A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 1

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883-
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 970

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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 1833 01103 4987

GENEALOGY 978.6 SA5H v. 3

M. L

GENEALOGY COLLECTION

A HISTORY

MONTANA

BY HELEN FITZGERALD SANDERS

VOLUME III

ILLUSTRATED

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY (Not Incorporated) CHICAGO AND NEW YORK

1913

1132581

John H. Schroeder.

HISTORY OF MONTANA

JOHN H. SCHROEDER. That the sheep industry has grown to such enormous proportions during the past several decades is due to the fact that climatic con- ditions are nearly ideal, while the valleys afford ex- cellent grazing facilities and the "bunch grass," which covers the hillsides and plains, makes excellent fodder for the animals. Many of those who are now largely engaged in this business have graduated from the ranks of herders, and among them are to be found numerous natives of the Fatherland. In this class may be mentioned John H. Schroeder, of Billings, who is the owner of 21,000 acres of land located twenty-one miles northwest of the city. Mr. Schroeder was born in Holstein, Germany, November 22, 1865, and is a son of Peter Henry and Margaret (Kibbel) Schroeder, both natives of Holstein.

Peter Henry Schroeder was a tailor in Germany, but on coming to the United States, in 1876, engaged in agricultural pursuits near Denison, Crawford county, Iowa. In 1879 he returned to Germany, and in the following year brought his family back to America and resumed farming and his death occurred when he was seventy-eight years of age. He was a faithful member of the German Lutheran church, as was also his wife, who died at the age of eighty- two years, and they were the parents of seven children, of whom three are living: Julius, of Denison, Iowa; Enima, the wife of Claus Peters, living in Crawford county, Iowa: and John H.

John H. Schroeder received his education in the com- mon schools of Germany, and when fourteen years of age accompanied the family in its immigration to the United States. For about four years he was employed as a farm hand in Iowa, and also spent one year as clerk in an implement firm in Denison, but in the spring of 1885 first became connected with the sheep business as a herder, at Big Timber, Montana. For two years thereafter he followed the same occupation in the Yel- lowstone Valley, in the meanwhile carefully hoarding his savings until he had enough, in 1888, to purchase a small band of sheep, conducting his business on the range. So successful did he become that in 1900 he pur- chased 21,000 acres of land, located twenty-one miles northwest of Billings, and at present is running 4,500 head of sheep. He still follows the same line of busi- ness, but in the fall of 1910 came to Billings, where he has a nice home at No. 123 Lewis street. He has been interested in fraternal work, belonging to Magic City Camp, No. 593, Woodmen of the World, and Ger- mania Lodge, No. 7, Sons of Hermann. His career affords an example of what may be accomplished by thrift, industry, perseverance and honest dealing, and is worthy of emulation by those of the younger genera-

tion who feel they are handicapped by lack of influ- ential friends or financial aid.

In 1895 Mr. Schroeder was united in marriage with Miss Olga Lehfeldt, in the Congregational church in Bil- lings, she being a daughter of Rudolph Lehfeldt. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder, namely : Amanda; Walter; Herman, twin of Walter; Louis, and Frances, twin of Louis.

THOMAS G. WILSON. A citizen of high repute and one who has been prominent and influential in the business world of Butte for a good many years past, Thomas G. Wilson is now living virtually retired, de- voting all his attention to his private affairs. He is the owner of extensive real-estate properties in Butte, and while he does not take an active part in public affairs his loyalty and public spirit in all matters af- fecting the general welfare have ever been of the most insistent order.

Thomas G. Wilson was born at Heuvelton, New York, on the 7th of July, 1867, and he is a scion of a fine old colonial family, the original progenitor of the name in America having immigrated to this country in the colonial period. The progenitor of the family in America was a relative of the historic character, John Alden. The maternal ancestors of Thomas G. Wilson were of Scotch extraction and were early settlers in Massachusetts, whence removal was later made by various members of the family to New York. Mr. Wilson, of this notice, is a son of John G. and Mary J. (Jones) Wilson, both of whom were born and reared in New York, where they passed practically their entire lives and where they died. The father was a contractor and builder by occupation and he and his wife became the parents of four children, of whom Thomas G. was the third in order of birth.

To the public schools of Heuvelton Thomas G. Wil- son is indebted for his rudimentary educational train- ing. He left school at the age of sixteen years and then secured a position as clerk in the store of Robert Aiken at Lisbon Center, New York, receiving as re- muneration for his services the sum of ten dollars per month. Being of an economical disposition, he managed to save a little sum of money out of his wages and in 1885 he came to Butte, removing thence to Anaconda, where he secured employment with the Anaconda Copper Mining Company. He saved two hundred and fifty dollars and in 1886 went to Colo- rado, whence he returned to Montana about 1890. Settling in Butte, he turned his attention to the real- estate and insurance business, being associated in that line of enterprise with Willard H. Winters, then

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

county auditor of Silver Bow county. At the expira- tion of one year Mr. Winters withdrew from the firm and Mr. Wilson conducted the business individually until 1903, when he retired from active pursuits. His real-estate business was largely of a local character and little by little he managed to acquire a great deal of valuable property in Butte, realizing a snug little fortune from increased real-estate values. He now de- votes all his time and attention to the care of his personal property, spending his leisure moments in out-of-door sports. He takes a number of hunting and fishing expeditions into the mountains when the opportunity offers and is a thorough sportsman in the broadest sense of the term.

In his political convictions Mr. Wilson is a stal- wart supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor, and while he does not participate in public activities he gives freely of his aid and influence in support of all measures pro- jected for progress, and improvement. He was reared in the Methodist Episcopal church and still remains loyal to the doctrines of that denomination. He has a large circle of sincere friends who honor and esteem him for his sterling integrity and high moral char- acter.

FREDERICK HITZFELDT. Custer county has many fine ranches, but there are none that excel that belong- ing to Frederick Hitzfeldt, lying forty-five miles south of Miles City, a magnificent tract of 8,500 acres. Mr. Hitzfeldt, who owns about 1,200 head of cattle, has had a remarkably successful career, having attained his present independent position through the result of a lifetime of persistent industry and adherence to straight- forward business principles. He was born in Galves- ton, Texas, October 20, 1860, his parents being natives of Germany, where they were married. His father, who was a ship carpenter by trade, lost his life by drown- ing three months before the birth of Frederick, who was the youngest of a family of thirteen children.

From earliest childhood, Frederick Hitzfeldt has worked continuously and persistently. He was not able to secure many educational advantages, as he was compelled to leave school when young in order to assist in the support of the family. He was but eight years old when his mother died, and the orphan lad was bound out as a sailor boy. Not liking the life of a seaman, when ten years old he secured work in a brickyard, where the labor was hard and the wages only ten dollars per month. After about six months, he found he was still in debt twenty-five cents to his employer, and gave up his position and worked his way back to Galveston. He soon secured employment in hoisting brick and mortar in erecting a building. driving a mule and earning fifty cents per day, out of which he supported himself. While thus engaged, he met Mr. S. W. Allen, one of the leading stockmen of the Lone Star State, who gave him work as a cowboy, and in this gentleman's employ made his first trip over the trail from southern Texas to Dodge City, Kansas, in 1879. During the spring of 1885 he came to Mon- tana, and on August 24th of that year landed on Big Missouri river, having traveled overland with cattle for Hunter & Evans. He continued with this firm for about one and one-half years, and then became associated with Judge C. H. Loud, who was at that time at the head of the Hereford Live Stock Company. One and one-half years later he was made super- intendent of the company, but after four years the company was dissolved, and Mr. Hitzfeldt and Judge Loud purchased the firm's interests and continued in the business for twelve years, but in 1910 the judge's interests were, purchased by Mr. Hitzfeldt. who has since operated alone. Mr. Hitzfeldt is an excellent sample of the self-made man. Although handicapperl by lack of early advantages, he has steadfastly pushed

forward, and the success which has attended his efforts should prove worthy of emulation by the youth of the. country who are striving, without capital or influential friends, to gain a competence. His career in the busi- ness world has been marked by integrity and fair dealing, and his reputation is without stain or blemish. In political matters, Mr. Hitzfeldt recognizes no party lines, and votes for the candidate he deems most worthy the office at stake. Fraternally, he is associated with Yellowstone Lodge No. 26, A. F. & A. M., of Miles City, in which he has numerous friends, as he lias, indeed, in all walks of life.

Mr. Hitzfeldt was married to Miss Georgianna Shy, the oldest of the five children born to George Shy, a native of Missouri and at present an influential ranch- man of Custer county. Mr. and Mrs. Hitzfeldt have had no children.

WILLIAM JAMES MARTIN was born in Setter Creek, Amadore county, California, on the first day of Jan- uary, 1880. He is the son of George Martin who left his native state of Michigan for the gold fields of California but not until too late to be counted among the early and most successful miners. In 1884, he left California for Montana, hoping that the mines there would prove more profitable for him. After working for a year with some considerable success he sent for his family to join him in Butte, expecting to make that city their future home.

His wife, Elizabeth Duncalf Martin, had taken his name while still in her Michigan home, and followed him to the southwest and there shared, without com- plaint, the hardships of his early life. When sum- moned to join him in Butte, in 1885, she gathered to- gether her few possessions and with their five little children started cheerfully across the plains for Mon- tana. These children are all, at the presant time, resi- dents of Meaderville, Montana, where their father early passed away without having accomplished the end for which he had been striving. His wife still makes her home with her daughter in Meaderville.

William James Martin, her second born, is the oldest of the four boys. At the age of sixteen, he left the schools of Butte which he had been attending. feel- ing that it was incumbent upon him to become a wage earner that the younger brothers be given an opportunity to continue their studies. His first employment was in the Heinze Concentrator. He remained for nine years in this work, receiving from the first the full wage of a man, three fifty per day.

On November the thirteenth, 1903, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Murrish who had come to Butte from Nevada City, Nevada. Their only child, Leta, was born in their home at Meaderville, 52 Main street, on the second of January, 1905.

In April, 1910, Mr. Martin entered into partnership with Mr. Robert Sutherland and together they estab- lished the Meaderville Coal Company at the corner of Main and Collusa streets. They have their private rail- road trackage and handle on an average of five cars per week. The business increases every year although they are already known as among the most prosperous coal dealers in Silver Bow county.

Mr. Martin is a popular and public-spirited citizen of Meaderville although he takes little interest in the politics proper of the city or state. That is. naturally, aside from utilizing his right of suffrage. He seldom neglects, when chance offers, to cast a vote for the Republican party.

He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America lodge and is captain of the volunteer fire department of Meaderville.

Much credit is due Mr. Martin for the success he has attained and the position he has created for himself and his family, unaided by means or education, the two

Geoffrey Laugier

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

things that we have been taught are essential to material prosperity.

GEOFFREY A. LAUZIER. With a good natural aptitude for business, and that developed by a special course of instruction and long and valuable experience while in the employ of other men, Geoffrey A. Lauzier, presi- dent of the National Mining and Investment Company, Incorporated, and its successor, the Lauzier-Wolcott Company, Incorporated, of Butte, has reached his elevation in business and his excellent standing in his home community by a regular course of progress, in the furtherance of which he has employed all his time and faculties, used excellent judgment and been at all times alert to see and sieze his oportunities as they have come.

Mr. Lanzier is a native of Ottawa, Canada, where his life began on August 12, 1868. He began his educa- tion in the schools of his native city, where he remained until August, 1885, then came to Butte, Montana, and here continued his studies in the high school. When he left that school he attended the Butte Business Col- lege for training in business, and as soon as he com- pleted its course of instruction secured a position in a hay and grain dealing establishment conducted by his uncle. The uncle sold this business and Mr. Lauzier then went to work for the Lavell brothers, who were engaged in the lumber, livery and transfer industry. He remained with them sixteen years and acquired a thorough knowledge of their business, besides becom- ing familiar with the requirements and possibilities of many other lines of trade. At the end of the period mentioned, having accumulated some capital and feeling a strong desire to have a business of his own, he started his present enterprise, under the name of the National Mining and Investment Company, and incorporated it. The company has extensive and profit- able holdings and is doing a large business. Mr. Lauzier is its president and controlling spirit, and its success and progress are due almost wholly to his enterprise, breadth of view and accurate knowledge of all the requirements in the case and all features and phases of the situation.

Gabriel Lanzier, the father of Geoffrey, is a native of southern France. He came to Canada in 1860, locating in the province of Ontario, near the capital of the Dominion, and there for a number of years engaged in profitable farming operations. He is still living there, but is now retired from all active pursuits and enjoying a rest which he has richly earned for his declining years. He is at this time (1912) seventy- four years of age. The mother, who was Sarah Lavell. a native of Canada, died on April 21, 1909.

Mr. Lauzier was married in Butte on October 3, 1900, to Miss Lou F. Foster, a daughter of John M. and Mary (Duffield) Foster, well known and highly respected residents of that city. No children have been born of the union. Mr. Lauzier mingles freely in the social life of his community as a member of the Silver Bow Club and in all its other phases. He takes a great interest and an active part in outdoor sports, is a leading member of the Golf Club and a promoter of all athletic entertainments for the enjoyment of himself and the people generally. He is a Catholic in religion and a Democrat in politics. His church has his ardent and serviceable devotion, but he is not an active partisan in political affairs, although an unwav- ering believer in the principles of his party as the best guarantee of good government and the enduring welfare of the country. The progress and improve- ment of his city and state are matters of great moment with him, and he is always ready to support in the most practical way any worthy undertaking in which they are involved. Butte has no better citizen and none whom the people more highly esteem.

A. C. SANDBERG, D. D. S. One of the leading repre- sentatives of the dental profession of Butte, Dr. A. C. Sandberg is identified with a calling that aptly illustrates the swift advance of science within the past few years, more valuable improvements and discov- eries having been made in dentistry, mayhap, than in any other branch of surgery. The second oldest practising dentist of the city, he has gained an excel- lent reputation for professional skill, and acquired a substantial patronage. He was born, November 27, 1860, in Sweden, his father was an engineer on a steamer plying between Gottenborg and Stockholm. His father died in early life, in 1865, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sophia Wenstrom, passed to the life beyond three years later, in 1868.

Left an orphan when but seven years old, A. C. Sandberg had a hard life as a boy and youth, suffer- ing many hardships and privations, and having but little time for either study or play. He was an errand boy in a commission house until twelve years old, when he began an apprenticeship of six years at the trades of a jeweler and diamond setter, during the time attending school six months. In 1880, responding to the lure of the western world, he came to the United States, and for five years worked at the jew- eler's trade in Chicago. Coming from there to Mont- ana in 1885, Dr. Sandberg, who had begun the study of dentistry in Sweden, and continued it in Chicago, came to Montana, locating in Helena, where for eight years he practised his profession. In 1893 the Doctor opened a dental office in Butte, for nine years being associated with Dr. W. H. Hall, but since 1902 has practised alone, his skill. modern methods, close atten- tion to his professional duties, and his unblemished personal character, having secured for him a large and eminently satisfactory practice.

Dr. Sandberg was formerly active in military affairs, while living in Chicago having belonged to the Home Guards from 1881 until 1885, while in Helena he served as a lieutenant in the Home National Guards. He is a member, and ex-vice-president, of the Mon- tana State Dental Association. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and to the Order of Moose.

Dr. Sandberg married, March 7, 1887. in Helena, to Anna Belle Garrison, who was born- in Abingdon, Illinois.

SAMUEL S. SINGER may in all truth be said to have grown up in the dry goods business. Certain it is that he has been actively identified with the mercantile line since he was thirteen years of age, and he has gone through every phase of the business in a manner calcu- lated to give him a thorough insight into the many in- tricate details which attend the successful manipulation of the industry. His early training he received in his native land, Roumania, and it was of a rigid and un- compromising nature that in five years fitted him more thoroughly for the business than twice that time could have done in America. From a minor position in a dry goods establishment in Minneapolis after he came to this country in 1885, he has come to be known as. one of the leading merchants in Great Falls, and his store is one of the most important and at the same time most popular establishments of its kind in this section of the state.

Mr. Singer was born in Roumania on September 13, 1867, and is the son of Isador and Clara Singer. The father was born in Roumania and came to America in 1888, settling in Minneapolis, where he still lives, al- though retired from active business. Samuel attended the schools of his native land until he had reached the age of thirteen, when he took service in a large dry goods house with a view to learning the business. He remained with the firm for five years, and when he was eighteen he immigrated to America. He located in Minneapolis and for a few months he worked in a

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dry goods house, where he became familiar with Amer- ican methods of conducting such a business, and after he had gleaned some experience he removed to Mon- tana. He located in Helena and there secured imme- diate employment with the New York Dry Goods Com- pany, and that position proved to be so mutually bene- ficial that he continued in it until 1895. In that time he came to be regarded as one of the most trustworthy and capable employees of the house, and stood in high favor with his employers. In 1895, he, with Fred A. Fligman, a fellow employee of the New York Dry Goods Company, conceived the idea of settling in business on their own responsibility. They cast about for a suit- able location and finally decided upon Great Falls, which at that time seemed the most opportune spot in the state for such a business as they proposed to launch. They accordingly severed their connection with their old firm and made all arrangements for opening up an establishment in Great Falls. They began business on a small scale, preferring to feel their way, and increase stock as the trade warranted such procedure, rather than to load up in the beginning and take their chance with the trading public,-a plan which their native shrewdness was much opposed to. The first few months of their operations showed that the store was a pro- nounced success, and that they must expand to meet the demands of the trade. Thus their policy has been through all the years in which they have operated in Great Falls, creating a demand and then supplying it forthwith. Their establishment is now recognized as the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in this section of the state, and their methods are such that the greatest confidence is reposed in them. Their reputa- tion for fair and square dealing has been their greatest asset, and is one that can not fail to win to them the greatest success possible to attain in their business. Both men are careful buyers, possessing tact, wisdom and foresight, and the business of the house is despatched in a manner highly creditable to the executive ability of the partners. The firm is known as the Paris Dry Goods Company, and Samuel S. Singer is president of the concern. Reasonably conservative, but unhampered by an excess of caution, the firm is easily one of the most progressive and wide-awake in the west today. An example of those qualities might be shown in their identification with the six o'clock closing movement as far back as when Mr. Singer and Mr. Fligman were employees of the New York store in Helena years ago. These young men, ever abreast of the times, were the first to begin the agitation in favor of early closing, and it was they who circulated the first petition among salespeople and tradespeople with that end in view. They gave to the matter such enthusiasm and were so successful in enlisting the sympathies of the public that the movement after being successfully inaugurated in Helena, became general throughout the entire state, and is now in effect in every city in Montana.

Mr. Singer is a member of the blue lodge of the Masonic fraternity, the Woodmen of the World and the Sons of Hermann. He is an Independent in his political views and is never unduly active in the politics of his district.

In 1895 Mr. Singer was united in marriage with Miss Dora Fligman of Helena. Montana, a daughter of Joseph Fligman of that city. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Singer .- Lee F., born June II, 1897, and Josephine Theresa, born April 25. 1902. Both own Great Falls as their birthplace. The elder, Lee, is a student in the Great Falls high school, while the daugh- ter is attending the grade schools of the city.

JOHN A. COLLINS. In the list of names of those who have been instrumental in developing the resources of Great Falls, prominent place should be given to John A. Collins, a man whose large business interests have served to encourage the city's industrial growth, and the value of whose services in the management of

municipal affairs cannot be overestimated. Coming to Great Falls something more than a quarter of a cen- tury ago with little capital save an abundant stock of energy, he rose rapidly in the world of business, and so great was the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens that he was twice elected to the highest munic- ipal office in Great Falls, and at present is ably acting in the capacity of sheriff. Mr. Collins was born in On- tario, Canada, September 11, 1865, and is a son of William and Mary Ann (Lewis) Collins. His father, a native of Ireland, came to the United States during the early fifties, and subsequently settled in Ontario, Can- ada, where for many year's he was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, and where he now resides, being re- tired from business activities. His wife, also a native of Ireland, immigrated to Canada about the same time, and still resides there, having been the mother of twelve children, of whom John. A. is the second in order of birth.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 1

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883- Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 970

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883-
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 970