Fieldm
Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
HON. MERRITT E. FIELD is owner
and operator of the well-known Hotel Field, which is located at the head
of the Chelan lake and is one of the most popular summer resorts in the
northwest. Lake Chelan is known to tourists, far and near, and Mr.
Field's house is as popular with the travelling and touring public as is
beautiful Chelan. He acquired possessory rights to property at the
head of Chelan in 1892 and soon opened a hotel there. Later he erected
a large and beautiful structure with accommodations for nearly one hundred
guests. The place is set amid the towering mountains of the Cascades,
being in the heart of the range, yet is easily accessible, as it is close
to the steamboat landing. It has been tastefully surrounded with
everything beautiful and attractive, not forgetting comfort, and it is
becoming immensely popular. In addition to this, Mr. Field provides
boats and everything needed by the tourist to thoroughly enjoy himself.
A large quota of fine horses are at hand for packing purposes and for the
accommodation of guests in making excursions into the mountains.
Abundance of game is supplied the table and the wealth of fruits raised
in this region are at hand, while the cuisine is of the best to be found.
Thus the tourist is favored with the beauty and grandeur of the magnificent
mountains, can satiate himself with the life giving ozone and yet enjoy
the richest fruits, finest vegetables, and choicest game and fish.
The rare placidity of Chelan's azure depths viewed from the drifting boat,
where speed the quivering trout or listlessly rolls the mullet; the towering
forests, stately and grand, whose highways are the deep solitudes and quiet
glens; the awing canyons, tortuous and mysterious, guarded by the eternal
watch towers of nature; the grand old piles, strewed by the reckless hand
of upheaval's giant, with proud heads staying the onward flight of the
clouds; the tinkling brook, whose music chimes the cords of nature's sweetest
lays; the restless rushing of the impetuous Stehekin with its mighty roar;
the impending cliffs, who laugh with disdain at other invader than the
eagle, the solemn glaciers, with tread of stealthy approach; the great
rocks, the shimmering lake, the broad expanse, the mighty falls, the fauna,
the flora, all combine to furnish rich, full and fresh entertainment and
joy for every mood of the happy tourist who is so fortunate as to cast
his lines in this pleasant and inspiring region. The booming of the
mining blasts, as they echo and then re-echo softly down to the hammock
proclaim how the sturdy prospector is already rending the ribs of the rich
Cascades. Mr. Field has not been the last to make worthy endeavor
in this line and in addition to handling his summer resort, he does mining
and prospecting.
Merritt E. Field was born in Washington county,
Iowa, on June 15, 1862, the son of Nathan G. and Esther S. (Call) Field,
natives of Massachusetts, and now deceased. The father was a physician.
Three other children were born in the family, Wayne, Isabel Sampson, and
Anna Grays. After receiving his education in Iowa, our subject went
to Colorado and raised stock until 1889, when he began traveling, and in
1892 landed in Chelan. He soon acquired property at the head of the
lake and erected the hotel mentioned, which he has operated with great
success since.
In 1893, Mr. Field married Miss Martha
Ohlhansen, and one child, Olive, has been born to them. Mr. Field
is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and in political matters is a Republican.
He was elected to the state legislature from Chelan county last year and
in 1899, was the representative of Okanogan county. He introduced
the bill which gave Chelan county an existence and fought it through.
He is now postmaster at Stehekin and also is director in his district.
Mr. Field stands well and is a man with many friends.
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