A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 34

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

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Mr. Bielenberg was born in Holstein, Germany, June 8. 1847, and was but a youngster of four years when his parents, Claus and Margaret (Cruse) Bielenberg, with his two brothers, Charles H. and John N., immi- grated to the United States. They settled at Daven- port, Iowa, where they engaged in farming, and in that state passed their remaining years. The elder Bielen- berg was an intelligent, well-educated man who had done military service in his native country. He and his sons swiftly adapted themselves to American ways, and the latter, particularly, became superior American citi- zens. Claus Bielenberg was of the Lutheran religion, and all of his family inherited his high moral principles. He built and owned business property in Davenport and its vicinity, and was one of its most highly respected townsmen.

Nicholas Bielenberg was given the usual public school privileges, but his lively interest in all practical affairs led him to shorten his period of study in order to join in the vocational activities in which his father and brother were engaged. The details of the butchering trade were learned by him in Davenport and when six- teen years of age he went to Chicago, where he was em- ployed through the winter of 1865. For his first month's work he received only three dollars and board. The following spring he returned to Davenport, and made preparations to seek his life's success in the new west.

W/Bielenberg

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His trip thither was a most memorable one and worth relating in brief detail. From Davenport the young Bielenberg took a river boat to St. Louis, where he stopped for a few days, after which he took passage on "The Bertrant" up the Missouri river en route to Fort Benton, Montana. About thirty miles above Omaha the boat sank, and although no lives were lost all had to submit to the inconvenience of camping twenty days on the bank of the river while waiting for another boat of the same line. Continuing the voyage neither boat nor passengers met with difficulties until interrupted by a herd of buffalo crossing the stream. This necessitated their waiting for eighteen hours. Their next mishap was occasioned when, having reached a point below the Dry Fork of the Missouri, they struck a sand bar, and in the process of extricating the vessel a spar was broken. The delay thus occasioned was fraught with the most serious circumstance of the entire trip. The party was attacked by Indians, who, in the encounter killed one man, wounded another and carried away two, of whose lives they disposed in the most horrible man- ner. In sight of the stranded passengers of the Ber- trant watching from the deck in desperate helplessness, the Indian squaws carried dry wood, with which they surrounded the captives, held in durance by the male savages. With the victims securely bound in the center, the wood was set aflame and the other voyagers saw them thus pitilessly destroyed. It is hardly to be wondered at that Mr. Bielenberg has ever since had an insuperable aversion for the Indian race. The Bertrant was presently started on her way once more and on June 18, 1865, arrived at Fort Benton, having taken a number of deer and elk on the route and having heard of the close of the war when passing one of the river forts.

After arriving at Fort Benton, Mr. Bielenberg pro- ceeded to consider his immediate future. His objective point was Helena. But, on landing, his exchequer, which had suffered unexpected depletion because of the exi- gencies of the voyage, amounted to exactly thirty-five cents. On the boat which had brought him to Fort Ben- ton was his supply of butcher's tools, but he was at a loss to defray the cost of transporting them. Youth and ambition often meet with kindly consideration, as the young man found on this occasion. The captain of the boat, to whom he explained his dilemma, gave him clear- ance for his tools, and instructed the boat's steward to supply him with the necessary provisions for his journey to Helena, free of all charge. Young Bielenberg then loaded his belongings on a mule wagon, at the side of which he walked to his destination, arriving on the first of July. At Helena he learned of a business in his line which was to be bought from Henry Edgar, the first discoverer of Alder Gulch, the richest gulch in Montana. The butcher's establishment was in Blackfoot, Montana, and to that place Nicholas Bielenberg went to buy out the Edgar meat business, his two brothers agreeing to "stake" him. Here he engaged in the butchering busi- ness until 1870, when he removed to Helena, and was there identified with the same line of trade until 1872, when he located at Deer Lodge.

About this time Mr. Bielenberg became connected with the line of business that started him on the road to the great success that he has achieved, the stock busi- ness. Here he engaged in stock-raising, and in buying cattle for the Chicago market, which was reached by driving the stock through to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and there shipping by rail to Chicago. For several years he carried on an important business in this connection. In 1877 he established a meat business in Butte, which be- came one of the leading industries of its kind in the northwest. A modern cold storage plant was erected, and a large wholesale trade was thus supplied. The growth of the business was substantial, and eventually assumed such proportions that it was deemed advisable to incorporate it, which was done, the name given to it

being the Butte Butchering Company, which concern has since directed the enterprise.

About 1884 Mr. Bielenberg became associated with his half-brother, Conrad Kohrs, in an extensive cattle busi- ness. Shortly afterward he carried on the same line of business as an individual, but later became interested with Joseph Toomey, and they developed, in this line, an enterprise of immense proportions for that time. They handled more than one hundred and thirty thou- sand head of sheep in one year, and their flocks were to be found in various parts of Montana, while they also transacted a large business in buying and shipping sheep and cattle from the northwest, their operations extend- ing from Washington to North Dakota, and contributed largely to the development of the live-stock industry in this section of the country.

We quote from an appreciative article previously pub- lished: "It can be safely said that Mr. Bielenberg and his associates were the fathers of the sheep industry in northern Montana, and their operations were the first of any importance in the state. Mr. Bielenberg was the first shipper to discover the value of screenings in the feeding of sheep in transit, and his discovery has grown to be a valuable industry in the handling of mutton for the eastern markets."

For more than forty years Mr. Bielenberg has been identified with the stock-raising industry of Montana, and probably no other man in the state has given greater impetus to an industry that has brought equal renown and distinction to the Treasure state. His interests are varied and extensive, including valuable mining, real estate and industrial holdings. His investments have been made with discrimination, showing marked busi- ness capacity and foresight. Interested in any movement of benefit to the community, and always on the side of progress and advancement, there is no better example of the type of men, who have not only lived to see Mon- tana take her place among the great western states, but have largely contributed to the transformation.

Mr. Bielenberg from the time of casting his first vote up to 1912 was one of the staunch supporters of the Re- publican party, taking a prominent part in its councils, and was one of its advisers in his section of the state. In 1892 he was a delegate to the national convention at Minneapolis, and many times served in similar capacities in state and county conventions. In 1912 he joined the Progressive movement, and at once took a prominent place among the organizers of that party in Montana. The principles of the Progressive party were only those with which he had been in sympathy for a long time. His influence has been strong in this movement toward cleaner politics in state and nation. Mr. Bielenberg pre- sided at the mass convention meeting held in Helena July 29, 1912, for all people of the different counties of Montana whose third party sentiments were strong and clearly defined. He was a delegate to the National Pro- gressive Convention at Chicago in August, 1912, that nominated Theodore Roosevelt for president.

Mr. Bielenberg has been a resident of Deer Lodge for over forty years, completing his beautiful modern home in this city in 1910. It was here that he married, on the 14th of March, 1872, Miss Annie Bogk, a native of Osh- kosh, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Augustav and Margaret Bogk, natives of Germany, who came from Wisconsin to the Deer Lodge Valley in the early days, and passed the remainder of their lives in this section. Mr. and Mrs. Bielenberg have been the parents of five children. The eldest. Alma Margaret, born July 15, 1874, is now Mrs. W. I. Higgins, of Deer Lodge. How- ard Zenor, born on the 26th of November, 1876, married Annie Winkelman, engaged in the garage business in Deer Lodge, and they have one son, John Howard. Augusta Kohrs, who was born on the 16th of December, · 1880, died on January 4, 1901. Anne Marie, who was born on April 16, 1883, attended the Deer Lodge schools and schools in the east for two years, and now resides

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with her parents. Claude Nicholas, whose birth took place on the 26th of October, 1888, is engaged in the ranching and stock-raising business. He was married on September 5, 1912, to Ethel Catherine Marcum.

Mr. Bielenberg is one of the extensive owners of high class ranch property in the Deer Lodge Valley. He is president of the Deer Lodge Water Company, and was one of the builders of the magnificent hotel property in Deer Lodge, a structure that would do credit to a city many times the size of Deer Lodge. Among his other executive offices he is president of the Butte Butchering Company, vice-president of the Tuolme Mining Com- pany, and is a director in the Pilot-Butte Mining Com- pany.

Mr. Bielenberg has been a successful man, not only as regards the accumulation of property, but as a citizen of high character and a business man of strict integrity and fairness. He enjoys the comforts and pleasures of life, has reared an excellent family in keeping with a high social standing, and has contributed liberally to all worthy projects, whether of a charitable, civic or reli- gious character.

Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, affiliating with the Helena Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar, and Algeria Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Helena. He is also a member of the Elks.

His acquaintance includes many of the prominent men of the state, not only of today but for the past twenty- five years. Few men in this section of Montana are bet- ter known than "Nick" Bielenberg, as he is called, not from any lack of respect but from a most friendly and jovial disposition, and the faculty of making and re- taining friends.

ARMISTEAD HUGHES MITCHELL. In a new land's evo- lution from primitive wildness to orderly civilization, every class of pioneers leaves more aggressive claim to the appreciation of posterity than does the pioneer phy- sician. His work, no less strenuous, no less perilous than that of others, is done with least of the egotistic spirit and with less purposely permanent appeal. Scores of physician-heroes die on our frontiers without de- served recognition for their impartially altruistic la- bors. Montana, being desirons of paying tribute to the greatest of hers, honors such names as those of Doc- tors Leavitt, Glick, Steele, Maupin, Brooke, Yeager, Father Ravailli and that dominant personality of rare ability-Dr. Armistead Hughes Mitchell. A leader in public deliberations and a strong and definite in- finence in the industrial development of the state, Dr. Mitchell leaves a life-record of such interest as to re- quire in this review such detailed mention as the conditions of the present publication permit.

The gallantry of temperament which, when united to depth of character, produces the finest type of valor was Dr. Mitchell's inheritance. His maternal grand- father, Major John Hughes, had enlisted-with the permission of his mother, Ann Neville Hughes-when he was but sixteen years of age as a patriot in the Con- tinental army and had thus as a mere youth won his spurs in the Revolutionary war. Both Major Hughes and his wife, Ann Merriweather, were natives of Vir- ginia and represented the Old Dominion families of Tarleton, Neville and Hughes of colonial and military note. Virginians also were the doctor's paternal grand- parents, Captain Robert Mitchell and Ann Seldon Arm- istead. Their son, William Daunton Mitchell, as a young man came from Virginia to Kentucky, where he married Lucy Hughes, daughter of the above-mentioned Major John and Ann (Merriweather) Hughes. In the Bluegrass state William Mitchell and his wife, Lucy Hughes Mitchell, became widely known in Jefferson and Oldham counties, having a large plantation in the former region. William D. Mitchell was counted one of the most learned men in Kentucky, being prominent first as a county clerk in Oldham county and later as a jurist

of distinction in Louisville, Oldham county. It was there that on October 31, 1831, his son Armistead Hughes Mitchell, was born.

After having spent the years devoted to his primary education in La Grange, Oldham county Kentucky, then the parental home, Armistead Hughes Mitchell was sent to the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, for his college preparatory course. In his junior year, the youth's audacious spirit led him to leave school quite unceremoniously and to join a regiment on the way to participate in the Mexican war. He was permitted only a few months of this exciting experience, for his father ordered his return as soon as possible after hearing of the boy's adventure. As William Daunton Mitchell was then living in Louisville, Kentucky, he arranged for his son's entering upon medical studies at Jefferson college in that city. Having completed the work of the courses there, he went subsequently to the University of New York, from the medical department of which he was graduated in 1852.

Thus equipped, the young physician returned west. no less keenly interested in the adventurous phases of ex- istence than when a boy. His abilities and interests were so aboundingly vigorous that his career refused to be confined by the limits of his profession. When Dr. Mitchell left New York, he went first to visit his father, who was then conducting a sugar plantation on the Brazos river, thirty-five miles from Galveston, Texas. He then lingered for a year in Mexico, a lo- cality that had not lost its charm for him. His real destination, however, was California, for this was the period of the gold mining excitement in that state. In the autumn of 1853 the young doctor-adventurer ar- rived in San Francisco, where he not only engaged in practice as a physician, but entered upon an active specu- lating career, with mining interests in various parts of the state. Ranching also interested him to such an ex- tent that he became joint owner with Jasper Harold of a large ranch on which were herded large numbers of cattle for selling throughout the mining districts. Nor were the foregoing activities the sum of this re- markable young man's operations. The political move- ments of the times held great attraction for him. He was therefore promptly recognized as an available and desirable candidate for important public office, being made in 1857 a member of the state legislature from California. Two years later he was reelected as the joint representative from Tulare and Fresno counties.

The climax of excitement over gold mining in British Columbia led Dr. Mitchell to dispose of his cattle-ranch interests and to investigate conditions on the Fraser river. Not finding the situation sufficiently promising, he returned tentatively to California, soon afterward locating at Aurora, Nevada. Here he continued his medical practice and again became interested in mining speculations. He was so fortunate as to be one of the original discoverers of the rich Esmerelda mine, which was the basis of his mining operations until 1863, at which time he had become the possessor of a goodly fortune. To Austin, Nevada, and then to Idaho city, Idaho, he next went for a short time, in neither place being satisfied with the prospects he found. After looking over possibilities in Oregon, he passed to the Kootenia district in British Columbia. As a thriving mining camp existed there at that time, Dr. Mitchell ob- tained a claim on the creek near Galbraith's ferry, sev- eral miles north of what is now Bonner's ferry. As the placers here were prodigiously rich, Dr. Mitchell's claim in three months yielded him some $20,000 of gold dust. He returned to San Francisco to spend the winter, and in May of 1865 he resumed mining activities. On one of his prospecting trips he learned from a Jesuit priest and some accompanying Indians of reported rich placers in the Blackfoot country. He went with them across the mountains to Mcclellan's Gulch, in Deer Lodge county, reaching that place in September of 1865.

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He continued at that time to Helena, where he was professionally engaged for a year, at the end of which time he definitely located in the town of Blackfoot, Montana.

It was not possible for Dr. Mitchell to be long in any place of residence without being the object of political honors and responsibilities. In 1868 his services were required on the Territorial council, as councilman for the districts composed of Deer Lodge and Missoula counties. He was elected on the Democratic ticket and successive reelection followed in the years 1869, '70, '71, `72, '75, '77, '78, '80, '81, '82 and '83. He was presi- dent of the Council in 1871, '75 and '77.

111 1869 President Grant appointed Dr. Mitchell to construct the original building of the Territorial peni- tentiary at Deer Lodge, to which place he removed in the same year, having charge of the work until it was concluded in 1871. He was then appointed physician and surgeon for the same institution and in connec- tion with that practice he continued his private activi- ties as a general medical practitioner. In 1882 Dr. Mitchell resigned the prison appointment, but remained a resident of Deer Lodge until near the close of his life.

While Dr. Mitchell's organizing ability was very clearly and emphatically demonstrated in his private operations and in his construction of the prison, the great monument to his executive power is seen in his evolution of the sanitarium at Deer Lodge. This achievement had its inception in his being awarded by Governor B. F. Potts, in 1875, the official position whose duties were the care of the insane of Montana territory. At first there were seven men patients, that number continuing for two years. In 1877 Dr. Mitchell pur- chased the Warmsprings property and Dr. Charles F. Mussigbrod became his partner in the work and respon- sibilities of the institution, which at that time had but thirteen patients. From that nucleus has been developed the present institution. The keen perception of Dr. Mitchell in recognizing the great value of the thermal and curative properties of the waters of Warmsprings was only one evidence of his far-sightedness. He and Dr. Mussigbrod proceeded to have constructed a group of small buildings suitable for the comfort and best care of the thirteen patients then in charge. They also built a small hotel and appurtenances suitable for the resort which the springs and other natural attractions of the place were making it. A farm and garden were next planned and from this beginning a magnificient agricultural establishment gradually grew. The ranch, garden and stock farm at first provided for both the sanitarium and the resort and, heing later absorbed by the needs of the asylum, have gone far toward making this one of the model institutions of its kind in the world. It was in 1890 that the management of the plant decided that the greatly increased number of in- mates in the State Asylum for the Insane made it ad- visable to discontinue the hotel and public resort. Since that time the owners have devoted their entire time and attention to the needs of the patients and the full resources of the property to their requirements. The original group of log and stone buildings first con- structed for the use of the thirteen original inmates have been replaced by splendidly planned buildings of the most modern and highly perfected type. The cost of the newly constructed group was nearly a half mil- lion dollars and all are under the most efficient care. The vast surrounding property is fenced, properly wa- tered and brought to a high degree of profitable culti- vation. Not only the inexhaustible flow of the thermal waters, but the carefully supervised meat, garden and dairy products, assured by the sufficient appropriated water rights, make the place one most to be desired for the class of patients whose disorders require the most nearly perfect conditions as well as the wisest and most delicate handling. It is capable of accomodating Vol. 11-8

more than a thousand patients and its methods are the most hygienic, as well as the most humane and scientific, that could be wished. In all this develop- ment of thirty-five years' time, Dr. Mitchell was the leading, moving spirit in building up the institution and shaping its destinies. Even such improvements as have been instituted since his demise have been made possible through his early efforts and his remarkable foresight.

While the supervision of the great work described above was Dr. Mitchell's chief concern from its begin- ning, so large was the man in mind and energies that from time to time other important duties called him. One of these was his acceptance of Governor Potts' appointment to the post of surgeon general during the Nez Perces war; and another was his service as sur- geon in charge, under General Gibbon's appointment, after the detachment of the regimental surgeon from the command, following the battle of Big Hole. Nor were his political preferments in the later epoch of his life wholly of a professional nature; for then, as in his earlier years, he was able to officiate ably in va- rious contemporary affairs. His interest in legislative and executive politics never abated and he was fre- quently made chairman in the committees and conven- tions in which he participated. In 1885 he was the chairman of the Democratic territorial central com- mittee; in 1888 he was elected by the convention as a member of the national committee of the same party; and while serving in that capacity he was appointed a member of the committee whose duty it was to formally notify Mr. Cleveland of his nomination. In 1892 Mr. Mitchefl endorsed the theories and purposes of the People's party. That political organization made him its nominee in Deer Lodge county for state senator ; honored him with the county chairmanship in 1894-6; sent him as its delegate to the state conventions in 1894. '96 and '98; and elected him alternate to the National convention at St. Louis in 1896.

Coincident with the numerous interests above noted, Dr. Mitchell's participation in mining enterprises con- tinued. It is said that no other man in Montana has put more money into the legitimate mining operations in the state than did he. In many cases, of course, his investments failed to return profits to him; but others are now finding them advantageous and it cannot be said that his efforts were wasted, for they contributed materially to the development of Montana.

The formal affiliations of Dr. Mitchell in a social way were with the Masonic order. On October 3, 1882, in presence of the Grand Lodge of Montana, then in ses- sion at Deer Lodge, Dr. Mitchell was honored by Deer Lodge Number 14, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, with the degrees of E. A., F. C. and M. M., under a special dispensation of the Grand Lodge. Throughout the remainder of his life he continued a member of the organization and its honors have followed him on his last journey.

All of Dr. Mitchell's domestic life was lived at Deer Lodge. His marriage occurred here on November 23, 1871, Mrs. Mitchell having been before her mar- riage Miss Mollie E. Irvine-a daughter of Thomas E. Irvine, of Richmond, Kentucky. Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell became the parents of five children, of whom two now survive: Mary Adele, now Mrs. J. M. Scand- land, mentioned in the biography of her husband else- where in this work; and Harold Governeur, the young- est member of the family.

Dr. Mitchell's final illness hegan in the summer of 1896 and was of that nature which, affecting the eyes and head, is called mastoiditis. In his efforts at over- coming it, he consulted the most eminent specialists, including Dr. Bosworth and Professors Starr and Gray of New York. In 1897 he made a summer trip to Alaska and in the autumn of 1898 went to California, but in neither case did he find relief. His endeavors to withstand the ravages of his malady were of the

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 34

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