A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 108

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

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In later years, when Mr. Gilsdorf began to prosper, he gave some attention to the buying and selling of ranches, but he never gave his time to the operating of any of them, nor did he permit his dealing in them to interfere in any way with his manifest loyalty to the meat business. He was a man whose inherent honesty and splendid character won him staunch friends wherever he was known, and in Billings his circle of friends was comprehensive and far-reaching. He was a Democrat, but not an office holder at any time in his life. His fraternal relations were repre- sented by his membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he was a loyal member of the Roman Catholic church, his family were Episcopalians. In 1885 Mr. Gilsdorf married Miss Olavea Olson, a daughter of Evan and Racheal (Halverson) Olson, both native born citizens of Norway, whence they came to America in their early life. They settled in Minnesota, there passing the remainder of their days, and in 1883 their daughter came to Billings, two years later marrying Mr. Gilsdorf. Four children were born to these worthy parents; Charles E., who died in in- fancy; Della May, now a resident of Billings; Jossie L., who also died in infancy; and Edna F., living in Billings.

Mrs. Gilsdorf is a woman of most admirable char- acter, who is loved and esteemed by all who come with- in the circle of her acquaintance. She moves in the best social circles of the city and takes a prominent part in the activities therein in a social way.

WILLIAM LOUIS ALLARD. Having been identified with the ranching interests of Montana for a period covering thirty years, William Louis Allard, the owner of 960 acres of finely cultivated property situated three miles from Laurel, may lay claim to the title of "old-timer," and holds a prominent place among the men who have been active in the development of the Yellowstone val- ley. Mr. Allard was born March 31, 1852, in Colchester township, Chittenden county, Vermont, and is a son of Peter and Sophia (LaPierre) Allard.

Of Filsdorf

Nord. C. J. Giladock

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Peter Allard was born on the banks of the St. Law- rence river in Canada, in 1813, and was still a youth when his family removed to Vermont. In young man- hood he learned the trade of miller, an occupation which he followed for forty-five years with one firm in Ver- mont, and in 1869 he removed to Wisconsin and settled in Fond du Lac county, where he was engaged in farm- ing up to the time of his death, in 1877. Politically a Whig, in 1855 he transferred his allegiance to the Re- publican party, but never sought public office, although he served several years as a member of the school board. He was a faithful member of the Roman Cath- olic church. He married Sophia LaPierre, who was also born in Canada in 1813, and who was a baby when taken to Burlington, Vermont, by her parents. She died in 1895, having been the mother of eight children, of whom six are living, as follows: Sophia, the wife of Hamilton Detro, living in Omaha, Nebraska; Louis; Joseph, living in Fond du Lac Wisconsin; William Louis; Edward Napoleon, a well-known physician of Fond du Lac; and Virginia, the wife of John Wilbert, of that city.

William Louis Allard attended school until he was fourteen years of age, at which time he left the parental roof and with his brother Joseph removed to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in farm- ing until the spring of 1882. At that time he took the train as far as Rosebud, Montana, and then went over- land by wagon to old Coulson where he found em- ployment with the Northern Pacific Railroad, at grad- ing. A short time later, however, he engaged with the McAdow ranch, with which he remained during the summer of 1882. During the frightfully cold and stormy winter of 1882, Mr. Allard was connected with a saw- mill outfit in Valley creek, and he has not yet been, remunerated for his services, although the hardships suffered during that long winter of deep snows were the worst he had experienced since coming to the state. In the summer of 1883 he was employed on the ranch of Orson Newman, near the city of Billings, and in the following winter worked at lumbering in the Bull Mountains for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and sub- sequently returned to Wisconsin to pay his parents a visit. In March, 1884, he returned to Montana and located at Park City where he engaged in herding sheep for R. J. Martin, but in 1884 decided to embark in business on his own account and located on a homestead three miles from the present site of Laurel, in the Yel- lowstone valley. He began at once to cultivate his tract of 160 acres, and in the fall of 1886 went back to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and was there married Novem- ber 25th of that year. Returning to his homestead, he was for about twelve years engaged in the sheep busi- ness, and the original tract was added to from time to time until there were 960 acres in the property. Of these 500 acres are now in an irrigated condition, and are devoted to wheat, oats, alfalfa and sugar beets. He has made a specialty of raising high-grade horses, and now owns twenty-nine head of superior breed, in- cluding a full-blooded Norman stallion. One of the organizers of the Laurel State Bank and of the Laurel Realty Company, Mr. Allard has served as vice-presi- dent of the former and treasurer of the latter from the time of their inception. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as school trustee for two terms. As one of the leading promoters of the cove ditch, he served as a trustee for five years, an office which he resigned, and he has for fifteen years been a trustee of the Big Ditch, of which he is at present treasurer. He and his family attend the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Allard has at all times retained the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen, and in whatever capacity he has been before the public he has shown himself a man of much ability. In all departments of his ranching enterprise are given unmistakable evidence of his careful atten- tion to the details which make for success, and as a

natural consequence he is regarded as one of the repre- sentative operators in his line in the valley.

Mr. Allard was united in marriage, November 25, 1886, at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with Miss Augusta Simonin, who was born near Belfort, Hautrhin, France, daughter of Lawrence and Theresa (Stinleur) Simonin, natives of that place, the former of whom died when forty-nine years old, and the latter at the age of seventy-five. They had five children, of whom four are living : Joseph, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin ; Charles, also a resident of that city; Julia, the wife of L. Prefoutain, of Fond du Lac; and Augusta. . Mr. Simonin came to the United States in 1860, Mrs. Allard at that time being one year old, and from New York City made his way west to Chilton, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in farming for some years. Sub- sequently he moved to Muscatine, Iowa, where he spent his last years, and after his death his widow returned to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and there lived during her declining years with her children.

Mr. and Mrs. Allard have had six children, of whom three are living: Louis, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, class of 1908, B. A., and of Rush Medical College, Chicago, class of 1911, M. D., and was engaged with St. Mary's Hospital, Milwaukee; Peter G., now attending the Montana Agricultural College, Bozeman ; and Marie, attending St. Vincent's College, Helena. Peter G. Allard is possessed of literary attainments beyond the ordinary, possessing a breezy western style that makes his poems and prose favorites with those who have had the opportunity of examining them. One of his efforts, "The Passing of the Range," is herewith given :

"Farewell old range, you are no more; You're quickly going to the binder's roar ; Your virgin soil pierced by the share Will be returned each following year; Your sunny slopes with grass once dented Will be fields of grain early planted; Where the Indian and buffalo used to roam Will be some dry-land farmer's home.

"Where the prairie dog and badger Used to sit and eat with leisure, Where the eagle in his aerie soar Swooped down upon his morning gore, The wolf, coyote, antelope and hen, All hid away from the haunts of men, Talked to only by thunder and rain Will be some dry-land farmer's claim.

"The spring, the creek and water-hole, Where the steers would drink and roll, And the green grass in low ravines Leading down to the mountain streams, Shaded by the cottonwood and pine tree, The home of porcupine and honey bee ; Where the rattlesnake dreamed in coil, Will be some dry-land farmer's spoil.

"Where great herds of sheep and cattle O'er the range once used to battle, And the sun-tanned puncher with his brand Following the herds to increase his band; The mess-wagon with grub not up in courses, Following the string of round-up horses, The old stage-coach and the rocky road, Will be some dry-land farmer's abode.

"Where nature once was wild and free, An old forty-five was a western key; Where the old prospector picked his gold And dreamed of luck when he was old;

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Where the old freighter in his rough way Skinned along some fifty miles a day, Where patches of sage covered the ground Will be some dry-land farmer's town.

"All these good old western scenes Will be shown on leather screens ; All the bad men of the early day Will be told in a fable way. All these things are flying fast, A few more years will be the last ;

Then there'll be no more range laws, 'Twill be the dry-land farmer's cause."

HENRY W. STRINGFELLOW. One of the largest mer- cantile enterprises of Montana is the Havre Com- mercial Company, a department store with a reputation and trade solidly built up throughout most of the northern part of the state. The business is conducted in a modern two-story building containing 25,000 square feet of floor space.

The energy and ability of H. W. Stringfellow have been largely responsible for the success of this enter- prise. This progressive merchant has been identified with Montana for about thirty years, having begun his career in that state, and by the force of his own char- acter and accomplishment has risen to a foremost place among its business men.

A Virginian by birth, he was born at Culpeper, May 29, 1864, a son of M. S. and Nellie (Madison) String- fellow, both of whom were natives of the Old Domin- ion. The father, who was a prosperous farmer and planter, took up arms in the southern cause, was dis- tinguished with the rank of captain, as such served under General Jackson, and was through the entire war, participating in many of its well known battles and campaigns. He spent the remainder of his life in his home state, where he died in 1909 at the age of seventy-four. The mother, who is still living at the age of seventy-two with her daughter in Weiser, Idaho, was a member of the old southern family of Willis.

H. W. Stringfellow was reared and educated in his native state, where he attended the public schools and then a private academy. When he was eighteen years old he determined that his career should be worked out in the far northwest, and he then came to Mon- tana and engaged in ranching for several years. Sell- ing out he then entered the employ of John J. Athey, of Sun River, where he remained for the next six years. After a not unprofitable experience on the ranch and in the store, Mr. Stringfellow located at Havre in 1892 and established a drug business in what was then almost a frontier village of northern Montana. His business was very prosperous for ten years until the destructive fire which swept away a large portion of the Havre business district, including his own es- tablishment. With the readjustment of affairs and the gradual reconstruction, Mr. Stringfellow replaced his former business with a general merchandise store, which has since been developed into the very extensive and prosperous mercantile concern which in 1897 was in- corporated as the Havre Commercial Company. Of this, Mr. Stringfellow is president, W. C. Lange, vice presi- dent, and William Kendig, secretary.

A successful business man, Mr. Stringfellow has also taken an active part in civic affairs for many years. On the incorporation of the city of Havre he served two terms as alderman. He is Democratic in poli- tics, is affiliated with the Masons and Elks fraternities at Havre, and is a member of the Episcopal church. For outdoor diversions he takes a keen interest in hunting and fishing. He owns a beautiful home in Havre, and in every way is considered a citizen who has won and properly deserved prosperity and esteem.

Mr. Stringfellow was married at Sun River, Mon-

tana, in October, 1894, to Miss Lou Peeke. She is a daughter of George and Almira Peeke, well-known citizens of Three Rivers, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Stringfellow have one child, Virginia, who was born July 13, 1896, and is now attending school at Chatham, Virginia, thus acquiring her education in her father's native state.

HON. ALPHEUS DECKER, for the past thirty years iden- tified with the ranch life of Beaverhead county and one of the founders of the town of Armstead, Montana, is a native son of Michigan, born in Coldwater on the 3d of March, 1846. He is the son of David and Lucy (Rossman) Decker, both native New Yorkers, who came to Michigan as early as 1836, being Michigan pioneers in the best sense of the term. They died at a ripe age, the father at the age of sixty-nine years and the mother at eighty-seven. They were the parents of a family of seven, of which the subject was the third born and the eldest son.

Colonel Decker, as he is familiarly called in Mon- tana, was educated in the common schools of his native state, so far as his actual schooling went. It is a fact, however, that the best knowledge he possesses is that which came to him in the school of experience, which has trained so many of our western men in the way of life. As a young man he gave his attention to farm- ing in the vicinity of his home in Michigan until 1874, when he went to Illinois, later moving to Kansas, and in both of those states he was devoted to agricultural life. Following the death of his wife in 1880, Colonel Decker went to Iowa, where he spent a year, and in the spring of 1882 came to Montana. For two years he lived în Dillon, then came to what is now Arm- stead, and here he and his partner, J. W. Scott, who was a brother of his deceased wife, purchased a ranch, on a part of which the town of Armstead was later built. The ranch proper comprises something like one thousand acres, and is devoted to general farming and stock raising. For thirty years these men have centered their interest in this place, continuing through all the years as partners.

Mr. Decker is a staunch Republican and has done his full share towards promoting the interests of the party in this section of the country. He was the repre- sentative of Beaverhead county in the state legislature from 1904 to 1908, and has done good work for his district in that connection. He has implicit faith in the future of Montana, that faith being based upon thirty years of actual contact with the great Treasure state.

In 1872 Mr. Decker was married to Miss Elizabeth Scott, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Scott. She was born in 1852, in Wisconsin, and died in Stafford, Kansas, in the year 1880. She left one daughter, Edith, who was born in Indiana and educated in Michigan. She came to Montana in her early girlhood, and later married Roy Herndon, and they make their home at Salmon city, Idaho. They have one daughter, Jane Herndon. Mr. Herndon is prominent in the political life of his state, and on November 5, 1912, was elected to the house of representatives in the Idaho legisla- ture.

CHARLES S. HEFFERLIN. Connected as he is with some of the largest business enterprises of the city, Charles S. Hefferlin holds prestige among the lead- ing men of Livingston, Montana, which city he has assisted greatly in developing by his public spirit and industrious activity. Born February 5, 1856, in Leaven- worth county, Kansas, he is the third of the six sons of Martin and Louise Ann (Humphrey) Hefferlin, who also were the parents of one daughter. Martin Hefferlin was born in Loraine, France, now Germany, and on his immigration to the United States settled in St. Louis, Missouri, but subsequently removed to Wes- ton, Missouri, and thence to Wyandotte, Kansas, prac-

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tically a suburb of Kansas City, where he spent the remainder of his days in merchandising. His wife passed away in Livingston, Montana, in March, 1901, having followed her son to this city with the rest of her children.

Charles S. Hefferlin received a public school educa- tion, and graduated from the Wyandotte high school in 1872. For the next three years he was the incum- bent of a responsible position in the local postoffice. then becoming chief clerk in the Wyandotte office of the Kansas Pacific Railroad. He was subsequently promoted to a position at Ellis, Kansas, where he continued three years, and then acted in a similar · capacity in Denver, Colorado, for about that length of time, the faithful and efficient discharge of his duties having warranted these advancements. Transferring his services to the Northern Pacific Railroad, he be- came cashier of the road at Billings, Montana, in 1882, and was later agent at Custer. His advent in Livings- ton occurred in 1883, when he came to this city as agent, and during the five years thus employed, he familiarized himself with realty values and railroad facilities and became confident that the city had a great future before it. It was about this time that he began the extensive building operations that have made him one of the most successful business men in Livingston. In 1884 he erected the Hefferlin block, and in 1888 opened the Merchants' Bank, this being followed, in 1892, by the erection of the Hefferlin Opera House and bank building, in which modern structure the Mer- chants' Bank has operated since that time. In 1898 he built and equipped the Livingston flour mills, fitted with the most modern appliances and contributing .in marked degree to the industrial activities of Livingston, and he has also erected no fewer than twenty store buildings on Main street. In 1908 he was one of the organizers, and was elected president, of the Electric Hot Springs Company, which during that year erected .Corwin Hot Springs Hotel. Corwin Hot Springs, being located on the Northern Pacific Railway, makes it easy of access and as it is on the border of Yellow- stone Park it is surrounded with magnificent scenery. It is one of the finest and most popular health resorts in the Northwest, the beautiful surroundings, the nat- ural hot springs, the grounds and the buildings, with large swimming pool, private plunges, and spray, needle and shower baths, all supplied by a constant flow from the medicinal hot springs, combining to fur- nish every inducement to the weary health seeker. Mr. Hefferlin has rendered the city of his adoption incalculable service, not only as the promoter of enter- prises which have strengthened its industrial and com- mercial prestige, but in positions of public trust and responsibility, in which he has proven himself an able and conscientious official. A Republican in politics, he served for four years as a member of the city council, was a member of the board of education for eight years, and was sent to represent his district in the eighth general assembly.

On October 13, 1887, Mr. Hefferlin was united in marriage with Miss Florence M. Holliday, who was born in Winterset, Iowa, daughter of Samuel L. Holli- day. Two children have been born to this union: Charles Holliday, a student of the University of Chi- cago, in his senior year ; and Marie, who lives at home with her parents.

JOHN GIBB. Every civilized nation in the world has contributed to the citizenship of Montana, and the Treasure state may not inaptly be compared to the melting pot, the crucible wherein the various char- acteristics of the many races are blended and solidified, causing the stronger and more durable traits to pre- dominate over those of a weaker nature. From the land of Robert Burns has come much that is desir- able in the make-up of a new state, for the proverbial

thrift, honesty and industry of the sons of Scotia make them good citizens, willing and capable to handle the many perplexing questions and conditions that arise in the making of a commonwealth, and Montana has been fortunate in that it has numbered among some of its most representative men those that claim Scot- land as their birthplace. Among this class may be mentioned John Gibb, of Miles City, who for more than a quarter of a century has been prominently identi- fied with the business and public interests of Custer county, and has so conducted his life as to gain the full esteem and confidence of the people of his community. Mr. Gibb was born at Lanarkshire, Scotland, Octo- ber 29, 1843, and is a son of John and Janet (Steven- son) Gibb, the former born at Boness, Fifeshire, Scot- land, November 7, 1812, and died in 1901, while the latter, also a native of Scotland, died when seventy- eight years of age. They had a family of eight chil- dren, of whom four are living: Rachel, the widow of John Kirkwood; John; Thomas, who resides at Miles City; and Margaret, the widow of Robert Knight, living in Pittsburg, Kansas. The father of these chil- dren, who was a miner all of his life, came to the United States in 1848, and located at Lonaconing, Allegany county, Maryland, where he resided until 1861. In that year he moved to Kewanee, Illinois, but after residing there for about a year went to Fairbury, Illi- nois, and in 1882 went to Pittsburg, Kansas, where he spent the remainder of his life. For many years he was a member of the I. O. O. F., and had numerous friends in that fraternal organization.

John Gibb was about six years of age when he ac- companied his parents to the United States, and his education was secured in the public schools of Mary- land. As a youth he secured employment in the mines as a mule driver and later he had an interest in sell- ing coal in Kansas. He came to Miles City in 1882 and shortly thereafter settled on a nearby ranch, but subsequently engaged in coal mining on his own ac- count, a business in which he was engaged up to 1886. He then embarked in the mercantile business in Miles City, and in 1887 was elected police magistrate, and later justice of the peace, and subsequently served one term as sheriff of Custer county. On completing his term in that office Mr. Gibb turned his attention to the real estate, insurance and live stock business, which he followed until 1901, being successful in his ventures and accumulating a handsome property. He still acts as magistrate and justice of the peace, and as chairman of the city Republican committee, and for four years was chairman of the Republican central committee of Custer county. He is justly regarded as one of the stalwart and influential Republicans of his county, and is thoroughly relied upon by the leaders of the party to assist the organization during doubt- ful elections. Fraternally he is connected with the Ma- sons. having been made a member of Tarbolton lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Fairbury, Illinois, in 1875, and at this time holds membership in Yellowstone lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M., Miles City. In 1872 he was made a member of Livingston lodge, I. O. O. F., in Fairbury, and at this time is a member of Custer lodge, No. 13.

On September 12, 1867, Mr. Gibb was married to Miss Anna R. Ireland, who was born at Mount Sav- age, Maryland, daughter of William and Catherine (Pride) Ireland, natives of Baintown, Fifeshire, Scot- land, both of whom are deceased. They had a fam- ily of four children, of whom three are living, and Mrs. Gibb was the third in order of birth. Mr. Ire- land came to the United States with his wife and children during the early forties, and after living in Maryland for some length of time removed to La- Salle, LaSalle county, Illinois, where he engaged in coal mining, a business in which he continued up to the time of his death. Four children have been born

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to Mr. and Mrs. Gibb, namely: John F., a printer ; William A., a well-known dental practitioner of Miles City; Daisy B., wife of James Campbell, of Great Falls, Montana; and Robert B., a successful practicing phy- sician and surgeon of Pittsburg, Kansas.

John Gibb has had a long and useful career in Mon- tana, and has done much to bring about the many changes that have benefited this section so greatly. His industry, enterprise and progressive methods have served as an excellent example for his fellow citizens to emulate, while his official record is one that stands without stain or blemish. During the many years that he has interested himself in fraternal work he has made numerous friends, who have recognized and appreciated his numerous excellent traits of charac- ter, and in every way he has earned the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen and the right to be numbered among Miles City's representative citizens.

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 108

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