A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 90

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

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In his political proclivities Mr. Dion has ever been a stanch supporter of the Republican party in his prin- ciples. He was appointed the first sheriff of Dawson county in 1882 by Governor Potts; was elected county treasurer in 1895, and served one term; has been county commissioner of Dawson county and chairman of the board since 1906; and for the past fifteen years has acted in the capacity of school director. The true western spirit of progress and enterprise has ever been exemplified in Mr. Dion's life, and the service that he has rendered to his county and state, both as one of its most conscientious officials, and as a promoter of its commercial and financial interests, has given him a place among the most representative men of his sec- tion.

On September 7, 1882, Mr. Dion was married to Mrs. Margaret (O'Connor) Elliott, a native of Virginia, and

four children have been born to them, namely: Henry N., Frederick E., William F. and Marie.

CHARLES JACOB PRUETT was born in Colchester, Illi- nois, on April 13, 1861. The year following his birth, however, his parents moved from Colchester to Schuy- ler county, near Birmingham of the same state. No sooner was the family well settled here than his father, Nicholas Pruett, who was a native of Tennessee, took the ox team from the furrows and hitching them to a prairie schooner started his long journey across the plains. In the spring of 1863 he reached Alder Gulch. For eighteen months he tried his hand at stock ranch- ing, but at the end of that time he was obliged to re- turn to his Schuyler county home, disappointed and discouraged but yet certain of the future of Montana and the northwest. On a second trip to the same dis- trict, some years later, he made a few investments that proved satisfying. For ten years he chafed under his work as farmer in Schuyler county and then, hoping to better the conditions, he moved to Charleston, Iowa. This country pleased him little or no better, so after the third season he once more moved westward, set- tling in Lynn county, Kansas, where he purchased a farm. During the three years he farmed in Kansas his fever for the far west grew upon him until in 1881 he made his third and last trip to Montana, this time ac- companied by his young son, Charles Jacob, and his son-in-law, Elias S. Tincher, the husband of his young- est daughter. At last the efforts of the three men were well rewarded. Mr. Pruett's wife and family joined him six years later in 1887. During the remaining seven years of his life he was successful in accumulating a large and well stocked ranch in the north part of Mad- ison county. Here he passed away in 1888, on the eighteenth day of February, having reached the age of sixty-four years. He is buried in the Fish Creek cemetery. Mrs. Nicholas Pruett was Ingaber Smith. She was born in what is now West Virginia, in 1827, her parents being Mr. and Mrs. David Smith, them- selves natives of Virginia. While she was yet but a child her parents brought her overland from Virginia to Schuyler county, Illinois, and later, in 1887, came to Madison county, Montana, where she lived to the ripe age of seventy-four, dying in April, 1902, and was laid to rest by the side of her husband in the cemetery at Fish Creek.

Even during his boyhood Charles Jacob Pruett was ambitious to become a wage earner. With his father's permission he had often assisted the neighboring farm- ers in Iowa with a day's work, laboring from sunup until sundown for the munificent wage of one dollar and twenty-five cents a day, which were high wages at that time. On accompanying his father to Montana in 1881 they settled first at Sheridan, the largest town in Madison county at that time. Shortly afterward they purchased the ranch on the northern border of the county where his father spent his remaining years. It was here and on the ranches nearby that the young man found his first regular employment as a laborer in the harvest fields, and it has been remarked that a har- vest field is more picturesque in the moonlight than in the middle of a July day. While living on the Madison county farm Mr. Pruett met Mr. E. M. Clarke, who brought about the crisis in his life.

Mr. Clarke was a mining assayer of no mean ability, and as the friendship developed it was decided that he. Mr. Pruett and Mr. S. R. Fair, a third friend, should establish a partnership. Together they located the May Flower mine. The business association continued until 1896, when they sold the mine to Mr. W. A. Clark. Mr. Pruett, through his own efforts and the assistance lent him by his partner, Mr. Clarke, had so well mas- tered the work of the assayer that he moved to White- hall and opened an office and laboratory.

The following year he was married, in Butte, Mon-

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

tana, to Miss Annie E. Bray, of Silver Star, Madison county. Mrs. Annie E. Pruett was born near St. Joseph, Missouri, on November 1, 1878, a daughter of John and Mary Frances (McGann) Kidd. Her father was killed in a lead mine in Missouri, when Mrs. B. Pruett was quite young and her mother survived him but a few months. Soon after the death of her mother she was brought to Montana and adopted by Mr. and Mrs. William M. Bray, Mrs. Bray being a sister of Mrs. Kidd. Mr. William M. Bray, the father of Mrs. Pruett, came from Missouri to Silver Star district in sixty-two. He had in his early days tried his luck at mining but later became a very well to do ranchman. He died at his ranch home, "Lake View," in 1905, and was laid to rest in Beaverhead county. Mrs. Bray con- tinues living at "Lake View," Centennial Valley, Beaverhead county, and is still active in the manage- ment of her stock and cattle interests on the ranch. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pruett became the parents of six children, but the first, William Edwin, died in in- fancy. The next son, aged eleven, is named Ira Ed- ward. Next in years comes Dorothy Ingaber, so called for her paternal grandmother. Ellen Frances is four years of age, while the youngest son, Marcus William, is little more than two. Isabel May, the pet of the en- tire household, is, still in her infancy.

Mrs. Pruett is a member of the Christian church, being, when her family cares permit, an active worker in the Ladies' Aid Society. Her husband does not be- long to any church organization, although he expresses a strong sympathy with the Seventh Day Adventists.

Mr. Pruett's early education was obtained before he was thirteen years of age, while his family resided in or near Birmingham, Illinois. His only other schooling was procured during the three years that his parents lived in Charleston, Iowa. He started his life work alone, without advantages and unaided by any external means. He is now the owner of valuable ranches in both Madison and Jefferson counties, not to mention the property that he has accumulated in Whitehall. It was through his efforts that the Whitehall State Bank was founded. This was the initial banking establish- ment of the city and Mr. Pruett was chosen as its first president.

He has never felt that he had the leisure to devote to political affairs aside from voting the Republican ticket. He did realize, however, that the quality of the schools in a city depends upon the material that makes up its board of education, and as the education of his little family was at stake he finally consented to become a member of the Whitehall school board. To this he gives of his best energy and ability.

Although interested in banking and other sedentary occupations, Mr. Pruett has never lost his love for out-door life and spends his hard-won vacations in hunting and fishing in the nearest mountains. Neither has he given up, entirely, the work of his first choice- assaying and prospecting, at both of which he has be- come an expert. Now a man of fortune, he looks back with pleasure and thanksgiving on the days when his boyhood friend, Mr. E. M. Clarke, first taught him the secrets of the earth and how to make them his own. The only secret organization to which Mr. Pruett has ever belonged is the Order of Maccabees.

GOODWIN T. PAUL. No record of the representative men of the Beaverhead valley would he complete with- out appropriate mention of the well-known gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch and who for thirty years and more has played a prominent part in business and public life in this locality. As pro- prietor of The Dillon Furniture Company, the largest furniture concern in the county, he has contributed to the bone and sinew of commercial strength. He is a man endowed with fine eloquence and logic, and is much sought to convey at public meetings the wishes

of the people of the vicinity in matters of general in- terest. It has been said of him: "His ease and readi- ness of speech make him eminently fitted for this work and it is a foregone conclusion that when Mr. Paul is called upon to express a sentiment it will be expressed with accuracy and eloquence." He has had most valu- able influence in local educational matters, his ideas in this field being enlightened and advanced. He is president of the Beaverhead county high school board and is a member of the state board of education. For many years he has been active in state and local pol- itics and was sent by the Democrats to represent the interests of the county at the Sixth session of the Mon- tana legislature, his services at that time being a matter for congratulation to all concerned.

Mr. Paul is one of the good citizens whom Iowa has given to the state, his birth having occurred in Marion, November 9, 1856. He resided amid the scenes of his birth until about twenty-five years of age and then, convinced of the superior advantages of the great, de- veloping west, he came direct to Montana and located at Dillon, arriving here in August, 1881. He entered the employ of the Eliel Brothers, serving them in a general capacity for some three years. Severing his connection with that firm, he undertook the organiza- tion of the Dillon Furniture Company, which was es- tablished with the following officers: Robert T. Wing, president ; G. T. Paul, secretary and manager. In 1892 Mr. Paul bought the entire interests of the company and has continued as sole proprietor ever since that time. The enterprise began on a modest scale, but increased rapidly to the proportions which it bears at present. This large cash and credit establishment is situated on Montana street and an extensive warehouse is main- tained in connection with it. An elaborate stock of furniture is always on hand and Mr. Paul also has in connection departments for artistic picture-framing and upholstering. The stock is constantly being replenished and extended by car-lots to meet the ever increasing demand of satisfied customers. This large and modern establishment is preeminent in its line in the Beaver- head valley.

Mr. Paul received his early education in the Iowa public schools and then took a course at Cornell Col- lege at Mount Vernon, Iowa. His record as a money- maker is almost record breaking, for he first felt the peculiar joys of a self-made capitalist at the age of eight years ; the momentary remuneration he received was in return for dropping corn behind a one-horse shovel plow, such being the tedious method of planting corn at that time. This is worthy of mention for more rea- sons than one, since it takes an expert to place the grains. His wages were fifty cents a day and he made two dollars on the job. Nothing could be a more eloquent comment on his character than the fact that he gave the entire sum to his mother.

Mr. Paul laid the foundation of a happy life com- panionship by his marriage in Dillon, on December I, 1889, to Mary Bourret, daughter of Joseph and Ma- thilda Bourret, of Dillon. Their three children are as follows: Hortense, a native of Dillon, as are the other children, is a graduate of the county high school and the State Normal College and is now teaching school in Helena. Lucile is a student in the Dillon high school and Frank Goodwin is enrolled in the public school.

Mr. Paul is a prominent Mason, standing high in that great fraternity. He is connected with the Shrine, with its social proclivities, and he has filled the various chairs in all the bodies. He is an advocate of athletics and is himself extremely fond of baseball, being an efficient fan, and he has done much toward bringing good players to Dillon and keeping the sport upon a high plane. He believes that whatever is worth doing at all-baseball not excluded-is worth doing well. He finds one of his chief pleasures in the art of the "Divine Cecilia," enjoying vocal and instrumental music equally.

J.B. Seely

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

The father of this loyal citizen of Montana was Alexander Paul, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1823 and came to Iowa in 1845. He engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout the course of his long life and died in Iowa in March, 1906, his years numbering eighty- three at the time of his demise. The mother (maiden name Justan Taylor) was born in Virginia, but met her husband in lowa and there became his wife. She preceded him to the other world by many years, dying in 1876, at the age of forty-four. There were eight children in the family of these good people, seven be- ing sons and one daughter, and Mr. Paul is the eldest of the number. Another brother has chosen Montana for his home, this being Bert H., who is married and resides in Monida, where he is engaged in the mer- cantile and stock-raising business. These brothers are associated in the latter industry, and possess extensive ranching interests in the Centennial valley, near Monida."

Mr. Paul is an indisputably good citizen. He is lib- eral in his views, temperate in his habits, upright and honorable in his relations in business, municipal and social life. He is conservative in his business deal- ings and possesses a well-poised intellect which quali- fies him as one of sound judgment, and he has ever been able to hold positions of responsibility and trust In a manner to merit the confidence of the public.

HON. JOSEPH B. POINDEXTER, judge of the fifth judi- cial district, was born in Canyon City, Oregon, April 14, 1869. He lived in that city until he was about twelve years of age and then removed with his parents to Montana, settling in Dillon, which has been his home ever since. His early education was received in the public schools of Canyon City and then in the public schools of Dillon. He then went to Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he took a scien- tific course. He passed from that institution to Wash- ington University, St. Louis, Missouri, where he was graduated and received his degree in 1892. After his graduation he returned to Dillon and began the practice of the law, which he has always continued alone.

In 1895 he was elected city attorney, but in 1896, before his term expired, he was elected county attor- ney, which office he held for three terms, six years. Since then he has several times filled the office of city attorney, has also served on the school board, has been alderman, and at one time was president of the execu- tive board of the Dillon, Montana, State Normal College, for four years. The Eleventh State Legisla- tive Assembly provided for one additional judge in the fifth judicial district, and he was appointed to fill this position. He assumed these duties April 1, 1909, and has continued in this position since that. time.

Judge Poindexter is a Democrat and prior to his appointment as judge took an active part in politics. He is a member of the Episcopal church, belongs to the order of Elks, and is a member of the Beaver- head Club and was at one time its president. He is very fond of hunting and fishing and of good reading. Judge Poindexter owes his advancement to his own industry and talents.

He was married in Dillon, Montana, on April 22, 1897, to Miss Margaret Conger, daughter of Judge E. J. and Emma Conger, of Dillon. There are two chil- dren in the household, a boy and a girl. Everton G. was born September 3, 1899, and is now attending school. Helen was born February 27, 1902, and is also in school.

The father of Judge Poindexter was Thomas W. Poindexter, who was born in Virginia in March, 1829. He came west in the early 'fifties and first settled in California, where he followed mining and ranching. After removing to Montana he followed the mercan- tile business. He died in Dillon in April, 1905, at the age of seventy-six. The mother was Margaret Pipkin

Poindexter who was born in St. Louis county, Mis- souri. She was married to Mr. Poindexter in 1861 and they immediately started for California, by way of Panama. She now resides in Dillon. In the elder Poindexter family there were five children, all sons. The subject of this sketch was the third child. One of the brothers, Thomas W., Jr., died in May, 1907. He was the state auditor from 1897 to 1901. Phillip E. Poindexter, Dr. F. M. Poindexter, Eugene Poin- dexter and the subject of this sketch all reside in Dil- lon.

JASPER B. SEELY is supervisor of the national forests of Montana; an interesting occupation to which he brings a real enthusiasm and a fund of technical knowledge. He was born in Niles, Michigan, on the twelfth day of October, 1857. After com- pleting his high school course at the age of seventeen he at once began teaching in the schools of Osceola county, that state. When he had reached his majority he joined his father in the lumber and milling business in Osceola county, his life work from the beginning be- ing more or less connected with the question of the na- tional timber supply. Two years later he left his father's business to make a start for himself. After a year's at- tempt in Washington, which proved that he could succeed alone, he moved to Missoula county, Montana, where he was employed by the Hammond Lumber Company in locating timber and lumbering in the Big Black Foot river country. This expedition was under the super- vision of Mr. G. L. Hammond, who kept his men busily at work from 1885 until 1889, when Mr. Seely left the Hammond Lumber Company. In the autumn of that same year he made arrangements to operate a stage line from Orando to Drummond in connection with a general mercantile business at Orando, at the same time devoting all of his leisure to stock-raising on a ranch in Missoula county. Until 1898 he continued these varied occupations, selling out that he might enter the United States forestry service. In 1902 he was appointed super- visor of the national forests, tendered him by the in- terior department of the United States. He is the oldest in service of the supervisors in the northwest. He still owns, however, a farm in Madison county, and valuable real estate in both Helena and Great Falls. After accepting the position under the government which he now holds it became desirable for him to make his future home in Helena. Here, in 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Leonora Turrell, herself of Helena. Six children brighten the home, all but the youngest of whom are daughters. Mary is a graduate of the Helena high school, while the younger sisters, Ruth graduates from the high school in 1913 and Doris and Joyce are still attending the grades. Francis and the baby of the house, Jasper B., Jr., are not yet of school age. The Seely family are members of the Congregational church, in support of which they are are most generous.

Mr. Seely is, as seems most natural in his position, greatly interested in the political condition of the coun- try, his sympathies being with the progressive Republi- cans. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Oro-Y-Plata Lodge, No. 390, and to the Odd Fellows, Samaritan Lodge No. 10, of Sheridan, Mon- tana, of which he is past grand. His father, Nathaniel R. Seely, went from Pennsylvania to Michigan at the age of twenty-two, where he settled on a farın near Niles. Here he became interested in the lumber busi- ness and in 1876 moved to Osceola county of the same state, where he purchased a sawmill and took his son Jasper into partnership with him. The remainder of his life, which ended in 1907, was spent in this county where the proceeds from his mill and lumber yard per- mitted him and his family to live in the greatest of plenty. His wife, Annie Hagerty Seely, lived only one year after her husband's death, passing away at the age

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

of sixty-seven years. They were the parents of nine children, all but three of whom departed this life in advance of their parents. The daughters now living are Adelia, the wife of Mr. Charles W. Johnson of Hil- liards, Michigan, and Edna A. who is Mrs. Van Avery of Cadillac, same state.

Mr. Seely left his young family to the care of his competent wife to go to the rescue of his country in 1863. He enlisted in Company C of the Twelfth regi- ment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry; was wounded in a struggle at the battle of Shiloh and sent home on fur- lough. He was, during his entire life, a man of strong faith and much Christian fortitude, preserving to the end his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Always he was ready at the call of his country, state or county. A Republican in political views, he served as justice of the peace in Osceola county for many years. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

DR. FREDERICK M. POINDEXTER, who is one of the leading physicians of Dillon, is a native of Canyon City, Oregon, having been born there January 5, 1875. Until he was about six years of age he continued to live in Canyon City, and then he was brought by his parents to Dillon, Montana. This family arrived here in 1881, and this has been Dr. Poindexter's home ever since.

The early education of Dr. Poindexter was received in the public schools of Dillon. He has the distinction of having been the first graduate of the high school of this town. Later he entered upon his studies in the medical department of the Northwestern University, Chicago, where he was graduated and received his de- gree. After graduating from high school and before entering college he was clerk in the office of the state auditor at Helena. Upon graduation at the medical school he served as a hospital interne, having ob- tained the position by passing a competitive examina- tion at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago. After this experience he returned to Dillon and took up the ac- tive practice of medicine here and has continued very successfully in his professional work ever since.

One of the pleasantest incidents of Dr. Poindexter's professional career happened during his residence at St. Luke's Hospital. A gentleman, who was a stranger, was waiting in the ante room in anticipation of an operation. When Dr. Poindexter appeared this stranger was recognized as Colonel Wilbur Sanders, of Montana. During the conversation that followed the colonel learned that Dr. Poindexter was also from Montana, and this fact, as well as the pleasing person- ality of the physician, made him feel that during his ordeal he would be in the hands of a friend. Dr. Poindexter himself administered the anaesthetic and the colonel went through the operation safely. When later he awakened, he expressed much satisfaction at being with a friend at such a time. Such confidence on the part of a man of the standing of Colonel Sanders was naturally pleasant to the physician.

Dr. Poindexter has been a member of the state board of examiners for a number of years. He be- longs to the order of the Elks. He is an enthusiastic lover of out-door amusements, and is a devotee of good books. He belongs to the Democratic party, interested as an individual only, and takes no active part in politics. He has various other interests and follows mining on the outside, more or less as a diversion. Dr. Poindexter is a brother of Judge Poindexter.

JOHN BARNS WILSON. By the death of John Barns Wilson, which occured at his home in Helena on April 19, 1912, after a brief illness, there was removed from life a man who was not only a pioneer of Mon- tana, but one who by the force of his makeup and character, as well as by his blameless life, attained a

high position in the esteem and regard of his fellow men.

John Barns Wilson was of Scotch descent and was a native of West Newton, Pennsylvania, the son of James and Sarah (Barns) Wilson. John B. Wilson was born on March 25, 1828, and received such educational ad- vantages as were common to boys of that time and place. He early learned the lesson of industry and thrift and was wont to tell of his working as errand boy for twenty-five cents a week, his wages being given to his mother. He and his brother James were boy- hood friends and companions of Andrew Carnegie, and their friendship continued throughout the remainder of the life of Mr. Wilson.

In 1852 Mr. Wilson crossed the plains by wagon, go- ing to California. After six years spent in the gold mines of that state he returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama. The passengers on the vessel were mostly miners homeward bound, carrying their money in belts worn beneath their clothing. En route the ship was wrecked on the east coast of Central America, but all the passengers were rescued and landed at Havana, save the few who, maddened with fear, leaped overboard and were dragged down by the weight of their precious gold. Mr. Wilson was a poor man when he left Pittsburgh. He returned with a sum sufficient to engage in business for himself. He was not long content with life and business in the east -- he longed for the west, with its dangers and diffi- culties, its broader views of life and men, its lofty mountains and wide plains. The discovery of gold at Pikes Peak filled him with the enthusiasm that only a miner can understand and in 1859 he again set his face towards the setting sun, to become one of the founders of this great western empire. From Colo- rado he journeyed on to California, to Oregon, to Brit- ish Columbia, at times a miner, a business man, at other times owning a store, a livery stable or a hotel. In 1865 Mr. Wilson and his brother, James Robb Wilson, left The Dalles, Oregon, with a pack train of mules, laden with goods suited to the needs of a pio- neer community. They followed the famous old Mul- lan road, which exacted from the traveler its full toll in labor expended and packs lost. He became impressed with the country in the vicinity of Blackfoot City, Deer Lodge county, and decided to locate there, where he built and conducted the Carey House, the first hotel in that part of the territory. The two brothers bought a placer mine on Nevada Creek, Deer Lodge county, which developed into a good paying proposition and proved to be the foundation of their future prosperity. The proceeds of this mine were invested in Pittsburgh in iron and steel companies with Andrew Carnegie, notably the Lucy Furnace, the Pittsburgh Car Works, the Edgar Thompson Steel Works and the William Walker Iron Mills. Mr. John B. Wilson sold his hold- ings in these firms before their absorption by the United States Steel Company.

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 90

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