From "History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com)
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JOSEPH A. KOONTZ
	Joseph A. Koontz,who now resides four miles south of Chewelah and 
who is one of the most prosperous men of the valley,blessed with good 
holdings,has manifested in his labors in this county,a tenacity of purpose 
and energy which are quite rare.In 1883 he selected the place where he now 
lives and hither he brought his wife and seven children. When they finally 
arrived after the trying journey,which was full of hardships,they found 
themselves on a wild tract of land with snow over a foot deep,no human 
habitation within reach,and night coming on. They camped as best they 
could. In addition to all this,the fact that Mr.Koontz had not a penny in 
his pocket nor an allowance of cash from any sources makes us a picture that 
would have discouraged and disheartened the ordinary man,without doubt. 
Mr.Koontz went to work and he has kept at it from that time to the present 
and he has the happy faculty of dispelling his labors with a wisdom and 
skill which makes them count to the best advantage. He now has a nice band 
of stock,well improved estate,and a competence for the days to come.
   Joseph A.Koontz was born on June 9,1844,in Henry county,Ohio,the son of 
Henry and Elizabeth (King) Koontz. They remained in Ohio until the time of
the death of the father in 1853. Four children were born to them:J.A.William,
deceased,John,and Rebekah,deceased. Joseph was educated in the district
school but on account of his eyesight failing he was unable to pursue his
studies farther. At the age of nineteen he began to work for wages and in 
1862 he crossed the plains to Portland. The following spring he and his 
brother opened a merchandise establishment in Umatilla where they operated
for twelve years. The next twelve years were devoted to mining and in 1883
he came to Stevens county as mentioned above.
   In 1871 Mr.Koontz married Mrs.Elizabeth Fobb,the widow of Calvin Fobb.
She was born in Warsaw,Missouri,February 29,1848, and her parents were 
natives of Kentucky. The father died in 1850 and the mother moved to 
Colorado in 1853,where she now lives. Mr. Koontz is a Democrat and holds 
the office of road supervisor,constable and school director.
   To Mr.Koontz and his wife the following children have been born:William
H.,Hattie,and Mattie. The last two are deceased.

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