Zakarias Martin Toftezen

Zakarias Martin Toftezen (September 17, 1821 – August 13, 1901) was an early pioneer in the Oregon Territory and the first Norwegian immigrant to settle in the area which would later become the State of Washington.[1]

Toftezen Memorial, Stanwood[1]

Toftezen was from Levanger in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. In late 1849, he first arrived on Whidbey Island.[1] He filed his land claim in 1851, taking 320 acres in what is now Oak Harbor. He was joined by his mother Emmerence (1792–1871) and sister Bernhardine (1822–1906) in 1865.[1] His brother Ole Christian Toftezen (1816–1884) and family arrived in the area during 1874.[2]

Toftezen died in 1901 and was buried at the Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Cemetery in Stanwood, Washington. A monument was erected by the Pioneer Historical Society of the Stillaguamish Valley and the Sons of Norway of America on May 27, 1939.[1][3][4] The memorial dedication was attended by Crown Prince Olav of Norway.[5]

References
  1. Toftezen Memorial — Washington's First Norwegian Settlers (Memorial). Stanwood, Washington: Pioneer Historical Society of the Stillaguamish Valley, Sons of Norway. May 27, 1939. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  2. "Facts about the Pioneer Toftezen Family". The Arlington Times. April 27, 1939. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  3. "Crown Prince Olav of Norway attends Stanwood's Toftezen Memorial dedication". HistoryLink.org. 27 May 1939. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  4. "Toftezen Memorial, Lutheran Cemetery, Pioneer Highway, Stanwood". Stanwood Area Historical Society. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  5. "Norway's Prince Will Honor Whidby Pioneer of 1849". The Seattle Times. May 18, 1939. p. 29.
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