Here is a photo of my great grandfather, Otto Larson, who was a Ferry Operator on the Skagit River near Fir Island. Location: Skagit, Washington. Date: circa 1909.
Otto Larson was mentioned as being a ferry operator in an article in the Skagit River Journal: "At the upper end of Fir island was the Skagit City ferry where ferry traffic was lighter and mostly served Mount Vernon-bound horse rigs, Larson, the ferry operator, received $50 per month. Way upriver at Birdsview the pay was only $20 per month. But no wages were inflated. County commissioner Alfred Polson in the second district received $87.35 per month; Henry Thompson in third district, $120.40; E.A. Sisson, first district, $67.89. There were 12 ferries across the Skagit river [at various times]." -- Skagit River Ferries, Skagit River Journal.
The youngest person in this picture is the little girl off to the left in a group with her sisters--she's my Mor Mor, my mother's mother, Neva Semell, standing with her sisters Ruby, Hildur, and Alde. Neva's father is the man behind the wheel; her brother, Elmer Larson, is at the oars of the rowboat with more of Neva's sisters, Olga and Nora.
Click here for the image details page or here for the full-sized version (6602 x 4136).
