A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 51

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

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Mr. Levalley's father was born on the Isle of Guern- sey, in the English Channel, in 1817, and when still a lad was brought to the Dominion of Canada, his parents settling in the Province of Quebec. After obtaining a common school education, John Levalley turned his attention to fishing on the coast as far north as Labrador, and after leaving the ocean took up his residence on a farm, and the remainder of his life was spent in agricultural pursuits, his death oc- curring in 1908, when he had reached the advanced age of ninety-one years. His wife, who was a native of Ayreshire, Scotland, died in 1892, when seventy years of age, and of their nine children, eight survive:

Dan, John, Thomas, Jennett, James, David, Ben and Alexander.

Ben Levalley remained at home, working on his father's farm and attending the district schools, until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he re- moved to Price county, Wisconsin, and was there em- ployed in the lumber woods during the winter months, also driving logs down the Flambeau river. He spent four years as a lumberman, and in 1890 first came to Miles City and secured employment as a cowboy. After eight of nine years spent in that occupation he went into the sheep business with his brother Dan in Dawson county, but after five years as a sheepman sold his interests to engage in the livery business in Miles City. This venture proved a successful one, but in November, 1910, when he was elected sheriff of Custer county on the Republican ticket, Mr. Leval- ley sold his business in order that he might give his whole attention to the discharge of the duties of his office. As sheriff Mr. Levalley has proved himself efficient, active and courageous, and in addition is one of the most popular men who ever held the office. His administration of affairs has been marked by con- scientious performance of duty at all times, and no man is held in higher respect or esteem.

On March 4, 1902, Mr. Levalley was united in mar- riage with Miss Laura Carlotta McBain, who was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, daughter of Wil- liam and Anna (Brown) McBain, the former a na- tive of Scotland and the latter of the Province of Quebec. Mrs. Levalley's parents had a family of nine children, of whom eight are living, she being the fourth in order of birth. Mr. McBain came to the Province of Quebec as a young man, and has since been en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. Sheriff and Mrs. Leval- ley have three interesting children, namely: Lila, Wal- lace and Harold.

JOHN FRANKLIN WILLIAMS. A man of broad capac- ity, untiring energy, and steadfastness of purpose, John Franklin Williams has gained distinctive recognition among the prominent and prosperous merchants of Chouteau county, being proprietor of a large and well- stocked drug store at Chinook, where he also owns other property of value. He was born, March 24, 1869, in Eastman, Wisconsin, of English lineage.

His father, William Williams, was born, bred and educated in Burton, England. Migrating to the United States as a young man, he became a skilful veterinary surgeon, and also follows farming to some extent. He served his adopted country in the Civil war as a brave and gallant soldier, and afterwards located in Wis- consin, living there many years. In 1887 he migrated with his family to McCook county, South Dakota, making the long and tedious journey with teams, being a long time on the way. He located first at Montrose, but subsequently moved to Sioux Falls, where his death occurred in 1905. He was a highly respected man, and a prominent member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons. He married Mary Reed, who was born in England, and died at Sioux Falls, South Da- kota. Two of their twelve children have passed to the life beyond, and ten are still living, as follows: Joseph R., William T. and James Henry, engaged in farming at Sioux Falls; Arthur G., of National City, California; Jane, wife of George Finney, of East- man, Wisconsin; John Franklin; Clara M., wife of Albert Larsen, of Sioux Falls; Anna, wife of L. E. Gage, of Sioux Falls ; Lillie E., wife of Winslow Braley, also of Sioux Falls; and Emma, who married a Mr. Schroeder, of Sioux Falls.

Educated in Wisconsin, John Franklin Williams was graduated from the Eastman high school with the class of 1887. and the same year accompanied the family to South Dakota, locating on a ranch in Montrose. Tak- ing up the study of pharmacy in Montrose, he was

Bem Levalley

DetLeighton M. 2.

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there for five years in the employ of the Walker Drug Company, becoming in the meantime very familiar with the business. In looking about for a favorable loca- tion when about to start in business on his own account, Mr. Williams wisely decided that some point further west was the proper place for a man of energy and brains; he accordingly came, in March, 1890, to Chinook, Montana, and started in the drug business on a modest scale. Successful far beyond his expectations, he has built up an extensive and profitable business, the leading one of its kind in Chinook, and through persistent attention to his business, good management and wise investment has acquired considerable wealth. Mr. Williams owns a valuable ranch lying about ten miles from Chinook, and good residential property in Chinook, including among other residences his own cozy and comfortable home. Several years ago he was appointed postmaster at Chinook to fill out an un- expired term of a Democrat, and was afterwards ap- pointed postmaster by President Mckinley for an addi- tional term. Politically he is a 'stalwart Republican, and is now serving as alderman. Fraternally he is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and of the Modern Woodmen of the World.

Mr. Williams married, in 1905, Ida May Cardiff, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of J. R. Cardiff, who is now living in Texas, where he has a large rice plantation. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams are held in high esteem throughout the city, and their home is a center of social activity. They have one child, Mildred May Williams.

GEORGE R. SAFLEY. Prominently identified with the business interests of Bozeman for more than twenty years, largely interested in ranching, farming and stock raising operations, prominent in fraternal work and in the organization of movements for the betterment of his community, and the possessor of a brilliant record as a public official, George R. Safley is well deserving a place among the representative men of Montana. Like many other successful Montana business men, Mr. Saf- ley is a product of an Iowa farm, having been born in Cedar county, December 15, 1855, a son of George and Janet (Brown) Safley. His father, a native of Dall House, County Perth, Scotland, was born in 1812, and when thirty years of age left his native land for the United States. From June, 1842, until October Ist of that year, he traveled over the Atlantic ocean, and through river, canal and Great Lakes to the city of Chicago, where he met his brother, John, who had pre- ceded him to this country in 1836. The latter, an Iowa farmer, met George with his ox teams, and they im- mediately started their journey overland, crossing the Mississippi river on the ice in the month of November. George Safley first located in Linn county, near Mount Vernon, and eventually took up government land in Red Oak township, Cedar county, Iowa, where he spent the rest of his life in agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in 1882, in the faith of the Presbyterian church. Originally a stanch Whig, during the war he was known as an Abolitionist, and subsequently became a supporter of Republican principles. . He married Janet Brown, in 1838, in Scotland, she being a native of Abbottsford, Scotland, and they had ten children, of whom the first two were born in the old country: John, Ellen, Adam, Agnes, Mary, Charlotte, Janet, George R., William and Lewis.

George R. Safley secured his education in the public schools of Cedar county, Iowa, Tipton high school and Hopkinton Institute. He assisted his father in his farm- ing operations until his marriage, September 22, 1890, to Miss Ella M. Shearer, who was born in Cedar county, Iowa, daughter of John D. and Susan A. (Noe) Shearer. Mrs. Safley's father was born in Londenville, Ashland county, Ohio. He received his education in the schools of Ohio and as a young man became a teacher, follow-

ing that vocation until he secured a farm in Iowa and engaged in stock-raising and grain growing until his death. He served as sheriff of Cedar county for ten years, and also acted as clerk of the county court for two terms, his daughter, Ella M., being his deputy. A stanch Republican and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he was honored and esteemed by all who knew him. He and his wife, also a native of Ohio, had four children, of whom two are now living: Mrs. Safley, and Charles T. Shearer, editor of the Butte Inter-Mountain, an evening newspaper.

Mr. Safley came to Montana on his wedding trip in the month of September, 1890, visited Yellowstone National Park, and on reaching Bozeman was so im- pressed with the city that he decided to embark in business here and soon thereafter established a furniture store and undertaking establishment. Mr. Safley has had no reason to regret his decision, for as the years have passed he has steadily forged to the front of the city's substantial citizens, associating himself with large enterprises and being honored with high public office. In 1907 he sold his furniture store, and moved his un- dertaking establishment one-half block west to his own modern building, at No. 230-232 West Main street, which he has fitted out with all the latest equipments of the business. In December, 1903, he purchased 660 acres of land in Gallatin county, which he has since devoted to grain growing, and in addition owns consid- erable city realty, both in Bozeman and Manhattan, Montana, and has 320 acres of valuable land near the latter city. He was one of the organizers of the Man- hattan State Bank, in which he is a stockholder and director, is serving as a director of the Montana Life Insurance Company, and also assisted in the organiza- tion of the Gallatin Valley Electric Railroad. He has not only been successful as a promoter, but has shown great executive ability, and has the full confidence and esteem of his business associates.

Although his numerous business connections have made great demands upon his time, Mr. Safley has found leisure to engage in fraternal work. He is a popular member of Pathagoras Lodge No. 2, Knights of Pythias; Bozeman Lodge No. 6, A. F. & A. M .; Bozeman Lodge No. 463, B. P. O. E., Western Star Lodge No. 4. I. O. O. F., and other societies, and he and Mrs. Safley are connected with Lily of the Valley Chapter No. 4, O. E. S. In political matters a stanch Republican, he was in 1907 elected to the eleventh state legislature, being a member of that body when the fa- mous Glacier Park was established.

IRA ALBERT LEIGHTON, M. D. The life of the city physician and surgeon in these modern days is one of unceasing activity. Modern methods and the high speed with which civilization pursues its relentless way makes demands upon the time and energy of the phy- sician greater, perhaps, than upon men in any other profession. The extent to which specialization 'is pushed, the deep study required to keep abreast of the discoveries of the age and the everlasting call of the suffering public all combine to sap the vitality of the most rugged. But as modern days are strenuous, so the modern man has something of power in his makeup which works best under pressure. Dr. Ira Albert Leigh- ton is well equipped to handle the responsibilities of his position. As not only is he well known, and that favorably, as a practitioner, but also as a legislator, having served with credit in the Tenth legislative assembly and is at present acting as state senator, and having the distinction of being the first and only Re- publican state senator elected from Jefferson county, which is the most eloquent commentary possible upon his standing in the community.

By the circumstance of birth Dr. Leighton is a New Englander, his birth having occurred in Corinth, Maine, March 8, 1860. There he lived until the age of five

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

years and then removed with his parents to Pittsfield, Maine, where he remained until 1880. His father, Ira Leighton, was a native of Corinth, Maine, and there married. He was a farmer by vocation and devoted the earlier part of his life to agriculture. However, he was an invalid for forty years and died at Pittsfield at the age of ninety-two years. The maiden name of the mother was Eunice Tibbetts and she was the daughter of John Benjamin and Sanaba Tibbetts. Her demise occurred at Pittsfield at the age of eighty-six years and both she and her husband are buried in that city. Dr. Leighton was the youngest of a family of eight sons, all of whom survive with the exception of one.

Dr. Leighton is a self-made and self-educated man. In his youth he earned money in various humble capac- ities. His first work was in a shoe factory at Haverill, Massachusetts, starting in with a salary of three dollars and a half per week, but he did not long remain at the bottom of the ladder, working up eventually to be head man in the shipping department. The big fire which nearly destroyed the whole town lost him . this posi- tion and doubtless changed his whole career, taking him from the industrial field and giving him to his pro- fession. He also worked for a while at one of the resort hotels at. Old Orchard Beach, Maine. He made his own way unaided through the several institutions of learning in which his education was obtained. In 1880 Dr. Leighton matriculated in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was graduated there in 1885, having taken a literary and law course and then a complete course in medicine, to which his choice turned while in college. While at Ann Arbor he earned his way through college by acting during vaca- tions as traveling representative for a publishing house. This concern offered a handsome gold watch as a special prize, and the Doctor, who won the watch, still carries it today. The results of his first year's medical exam- ination at Ann Arbor (the same being competitive) were so excellent that he was placed in charge of the first ward of an Ann Arbor hospital. From his first introduction to Minerva he was known as a splendid student. His earlier education was received in the public schools of Kent's Hill and at Bucksport's Sem- inary, and after finishing in the public schools he attended and was graduated from the Maine Central Institute at Pittsfield. Subsequent to that he took a four years' preparatory course at Westbrook Seminary, whence he went to Ann Arbor. This self-acquired edu- cation will thus be seen to have been of the most thorough and varied character.

Dr. Leighton's brilliant career out of the immediate field of his profession has been referred to in a pre- ceding paragraph. He was elected to the Tenth Mon- tana legislative assembly in the fall of 1896 and served two years, well representing the cause of his constit- uents. His professional duties were such as to make it expedient for him to refuse renomination, but in 1910 the nomination for state senator was forced upon him and he was elected for a term of four years, being the present incumbent of the office. A circumstance of which the Doctor is justly proud is the fact that not- withstanding Jefferson county's being overwhelmingly Democratic he was elected on the Republican ticket, the affair being a great personal victory. He holds the pleasant position of pioneer Republican state senator from Jefferson county, Montana. At the present time he is acting as president pro tem of the senate. He was acting governor of the state from November 25, to December 2, 1012. His personal integrity and fine capacity for public usefulness are generally recognized and he everywhere enjoys trust and confidence, having conducted all his transactions according to the strictest principles of honor.

Dr. Leighton enjoys a number of fraternal affiliations, being prominent in Masonry and in his own life exempli- fying those idcals of moral and social justice and

brotherly love for which the order stands. For ten years he has been treasurer of the Masonic lodge. He is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a communicant of the Episcopal church.

Dr. Leighton took a western girl for his bride, being married in Boulder, December 9, 1886, to Miss Cora Mae Hartell, of Kansas City, Missouri, a daughter of Jacob and Susan Hartell. Dr. and Mrs. Leighton share their charming home with one daughter -Kath- erine-aged thirteen. They enjoy a secure position in the best social life of the city and their circle of friends is co-incident with that of their acquaintances. Mrs. Leighton's mother died at the comparatively early age of forty, Mrs. Leighton being an infant at the time of that lamentable event. Her father died at the age of sixty, and both of these worthy people are interred at Independence, Missouri.

Dr. Leighton is exceedingly fond'of reading good books, his taste in literature being of the highest char- acter. He would be an out-of-doors man did he have leisure, but he is one of the busiest of men, his duties, professional and legislative, giving him time for no other considerations. Boulder has been indeed for- tunate in acquiring him, for he has successfully achieved that highest vantage point of good and public-spirited citizenship.

EDWARD J. O'NEILL, president of the O'Neill Broth- ers Company, wholesale dealers in fruits and produce at Butte, one of the prominent and successful estab- lishments of the' kind in the state, was born in Sa- line county, Missouri, on September 8, 1850, and is a son of James and Mary (Ryan) O'Neill, the former a native of Canada, where his life began in 1811, and a pioneer farmer in Missouri, where it ended in 1886, and the latter of the same nativity, born in 1801. She died at the home of her son, F. D. O'Neill, a pros- perous and prominent ranchman near Miles City, Mon- tana, in 1906, having been a member of his house- hold from the time of the death of her husband.

In his native county Edward J. O'Neill obtained a good common-school education, and after complet- ing the course of instruction in those schools he went to Abilene, Kansas, where he secured a position as clerk and salesman in the mercantile establishment of Barry Brothers. He remained in their employ one year, then was appointed district agent for the Mc- Cormick Reaper Company, a post which he occupied for two years with benefit to himself and to the company.

Ever ambitious to become the proprietor of a busi- ness of his own, Mr. O'Neill, at the end of the time named, left the services of the McCormick people and changed his residence to New Mexico, where he entered general merchandising and also invested in profitable mining prospects. He grew tired of that country, however, and sold his interests there, and in 1890 he came to Butte and started the business in which he is now engaged. He carried it on for a number of years himself, until his brother, F. D. O'Neill, became associated with him in the management of it, and thereby increased the resources for conduct- ing it and the enterprise and sweep of its operations, and aided in making it what it is now, one of the most progressive and prosperous in its line in this part of the country, with a large scope of territory tributary to it and a constantly increasing trade in both volume and value.

Mr. O'Neill is independent in politics, a devout Catholic in religion, a public-spirited citizen, true to every duty in public and private life, and ardently devoted to outdoor life and the sports and recreations it furnishes, especially hunting and fishing.

EdfQ Will

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

ISAAC FREUDENTHAL has been a resident of the state of Montana since 1890, during a great portion of that time conducting an independent business enterprise in Great Falls and Whitefish, the latter being his present location. He has evidenced the well known ability of his countrymen in the merchandise business, and is to- day the proprietor of a thriving and thoroughly up-to- date shoe and clothing business in Whitefish. He has seen much of the difficulties, financial and otherwise, that the business interests throughout the country ex- perienced in the panic of 1893 and its attendant results, and so severe was the effect of that depression upon his business that he was forced to succumb to the over- whelming tide of inactivity, and for some years there- after he was engaged in other enterprises. The return of prosperity, however, brought renewed courage and strength, and in 1906 Mr. Freudenthal came to White- fish and established his present business, which has from the time of its inception to the present proved a successful venture, and one which has added in no small measure to the mercantile advantages of the town.

Mr. Freudenthal was born in Baden-Baden, Germany, on July 1, 1864. His parents were both born in Ger- many, where they still reside. The father is a promi- nent and prosperous wholesale importer of Rhine wine, and is well and favorably known to the American trade. He is now in the eighty-fourth years of his life, and is still hale and hearty, and yet carrying on the industry which has claimed his attention for so many years. The mother is now seventy-nine years of age. They became the parents of six children, four of whom immigrated to the United States. They are: Mrs. A. F. Leopold, of Kalispell, Montana; Mrs. George F. Leopold, of Liv- ingston, Montana; A. L. Freudenthal, of Spokane; Isaac L. Freudenthal, the subject; Beno Freudenthal, in Ger- many, as is also Regina, the wife of a Mr. Rosenfeld.

Mr. Freudenthal was a student in the schools of his native land until he immigrated to America at the early age of fifteen years. He came directly to Chicago, Illi- nois, where he entered the employ of his uncles who were the proprietors of the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior Transportation Company. He remained in their service in a clerical capacity until 1890, in which year he came to Montana and located in Great Falls. Here he opened a store which he conducted until the financial and industrial conditions of 1893 forced him out of business. In 1896 he entered the employ of a Chicago clothing house, and he remained with them for four years as a traveling salesman. Terminating his con- nection there, he came to Kalispell where he became associated with his brother-in-law, A. F. Leopold, in business, where he continued until 1906. In that year he came to Whitefish and here established the Star Shoe & Clothing Company, which has grown apace with the passing years, and which is now one of the fore- most establishments of its kind in the city. The busi- ness methods of Mr. Freudenthal are of a nature that have been sufficient to firmly establish him in the con- fidence and esteem of the community, and he is emi- nently deserving of the leading place which he has come to occupy in the city. He is a Republican of strength and courage, and a citizen of the highest order.

On August 10, 1908, Mr. Freudenthal was married to Miss Lillie Lane, at Peet Lake, Idaho, where she was born and reared. They have no children.

JOSEPH J. McCAFFREY is of Irish ancestry, although he was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on September 3. 1872. The following year his parents moved to Canada, and it was here that he began his schooling. Before it was finished, however, his father decided to move to Anaconda, Montana. The family settled in this lat- ter place, and Joseph attended school there. Afterward he went to Valparaiso, Indiana, where he took instruc- tion in a number of courses. The first subject in which he specialized was chemistry, and from that transi-

tion to scientific work was a natural one. The first study, which might be said to be a preparation for the profession in which he has made a notable success, was that of elocution. He had a natural gift for public speaking and this was fostered by his training in read- ing and expression. Wishing to round out his course, he took work in the commercial department and upon completing that entered the law school. In all, Mr. McCaffrey spent five and a half years in the Valparaiso college, and he secured a broad general culture as well as training in the special work which was to be his profession.

Upon returning to Anaconda, Mr. McCaffrey did not immediately open a law office, but spent the summer working on a farm. In the fall he began his practice as an attorney, and his first work to attract the attention of the community was the securing of a pardon for one of the inmates of Deer Lodge prison. He had heard that the man was entitled to executive clemency, and investigation of the case convinced him that the accused should be released. A petition was circulated, under the direction of Mr. McCaffrey, and it secured the largest number of signatures of any such document ever submitted to the governor. The prisoner was pardoned, and also Mr. McCaffrey was brought into the public eye. Almost immediately he was offered the nomination for county attorney, and he carried the election by a large plurality over his opponents.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 51

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