A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 17

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

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who married Cecil Jones, chancellor of the University of New Brunswick, at Fredericton.

Thomas Baird completed his education in the public schools of New Brunswick at the age of sixteen years, and from that time until he was twenty remained with his parents, assisting his father in farming and lumber- ing. His first employment on his own account was in the lumber camps of Vermont and New Hampshire, where he continued to work for three years, and then returned to his home. Mr. Baird had intended to remain in his native locality, but his experience in the United States had bred in him a predilection for the methods and activities of this country, and in 1887 he came to Montana and secured employment in the lumbering business at Bonita. Although the business was flourishing, wages in the sawmill were unsatisfac- tory, and Mr. Baird went to Evero for six months, and when the opportunity presented itself established himself in a logging business, with which he was con- nected for seven years. He was beginning to become prosperous and had erected a large sawmill, but in making a contract for five years' work underestimated the cost, a mistake which caused him to lose his capital, although he fulfilled his contract and turned over his mill to his creditors. In the meantime he had pur- chased a small timber tract in the Bitter Root country, and this proved his salvation in the business world: Although he was somewhat discouraged by the turn his fortunes had taken, he doggedly refused to acknowl- edge defeat, and as his credit was still unimpaired gathered together the broken strands of his fortunes, secured a small capital and began his business life anew. Leasing a new mill, he cut the timber from his land, converted it into lumber, and was soon again on the highroad to success, paying off 'his indebtedness and rapidly expanding his interests. Since 1901 his rise has been rapid and steady, and today he is recognized as one of the able, alert and dependable financiers of his community, being president of the First State Bank of Stevensville, and the owner of a fine residence and. much valuable city property, timber land and saw mills, logging, railroad and equipment. A kindly, genial man, Mr. Baird is considerate of the rights of others, and at various times has assisted those in need to a start in business life. He is a great lover of home and family, but also takes pleasure in fraternal work and has reached the Shriner degree in Masonry. In political matters he is a Republican.

In January, 1892, Mr. Baird was married to Miss Annie Fowler, of New Brunswick, Canada, and they have four children: Alva, a graduate of the Stevens- ville high school, and now attending the University of Montana, and Hazel, Harold and Eloise.

JOSEPH LUTEY, SR. The late Joseph Lutey, Sr., was closely identified with business and civic interests in Montana for many years and his life, in its success and integrity, was one that offers both lesson and incentive. He won advancement through his own energies and abilities, was earnest, fair and honorable in all of the relations of life, and by very virtue of his sterling attributes of character he commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. He was the founder of the grocery business now conducted by his two sons in the city of Butte, and in addition to building up this representative retail enterprise he had been iden- tified with various other lines of productive activity in the state. He was a man of strong personality, with well fortified convictions, so that he could not but prove a loyal and valuable citizen. He was progressive and public-spirited and was ever ready to give his cooper- ation in the support of those agencies and enterprises which tended to conserve the general welfare of the community. His name will be held in enduring honor in the state which so long represented his home and

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to whose development and progress he contributed his quota.

Of sturdy English stock, Mr. Lutey was born in the town of Morvah, in the extreme southwestern end of Cornwall, England, December 25, 1849. Con- cerning the family history but few data are accessible, but it is known that his parents were sterling citizens of Cornwall and that there his father was identified with mining operations,-a line of industry for which that section of England has long been noted. Mr. Lutey received the advantages of the common schools of his native place but his education was largely ac. quired through self-application and through the les- sons gained in connection with the practical duties and responsibilities of life. His career was one of earnest and consecutive endeavor, and he developed a strong and symmetrical character,-became a man of mature judgment, wide information and marked business acumen. As has been intimated, his educa- tional privileges in the purely academic sense were very limited, and it was largely due to his remarkable memory that his fund of knowledge eventually covered so wide a range.

Mr. Lutey gained his initial experience as one of the world's workers by his association with mining operations in his native land, and at the age of' nine- teen years he severed the home ties and set forth to seek his fortunes in America, where he believed he could find better opportunities for achieving success through individual effort. For several years after his arrival in the new world he was identified with mining operations in the states of New York and New Jersey. In 1874 he came to the west and for about a decade thereafter he was variously engaged in Col- orado and Nevada, where his activities during the greater part of the time were in connection with mining operations. Early in 1887 he came to Mon- tana, after having passed three years at his old home in England, whither he went for the purpose of visit- ing his venerable parents, who there continued to reside until their death. He found in Montana ample scope for successful endeavor and here his interests were centered during the residue of his long and useful life. For about two years after coming to this state he continued to be engaged in mining and he then turned his attention to the operation of a stage line and a general transfer business between Philipsburg and Granite, in which latter town he finally engaged in the retail grocery trade. There he conducted a prosperous enterprise in this line from 1890 to 1895, in which latter year he removed the business to Philips- burg, in the same county. In the autumn of 1897, seeking a still broader field of enterprise, he removed his business to Butte, and here he founded one of the largest and most metropolitan retail grocery establish- ments in the state, the same being conducted by his sons since his death, which occurred in the city of Los Angeles, California, on the 13th of July, 19II. His remains were laid to rest in that city, where he was passing the winter, and his widow still main- tains her home in Butte.

Mr. Lutey was in the most absolute sense the archi- tect of his own fortune, and that he builded well none familiar with his career can doubt. He had a high sense of stewardship and thus was not self-centered or narrow in his views. He viewed men and affairs in correct proportions and his honesty of purpose was never a matter of doubt, though he had the courage of his convictions and was never reluctant to express his opinions when he felt that injustice or other wrong had been done to himself or others. He was gener- ous, loyal and companionable and had the faculty of making and retaining friends, of whom he was ever appreciative and who in turn valued his friendship. He was never known to compromise with conscience for the sake of personal expediency or business policy,

and was ever zealous in the support of what he be- lieved to be right. He was diligent in business and had the deepest appreciation of the dignity and value of honest toil and endeavor, as his own advancement had come through earnest labor and close applica- tion. He took great pride in the fine store which he established in Butte and in the conducting of which he was associated with his sons until his death. The establishments are conceded to be the finest retail groceries west of Chicago and cater to a large and representative patronage, the while it is gratifying to note that the unvarying policy of the establishments has been from the start to handle no intoxicating liquors of any kind or in any form,-a policy upon which the founder of the enterprise insisted without the slightest deviation and one which has consistently been upheld by his sons, who have fully maintained the highest prestige of the honored name which they bear and who are numbered among the representative business men and popular citizens of the Montana metropolis.

Mr. Lutey was a man of deep religious convictions and abiding faith, though he made no parade of the same. He was for many years a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which his widow like- wise has long been an active worker, and he was also a staunch supporter of the varied activities of the Salvation Army, the value of whose work he fully appreciated. He was ever ready to aid those in af- fliction or need and was a generous contributor to charitable and benevolent objects. As a citizen he was essentially loyal and public-spirited and though he had no predilection for the honors or emoluments of public office, he was a staunch supporter of the cause of the Republican party. He was a man of marked vigor and of pleasing address, and his life was guided and governed by those high ethical prin- ciples which, as thus followed, ever beget popular confidence and approbation. His interests centered in his home, whose relations were ideal, and thus he had no desire to identify himself with any number of social organizations, though he was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias for a number of years prior to his demise.

At Dover, New Jersey, on the 14th of September, 1872, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lutey to Miss Catherine E. Bone, who was born in St. Just, Cornwall, England, and whose parents, John and Eliza- beth Bone, came to America from Cornwall, England. Mrs. Lutey proved a true companion and helpmeet to her husband and aided him admirably in the years which marked his advancement to the status of a sub- stantial and prosperous business man, the while her gentle and gracious personality has endeared her to those who have come within the sphere of her influ- ence. Mr. and Mrs. Lutey became the parents of seven children, of whom only three are living,-Joseph, Jr., William J. and Miss Mary J. The two sons, each of whom is married, are associated in the con- duct of the business enterprise founded by their honored father, and the only surviving daughter is now residing in the city of Los Angeles, California.

J. SIDNEY ELLIS is president of the corporation known as the Ellis Paint Company, one of the largest con- cerns of its kind in the state.

A native of Canada, J. Sidney Ellis was born on the 22nd of October, 1870, and was 17 years of age at the time of his advent in Butte, in 1887. For four years thereafter he was in the employ of the Richards Paint & Oil Company of Butte and from 1898 to 1900 he was a partner in the paint firm of Carder Brothers. In 1901 he established the Ellis Paint Company, which was incorporated under the laws of the state of Montana, with a capital stock of twenty thousand dol- dars, in 1901. The official corps of the Ellis Paint Company is as follows: J. S. Ellis, president ; J. S.

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Dutton, vice-president ; and Wyman Ellis, secretary and treasurer. This concern holds prestige as being the leading wall-paper jobbing house in Montana and it makes a specialty of handling wall paper and paints, employing traveling salesmen who do business through- out this section of the northwest. The home of the Ellis Paint Company is at No. 24 Granite street and according to recent statistics the company does an annual business of about one hundred and twenty- five thousand dollars.

Fraternally, he is connected with the time-honored Masonic order and he is also a member of the Silver Bow Club. His religious faith is in harmony with the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church.

FRANK BELEY. A residence of nearly a quarter of a century in Livingston, during which time he has been identified with business enterprises of an important nature and rendered efficient and valuable service in various official capacities, entitles Frank Beley, present chairman of the Park county school board, to a posi- tion among those who have been instrumental in the development of this part of the Treasure state, while the fact that he has been the architect of his own fortunes makes a review of his career additionally interesting. Mr. Beley was born in Oswego county, New York, July 22, 1859, and is a son of George and Katherine (Levens) Beley.

George Beley was born in Paris, France, September IO, 1823, and was ten years of age when he accom- panied his parents to the United States, the family landing at New York City, from whence they went to Syracuse, New York. There Mr. Beley secured employment in the salt works, but after his marriage removed to Oswego county, and was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until his death, March 5, 1901. His wife, who was born in France, September 12, 1823, died February 1, 1890, having been the mother of eight children: Louise, born January 28, 1844, who died March 24, 1897; Catherine, the widow of Jules Jaquin ; Mary Ann, the wife of Nathaniel Carr; George; Charles; Emma, the wife of Alfred George; Frank, and Fred.

Until he was eighteen years of age, Frank Beley attended the district schools of Oswego county, New York, and spent the summer months in work on his father's farm, and he then went to New York City and secured employment in the picture store of his brother- in-law, Nathaniel Carr, for whom he worked two years. He next engaged in the picture business on his own account in Brooklyn, New York, but after one year lost his establishment and stock in a fire, and somewhat discouraged returned to the home farm in Oswego county. A year and a half later, having se- cured capital with which to make a fresh start, Mr. Beley came to Deer Lodge, Montana, and on October I, 1887, started working on a ranch, but during the following spring removed to Butte and entered the employ of the Centennial Brewing Company. On Octo- ber 1, 1889, he came to Livingston and engaged in the ice and bottling business, and was successfully con- nected therewith until 1904, at which time he took up general contracting in cement work, principally in the building of sidewalks, in which he has continued to the present time. Mr. Beley's operations have been very successful, and he has built up a large and lucrative business. He has been a prominent figure in Democratic politics, serving as alderman from the first ward for two years, being later mayor of the city for a like period, and then again serving as alder- man. In 1900 he was elected sheriff of Park county, and since 1903 has been a member of the school board and since 1905 the chairman of that body, and Novem- ber 5, 1912, he was elected one of the county com- missioners of Park county. This election came un- solicited on the Democratic ticket. He has shown

marked executive ability and as an official has had the community's interests at heart. Fraternally he is con- nected with Livingston lodge No. 246, B. P. O. E., Yellowstone lodge No. 10, Knights of Pythias, and the Woodmen of the World. His place of business is situ- ated at No. 208 South F street.

On September 29, 1881, Mr. Beley was married to Miss Amelia J. George, at Oswego, New York, she being a native of Oswego county, and a daughter of Matheran and Annette George, natives of France. Mr. George was born in November, 1826, and came to the United States on a sailing vessel in young manhood, the remainder of his life being spent in agricultural pursuits in Oswego county, where his death occurred March 14, 1906. His wife, who was born June 8, 1829, passed away August 31, 1906. They were married in New York City, and were the parents of the following eight children: Pauline; Alfred; Emile; Amelia J., who married Mr. Beley; Alphonse; Jule; Anna, who died April 20, 1872; and Fannie L. Mr. and Mrs. Beley have three children: Ernest G., who married Mabel Ross, lives in Olympia, Washington, and has one son,-Junior; Fred W., attending Northwestern Uni- versity, Chicago; and Florence.

CORNELIUS B. NOLAN is junior partner in one of the best known legal firms of Montana, that of Walsh & Nolan at Helena. Few attorneys have had better training for general practice. Since coming to Montana in 1886 he has served in the capacity of court reporter, county attorney and attorney general of the state. An eloquent and forceful speaker, possessed of much per- sonal magnetism and a commanding presence, he is a powerful leader. His native Irish wit and facility of speech cause him to be much in demand as a campaign leader.

He was born on the day before Christmas in the year 1855, in County Limerick, Ireland. His father, Bernard Nolan, and his mother, Catherine Hickey Nolan, were both natives of the county in which their son was born. The father passed away in his Irish home in 1886, the widowed mother following him two years later. Of their six sons and two daughters, five immigrated to the United States. Cornelius remained at home until his sixteenth year, attending school only during the winter terms that he might be of assistance on the place during the spring and summer seasons. Subsequently, how- ever, he completed his school education at Dublin and soon after set out for America, reaching here in the autumn of 1873. He remained at and around Owego, Tioga county, New York, for four years. There he at- tended the academy made famous by such pupils as Thomas Platt, General Tracy and John D. Rockefeller. And much more than book learning did the quick young Irishman acquire during these years of association with the youth of America. After this he moved, in 1877, to Allegheny, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in a leather establishment. In the following year he went to St. Louis where he entered the law office of Robert B. Foster. Here he gained much valuable experience while learning his Blackstone. In 1881 he entered the St. Louis Law School, where he remained three years, after which time he was admitted to practice law in the courts of Missouri. During his years of study he ac- quired a proficiency in stenography, realizing its value to the young attorney. To perfect himself in this fine he spent three years in a wholesale house in Chicago, going from there to Montana that he might become the private secretary to the general manager of the freight and passenger service on the Northern Pacific Railroad. Soon, however, he relinquished this position to become official stenographer and court reporter for the First judicial district of Montana, a vocation much more to his liking. The First district embraced at that time Lewis and Clarke, Jefferson and Beaverhead counties Reporting for Judge N. W. McConnell and later for

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Judge Henry N. Blake, the training which he received during this period has proved invaluable to Mr. Nolan in his subsequent career of distinction. It was while filling this position that he was elected, in 1899, prosecuting attorney of Lewis and Clarke county on the Democratic ticket. In 1884 he received the nomination for repre- sentative in the legislative assembly, but with the entire ticket went down to defeat. He was a member of the Twelfth general assembly.

In 1896 Mr. Nolan was elected attorney general of Montana, which office he filled with more than usual ability. During his term he not only retained the con- fidence of his friends, but won the respect and approval of his political opponents. At the expiration of his term he resumed the active practice of his profession, and in the fall of 1906 formed the partnership with Mr. Thomas J. Walsh, above referred to. His large acquaintance has greatly aided his present lucrative prac- tice. He is one of the best known members of the State and County Bar Associations, is a member of the Montana Club, and is a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Montana Free Masons, a member of Heiena Commandery, Knights Templar, and is past potentate of Algeria Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at lielena.

In 1894 Mr. Nolan was united in marriage to Miss Harriette Shober, a niece of John H. Shober, one of Montana's early pioneers. They have no family.

OLIVE V. BRASIER, M. D. Actively engaged in the practice of the profession which she loves, and in which she is fast winning a reputation for skill and ability, Olive V. Brasier, M. D., of Butte, is meeting with well-deserved success in her career. A daughter of Robert T. Brasier, she was born, May 14, 1886, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She comes of English ancestry on the paternal side, her grandfather, Robert Brasier, having been a life-long resident of England.

Born at Hastings, England, in 1849, Robert T. Brasier was there brought up and educated. At the age of twenty years he crossed the Atlantic, and in search for fortune located in Canada. Coming from there to Montana in 1887, he lived first in Helena, but for sev- eral years past has been in business in Butte, where he is a well-known contractor. He married Mary Muirhead, who was born in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1851, where her father, William Muirhead, settled on com- ing from Scotland, the country of his birth, to America. Five children blessed their union, namely: William, born in Toronto, Canada, in 1882, is now manager of a manufacturing concern in Butte; Olive V., the sub- ject of this brief biographical sketch; Walter, a ranch- man, born in Helena, Montana, in 1888; Charley, at- tending the Butte high school, was born in Helena in 1892; and Mary, the oldest child, who married Harry Kitto, of Denver, Colorado, editor of the Denver Post, has two children, Olive and Genevieve.

Having completed her early education in the public schools, Olive V. Braiser entered the medical depart- ment of the University of California, and was there graduated with the class of 1906, by thorough study earning the degree of M. D. Returning then to Mon- tana, Dr: Brasier began practice at Elkhorn, remaining there eight months. Coming to Butte in 1908, she has here acquired a good practice, her patronage being large, and bearing evidence of her skill, ability, and popularity as a physician.

The doctor keeps well informed in regard to all the advances made in the medical science, and is a mem- ber of various organizations, including the Montana State Medical Society, and the American Medical As- sociation. She also belongs to the Silver Bow Medical Society.

FREDRICK SEUBERT belongs to one of those German families who settled in western Illinois, and who have been so active in the development of that state. Martin

Seubert, his father, came to America with his father . when he was a child, and settled in Philadelphia. Later his parents moved to Illinois, and they were among the pioneers of that region. Mr. Seubert was a successful farmer near Galena and lived to the age of eighty-six years, dying in 1906, a man respected by the entire com- munity in which he had lived so long. His wife was also a native of Germany, who had immigrated to Illi- nois when young. It was here that she became ac- quainted with Mr. Seubert, to whom she was married in 1865. Two sons were born of their union: John and Fredrick. The former still resides in Galena, the birthplace of both children. He is an engineer by pro- fession and is married and the father of one daughter, Bertha. The mother of our subject and of John Seu- bert died in 1881 at the age of fifty-seven years.

Fredrick Seubert was born on July 24, 1867, in Ga- lena. His education in the public schools of that city was supplemented by instruction in a private German school, and when he had finished his course here, he went to work on the farm, remaining there for several years. This sort of work was not entirely to his lik- ing, so he decided to learn a trade. Going to the city he apprenticed himself to a tinner, and stayed with him until he had completely mastered the theory and the practice of that occupation. In 1887, he decided to go west, 'as he had heard of the great opportunities there for men of energy and skill, so he made his way to Denver. After a short time there, Mr. Seubert con- cluded to go still further in the direction of the course of empire, and came to Butte. Here he secured a posi- tion with the Kenyon Hardware Company and his con- nection with them continued for thirteen years. His employers regarded him as almost indispensable to their establishment, and he justified their opinion. However, he made up his mind that if his services were so valu- able he would go into business for himself, and get the entire benefit of his business ability and he acted upon this resolution. Getting a start for himself was a slow process but Mr. Seubert had both confidence and patience and was willing to build slowly in order to lay a sure foundation of future competence. He has built up an extensive and a profitable tinning business, and his progress has been steady and satisfying. Mr. Seubert has made several judicious investments in Butte property and has put his financial affairs on a solid basis in other matters than his thriving business concern. He has made the best possible use of his chances and his prosperity has kept pace with the advance of the city.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 17

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