Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-09-29
FRANCIS HENRY.
DEATH OF A PROMINENT PlO-
NEER
A Veid Which None Can FILA
Break in the Ranks of the Rapid
~ Diminishing Roll of Pioneers
Many Hearts Heat I'm sympathy
With HIS Bereaved Family.


~ Diminishing Roll of Pioneers
Many Hearts Heat In sympathy
With HIS Bereaved Family.
With profound sorrow do We chron-
icle the death of our longtime friend
and fellow citizen Judge Francis
Henry, who departed this life on Sun
day afternoon last, at his residence on
Eastside. He had been in failing
health for several years past, the result
of pulmonary and abdominal diseases,
the effect OF which was manifest in
his long enfeebled condition. With
characteristic courage and energy he
struggled for supremacy over disease,
and maintained place in the busy
throng until obliged to succumb and
seek repose and restoration at his
home which he entered few weeks
ago. only to leave for the narrow house
appointed for all the living.
Francis Henry was born in the
State OF Illinois in the year 1927. His
education was confined to the limited
opportunities found in a common
school in a frontier country, but he
was apt and industrious and SD be-
came possessed OF good preliminary
education. AT the age of 10, in 1917
he was commissioned Lieutenant OF
the Third Dragons U. S. A. by Presi-
dent Polk. He was assigned to Com
pany X, Capt. A. T. McReynolds, OF
Detroit, Mich, and served under Gen.
Scott, from Vera Cruz to the city oil
Mexico. He participated in the bat
ties at the city of Mexico, his company
being squadroned with Capt. Phil
Kearney's Co., and constituting Gen.
SCOTS personal guard. He was with
Kearney at the charge OF San Antonio
when he lost his arm. When 1t
Henry's company left Vera Cruz il
numbered los men, when it got into
the city of Mexico it numbered only
40 men and one commissioned officer
the young lieutenant himself-hia
fellow officers being wounded or alb
sent on sick leave. His company was
then consolidated, and he was assigned
to the command of Capt. Walkers
company, of the Rifle regim ent
Walker having been killed and hi.
lieutenant being absent ON the sick
list. 1t was his conspicuous bravery
which secured him his commission a.
Captain by brevet, before lie had at
tanned his majority.
After the war, he resumed study o.
law at Mineral Point, with Francis J
Dunn, of Dunn & Crawford.
Mr.. Henry came to this coast in
1851, and after residence of six years
in California returned to Wisconsin
From 1858 to 1850 he was U. S. Dep
uty Marshal, and had sole control u
affairs during his principals term
He managed and directed the arrest o
several prominent men engaged III
resisting the fugitive slave law, and Of
course became obnoxious to the Re
publican party then in power in Wis
consin.
At the beginning of the war agains,
rebellion, Mr.. Henry rendered his ser
vices to the Governor of his State, fol-
assignment to duty in the field, but
was refused, doubtless upon partisan
grounds, a command he had shown
shown himself so we'll qualified to fill
In 1862, he came to Olympia, where
he had continuously resided ever since
Upon the death of his father-in-law
DIR. A. G. Henry, who was lost on the
Brother Jonathan, soon after the
assassination of President Lincoln
while holding the Office of Surveyor
General of Washington, it was decided
by the administration to appoint Judge
Henry to the vacant position, and Sec
rotary of State Harlan telegraphed
him that his commission would bt
forwarded by next mail. 1t never
came, and it was afterwards ascer
tanned that the same political preju
dice had been actively used in defeat
ing this advancement. A more fla
grant injustice was never done man
who had given proof of his patriotism
by many active deeds of valor.
During his long residence in this
city he filled many public positions o.
honor and trust, always acquittins
himself with credit in any business OIL
pursuit to which he gave attention
He was frequently elected to the Ter
ritorial Legislature, was member and
President of the City Council, Clerk Of
the Supreme and District Courts, City
Treasurer, a member OF both Constitu'
tional Conventions, Territorial ant
State, and was Probate Judge o.
Thurston county for long succession
of years and President of the Thurstor
county Bar Association.
Judge Henry possessed a singularly
intelligent and attractive parsonage
tall, slender and of commanding pres
ence, no stranger would pass him
without recognizing him as an impor
tant citizen. He was possessed of al
active and comprehensive intellect
ready at argument and witty reparte'
and of most affable and gentle man
ners, and had he given suitable atten
ton to his profession but few OF hi
contemporaries would have equallet
him before the courts. As a publ,
man and influential member of thu
Democratic party, he always stood il
the front rank, and as a rule his judg
ment and advice were final.
AS a citizen, Judge Henry had thu
affectionate respect Of all people, espe
cially OF the younger generation, will
whom he was always friendly and pa
tronizing. Our city, county and Stat'
have sustained a severe loss by hi
death, and TO his family. 1t is ire