Northupe
Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
EDWARD D. NORTHUP, who now resides
on one of the finest farms in the Chumstick valley, was the first man to
blaze a trail into this section, fifteen years ago. He took a homestead
and also bought one-half section of land from the railroad company, and
to the cultivation of this property he has devoted himself almost entirely
for six years. However, Mr. Northup, seeing the demand for lumber,
erected a small sawmill and operated the same for several years.
He also conducted a lumber yard in Leavenworth for about five years in
addition to his farming. His estate is well located and produces
abundant crops annually. He is known as one of the most reliable
and substantial men of the section, and is highly esteemed by all who know
him.
Edward D. Northup was born in Jasper county,
Iowa, April 2, 1856, the son of Malon H. and Anna (Wilcox) Northup, natives
of Pennsylvania. The father served throughout the war, enlisting
twice, being most of the time in the Fortieth Iowa Infantry. He died
in 1890 from disease contracted in the war. The mother died when
our subject was an infant, and he was taken by R. B. Wilkinson, of Kentucky,
with whom he lived the succeeding sixteen years. During this time
he did general farming, was in a sawmill and there gained his education.
Mr. Northup remarks that the teacher who instructed him in Kentucky was
a very thorough man, both in books and in thrashing, but notwithstanding
this latter, he would rather shake hands with him than any man he knows.
During the budding years of early manhood, Mr. Northup began traveling
and until 1888 he continued his journeys to almost every portion of the
globe, both by land and by water. Seven times he crossed the plains
and finally, in 1888, he came to Chumstick valley, and as stated above,
blazed the way to his place eight and one-half miles above Leavenworth.
He soon brought in his family and his daughter, Lelia, was the first child
born in this valley.
On August 29, 1875, in Lucas county, Iowa,
Mr. Northup married Miss Rachel E. Gunter, a native of Iowa. To this
union the following children have been born, Zola, Lelia, Charles, Malon,
John, Ivan and two deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Northup belong to the Congregational
church and are devout supporters of the faith. Mr. Northup has labored
very extensively to help beautify the country and gave fifty dollars to
assist in building the first school house in the valley. It was constructed
before there was one in Leavenworth. He is a strong Republican and
has held various offices, as school director and road supervisor.