M. O. Coltom.
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Stanwood is surrounded by thrifty Scandinavian farmers, the earliest have already been mentioned. Some of the more recent who have added laurels to agriculture are: Ole Naas, Peter Peterson, T. K. Logan, O. Alseth, Anton F. Anderson, Otto Coltom, Oluf, John and Gunder Otterson, Engbret Olson, Peter Holte, N. B. Thomle, Louis Christiansen and others.

Stanwood, as stated before, is largely populated with Scandinavians; in addition to the number previously noted we find many good citizens, namely: Herman Hafstad, connected with the Stanwood Hardware Company, Carl Ryan, clerk in Eureka Grocery, Fred Ryan, clerk in Thompson's store. Peter O. Wold and Ivar Opdal are representative Norwegians, well liked and respected. Bert Gunderson is an intelligent young man; the members of the Norwegian Singing Society rank among the best of young people, Saul Olson, Ole Mellum, Elias Brue, Sam Lovik, Halvor Anderson; John Melkild, Peter Brandall and others bespeak Norse integrity. A. B. Klaeboe, now a gold seeker in Alaska, was once a leading business man of this city. Twelve years ago he established the first drug store in Stanwood, which he managed with notable success for a number of years. He was born in Norway where he graduated from college with distinguished scholarship.

SCANDINAVIANS IN STILLAGUAMISH VALLEY.
[CHAPTER X.]

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.