A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 149

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

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Both optimism and a temperament of hearty good- will are the most valuable heritages of Carl Taylor. His life thus far has been one of even progress, such as is ever descrved by the faithful and well-intentioned seeker after success. His years of educational training passed on smoothly and satisfactorily, first in Bannock, to which place the family moved in 1889; later at Dillon, where he pursued courses in both the county high school and the State Normal College, and finally in the Northern Illinois College of Ophthalmology, in Chi- cago, where in 1906 he gained his professional knowl- edge.

Returning to Dillon, where he had made many friends and had won both the respect and confidence of his acquaintance, Mr. Taylor resumed his position in the jewelry store of Mr. Albert Stamm, where he began his profession as an optician. So highly were his ser- vices appreciated that he continued here for eleven years. In 1910 he came to Polson, where he established a jewelry business of modest proportions. Since then, through his wise management and assiduous attention to the quality of his stock and the needs of his cus- tomers. Mr. Taylor's little store has become the largest establishment of its kind in the entire district.

It goes without saying that Mr. Taylor is popular as well as prosperous. His professional honors include membership in the State Board of Optometry and the vice-presidency of the State Association of Opticians. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his political activities are confined to the Democratic party. His recreations are of the healthy, out-door sort, particularly hunting and fishing, and his many trophies of the gun trail are objects of pride to himself and of interest to his many friends.

On June 25, 1912, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Ivy Lee Davison, of East Helena, Montana. Mrs. Tay- lor is a native of Montana, born at Twin Bridges on January 25, 1886, and the daughter of Dr. and Mrs: Asa Lee Davison. Dr. Davison was engaged in the practice of his profession in Madison and Beaverhead counties for several years, and he died at Weiser, Idaho, in 1897. Mrs. Taylor is the third child in the family of five children born to her parents, the other four re- siding in East Helena. She was graduated from the Montana State Normal College with the class of 1905, and from that time has been a successful teacher in the public schools of the state. She has membership in the Methodist church, and in the Rebekah and Yeoman lodges.

MRS. BLANCHE BRINTON KIENITZ. Perhaps there is no one profession that makes heavier demands on the vitality than that of an educator. Mind and body are both taxed and every faculty is engaged either in imparting knowledge or in exercising authority, for it is a sad fact that in many cases parents not only expect the brains of their children to be developed, but that their physical welfare should be carefully regarded, and their manners and morals looked after. The ordinary teacher has, thus, his time fully occupied, while the extraordinary one is compelled to bear a still further strain. Added to the long period of nec- essary and technical preparation, is generally the pos- session of such a teacher, of a high sense of personal duty and a loftier idea of scholarship than is altogether comprehended by his pupils, and while he succeeds in bringing the general standard very high, it sometimes is at the expense of the educator's health and strength. Nevertheless, so enjoyable to an earnest, conscientious teacher is the realization of the stimulation he has given to inquiring minds, and, perhaps, of the awaken- ing he has brought about of latent talents, that today, particularly in America, may be found men and women who willingly and gladly give their lives to this en- nobling work. Undoubtedly, though, in order to be un- usually successful, a natural gift for teaching must be inherent, and in this connection mention should be made of Mrs. Blanche Brinton Kienitz, principal of the schools of Libby, Montana, and a teacher whose work has materially advanced the standards of education in this part of the state.

Mrs. Blanche Brinton Kienitz was born at Brighton, Iowa, October 7, 1885, a daughter of Thomas and Hester (Smith) Brinton, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Ohio. Her father was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in the vicinity of Brighton, where he now makes his home at the age of fifty-five years, being retired from active pursuits. Mrs. Brinton who was taken by her parents to Iowa when a child, also resides in Brighton, and is fifty years of age. There were five children in their family, namely: Ray, Vera, Eugene, Harry and Blanche.

The primary education of Mrs. Kienitz was secured in the public schools of Brighton, where she early dis- played a thirst for knowledge far above the ordinary, and an alert mind that was receptive to all problems, she invariably standing among the leaders of her classes. In 1903 she was graduated from the Brighton high school, after leaving which she took a course at Drake University, receiving her diploma in 1908. In the meantime she had taught primary and graded schools and was then advanced to the high school in Iowa, but in 1908, after some preparation in the higher branches came to Libby and taught until 1910. By that time too close application to her work had impaired her health and strength, and she was compelled to return to her Iowa home, but in 1911, refreshed in bodily and mental vigor, she returned to Libby to accept the principalship of the Libby schools, where she has two hundred and thirty-three pupils

hier

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under her charge. Mrs. Kienitz has continued to hold her official position with great and increasing accept- ance to the present time, and while it would be invidious and inaccurate to attribute leadership in accomplishment to one school or another, it may be stated without fear of contradiction that under her wise and efficient administration the schools of Libby have taken front rank with those of any other city of their size in the state.

Mrs. Kienitz is a member of the P. E. O. Society and of the Daughters of Rebekah, and attends the Chris- tian church. Fond of the arts and literature, she is widely known in literary circles in Libby and as a woman of culture and refinement has numerous friends in society, both here and in her home city in Iowa.

She was married in Spokane, Washington, on June I, 1912, to W. F. Kienitz, of Libby, Montana.

JAMES M. DAWSON. The town of Polson on the southern shores of Flathead lake is one of the locali- ties of northwestern Montana to which the modern spirit of improvement and development has brought many changes within recent years, and as a business and municipal center it is in advance of many places of larger population.

The present mayor of Polson is Mr. James M. Daw- son, an enterprising young business man, who has led the way for much of this recent progress. Since tak- ing office twelve blocks of concrete walks and street curbs have been constructed, tree planting has assisted toward the town beautiful, and at this writing the mayor and citizens are planning sewer construction and other improvements.

Mr. Dawson, who began his career a poor boy and has gained success through his own efforts, was born in Topeka, Kansas, September 29, 1877, being next to the youngest in a family of eight, four sons and four daughters. The father, James M., Sr., a native of Illi- nois, was a Kansas pioneer of 1856, was a farmer by occupation, served a short time in the Civil war, and died in 1883 aged fifty-two years. The mother, who is now a resident of northern Washington, was Nancy S. Cousins, a native of western Virginia, but was reared in Terre Haute, Indiana, where she was married.

Mr. Dawson was reared and educated in his native city of Topeka, where he graduated from the high school with the class of 1897, afterwards taking a course in the Topeka business college. He then entered the Williams Institute of Embalming at Kansas City, his diploma from that institution being dated January 20, 1898. For two years he followed his profession with Shellabarger & Son at Topeka, and then a year with W. B. Raymond at Kansas City. From there he came west and was engaged in the real estate business at Spokane for a time. In November, 1908, he estab- lished the first furniture and undertaking business at Polson, where he has been successful in business and has ever since taken an active part in the public life of this community.

He served a year in the council and then in April, I9II, was elected mayor for a term of two years. He was the second president of the Polson Chamber of Commerce, having succeeded W. H. B. Carter in that office. He is affiliated with the Mission Lodge No. 86, I. O. O. F., the Rebekalis, and the Polson Camp No. 9III, M. W. A.

On June 25, 1912, Mr. Dawson married Miss L. Blanche Klingensmith of Spokane, Washington. She is a native of Pennsylvania, coming to Spokane with her parents in 1888, and received her education in the Spokane schools. Mrs. Dawson possesses the true western spirit and is an enthusiastic and boosting citi- zen of Montana.

Mr. Dawson's younger brother, Martin L., has been associated with him in business both at Spokane and

in Polson. Martin L. Dawson married, in November, 19II, Miss Wilmetta Sterrett, daughter of a wholesale seed merchant of Walla Walla.

The ancestry of Mr. Dawson on the paternal side was English and Irish, and on the maternal side Scotch and German, but this branch of the Dawson family has been for many generations resident in America. Thomas Dawson, the grandfather, was colonel of a regiment in the Black Hawk war.

ARTIIUR J. LOCHRIE. Arthur J. Lochrie is a native of Murray, Iowa, having been born there, February 7, 1886, and received his education in the public schools until he had reached the age of fourteen and then entered upon a business career in the bank of Simmons and Company, of Murray, Iowa. He remained there for three and one-half years, and in 1904 was trans- ferred to the main bank of the firm at Osceola, Iowa, as cashier of that institution. In 1909 he was proffered the cashiership of the Drummond (Mont.) State Bank, with the understanding that if he could increase the business of that institution in six months his salary would be increased and he would be given an assistant. He was successful before the alloted time expired. Upon the organization of the United States National Bank at Deer Lodge, in the fall of 1910, he was prof- fered the cashiership of that institution and accepted its responsibilities. Mr. Lochrie has already been the direct means of bringing new business men into Deer Lodge and has gained the entire confidence of the community. His success as a financier is established. He was one of the youngest men in the history of bank- ing to fill the important position he occupies.

Fraternally, Mr. Lochrie is a Mason. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and has held the chair of senior deacon. In politics he is a Republican.

The father of the subject of this sketch, George Lochrie, is a native of Scotland. He came to the United States at the age of fourteen. During the Civil war he was a Federal cavalry officer in an Illinois regi- ment. He was for years in the real estate and insur- ance business, ranking among the big six agents for The Hawkeye Insurance Company of Iowa, but is now retired from active work and lives at Murray, Iowa. The mother was Addie M. Geer, a native of Illinois and now residing at Murray. There were eight children in this family: Warren G. Lochrie, living in Kansas; Grace, now Mrs. Nicholas Hoffman of Murray, Iowa; Mayme, the widow of Dr. J. F. Hasty, of Des Moines, Iowa; Carl and Harry, who succeeded to'their father's large real estate and insurance business in Murray ; Ardie, who lives in Murray, and Helen who also resides in that place.

Arthur J. Lochrie is a man of exceptional business ability. He has already had a remarkable career in this line and all who know him prophecy that his future will be one of eminence and success.

VIRGIL J. GHISOLPHY. In the twenty-two years of Virgil J. Ghisolphy's life in America he has had an opportunity to become familiar with it in the east and in the west. The east held him first on his arrival here. then he tried his fortunes in the west, where he engaged in business. Subsequently he returned east, to New York, but not being satisfied with his financial affairs there he again came west and since 1900 Montana has represented his home. The high degree of success he has reached in the musical instrument business in Great Falls is sufficient guaranty of his future and continued residence here, and the city is quite as fortunate in its possession of a man of his qualities as he is in the prosperity he has enjoyed here.

Born in Cremona, Italy, July 23, 1866, Virgil J. Ghisolphy is the son of Charles Ghisolphy and Carrie (Carini) Ghisolphy, both natives of that country. The father was born in 1833 and died in 1909 at the age of

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seventy-six years. He was a carpenter and contractor in his native land. The mother died in Italy at the age of sixty-seven years, in 1899. They were the parents of five children, all of whom remained in Italy with the exception of Virgil J. of this review. The others are Caesar, Ernest, Liza and Mariana.

Mr. Ghisolphy entered the Italian army when he was sixteen years of age, serving until he was twenty-five. When he left the army he came to America, New York City, in the nature of things, being his first stop. He remained there a short time, playing in bands and or- chestras, having learned to play while in the army. In 1891, January I, he went to San Francisco and in 1893 engaged in the grocery business. He was suc- cessful in that line, and continued until 1898, when he sold out and returned to New York, there becoming a member of the brass band of the Seventy-first Regi- ment there, and continuing through the summer. In the winter he opened a grocery, but the generous suc- cess which had attended his efforts in San Francisco was withheld from him in New York and in six months time he failed utterly, losing everything he owned. He left New York again for the west, stopping for a short time in Salt Lake, and moving on to San Francisco, there remaining for two years. During that time he was engaged playing in bands and orchestras, being also assistant leader of the orchestra on the battleship Iowa. After two years he went on to Spokane, and it was there he met the girl whom he had known and who became his wife. After his marriage, which took place in May, 1900, he came to Great Falls, where he was engaged to play in the Black Eagle Brass Band, also being employed at the same time as a sampler at the Boston & Montana Smelter. After a short time he saw an opportune opening in the city and he estab- lished the Western Music House in April, 1907, which he has since conducted with a large degree of success. In addition to maintaining this establishment, Mr. Ghisolphy still plays in the band, and is active in all that pertains to musical affairs in the city. He is re- garded as one of the substantial citizens of Great Falls, and as such his place is most secure.

Mr. Ghisolphy is a member of the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Fraternal Broth- erhood. He is a Republican in his political views, and a member of the Roman Catholic church. He is one of the well-known men of Great Falls, and is regarded as one of the most successful.

The marriage of Mr. Ghisolphy took place on May 24, 1900, in Spokane, his bride being Miss Minnie Finster. Four children have been born of their union,-Ade- line, born on August 12, 1902; Florence, born August 24, 1904; Irene, born October 24, 1907, and Virgil Charles, Jr., born on Christmas day, 19II. The two older girls attend the Great Falls schools and are bright and at- tractive young children, as are the younger ones, who have not yet attained school age.

JOHN H. ALVORD. It is indeed fitting that a work of this nature should contain mention of John H. Alvord, of Dillon, than whom no young lawyer of this part of the state shows greater promise, his strength and abil- ity, as already shown, presaging a future of usefulness and distinction. By the circumstances of birth Mr. Alvord is a Californian, his life record having begun on November 15, 1880, at El Rio, Ventura county, that state. He remained a citizen of his native town until about twenty-two years of age, when he removed to Palo Alto, where he resided for five years and then removed to San Francisco, which for one year ensu- ing was the scene of his activities. His identification with Dillon dates from the month of November, 1909, when he first began his practice of the law in this city. He is associated here with C. W. Robison, one of the leading lawyers of the state of many years'

practice, and the two form a remarkably strong com bination of legal talent, in his short residence here Mr. Alvord having already been connected and successfully with much important litigation.

Mr. Alvord's parents were pioneers of California, his mother arriving there as a child after a trip across the plains by ox team. His father, a native of New York, began life as a school teacher in the Golden state, and later went into agriculture. Their marriage occurred in that state and the issue of their union were five sons, Mr. Alvord, of this review, being the eldest in order of birth. John Alvord received his elementary educa- tion in the public schools of the district in which his boyhood was passed and was graduated from the high school of Ventura, California. He received his higher education and professional preparation in Leland Stan- ford, Junior, University, from which he received his degree. He was ambitious to secure a good education and gave that fine concentration to his studies which is the result of working one's own way through college, for that was the condition of his education. He is a member of the Universalist church, and finds great pleasure in good literature and music, being by no means fitted for "treason, stratagem and spoils." He enjoys out-door life and sports, his enthusiasms being hunting, fishing and lawn tennis. He is a member of the Beaverhead Club and formerly served as its secre- tary. Like the typical young westerner, he takes an active interest in politics, giving heart and hand to the cause of the Democratic party. Dillon is indeed to be congratulated upon the possession of a young citizen of such alertness, uprightness and ability.

JAMES S. WATSON. There is an irresistible fascina- tion about railroad life that appeals to many men, and an interest in the work that seems to hold those who have once engaged in it so that they remain loyal to it all their lives. Mr. James S. Watson, who is at pres- ent freight agent for the Great Northern Railway Com- pany in Billings, is one of those who began as tele- graph operator when a young man and has ever since been engaged in some department of railroad work in various parts of the country.

Mr. Watson was born at Mattoon, Coles county, Illi- nois, August 25, 1869, the son of John F. and Sarah A. Watson, both of whom were native Kentuckians. The father was born in Hardin county in 1834, and his father, James Watson, was owner of a large plantation there. John F. spent his early life on the plantation and was given a college education. After completing his studies he went to Illinois, locating at Mattoon, and there met and married his first wife, who was the mother of James S. Watson, the subject of this sketch, and who died when he was a very small child. The other two children born of that union died young. The elder Watson's second marriage was to Mrs. Julia Krebs, and she also bore three children. Roy R., is a quarter- master in the service of the United States government, stationed on the Panama canal work; Minnie, wife of Lee Walker, lives at Canton, Mississippi; and Fannie also lives at Canton, with her mother. The father was a carpenter and contractor throughout his life and a prominent citizen of the community in which he re- sided. Politically he was of Democratic faith. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and a devout com- municant of the Christian church. His demise occur- red in 1897.

James S. Watson was educated in Mattoon, Illinois, where he attended public school and later took a course in the Mattoon Business College. When sixteen years old he began to utilize vacation seasons learning teleg- raphy in the Illinois Central office at Mattoon, this marking the beginning of his career in the railway service. In 1886 he went to Chicago and spent a year as operator in the Western Union office, then accepted a position in St. Paul, Minnesota, with the Eastern

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Minnesota Railway Company, now a part of the Great Northern System. He acted as operator, later as cash- ier and agent on this line at various points for a period extending to the year 1890, and then resigned to again enter the employ of the Western Union, this time at Superior, Wisconsin. A year later he left that posi- tion and spent one summer as clerk at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel in Yellowstone Park, but returned in the fall to Superior and became connected with the Great Northern Railroad Company. He was agent for this line at several points in Dakota during the suc- ceeding years and in 1896 left Larimore, North Dakota, where he was then stationed, to go to Des Moines, Iowa, as traveling passenger and freight agent at that point. Two years later he was again transferred to the Dakota division and returned to Larimore as agent and yardmaster, remaining in that position a little over two years.

In 1899 Mr. Watson made his first and only deflec- tion from railroad or telegraph work, when in that year he became a Larimore merchant. After three years' mechandising he decided to return to his old line of employment and accordingly entered the service of the Great Northern Railway, and was made yard- master at Crookston, Minnesota. He remained but a short time, however, and in 1903 went to Auburn, Ne- braska, and was agent at that point for the Missouri Pacific road until 1908. The following year he was agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy at Cody, Wyoming, but in the summer of 1909 went again to the Great Northern and was yardmaster and in charge of work trains at various points on that line, being sta- tioned on the Butte division. Later he located at Bil- lings and in the fall of 1909 accepted his present posi- tion as freight agent here. Mr. Watson has always been a faithful and conscientious worker and his serv- ices is in demand by those who once employed him. His standing with the various railroad companies is of the highest and the success he has achieved is wholly due to his own exertions and efficient talents.

He is popular in leading social and fraternal circles of this section and maintains various important lodge connections, among them being membership in Ash- land Lodge, No 29, A. F. & A. M., at Billings and Mount Carmel Commandery, No. 3, Knights Templars. He was a member of Brownville Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M. at Auburn, Nebraska, in 1907, but demitted and later affiliated with Billings Chapter, No. 6.

The marriage of Mr. Watson to Marie Loe, took place October 14, 1896. Mrs. Watson is a native of Mabel, Fillmore county, Minnesota, and the daughter of a prosperous farmer of that locality. She was the only daughter of the family, but has four brothers, Louis, Charles, Oscar and Albert. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are the parents of two children, Lucile Marie and Esther May.

HERBERT O. HARRIS has in less than three years' time made rapid strides in the expanding and develop- ment of the mercantile business which he established in Great Falls in September, 1909. He has proved him- self to be the possessor of unusual talent for the busi- ness to which he is devoted, and it is certain that he has all the qualities which make for distinctive suc- cess in the business world. Great Falls knows him as one of her most popular and progressive men, and his place in the community is one of no little importance and power.

Mr. Morris was born in Aurora, Illinois, in July, 1863. He is the son of Charles and Betsey (Sheldon) Harris. The father was born in Canada and came to Aurora with his parents as a child. They were among the pioneer families of Aurora and that section of the state. Charles Harris moved to Iowa in middle life and engaged in horse-trading, in which he was especially successful. He was of an adventurous spirit, and was

one of the early forty-miners to make the trip to the gold fields of California, crossing the plains with a prairie schooner. He died while yet in his young manhood, being but forty years of age. Seven chil- dren were born to Charles and Betsey Harris, of which number Herbert O. was the second born. He received his education in the schools of Manchester, Iowa, to which place his parents moved when he was seven years of age. After finishing school the young man made his way to Montana and located at Billings, engaging in the ranching business near there, taking employment with the Darrel Cattle Company of Chicago on their ranch about fifty-five miles west of Billings. Mr. Harris spent seven and a half years thus occupied, at the end of that time returning to Iowa and taking up farming. The west attracted him still, however, and in 1889 he returned to Montana, where he was variously engaged until 1899. In that year he went to Dakota and be- came occupied with the real estate business, where he remained until 1909. In that year he again sought Mon- tana as the field of his labors, and he entered a business arrangement with Mr. Arkel, the result of which was the mercantile establishment which was opened in Sep- tember, 1909, and which, since the day of its inception to the present time, has been in a constant state of ex- pansion and growth. It is easily one of the finest stores in Great Falls today, and enjoys a most flattering patronage, while the excellent management of Mr. Harris amply insures the financial success of the con- cern.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 149

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