A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 28

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

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JOHN C. FREEMAN has gained distinctive precedence as a citizen and business man at Butte, where he has maintained his home and business headquarters since 1892. He is financial secretary of a number of dif- ferent fraternal organizations, has money invested in various business projects at Butte and has extensive mining interests in the close vicinity of this city. Mr. Freeman has ever manifested a deep and sincere inter- est in community affairs and his loyalty and public spirit in all matters affecting progress and improve- ment are of the most insistent order.

A native of Illinois, John C. Freeman was born at Sidney, Champaign county, on the 24th of March, 1865. He is a son of William Freeman, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, in November, 1831, and who was summoned to the life eternal at Butte, December 20, 1906. During the strenuous period of the Civil war William Freeman was engaged .in railroad work and after the close of hostilities was justice of the peace at Sidney, Illinois, for a number of terms. He came to Montana, settling in Anaconda, in 1890, and for the ensuing eight years was engaged in the general mer- chandise business in that place. He came to Butte in 1898 and from that time until 1904 was engaged in the retail bakery and grocery business with his son, John C. For two years prior to his demise he lived in virtual retirement. William Freeman married Hannah Clark in 1859 and they became the parents of three children, of whom John C. was the third in line of birth. Mrs. Freeman was born and reared in Ohio and she passed to the life eternal in 1865, at which time John C. of this review was an infant of but a few weeks of age.

John C. Freeman received a good common-school education and at the age of eighteen years he became a school teacher. He was engaged in the pedagogic pro- fession for two years and at the expiration of that time decided to try his fortunes in the west. In the early spring of 1886 he went to Greely county, Kansas, where he pre-empted a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land. In the following spring he homesteaded another quarter section of land and by May, 1888, had paid for both tracts. On the latter date he came to Montana, locating in Anaconda, where he was identi- fied with an uncle in the dairy business for the ensuing two years, at the expiration of which he entered the em- ploy of the Carroll Lumber Company, remaining with that concern until January, 1892. After resigning his position with the Carroll Lumber Company of Anaconda, Mr. Freeman came to Butte, where for a time he was with the Western Iron Works. Subsequently he became a clerk in Edward Condon's grocery store in south Butte and in 1896 began to work in Gunderson Broth- ers' general store at Meaderville, Montana. In 1897 Mr. Freeman rented the Johnson Hotel, which he con- ducted with fair success for one year, at the end of which he purchased a general grocery and bakery store, located at 701 Utah avenue, Butte. He disposed of the latter business in 1902 and then became district deputy for the Modern Woodmen of America. He retained the latter position until January 1, 1905. He was made financial secretary for the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica at organization of South Butte Camp in 1899, for the Fraternal Union of America in 1898, the Modern Maccabees in 1903, the Fraternal Brotherhood in 1905, and the Royal Court in 1906. He continued as secre-

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tary of different ones of above organizations until 1910 and at the present time, in 1912, is financial secretary of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Modern Maccabees and the Fraternal Brotherhood. He has been trustee for the Royal Order of Moose and financial secretary for the Ancient Order United Workmen from 1892 to 1908, of the select Knights and Ladies from 1896 to 1903, of the Order of Pendo from 1896 to 1907 and of Chosen Friends from 1892 to 1896.

Mr. Freeman is financially interested in the Butte Typewriter Exchange and he was the organizer of the Butte Krisp Company, of which he is part owner, in 19II. He is part owner of the Santa Anita mine, located near Radersburg, Montana; holds stock in the Gold Bar Mining Company, of Granite county; and is secretary of the Valley View Mining Company of Madison county. In politics he is an uncompromising Republican and he has been a delegate to a number of important Republi- can conventions. He has been a notary public for the past nine years.

In January, 1897, Mr. Freeman married Miss Esther Kerr, who was born in Canada in April, 1864, and who was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Armstrong) Kerr. Mrs. Freeman was summoned to the life eternal December 31, 1899, and is survived by twins,-Willie C. and Mabel B., whose birth occurred October 9, 1898. The Freeman home is at 415 South Idaho street, Butte.

FRANK A. RUDOLPH. The business career of Frank A. Rudolph, of Great Falls, is a notable example of the truth of the assertion that industry, integrity and pro- gressive ideas, if directed along the proper channels, eventually bring success. Starting in business with al- most no capital, by his energy, enterprise and good management he has built up one of the largest business institutions of its kind in the northwest, and from com- parative oblivion has raised himself to a position of prosperity in the business world and influence in the public field. Mr. Rudolph was born near Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, August 9, 1877, and is a son of August Robert and Minnie (Schultz) Ru- dolph.

August R. Rudolph was born in Germany in 1838, and shortly after his marriage came to the United States and 'located in Pennsylvania, where he became a prominent miller. In 1887 he came to Montana, but did not care for conditions as he found them here, and soon returned to Pittsburgh, where for a number of years he was prominent in public affairs. He is now living retired. His wife, also a native of Germany, was born in 1842, and their marriage was solemnized February 7, 1862. On February 7, 1912, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversity at Pittsburgh, all the members of the family being present and many messages of good will and kind remembrances being received. They have had eleven children, namely: John R., Frank A., Charles, Robert, William, Emil, Mrs. Minnie Wayhagen, Mrs. Annie Steinhagen, Mrs. Rose Bocks, Mrs. Bertha Chattle and Miss Tillie.

Frank A. Rudolph secured his early education in the schools of Pittsburgh. Coming to Fort Benton in 1887, he finished the public school course there. He was then sent back east to attend Duff's College, Pittsburgh, where he was graduated in 1885, and in 1888 returned to Montana after working at various occupations in the east. In this state he secured a position with the Boston & Montana Smelter, near Great Falls, but after working ten years there decided to invest his capital in a business of his own and accordingly embarked in the ice business, purchasing a wagon and making the deliveries himself. This humble start was the nucleus from which has grown the Peoples Ice Company, and the small shed which was originally used as a storage house for the ice harvest has given way to three large modern ice houses on Broadwater Bay. Lately Mr. Rudolphi lias installed an endless chain ice loading ma-

chine, with a capacity of seventy-five cars per day, which cost in the neighborhood of $20,000. His three storage plants have a capacity of 35,000 tons of ice for summer consumption, six double teams are used in delivering the product and a fine office building and stables are located in Great Falls. To have accomplished so much in such a short space of time, to have risen from the humble position of driver to the office of president of a large corporation, to have brought a great undertaking to a successful conclusion, marks Mr. Rudolph as one of the most able business men of his adopted city, but while doing this he has found time to engage in other enterprises, among which may be mentioned the Tenderfoot Mining Company, in which he is a heavy stockholder. A stalwart Republican in politics, in 1910 his popularity was evidenced by the large majority by which he was elected to the office of coun- cilman of the Fifth ward. In fraternal matters he is a master Mason and belongs also to the Eagles, and in social, business and public life has made and retained numerous friendships. His religions faith is that of the Lutheran church.

On October 14, 1904, Mr. Rudolph was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Frances Falesik, and two children have been born to this union: Frank Alvin, born October 14, 1909; and Irene Olive, born October 6, 1907.

TONY ANDERSON, permanently established in Sand Coulee as a dealer in men's furnishings and clothing, is one of the well-known men of his community. For eighteen years before he opened up his present store he was engaged in mining in the Sand Coulee district and he thus has acquired an acquaintance that has been of inestimable value to him in his business. His life has been one of varied experience, his actual labors commencing when he left school as a lad of fourteen and began to follow the sea. He is the son of Owen and Bertha (Nickson) Anderson, both natives of Nor- way, and in Mandel, Norway, Tony Anderson was born on March 20, 1860. The father was born in Nor- · way and died on May 7, 1894, at the age of sixty- seven. He was a saw mill and lumber merchant and carried on that business until his death. Four children were born of their union,-three daughters and one son, Tony, who was the second born. He attended the schools in Mandel until he reached the age of fourteen when he left school and went to sea. He led a sea- faring life for twelve years, and visited many ports in his experience. His work was that of a sail maker and he was an expert in that line. In the spring of 1885 Mr. Anderson gave up the life of a sailor and came to America. He located in Michigan first, and made his way to the iron mines of Ironwood in the Bessemer ore district. He remained there until 1888 when he removed to Sand Coulee, Montana. Again he became conected with mining and for a matter of eighteen years was employed in the coal mines of that district. In October, 1909, Mr. Anderson saw a suitable opening for a men's clothing and furnishing establish- ment in Sand Conlee, and having sufficient capital to become established in business, he opened up the store which he has since conducted with a most pleasing degree of success. His trade is well established and of a wide and varied character. In addition to the business which he conducts, Mr. Anderson is the owner of the store building which he occupies and of other valuable property in Sand Coulee.

In a fraternal way, Mr. Anderson is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has been treasurer of the local lodge for the past eight years. He is also a member of the Scandanavian Brother- hood of Great Falls. Religiously, he is affiliated with the Lutheran church, in which he was reared in the homeland.

On March 19, 1889, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Marie Wanvack, a daughter of Andrew Wan-

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vack, and she died on the 27th of December, 1906, leaving two children. Olga died when six months of age and the surviving daughter, Bertha Regina, who was born on October 19, 1890, still shares the home of her father and looks after the affairs of his household since the death of the wife and mother.

The success which Mr. Anderson has achieved in his life thus far is one of which he may well be proud. Going out into the world dependent entirely upon his own resourcefulness at the early age of fourteen years, he has seen life from all view points, and has seen experiences which perhaps fall to the lot of few. His first employment was as cook's boy on shipboard, and for his services he received the sum of $6.00 a month and his board. The hard life he led in that capacity was insufficient to daunt the hardy young Norseman, as is evidenced by the fact that he continued to follow the sea for twelve years in various service, and his present circumstances are the result of his own efforts, brought about by a combination of hard work, ambi- tion and integrity of the highest order.

HERMAN NALBACH. Many of the most prosperous and popular citizens of Montana are of foreign birth and training, prominent among the number being Her- man Nalbach, city treasurer of Great Falls. He was born, May 9, 1851, in the Rhine province, Germany, where he was bred and educated. His father, Chris- tian Nalbach, who was engaged in steamboating dur- ing his active career, spent his entire sixty-four years of earthly life in the Fatherland, dying there in 1860. He married Marie Le Bundey, who was born in Ger- many, of French ancestry, and there spent her life, passing away in 1862, at the comparatively early age of forty years.

The fourth child in a family of six children, Herman Nalbach was educated in his native land, and at the age of fourteen began an apprenticeship of four years at the tailor's trade. He was subsequently employed as a journeyman tailor in his home town until 1871, when he immigrated to America, locating in New York City, where he followed his trade for three years. Go- ing then to Coxsackie, New York, Mr. Nalbach was there engaged in the tailoring business on his own account from 1874 until 1888, being quite successful. Selling out his interests then in that locality, Mr. Nal- bach came directly to Great Falls, Montana, arriving in this city in October, 1888. Immediately opening a tailoring establishment, he built up an extensive and lucrative patronage, and carried on a very successful business until 1903, when he was elected city treasurer of Great Falls, a position in which he served five con- secutive terms, and which he is now filling ably and faithfully, being one of the most worthy and trusted officials of the municipality. He is an expert account- ant, and in the management of his work has established a system of bookkeeping that has since been adopted by every city in the state.

A stanch Democrat in politics, Mr. Nalbach is an active and influential worker in national, state and local affairs. Fraternally Mr. Nalbach is a member, and treasurer, of Euclid Lodge, No. 58, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, of Great Falls; is a charter member, and present high priest, of Great Falls Chapter, No. 9. Royal Arch Masons; and is a charter member of Lodge No. I, Sons of Hermann, which was organized in 1895. The family attends the Episcopalian church, and he is the treasurer of the Church of Incarnation.

Mr. Nalbach married, at Hudson, New York, May 9, 1876, Anna Margaret Bodenstein, and to them four children have been born, namely: Hugo L., born Sep- tember 12, 1877, in Coxsackie, New York, is now cash- ier for the Continental Oil Company, in Butte, Mon- tana; Irena L., born at Coxsackie, New York, August 5. 1879, is now a teacher in the public schools of Great Falls; Hubert B., born in Coxsackie, died January

21, 1903, aged 21; and Margaret Elizabeth, born at Great Falls, Montana, February 6, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Nalbach are congenial and hospitable people, and their pleasant home is at 1127 Sixth avenue, North.

BENJAMIN D. WHITTEN. The advent of the auto- mobile opened up vast possibilities to the enterprising and progressive men of every section of the country, and Montana was not slow in donating its full quota to those who cast their fortunes with the new industry. Every part of the state can now boast of its large con- nections in this line, and in Great Falls is to be found the Northwestern Automobile and Engineering Com- pany, the founder and president of which, Benjamin D. Whitten, is one of his city's most representative men. Mr. Whitten was born at Ottawa, Illinois, May 6, 1860, and is a son of Melzar and Martha (Cone) Whitten. His father was a native of Massachusetts who came west to Hudson, Wisconsin, about 1868, and was there engaged in the practice of dentistry until his retirement, while his mother, a native of Illinois, passed away in 1889, Benjamin D. being the only child born to their union.

Benjamin D. Whitten secured his education in the public and high schools of Hudson, Wisconsin, attend- ing the latter until he was seventeen years of age. At that time he was apprenticed to the machinist trade in the shops of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, but followed that trade only a short time, he next giving his attention to civil engineering in the service of the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba (now Great Northern) Railroad. After spending one year in surveying through North Dakota and Western Min- nesota, Mr. Whitten located at Fargo, North Dakota, and opened a machine shop, which he conducted until the spring of 1887. On March 18, 1888, he removed to Great Falls and for some time followed his trade, and during 1889-90 was chief engineer of the Great Falls Water Works and Electric Light Company. He was subsequently connected with the Street Railway Company until 1893, in the civil engineering depart- ment, and chief engineer and head of the steam power plant. On leaving the street railway company, Mr. Whitten engaged in civil engineering and land sur- veying in and around Cascade county, chiefly in the line of irrigation, and from 1902 to 1908, inclusive, was county surveyor of Cascade county. In 1909 he established the Whitten Automobile Company, and sixty days thereafter it was incorporated as the North- western Automobile and Engineering Company, with Mr. Whitten as president, W. F. Kester, vice-president, and J. W. Speer, secretary. The business of the com- pany is limited to the sale and repair of automobiles, and is the sole agent for the Franklin car and Kelly motor truck. Under the keen, shrewd and capable business management of Mr. Whitten the company has enlarged its scope, and has grown steadily from the start. The plant, situated at No. 311 First avenue, South, displays models of the latest makes of various cars, and is fully equipped to do all kinds of repair work. The firm has gained a wide reputation for integrity in its dealings and the standing of its presi- dent of business circles has tended to establish the business firmly in the confidence of the community.

Mr. Whitten is unmarried and maintains bachelor apartments in the Murphy block. In political matters he is a Republican, but his private interests have demanded the greater part of his attention and he has not found time to enter the public arena, although he takes a keen and active interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of his community.

ANDREW THISTED. Nearly a quarter of a century ago, Andrew Thisted came to Great Falls, Montana, with a very small cash capital and a very large supply of determination, persistence and inherent, though untried, business ability. He had at that time been in this

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country only two years, hardly a sufficient period in which to gain a knowledge of language, customs, values and business ideals, but with courage that was born of a desire to establish himself in independent circum- stances in the wonderful new West, he embarked in a business venture that has become one of the largest of its kind in this part of the state, and as the years have passed has invaded new fields, winning success through indomitable energy and extraordinary business capacity, until today he stands in the forefront of those who have improved their opportunities and grown with their community. Mr. Thisted is a native of Nor- way, a country that has given Montana some of its best citizens, and was born June 20, 1864, a son of Nels and Helen (Kalberg) Thisted. His father, a Dane by birth, was sheriff at Laurdal, Norway, an office which carried a life appointment from the king, and in which he was serving at the time of his death in 1874. His widow survived him until January, 1908, and died in her native Norway, having been the mother of nine children, Andrew being next to the youngest.

After completing the high school course in his native country, at the age of nineteen years Andrew Thisted was given his introduction to the mercantile business as a clerk in a general merchandise store in the city of Christiana, Norway, where he remained for about three years. On coming to America, in 1886, he first settled in the city of Chicago, and in that metropolis secured employment in the dry goods store of a Mr. Erickson, with whom he continued two years. The month of July, 1888, saw his advent in Great Falls, where he became a clerk at the Cash Bazaar, then one of the lead- ing stores of the city, following clerical' work until August, 1890, when he entered business on his own ac- count. A partnership was formed with T. W. Brosnan, under the firm name of Thisted & Brosnan, and location was made at No. 213 First avenue, South, the business being known as the Hub Clothing Store. Later, larger quarters being needed to handle the rapidly-growing business, the store was moved to No. 305 Central ave- nue, and after five years removal was made to the Conrad Burke building, at the southwest corner of Fourth and Central streets. Since 1907, in which Mr. Brosnan died, Mr. Thisted has continued the business alone, this being the largest retail clothing establish- ment in Great Falls, from seven to ten salesmen being required to handle the large volume of trade, which averages approximately $75,000 per year. Mr. Thisted has found that he needed other outlets for his business energy and as a consequence has invested his brains and means in various enterprises of an extensive nature. He is interested in a large stock ranch in Cascade county, comprising 6,000 acres, with great bands of cattle; is president of the Lincoln Land & Livestock Company, with headquarters in Great Falls, and is pres- ident of the Famous Clothing Company, of Spokane, Washington. He also owns considerable real estate, including his modern residence at No. 811 Second ave- nue, South. He is president of the Merchants' Associa- tion, a member of the Electric Club, and also is con- nected with the Scandinavian Brotherhood, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the lodge, chapter and com- mandery of Masonry, being treasurer of Cascade Lodge No. 34. Politically a Republican, he has taken a great deal of interest in public matters, and from 1901 until 1910 acted as a member of the school board in Great Falls.

Mr. Thisted was married in this city, September 20, 1894, to Miss Augusta Anderson, and five children have been born to them: Norman N., born in January, 1896; Violet, born February 5, 1897; Walter, born in May, 1899; Helen, born in 1900; and Karl, October 13, 1906, all in Great Falls.

A. M. STEVENS. The development of the North- west on the high plane that has been the rule, and in every department of its natural resources, is due

primarily to the superior character and ability of the men who first settled here and thus became the build- ers of the foundation upon which the present growth and progress depend. It took men with great cour- age and insight with confidence born of knowledge to foster the new enterprises and to urge the cultivation of untried crops on virgin lands, and that such men were here to do these things is cause for congratula- tion on the part of all people who now live and prosper in this great country. A well-known pioneer in this development work in this section of the state is Mr. A. M. Stevens, a descendant of a sturdy old New England family, and at present engaged in the real estate and mining business on an extensive scale, in Missoula.

Mr. Stevens was born at Honesdale, Pennsylvania, the son of William and Olive ( Bidwell) Stevens. His mother was a native of Massachusetts, while, hi- father was born at Stevens Manor, St. Ives, Corr wall, England, a member of a distinguished Engli: family, who came to the United States when a child and at the time of the Civil war enlisted in a Penn- sylvania regiment of the Union army. Later he was transferred to Company B, First New York Cavalry, which served under Sheridan in the Shenandoah val- ley, and it was while there that he contracted the disease that ultimately caused his death in 1866.

A. M. Stevens when a boy attended the public schools of Pennsylvania, and upon reaching the age of maturity first engaged in business drilling for oil at Bradford, Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1888 he removed with his family to Montana. It was his original intention to locate at Victor and had bought his ticket for that point, but arriving at Missoula he found the railroad not completed to Victor and he accordingly decided to remain here. Previous to coming here, in 1882, he was married to Myrta Wright, a native of Rochester, Minnesota. They have three children, Marguerite O., E. Lucile and Lyman W. Mrs. Stevens is one of the most popular women in Missoula and is especially well known as a member of and worker in the Rebecca lodge, of which she was an early president, and she has also been a delegate to the grand lodge and is an influential member of the home board of the order. Mr. Stevens is likewise a leader in lodge circles among the principal orders with which he is affiliated being the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 28

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