Henry Van Asselt

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From An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893:

Henry Van Asselt, the only living representative of the first settlers of King county, Washington was born in Holland, April 11, 1817, his ancestry having for generations lived in that country, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Our subject was upon the farm, became an expert and licensed hunter, and was educated in the schools of the locality.

At the age of nineteen years he became subject to military duty and was drafted into the army, joining the Second Battalion of Yagers, and being placed upon the frontier between Holland and Belgium. He was engaged in this service a little over three years, until peace was consummated between the two countries. He then followed hunting for the nobility and farming with his parents up to 1847.

When he learned of America and its greater opportunities, he sailed for this country upon the bark Suelhyd, from Amsterdam, and after a passage of forty-nine days landed in New York, July 17, 1847. He then went to New Jersey and worked nine months for $35, - those were days of "tariff for revenue only," - then proceeded from Albany, New York by canal to Buffalo, New York, and thence by lakes and river to St. Louis, Missourri where he worked five months; then to Bloomington, Iowa, in which vicinity he remained until the spring of 1850, when he made one of a party of eight to cross the plains to California, paying $100 for his food and transportation.

At the fork of California and Oregon roads, they decided to go to Oregon, and duly arrived at Oregon City September 21. The trip was one of great pleasure to Mr. Van Asselt, as opportunity was given for hunting, in which he was very successful. Near Oregon City he hired with a farmer for two months at $75 per month, then began making shingles, which occupation he followed up to February, 1851, when he joined a small company and went to the gold mines of northern California.

Much time was spent prospecting and about live and one-half weeks in mining, when the water gave out and they divided, their accumulation, which rendered $1,000 to each member of the party. Flour was selling at $1 per pound, bacon $1.25, and other things in proportion, and he decided to return to the Willamette valley. On the way the party fell in with L.M. Collins, who had a claim on the Nesqually river, Washington Territory, and learning of the fine fishing and hunting in that section our subject was easily induced to accompany him. They celebrated July 4, 1851, at Oregon City, then proceeded, by Tualatin plains, to St. Helen.

While crossing the river from that point Mr. Van Asselt accidentally shot himself in the shoulder and was obliged to return to St. Helen for treatment, and there remained thirty days, then joined his friends on the Nesqually.

While boarding with Collins he carefully explored the country in every direction for a place of settlement, but not being satisfied, he decided to return to the Willamette valley, and his friends would accompany him. This did not suit Collins: so he spoke of fine farming land forty miles down the Sound, where the Indians were so numerous that the whites were afraid to settle.

Van Asselt and Samuel and Jacob Maples then agreed to go with him, and on September 12, 1851, they started upon their journey in a small canoe, and, two days later, entered the mouth of the Duwamish River, up which they journeyed to the junction of the White and Black rivers. The country seeming to suit, they all located claims and a portion of the one taken by Mr. Van Asselt still remains in his possession. At this time, the site now occupied by Seattle was inhabited solely by Indians, and there was not a white settler within the boundaries of what is now King county.

Returning to the Nesqually, Mr. Collins sold his claim, and with a scow purchased at Olympia, Washington the combined party moved their animals and effects to the new locality - where they built log cabins - and with the demand for squared timber and piling from the San Francisco market, they engaged in supplying ships and in exchange secured the necessaries of life.

The locations already made were soon followed by the settlement of the Dennys and Terrys at Alki point, and later by Mr. Yesler, who erected a sawmill, thus affording occupation for the settlers in procuring logs for the mill. In exchange they secured lumber for building purposes. The hardships and privations were many, while the settlers were constantly exposed to the treachery of the Indians who surrounded them.

Mr. Van Asselt being an expert hunter and also carrying his arm in a sling much of the time, aroused the curiosity of the Indians, and they wished to feel the wound and the shot under the flesh, and being filled with superstition they believed that when a man was shot and carried the lead in his body he could not be killed by shooting. This no doubt saved him from many assaults, although his life was threatened. His correct aim and deadly fire seemed to them supernatural and they became afraid of him and called him "Sucway" - devil.

In September, 1855, the Indian war broke out by several massacres on White river, and the remaining settlers fled to the block houses at Seattle. Throughout the war Mr. Van Asselt rendered valuable service in protecting the settlers, and in 1857 engaged in carpentering and cabinet work, subsequently returning to his farm to find buildings and fences destroyed and everything to be rebuilt.

He was married in December, 1862, to Jane, daughter of Jacob Maples. This union was blessed by four children: Mary A., deceased; Jacob J., Hattie J., wife of Rev. W.O. Banadom, and Ella Nettle.

In 1883 Mr. Van Asselt removed to Hood River, Oregon, and farmed for six years, then returned to Seattle, where he has since resided, retired from active business. He has always been a supporter of Republican principles and quite active in the campaigns. In addition to being a pioneer and State builder he is a man of strict integrity and unsullied reputation.