Stanwood is the largest Scandinavian community in the State of
Washington, situated in Snohomish county, on a delta-like angle, where
the Skagit and the Stillaguamish rivers meet to mingle their blue
volumes. A navigable tongue of the Sound ripples up the flat, where
daily steamers gracefully ride for the proud city. To the east and west
from this thriving villa a panorama of inexhaustible fertility spreads
out before your eye, dotted with quaint dwellings, here and there
flecked with rich orchards, and slowly sweeps up forming what is
generally termed highland, where a Swedish colony smiles with flowery
gardens and beautiful farms.
Stanwood compares in magnitude and importance with the eastern
Scandinavian settlements, but differs vastly from them in spirit.
Here is more life, more freedom, and English the prevailing language,
especially among the younger folks.
In 1870, the time that Eller Graham, a native of Norway, disembarked at
the mouth of Skagit river, a white man was a curiosity. Doubtless Graham
was the first Scandinavian to seek the wilderness for a nestling place,
though it is probable that Martin Toftezen, who landed on Whidbey Island
twelve years prior, had made a reconnoissance of both Skagit and
Stillaguamish rivers.
Sivert Guligson Brekhus threw anchor where the Stillaguamish disembogues
its waters, 1873, but made his permanent habitation ten miles up the
river. Two years later O. B. Iverson made his appearance as government
surveyor, and almost 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 legislature, where his keen
intellect made palpable impressions. He now resides in Olympia, and
is an active member of the government surveying staff.
[Illustration: N. P. LEQUE.]
N. P. Leque is a highly respected citizen, a gentleman in the true sense
of the word. He was born in Kinservik, Hardanger, 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 engaged in
teaching, but abandoned it after two years of successful 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 Vermillion, 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 name.
In 1886 he was elected county commissioner, served with 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
some time 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 positions 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. They are all independent farmers and potent factors
in the upbuilding of the country.
[Illustration: NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH OF STANWOOD.]
[Illustration: STANWOOD LUTHERSKE MENINGHEDS SANGKOR.
1 C. P. Lien 7 A. Egge 13 Miss P. Johnson
2 B. S. Lien 8 O. J. Lien 14 Miss M. Gunderson
3 Miss E. Egge 9 Rev. L. C. Foss 15 O. E. Brue
4 A. Brue 10 G. J. Holte 16 Miss M. S. Lien
5 O. J. Finley 11 A. Gunderson 17 Miss H. Naas
6 Miss A. Floe 12 E. Egge 18 G. Naas]
The Norwegian Lutheran church of Stanwood is the oldest of the Lutheran
churches on Puget Sound. It was 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. 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 community, 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 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.
[Illustration: 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 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.
[Illustration: 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. Washington 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, 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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: 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 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.
[Illustration: 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 Association. The output of
butter has gradually increased, at present averaging about eighteen
thousand pounds per month.
[Illustration: 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, Massachusetts, 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.
[Illustration: M. O. COLTOM.]
M. O. Coltom, superintendent of the butter-making department, 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 Norway,
has been a faithful assistant 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
scholarship.
SCANDINAVIANS IN STILLAGUAMISH VALLEY.