N. P. Leque.
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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.

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.