hsteader.html

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., November 16, 1945, page 4

HOMESTEADER OF 1903 PROMINENT IN DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERWOOD DISTRICT

Last month, I.R. Ziegler sold his ranch on Underwood Heights to Glen F. Fulton, of Underwood, who is now living on the place. Mr. Ziegler, who is ill health, moved to Portland for medical attention.
Mr. Ziegler sold the land on which he had filed a homestead August 11, 1903, and he had resided there until the recent sale. This homestead, located on Underwood Heights, was one of the last 26 claims filed prior to and around 1903. This locality at that time was known as "Little Norway". Three of the early settlers still live nearby - Gilbert Knutson, who had a claim adjoining Mr. Ziegler, is a jeweler in White Salmon; Frank Hunsaker, who also lives in White Salmon, and Chas. Rosenkranz, who lives in Underwood. The others have either moved away or passed on.
This ranch Mr. Ziegler had homesteaded, was carved out of a dense forest. After 42 years, with little outside assistance, about 70 acres were cleared and put under cultivation, and pasture. This land has been developed into a fine stock ranch. A tremendous crop of timber has been lifted from this part of the country and with modern machinery now available should afford an opportunity to on coming generations, veterans, or those interested in stock raising.
While a resident in Skamania county Mr. Ziegler served as County Commissioner from 1924 to 1930. While on this board he was very much interested in seeing the county developed. He was instrumental in employing W.S. Gillard as county agent of Skamania county, who is still serving in that capacity, and who has helped bring thousands of dollars into the county.
Mr. Ziegler was employed by county and state for over 20 years, doing road and highway work. In 1914 he supervised the building of the present Cooks grade and there are very few roads in the Underwood district that he did not help build.
Credit is due Mr. Ziegler for other duties which he performed. He was a respected resident in Underwood Heights and vicinity, always ready and willing to do what he could for those needing assistance. He and near neighbors kept a rural school as long as it was deemed necessary. Though this school was small in attendance it had as many advantages and the best of teachers were always secured.
Though he has moved from the community he loved best, Mr. Ziegler intends to move back to Washington as soon as his health will permit him to, but he seems reluctant to give up the fight of making a Underwood and Skamania county a better place to live.