A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 119

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

USA > Montana > A history of Montana, Volume II > Part 119

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

LORENZO WINCHESTER STACY. Among the bankers of Montana, a large proportion have been recruited from the ranks of the cattlemen who did such an ex- tensive business on the open range before the farm- ers came to force the stock raisers from the field

Harry Gallery.

1241

HISTORY OF MONTANA

that they had so long occupied. The very nature of their business demanded that they become borrowers of large amounts of money, and in this way they secured a comprehensive knowledge of financial meth- ods and a training that no amount of study could have equalled. Thus, instances of cattlemen, enter- ing the field of finance are by no means rare, and an example of this class may be found in Lorenzo Win- chester Stacy, president of the Commercial National Bank, and a business man whose career stands today without a stain or blemish. He was born in Athens county, Ohio, August 24, 1850, the fourth in a family of five children born to Joel and Sally A. (Elston) Stacy, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and Penn- sylvania. The father was a pioneer agriculturist of Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life, the date of his death, as well as that of his wife's, occur- ring in the early sixties. Of their five children, three are now living, namely: Mary Frances, the wife of W. H. Vorhes, of Nelsonville, Ohio; Orinda, the wife of N. I. Dixon, of Longstreth, Ohio; and Lorenzo Win- chester.

Lorenzo W. Stacy descended from early residents of the American colonies who came from England and settled in Massachusetts, and the family furnished a number of soldiers for the Revolutionary war. He was but twelve years when he completed his educa- tional training, and at that time accompanied his brother, Webster, to the state of Kansas, where on the great plains the brothers did an excellent business in hunting buffaloes, being the owners of their own outfit. Living the free and open life of the prairies, young Stacy grew up a strong and self-reliant man, and when still a youth in years was engaged in trading with the Indians, establishing himself at a post in the Panhandle of Texas. It may be of interest to here note that Mr. Stacy secured a buffalo calf which he raised, making it a pet. After it was a year old the animal traveled with the party, and when camp was made it would often find its way during the night to Mr. Stacy's head and waken him by its grunting, not being satisfied until it had accomplished this result. It would follow him any distance and if strangers approached would put its head under his arm and resent emphatically any attempt to touch him. He kept this buffalo until he reached Dodge City, Kansas, when it caused trouble by uprooting and despoiling the gardens of the settlers, and it was necessary to picket it with a rope, with which it finally became entangled and was thrown so as to break its neck. Mr. Stacy suc- cessfully traded with the Indians in the southwest, and effected a personal treaty with the Arapahoes and Chey- ennes, which was known as the Stacy Treaty, the cir- cumstances being: His trading party was surrounded by about 2,000 Indians at Paladora Canon, in 1873, and the United States marshal warned Mr. Stacy to fly, but with six employes he had come especially to trade with the Indians, and his tenacity and intrepid daring led him to carry out his object. After he had been thus warned, Mr. Stacy determined to immediately have a talk with the chief, Powder Face, made his way to the Indian camp and passed through the entire band of howling savages to the chief's tepee. Here lie dismounted and was immediately attacked by the chief's dog, which bit his left leg nearly to the bone. Mr. Stacy, however, explained his situation and in- tention to the chief, who called a council. At this time the Indians sat in a circle, and finally the chief handed Mr. Stacy the pipe of peace, which he puffed with due solemnity, being much encouraged by this action. He invited Powder Face and his squaw to dinner the next day and gave them a good meal, and the doughty chieftain then made a treaty to this effect: That his people would thereafter trade with the brave white man without molesting him. Powder Face further manifested his good will by tanning robes for him.

When the Indians left that section in the following spring, Powder Face and his wife presented Mr. Stacy with a fine suit of Indian clothes, a big shawl, a pair of shoes, and a silver finger ring. The chief always continued a strong friend of Mr. Stacy, and lived to a venerable age, dying about 1892.

After trading with the Indians for three years, Mr. Stacy engaged in the cattle business in the Indian territory, and had an extensive range under fence. He disposed of his interests in that section in 1882, and during the next year came to Montana. In the fall of 1883 he went south and purchased cattle, which he trailed through to Montana, arriving in August, 1884. Locating on the range between the Powder and Tongue rivers, he often ran 5,000 head of cattle, handled thou- sands each year until selling out in 1889, and often paid as much as $30,000 in a lump sum to the railroad companies for freight charges. Subsequently he utilized the range between the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, in Custer county, being connected with the Swifts of Chicago, South Omaha and Kansas City, the Custer county brand bearing the brand of "L. U." He was one of the organizers, a stock holder and director of the State National Bank of Miles City until 1904, was interested in the mercantile business of Lakin & Westfall until 1909, and is the owner of improved business and residence properties in Miles City, where he makes his home in a commodious and attractive residence of modern architectural design and conveniences, one of the best in the city. In 1906, at the time of the organization of the Commercial State Bank, Mr. Stacy became president thereof, a position which he has held to the present time, the greater part of his attention now being given to banking enter- prises. East Main street runs through his eighty-acre property at the city limits. Personally of a genial and courteous nature, Mr. Stacy is never too busy to make a visitor comfortable or to provide him with a pleasant visit. His politics are those of the Republican party, but he has always preferred to give his attention to his business interests rather than to affairs of a poli- tical nature, and has steadfastly refused to allow his name to be used for public office.

On December 6, 1888, Mr. Stacy was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Hotchkiss, who was born in Connecticut, the daughter of Steven G. and Augusta (Stevens) Hotchkiss, of old New England stock. To this union have been born five children: Edward W., Florence, Lorenzo Winchester, Jr., Frances May and Alvin Webster.

GEORGE H. ULMER. For nearly thirty years a resi- dent of Miles City, and during that time contributing to' the advancement of its commercial interests as a member of one of its leading business concerns, George H. Ulmer may not inappropriately be considered one of the forceful and productive men who have made the history of the northwest and redeemed an immense section of the country from savage wilderness. Mr. Ulmer was born at Carbondale, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, March 31, 1858, and is a son of David and Mary (Fielding) Ulmer.

David Ulmer was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1829, and immigrated to the United States in 1857, locating at Carbondale, Pennsylvania. In 1862, when the emergency call came for volunteers, he enlisted in Company C, Thirteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teer Militia, and subsequently, March 28, 1864, he en- listed in Company M. Fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. In one of his engagements the color-bearer of his regiment was killed and Mr. Ulmer seized the flag and carried it throughout the action. For this act he was promoted on the field by one of his superior officers. At the battle of Dinwiddie Court House, March 30, 1865, Mr. Ulmer lost an arm, and was thereupon honorably discharged on account of dis-

1242

HISTORY OF MONTANA

ability. Returning to his farm, he resided there until 1867, at which time he moved to South Canaan, where, as a good and true soldier, he was buried in the colors of his adopted country, March 4, 1906, by W. H. Davies Post, No. 187, Grand Army of the Republic, his death having occurred two days before. Mrs. Ulmer, who was a native of England, died when fifty-five years of age, George H. Ulmer being their only child.

George H. Ulmer secured his education in the schools of Carbondale, and when only thirteen years of age began to make his own way in the world, accepting a position in a market at Scranton, Pennsylvania. Later he took a course in the Gardiner Business College, Scranton, and in 1876 he became bookkeeper for the Scranton Stove Works. In 1880 he removed to Dead- wood, South Dakota, where he was a bookkeeper for the Star & Bullock Hardware Company until the spring of 1883. At this time he first came to Miles City, look- ing for an opening to locate in business, but after traveling all over the northwest returned to Miles City and became bookkeeper for Miles & Strevell, hard- ware merchants. In 1888 he purchased an interest in the business, the firm name becoming Miles, Strevell & Ulmer, with branch stores at Buffalo, Wyoming and Ogden, Utah. Mr. Ulmer purchased Mr. Strevell's interest in 1892, the firm being subsequently incorporated under the style of Miles & Ulmer Company, Mr. Ulmer being vice-president and manager of the busi- ness, while the other members of the firm are George M. and J. D. Miles and F. W. Woolsey. The firm deals in hardware, farm implements, wagons and bug- gies, and has an enormous trade throughout the north- west. Mr. Ulmer is also a stockholder in the Smokey Butte Sheep Company, of which he is secretary. He is recognized as a reliable and straightforward busi- ness man, and thus objective esteem and confidence are his portion. Fraternally he is connected with Crusader Lodge, No. 7, Knights of Pythias; and Miles City Lodge, No. 537, B. P. O. E. In political matters he is a Republican.

In September, 1890, Mr. Ulmer was married to Miss Flora Brown, who was born in Sioux City, Iowa, daugh- ter of Charles and Fredericka Brown, both of whom are deceased, and sister of Adolph Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Ulmer have one son and one daughter : Wallace and Marian.

SAMUEL O. N. C. BRADY. The "North of Ireland !" What a wonderul race of men has been sent to all parts of the civilized world from the region to the northward of a line drawn through the bays of Dublin and Halway, and more especially from the district embraced in the Province of Ulster. How familiar are the names !- Donegal, Londonderry, Antrim Down, Tyrone, Armagh, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Cavan, counties comprising the province named. The sturdy Scotch-Irish element, which has peopled numerous localities in the United States, has proved the loyalty of its blood through many a conflict where the right was assailed, and almost without exception has arrayed itself on the side which readers of its history might be led to expect. The Scotch-Irish are a proud race, and they have earned the privilege. The state of Montana has had its full share of settlers from the Emerald Isle, and today many of its leaders in business, political and social activities claim Erin as their birth place. The present representative from Park county in the state assembly, the Hon. Samuel O. N. C. Brady, of Livingston, was born in Dunleavey House, County Donegal, Ireland, June 1, 1861, and is a son of George F. and Fannie (Russell) Brady.

Dr. George F. Brady was born at Lifford, County Donegal, in 1819. and was educated in the University of Edinburgh, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, London, England. For a number of years he was physician to the coast guard of the English navy, served ably for a long period as justice of the peace,

and in his later years became an agent for the great marine insurance firm of Lloyd's, a position which he held at the time of his death in 1877. He was a well- known Mason and active in its work. In the city of Dublin, Ireland, he was married to Fannie Russell, a native of London, England, who was born in 1829, and her death occurred in 1903. Of their thirteen children, seven are living: James R., a sea captain, whose home is in London, England; Thomas C., who lives at Rah- way, Union county, New Jersey; Francis F., a well- known physician of Carnew, County Wicklow, Ireland ; Samuel O. N. C .; Lydia; Josephine, the wife of E. N. Sellors, living at Fort Worth, Texas; and Eveline, the wife of Thomas Crage, of Bray, County Dublin, Ire- land.

The education of Samuel O. N. C. Brady was secured under private tutorship in Donegal and at Halpin's school, Dublin, Ireland. On reaching his majority he turned his face toward the United States, and in July, 1882, landed at New York City, whence he went to Lemars, Plymouth county, Iowa, there working on a farm for nine months. In May, 1883, he came to Liv- ingston, where he found employment with the firm of Myers Brothers, and during the next five years worked on their ranch in Gallatin county, then engaging in farm- ing on his own account on the Shield's river, now in Park county. In 1894 he took up sheep raising, in which he has been extensively engaged to the present time, and each year has seen the business expand. Mr. Brady built a handsome residence at No. 330 Yellowstone street, Liv- ingston, in 1909, and now makes his home in that city, although he still personally superintends the work on his ranch, and acts as president of the Brady Collins Sheep Company. A Democrat in his political views, he first held office as road supervisor in 1888, in which capacity he acted for four years, and in November, 1910, was the successful candidate for the office of represen- tative from Park county in the general assembly. In spite of the heavy demands made upon his time and attention by his numerous business interests and politi- cal duties, Mr. Brady has not denied himself the com- panionship of his fellow men, and has taken an active interest in fraternal work, being a valued and popular member of Livingston Lodge No. 32, A. F. & A. M., Livingston Chapter No. 7, R. A. M., St. Bernard's Commandery No. 6, K. T., Particular Consistory of Eastern Montana No. I, and Algeria Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Helena; and Livingston Lodge No. 246, B. P. O. E.

On January 19, 1904, Mr. Brady was married to Mrs. Sarah C (Cooper) Gassett, who was born in Wilkes- barre, Pennsylvania, and they have four children : Violet, Fannie E., Samuel O. N. C., Jr., and Elizabeth R. Mr. Brady's activities in the world of business have been such as to advance the industrial importance of Park county, and as representative his services have been of undoubted value to this section. With an earnest desire for the advancement of Livingston, Park county, and Montana in every ' way, exerting his influence in behalf of every movement which he feels will bring about this advancement, he is recognized as one of his community's progressive and useful citizens and as such is worthy the unqualified esteem and enthusiastic support that is undoubtedly his.

DANIEL DAVIS. In the election of Daniel Davis to the mayoralty chair of Red Lodge, the citizens of that community secured an executive who, although in office for only a short time, has proved himself fully capable of handling the municipal affairs of this pro- gressive community, and is giving his fellow-towns- men an effective, clean and sane administration. An experienced and successful business man, with con- scientious regard for the responsibility placed in his hands, he has devoted himself to his new duties with the same enthusiasm and energy that characterized his

Chat. F. Bran

1243

HISTORY OF MONTANA

business career, and the result has been the introduc- tion of much-needed reforms and the assurance that Red Lodge will benefit materially by his activities. Mayor Davis was born in Staffordshire, England, April 28, 1861, and is a son of William and Eliza (Daniels) Davis, natives of that shire, where the father is still living, being seventy-one years of age, while the mother passed away in 1883. There were four children in their family-Daniel, John, Sarah Ann and George-all but the first named living in England. William Davis fol- lowed mining throughout his active career, but at this time is living a retired life.

Daniel Davis was educated in the public schools of his native country, and as a youth engaged in work- ing in the mines near his home. He was there mar- ried in February, 1881, to Miss Mary Ann Richards, also a native, of England, and soon after their mar- riage left the land of their nativity on their wedding journey to the United States, landing in New York' City. From that metropolis they went to Limestone, Pennsylvania, on the Monongahela river, where for about two years Mr. Davis was engaged in mining, and then removed to Carbon, Montana, where he continued to be employed as a miner until the fall of 1889. That year saw his advent to Red Lodge, where he first worked in the mines, but subsequently engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor business. To this he added the operation of an ice plant, and after a few years he sold his interest in the liquor business and gave all his attention to the new venture, with which he is still connected. In 1910 he was one of the organizers of the Red Lodge Brewing Company, of which he is a stockholder and traveling sales manager, and he also is a member of the directing board of the United States National Bank of Red Lodge.

A stanch and active Democrat, Mr. Davis has taken a prominent part in the public affairs of his adopted community, and after serving one term as alderman from the Second ward, was, in April, 1912, elected to the office of mayor. Red Lodge is now considered an exceedingly prosperous and well-governed city. Its municipal prosperity must be attributed in a great de- gree to the business-like and economical administra- tion of the city's affairs, and its good government to the enforcement of law and the preservation of order, so essential in every well-regulated community. Mr. Davis has proven that the same principles that have been at the bottom of a successful business career are equally valuable- when applied to the affairs of a large munici- pality, and by so doing has vindicated the belief of his fellow men in his ability. He has interested himself in fraternal matters, being a member of Red Lodge Aerie No. 742, F. O. E. Believing in the broadening influ- ence of travel, he has spent much of his time in visit- ing various points of interest, and in 1904, with his family, made a journey to his old home in England. He and his wife have two children. William and Em- rich.

CHARLES F. BEAN. Prominent among those who are rendering efficient service in positions of trust and responsibility in Dawson county is Charles F. Bean, county assessor, who has brought to his important office excellent business and executive ability, while his sturdy integrity of character has gained for him the confidence and respect of the general public. Mr. Bean belongs to an old and honored New England family, members of which have held high stations in every walk of life, and especially in military circles, where they have assisted in making history. Mr. Bean was born in Brownfield, Oxford county, Maine, Decem- ber 17, 1849, and is a son of Sylvanus B. and Sally (Hadley) Bean.

Mr. Bean's grandparents were General Daniel and Ruhanna (Bangs) Bean. the former born in Limerick, York county, Maine, February 17, 1793, and the latter

in Gorham, Cumberland county, Maine, February 16, 1795. General Bean was one of the early settlers of Brownfield, a soldier in the defense of Portland during the War of 1812-14, and subsequently brigadier-general of militia in Oxford county. He was a member of the state legislature in 1829, when Portland was the capital of the state, and was one of the foremost men of his day and locality. He and his wife had a family of eleven children.

Sylvanus B. Bean was born in Brownfield, Maine, June 12, 1814, and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted as first lieutenant of Company A, Eleventh Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry. He was later promoted to the rank of captain, was brevetted major, and served as acting quartermaster of volunteers. He was on detached service under General Rufus Ingalls at Denver, Colorado, and was subsequently ordered to Fort Halleck, then in Dakota territory, but now in Wyoming, and was mustered out in 1866, after a serv- ice of nearly five years. He then engaged in farming in Oxford county, Maine. Before the war he was engaged in the mercantile business at Brownfield, Ox- ford county, under the firm name of S. B. and E. B. Bean, and after returning from the conflict acted as postmaster of Brownfield for eighteen years. He spent his last days on the old homestead. He was a stanch and active Republican, and a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was married (first) to Sally Hadley, also a native of Brownfield, who died in 1860, having been the mother of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity, while three are now living : Charles F .; Eliza, the wife of Fred W. Spring, resid- ing in Westbrook, Maine; and Jennie Hadley, the wife of Alpheus S. Leighton, living in Portland, Maine. Mr. Bean was married (second) to Mrs. Sabrina Cram, who died in 1863, and his third marriage was to Mrs. Julia Wentworth in 1881.

Daniel A. Bean, brother of Charles F. Bean, was born May 20, 1846, and in the battle of Fort Darling, in June, 1864, gave up his young life as a sacrifice on the altar of his country. This young hero, one of the 147 men who enlisted from Brownfield during the Civil war, and the first to be killed from that city, was buried in Virginia soil. On September 26, 1911, the citizens of Brownfield, led by Elias P. Morton, of Augusta, dedicated the Daniel A. Bean Memorial Mon- ument, a magnificent bronze statue representing the young recruit being sworn into the service. It stands seven feet, six inches high, and rests on two huge boulders taken from the hills of Brownfield. The memory of the young soldier has also been perpetuated through the naming of Daniel A. Bean Post, No. 160, Grand Army of the Republic.

The education of Charles F. Bean was secured in the schools of Brownfield, North Bridgeton Academy and Limerick Academy, and when he was eighteen years of age he left home and traveled west to New Sharon, Mahaska county, Iowa. There he clerked for a time in a general store, but subsequently removed to Mich- igan and accepted a position with the Michigan Air Line Railroad, acting as conductor during the years 1875 and 1876. In 1877 he removed to Carbon county, Wyoming and secured employment as a clerk in a gen- eral store, but in 1879 engaged in the cattle business, and during the summer of that year went overland with his cattle, following the trail from southern Utah to the Laramie Plains. During this trip he was constantly harassed by the Indians, but managed to complete his journey in safety. In the spring of 1883 Mr. Bean came to Glendive, Montana, and here was engaged in the cattle business until 1890, when he disposed of his interests. He was elected clerk of the district court in 1892 and re-elected in 1896, and also served as postmaster of Glendive, having been appointed by President Mckinley to that position, which he was compelled to resign on account of ill health. He again

1244

HISTORY OF MONTANA

engaged in the cattle business until 1907, when he dis- posed of his stock, and took up sheep raising, but in 1909 re-entered public life when he was appointed county assessor to fill the vacancy caused by the death of A. H. Johnson. In the fall of 1910 Mr. Bean was his party's choice for this office, and he was returned to the office by a handsome majority. In his official capacity he has done most excellent service, combining rare executive powers with a truthful and tactful administration. Fraternally he is connected with Glen- dive Lodge, No. 31, 'A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master and secretary, having held the latter office for the past ten years. He is a Republican in politics, and during I91I acted as journal clerk of the senate for the Eleventh session of the state senate.

On April 30, 1879, Mr. Bean was married to Miss Henrietta Bangs, who was born in Bureau county, Illi- nois, daughter of William C. and Catherine (Bartho- lomew) Bangs. Mr. and Mrs. Bean have had four children: Sylvanus B., Fredericka, Jennie and Grace.

William C. Bangs was born in Brownfield, Oxford county, Maine, and as a young man moved to Bureau county, Illinois, but later removed to Bourbon county, Kansas, locating on government land three miles north of Little Osage and eight miles north of Fort Scott. This was during the troublous times just preceding the outbreak of the Civil war, and Mr. Bangs soon dis- covered that free state men were an undesired quantity in that section. He was under constant surveillance by the southern sympathizers, his life was threatened on a number of occasions, and matters came to a cli- max when twelve pro-slavery men called at his home to attack him. He had been warned in time, however, and during the time that they searched his house he was safely hidden in the wild sunflowers. After they had given up the search and ridden away, he mounted his horse and went ten miles up the Osage river to a free state settlement, there joining a party of six men who were starting for Fort Scott with the intention of liberating one of their companions, one Ben Rice, who had been captured by slavery men and chained to the floor of the jail. Of this party, John Brown, and two others, Montgomery and Jameson, were the leaders. They secured a twelve-pound mounted mortar rifle, and, the river being high at the fort, went up to Winsitt Ford, crossed the river and attacked the fort, and in the fight which followed one of their number was wounded, while their antagonists had several men wounded and one man killed, a deputy United States marshal whom it was supposed had been implicated in the murder of Captain R. P. Brown. After bringing their errand to a successful conclusion the little party gathered in a number of negroes, whom they took to Topeka, and then managed to transfer them, through the famous Underground Railroad, to Canada. Later Mr. Bangs returned to the east, and when the war broke out, in the spring of 1861, enlisted in the First Indiana Cavalry, and was later a member of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Missouri Cavalry. On completing his war service he drove a band of cattle across the plains 800 miles to Fort Garland, Colorado, where he remained several years in the stock business, and then moved his cattle to Wyoming on the Northern Pacific Rail- road. He subsequently visited the states of Utah and Oregon, spent five years on his old ranch in Wyoming, was also engaged in the cattle business in Montana and Dakota, and eventually went to Louisiana and located near the mouth of the Sabine river. From that point he went to Monterey, Mexico, where his death occurred in March, 1907. Mr. Bangs married Cath- erine Bartholomew, a native of New York state, and they had a family of three children, of whom two are living : William, who resides in Monterey, Mexico; and Henrietta, who married Mr. Bean.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 119

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