"An Illustrated History of Skagit and Snohomish Counties."  Interstate
Publishing Company, 1906.  p. 576.
 
LARS DANIELSON

     one of Skagit county's substantial Norwegian citizens, successful farmer,
and prominent in the development of the Skagit river's delta from a tide-swept
waste into its present stretch of grain fields, gardens and meadows, resides
just west of Fir in the very heart of that rich district. His birthplace is the
northern part of Norway. He was born May 17, 1856, to the union of Daniel and
Guro (Johnson) Johnson, both natives of the same country. Both father and mother
have attained to ripe old age, the former now being eighty-five and the latter
eighty-three, and still hale and hearty. They long ago crossed the ocean and at
the present time are living in Skagit county with their children, Mr. Danielson
and Mrs. George Hansen. The youth of Mr. Danielson was spent upon the farm and
attending the common schools of the district, thereby laying firm the foundation
for manhood. When he reached the age of seventeen, like so many lads of that
sea-faring people, young Danielson left the farm for the fishing trade, spending
the succeeding four years in that industry. Then he joined a vessel and for six
years sailed before the mast over many seas.  At last, however, this part of his
nature apparently became satisfied, he left the sea and returned home. After two
years with his parents, the attractions of America grew irresistible to him and
in 1882 he again bade his native Norway farewell, reaching Michigan soon
afterward. There he lived two years, engaged in logging, then came direct to the
Skagit country and located near Fir, arriving almost simultaneously with the
creation of Skagit county. The rich possibilities of the delta region appealed
strongly to him, so strongly that he bought eighty acres of wild land on an
island near Fir. Applying himself with vigor and perseverance to the work of
transforming this tract of swamp land into a farm, he soon had the satisfaction
of watching the cultivated acreage grow little by little into oat and hay fields
until finally the whole tract was producing bountifully. In all he built 575
rods of dike, which is a high testimonial to his industry and skill,
representing the toil of years and the denial of many a comfort. However,
feeling that he could better his condition, Mr. Danielson sold the old place
in 1902 and with a portion of the proceeds again invested in land in a more
desirable location. This tract is now his home. When he moved on it only fifteen
acres out of forty were cleared, but with characteristic energy and perhaps with
the pioneer's longing to be constantly conquering wild land, he fell to work and
now has thirty acres in cultivation, a new twelve-room, modem house, excellent
barn, sheds and other outbuildings, all substantially fenced.
     The marriage of Mr. Danielson took place in Skagit county in 1885, Miss
Carrie Engen, a daughter of Lars and Lizzie Engen, becoming his bride. Both
parents lived and died in Norway, where also Mrs. Danielson was born in 1858.
She received her education in the schools of her native country, remaining there
until 1881, at that time coming to California. Thence she came north to
Washington Territory in 1884. To this union five children have been born, the
oldest of whom, Jennie, born in 1886, died in the fall of 1904. The others are
Donald, Eddie, Lucy and Carl. Both Mr. and Mrs. Danielson are members of the
Lutheran church. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party. The
responsibilities of American citizenship Mr. Danielson has shouldered willingly,
filling the offices of school director and other precinct positions at different
times, and at present serving his district as dike commissioner. Dairying has
claimed Mr. Danielson's special attention of late years, his efforts in this, as
in other branches of agriculture, meeting with excellent success. There are in
his career many object lessons of value to the younger generation of Skagit's
citizenship, not the least of which is the supreme worth of industry,
perseverance and foresight.
 

     
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Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in July 2008 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.