A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 45

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

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Stephen B. Chappell received his education in the public schools of Fillmore, Louisiana, and Griswold College, and after the death of his father became super- intendent of the home plantation, where he remained until he reached his majority. At that time he went to northern Texas, where he joined an outfit hunting buf- falo for their hides. Young Chappell was one of the best shots in the outfit, which that year secured 18,000 hides, and during the following winter, that of 1879, lie was with another party in Yellow House Canon, Texas, that took 12,000 hides. Subsequently Mr. Chappell went to the Pan Handle country, on Candaian river, where he engaged as a cowboy with T. S. Bugbee, and after the second year was promoted to the superintendency of the outfit, with which he was connected until 1884. In that year he located at Great Bend, Kansas, and there engaged in buying and shipping stock to Kansas City, Missouri, until 1890. In that year Mr. Chappell came to Dawson county, Montana, and engaged in the stock business, giving the greater part of his attention to horses, and this has grown to be one of the largest ven- tures of its kind in the county. In 1904 he became inter- ested in land dealings, to which he has since devoted a large part of his time, and he is also stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company, and a director in the First State Bank of Wibaux, of which he was one of the organizers in 1909. In 1911 Mr. Chappell erected the Chappell Hotel, a forty-room hostelry which reflects the cheerful personality of its owner who has made it a monument to himself and his ideas. The rooms are bright and comfortable, being supplied with hot and cold running water, and a number are fitted with bath and toilet appointments, while steam heat is used throughout. Every facility which makes life pleasant to the traveler in this age of modern hotel-keeping has been faithfully installed, and the Chappell is one of the best houses of its size in Montana. Ever since he erected the second residence built in Wibaux, Mr. Chappell has been engaged in work for the benefit of the city. Aside from his business interests which have assisted greatly in making this a live commercial center, and his progres- sive methods and ideas which have served to stimulate other capable men and rouse them to action, he has also been faithful in his duties as a public-spirited citizen. In 1909 he was chosen a member of the school board, on which he is still serving, while his wife acted as a member of that body for two terms, beginning 1897 and 1900. In political matters he is a Democrat, and his fra- ternal connections are with Wibaux Lodge, I. O. O. F. In 1893, as a matter of speculation, Mr. Chappell pur- chased thirty-one sections of railroad land in North Dakota, the greater part of which he has since dis- posed of.

On October 29, 1884, Mr. Chappell was married to Miss Grace Mullendon, who was born in Cass county, Indiana, daughter of, Samuel and Catherine (Seibert) Mullendon. Mr. Mullendon was born May 14, 1831, and still survives, while his wife, a native of Maryland, died in 1894. They had six children, of whom three are living: Mrs. Chappell; Lillie, her twin, and now the wife of Burt H. Rice, of Wibaux; and Henry, who

a.d. Reeves.

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resides in Glendive. Mr. Mullendon spent his boyhood days in his native city of Dayton, Ohio, and there received his education in the public schools. As a youth he removed to Indiana with his parents, and after completing his studies engaged in the lumber business in Cass county for some fourteen or fifteen years. He then removed to Dodge City, Kansas, where he was for a number of years connected with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, but after leaving that company set- tled down in Oklahoma, where he was engaged in farm- ing until 1908. Since that time he has lived a quiet life, enjoying the fruits of his many years of hard and faith- ful industry. He is a prominent Mason and a well known worker in the ranks of the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Chappell have had seven children: Roy B., cashier of the First State Bank of Wibaux, who married Marion Gallagher; W. Byrle, assistant cashier of the Exchange State Bank of Glendive, who married Loretta Harrigan; Rex, engaged in the implement business with his father under the firm name of S. B. Chappell & Son; Orlin Lee, who died at the age of eleven years; and Harry, Stella and Dwight, who are attending school.

LOVELL FARNUM, junior member of the leading drug firm of Glendive, Davis & Farnum, has been identified with the business interests of this city for sixteen years, during which time he has become well known to the citizens of his community. He has proven himself a public-spirited citizen in many ways and in making a success of his business has also contributed in no small way to the best interests of Dawson conuty, ing a success of his business has alo contributed in no small way to the best interests of Dawson county, being possessed of much civic pride. Like a number of Glendive's successful business men, Mr. Farnum is a native of the state of Michigan, having been born at Almont, Lapeer county, December 18, 1871, a son of Rufus K. and Ascenath (Goetchins) Farnum.

Rufus K. Farnum was born in New York state, and when a young man removed to Michigan, following his trades of carpenter and millwright for a number of years. He built many of the mills in that section during the early days, and later became a pioneer sawmill owner of the state. He was one of the active members of the Masonic fraternity in Michigan for many years, and was first a Whig and later an influential Republican in his political proclivities. He still resides in Michigan, although he has retired from active business pursuits and has reached his eighty-fourth year, while his wife is sixty-eight years old. They have had two children: Nellie, who is the wife of H. S. Davis and resides in Arizona ; and Lovell.

Lovell Farnum received his early educational train- ing in the schools of Lapeer county, Michigan, and was then given the advantages of a collegiate course, gradu- ating from the State University at Ann Arbor, Michi- gan, with the class of 1894, where he had been a student in the pharmaceutical department. Almost immediately after completing his studies, in 1895, he came to Glen- dive and purchased an interest in the drug business of Mr. Davis, which had been established in this city in 1881 and was one of the oldest establishments here. The firm style was made Davis & Farnum, and has con- tintied as such to the present time, the business having grown commensurately with the growth and develop- ment of the city. A skilled and careful pharmacist, Mr. Farnum has assisted in making this the leading drug store in Glendive. Modern methods and ideas have been combined with a large amount of enterprise, energy and enthusiasm, and several innovations have been made that have increased the trade in a large degree . A complete stock of up-to-date goods is carried, including every- thing that is to be found in a first-class pharmacy, and a wholesome, steady trade gives, evidence that the citi- zens of Glendive appreciate the opportunities offered them. Mr. Farnum has interested himself in fraternal work, and belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees and Glendive Lodge No. 31, A. F. & A. M. He is affiliated

with the Republican party, but has never cared to enter the political arena.

On October 6, 1897, Mr. Farnum was married to Miss Clara Taylor, who was born in Clarkston, Oakland county, Michigan, daughter of Austin J. and Josephine (Oamaais) Taylor, residents of that county. Mr. Tay- lor, who is a prominent and influential farmer of his community, is well known in Democratic politics, and has held a number of township offices. He and his wife have three daughters: Alla, Nora and Clara. To Mr. and Mrs. Farnum there have been born two children: L. Katherine and M. Josephine.

A. I. REEVES, the proprietor of the Reeves Music House, has an extensive acquaintance in various circles of the city. In the social affairs of Helena he has the entree of the best circles; in the lodge of the Elks he is one of the most popular members, and now occupies the position of exalted ruler of that body; and, withal, he is one of the progressive business men of the city. Industrial efficiency is a matter to which he has given intelligent consideration, and he has applied its prin- ciples to the conduct of his establishment, with grati- fying results. Nothing short of the best does he con- sider that he can afford to handle, and that in itself is the mark of a sagacious dealer and of the successful one.

A. I. Reeves, whose childhood and schoolboy name was "Al," began life in the state of Minnesota at Spring Valley on the eleventh of January, 1864. His father, Michael Dean Reeves, was a minister and a "fighting parson," too, who did good service in the Indian wars with the Mohawks, besides preaching the Gospel for sixty years. He died in 1907 in Minnesota, the state in which he spent the most of his years of service. Rev. Michael Dean Reeves was married first to Martha Harrington, and they became the parents of five sons and four daughters. After her death Rev. Reeves married Mrs. Hulda (Newman) Rider, a widow with nine sons. By the marriage of Rev. Reeves to Mrs. Rider there were born four children, making a total of twenty-two children born to the three marriages. Therefore, A. I. Reeves had fourteen half brothers, four half sisters, one full brother and two sisters. Of the latter. Charles and Hattie still live, Martha having died some years ago.

Mrs. Hulda (Newman) Reeves shared the venera- tion and respect in which the devoted servant of the cause of Salvation was ever held, and her declining years are brightened by the love of many friends in the town of Alexandria, Minnesota, where she recently celebrated her eighty-fourth birthday.

Rev. Reeves was a believer in education and he in- spired his son with the same veneration for learning. A. I. Reeves went first to the public schools and then to Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna, Minnesota, named for the famous Pillsbury family of Minnesota, and from which he was graduated in 1885. He interrupted his studies here to engage in teaching and so provided himself with the means of livelihood while studying. His youngest half brother, James, was the proprietor of a newspaper in Groton, South Dakota, and when the younger brother finished the academy, he went to that town and for a time helped James in the running of his journal and the printing establishment in connection with the paper. The work was of a nature for which Mr. Reeves had a decided aptitude, and later he leased the plant from his brother and ran it for two years inde- pendentlv. When he gave it up he bought the Clare- mont (S. D.) Gasette and conducted that successfully for a period of three years. In 1890 Mr. Reeves sold his paper and decided to come to Montana. He selected Helena as a suitable location and went into the Jack- son Music House where his knowledge of music ob- tained during his course in the academy proved of practical use to him.

When the Jackson Music House went out of business

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in the financial crash of 1893, Mr. Reeves determined to set up another store of the same style, and accord- ingly, in the following year, he opened his present establishment. His excellent methods have built up the business to its present large proportions, and made his the largest music house in the northwest, as well as the most exclusive establishment in this line.

Mr. Reeves has not been content to make a signal financial success in his chosen line. He has worked hard for the increase of musical knowledge in the city and has invested largely in projects which would give to the citizens an opportunity to hear the great artists of the world. Such ventures are usually in the class of benevolences, so far as money returns are concerned, and in this respect Helena is no exception. Mr. Reeves has often made up the deficiency in the receipts for musical attractions, but this has not in the least dis- couraged him. Through his efforts, such artists as Nordica, Schumann-Heink Paderewski, Kubelik, Car- reno. Lillian Blauvelt, Maud Powell, Remenyi, Leonora Jackson, Camilla Urso, Godowsky, Rosenthal, Ham- bourg, Petschnikoff, Reisenauer, Gerardy, Ysaye, Emma Nevada, Marie Rappold, Mme. Jacoby, Campana, Ric- cardo Martin, Ellen Beach Yaw and Gabrilowitsch, have been heard in Helena, beside a long list of others only less celebrated. Probably no other city in the country the size of Helena has been favored by visits from such an array of artists. In the large majority of instances these artists made Helena the only stop in Montana. Mr. Reeves' greatest ambition is not a personal one, or one that affects his personal affairs, but it is to see an opera house built in Helena so complete that the finest companies in the land can be accommodated in it, and thus Helena may enjoy theatrical and musical advan- tages second to none in the country.

Mr. Reeves is a Republican, but is not active in poli- tics. He is a member of the Montana club and is one of the influential men in that association. He is un- married, and, being of genial manner and temperament, is a favorite in social circles throughout the city.

STEPHEN PARKER. Pluck and industry always have been and it is safe to say always will be the best assets for an individual to start out in the world with to carve a career of independence and honor. Many a youth has had only his two hands and an indomitable spirit to assist him in his struggles to rise, and when he has used those helps unceasingly and judiciously has climbed to positions of prominence and importance. In this class belongs Mr. Stephen Parker, who was left an orphan in early childhood and when seven years old was brought by an aunt to the United States from Ireland, he having been born at Athlone in that country, September 7, 1866. His aunt went to Vicks- burg, Mississippi, to live, and it was in that city that the young boy spent the next seven years of his life, attending school, applying himself to his books with dili- gence, as he realized that his days for study would necessarily be limited.

At the age of fourteen years Stephen set out to take care of himself and his first employment he found on a steamboat which plied between New Orleans and St. Louis. He remained at that work but a short time, however, leaving it to accept a position with the Ameri- can Sugar Refinery Company at New Orleans and re- mained with that concern for five years. His next move took him to Silver City, Idaho. There he met Colonel Dewey, who had charge of the Delemar mine, and for two years he worked for that gentleman on the Delemar property. The year 1890 found Mr. Parker a resident of Butte, Montana, and this city he has con- tinucd to call his home ever since that time. His specialty in connection with mining work had always been as an engineer in charge of hoisting machinery, and he worked at various times in many of the larger camps in this vicinity. By study, careful observation and practical experience he finally achieved expert abil-

ity in his chosen field. His ability attracted the atten- tion of Governor Norris who appointed him as assistant state boiler inspector, and since March 4, 1909, when he assumed the office, he has been fulfilling its duties with marked success. He is careful and thoroughly competent, uses tact and firmness, and discharges his inspections with full realization of the importance of the work to the public as well as directly to employers and employes who have charge of boilers, or are re- sponsible for their proper condition.

In addition to his prominence as a state official Mr. Parker is well known as a business man of Butte through his ownership of the Lenox Hotel, one of the finest hostelries in the city. His inspection duties neces- sitating his absence from home a great deal of the time, the management of the Lenox has fallen in large measure upon the shoulders of Mrs. Parker. She has proven herself fully capable of conducting the business and to her is due the credit of making this hotel one of the most popular and largely patronized in Butte. She "is a careful manager, possesses a high order of executive ability, keen commercial instincts and enjoys the respect and admiration of all with whom she comes in contact in a business way or socially. Previous to her marriage to Mr. Parker on November 19, 1892, she was Katie Cotter, a daughter of Daniel P. and Julia Cotter, her father having come here from Vir- ginia City, Nevada, where he was engaged in mining. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have two children. The son, Stephen, Jr., was born August 24, 1896, and is now a student at Gonzaga College at Spokane, Washington. The daughter, Adeline, born October 10, 1898, attends the Butte public schools.

The Catholic church counts Mr. and Mrs. Parker as among its most devout members; they give generously of their time to promoting its religious activities, and are liberal contributors to its various benefactions. Mr. Parker is a member of the Knights of Columbus. In political affairs he is an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party and is keenlv interested in the promulgation of its principles and the extension of its influence in governmental affairs. Personally he is a man of healthy, diversified interests, is a baseball enthus- iast, reads extensively on a wide range of subjects, is of broad gauge in his views and is highly esteemed by a host of friends and acquaintances throughout the state.

HERBERT ARTHUR CONYNE. In the life of Herbert Ar- thur Conyne, mayor of Anaconda, is reflected the stories of the careers of many residents of the great west, the story of a young man from the east who sought wider fields and greater opportunity, and by unerring in- stinct was led toward the setting sun, finding in the great reaches of the Pacific coast states and the moun- tain states the chance for individual expansion.

Honesdale, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, was the birthplace of Mr. Conyne, whose natal day was July 22, 1865. He was educated in the public schools of his home town, but at the age of eighteen felt the call of the west and came to Montana. He settled in Dillon, but after six monthis' residence in that place went to South Dakota and commenced the study of pharmacy. He secured his diploma and followed this line of occu- pation in South Dakota for six years.

In 1890 he returned to Montana and settled in Ana- conda, following the grocery business as a clerk. In 1902 the MacCallum & Cloutier Mercantile Company formed and he became a partner and manager of the business. In 1910 the business was sold out, but he continued as manager for the new firm of the Mac- Callum & Cloutier Mercantile Company until June 15, 19II, when he severed his connections to purchase the Main Street Garage, forming the company of White & Conyne. All of his business ventures have yielded a consistent success, and this was the more gratifying to the subject from the fact that they were all achieved

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by his unaided effort. He is a true type of the self- made man, and his sturdy independence and self reli- ance made him very popular with all classes in Ana- conda and Deer Lodge county.

He was elected mayor of the city in April, 1911, on the Republican ticket. Few members of the party are more active during campaigns, but Mr. Conyne's in- fluence is of the quiet kind, as he is not a public speaker but is reserved in his demeanor. He is a mem- ber of the Elks and of the Odd Fellows and has passed through all the chairs in these organizations, his asso- ciates delighting to recognize his abilities with re- peated elections to positions of honor.

Mr. Conyne is married. He is a man of substance and owns some splendid business property in Ana- conda, besides having excellent mineral land invest- ments.

His father was Alexander Conyne, a native of New York state, who was a railroad engineer by occupation and later became a farmer. He met a tragic death April I, 1876, a tree falling upon him. The mother of our subject is still living at Whites Valley, Pennsylvania, at the advanced age of eighty-nine. Before her mar- riage she was Laura Gregory, of New York state. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Conyne, three of whom are deceased. The others are Francis Francisco Conyne, a contractor at Seattle, Washington; Charles G. Conyne, a jeweler at Man- dan. North Dakota; Case V. Conyne, a retired mer- chant and agriculturist of Woodburn, Oregon; Herbert Arthur Conyne, mayor of Anaconda; Clara Conyne, who married H. W. White, of Whites Valley, Penn- sylvania. and who now cares for the aged mother; Eva L. Conyne, wife of F. W. Chase, of Seattle, Wash- ington: Frances I. Conyne, now Mrs. A. P. Bowie, of Butte, Montana.

FRANK LEONARD BURNS. Distinguished as one of the original settlers of Hamilton. and as one of its most enterprising, progressive, and successful business factors, Frank Leonard Burns is a fine representative of the self- made and self-educated men of Montana, having been in very truth the architect of his own fortunes. A native of Canada, he was born November 19, 1864, in Georgetown, Ontario. His father, Walter Burns, was · born in New York, in 1810, and was there brought up and educated, as a young man learning the carpenter's trade. In 1860 he removed from New York to Canada and then with his family to Michigan in 1874, he fol- lowed carpentering and contracting in Manistique for many years, residing there until his death, in November, 1896. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Baker, was born in Ontario, and is now living at the old home in Manistique, Michigan. They were the par- ents of eight children, as follows: James, of Deer Lodge, Montana; Samuel, carrying on the home farm in Manis- tique, Michigan; Frank Leonard, the subject of this sketch; William Freeman, of Seattle, Washington; Wyndom, of Manistique, Michigan; Edward. of Esca- naba, Michigan; Alexander, of Germfask, Michigan; and Melissa, wife of John Mashinter, of Mono Road, Ontario.

Living in Ontario until ten years of age, Frank Leonard Burns received all of the schooling he ever had prior to that time in his native town, the education he there received, having been subsequently advanced by reading and observation. Accompanying the family to Manistique, Michigan, in 1874, he remained beneath the parental roof-tree until fifteen years old, when he made his way to Dassel, Minnesota, where for three years he was employed as a farm hand, a part of the time earning as much as seven dollars a month. He subsequently learned the weaver's trade in all of its details in a woolen mill at Dassel, and after following it for six years, became manager of the mill, which he afterward operated on his own account for a year. His

lease of the mill expiring in the spring of 1890, Mr. Burns came to Montana for the benefit of his health, which had become impaired on account of close con- finement indoors, and for four months was brakeman on a passenger train running between Helena and Billings.

Locating then in Grantsdale, Ravalli county, Mr. Burns, who had saved just two hundred and eight dol- lars of his earnings, purchased, on July 12, 1890, at the opening sale of lots in the newly platted town of Hamil- ton, a lot; on it he erected the first business house in the place, a barber shop, which he conducted two years. Selling out, he operated a confectionery store for six years, making considerable money thereby. Selling that store at an advantageous price, he next opened a jewelry establishment, in the management of which he was suc- cessful from the start. Developing his natural mechan- ical talent and ability, he mastered the jeweler's trade, becoming an expert at watch and jewelry repairing. Under his wise supervision, the business has assumed large proportions, and is being successfully handled by Mr. Burns, whose store is one of the largest of the kind in the city and one of the very best in the entire state.

An account of the active career of Mr. Burns reads almost like the tale of a story-writer, and furnishes to the young a noteworthy example of what can be accom- plished in life by a man of brains, energy and persistency of purpose. He was the owner of the first store and the first residence in Hamilton; is now the owner of a fine brick block on Main street; and is the largest tax payer in Hamilton, his real estate and other property being valued at nearly $50,000. He has also been fortunate in his mineral investments, owning ten thousand shares in one of the best asphalt mines in the state.

Politically, Mr. Burns, is identified with the Dem- ocratic party, and has served his fellow citizens as alder- man, city treasurer and city trustee. Fraternally, he belongs to Hamilton Lodge, No. 48, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs; and to Ravalli Aerie, No. 1693, Order of Eagles, in which he has filled all the offices, and which he represented at the Grand Aerie, held at Miles City, Montana, August 20, 19II.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 45

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