Biographical Sketch of I. L. Scammon

Another Chehalis County pioneer is I. L. Scammon, who was born in Maine in 1822, came to California in 1849-50, making the voyage on the 63-ton schooner Little Traveler. In the autumn of 1850 he took passage for the Columbia River, which was passed by mistake, the vessel making Shoalwater bay. Making his way overland to the Columbia, he went to Salem, Oregon, and to the southern mines, but returning to Washington Territory took a donation claim on the Chehalis River, where the old town of Montesano, now known as Wynoochee, grew up about him. He married Miss Lorinda Hopkins in 1844, who rejoined him in Washington Territory in 1859. The first sermon preached in the region of Montesano was delivered by Rev. J. W. Goodell at Scammon’s house, and the second school in the county was on his place, in 1859. The children of this pioneer are:

  1. Harriet, married Edward Campbell.
  2. George, m. Clara Nye.
  3. Cornelia Jane, who died.
  4. Eva, who m. I. R. Edwards. (A descendant says this should actually be David R. Edwards, see comments below by Maryjill Holbrook Doyle.)
  5. Edith, who m. P. B. Briscoe.
  6. Elli, who m. Charles H. Finmet, County Surveyor.
  7. Norman, who accidentally shot himself when about 17 years of age.

Topics:
Biography,

Collection:
Bancroft, Hubert H. Bancroft Works, Volume 31, History Of Washington, Idaho, and Montana, 1845-1889. San Francisco: The History Company. 1890.

3 thoughts on “Biographical Sketch of I. L. Scammon”

  1. Isaiah and lorinda’s Daughter Eva married David ransom Edwards not I. R Edwards, please correct.
    I am the great, great great granddaughter .

    Reply
    • Thanks Maryjill. I checked the original manuscript, and it does say I. R. so I added your information in brackets beside it. Bancroft’s books were not always accurate in the production of his material. I noticed that I. L. Scammon was referred to as J. L. Scammon elsewhere in the book, for example, and as you indicate, the I stood for Isaiah. Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  2. The family house was the first wood-frame house in Grays Harbor County. IL was a blacksmith by trade, so he made the nails to build the house. The house was the first county seat , and is recorded in the Smithsonian Institution.

    Reply

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