A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 121

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

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In his political belief Mr. Porter is an earnest Repub- lican, and has always been active in his support of that organization's candidates and policies. In 1896 he was elected county attorney, and the excellent service he rendered during his first term resulted in his election to succeed himself. He was the Republican nominee for attorney general in 1900, but owing to the political conditions then existing met with defeat at the polls. He made a thorough and vigorous canvass, speaking in every city and town of appreciable population in the state. Mr. Porter has heen intimately connected with much important litigation, both civil and criminal. He was prosecutor in the Indian cases growing out of the murder of John Hoover, and also in the Geddes' case, while he was assistant prosecuting attorney at

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Glendive in the Hurst murder case. Through his ef- forts, to a considerable degree, was secured from the millionaire steel magnate and philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, the contribution of $10,000 for the establish- ment of the Carnegie Public Library at Miles City, and in many other causes and ways he has shown his deep interest in the progress and prosperity of his city, county and state. Fraternally Mr. Porter is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., the B. P. O. E. and the K. of P., in all of which he is immensely popular, and in the latter organization served as grand chancellor of the Grand Lodge of the state in 1897.

Mr. Porter was married January 23, 1901, to Miss Elizabeth Hawley, who was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, daughter of John B. Hawley, for a number of years an influential citizen of the Key- stone state. He died March the 29, 1912, at his home in Miles City.

E. PALMER SEARLES. The present generation has little conception of what was endured by the early pio- neers of Montana, or appreciation of the changes that have taken place in agricultural methods, and which have transformed ranch life to such an extent that today it offers more inducements than at any previous time in the country's history. These conditions may be the result of the endurance and bravery of those who blazed the trail for civilization. Yellowstone county has a most interesting history, made so by the activities of its pioneers, and a record of their lives is appropriate and necessary in preparing a work that has to do with the locality. Prominent among the highly esteemed citizens of Park City, one who came to the Yellow- stone valley as a pioneer, and whose life has been active and full of thrilling experiences, is E. Palmer Searles, who now is living retired. He was born in Norwich, Ontario, June 9, 1848, and is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Palmer) Searles.

Samuel Searles, who was a farmer by occupation, was also a native of Ontario, and until 1856 carried on operations on a farm in Canada. In that year he re- moved to the Territory of Wisconsin, settling in the wilderness where he cleared and cultivated a farm, and there died in 1906, at the age of seventy-six years. Politically a Republican, he held various township of- fices, and for twenty-eight years acted as postmaster at Oasis, Waussaro county, Wisconsin. His wife passed away in 1905, when seventy-two years of age, having been the mother of seven sons and two daughters, only one of the children being deceased.

E. Palmer Searles received his education in the pub- lic schools of Waussaro county, Wisconsin, and was reared to agricultural pursuits on the wild Wisconsin property. When he was twenty-two years of age he left home and went to the city of Fond du Lac, Wiscon- sin, where he entered the employ of C. J. Myers, in a sash, door and blind factory. Subsequently, he re- moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he secured em- ployment as a carpenter until the spring of 1882, when he joined a colony known as the Ripon Colony, from Ripon, Wisconsin. This little band of emigrants took the train as far as Miles City, Montana, the western terminus of the railroad, and from that point traveled overland, the men walking and the women and children riding in wagons. They arrived at old Coulson, where the city of Billings now stands, and after remaining here for about a week, Mr. Searles moved on up the Yellowstone to the present site of Park City, where he took up a homestead.

During the winter of 1883-4 the Indians made a raid on the settlers, stealing a number of horses from Mr. Searles and his neighbors, a Mr. McCool and Mr. Sweet, the latter of whom had notified Mr. Searles of the raid. As soon as possible, Mr. Sweet and Mr. Searles started out on the trail of the Indians, it being arranged that Mr. McCool was to stay and organize a

party to follow them, to give them assistance if neces- sary, and to bring along food and blankets. The pur- suers followed the hostiles into the Lake basin and up to the ranch of W. J. Sackett, where they arrived at nine o'clock at night. While warming themselves at the latter's home, the night being bitterly cold, a party of neighbors passed by Sackett's house, unaware of their presence, and thus proper connections, as before planned, were not made. Again Mr. Searles and Mr. Sackett and Mr. McCool took up the trail and during the trip met up with three friendly Indians, one of whom was a chief, Plenty Cows. Accompanied by the three Indians, at daybreak they overtook the raiding party, finding them asleep behind some rocks, and an attack was immediately made, two of the hostiles being killed. After recovering their horses, the. little party stood guard over the animals all day Sunday, awaiting the arrival of the relief party. Subsequently they re- moved to the Rimrocks, out of rifle range of the Indians, but soon became intensely hungry and were compelled to kill a calf and eat the meat raw. No shel- ter could be found, but they continued to wait for the relief party, whom it was afterwards found had become lost during the heavy blizzard. During this long and tedious wait, the chief Plenty Cows formed a diversion by asking permission to go and get the scalps of the two Indians who had been killed, and this being granted. he and two others went and brought the bodies into the camp. At this time Charles Ames and Reuben Tate found their camp, and the party started to find its way back at nine o'clock Sunday night. After traveling about five miles, however, the storm had increased to such an extent that it was decided inadvisable to con- tinue, and the camp was accordingly pitched in the sage brush, where the little band was compelled to remain until the light of morning should give them their direc- tion. At about ten o'clock the following morning the storm cleared somewhat, but they were still unable to tell where they were, and as they knew they could not remain longer in their position agreed upon a plan that has often been used by plainsmen when lost. The idea was for all to group themselves around a pole, and when the pole dropped it was to decide their direction. Without more ado they took up the direction indicated and after traveling about an hour came to a point which they recognized and soon headed for Sackett's home be- fore reaching which they met a party coming with pro- visions and blankets. Mr. Searles arrived home dur- ing that afternoon, little the worse for his thrilling ex- periences. The foregoing is only an instance of the various hardships and trials the early settlers were con- stantly forced to face, and it is due to the bravery and persistence of these men that the wilderness has been conquered and the State developed into a great com- mercial center. For many years Mr, Searles was en- gaged in cattle raising and farming, and in 1906 when the Montana Land and Improvement Company sold its interests in its irrigation ditch to the farmers, he bought thirty shares of stock and became superintendent of the ditch. During his administration of affairs he in- creased the capacity from 9,500 inches of water to 20,000 inches, but in 1908 he retired from active life and his only business interests now consist of looking after his rented property. He is a Republican in poli- tics, but takes only a good citizen's interest in public affairs, and his only fraternal connection is with Bil- lings Lodge No. 349, B. P. O. E.

In 1872 Mr. Searles was married to Miss Florence Stevens, who was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, daughter of Reuben Stevens, who died at Fond du Lac soon after the Civil war of disease contracted while serving in a Wisconsin regiment. He was a cooper by trade, but also followed farming, and was the father of four children, Mrs. Searles being the second in order of birth. Mr. Searles well merits the high esteem in which he is held as one of the Yellow-

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stone valley's pioneers. He has done much to ad- vance the welfare of his community, and during the long period in which he has resided here has gained and retained many warm friendships.

EVANS A. CARLETON, now one of the leading attorneys of Helena, has probably had more influence than any other one man on the school system of Montana and the formation of her institutions of higher learning. He was born in Franklin county, Maine, in 1858. His father, Thomas Carleton, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, his paternal grandfather having come to America dur- ing the colonial days took an active part in the struggle for independence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carle- ton were born and raised in the same county where later, their own family grew to manhood and woman- hood. Mr. Carleton was a carpenter by trade but spent much of his time on the farm. His wife, Hannah Parker, belonged to one of the best families of old New England .- After bringing into the world a family of twelve chil- dren, she passed away in 1886. Her husband survived her by scarcely a year.

Of the family remaining, two are living in Maine, one in Massachusetts and the son, Evans A., in Mon- tana. He is the only one of the Carletons who has had the temerity to try life outside the boundaries of good old New England. Even he passed his boyhood days in Maine receiving his early education in the rural schools of Franklin county. Later, he entered the Maine Wesleyan University from which institution he was graduated with high honors in the class of 1881. For much of the time during his years of study, he con- tributed toward his own support by teaching during his vacations and working on the farm through the harvest season. After his graduation he taught in the public school of Maine. He came to Helena, Montana, where in the fall of 1883 and '84 he acted as principal of one of the ward schools being elected the following year to the principalship of the Helena high school. In 1889, the red letter year in the history of Montana when she doffed her swaddling clothes and stood forth as a full grown sister state, Mr. Carleton was made city super- intendent of the Helena schools. It was under his deft hand that the school system of the city took on its present systematic form and became recognized as one of the best in the state. After thoroughly organizing these schools he returned to his old home in Maine that he might read law in the office of his brother, L. T. Carleton. From this office, in 1891, he was admitted to the bar of Maine. Returning to Helena, the chosen city of his adoption, during the ensuing spring, he was admitted, on motion to the practice of that state. On beginning his professional career he obtained office room with Mr. A. K. Barber, one of the well-known attorneys. Later he officed for some months alone be- fore forming a partnership with Mr. A. P. Heywood. This association lasted for two years, until Mr. Carle- ton was elected superintendent of public instruction for the state of Montana. Although a Republican of in- fluence, he was elected, in this case, on a fusion ticket. A ready and enthusiastic speaker, Mr. Carleton is much in demand during the political campaigns. His New England conservatism and accurate knowledge of party issues make his advice in party councils valuable in- deed. At the time of fight for the location of the state capital his work for Helena was of much importance in the final settlement. Mr. Carleton is one of the lead- ing members of the Progressive party in Montana.

Mr. Carleton after devoting so many years to the service of the city and the state is now enjoying a de- servedly lucrative practice in his profession. Few posi- tions were as important as that of superntendent of pub- lic instruction at the time that he was acting in that capacity. It meant that he shaped the school system of Montana as he had previously done in Helena and that he was a powerful factor in the formation of her in-

stitutions of higher learning. He now has offices in the Bailey building, rooms one and two.

In fraternal circles he has taken no very prominent part devoting most of his time to things of a more serious nature. He belongs however to the Woodmen of the World and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is, of course, a member of the bar Associa- tions of both Lewis and Clark county and the state of Montana.

Evans A. Carleton was married in 1882, to Miss Emma E. Gage of Dover, New Hampshire, who is a direct descendant of John Adams. The following year they made for themselves a home in Helena where they have since lived. Two children, one son and one daugh- ter have been born to the union. The son, Frank E. Carleton resides in Lewistown, Montana. He was mar- ried, a few years since, to Miss Lena Connelly of Lewiston, Montana. The daughter, Marguerite E. Carleton is now the wife of Marion W. Hulse. They were joined in marriage during February of 1911 in Los Angeles, California, where they still make their home.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans Carleton have their residence at No. 7, North Harrison avenne, Helena.

FRANCIS ADKINSON. Indiana has contributed many men of eminence in various lines to the upbuilding of Helena, and among them are a number she has bred and educated in the profession and then passed on to Helena. Of these fine citizens none was better known than Francis Adkinson, who from 1883 to 1912 was engaged in the practice of law in this city. His reputa- tion as one of the prominent lawyers of the state had been reinforced during the passing years, in which he had appeared in connection with many important cases and he had many noteworthy forensic victories to his credit. He was a strong advocate before court or jury and not only marshalled his causes with great ability, but also brought to bear the strength of a firm and upright character, so that he gained and held the inviolable confidence and regard of his fellow prac- titioners, and also of the general public. During his career he held several public trusts with entire satis- faction to all concerned and with honor to himself.

Mr. Adkinson was born in Switzerland county, In- diana, March 14, 1831. His father, Samuel Adkinson, was a native of Pennsylvania, his life record having been begun in the Keystone state, September 26, 1804. He came a pioneer to Switzerland county, Indiana, be- ing a mere boy at the time and being in company with his parents. He followed agriculture and died in Switzerland county on August 31, 1873. His father was born in 1780 in Pennsylvania, and his father, the great-grandfather of the subject, an Englishman by birth, was the founder of this branch of the Adkinson family in America. The subject's father was a quiet, retiring man, but one who enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He was never active in politics. The mother, whose maiden name was Jane McHenry, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Joseph McHenry, an early settler in Switzerland coun- ty, where she and her husband were united in mar- riage in April, 1830. There she lived out her useful life and passed to the Great Beyond on January 6, 1872, the remains of these two good pioneer citizens being there interred. Of the children born to them seven lived to reach years of maturity, Francis being the first born of the number.

Francis Adkinson received his preliminary education in the district schools of his native county and received his higher education in Morefield Academy, attending school to the age of nineteen years. His early life was passed amid the rural surroundings of his father's farm, and his first occupation was in a pedagogical ca- pacity in Switzerland county, and one year in Grant county, Kentucky. Upon returning from the Blue-

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grass state he began the study of law in the office of James F. Jelley, in Ohio county, Indiana, and later in that of Daniel S. Major. Upon his admission to the bar, he took up his residence in Vevay, the judicial center of Switzerland county, and there inaugurated his practice of the law. In 1856 he was elected prose- cuting attorney for the second judicial district com- prising seven counties. In 1860 he was elected judge and near the close of his term of four years located in Lawrenceburg, remaining there until 1864. He then re- moved to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and practiced there until his migration to the west in 1883. During his residence in Lawrenceburg he served as circuit prosecut- ing attorney for the first judicial district of the state of Indiana, the same comprising seven counties, and for two years held this post, the appointment to which had been so high a compliment to his standing and powers. Before leaving Vevay he served as common pleas judge for five counties, and for four years served on the bench.

Mr. Adkinson's identification with Helena dated from January 29, 1883, and for the ensuing thirty years he continued to be a resident, his loyalty to the city and its institutions ever being of the staunchest sort. Shortly after arriving here he was appointed register of the United States land office at Helena, this appoint- ment being made by President Arthur. The balance of his time was devoted to professional practice, which was of a general character and in which he was wonder- fully sucessful. Mr. Adkinson subscribed to the articles of faith of the Republican party. but in late years he had taken no active part in politics. He was one of the prominent and influential members of the Lewis & Clark Bar Association.

On December 5, 1860, he laid one of the important stones in the foundation of his success by his marriage to Miss Frances A. Roberts, their union being cele- brated at Quincy, Illinois. Mrs. Adkinson was born January 29, 1840, and is a daughter of George Anthony Roberts, a native of Rhode Island and a pioneer settler in Ripley county, Indiana, and of Mary Watts Rice, granddaughter of Judge Watts, a well-known pioneer of southern Indiana. The name of Roberts is one highly esteemed in that section of the Hoosier state. Mr. and Mrs. Adkinson had no children.

The beautiful country home of the Adkinson family is situated at Kenwood, one of the loveliest suburbs of Helena, and the offices of Mr. Adkinson were at 510 Powers building.

Alr. Adkinson was a poor boy, and he made his way to honor and usefulness unaided. He always took a firm stand for whatever he considered to be for the best interests of the community and society in general and always endeavored to follow after the things that made for harmony in all the relations of life. In politics he was a life long Republican. Judge Adkin- son died on July 2, 1912.

JOHN BLATCHFORD COLLINS. In the motto which greets the eye in his offices and adorns his stationery. reading-"Don't Be a Parlor Car,-Be the Engine," may be found an index to the character of John Blatch- ford Collins, a prominent citizen of Miles City, Montana, and a man well known over the state, both in busi- ness and politics. Energy and activity have marked every stage of his career, as his motto indicates, he has striven to be the leading force in his enterprises. and, often in pushing to the head, he has ignored the delaying personal comforts offered on the way. Mr. Collins is in the real estate and insurance business and is a member of the Miles City Real Estate Exchange, of the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges, and of the Central Real Estate Dealers Association. He was born September 7, 1853, at Quincy, Illinois, and is a son of Morris and Martha (Blatchford) Collins.

Morris Collins was born in 1812, in Connecticut, and died in Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1873. In 1849 he came

from New England as far west as Illinois, and after some years in the mercantile business at Quincy, re- moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he engaged first in the drygoods business and later in the manufacture of sheet lead and lead pipe. In politics he was a Re- publican and during the Civil war was a member of the Sanitary Commission in the Mississippi river district. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church. His first wife, Martha Blatchford, died in 1861, the mother of seven children, two of whom survive, John B., of this review, and Alice. To his second wife, Hannah Adams, one son was born who died in infancy.

John Blatchford Collins enjoyed educational advan- tages and academic training in different cities, among them Jacksonville, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; Pough- keepsie, New York; and Hartford, Connecticut. After- ward he was engaged in the pig iron and iron ore brokerage business at St. Louis, and in April, 1883, came to Montana, where for a time he was clerk in the postoffice at Miles City. He was later with Capt. William Harmon in the same capacity and subsequently was interested with William Courtney in the real es- tate and insurance business. In 1890 Mr. Collins became confidential secretary to Hon. Thomas H. Carter, United States land commissioner, with general offices at Wash- ington, D. C. After his duties at Washington no longer detained him there, he returned to Miles City and entered into the real estate and insurance business with C. B. Towers, and they continued together until 1898, when Mr. Collins was appointed superintendent of the United States Forest Reserves in Montana, with headquarters at Missoula, Montana, where he resided until 1901, then moving to Helena. There, until April, 1903, he was identified with the live stock brokerage business and then moved to Forsythe and conducted an insurance and real estate business there until the fall of 1905, when he returned to Miles City, and has since continued here in that line of enterprise. Mr. Collins is one of the wide-awake men of this state, who has the foresight to note business opportunities and the courage to secure them. He has long been a lead- ing factor in Republican politics, and from 1886 to 1890 was chairman of the Republican county central committee of Custer county, and in 1902 was made sec- retary of the Montana state Republican committee. Since 1903 he has been a United States commissioner.

In 1874 Mr. Collins was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Davis, who bore him two sons,-Morris and Charles B. and on December 15, 1897, Mr. Collins mar- ried for his second wife Miss Nellie Thompson, who was born at Dwight, Illinois, and is a daughter of Thomas J. and Sarah Thompson. Mrs. Collins died on June 18. 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are natives of Ohio, who moved to Illinois in early life, there engaging in farming until 1880, in which year they removed to Montana and settled in Custer county. Here Mr. Thompson operated a stock ranch until he was elected county assessor, when he moved to Miles City. He continued in public office there until 1898, when he removed to Forsythe. For some years he has held the office of deputy game warden. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Collins was the second born of the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.

Mr. Collins is a member of Crusader Lodge No. 7. Knights of Pythias. and is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

PIERRE WIBAUX. The early settlers of our new states and territories are not, as is often erroneously sup- posed, all rough men in whom physicial nature pre- dominates over intellectual activity, and who have little or no education. On the contrary, many of the pioneers, though no doubt men of brawn and muscle, are yet possessed of no little talent and mental culture: men thoroughly versed in all the intellectual and political questions which agitate the communities further east ;

For Lewis Publishing

& B. Collins. Milu City Hunt

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men of great executive ability and capable of filling with honor and dignity any station in the republic. Among the honorable and honored citizens of Custer county, Montana, none is more worthy of being com- memorated in its annals than Pierre Wibaux, presi- dent of the State National Bank of Miles City, and a man whose stock operations have been of such an extensive nature as to win for him the sobriquet of the "Cattle King of Eastern Montana." For thirty years he has lived within the borders of the state, during which time he has become a factor in its social, business and financial affairs, fairly earning a reputation for honorable dealing with his fellow men, to such a degree as to make his name a synonym for all that is upright in business and correct in morals. He comes of a race that has given to America some of her most success- ful men in every avenue of life, having been born in 1858, at Roubaix, France, a city in which his family had for a century been prominent in the manufacture of textiles.

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 121

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