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 loneliness. Bears, cougars, wild-cats, and other inhabitants
of the forest picked up their feet and with lightning speed sought the
mountains for refuge.
[Illustration: PIONEERS AMONG WILD BEASTS.]
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 beams, 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.
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 perambulation 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
simultaneously, 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 commenced to echo the
presence of white men. 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 novelties about him. A reconnoissance of
Salmon Bay hit his liking, but shortly after settled on 160 acres of
land at Cedarhome, then called Burn.
Mr. John Anderson may be rightly termed the father of Cedarhome, and
yet, though his flowing beard has silvered 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
Methodist church.
Andrew Gustaf Bergquist made his appearance a few months subsequent to
the arrival of John and August Anderson. 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 perambulated 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 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.
[Illustration: THE CEDARHOME PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The dwelling to the right is the residence of E. O. Yngve.]
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 alternate 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 was
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 proven relishing, and credit is due
to the following faithful workers: P. O. Norman, John Anderson, August
Anderson, Andrew G. Bergquist, John Lovegren, N. G. Carlson, W. M.
Anderson, N. O. Ekstran, Magnus Haglund, Andrew Olson and John Olson.
The most promising feature of a church is a healthy, wide-awake Young
People's Society. Not only as an instrumentality to invite to share the
glory in Heaven, but to cultivate literature and music, to cherish each
others peculiarities and trend of thoughts. These societies are not
exclusively for the blooms of a few springs, often lingering fall with
hoary hair wields the guiding staff. The most eloquent and active
supporter of the Young People's Society at this place is John Lovegren,
though he has blushed about twelve summers of matrimonial happiness. Of
course, others have scattered sunbeams, and without their appellation
the narrative would not be complete. William M. Anderson has filled the
presidential chair, and Misses Minnie Johnson, Annie Anderson, Alice
Carlson, Annie, Lizzie and Emma Yngve, Minnie Bergquist, Mabel
Peterson, Annie and Jennie Olson, and Mrs. Edith Dacke have graced the
organization with sweet music and poetry. Messrs. Andrew Bergquist, A.
P. Dacke, Charley Edeen, John Carlson and Walter Jensen have contributed
able assistance.
The Cedarhome Literary Society, which has been in existence about
three years, has scattered literary light through the community. The
organizers and star members are: E. C. Nicklason, J. H. Swanson, Thomas
Munson, J. C. Jensen, Charley and Axel Ek, Eric, Mannie and Eddie
Lindstrom, Iver and Simon Olson, Jacob and Andrew Settre, Andrew Olson,
Kettle Levison, Lewis Sandstrom, Eddie, Eli and Ove Eliason, and Andrew
Anderson. The willing participants among the ladies are: Misses Minnie
Nicklason, Mary Jensen, Hilma and Hulda Ek, and Josie Settre.
No pioneer has endured more hardship than Mathias Munson, a native of
Norway. For thirty-five years he dashed on the merciless waves from
port to port, finally making his home in the wilderness of Washington.
Six-and-four scores of years rested on his shoulders at his death, one
year ago, yet strong and lively. He was an example of courage and
endurance, and is said to have saved many lives during his sea-faring
years.
Ole Jensen, born and educated in Denmark, bid farewell to his mother
country seventeen years ago, landed in Seattle and shortly after settled
at Cedarhome. "To do and dare" was his motto; the huge forest fell, and
a nice home smiles to his comfort. John Olson also arrived at Cedarhome
about seventeen years ago. He is a native of Sweden and has devoted most
of his time to farming, being a prominent member of the Methodist
church.
Cedarhome is no longer a nucleus of yearning bachelors, but a thrifty
town surrounded by gardens and meadows. Three religious denominations
are strongly represented, the Methodists, previously mentioned, the
Baptists and the Lutherans.
[Illustration: G. NICKLASON.]
G. Nicklason, a pioneer of the Skagit valley and a popular merchant
of Cedarhome, was born in Sweden, but left his native country at the
twilight of manhood. After filling sundry vocations of hardship in the
east, his attention was drawn to the Pacific, settling in the Skagit
valley, 1876, where he labored hard clearing land and farming. A
beautiful farm in that locality bespeaks his industry. In 1890 he
moved to Cedarhome to engage in general merchandise--business of his
liking--in which he has proved himself a master. The fertile forest
awakened acute calculation in his mind, and in company with Carl O.
Walters started a lumber factory capable of turning out both lumber
and shingle. Mr. Nicklason is a man of energy and ability, honest and
strictly attentive to business.
[Illustration: CARL O. WALTERS.]
Carl O. Walters, G. Nicklason's partner in lumber manufacturing, was
born in Gottland, Sweden, May 27, 1855, where he received his education,
graduated from the public schools at the age of fifteen. For three years
he served in the navy of Sweden, spent two years traveling in his native
country for the purpose of studying the natural resources and the varied
conditions. The sea was a pleasing attraction to him; visited all the
countries of Europe, and at the age of twenty-two embarked a ship for
the New World, sailed for some time on the Atlantic coast, rounded Cape
Horn, and landed in the Golden Gate, 1877. He dashed on the waves up
the coast as far as British Columbia. After eight years of navigation
he stept ashore, engaged in carpentry, worked in Seattle and British
Columbia, most of the time as contractor. In the latter place he spent
considerable time prospecting for coal, employed by the Vancouver Coal
Co. Twelve years ago he located at Cedarhome, turned his attention to
farming served as deputy county assessor, and gradually drifted into
lumber and shingle business, an occupation congenial to mechanical
ingenuity, which is Mr. Walters' forte, being born with mechanical
aptitude as well as with social and conversational endowments.
[Illustration: MR. AND MRS. L. G. HANSON.]
L. G. Hanson, the present deputy county assessor, was born in Skone,
Sweden, 1855, emigrated to America in early manhood, 1882. After
some years of ups-and-downs in the south, he planted his fortune at
Cedarhome, nine years ago, and has ever since taken an active part
in public improvements. He has been a stanch supporter of the public
schools and an advocate for good roads. For years he has served as
school director and road supervisor, and in 1899 he was appointed deputy
county assessor.
E. O. Yngve, a man of affluence and influence in his native country,
Sweden, crossed the salty billows for America ten years ago. He has been
alert to the interest of his adopted country, and always glad to usher
the welfare of his people to the front.
Frank A. Peterson is likewise a man cut out for frontier life where
energy and strong arms are required. He is a native of Sweden, but came
to South Dakota in his early days, stayed there for some years, and in
1886 landed in Seattle, and two years later joined his countrymen at
Cedarhome. He has been awake to the interest of the public schools and
the welfare of the community in general; for years he has been a member
of the school board. His brother John is also a good citizen.
John Ek, too, belongs to the category of frontier soldiers who delight
in converting the forest into fields of gold and smiling gardens. He
was born in Sweden and came to Cedarhome, 1890. Round the village live
a number of good citizens and industrious farmers; viz., Oluf Johnson,
Sivert Wold, Rasmus Settre, K. K. Erdahl, N. O. Lindstrom, P. G.
Johnson, Olof Anderson, Levi Levison, Ole Johnson, Robert Johnson, P. L.
Anderson, Ole Husby, Erik Johnson, P. M. Arentzen, C. P. Hemmingsen, A.
Evenson, B. Evenson, and others. Aaron Larson, a native of Sweden, who
resides on a pleasant ranch about three miles east of Cedarhome, is a
highly accomplished musician. His daughter Cora is likewise displaying
extraordinary talents for divine strains.
[Illustration: WESTERN WASHINGTON NATIVE SNOWSHOE HARE.]
SCANDINAVIANS IN SKAGIT VALLEY.