lysep
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
PETER M. LYSE. Born in
Denmark June 24, 1864, Peter M. Lyse is now an influential business man
of Wilbur, Washington. His father and mother, Niels and Eliza Lyse,
both were natives of Denmark, and came to the United States in 1872, settling
at Clinton, Iowa. In the family were eleven children, seven of whom
are now living. Their names are: Martin, ex-city marshal of Wilbur,
and now deputy sheriff of Lincoln county; Julius, manager of the furniture
department of the business of M. E. and E. T. Hay; Mrs. Mary Viancour,
of Pateros, Washington; the subject; Mrs. Emma Thompson, whose husband
is president of the Thompson Mercantile Company of Hartline; Niels; and
Mrs. Lydia Faldborg.
Mr. Lyse came to the United States four years
later than his parents, whom he joined in Clinton county, Iowa, and with
them journeyed to Sprague in 1883. The family came to near where
Wilbur now stands and settled on a ranch. In 1889 our subject, in
partnership with his brother Julius, engaged in the meat business in Wilbur,
theirs being the first shop to be opened in the town. Thus engaged
he continued until 1897.. Previous to this, however, in 1893 the
brothers added to their business a furniture store,---the first establishment
of its kind in Wilbur. Six years later they disposed of their business,
and Peter M. took charge of the grain and implement departments of Hay
Brothers' store. In 1901, with H. M. Hansen, he founded the firm
of Hansen & Lyse, dealers in lumber and farm implements. The
firm was incorporated in 1902 under the name of Lauritzen & Lyse, and
the scope of business has enlarged to include groceries, hardware, lumber
and implements; and the name was again changed to The Lyse Mercantile Company,
Incorporated, with W. T. Warren, president, W. W. Maxey, vice president,
and Mr. Lyse, secretary, treasurer and general manager. The firm
is doing a good business, having its full share of the Wilbur trade.
Mr. Lyse was married September 16, 1891, to
Huldfred Jurgensen, the daughter of G. Jurgensen. She was born in
the same place as her husband. There have been five children born
to this marriage, the second of whom, Elsie, is dead. Those living
are Alvin T., Helen J., Agnes, and Glenn.
Mr. Lyse has attained prominence in
fraternity circles of his town, being a Mason, a member of Tuscan Lodge,
Number 81; a W. W., and a member of the Danish Brotherhood of America.
In 1896 he was elected county assessor on the Populist ticket, and filled
the office to the eminent satisfaction of his constituency. He is
now, however, an adherent to socialistic principles.
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