A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 25

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

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Charles C. Hill was born in Washington county, Ohio, on the 17th of September, 1856. His father was Matthew Hill who was also born in the state of Ohio, and who spent all the days of his life there. As a young man he lived much of the time on the river, engaged in steamboating, but he later turned to farm- ing. He was a man of unusual strength of character, and was deeply respected for his real Christian spirit and the generosity which made his charity known throughout the section wherein he lived. He died in 1879, at the age of fifty-eight, and was buried in Ohio. He married in Ohio, Ann Collville, and she is still liv- ing in the section where her married life was spent in Ohio. Charles C. Hill is the eldest of the six children born to his father and mother.

Washington county was the home of Charles C. Hill until he was twenty-eight years of age. In the mean- time he had spent his boyhood on his father's farm, where he helped in the daily work from the time he was old enough to handle a hoe. His education had been obtained in the public schools of the county, and he had attended the high school for a short time. Up- on leaving school he took up the work which he knew the most about and went to work on a farm, at which occupation he continued until he was about twenty years of age. He then took up engineering, serving an apprenticeship in this profession for four years. On be- coming a full-fledged engineer he threw himself heart and soul into his profession, for it suited him exactly, and until he left for Ohio he devoted himself strictly to engineering. He next went to Kansas, and there took up farming again, being thus engaged for four years. In 1888 he determined to go further west, and consequently came to Madison county, Montana, where he has resided ever since. For the first eight years he was engaged in his old profession as a mining engineer. During these years the strength of his character and

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his fearlessness had come to be widely known, so when a vacancy occurred in the post of deputy sheriff it was not surprising that Mr. Hill should receive the appoint- ment. Two years later the sheriff was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest, and Mr. Hill was appointed to fill his unexpired term. So faithfully and satisfactorily did he do his duty in this difficult and dangerous position that at the end of this term he was elected sheriff for a term of two years. Feeling that he had served in this capacity long enough, at the end of his term he went out to his ranch which he operated for a number of years, and which he still owns and operates. It was in January, 1912, that he be- gan his connection with the lumber business. At this time he formed a partnership with Frank L. Tolson, the firm name being Hill and Tolson, and established the present business, which, although young, is mak- ing rapid strides towards success. The firm carries a full stock of all kinds of lumber and building material, as well as farming implements, wagons, buggies and other kinds of vehicles. During the past six years Mr. Hill has served as a commissioner.

In his religious views he is inclined towards the Methodist Episcopal church, but he is a member of no denomination. His wife also prefers the above de- nomination. Mr. Hill is thoroughly in sympathy with the principles of fraternalism as they find expression in the various secret societies. He is a member of the Masonic order, and has held various offices in this order, having been grand master three times. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and has been through all the chairs of this order. The Elks may also claim his membership. Politically he is a Democrat and takes an active and prominent part in politics. He has been county commissioner since 1906 and is at present chairman of this board. He has also been a very use- ful member of the school board.

Mr. Hill was married in Washington county, Ohio, on the 29th of December, 1878, to Mary Bothwell, who was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bothwell, of Vinton county, Ohio. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill, three of whom are boys, while two are girls. The eldest is Walter, who is married and resides in Sheridan. The second, Robert, is married and resides at Virginia City, where he is deputy sheriff. Lena is the wife of Frank Tolson, who is her father's junior partner. Harry is unmarried and is the able manager of his father's large ranch. Flossie married Wilbur Marsh and lives in Sheridan.

JAMES W. WEDUM. As secretary of the firm of Lewis-Wedum Company, the largest wholesale and retail mercantile establishment in Glasgow and one of the leading firms of the northwest, James W. Wedum has won a prominence which justly entitles him to a place on the roll of those men who have materially added to the growth and development of this city. From a small beginning, a branch store of the Camp- bell & Lewis Wholesale Company, the business has grown apace, and where Mr. Wedum begun his busi- ness experience in Glasgow as a clerk for the Camphell & Lewis Company, with the reorganization of the firm and its incorporation as the Lewis-Wedum Company, he became a partner in the new firm and its secretary. Fortune has smiled upon the every business venture of Mr. Wedum, and he has been identified with various financial and industrial enterprises affecting the growth and prosperity of Glasgow. His life in the community has been one of the strictest integrity, and his citizen- ship of a quality that has brought him the highest esteem and trust of his fellow men.

James W. Wedum was born in Norway, near to the city of Lillehammer. on September 2, 1870. He is the son of Anton J. and Bertha J. (Hovren) Wedum, both natives of Norway. Mr. Wedum was for years a prominent merchant near Lillehammer, but has been

living a retired life for some time now, and he is suc- ceeded in the business by his son, Theodore A. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are living. Albert J. is engaged in the merchandise busi- ness in Dillon, Montana; John A. is similarly engaged in Alexandria, Minnesota; Theodore A., as already mentioned, succeeded his father in the established busi- ness at home in Norway; James W. followed the business to which the family has devoted itself, that of merchandising; Carrie married Olaf Sobye, who is a farmer at Stady, North Dakota.

The boyhood and youth of James Wedum, up to his sixteenth year, was spent in the excellent schools of the homeland, and when he had reached that age he immigrated to America, leaving home alone and mak- ing his way entirely unaided. Arriving in the United States, he made directly for Evansville, Minnesota, and there he attended the public schools of that place for a year, following which he went to Minot, North Dakota, in 1888 and secured work as a clerk in the store of Walders & Doyle. He remained with them four months, when the firm failed, and the business at Minot, as well as the branch store of the firm at Glasgow, Montana, went into the hands of their cred- itors, the Campbell & Lewis Wholesale Company. Mr. J. M. Lewis came to Glasgow to look after the branch, and he took with him Mr. Wedum, who served the firm in the capacity of a clerk until in the spring of 1899. At that time changes were made in the person- nel of the firm and Mr. Lewis, having watched the careful management of the young clerk since his association with him in a business way, saw that it would be the part of wisdom to secure his undivided services and attention of his clerk, and he accordingly was taken into the firm, the new company being known as the Lewis-Wedum Company, with Mr. Wedum as its secretary. Thus from a modest beginning the sub- stantial and prosperous establishment has reached a place of prominence in the business circles of Glasgow and Valley county, and indeed, of the state, and is ever reaching out and widening its scope of operations, until it now employs a force of twenty men, where three were sufficient for its requirements when the firm was organized. When Mr. Lewis organized the First National Bank of Glasgow, Mr. Wedum becarie a stock-holder and is a director of the bank. He is the owner of a considerable amount of city realty and farm lands in the county, and among his Glasgow pos- sessions his own residence is especially worthy of mention, being the finest in the city. Mr. Wedum is a man of homelike and domestic tendencies, and is happier in the quiet enjoyment of his home life than in any other place. His position in Glasgow, either socially or from a business standpoint, is most secure, and he and his family enjoy the highest regard of all who are privileged to know them.

Mr. Wedum is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the Odd Fellows, in which order he has held all offices, and has been secretary of the Glasgow lodge since its organization in 1894.

In 1891 Mr. Wedum married Miss Ida M. Hauge of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and four children have been born to them: Arnold, Karl, Bertha and Maurice.

THOMAS A. WALSH. That person who knows his own mind and understands his own ability, who chooses a congenial trade or occupation early in life, thoroughly masters its principles and continues to work at it persistently and intelligently usually succeeds. Most people are able to become really expert in but one line of endeavor, and it is a fortunate circum- stance that enables them to commence their lifework in a channel to which they can bring their best en- deavors and greatest enthusiasm without wasting valu- able years in discovering their true bent. A well known man of Butte whose entire business and in-

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dustrial career attests the truth of these general state- ments is Mr. Thomas A. Walsh, secretary and treas- urer of the Montana Iron Works, with which dur- ing the past fourteen years he has served successively as foreman, general manager and secretary and treas- urer.

Mr. Walsh is a native of Peoria, Illinois, in which city he was born, July 26, 1861, spent his early boy- hood, was educated and learned his trade. His par- ents, John and Catherine (Halligan) Walsh, came to this country from their native Ireland when a boy and girl, and both the Walsh and the Halligan fami- lies were early settlers in Peoria. John Walsh was a man well known up and down that section of the country for many years, he having been a boat owner who ran his steamboats with their cargoes on the waters of the Illinois and lower Mississippi rivers, and he continued to maintain his residence in Pe- oria up to the time of his death, in 1901. Thomas A. was fourth in line of a family of nine children.

When sixteen years old, having finished his studies at the parochial school in Peoria, he was appren- ticed to learn the boiler-making trade in the Cen- tral Boiler Works of his native city. Upon complet- ing his four-year apprenticeship the young man went to Chicago and worked at his trade in that great metropolis for about two years. The opportunity then presented itself to go to the northwest territory of Canada, and he spent thirteen months in that section of country in the employ of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Following this he returned to his home at Peoria, and having by the exercise of thrift and in- dustry succeeded in saving sufficient to finance the deal, in partnership with his uncle, Michael Halli- gan, he purchased the Central Boiler Works, where a few years previous he had been but an apprentice boy.

A year later, however, Mr. Walsh disposed of his interest in the works and went south as far as Texas, working at his trade in a number of the larger cities of that part of the country. Later he turned his steps toward the northwest, and in March, 1888, estab- lished his residence in Butte and has been a promi- nent citizen of this progressive city continuously since that date. Shortly after his arrival here he formed a partnership with Mr. Thomas McGrade, and the firm installed the Vulcan Iron Works plant and continued to do a growing business until 1908. The business depression which swept the country about that time affected the operations of the plant, however, and it was found advisable to dissolve the partnership, Mr. Walsh retiring.

Having established a reputation as a thorough busi- ness man and one with expert experience and ability in all lines of his trade, Mr. Walsh found no difficulty in making a satisfactory connection and was immedi- ately importuned to accept a position as foreman of the boiler shop of the Montana Iron Works. The Montana Iron Works is one of the most extensive op- erators in its line in this part of the country, em- ploying an average of forty skilled workmen in its various departments, and filling contracts for a large number of well satisfied customers in all portions of the northwest. Mr. Walsh during the fourteen years that he has been connected with the works has amply proven his ability to cope with all emergencies and has been a potential factor in increasing the demands upon and output of the factory.

While he has at all times devoted the greater part of his time and energy strictly to business, he yet finds time to take an active interest in social, religious and civic affairs. In politics he is a Democrat and in 1894-96 proved himself to be an efficient public of- ficial in the capacity of alderman from his ward. He is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and contributes liberally to its charities and benevolences.

Personally he enjoys a wide popularity and is highly esteemed for his many fine qualities as a man and a citizen throughout the community in which he has lived so long.

On May 5, 1897, at Deer Lodge, Montana, Mr. Walsh was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Vilsmeyer, who was born in Minnesota, the daughter of John Vils- meyer. Mr. and Mrs. Walsh occupy a comfortable and attractive home at 745 South Main street.

WALTER WILLIAM WATKINS. The present efficient city treasurer of Billings, Montana, Walter William Watkins, in whom the citizens of that municipality have expressed their confidence by constant re-election to his responsible office, has had an active and varied career. Born in the south, before he had attained his majority he turned his face toward the west, and for a number of years traveled extensively in various ca- pacities, finally locating in the city of Billings, where for the past five years he has filled his present posi- tion, his able administration of affairs winning the con- fidence and admiration of his fellow citizens. Mr. Watkins was born on a farm near Lexington, Ken- tucky, July 27, 1868, and is a son of Edwin George and Sarah (Wagner) Watkins.

Edwin George Watkins was born in Scotland, in October, 1832, and was a youth when brought to this country by his father, George Watkins. The latter first settled on a plantation near Lexington, but sub- sequently engaged in the hotel business in that city, and later removed to Canton, Missouri, where he built the Canton Hotel and was its proprietor during the re- mainder of his life. Edwin George Watkins spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and received his schooling in Kentucky and Missouri, being given a collegiate education. During the greater part of his life he was engaged in school teaching, and for twenty or twenty-five years was well known as an educator. His wife was born at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1850, and died in 1888, and since her death he has lived practically retired, his home now being with his daugh- ter, Mrs. Benjamin Allensworth, of Wichita, Kansas. In political matters he is a Democrat, and he and his family have always been connected with the Congrega- tional church. Five children were born to Edwin G. and Sarah Watkins, namely: Walter William; John B., who is living at Kahoka, Clark county, Missouri; Minnie, the wife of Benjamin Allensworth, of Wichita, Kansas; Nannie, who married a Mr. Hicklin; and Lena.

After completing the curriculum of the public schools of Canton, Missouri, Walter W. Watkins attended the Gem City Commercial College, Quincy, Illinois, and in February, 1888, removed to Helena, Montana. Subse- quently he travelled throughout the west, going to Cali- fornia, Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. In Colorado he represented the McCormick Harvester Company at both Greeley and Denver, and on going to Wyoming purchased land under the Cory act and spent two years in ranching. Coming at this time to Montana, he worked for the Diamond W. Ranch and later for Lehfeldt Brothers, and in 1898 accepted a position with the Babcock Hardware Company, remaining in the employ of that concern for five years. At that time Mr Watkins joined the Billings police force, and after a short time became a member of the fire department, with which he was connected at the time of his first election, in April, 1907, to the office of city treasurer. The sound, capable administration which followed his election made him the choice of his party in 1909, and he again received the election in 1911. As a public official Mr. Watkins has ever displayed a keen interest in the welfare of his adopted city, and the manner in which he is discharging the duties of his high office testifies to his ability and integrity. His politics are those of the Democratic party, but organization lines have never been considered in his friendship and he is

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popular with both parties. He is a member of Billings Lodge, No. 394, B. P. O. E., being state treasurer of the order; of Fraternal Order of Eagles; of Billings Camp, No. 6269, M. W. A .; and Yellowstone Hive, K. O. T. M.

On February 17, 1898, Mr. Watkins was married to Miss Florence Emma Goodyear, who was born at St. Charles, Illinois, daughter of Frederick P. Goodyear. Mrs. Watkins' father, who died in 1906, at the age of fifty-nine years, was a machinist by trade and spent the last thirty-five years of his life in St. Charles, where his widow now resides. They had three children: George, who is foreman of a file factory at Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Watkins; and Frederick P., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have two children, Roy E. and Walter G., who are attending school.

JOHN LAWLER. Montana offers so many examples of self-made men who have won prosperity and honor through their own industry and strength of character that it is hard to select from the great number those who most truly typify the Montana spirit, but we are safe in including among these John Lawler, of Ana- conda. Not only possessing the necessary requisites for success in a new country, courage and a capacity for hard work, but having the keen eye and clear brain that is able to recognize opportunity when it presents itself, he has risen from humble beginnings to one of the prominent and well known business men of this hustling Montana city. He has held a number of positions of public service, and these have been given to him through recognition of his ability and public spiritedness. In every position which he has held he has entered upon the work with the same zest which he brought to his personal affairs and his work has been very satisfac- tory to the public.

John Lawler is a native of far famed County Clare, Ireland, his father being John Lawler, who spent his life as a farmer in this, his native county. His mother was Johanna Odonnell, who is yet living on the old farm in County Clare. His father died in 1902. John Lawler is the eldest of four children, the others being: Michael Lawler, who is connected with the Anaconda Copper Mining Company at Anaconda; Thomas Law- ler, who died in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1908, and James Lawler, who is a farmer in County Clare.

The date of John Lawler's birth was the 7th of May, 1865. He grew up on his father's farm, receiving his education at the hand of the schoolmasters of his na- tive county. Of an ambitious and adventurous spirit, at the age of seventeen he carried out his long cher- ished plan of seeking his fortune in the land of promise and so embarked for the United States. On his ar- rival in this country he went to New Britain, Connecti- cut, where he found employment as a machine hand in one of the big factories. Here he remained for several years, ever watching for a chance to better himself, and saving his wages that he might improve his conditions if a chance offered. He was thus enabled to learn the trade of stationary engineer, and having mastered this he followed his new profession for three years at New Britain. In 1888 he determined that the far west of- fered more opportunities to a man of his education and character than the east and so he came to Anaconda, Montana. Proof of his ability and the high character of his work is to be found in the fact that he secured employment in the Anaconda Copper Mining Company as an engineer and was placed after a time in charge of their largest engine. This position involved a re- sponsibility that would never have been entrusted to a man who was not only a master of his trade, but one who could always be trusted and therefore speaks well for the stability of Mr. Lawler's character even at this early date. He remained in this position for ten years, watching continually for any opening by which he might be enabled to get a start for himself.

At last seeing his oportunity to establish himself as an undertaker, he learned the embalming business and ven- tured into the undertaking business in a modest way. From this small beginning his business has grown un- til today it is the leading one in its line in Anaconda. On January 1, 1912, Norris Climer became a partner, the firm name being Lawler & Climer.

Mr. Lawler, by his industry and honesty has made friends in the various classes of people with whom he has come in contact and the people of his city have shown their appreciation of his good qualities by elect- ing him to the office of alderman. He served in this position for one term, and in 1908 was again placed in a public position by being elected city and county coroner as the nominee of the Democratic party. He is now (1912) the present incumbent of this office and during all of this time he has given earnest and loyal service to the people. Learning the value of money through years of having to go without it, he has learned to appraise an investment at its true worth and has consequently been fortunate in various financial ven- tures. He is the owner of valuable agricultural and mineral lands and has considerable money invested in city realty. The Deer Lodge County Fair has come in for a large share of his time and as a director of this he has been instrumental in its success every year since its inauguration. Mr. Lawler is also chairman of the board of police commissioners.

The principles of fraternalism have always made a strong appeal to Mr. Lawler as his membership in numerous organizations will testify. He is a member and prominent worker in the Knights of Columbus, and belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of the Eagles and of the Fraternal Brotherhood. In the fraternal order of the Moose he holds the office of past dictator.

The wife of Mr. Lawler, Annie Flynn, whom he mar- ried in Anaconda on the 3rd of July, 1899, is also a native of Ireland. They have four children, Lorene, Frank, Florence and Lorn. All of the family are de- voted members and attendants of the Roman Catholic church.

Montana is proud to have such citizens as John Law- ler, who have won their successes through the merit of honest service rendered and not through pull or through an unusual cleverness in getting something for nothing. A young man just starting out in life would do well to look at John Lawler and see that success can be won by keeping one eye on possible opportunities and the other on one's work. Mr. Lawler never neg- lected his work for one instant, but he somehow knew when a choice bit of land was about to be placed on the market and he was always ready with his offer.

MILES FINLEN. The statement that "Death loves a shining mark, a signal blow," is truer than it is old, and seldom in this part of the country has it had a more suggestive and impressive illustration than when the shaft of the "insatiable archer" reached the heart of the late Miles Finlen of Butte, a pioneer mining man of prominence, owner of the Finlen Hotel, public official and citizen of Butte beloved by every rank and class of the people at the time of his death, which occurred in 1911, on the day devoted to reverence to the patron saint of his native land.

Mr. Finlen was born in County Wexford, Ireland, on February 14, 1847, and died in Butte, Montana, on March 17, 19II. The city of his birth is pleasantly located on the River Slaney, and has considerable river and some foreign commerce, especially in dairy products. The influence on the subsequent career of Mr. Finlen exercised by his native place and its com- mercial activity is difficult to estimate, as he was brought from it to Canada by his parents when he was but four years old. In his new home he lived

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 25

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