A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 123

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

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In association with his brother, John M. Baer, Ed- ward S. Baer founded the firm of Baer Brothers. They are engineers and contractors and their line of activity includes surveys, estimates, plans and reports for mu- nicipal work and irrigation, topographical, city, town and land surveys and plats, and municipal contracting. The firm motto "On the Square" is typical of the ca- pacity of its members and the honesty of its work.

On June 18, 1902, Mr. Baer was married to Miss Julia V. Green, who was born at Appleton, Wisconsin, and is the sixth member of a family of seven children born to John and Evelyn (Peerenboom) Green. The parents of Mrs. Baer reside at Appleton. The mother was born in Holland and the father in Ohio. He formerly was a contractor in city work and in the lumber business, but is now retired. Mr. and Mrs. Baer have two sons and one daughter: John G., Charles O. and Elizabeth C. Mr. Baer follows his father's ex- ample in a political way and gives his support to the candidates of the Democratic party.

HARRY J. HUENE, , M. D., practicing physician of Forsyth, Montana, has been located in this city and en- gaged in general practice since 1904, which year marked his graduation from the medical department of the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. He is fast winning prominence and position in the profes- sional ranks and is gaining the unqualified confidence of a large clientele in and about Forsyth as a result of his careful attention to his duties and his natural ability in the line of his chosen work.

Born in Manchester, Iowa, on June 11, 1880, Dr. Huene is the son of Otto E. Huene and his wife, Rebecca O'Brien, both natives of Ohio. The father has

Edu. SBar.

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been for years engaged in the insurance and real estate business in Manchester. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the Twenty-third Ohio with Wil- liam Mckinley and was active in many important en- gagements throughout the war. Seven children were born to them, Harry J. being the sixth child and the youngest son of the family. All are residents of Iowa with the exception of the subject.

Dr. Huene as a boy attended the schools of Man- chester, Iowa, completing the high school course in that town, and at the age of twenty, entered Northwestern University, as mentioned above. His graduation fol- lowed in due course, and he has been actively engaged since then in building up a name and a practice for him- self in his chosen profession. He is highly regarded in Forsyth, both professionally and socially, and is identi- fied with numerous fraternal societies in this city, among them being the Masonic lodge, in which he is at present an officer, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Eagles. He is also a member of the Forsyth Club. The doctor is a Republican, but is not interested in the political affairs of the county beyond the demands of good citizenship.

Dr. Huene married Miss Bessie Dunning on October 3. 1906, at Strawberry Point, Iowa. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dunning, of that place. Mrs. Huene is a member of the Methodist church of Forsyth, although the doctor, while generously disposed toward all denominations, is a member of no church. He is especially enthusiastic about the future of Montana, and speaks of the state in terms of highest praise.

CHARLES B. WITTER. From the career of a profes- sional singer to that of a successful ranchman is a far cry, and it would seem that the talent and temperament necessary to the one career would be useless in the other, or might easily be expected to preclude the pos- session of those qualities which would make the rancher a successful one. Not so, however, in the case of Charles B. Witter, as he has so eloquently demon- strated by the events of his life thus far.

Charles B. Witter was born in Denver, Colorado, January 1, 1871, and is the son of Hiram and Catherine (Bowers) Witter, both of Holland parentage. The father was born in South Bend, Indiana, in 1840, and died in Denver in 1899, having passed his life in the real estate business: The mother was born in New Vienna, Ohio, in 1844, and passed away in Denver in the same year in which the death of her husband occurred. Charles was the only child of their union, and he was given every advantage which their comfortable means would afford in the way of education. He was grad- uated from the Denver high school in 1890 and fol- lowed that by a course in the Denver University, after which he entered the real estate and land office of his father and studied the business for one year. The young man had given unusual evidence of vocal ability, and it was his ambition to study voice in New York City. His parents accordingly sent him there to study under the best masters and after four years of careful study between 1896 and 1900 he returned to Denver. It was the plan of the family to send young Witter abroad to study under the foreign masters, a brilliant musical career being the prediction for him, and that plan would have been carried out but for the sudden decline in the health of the father, which made it seem impossible for the young man to leave him on an ex- tended tour. With admirable self-sacrifice he gave up all thought of further study and settled down to assume charge of his father's business, the latter being thor- oughly incapacitated for his usual duties, and from * 1892 to 1894 he remained as the manager of his father's affairs, after which he was employed for a year in the office of the city treasurer in Denver. He later did field work for a time in the employ of the city engineer. From January, 1896, to February, 1900, he

held a responsible position in the office of the county treasurer, following which he immediately entered the employ of the government in the office of the surveyor general at Denver, which position he held until March I, 1904, when the office was transferred to Helena, Montana, and he continued to hold the same position in Helena until May, 1907. It was at that time that he became associated with Mr. Lewis Penwell in the land and live stock business, and they formed a part- nership to operate a ranching business which now em- braces the management of fifteen fine stock ranches in various parts of the state, and is known as the largest company of its kind in the state. The firm is in a thriving and prosperous condition, as a result of the concerted efforts of its members in a business for which Montana offers so many facilities. Although Mr. Wit- ter abandoned his dream of a musical career, through stress of untoward circumstances, he continued to be known in Colorado as a man of exceptional ability, and between 1892 and 1904 was prominent in professional and semi-professional musical circles. In later years his connection with ranch life has made it less possible for him to keep up in that respect. He was assistant general manager of the land shows held under the auspices of the Northwest Development League in St. Paul, December 1911 and in Minneapolis in November, 1912. He is a Republican in his political allegiance, although he takes no active part in the political affairs of his state. He is a member of the Montana Club.

On January 26, 1911, Mr. Witter married Miss Lucy Vedder, the daughter of Richard Vedder, a native of Nebraska, and they have established a residence at the Electric Block Apartments in Helena.

FREDERICK HOSEA HATHHORN. Prominent among the old and honored families of the Yellowstone valley is that of Hathhorn, members of which have achieved places of eminence in the various walks of life, the founder of the family here coming via ox-team nearly fifty years ago. A worthy representative of this family is found in Frederick Hosea Hathhorn, senior member of the firm of Hathhorn & Brown, and one of the ablest attorneys in Billings. Mr. Hathhorn was born in what is now Broadwater county, Montana, August 12, 1873, and is a son of John R., and Nancy Elizabeth (Lilly) Hathhorn.

John R. Hathhorn, who is now living retired at Livingston, Montana, was for many years a prosperous stock grower of Paradise valley, Park county. He was born at Burlington, Iowa, October 22, 1841, and is a son of George W. and Mary Ann (Ripley) Hathhorn, natives of Clarke county, Virginia, his paternal grand- father being a soldier during the War of 1812 and dying from wounds received in that conflict. On the maternal side, his grandfather, John A. Ripley, also a native of Virginia, removed to Burlington, lowa, in 1838, was one of the pioneers of that section and there passed the remainder of his life. George W. Hathhorn went to Burlington in 1836, was engaged in agriculture there until 1853, and then removed to southwestern Missouri, where he conducted a farm until his death in 1866. He and his wife had a family of five sons and four daughters.

Until he was twenty years of age, John R. Hathhorn attended the common schools and assisted his father in the work of the home farm, and in July, 1861, he en- listed in Company K, Missouri Mounted Infantry, Con- federate service, Colonel Gordon commanding, and saw his first fight at Poole's Prairie, in the southwestern part of Missouri, and thence moved to Wilson creek and had an engagement with General Lyon's forces. Mr. Hathhorn was then transferred to the cavalry and his next engagement was at Morristown, with General Lane, and was in successive engagements at Butler, Bates county (which was burned), in the "Salt Raid," then engaging with Colonel Henderson's command at

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Neosho, and next moving to Altonia, where they at- tacked a fortified barn owned by Colonel Richie. With- drawing from this point, they came into conflict with Colonel Warren at Pleasant Gap, followed him to But- ler, from which place they drove him, and then partici- pated in the action at Lone Jack, one of the most stub- bornly contested battles of the war, both sides being composed mainly of Missourians. The Union troops had two pieces of artillery, for which Colonel Foster had given General Blunt $4,000 as security for their safe return. The guns were captured by the Confederates and Colonel Foster put forth every effort to recapture them, but without success. Mr. Hathhorn was also in the engagement at Newtonia, Missouri, Colonel Shelby being in command, and at Cain Hill and Prairie Grove. Then the command retreated southward along the Ar- kansas river to Louisburg, Dallas county, from whence 1,500 men under Colonel Shelby made a raid in the northern part of the state, meeting their first opposition at Ozark, Christian county, while the next was an all day's fight at Springfield, January 15, 1863, the Confed- erates taking two forts, failing to capture the third and retiring with large quantities of provisions, ammunition, etc. Proceeding to Marshfield, thence by forced march to Hartsville, they took part in the sanguinary battle at that place, the Federals finally retreating. The com- mand was also at Chalk Bluffs, on the St. Francis river, where they lost 700 horses in crossing the stream. From Black River, Arkansas, the command went to Helena, Arkansas, where they had an engagement. Mr. Hathhorn was taken ill at this place and was unfit for duty for several months. After his recovery, and on receiving his honorable discharge, he started for Den- ver, Colorado, in 1864, and eight months later began to make his way to Montana by ox-teams, which were ex- changed at North Platte river for mules, continuing his trip to Virginia City, where he arrived July 3, 1865. The Indians were a menace during the entire trip, and many emigrants fell victims to the wile of the hostiles. From Virginia City Mr. Hathhorn removed to Helena, where he purchased a ranch, and for a time was also engaged in teaming, but in 1867 turned his attention to mining and for some time met with fair success at Trinity Gulch, Thompson Gulch, Duck Creek, McCuen Bar, on the Missouri river, and in White Gulch. In April, 1877; he removed to Paradise valley, in Park county, where he was engaged in installing hydraulic plants for placer mining, but during the fall of the same year gave up that occupation to engage in ranch- ing. He continued to add to his property from time to time until he had 440 acres, all under cultivation, and carried on stockraising successfully, keeping on an average of 200 head, principally Short Horns. In 1908 Mr. Hathhorn retired from business activities, and is now living quietly at Livingston. In political matters he is a Democrat, but takes only a good citizen's in- terest in public matters and prefers to leave office seek- ing to others. On March 7, 1872, he was married to Miss Nancy Elizabeth Lilly, who was born in Cooper county, Missouri, daughter of Judge John P. and Laminda (Allison) Lilly, the former of whom still sur- vives, at the age of ninety-seven years, and lives in Livingston. He was one of the first settlers of the Yellowstone valley, whence he came as early as 1864 by ox-team. Mr. and Mrs. Hathhorn had five children, as follows : Frederick Hosea; Charles Clifford, who met his death in a railroad accident at Dehart, on the Northern Pacific, in 1898; Harry Homer; Montana Lilly; and Evaline May.

Fred H. Hathhorn received his early education in the schools of Livingston, and was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan in the class of 1904. For about six months he was engaged in practice in Livingston, and he then came to Billings and became a partner of the firm of Hathhorn & Berry. Later he was identified with Hathhorn & Groves, and

in 1908 he formed a partnership with ex-Judge Brown, the firm at that time becoming Hathborn & Brown, and as such it has since continued. Mr. Hathhorn was ad- mitted to practice before the United States supreme court, April 19, 1910. The firm is widely and favorably known, has a representative clientele, and has repre- sented such well known characters as Colonel W. F. Cody and Paul McCormick. Fraternally Mr. Hathhorn is a member of Billings Lodge, No. 394, B. P. O. E., and of the Knights of Pythias. In political matters he is a' Republican, but like his father has not sought office, although ready at all times to discharge the duties of citizenship and to assist in advancing the wel- fare of his community. He bears a high reputation among the members of his profession, in which he has a number of warm, personal friends.

On June 29, 1898, Mr. Hathhorn was married to Lillian Reynolds, who was born at Quincy, Michigan, daughter of Dennis Reynolds, of New York. They have one child, Elizabeth.

WILLIAM H. BERRYMAN. The firm of Berryman Brothers, located at No. 3015 Montana avenue, is one of the well-established business houses of Billings, and has built up its present large patronage through the excellence of its work and the absolute confidence in which it has come to be held by those in need of its services. The firm is composed of Hannibal Berryman and his sons, John J. and William H. Berryman, with the last-named of whom it is the object of this article to deal. William H. Berryman was born August 31, 1874, at Scranton, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Han- nibal and Mary Ann (Richardson) Berryman.

Hannibal Berryman is a native of Cornwall, Eng- land, and was born October 12, 1848, coming to the United States when he was seventeen years of age. After landing at New York City he gradually drifted to Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the vicinity of which city he was engaged in mining coal until 1876. He then removed to Boulder, Colorado, where for some time he carried on gold and silver mining, and in 1889 went to Butte, where he followed copper mining until 1899. In that year he retired from business activity, but in 1906 came to Billings and joined his sons in the plumb- ing business, which was organized the year before. On March 1, 19II, this firm was incorporated under the style Berryman Brothers, although the father still retains an interest in the business. He became a mem- ber of Capous Lodge, No. 170, I. O. O. F., at Hyde Park, Pennsylvania, in 1871, and is now a member of Fidelity Lodge at Butte. In political matters he is a Republican, but he has never cared for public office. Mr. Berryman was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Mary Ann Richardson, who was born at Pittston, Lu- zerne county, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1851, and they had a family of five children, of whom four survive: John J., in business with his brother and father; Wil- liam H .; Estella, the wife of Thomas Barker, living in Butte; and Harold, also a resident of that city.

William H. Berryman received his education in the schools of Salina, Boulder county, Colorado, and when fifteen years of age engaged to learn the plumber's trade, serving an apprenticeship at Butte. He then worked at the trade in that city, and in Spokane, Washing- ton, as a journeyman. In 1900 he went on a prospecting trip to Nome, Alaska, but after six or seven months re- turned to Spokane and remained in that city for some time following his trade. Subsequently he returned to Butte, but in 1904 he went to Missoula, Montana, and there was engaged in business on his own account · until 1905. Selling out in that year, he came to Bil- lings and formed a partnership with his brother, which, as before stated, has since been incorporated. The firm of Berryman Brothers has won an enviable repu- tation for living strictly up to the letter of its con- tracts. Only skilled mechanics are employed, and the

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quality of the work is consequently of a superior order. All branches of plumbing, heating and gasfitting are done, and conscientious attention is paid to every little detail of the work.

William H. Berryman has been prominent in fra- ternal work. He was first made a Mason in Monitor Lodge, No. 41, A. F. & A. M., at Walkerville, Mon- tana, January 12, 1899, and subsequently rose to the thirty-second degree of Masonry, belonging to Butte Consistory and Algeria Temple, Helena. On coming to Billings he affiliated with Ashlar Lodge, No. 29, A. F. & A. M., and in 1911 served as master thereof. He was made a member of Washington Lodge, of Centerville, I. O. O. F., in 1899, and now belongs to Billings Star Lodge, No. 41, I. O. O. F. In political matters he is independent, reserving the right to vote for the man he decides is best fitted for the office, ir- respective of party connections.

On September 17, 1902, Mr. Berryman was married to Miss Bertha Esselbach, who was born at Santa Fe, New Mexico, daughter of Jacob and Julia (Wallen- wicher) Esselbach, the former of whom is deceased while the latter resides at Portland, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Esselbach had four children: Arthur, who lives in Seattle, Washington; Rudolph, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Bertha; and Sophia, the wife of George Self- ridge, of Portland, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Berryman have one daughter, Thelma.

JOHN L. SLATTERY, a well-known and prosperous attorney in Glasgow, has been a resident of this section of the state since 1905, having come to Montana in October, 1904. He is a native of New Jersey, born at Flemington, that state, on September 2, 1878, and is the son of Michael and Margaret (Purcell) Slattery. The father, who is a native son of Erin, came to the United States as a young man and settled in Fleming- ton, where he has continuously resided since that time. He has been engaged for years in a clerical capacity with a prominent mercantile establishment in Flem- ington, there occupying a position of trust and responsi- bility, and they have reared a large family. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Slattery, but of that number three are deceased. Those remaining are: Ella, the wife of J. P. Corcoran, of New York City; Joseph A., an attorney of Glendive, Montana; Rich- ard P., an accountant in Flemington, New Jersey ; James L., a bookkeeper in the American National Bank of Helena, Montana; Robert Emmett, a student in Newark, New Jersey; Anna, a student at the State Normal in Trenton, New Jersey; Purcell, in the high school at Flemington, New Jersey, and John L. of Glasgow.

In common with other members of his family, John L. Slattery was given liberal educational advantages, and after finishing with his high-school course in Flemington, he took a preparatory course in Wahpe- ton, North Dakota, then entered Lafayette College at Easton, Pennsylvania. He was graduated with honors from that institution with the class of 'or, re- ceiving with his diploma the degree of Ph. B. He then entered the New York Law School, studying there for one year, after which he studied under the able tutelage of ex-Senator W. E. Purcell of Wahpe- ton, North Dakota. He was admitted to the bar of North Dakota in 1903 and began the practice of law at Forman, that state, where he remained for a year. after which he came to Helena, reaching that place in October, 1904. He there entered the law office of R. R. Purcell, with whom he remained until March, 1905, at which time he came to Glasgow, where he es- tablished himself in practice, and where he has since continued successfully in his profession. He has won the confidence of the people of Glasgow, and the voters of the county have evidenced their faith in him by electing him to the office of county attorney, a

position which he held during the years of 1907-8, and discharging the duties of the office in a manner highly creditable to himself. Mr. Slattery is a staunch Pro- gressive and is always ready and willing to perform his share in the activities of the party; and he stumped Valley county during the fall campaign of 1912 in the interests of the Progressive party.

In November, 1912, Mr. Slattery was again elected county attorney of Valley county, on the Progressive ticket, receiving the highest vote cast for any can- didate. He is state central committeeman of the Pro- gressive party for Valley county.

Mr. Slattery has a serene confidence in the future of the state, and of Glasgow and Valley county, and has demonstrated that faith by acquiring a consider- able quantity of local realty, which he is holding against the day of advancing prices. Mr. Slattery is a member of the Roman Catholic church, in which faith he was carefully reared by his parents, and is also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He re- tains membership in his college fraternity, the Delta Kappa Epsilon.

In 1906 Mr. Slattery was married to Miss Lear E. Humphrey of Mound City, Kansas.

JAMES ALEXANDER MACKENZIE. For many years connected with the Northern Pacific Railway in its train service and now an active business man and citi- zen of Havre, James Alexander Mackenzie is at the head of the largest laundry establishment in northern Montana. His brother, Dr. MacKenzie, is the present mayor of the city of Havre.

James A. Mackenzie was born in Wabasha county, Minnesota, December 30, 1863. His father was Duncan Mackenzie, further details about him and the Mac- Kenzie family being found in the sketch of Dr. Mac- Kenzie. Up to the age of seventeen Mr. Mackenzie lived in his native county and attended the public schools. In 1904 he organized and established the Havre Steam Laundry, which is the largest and best equipped concern of the kind in northern Montana, and has a large custom in Canada and both east and west to the extremes of Montana. Modern machinery, fine service, and first-class work, are the factors which have made the business grow and continue its exten- sive patronage. From fifteen to twenty employes are on . the pay roll of the business. Mr. Mackenzie is president of the incorporated company, his brother being vice president, and Darius H. Campbell secre- tary.

Mr. Mackenzie is a member of the Havre school board. His fraternities are the Masonic lodge at Havre and the order of Railway Conductors, and he is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. His church is the Episcopal. He was married at Wabasha, Minnesota, January 1, 1895, to Miss Mary Louise Peck, daughter of Josiah Peck, a native of that portion of Minnesota. Two children have been born to the marriage: Clara Louise, at Glasgow, Mon- tana, October 17, 1895 and Charles Alexander, at the same place, February 12, 1897.

ALOYS WUTZ. The secretary, treasurer and manager of the Havre Brewing & Malting Company is Aloys Wutz, who was one of the founders of this industry and has been identified with this line of manufacturing throughout his active career.

Mr. Wutz was born in Germany, July 13, 1879, and obtained a substantial education in the schools of that country. He also gave two years of military service to his Fatherland. At the age of about sixteen be- gan his apprenticeship in the brewer's and maltster's trade. Two years later he was advanced to brew- master, and worked in that capacity in Germany for two years. On the 27th of April, 1904, he arrived in America, coming direct to Montana, where for six

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years he was connected with the Butte Brewing Com- pany. In 1910 he became one of the organizers of the Havre Brewing & Malting Company. Arriving in America a poor young man, he applied himself dili- gently to his chosen profession, and in less than ten years has gained a fair share of prosperity, position and influence as a citizen.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 123

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