A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 110

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

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In the winter of 1882-1883 Mr. Miles opened a store at Livingston, and the firm opened first a branch store at Gardiner, Montana, and in 1886 branch stores at Big Timber and Red Lodge and subsequently a branch store at Castle, Montana. In 1892 the Babcock & Miles part- nership was dissolved, Mr. Miles taking over a part of the company interests, particularly those at Livingston, but they have continued their business relations in other enterprises. Having decided to make Livingston his permanent home, Mr. Miles, in 188g, erected the hand- some modern structure on Main street, known as the Miles block and equipped it with steam and electricity,

making it one of the finest business buildings yet erected in Montana. He owns many blocks of valuable real estate here, improved and otherwise, and has property in adjacent cities and country lands. As mentioned above he has been interested in numerous successful business agencies that have developed this section. He is president of the Livingston Milling Company, and since 1900 has made investments in lumber and brick manufacturing and has been agent for the Rocky Fork Coal Company. It was Mr. Miles who erected the postoffice block at Livingston, a structure that would be creditable in any eastern city. His fine ranch of 840 acres is situated on Shields river and there he raises some of the best stock that Montana produces. He has extensive general mercantile interests covering a wide territory and in 1908 he established a general merchandise store at Clyde Park, Montana, and in 1912 another at Wilsall, Montana. He is president of the A. W. Miles Company; president of the Thompson Company; and president and manager of the Wylie Permanent Camping Company, National Park, a large tourist business being done by this company.

Notwithstanding his numerous and important busi- ness interests, Mr. Miles has somehow found time for public activities. A zealous Republican he has fre- quently been honored by his party and his public services have been of such a character as to reflect credit upon his constituents and state. He served the first two terms as mayor of Livingston, giving the city an admirable business administration. In November, 1905, he was elected to the state senate and served for four years, being permanent chairman of that body, later also president of the senate and during the absence of Governor Norris, served as acting governor, his eminent qualifications causing his selection from the body of able men for this high position. He has been identified also with the city's banking interests as vice president of the Livingston National Bank and a director of the Park National Bank.

Mr. Miles was married December 19. 1885, to Miss Idella M. Draper, who was born at Holliston, Massa- chusetts, and is a daughter of W. H. and Sarah L. (Perry) Draper, of old New England stock. Mr. and Mrs. Miles have had four children : Louise Gertrude, who was educated at Carlton College, Northfield, Minne- sota, was married November 3, 1910. to Thomas E. Mitchell, manager of Leonard Mine of Butte, and they have one son, Robert Arthur, and reside at Butte, Mon- tana; Daniel Nelson, who is a graduate of Amherst College, in the class of 1912; Adena Josephine, who is a student at Mt. Vernon Seminary. Washington, D. C., and Perry, who is now deceased. Mr. Miles has served on many administrative boards, public spirited and benevolent, and is a man noted for his generosity in the cause of charity. Fraternally, he is connected with and actively interested in the A. F. & A. M., Shrine Algeria Temple of Helena, Knights of Pythias and the Elks.

ADELBERT WHITNEY. Left fatherless at the age of four years, the boyhood of Adelbert Whitney, of Big Timber, was filled with hard and unceasing labor, and since his earliest youth he has been largely dependent on his own efforts for a livelihood, but so industriously and perseveringly has he labored that he has become one of the most successful ranchmen of Sweet Grass county, is widely known in financial circles and in social activities, and has a firm footing in the confidence and regard of the people who have the pleasure of knowing him. Mr. Whitney is a product of the New England states, having been born in Waldo township, WValdo county, Maine, May 29, 1864, and is a son of Henry and Martha Ellen ( Merriam) Whitney.

Henry Whitney was born in Morrill, Waldo county, Maine, in 1823, and as a youth was engaged in farming. but in 1857 went to California via sailing vessel around the Horn, and spent some years in mining. On his

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return to his native vicinity he was married and settled down to farming in Waldo township, where he died in 1868. In political matters he was originally a Whig and later a Republican, but never took an active part in public affairs. He and his wife, who survived him until 1908 and died in North Yakima, Washington, had but one child, Adelbert.

After securing a somewhat limited education in the public schools of Waldo township, Adelbert Whitney worked on the home farm until 1882, in which year he came west to Fort Keogh by rail, then going to Old Coulson by stage and up the Musselshell river to Merino, now known as Harlowton. He located at the mouth of the American Fork, on the Musselshell, where he engaged in the sheep business intil 1884, in which year he located in what is known as the Lake Basin country, where he continued to be engaged in sheep raising for a long period of years. Subsequently he turned his attention to the cattle business, and he still superintends the operations on his ranch located nine miles from Big Timber, in addition to which he owns another fine property in Sweet Grass county. Since 1900, however, he has made his home in Big Timber, and here he has been associated with some of the lead- ing business man of the section in large ventures. He is vice-president of the Citizens State Bank of Big Timber, and a heavy stockholder in the Big Timber National Bank. In 1906 he was the Republican ap- pointee for the office of under sheriff of Sweet Grass county, and served in that office until March, 1908. Fra- ternally he is connected with Livingston Lodge No. 246, B. P. O. E., and Doric Lodge No. 53, A. F. & A. M., Livingston Chapter No. 7, R. A. M., and St. Bernard Commandery No. 6, K. T., also charter member of K. of P. lodge 25 of Big Timber. Mr. Whitney is a wide-awake and public-spirited man. He is always at the front of every movement which tends to the improvement or elevation of the community, or in which its safety or welfare is involved. In civil affairs he has ungrudgingly borne his part in every way, and in his fraternal associations he has contributed essentially to the advancement and success of the orders with which he is connected. During his long residence in the Sweet Grass country he has made many acquaintances, among whom he numbers a host of warm friends.

On March 23, 1891, Mr. Whitney was married to Miss Lena M. Haney, who was born in Belfast, Maine, daughter of Charles W. and Ridora (Cunningham) Haney. Mr. Haney was born in Waldo county, Maine, in 1842, and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted in Company I, Twenty-sixth Regiment, Maine Vol- unteer Infantry. On his return to Belfast he became a prominent merchant, one of his community's best known citizens, an active Republican, and a man promi- nent in Masonry and Oddfellowship. He and his wife had three daughters: Nellie, the wife of F. C. Winters, living in Winthrop Beach, Massachusetts; Mrs. Whit- ney; and Inez, the wife of W. C. Gorton, of San Diego, California.

ALFRED CROONQUIST. president of the Croonquist Mer- cantile Company and one of the leading business citi- zens of Red Lodge, came to Montana about thirty years ago, and has spent the greater part of his time since 1882 in mercantile pursuits here. His career is a striking example of the results to be secured by hard and persistent labor, directed along the proper chan- nels, and demonstrates that industry, honesty and per- severance will overcome all obstacles and that it is not necessary for a man possessed of these attributes to be given any financial aid at the start of his business life. He was born in Sweden, September 19, 1862, and came to this country as a poor emigrant lad of nine years with his brother, Frank. Landing in New- York City, the youthful emigrants made their way to St. Paul, Minnesota. It was necessary that Alfred should sup-

port himself, so he learned the tinsmith's trade, in the meantime attending school whenever he could get the chance, in order to familiarize himself with the Eng- lish tongue. Finally his apprenticeship was completed and he secured his first employment from George L. Farwell, one of the leading hardware merchants of St. Paul, in whose employ he continued for three years, but in 1881 moved to Moscow, Idaho, and for about one year worked as a farm hand. In the summer of 1882 he became connected with the Northern Pacific Railroad, as a member of a construction gang doing work in Idaho. Not long afterward he left Thompson Falls, Idaho, for Billings, Montana, overland on foot and then by rail to St. Paul, where he spent the winter of 1882-3. In the spring of 1883 he came to Livingston, Montana, and engaged in the confectionery business on his own account, a venture in which he successfully continued until 1892. At that time he went to the Yakima valley, in Washington, and until 1897 fol- lowed fruit raising, but in that year returned to Mon- tana and settled in a general merchandise business at Carbonado. The year 1900 saw his advent in Red. Lodge, where he has since carried on a general mer- chandise business, being president of the Croonquist Mercantile Company, his son, Alfred H., acting in the capacity of vice-president of the concern, while another son, Harold S., is secretary. This establishment has a steady growth, and now controls a large share of business throughout Carbon county. Mr. Croonquist is known as a man of sound business judgment and un- questioned integrity. He is an excellent manager and a friend of progress, championing and adopting any changes he believes will work for the ultimate benefit of all concerned, and being foremost among the public- spirited citizens of Red Lodge who are behind measures for the betterment of the community. His political con- victions are those of the Republican party, and he has served very acceptably as alderman from the Third ward. His place of business is situated at No. 301 South Billings street, where he has a well-equipped establishment, carrying a full line of the most up-to- date goods to be found in his business.

On December 26, 1890, Mr. Croonquist was married to Miss Mabel Harrison, who was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, daughter of Stephen and Ella (Shepard) Harrison, of New England, both of whom are de- ceased. Mrs. Croonquist is the eldest of five children. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Croon- quist : Alfred H., Harold S., Hugh A., Mabel M., Stanley M., Ella S., and Alice.

GEORGE E. SIMON. A review of the successful men of Park county shows no more striking example of self-made manhood or youthful courage and perse- verance than the career of George E. Simon, one of the leading merchants of Livingston, who, as a youth of sixteen years, was a member of a party under the famous scout, William Frederick Cody ("Buffalo Bill"), on an expedition in the Black Hills. His early life was filled with misfortunes and hardships that would have broken the spirit of a less courageous lad, but he even- tually triumphed over all obstacles, fighting his way steadfastly forward, and now enjoys business prestige and the esteem of those of the community in which his activities have been pursued. Mr. Simon was born December 12, 1860, in Aurora, Kane county, Illinois, and is a son of John and Mary (Bourke) Simon, natives respectively of Germany and France. John Simon came to the United States as a younng man, locating in Aurora, Illinois, where he worked at various occu- pations and at the time of his death was in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He and his wife had four children: George E .; Joseph, who also lives in Livingston; Fred M .; and Marie.

The early education of George E. Simon was some- what limited, as his father died when he was a mere

FAMILY OF HD Wall

Cascade

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child, and his mother passed away when he was but nine years of age. After the latter event he went to live with a family in Aurora, but the youth was mis- treated, and when he was sixteen years of age decided to run away and make his own way in the world. From various sources he had heard of the prowess of the great "Buffalo Bill," the American scout, frontiers- man and Indian fighter, and longed to participate in the exploits of the hero of his youthful dreams. Eventual- ly, learning that Col. Cody was at Cheyenne, Wyo- ming, he made his way to that point as best he could, stealing rides on the trains and accomplishing much of the journey on foot. He left Aurora early in the spring of 1876 and it was June before he reached Chey- enne, but there he found the object of his search who was about ready to start with an outfit of forty-seven men for the Black Hills, with a bull and cow train, mules and saddlehorses. Young Simon approached the great . scout and informed him he was desirous of becoming one of the party, but Cody at first utterly refused, with the curt statement that he "wanted men and not boys in his party," but the evident earnestness and sincerity of the lad finally impressed him, and perhaps, too, he realized that here was a youth possessed of more than ordinary qualifications, who could be relied upon to bear his share of the burdens without complaint, for he finally gave his consent, and George E. Simon became a regular member of the party. To the youth whose life had up to that time been spent in the peaceful country of Illinois, the trip that followed was a hard and wearisome one, but the thrilling adventures, the continuous experiences with the Indians, in which sev- eral of the party were wounded by the Sioux and a number of the stock stolen, and the great and beautiful country through which the journey was made, proved ample remuneration for the hardships encountered, and he earned the admiration of the older men of the party by the plucky spirit he displayed at all times. Arriving at the Black Hills, the party at once engaged in placer mining, and the venture proved to be only another of the fortunate enterprises with which Colonel Cody was constantly being identified. Having acquired what he considered a competence, in 1882 Mr. Simon went to Miles City by stage, and a short time thereafter was a passenger on the first train sent over the Northern Pacific Railroad to the old town of Coulson, located near the present site of Billings. Later he settled in that city, where he was engaged in clerking until the spring of 1888, and since that year has been a resi- dent of Livingston. He was connected with the A. Krie- ger Company, engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, until 1900, and in that year established himself in the dry goods business, now having a large establish- ment and well-selected stock of goods at No. 108 South Main street. He is a director in the First State Bank, and also has extensive holdings in other enterprises, among them the Carr Mercantile Company, of Spokane, Washington. He is a Republican in his political views, but his business interests have been such as to keep his time and mind occupied, and he has never had a desire to enter the public arena.

Mr. Simon was married to Mrs. Sadie (Merritt) Bristor, a native of Ohio, who had two children by a former marriage, Charles and Helen, the latter being known as Helen Simon. Mr. and Mrs. Simon are well known in social circles, and he is a popular member of Livingston Lodge No. 246, B. P. O. E., the Woodmen of the World, and the Sons of Hermann. He bears an enviable reputation in business affairs, and is respected and esteemed as a man who has been the architect of his own fortunes in a remarkable degree.

HARVEY D. HALL is one of the pioneer residents of Cascade who have witnessed the growth of the place from almost nothing to the prosperous city which it now is, and his fortunes have kept pace with the ad-

vance of the city. In 1891 he established the H. D. Hall livery stables, when the town boasted a store or two and half a hundred residents, and for the first three years of his stay there he barely made expenses. With the growth of the town, however, the business advanced in proportion, and today he is recognized as one of the more prosperous men of his section. He has won a high degree of popularity, as well as un- usual business success, and in . 1911 was elected to the office of mayor of Cascade, winning the election on the citizens' ticket by a large and flattering majority. He has also served as deputy sheriff of Cascade county.

Mr. Hall was born in Jay county, Indiana, on August 17, 1853. He was reared in Kansas, his parents remov- ing there while he was still a young child. He is the son of John M. and Martha J. (Clover) Hall, both natives of Columbus, Ohio. The father was a farmer, and died in 1896 at the age of seventy-five years, the deatlı of the mother having occurred in 1896, when she was seventy years old. They were the parents of ten children, of which number Harvey D. was the fifth born. As a boy he worked on his father's farm and attended school in the winter seasons, until he was about twenty-one years of age, after which he worked in various places until he was about twenty-eight years old. He came to Montana in April, 1882, making the trip by rail to Silver Bow Junction and from that point on by stage to Eagle Rock, Montana. From there he went to the N. S. ranch to work. He remained on the ranch until 1885, and from then until October, 1891, he traveled about through that part of the west, stopping here and there and working in various places and at different kinds of work. It was then that he located in Cascade and established the livery business which has thriven so splendidly with the passing years, and which has brought him a position of independence in his section of the country.

Mr. Hall is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and is a Republican in his political alle- giance. He is connected with the Cascade Lumber Company and other industrial concerns of Cascade. He is a man fond of country life and out door sports, and is an enthusiastic huntsman and fisherman.

On February 28, 1900, Mr. Hall was united in mar- riage with Miss Minnie Porter of St. Paul, Minnesota. Two children have been born to them,-Winnifred Montana, born March 19, 1901, and now attending the public schools of Cascade, and Harold D. Hall, born April 8, 1908.

HENRY J. RATHELMILLER. One of the largest and most important business enterprises of Butte, Mon- tana, at the present time is the Home Baking Company, operating one of the largest bakery plants in the state, and of which Mr. Henry J. Rathelmiller is vice-presi- dent. The Home bakery is equipped with the most modern and up-to-date machinery obtainable to facilitate baking operations and enjoys the distinction of being the only one that does machine baking in Montana. In the operation of this business, which is not only local but of statewide proportions, Mr. Rathelmiller is an active par- ticipant. He is an expert baker and confectioner, having learned the trade in New York City, where he was born, and was engaged as a journeyman in various parts of the country for a long period before attaining his present influential position.

After completing his apprenticeship in New York he worked at his trade there for several years, then, in 1880, decided to come west, believing that opportunities in some of the newer cities of this part of the country would afford more advantageous openings in his line of trade. He first went to Walla Walla, Washington, and filled a position there for two years, when he decided to become a resident of Butte. It was in 1882 that he arrived here and during the following seven years was a valued employe in the bakeries of this city. In 1889

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he became connected with the Vienna Bakery, located at 320 East Park street, as proprietor. This was the first business of his own and there he continued until about 1910. Previously, in 1905, he with Jacob Osenbrug and John Haller combined their interests in the baking business and organized the Home Baking Company. The organization was accordingly incorporated with Mr. Rathelmiller as vice-president and secretary, which posi- tion he has ever since continued to hold.

Mr. Rathelmiller was born July 4, 1859, the son of Michael Rathelmiller, a native of Bavaria, who came to America in 1849, locating in New York City and there following his trade of miller. He died in that city at the age of forty-four years. His wife, the mother of Henry J., was born in Germany, came to New York as a child with her parents, and was married there.

Henry J. Rathelmiller was married at Butte, Septem- ber 15, 1889, to Miss Elizabeth Kaak, who is of native German birth. Two children were born of this union, Helen Ross, whose birth occurred April 22, 1895, and Esther Henrietta, born April 19, 1899.

In politics Mr. Rathelmiller is a Republican, although he takes no active part in partisan affairs, performing his duties as a citizen and a voter conscientiously but unobtrusively. He is fraternally affiliated with the Woodmen of the World lodge. Having commenced life as a poor boy, Mr. Rathelmiller is entitled to great credit for the pronounced success he has achieved in business and other affairs, and he stands as a worthy example of what an individual possessed of talents for industry and perseverance may accomplish through persistent application.

THOMAS JEFFERSON MULANY, one of the representa- tive citizens of Beaverhead county, Montana, with which he has been identified since 1882, and a resident of the town of Dillon, was born in Wisconsin, in Waterford, Racine county, on June 14, 1852, and is the son of John E. and Ruth A. (Griffith) Mulany. The father was born in Ireland in 1801, and died in Wisconsin in 1865. He came to America as a boy of about seven years, and his entire life was spent in farming. The mother was born in Michigan, and she died on the old Wisconsin farm in 1899, at the advanced age of eighty- five years.

Mr. Mulany was one of the six children of his parents, and he remained on the farm home in Wisconsin until he came to Beaverhead county in 1882. His first work in this state was that of sheep shearing, and for three years he was thus employed. He served for a similar period as marshal of the town of Dillon, and for two years thereafter was undersheriff of Beaverhead county. He was then elected marshal of Dillon again, then served two years more as undersheriff, and in 1896 he became a candidate for the office of sheriff of the county on the Republican ticket, but suffered defeat in the unprecedented Democratic landslide of that year. For a year he was engaged in the hotel business, after which he engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing and has since been occupied in that industry. He has acquired a splendid ranch property of about nine hundred and sixty acres in the Big Hole Basin, prac- tically all of which is devoted to his operations in stock- raising. While Mr. Mulany has already acquired a large degree of success and prosperity, he has no in- clination to retire from active business. In fact, he declares that he would not be happy if he were not occupied with his ranching interests.

Mr. Mulany is a man who enjoys the highest es- teem and confidence of all who know him, and he is regarded as a man whose word is as good as his bond. His every relation has been of that nature which would tend to establish him surely and firmly in the regard of his fellow-men, and none enjoys a higher standing in Beaverhead county that he.

In 1895 Mr. Mulany was married to Miss Rose Lane,

who was born and educated in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

ELIZABETH BARKER. A woman of strong personality, clear in her views, and with a sure grasp upon the large and important affairs connected with the ad- vancement of the educational status of the state, and the mental and moral training of the young, Elizabeth Barker is serving most efficiently and satisfactorily as superintendent of the Broadwater county schools. Coming from pioneer stock, she was born, November 16, 1882, at Confederate Creek, Mission valley, Mon- tana.

Her father, the late Charles Barker, a native of New York state, came to Montana in 1866, crossing the plains with a wagon train, in true pioneer style. Pros- pecting in the gulches in and near Townsend, he met with far more than average success in his operations. Possessing good judgment and keen foresight, he de- cided to invest his profits in land. Buying a tract in Broadwater county, he cleared and improved a fine ranch, and was there actively and successfully engaged in general ranching and stock raising until his death, in 1898. He also acquired other property of value, at the time of his death owning ranch lands and mines in the vicinity of Diamond City, Montana.

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 110

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