Machias Community Cemetery

What is now called the Machias Community Cemetery was previously named Mt. View Cemetery. The cemetery appeared to be the most widely used cemetery by residents of Lake Stevens and as well as the Hartford area during the early 1900's. The Machias Community Cemetery was founded by Horas and Matilda Andrus, who were among the first three settlers to the Machias area in the 1880's. The Andrus family came from Snohomish and homesteaded the land which is now known what the cemetery is named today. Horas and his wife felt that there was a need for burial grounds within the vicinity so they set aside an acre of land. The earliest recorded tombstone was marked 1893 although it was not until 1902 that the cemetery was officially dedicated by The Andrus family. In 1903 Mr. Andrus passed away and the care of the cemetery was left in the care of his son L.E. Andrus. Aside from keeping the Machias Cemetery, L.E. Andrus founded Mt. View Cemetery just south of the Machias Cemetery; which was dedicated April 4th, 1911. During the mid 40's Mrs. L.E. Andrus sold the said cemeteries to Everett Stringer who remained owner until his passing in 1982. However, in 1981 a small group of residents from Lake Stevens and Machias took interest in the up-keep of the cemeteries. They began negotiating with Mr. Stringer to purchase the said cemeteries and incorporate. (As I search for previous history, please be patient as I gather all the information that I can.)