A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 108

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883-
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 970

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Mr. Ross was married in Butte, Montana, September 22, 1903, to Miss Mary Jones, a native of Bevier, Mis- souri. This union has been blessed in the birth of two children, Robert Wesley born December 2, 1905; and Lee Wayne, born November 10, 1909.

In civic affairs and all that has to do with the progress and development of Butte and this section of the north- west, Mr. Ross is vitally interested and an influential factor. He is a man of independent thought and action, liberal in his views, and is held in high esteem by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

WELLESLEY CONSTANTINE MESSIAS. A man who for the past ten years has been prominently identified with the upbuilding of Butte, Montana, and is now connected with the most influential financial interests not only of this city but of the state of Montana is Mr. Wellesley Constantine Messias, well known as chief clerk of the Clark interests of which Senator Clark is owner. Mr. Messias has had a most interesting career and been con- nected at various times with enterprises of first import- ance and world fame, while his experience in unusual lines has given him a breadth of knowledge rarely equalled.

Mr. Messias was born in Jamacia, British West Indies, February 9, 1859, and grew to manhood at that place. His early ancestors were of English stock, but the family went to Jamacia in the early days of the preced- ing century and remained there continuously, becoming one of the influential factors in the life of that interest- ing island. Mr. Messias' father, John Thomas Messias, was a native of Jamacia and lived there throughout his entire life, his death occurring in 1886, when he was seventy-nine years of age. The position which he filled during his life was that of registrar in the cathedral at Spanishtown, Jamaica. The mother of our subject, also a native of the island, died the same year as her hus- band when sixty-two years old. They were the parents of seven children.

The advantages enjoyed by Mr. Messias in youth in Jamaica were not such as are available to the people of the present day, for then there were no public schools to attend, and he acquired his education under private tui- tion. He proved to be a diligent student, however, and secured a fund of knowledge that has enabled him to fill a prominent place in the community and important positions in the business world. In 1884 Mr. Messias left his homeland and went to the Isthmus of Panama. where for fourteen years he maintained his residence. During that long period he worked first under the French government as a time keeper on one of the dredges which was working in the heart of the forest in an effort to construct the Panama canal. At that time work was being prosecuted in the swamps about five miles from the site of the Atlantic Coast terminal and condi- tions were decidedly unpleasant and life surrounded with great hardship. Mr. Messias was accordingly grat- ified when he was able to leave that work to accept a position in the freight department of the Panama Rail- road Company, which he filled for fourteen years.

In 1901 he left the Panama country and came direct to Butte and has been a resident of this city continuously ever since that date. Upon his arival here he accepted a position with the Butte Gas Company, leaving that to connect himself with the Henningsen Produce Company, and later became bookkeeper of the Montana Cash Grocery. An opening with the Clark interests present- ing itself, Mr. Messias seized the opportunity to im- prove his condition and soon worked up from junior clerk in the office to the top as chief clerk, that being the position he now so ably fills.

On January 22, 1884, in Jamaica, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Messias and Ada Sophia Feurtado, whose parents, Septimus and Rebecca Feurtado, were also natives of the island, her father having been chairman of the parochial board of St. Catherine there. They were originally of English stock and people of fine blood. Mr. and Mrs. Messias have two daughters. The elder, Laurie Hyacinth, is a woman of fine business ability and has for eight years been a stenographer in the office of Senator Clark, now being head of the stenographic force. Ivy Beatrice is also a talented sten- ographer, in the employ of Professor Spencer D. Kelly. principal of the Butte high school. The Messias family enjoys the highest standing in social circles of the city and their home is one of the most charming and hospital in Butte.

Mr. Messias is one of the most prominent religious Vol. III-23

workers of this city and he has connection with various organizations under direction of the church which give him national repute in this respect. He is a devout com- municant and vestryman of St. John's Episcopal church, and is superintendent of St. John's Sunday-school, a member of the standing committee of the Diocese of Montana, and the national council member of the Broth- erhood of St. Andrew for Montana. Other organiza- tions of which he is a member are the Ancient Order of Shepherds and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Messias is a man of strong and interesting per- sonality and enjoys the highest respect of the entire community.

WILLIAM J. GALAHAN. After a period of twenty- eight years of activity in the ranching business, pre- ceded by mercantile experience covering a number of years, Mr. Galahan, in the year of 1901, severed his con- nection with the ranch business and engaged in the sale of implements and feed-a trade which has occu- pied him since then up to the present time. He has had a wide and varied experience in his life thus far, and has seen the seamy side of existence as well as the more favorable aspect. He has always been on friendly and intimate relations with hard work, and knows the value of a dollar perhaps as well as any man who might be found. Possessing all the characteristics that go to make a model citizen, Mr. Galahan has ever been active in the interests of whatever community he has been identified with, and has given worthy ser- vice in many lines of civic activity.

William J. Galahan was born in New York City, on December 23, 1843, and is the son of Thomas and Ellen (Stokesberry) Galahan. The father was born in Ireland, and come to America as a small boy, settling first in Pennsylvania with his family and later in New York. In subsequent years he became a resident of Kansas, which state was his last home. He was a veteran of the Mexican war, serving throughout with much distinction and credit. Both he and his wife died in Kansas, after long lives of usefulness, and are there buried. They became the parents of seven chil- dren, William being the second born. He attended the public schools of Oneida county, New York, his parents having removed from New York City to Oneida county when he was six years of age. There they settled on a farm, and he divided his time be- tween the farm and school duties until he reached the age of thirteen, when the family moved to Kansas. He continued in public school attendance there until he was in his eighteenth year, when he began clerking in a store in his home town. He received a salary of $15 monthly for the first while, but was gradually ad- vanced, and he remained with the firm until his re- moval to the west in 1862. He began his western life by going into the freighting business, plying be- tween the Missouri river and Denver, using ox teams as a mode of conveyance. He followed the work for two years between these points, then began freighting between Denver and Salt Lake, in which he continued for a season. He then transferred his activities in that line to the route between Salt Lake and Virginia City, continuing therein for another season, after which he disposed of his freighting outfit, and having saved something from his business in the past three years, opened a dry goods store at Nevada, a small mining camp near Virginia City. For two years he carried on a thriving trade in dry goods and clothing, then moved his stock to another small mining town in Madi- son county, by the name of Rochester. When the mines closed down some time later he sold out his stock and moved on a ranch located in Madison county, on Wisconsin creek. For a period of twenty-eight consecutive years he devoted his time to the ranch business, following stock-raising and general farming

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until in the fall of 1901 he removed to Twin Bridges and opened an establishment for the sale of implements and feed, a business which has claimed his attention ever since, and which, under his watchful care and management, has come to be one of the most thriv- ing and lucrative in the county.

Mr. Galahan is prominent in Twin Bridges socially and in a business way. He is a member of the Masonic order, and has filled all chairs in the blue lodge, of which he has been treasurer since 1900. He is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, as is also his wife. He is a Republican of solid con- viction, but takes no active part in the political affairs of the county. He has served as a member on the board of aldermen, and while he has been solicited to stand for various other offices of honor and importance, he has always declined to do so. He is, and always has been, keenly interested in matters pertaining to the educational conditions of the district wherein he lives, and while living on his ranch was clerk of the school board for many years. He is a member of the Pioneer Society of Montana.

In 1865 Mr. Galahan was married at Salt Lake, Utah, to Miss Isabella R. Tarbet, a native of Scotland. They became the parents of a family of thirteen chil- dren, eight boys and five girls, of which number but six are living today. They are: John C., who is mar- ried and lives at Absorokee, Montana; George B., living with his family at Twin Bridges; Amos A., also married, and living on a ranch near Twin Bridges, as do also Harrison and Walter; Rosella, the only living daughter, is married to Clark Kemph and lives in the home town.

DUNCAN S. MACKENZIE, M. D. The city of Havre has never had a more efficient and popular mayor than the present incumbent, Dr. Mackenzie, who is now serving his second term. The doctor is a very success- ful physician, and since locating here a few years ago has gained a very influential position in this portion of the state.

Dr. Mackenzie was born at Wabasha, Minnesota, May 3, 1879, a son of D. M. and Annie (Campbell) Mackenzie. His father, who was a native of Perth, Ontario, came to Minnesota in 1850, and is now living at Havre at the advanced age of seventy-six years. He was among the earliest settlers of Minnesota, was there during the Indian wars in which he took part, and his home was burned by the Indians during one of their raids. The mother died at Wabasha, Minne- sota, in 1906, aged sixty-six years.

D. S. Mackenzie, after his graduation from the high school of his native town, decided upon a career in the medical profession, and spent two years at the University of Minnesota in preparatory academic work. His professional studies were continued in the Rush Medical College of Chicago, where he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1901. He then located in Havre, and with Dr Almos as partner was soon busied with a large and profitable practice. His personality and high standing in the community led to his election as chief executive of the city, and at the close of his first two years' term (April 1, 1912), he was reelected. He is a Republican and as such, was elected as the first state senator from Hill county in November, 1912.

Dr. Mackenzie is a director in the Northern Mon- tana Telephone Company, and has many other interests that attach him to the state of his adoption. He is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian church, and fraternally affiliates with the Masons, the Mystic Shrine, the Elks and Woodmen of the World.

Dr. Mackenzie married, in July, 1902, Miss Laura Eggers, and they are the parents of two children: Joseph C. who is in school and Janet M.

KENNETH CHRISTIE. Conspicuous among the rising young business men of Butte is Kenneth Christie, a man of sterling worth and character, who began life for himself, poor in pocket, but rich in energy and ambi- tion, and through his own exertions has steadily and surely climbed the ladder of attainments, being now president of the Montana Transfer Company, one of the most busy and essential industrial organizations of the city. A son of Hugh S. Christie, he was born, December 18, 1882, in Ontario, Canada, of substantial Scotch lineage. His paternal grandparents, Simeon and Margaret Mary Christie, were born and reared in Scot- land. Immigrating to America, they settled on a farm in Canada, and there spent their remaining days.

Hugh S. Christie was born in Canada, in 1843, and is still a resident of Martintown, Ontario, where he is liv- ing retired from agricultural pursuits, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of toil. He married Annie McIntosh, who was born in Canada, a daughter of Fin- ley McIntosh, a farmer who emigrated from Scotland to Canada, settling on a farm. She died November 24, 1910, on the home farm, in Canada, aged sixty-seven years, leaving six sons, as follows: Simeon W., a farmer, still lives in Canada; Dr. Finley J., of Minot, North Dakota; Dr. Herbert H., of Esterhazy, Sas- katchewan; David E., a farmer in Stetler, Canada; Kenneth; and Fred G., secretary and treasurer of the Montana Transfer Company.

Receiving excellent educational advantages in his Canadian home, Kenneth was graduated from the Mar- tintown High school with the class of 1898. Beginning. life then as a wage-earner, he worked as a dairyman and farm hand for awhile in Canada. Coming then to the States in search of more remunerative employment, Mr. Christie located, in 1901, in Butte, Montana, where for four years he was variously employed. In 1905, perceiving the need of a business similar to the one in which he is now engaged, he embarked in draying 'and transferring on a very modest scale. Having no capi- tal with which to start in such an undertaking, Mr. Christie for awhile hired teams' whenever he found a job of hauling or transferring. Attentive to his busi- ness, and prompt in the execution of his orders, he soon built up an extensive patronage, and as his busi- ness increased he wisely invested his accumulations of money in teams, and needed equipments, having now seven fine teams of his own, and keeping a number of men constantly employed. In 1909 Mr. Christie had the business incorporated under its present name, The Mon- tana Transfer Company, of which he is president and general manager. In 1910 the corporation purchased the business of the Citizens' Coal Co., dealers in coal and builder's material, which has been added to their original business.

Mr. Christie is both prominent and popular in the business and social circles of the city, and is a member of both the Silver Bow Club and the Country Club. He is an expert horseman, and fond of outdoor recreation. He is a straightforward Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church.

EDWIN C. CARRUTH. During a residence of nearly twelve years in the state of Montana, Edwin C. Car- ruth of Havre has taken a prominent part in affairs as a newspaper man, as a business builder, and a leader in civic enterprise. He was born in Lake City, Min- nesota, the 7th of May, 1866, and since he was nine years old has been self-supporting, helped his own family, and in his later prosperity has done much for the communities of which he has been a resident. His father was Virgil D. Carruth, an honored soldier of the Civil war and whose body now rests at Arlington, Virginia. He was born in New York state and died at the age of seventy. He entered the army as a mem- ber of the Forty-fourth New York and was subse-

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quently with the One Hundred and Forty-fourth regi- ment of that state. The father was in all the Potomac campaigns, in the battles of the Wilderness and at Bull Run, and many other engagements. At his first en- listment he served three years, and then reenlisted, his total service being four years and six months. Throughout most of his civil career he was identified with teaching as a profession, and for a quarter of a century was superintendent of schools in Polk county, Minnesota. He married Julia E. Cooley, a native of New York state and still a resident of that state, and they were the parents of two sons and two daughters.

Edwin C. Carruth had the advantages of the public schools at Crookston, Minnesota, until he was nine years old, and then became general utility boy with the merchandise firm of Fontaine & Anglim at Crook- ston. His wages at the beginning were ten dollars a month, and he remained with the firm for ten years, winning promotion to larger responsibilities and laying the foundation of a substantial business career. On leaving that firm he became associated with W. E. Mckenzie in the management of the Crookston Times, and was identified with journalism for the next fifteen years or more. During his youthful days in Crook- ston, roller-skating became a popular amusement throughout the nation, and taking up this fascinating art Mr. Carruth soon developed into one of the experts and had no superiors anywhere. He won medals for his skill at Crookston, Fargo, Winnipeg, Minneapolis and Fergus Falls, and during 1884-85 held the champion- ship of the entire northwest in this sport. His record of one hundred miles in six hours, fifteen minutes and six seconds has never been equalled on roller skates.

After six years, in 1893, he and Mr. Mckenzie bought the Plain Dealer at Grand Forks, South Dakota, and he continued in the business there until 1901, when they sold the paper. During his residence in Crookston, Mr. Carruth served as city clerk, and has always taken an active part in public affairs. In 1901, on moving to Montana, Mr. Carruth became manager for E. V. Hausers' Havre Hotel, which was destroyed by fire in 1904. About that time Mr. Carruth was granted a franchise by the city for the construction of a tele- phone system, and spent most of the year in building up the independent telephone business in this city. In 1904, in partnership with F. A. Carnal, he establish- ed the real estate and insurance firm of Carnal & Carruth. In the fall of 1906, on his election as county attorney for Chouteau county, Mr. Carnal withdrew, and the business has since been conducted under Mr. Carruth's name. Another of his local enterprises was the construction of the New Havre Hotel, which was opened in March, 1905. He is owner of ninety per cent of the stock in the Havre Hotel Company, which is the corporation owning this hotel.

Mr. Carruth is one of the Democratic leaders in northern Montana. He was secretary of the North Dakota state central committee from 1896 to 1902. At Havre he has been clerk of his school district for the past four years. In the division of Chouteau county, and for the last two years, Mr. Carruth's office has been the headquarters for the county division committee, of which he was secretary and one of the most active members. This work of division required careful management, and the greatest credit for its successful performance was due to James Holland, chairman of the committee, Mr. Carruth was one of the organizers and has since been a member of the Havre Com- mercial Club. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic lodge and chapter at Havre, the Knight Templars commandery at Great Falls, and the Elks club, the Knights of Pythias and the Eagles at Havre. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church. He is fond of outdoor life, especially duck shooting, but through an exceedingly busy career he

has retained his best affections for his home circle. He has never used tobacco or liquor.

On September 8, 1888, Mr. Carruth married Miss Emily A. Mckenzie, who died at Grand Forks, July 22, 1902, and is buried at Crookston. His second marriage occurred in Helena, Montana, January 19, 1907, when Ethel Dewar became his wife. She is a native of Crookston, Minnesota. To this marriage one daughter was born, February 17, 19II, her name being Ethel Cooley Carruth.

HARRY L. WILSON, junior member of the firm of Nichols & Wilson, attorneys and counsellors at law of Billings, whose professional ability has contributed a due quota to the precedence of the firm, was born at Lanark, Carroll county, Illinois, June 19, 1879, and is a son of Frank J. and Cordelia (Miller) Wilson.

Frank J. Wilson was born near Scranton, Pennsyl- vania, in 1853, and was educated in his native state and in Illinois. As a young man he gave his attention to the profession of teaching, but later he entered the paint and oil business, and until 1880 was the proprietor of an establishment at Lanark, Illinois. In that year he re- moved to Iowa, and for five years was engaged in farm- ing in Tama county, but subsequently removed to Jewell county, Kansas, where he was for some years engaged in farming and house-painting. In April, 1894, Mr. Wilson removed to Miles City, Montana, where he met his death in a runaway accident October 27, 1903. He was married September 20, 1878, in Lanark, Illinois, to Miss Cordelia Miller, a native of that state, who was born in 1857, and now resides at Long Beach, Califor- nia, as do two of their children. Harry L. is the elder.

Frank J. Wilson was a Democrat in his political views, and while in Jewell county, Kansas, held the office of assessor. At the time of his death he was serving his second term as a member of the city council of Miles City. He also held official position in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and was a well-known and prom- inent citizen. We are allowed to quote from an article published in the Yellowstone Journal, of Miles City, which appeared at the time of Mr. Wilson's death: "In the taking away of Frank J. Wilson this community suffers a greater loss than it may be aware of. The death of a good citizen is always a loss to the community in which he lives, but when we lose a good citizen who has taken up a part of the burden of public cares, and has brought to the performance of this task a fund of good judgment backed by inborn honesty of purpose and determination to countenance nothing but what is right, the removal of such a public servant from his sphere of usefulness by the cold hand of death increases the weight of the calamity and brings a sense of deep and irreparable loss to all who knew the man. It was the good fortune of the writer to have enjoyed in late years the close friendship of Mr. Wilson and to have had the opportunity to judge him both as a man and as a public official during that period. As he was not effusive in his friendships, it is probable that there are not many people here who knew him intimately. To all such it can be honestly said that both in public and private life his one aim was to do what his judgment commended as being right, and if the evolution of events should ever disclose that he was in error, no one could be more prompt or more honest in confessing the error and adopting the right view. But it was rarely that this came about. for his judgment seldom played him false and his deductions of a matter of public im- port, after due consideration, were well worthy of adoption. It is therefore with the most poignant regret that the little circle formed by the city council, of which the victim of yesterday's terrible accident was a conspicuous member. will regard this sudden taking away, mourning no less his genial companionship and sustaining friendship than his wise counsel and splen-

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did example to do right as he saw it, though the heavens fell.

"On his private life there was no blemish. As a hus- band and a father he was a homely ideal of unosten- tatious devotion, strengthening day by day, and year by year, the bonds of affection that, thoughi now riven, will ever serve to keep the memory of the departed green and sweet with those whom he has left behind.

"Miles City has lost from its citizenship in its brief existence men who have, from one cause or another, been better or more widely known, but never one of greater intrinsic worth as a citizen and a man. He came to us years ago quietly and unostentatiously and thus he grew into our life until something over three years ago the people of his ward chose him unanimously as their representative in the city council, and after two years' service he was again unanimously chosen a year ago, to succeed himself, and had he lived his term of service would have only been ended by his peremptory refusal to accept reelection. In his private business his affairs steadily grew better from the start of some ten years ago, and the full measure of his prosperity was enjoyed by his family whose sustain- ing prop is now so rudely plucked away. It is a sad pleasure to thus record the virtues of a departed friend, but nevertheless a pleasure, as it is meet and proper that all should know what manner of man he was."

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 108

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883- Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 970

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883-
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 970