and social, at the same time energetic, which his business career plainly emphasizes.
Knud Knudson, the gifted jeweler and drug merchant, was born in Modum, Norway, 1864. After learning the watchmaking trade, he sailed for America, arriving in Valley City, North Dakota, 1885, where he worked at his trade one year. He was touched by reports from Caselton, packed together his effects and moved thither, engaged in business for two years, then took another trip, viz., to Chamberlain, South Dakota, but one and a half years sufficed at this place. Washington was now the absorbing question, and in 1890 located in Stanwood, and established the first jewelry store
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KNUD KNUDSON:
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in the city. In 1896 he launched into drug business in con- nection with his already lucrative engagement. Mr. Knudson - is a leading business man, always busy and attentive, reliable and respected.
N. M. Lien is one of the typical Norwegians on the Sound-honored and intelligent-wealthy and conscientious. He came to America in 1866, spent eleven years in Minne-
RESIDENCE OF N. M. LIEN.
sota, twelve years in North Dakota, then journeyed to Stan- wood, Washington. He owns a magnificent farm, running pretty nigh into the heart of the city, golden with waving cereals and smiling flowers, and spreads out in an easterly direction.
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Olaf Rydjord is a lucrative farmer, one and a half miles up Stillaguamish river from Stanwood. He was born in Norway, came to Stanwood, 1890, with little or no means. Now he possesses a beautiful farm, and ranks among the prosperous Scandinavians. He is also a man of honor and ambition.
RESIDENCE OF OLAF RYDJORD.
One of the most laudable institutions in Snohomish county is the Stanwood Co-operative Creamery, it bespeaks the thrift and standard of the farmers. This enterprise orig- inated with Rev. C. Joergensen, who deserves the applause of the whole community for his indefatigable energy. Mr. Joergensen is an ex-minister of the Lutheran faith, armed
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SCANDINAVIANS IN STANWOOD.
STANWOOD CO-OPERATIVE CREAMERY.
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SCANDINAVIANS ON THE PACIFIC.
2
D. G. BENNIE, JR.
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SCANDINAVIANS AT STANWOOD.
with a liberal education and divers experience. He held the presidency of the Stanwood Co-operative Creamery until his election as commissioner of Snohomish county.
The Stanwood Co-operative Creamery has carried away many honors since 1895, the date of its commencement. It took the first prize, 1896, at the County Fair of Pierce county, held in Tacoma, also the first prize in Ellensburg, 1898, at the State Dairy Association. The output of butter has grad- ually increased, at present averaging about eighteen thousand pounds per month.
D. G. Bennie, jr., manager of the Stanwood Co-operative Creamery, has engraved his good will on the hearts of the community. His business methods are commendable, em- phatic of honesty and ability. He was born in Boston, Mas- sachusetts, December 14, 1866, came to the Pacific coast, 1885, embarked in logging and farming, and in the spring of 1898 he was elected to his present position, which he has filled with entire satisfaction.
M. O. Coltom, superintendent of the butter-making depart- ment, is a worthy gentleman, who has filled his calling with credit to himself and the association. He was born in Toten, Norway, forty-three years ago, came to America, 1866, and to the coast, 1887. He has been connected with the creamery since its infancy, and has always been vigilant to the best interests of the enterprise. John Lund, also a native of Nor- way, has been a faithful assistant to Mr. Coltom, for years he has served in his present capacity with honor.
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SCANDINAVIANS ON THE PACIFIC.
M. O. COLTOM.
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SCANDINAVIANS AT STANWOOD.
Stanwood is surrounded by thrifty Scandinavian farmers, the earliest have already been mentioned. Some of the more recent who have added laurels to agriculture are: Ole Naas, Peter Peterson, T. K. Logan, O. Alseth, Anton F. Anderson, Otto Coltom, Oluf, John and Gunder Otterson, Engbret Olson, Peter Holte, N. B. Thomle, Louis Christiansen and others.
Stanwood, as stated before, is largely populated with Scandinavians; in addition to the number previously noted we find many good citizens, namely: Herman Hafstad, con- nected with the Stanwood Hardware Company, Carl Ryan, clerk in Eureka Grocery, Fred Ryan, clerk in Thompson's store. Peter O. Wold and Ivar Opdal are representative Nor- wegians, well liked and respected. Bert Gunderson is an intelligent young man ; the members of the Norwegian Sing- ing Society rank among the best of young people, Saul Olson, Ole Mellum, Elias Brue, Sam Lovik, Halvor Anderson, John Melkild, Peter Brandall and others bespeak Norse integrity. A. B. Klaeboe, now a gold seeker in Alaska, was once a lead- ing business man of this city. Twelve years ago he estab- lished the first drug store in Stanwood, which he managed with notable success for a number of years. He was born in Norway where he graduated from college with distinguished scholarship.
SCANDINAVIANS IN STILLAGUAMISH VALLEY.
CHAPTER X.
The Stillaguamish valley, spreading out for a consider- able distance on both sides of the wandering river, which starts in the green-clad hills, looming up in the southeast, and leaps gracefully downward to the city of Stanwood, where it disembogues its waters, is a fertile plain, running through the forest for twenty-five miles, adorned with royal farmns and three happy villas-Florence, Norman and Silvana. Thirty years ago this noble stretch was the home of wild beasts, but now settled by a jolly populace. Here the Scandinavians found a field that hit their fancies-plenty of work and rich soil.
The first Scandinavian to brave this wilderness was Sivert Guligson Brekhus, a native of Voss, Norway, who emigrated to America, 1862, spent eleven years in the east combatting for success in divers avenues, and in 1873 entered the mouth of the Stillaguamish river. He proceeded up the stream which was choked with angry snags and stubborn logs. No less than four jams impeded his progress. Mr. Brekhus has been a man of unusual strength, and possessed of a heart that knew no fear. On one occasion, in early days, a red savage attacked him in Stanwood. Mr. Brekhus was alone which gave his heathen aggressor, surrounded by a bloodthirsty horde of his race, lust for blood, and, like a devil in flames, seized a manageable piece of timber and sought to convert the white man to a heap of jelly. The brave Vossing approached him
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and the following words burst from his lips, "Hvis du inhji parsa dig ska eg slaa huvu ini majin paa dig." The red skins understood the depth of his voice, and skulked away.
Ah! picture to yourself the hardship! All the provisions had to be canoed from Seattle, and four boats were required to reach Mr. Brekhus' ranch. Many struggles did this val- orous pioneer pass through. Once he carried a barrel of herring on his shoulders over the four jams, and at another time a big cook stove.
Iver Furness, father of John Furness, the Norman mer- chant, has also partaken of the trials and difficulties common to pioneer encounters. As early as 1879 he dates his first peregrination on Stillaguamish river. Like other adven- turers he endured many days of hardship, anxiety and worry. Supplementary to the toil for subsistence, the savages cast chilly currents through his soul. The Sauk Indians, rav- aging in Skagit county, were dreaded like devils. One day the report reached the home of Iver Furness, while relishing a healthy dinner, that the Sauks were paddling up the river for a bloody massacre. Mrs. Furness was thrown into a trance of fright, rushed for the door with knife in hand to take refuge in the woods. Johnny, her son, grabbed the fire-lock to protect their home, but, lo! it was only an Indian scare.
Iver Johnson, the pioneer merchant of Silvana, and the popular county commissioner, was born in Opdal, Norway, 1848. After graduating from the public schools, he took a
SCANDINAVIANS IN STILLAGUAMISH VALLEY. 159
IVER JOHNSON.
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SCANDINAVIANS ON THE PACIFIC.
course in the higher branches of learning by private tuition, and in 1869 sailed for the United States, selecting South Dakota for his first abode in the New World. In 1875 he took another step westward, locating at Port Gamble, Wash- ington, where he worked in saw mills for two years. Return- ing to South Dakota, he was married to Martha Haugan, a charming young lady, but to his sorrow she withered for the grave after four years of matrimonial happiness. He recrossed the Rocky Mountain the same year, settling in the Stillaguamish valley, worked in logging camps and cleared land for sometime, then embarked in general merchandise at Silvana, the first store in the Stillaguamish valley. He sold out his interests at Silvana to accept a clerkship in D. O. Pearson's store in Stanwood, which he abandoned after five years of faithful service to assume the position as deputy county auditor. In 1898 he was elected to the office of county commissioner of Snohomish county in which capacity he is now working with credit to himself and to his constituents. He was married the second time, in 1887, to Miss Maria Funk, an accomplished lady of Norse extraction.
Halvor Helvy, an intelligent farmer near Silvana, figures among the first pioneers. He was born in Norway, and came to Stillaguamish from South Dakota, 1878.
E. A. Hevly, the popular merchant of Florence, and one of the brightest business men on the Sound, was born in Opdal, Norway, February 28, 1866, came to America, 1878, and the same year landed on the Pacific coast. After receiving a com-
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SCANDINAVIANS IN STILLAGUAMISH VALLEY.
E. A. HEVLY.
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mon school education, he took a course in the state University of Washington. For years he was employed as clerk, but in 1891 became the sole owner of a large mercantile establish- ment, which he is conducting with marked ability. Mr. Hevly is a congenial man, honest, honorable and energetic.
John I. Hals, proprietor of Hals' shingle mill, located across the river from Florence, is a true type of Norse man- hood. He was born in Norway, came to Stanwood, 1882. worked four years in a saw mill at Utsalady, and in 1889 bought from Munson, Johnson and Company a shingle mill standing one mile east of Stanwood, the first Scandinavian shingle mill in Snohomish county. Cedar timber was getting scarce and a change of location became advantageous. To effect this he sold his mill, bought eighty acres of land further up the river, and built a new mill, of which Mr. Hals is the sole owner. The author does not believe in plowing up the field of exaggeration, and so far as the personage in question is concerned no occasion affords an opportunity. The men working for Mr. Hals speak in more eloquent language than my pen. In a word, Mr. Hals is a gentleman, kind, intelli- gent and generous.
Roud Florence are also other Scandinavians who have scattered light of melioration. Flowery meadows and royal dwellings join to pronounce their industry and rank of intelligence. Mr. Myro is an early pioneer and a thrifty Dane, Taral Larsen is a prosperous farmer, a native of Norway, who has shared the struggles of frontier life, Ed. Hanson, also a
SCANDINAVIANS IN STILLAGUAMISH VALLEY.
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JOHN I. HAL'S SHINGLE MILL.
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SCANDINAVIANS ON THE PACIFIC.
JOHN I. HALS.
SCANDINAVIANS IN STILLAGUAMISH VALLEY.
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+4-4
3
'The first public school in the Stillaguamish valley above Florence ; built, 1882, burnt 1892. THE NORMAN PUBLIC SCHOOL.
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Norwegian by birth, has been a valuable factor in the com- munity, especially in the promotion of education. As we proceed up the river we find an unbroken settlement of well- to-do Scandinavians, who sought the wilderness to make homes. Engebret and Sven Stenson, Sivert and Rasmus Knutson and S. Erickson were among the first. L. O. Stubb,
PRESTLIEN'S BLUFF.
The schoolhouse is behind the big stump.
a prominent farmer and a man of ability and influence, has given valuable service to the community. He has been one of the foremost men to look after the interest of education, He was born in Norway, came to Dogfish Bay, Washington, 1880, and the same year settled near Norman.
Iver N. Prestlien, the pioneer of Prestlien Bluff, so
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SCANDINAVIANS IN STILLAGUAMISH VALLEY.
named to perpetuate his memory, was born in Norway, and settled on his present location, 1885, when the inviting slope was a gloomy forest. He has done much for the upbuilding of the community, educationally and otherwise.
John Furness, previously alluded to, an able business man, in company with Mr. Engdahl, at Norman, has spared no energy for the good of the public schools and the country in general. Andrew Estby, O. B. Lee, H. Hereim and others have also lent willing assistance.
Cornelius N. Langsjoen, Elias Tangen, Julius Lund, Andrew Prestlien, John Ingebretson, and others have con- tributed heart and hand to better frontier gloom. Two fine Lutheran churches, one at Silvana and the other across the river, emphasize the moral and intellectual standard of the people.
SCANDINAVIANS AT CEDARHOME.
CHAPTER XI.
Three miles east of Stanwood smiles a beautiful villa, which fifteen years ago received the baptism Cedarhome. It seems as though Nature in her wisdom long, long ago took special pains to prepare a plot for this smoothly sloping panorama. If it had been whittled out to order for a quiet, sober and intelligent people nothing more consistent could have been expected.
In early days a dense forest clothed this spot, and savage brutes ruled unrestrained. But some forty years ago the irascible agent-fire-resolved to show his power, which he did like an unchained demon. He sent his red flames from tree to tree, consuming big and small, save some stubborn giants, which remained black skeletons in melancholy loneli- ness. Bears, cougars, wild-cats, and other inhabitants of the forest picked up their feet and with lightning speed sought the mountains for refuge.
The once rich sylva, where evergreen and foliage were wont to join in sweet choruses, was now a charcoal desert with a few angry monsters frowning in the air, squealing and cracking to the breath of every breeze.
Years elapsed, the sun sent down his gentle beans, the clouds unlocked their opulent stores, and the parched earth drank her fill, and gave birth to shoots that blossomed into a carpet of green.
SCANDINAVIANS ON THE PACIFIC.
A
PIONEERS AMONG WILD BEASTS.
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1
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SCANDINAVIANS AT CEDARHOME.
Ah, all a change! the chilly appearance of yesterday is today sunshine. A fresh sylva, besprinkled with flowers, smiles to our joy, and birds wheel on happy wings, pouring their hearts into dulcet music, and loving zephyrs come to woo the tender growth.
In 1877 Arn Olson, a native of Norway, made a peram- bulation of the country lying east of Stanwood with the object in view of finding a suitable bit of ground for a home, arriving where Cedarhome now smiles he resolved to pitch his permanent lot among the green bushes. Almost simul- taneously, Martin Larsen, a Norwegian by birth, braved the interior, remained one year, then located on the Stanwood flat, three miles north of the city.
It was not until the following year that Cedarhome com- menced to echo the presence of white inen. Before only a faint sound now and then rose to indicate human existence. Among the first who anchored their fortunes at this place was John Anderson, who left Sweden in 1869 for Chicago, but was soon seized with a whim to see and try other climes. Both South and West were fields of attraction, and to satisfy his romantic nature he took in the whole country. In 1876 he stood in the city of Seattle gazing with wonder at the novel- ties about him. A reconnoissance of Salmon Bay hit his liking, but shortly after settled on 160 acres of land at Cedar_ home, then called Burn.
Mr. John Anderson may be rightly termned the father of Cedarhome, and yet, though his flowing beard has silvered
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to a halo of snow, he contributes the fall of his life to daily duties.
August Anderson has passed through experiences not dissimilar to those of John Anderson. He, too, was born in Sweden, came to America in his prime of life, and in 1879 cast his lot in the forest. He has shared the ups-and-downs of frontier struggles, always a faithful supporter of the Meth- odist church.
Andrew Gustaf Bergquist made his appearance a few months subsequent to the arrival of John and August Ander- son. He is a native of Sweden, where he spent his boyhood, but like thousands of others sought the New World. Mr. Bergquist has been alert to the interests of the community, educationally and morally. For years he has been a member of the school board.
Now, gloomy loneliness! where art thine "blues and longings ?" No jollier crowd beneath the blue roof of heaven than a bunch of pioneers. Buoyant in spirit, strong at arms, the forest fell to their axes. Trails were swamped and cabins erected to their comforts.
Cohorts of eager land-seekers from all climes peranıbu- lated wealthy vales and green-besprinkled knolls, and among these was P. O. Norman, who had landed in Seattle, 1881, but spent two years reconnoitering the coast ere he located at Cedarhome.
Love of work and progress is the spur of a new country. As population increased so did the burden of responsibility
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SCANDINAVIANS AT CEDARHOME.
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THE CEDARHOME PUBLIC SCHOOL. The dwelling to the right is the residence of E. O Yngve.
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augment. Morality and education could not be neglected. Mr. Norman contributed from his fund of experience and learning, acquired in his native country, Sweden, and in the state of Nebraska where he had served as school trustee and county commissioner.
A craving had manifested for a union of worship, and in 1883 a Methodist congregation was organized, forming a circuit with Seattle. Rev. Andrew Farrell was called as pastor, who expounded the gospel in the two places on alter- nate Sundays. In 1888 Mr. Norman drew up a petition citing for a separation from Seattle and the formation of a circuit with Skagit. The petition was granted by the bishop, and the Rev. O. E. Olander wes secured as clergyman.
Absolute independence has always been the longing of the soul. The congregation was now ripe for a divorce from Skagit, which was granted, 1890, and a beautiful church was built, which stands as a pride to the village. The Methodist doctrine has prove relishing, and credit is due to the following faithful workers: P. O. Norman, John Anderson, August Anderson, Andrew G. Bergquist, John Lovegren, N. G. Carl- son, W. M. Anderson, N. O. Ekstran, Magnus Haglund, An- drew Olson and John Olson.
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