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Skagit River Journal

of History & Folklore
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The most in-depth, comprehensive site about the Skagit
Covers from British Columbia to Puget Sound. Counties covered: Skagit, Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Snohomish & BC. An evolving history dedicated to committing random acts of historical kindness

Noel V. Bourasaw, editor

810 Central Ave., Sedro-Woolley, Washington, 98284
Home of the Tarheel Stomp

Mortimer Cook slept here & named the town Bug

Silas W. Harihugh, Bay View pioneer

Illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish counties, 1906, pages 598-99 Silas W. Harihugh, for many years a resident of Washington, and now engaged in diversified farming four miles west of Mount Vernon, was born in Lawrence County, New York, in 1845. His father, Russell Marihugh, born in Vermont, was residing in Ohio at the time of his death in 1880. Elizabeth (Lennox) Marihugh, his mother, was born in New York city, and died in 1863.
Remaining at home till he reached the age of twenty-one [seems to be a conflict in years], Silas Marihugh then answered the call of his country for volunteers, enlisting in the 182nd Ohio infantry, under Captain Roemer [during the Civil War]. Camping at Toledo for a time, the regiment was then ordered to Columbus; thence to Louisville, Lexington and Nashville. Having helped to build Fort Butler, it was about to be pressed into active warfare at that point when relieved by a colored regiment comprising 1,500 men, of whom only 500 remained after the engagement.
Having received an honorable discharge in September, 1865, he returned to Ohio, and located at Defiance, working on a farm until 1869. He then went to Michigan, rented a farm and remained there for three years. The following fourteen years he did teaming in Union City, Michigan, after which he again rented land for six years. Deciding then to find a home in Washington, he sold his possessions, and came to Bayview, here purchasing two lots. Thirteen months later he went to Cypress Island, still later making Bayview his home again. In 1891 he bought twenty acres of unbroken forest, beginning at once the task of clearing it preparatory to building a home. During his residence of twelve years in Bayview he purchased forty acres more of timber land, hold at the present time sixty acres, of which about twelve are cleared. He rented his present home in January, 1904, and is now giving especial attention to dairying and grain raising. His farm is well stocked, having on it six horses of excellent blood, and 51 head of cattle, mostly Durham.
[Silas W.] Marihugh was married June 6, 1868, to Emily Merchant, born Feb. 19, 1847, in Defiance Ohio. Her parents were Sampson and Emily (Temple) Merchant, both natives of Massachusetts; the father was born in 1811, the mother in 1815. A farmer and hotel keeper, Mr. Merchant made his home in New York for a while, later locating in Ohio, where he died in 1870. Mrs. Marihugh [this is confusing; we wonder if the writer meant Mrs. Merchant, Mrs. Marihugh's mother] enjoyed unusual educational advantages, and beginning at sixteen taught for many years in Ohio and New York state. She died in Ohio in 1890, the mother of twelve children, Mrs. Marihugh being the seventh child. The others are as follows; Mrs Susan Lovell, of Bayview; Mrs. Jennie Verrick, William, Charlotte and Joseph C., all residents of Ohio; Mrs Eva Frank, of Avon; Aletta, living with Mrs. Marihugh. Mr. and Mrs. Marihugh's children are as follows; Clarence A. and Hugh, at Mount Vernon; Fred, at home; Mrs. Blanche Elliott, of Bayview; Daisy, at home, and two who are deceased.
Mr. Marihugh is a member of the Larabee post of the Grand Army at La Conner, and is a loyal supporter of the Republican party. He has served as road supervisor, and is interested in educational matters, always lending his hearty support to any movement for the betterment of the schools of the community. He and his family attend the Episcopal church. A practical farmer, thoroughly familiar with all departments of the work, he is winning a large measure of success.

Skagit River Journal research From burial records, we know that Silas W. Marihugh died in 1913 at age 67 and is buried in Bayview [also spelled Bay View] cemetery, but we have no other information on the family. We hope that a reader can update us. We have corresponded with three Marihugh descendants. Elizabeth Montgomery of Indiana descends from Silas's sister, Ann Rebecca, who married John W. Towle. She has asked us to inquire if any readers know about the history of Marighugh road and the Marihugh property in Bayview. Jim Marihugh is a great-grandson of Silas through Silas's son Clarence, his son Lloyd and his grandson Lloyd Jr. If you are a descendant or have obituaries or information about the family, please email us and we will connect you with the other descendants. We are embarrassed to note that we did correspond early on in this project with another Marihugh descendant through Lloyd, but we cannot find those notes. This woman's ancestor married into the Ritchford family of Sterling. We hope that she reads this and contacts us again and accepts our apology.

Links, background reading and sources

Profiles of pioneers in western Skagit County, from Hwy 99 west to Puget Sound.

Story posted on April 13, 2002, and updated Jan. 30, 2005 . . . Please report any broken links so we can update them

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