G. Nicklason, a pioneer of the Skagit valley and a popular merchant of Cedarhome, was born in Sweden, but left his native country at the twilight of manhood. After filling sundry vocations of hardship in the east, his attention was drawn to the Pacific, settling in the Skagit valley, 1876, where he labored hard clearing land and farming. A beautiful farm in that locality bespeaks his industry. In 1890 he moved to Cedarhome to engage in general merchandise--business of his liking--in which he has proved himself a master. The fertile forest awakened acute calculation in his mind, and in company with Carl O. Walters started a lumber factory capable of turning out both lumber and shingle. Mr. Nicklason is a man of energy and ability, honest and strictly attentive to business. [Illustration: CARL O. WALTERS.] Carl O. Walters, G. Nicklason's partner in lumber manufacturing, was born in Gottland, Sweden, May 27, 1855, where he received his education, graduated from the public schools at the age of fifteen. For three years he served in the navy of Sweden, spent two years traveling in his native country for the purpose of studying the natural resources and the varied conditions. The sea was a pleasing attraction to him; visited all the countries of Europe, and at the age of twenty-two embarked a ship for the New World, sailed for some time on the Atlantic coast, rounded Cape Horn, and landed in the Golden Gate, 1877. He dashed on the waves up the coast as far as British Columbia. After eight years of navigation he stept ashore, engaged in carpentry, worked in Seattle and British Columbia, most of the time as contractor. In the latter place he spent considerable time prospecting for coal, employed by the Vancouver Coal Co. Twelve years ago he located at Cedarhome, turned his attention to farming served as deputy county assessor, and gradually drifted into lumber and shingle business, an occupation congenial to mechanical ingenuity, which is Mr. Walters' forte, being born with mechanical aptitude as well as with social and conversational endowments. [Illustration: MR. AND MRS. L. G. HANSON.] L. G. Hanson, the present deputy county assessor, was born in Skone, Sweden, 1855, emigrated to America in early manhood, 1882. After some years of ups-and-downs in the south, he planted his fortune at Cedarhome, nine years ago, and has ever since taken an active part in public improvements. He has been a stanch supporter of the public schools and an advocate for good roads. For years he has served as school director and road supervisor, and in 1899 he was appointed deputy county assessor. E. O. Yngve, a man of affluence and influence in his native country, Sweden, crossed the salty billows for America ten years ago. He has been alert to the interest of his adopted country, and always glad to usher the welfare of his people to the front.