FAMILY MATTERS Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) and his dear wife, Maggie, concluded 1911 by moving down the Strait of Georgia through the Salish Sea, from the Comox Valley to the town of Chemainus. Lovely Gulf Islands would continue to bejewel their view. For now, Chemainus would be home while he logged at Cowichan Lake. This year, … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen: Chemainus; Fathering, Logging, Prospecting -1912
Category: logging history
Grandad Hemmingsen’s Maiden Aunts and The Skovdrivers of Hattfjelldal Parish.
A sigh escaped two maiden sisters long ago that echoes still: Elen and Anne Marie Hemmingsdatter of Groli Farm; Great-granddad Ole Hemmingsen's dear sisters.1 They had shared a partner, albeit several years apart.2 To each, came a child. He was a skovdriver, their Gustav Henriksen. Skovdrivers came out of nowhere, and soon, they were gone. … Continue reading Grandad Hemmingsen’s Maiden Aunts and The Skovdrivers of Hattfjelldal Parish.
Memoirs of Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967): The Old Man’s Needlepoint
DEAR SISTER, MARIE OLSDATTER HEMMINGSEN (1880-1899) Sometimes a story is held back because it seems factually unfinished, say, a resting place is still unknown. Perhaps it seems too lean; the person demised young, had no children and no career. All along, a rich tale was already told, to be absorbed and told anew. Our dear … Continue reading Memoirs of Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967): The Old Man’s Needlepoint
Memoirs of Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967): His Postcard – 1911
PREVIEW We have told the story of Matt's years around 1911 twice: once as he made innovations in West Coast logging and again through an oil painting on maple burl that depicted his unique logging operation. This recently received postcard tells his 1911 tale through a deeply personal lens. PREVIOUSLY Past posts took Matt Hemmingsen … Continue reading Memoirs of Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967): His Postcard – 1911
Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: His Innovations in West Coast Logging 1907-1911
Photo © Sean Hemmingsen 2020 Our Tsolum River post featured Matt Hemmingsen using hands-on expertize that he had gained during river drives in Wisconsin, to correct an epic logjam in British Columbia. That was 1907. Our last post enlarged a segment of photo left, to describe a "log trough" system he developed around 1910. It greatly … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: His Innovations in West Coast Logging 1907-1911
Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Oil Painting on Maple Burl; Logging 1912, Cowichan Lake
Look closely at the tall spar, center left, to see its fine network of wires. We shall enlarge a portion of the picture to explain the logging operation that is underway - Cowichan Lake. Oil on Maple Burl ca 1912, artist unknown. Photo © Sean Hemmingsen 2020 Matt Hemmingsen's memoirs left off in 1910, with … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Oil Painting on Maple Burl; Logging 1912, Cowichan Lake
Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: So, Was Ed Hemmingsen At The Wedding?
Enquiring minds nudged us to reconsider if Matt’s brother attended his 1910 wedding. On doing so, one thing led to another, bringing some interesting new insights on our characters. Plus, we offer updates on Ed, Matt's only surviving full brother and introduce Anna, his formidable wife. As to the question, Matt, himself, did not say. … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: So, Was Ed Hemmingsen At The Wedding?
Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Comox Valley; Sunny Days Ahead!
"On June 2, 1910, I married Margaret Naysmith Alexander, the best girl in the world." - The Memoirs of Mathias Hemmingsen - Victoria B.C. ca 1956.1 COME ALONG ON A STROLL WITH THEM ... ... in beautiful Comox Valley. Our feet will be comforted in crunch of wee twigs, on soft mossy carpet along our … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Comox Valley; Sunny Days Ahead!
Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Healing On A Logging Horse – THUD.
Our Matt Hemmingson, already an accomplished logger at 18, proudly asserted “Cant hook work (rolling and lifting logs) could be mastered only by the most skillful, strong, and agile and those not allergic to long hours of work … “.1 That was 1894. His 1900 counter, “After Harry’s funeral, I decided against any further cant … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Healing On A Logging Horse – THUD.
Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Brother Harry; Death by Logging in 1900 – Obit in 2019.
Last post saw Mathias Hemmingsen work his cant hook on a river drive down the Upper Mississippi and then use his canny white water skills to clear a log jam around Red Lake Falls.1 That was May 1900 in northwestern Minnesota. It was time for a rest. Matt apparently took the break back home in … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Brother Harry; Death by Logging in 1900 – Obit in 2019.
MarileeWein.com 