Scandinavians on the Pacific, Puget Sound Part 7

The progress and success of the Scandinavian business men of Stanwood are well known. S. A. Thompson's establishment 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 resides near the city, is a conspicuous factor, especially in agricultural 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 S. A. Thompson, Knud Knudson, and others merit a place among the most prominent Scandinavians on the Pacific coast.

[Ill.u.s.tration: S. A. THOMPSON.]

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 acquirement of an education.

In 1888 he landed in Stanwood, and immediately embarked in business. For some time he was connected with s.h.i.+ngle mills, entered Irvine's store, clerked five years, and May 1, 1895, a.s.sumed 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: KNUD KNUDSON.]

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. Was.h.i.+ngton was now the absorbing question, and in 1890 located in Stanwood, and established the first jewelry store in the city. In 1896 he launched into drug business in connection 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 Minnesota, twelve years in North Dakota, then journeyed to Stanwood, Was.h.i.+ngton. 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: RESIDENCE OF N. M. LIEN.]

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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: RESIDENCE OF OLAF RYDJORD.]

One of the most laudable inst.i.tutions in Snohomish county is the Stanwood Co-operative Creamery, it bespeaks the thrift and standard of the farmers. This enterprise originated 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 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: STANWOOD CO-OPERATIVE CREAMERY.]

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 a.s.sociation. The output of b.u.t.ter has gradually increased, at present averaging about eighteen thousand pounds per month.

[Ill.u.s.tration: D. G. BENNIE, JR.]

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, emphatic of honesty and ability. He was born in Boston, Ma.s.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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: M. O. COLTOM.]

M. O. Coltom, superintendent of the b.u.t.ter-making department, is a worthy gentleman, who has filled his calling with credit to himself and the a.s.sociation. 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 Norway, has been a faithful a.s.sistant to Mr. Coltom, for years he has served in his present capacity with honor.

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, connected 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 Norwegians, well liked and respected. Bert Gunderson is an intelligent young man; the members of the Norwegian Singing 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 leading business man of this city. Twelve years ago he established 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 scholars.h.i.+p.

SCANDINAVIANS IN STILLAGUAMISH VALLEY.

CHAPTER X.

The Stillaguamish valley, spreading out for a considerable 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 farms and three happy villas--Florence, Norman and Silvana. Thirty years ago this n.o.ble 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, l.u.s.t 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 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 hards.h.i.+p! All the provisions had to be canoed from Seattle, and four boats were required to reach Mr. Brekhus'

ranch. Many struggles did this valorous pioneer pa.s.s 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 merchant, 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 adventurers he endured many days of hards.h.i.+p, anxiety and worry. Supplementary to the toil for subsistence, the savages cast chilly currents through his soul. The Sauk Indians, ravaging in Skagit county, were dreaded like devils. One day the report reached the home of Iver Furness, while relis.h.i.+ng a healthy dinner, that the Sauks were paddling up the river for a b.l.o.o.d.y ma.s.sacre. 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: IVER JOHNSON.]

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 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, Was.h.i.+ngton, where he worked in saw mills for two years. Returning 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 some time, then embarked in general merchandise at Silvana, the first store in the Stillaguamish valley. He sold out his interests at Silvana to accept a clerks.h.i.+p in D. O. Pearson's store in Stanwood, which he abandoned after five years of faithful service to a.s.sume 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 const.i.tuents. 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: E. A. HEVLY.]

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 common school education, he took a course in the state University of Was.h.i.+ngton. For years he was employed as clerk, but in 1891 became the sole owner of a large mercantile establishment, which he is conducting with marked ability. Mr. Hevly is a congenial man, honest, honorable and energetic.

[Ill.u.s.tration: JOHN I. HALS.]

John I. Hals, proprietor of Hals' s.h.i.+ngle mill, located across the river from Florence, is a true type of Norse manhood. 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 s.h.i.+ngle mill standing one mile east of Stanwood, the first Scandinavian s.h.i.+ngle 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, intelligent and generous.

[Ill.u.s.tration: JOHN I. HALS' s.h.i.+NGLE MILL.]

Round Florence are also other Scandinavians who have scattered light of melioration. Flowery meadows and royal dwellings join to p.r.o.nounce their industry and rank of intelligence. Mr. Myro is an early pioneer and a thrifty Dane, Taral La.r.s.en is a prosperous farmer, a native of Norway, who has shared the struggles of frontier life, Ed. Hanson, also a Norwegian by birth, has been a valuable factor in the community, 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, 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, Was.h.i.+ngton, 1880, and the same year settled near Norman.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE NORMAN PUBLIC SCHOOL.

The first public school in the Stillaguamish valley above Florence: built, 1882, burnt 1892.]

Iver N. Prestlien, the pioneer of Prestlien Bluff, so 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PRESTLIEN'S BLUFF.

The schoolhouse is behind the big stump.]

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 a.s.sistance.

Cornelius N. Langsjoen, Elias Tangen, Julius Lund, Andrew Prestlien, John Ingebretson, and others have contributed 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LOGGING FAMILY STANDING ON A CEDAR STUMP.]

SCANDINAVIANS AT CEDARHOME.