An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893

HENRY VAN ASSELT, the only living representative of the first settlers of King
county, was born in Holland, April 11, 1817, his ancestry having for generations
lived in that country, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Our subject was upon
the farm, became an expert and licensed hunter, and was educated in the schools
of the locality. At the age of nineteen years he became subject to military duty
and was drafted into the army, joining the Second Battalion of Yagers, and being
placed upon the frontier between Holland and Belgium. He was engaged in this
service a little over three years, until peace was consummated between the two
countries. He then followed hunting for the nobility and farming with his
parents up to 1847, when he learned of America and its greater opportunities,
and sailed for this country upon the bark Suelhyd, from Amsterdam, and after a
passage of forty-nine days landed in New York, July 17, 1847. He then went to
New Jersey and worked nine months for $35, - those were days of "tariff for
revenue only," - then proceeded from Albany by canal to Buffalo, and thence by
lakes and river to St. Louis, where he worked five months; then to Bloomington,
Iowa, in which vicinity he remained until the spring of 1850, when he made one
of a party of eight to cross the plains to California, paying $100 for his food
and transportation. At the fork of California and Oregon roads, they decided to
go to Oregon, and duly arrived at Oregon City September 21. The trip was one of
great pleasure to Mr. Van Asselt, as opportunity was given for hunting, in which
he was very successful. Near Oregon City he hired with a farmer for two months
at $75 per month, then began making shingles, which occupation he followed up to
February, 1851, when he joined a small company and went to the gold mines of
northern California. Much time was spent prospecting and about live and one-half
weeks in mining, when the water gave out and they divided, their accumulation,
which rendered $1,000 to each member of the party. Flour was selling at $1 per
pound, bacon $1.25, and other things in proportion, and he decided to return to
the Willamette valley. On the way the party fell in with L.M. Collins, who had a
claim on the Nesqually river, Washington Territory, and learning of the fine
fishing and hunting in that section our subject was easily induced to accompany
him. They celebrated July 4, 1851, at Oregon City, then proceeded, by Tualatin
plains, to St. Helen. While crossing the river from that point Mr. Van Asselt
accidentally shot himself in the shoulder and was obliged to return to St. Helen
for treatment, and there remained thirty days, then joined his friends on the
Nesqually. While boarding with Collins he carefully explored the country in
every direction for a place of settlement, but not being satisfied, he decided
to return to the Willamette valley, and his friends would accompany him. This
did not suit Collins: so he spoke of fine farming land forty miles down the
Sound, where the Indians were so numerous that the whites were afraid to settle.
Van Asselt and Samuel and Jacob Maples then agreed to go with him, and on
September 12, 1851, they started upon their journey in a small canoe, and, two
days later, entered the mouth of the Duwamish river, up which they journeyed to
the junction of the White and Black rivers. The country seeming to suit, they
all located claims and a portion of the one taken by Mr. Van Asselt still
remains in his possession. At this time, the site now occupied by Seattle was
inhabited solely by Indians, and there was not a white settler within the
boundaries of what is now King county. Returning to the Nesqually, Mr. Collins
sold his claim, and with a scow purchased at Olympia the combined party moved
their animals and effects to the new locality - where they built log cabins -
and with the demand for squared timber and piling from the San Francisco market,
they engaged in supplying ships and in exchange secured the necessaries of life.
The locations already made were soon followed by the settlement of the Dennys
and Terrys at Alki point, and later by Mr. Yesler, who erected a sawmill, thus
affording occupation for the settlers in procuring logs for the mill. In
exchange they secured lumber for building purposes. The hardships and privations
were many, while the settlers were constantly exposed to the treachery of the
Indians who surrounded them. Mr. Van Asselt being an expert hunter and also
carrying his arm in a sling much of the time, aroused the curiosity of the
Indians, and they wished to feel the wound and the shot under the flesh, and
being filled with superstition they believed that when a man was shot and
carried the lead in his body he could not be killed by shooting. This no doubt
saved him from many assaults, although his life was threatened. His correct aim
and deadly fire seemed to them supernatural and they became afraid of him and
called him "Sucway" -  devil. In September, 1855, the Indian war broke out by
several massacres on White river, and the remaining settlers fled to the block
houses at Seattle. Throughout the war Mr. Van Asselt rendered valuable service
in protecting the settlers, and in 1857 engaged in carpentering and cabinet
work, subsequently returning to his farm to find buildings and fences destroyed
and everything to be rebuilt. He was married in December, 1862, to Jane,
daughter of Jacob Maples. This union was blessed by four children: Mary A.,
deceased; Jacob J., Hattie J., wife of Rev. W.O. Banadom, and Ella Nettle. In
1883 Mr. Van Asselt removed to Hood River, Oregon, and farmed for six years,
then returned to Seattle, where he has since resided, retired from active
business. He has always been a supporter of Republican principles and quite
active in the campaigns. In addition to being a pioneer and State builder he is
a man of strict integrity and unsullied reputation.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 by Jeffrey L. Elmer

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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.