Egge, Belle.

Belle Egge (1865-1959) was a Norwegian American dressmaker, who spent much of her adult life in Washington State and took an interest in local history, with an emphasis on her pioneer heritage. Born Isabelle (various spellings), but better known as Belle, she was was raised on a farm near Albert Lea, Minnesota on November 10, 1865, the daughter of Norwegian immigrants, Ole P. and Barbara Egge. The Egge family first arrived in the Seattle area in October 1881 and purchased a house on 6th Avenue and Stewart Street, which was being rented at the time by a widow with five children. Rather than turn them out, the Egges let the family remain in what developed into a combined household. In 1884, Ole Egge took up a land claim near Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. He, his wife, and Belle lived on the island before disposing of the property, while the others remained in the Seattle house. Belle and her parents returned to Seattle around July 1889. After he and his wife returned from travels, Ole Egge built a new house in Seattle, where the family lived until 1894, when the property was seized for the construction of Westlake Boulevard. The Egge family next took up residence at a house on First Avenue West and Republican Street, which was sold by Belle after the rest of those relatives living with her had passed away. Belle Egge spent the final years of her life in the Ebenezer Home for the Aged in Poulsbo, Washington.

From the description of Belle Egge scrapbook, circa 1891-1954 (bulk 1939-1945). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 463498089