A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 154

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

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John a. Coleman

1801

HISTORY OF MONTANA

On June 15, 1908, Mr. Coleman married Miss Anna Maguire who is the daughter of Charles and Rosanna Maguire, of Boulder, Montana. The marriage was solemnized in the city of Bozeman. Three sons have been born to them: John M., the eldest, was born in Butte; Don C. was born in Lewistown in 1910, and Joseph B. was also born in Lewistown, in 1912.

Mr. and Mrs. Coleman are devout communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and are very active in its work. Mr. Coleman is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and in both Butte and Lewistown has been prominent in that organization. He has been Grand Knight in the lodge of both cities, and has been especially active in the work of the order. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and is a member of the Judith Club and Elks Club of Lewistown.

WILLIAM J. MARSHALL, M. D. One of the first members of the medical profession to locate in Polson county was Dr. Marshall, of Polson, where he has become well known as a successful physician and citi- zen of public spirit.

William J. Marshall won his way into professional life by hard work and ability, and the community which has received his service has known him as a hard- working, conscientious and skillful doctor. He was born in Shiawassee county, Michigan, September 5, 1875, the first of two children born to Albert and Ida (Payne) Marshall. The mother, who was the first white child born in central Michigan, died at the age of twenty-two in 1879. Her grandmother was Lydia Payne, whose ancestors had come from England and settled in Connecticut in 1644. The paternal ancestors were also of English stock, the family having been founded in America by the Doctor's great-grandfather, who was a settler in New York state, and the family afterward migrated to Canada. The Doctor had an- cestors who served in the Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Civil war. Albert Marshall, the father, a native of Canada, during the '6os became an early settler of central Michigan. Farming has been his occupation and he is now residing in Saginaw county.

Dr. Marshall attended the country schools in Sagi- naw county and was graduated from the Chesaning high school in 1893. Four years were given up to teaching in northern Michigan, and by this means he earned enough money to prepare himself for a profes- sional career. Entering the University of Michigan in the literary department, he graduated A. B. in 1905 and then took up his studies in the medical depart- ment. A position as instructor assisted him in remain- ing at the university throughout his school career, and during his senior year in medicine he also served as an interne. He was graduated in medicine in 1909, and in the following October located as one of the first physicians at Polson, Montana.

Dr. Marshall is a member of the county, state and national medical organizations, and his fraternal con- nections are with the Polson Masonic Lodge No. 78, being present master of the lodge; the Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, Woodmen of the World, the Eastern Star and Rebekahs, all of which are repre- sented at Polson. He is medical examiner for all the insurance orders. In politics he is independent, and his church is the Congregational. The Doctor was president of the Polson school board in 1911, and is present health officer.

Dr. Marshall was married at Detroit, December 31, 1902, to Miss Maude M. Briley, a daughter of Allen and Sarah Briley, of Hetherton, Michigan. Before her marriage Mrs. Marshall was a student of the Agricul- tural College and the University of Michigan, and is a talented woman, with considerable literary ability. She is a member of the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs and the Royal Neighbors of America.

PROFESSOR HERBERT L. SACKETT. Prominent among the foremost educators of Montana is Professor Her- bert L. Sackett, of Lewistown, principal of the Fergus County High School, who during the four years he had filled this important position has won a far more than local reputation as an instructor and a disciplina- rian, and gained a position of note in social and literary circles. He was born May 6, 1877, at Smiths Mills, New York, where the days of his childhood were passed. His father, the late Irving Sackett, spent his entire life of fifty-eight years in Chautauqua county, New York, during his early manhood teaching school at Smiths Mills, and later being there engaged in tilling the soil. He married Maria A. Nevins, a native of the Empire state. She survived him a few years, pass- ing away in 1900, at the age of sixty-four years, her body being laid beside his in the family burial plot, on the old homestead.

The youngest of a family of three children, Herbert L. Sackett acquired his rudimentary education in the public schools of his native town, and after the death of his father moved to Forestville, New York, where he continued his studies to some purpose, taking a four years' course in half of that time. Coming then to Fredonia, New York, he entered the State Normal School, where he completed a four years' course in three years, the ease with which he mastered his tasks bespeaking his physical vigor as well as his mental ability. The ensuing two years Mr. Sackett taught school at West Valley, New York, meeting with such eminent success that when he resigned Mr. A. O. Tillinghast, secretary of the local school board, said that it was a great disappointment of the board to lose his services. Determining to further advance his knowledge, Mr. Sackett then entered Brown University, at Provi- dence, Rhode Island, where he was graduated with honors in 1904, being historian of the class, and also having the distinction of receiving two degrees at the same time, it being the first time in the history of that university that any one had received more than one degree at the same time, his degrees having been those of Bachelor of Philosophy and Master of Arts. He was also made a member, in May, 1904, of the Rhode Island Alpha of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, which is a scholarship organization to which a limited number of each graduating class is invited to join, having been admitted upon the recommendation of Alexander Meikle- john, dean of the University, who wrote as follows :

"I am very glad to recommend Mr. H. L. Sackett upon the basis of my general knowledge of him as a student in Brown University. Mr. Sackett has done a great deal of outside work while, a resident as a student here. He has also taken an active part in the work of the various college organizations. In addition to this he has maintained a very high standard of scholarship, and has done enough extra work to take his A. M. degree, which usually stands for five years' work-as well as his A. B. degree, in four years. Mr. Sackett is a man of strong purpose and thoroughly upright character, as well as of attractive person- ality. He has very obviously the ability to do a large amount of work, and at the same time keep that work high in quality. In addition to all his outside engage- ments he has, during his stay in Brown, earned all the money he has used in the payment of his college ex- penses. I think it is quite evident from what he has done in college that he is bound to succeed in whatever he undertakes. He tells me that his plan is to teach. I am sure that he is admirably fitted for the work, and I know he will be successful in it." Testimonials from the president of Brown University, from the registrar, and from various members of its corps of instructors likewise give unqualified affirmation of the exceedingly high scholarship and manly qualities of Mr. Sackett while in that institution. Letters and recommendations from the principals, superintendents and inspectors of

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

the different schools with which Mr. Sackett has since been connected as an instructor bear proof that he has met with eminent success in his professional career, and show conclusively that Mr. Meiklejohn was not at all mistaken in regard to Mr. Sackett's abilities.

While in college Mr. Sackett was for two years a member of the Glee Club; was three years a member of the college band; and was president of the musical organization of fifty members. Paying his own college expenses, Professor Sackett taught in the evening schools of the city of Providence, Rhode Island, from 1900 until 1904, being vice-principal two winters, and principal two winters. The two years following his graduation, he was Master of Science at the Pingry College Preparatory School at Elizabeth, New Jersey, and from 1907 until 1909 principal of the Dunkirk, New York, High School.

In September, 1909, Professor Sackett assumed his present responsible position as principal of the County High School, in Lewistown, Montana, and is filling it in a most able and creditable manner. Under his régime this institution is in a flourishing condition; its membership has been increased fully forty per cent, a large number of non-resident pupils having been attracted to Lewistown from various parts of the country through the good work accomplished in the different departments of the County High School. Alert and wide-awake to the needs of the school's equipments, the Professor has been instrumental in the installation of many new and desirable features, including among other things worthy of special mention plumbing, drink- ing fountains, sanitary towels, a new gymnasium, while now the building of a dormitory is being agitated. A thorough course in agriculture has been introduced into the school system, and the academic courses have been remodeled and revised until to-day they are the most advanced of any in the state. The debating society which was formed under the auspices of Professor Sackett won the championship over the other schools the first year of its existence, and has won at some of the contests each year since.

Since its foundation nine years ago, the County High School has made a steady growth in numbers, equip- ment and efficiency, attaining a high rank among the leading educational institutions of Montana. The courses of study are well arranged, comprehensive and practi- cal, and compare favorably with those offered by the Phillips-Andover Academy, in Andover, Massachusetts, one of the most noted preparatory schools of the East. In addition to its preparatory studies this school main- tains a course that consists of four years of English, three years of German or French, four years of mathe- matics, three years of history, three years of science, and a commercial course of arithmetic or book-keeping, or a thorough commercial course, which in addition to mathematics and book-keeping has a course of com- mercial geography and railroad transportation, business arithmetic and commercial law, stenography and type- writing, giving the student a practical knowledge far surpassing the training given in the average business college. Languages and music are taught by special instructors, and the course in domestic science and do- mestic economy recently instituted is proving very suc- cessful and popular. Too much credit cannot be given to the board of directors, and to Professor Sackett, for their work in the interests of this school, and to the people of the county whose encouragements have made it possible to achieve so much in so short a space of time.

Professor Sackett is a self-made man in every sense implied by the term, his life record furnishing to the rising generation a forcible illustration of the material success to be gained by persevering industry and per- sistency of purpose. He earned his first money when but six years old, picking berries for twelve cents a day. At the age of fourteen years he was left father- less, and became dependent almost entirely upon his own

resources. He had previously worked as a farm hand during his school vacations, and he continued a farm laborer for some time, afterwards working with a gang that dug holes for telephone posts, receiving $1.25 a day. Wise in his savings, and prudent in his expendi- tures, he accumulated in course of time a sufficient sum to warrant him in entering college, and while in college he earned money in various ways, having been purser on an ocean steamer two summers, guide at the Pan- American Exposition, in Buffalo one summer, in the meantime teaching school as opportunity occurred. Since entering upon his professional career he has trav- eled quite extensively, visiting on his trips abroad all of the large European cities.

Professor Sackett is a member of the Outlook Club, which he served as president one year; he also belongs to the Montana National Guard, being a corporal in Company D, of Lewistown; and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons. He en- joys music and theatricals, and is manager of a musical club which he organized in Lewistown in 19II. Espe- cially fond of horseback riding and camping, the Pro- fessor takes a trip across the country or over the mioun- tains every summer. He is a man of fine physique, being nearly six feet in height, and weighing one hun- dred and seventy pounds, and has a pleasing personality, being genial, courteous and approachable. He is a "booster" in every respect, never failing to say a good word for Montana, which he honestly declares is the hest state he was ever in for advancement and personal satisfaction in the teacher's profession. Although In- dependent in politics, the Professor is ever a stanchi advocate of all measures tending to promote the welfare of town, county, or state, and can always be counted upon to do his full share in the establishment of bene- ficial projects.

HARRY JOSEPH MCGREGOR, M. D. It is usually only men of perseverance and strong determination that select the newer in preference to the older sections of our country in which to carve out a career. In June, 1909, there came to Choteau, Montana, a young member of the medical profession, Dr. Harry Joseph McGregor, who had just received his degree, and, well fortified in his educational acquirements and with the alert mental- ity of his Scotch-Irish blood, had set out to win that success which would entitle him to representation among the best medical ability of the state. Such prestige could scarcely be won in three years, but he has made a splendid beginning and already commands a very satisfactory practice.

The name McGregor is distinctly Scotch and it was from the Land of the Thistle that the originator of the family in America, the grandfather of Dr. McGregor, came. He first settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and from thence traveled overland to Iowa, where he be- came a pioneer settler and took up farming. James McGregor, the father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania and removed west during the '6os, loca- ting at Davenport, Iowa, where he became a merchant and has taken an active and prominent part in the civic and public life of that city, serving some years as a councilman. At Dubuque, Iowa, James McGregor mar- ried Elizabeth Redfern, a native of Iowa whose parents were early settlers in that state. The Redferns are of Irish descent. Of the six children of these parents, Harry Joseph is fourth in order of birth, his nativity having occurred on December 3, 1874. James McGre- gor, an elder brother, is a graduate of the state uni- versity of Iowa and is now a practicing physician at West Branch, Iowa.

After graduating from the Davenport high school in 1904 Dr. McGregor entered the Iowa State Univer- sity, from which he was graduated in 1908 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In June of the follow- ing year he located at Choteau, Montana, and has now

H.g. M.Thegar. m.d.

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

become well established in a general practice there. To further his professional qualifications he took post grad- uate work in Chicago, Illinois, and in Iowa City, Iowa, during the summer of 1911. Dr. McGregor is the pres- ent health officer of Teton county. He affiliates frater- nally with the Knights of Columbus, and in religious faith is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church.

Dr. McGregor on June 12, 1912, was united in mar- riage to Mary, daughter of Michael A. O'Neill, of Cut Bank, Montana.

EDGAR R. McPHERSON. Edgar R. McPherson was born in Ontario, Canada, on the eighth day of Sep- tember, 1870. He is the son of William McPherson, a Canadian by birth who passed away in 1905. The elder Mr. McPherson, was a carriage maker by trade. For many years he acted as manager for Promlie and Company. In latter life he moved to Galt, Ontario, where he became general manager for Kynock and Percy, the best known firm of carriage makers in Can- ada. Before her marriage, Mrs. Elizabeth McPherson was Elizabeth Corbett. She became the mother of four children, only two of whom lived through their infancy. The oldest, William, died in his thirty-first year, in the city of Freelton, Ontario. His death left Edgar R. the only surviving member of the McPherson family.

As a boy, Mr. McPherson had attended the common schools of Galt and completed the work of the high school at the early age of twelve. He was then com- pelled to discontinue his studies on account of his frail physical condition. Even in his childhood he had never been robust and the parents were naturally much concerned as to his health. Shortly, he secured a posi- tion with the grocery firm of Gavin, Hume & Com- pany, a position which kept him much in the open and which he retained during the four years following. Most of the evenings of these years were spent in study at the night schools, as he was unwilling to consider his education finished at the age of twelve. George Laird, of Galt, then offered him an opportunity for ad- vancement and kept him in his employ for the next four years. At the age of twenty-one, young Mr. Mc- Pherson left Canada for Chicago and there became de- partment manager for the firm of Charles Slack & Company. Four years later he resigned this position to accept a similar one with E. W. Eggers, another grocery house of Chicago. In 1897 he signed a con- tract with the Kennedy Biscuit Company which merged, later, with the National Biscuit Company. For two years he served them in the capacity of general sales- man, being then advanced to special work. Until 1910 he represented the company throughout the west, being in charge of a vast territory in which he had general supervision of all sales. On the thirty-first day of Jan- uary, 1910, he was appointed general manager of the Helena branch of the National Biscuit Company, with residence in Helena. Here he is rapidly becoming one of the well-known citizens of that place.

Before leaving his Canadian home, Mr. McPherson was united in marriage to Miss Willa McEwan, the daughter of Mr. George McEwan of Guelph, Ontario. The marriage was solemnized in 1899. The following year the young wife became a mother, exchanging her own life for that of her infant daughter who bears the mother's name, Willa. Miss Willa is now attending hoarding school in Guelph, Ontario, the home of her maternal grandparents.

Mr. McPherson has always been a student by nature. He is a member of no lodge or secret organization, prefering to devote his evenings to his wife and inti- mate friends. Not even in politics do they find a rival for his leisure. His sympathies, however, in the poli- tical situation have always been with the Democratic party. On the second day of January, 1908, Mr. Mc- Pherson was married at Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Miss Isabella Clare Durrick, the daughter of Mr.

and Mrs. John Durrick of that city. Mrs. McPherson has taught her husband the real meaning of the word home. Both are delighted with Helena and its op- portunities.

J. REA MORFORD, one of the popular young business men of Melstone, Montana, who is proprietor of a drug store there, was born in Humeston, Iowa, on June 4, 1887, and there received a common and high school education. Later he matriculated at the Uni- versity of Iowa, from which institution he was gradu- ated with the Ph. G. degree. Before going to college he had been employed in a drug store, where he gained a practical knowledge of pharmacy, and after his graduation he went to Kenmare, North Dakota, where he followed the drug business one ycar. Thence, in Ig10, he came to Montana, and settled first at Glen- dive, but after one year there he removed to Melstone and established his present business. He carries a com- plete line of drugs and druggists' sundries and in every way is well equipped to supply his growing trade.

Mr. Morford is a son of Isaac C. Morford, a native of Illinois who removed from that state to Iowa, where he followed farming many years in Wayne county but is now retired. The latter is an active and consistent member of the Congregational church, and as a Repub- lican has taken a prominent part in local political affairs, having served in several of the more important county offices. He was married in Iowa to Ruth Wells, a native of Pennsylvania, and they now reside in Humeston, Iowa.

J. Rea Morford is the youngest of their four children and is the only member of his family in Montana, the others being located in various states. He is a member of the Congregational church and is a member and for- mer officer of the Phi Delta Ki college fraternity. In political views he is a Republican and is keenly inter- ested in the problems that now confront his party. As is usual with college men, he is interested in athletics and in other social diversions and especially enjoys the game of football, both as a spectator and as a partici- pant. Mr. Morford is convinced that no other state offers the young man of pluck and determination as many and as fine opportunities as does Montana.

MESSRS. DUFF & DUFF. The Duff brothers, Messrs. Edward S. Duff and Hardaman Blaine Duff, are suc- cessful lawyers, doing business under the firm name of Duff & Duff. They enjoy much prosperity and are very highly respected by all in every way.

Mr. Edward S. Duff had as his birthplace the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, having been born there on March 4, 1880. That great city was his home until he had arrived at about the age of twelve years, when he removed with his parents to Minnesota, locating in Duluth. In 1906 the family changed their home to western Canada. There Edward remained until 1909, when he came to Dillon, Montana, arriving here early in 1910. From that time he has been engaged in the active practice of the law here.

Mr. Duff enjoyed the privilege of excellent early education in the public schools of Pittsburgh, and later in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He takes pride in the fact that in boyhood he earned his first cash as a news- boy in Pittsburgh. In church relations he has a prefer- ence for the Episcopal worship. In fraternal matters he is an enthusiastic member of the order of Elks and is a member of the Beaverhead Commercial Club. True to the spirit of the home of the "Pirates" and his own early home, as well as to the spirit of Dillon, he is a devotee of the great national game of base- ball and is proud to rank himself among the "fans." His enthusiasm for baseball does not, however, pre- vent interest in other matters, as he is fond of foot- ball, loves to hunt and fish, is a great reader of good books, is fond of theatricals and is a lover of music.

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Mr. Hardaman Blaine Duff is also a native of Pitts- burgh, having been born there October 18, 1884. He received his early education in the public schools of Pittsburgh and of Duluth, Minnesota. He then became a student at the University of Minnesota at Minneap- olis, where he was gradnated in the class of 1909. There were eighty-five members of his class, and this large number suggests the high honor he attained by being made president of his class. On graduation he received his degree cum laude, which fact indicates that he stood at the head of his class. Mr. Hardaman Duff is in political affiliations an earnest Republican, and he takes an active interest in politics.

The father of these young lawyers was Samuel K. Duff, who was also a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylva- nia, and came west to Minnesota. He had been engaged in the iron business in his native city and he followed the same industry in his new home. He built the first iron plant in West Duluth and for a number of years was associated with the Merritts. He died in April, 19II, in Regina, Canada, and is buried at Winnipeg. At the time of his death he was president of the North- western Canada Land Company. The mother, Eliza- beth Duff, was born in Pittsburgh, and now resides in Canada with a married daughter. The elder Duff family was large, consisting of eight boys and a girl.

BISCHOFF & JOHNSON. One of the thriving estab- lishments of the city and one known throughout the state is that of Bischoff & Johnson, the leading furriers of Helena. This is a business which is of large im- portance in the northern section of our country, and the members of the firm have made a thorough study of all branches of the industry. They are expert judges of skins of every sort and there is nothing pertaining to the workmanship of fur garments which they do not know from the foundation.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 154

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