A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 29

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

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Upon his arrival in Missoula in 1888 Mr. Stevens first secured employment as a machinist with the Northern Pacific Railway Company continuing in the position for two years. He then became interested in the fruit commission business and with his usual en- thusiasm urged the production of horticultural prod- ucts hy growers in this part of the state, becoming one of the pioneer factors in the promotion of the development of this important industry. It was almost entirely due to his efforts and influence that the Northern Pacific Railway Company was induced to furnish fruit trains and in many other ways he was successful in aiding the industry to become estab- lished on a profitable basis. Mr. Stevens continued to conduct his commission and mercantile business until 1905 when he disposed of it and turned his at- tention to real estate and mining brokerage trans- actions. It was while thus engaged that he secured some valuable mining property and in 1909 he organ- ized the Windfall Placer Mining Company- at Wind -. fall Gulch, incorporating the concern during the same year. For twenty-five years he has been a close stu- dent of geology and mineralogy.

Mr. Stevens' interest in public affairs has always been particularly conspicuous and effective. Politi- cally he is a stanch advocate of Republican principles. His career as an official extends over several years

& J Thomas

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and embraces occupation of some of the most honor- able offices in the gift of the people of this com- munity. He was an alderman from the Second ward in 1894, was public administrator in 1896, while in 1901 and 1902 he filled the mayor's chair with great honor and credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. At one time during his absence from the city his friends sought to thrust further honor upon him and nominated him for the legislature, but this office Mr. Stevens declined to become a candidate for, although he appreciated highly the confidence in him which the action of his friends showed. Person- ally Mr. Stevens is broad minded and progressive, independent in thought and action, and possesses a character of high morality and unquestioned integrity.

CABOT T. THOMAS. One of the most progressive farmers of the Yellowstone Valley, whose excellent property of thirty thousand acres is situated thirty miles from Billings, in Lake Basin, is Cabot T. Thomas, a man whose activities have always been so directed as to develop to the greatest extent the resources of his com- munity. Born in Nova Scotia, June 25, 1867, Mr. Thomas is a son of John V. and Sytira (Trevoy) Thomas. His grandfather Thomas, a native of Wales, immigrated to Nova Scotia at an early date and fol- lowed ship-building and farming.

John V. Thomas was born on St. Mary's Bay, Nova Scotia, in 1838, and as a youth learned the trade of ship- building with his father. He constructed his first vessel when he was only twenty-one years of age and became one of the best known men in his line of busi- ness in his native locality, but in after years he sold out his interests and engaged in the lumber business, which he followed in connection with farming during the re- mainder of his life, his death occurring in 1910. Although he attended school for only eighteen months, John V. Thomas became a well educated man through much personal observation and study. He was fully informed on all matters of general interest, and had enough knowledge of the law to settle various disputes which arose between his neighbors. He was progressive in all things, was the organizer of the first agricultural society in his locality, of which he was the president for the first eleven years of its existence, and at the time of his death had the contract for the building of a railroad into the town of Bear River, Novia Scotia. In political matters he was a Tory, and was recognized as a leader of his party in his district. His wife, who was also a native of St. Mary's Bay, died when Cabot T. Thomas was a mere lad, having been the mother of seven children, of whom six are still living.

Cabot T. Thomas spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and received his education in the schools of Nova Scotia, but when he had reached the age of sixteen years decided it was time for him to start making his own way in the world and accordingly went to County Cumberland, Nova Scotia, where he spent three years in the lumber business. Subsequently he spent some time in traveling to various Canadian points, including Vancouver, British Columbia, and Port Townsend, seeking a place to locate where he could feel that his abilities were given the widest scope. While going up the sound on the steamer "Edith," he became acquainted with Cyrus Walker, the owner of a mill at Port Gamble, and instead of traveling to Seattle, Washington, as he had intended, Mr. Thomas left the steamer at Port Gamble and during the winter of 1887 and 1888 was employed in Mr. Walker's mill.

During the following spring Mr. Thomas came to Montana, landing first at Big Timber, from whence ne took the stage down to Melville, and then went on to the American Forks, and secured employment with Lamont, Redding & McVeigh, the well known sheep merchants, with whom he continued during the sum- mer of 1888. In the spring of 1889 Mr. Thomas

engaged in the sheep business with his brother, Alfred L. Thomas, but after two years the firm was dissolved, although both brothers continued to carry on the same line of endeavor. This business claimed Mr. Thomas's activities until 1908, when he disposed of his interests therein and in 1909 was one of the organizers of the Montana Fruit and Irrigation Company. In the work of this concern, Mr. Thomas was the first to intro- duce the steam-plow in this locality, and the success which he attained in plowing the three thousand acre tract of the company caused many agriculturists here to adopt the invention. The company has planted six hundred of the three thousand acres in apple trees and the rest is in various kinds of grains. When the com- pany has completed its plans there will be three thousand acres all planted in apples. The water needed for this great orchard is pumped by a three hundred horse-power pump, and the work that has to be done requires a large force of men even now. When the trees begin to bear a small army will be required to pick the fruit. The company has spent $240,000 up to the present time, and more money will be invested in this great project. The apples planted are of four varieties : Wealthy, McIntosch, Gayno and Jonathan. In the spring of 1910 he began plowing the C. M. Bair 1,000 acre tract with a forty-five horse-power steam engine and a twelve gang plow, and during 1911 had a crop of twenty-five thousand bushels of oats from this land, which is now in a fine state of cultiva- tion and thoroughly irrigated. This property is a model of neatness and gives every evidence of intelli- gent and systematic management. Mr. Thomas' talents as a business man have made him a prominent figure in the business world, and have given him a solid standing as a substantial citizen, which his continuous transactions, since 1889, without the slightest infringe- ment of his word or of his integrity fully entitle him to. Politically he is a Republican, but he has pre- ferred to leave public life to others and to give his whole attention to his business. Fraternally he is a member of Ashlar Lodge, No. 29, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons and is popular with his brother Masons.

In November, 1891, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Ada F. Martin, in Billings, she being the daughter of Robert J. Martin, and a native of California. Four children have been born to this union: Eva Mae, John C., Lester and Ethel.

HON. FRED S. HOUGLAND. The life of Fred S. Houg- land, mayor of Thompson Falls, presenting as it does a worthy example to the rising generation, has been one of hard work from his early boyhood, and the high dignity to which he has attained is evidence in itself that the qualities of industry, integrity and persever- ance afford the means of distinction under a system of government in which the places of honor are open to all who may be found worthy of them. Mr. Hougland was born August 6, 1867, in Johnson county, Kansas, and is a son of David P. and Sarah J. (Farmer) Houg- land.

David P. Hougland was born in the state of Ohio, and came west in 1857, settling first in Missouri. He was residing in that state at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, and, casting his sympathies with the north, entered the Union army as a private. He con- tinued to serve with his regiment until the close of the struggle, fighting gallantly and faithfully in a number of the bloodiest engagements of the war, and when his service was completed returned to Kansas to be- come as good a citizen as he had been a soldier. It is stated that he was the only man in Cass county, Mis- souri, to cast a vote for Abraham Lincoln, and through- out his life he has been an ardent supporter of Repub- lican principles. Shortly after the war had closed he removed to Johnson county, Kansas, where he engaged

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in farming, and still resides on the old Kansas home- stead. His wife, to whom he was married in Missouri, died in 1878, when about thirty-six years of age, and was buried in Kansas. With the exception of Fred S., who was the oldest son and third child in order of birth, the seven children reside in the Sunflower state.

Fred S. Hougland was given good educational ad- vantages, attending the public and high schools of Olathe, Kansas, and on completing his studies began to work on his father's farm. His first real money was earned as a lad, when, with a boyhood companion, he contracted to cut hedges, the youthful business man clearing $250 on the deal. Part of his share Mr. Houg- land used to pay his way to Montana, and since attain- ing his majority he has resided in and about Thompson Falls. For the first few years he followed prospecting and mining, but, while he has made many trips and short stays in neighboring states, has always returned to Thompson Falls and has maintained his residence here continuously. In 1899 he entered the ranching and meat business, with which he has been connected to the present time, and all his ventures have proved eminently successful. He has not been backward in expressing his opinion of the state of his adoption. The Clarks Fork valley, according to Mr. Hougland, has no superior, taking it from any point of view- climate, mineral wealth, timber, fruit, agricultural pos- sibilities or opportunities in general-and it may be supposed that he is competent to judge, as he has been engaged in ranching for ten years near the city, on a ranch on which are located a refrigerator and ice plant, and also possesses some valuable mining proper- ties.

Politically, Mr. Hougland is an independent Repub- lican and takes an active interest in public matters. He was a member of the school board for three years, and since 1910 has been serving the people of Thomp- son Falls as mayor, giving a clean, progressive and business-like administration that stamps him as a man of excellent executive ability. In his official capacity and as a member of the Thompson Falls Development League he has done all in his power to advance the interests of this section, and the city has had no more popular citizen in the mayoralty chair. In his religious faith he is a Methodist, while in fraternal circles he is a prominent Mason and a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. When the cares and re- sponsibilities of his business and office can be placed aside, Mayor Hougland finds relaxation in various kinds of sport, and as a former baseball player appreciates the fine points of the national game.

In February, 1903, Mr. Hongland was married at Spokane, Washington, to Miss Elda Preston, daughter of Engene and Celia Preston, an old and well-connected family of Thompson Falls, and four children have been born to this union: Pauline Marie, Sarah Fredericka, David Preston and Elda, bright pupils in the Public schools.

FREDERICK CHARLES WEBSTER. The subject of this sketch is a native of the old town of Litchfield, Con- necticut. He is descended from John Webster, one of the early governors of Connecticut Colony. He was pre- pared for college at the Litchfield Academy, was gradu- ated from Yale, and then studied law at Litchfield in the office of Hon. Edward W. Seymour. After his ad- mission to the bar of Connecticut, he started west and finally settled at Missoula in 1888. He practiced law in partnership with Judge Frank H. Woody until the latter was elected to the bench. He was twice elected county attorney of Missoula county, twice mayor of the city of Missoula, and upon the retirement of Judge Woody he succeeded him as judge of the fourth judicial district. After twelve years' service he declined a re-nomination and resumed the practice of law at Missoula.

He was married in 1889 to Anna C. Bye, and lias

three children living, Fred B., Charles Norman and Anna I. Webster.

HENRY ALTENBRAND. It is to the activities of men of foresight and ability that the state of Montana owes its present greatness as much as to its mineral wealth. Not more than several decades ago, the state was con- sidered valuable only for its mines, and agriculture was the least of its industries. Irrigation, however, has changed conditions to a remarkable extent, and now great tracts of land once considered worthless are yield- ing abundant crops under the skilled hands of the Montana's new workers, the farmers. One of the men who has borne a prominent part in building up this industry, and who has proven himself possessed of much organizing and executive ability is Henry Alten- brand, president of the Manhattan Malting Company, of Manhattan, Montana, and the first to recognize the worth of land in this section for barley growing pur- poses. Mr. Henry Altenbrand was born in East New York (now the city of Brooklyn), November 26, 1843, and is the son of Lewis and Katherine (Lange) Alten- brand.

Lewis Altenbrand was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Ger- many, and came to the United States in 1830. After residing in New York City and working at his trade as tailor, he took up the vocation of hotel proprietor, built the fifth house in East New York, what is now Brook- lyn, and served as township trustee for about fifteen years. He subsequently became interested in the state militia and organized the first German military com- pany in New York City, known as the Jefferson Gren- adiers, of which he was made captain. He died at the age of seventy-four, was one of the leading citizens of his section, and vice president of the East New York Savings Bank. He was married in New York to Katherine Lange, who was born in Saxony, Germany, and they had a family of eight children of whom Henry was the fifth in order of birth.

Henry Altenbrand attended the schools of East New York until he was fourteen years of age, at which time he became a student at Lepolt Academy, New York City. Subsequently he attended the Brooklyn Poly- technic College for one year, and then became associ- ated with his father in the hotel business. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, notwithstanding that he was under age, he enlisted with the Fifth Regiment, New York Infantry, of which his brother-in-law, Joseph Hillenbrand, was lieutenant-colonel, but was taken out of the service by his mother, although. his oldest brother, Lewis, who was twenty-four years of age, served throughout the conflict with the same organi- zation.

Henry Altenbrand subsequently became a salesman for a produce commission house, the Virgil & Hilleyet Company, with which he was connected three years. Later he engaged in the same line of business with his brother, Lewis Altenbrand, and the firm of Altenbrand Brothers continued to do a sucessful business from 1865 until 1868, in which later year Henry purchased his brother's interests. Barley and malt were added to the produce of the firm, and in 1871 Henry Altenbrand organized the New York & Brooklyn Malting Com- pany, having built one of the largest plants in New York and Brooklyn. Associated with him were George Ehret, Jacob Ruppert, Otto Huber, William Horrman, Beadleston & Woerz, Gustavua A. Muller, President of Bergner & Engel Brewing Company of Philadel- phia, Christian Heurich of Washington, D. C., all of them the largest brewers in the east, and William Fors- ter of Kress Brewing Company. The firm was a suc- cess from the start, continuing so until it sold its inter- est to the American Malting Company.

Previous to 1888 the greater part of the barley used for malting in the United States was grown in Canada, the duty on imported barley being only ten cents per

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bushel, and the Canadian grain being superior to that raised in any of the states of the Union, then engaged in its cultivation. As a consequence of this condition of affairs the quantity of barley raised in this country was steadily diminishing.

In that year, Henry Altenbrand, president New York & Brooklyn Malting Company, and for over twenty years connected with the malting business, was almost solely instrumental in having the duty on barley im- ported into this country raised to thirty cents per bushel, and at the same time he procured from Germany two thousand bushels of the famous German Saale barley, which was regarded the best malting barley known. This seed was distributed among the following states: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York and Montana. In the latter state it was sowed on irrigated lands in the Gallatin valley. At the end of the season samples of barley grown in these different states were carefully collected and compared with the original seed in the hope of finding a section of the country espe- cially adapted to the production of this cereal. With the single exception of Montana, each sample showed deterioration, both in quality and appearance. The crop grown by irrigation in the Gallatin valley, however, showed a wonderful improvement on the original seed. It was fuller, heavier, and brighter in color. This dis- covery naturally imparted a marked ,impetus to the raising of barley by irrigation in that locality, and the success achieved the first year has continued and in- creased each succeeding year until the Gallatin valley in Montana stands pre-eminent as a barley producing dis- trict wherever malting is carried on, not only in the United States, but throughout the world.

Henry Altenbrand thereupon organized the West Gallatin Irrigation Company in 1889, and had associ- ated with him such prominent business men as Thomas Oakes, president of the Northern Pacific Railway Com- pany, Charles L. Colby, president of Wisconsin Central Milwaukee Railroad, Thomas F. Soaks of New York, Gardner Colby, Jacob Ruppert, John G. Gillig, George Kinkle, Jr., William Forster, John F. Plumer, with Henry Altenbrand as president and Gardner Colby, sec- retary and treasurer.

In 1890 Henry Altenbrand organized the Manhattan Malting Company with a number of large eastern brewers, among them Jacob Ruppert, John G. Gillig, George Kinkle, William Horrmann, all of New York, and Gustavus A. Muller, president Bergner & Engel Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chris- tian Heurich, of Washington, D. C .; F. W. Cook, Evansville, Indiana; and Beadleston & Woerz, of New York.

During the first year of the existence of the canal the company had misfortune, the dam giving way, and causing great damage. Again July 1, 1892, the canal broke its bounds, and flooded the lowlands, causing damage to the extent of twenty thousand dol- lars, which sum was advanced by Henry Altenbrand and Charles L. Colby and Gardner Colby. The canal is at present one hundred and six miles long, and is an excellent piece of engineering.

The Gallatin Valley Saale barley created a great demand for it throughout the world, and on its first appearance in Europe it created such a sensation that in 1893 the Imperial German government sent Pro- fessor Delbruck, chief commission of the department of agriculture, accompanied by his staff, to make a per- sonal investigation of the grain growing sections of the United States. Among other localities visited was the Gallatin valley, where, with the assistance of Mr. George Kinkle, Jr., the manager of the Manhattan Malting Company and the West Gallatin Irrigation Company's works, he made an extensive investigation of the valley. His report, which was published by the German government, is as follows:

"Under the guidance of Mr. George Kinkle, Jr., a Vol. III-7

native of Brooklyn, who has entire charge of the fa- mous irrigation works, connected with the Gallatin river, to whom we had letters of introduction, we spent two days in studying the cultivation of barley. The Gal- latin river flows here through an arid, elevated plateau, otherwise destitute of water and bounded on all sides by lofty mountain ranges. The soil can only be culti- vated with the aid of artificial irrigation. The river, diverted from its bed is caused to flow through count- less channels, so that many thousand acres of land are rendered tillable. This entire valley is devoted to barley raising, partly under farmers, mostly Dutchmen, to whom with the accompanying irrigation privileges has been sold at a moderate price, and partly by the West Gallatin Irrigation Company, Manhattan, Mon- tana, who own thirty thousand acres. The barley is either sold as grain or converted on the spot into brew- ing malt by the Manhattan Malting Company.

"Barley that is damaged by rain is unknown here, for there is no rain, withered or dried up barley is equally unknown, for the Gallatin river furnishes water in abundance. A country and a system of cultivation, ideal for barley growing-in fact, here I have seen the finest barley grown in the United States. For the most part Saale barley is used for seed and grown with admirable results, bright in color, large in size, fine as to husk, equal to the very best of European bar- ley, and conspicuously superior among the barleys of North America. Whereas, with the exception of Cali- fornia, even in Canada, four and six rowed barleys are exclusively raised, here the two rowed Chevalier has become fully acclimated.

"Early in 1891 a colony of ten families of Hollanders settled on the lands owned by the West Gallatin Irri- gation Company. This colony has steadily increased until today there are over one hundred and fifty fam- ilies in that neighborhood whose principal occupation is the raising of barley."

Henry Altenbrand has interested himself in the en- terprises of various character. He has always been exceptionally fond of shooting, and in 1873 visited Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, and built himself a shooting lodge, and in 1884 he erected the first cottage, there having been nothing there previously but a char- coal plant. In company with James Breslin, one of the noted hotel men of New Jersey, and president of the United States Hotel Men's Association, Henry Alten- brand organized a hotel and land company, and in 1885, with Robert Dunlap, the famous New York hatter, he erected the Breslin Hotel, which today is one of the leading summer resorts of New Jersey, having a shore line of eight miles, and a number of beautiful cottages on the lake. As a man who has spent a num- ber of years in advancing Montana's interests, Henry Altenbrand is deserving a place in any history of its prominent citizens. Although he has been kept very much occupied by his business interests, he has found time to enjoy fraternal work, and since 1864 has been a member of Trinity Lodge, No. 12, F. & A. M.

On September 24, 1867, Henry Altenbrand was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Schneider, who was the daughter of John Schneider, one of the oldest brewers in Brooklyn, was born in Brooklyn, New York, of Ger- man parentage, and seven children were born to this union, of whom four are now living: Louisa A. Gray, Lillian A. Randall, Gertrude, and Henry Altenbrand, Jr., who is treasurer and manager of Manhattan Malt- ing Co., having married and taken up his permanent residence at Manhattan, Montana.

OLIVER P. JACKSON, one of the proprietors of the Mis- soula Iron Works, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. Jackson is the son of Thomas Jefferson and Caro- line (Brodgen) Jackson, both natives of Pennsylvania, and there both passed their lives. The father, who was a glassworker in his life work, died in 1868 at the

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age of fifty-one, and his widow survived him until 1898, having reached the age of eighty-two. They are rest- ing side by side in the old Pennsylvania cemetery in the town where they lived so many years. Three chil- dren were born to this couple, of which number Oliver P. Jackson was the second born, and he is the only one of the three now living.

As boy and youth Mr. Jackson attended the public schools of Pittsburgh. He earned his first money sell- ing papers in the streets of that city after school hours, beginning when he was ten years old. When he was seventeen years old he began a four year ap- prenticeship at the pattern maker's trade, his weekly wage for the first year being $5.00. After completing his apprenticeship he continued working at his trade in Pittsburgh until he came west when he was about thirty years old. Before settling in Montana, Mr. Jackson did a considerable traveling through several of the eastern and western states, working at his trade when- ever he stopped for any length of time, and when he finally reached Montana, he decided that he had found the place where he might remain in contentment. He has been a resident of the state since 1888, and with the exception of a short period which he passed in the Bitter Root country where he was in the mining and ranching business, he has spent all the intervening years in Missoula. The first few years of his residence here he was engaged in general contracting, house mov- ing being his specialty. In 1890, with H. D. Fisher as a partner, he established the Missoula Iron Works, but in a short time Mr. Fisher retired, since which time Mr. Jackson has been the sole proprietor of the business. Although the beginning was a small one, the growth was constant and rapid, and in 1907 it became neces- sary to have other and larger quarters to meet the de- mands of the rapidly extending business, and he ac- cordingly erected his present magnificent plant, which consists of three large brick buildings. One is used as a machine shop, another as a pattern and blacksmith shop, while the third is used as a foundry. All three are equipped with modern machinery and every de- partment is conducted in the most approved method. The firm does an extensive business in western Mon- tana and eastern and northern Idaho, and is ever gain- ing prestige within the circles affected by this industry. The Missoula Iron Works, which gives employment to a goodly number of skilled workmen and is known as one of the large industrial enterprises of the city, is now a stock company. O. P. Jackson being the sec- retary and treasurer; C. Moxley, president ; and George Hepworth, vice president.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 29

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