E. A. Hevly.
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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.