Gustavus Sohon was born in Tilsit, Germany, 1825 December 10. He came to America at the age of 17 and lived in Brooklyn, New York. On 1852 July 2, at the age of 26, he enlisted as a private in the United States Army and was ordered West for service on the Pacific Coast.
A gifted linguist (he spoke English, French, and German), Sohon quickly learned the Salishan languages of the Flathead and Pend D'Oreille Indians. While working on expeditions, he also made drawings of the country and important landmarks. These drawings were useful in later expeditions.
Sohon's work impressed Washington Governor Issac Stevens, and at the Governor's request, Sohon was transferred to his command. Sohon worked as map maker and barometrical observer as well as sketcher and interpreter on various expeditions. Sohon was also involved in the building of the Mullan Road, the first wagon road from Fort Walla Walla to Fort Benton.
On 1863 July 29, Sohon married Juliana Goh and moved to San Francisco, California. There Sohon opened a Photographic and Ambrotype Gallery. In 1865 or 1866, he closed his shop and moved to Washington, D.C., where he died on 1903 September 03.
Three pencil drawings, and annotations, of Eastern Washington locations by Gustavus Sohon: Great Falls of the Spokane River, 1858; View of the Snake River at Mouth of the Tukanon, 1858; Camp on the Spokane River, 1858 September 06.
The drawings have been digitized and are available online as part of the
This collection is open and available for research use.
Copyright restrictions may apply.
[Item description]
Gustavus Sohon Drawings, 1858 (Cage 556)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
The drawings of Gustavus Sohon were purchased in 1982.
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