A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 83

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

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Mr. Cameron is a son of John Cameron, who was born in Scotland and came to America as a boy. He settled in Canada upon his arrival here and there resided for a good many years. He located in Min- nesota and then removed to Kansas, where he followed the mercantile business and subsequently took up his residence in Kansas City, where he was gathered to his fathers at the age of eighty-eight years, his remains being there interred. He married Rebecca McRae in Canada, and her demise occurred in 1899, when her years numbered seventy-eight. There were eleven children in the elder Cameron family, the subject being the third in order of birth. The young Duncan received his public school education in Minneapolis and first knew the pleasurable emotions of a capitalist at the age of twelve, when he grubbed out trees on a farm twelve miles out of Minneapolis for the compensation of sixty-five cents per day, which money he gave to his mother. After this he followed a number of occupations, such are as usually intrusted into the hands of lads prior to starting out into the world. In religious conviction he is a Presbyterian and he is an active Republican, taking no inconsiderable interest in party affairs Fraternally he is an Eagle. He is fond

of hunting and fishing and exceedingly fond of base ball, being one of Meagher county's most eloquent and inspiring rooters. He is an enthusiastic motorist and owns a fine car, in which he has viewed the gran- deur of Montana's varied scenery. His delight in auto- mobiling has not extinguished his pleasure in fine horses and he keeps several admirable ones. This is his testimony in regard to Montana: "I left Montana three different times and each time have returned, more satisfied than ever that it is an ideal section. I could not be satisfied anywhere else. I am sure Montana offers more inducements and better oppor- tunities than any other state."

Mr. Cameron was married at Athens, Wisconsin, in 1893, his chosen lady being May Johns. Her lam- entable demise occurred at the age of thirty years, in 1899, and her remains are interred at Athens. There is one child, a boy, Edgar Duncan, now attending school at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The following article written by B. E. Green, editor of the Martinsdale Independent, is copied herewith for the reason that it casts light on Mr. Cameron's public-spirited interest in Meagher county and at the same time affords a glimpse of the attractiveness of this part of the state.

"While visiting in White Sulphur Springs last week on business, it was my good fortune to come in closer contact with the hospitable people of that beautiful and enterprising community than on any of my previous visits. I was most forcibly struck by the marked expression on the part of the Springs citizens towards the people of Martinsdale, and the words of praise and gratitude for the magnificent showing and assist- ance rendered in the fight for the Meagher county court house.

"The writer is particularly indebted to Mr. D. Cam- eron, of the D. Cameron Realty Company, the largest individual realty dealer in this section of the state, who placed one of his automobiles at my disposal, thus enabling me not only to see the town with its adjacent new additions, but also to traverse nearly the entire Smith River valley.

"I have always been aware of the fact that this beautiful valley possessed great resources and was destined to a most successful future, but one must needs visit this garden spot to understand and thoroughly appreciate its vast possibilities and seem- ingly indescribable beauty.

"Picture to yourself a fertile strip of peaceful val- ley about fifty miles in length, ranging from ten to twenty miles in width, banked on either side by snow- capped mountain ranges from which ever flow the beautiful rivulets that go to make and feed the Smith river, that, in its turn, furnishes the nourishment for an ever responsive soil; witness the peace, comfort and prosperity evidenced by the magnificent homes with the great ample outbuildings, bursting as it were, with the products of the lands; note the well-fed cattle grazing in meadows and on hill; observe the expression of contentment of the wives and daughters of its ranchers, and you have but a glimpse only of the wonders of that valley.

"I cannot but say that it seems to me that no words of the poet or brush of the artist can do justice to its beauty and time itself will only tell of its vast and boundless opportunities.

"On Wednesday of last week, Mr. Cameron at the wheel, we motored to the famous crystal cave in the Castle mountains, about eight miles east of White Sulphur Springs. This particular cave has been much written about by the most noted paleontologists and geologists occupying chairs in the different universi- ties not only of this country, but of the old world. It is the regret of the writer that his education has not been sufficiently advanced in the sciences to in- telligently describe this remarkable cave. Suffice it to

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say, however, that the effort necessary to reach it was well rewarded by the interesting scenes within its wonderful chambers. The cave is about two hundred feet in depth and comprises a number of high, dome- shaped roofs, the ceilings of which reflect in its crystal facets and stalactites, myriads of beautiful vari-colored lights, one chamber in particular, known as the bridal chamber, and in which our party lunched, being said to be the most gorgeous cave of its kind in existence.

"On our return we visited the Ram's Horn Cave, situated about five miles northeast of White Sulphur. In response to an expressed desire to visit the mines, we were immediately whirled out to Mr. Cameron's mine, known as the Cleaveland Alabama Mining Com- pany, where our party made a tour through the dif- ferent tunnels and underground workings of this . is the owner of several fine properties in Madison splendid property. Mining bears no small relation to . county. He likewise has extensive real-estate holdings the other resouries that go to build up community, in this county, being the owner of a number of lots in Virginia City, Pony and Twin Bridges. state and nation, and the great possibilities offered in this line from the vast mineral deposits in the moun- tains surrounding the Smith River valley must ere long contribute its share to the building up of this part of the state. Mr. Cameron tells me that this mine is in excellent shape and he is arranging for the im- mediate shipment of ore from it and that, too, there will be several other properties in close proximity to White Sulphur Springs soon in ore shipping con- dition.

"On our return to White Sulphur Springs the writer was that evening a guest at a dinner given at the Srrings Hotel under the auspices of the Meagher County Boosters Club, where a most enjoyable evening was spent and renewals of friendship and fealty pledged in speeches made to our people of Martinsdale."

ELBRIDGE M. SMITH, who is efficiently filling the office of treasurer of Madison county, Montana, has for many years been a leading and influential citizen of this county and his activity in business affairs, his co-opera- tion in public interests and his zealous support of all objects that he believes will contribute to the material, social or moral improvement of this section keeps him in the foremost rank of those to whom this county owes its development and present position as one of the im- portant business districts of Montana. Mr. Smith main- tains his home at Virginia City, where his genial, kindly manner has won him the high regard and good will of all with whom he comes in contact.

A native of Illinois, Elbridge M. Smithi was born in Hampshire, that state, April 29, 1878. Elbridge L. Smith, father of the subject of this review, was born and reared in Ohio, whence later he removed to Illinois. In 1880 he came to Montana and settled in Madison county, where he gained prominence along mercantile lines. At one time he had stores at Twin Bridges, Pony and Virginia City and he was the owner of con- siderable real estate throughout this section of the state. His death occurred June 14, 1893, at the age of fifty- five years, and he is buried in the Masonic cemetery at Virginia City, where his wife, who passed to the life eternal in 1909, is likewise interred. Mrs. Smith, whose girlhood name was Augusta A. Grupp, was a great help to her husband in his business affairs and after his death she managed the entire estate with marked suc- cess. She and her husband had but one child, Elbridge M., of this notice.

Mr. Smith was a child of but two years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Montana, in 1880, and here he has resided during the long intervening years to the present time, in 1912. His preliminary educa- tional training consisted of such advantages as were offered in Pony and Virginia City and as a youth he be- came associated with his father in the general merchan- dise business. In 1900 he was appointed deputy clerk of court at Virginia City and he retained that position for a period of five years, at the end of which he went Vol. II-18

to Whitehall, where he started a hotel with his mother. Subsequently he disposed of the hotel and returned to Virginia City, where he secured a position with the Convey Placer Mining Company, working for that con- cern at Ruby for nearly four years. At first he was stock clerk but later assumed charge of the electrical department of the company. In 1910 he resigned and went to Twin Bridges, where he engaged in the auto- mobile business for a short time and where he became actively interested in politics. In the fall of that year he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the office of treasurer of Madison county, a position he is now filling with the utmost satisfaction to his constitu- ents. Mr. Smith has been interested in mining opera- tions during the greater part of his active career and he

Ever since early boyhood Mr. Smith has manifested great talent along mechanical lines and when but six- teen years of age he built a full two-stamp mill, which was moved to Summit and afterwards used for freeing gold ore, and has a full operating engine that he built himself at the age of fifteen years. He is very enthusi- astic about Madison county, where he has lived during practically his entire lifetime thus far, and says that from any point of view-mining, agriculture, cattle and sheep-raising, etc., it is pretty hard to beat us and find a country more promising.

In the city of Butte, Montana, August II, 1902, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Walkers. a daughter of James G. Walker, of Virginia City. Four children have been born to this union, as follows: Edith V. and Muriel, both in school; Garth M., de- ceased; and Geraldine A., the baby at home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are devout communicants of the Episcopal church in their religious faith and she is a stanch church worker, being likewise a member of the Ladies Guild. Fraternally Mr. Smith is a Mason, being a valued and appreciative member of the lodge, chapter, council and commandery of the York Rite branch of that organiza- tion and being also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is fond of music and is a skilled player on the piano and he devotes a great deal of time to reading along scientific lines. His greatest pleasure, however, is in the study of mechanics and its application. He is the owner of a fine automobile and he and his. family enjoy many tours throughout the country tributary to Virginia City. The Smith home is renowned as a center of refinement and most generous hospitality and it is the scene of many attractive social gatherings.

THOMAS E. CASTLE, foreman of the Virginia City Times and proprietor of the Castle Hennery, a large and well known chicken farm in Madison county, Mon- tana, is a representative business man and one who not only has achieved his individual success but has also public-spiritedly devoted himself to the general welfare of his fellow citizens, having ever been foremost in ad- vancing enterprises and improvements which will prove of lasting benefit to the city, county and state. He is,

furthermore, a self-made man, having been bereft of his parents at an early age and compelled to seek his living and advancement as best he could. From the first he was possessed of ambition and determination and his energy, courage and business judgment have brought him to a position of esteem and influence among the citizens of this state, where he is a man of mark in all the relations of life.

In Brookville, Indiana, on the 20th of December, 1861, occurred the birth of Thomas E. Castle, who is a son of Thomas I. and Mary J. (Knight) Castle, both of whom were born in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. The father was a mechanic by trade and resided during the

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major portion of his lifetime in Indiana, where his de- mise occurred in 1879, at the age of forty-nine years. He was a gallant and faithful soldier in the Union army during the Civil war and as such was a member of the Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His wife, who preceded him to the life eternal, died in 1876. They are buried in Petersburg, Indiana.

Mr. Castle, of this notice, was a child of six years of age at the time of his parents' removal from Brookville to Petersburg, Indiana, in which latter place he attended the public schools until his mother's death, in 1876. The home broke up about that time and after his fath- er's death, three years later, Mr. Castle became entirely dependent upon his own resources. For two years he was employed as a farm hand on various estates in Indiana and at the age of sixteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the printer's trade. In 1879 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence to Chicago, Illinois, in which latter city he remained until 1886, when he went to California, where he worked on news- papers in San Francisco and other cities for the ensu- ing two years. In the early part of 1888 he came to Montana and settled in Butte, which place repre- sented his home for the next eleven years, during which time he was engaged in the mercantile business and in printing. In 1899 he came to Virginia City, where he has since resided continuously and where he is now incumbent of the position of foreman of the Virginia City Times, one of the best newspapers in the west. In the year 1906 he started a chicken ranch about two and a half miles distant from Virginia City and the same is known as the Castle Hennery. Mr. Castle has the largest exclusive poultry ranch in Montana and breeds only thoroughbred fowls, which he ships to various points throughout this section of the country. He has met with unusual success in this enterprise and as a business man is commended very highly for his fair and honorable career.

In politics he is a stalwart Democrat and in a fraternal way is affiliated with the Masons, the Elks, the Eagles and the Woodmen of the World. He has served in an official capacity in the Masonic order and in the Wood- men of the World. He is fond of fishing and takes many long rambles through the woods and mountains. He insists that Montana is the best state in the best country in the world and that Madison county is the best county in the best state in the world. Mr. Castle is married, his wife's maiden name being Miss Sopha Werner, and has three children, Edgar G., Alathea B. and Helen L., the first two of whom are now attending school.

HENRY N. COFFMAN. Among the public-spirited citizens of Billings whose standing and character en- title them to conspicuous mention in the history of Montana is Mr. Henry N. Coffman, who came to Mon- tana in 1880 and accordingly must be numbered among the pioneers of this section. He is a native of Putnam county, Indiana, where he was born August 5, 1837. His parents, William and Mary (Huffman) Coffman, came originally from Kentucky, the father having been born in that state, near Lexington, in 1812, and the mother near Cynthia, in 1813. They came to Indiana when young, met and married there, and became the parents of ten children, six of whom, including Henry N., are now living. Elizabeth is the wife of Alfred Keller, Nancy is the widow of Jackson Keller, Pauline is married to James Houser, Mary is the wife of Daniel Hodge, the remaining member being the son William. The elder Coffman followed the occupation of farmer throughout his life, first in Putnam and later in Owen county, in which last locality he died in 1888, his wife having preceded him to the better land a year earlier. The family was prominent in the life of the community in which they lived and the name has been an honored one for generations.

Henry N. Coffman, whose life this sketch briefly reviews, spent his early boyhood days on his father's farm in Indiana and attended school during the win- ters. He followed the occupation of farming with his father in Owen county for several years, then in 1869 removed to a farm in Sullivan county, Missouri, where he operated as a general farmer and stock raiser. In 1880 he came to Montana, locating first in Gallatin county, where for the ten succeeding years he pros- pered in the same line of endeavor. His next move was to Fergus county, in which place he farmed for thirteen years and then decided to return to his native state and again take up his residence there. He had become thoroughly imbued with western life, how- ever, and only remained in Indiana about a year and a · half, then again sought a location in Montana and came to Yellowstone county and bought the farm three miles east of Billings which he still conducts. Mr. Coffman does not, however, live upon his ranch, but owns a home in Billings which he occupies, and superintends the farm work from day to day, driving back and forth as necessity requires his presence on the place.

Mr. Coffman was first married in 1859 to Miss Mar- garet Jane Modderl, who was born in Indiana. She became the mother of nine children, namely : Mary E., wife of Samuel Belcher, of California; Sarah Jane, widow of J. Henry Watson, and a resident also of Cali- fornia; Daniel V .; Henrietta, the wife of William Mc- Callum; William S .; Bertram; Nettie M., wife of Nathan Callantine; Eva Ellen, wife of George Crolus; and Thomas. Mrs. Coffman died in 1884, and Mr. Coff- man took as his second wife Elizabeth Rose, who also died. His third marriage united him with Mrs. Fannie King, nee Mull. She had been married three times previously. Her first husband was Mr. Maderius, by whom she bore two children, the second was Mr. Spratt,

four children being born of that union, a boy, who died several years ago, Elizabeth, May and Frances, the latter the wife of Steral Pomeroy, of Chicago. Her third husband was Mr. King, and a son and daughter were born of that union. Mr. and Mrs. Coffman have a very pleasant and hospitable home in Billings and are highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintances. They are active members of the Christian church and take a great interest in all that makes for the best welfare of the community in which they reside.

Mr. Coffman is a man of many fine personal qualities, has broad sympathies, is liberal and progressive in all that pertains to civic and commercial life and is rightly counted among the most substantial and enterprising of Billing's citizens.

JOHN H. GRANT, of Roundup, Montana, is the lead- ing contractor and architect of the district. He has many imposing buildings to his credit, among them the new school at Judith Gap. He has been engaged in this line for several years, but had never devoted his entire time to it until 1908, when he opened his present office at Roundup.

Mr. Grant is not far from having the honor of being a native son of Montana. His parents brought him to the state when he was only a few months old and he has lived within its bounds ever since. He was born in Downey, Iowa, March 2, 1879, the son of John M. and Mary (Cameron) Grant. Mr. and Mrs. Grant were both born in Scotland, came to America when young and their marriage took place in Canada. Later they moved to Iowa and came to Montana in 1880, where Mr. Grant took up ranching. His death occur- red nine years later, however, at White Sulphur Springs. He was fifty-five years old at the time of his death. His widow now lives with her son, John H., in Round- up, and their other two children are married and reside in other parts of Montana. Annie married Martin J. Settle of Bozeman, and Egbert S. is married and re- sides at Hodginsville.

Audience Portalbrown

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John H. Grant attended the public schools at Martins- dale, White Sulphur Springs, and Helena, and finished his education with a business college course at Helena. He earned his first money as a boy of fifteen by herd- ing horses and cattle at a salary of forty dollars a month. Later he started in the ranch and stock busi- ness for himself, and for eight years operated a steanı thrashing outfit. He also worked as a contractor and builder at odd times until 1908, when he decided to give all of his attention to the latter business.

Mr. Grant attends the Presbyterian church, and as a Republican takes an active interest in politics. He has been connected with the school board, and has held several offices in the Knights of Pythias lodge of which he is a member. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Elks. He has never married.

FRED P. HOLBROOK. Representative men from all parts of the United States have recognized the advan- tages of Butte, Montana, as a commercial center, and foreseen its growth and development as the leading metropolis of an immensely rich section of the great northwest, and those who came early and participated in that rapid progress which the city has enjoyed of recent years have received just rewards for their shrewdness and insight. It was thirty years ago that Mr. Fred P. Holbrook came from his Atlantic coast home to Montana and decided to cast in his lot with the fortunes of this portion of the west, and subse- quent years have amply proved the wisdom of that decision. Mr. Holbrook was a young man, energetic and ambitious, and the country was new and in need of such men to build it up. He came of hardy old New England pioneer stock and was himself a native of Maine, his birth having occurred at Newport, that state, August 26, 1862. His father was William Hol- brook, born in New Hampshire in 1820, of Englishi ancestry, the first members of the family having come here in prerevolutionary days and been participators in that great conflict which resulted in the establish- ment of this independent country of freedom. Wil- liam Holbrook was a contractor and builder of New- port, Maine, and he spent his entire lifetime in that state, dying there in 1877. He married Caroline Boland, who was born in Maine in 1826, and whose family came originally from Ireland, her great-grand- father Boland having been one of the American founders who settled in Maine very early. She survived her husband several years and died in December, 1884.

Fred P. Holbrook was the youngest of a family of seven children. He was reared and educated in his native state, having enjoyed the advantages of study in the public schools and later attended Corrina Academy. His first independent business venture was with the Canastota Publishing Company as a salesman of subscription books for the firm, in which line of work he was very successful both in a financial way and in acquiring experience in salesmanship and a knowledge of human nature that was valuable to him in after years.

Coming to Montana in 1880, Mr. Holbrook first located at Helena. During his residence there he was for a time proprietor of the old Merchants Hotel, which he purchased and conducted for two years. He later disposed of that hostelry and associated him- self with the firm of Kleinschmidt Brothers & Co., general merchants, taking charge of that company's store at Radersburg, Montana, and conducting it for eight years. Upon severing his connection with that firm he decided to engage in business on his own account, and in 1891 came to Butte and established the Fred Holbrook Shoe Store at 37 North Main street. He did a large business in the retail sale of shoes at that place until 1904, when he sold out and then estab- lished the Kumfort Shoe Company, and under that firm name has since conducted business in a com-

modious store at 16 West Park street. He makes a specialty of dealing in medium priced shoes and has built up a fine trade, his stock being complete and up- to-date, his goods low priced and of high proportion- ate value, and his clerks courteous and competent.

Mr. Holbrook is a man of keen business ability, and by judicious investments has acquired a large amount of property, owning a number of valuable pieces of real estate in the principal business section of the city, where values are high. While his political sym- pathies are Republican, he takes no active part in poli- tical matters, but devotes his time to the management of his large and increasing private business interests. He is prominent in club and fraternal circles being a member of the Butte Country Club, the Silver Bow Club, Silver Bow Lodge, No. 48, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and is a member also of the Chapter and Council. He has a host of friends in this city and state and is held in high esteem and respect by all for his many sterling personal qualities, liber- ality and broad sympathies.

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 83

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