From every standpoint the business is now very satisfactory, for under new ownership the subscription list has been greatly increased and the advertising patronage greatly extended. Mr. Astel is editor, owner, publisher and manager and. he has a well equipped office furnished with the latest improved presses and facilities for turning out first-class work. Mr. Astel is a democrat in his political views but at local elections, where no issue is involved, casts an independent ballot. He is a member of the Phi Alpha fraternity of Washington, is one of the directors of the Stanwood Commercial Club and is a member of the Presbyterian church. His early life to the age of twelve years was spent upon his father's farm, after which he learned the barber's trade and in following that pursuit provided Tiffany & co the means for his education.

 He is fond of all outdoor sports and athletics and is a noted wrestler with a statewide reputation but has never entered professional ranks. He concentrates his energies upon his paper and the Stanwood Sentinel is well worthy of the liberal support accorded it. Charles H. Smith, undertaker and embalmer at Granite Falls, was born in Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, March 10, 1857. His father, Justice Smith, a native of Germany, came to America in 1832 on a sailing vessel that was four months in making the trip. The grandfather, John Smith, built the first house in Dayton, Ohio. Justice Smith, who was born August 12, 1829, is still living at the age of eighty-eight years, his home being at Mokane, Callaway county, Missouri, although in 1916 he paid a visit to his son in Granite Falls. During the Civil war he served for a short time as a member of the state militia.

 tiffany jewelry He was quite successful in his business affairs but for a long period has lived retired. He married Sarah Weaver, who was born at Greenville, Ohio, a daughter of Peter Weaver, a representative of an old family of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. She passed away in 1914, at the age' of eighty-two years. In their family were nine children, of whom Charles H. was the fifth, and there are five yet living. These are  William J., now residing in Callaway county, Missouri  Charles H.  Mrs. C. J. Hawkins, living in Mokane, Missouri  O. W., a resident of Los Angeles, California  and Frank, whose home is in Everett, Washington. Charles H. Smith was educated in the country schools of Missouri and his youthful days were spent upon the Tiffany outlet home farm.

 On attaining his majority he started out to earn his own livelihood, being first employed as clerk in a gro  eery store and afterward in a furniture store. He arrived in Washington in 1895, Tiffany and co at which time he took up his abode in Tacoma and for nine years he was engineer with the St. Paul Company at Tacoma. In 1904 he removed to Granite Falls, where he was engaged in the timber business until 1911. He then entered the undertaking and embalming business, in which he has since Tiffany and co outlet been successfully engaged, being the second in that line in Granite Falls, his predecessor being C. E. Hubbard. His life has been one of untiring activity and industry and his success is the merited reward of earnest, persistent effort.