By "Mole Wilson"
In 1863, my great-grandparents, George and Sylvia Jane Wilson, homesteaded in the Boistfort Valley. In fact, my grandfather, also George Wilson, was born on the covered wagon coming from Missouri. I was born in Curtis in 1914. I was the second child, only son of Millard and Minnie (Aust) Wilson; I was left with the responsibility of carrying on our name.
From the time I was eleven until I was seventeen; I worked in the Klaber hop yards. In the spring "grubbed" in the yards, sorted out starts and during the fall I picked hops. Also, every fall I sold garden produce to the Indians who came each year to pick hops and camped across the river. The money I earned through these jobs paid for my school clothes. I graduated from Boistfort High School in 1932. I remember that our graduation speaker told us that we faced the greatest challenge any graduating class had ever faced. This was because of the Depression. After I graduated, I went to work in the woods for various companies. I started in rigging and climbing and eventually worked in all facets of the logging industry. In 1938, I felled the first timber for Weyerhaeuser Company in Vale-MacDonald operation. In the same year, I married June Trotter who had moved from South Dakota in 1936. Our marriage produced five children, three sons and two daughters. My work went well, too. I was able to start my own logging outfit in 1941. At first, I operated a sawmill in conjunction with it. During the war, we were busy getting out pilings for the war effort, so I was exempt from military service. The logging company still exists today. In fact, I was told by one state official that it may possibly be the oldest individual continuous logging operation in the state. Over the years I've seen prices really increase. For example, when I started my company in 1941, we shipped fir to Chehalis for $7.50 per 1000 board feet. In 1979, a poorer grade of logs sold for $380 per 1000. Another example is the price of #1 veneer logs which are fairly rare now; in the late 40s, they went for $27.50 per 1000 and now #1 old growth would probably go for between $600 and $800.
I've seen my share of injuries too. Once, I was laid up for six months with two broken arms. I've also had bones broken in my feet, shoulders, ribs and fingers in addition to several head injuries.
Besides the logging, I always kept some sort of a farm out in the Boistfort valley. From the time, I was born until I moved to Chehalis in 1979, I lived in six houses in Curtis; four of these are still standing. The last home we had was custom built on around five hundred acres. There we raised cattle, grew grain, peas and corn. Now we are semi-retired living in Chehalis. Our three sons have remained in the Curtis area while our daughters have settled in California and Hawaii. I've fulfilled my obligation to continue the family name with fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren as of this writing - eleven of these will carry on our name.
Written by M.C. “MOLE” WILSON
Recorded from the Historical Society
Mole led a very interesting and colorful life. He was loved and will be missed by his family and friends. Together, Mole and June had five children, Gary Wilson, Doug (Pat) Wilson, Vickie (Lorri) Hedges, Greg (Pat) Wilson and Melody (Willy) Nishi. Mole is preceded in death by his loving wife, June; son, Doug and daughter, Vickie. Mole is survived by 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and five great- great-grandchildren.
Private Interment for Melvin “Mole” Wilson will take place at Claquato Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boistfort Lions Club.
Source: The Chronicle April 17, 2014
In 1863, my great-grandparents, George and Sylvia Jane Wilson, homesteaded in the Boistfort Valley. In fact, my grandfather, also George Wilson, was born on the covered wagon coming from Missouri. I was born in Curtis in 1914. I was the second child, only son of Millard and Minnie (Aust) Wilson; I was left with the responsibility of carrying on our name.
From the time I was eleven until I was seventeen; I worked in the Klaber hop yards. In the spring "grubbed" in the yards, sorted out starts and during the fall I picked hops. Also, every fall I sold garden produce to the Indians who came each year to pick hops and camped across the river. The money I earned through these jobs paid for my school clothes. I graduated from Boistfort High School in 1932. I remember that our graduation speaker told us that we faced the greatest challenge any graduating class had ever faced. This was because of the Depression. After I graduated, I went to work in the woods for various companies. I started in rigging and climbing and eventually worked in all facets of the logging industry. In 1938, I felled the first timber for Weyerhaeuser Company in Vale-MacDonald operation. In the same year, I married June Trotter who had moved from South Dakota in 1936. Our marriage produced five children, three sons and two daughters. My work went well, too. I was able to start my own logging outfit in 1941. At first, I operated a sawmill in conjunction with it. During the war, we were busy getting out pilings for the war effort, so I was exempt from military service. The logging company still exists today. In fact, I was told by one state official that it may possibly be the oldest individual continuous logging operation in the state. Over the years I've seen prices really increase. For example, when I started my company in 1941, we shipped fir to Chehalis for $7.50 per 1000 board feet. In 1979, a poorer grade of logs sold for $380 per 1000. Another example is the price of #1 veneer logs which are fairly rare now; in the late 40s, they went for $27.50 per 1000 and now #1 old growth would probably go for between $600 and $800.
I've seen my share of injuries too. Once, I was laid up for six months with two broken arms. I've also had bones broken in my feet, shoulders, ribs and fingers in addition to several head injuries.
Besides the logging, I always kept some sort of a farm out in the Boistfort valley. From the time, I was born until I moved to Chehalis in 1979, I lived in six houses in Curtis; four of these are still standing. The last home we had was custom built on around five hundred acres. There we raised cattle, grew grain, peas and corn. Now we are semi-retired living in Chehalis. Our three sons have remained in the Curtis area while our daughters have settled in California and Hawaii. I've fulfilled my obligation to continue the family name with fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren as of this writing - eleven of these will carry on our name.
Written by M.C. “MOLE” WILSON
Recorded from the Historical Society
Mole led a very interesting and colorful life. He was loved and will be missed by his family and friends. Together, Mole and June had five children, Gary Wilson, Doug (Pat) Wilson, Vickie (Lorri) Hedges, Greg (Pat) Wilson and Melody (Willy) Nishi. Mole is preceded in death by his loving wife, June; son, Doug and daughter, Vickie. Mole is survived by 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and five great- great-grandchildren.
Private Interment for Melvin “Mole” Wilson will take place at Claquato Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boistfort Lions Club.
Source: The Chronicle April 17, 2014
By "Mole Wilson"
In 1863, my great-grandparents, George and Sylvia Jane Wilson, homesteaded in the Boistfort Valley. In fact, my grandfather, also George Wilson, was born on the covered wagon coming from Missouri. I was born in Curtis in 1914. I was the second child, only son of Millard and Minnie (Aust) Wilson; I was left with the responsibility of carrying on our name.
From the time I was eleven until I was seventeen; I worked in the Klaber hop yards. In the spring "grubbed" in the yards, sorted out starts and during the fall I picked hops. Also, every fall I sold garden produce to the Indians who came each year to pick hops and camped across the river. The money I earned through these jobs paid for my school clothes. I graduated from Boistfort High School in 1932. I remember that our graduation speaker told us that we faced the greatest challenge any graduating class had ever faced. This was because of the Depression. After I graduated, I went to work in the woods for various companies. I started in rigging and climbing and eventually worked in all facets of the logging industry. In 1938, I felled the first timber for Weyerhaeuser Company in Vale-MacDonald operation. In the same year, I married June Trotter who had moved from South Dakota in 1936. Our marriage produced five children, three sons and two daughters. My work went well, too. I was able to start my own logging outfit in 1941. At first, I operated a sawmill in conjunction with it. During the war, we were busy getting out pilings for the war effort, so I was exempt from military service. The logging company still exists today. In fact, I was told by one state official that it may possibly be the oldest individual continuous logging operation in the state. Over the years I've seen prices really increase. For example, when I started my company in 1941, we shipped fir to Chehalis for $7.50 per 1000 board feet. In 1979, a poorer grade of logs sold for $380 per 1000. Another example is the price of #1 veneer logs which are fairly rare now; in the late 40s, they went for $27.50 per 1000 and now #1 old growth would probably go for between $600 and $800.
I've seen my share of injuries too. Once, I was laid up for six months with two broken arms. I've also had bones broken in my feet, shoulders, ribs and fingers in addition to several head injuries.
Besides the logging, I always kept some sort of a farm out in the Boistfort valley. From the time, I was born until I moved to Chehalis in 1979, I lived in six houses in Curtis; four of these are still standing. The last home we had was custom built on around five hundred acres. There we raised cattle, grew grain, peas and corn. Now we are semi-retired living in Chehalis. Our three sons have remained in the Curtis area while our daughters have settled in California and Hawaii. I've fulfilled my obligation to continue the family name with fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren as of this writing - eleven of these will carry on our name.
Written by M.C. “MOLE” WILSON
Recorded from the Historical Society
Mole led a very interesting and colorful life. He was loved and will be missed by his family and friends. Together, Mole and June had five children, Gary Wilson, Doug (Pat) Wilson, Vickie (Lorri) Hedges, Greg (Pat) Wilson and Melody (Willy) Nishi. Mole is preceded in death by his loving wife, June; son, Doug and daughter, Vickie. Mole is survived by 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and five great- great-grandchildren.
Private Interment for Melvin “Mole” Wilson will take place at Claquato Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boistfort Lions Club.
Source: The Chronicle April 17, 2014
In 1863, my great-grandparents, George and Sylvia Jane Wilson, homesteaded in the Boistfort Valley. In fact, my grandfather, also George Wilson, was born on the covered wagon coming from Missouri. I was born in Curtis in 1914. I was the second child, only son of Millard and Minnie (Aust) Wilson; I was left with the responsibility of carrying on our name.
From the time I was eleven until I was seventeen; I worked in the Klaber hop yards. In the spring "grubbed" in the yards, sorted out starts and during the fall I picked hops. Also, every fall I sold garden produce to the Indians who came each year to pick hops and camped across the river. The money I earned through these jobs paid for my school clothes. I graduated from Boistfort High School in 1932. I remember that our graduation speaker told us that we faced the greatest challenge any graduating class had ever faced. This was because of the Depression. After I graduated, I went to work in the woods for various companies. I started in rigging and climbing and eventually worked in all facets of the logging industry. In 1938, I felled the first timber for Weyerhaeuser Company in Vale-MacDonald operation. In the same year, I married June Trotter who had moved from South Dakota in 1936. Our marriage produced five children, three sons and two daughters. My work went well, too. I was able to start my own logging outfit in 1941. At first, I operated a sawmill in conjunction with it. During the war, we were busy getting out pilings for the war effort, so I was exempt from military service. The logging company still exists today. In fact, I was told by one state official that it may possibly be the oldest individual continuous logging operation in the state. Over the years I've seen prices really increase. For example, when I started my company in 1941, we shipped fir to Chehalis for $7.50 per 1000 board feet. In 1979, a poorer grade of logs sold for $380 per 1000. Another example is the price of #1 veneer logs which are fairly rare now; in the late 40s, they went for $27.50 per 1000 and now #1 old growth would probably go for between $600 and $800.
I've seen my share of injuries too. Once, I was laid up for six months with two broken arms. I've also had bones broken in my feet, shoulders, ribs and fingers in addition to several head injuries.
Besides the logging, I always kept some sort of a farm out in the Boistfort valley. From the time, I was born until I moved to Chehalis in 1979, I lived in six houses in Curtis; four of these are still standing. The last home we had was custom built on around five hundred acres. There we raised cattle, grew grain, peas and corn. Now we are semi-retired living in Chehalis. Our three sons have remained in the Curtis area while our daughters have settled in California and Hawaii. I've fulfilled my obligation to continue the family name with fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren as of this writing - eleven of these will carry on our name.
Written by M.C. “MOLE” WILSON
Recorded from the Historical Society
Mole led a very interesting and colorful life. He was loved and will be missed by his family and friends. Together, Mole and June had five children, Gary Wilson, Doug (Pat) Wilson, Vickie (Lorri) Hedges, Greg (Pat) Wilson and Melody (Willy) Nishi. Mole is preceded in death by his loving wife, June; son, Doug and daughter, Vickie. Mole is survived by 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and five great- great-grandchildren.
Private Interment for Melvin “Mole” Wilson will take place at Claquato Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boistfort Lions Club.
Source: The Chronicle April 17, 2014
Gravesite Details
Married October 2, 1938 to June, Information compiled from: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/lewis/cemeteries/claq-tz.txt
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