X.3219.003882

Captain Henry A. Roeder (1824 — 1902), circa 1850. Roeder and Russell V. Peabody were the first American settlers to establish donation land claims in what is now Bellingham. They arrived from California in 1852 and built a sawmill at the mouth of Whatcom Creek. Roeder was actively involved in the industrial and civic development of the area. He served on Whatcom County's first grand jury in October 1854, served as county commissioner in 1855—56, 1857—61, and 1874—75, and helped draft a charter to incorporate Whatcom and Sehome in October 1883.