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 April 30, 1997. Both above notices must remain when copied or downloaded. candyg@ieway.com _____________________________________________________________________________ NORBERT DUPUIS Who, but those experiencing them, will ever understand the hardships, the dangers and the trying and arduous labors that were performed by those who opened this country for civilization? Without doubt the subject of this brief review is one of the worthy men in this commendable labor and as such it is with pleasure that we grant him recognition in the volume that recounts the history of Stevens county. Norbert Dupuis was born in Montreal, Canada, on December 3, 1830, the son of Exebia and Flavia (Demars) Dupuis, natives of Canada, where they remained until their death. Our subject was raised on the frontier and he is a thorough student of nature. His education consisted in understanding how to cope with the forces and resources of nature rather than technical knowledge from the printed page. The result was that Mr. Dupuis is and has been a very practical man. In 1851 he came to the United States and located in Wisconsin. One year later we find him in St. Louis, engaging himself with the American Fur Company for which institution he labored for three years through the Dakotas and Montana. In 1855 he came west with governor Stevens to Walla Walla, then went to Vancouver and packed for the government for two years. In 1857 he came to Stevens county mining, which work continued until 1865 and was followed all over Washington, British Columbia, and Montana. Finally in 1866, he settled on a piece of land about three miles north of where Chewelah now stands. He has a good farm which produces annually gratifying dividends, and in addition to handling it in a skillful manner, he raises a good deal of stock. In 1865, Mr. Dupuis married Miss Elizabeth McCloud. Mrs. Dupuis' father was Donald McCloud, a native of Scotland and her mother was a native of Washington. They were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom are now living. To Mr. and Mrs. Dupuis the following named children have been born: Orson, Frank, Aggie Clairmont, Jacob, Rose, Green, James, Alexander, Viotel, Maggie and Addie. In September, 1891, Mrs. Dupuis was called to lay down the burdens of life and participate in the scenes of the world beyond. She had been a devout member of the Catholic church to which the rest of the family are adherents. Mr. Dupuis is an active Republican and always interested in upbuilding and progress. By way of reminiscence, Mr. Dupuis states that in early times, before the government troops came in, it was almost impossible to make any headway in raising stock, as the Indians stole them as fast as the settlers could raise them. On one occasion, Mr. Dupuis and seven companions were caught away from provisions in the wilds and were obliged to subsist on one coyote and one crow for nine days. These were some of the hardships endured by the sturdy pioneers who have given us this resourceful country.