A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 10

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883-
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002

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PHILLIP LOVELL. The death, in June, 1907, of Phillip Lovell, of Dillon, Montana, removed another of the old pioneer ranchers from the ranks. Mr. Lovell had been a rancher in Beaverhead county for many years and, although he had retired from active business at the time of his death, he was always deeply interested in this phase of Montana life. He was a large land holder and an influential and prominent citizen, at various times holding important offices of public trust.

Mr. Lovell was a native of England, having been born there on the 12th of April, 1840, the eldest of five children of Jonathan and Ann Abbey Lovell. It was in 1862 that he came to Montana and settled in Beaver- head county. He located in Bannack, and first became engaged in the butchering business, in which he con- tinued for a number of years. In 1872 he gave up this work to go into the ranching business, his ranch being located nine miles south of Dillon. While carrying on an active stock busines- was also engaged in general farming. In 1902 he .... oved to Dillon and retired from active business, living quietly in the city until his death.

Politically Mr. Lovell believed in the principles of the Democratic party, though he always believed in voting for the man who was best fitted in his eyes for the office, regardless of party. In 1880 he was elected on the Democratic ticket as county commissioner of Beaverhead county, his term extending over a period of six years. In 1893 he served as a World's Fair com- missioner to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He was a member of the Pioneer Society and in the fra-

ternal world was a leading member of the Masonic order and belonged to the St. Elmo Commandery, Knights Templar. Upon his death he left a large estate, his landed property consisting of some three thousand acres. Both he and his wife were communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church.

Mr. Lovell was married on July 19, 1875, to Mrs. Ellen Thompson, a daughter of John and Susan (Showers) McGowen. Her father was born in Penn- sylvania and her mother in New Jersey, but they both passed away in Fulton county, Ohio, where her father was a farmer. Mrs. Lovell was born in Morrow county, Ohio, though she was reared in Fulton county, in the same state. By her first marriage she had one son, Frank Thompson, who is now fifty years of age.

SIMON PEPIN. A pioneer of Montana, Simon Pepin was one of the founders of the city of Havre and one . of the most substantial pillars of its subsequent pros- perity, and for many years has controlled and directed some of the largest productive resources in the north- ern portion of the state. A history of Montana during the last thirty years would not be complete without reference to him, one of its most substantial char- acters.

Simon Pepin, of French stock on both sides, was born at St. Michael, Canada, December 20, 1840. His father, Samuel, was born in the same locality, as was also his mother, Mary (Peprino) Pepin, who died when her son Simon was four years old. The par- ents were substantial but unassuming farming people.

In his native town Simon was reared and educated up to his sixteenth year, at which time he left home and began his practical career. Without capital and without influence to place him on the road to fortune, he found the way by his own ability and determina- tion, and, through all the chances of a rugged career, has steadily advanced to prosperity and influence. From 1856 to 1863 he was employed in a brick yard at Saco, Maine. In the spring of 1863 he joined the tide of emigration to the west, and from Omaha made the trip overland, with an ox team, traveling in this way around by Salt Lake City to Virginia City, Mon- tana, where he arrived the following November.

In the spring of 1864 he entered the service of the noted Diamond R. Freighting Company, and was con- nected with that famous transportation business until the company was dissolved in 1890. In the meantime, in 1875, he had begun on a small scale as a cattle raiser, this being at first a side issue to his regular work, but by yearly increases and extensions he be- came eventually one of the largest cattle raisers of the state, and to the majority of old residents his name is probably associated most familiarly with this great industry. His experience as a freighter was full of incident and adventure. For fifteen years he made regular trips to the various towns and trading posts throughout the vast territory covered by the opera- tions of the Diamond R. company, from Salt Lake City on the south to Fort Benton on the north. Dur- ing all that time the life of the freighter was a daily round of hardship and hazard. From 1879 to 1890 he had charge of the company's transportation con- tracts with the government at Fort Assiniboine. Since 1882 his cattle and land interests have been located principally in Chouteau and Teton counties. His home ranch is two miles from Havre on the north side of Milk river, and in recent years under his manage- ment has become one of the model farms in this vicin- ity.

When he first made his headquarters in this locality, Havre was not yet a townsite and only a few cabins were scattered about in the neighborhood. He and his partner, E. T. Broadwater, whose part in the affair is described on other pages, were the prime movers in founding the town and getting this place as a division

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point on the railroad, the success of their efforts being chiefly responsible for the subsequent upbuilding of this commercial center. Mr. Pepin is president and senior partner of the Broadwater-Pepin Company, which owns many business blocks, miscellaneous buildings in Havre and lands in the surrounding district. He is also one of the principal stockholders in the Security State Bank of Havre, and has interested himself in prac- tically all of the important enterprises which have con- tributed to the commercial progress of the city. Mr. Pepin has never married. He is one of the best known among the pioneers of Montana, has enjoyed a large share of the prosperity of the Treasure state, and as a public-spirited citizen has returned much for the permanent upbuilding and welfare of his portion of this commonwealth.

HARRY MARSHALL RAMSEY. Prominent among the business men of Billings who are making this city one of the large commercial centers of this part of the west is Harry Marshall Ramsey, who has met with excep- tional success as a dealer in fine horses. Mr. Ramsey is essentially a product of the west, having been born at a mining camp near South Pass, Wyoming, November 17, 1872, and is a son of John Marshall and Roselia A. (McDonald) Ramsey.

John Marshall Ramsey was born in Loveland, Cler- mont county, Ohio, June 7, 1842, and received his edu- cation at his native place, after which he learned the trade of carpenter and wheelwright. When he was only nineteen years of age he entered the Union service dur- ing the Civil war, serving as a messenger under General Cox in Rosecran's division. When he had completed his army service he went to California, via the isthmus of Panama, but after spending a short time in prospecting for gold, traveled overland through Idaho and entered Montana during the sixties. Settling first at Last Chance Gulch, he subsequently moved on to Virginia City, and later was engaged in gold mining and trading with the Indians on the present site of the city of Helena, after which he went to Fort Benton. There he assisted in building boats covered with rawhide, which was effectual in causing the bullets from the In- dians' guns to deflect, and in 1868 went down the Missouri river with a party to Omaha. In 1869 or 1870, Mr. Ramsey went with the Union Pacific Railroad to Cheyenne, where he assisted in building the first house in that city, and then entered the service of the United States government for a time, being engaged in work- ing at his trade. At Fort Stambeau, Wyoming, he par- ticipated in a number of raids with the troops against the Indians, and later, with his wife and children, ac- companied the troops to Fort Custer, where he was engaged in the cattle business until 1882, having brought the animals from Wyoming. In that year Mr. Ramsey came overland to the present site of Billings, where he spent the summer, and then removed to Golden Creek, on the Musselshell river, continuing in the cattle business at that point until 1883, when he sold his interests to the Courtland Cattle Company and located in Billings, where during the winter of 1883-84 he conducted a roller skating rink, the first of its kind in Billings. In 1885 he engaged in the livery business, under the firm name of Ramsey and Smith, an associa- tion which continued until 1889, and from that time until his retirement he gave his attention to the horse ranch conducted by himself and son, under the firm name of John M. Ramsey & Son, and which had its inception in 1884. Mr. Ramsey was elected sheriff of Yellowstone county at the first state election in 1889. serving in that position with universal satisfaction for six years. That Mr. Ramsey was held in the highest esteem in his adopted city was demonstrated bv the following order, issued October 10, 1911, by the Grand Masonic Chapter of the State, of which we quote only a part: "To all Grand Chapters in Correspondence with

the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Montana : to the Grand Officers and all Subordinate Chapters, R. A. M. of Montana. Companions: The working tools have fallen from the hands of a skilled craftsman who has labored faithfully in our quarries for many years- R. E. Companion John M. Ramsey, Past Grand Scribe. After but a week's illness Companion Ramsey passed away on Sunday, September 24, 1911, at his home in Billings, Montana, death being due to peritonitis. His burial services were conducted by Ashlar Lodge, No. 29, of Billings, on September 26, with a Templar escort from Aldemar Commandery, No. 5. At the graveside Excellent Companion Arthur C. Logan delivered a beautiful though impromptu eulogy upon the life and services of our departed companion. Companion Ram- sey was a sturdy character, whose sterling virtues and ' unfailing courtesy won for him the lasting affection of his neighbors, friends and brethren. * * * His wife survives him and besides her are two sons, Harry of Billings, and Arthur of Roseburg, Oregon, and one daughter, Mrs. Gerald Panton, and Mrs. Ed. Goulding, a stepdaughter, both residents of Billings. Only a short time before his illness there had been a family reunion and the heart of the father was rejoiced in the pride of having his wife and children about him. His Masonic association of forty years he cherished highly; was a splendid exemplar of its precepts and a faithful devotee of its teachings. It was in 1886 that he affiliated with Ashlar Lodge, No. 29, of Billings, and in 1889 he served as its master. For two years he served as king of Billings Chapter No. 6, R. A. M., and became its high priest in 1896. At its organization he became a member of Aldemar Commandery No. 5, K. T., but held none but an appointive office therein. When the command- ery was instituted, he was appointed standard bearer, and with the exception of one year, filled the position by reappointment until his death. In 1894, when the Grand Chapter met in Billings, he was honored by the election to the position of grand scribe. He did not at- tend subsequent annual meetings but was beloved by his companions in Billings, and throughout the state where- ever known.

"The following tribute is quoted from his home paper: 'The friends of John M. Ramsey included all with whom he came in contact, for there never was a man in the community who possessed in a higher degree the charm of attracting the love and friendship of those with whom he associated, and this was effected without any conscious effort of his own and solely by the kindli- ness and geniality which seemed to radiate from his presence. Enemies he had none, and no man had so many and such devoted friends. In his family he was a most kind and affectionate husband and father, and those he leaves behind him, now mourning and broken- hearted, will ever cherish with loving memory his kindly thoughtfulness and tenderness. Of the tenets of Freemasonry he was a loyal follower, and held the ancient craft in high esteem. In his life of brotherly love no member better exemplified the principles of the order, in which he was at various times elevated to high office. As a public officer he discharged his duties with fidelity to his trust. He tempered, so far as possible, justice with mercy, but never flinched from any task, however dangerous or onerous which it was his duty to perform. The generous heart which throbbed only with kindly impulses beats no more; the hand ever open to relieve distress or suffering lies nerveless across his breast; the genial smile which reflected the goodness within the man will no more be seen by mortal eyes; but the memory of all that was good and true in John Ramsey will long remain with this community, an in- centive for all who knew him to a better, kinder and more loving life.'

"As a token of respect to the memory of our beloved companion it is ordered that this memorial be read at the next regular convocations of the chapters within

IM Ramsey

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this jurisdiction and that suitable mention be made of it in your records.

"Fraternally submitted, Harry M. Allen, Grand High Priest.

"Attest Cornelius Hedges, Jr., Grand Secretary."

The eulogy which was mentioned above as being given by A. C. Logan follows: "Dear Friends-I. am conducting this burial service at the request of our brother while among us, who on different occasions requested that I should conanit this earthly tabernacle to its native elements, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, there to remain until the sounding of the last trumpet. This I have done to the best of my ability, according to the limitations prescribed by our ritual.

"In closing I am constrained to overstep the preroga- tives of the ceremonials, and take advantage of the op- portunity offered to address a few words to the living, believing that the life and death of our deceased brother is a fitting text for our consideration, and to that end I beg your kind indulgence for the few moments I shall occupy, and I trust that my efforts may be of such nature as to receive your endorsement.

"We are assembled today, to offer up before the world the last said tribute of our affection and esteem to the memory of one beloved while here on earth. We have dropped the sympathetic tear and wrapped about his foibles, whatever they may have been, the broad mantle of Masonic charity; as perfection on earth has never yet been attained, the wisest as well as the best of men have gone astray, therefore we will not withhold from his memory the commendation his virtues are en- titled to at our hands.

"We are gathered about this narrow house prepared to receive the lifeless clay which has performed for three score years and ten, man's full allotted span for his pilgrimage here below, its mission of serving as an earthly habitat. No more worthy tenant ever inhabited earthly domicile, than he who so recently burst the bonds that bound him.

"This grave, that coffin, contain nothing that should cause a tear or a pang other than the memories they excite; they are empty, meaningless, and no longer a part or parcel of him we knew. This bank of beautiful flowers, the symbol of affection of surviving friends typify the beauty of his life.

"John Ramsey's life was a beautiful exemplification of manly traits and virtues, and embodies all those ele- ments, essential to constitute an ideal life, as if the gods had all conspired to place their imprint to give the world evidence of a man. His greatest charm was his modest and retiring nature, and shrinking from ostenta- tions display at all times and on all occasions. For in his magnanimity he rejoiced more in the success of his friends than in any achievement of self.

"In the state and nation he was a patriotic, law abid- ing and consistent citizen; in official life a brave and fearless officer, never shrinking from danger or priva- tion while in the discharge of duty and never remiss in the performance of them, except when he was called upon officially to perform some service that would dis- tress a friend or his family, as many instances are re- corded and others known, where his purse relieved the unfortunate and he himself became the bearer of the burden. Misfortune and grief of others appealed deeply to his generous nature, selfishness was a personage he never knew. In his family he was a patient and indul- gent husband and father; in the community, amid the daily walks of life, a cheerful companion and an in- spiration, ever looking and leading to the bright side and taking optimistic views of all things. He was never known to speak disparagingly of anyone except of those whose life was a menace to society and decency.

"As a member of the Masonic fraternity, to which he was deeply attached during a period covering most of his adult career, he was recognized as a prominent pillar. We knew him in scenes that the world knew not Vol. 11-3

of, and phases of his character were exhibited that enable us to speak of him with reverence and admira- tion.

"As a Master Mason, he practiced all the virtues in- culcated in the moral code of ethics taught by symbolic ritual and tradition ; as a Knight Templar, he was a firm believer and adherent to the Christian religion, profess- ing faith in the immortality of the soul, and the cruci- fixion and ascension of our blessed Saviour, and we who knew him best believe that he is entitled to all the glory and awards that await the valiant Knight, who believes in and practices the Christian virtues.

"To the Brothers who survive him, especially to those who have reached the meridian of their existence and are descending the western slope, this address is fraught with feelings of deep meaning and interest, and as I recall the memories of the past, let me exhort you to realize the importance of considering the present and · the future ere it is too late. We should all be im- pressed with the solemnity of the occasion, and resolve that we will consider more seriously our approaching fate, and make preparations for the coming of that 'grim messenger.' We have ascended the long and weary road from youth to manhood by different avenues and our paths are marked by various degrees of success Each of you, I believe, has done the best you could ac- cording to the opportunity and the light afforded. We have reached the zenith of our power, and in looking backward if we can feel that we have lightened the load and encouraged an erring or discouraged Brother by our word or example, it will be a light to our feet as we descend rapidly and almost imperceptibly the grade to that 'bourne from which no traveller ever returns.' We know not how soon the friends who now surround us may be called upon to perform the sad rites of consigning our bodies to their last resting place.

"To the younger members who are just starting on their career characterized by the enthusiasm that is the heritage of youth, and buoyed up by hopes of future wealth and position, the road may appear long and the burden heavy, but remember that you are girded with the breast-plate of righteousness. My earnest prayer is that you may be successful in avoiding the numerous snares and pitfalls that ever beset the path of youth. That you may not fall an early victim to that relentless tyrant, death, who 'reaps the bearded grain with a breath, and the flowers that grow between' for the arm of friendship, the wealth of the world, the in- nocence of youth and the charms of beauty can not inter- pose to prevent his coming. May you all be spared to realize your fondest hopes and the full fruition of your ambition.

"Let me address a final word to you while standing on the brink of the grave of one you loved, who was your friend and mentor. Let me admonish you to imitate his pure and blameless life, his utter aliena- tion of self, and follow in the steps of this great man; for he was great, because to be great is to be good.

"And as we return at the close of these ceremonies to our Masonic Hall and view the vacant chair draped in mourning, we shall miss him whose mortal part lies before us clad in the habiliments of the grave, but this lump of earth is not our Brother. He still lives; he will be with us and we shall feel his presence in our heart of hearts.

"And now in conclusion, to the relatives of the de- ceased we have but little of this world's comfort to offer. We deeply, truly, and sincerely sympathize with you in your affliction, and participate in a degree at least in the consolation afforded you that he whom you mourn lived respected, died lamented and has left behind him a monument that will stand when chiseled stone and storied urn have passed away and are forgotten by the generations yet to come.

"And now, dear friends, if any words that I have uttered have suggested thoughts which shall have found

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a resting place in your heart for future resolve or good, I shall have great cause for rejoicing, and feel that I have not taxed your time and patience in vain."

Harry Marshall Ramsey spent his boyhood days un- der the parental roof, his education being secured in the public schools of Billings. When he was only twelve years of age he showed such business ability and sa- gacity that his father took him to the horse ranch at Golden Creek, on the Musselshell river, and when his father became sheriff of the county in 1889 the youth was made a deputy. In 1895 Mr. Ramsey went to Aransas Pass, Texas, where he erected a hotel and spent one year, subsequently moving to Houston, where he spent the winter of 1897. Another year was spent at Temple, Bell county, Texas, and he then returned to Billings and engaged in buying and selling horses with his father, the firm continuing as John Ramsey & Son until the time of his father's death, since which time Mr. Ramsey has continued in business alone. He is a member of Billings Lodge, No. 394, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and in political matters is a stanch Republican.

In April, 1901, Mr. Ramsey was united in marriage with Miss Lena B. Tweedle, who was born in Bell county, Texas, daughter of William and Nancy (Kagen) Tweedle. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey have had one son : Harry Darrel, born October 10, 1904. Mr. Ram- sey is successfully carrying on the business founded by his father and is a worthy representative of that hon- ored pioneer. He takes a great interest in all matters pertaining to.the welfare of Billings, and is ready at all times to assist in forwarding movements calculated to make for advancement. He and his wife reside at No. 928 North Thirtieth street, where their many friends are always sure of a warm and hospitable welcome.

HARRISON BROWN. The fortunes of Harrison Brown have been identical with those of the state of Montana since the year 1863, when he came as a boy of fourteen years to this state, then a part of Idaho. He is a native Missourian, born in Jasper county, near the town of Carthage, on the 25th of November, 1845, and is the son of David G. and Susan (Gormely) Brown, both of whom were born and reared and passed their lives in the state of Missouri.

The early schooling of Harrison Brown did not ex- tend beyond his fourteenth year, for in that year he left his home. in Missouri and came to the west, stop- ping for the winter of 1863 in Alder Gulch. In the following summer (1864) he went to Bannack in Beaverhead county, there engaging in mining opera- tions, and this county has represented his home from that time to the present. He devoted himself to mine work until 1867 and in that year, though but a lad in years, he returned his attention to independent farming and stock raising, that being the business in which he had been reared at home. Today Mr. Brown has a fine ranch of three hundred and twenty acres situated some six miles northwest of Grant in Beaverhead county, which is given over to the stock and grain business. For a number of years he was interested in cattle raising, but some time ago he withdrew entirely from the cattle business and since then horse raising has been his chief interest.

Mr. Brown has led an interesting and exciting life in the west, having passed through the years of lawless- ness which characterized this section in its early days of development, but which have long since been replaced with manners and customs similar to those found in more easterly districts. In the Indian depredations he experienced his full share of annoyance, and played an important part in the Nez Perce war in assisting in car- ing for the unprotected during those days of terror. When a boy in Virginia City in 1864 he witnessed the hanging of five lawless characters in a partially com- pleted building which was originally designed for a

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 10

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883- Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1002

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883-
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002