A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 24

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

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Thomas Curl was born in Missouri, about 1840, and died in Oregon. He was six years old when his parents headed their ox team in the direction of Oregon, and after long weeks of travel, reached Linn county. James Curl is mentioned in the Linn county records as one of the pioneers. Farming and stock raising, with lumbering to some degree, were the industries which claimed the attention of both father and son, and later in life, Thomas Curl became well known as a stockman. It was in Linn that he married Josephine Ray, who was horn in Iowa and still lives, making her home with her daughters in California. Of their four children, three survive, namely : Nettie, who is the wife of R. C. Jessee,

living in California; Louis I., of this review; and Eliza, who married William Jessee, also residing in California. In his political relations, Thomas Curl was a Democrat. He was a member of the Baptist church, in which both he and his wife were active in Linn county.

Louis L. Curl remained at home until he was sixteen years of age, assisting his father in the stock business and on the farm, while in the winter months he attended the schools of the home community. In the far west youth develop early, and when he was sixteen, young Curl had enough understanding of cattle to purchase for himself and go into the business, and up to 1838 he continued to raise cattle on the range in Linn and other counties in Oregon. In that year he came to Montana and continued in the cattle business in Fergus county until 1902, when he began to be interested in sheep, removing them to Custer county and securing many acres of valuable land, some less than forty miles north of Miles City. Within the past decade he has proved that his judgment in embarking in this line was not at fault, and, although the handling of five thousand head of sheep requires his constant attention, he is well repaid.

On September 15, 1909, Mr. Curl was married at Seattle, Washington, to Miss Margaret Murphy, who was born at Louisville, Kentucky, and they have one son, Howard Edward. Mr. Curl keeps well informed concerning matters of public moment and is numbered with the live and representative citizens of Custer county. Mr. Curl has long been identified with the Republican party in his political activities, but has with- drawn from the old party and is now in the ranks of the Progressives, being one of the most enthusiastic Bull Moose of the district. His fraternal relations are represented by his affiliation with Miles City Lodge No. 537, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

GEORGE LUNN, painter and decorator, is one of the sons of the Hawkeye state whose citizenship Montana has been fortunate enough to secure. His identification with Montana dates from 1888 and his fortunes in the Treasure state have been of the "fair weather" variety. Mr. Lunn was born in Des Moines, Iowa, February 13, 1864. His father, George Lunn, a native of England, accompanied his parents to the "land of the stars and stripes" in babyhood. They first located in Ohio and after a short residence in the Buckeye state, went to Iowa, which at that time was a territory. In his present business the subject is following in the paternal foot- steps, for Mr. Lunn, the elder, was a painter. He died while a resident of Des Moines, the date of his sum- mons to the Great Beyond being July 27, 1887. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Van Houten, was a native of Ohio and it was in that state that their lives were. united. The mother survives, naking her home at the present time in Berkeley, California. Their three children are as follows: Jennie, wife of William Mc- Kay, of Chicago; George, the immediate subject of this review; and Beatrice, wife of William McConnell, of Berkeley, California. In the subject is a fusion of the English and Dutch, his ancestors originating in those countries.

George Lunn received his earlier education in the public and high schools of Des Moines and subsequently matriculated in Callana College, from which institution of learning he graduated in 1882. When it came time for him to think of becoming an actual factor in the work-a-day world, he began work with his father, and under his guidance learned the painter's and decorator's trade, serving a five years' apprenticeship, after which he followed his trade as a journeyman in Des Moines until 1887, in which year he took his father's business and conducted the same until 1888. In the meantime he had fallen victim to the so-called "western fever" and everywhere hearing good report of the opportuni- ties and advantages presented by Helena, he shipped

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the stock direct to this city, and has remained here during the ensuing quarter century, being the next to the longest established in his line of business. His suc- cess is of that sound description which has contributed in due measure to the general prosperity. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and con- fidence of the busines world, for he has conducted all transactions according to the strictest principles of honor. His devotion to the public good is not ques- tioned and arises from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow men.

Mr. Lunn is independent in politics, for he believes in supporting the best man and the best measure irrespec- tive of party. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America, the Woodmen of the World and the Commercial Club.

On November 10, 1884, Mr. Lunn established a house- hold of his own by his marriage to Miss Mary C. Reed, a native of Indiana. One son has been born to their union, Edgar O. Lunn, whose life record began in Des Moines, October 27, 1885. This young man is associated with his father in business and is an enter- prising young citizen. He is married, his wife having been Miss Stella Howard, a resident of Helena.

The elder Mr. Lunn is one of Helena's fine company of self-made men, his rise in life being entirely due to his own efforts. He is of the valiant material which rises above adverse circumstances, and when he lost considerable property in the panic of 1893 he did not lose courage for a moment, but proceeded to make it up. He would probably agree with Booth Tarkington's definition of success, "To accept the worst that fate can deal and to win courage from it and not despair-that is success." He possesses hosts of friends, being of pleasant, genial personality. His residence is main- tained at 1104 Eleventh street and his place of busi- ness is at 120 East Sixth street.

JAMES A. WALSH. Prominent among the members of the Montana bar is James A. Walsh, of Helena. He was born in Vermont, his parents being Mathew H. and Mary (Lawlor) Walsh, natives of Ireland. They moved to Wisconsin when he was a child, and he was reared on a farm and attended the public schools in winter. He read law in the office of Bushnell, Clark & Watkins, in Lancaster, Wisconsin, and was admitted to the bar in 1882. After his admission he located in the territory of North Dakota and soon gained a high standing as a lawyer. In 1888 he moved to Montana, and ever since has devoted his time exclusively to his law practice.

In November, 1889, Mr. Walsh was married to Miss Margaret A. Doyle, of Wancoma, Iowa. They have four daughters, Florence, Estelle, Margaret and Hellen.

Mr. Walsh is an indefatigable worker and student, and has deservedly gained a high standing as a counsel- lor and advocate, and ranks among the best lawyers of the state. In 1909 he was elected president of the Mon- tana Bar Association, and he is a member of the American Bar Association. He is prominent in legal and political circles, and is a staunch supporter of the Republican party. He has never sought public office, and though often solicited, has steadfastly declined to become a candidate for judicial positions, for which he is eminently qualified. He received many strong rec- commendations for the position of United States dis- trict judge for Montana. Mr. Walsh is a clear and forcible speaker, but does not depend on the arts of oratory. Not all good speeches read well, as their effect often depends on the personality of the speaker. This does not in the least apply to Mr. Walsh. His tribute to Colonel Sanders is a model of directness and simplicity, and well illustrates his power of saying much in a brief compass. Like Colonel Sanders, whom he so much admired, Mr. Walsh is a master of the English language, a fearless and eloquent advocate, and a lawyer

who thoroughly understands the principles of law and equity.

REV. A. R. COOPMAN. A life of service for mankind and the extension of the beneficent activities and in- fluences of his church over a new country has given Father Coopman a place of special regard in the state of Montana. He began his work here during the ter- ritorial period, when churches of all kinds were few in number and struggling for existence. Four or five different parishes and many communities have enjoyed his presence, and all of them retain the impressions and lasting influences of the constructive leadership of this devoted priest of the Catholic church.

Father Coopman is a native of Belgium, where he was born on the 21st of April, 1863. He was the third in a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, born to Joseph and Theresa (Delbar) Coop- man, who were both natives of Flanders. His parents, who died some years ago, were in good circumstances, were well educated and gave their family the advan- tages of comforts and refinement.

A. R. Coopman at an early age determined to devote his life to the service of the church. He attended pri- vate schools and pursued his academic courses at St. Louis College in Menin, near the French border. He prepared for university at Roulers Seminary, where he was graduated with high honors in 1885. In fit- ting himself for the church he chose one of the pio- neer fields within the scope of the spiritual advance, the remote western American states. Entering the American College at Louvain, he was a student there three years, took his orders, and then in Angust, 1888, left his homeland for the distant scenes of his labors. On the 13th of September following he arrived in Montana, where for nearly a quarter of a century he has conducted his work.

The first year was spent in Helena, at the Episcopal residence, from where he gave his attention to the out- lying parishes of the diocese, preaching regularly at Bozeman, Livingston, Great Falls and other places. This was a very busy year, during which he became acquainted with the people and the necessities of the church in this region. The enthusiasm of Father Coop- man for the spiritual improvement of his people has not been less than his endeavors for the upbuilding of his church in its material facilities, but his record as a business organizer and builder is easier to write and forms a conspicuous series of achievement. In the early years the diocese was greatly in need of church buildings, parochial residences, cemeteries and other properties, and had not means to secure them. During the first year of his labors the foundations for the first Catholic church at Great Falls were laid. In 1889 he was transferred to Bozeman, where he re- mained eighteen months, and during that time the house for the priest which had been begun was com- pleted and a parish cemetery obtained, and he also built a church at White Sulphur Springs. After Bozeman he spent six months in Miles City, with Park, Yellow- stone, Custer and Dawson counties in his parish, over whose extensive domain he did much pioneer work. At Livingston, his next charge, the foundation of a church had been started, and he collected and paid out ten thousand dollars for the completion of the build- ing, and also built a priest's house. While in that parish he also constructed a church at Red Lodge, and paid a large debt on the church at Billings.

In January, 1899, Father Coopman took charge of St. Peter's church in Anaconda. At that time the church was unfinished and a debt of four thousand dollars burdened the congregation. Under his lead- ership the building was completed and the debt dis- charged, and the church was provided with the finest bell in the state. He was pastor of St. Peter's for two and one-half years, when he was transferred to St.

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Paul's, and the present rectory was completed in 1902. The following ycar he crected St. Paul's parochial school. In numbers, working organization and char- itable efficiency, this congregation (St. Paul's) has be- come one of the strongest in Montana. Father Coop- man has been identified with Anaconda for thirteen years, and the benefits of his character and work have made a better city and people. His energy as a busi- ness administrator needs no further comment. Just as substantial though not capable of statistical statement have been his efforts for the welfare of his people. He is a kindly, beloved pastor, and his broad-mindedness and impartial helpfulness have endeared him to all classes irrespective of creed. In his pastoral service in Montana he has found it necessary to use four lan- guages, and he speaks them all fluently. In 1897-98, after more than ten years' absence, he revisited Europe, and at Rome was granted a special audience with the Pope. In 1909 he made another extended tour, which took him to Rome and the Holy Land and other coun- tries about the Mediterranean. He also visited his old home in Belgium.

Father Coopman is one of the best types of the church's servants. Loyal and devout, an organizer and builder, a comforter to the weak and helpless, he found his work in one of the few remaining fields of America yet practically undeveloped, he accomplished labors the fruits of which will be enjoyed by subse- quent generations, and in the era of wonderful devel- opments which mark the past history of Montana his services are worthy of high and lasting commendation.

J. C. ADAMS, superintendent of the Boston and Mon- tana Mines Department, of the Anaconda Copper Min- ing Company, has for nearly twenty-five years been identified with the mining interests of Montana, and since 1900 has been a resident of Butte, where he is numbered among the city's representative citizens.

Mr. Adams is a native of Honolulu, Hawaiian Is- lands, and was born July 17, 1867. His father, Edward P. Adams, was born and reared in Maine, but when a young man went to the Hawaiian Islands, where he resided for a period of thirty years, during which time he was prominently identified with the business inter- ests of that city, acting for a number of years as the American consul. He subsequently returned to the United States and passed his remaining years in Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, where his death occurred. He married Miss Caroline Wright, who died in Honolulu.

J. C. Adams passed his boyhood days in Honolulu until about the age of eight years, when he was sent to Castine, Maine, there completing his preparation for college. Entering Harvard university, he persued a special course as a member of the class of 1887. Mr. Adams went to Portland, Oregon, where he was lo- cated for about one year, and then came to Montana in 1888, which has ever since been the scene of his activities. His first employment in this state was at the Hope Mine, at Philipsburg, where he remained two years. Subsequently he was for a period of five years connected with the Bi-Metallic Mine near Phil- ipsburg. In 1901, he entered the employ of the Bos- ton & Montana Company as foreman of the Penn- sylvania Mine, and in 1904 was appointed general super- intendent of the Boston & Montana Mines, in which capacity he has ever since remained. Mr. Adams is one of the best known and most capable men in the mining world of Butte, where his business experi- ences have been of a broad and varied character, and his present high position has been earned solely through merit. During the famous underground fight between the Amalgamated and the Heinze Companies, Mr. Adams had charge of the proceedings for his com- pany, in which his skill and ultimate success are a matter of history in Butte.

In political matters he is a stalwart in the ranks of

the Republican party, and while no aspirant for pol- itical honors he is one of the party's counsellors and advisers in this section of the state. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while socially he is a member of both the Silver Bow and University Clubs.

At Butte, in March, 1898, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Ethlyn Caldwell, who was born and reared in Michigan, and two children have been born to them: Nina, born in 1899, and Jaquelin, born in 1908. Both Mr. and Mrs. Adams are well known in the best social circles of Butte.

WILLIAM A. ORGAIN. One of the most progressive, enterprising and farseeing business men of Montana, William A. Orgain, president of the W. A. Orgain Com- pany, at Wibaux, and interested in numerous other enterprises of an extensive nature, has been made a successful merchant through careful training. While it is probably true that in legitimate business, aside from all speculation. merchandising is the most profitable, it is also true that in no line is there more necessity for shrewd business sense and positive knowledge of rela- tive values and fluctuating markets.

Mr. Orgain was born in Williamson county, Texas, March 17, 1860, and is a son of John Henry and Margaret (McMordie) Orgain, the former a native of Virginia, who is now living at Temple, Texas, at the age of eighty-six years, and the latter born in Tennessee and passed away when William A. was eighteen months old. After his first wife's death Mr. Orgain married a Mrs. Gavin, and they had four children, of whom three survive. Since 1883 John H. Orgain has lived a retired life, although for many years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Salado, Texas.

William A. Orgain commenced his education in the school houses in his native locality, and subsequently attended Salado College. In 1879 he began his career as a cowboy in Texas with his uncle, Robert McMordie, with whom he came on the trail overland from Texas through to the Platte river near old Fort Fetterman, Wyoming. He later returned to Texas, but in the spring of 1880 came over the trail to Cheyenne, Wyo- ming, and for some two or three years was in the employ of Walker & Johnson, or until they closed out their business. During the following season he was with another outfit, and he then went to the Panhandle country in Texas and worked for Thomas Ward until 1885, in which year, with Jesse Bourland, he bought horses and came overland to South Dakota. During the summer of 1886 they sold their horses in the Dakotas and Minnesota, and Mr. Orgain then became connected with the E 6 ranch, belonging to Clark & Plum, on the Grand river in South Dakota, where he remained for two years. During the summer of 1888 he associated himself with the Hashknife outfit, and in the fall of the same year came overland with cattle to Dawson county, Montana, and delivered the stock to Pierre Wibaux, with whom he continued to work until the fall of 1890. At that time he became associated with Frank Cannon, and purchased the gen- eral store of Fountain Brothers at Wibaux, which was conducted under the firm style of Cannon & Orgain until 1896, when Mr. Orgain purchased his partner's interest. The original investment was about $3,000, but from time to time this was enlarged, and in 1904, the W. A. Orgain Company was incorporated, with Mr. Orgain as president; his wife, Mrs. Cetious Or- gain, as vice-president; and L. C. Faltermeyer as secre- tary and treasurer. This firm, which has large, well- appointed quarters in Wibaux, deals in general mer- chandise, including groceries, hardware, dry goods, boots and shoes, crockery, glassware, sporting goods, wagons and farming machinery of all kinds. In 1902 Mr. Orgain was the organizer of the Dawson County

JO adame

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Bank, of which he was president until 1906, and in that year sold his interests to W. H. Freeman. He has been president of the Wibaux Chamber of Commerce since its organization, is a director in the Montana Life Insurance Company, an extensive stockholder in three elevators and the owner of a section of land three and one-half miles from Wibaux, another section six miles from the city and 1,120 acres about twenty miles from the city, having seven hundred acres under cul- tivation. Fraternally he is connected with Wibaux Lodge, No. 67, I. O. O. F., and in his political views is a stanch Democrat. The valuable lessons a young and thinking generation can glean from such a sterling character as Mr. Orgain presents are briefly these : That natural ability, with a good education, coupled with tact and restless energy, are sure roads to success in business, as well as in the social and political fields. Only a man of the right material could readily doff the cowboy's chaps and take up the merchant's ledger, learn the details of a vast business, and in a few short years place himself at the head of one of the leading enterprises of its kind in the community, beside finding time to look after the interests of his city and conduct his operations so as to be of the most benefit to his community.

On November 23, 1895, Mr. Orgain was united in marriage with Miss Cetious C. Wills, who was born in Kentucky, daughter of Simpson M. and Sallie P. Wills, and to this union there have been born two sons, Arthur Bland and Kellogg M., who are being given good educational advantages and receiving a training that will enable them to succeed their father in business or to take any position in life which they may be called upon to fill.

CHARLES A. TUTTLE. A successful business man and public-spirited citizen, Mr. Charles A. Tuttle has been identified by residence with Anaconda for nearly a quarter of a century. He began his career as a worker for others, and by industry and ability became master of his own circumstances and now for many years has been proprietor of the leading undertaking and livery business in Anaconda.

Mr. Tuttle was born on the 6th of January, 1860, at Newmarket, New Hampshire. His education was in the public schools, ending in an academy at Northwood, New Hampshire. When he was eighteen years old he became a bookkeeper and accountant for a wholesale clothing house of Newmarket. His connection with this firm continued for eight years at the end of which time he determined to seek his fortune in the western country. In June, 1888, having come out to Montana, he became payroll clerk and accountant for the A. C. M. Company at Anaconda. This was his first experience in Montana, and after two years with this establishment, in August, 1890, he started a business of his own as dealer in hard- ware and house furnishings. In May, 1900, after ten years as a successful merchant in this line, he sold out and then engaged in the undertaking business. In May, 1909, he bought what was known as the Boyd Livery Barn, and since then has combined the two enterprises under his own name. His large patronage is due to the thoroughly modern and excellent equipment and a very progressive manner of doing business.

Mr. Tuttle is a loyal son of his adopted state, and having succeeded himself, believes that here is the best field for others to find prosperity. He takes a keen inter- est in the welfare and progress of his own community, and has been honored with public responsibilities. For six years he served as chairman of the board of educa- tion, and is now closing a six-year term as county com- missioner, to which office he was elected in 1906. His politics is Republican. He is the owner of valuable city real estate, both business and residence property. Fra- ternally he is a Mason, both a Knight Templar and Shriner, was exalted ruler of his lodge of Elks for the VOL II-6

year 1909, and is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Mr. Tuttle was married in the east on June 10, 1885, to Miss Addie A. Mathes. Mrs. Tuttle, who is also a native of Newmarket, New Hampshire, arrived in Mon- tana on the third anniversary of her wedding. They are the parents of one daughter, Marjorie Tuttle.

Mr. Tuttle's father now deceased, was a well-known hotel proprietor of Newmarket, New Hampshire, for many years. The mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth C. Doe, was also a native of Newmarket and is now deceased. There were six children in the family, and but three are living, Charles A., Mrs. Elizabeth Hardy of Boston, and Sophia, now the wife of J. B. Edwards, of New York City.

CHARLES C. HILL. Well known among the business men of Sheridan, Montana, is Charles C. Hill, senior member of one of the most important industrial con- cerns in the town. He is prominent not only in the business world but also in political and social circles. He came to Montana unknown, with little capital, but with a firm determination to succeed and plenty of courage back of this determination to carry him on- ward in his career. His success has been due, there- fore, entirely to his own efforts. In making his way through the world he has never forgotten that he owed a duty to society, and whenever he has had an opportunity to serve the public it has always been a willing service. He has held various responsible posi- tions of public trust, and his popularity among the peo- ple shows how well he carried out his duties. He, like most of the citizens of the state of Montana, believes in the great future of the state, and is ever eager to assist in her growth and development. In his own words : "Montana is all right and in time will be the big state of the Union-not only in mining, but in agriculture, as well as cattle and sheep raising and fruit growing."

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 24

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