The Stillaguamish valley, spreading out for a considerable distance on both sides of the wandering river, which starts in the green-clad hills, looming up in the southeast, and leaps gracefully downward to the city of Stanwood, where it disembogues its waters, is a fertile plain, running through the forest for twenty-five miles, adorned with royal farms and three happy villas—Florence, Norman and Silvana. Thirty years ago this noble stretch was the home of wild beasts, but now settled by a jolly populace. Here the Scandinavians found a field that hit their fancies—plenty of work and rich soil.

The first Scandinavian to brave this wilderness was Sivert Guligson Brekhus, a native of Voss, Norway, who emigrated to America, 1862, spent eleven years in the east combatting for success in divers avenues, and in 1873 entered the mouth of the Stillaguamish river. He proceeded up the stream which was choked with angry snags and stubborn logs. No less than four jams impeded his progress. Mr. Brekhus has been a man of unusual strength, and possessed of a heart that knew no fear. On one occasion, in early days, a red savage attacked him in Stanwood. Mr. Brekhus was alone which gave his heathen aggressor, surrounded by a bloodthirsty horde of his race, lust for blood, and, like a devil in flames, seized a manageable piece of timber and sought to convert the white man to a heap of jelly. The brave Vossing approached him and the following words burst from his lips, "Hvis du inhji parsa dig ska eg slaa huvu ini majin paa dig." The red skins understood the depth of his voice, and skulked away.

Ah! picture to yourself the hardship! All the provisions had to be canoed from Seattle, and four boats were required to reach Mr. Brekhus' ranch. Many struggles did this valorous pioneer pass through. Once he carried a barrel of herring on his shoulders over the four jams, and at another time a big cook stove.

Iver Furness, father of John Furness, the Norman merchant, has also partaken of the trials and difficulties common to pioneer encounters. As early as 1879 he dates his first peregrination on Stillaguamish river. Like other adventurers he endured many days of hardship, anxiety and worry. Supplementary to the toil for subsistence, the savages cast chilly currents through his soul. The Sauk Indians, ravaging in Skagit county, were dreaded like devils. One day the report reached the home of Iver Furness, while relishing a healthy dinner, that the Sauks were paddling up the river for a bloody massacre. Mrs. Furness was thrown into a trance of fright, rushed for the door with knife in hand to take refuge in the woods. Johnny, her son, grabbed the fire-lock to protect their home, but, lo! it was only an Indian scare.

Iver Johnson, the pioneer merchant of Silvana, and the popular county commissioner, was born in Opdal, Norway, 1848. After graduating from the public schools, he took a course in the higher branches of learning by private tuition, and in 1869 sailed for the United States, selecting South Dakota for his first abode in the New World. In 1875 he took another step westward, locating at Port Gamble, Washington, where he worked in saw mills for two years. Returning to South Dakota, he was married to Martha Haugan, a charming young lady, but to his sorrow she withered for the grave after four years of matrimonial happiness. He recrossed the Rocky Mountain the same year, settling in the Stillaguamish valley, worked in logging camps and cleared land for some time, then embarked in general merchandise at Silvana, the first store in the Stillaguamish valley. He sold out his interests at Silvana to accept a clerkship in D. O. Pearson's store in Stanwood, which he abandoned after five years of faithful service to assume the position as deputy county auditor. In 1898 he was elected to the office of county commissioner of Snohomish county in which capacity he is now working with credit to himself and to his constituents. He was married the second time, in 1887, to Miss Maria Funk, an accomplished lady of Norse extraction.

Halvor Helvy, an intelligent farmer near Silvana, figures among the first pioneers. He was born in Norway, and came to Stillaguamish from South Dakota, 1878.

E. A. Hevly, the popular merchant of Florence, and one of the brightest business men on the Sound, was born in Opdal, Norway, February 28, 1866, came to America, 1878, and the same year landed on the Pacific coast. After receiving a common school education, he took a course in the state University of Washington. For years he was employed as clerk, but in 1891 became the sole owner of a large mercantile establishment, which he is conducting with marked ability. Mr. Hevly is a congenial man, honest, honorable and energetic.

John I. Hals, proprietor of Hals' shingle mill, located across the river from Florence, is a true type of Norse manhood. He was born in Norway, came to Stanwood, 1882, worked four years in a saw mill at Utsalady, and in 1889 bought from Munson, Johnson and Company a shingle mill standing one mile east of Stanwood, the first Scandinavian shingle mill in Snohomish county. Cedar timber was getting scarce and a change of location became advantageous. To effect this he sold his mill, bought eighty acres of land further up the river, and built a new mill, of which Mr. Hals is the sole owner. The author does not believe in plowing up the field of exaggeration, and so far as the personage in question is concerned no occasion affords an opportunity. The men working for Mr. Hals speak in more eloquent language than my pen. In a word, Mr. Hals is a gentleman, kind, intelligent and generous.

Round Florence are also other Scandinavians who have scattered light of melioration. Flowery meadows and royal dwellings join to pronounce their industry and rank of intelligence. Mr. Myro is an early pioneer and a thrifty Dane. Taral Larsen is a prosperous farmer, a native of Norway, who has shared the struggles of frontier life. Ed Hanson, also a Norwegian by birth, has been a valuable factor in the community, especially in the promotion of education. As we proceed up the river we find an unbroken settlement of well-to-do Scandinavians, who sought the wilderness to make homes. Engebret and Sven Stenson, Sivert and Rasmus Knutson and S. Erickson were among the first. L. O. Stubb, a prominent farmer and a man of ability and influence, has given valuable service to the community. He has been one of the foremost men to look after the interest of education. He was born in Norway, came to Dogfish Bay, Washington, 1880, and the same year settled near Norman.

Iver N. Prestlien, the pioneer of Prestlien Bluff, so named to perpetuate his memory, was born in Norway, and settled on his present location, 1885, when the inviting slope was a gloomy forest. He has done much for the upbuilding of the community, educationally and otherwise.

John Furness, previously alluded to, an able business man, in company with Mr. Engdahl, at Norman, has spared no energy for the good of the public schools and the country in general. Andrew Estby, O. B. Lee, H. Hereim and others have also lent willing assistance.

Cornelius N. Langsjoen, Elias Tangen, Julius Lund, Andrew Prestlien, John Ingebretson, and others have contributed heart and hand to better frontier gloom. Two fine Lutheran churches, one at Silvana and the other across the river, emphasize the moral and intellectual standard of the people.