A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 115

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

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On January 6, 1892, Mr. Crane was united in mar-

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riage with Gertrude N. Boyd, of Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, and they are the parents of two children, namely: Gertrude, born October 30, 1893; and David Boyd, born September 26, 1895. Miss Gertrude is now attending Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsyl- vania, and the son is at a preparatory school in Hud- son, Minnesota.

CHARLES P. NEVIN. A former mayor and influential and popular citizen of Montana's metropolis, Mr. Nevin is one of the most enterprising and substantial business men and here he has won large and definite success through his own well directed efforts. He is a young man of sterling character and is a native son of the west, so that he is naturally inspired with its progress- ive spirit and is loyal to its interest. He is a scion of one of the pioneer families of Nevada and was born at Virginia City, that state, on the seventh of February, 1881. He is a son of Dennis and Winifred (Donohue) Nevin, both of whom were born and reared in Ireland. Dennis Nevin came to America when a young man and he established his home in Nevada in an early day, having been engaged in the mercantile business at Vir- ginia City for a number of years. In 1883 he removed with his family to Montana and established his home in the city of Butte, and here. his death occurred on the 15th of September, 1885, as the result of a tragic acci- dent in the mine of which he was superintendent, two other men meeting death at the same time. He was a man of admirable character and much ability, and he ever retained the inviolable confidence and esteem of his fellow men. His wife came from the Emerald Isle to America in company with her sisters, and all settled in Nevada, where was solemnized her marriage to Mr. Nevin. It is worthy of special note that her three sis- ters married three brothers of her husband, so that the kinship of the respective families in America became one of the closest possible order. Mrs. Winifred (Don- ohue) Nevin continued to reside in Butte until her death, and was summoned to the life eternal on the 23d of December, 1900, secure in the affectionate regard of all who knew her. She was a devout communicant of the Catholic church, as was also her husband. They became the parents of eight children, concerning whom the following brief record is given: Dennis died in childhood, before the removal of the family from Nevada; Mary is the wife of Patrick S. Sullivan and they reside in Butte; George F. is likewise a resident of this city, where he holds the position of assistant master mechanic of the Anaconda Mining Company; Martha became the wife of Thomas F. Sheehan and both are deceased; Margaret is the wife of Oscar B. Comstock, of Butte; William H. is identified with min- ing operations in Butte and formerly served as street commissioner of the city; Charles P., of this review, was the seventh in order of birth; and Winifred is the wife of John Donnelly of Butte.

Charles B. Nevin was about two years of age at the time of the family removal from Nevada to Butte, and to the parochial and public schools of this city he is indebted for his early educational advantages, which included those of the high school. In pursuance of higher academic studies he completed the classical course in All Hallows College, Salt Lake City, Utah, and in this institution he was graduated, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, as a member of the class of 1899. After being variously employed for some time Mr. Nevin became associated with his brother-in-law, Pat- rick S. Sullivan, in the purchase of an interest in the Southern Hotel, in Butte, and this they conducted about eighteen months, at the expiration of which they dis- posed of their interests in the enterprise. Mr. Nevin next turned his attention to the produce-commission business, with which he has since continued to be iden- tified and through which he has gained prestige as one of the substantial young business men of the Montana

metropolis. At the initiation of his operations in this line he became one of the interested principals in the firm of Rabbit, Nevin & Company, which continued under this title until the Ist of January, 1910, when a change was made and the business was incorporated under the title of the O'Meara Fruit and Produce Com- pany. Later Messrs. Nevin and O'Meara effected the organization and incorporation of the Montana Produce Company, of which Mr. Nevin is president and general manager and Mr. John O'Meara is secretary and treas- urer. The office and general business headquarters of the company are at 749 South Wyoming street, in the Olson building, and the enterprise is one of broad scope and importance, with operations based upon ample capi- tal and honorable business policies. This is one of the largest wholesale produce establishments in the state and the business is handled with utmost discrimination and ability. Mr. Nevin is also president of the Cooney Brokerage Company, which controls a substantial busi- iness in the handling of merchandise products, and is president of the Silver Lake Gold Mining & Milling Company, representing another of the important indus- trial enterprises of the city of Butte.

Mr. Nevin has been an active and effective worker in behalf of the cause of the Democratic party and has been a zealous and an influential factor in public affairs in his home city. The strong hold which he has upon popular confidence and esteem was significantly shown in 1909, when he was elected mayor of Butte when but twenty-eight years old. He gave a most admirable administration, marked by progressive policies and care- ful regulation of all departments of the municipal gov- ernment, and he retired from office with an excellent record in May, 1911. He has also been the candidate of his party for other offices of public trust, notably that of state railroad commissioner, but has met defeat with the rest of the ticket, owing to normal political exi- gencies. Mr. Nevin enjoys unqualified popularity in both the business and social circles of his home city, and here he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Knights of Columbus, and the United Commercial Travelers' Association, besides which he holds membership in the Silver Bow Club. He and his wife have one baby boy, John Charles. They reside at the Napton Apartments.

On the 24th of April, 1902, Mr. Nevin was united in marriage with Miss Matilda O'Malley, of Butte. She was born in the state of Nebraska and is a daughter of Mrs. William P. O'Malley, who is now a resident of Spokane, Washington. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nevin are devout Catholics.

JOHN ROTHWELL REED, one of Butte's representative business men and the real head of Sherman & Reed, Incorporated, one of the leading undertaking and livery firms in Montana, was born in Audrain county, Mis- souri, on December 7, 1866, and lived there until he reached the age of seventeen. His parents were John Wesley and Elizabeth (Rothwell) Reed, the former a native of Boone county, Missouri, and the latter of Audrain county in the same state. The father was a dentist and came to Butte in 1881. Two years later he moved his family here, and he remained and prac- ticed his profession in the city until 1906. Then, on account of the state of his wife's health, he took her to Texas, and later they located again at their old home, Mexico, Audrain county, Missouri, where the mother died. She came of an old and prominent Ken- tucky family.

Their son, John R. Reed, was educated in the schools of his native state. He began his academic training in the public schools and completed it at William Jewell College, which is located at Liberty, Clay county, Missouri. When he came to Butte he was a slender youth of seventeen and not in very robust health. He

R.a. Carwochen

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determined, therefore, to rough it for a while and gather strength from an outdoor life.

Accordingly he turned his attention to herding cattle on Montana ranges and the wild life that occupation involved. His choice was a wise one and he profited by it, gaining health and strength. The work in which he was engaged was fraught with difficulties, but his constitution was hardened to meet them.

Imbued with the spirit of the occupation and trained in its requirements, he determined to engage in it on his own account. He went, for this purpose, to the Big Hole country and took up a ranch comprising about 3,000 acres, which he still retains and now, at any time that he can leave the Butte business for a few days, he can be found at the ranch. In 1888, having accumu- lated some capital, he returned to Butte and bought the livery business of Charles Shinn at 224 South Main street. This business he conducted, making steady improvements in it, until 1900, when his property was destroyed by fire. He then formed a partnership with E. H. Sherman, and afterward the business was incor- porated under the name of Sherman & Reed. Plans were at once formed for extending the operations of the company and securing a complete equipment for the purpose.

In 1901 the company erected the commodious and convenient building it now occupies, and since then it has been carrying on the most extensive business in undertaking and livery service in the city, and enjoys, as has been noted, the patronage of the most prom- inent citizens, as well as that of all other classes. Mr. Reed owns the greater part of the stock of the insti- tution, and he gives the business his whole attention. He is well qualified to conduct it on an elevated plane of completeness and excellence, and nothing below the highest standard in every particular is tolerated by him in its management and operations.

Mr. Reed has never taken more than a good citizen's practical interest in politics. His business occupies all his time and employs all his faculties, and he has no political ambition. But he is interested in the welfare of his community, and he aids all he can in promoting that. He was first married in March, 1896, to Miss Martha Shields, who was a well known school teacher in Butte. She died on March 17, 1902, leaving one son, Wesley R., born July 11, 1899. Mr. Reed married in June, 1906, Mrs. Laura McGarry, a native of Illinois.

Mr. Reed was the third in order of birth of a family of three sons and one daughter. His sister Rosie mar- ried with F. T. McBride, for many years a well known member of the bar of Butte, and highly esteemed as such. Mr. McBride is now a retired capitalist living in Portland, Oregon.

ROBERT A. CARNOCHAN. Born in Canada, reared and educated in Illinois, and having passed the whole of his mature life to this time (1912) in Montana, in the service of the Northern Pacific Express_Company and in connection with the mining industry, Robert A. Carnochan, of Butte, has had an experience in life that has been instructive and developing in the way of physical and mental training, interesting and spectacular in incident and adventure, trying and exacting in dan- ger and privation, and sternly and thoroughly useful in preparing him for large affairs and success in busi- ness.

Mr. Carnochan's life began on April 2, 1862, in the province of Ontario, Dominion of Canada, but be- fore he was two years old his parents moved into the United States and located in Springfield, Illinois. He is a son of Peter and Maria Jane (Petit) Carnochan, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Canada. The father came to this continent from his native land in 1858. His British birth and sympathies took him to Canada, and he lived there until 1863. Then, as has been stated, he moved his family to

Springfield, Illinois, and there engaged in the dry goods trade until 1897. In that year he retired from business and all active pursuits and came to Butte, where he has since been living with his son, Robert A. The mother died in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1893. The father is now seventy-eight years of age.

Robert A. Carnochan was educated in the public schools of Springfield, Illinois, remaining there until he reached the age of twenty-one. He then, in 1883, came to Helena, Montana, in the service of the North- ern Pacific Express Company. While he remained in the employ of this company he filled a number of dif- ferent positions on its force, but most of the time held that of route agent. His connection with the company lasted five years and gave him an extensive and ac- curate knowledge of this state, so that when he came to desire other. business connections it was easy for him to make a choice advantageous to himself.

In 1888 he became associated in the mining busi- ness with Messrs. Downs & Allen, of Helena, and moved to Spotted Horse Mine in Fergus county to take charge of the mine as manager. His residence at the mine was filled with all the wildness of an un- settled expanse into which the march of civilization had not yet sufficiently advanced to make a very deep impression. It embodies also all the raciness, excite- ment and personal peril appertaining to the mining camp remote from other human habitations, and gave him a real feast of the wilderness, which, rough, harsh and inexorable as it is, has charms more potent in their seductive influence than all the lures of luxury and sloth. In it Nature opens a theatre of boundless life, and holds forth a cup brimming with redundant pleasure, from which one may fearlessly drink, gain- ing new vigor and a heightened zest with every draught, and finding no dregs of bitterness at the bottom.

Mr. Carnochan was too much in touch with the spirit of the place in his own adventurous nature to fail to enjoy its spice for a period in full measure. But he was also too much of a man of duty to be willing to pass the remainder of his days in it. So he sought again the haunts of men in another sphere, coming to Butte in 1897 to take a leading position in the employ of F. A. Heinze. Mr. Heinze knew his ability, his integrity and his fitness for large business enterprises. He therefore gave him free opportunity for the exercise of his faculties, and he has ever since his arrival in Butte been prominently identified with the Heinze interests.

From his advent in the city he has also taken a warm and helpful interest in public affairs, and his risen to a position of prominence and influence among the people. Although he has never held or sought, and has never even desired a political office of any kind, he is a staunch believer in the principles of the Re- publican party and a diligent and effective worker for its success in all campaigns. The welfare of the city and county of his home have at all times commanded his close attention and his active efforts for its pro- motion. No undertaking of value for their advance- ment or improvement has ever gone without his ear- nest support, and intelligence and breadth of view have guided and governed all his endeavors in this behalf.

In the social life of his community he has mingled freely as a member of the Silver Bow and Butte Country clubs, greatly to their advantage and the en- joyment of their other members. He has also taken part in the general social life of the city and been accorded high rank in it as a sunbeam in disposition, a genial and companionable element in all its activi- ties, and an ornament to it in grace, culture and re- sources for entertainment. A genuine gentleman at heart, he has been a courtly one in manner at all times. He is well known throughout the state as one of its best citizens, and is highly esteemed in every

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part of it as such. On February 24, 1904, in Waterloo, Iowa, he was united in marriage with Miss Grace Mc- Stay, a native of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Carnochan are well known in the best social circles of the city.

ANDREW JACKSON WILKINSON. In naming the prom- inent men of the Yellowstone valley preference should be given to those whose activities have tended to ad- vance their communities, for it is to the efforts of this class that the credit for the present prosperous condition of this section is due. A resident of the vicinity of Billings for nearly thirty years, during which time he has achieved success as a breeder of stock and assisted materially in promoting the interests of his district, Andrew Jackson Wilkinson is also hon- ored among his fellow citizens as a veteran of the great Civil war. Mr. Wilkinson was born September 2. 1837 in Lincoln county, Missouri, and is a son of James and Temperance (Knight) Wilkinson, the for- mer a native of Virginia, who died when he was fifty years of age. James Wilkinson came to Missouri when a young man with his father, William Wilkinson, and was a pioneer farmer and stock raiser in Lincoln county. He developed a farm of 160 acres, became an influen- tial citizen of his locality, took a keen interest in Dem- ocratic politics and was active in the work of the Bap- tist church. He was married in Kentucky to Miss Temperance Knight, a native of the Blue Grass state, who died at the age of seventy-seven years. They had eight children, of whom two are living: Lucy, who is the wife of Isaac Cannon, living in Lincoln county, Missouri, within two miles of the place where she was born; and Andrew Jackson.

Andrew J. Wilkinson spent his boyhood much the same as other farmers' sons of his day, the summer months being devoted to work on the home farm, while his education was secured in the district schools dur- ing winters. On September 2, 1862, he went to Lou- isiana, Pike county, Missouri, and enlisted in Company A, Third Missouri Cavalry, receiving his commission as second lieutenant, and almost immediately there- . after the regiment was ordered to Mexico, Missouri. Subsequently it was sent to Jefferson City, Rolla, Pilot Knob and Patterson, where engagements took place, and after a fight at Morse Mill, located near the Arkansas state line, the organization returned to Pat- terson, where Mr. Wilkinson fell ill with the measles. He was taken to Pilot Knob and then to St. Louis, in which city he received his honorable discharge on account of disability. He then went to the home of his mother, at Clarksville, Missouri, where he remained until he had regained his health. Farming and stock- raising demanded his attention until 1883, on May 3rd of which year he located on the open range in Montana to engage in the cattle business, this occupation, in conjunction with butchering in Billings for nine years, occupying his attention up to 1901. At that time he settled on his present ranch, a finely cultivated tract of 160 acres, located two and one-half miles south of Billings, on the south bank of the Yellowstone river. Mr. Wilkinson has always approved of the most mod- ern methods and his property compares favorably with any in the valley. His cattle bring the highest prices that the market affords, and his standing among busi- ness men is accordingly high. He is a Progressive Republican, but has never cared for public office. His army service entitles him to membership in Mckinley Post. No. 28, G. A. R., in which he is deservedly popular.

On October 22, 1869. Mr. Wilkinson was united in marriage with Miss Mary Henry, who was born in Pike county, Missouri, daughter of John D. and Nancy (Walker) Henry, natives of Kentucky, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Henry was a pioneer farmer and stock raiser of Missouri, in which state the last years of his life were spent. He and his wife were faithful

members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and were the parents of three sons and two daughters, Mary being the fourth child in order of birth. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson, as follows: Fleda, the wife of G. G. Corthran; Leathr, deceased, who was the wife of J. W. Vaughn; Viola, who married George Cannon; Bessie, wife of William Polley; Roy, Roscoe, and one who died in infancy.

EDWARD P. BALDWIN. The career of Edward P. Baldwin, of Glendive, is one which should hold out en- couragement to the aspiring youths of the country, who are endeavoring to get a foothold on the ladder of suc- cess and feel themselves handicapped by lack of capital or influential connection. Mr. Baldwin engaged in the cattle business in Montana some thirty years ago, and had just succeeded in getting well established when he lost his stock in the heavy snows that caused the fail- ure of so many ranchmen during the severe winter of 1886-7, and was compelled to make a new start. At once accepting the first opportunity that offered it- self, he started to rebuild his fortune, and his coura- geous and persistent industry has eventually won him a place among the front rank of stockmen of Dawson county. Mr. Baldwin is a product of New England, having been born at Antrim, Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, December II, 1850, and is a son of Isaac and Nancy (White) Baldwin.

Isaac Baldwin was born in 1818, in Hillsboro county, and was a farmer and manufacturer of hoes at An- trim, finding a market for his product in Boston, and during the early days hauling his goods by teams a dis- tance of seventy-five miles. A typical Yankee farmer, he worked industriously and thriftily all of his life, and at the time of his death, in 1876, was one of his section's highly esteemed citizens. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and adhered faithfully to the belief of the Congregational church. For his first wife he married a Miss Osgood, by whom he had three children, all of whom are deceased, and his second wife, Nancy White, a native of Hillsboro county, died at the age of sixty-six years, having been the mother of seven children, five of whom lived to maturity. Two are still living: Benjamin P. and Ed- ward P.

Edward P. Baldwin received his education in the pub- lic schools of his native vicinity, and until twenty-one years of age was engaged in assisting his father in the work of the home farm. In 1876 he went to New York City, where he secured employment as a clerk in a dry goods store for about two years, and in 1878 removed to Clinton county. Iowa, and began work for his brother, Benjamin P., who was a contracting mason. After about one year Mr. Baldwin went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and in June, 1883, left that city and located in Glendive, bringing a bunch of cattle by rail. Establish- ing himself in business on the range, Mr. Baldwin was successfully following his chosen vocation at the time of the great snows of 1886-7, at which time his cattle were wiped out and with them his modest capital. Although this sudden destroying of the work of years was a bitter discouragement, Mr. Baldwin did not allow himself to become disheartened, and soon started to recuperate his lost capital by clerking for A. M. Coleman. From time to time, as his finances would allow, he added to his little band of cattle until it began to assume respectable proportions, and also purchased sheep and horses. finally giving all his at- tention to this business. He not only regained the position which he had lost, but became one of the ex- tensive dealers in live stock in Dawson county. In 1911 he sold his interest in the sheep industry, and is at this time devoting all his time to cattle and horses. He is a stockholder in the Glendive Heat. . Light and Power Company, and has served as the first alderman from the First ward of this city, where he owns a handsome

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residence at No. 614 Mead avenue. Politically he is a Republican, and is prominent fraternally as a member of Glendive Lodge No. 31, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master; Yellowstone Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M., of which he is past high priest; and Damascus Commandery, No. 4, K. T., and he and his wife are valued members of Yellowstone Chapter, No. 5, O. E. S., in which he is past worthy patron. He has numer- ous friends throughout this section, drawn to him by his genial manner and strict integrity of character.

On December 28, 1888, Mr. Baldwin was married to Miss Theoda A. Boylan, who was born at Wolcott, Wayne county, New York, daughter of John and Har- riet Boylan, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Bald- win, who was the fifth in order of birth of her par- ents' six children, lost her mother when she was seven years of age. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin, namely: Anna W., who died in in; fancy; Curtis W., a student at Purdue University, Indiana ; and H. Madge, who attends the schools of Glendive.

ARTHUR G. PARSONS. The career of Arthur G. Par- sons, an enterprising and progressive cattleman of Wibaux, is typical of the pluck, energy and superior business ability which have made the Treasure state noted for its successful men of the younger generation. Commencing business in a humble way fifteen years ago, he has so conducted his affairs that he has be- come recognized throughout Dawson county as a man thoroughly representative' of his community's best in- terests. Mr. Parsons was born at Hawley, Clay county, Minnesota, February 7, 1877, and is a son of James William and Agnes (Game) Parsons.

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 115

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