Capt. Anders Gjertsen / Willapa Bay Lighthouse Keeper

Capt. Anders Gjertsen / Willapa Bay Lighthouse Keeper / Located at Toke Point

North Cove, Washington Territory. 1913 – 1920

   Anders was born to Gjert & Elizabeth (Hendrickson) Anderson Nov 30, 1854 in Eidsvik, Hordaland, Noway. (Gjert’s son = Gjertsen)

 Anders Immigrated to the USA in 1875. He worked hard to became a naturalized U.S. citizen and by 1884 he succeeded. The 1892 Washington Territory census of Pacific County lists Anders as a single, 37 year old male working as a laborer in North Cove, WT. His address seems to indicate he was living nearby or with the Stream family at the North Cove Lighthouse Keepers residence. (Marinus A. Stream was keeper from 1892-1894) The 1900 census for North Cove lists him as assistant keeper to Willapa Bay Lighthouse. During this time he worked with keeper Rasmus Peterson (keeper from 1894-1913). After years of experience Anders took over as head Lighthouse Keeper In 1913 until 1920. His assistant keeper was first Gustav A. Nikander and later Jacob Eriksen. (who became the keeper after Anders)

   On Nov 2nd, 1915 Anders was married to Jewell Ann Like and they lived together in the lighthouse keeper’s residence until he retired in 1920. After leaving the lighthouse they lived for a few years in South Bend where Anders did part time janitorial work for a local business office. Anders died suddenly on 23 June 1923 and is buried in Fern Hill Cemetery, Menlo, WA. (Jewell remarried to a man named Rolla Reynolds and moved to Everett WA.)