Scandinavians on the Pacific, Puget Sound Part 8

CHAPTER XI.

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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 La.r.s.en, 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 anch.o.r.ed 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 pa.s.sed 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 pet.i.tion citing for a separation from Seattle and the formation of a circuit with Skagit. The pet.i.tion 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 h.o.a.ry 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 a.s.sistance.

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 partic.i.p.ants 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 ash.o.r.e, 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 a.s.sessor, and gradually drifted into lumber and shingle business, an occupation congenial to mechanical ingenuity, which is Mr. Walters' forte, being born with mechanical apt.i.tude as well as with social and conversational endowments.

[Ill.u.s.tration: MR. AND MRS. L. G. HANSON.]

L. G. Hanson, the present deputy county a.s.sessor, 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 a.s.sessor.

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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: WESTERN WASHINGTON NATIVE SNOWSHOE HARE.]

SCANDINAVIANS IN SKAGIT VALLEY.

CHAPTER XII.

Sweetest and loveliest of flowery vales, Where plenty teems and joy hails, Where waving fields of golden grain Merrily smile in sun and rain.

The Skagit valley is a stretch of inexhaustible fertility, commencing at the mouth of the river and running northward for scores of miles, and spreads out, east and west, into a plain beautifully embellished with proud farms, and mostly populated with Scandinavians. Six miles up the river rests the town of Fir, a bustling village, surrounded by a rich farming community. Ole J. Borseth is the leading business man of the town, who located here, 1883, and in 1891 engaged in general merchandise. He is a native of Norway, where he was bred and educated.

[Ill.u.s.tration: MORLING HOUSE.

Owned by Knut H. Opdal, the first Scandinavian Hotel in the Skagit Valley.]

Knut H. Opdal, also born in Norway, arrived in 1888, and shortly afterward embarked in hotel business. He and his wife are representatives of Norse simplicity and integrity, imbued with love for their native country, and patriotic and loyal to the stars and stripes.

[Ill.u.s.tration: J. F. ANDERSON.]

J. F. Anderson was one of the first settlers. He was born in Sweden, left his native land during the early summer of maturity, and located in the state of Iowa. In 1874 he landed in Port Townsend on Prince Alfred, and immediately proceeded to the Skagit valley, settling on North Fork.

After a year of hard work he moved with his family to Seattle in order to give his children the advantages of good schooling. At the close of six years they returned to the Skagit, locating on South Fork, where Fir now stands. In 1883 a flood rushed over the country, swept along everything save some stubborn buildings, the crop was destroyed, and havoc spread in all directions. "Never give in," says the sage, which is applicable to Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Anderson. "Onward" was their motto, and two beautiful homes shine to their honest efforts one at Seattle and one at Fir. Their children, who are now combating with the turmoils of the world, are well educated and highly respected. Jennie is married and lives in Seattle; Axel and Eric are connected with the Polson and Wilson Hardware Co., established in Seattle and La Conner; Victor is married to an esteemed lady, Miss Marie Paulson, and runs the farm; Minnie is postmistress at Fir and a teacher of music, Howard sleeps in the grave, and Otto stays home.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ANDREW N. CROGSTAD.]