Scandinavians on the Pacific, Puget Sound Part 6

[Ill.u.s.tration: JOHN BLAAUW.]

John Blaauw was born in Bergen, Norway, 1868, but when an infant of two years he went with his parents to Christiania, where he resided till he reached the age of seventeen, save two and a half years he spent in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1887 he emigrated to America, making Seattle his destination. Right after the great fire he embarked in Scandinavian journalism, and has practically followed it ever since.

No man is better informed of the condition and natural resources on the Pacific coast than Editor John Blaauw. He has traveled in every county from British Columbia to the Golden State. He has made Tacoma Tidende an honor to the coast and a valuable source of information to thousands of people throughout the United States. He is of a genial disposition, kind and serviceable. Though always busy, yet glad to receive visitors, and willing to impart all possible knowledge. Much of his time is consumed in replying to letters concerning the Pacific country.

Tacoma Tribunen, a Swedish weekly of considerable merit, was brought to light in April, 1890, by the Swedish Publishing Company. T. Sandegren was installed as editor, and has ever since filled the chair with credit.

[Ill.u.s.tration: T. SANDEGREN.]

T. Sandegren was born near Halmstad, Sweden, in 1858, where he enjoyed the benefit of a good common school education. At the age of twenty he graduated from Lund College, and three years later took the degree of A.

B. at the University of Lund. Journalism was his forte which he embarked immediately after graduation. In 1883 he crossed the Atlantic for the United States, locating in Minnesota, where he obtained a position as teacher in the Military School at Fort Snelling. In 1889 he migrated to Seattle, and in company with N. P. Lind organized Vestra Posten. The following year he was appointed editor of Tacoma Tribunen, and three years later a.s.sumed the ownership of the paper, which he is conducting with marked ability.

The Pacific Herold, edited by E. Berrum, is a pleasing journal, published at the Pacific Lutheran University. Mr. Berrum has had years of experience in the journalistic field. For half a decade or more he represented "Skandinaven" on the Pacific.

A word concerning Scandinavian churches may not be out of place at this point. In spite of a new country and adverse circ.u.mstances, nine of them pierce the air of the City of Destiny. There are three Lutheran churches, two Norwegian-Danish, and one Swedish; two Methodist churches, one Norwegian-Danish, and one Swedish; two Baptist churches, one Scandinavian and one Swedish; a Swedish Mission church, and a Scandinavian Free church.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY.]

To the south of Tacoma smiles the village of Parkland, the stronghold of the Norwegian Synod, where the Pacific Lutheran University stands as a pride to the place.

The aim of the inst.i.tution is to give thorough instruction in the various branches taught in the public schools and academies, including science, art and music. It is operated under the banner of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod, and sound Christian principles are made the basis of all the work. Rev. B. Harstad may be rightly called the "Father of the Inst.i.tution," and Prof. N. J. Hong deserves the appellation "Faithful Manager."

[Ill.u.s.tration: OX LOGGING.]

SCANDINAVIANS IN EVERETT.

CHAPTER VIII.

Few cities during the short longevity of eight years have blossomed like Everett. In 1891 it sprang into life midst the greatest of stir and excitement, and has ever since enjoyed the presence of healthy sunbeams and steady prosperity. Everett is the county seat of Snohomish county, spread over a pleasant stretch of land between Snohomish river and a beautiful bay of the Sound, affording an excellent fresh-water harbor and an equally laudable salt-water haven.

The city has a population of about eight thousand, many of whom are Scandinavians. John Brue was among the early pioneers, and one of the founders of the Norwegian Lutheran church located at that place. For years he was engaged in business in Everett, but disposed of his interests to take possession of a nice farm near Stanwood.

[Ill.u.s.tration: T. T. ENGER.]

T. T. Enger, a bright business man, merchant tailor, was also one of the first to establish himself in the embryo city. He was born in Hoff, Sotor, Norway, 1864, but moved with his parents to Aasnes when one and a half years of age, where he received his early education, graduating from the public schools at fifteen. His father, also, T. T. Enger, was a prominent citizen and manager of H. Schulze's estate, the largest in that part of Norway. Young Enger left his native seat for Christiania to learn the tailoring trade, and in 1882 emigrated to America, arriving at Madison, Wisconsin, September 22, where he remained two years working at his trade. His next move was to Minneapolis, and in 1891 migrated to the Pacific, settling in Seattle, Washington. Shortly after his arrival he was married to Miss Maria Olson, a worthy lady of Norse ancestry. The transient fame of Anacortes startled the country, and thither Mr. Enger went to engage in business, but in January, 1892, sold out and removed to Everett, where he is conducting a fine tailoring establishment. Mr. Enger is a man of energy and "push," reliable and respected. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, and holds notable standing in the republican party.

[Ill.u.s.tration: L. P. ELVRUM AND WIFE.]

Few men have pa.s.sed through the trials that L. P. Elvrum has, the genial landlord of Everett. He was born in Stordalen, near Trondjem, Norway, 1858, where he received a good education. At the age of nineteen he went to sea, and was dashed uninterruptedly on the pitiless waves for four years. Three times he weathered the North Cape. In 1881 he sailed for America, spent one year in Minnesota, then journeyed to the Pacific, settling at Stanwood, Washington. He sought the forest for employment, worked four years at logging, then embarked in general merchandise in Silvana, and immediately received the appointment of postmaster. In 1889 he was married to Miss Martha Beck, an estimable lady of Cedarhome. When Everett commenced to bespeak business prospects, Mr. Elvrum sold out his interests at Silvana and went thither to start a hotel. He is the proprietor of the "North Star," one of the most respectable taverns in the city. Mr. Elvrum is a man of business nature, social and congenial, honest and a true gentleman. He has had many ups-and-downs, but his motto has been, "Try and continue trying and you will succeed at last." A motto that every man ought to drink into his soul for ready application in the various turns of life.

There are also other Scandinavians in Everett who shine in business and social circles. A. O. Solberg is a leading jeweler, and O. Alseth a genial clerk and a popular member of the Lutheran church; Martin Dahl is a well-known merchant tailor, and J. A. Johansen a progressive grocer.

Everett has within its limit two Scandinavian churches, a Norwegian Lutheran, previously alluded to, and a Scandinavian Methodist, which was built in 1893. Rev. P. M. Ellefsen, a Methodist missionary, visited Everett, 1892, and the following year organized a congregation of ten members which now numbers thirty. Rev. O. Heggen was the first appointed minister to occupy the pulpit, who was succeeded by the eloquent Rev. O.

O. Twede.

A Young Peoples' Society was organized some years ago which has grown healthy and vigorous; at present it has a membership of forty.

Among the leading members of the Methodist congregation we find E. A.

Olson, Swede, L. Carlsen, A. Thompsen, H. Helgesen, and Mrs. H.

Helgesen, Norwegians.

[Ill.u.s.tration: EVERETT IN ITS INFANCY.]

SCANDINAVIANS AT STANWOOD.

CHAPTER IX.

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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 n.o.ble 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 a.s.sessor, 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH OF STANWOOD.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.