In recent years fruit growing has become one of the important industries of Washington, the coast climate being particularly well adapted to the raising of certain kinds of fruit. L. J. Ganwich, of the vicinity of Puyallup, has achieved noteworthy success as an orchardist and is counted among the progressive and wide-awake farmers of the locality.

He was born in West Prussia, Germany, on the 19th of March, 1862, and is a son of John and Mary (Kratzke) Ganwich, both of whom spent their lives and died in their native land, where the father had for many years served as foreman of a brickyard. They were the parents of nine children, namely: Fritz and August, both deceased; L. J., of this sketch; John; Minnie; Matilda, Bertha and William, all deceased; and Mary.

L. J. Ganwich secured his education in the public schools, though in later years he did a great deal of reading and studying, being very largely self-educated. He was employed in a brickyard in his native country until 1878, when, at the age of fifteen years, he emigrated to the United States. Landing at New York, he soon afterward went to Buffalo, where for eight months he worked in a tannery. He then went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in steel mills for a few years.

On December 31, 1883, Mr. Ganwich enlisted in Company G, Sixth United States Infantry, and was sent to Fort Douglas, Utah, where he remained four and a half years. He then was sent to Fort Lewis, Colorado, where he remained until 1888, when he was honorably discharged from the service with the rank of sergeant.

He came to Tacoma, Washington, and for six months worked at his trade, that of brick making, after which he became a member of the Tacoma police force, on which he served until 1896, when he resigned and went to Circle City, Alaska, where, and at Dawson, he was engaged in gold mining for about two and a half years, meeting with very fair success.

In 1909 Mr. Ganwich came back to Pierce county and bought twenty-nine acres of land in section 22, township 20 north, range 4 east, near North Puyallup. A few acres were cleared, the remainder being in timber and stumps, but he has continued steadily in his work of improvement and practically all of the land is now cleared. He has six acres in hops, nine acres in berries, two acres in orchard and four acres in meadow, and the remainder is pasture.

Mr. Ganwich has erected a good set of farm buildings and made
other substantial improvements, making of the place a valuable and attractive property.

On January 30, 1890, Mr. Ganwich was united in marriage to Miss Ottilie Manthey, who also is a native of Germany, a daughter of William and Wilhelmina (Zillman) Manthey, both of whom were born in that country. The father died in his native land in 1869, and the mother now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.

They were the parents of six children, namely: Helen, Hulda and Frederick, deceased; Charles; Ottilie, Mrs. Ganwich; and Mrs. Augusta Lutz, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Ganwich have been born six children, as follows: Mrs. Clara Grant, of Westwood, California; Mrs. Freda Moore, of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Edna Bruce, also of Los Angeles; Mrs. Olga Williams, of Sumner, this county; Edwin L., who is married and lives at home, and is in partnership with his father in the home ranch; and Josephine, who is a stenographer in Los Angeles. All of the children received good educations.

Mr. Ganwich is a member of Puyallup Camp, No. 178, Woodmen of the World. He has been active in local public affairs, having helped to. organize the school in his district and has served three terms as a member of the North Puyallup school board. He is also a special deputy sheriff.

In 1889, at Tacoma, he had the honor of firing the cannon salute celebrating the admission of Washington to the Union. He is a strong and persistent advocate of better schools, improved roads and closer cooperation among farmers, and stands for all that is best in community life. Because of these attributes he is well deserving of the esteem and respect which are accorded him. He is a republican in his political views and belongs to the Puyallup and Sumner Fruit Growers Association.

William P. Bonney. History of Pierce County, Washington. Chicago: Pioneer Historical Publishing Company, 1927., III, p. 139-140.

Ludwig Ganswich