A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 59

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

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Dr. Orr is of Irish extraction, his father, William C. Orr, having been born in Ireland. He came to Amer- ica with his parents when four years of age and set- tled in Montana in the pioneer days, following mininig and ranching and becoming a very prominent citizen. He was an exceedingly prominent Mason and served at one time as commissioner of Beaverhead county. He is now deceased, but the memory of his public-spir- ited activities remains green. The mother, Rachel M. Orr, was a native of Ohio and in the Buckeye state these worthy people were united in marriage. They began their married life in California, but soon came overland to Montana and settled in Beaverhead county. The mother was greatly interested in Eastern Star work and was a lady of most charitable nature, her sin- cerest pleasure lying in the assistance of those less fortunate than herself. She too is deceased and the remains of her and her life companion are interred side by side in Dillon. They were the parents of six chil- dren, the subject of the sketch being their third child. The other five are all brothers and all reside in Mon- tana. Mathew Orr is married and resides in Dillon ; he established the first electric plant here and is now in the automobile business. Ernest Orr is married and a resident of Dillon, his occupation being that of man- ager of the Poindexter & Orr Live Stock Company. Charles B. Orr is unmarried and lives in Dillon and is manager of the famous Poindexter and Orr Ranch. Bert H. Orr is a married man and also lives in Dillon and has charge of the cattle interests of the Poindexter and Orr Company. John T. Orr, a citizen of Dillon and not yet a Benedict, has charge of the garage here, the same being a large, well-equipped and thoroughly up-to-date concern.

It would be impossible to find a more loyal and en-

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thusiastic Montanian than Dr. Orr, the immediate sub- ject of this brief review. He is an ardent worker for the upbuilding of Dillon and never misses an opportu- nity to speak and act for the attainment of its welfare. He is known for his fair dealing and is held in high regard by all with whom he comes in contact. It is indeed a pleasure to the publishers to incorporate the biography of so good a citizen in a work of this na -. ture.

LIONEL E. MANNING. "The Bitter Root valley is the Eden of the northwest, and the climate is the finest." Such is the sentiment displayed on the business card of Lionel E. Manning, of Stevensville, and is fully illus- trative of the faith and confidence in which he holds his adopted community, where for many years he has been engaged in the real estate and loan business. He has also identified himself with stock raising and ranch- ing, and is well known in public and social life, ånd merits in the fullest degree . the respect and esteem of his community. Mr. Manning is an Englishman, hav- ing been born in the city of London, February 1I, 1848. He was educated in Willisden College, but in 1866 left that institution before his graduation, having been called home during the last illness of his father. He then studied law for two years, but gave up the cap and gown to take up the sword, and remained for three years in the Home Service of the English army. In 1872 Mr. Manning immigrated to the United States, and after eighteen months in New York City, came to Montana, where he was appointed sub agent at the Flathead Indian reservation. One year later he went to Helena and found employment with the Murphy Neal Commercial Company, the largest concern in the north- west, as bookkeeper and cashier. He was at Helena several months, and then went to a branch store at Fort Benton, but after six months was transferred to another branch at Fort McCloud. Subsequently be- coming a partner in the business, he continued therein for three years, then selling his interest and going to Butte to take charge of the large store of John Caplica & Company. In 1885 Mr. Manning came to the Bitter Root Valley to engage in farming and stock raising, with which he was connected until 1910, that year com- ing to Stevensville. He disposed of his ranch at a good profit and engaged in the realty business, and now has lots, blocks and acreage for sale, making a specialty of orchard and farm land, and makes investments for non- residents. He owns considerable city property, and is considered one of Stevensville's most substantial men. He is a master Mason and takes a great deal of interest in the work of the organization.

Mr. Manning was married to Miss Annie Curnock, of England, who died April 8, 1905, and was buried in Maplewood cemetery, Stevensville. They had ten children, of whom six are living, as follows: Lionel E., Jr., a capitalist of Stevensville ; Maud, who married William E. Cannon, of this city; Isabella, who married Frank West, of Stevensville; Ralph and Percy (twins), who are engaged in ranching in the Flathead country; and Gladys, who married George Hall, of Helena.

Mr. Manning now occupies apartments in Stevens- ville, as his children, to all whom he gave good educa- tional advantages, have scattered and are ably filling the positions in life to which they have been called. He is known as a genial, courteous gentleman, fond of entertaining his friends and with a wide range of anecdote and the ability to tell a story well, and, what is rarer, perhaps, of being able to appreciate a good story. He has a valuable library in which are the works of the great authors, and many hours are spent by Mr. Manning in the perusal of his favorite books. A man of sound principles and judgment, well. balanced in business matters, Mr. Manning is fully alive to all real issues of the day, and as one of the men to whom the Vol. II-18

city owes its growth and development commands the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens.

F. H. MAYN. With the exception of one year F. H. Mayn has resided in Montana, but since it was the first year of his life which was spent amid scenes other than those of "The Land of Opportunity" and the greater part of it was devoted to slumber, he does not regret it as much as he might otherwise. He fully recognizes the many advantages of this section and his emotions are those of the great English poet. who wrote, "Better fifty years of Europe than a cycle of Cathay." Mr. Mayn holds the office of clerk of the district court, having been elected to succeed himself November 5, 1912, and is also United States commissioner for the district of Montana and president of the Smith River valley chamber of commerce, He is one of the county's leading Republicans, nor is his loyalty of a passive character, being of the sort which finds expression quite as much in deeds as in words., From his earliest vot- ing days he has taken an active interest in politics and is one of the fighters for the establishment of Republi- can policies and principles.

Mr. Mayn was born in Franklin county, Missouri, August 10, 1872. As before mentioned, when one year old, Mr. Mayn's parents removed to Montana, and located at Diamond City, Meagher county; but subse- quently came on to White Sulphur Springs. It was in this place that Mr. Mayn secured his public school. education and here he earned his first money, his first knowledge of the emotions of a capitalist coming when he counted up his net profits after digging potatoes for a period at a salary of fifty cents per day.

At a very early age Mr. Mayn found it necessary to. face the problems of life seriously"- His father died when he was three years old and as soon as possible he had to contribute towards the support of the family. This he did willingly and doubtless these early experi- ences had a large part in moulding a decidedly strong and independent character. As he grew older he worked on the range and at various light occupations and at the age of about fifteen he "enlisted," as he terms it, as a printer's devil in the office of the Rocky Mountain Husbandman at White Sulphur Springs. He remained with this concern for twelve years and when he severed his connection he was foreman. The Husbandman moved away at that time and he then became connected with other papers, only giving up the work when elected clerk of court. It has been said that a few years in a. printing office are worth more than a liberal education and Mr. Mayn has again proved the truth of this, being a man of wide information.

Mr. Mayn has for more than a decade been actively connected with public affairs. He served for nine years as alderman and his other offices have been previously mentioned. To all of them he has brought the most enlightened efforts and personal advantage has never blinded him to the best interests of the people whom he is serving.

Mr. Mayn belongs to the "Big Church," but sympa- thizes with and supports all of them. He is fond of hunting, fishing and all diversions of the open and is especially interested in theatricals, being a clever ama- teur actor and having materially contributed to the success of many local plays. His hobby as previously hinted is Montana and he declares that although he has traveled through many states, for climate and opportunity Montana stands at the head of the list.

Mr. Mayn's father, Henry Mayn, was born in Ger- many, but severed old associations in the Fatherland when a young man and located in Missouri. At the outbreak of the Civil war, like ,so many young Ger- man-American citizens, his sympathies were with the Union, and he enlisted in Company G, Seventeenth Missouri Volunteer Infantry and served throughout.

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

the conflict between the states. Few soldiers had as active a service, for he participated in twenty-two bat- tles, including that of Gettysburg. He was a farmer by occupation and, as mentioned, he came to Montana in the early '70s. He was in the state but two years when his death occurred, its date being December 9, 1875. The remains of this gallant soldier are in- terred at Fort Logan in the soldiers' cemetery. In Missouri he married Louise Buse, and when he brought her here a young wife she was one of the first four white women to settle in the Smith River valley. This worthy lady resides in White Sulphur Springs with her son, the subject of this review. Mr. Mayn has an elder brother, Charles, who is married and resides in Seattle. His younger sister, Emma, is the wife of John L. Campbell, and lives at Kalispell.

WELLINGTON NAPTON, the son of Hon. W. B. Napton and Melinda Napton, was born in Saline county, Mis- souri, on August 31, 1853. He received his early educa- tional training in the common schools of Saline, after which he was for two years a student in Westminster College, which was followed by a like period in Wil- liam Jewell College. This ample training was then supplemented by private instruction at home under a carefully chosen tutor, who devoted three years to the preparation of his pupil in the general culture which is so essential to the best training in any special field of study. Later Mr. Napton read' law under the tutelage of Judge W. W. Dixon, of Montana, having come to this state in 1873. He returned to Missouri and was admitted to the bar in 1878, and in 1880 made his way back to Montana. A vacancy occurred on the district bench in 1896, as a result of the election of Mr. Brantley to the supreme court, and Mr. Napton was appointed by Governor Smith to serve out the unexpired term. At its close in 1900 he was elected to that office for a term of four years.

Since leaving the bench Judge Napton has resumed his private practice again, and is considered a good lawyer. To an unusual ability in argument and a comprehensive knowledge of the law, he adds the com- pelling force of a strong character and the persuasive power of an attractive personality. Admirably fitted to share in his success is his wife, who was Kate Kelley, a native of the state of Kansas, but of Virginia ances- try. She is the daughter of Robert E. Kelley, who was United States marshal of Montana during the first administration of Grover Cleveland, and she has seen something of pioneer conditions in this great state.

Mr. Napton is a member of the Masonic order.

GEORGE W. PETERSON. For upwards of forty years a resident of Montana and now one of the leading real estate men of Anaconda, Mr. Peterson has had a varied and successful career in business and is one of the influential citizens of the state.

He is a native of Fremont, Nebraska, where he was born' on the 8th of June, 1871. When he was four years old his parents settled at Warm Springs, Mon- tana, where he spent the remaining days of his youth on a farm and attended the public schools at Warm Springs. His education was further perfected by one year of study in a business college at Helena, at the conclusion of which time he was ready for his prac- tical career. When he was eighteen years old he leased a farm near Warm Springs and spent two years in agriculture. His next venture was in his present home city of Anaconda, where in 1891 he became a clerk for J. B. Gnose, the well-known merchant of this city, with whom he remained five years. His capable serv- ices were much appreciated by his employer, and dur- ing that time he laid the basis of his business career. In' 1896, in partnership with his brother Charles, he established a grocery business of his own, but sold out after one year, and for two years was clerk for the Mc-

Callum Grocery Company. A bakery was his enter- prise for the two succeeding years, and on selling this he returned to his old employer, Mr. Gnose, who very eagerly accepted his services for two years more.

Mr. Peterson was then elected to the office of asses- sor, on the Republican ticket, which party he has con- sistently supported ever since he became of age. His services commended him so to the public that he was re-elected in 1905. Before the expiration of this sec- ond term he established himself in the real estate and insurance business. After the first year he formed a partnership with Mr. P. M. Sullivan, making the present firm of Sullivan & Peterson, which has a very large and profitable business.

Mr. Peterson is himself owner of considerable city real estate, including an attractive home. During his career in this city he has won the reputation of being an honest and reliable business man and citizen, and enjoys a large acquaintance and esteem among all classes. Fraternally he affiliates with the Loyal Order of Moose, in which he has served as prelate; the Mod- ern Woodmen of America; and the Fraternal Union, in which he has held all the offices. He was married in 1893 to Miss Jennie Thompson, who is a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have two children, William S., attending high school, and Bernice.

Mr. Peterson's parents, who are living retired in Anaconda, are Andrew and Margaret (Erickson) Peterson, both of whom were born in Sweden. Their ten children are as follows: George W .; Alfred S., a farmer at Race Track, this state; Charles E., of Ana- conda; Emma S., who married J. A. McAllister and died at Missoula; Mary, the wife of J. A. Danielson, of Missoula; Henry E., who is a merchant of Spo- kane, Washington; Julius A., a farmer at Warm Springs; Zelma, the wife of J. E. Bryson, of Ana- conda; Benjamin, a farmer at Warm Springs; Mar- garet, the wife of Joseph Beck, also a farmer at Race Track.

JOHN HORSKY, JR. Until very recently Montana's prominent business men have been for the most part natives of some other state, but that is only because the state was too young to have sons of proper age to conduct her affairs. And now that she is of settled age, though by no means too settled, she is proving that her citizens are amply able and willing to continue the good work which the pioneers began. John Horsky, Jr., is an instance in point. His father, John, was one of the earlier comers to this region. John Horsky, the son, was born in Helena, on Sepember 26, 1874. He attended the public schools here and left the high school at the age of sixteen and took his first position. This was in the line of work to which he has given his whole atten- tion, as he worked for Mr. Frank C. Sutphen, a phar- macist of Helena. The boy remained with Mr. Sutphen until he was twenty-two years old. During this period he entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy for a short time and attended lectures there. He was next associated with Mr. Emil Starz, whose store was at 204 North Rodney street. Mr. Horsky remained there for a period of two and a half years, then re- signed his position and removed to Missoula. He did not remain there for long, but left the ·metropolis of the Bitter Root valley to return to Last Chance Gulch, and at Helena took charge of the Parchen Drug Com- pany's Wholesale Department. Upon leaving this com- pany Mr. Horsky went to Lewistown, and there again entered into the retail drug business, but his failing health made it necessary for him to give up his work there and to return again to Helena. For two years he was again with the pharmacist with whom he began, Mr. Sutphen, and then in June, 1906, went into the trade on his own account. He secured the location formerly oc- cupied by Emil Starz, and since then has owned and operated the place with notable success. The store

Mathew Dumm

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

has always enjoyed a good trade, and has been known as one which carries a first class stock, and since Mr. Horsky has been in possession, its former reputation has been even enhanced and the service made more excellent.

In addition to his mercantile business, Mr. Horsky is the owner of some coal properties in the Musselshell district which are now in the process of development. Though one of the younger commercial inen of the city, he is one who has an eye for large undertakings and is considered one whose success is assured.

Mr. Horsky is not married, and so he has opportunity to indulge the more in his fondness for all sorts of out-door pursuits. He hunts, rides, fishes and goes to ball games with zeal and frequency. He was one of the organizers of the Helena Base Ball Club, and he is still fond of the sport. Nor does he discriminate against foot ball, but includes that in his approved diversions as well. He is not active in politics, but is a Progressive in matters of national policy. He gives his first consid- eration to his business and it is evident that the business responds to this attention.

MATTHEW CAREY. Since 1909 Matthew Carey has been a substantial and influential citizen of Virginia City, where he is the present popular and efficient in- cumbent of the office of clerk of the district court. He has lived in Montana during the entire period of his lifetime thus far and he is unusually loyal to this state, her institutions and her many natural advantages.

Matthew Carey was born in Adobetown, a village located two miles distant from Virginia City, Montana, and the date of his birth was the 16th of August, 1874. His father, Nicholas Carey, was born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States as a youth of but fif- teen years of age. He came to Montana in 1863, settling in Madison county, where he followed mining opera- tions until 1869. From the latter year until his demise, in August, 1905, at the age of seventy-two years, he devoted his attention to the general merchandise busi- ness. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Emer- son, is still living and she maintains her home on a ranch near Sheridan, in Madison county. The Carey family consists of thirteen children, as follows, Mat- thew, the immediate subject of this review; Mary, who is the wife of William D. Hustead, resides in Virginia City; Frank is married and lives in Sheridan, Montana ; Elizabeth Mahagin is deceased; John is unmarried and is deputy clerk of court in Virginia City; and Kate, Nicholas, Dora, Henry, William, Hugh, Fannie and Stephen all reside with their mother on the home ranch.

To the public schools of Adobetown Matthew Carey is indebted for his education. He earned his first money as a boy herding horses for the Amsden & Brookman Company and he followed that occupation for a period of four years, at the expiration of which he entered the employ of Henry Elling & Company, a general mer- chandise concern at Sheridan. In 1893 he engaged in business on his own account at Sheridan but later went to Butte, where he devoted some two years to various occupations. In 1898 he went to Granite county, where for the ensuing two years he worked along mining and mercantile lines. He then returned to Butte and in 1904 located at Jeffers, in Madison county, there work- ing for four years in a mercantile house and eventually coming to Virginia City in 1908. His first position in this place was as deputy clerk of court, in which ca- pacity he served for one year. In 1908 he was elected clerk of court, on the Democratic ticket, and he is incumbent of that office at the present time, in 1912. He manifests an active interest in politics as a stalwart Democrat and is ever on the alert to advance the best interests of the community in which he resides.

In a fraternal way Mr. Carey is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, in which he is junior past worthy president, and he is likewise connected with the

Modern Woodmen of America. He is fond of riding and driving horses and likes baseball games and all kinds of athletic amusements. He is a man of sterling integrity of character and is highly esteemed throughout Virginia City and Madison county by reason of his straightforward career and exemplary life.

In Bozeman, Montana, January 2, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Carey to Miss Helen Jeffers, a daughter of J. B. and Susan Jeffers, residents of Jeffers, Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Carey have three children, whose names are here entered in respective order of birth, Burton M., Ronald and Mary H.

GEORGE DUNLAP. Along in the latter '80's two young men floated down the Missouri river from Helena, Montana and landed at Great Falls, then a newly-opened town, so new in fact that the grocery store which they opened there in 1887 was the second store of its kind in the place. The partners were George Dunlap and George W. Arthur. That was just twenty-five years ago- George Dunlap remains today the oldest and most successful grocer of Great Falls, which from a village of log cabins has in that quarter of a century grown to be the second city in size in the state. That busi- ness first housed in a log cabin and with a wheel bar- row delivery, through the alertness and enterprise of its owner has now grown to an establishment that would do credit to a city of much larger size. With keen. foresight Mr. Dunlap realized the possibilities and · judged the future of the new town and with a never failing courage, unswerving determination, and the nerve to attempt he kept on his way and has been very successful, ranking today as one of the wealthiest men of Great Falls. To such sterling business men has been due in no small measure the remarkable growth of that city.

George Dunlap was born at Lockport, Niagara county, New York in January, 1853, and attended the public schools of his native city until about sixteen years of age. In 1869, while still a youth, he began life for himself at Detroit, Michigan, where he remained five years and from there went to Leavenworth, Kansas, where for five years he was employed in the lumber business. Responding to the call of the farther west he then came to Montana where for six years he was in the employ of Haller Hardware Company, in Helena and the following six years were spent in the service of A. M. Holtes, working in his saw mills and assisting in his store. It was at the close of this period that he and Geo. W. Arthur left for Great Falls. There they built a log house and in it opened a grocery store, from which small beginning has developed the present com- plete establishment and large business. The store re- mained for fifteen years where first established On Central avenue and then was removed to its present location. Mr. Arthur subsequently sold out to D. R. Mitchell, but Mr. Dunlap is now the sole owner of the business.

His parents, George W. and Mary Dunlap, were both born in New York and died in their native state, the fa- ther, who was a dry-goods merchant, having passed away in 1858 and the mother in 1897. Of their three children, the subject of this review was the eldest.

At Great Falls, Montana, in 1897, Mr. Dunlap married Miss Ida Dorn. Both are communicants of the Epis- copal church. Mr. Dunlap is a member of the Mer- chants' Association of his city, and in politics is a Re- publican. As a relief from business cares he takes delight in hunting, fishing and in autoing. Mr. Dunlap not only stands to the fore among the successful men of Great Falls but is highly esteemed as a man of sterling worth and as a citizen who has at heart the. prestige of both his city and state.

MATHEW DUNN. The expression "Self Made," when applied to the successful man of affairs of the big

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 59

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