Tacoma, or the City of Destiny, is the second city in population in the
State of Washington, and the first in natural grandeur. It is situated
on fine terraces, commanding a beautiful view of Commencement Bay and
the Sound for miles distance. Mt. Rainier, or Tacoma, towers over the
city, and his head of snow and checkered bosom fills the soul with awe
and wonder.
Pride of the West, austere and grand,
The noblest in Freedom's Land,
To thee my soul is turning,
In sapphire flames thou burning;
Like spheres that walk the solar planes,
Thy mellow blaze through heaven rains,
Siren in cloudland high,
Scene bewitching to my eye.
How thy cheeks hang in a silvery glow!
Awful in look is thy head of snow;
In thy face I read Heaven's mighty arm,
The power of God that bids thee charm,
A landscape rich in song and flowers,
In rhyming pine and vocal bowers,
In dancing ripples of laughing gold,
In streams of music leaping bold.
[Illustration: MOUNT RAINIER, OR TACOMA.]
Scandinavians have made Tacoma their stronghold, about 10,000 dwell
within the city boundary. Some rank among the most thrifty and highly
esteemed citizens. They also bear the honor of being among the early
pioneers who gave light and courage to subsequent settlers. Mrs.
Fredric Meyer, a native of Norway, previously alluded to, was one of
the first white women to alight in Pierce county. Anton Malm, born in
Sweden, came to the coast in 1870, and mingled with the first pioneers
of Tacoma.
The Scandinavian business and professional men of Tacoma merit kind
consideration. They have risen to prominence and invited the confidence
and respect of all regardless of nationality. A biographical history of
the most prominent confronts itself. They are exemplary men, and their
rise to affluence and influence in an honest, straightforward manner is
worthy of emulation.
[Illustration: PROFESSOR OLOF BULL.]
Professor Olof Bull.--There are but few whose souls are imbued with
divine strains. Music like poetry is born with a man. When Ole Bull was
asked, "Who taught you to play so sweetly?" he answered, "Norge's hoie
Fjeld og dybe Dale" (Norway's high mountains and deep dales). The name
of Olof Bull is synonymous to that of Ole Bull. The former came from
Sweden, the latter from Norway. Prof. Olof Bull was born in Undersvik,
Helsingland, Sweden, March 31, 1852. His parents were Olof and Katarina
Bull, his father is dead but his mother still lives. From early
childhood he evinced extraordinary talent for music which was cultivated
to a marked degree under A. Sorenson and other masters. In 1869 he
sailed for America, arriving in St. Paul, where he rapidly gained fame
as a genius violinist. In 1876 he organized the "Olof Bull Concert
Company" which scattered divine music the land over, and rose to
enviable reputation. In 1881 he was appointed musical director of the
Boston Opera, which he resigned in a year to accept the professorship of
violin in the Chicago Musical College, where he remained until 1890,
when he journeyed to Tacoma to be installed as musical director of
Tacoma Theatre, which chair he is filling with distinction. Professor
Olof Bull is a genius as a violinist, and greater still a man of
character, kind and compassionate.
O. B. Selvig.--The esteemed cashier of the Metropolitan Bank of Tacoma,
O. B. Selvig, was born near Drammen, Norway, in 1851. He received a fine
education, and at the age of seventeen bid farewell to his native seat
for America, arriving in Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, with his parents.
Young Selvig, like others who come to a new country with scanty means,
had to do his own rustling. He worked in different places at hard manual
labor up to 1878, when he secured a position in the postoffice at
Willmar, and two years later received the appointment of postmaster, and
shortly after became head agent for the American Express Company. He
served faithfully for seven years in this capacity, then resigned to
accept a more lucrative employment in the Kandiyohi County Bank. In the
fall of 1888 he migrated to Tacoma, Washington, and after cultivating
acquaintance with influential men in the city, he was tendered a
position in the Metropolitan Bank, and soon rose to cashier. Mr. Selvig
is not only a man of business, but of honor as well; one beloved and
respected by all.
[Illustration: H. E. KNATVOLD.]
H. E. Knatvold.--In the fall of 1892, the Scandinavian American Bank of
Tacoma was organized, with a capital stock of $100,000, raised partly in
Tacoma and partly in the east. H. E. Knatvold, well known in business
circles, was elected cashier and general manager of the institution. He
was born in Drammen, Norway, September 3, 1848, where he obtained his
early education. At the age of fourteen he sailed with his parents for
the United States, settling in Freelom county, Minnesota. He engaged
in farm work, and spent his leisure studying, thus acquiring a fair
knowledge of English. At the age of twenty-one he removed to Albert Lea,
where he secured a clerkship in a store. To prepare himself to cope more
efficiently with the surges of the world, he relinquished his position
to take a course in Western College, Iowa, and shortly after embarked in
hardware business in Albert Lea. In 1884 he crossed the Rocky for the
Pacific, locating in Tacoma. He engaged in farming and real estate which
he followed successfully until 1892, when he was ushered into the chair
of cashier in the Scandinavian American Bank, which position he has
filled with credit ever since. Mr. Knatvold is a man of honor and
energy.
[Illustration: DR. C. QUEVLI.]
Dr. C. Quevli.--It is a conceded fact that C. Quevli, of Tacoma, is
one of the most highly learned doctors on the Pacific. He was born
in Blakjer, Norway, June 24, 1864. When six years old he left his
fatherland with his parents for America, locating in Jackson county,
Minnesota, where he received the education that the common schools
could afford, then took a course at St. Olof's College, Northfield,
afterward entered the State University of Minnesota, where he graduated
with the degree of M.D. He launched into a successful practice at
Lamberton, Minnesota, but his soul was thirsting for more knowledge,
and to satisfy this he sailed for Christiania, Norway, where he took a
post-graduate course. On returning to the United States he selected
Tacoma for his future abode. Here he practiced three years, then
returned to Europe to continue his studies at the University of Berlin,
from whence he crossed the channel to England, and took a post-graduate
course in Kings College and Hospital of London. Afterward he traveled in
France and other European countries before voyaging to America. Dr. C.
Quevli is a physician of enviable reputation, but that is not all; he is
a gentleman beloved and honored.
Empires rise to fall again,
But truth and love never die;
Greater the man with sunshine in his soul,
Than kings who woo the fading star of fame.
[Illustration: DR. J. L. RYNNING.]
Dr. J. L. Rynning.--The well-known doctor and professor of physiology in
the Pacific Lutheran University, J. L. Rynning (formerly Dr. J. L.
Jensen), of Tacoma, has gained friends and eminence in his chosen
profession. He was born in Iowa, 1858, of Norwegian parents, who removed
to the frontier of Minnesota while he was an infant of one year. Young
Rynning did not enjoy the opportunities that most boys have. The
schoolhouse was unknown to him until ten years of age. When time offered
a rural schooling he took advantage of it as preparation for the public
school of Rushford, later studied at the academy of Madison, Wisconsin,
and Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. He had a whim for the West, and
migrated to Montana where he engaged in school work. Mines, too, invited
his notice, and during his vacation of 1889 held the superintendency of
a silver mine in Montana. Mining, however, was abandoned for a more
professional career, and in 1892 graduated from Rush Medical College in
Chicago with the degree of Medicinæ Doctor, M. D. Immediately after
graduation he located at Butte, Montana, where he practiced for
some time. In 1893 he was married in Minnesota to Miss Marie Ellertson,
a lady of fine training, and took a wedding trip to the Pacific. He
foresaw the great future of the country, and removed to Stanwood,
Washington, to follow his profession. When the Lutheran University was
established at Parkland, he removed to Tacoma to tender his aid to the
institution. In this city he is permanently located, encircled with a
multitude of friends. Dr. Rynning is a man of heart as well as ability,
honest, kind and sympathetic.
[Illustration: ERIC EDW. ROSLING.]
Eric Edw. Rosling.--Tacoma has reason to feel proud of the personage of
my pen, Eric Edw. Rosling, one of the ablest lawyers on the coast. He
was born in Stockholm, Sweden, March 3, 1865, and came to Boston with
his parents while a young boy. From infancy he displayed extraordinary
talents, which subsequent years have made more realistic. After
acquiring a liberal education he entered the Boston University Law
School, where he graduated with honors, completing a three years course
in two. In 1890 Mr. Rosling arrived in Tacoma and at once manifested the
same tireless energy which characterized his success at college. As a
lawyer he has but few equals, his logical and oratorical endowments make
him especially fit for the eminent profession he is pursuing. He is a
man of literary taste and studious habit which his large law and private
libraries join to emphasize. In 1897 he was appointed by the Supreme
Court of Washington as chairman of the committee to examine applicants
for admission to the bar. In politics he is a republican, but has
refused to accept any political office save the office of city
prosecuting attorney during Huson's administration. Twice he has been
elected to the board of education and has filled with distinction its
presidential chair. His deep interest in educational and church work has
made him a valuable factor throughout the Pacific. His oration at the
Willamette Chautauqua Assembly, Oregon City, in July, 1898, and his
address at the National Educational Association, Los Angeles, 1899,
placed him before the nation as an eloquent speaker and a finished
scholar. He was married at Tacoma, December 12, 1890, to Miss Minnie
Belle Lincoln, an accomplished lady of Boston. They have three children
and a beautiful home in the finest part of the city.
[Illustration: J. M. ARNTSON.]
J. M. Arntson.--Self-made men, as a rule, become the leaders in a free
country where ability shines with unclouded luster. The individual in
question, J. M. Arntson, a rising lawyer of Tacoma, is a representative
of this class. He was born on a farm in Waukesha county, Wisconsin,
1858, where his parents, Johannes and Mekaline, settled in 1844, they
being among the first Norwegian emigrants to that part of the state.
When eight years of age his parents removed to the central part of
Minnesota where they engaged in general merchandise business. Here young
Arntson was reared and trained for a mercantile career, his education
was obtained in the public schools and by private instruction. He was
married at Willmar, Minnesota, 1882, to Miss Annie M. Olson, a lady of
heart and character, and the next year joined the army of homeseekers,
attracted to the shores of Puget Sound, and settled in Tacoma,
Washington. Since coming to this city he has been engaged in various
pursuits, first grocery then real estate. From youth he had possessed
an inclination for law, and to yield to his forte, he closed out his
business, and devoted his whole time to legal acquirements. In 1894 he
was admitted to bar, and immediately embarked in practice which has
constantly grown more promising. In 1898 he received the appointment as
clerk of police court, and in connection with the duties of his office
continues a lucrative practice. Though Mr. Arntson was born and raised
in America, yet he has been a warm friend of the Norwegians, always
ready to extend a helping hand when needed. He is delighted with
Norwegian literature, being conversant with social and political
problems.
[Illustration: GUSTAF LINDBERG.]
Gustaf Lindberg, a representative business man of Tacoma, was born in
Vermland, Sweden, November 22, 1865, received a careful education, and
at the age of fourteen embarked in business as clerk in his native
place. In 1881 he chose the national capital of Sweden for his abode,
where he obtained a clerkship with the firm of C. A. Schweder. Being of
studious nature and industrious habit, he worked faithfully during day,
and attended school during evening, thus acquiring a store of useful
learning and applicable experience. In 1889 he left the land of his
birth for America, locating in Tacoma, where he found employment with
the grocery firm of Forbes & Wose. After two years of service with this
company, he joined his brother John in the grocery business, now a
leading establishment on the corner of Eleventh and G Streets. Mr.
Lindberg is a prominent factor in the Swedish-Lutheran church and a
worthy member of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, and in all respects
an honored citizen and a true gentleman.
[Illustration: S. SAMSON.]
S. Samson.--For being a young man few have displayed steadier habits and
more business capacity than the congenial proprietor of the People's
Hotel and Restaurant, 913 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma. He was born in Ostra
Torsa, Kronoberg, Sweden, November 29, 1869, where he enjoyed the
training of splendid school facilities. In 1888 he crossed the stormy
Atlantic, and selected Tacoma for his permanent location. During his
early time in the New World he shared the vicissitudes of circumstances,
ever converting his leisure to useful acquirements. The language was
foreign to him, but being of docile aptitude this obstacle did not long
impede his progress, soon he could handle the English tongue with ease
and fluency. Business seemed to be his forte, which he embarked in some
years ago and has followed with marked success. He is a member of the
Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and owns considerable real estate in the
city. Mr. Samson has always been awake to the interest of the Pacific,
and especially his own town. He is a worthy citizen and enjoys the
respect of the people.
SCANDINAVIANS IN TACOMA.