A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 40

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

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JOHN A. FEATHERMAN. Although John A Feather- man, who is living virtually retired at Drummond, Mon- tana, has reached the venerable age of seventy-six years, he is still hale and hearty and retains in much of their pristine vigor the splendid mental and physical qual- ities of his prime. He has been a resident of Drum- mond since 1904 and was formerly interested in a chain of stores in various places in this locality. In recent years, however, he has disposed of all his business in- terests, with the exception of his share in the Feather- man Mercantile Company, the largest establishment of its kind in Drummond. Mr. Featherman is an old pioneer in Montana and his early experiences in the west were of a most exciting character. He is interested in public affairs and gives freely of his aid and influence in support of all measures and enterprises projected for the good of the city and state at large.

John A. Featherman was born in Hamilton township, Monroe county, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1836, and is a son of Abraham and Rachel (Miller) Featherman, both of whom were born and reared in Pennsylvania, where they were married and where they died each at the age of sixty years. He was born January 13, 1792, and passed away September 6, 1852, and she was born November 25. 1805, died November 17, 1865. The father was a farmer and stock-raiser during the entire period of his active career and was very successful along those lines of enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Featherman became the parents of ten children, of whom the subject of this review was the fifth in order of birth.

The early education of John A. Featherman con- sisted of such advantages as were offered in the pub- lic schools of his native place and he also pursued a special course at Kingston (Pa.) Seminary. As a youth he worked on the farm for his father and at odd times, when employed by others in such work, received twenty- five cents per day in remuneration for his services. Subsequently he secured a job as clerk in a store at Stroudsburg, and devoted his attention to that line of work until his twenty-fourth year, when he came west. In 1860 he went to Colorado, where he followed mining and prospecting for three years. Things were rather wild and woolly in the southwest in those early days and Mr. Featherman had a number of close calls. On one occasion. while waiting for the stage on a rather de- serted spot, he was surrounded by four Indians on horseback who demanded the surrender of his rifle. He knew it meant death to give up his weapon, so tried to parley with them. Negotiations were getting to the straining point and something was about to happen when the stage hove in sight. This frightened the Indians and they left immediately. This was in 1861 and soon thereafter Mr. Featherman left Colorado for East Bannack, Montana, but landed at West Bannack, where he was engaged in the wholesale and butcher business at Boise City for three years. Here he built the third or fourth house in that place. In the spring of 1866 he came to Montana. landing first in Helena, where he sojourned only a short time and whence he

went to Carpenter's Bar, prospecting in the latter place for a number of months. He then returned to Helena, where he again turned his attention to the meat busi- ness. Later he opened another market at Blackfoot City, but eventually closed both these places and went to Reynolds City, where he resided for three years and where he conducted a meat market and a general store. In the fall of 1870 he disposed of all his interests in Montana and went to California, but remained in that state only during the winter. The next spring he returned to Montana and located at Deer Lodge and there devoted his attention to the mercantile business for the ensuing two years, when he removed to New Chicago. He has the distinction of having established in 1872, and named that little town and he built the first house there. He opened a store and ran it with snccess for a number of years and likewise conducted stores at Drummond and Philipsburgh. He became interested in ranching in the vicinity of New Chicago and also devoted considerable attention to stock-raising. In 1903 he sold out all his interests, except that in the Featherman Mercantile Company at Drummond, and established his home at Drummond, where he now leads a retired life, acting only in an advisory capacity in the conduct of the mercantile business.

In politics Mr. Featherman is an unswerving sup- porter of the principles and policies for which the Re- publican party stands sponsor. He has served on the school board and for many years was the popular and efficient incumbent of the office of postmaster at New Chicago. He has frequently been urged to run for other public offices but would never do so.

In the time-honored Masonic order he is a member of Ruby Lodge, No. 36, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he is past master and of which he has been treas- urer for four years. He has also taken all the degrees of the York Rite, and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He attends church but is not a regular member. He devotes considerable leisure time to fishing and is exceedingly fond of good music, declaring he would sit up all night any time to hear a good quartette. He favors automobiling and has a fine car for his private use. In regard to Montana he says: "There is no better place in the world than this state. Its future is exceedingly bright. It is a country with honest at- tractions, a place for men to accomplish big things and the only state in the Union that can put that merry twinkle of satisfaction in the eye of every man."

Mr. Featherman takes a prominent part in all that tends to promote the growth and welfare of his home town and community. In 1911 he and one of his associates, J. W. Blair, erected the Palace Hotel, one of the finest concerns of its kind in Montana. He is unmarried and has a niece, Miss Bertha J. Featherman, who keeps house for him.

JOHN WENDEL was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, on November 22, 1865. His father. John Wendel, was a lumberman by trade, following the calling in which his father had engaged, and also that in which the family of his wife, Katrina Heinzelman, had worked for genera- tions. John Wendel was a man of consequence in his native city, in which he served as alderman for a period of twelve years. When his advancing years rendered public service too onerous a burden, he retired and spent the rest of his days in the quiet of his home. Mr. Wendel's maternal grandfather, John Heinzelman, was one of the soldiers who accompanied Napoleon on the disastrous march to Moscow, and he was one of the few who lived to return, and to resume his business of lumbering in the historic region of the Black Forest.

John Wendel was educated in the schools of his native province and he also attended the training school in the night sessions. From this latter he received a certificate, which was granted after he had passed a rigid examination in the city of Freudenstadt. This

. A. fizatherm on

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

document gave assurance that his training and educa- tion entitled him to precedence as a master baker. He received this diploma in 1882 and previous to this time he had assisted his father at the lumbering operations in the Black Forest. For a year after finishing the trade school Mr. Wendel worked at his chosen vocation in his home province. He then went to Mulhausen, in Alsace, where he added to his professional knowledge by learning the French methods and processes in the bakery craft. He mastered this as thoroughly as he had the German art of cookery, and with this expert training, came to America in 1885.

Until September, 1886, Mr. Wendel was employed in New York City. Upon leaving the eastern metropolis he came directly to Helena, where he worked for just one week and then went to Butte. Here he remained until July of the following year, when he again re- turned to Helena. He decided to cast his lot with the capital city, and it has been his home since that date, and the scene of his success.

Mr. Wendel's first position here was with the Reinig Bakery, and he kept this until July 1, 1889. By this time he had established a reputation as an expert in his line, and he had likewise made an extensive acquaint- ance among an appreciative class of patrons. He now established a business of his own, and put up his own plant. His principal store was located on State street, but he also operated a shop in the Diamond block, which was opened for trade in September, 1889. Shortly after this Mr. Wendel secured a lease of the Reinig Bakery, which he still operates, along with other well equipped establishments. The handsome residence of the Wendels is located on First street, and on the rear of the grounds are situated his large ovens and bakery plant. The building is thirty-five by one hun- dred feet and it is furnished with every modern device known to the best of such workshops in the country. On his place are also situated the dwellings for his employes, the lots on which these stand being back of the bakery. Convenient to these are the stables which lodge the horses and the wagons necessary to the busi- ness. The entire plant is a model of convenience and of the best modern ideas in the baking industry.

Mr. Wendel has large holdings in different mining properties. He is interested in placer mining in Deer Lodge county, and he also owns the Badger mine in the Warm Springs district of Jefferson county. This mine is a large producer, and the ore is being con- stantly shipped from it, as it is a most valuable property.

Like his father, this John Wendel has served on his city council. In 1898 he was elected alderman by a majority of over 100 votes, and two years later was reelected and served in the council twelve years. He was chairman of the water and lights committee and was on the streets and alleys committee. He was president of the council for the last five years of his service. A member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, he has always been a zealous worker for the advancement of that body.

On February 2, 1890, Mr. Wendel was married to Miss Henrietta Reiss, of Syracuse, New York. There were five children born of the union of Miss Reiss and Mr. Wendel, as follows: Edward J., born January 6, 1891; Kate S., June 24, 1892; John G., September 22, 1895; Theodore M., October 5, 1897; and Henrietta L., April 9, 1900. The mother of this family died on March 4, 1904, and the following September Mr. Wendel was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Goettlich, of Booneville, Indiana. Two children were the fruit of this union; Lawrence A., born December 3, 1906, and Charlotte M. E., born September 9, 1908.

In 1907 Mr. Wendel was sent to the legislature by the Republican party, which he has always loyally sup-

ported. He is indeed, a veritable "Rathsherr" of the noble type which his father represented in the home- land.

COLONEL THOMAS CRUSE. It is impossible to estimate the value of a man like Colonel Cruse to the community in which he lives, for the reason that his services are be- yond computation. Coming to Montana in his young manhood, he has poured out without stint his energy and ability in the development of his state. One of the foremost mining men in the northwest, his fame is per- haps greatest in that line, but his activities have not been confined to mining alone, they have been equally as great in the stock-growing and banking business. Colonel Thomas Cruse is a Montanian all the time, and in this respect is a rarity among men who have wrested great fortunes from the rugged mountains and smiling valleys of the Treasure state. He elects to remain where he made his fortune, and to use it in the develop- ment of more wealth for the benefit of his fellow-man. Twenty-five thousand dollars a year is a conservative estimate of the amount of money annually expended by Colonel Cruse in the exploration and development of mines. In his home city, Helena, he is identified with every vital and living thing looking to the advancement of social and religious progress. His contributions to religious institutions alone within the past few years have amounted to more than half a million dollars, and he was by far the largest contributor toward the beauti- ful new cathedral in his home city. His life history is an inspiration to all aspiring young men, and will long be referred to as an example well worth following for the brilliant success achieved from advantages that were not as good as the average.

Colonel Thomas Cruse is a native of Ireland, and was born in County Cavan in March, 1836. His parents were typical of that vigorous and aggressive race, and from them he inherited those sterling qualities of mind and heart that have made him the successful and domi- nant figure he is today. He received such education in his native land as was available, and early determined to better his condition by casting his lot with the "Land of the Free." At the age of twenty years he embarked for America, and landed in New York in 1856, where he remained until 1863. Believing there were better oppor- tunities for a young man in the far west he decided to go to California, and to determine upon an enterprise affecting his fortune was as good as accomplished by the indefatigable young man. He went by steamer, and by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Arriving in Califor- nia, he passed the time in endeavoring to better his fortunes between that state, Nevada and Idaho. Mining was his favorite pursuit, and this he followed with fair success. In 1866 the fame of Alder Gulch in Montana attracted his attention, and he determined to try his fortune in that land of promise. He followed placer mining in Alder Gulch until the winter of 1866-7, when he returned to Idaho, during the Salmon river stampede, for new diggings. Disappointed at the outlook in Idaho, Colonel Cruse returned to Montana in the following summer, arriving at Helena on July fourth. The follow- ing day he went to Trinity Gulch, a few miles north of Helena, and engaged in placer mining. In that camp and Silver creek, nearby, he ended his placer mining days on the discovery of the great Drum Lummon mine, a gold mine that has since produced $30,000,000, and which was sold by Colonel Cruse for $1,500,000, to an English syndicate.

At the present time Colonel Cruse is more actively en- gaged in mining than at any time in his life. The large proposition under his direction, the Bald Mountain mines, at Marysville, which are developed to a depth of 1,100 feet, and equipped with a milling plant of twenty stamps and an auxiliary plant for cyaniding the mill tailings. He is also engaged in developing other prop-

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erties and his activities are such as to excite the admira- tion of his fellow citizens.

An institution that is a great source of pride to Colonel Cruse and a distinct credit as well as great bene- fit to Helena is the Thomas Cruse Savings Bank, estab- lished by Colonel Cruse in 1887, and the first institution of its kind in Montana. It ranks among the very strong- est banks in the state, and has been a success from its inception, and illustrates the business foresight and judg- ment of its founder, who has been its only, president. The Thomas Cruse Savings Bank transacts' a general banking business in addition to the savings department, and deals in all kinds of high grade securities. Its management is able, conservative and such as to merit the confidence of discriminating patrons.

Colonel Cruse is a man of extensive and varied inter- ests, among which is that of stock-raising, and he is the owner of one of the largest ranches in the state. He is noted for his sterling character, uprightness and strict integrity in all his dealings. His religious faith is that in which he was reared, and he is an honored member of the Roman Catholic church and contributes generously towards its support. His charitable contributions are large and are given with discriminating judgment and wisdom.

He married Miss Margaret Carter in 1886. She was a sister of the late United States Senator Thomas H. Carter. Mrs. Cruse died within a year of her marriage, leaving one daughter, Mary. Associated with Colonel Cruse in many of his interests, particularly those of banking and mining, are his two nephews, Frank H. Cruse and Will Cruse, the former being vice president of the Thomas Cruse Savings Bank.

Politically Colonel Cruse has always been affiliated with the Democratic party, but has never desired or sought political honors, but it is certain that one of his indomitable character and native force would have suc- ceeded in the political field the same as he has in his other fields of endeavor had his inclinations so led him. Remarkably well preserved for one of his years, and one of the oldest active business men in Montana, Col- onel Cruse maintains a very close supervision of his ex- tensive interests with the same rare judgment that characterized his business transactions of a quarter of a century ago. He has witnessed the great transforma- tion in the Treasure state, and few are living today who have taken any more active part in this wonderful change.

ROBERT LEE KELLEY was born January 2. 1866, at Grizzly Gulch, Montana, but during the autumn of the same year his parents removed to Deer Lodge, Mon- tana. After attending the public schools of Deer Lodge he entered the College of Montana, located in the same town, specializing in civil engineering. He left college in the fall of 1887 and at first followed mining and prospecting in Montana until 1900, and was fairly successful. In 1901 he was elected clerk of the district court of Powell county, on the Demo- cratic ticket, and has been reelected each time since to the same office. He works in the interests of his party in a quiet and systematic way, has a host of friends and is progressive and popular.

Mr. Kelley is the owner of promising mining property and of city realty. He is a member of the K. of P. Lodge; of the M. of E .; of the M. W. of A., and secre- tary of the "United Artisans." He is also a member of the Presbyterian church.

He married Miss Gertrude A. Galbraith, daughter of Judge William A. Galbraith, of Pennsylvania. Five children have been born of this union: Margaret, now Mrs. W. F. Ganschow, of Chicago; Warren L., as- sistant in his father's office; Jeannette, who is a scholar in the high school; and Georgia and Lloyd, the younger members of the household.

The father of the subject of this sketch, Robert S

Kelley, was born in Virginia, in 1831, and attended school until he was fourteen years of age. His first work was as a clerk in Missouri, where he remained four years. In 1852 he was editor of the Democratic Platform at Liberty, Missouri. He sold out and moved to Atchison, Kansas, in 1853, where he started the Squatter Sovereign, which he published for two years. He then sold out and engaged in mercantile business in Kansas City, Missouri. He continued there until the beginning of the Civil war, when he joined the Con- federate army, serving as a captain until 1863, when he resigned and came to Montana, settling at Alder Gulch and remaining one year. Then he removed to Helena and Grizzly Gulch. In 1866 he located in Deer Lodge and began mercantile business with J. S. Pem- berton, remaining five years. At the end of this time he sold out and engaged in mining until his death, September 19, 1890. Mr. Kelley had the distinction of owning claim No. 2, at Helena, Montana, located in Grizzly Gulch. He was appointed U. S. marshal for Montana by President Cleveland in 1885. He owned mining property at Pioneer City and Squaw Gulch in 1872 and had an interest in the Rock Creek Ditch Com- pany. The Kelley Hogan and Company property at Pioneer City proved a success and he also opened other quartz properties successfully. Mr. Kelley built several fine substantial buildings in Deer Lodge.

The mother of the subject of this sketch was Mary L. Foreman Kelley, who was born at Memphis, Mis- souri, in 1840. She is now living at Deer Lodge. · Of the children in the parents' household, two are deceased; Katie is now Mrs. Welling Napton, of Missoula, Mon- tana; Nannie B. is now Mrs. C. D. Joslyn, of Portland, Oregon; the third child is the subject of this sketch; Georgia K. is now Mrs. Lon Hoss, of Portland, Ore- gon; Howard, of Seattle, Washington; Florence, of Portland, Oregon; Lamar, of Portland, Oregon; War- ren, who died at Deer Lodge; and Perry, in Kansas.

Mr. Robert Lee Kelley is a great lover of music and his favorite instrument is the cornet. He is a popular man and efficient in all he undertakes.

LEWIS COLEMAN. In reviewing the life of this Mon- tana pioneer-for nearly forty years a resident of Deer Lodge, a citizen of the highest type and an official of most creditable record-it is of especial interest to consider in some detail not only biographical but gen- ealogical facts. For not only was Lewis Coleman him- self a pioneer, but his progenitors through five genera- tions have been of the same type.

The birth of Lewis Coleman, second son and third child of John Coleman and Mary Boyer, his wife, oc- curred in Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio, in May of 1842. When he was eighteen years of age he followed an impulse similar to that which had led his ancestors in a westerly direction and went to Colorado, where he engaged in mining. It was while he was in that state that the Civil war began and Lewis Coleman enlisted in 1862-at the age of twenty-in Company K, Third Colorado Infantry. At Leaven- worth, Kansas, this regiment became the Second Colo- rado Cavalry, and in its ranks Mr. Coleman served, under General Curtis, on the frontiers and in several battles. His command was discharged at Fort Leaven- worth in the autumn of 1865.

Mr. Coleman's first activity after the close of the war was in the capacity of hotel clerk in Kansas City. While doing this work he succeeded in finding time for pursuing some practical studies in a night school of the city. In 1866 he came by way of Colorado to Montana, where he first located at Virginia city. Thence he went to Highland Gulch, where, except for the in- terruption occasioned by his participation in the "Sal- mon river stampede" in 1867, he remained until 1869.

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

In that year Mr. Coleman took up his residence in Deer Lodge, which was his home from that time throughout the remainder of his life. His activities during the years-almost two score-of his citizenship in Deer Lodge were of many kinds, the commercial and political being predominant. He was connected with the grocery business, first as accountant for the firm of Osborne and Denney, and later as an associate of Murphy, Higgins and Company, with whom he re- mained for thirteen years. He gradually established an unassailable reputation for efficiency and trust- worthiness in whatever he undertook. With such high standing it is not surprising that positions of public trust soon began to come to him.

In 1874 Territorial Governor Potts appointed Mr. Coleman one of the directors of the penitentiary. Four years later he was elected by the people of Powell county to the responsible office of county treasurer. In 1886 he was chosen sheriff, and after his two years of service in that capacity he was again honored by elec- tion to the office of county treasurer. In July, 1890, he was appointed by President Harrison to the post- mastership of Deer Lodge. His incumbency of this civil position began on September 1, 1890, and on Decem- ber 9, 1903, he was appointed by President Roose- velt for a second term of service. He again succeeded himself in this office in January, 1908, and continued in its important administrative activities until the time of his death. Other municipal offices which he held were those of alderman and city treasurer.

The domestic life of Mr. Coleman began soon after he took up his residence in Deer Lodge. On Septem- ber 21, 1871, at Highland Gulch, Montana, he was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia J. Kantner. She was a native of Indiana and a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Surten) Kantner, of Lewis county, that state. She was born in that locality on July 24, 1850. Her father died when she was but seven years of age. Her mother remarried, her second husband be- ing Robert Burdess, who came to Montana in 1864. With other members of the family, Cynthia Kantner had joined him in 1868. At that time the Union Pacific Railway brought passengers only to Cheyenne, Wyoming, from which point it was necessary, as Mrs. Coleman vividly remembers, to continue the journey by stage to Virginia Citv, Montana. The Kantner-Cole- man marriage took place on September 21, 1871. They became the parents of the five sons, of whom data of birth, marriage and vocation are given below.

William E. Coleman was born June 22, 1872. He married Miss Alberta Chynick, of Bonner, Montana, and he and his wife are now residents of Anaconda. Lewis J. Coleman was born on April Io, 1874. He married Miss Lydia Seafield, of Anaconda, and is the father of one daughter, Lewanna Coleman, born on January 15, 1907. He resides with his family in Anaconda. James Robert Coleman was born March 19, 1876; he married Miss Frieda Stark, and their son, James R. Coleman, was born May 2, 1907. Charles Dellinger Coleman was born July 19, 1878, and died at the age of two years. Paul Hart Coleman was born January 7, 1884, and is now a resident of Anaconda. All the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Coleman were born in Deer Lodge.

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 40

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