FIRST — Norwegian Settlers in Washington — Stanwood, WA - First of its Kind on Waymarking.com

WASHINGTON’S FIRST NORWEGIAN SETTLERS

Zacharias Martin Toftezen settled at Oak Harbor in December 1849. He was followed by his mother Emmerenze, and sister, Bernhardine, who sailed from Norway in 1863, rounded Cape Horn and arrived at Oak Harbor in 1865. Eilert Graham came to Oak Harbor in 1858. He married Bernhardine in 1866. In 1868 Eilert, Bernhardine and Emmerenze homesteaded on Hatt Slough. Emmerenze died on October 27, 1871, the only eighteen century-born white person in the Stillaguamish Valley. Christian and Sophia Toftezen and daughter, Maria, came to Coupeville in 1874, moved to Utsalddy, then to Stanwood, where Christian died in 1884. Sophia died in 1894. Eilert and Bernhardine died on Camano Island in 1884 and 1906 respectively. Martin died August 13, 1901, at Oak Harbor.

Erected by the Pioneer Historical Society of the Stillaguamish Valley and the Sons of Norway of America. Dedicated May 27, 1939.

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