HENRY WEATHERWAX.
Among Stevens county's most Wealthy and influential stock men and agriculturists is the subject of this article. He is also one of the earliest pioneers and his people were the first white family to settle south from Chewelah. Since those early days, Mr. Weatherwax. He has devoted him self steadily to business and has been blessed with the prosperity that belongs to industry and wisdom. He located a squatter's claim on a piece of land, the right to which he had purchased from the last settler and which he later homesteaded. To this he added by purchase until he now has seven hundred and eighty acres of first class land. Five hundred acres of this domain are laid under tribute to produce grain and hay and Mr. Weatherwax reaps annually bounteous crops. His farm is improved in a manner commensurate with its extent and he is one of the most substantial men of the valley. He handles about one hundred and fifty head of cattle each year and now has one hundred head of fine thoroughbreds and grades.

Henry Weatherwax was born in Jackson, Michigan, January 18, 1846, the son of Henry and Christiana Weatherwax, natives of New York and descendants from German ancestors. They were the parents of six children and are now deceased. Their children are Betsy, Elsy, Mary J., Caroline, Robert and Henry. Our subject received his education in Michigan and Illinois and when a lad of twelve started out to meet the battles of life alone. At the beginning of the war he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois and among other campaigns, participated in that of General Sherman's march to the sea. In this he was in all of the battles that occurred as well as many others. In 1865 he was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, then rented land in Illinois until 1871. In that year he went to Kansas, then to Nebraska, and freighted to the Black Hills and Leadville. Here he met the noted western characters, Wild Bill, Kit Carson and Doc Middleton. Later he went to Wyoming and took land which he sold and then came to Washington. The year of this last move was 1882. He came at once to his present place and located as stated above, and since that time has devoted himself assiduously to farming and stock raising.

In 1866 Mr. Weatherwax married Miss Anna Anthony, whose parents were natives of Ohio. To our subject and his wife three children have been born. Julia, Frank and Louis. Mr. Weatherwax is a life-long Republican and has been a committeeman ever since corning to the county. He has also served in various influential capacities, among which may be mentioned that of county commissioner in 1885. He is a member of the G. A. R., and is a highly respected and honorable man. In addition to his successful labors, of which mention has been made, we may state that Mr. Weatherwax has done much good in introducing fine breeds of stock, and in the excellent management of his large estate has stimulated others in this line.

Submitted by Brian W. Smith