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.
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.