A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 51

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

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Rudolph Horsky as a boy attended the grade and high schools of Helena, and following his graduation from the latter school he was entered in the Iowa City Academy preparatory to the State University of Iowa, after which he returned to Montana and entered the Wesleyan University at Helena, from which he was graduated in due season. He then entered the Phila- delphia school of pharmacy and took a preparatory medical course between the years of 1891-92, followed by a medical course in the University of Pennsylvania, from which fine old institution he was graduated with high honors in 1895. Immediately after his graduation Dr. Horsky returned to his home in Helena, where he began the active practice of the profession, in the prep- aration for which he had spent so many years of close and careful study. The advance of the doctor in the first years of his practice was but gradual, and he ad- mits that the first six months of his practice did not bring him more than thirty dollars monthly. He was able to bide his time, however, and after the first year or two of up-hill work was over he has made large and worthy advancement in his chosen profession, and is ranked among the leading physicians of the state. He maintains an elaborate suite of offices in the Horsky block, and is the owner of an extensive and valuable medical library.

Dr. Horsky is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Sons of Hermann. He is a member of the Montana Club, and is an enthusiastic sportsman. Automobiling is one of his favorite diversions. He is affiliated with the Republican party and casts his vote in the inter- ests of that party, but further than that he does not go in political matters. He is a member of the County State American and National Medical Associations, in the line of his profession, and is actively interested in the movements of all these societies.

On October 5, 1898, Dr. Horsky was united in mar- riage with Annie E. Brooke, the daughter of Dr. Ben- jamin C. Brooke. One child has blessed their union, Brooke R., born August 6, 1899, at Helena.

IRA T. WIGHT, attorney-at-law, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 21, 1879. After completing

the usual public school education he attended the law department of the Lake Forest University at Chicago, and was graduated from that institution in 1901. In 1902 he began the active practice of his profession with the law firm of Toole & Bach, of Helena, Montana. Upon the death of Mr. E. W. Toole, Mr. Wight became the partner of Judge Thomas C. Bach, which relation continued until the elevation of the latter to the bench. Mr. Wight entered into partnership with Mr. Charles E. Pew in 1907, under the firm name of Wight & Pew.

Mr. Wight is the son of Henry T. Wight, who was born in Michigan, in 1850. He is now retired from active busines life and with his wife resides in Chicago. In Michigan he wedded Miss Amanda Scofield, a native of Vermont, in which state she was born in 1850. To their union were born five children, of whom Ira T. Wight, our subject, is the eldest. The others are Mrs. C. T. Christensen, Mrs. Ella Borst, Mrs. E. M. Cheney, and H. L. Wight, all of Chicago.

On May 6, 1903, at Helena, Montana, Ira T Wight was united in marriage to Miss Marjorie Tipton, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Tipton, of White Sul- phur Springs, Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Wight have three children, as follows: Craig T. Wight, born in Helena, February 29, 1904; Edward Scofield Wight, born at Helena March 12, 1906; and Doris Wight, born in the same city on October 21, 1907.

Mr. Wight is a member of the Montana Club, the Lambs Club and the Helena Athletic Association and in politics is a Democrat.

WILLIAM P. GWIN. Among the men still living who bore conspicuous parts in the eventful pioneer era of Montana's history, perhaps none is better known and more highly honored by his community and state than William P. Gwin, of Anaconda. Nearly eighty years of age, and remarkably well preserved, Mr. Gwin is one of the grand old men of Montana. He stood side by side with other of the notable and historic per- sonalities of the state. His own activities had a wide range, and the generous success that rewarded his ef- forts and judgment was never tainted by a single dis- honorable act. Those who know him well and those who have had only occasional business or personal rela- tions with him would unite in voicing a tribute of re- spect and esteem for him such as any man might regard as the finest element of success.

William P. Gwin was born on a farm back in New York state, on December 14, 1832. His early life was spent among conditions far removed from those of the modern age, and he has really been on the line of frontier advance most of his career. As there were no public schools in the neighborhood, in fact none in New York state at that time, he was educated in a private school and in a Brothers school. Work on a farm at about twenty-five cents a day gave him his first earnings. Then as he became older he found em- ployment on that great thoroughfare of those days, the Erie Canal, working on the boats in various capac- ities, and running from Buffalo to the Hudson river, and to New York city. In this way he continued until he was twenty-five years old, and by training and ex- perience was ready for the career that awaited him in the west. He early learned to be careful in busi- ness ventures, and to see clear to the end of every move. To this has been due his success in material affairs.

Mr. Gwin's parents were both natives of Ireland. His father, Michael J. Gwin, brought his wife to America in 1831, settling in New York state, where he was engaged in different occupations during the rest of his life. He died in 1866, while the wife and mother passed away in 1835, and they are buried side by side in New York state. There were only two . children, and William is the older. Catharine married Christopher Johnson.

William P. Siin

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

In 1857 William P. Gwin embarked on a steamer at New York City and made the long journey around the continent to California. He was a resident and participant in the golden activities of that state until 1865, engaged in mining chiefly, and was a member of the famous Eureka Mining Company in Placer county.

On the 4th of August, 1865, after an overland jour- ney, Mr. Gwin arrived in Virginia City, which was his first introduction to the pioneer region that has since blossomed into the Treasure state. With Virginia City as his headquarters, during the next few months he took part in every stampede to the different discoveries or reported finds. Later he went to Colorado, where he mined and was also in the government service, in the quartermaster"s department. In 1870 occurred his return to Montana, but the Corte country mines where he located, proved a failure, and he left with most of the other inhabitants of that region. In South Dakota he again entered the government quartermaster's de- partment, at Fort Laramie and was also a sub-con- tractor for supplying wood and hay to the army posts. This was a period of active hostility from the Indians, and Mr. Gwin and his associates had many unpleasant experiences.

After a visit to his old home in New York he came out to Omaha, and as merchant and trader followed along the route of the Union Pacific Railroad, opening an establishment in each new town. Finally at Corinne, Utah, he abandoned merchandising and went to the mines of that territory. While at Ophir. Utah, he served as deputy sheriff seven years, finally resigning the posi- tion. Then, in March, 1877, at the solicitation of the late Marcus Daly, with whom he enjoyed a warm friendship, he located in Butte, and has been a per- manent resident of this state ever since. In all these years he has been engaged in mining, ranching, real estate dealings, merchandising, etc. He now gives only casual attention to business and is leading a quiet life retired from the strenuous activities of former days.

During the historic Daly and Clark political fight, Mr. Gwin as a Democrat took an active part in poli- tics, but now for some years has interested himself as . a good citizen will in local and general public affairs. He and the late Colonel Sanders were personal friends, though of opposing political faith. During campaigns they fought each other unsparingly, but when each contest was decided they shook hands and either one would go to a great deal of trouble in order to favor the other. In religion Mr. Gwin is a Cath- olic. During his residence in Butte he was a member of the Silver Bow Club.

As a venerable citizen who has been identified with Montana from the days when it was an unorganized territory, Mr. Gwin has a fond affection for the state. He says: "I love Montana for many reasons, mainly because it is my home. I love its exhilarating atmos- phere, its miles and miles of beautiful valleys, its hills and mountains so grand and picturesque, its fabu- lous mines of precious metals, and above all the sincere brotherhood between man and man. To my mind Mon- tana's future will be greater than its past."

Many men have cause for practical gratitude to the sturdy character and liberality of Mr. Gwin, who has furnished to them the means of financial recuperation when they most needed it. Loyalty to friends, a splen- did integrity in every transaction, and high ideals of duty and action, have gained for him a peculiar place in the affection of the people, and when they familiarly speak of "Billy" Gwin it is with a sincere regard that is more eloquent than official dignities and honors. Mr. Gwin is unmarried and resides at 316 W. Park avenue in Anaconda, at the home of his niece, Cath- arine, who is Mrs. Leo La Salle, and a daughter of Christopher Johnson.

JOHN E. FORREST. There are comparatively few families of the west whose history in this part of the country deals with three continuous generations. That of John E. Forrest, Butte's well-known groceryman, is one of those few. Mr. Forrest's grandparents of that name were among the '49ers who made that long, tedious trip across the plains to California by team. The party met with misfortune on the way, however, and the grandfather died en route to the Golden state. The mother of the family thus left fatherless did not remain long in California, however, and soon removed to Deer Lodge county, Montana, she be- coming one of the earliest settlers there. She later married a Mr. Stone, also an old Deer Lodge set- tler, and a ranchman of large property. They lived happily together for many years, their home being located on the site which is now the town of Melrose, where Mrs. Stone died. Mr. Stone resides in the state of Arkansas.

William Forrest was one of the members of the family that made the California trip from Illinois, in which state, near Woodstock, he was born October 1I, I841. In 1867 he went to Montana as a prospector seeking gold, following on his trip the Missouri river to Fort Benton, thence overland to Deer Lodge county. His mining operations were not highly successful and in 1870 he started out as proprietor of a stage sta- tion, thus becoming one of the pioneer men of Mon- tana in that line. He also conducted a hotel at the home station which was located in Deer Lodge county and known as Forrest station. Mr. Forrest conducted the station until 1878, three years before the advent of the railroads to that section of the state, and then engaged in ranching and stock raising. This ranch, comprising four hundred and fifty acres of land, is located in township I, range 9, Silver Bow county, and Mr. Forrest, who still resides there with his wife, is accounted one of the leading stock-raisers of this state. Assisting him in the operation of the ranch are his daughter, Mary A., and her husband, Getford Lindlief. The mother, who was in maiden- hood Mary Deno, is a native of Canada, born in Au- gust, 1843, and was taken by her parents to Illinois when she was a child of two years of age.

John E. Forrest was born at German Gulch, Mon- tana, May 31, 1870, of Scotch and French Canadian ancestry, a son of William and Mary (Deno) For- rest, an outline of whose lives has just been sketched. He was a member of a family of three children. His older brother, Henry, died in 1879. He attended the country school near his home until sixteen years old then continued to assist in the conduct of the ranch of his father until his marriage, July 21, 1891, to Miss Mary J. McMurrin, daughter of Robert Mc- Murrin, a native of Sheffield, England, hut of Scotch descent. her parents being natives of Glasgow, Scot- land. Mr. and Mrs. Forrest have one daughter, Mary Louise, born at Divide, November II. 1893, and at present a popular student at the Butte high school.

After his marriage Mr. Forrest settled with his wife at Anaconda and for nine years held a responsible position with the Anaconda Copper Smelting Com- pany in that city. In 1903, however, he decided to make a change of location and employment, and re- signed his Anaconda connection and went to Butte. The first year and a half that he resided in this city Mr. Forrest was connected with the International Com- mercial Company. He was seeking for an opportunity to establish himself in business for himself, however, and soon succeeded in purchasing a half interest in what was then the Rhodes Grocery Company, but since his admittance to the firm it has been known as Forrest & Hauswirth. The firm is dealers in gro- ceries, produce, etc., and the business which is con- ducted under the executive management of Mr. For- rest is one of the most healthy and prosperous of its

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kind in the city. The firm carries a large, well as- sorted stock of the best grade of goods and enjoys the patronage of many of the leading citizens here. The store is located at 715 Utah street.

Mr. Forrest is a man of many-sided interests and takes part in the numerous activities that go to make up the life of an up-to-date city of the first class. Re- ligious, social and civic matters all receive their share of attention and contribute toward making him the broad-minded, progressive citizen he is. He is an in- fluential member of Grace Methodist church, of which he is a trustee, and is a generous contributor to the support of that institution, as well as many charitable and benevolent causes that are presented to his at- tention. His lodge connections are numerous and in- clude the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand master; the Woodmen of the World, in the council of which he has served as commander for two terms; also the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to the society of Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers, and is accounted one of the valued members of the executive committee of the Butte Merchants Association, ready to give his support to all measures that have for their object the promotion of the commercial prestige and influence of this city and state. He is a man of unimpeachable personal integrity and enjoys the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout this section of the state.

ALBERT B. KNIGHT. As the years relentlessly mark the milestones on the pathway of time, the older gen- eration slowly gives way to the new and gradually there passes from our midst the men who made our country what it is and who built up this western empire for the men of now. In every generation and in every community some few men leave an indelible imprint upon the history of that community and upon the memories of those who have known them by their ability to fight and win even against great odds, and by that kind of character which wins lasting friends because of that innate quality which people know as loyalty. Albert B. Knight, who passed into the great beyond on the 26th of September, 1904, was one of those. Mr. Knight came to Montana, in 1870, and was identified with mining and other interests in this state from that time until his demise. He was a man of broad and noble ideals and he never neglected an opportunity to advance the general welfare of Butte and Montana at large.

A native of the fine old Empire state of the Union, Albert B. Knight was born at Livingstone, New York, on the 23d of February, 1844. His father was identified with agricultural pursuits during the greater part of his active career and he died in the state of Michigan. Mr. Knight, of this notice, received his elementary educational training in the public schools of his native place and later at Utica, Michigan, and subsequently he was matriculated as a student in the celebrated University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which institution he was graduated. Just after Mr. Knight had initiated his college career the national horizon was darkened with clouds of Civil war and on the 31st of August, 1861, while visiting a brother in Indiana, he enlisted as drummer boy, being under age, in Company E. Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under com- mand of Gen. Lew Wallace. He served throughout the entire period of the war, participating in a number of representative .engagements and being severely wounded on a couple occasions. He was mustered out of serv- ice on the 7th of August, 1865, being then but a little over twenty-one years of age. After the close of hos- tilities he returned to college and completed his univers- ity course, as above noted. From the time of his grad- uation until 1870 Mr. Knight was variously engaged and in that year he came west to Montana, locating first in

Virginia City, where he established the first signal sta- tion in Montana. and also engaged at civil and mining engineering. He came to that place overland from Salt Lake City, the terminus of the railroads in those early days. After a time in Virginia City he located at Butte for a short time, later returning to Virginia City and again removing to Butte in 1885 which city was his home until his death. He followed civil and mining en- gineering in Butte and vicinity. Was very competent and widely known. For one year, until failing health caused him to resign, he was a professor in the School of Mines. In politics Mr. Knight was aligned as a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and while he was never incumbent of any public offices he was ever on the alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with all measures projected for the good of the general wel- fare. In a fraternal way he was affiliated with the Free & Accepted Masons, and he was also a valued and appreciative member of the local lodge of the Woodmen of the World.

At Butte, in December, 1881, Mr. Knight was united in marriage to Miss Maria P. Purmort, a descendant of fine old French-Huguenot ancestry. The original progenitor of the Purmort family in America came to this country about the year 1630. Mrs. Knight is a daughter of Nathaniel and Pamelia (Harwood) Pur- mort, the latter of whom was born in Vermont, in 1807, and the former of whom was a native of New Hamp- shire where his birth occurred in 1709. There were no children born to Mr. and Mrs. Knight. Mrs. Knight is a woman of most gracious personality and rare in- tellectual attainments. About the year 1907 she took up the practice as attorney before the general land of- fice. She has been successful and has made considerable money in her profession as an attorney. Mrs. Knight is a devout member of the Baptist church.

HON. LLEWELLYN L. CALLAWAY. Even as his father, Col. James E. Callaway, is regarded with pride by the states he so nobly served, so does Montana value the character and service of that distinguished son of her adoption, Llewellyn L. Callaway. His legal talent, his administrative ability and his judicial acumen have here been demonstrated, and his growing and broaden- ing importance as a statesman is here anticipated. To speak of his immediate progenitors at length is per- haps needless, in view of the distinction of Colonel Callaway and his noble Kentucky ancestors.

While the Colonel and his wife, Mary (Link) Calla- way, were living in Tuscola, Illinois, the scene of James Edmund Callaway's earliest successes as a law- yer, the son was born who was named Llewellyn L. The date of his birth was December 15, 1868, and he was but a babe of two years when his parents removed to Montana, which has ever since been his home. His early education was that obtained from the public schools of Virginia City, and was succeeded by two years of study in private schools. In spite of his in- tellectual interests at this and later periods, it is never- theless not to be thought that Llewellyn Callaway lived the life of books alone. Every phase of practical life has ever held attractions for him. At the early age of nine he began riding the range for his father during the spring and summer months, and by the time he was eleven years old he took in all the round-ups.

At the age of sixteen Llewellyn Callaway entered the Hamilton Preparatory School in Philadelphia and two years later was graduated from that institution. The following autumn, that of 1886, he became a student in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. His freshman year here was followed by a period of ranch- ing on his father's land, that he might be financially independent in pursuing his professional course. Re- turning to the University, he became a law student, and from that famous school he received his degree in

Albert B Tight-

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

the year 1891, being honored at the time with the highest recommendation of the legal faculty. In May of that year he was admitted to practice in the superior and supreme courts of the state of Michigan, receiving similar admission in the state which became his home a few months later.

In August, 1891, Mr. Callaway began his legal career in White Sulphur Springs, Montana. He began work as an assistant of Mr. Max Waterman, and three months later became his partner. In 1894, when he visited his former home at Virginia City, Mr. Callaway was there requested to become a nominee for the office of county attorney. He accepted, but returned to White Sulphur Springs to continue his professional work at that time. He presently received the nomi- nation, after which he went again to Virginia City, where he conducted a six weeks' campaign for the Madison county office. He was elected by a majority of four hundred and twelve out of seventeen hundred and ninety-one votes. Entering upon the duties of that office, he, again located in Virginia City as a per- manent resident. He was re-elected to the office of county attorney in 1896, by a majority of one hundred and fifty-four votes over the combined fusion forces. This office was one carrying with it heavy responsibil- ity and requiring penetration and force. Of the many important cases in criminal litigation, despite their difficult nature, Mr. Callaway failed but four times to convict during the combined years of his two terms in office.

In 1900 a new honor came to him in his election to the office of mayor of Virginia City. A second time and yet a third was he asked to assume this respons- ibility, and during his incumbency of this office his administrations met with the most exceptional ap- proval, for his comprehension of the general municipal needs, clear and inclusive as it was, never prevented his appreciation of individual situations.

Again was a high tribute paid to Mr. Callaway's ability when in March, 1903, the supreme court of Montana, pursuant to an act of the legislature, ap- pointed Mr. Callaway, together with Judge John B. Clayberg and Judge W. H. Poorman, as supreme court commissioners. They served with the court for two years, performing the same service as justices. In 1904 Mr. Callaway was elected district judge, and at a judicial convention, composed of the delegates from the three counties comprising his district, Madison, Jefferson and Beaverhead, he was re-nominated for the office of district judge by acclamation. After that, over his own protest, he was nominated by acclamation for the office of associate justice of the supreme court by the state convention. While he made a strong race, being one of the leaders upon his ticket, the entire Republican state ticket was defeated. He however, received more votes than any one else on the Republi- can ticket. At the expiration of his term of office he resumed the practice of law.

Judge Callaway's ability is such as to make inevi- table the extension of his service into a field as wide as the state; even now its probable transcending of those limits is discussed among those who have skill in reading a political horoscope. In 1908 Governor Norris appointed him in conjunction with Rudolph Van Tobel and David Hilger the Montana Conservation Commission, and in this capacity he played an impor- tant part in the preparation of the conservation laws of this state. A further legal service to this com- monwealth has been rendered bv Judge Callaway in his formulating. with E. B. Howell of Butte, of the present mining laws of Montana. He has furthermore presented to the legislature various bills, many of which are now incorporated in the laws of Montana. A high value is set upon the Judge's legal opinions and his decisions in typical cases. Since he has held the office of district judge he has been twice called upon to sit

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 51

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