In Days Gone By Fred Fourtner Edmonds schoolboy, entrepreneur, wartime mayor and more. Part 1

Fred Fourtner, a prominent Edmonds resident who died in 1965, had made significant contributions to the community over his nearly 80 years of life there. His family settled in Edmonds in 1886, where they homesteaded and Fred began his education at the one-room Edmonds Grade School. At this school, he and his sister Zetta were among the few students with prior education, which was rare given the short school year of the time. In 1902, Fred married Elsie Hathaway and was identified as a “teamster,” likely involved in the logging industry. His father, Samuel Fourtner, was a city council member and co-founded a local shingle mill, further cementing the family's impact on the area.

Historical accounts suggest that Fred's early work involved both farming and logging, reflecting the community's economic activities. This article is the first of two parts detailing Fred Fourtner's life, including his entrepreneurial ventures and civic contributions. Understanding his story is essential for appreciating Edmonds' historical development.