A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 134

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

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The positions which Mr. Walsh has filled are as all- including as the districts in which he has operated. He has been everything from shaft boss to superintendent of the largest mines in the west. There is no phase of mine work with which he is not familiar, and no hazard in that vicissitudinous occupation which he has not taken. Not only has Mr. Walsh been employed in every capacity as a mine worker, but he has owned and operated his own mines, and so knows the beginning and the ending of the matter. Since 1885 he has made his home in Butte. Since 1904 his office has been at the capitol building in Helena, for in that year he was appointed state mine inspector under Governor

William Walsh

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

Toole, and he has filled the office ever since, being re- appointed under Governor Norris. During his incum- bency Mr. Walsh has labored unceasingly for legisla- tion requiring ventilation and proper sanitation in the quartz mines, and his efforts have been crowned with gratifying results. His complete knowledge of the matter of which he is in charge makes his work of the highest value to all concerned, and his heart is all in the betterment of conditions in this great industry of the Treasure state.

Mr. Walsh has been secretary of the Western Fed- eration of Miners, and held the same office in the National Association. For two terms he was a mem- ber of the executive board of the national body, whose headquarters are at Denver, Colorado. For three terms he was president of the Butte Miners' Union. He is like his father in his political views, and, also like him, he is a worker in the party.

In amusements Mr. Walsh confesses to having no favorite ways of employing his rather abbreviated leisure. Such as is vouchsafed to him he prefers to spend at home with his family. Mrs. Walsh is a native of Illinois and was married there in the city of Galena. Her maiden name was Mary McGuire, and she is the daughter of Hugh McGuire of Jo Daviess county, Illinois. There are five children in the Walsh family, all of whom are living in Montana. William the eldest, was born at Galena and is a machinist by profession. Nellie, the only daughter, is married, her husband being Paul O'Gorman, of Butte. Roy Walsh is learning the trade of a boiler maker, Frank, that of a blacksmith, and Vincent, the youngest, is now a high school student. He is preparing to do scientific or mechanical work, and to this end is pursuing a scientific course in school. Mr. Walsh intends that his sons shall grow up to be useful members of a busy community, able to use both their hands and their heads. He has made each work for his own advancement, and as they have been his sole helpers in achieving his success and placing him in his honored and responsible position, it is inevitable that he should have all confidence in their value.

JAMES C. BROOKS. Probably no better example of the opportunities held out to the youth of our land in the growing west could be found than the career of James C. Brooks, ranchman and highly esteemed citizen of Thirteen Mile creek, who has experienced all the dif- ficulties attendant upon the early settlement of a local- ity since become populous and prosperous. Mr. Brooks is another energetic and enterprising citizen given to Montana by the state of Iowa, having been born on his father's farm in Fayette county, August 28, 1857, a son of Chauncy and Hannah (Casebeer) Brooks. His father migrated from the east to lowa about the year 1847, settling in Linn county as a pioneer, and subsequently removing to Fayette county, where he continued to en- gage in agricultural pursuits throughout his life, dying at the advanced age of eighty-three years. The mother passed away when forty-five years of age, having had three sons and six daughters.

James C. Brooks, who was the sixth of his parents' nine children, divided his youth between the common schools of Fayette county and his father's farm, like most youths of his day and locality receiving his mental training while his bodily needs were being attended to, and thus being fitted mentally and physically to follow the vocation of agriculturist. He remained on the home farm assisting his father until 1880, and in 1885 came to Montana and settled in Dawson county. For some time he worked out on ranches, and was in the employ of Douglas Mead, of Glendive, for one and one-half vears, then taking up a homestead of 160 acres on Thirteen Mile creek, twenty-two miles northeast of Glendive, where he now owns two sections of land. His start was an unpretentious one, but industrv, per- severance and inherent ability have made Mr. Brooks

one of the leading horse raisers of his part of the county, and his ranch is a modern one in every re- spect, having a handsome residence and good improve- ments of every kind. An alert, far-seeing business man, he has been at all times ready to grasp favorable op- portunities, but his dealings have been of a strictly legitimate nature, and he has thus gained and retained the confidence of all who have come into contact with him in a business way. During his more than a quarter of century of residence in Dawson county he has built up a wide acquaintance, among which he numbers numerous warm friends.

Prior to coming to the west Mr. Brooks was married in 1880, in Iowa, to Miss Sallie E. Brooks, who, while bearing the same name, was not related to him, she being a daughter of David and Lucretia (Hendrick- son) Brooks, early settlers of the Hawkeye state. Mrs. Brooks died September 17, 1910, having been the mother of one daughter, Olive, who is being educated in the schools of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Mrs. Brooks was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and while Mr. Brooks holds membership in no particular denomi- nation, he is a liberal supporter of religious and charit- able movements. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a sup- porter of Republican principles and candidates, but has taken no active part in political matters, having been too busily engaged with his business- affairs. His post- office address is at the town of Intake.

JOHN D. MCLEOD, a canny Scotchman of Canadian birth, bears a name, of recent years made famous by one of his lamented clansmen; one who is blessed not only with the gift of expression, but whose heart responds to the beauty of the Scotch heath and whose great human insight permits him to read the soul, even of the cautious and noncommittal Scot. Like the great literateur, the subject of our sketch has lived most of his life in the open where no mood of nature es- capes his notice. His love of literature finds expression, not in its creation but in its consumption if such an expression be permissible; surely in its appreciation, for John D. McLeod is an intelligent and constant reader.

Mr. McLeod was born on Prince Edwards Island on the eighteenth day of June, 1860, his father, Donald N. McLeod having been brought thither from Scotland when only eight years of age. Here on this small Canadian island he lived on his father's farm until time to own and cultivate a homestead of his own. His was shared by Miss Janet McLean, also of Scotch origin, whom he married in 1859. Nine children were born to these wholesome, nature loving people, con- tented in their northern island home, of whom John D. is the oldest. Next came three brothers, William, Nor- man and Malcolm, followed by three sisters, Isabella, Mary Ann and Christine. Of the nine, who are all living clean and useful lives. Alexander and John are the youngest. Malcom and Alexander, reside at Man- hattan, Montana ; Christine resides in Helena and Wil- liam at Goldfield, Nevada, while the remainder with the exception of the oldest brother, are still British subjects living in Canadian territory. The father passed away in December, 1911, having lived to a good old age in the useful sphere where he seemed meant to demonstrate the example of the simple life well lived. His good wife survived him only two months, passing away in February, 1912.

John D. McLeod, the first born of the family, lived with his parents and attended the grade schools and the high school on the island until his seventeenth year. when he began to earn his own expenses by fishing dur- ing the summer months that he might continue his stud- ies in the winter. He chose to spend much of the four years of advanced study in fitting himself for a civil engineer. At the age of twenty-three, he became an

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expert surveyor, laying out many towns in the Dakotas and afterward aiding with the railroad survey through- out Montana and Washington. In 1888, he was mar- ried to Miss Luella Shoquist, of Taylor Falls, Minne- sota, their union occurring at Bismarck, North Dakota, where Miss Shoquist was at the time making her home. Of this union two children were born. Bea- trice, the daughter, is now Mrs. Rose E. Allen of Helena, Montana, while the son, Blaine, makes his home with his father, the mother having passed away in June of 1899, less than ten years after her marriage.

Mr. McLeod is a member of the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons and of the Woodmen of the World. Being a man of quiet and home-loving tastes, inherited from his good old Scotch father, he felt most keenly the loss of his wife and the breaking of the home ties. During the time in which he was surveying in the states of Montana and Washington he met Miss Mattie Farquhar, an attractive eastern woman who in August, 1902, became Mrs. John McLeod. She is the mother of three charming children. Margery, aged eight, and Donald, two years younger, are attending the public schools of Helena, while Miriam is now four years of age.

In 1908 Mr. McLeod was appointed county surveyor of Lewis and Clark county, which position he still_fills with much ability. In political sympathies he is a Pro- gressive Republican.

PATRICK JOSEPH MANNING. In all the length and breadth of Jefferson county, Montana, it is safe to say that there is no one more loyal to her interests and her institutions or hopeful for her prosperity than Patrick Joseph Manning. For many years he has been inter- ested in mining and he probably has no peer in his knowledge of this industry. An honored, trusted and generally liked citizen, he has been recognized as of the proper material for public office and is now serv- ing his third term as sheriff of Jefferson county.

Mr. Manning is an Irishman by birth, County Tipperary having been the scene of his nativity and its date March 15, 1865. When he was a little lad about five years of age his parents bade farewell to the country of their ancestors and crossed the Atlantic in quest of the broader opportunity which they believed to be awaiting them on this side. They located in St. Lawrence county, New York, near Canton, the county seat, but the father's life in the new country was sadly brief, his death occurring when Mr. Manning was only six years of age, or scarcely a twelvemonth after their arrival. The little family lived in various parts of the state of New York, making their living as best they could, until 1885, when the subject removed to Jeffer- son county, Montana. His coming here was an im- portant step, for in the ensuing quarter century he has ever since made his home here.

Nearly all Mr. Manning's experiences in making a livelihood have been as a miner, and he earned his first dollar in the capacity of signal boy in the iron mines of New York. He now owns valuable mining interests in Montana and much of his time and attention is de- voted to that field. He has in truth contributed in very definite manner to the development and prosperity of this section of the country. Mr. Manning was elected . sheriff of Jefferson county in the fall of 1906, and took the oath of office in January, 1907, now serving upon his third term. He has proved indefatigable in his enforcement of the law and is indeed unpopular with those whose business takes them out of the straight and narrow path. In his political allegiance he is a Democrat and has ever given hand and heart to the men and measures of the party which produced Jefferson. Jackson and Cleveland. But although he gives to all public matters the interest of the intelligent voter, he is by no means a professional politician.

On September 5, 1900, Mr. Manning was happily

married in Helena, Montana, to Mary Fleming, daugh- ter of William and Annie Fleming, and they share their pleasant home with a son, William Joseph, born Janu- ary 9, 1905. William Fleming, who like his son-in- law, was a miner, passed away in 1886; his wife died in 1871.

In glancing at the early life of Patrick Joseph Man- ning we find that he received his education in the pub- lic schools. His father, whose name was Joseph Man- ning, was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, and at the age of thirty-four years came with his family to America. His untimely demise has been previously re- ferred to. In his early youth he was engaged in freighting. The mother, whose maiden name was Julia Cotter, was born in Ireland and died in New York. There were seven children in the family, three being boys and four girls, and the subject being next to the youngest in order of birth.

Mr. and Mrs. Manning are communicants of the Catholic church and are ever ready to lend a hand to its good works. When asked concerning his favorite diversions, Mr. Manning always returns that his favor- ite is mining and all his spare time is given to looking after his interests and investments. He is a useful citizen, of the type which has brought about the high standing of this part of the west.

L. M. SCHOTT. The real estate and insurance business at Butte, Montana, has an able reresentative in L. M. Schott, who was born in Michigan, on the Ist of Oc- tober, 1870. He is a son of Max and Augusta (Lich- tenburg) Schott, both of whom were born and reared in Germany, whence the immigrated to the United States in their youth. Max Schott located in Michigan and there was engaged in the mercantile business for a number of years. He came to Montana in 1884, and after devoting his attention to a number of different business enterprises he became a partner with his son in the real estate and insurance business at Butte. He is highly respected in business and social circles of Butte.

L. M. Schott was educated in the public and high schools of Saginaw, Michigan. He accompanied his parents to Montana, in 1884. and for the ensuing ten years was a resident of Livingston, where he was for some time employed as a bookkeeper. In 1894 he re- moved to Great Falls and there devoted his attention to the wholesale liquor business for a period of two years, at the expiration of which he came to Butte, here entering the employ of the Oppenheimer Company, con- tinuing as bookkeeper for that concern for six years. In 1902 he became a traveling salesman for an eastern house and he continued as such until 1906, when he launched into the business world on his own account as a real estate and insurance man. His father is asso- ciated with him in the above business, controlling a general real estate business, in addition to which it also represents a number of good life and fire insurance companies, among them being the Northwestern of Milwaukee, and the Nassau of Brooklyn.

In politics Mr. Schott and his father are both stanch advocates of the principles and policies for which the party stands sponsor. They do not take an active part in local politics, but are on the alert and enthusiastic- ally in sympathy with all measures and enterprises ad- vanced for the good of the general welfare. They are affiliated with a number of representative fraternal or- ganizations. They are numbered among the most loyal and public-spirited citizens of Butte and are men of mark in all the relations of life.

In the city of Chicago, in 1894, Mr. Schott was mar- ried. His wife, being a native of Frankfort, Germany, where she was reared and educated, and whence she immigrated to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Schott have one daughter, Edith,

Prof. Robinson

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

CHARLES STEELE. The real estate dealers of Butte are among its most progressive citizens, and to them perhaps more than to any other single class of people is due the development of the city and its environs on the high plane that exists today. Among the well known operators in realty circles at the present time is Charles Steele, whose business is extensive, embrac- ing transactions in both real estate in the city and min- ing properties in the surrounding sections. He has been at different times connected with important interests and filled positions of responsibility in railway and banking circles previous to entering the real estate field in Butte.

Mr. Steele was married in Portland, Oregon, Novem- ber 3, 1891, to Flora Belle Harkins, and they are the parents of two sons, Chester H. and Ralph G. Mr. Steele is an independent thinker who discharges his duties as a citizen and voter without respect to parties. He is a member of the Masonic order.

MADAM LIEBIE S. ROBINSON. One of the questions of the day is the economic position of woman, and there is scarcely a more important one before society. Equal opportunity in education has disclosed the fact that woman can also take her place in the commercial world, and that in itself is a revolutionary idea. There are those who see in the ambition of woman to hold such a place the disintegration of the whole fabric of our civilization, with the destruction of our home life, and so the woman who successfully rears a family and at the same time makes a success of a business venture confers a benefit on the race at large by furnishing an unanswerable argument as to the economic fitness of the wife and mother. Madam Robinson is a notable example of this class.

Born in Philadelphia, Libbie Stevenson Robinson came to Montana in 1885 and has resided in Butte ever since. Both of her parents, William and Annie Stevenson, were born in Ireland, but immigrated to America shortly after their marriage. Mr. Stevenson was a cotton manufacturer in the Quaker city, where he lived to the age of sixty-eight. His wife died when but sixty years old and they are buried side by side in the old churchyard of Philadelphia. Madam Rob- inson attended school in the city of lier birth, and in 1878 was married to John Robinson, also a Phila- delphian by birth. His hobby was dancing and for seventy-five years he was a dancing master. first in Philadelphia and later in Butte. Professor Robinson, as he was always known, was a man of very domestic tastes and spent all his leisure with his family, his wife and two children, to whom he was devoted. He was a member of the Episcopal church and also of the Masonic order. The latter organization had charge of his funeral service when he passed away in February, 1910, and was buried in the city which had been his home for nearly thirty years.

Not long after coming to Butte, Madam Robinson started in the costuming business, and her establish- ment has kept pace with the growing city. She is especially well adapted for this trade, as she has all the qualifications of a good buyer besides that of taste and originality. Her shop is the leading costumer's establishment in the state, and her business is not con- fined to this city, but she has customers throughout the state, and even outside its borders. Hers is the only exclusive costuming house in Montana, and she is prepared to supply outfits for any and all occasions. Her stock includes masquerade costumes, wigs, masks and ladies' fine Japanese goods, besides the regular line of costumes for ordinary exigencies. The large and fully equipped concern does a lucrative business and its patrons are drawn from the most discriminating people

in Butte. Madam Robinson has been the sole head and manager of the store and its prosperity is due entirely to her own policy in conducting it.

Business has not prevented Mrs. Robinson from rearing her son and daughter most carefully. Both re- ceived excellent educations, their elementary training be- ing received in Philadelphia, where both were born. The daughter, Belle Stevenson Robinson, now resides in New York City. Joseph Stevenson Robinson, the son, is married and resides in Butte. He served in the Spanish-American war, and as he was less than eighteen at the time he was obliged to get his mother's permis- sion before enlisting. Although he was her only son, Madam Robinson felt that as he was actuated by motives of the truest patriotism she could not withhold her consent. The son went to the war, and lost two toes in the service. For eight years he was custodian in the Butte public library, and he shares in the high regard in which the community holds his mother and all the family. In the lodges of the city he belongs to the Masons and the Eagles, besides being a member of the Spanish-American War Veterans' Association. Like his mother, he is a member of St. John's Episcopal church. Mrs. Robinson is one of the earnest workers in the church, for here as in her business, she brings to the matter in hand all the resources of executive ability and an usual personality.

LYMAN HAKES BENNETT, who is now filling the of- fice of city attorney of Dillon, was born at Virginia City, Montana, February 15, 1885. He resided in that place until he had arrived at twenty-three years of age, and then he went to Butte, where he remained about one year. At the end of that time he came to Dillon, Montana, reaching here in April, 1909. Here he has won high standing and many friends who be- lieves he has a great future.

The early education of Mr. Bennett was obtained in the public schools of Virginia City. He then spent two years in the Montana State College at Bozeman. At the end of that time, he became a student at Leland Stan- ford, Junior, University, California, where he was grad- uated and received his degree. He began the practice of the law in Butte, and later took up his professional work in Dillon. Here he was appointed city attorney of Dillon in April, 1911, and is now filling this office.

Mr. Bennett is a young man of marked ability, and stands very high in the community. He is an active member of the Episcopal church. He is a Republican and takes an active interest in politics. In fraternal matters he is an Elk. Baseball has a foremost place in his enthusiasms and he ranks among the fans. He is fond of athletics and takes a personal part in athletic sports. His active mind delights in good reading.

Previous to the period when Mr. Bennett took up his professional life, he worked at the printing trade, and he earned his first money as a boy serving an ap- prenticeship in the office of the Madisonian at Virginia City, one of the oldest newspapers in the state. His salary at that time was two dollars per month.

The marriage of Mr. Bennett took place in Dillon, Montana, April 17, 1911, the bride being Miss Kathryn M. Leonard. She was the daughter of Simon P. and Elizabeth B. Leonard, both of whom are now deceased.

Mr. Bennett's father, Alden J. Bennett, was born in Franklin county, New York. He came to Montana in 1869 and is an honorary member of the Montana Pioneers. He settled in Virginia City and still re- sides there, where he has been in the banking busi- ness for many years. He has always taken an active part in politics and has held several offices.

The mother, Mary P. Bennett, was born in North Carolina. She came west with her parents and was married to Mr. Alden Bennett at Virginia City. In the elder Bennett's family there are three children, two sons and a daughter, the subject of this sketch

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

being the youngest child. One member of this house- hold, Henry P. Bennett, is in the banking business in Butte. The daughter, Miss Mina, resides at home with her parents.

ABRAHAM LOUIS STONE was born in Auburn, Shaw- nee county, Kansas, October 16, 1860. When he was about two years of age his parents removed to Fulton, Whiteside county, Illinois, where they lived until he was about six years of age. Then they made their home on a farm in Leavenworth county, Kansas, until he was about twenty-five years of age. In 1885 he left home and came to Butte, Montana, where he remained until 1888, and then came to Dillon, Montana, where he has made his home since.

His early education was received in the public schools of Leavenworth county, Kansas. He also studied at home and received a regular high school course. He earned his first money as a boy at the age of ten, by running a rake in the field and gathering up scatterings. Then for a while he worked on the farm as a regular hand. For six years he taught school in Leavenworth county, Kansas, and while thus engaged was interested in the mercantile business in the same county. He sold out on account of ill health and came west. His first position in Montana was in Butte, where he made a connection with McMillen and Clnett in a clerical capacity. He later came to Dillon and accepted a position with the Dillon Implement Com- pany. His rise and success were rapid, for within one year he had become secretary and treasurer of the com- pany. In 1899 he drew out of this firm and organized the State Bank of Dillon and was its cashier and man- ager until September 24, 1912, at which time he was made the president. Under his management the bank has grown in both total assets and surplus until it is known as one of the strong institutions of the state. Liberal, but just, careful and conservative-these are among the chief assets under the guidance of Mr. Stone, and those principles that are found in connec- tion with safe and conservative banking prevail in relation to the State Bank of Dillon.

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 134

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