A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 30

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

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Mr. Jackson is an adherent to principles of Repub- licanism, but takes no unduly active part in the politics of his city and county. At one time he served on the Missoula board of aldermen, where his services to the city were of a nature consistent with the high char- acter of the man. Mr. Jackson does not affiliate with any church in particular, but attends all of them with more or less regularity, and finds good in all denomina- tions. He is a man of stirring energy and ambition, and these qualities, combined with his courage and fixity of purpose and his sterling worth as a man, have been the predominant factors in the large and worthy success he has been and still is the possessor of.

Mr. Jackson has been twice married. 'He main- tains a home at the corner of Cowper and Sherwood streets, while his business address is at the corner of Alder and Bitter Root tracks.

DONALD B. CURRIE. Noteworthy among the pub- lic officials of Missoula county is Donald B. Currie, of Missoula, who is rendering able and efficient service as county assessor, a position for which he is amply qualified. He was horn, March 24, 1865, in Ontario, Canada, which was likewise the place of birth of his father, Duncan Currie, and the adopted home of his

Grandfather Currie, who immigrated to Canada from the highlands of Scotland when a young man.

A life-long resident of Canada, Duncan Currie was a prominent contractor, and built a number of lighthouses for the Dominion government. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Falconer, was born on Prince Edward Island.

Educated in the Canadian public schools, and at a business college in Chatham, Michigan, Mr. Currie be- gan his business career as a merchant in Canada, re- maining there until 1888. His health becoming some- what impaired, he came in that year to Montana, loca- ting at Helena, where he sought outdoor employment, and at the building of the Helena smelter worked in the mechanical department. Coming from there to Mis- soula in 1892, Mr. Currie was for eleven years in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, for seven years of the time being cashier. Going then to Taft, he was timekeeper at the tunnel for a year, after which he was for several months connected with the Missoula Herald, one of the leading newspapers of Missoula county. In 1909 he was elected county asses- sor and on November 5, 1912, he was re-elected to the office of assessor of Missoula county by 900 plurality. He has since devoted his attention to the duties devolv- ing upon him in a highly satisfactory manner, being a modest, painstaking, efficient and obliging official.

Mr. Currie married in March, 1895, Agnes Kirk, who was born in Mason City, Iowa. She passed to the higher life July 1, 1905, leaving four children, namely : James, Mamie, Rosalie and Genevieve. Fraternally Mr. Currie belongs to the Knights of Columbus, and to the Order of Foresters.

HARRY M. SMALL was born in Adams county, Penn- sylvania, on June the 10th, 1869. The families of his parents on both sides were Pennsylvanians, his mother and father having been married in that state. Of their union were born three sons, of whom Harry M. was the youngest.

When he was only one year of age his father died very suddenly, leaving the mother, Agnes Adams Small, to battle for herself and her three small boys as best she might. Although she made a brave fight, it was necessary for her sons to quit school as soon as they had reached an age where their earning capacity could assist their mother in the struggle for existence. When he was seven years of age the family moved to Canada, remaining there until 1888. He left Canada for the west, coming directly to Missoula, Montana. Almost immediately, he entered the employ of the Northern Pacific Railway, serving as a station employee. Posses- sing natural quickness of intellect and a rare fund of that unusual quality, "common sense," he at once dis- covered that for a young man in any capacity, education is his chief asset. Hitherto, it had seemed to be a prize meant only for the well-to-do and entirely out of his reach, but he now determined to win it for him- self. By diligent application during the evening hours and private instruction under Professor Reit of the Garden City Commercial College, he gained in a few months knowledge, the acquirement of which in the schools would have taken him years. Nor did he ever count the hours spent in study anything but gain.

For ten years he remained with the Northern Pacific Railway Company, then accepted a position in the gro- cery firm of Walker & Albee. He remained with these gentlemen until they withdrew from that line of business and then spent two years with their successors, Hathe- way & Buford. While still connected with this latter firm, he was elected city treasurer in 1904. At the close of his first term, he was re-elected, serving the city in that capacity for a period of four years, when his fellow citizens, realizing his worth and ability, chose him for their police magistrate.

This position he occupies at the present time and is

0 Largey.

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filling in a manner satisfactory even to those who do not share his political views, Mr. Small himself being a stalwart Democrat.

Before coming to Missoula he married Miss Elizabeth Mccluskey. After nineteen years of married life, she passed away. In 1909, he was united in marriage to Bridget Barnum, also a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Small still reside in Missoula. He is the father of eight children, most of whom are still at home and all of whom are receiving an education that will fit them for their work in life. It will probably never be neces- sary for any of them to undergo the sacrifices and hard- ships that made up the early life of their father. Yet through these very hardships there emerged a man strong of character and big of soul, a man whose per- sonal life is clean and his official position stainless.

Mr. Small is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Knights of Columbus. He has been a resident of Missoula for twenty-three years and each year has gained in the confidence and respect of her people.

EDWARD CREIGHTON LARGEY, one of the best known of the younger business men of Butte, Montana, was born in that city, at the southwest corner of West Broadway and Washington streets, on April 14, 1888- a son of Patrick A. and Lulu (Sellers) Largey. A more extended sketch of Patrick A. Largey will be found elsewhere in this work, so that further details in connection with the parentage of the subject are not necessary at this point. An interesting circumstance in regard to the house in which Edward C. Largey was born is that in it was the first telegraph, telephone, bicycle and automobile to be used in Butte.

Edward Creighton Largey obtained his early edu- cation in the schools of Butte, and after a due course of preparation, he attended All Hallows College in Salt Lake City. After leaving that institution of learn- ing he received private instruction at the De La Salle Institute in the city of New York. He then entered the University of Michigan for a course of higher study. After leaving the university Mr. Largey returned to Butte to participate in the management of his father's estate.

Mr. Largey is now secretary of the board of mana- gers of the estate and has large private interests in business and financial circles. He is a large stockholder in the State Savings Bank of Butte and is president of the Butte Ice Company. Ever since attaining his majority he has taken a prominent part in political affairs, and is one of the staunch members of the Democratic party. When but little more than of legal age, he was elected from Silver Bow county as a mem- ber of the eleventh legislative assembly of the state of Montana, being the youngest member that ever sat in that body. A fine testimonial to Mr. Largey at this election was the fact that he polled next to the highest number of votes of any candidate. While serving as a member of the legislature, Mr. Largey was chairman of the committee on banks and banking. In the national campaign of 1912, Mr. Largey was treasurer of the finance committee of Montana for the Democratic national committee, and in that same year was again elected to the state legislature.

Fraternally, Mr. Largey is a member of the Chi Psi fraternity of the University of Michigan, and of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is likewise a member of the Silver Bow Club and the University Club of Butte. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

On July 22, 1907, Mr. Largey was united in marriage with Miss Ursula March Hancock, of Chicago. They have an adopted child, Lelia Lulu, born September 30, IQII.

Mr. Largey is one of the most enterprising and public spirited men known to the city of Butte, and has

always taken a hearty interest in any movement inaugu- rated in the city with a view to the ultimate betterment or advancement of material conditions, or of the social and moral advancement of the community, his support being marked by the most unfailing generosity in a financial way at all times.

J. G. AMBROSE. The remarkable development of the west and the growth of so many towns and cities throughout this section of the country during the past few years has afforded opportunity for the profitable employment of all classes of skilled labor, and espe- cially for the prosecution of those lines of business that have directly to do with building and construction work. Among the most successful men in the contracting field in Missoula today is Mr. J. G. Ambrose, whose superior workmanship may be found on many of the best build- ings that have been erected in this city the past several years.

Mr. Ambrose came originally from Ohio, and was born in Pickaway county, that state, in September, 1853, the son of L. D. and Nancy (Leib) Ambrose. His father was a minister in the United Brethren church and moved with his family to Illinois in 1855. In 1873 he again changed his residence and became a citizen of Missouri, in which state he finally died. Mr. Ambrose had good educational advantages in his early life and took a finishing course at Avalon College, a denomina- tional school, located at Avalon, Missouri. Upon the final completion of his studies he immediately learned the carpenter trade and worked at that employment for two years in Illinois. He later went to Missouri and in 1878, while a resident of that state, married Hattie Kapp, who was born in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Martin and Jane Kapp. Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose be- came the parents of five children, namely, Jessie, Lynn D., Ethel, Keath and Aileen.

Three years after his marriage Mr. Ambrose removed with his family to Kansas and for the next five years lived upon a ranch which he had purchased for a home. Some of the seasons proved to be very unpro- ductive, however, and crop failures made it necessary for him to work between seasons at his trade. At the end of five years, he disposed of the ranch and went to Missouri again, the immediate reason for his going at that time being the occasion of his parents' golden wedding anniversary.

It was in 1888 that Mr. Ambrose first came to Mon- tana and located at Butte. For eight years thereafter he worked in that city as a contractor and builder in which business he had fine success. Having accumu- lated some property there in 1896 he decided again to engage in ranching and accordingly traded the Butte property for a tract of land two miles north of Mis- soula. He lived on the place for a number of years, but ranch life did not prove permanently satisfying, and in 1905 he sold the place and removed his home to Missoula, while he also returned to active business in his old line as contractor and builder, and has ever since successfully operated in that department of in- dustry. He is himself a skilled builder and hires only the most proficient assistants with the inevitable result that his contracts are filled honestly and with the best of satisfaction to those for whom he erects structures.

Mr. Ambrose is a public-spirited citizen who takes an active part in promoting the best interests of the community in various important features. He repre- sented the Third ward in the city council until the new form of government became operative, and also he takes a special interest in educational matters and is now serving his second term as a member of the city school board. As a religious worker also he is well known, being an influential member of the Meth- odist church of which he is a trustee. Mr. Ambrose is in fact a man of broad sympathies and well-rounded interests and stands at all times ready to lend the

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

filling in a manner satisfactory even to those who do not share his political views, Mr. Small himself being a stalwart Democrat.

On July 22, 1907, Mr. Largey was united in marriage with Miss Ursula March Hancock, of Chicago. They have an adopted child, Lelia Lulu, born September 30, 19II.

Mr. Largey is one of the most enterprising and public spirited men known to the city of Butte, and has

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

weight of his influence to whatever enterprise is sug- gested that tends to develop and upbuild this city and section in the highest degree and along the most desir- able lines. His personality is exceedingly agreeable, his honesty and integrity of the most unimpeachable character, and he is a man whom any community might well feel proud to name among its leading citizens.

WARNER LAIRD. The father of Warner Laird, Thomas W. Laird, was born in Ohio, in 1844. He came with his parents to Missouri during his boyhood, and at the outbreak of the late War of the Rebellion enlisted in Company K, of the Kansas Volunteers. This com- pany saw little service outside of eastern Missouri, spending most of the time in a vain effort to stamp ont guerrilla warfare. They were mustered out late in 'sixty-four at which time Mr. Laird went to Atchison, Kansas, where he farmed until the gold excitement called him to the territory of Dakota, where he began mining and prospecting in the Black Hills. Meeting with little or no success in the mines, he left Dakota for Montana in the spring of 1888. Here he first took up a quarter of a section of land near Living- ston, going later to the Bitter Root valley, where he located an excellent claim and began his life as a rancher and stock raiser. For twenty years he cul- tivated this property and increased his stock. In 1910 he sold the ranch at an excellent figure and purchased another at Sand Point, Idaho. Although now a man of independent means, he gives to the new property the same careful attention that he gave to the old, assuming, as before, the active management. Although now almost seventy years of age, he works with the same industry as of old, with apparently no thought of retirement. His wife, Hulda Jones Laird, of Aurora, Missouri, is still his active comrade. They are the parents of seven children, five of whom are still living. Elton, the oldest of the three girls, is Mrs. M. P. Bright of Hamilton, Montana. Anna, the second daughter, married W. T. Edwards of the same city, while Mary, the youngest, is the wife of George Hamilton, whose ranch near Sand Point adjoins that of her parents. John and Effie Laird passed away before reaching their maturity. Of the two sons who are now living, Custer is a ranchman near White Pine, Montana, while War- ner is a member of one of the leading mercantile houses of Darby, the firm being that of Laird & Kerlee.

Young Mr. Laird was born on the eleventh day of December, 1879, at Minnesela, Dakota, where his par- ents had gone after the discovery of gold in the Black Hills. Here he began his schooling, having reached the age of nine years before his parents moved to Liv- ingston, Montana. After a little more than a school year in Livingston they left for the Bitter Root valley, where Warner attended the district schools until his fifteenth year, when he was sent to a business college at Hamilton. Here he received an excellent business training. After completing this course he devoted his attention to scientific farming until his majority and then took up for himself a homestead on East Fork. Until 1907 his efforts were directed to ranching and stock-raising.

After proving up on his claim, Mr. Laird had won for his wife Miss Lily Kerlee, the daughter of a neigh- boring ranchman. Miss Kerlee was a Missourian by birth. They were married at Hamilton, Montana, in the autumn of 1901. In 1907 Mr. Laird, together with Bert Kerlee, his wife's brother, bought out a confec- tioner at Darby and carried on a profitable business until fire destroyed the building. They rebuilt on a larger scale and extended the scope of the business until they owned one of the largest and most complete department stores of that section, having about seven hundred feet of floor space and employing many assist- ants. In 1912 Mr. Laird sold his interest in the busi- ness to his partner.

Mr. and Mrs. Laird are earnest workers in the Bap-

tist church. Five daughters have been born of their union : Margery, Mildred, Montana, Myrtle and Marie. The two oldest are now attending the schools of Darby.

HON. JONATHAN E. WEBB, the beginning of whose identification with Montana life dates back a quarter of a century, is one of the pioneer business men of Choteau, and is one of the most successful as well. Various lines of endeavor have occupied his attention since his advent to Montana but he is now well estab- lished in the real estate, fire insurance and bonding business at Chotean. He has served as a representa- tive in the Montana state legislature one term and has filled the office of treasurer of Teton county two terms, and at all times has been known as one of the progres- sive and public-spirited men of northwestern Montana.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 30

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