The US GenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that this material not be used in a commercial manner. From History of North Washington, published 1903, now in public domain. Submitted by Candy L. Grubb March 20, 1997. Both above notices must remain when copied or downloaded. candyg@ieway.com _____________________________________________________________________________ CHARLES R. WESTON Charles R. Weston is one of the leading citizens of Stevens county and dwells on a farm just east from Rice. He was born on March 23, 1850, the son of Dr. Eli W. Weston. The Doctor was born in December, 1825, in New York state. He was liberally educated and at an early age matriculated in one of the leading medical colleges of his day. Upon the outbreak of the Mexican war, he promptly enlisted and served as lieutenant under General Scott from the bombardment of Vera Cruz until the surrender of Mexico. The ancestors were of English extraction and fought in the revolution with distinction. Following the war, Lieutenant Weston returned to New York and in Buffalo married Miss Jennie Cooley, the wedding occurring in 1848. Her ancestors were English and her father served in the war of 1812. Soon after his marriage the doctor removed to Iowa and took up the practice of medicine. When the call came for troops to repel treason's attacks on the government, Dr. Weston again went to the front and enlisted as major in the Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteers, under General Curtis. He participated in the battle of Wilson creek on August 10, 1861, when General Lyon was killed. The general had been tent mate to Dr. Weston in the Mexican war. At the battle of Pea Ridge, Dr. Weston did excellent service and continued in the struggle, mostly in Missouri, until 1863, when he resigned his commission and came with his family, who had come to St. Louis, to the Beaver Head country, Montana. On the trip from St. Louis to St Joseph, much danger was encountered on the account of the unsettled times. Five children, of which our subject was the oldest, were then in the family and at the Missouri river they feel in with emigrants and made the trip safely although they lost some stock. In Montana, Dr. Weston was associated with Governor Egerton, the first governor of that territory, Judge Hosford, and "Yankee" Hall, in mining ventures and also he practiced medicine. Later we see him on the sound and in Centralia, being one of the first to settle there. Later he journeyed to Milton where he operated a drug store and practiced medicine. He was one of the first settlers where Weston now stands. In 1887 Dr. Weston came to Colville and at once was chosen as county commissioner. In 1890, he came to Rice, secured a good farm and there remained until his death on May 17, 1901. He had dedicated two acres for a G.A.R. armory hall and was a strong member of that order. Mrs. Weston is now dwelling at Northport, Washington. After the family came to Montana, our subject worked at placer mining and fed the first quartz mill in the territory, it being located at East Bannock. This was in the fall of 1863. Two years later our subject went to Helena and assisted to haul the first logs for the start of the town buildings. In the fall of 1865, Mr. Weston went to the Salmon river and caught salmon, which he packed to Bannock and sold for fifty cents per pound. Later the Indians drove them off. During these days Mr. Weston had made his home with his parents and when he came to Oregon he went railroading. Later he drove cattle to California and then went by steamer to Portland. After this he was in the sound country and soon located in the Palouse. Again we see him near Weston and in 1878 he enlisted as a private to fight the Indians. Sam Ritchey was captain and Mr. Weston was promoted to lieutenant. He did much scouting and assisted until the close of the war. In 1879 we find him in western Whitman county raising stock and four years later he removed the same to Willow creek country, Malheur county, Oregon. After traveling to various places, he finally, in 1889, came to his present abode, in Stevens county. The farm is well improved and produces bounteous crops annually. Mr. Weston has a fine water wheel and utilizes the power in running a good chop mill. In 1892 he was deputy county assessor and he has always taken an active part in political and educational matters. Mr. Weston has also done considerable prospecting and mining since coming to the west and is expert in this line. The marriage of Mr. Weston and Miss Louisa Jackson occurred on March 28, 1878. Mrs. Weston was born in Cass county, Missouri, on August 23, 1858. Her father, John Jackson, was a native of Indiana and dwelt in Kansas during the Civil war and took part in the troubles in that beleaguered state, being in the state militia. Mrs. Weston's mother, Sarah (Bouse) Jackson, was born in Kentucky, and her father was a companion to Daniel Boone. He went to California in early days and was there murdered for his money in the 'fifties. Mrs. Weston came with her parents to California in 1874 and three years later came thence overland to Walla Walla. The parents settled four miles north from Pine City in Whitman county in 1879 and live there now. To Mr. and Mrs. Weston five children have been born, Edward, John W., George L., Ada A., and Ernest C. Mr. Weston has two brothers George L., and Eli S., and one sister, Mrs. Hattie Starky. Mrs. Weston has the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Maggie Payne, Mrs. Abbie Garnell, Mrs. Annie Stewart, and Mrs. Josie Herron.