The Norwegian Lutheran church of Stanwood is the oldest of the Lutheran churches on Puget Sound. It was organized twenty-three years ago by Rev. L. Carlson, and has enjoyed the services of Revs. Emil Christensen, P. Isberg and C. Joergensen. At present it is in charge of Rev. L. C. Foss who has done much for Christianity and the Lutheran doctrine. He is a friend of the young people as well as of the old, the guiding spirit of the Young People's Society and a talented musician. The Norwegian Singing Society is the pride of the community, and has scattered laurels of accomplishment along the Sound. On many occasions it has been called to Seattle and other places to cheer and entertain the people with sweet melodies. The progress and success of the Scandinavian business men of Stanwood are well known. S. A. Thompson's establishment affords credit to the town, and Knud Knudson's drug and jewelry store compares nicely with similar concerns in the larger cities. B. Willard, the popular dairyman, hails from Denmark. His energy and keen intellect have always been at willing option for the good of his adopted country. A. Tackstrom, the genial postmaster, was born in Sweden, and has been of practical usefulness to his city. Edward Foss traces his birthplace to Norway, but has resided for years in Stanwood. He is a mechanic by trade, and a gentleman in demeanor. H. C. Anderson, the wealthy Klondiker, who resides near the city, is a conspicuous factor, especially in agricultural developments. The genial photographer, J. T. Wagness, has gained a standing among the people as a man of ingenuity in his chosen profession. Biographical sketches of men who have worked themselves up in an honorable way would doubtless be of interest to the readers. Such men as S. A. Thompson, Knud Knudson, and others merit a place among the most prominent Scandinavians on the Pacific coast. [Illustration: S. A. THOMPSON.] S. A. Thompson was born in Norway, 1864, where he received a splendid school education. In 1880 he arrived in America, locating at Story City, Iowa, remaining two years, then chose Moorhead, Minnesota, for his habitation. After a stay of four years in this city he migrated to Holdstead in the same state where he spent two years. Up to this time Mr. Thompson had been engaged in sundry occupations, clerking and manual labor, always devoting his leisure to the acquirement of an education. In 1888 he landed in Stanwood, and immediately embarked in business. For some time he was connected with shingle mills, entered Irvine's store, clerked five years, and May 1, 1895, assumed possession of the whole firm. Mr. Thompson is a man of genial nature, kind and social, at the same time energetic, which his business career plainly emphasizes. [Illustration: KNUD KNUDSON.]