A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 109

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

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Harry L. Wilson received his preliminary education in the public schools of Tama county, Iowa, and Jewell county, Kansas; graduated from the Miles City High School in 1897, and then entered the law department of the Northern Indiana University, at Valparaiso. After his graduation therefrom, in 1899, he was asso- ciated with C. R. Middleton, of Leavenworth, Kansas, for about a year and one-half, and in January, 1901, came to Billings. At this time he entered the law office of O. F. Goddard, as clerk and stenographer, and dur- ing the fall of 1904 was elected county attorney of Yel- lowstone county, in which office he served eminently for three terms. Retiring from the office in January, IgII, he formed a partnership with Judge Edmund Nichols, and returned to the practice of law under the firm name of Nichols & Wilson. Although in practice here for only a comparatively short time, the founda- tion for an excellent business has been established. Mr. Wilson is a young man of engaging personality, and is recognized as one who will go far in his profes- sion. In political matters he is a Republican and was the gubernatorial nominee of his party at the fall election of 1912.

Mr. Wilson holds membership in Ashlar Lodge No. 29, A. F. & A. M .; Billings Chapter No. 6, R. A. M., and Aldemar Commandery No. 5, K. T .; has been a member of Billings Lodge No. 394, B. P. O. E., of which he has been district deputy one term, and also represented his lodge in the National Grand Lodge on three occasions. He is chairman of the Young Busi- ness Men's Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association.

On September 30, 1903, Mr. Wilson was married at Dexter, Illinois, to Miss Virginia Baker, who was born in Effingham county, that state, daughter of Amos W. and Olive (Rippeteu) Baker. the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Indiana. Mrs. Wilson's par- ents now reside at Dexter, where Mr. Baker is a suc- cessful merchant and holds the position of postmaster. Mrs. Wilson is the eldest of her parents' five children, of whom four are living. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, namely: Winnifred and Gladys.

ARTHUR J. WILSON is a descendant of John Wilson, of Scotch-Irish descent who came to America just after the close of the Revolutionary war.

He settled in Ohio which was at that time a por-

tion of the great western reserve. His son, E. L. Wilson was born on the land that his father had pre- empted and spent his entire life in cultivating and im- proving the homestead. Here, in 1881, on the fifth of October, Arthur J. Wilson, the subject of this sketch was born.

His mother, whose maiden name was Elsie Lee, was also a native of Ohio, her people having been among the early colonial settlers of America. Her married life was passed serenely on the Portage county farm that had for so long a time belonged to her people. Her material efforts ended on the third day of March, 1894.

Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Wilson were the parents of three sons and two daughters, Arthur J. being the second of the boys. His early life was spent upon the farm of his ancestors. He helped with the outside work in the summer and attended the district schools in the winter. After completing the school work of the dis- trict, he persuaded his parents to permit him to go to Palmyra that he might have the advantage of a high school education. In the class of 1898, he was, there- fore graduated from the Palmyra high school. His people felt that they had now done all that was within their means to do for him as the younger children had not yet completed their educations. This did not discourage Arthur Wilson who had determined to obtain an education that should assist him in earning a good living independent of the ancestral farm. By diligent work in the summers and some outside effort during the school year, he was able to complete a course in pharmacy at the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. He was graduated from this institu- tion with the class of 1901.

In the autumn of that same year he left Ohio for Butte, Montana, where he found employment, without difficulty, in the Finlen and Medlen Drug Company. For five years he served this firm at a very flattering salary. A young man, industrious, devoted to the in- terests of the house and at the same time a grad- uate pharmacist was not easily picked up in that western country-nor for the matter of that, in any country. In 1906, the company changed hands and Mr. Wilson accepted a position as manager of the Montana Drug Company. After two years of loyal service to this corporation he decided to establish a business of his own. He had been married since the eighth of Jan- uary, 1906, his bride being Miss Cecilia O'Brien, daugh- ter of Timothy O'Brien, of Pennsylvania. At this time they were the proud parents of a daughter, Elsie, who had come to them on the January following their mar- riage. Mr. Wilson was thus extremely anxious to enter into business in his own right that he might give his wife and infant daughter some of the luxuries as well as the comforts of life. He felt, however, that to establish a rival drug company in Butte, after the courtesies he had received at the hands of his employers, might be straining his high ideal of honor.

He moved his little family, then, to Meaderville, where he opened up a small drug store at 37 Main street. His business has been a success from the beginning. Not a month but has brought in a generous return. His honesty and perseverance, united with his untiring efforts seem to have met with their true reward. He owns, now, as well as his drug company and other prop- erty in Meaderville, some profitable fruit lands in Wash- ington. His daughter will receive freely those advan- tages of education which cost her father so dearly in hi's own vouth.

Mr. Wilson is a popular member of the Retail Drug Association but has found no time to devote to other organizations.

GEORGE GORDON MACPHERSON. The phenomenal de- velopment of the northwest section of the United States during the past fifteen or twenty years is a circumstance

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over which the whole country has continuously mar- veled. Cities modern, up-to-date, progressive have been built where a few years since there was apparently but desert waste, and where not long ago wild buffalo and cattle roamed in immense herds at will are now culti- vated farms and thriving villages and communities. A great part of the stimulus which created this almost unbelievable change in so short a time has come from the discovery and development of immensely rich mines of gold, silver and copper, and it is the latter for which the city of Butte is most famous the world over. Mining is still the richest resource of this section of which Butte is the metropolis, but the inrush of popu- lation both to the city and the entire surrounding coun- try has made necessary. the expansion of business, wholesale and retail, in every avenue of trade, and the opportunities for profitable commerce which this city affords have attracted to it some of the most talented and progressive trade and manufacturing experts of this and other countries.

Ten years ago occurred the advent into Butte of a man whose superior business talents and experience of wide scope made him a valuable addition to the com- mercial circles of the city, Mr. George Gordon Mac- Pherson, of Toronto, Canada, in which important cen- ter he was a leading wholesale and retail shoe dealer. After disposing of his store at Toronto Mr. MacPher- son came directly to Butte, arriving here on July 14, 1901. Not wishing to invest immediately in a business of his own here he first entered the employ of Hennessy Company in a responsible position, remaining with that firm for three years, when he resigned to accept an offer to act as traveling representative for a large eastern shoe house, his territory to embrace Montana and Idaho. This gave him an opportunity to become thoroughly familiar with the possibilities of the shoe trade in this part of the country, and with keen per- ception he saw that Butte offered a splendid opportunity to make it a profitable shoe manufacturing and distribut- ing center for this part of the Northwest. Mr. Mac- Pherson accordingly resigned his position with the east- ern house and in 1908 established the Montana Shoe Company. which firm is now a most important factor in the wholesale shoe and leather trade of the state. Under the energetic management of Mr. MacPherson the trade has grown to very large proportions and is rated as one of the most substantial enterprises of its kind in the country. In electing to make the shoe trade his life business Mr. MacPherson did a most natural thing, his father having been a well-known shoe manu- facturer and wholesaler for years in Canada, the plant which he established and bears the family name being now in operation under the management of one of the sons, James A. MacPherson, it being the largest fac- tory of the kind in the province of Ontario.

George Gordon MacPherson was born at London, Ontario, March 2, 1867. a son of John and Catherine (Lynch) MacPherson, the former a native of Glenlivet, Scotland, and the latter of Chatham, England. The fa- ther left his native land and immigrated to Canada when he was in his twenty-first year. The lady who became his wife had come to Canada with her parents, her fa- ther having been a member of one of the first English regiments that were sent to western Canada. After their marriage they settled at London, Ontario, the elder MacPherson being engaged in the wholesale manu- facture of shoes in partnership with a Mr. Hyman, the firm operating under the name of Hyman & Mac- Pherson. When the son, George Gordon, was a small child, the family removed to Hamilton, Ontario, where his father's firm had purchased another shoe factory. At a later date the firm was dissolved and Mr. Mac- Pherson became sole owner and operator of the Ham- ilton plant. The father died January, 1877, at the age of forty-six years, and the mother's demise occurred in 1882, she being fifty-one years old at the time of her

death. Of their family of five children, George Gordon was the youngest. He was the fortunate recipient of an unusually fine education. His rudimentary knowl- edge was secured in the private schools of Hamilton, but he later became a student at St. Lawrence College, Montreal, and was then sent to St. Benedict's College at Fort Augustus, Scotland, for a finishing course. Upon his return to Hamilton, he immediately became associated with his brother in business and remained with the firm of John MacPherson & Company for a number of years. He finally went to Toronto, Canada, to engage in the wholesale and retail shoe business on his own account, and conducted his establishment there with great success for ten years, when he came to Butte.

The marriage of Mr. MacPherson to Miss Elsa Hig- gins occurred at Toronto, Canada, October II, 1889. Mrs. MacPherson's family is also of high birth. Her mother, whose maiden name was Emma Keller, was born at Park Hill, Ontario, the daughter of Sir Charles Miller Keller. Her father, William Henry Higgins, was a pioneer journalist of Ontario and for a quarter of a century published the Whitby Chronicle. He was also a celebrated Canadian writer on various subjects and the author of a number of books. Upon his retire- ment from active work as a journalist he accepted the appointment of inspector of division courts of Ontario. He died in Toronto, Canada, aged seventy-seven years. His wife preceded him to the better land several years, her death occurring when she was fifty-one years old.

Mr. and Mrs. MacPherson have an interesting and talented family of five children, every one of whom gives promise of having brilliant careers. The oldest son, John, was born August 22, 1890, possesses pro- nounced business abilities and is now associated with his father in trade. Louise, born July 31, 1892, from earliest childhood displayed a liking and talent for music that amounts to genius and is now in Berlin, Germany, completing her musical education there, mak- ing a specialty of the piano. The people of Butte are pardonably proud of Miss Louise and gave a practical turn to their admiration and enthusiasm over her talent in this line by raising over $2,000 in testimonial concerts to assist her in securing the best musical education it is possible to procure anywhere in the world. The sec- ond son, George, born June, 1893, is taking a college preparatory course at the present time and will later at- tend law school in furtherance of his ambition to be- come a legal light. Bruce Alexander, born August, 1895, is a high school student and James Kenneth, the youngest of the family, born March, 1898, attends the public schools of Butte.

The musical talent of the daughter, Louise, is a di- rect inheritance from her mother, Mrs. MacPherson being one of the most talented pianists of the North- west. Her gift was developed under the best teachers of the world. She is a gold medal pupil of Dr. Edward Fisher, director of the Toronto Conservatory, famous as the third largest musical conservatory in America. She graduated with high honors from a three years' musical course in Leipzig, enjoying while there instruc- tion under such distinguished teachers as Reinecke, Zwintscher and Teichmueller. Later she took a virtuoso course with Bloomfield-Zeisler, recognized as America's greatest pianist. Mrs. MacPherson makes generous use of her talent and is without peer as a musical educator in Butte, where she has many pupils under her instruc- tion.

The social standing of the MacPherson family in Butte is of the highest and they are active leaders in all affairs bearing the stamp of culture and refinement. They are devout members of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic church and leading factors in the good work of that institution, as well as liberal contributors to the support of its various benefactions.

Mr. MacPherson's citizenship is of the highest char-

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acter and he is a prime mover in whatever matters are presented that have for their object the best develop- ment of the city and state in which he resides. He is a gentleman of broad gauge, liberal and progressive in his ideas and methods and is held in the highest esteem by all.

MACCORMICK SMETTERS, M. D. Actively and success- fully engaged in the practice of a profession that is widely and rightfully recognized as one of the more important of the various professions and pursuits to which men may devote their time and energies, Mac- Cormick Smetters, M. D., has attained a position of note among the leading physicians and surgeons of Butte, and stands prominent in the social and frater- nal organizations of the city and the county. A native of Illinois, he was born, February 23, 1877, in Morgan county, where he grew to manhood.

His father, the late Michael Smetters, was born in Lancaster, Ohio, March 18, 1827. Subsequently moving to Illinois, he bought land, and on the farm which he improved, in Morgan county, spent the remainder of his life, passing away February 13, 1883. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy MacCormick, was born at Bowling Green, Kentucky, but when a year old was taken to Illinois by her parents, who settled on a farm near Waverly, Morgan county. Now, an active woman of seventy-seven years, she is living alone in Waverly, Illinois, where she enjoys both the comforts and the pleasures of life.

Acquiring his elementary education in Waverly, Illi- nois, MacCormick Smetters was graduated from its high school with the class of 1894, and two years fol- lowing he took partial course at the University of Illinois. Having by that time formulated plans for his future career, he subsequently entered the Rush Medical College, in Chicago, and having completed the course of study in that institution received the degree of M. D. in 1900. Dr. Smetters then spent a short time as house physician and surgeon in the Cook County Hospital, where he gained both knowl- edge and experience. Deciding to begin practice for himself in the west, the Doctor came from Chicago to Montana in 1901, locating at the Hunters Hot Springs, Montana, where he remained a year. In the autumn of 1902 the Doctor came to Butte, and through his professional skill has gained the confidence of the people to a successful degree, and in addition to hav- ing built up a large and lucrative practice in this city has gained an enviable reputation as one of the most skilful and faithful physicians of this section of Sil- ver Bow county.

Dr. Smetters is prominent in professional circles, be- ing a member of the Silver Bow Medical Society, and one of its trustees; a member of the Montana State Medical Society; and of the American Medical Asso- ciation. Fond of recreation of all kinds, he is a mem- ber of the Silver Bow Club; of the University Club; and a member, and the president, of the Butte Driving Club. Fraternally the Doctor is a member of Waverly Lodge, No. 231, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, of Waverly, Illinois; of Butte Aerie, No. 11, Order of Eagles, of Butte; of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks; of the Royal Order of Moose; and of the Woodmen of the World. In politics he is a straightforward Republican.

Dr. Smetters married, May 26, 1909, Miss Lena Wemple, who was born in Waverly, Illinois, a daughter of Edward and Harriet (Carter) Wemple, and their hospitable home is a center of social activity.

SAMUEL MOTT SOUDERS, M. D. The physician of to- day must be a man of education, carefully trained, ex- perienced in all branches and many times skilled in certain lines. His is a profession that admits of no stand- still methods, but he must always push onward and up- ward, constantly studying and keeping abreast of latest

discoveries in scientific matters. Dr. Samuel Mott Sou- ders of Red Lodge, is one of the most efficient and popu- lar physicians in Carbon county, and his position in his profession has been honestly earned by efficiency and careful training. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, May 5, 1873, and is a son of Samuel and Jennie (O'Neil) Souders.

Samuel Souders was born near Zanesville, Ohio, in September, 1826, graduated from Bellevue Hospital Col- lege, New York, and first located in medical practice in Dayton, Ohio, where he was one of the pioneer mem- bers of his profession. He belonged to the Montgomery County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and was a stanch and active Republican. He was married to Miss Jennie O'Neil, who was born at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and they had a family of three daughters and one son : Minnie, the wife of E. W. Darst; Maud, the wife of Prof. John Heiss, professor of languages in Purdue (Indiana) University; Samuel M .; and Myrtle.

The early education of Samuel M. Souders was se- cured in the public schools of Dayton, Ohio and Witten- berg, College, Springfield, that state, being graduated from the latter institution with the degree of B. A. in the class of 1893. The next four years he spent as a schoolteacher, becoming principal of a high school and later superintendent of schools in VanBuren town- ship. During this time he had been assiduously devot- ing himself to his medical studies, and finally entered the medical department of the Ohio University, Cin- cinnati, from which he was graduated in 1900. At that time he became an interne in the hospital at Avondale, Cincinnati, Ohio, after competitive examination, and in January, 1901, came to Red Lodge as assistant to Dr. E. E. Doty, mining surgeon. He has taken post- graduate work in Chicago, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York City and Baltimore. In 1903 he became physician and surgeon for the Red Lodge mines, and then enlarged the Carbon County Hospital and Sanitarium, which commands a large professional business. In 1908 a new building was erected, and in 1910 this hospital was chosen as one of the fifty best equipped in the United States by a board of directors who were deputized to select the best institution in the country, not as to size, but as to the best equipment in all departments, which was to become the beneficiary to the extent of $50,000 under the will of an Iowa philanthropist. Dr. Souders is physician and surgeon for the United Mine Work- ers of Red Lodge, the Northwestern Improvement Com- pany, the Bear Creek Coal Company, the Smith Mine and the Washington Coal Company, was county health officer during the years 1903, 1904, 1906, 1907, 1909 and 1910, and city health officer in 1906, 1907, 1909, 1910, 19II, 1912. In political matters he is a Republican. Whatever is undertaken by him is carried through with thoroughness, and his ability is widely recognized in his profession. Fraternally he is connected with Star of the West Lodge No. 40, A. F. & A. M., Carbon Chap- ter No. - -, R. A. M., and Billings Commandery No. 6, K. T., and is president of the building committee that erected the Masonic Temple in Red Lodge. He is also connected with Bear Tooth Lodge, B. P. O. E.

On December 25, 1901, Dr. Souders was married to Miss Margaret Jones, of Vernon, Texas, daughter of Thomas Jones, and they have three children: Samuel Mott, Jr., Margaret E. and Helen Jeanette. The com- fortable family residence is located at No. 206 North Billings street.

CHESTER M. HARRIS and JOHN H. HARRIS. Active, enterprising, and wide-awake business men of Great Falls, Montana, Chester M. Harris and John H. Harris are among the leading plumbers of the city, and are car- rying on a prosperous business under the firm name of Harris Brothers, Plumbing and Heating Company.

Their father, the late Henry Harris, a life-long resi- dent of Ontario, Canada, was an extensive and success-

SMSouders.

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ful agriculturist, at the time of his death, in 1893, when but forty-eight years of age, having been one of the wealthy agriculturists of his community. He married Miriam Stark, who was born in England, came to Amer- ica with her parents when a child, locating in Ontario. She survived her husband, and is now living in Great Falls, with her sons.

Chester M. Harris was born on the home farm, in Ontario, Canada, October 15, 1883, and was there edu- cated in the public schools. He then spent three years as an apprentice at the plumber's trade, which he fol- lowed in Canada until 1901. Coming in that year to Montana, he worked for a year in Great Falls, and was afterwards employed at the Western Iron Works, in Butte, until 1907. Returning to Great Falls, he started in business for himself as a plumber, continuing alone until 1910, when he admitted to partnership his brother John, with whom he is now associated under the firm name of Harris Brothers. This firm has acquired a good reputation for satisfactory and durable work, its plumbing and heating establishment being one of the best in the city, and one of the most liberally patronized by those needing the services of an expert plumber. Mr. Harris has been successful in his career, and has accumulated considerable property, owning much valu- able real estate in Great Falls, a city in whose future he has great faith.

Chester M. Harris married, September 29, 1903, Edith Branston, and they are the parents of two children, namely: Chester Marcus, born in Butte, Montana, December 29, 1906; and Karl William, born at Great Falls, February 11, 1908. Politically Mr. Harris is in- dependent, voting for the best men and measures. Fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World and to the Elks of Great Falls. Religiously both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal church.

Born in Ontario, Canada, April 11, 1876, John H. Har- ris was educated in the public schools of London, On- tario. After completing his studies, he learned the trade of a plumber, and subsequently served an appren- ticeship of three years at the plumber's trade, after which he continued with his employers for nine years. Leaving Canada in 1898, he came to Montana, and the ensuing three years followed his trade at Butte. Locat- ing at Great Falls in 1901, he continued here as a plumber until 1907, when he returned to Butte, where he remained for three years. Coming back in 1910, he took stock in the business which his brother had previ- ously established, and has since been a member of the firm of Harris Brothers, which is carrying on a highly satisfactory plumbing and heating business, as mentioned above.

Mr. John H. Harris married, September 21, 1901, Margaret Murphy, their union being solemnized at Great Falls, and they have two children, namely: John Henry, born March 10, 1905; and Margaret Genevieve, born June 10, 1911. Both children were born at Great Falls. Mr. Harris is also independent in politics, invariably casting his vote for the men he deems best fitted for the office, regardless of party restrictions. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Elks, and of the Woodmen of the World. Religiously he is a member of the Episcopal church.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 109

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