A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 140

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

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In 1905 Mr. Elton was married to Ida Buck, daugh- ter of Orville and Mary Buck of Farmington, Wash- ington. One child, Alice, was born to them, but is deceased.

SYLVESTER J. SMALL. The Judith Gap Journal is one of the progressive newspapers of central Montana, a clear index of the local news, a molder of public opinion, and a worthy influence for the substantial de- velopment and civic improvement of its home town and vicinity. In its editor and publisher, the state has one of its ablest newspaper men, with a long and varied experience in the field both east and west.

Mr. Small has spent practically thirty-eight years in the active following of his profession. He began it when he was a boy, and has never stepped outside of his chosen career to accept the many opportunities of business that come to every newspaper man.

Sylvester J. Small was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania, on May 6, 1858, and was educated in the common and high schools of that city, subsequently taking a business course from private instruction. While a school boy he worked in a newspaper office, and in this way by the time he was sixteen and had completed his school- ing he had saved enough to make his start in his chosen field. Western Pennsylvania was then in the height of its oil hoom, and though one of the youngest newspaper proprietors in the state he soon had his paper a going concern. When he was nineteen he was publishing both a morning and evening edition from the same office. His experience in the oil fields made him one of the expert reporters of the opera- tions, and for three years he was connected with the large metropolitan dailies as expert correspondent, fol- lowing up the development work and 'making monthly reports on the production and other technical news.

James & Wallow

1755

HISTORY OF MONTANA

Mr. Small lived in Pennsylvania until he was about twenty-two years old, and then came out to the North- west. He settled at Fargo, North Dakota, about the time that region was beginning its development, and as editor and publisher was identified with practically all phases of the growth and progress of this portion of the United States. He was a resident at Fargo until 1907, a period of twenty-seven years, and then came to Montana in the Judith Basin. He was at Moore and Hobson for a time, but in 1908 established his present plant at Judith Gap. His paper is now conceded to be the leading one in circulation and influence in Meagher county, and has an excellent mechanical equipment.

In November, 1882, Mr. Small was married at Man- chester, Iowa, to Miss Susan C. Bailey, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Bailey, of Manchester. A son and three daughters have been born to their union-Marion, Susan C., Bertha and Jean. Marion, who has followed in his father's career, was formerly associated in the management of the Judith Gap Journal, but is now pro- prietor of a paper of his own at Hedgesville. The three daugliters live at home. All the children were well educated, and the girls are trained and enthusiastic in music, Susan and Jean being performers on the piano and Bertha a violinist. Their little home orchestra is one of the most attractive features of the Small home in Judith Gap.

Mr. Small's parents were Henry and Arabella A. (Ecoff) Small. The father was a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and as a farmer by occupation spent all his life in that part of the state. His death occurred at the age of fifty-eight, and he is buried in his native county. His wife survived him many years until 1910. Her death occurred at the advanced age of ninety-four, and father and mother now rest side by side. Of the nine children, Sylvester J. was the youngest. and all the others are still residents of Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Small and her daughters are active members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Small affiliates with the Masons, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and as a citizen, besides the influence he exerts through his paper, he is also one of the active promoters of Judith Gap prosperity through the local Commercial Club, and is a member of its executive committee.

He is one of the leading factors in the local Republi- can organization, and is now serving as United States commissioner and as townsite agent. During his resi- dence in North Dakota he was postmaster four years at Fargo. He has had an exceedingly busy career, but his capacities and tastes have been so broad as to include many things outside of his regular pursuits. In literary matters he is both a keen critic and himself a capable writer, and in his private library and his editorial sanctum takes delight in the technique and at- mosphere of his vocation. A fisherman, hunter, base- ball fan, and in all these active diversions, he finds pleasurable recreation. He is a close observer, and his extended experience and first-hand knowledge of many parts of the United States lend convincing an- thority to his expression of belief that Montana is the greatest state of the American Union. It is faith of this kind that makes one of the best assets of a com- munity or state, and through the medium of the press and his own personality he exerts his influence on all occasions for the continued advance and prosperity of the Treasure state.

JAMES L. WALLACE. The city of Missoula, which is said to be the most beautiful in Montana and one of the most pleasing and attractive in the United States, numbers among its residents many men of high culture, fine scholastic and professional attainments, business ca- pacity of great scope and unusual enterprise and pro- gressiveness in public affairs, and is well pleased to

name James L. Wallace, one of its leading lawyers and counselors, as a good representative of them all. He possesses some measure of all the characteristics enumerated above, and in his own domain of action is in the front rank. As a citizen, too, he is alert, broad minded and progressive, with a warm and helpful in- terest in the welfare of the community and its people, and an unhesitating readiness to do whatever he can to promote it.

Mr. Wallace's life began in Keokuk county, Iowa, on November 23, 1863. His father, John Wallace, was born in Trimble county, Kentucky, and is a scion of an old Virginia family of Scotch ancestry. The first of the family to reside in this country was Peter Wallace, who came to America from Scotland in 1719, and located in Virginia. He afterward moved to what is now Ken- tucky, and there his descendants lived for several gen- erations. One of them, John Wallace, the father of James L., moved to Iowa early in the fifties, and from thence to Kansas soon after the seventies began. In 1890 he followed farther in the wake of the setting sun and took up his residence in Idaho. He is still living and is now eighty-six years of age. He is a millwright by trade and in the active period of his life did im- portant work at his craft in all the states of his resi- dence, being accounted a man of unusual skill and pro- ficiency in his business. The mother, whose maiden name was Retta Lawler, was born in Jefferson county, Indiana.

Their son James began his education in the public schools of Iowa, continued it in those of Kansas, and at- tended Washington Academy at Washington, Iowa, in the latter state one year. He then passed a year at Oskaloosa College in Oskaloosa, Iowa, after which he devoted the years of 1890-91-92 to the academic course of the University of Nebraska. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1893, after which he at once lo- cated in Cripple Creek, Colorado, and began the prac- tice of his profession.

Not being satisfied with his legal preparation, in 1896, 1897 and 1898 he attended the law department of the University of Nebraska, and was graduated in 1898. He then returned to Cripple Creek and resumed his prac- tice there, which he continued until 1907, when he moved to Missoula. While living in Cripple Creek he was very popluar and took a very active part in public affairs. He was city attorney from 1905 to 1907. In 1898 was nominated on the Union or Fusion ticket for county judge. The year 1901 he was also nominated as his party's candidate for the lower house of the state legislature. But his political career, did not begin there. He was elected county clerk of Norton county, Kansas, in 1885, just after attaining his majority, and filled the office four years. His first campaign work was done in behalf of James G. Blaine for the presidency before he was of age.

Mr. Wallace came to Missoula in 1907, as has been noted, and at once took a prominent place at the bar and in politics. He was elected alderman and was serving as such when the commission form of govern- ment was adopted for the city. Although he knew his action would legislate him out of office, he was one of the most earnest, energetic and effective of its advo- cates, and his speeches and writing did a great deal toward making the issue successful in the election.

Under the new form of city government Mr. Wallace was one of the candidates for the office of mayor and among the three leading ones. He did not secure the office, but he made a very creditable showing at the polls, and when it is remembered that he was compara- tively a new comer in the city and the other candidates were old residents, the vote he received was altogether flattering and somewhat remarkable. It showed that he had already made a very favorable impression on the people, and this has increased in extent and intensity as time has passed since the election.

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

Mr. Wallace, always alert and attentive to agencies for good in his community, and desirous of making all he knows of as useful and influential as possible, has taken a deep and serviceable interest in the fraternal life around him. He is a Freemason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the order of Elks. He is also active in social life and a welcome addition to 'any social gath- ering at which he presents himself. No element in the life of the people among whom he resides goes without his attention and active aid if he deems it worthy of his regard.

On November 23, 1887, he was married at Norton, Kansas, to Miss Nellie B. McRea. They have two chil- dren, their sons, Enid C. and Howard H. The father stands well in the regard of the residents of Missoula in every relation of life. He is prominent in his pro- fession, in the fraternities to which he belongs, in so- cial circles in every part of the city, and in political affairs. He has been tried and found worthy in public office, and, if health and strength be spared to him, will undoubtedly make his mark in the professional and public life of the great state which he has adopted as his home.

HOWARD W. BATEMAN, M. D. One of the able and representative members of the medical profession in Teton county, Montana, is Dr. Howard W. Bateman, of Choteau, a young man of education, of energy and of high character, who in the few years that he has mingled with the people of that section has become highly esteemed by them.

Dr. Bateman was born in Le Sueur county, Minnesota, on the 23d of January, 1879, and is the second of five children born to his parents, George C. and Mary J. (Moore) Bateman. The father, who was born in New York, was descended from one of the old German families of the Empire state. He removed to Minne- sota in 1857 and there followed his trade as a miller and engineer until his death at the age of fifty-one years. Mary J. (Moore) Bateman was born in Minnesota and now resides with her son in Choteau, Montana; she is of English lineage.

Dr. Bateman secured his preliminary schooling, in- cluding the high school course, at Lexington and Dun- das, Minnesota, and then entered the state normal school at Mankato, where he was graduated in 1900. His pro- fessional studies were pursued in the State University of Iowa, where he completed the medical course in 1907 and was graduated as a Doctor of Medicine. He began the practice of his profession at Augusta, Montana, and continued there until his removal to Choteau, in April, 1909, where he has' since continued. his professional la- bors with gratifying success. Aside from his general practice he also gives attention to surgery, and he has served two years as health officer of Teton county. As secretary and treasurer he is identified with the Cho- teau Irrigation and Development Company and every project which has for its purpose the advancement of his community or of the state, receives his hearty support. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World and Choteau Lodge No. 44, Free and Ac- cepted Masons.

At Iowa City, Iowa, on June 25, 1908, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Bateman and Miss Effie H. Shultz, a native of Iowa. They have one son, Howard William Bateman, Jr., born at Choteau, Montana, on August 29, 1909. Dr. and Mrs. Bateman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

HOMER F. Cox. From the time when he finished his college career until 1902, Homer F. Cox devoted his energies to educational work, in which field of activity he experienced a pleasing measure of success and gained distinction as an educator wherever he was known. Since 1902 his attention has been devoted to business

affairs, and he has experienced a success in this field also which has been noticeably good. His first busi- ness enterprise was in the implement business, but in more recent years he withdrew from that line and has since confined his attention to the lumber business. He has been a resident of Shelby, Montana, since 1911, and in the brief time that has elapsed since locating in these parts has established himself firmly in this community and won a place for himself in public con- fidence and esteem that speaks most eloquently of his many excellent traits of character.

Born in Buffalo Ford, North Carolina, on Novem- ber 10, 1867, Homer F. Cox is the son of Eli and Mary A. (Pickett) Cox. The father was a native of Buffalo Ford, North Carolina, which was the birthplace of four generations of this branch of the family, and he died in 1893, at Rose Hill, Kansas. The mother was also a native North Carolinian, and she is yet living and makes her home at Rose Hill, Kansas. These worthy people became the parents of six children, of which number Homer was the third born.

At the age of nine years Homer F. Cox began his attendance at the district schools of his native com- munity and he continued there until he was nineteen, when he entered the normal school at Emporia, Kan- sas. He was later a student in the National Institute of Mathematics, at Madisonville, Kentucky, and was duly graduated from the institution in 1890. For one year before graduation he taught in the preparatory department and upon his graduation the young man was called to teach in the School of Mathematics, and he continued there for one year. He then taught for a year at Perry, Missouri, after which he became prin- cipal of the Carlowville Academy at Yates, Alabama. From that place he went to Kansas, was principal at Rose Hill, Kansas one year and Oklahoma in 1893, in which states he was engaged in educational work for about nine years.

In 1902, Mr. Cox withdrew from educational work and turned his attention to the more prosaic affairs of business. He engaged in the implement business in Perry, Oklahoma, there continuing with success for four years, but removed to Minot, North Dakota, to manage the Western Implement Company, and re- mained there for a year, engaged in a similar business. In 1907, Mr. Cox came to Malta, Montana, and engaged in the lumber business-an enterprise which claimed his attention until 1910, when he moved to Shelby and turned his attention to the same line of enterprise. He has experienced success in the lumber industry, and is one of the prosperous and busy men of the place.

Mr. Cox was married in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 7, 1891, to Miss Edna Tucker, of Madisonville, Kentucky, the daughter of Robert Tucker of that place. Two children have been born to them: Marie E., who is the wife of V. T. Pettigrew, of Shelby, Montana, and Hazel B., who is unmarried and makes her home with her parents.

Mr. Cox was reared in the Quaker faith, and has been a minister of the Friends or Quaker church for the past twenty-five years. His father was commis- sioned in the Civil war and his remote ancestors par- ticipated in the Revolutionary struggles of the nations, the family on mother's side being one of the old Quaker families of the country. Mr. Cox is a member of no lodges or societies, and has lived a life of quiet and painstaking attention to duty which ever characterizes those of his faith.

HON. HIRAM S. BUELL. When a man has shown abilities that in the mind of his fellow citizens entitle him to the chief executive office of a community after a residence of less than five years, and that community such a large one as the city of Bozeman. it may be said without fear of contradiction that he is possessed `of more than usual qualifications. Coming to Bozeman

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

in 1907, Mayor Hiram S. Buell immediately took rank among the best citizens of this progressive city, where his business and personal excellencies have made him a leader in commercial and social life, while his sagacity and executive capacity have united in making him one of the most efficient officials the municipality has known. Mr. Buell was born July 9, 1861, on his father's farm in Jackson county, Iowa, and is a son of Timothy and Mary (Cain) Buell.

Timothy Buell was born in County Yonge, province of Ontario, Canada, in 1825, the son of a Canadian farmer, and at the age of thirty-one years immigrated to the United States, becoming an agriculturist in Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away March 28, 1882. He was a stalwart Republican in his political views, and both he and his wife were mem- bers of the Methodist church. His wife, who was born in Niagara county, New York, in 1835, died in 1872, having been the mother of five children, of whom one died in infancy, Hiram S. being the fourth child and only son.

Hiram S. Buell secured his education in the country schools of Jones and Buchanan counties, Iowa, and as a young man engaged in the grain, live stock and lum- ber business at Livermore, that state. In July, 1907, he came to Bozeman, having been interested as an in- vestor in Gallatin county land since 1902, and in Janu- ary, 1907, engaged in dealing in Gallatin county lands. His business was successful from its inception, and led to the forming in 1908, of the H. S. Buell Land Com- pany, of which he has been president to the present time. Mr. Buell has great powers of organization and was one of the prime movers in the forming of the Gal- latin Valley Electric Railroad Company, of which he was president until its absorption by the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad in 1912. He turned the first sod in connection with the building of the first interurban line in the state. The extent and volume of his business dealings have made him a well known figure in the business world throughout this part of the state, and the connection of his name with any project is a guaranty of its legitimacy, so firmly has he es- tablished himself in the confidence of his business asso- ciates and the general public. He is a stanch Republi- can in his political views, and in December, IgII, the voters of Bozeman expressed their desire for a busi- ness administration by electing him to the office of mayor, where he is vindicating their faith in his ability, conscientiously discharging the duties of his high of- fice to the city's advantage. Mayor Buell was made a Mason in Urbana, Iowa, in 1882, but demitted to Jas- per Lodge No. 424. A. F. & A. M., in Livermore, Iowa, and subsequently became a member of Bozeman Lodge No. 18, A. F. & A. M. He also holds membership in Bozeman Lodge No. 463, B. P. O. E. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Buell maintains well-appointed offices in the Commercial. Na- tional Bank building, while his comfortable residence is situated at No. 502 South Grand. A shrewd, alert and energetic citizen, quick to see an opportunity and to grasp it, and to turn it to his interests or those of the city, he belongs to the class that are making Boze- man a center of commercial and industrial activity, and as such fully merits the high esteem in which he is universally held.

On October 8, 1885, Mr. Buell was married to Miss Olive M. Hart, who was born in Humbolt county, Iowa, daughter of George and Ann (Tilson) Hart, natives of New York state. Mr. Hart came west to Humbolt county, Iowa, during the early fifties, becoming a pio- neer agriculturist, and there spent the rest of his life in farming, his death occurring September 11, 1900, at the age of seventy-two years. His widow, who sur- vives him, makes her home at Belgrade, Gallatin county, and is the mother of five children, of whom Mrs. Buell is the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Buell have had three children: Grace, who is the wife of R. P. Seidleitz,

living in Bozeman; Vera O., married December 28, 1912, George R. Callaway; and Gelia H., living with her parents.

MARK A. STRANG. In these modern days of great ac- complishments, large fortunes and general activity along all lines, the West expects much of her young men, and, as a rule, is not disappointed in her expectations. It is doubtful, however, if there have been many who have in so short a time attained the success that has been won by Mark A. Strang, president of the M. A. Strang Land Company (Inc.), of Floweree, Montana, and a man who, rising from a clerkship to the position of one of the leading real estate dealers in Montana, has founded and fostered a city that promises to become a center of commercial and industrial importance. Mr. Strang was born at Springville, Utah county, Utah, on January 1, 1883, and is a son of James P. and Lydia (Houtz) Strang natives of Wisconsin and Utah, re- spectively.

James P. Strang crossed the plains during the early days by ox team, enduring all the hardships and priva- tions of the pioneers, and settled in Utah. Subsequently he moved to Canada and engaged in farming, and he now owns immense tracts of land near Calgary, where property has doubled its value during the past few years. He was married in Utah to Lydia Houtz, a native of that state, and they had a large family of children, seven of whom are living, Mark A. being the second in order of birth. The others are as follows : James Jesse, engaged in farming in Canada; J. Claude. a farmer near Floweree, Montana; Vere, proprietor of a livery stable and other interests in that thriving lit- tle city ; Miss Anna B., a trained nurse in a hospital at Nelson, British Columbia ; and Misses Hazel and Gale, who make their home with their parents at Claresholm, Alberta, Canada.

The early education of Mark A. Strang was secured at Hungerford Academy, Springville, Utah, and after finishing his preliminary studies he entered Park Col- lege, Parksville, Missouri, and later attended Colorado College at Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he gained signal success as a debater and public speaker. Prior to his graduation, however, he received an offer of a re- sponsible position in the land department of the Cana- dian Pacific Railroad, with which company he was con- nected for two years, and it is to the excellent training that he received while the incumbent of that position that he attributes his subsequent success. While en- gaged in discharging the duties of his office, Mr. Strang came to Great Falls, Montana, in the year 1907, and soon thereafter he founded the M. A. Strang Land Company, which has since been incorporated, and on February 1, 1910, he was the founder of the city of Flow- eree, located on the main line of the Great Northern Railroad, between Havre and Great Falls, and about twenty-three miles from the last named city. It is the nearest railroad market for about twelve townships of land. The soil of this section is exceptionally fertile, and has been settled upon by responsible, permanent settlers, men who are all well versed in agricultural operations and conditions. During March, 1910, Mr. Strang's company had the phenomenal record of selling a farm a day. The firm handles all kinds of property, but gives the greater part of its attention to farm land.

Mr. Strang is a man of progressive ideas, alert and enterprising in all his activities. Modern methods have always been adhered to in his operations, and a num- ber of automobiles are in use by the firm for the con- veyance and convenience of prospective customers. His entire energies have not been confined to handling land. however, as he has also erected a hotel and a number of store buildings, all of which are now occupied. He is the president of the Floweree Townsite Company and the M. A. Strang Land Company.

In political matters Mr. Strang is independent in his

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 140

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