A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 6

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

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On December 1, 1909, Mr. Avare was united in mar- riage to Miss Katherine Booth of Butte, Montana. There have been no children of this marriage. Mr. Avare belongs to the Elks and to the Lambs' Club of Helena. His work has taken him into all parts of the state and there, as in Helena, his sociability and his sterling qualities have won him esteem and popularity.

JOHN FRANKLIN CASE. One can scarcely think of the northwest and the Pacific coast states without there entering the mind also a vision of rich metals and ores, and especially gold, silver and copper, so important a part has the mining industry been in the development and upbuilding of the whole section. And among the mining centers of the country none stands out with more prominence than does Butte, Montana, where ex- ists such untold wealth of precious metals. Some of the most prominent and influential citizens of the com- munity are the managers of the various mines and min- ing properties of this section, and in this list the name of John Franklin Case, superintendent of the Elm Orlu mine, belonging well to the head.

Mr. Case has all his life been in close touch with mining matters, has lived in some of the richest pro- ducing centers of the country, and through his own ef- forts has attained his present enviable position in the ranks of those actively engaged in pursuing the mining industry. His father, Isaac Case, who was a native of Rockland, Maine, went to California in 1852, making the long. tedious trip by the Isthmus route, and was for a number of years engaged in placer mining operations in that state. Later he removed to Nevada, where for many years he was a freighter, and was at Virginia City during the great excitement over the discovery of the great gold mines there. He died at Austin, Nevada, in 1882, at the age of fifty-two.

Mr. Case was born in Indian valley, Yuba county, California, October 10, 1859, the third member of a family of six children. He was left motherless at the age of seven years and in the Golden state his mother, who was born at Belfast, Maine, lies buried. When he was ten years old the family moved to Austin, Nevada, and an incident which helps Mr. Case to remember his age at that time being his employment by a party of surveyors enabling him to earn the first dollar he ever received in wages. He worked in the silver mills at Austin for a couple of years after reaching the age of his majority, but subsequently secured employment in the mines and has ever since been identified with the in- dustry. Twenty years ago Mr. Case was employed in a minor capacity at what is now known as the Elm Orlu Mine, then a silver property, but during the past five years he has been superintendent of this mine, dur- ing which time the entire new equipment has been in- stalled. This is now a copper and zinc property.

It was on June 16, 1886, that he first became a citizen of Butte, and since that date he has been continuously connected with mining interests here. achieving his present influential position as a result of his fine execu- tive ability, personal integrity and keen business talents. He is a man of independent thought and action, is non- partisan in political matters and is always ready to give the weight of his influence to furthering the best in- terests of the city in a social and civic way. In so-

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cial circles he is a leader and fraternally he is af- filiated with the Knights of Pythias, having been a member of that lodge for nearly thirty years.

. GEORGE E. ROBBINS. One of the prominent citizens · of Miles City whose ability and integrity have been recognized by election to various offices of public im- portance is George E. Robbins, now serving in his sixth year as assessor of Custer county. During a long ca- reer of public usefulness, Mr. Robbins has maintained a high standard of citizenship, and his service to his adopted city has been such as to make his position se- cure in the esteem of his fellow citizens. George E. Robbins was born March 27, 1861, in Syracuse, New York, and is a son of Edmund and Charlotte Robbins, natives of the Empire state.

Shortly after their marriage, the parents of Mr. Rob- bins moved from the east and settled in St. Louis, Mis- souri, from which city Edmund Robbins traveled in the interest of the P. J. Peters Company, manufacturers of saddlery and hardware. He also traveled out of New York as a representative of the Smith-Worthington Saddle Company for several years, subsequently engag- ing in the saddlery and hardware business on his own account in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the seventies, he identified himself with a Frisco banking concern, but eventually returned to his former line of business as an employe of the Simmons Hardware Company, and had charge of one of the departments of this large St. Louis house at the time of his death in IgII. They had three children, of whom George E. is the only survivor.

George E. Robbins spent a great deal of his boyhood in travelling from one point to another throughout the country, as his father was at that time making various changes in his business, and his education was obtained in the public schools of Aurora and Chicago, Illinois, Salt Lake City, Utah and in Wisconsin. His first work was as a farm hand in Dane county, Wisconsin, but he subsequently learned the saddler's and harness mak- er's trade in Black Earth, that state. He also clerked for some time in a general merchandise store in Black Earth, and in 1880 came west as far as Cheyenne, Wy- oming, where he was engaged in working at his trade until 1884. In that year he embarked in the hotel busi- ness in Idaho, but in the spring of 1886 came to Miles City, worked at his trade for a time and in the spring of 1891, with a partner, engaged in the saddlery business under the firm name of Robbins & Lenoir. This asso- ciation continued until 1894 when Mr. Robbins and his partner disposed of the business. He then engaged in business upon his own responsibility and remained thus occupied until the fall of 1902, when he disposed of his interests again. This move was actuated by the fact that he had been elected to the office of county treasurer of Custer county, and so well did he discharge the duties of his official position that he was reelected in 1904. In 1906 he was elected to the office of county assessor, and in that office he has been repeatedly re- elected until now (1912) he is serving his third term. That he has filled the office honestly and honorably is evidenced by the fact of his repeated election. He is a courteous, able and conscientious official, and no pub- lic servant in Custer county has ever been more de- serving of the high esteem and confidence in which he is regarded than is Mr. Robbins. His efforts in the way of suppressing the move to assess property at the full cash value, as contrasted with the present system of assessing at half the cash value, have been diligent and effective, and the people of his county have signified their appreciation of his whole-souled efforts in their behalf in no unmistakable terms. If the people of the state of Montana escape this full value tax, it will be the result of the untiring labors of such men as George E. Robbins, experienced in the duties and responsi- bilities of the assessorship. Mr. Robbins is at present a candidate for election to a fourth term, and it is prac-

tically assured that his past record will place him with the winners at the coming election.

Like his father, Mr. Robbins was a Republican, but he has lined up with the new Progressive party, and his name is on the ticket of the Bull Moose contingent. He is regarded as a strong organization man, and is one of the indefatigable workers for the party. His fraternal relations are represented by his membership in the Yellowstone Lodge No. 26, A. F. & A. M., and the Supreme Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

On September 7, 1883, Mr. Robbins was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Jones, who was born in Kansas. She is a daughter of Hiram Jones, who died when she was a mere child. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins have one child, Frank, a graduate of Louisville (Kentucky) Dental College, class of 1912. Since 1907, Mr. Rob- bins has been engaged in the sheep business and has a band of them on his six hundred-acre ranch near Olive, Custer county. His home, however, is established in Miles City, where he is the possessor of a handsome, modern residence at No. 121 North Eighth street.

ALLAN R. DEARBORN, a prominent druggist in Philips- burg .and state senator for Granite county, is one of the prominent business men of his city, and at the same time takes foremost rank among the political men of the district. He has been a resident of the state since 1886, the greater part of the time in Philipsburg, and he has witnessed the splendid growth and indus- trial progress of the state during the past quarter cen- tury, while he has contributed a generous part to the life of the community with which he has been so prom- inently identified. .

Born in Cole county, Missouri, on December 14. 1856, Mr. Dearborn is the son of Dr. Ebenezer B. and Malinda R. (Burlingame) Dearborn. The father was born in Vermont and in his young manhood settled in Missouri, where he engaged in the practice of his profession. He died in 1857 and is buried in Missouri. His widow survived him and passed away in Montana at the age of seventy-nine years. She was the mother of three children by her first husband. of which num- ber Allen R. was the first born. By her second mar- riage she had one son, Frank W. Webster, who is a major in the United States army.

Allan Dearborn was given the advantages of a high school education, and when he finished school at the age of sixteen years he went into a drug store to learn the business. He continued with that line of work more or less constantly until he came west, during a part of the time being engaged as a salesman for a drug line, covering a territory in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa. He was about thirty years of age when he came to Montana in 1886, and before he finally located in Philipsburg he spent some time in Helena and Missoula. When he decided to make Philipsburg his future place of residence. Mr. Dearborn established a drug store in the city, which he has since conducted with all success. He is further interested in ranch- ing and stock raising and has prospered signally in that line of business.

Mr. Dearborn is a Democrat and is active in the political life of his district. He is at present serving Granite county as state senator, and he has been a member of the Philipsburg city council on several occa- sions. He is one of the most capable men affiliated with the Democratic party and in times of political ac- tivitv is always to be found in the front ranks. His public speaking talent renders him particularly valu- able during campaigns, and has won to him quite a reputation for oratory. He was a member of the Phil- ipsburg school board for eighteen years, and in that capacity, as in every other public position the people have called upon him to fill, he has served with the

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utmost efficiency and has given ample proof of his in- trinsic value as a citizen.

Mr. Dearborn is a lover of nature, and is devoted to all manner of outdoor exercise. He is particularly fond of horses and as a rule keeps a fine lot of fast horses at hand. He is unmarried.

ARNOLD GRIFFIN. In almost every instance the suc- cessful men of any profession or business have attained their positions through persistent effort and individual ability. Success is a matter of the application of ex- perience and sound judgment at the right time and in the right manner, and rarely is the result of chance. One of the leading citizens of Glendive, who has gained an enviable place among the business men of the city through his own enterprise and ability, is Arnold Griffin of No. 22 Benham street, a dealer in flour, feed, baled hay, seed, grains, etc., who has also been ex- tensively engaged in railroad grading contracting for nearly thirty years throughout the south and west. Mr. Griffin is a native of Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and was born April 24, 1857, a son of Henry and Ann (Arnold) Griffin, natives of New York state. Henry Griffin removed to Pennsylvania as a young man and there spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits, his death occurring when he was eighty-seven years of age, while his wife passed away when she was only thirty-eight. They had a family of six children, all of whom are living: Merrett, who lives in old Mex- ico; Ella, the wife of George Wilson, of Tioga county, Pennsylvania; Cornelius E., of Glendive, Montana ; Arnold; Fannie, the wife of Charles Mathison, of New York state; and Carrie, who married Edwin Smith and lives in Tioga county, Pennsylvania.

The boyhood of Arnold Griffin was spent much the same as that of other youths who have risen to prom- inent positions in the world of business. During the winter months he spent his time in study in the dis- trict schools adjacent to his father's farm, while in the summers he built up a strong and hearty consti- tution by working as a farm hand. Remaining under the parental roof until he was twenty-three years of age, the spring of 1880 saw him leave home for the west, and at Mandan. North Dakota, he worked as a section hand for the Northern Pacific Railroad for one sum- mer. Subsequently he engaged in the dairy business in that citv with his brother Merrett, and continued there- in until 1885. In 1884 they began taking contracts for railroad grading, and from 1885 to the hard winter of 1886-7 followed cattle raising in Dawson county, Mon- tana. In the latter year Arnold Griffin went south with his brother to complete a grading contract, and has sub- sequently continued to follow that line of work, al- though he soon returned to Montana. He was en- gaged in the cattle business again until 1907, when he began to raise horses, a business in which he has since continued, and also at that time established himself in a flour and feed business. This has grown to be one of the leading establishments of its kind in Glendive and has a large and rapidly increasing trade. A busi- ness man of more than ordinary ability, Mr. Griffin has been able to give to each of his ventures the same close application, and by giving his personal attention to every detail of his enterprises has been able to protect the interests of his customers as well as those of his own. Although a very busy man, he has not denied himself the pleasure of companionship with his fellows, and is a popular member of Gate City Lodge No. 37, I. O. O. F. Although not a politician he takes a keen interest in the various movements of the day, especially in his adopted county, and stanchly supports the prin- ciples and candidates of the Republican party.

On February 5, 1889, Mr. Griffin was married to Miss Amy Ward, who was born in Minnesota, daughter of Asa and Helen Ward, the former of whom is deceased. Mrs. Griffin is the eldest of a family of twelve children,

and she and Mr. Griffin have a family of five, namely : Maisie, Carroll, Lloyd, Bessie and Chester.

HON. THOMAS F. HAGAN. Some men attain to more than ordinary prominence through the recognition by their associates of their ability to discharge certain duties, and this is undoubtedly the case of Thomas F. Hagan, who, starting his business career in a humble capacity, so impressed his fellow townsmen with his abilities, that step by step he rose to the cashiership of the First National Bank of Glendive, one of the strong- est financial institutions in Dawson county, and to the chief executive office of the city of Glendive. Mayor Hagan is now serving his second term as the head of this thriving municipality, and is giving the citizens a clean, business-like administration, interesting himself in behalf of the welfare of the people and bringing about many needed reforms. The unqualified confidence in which he is held by the people of the city is sufficient evidence as to the excellence of his record. He is a native of St. Croix county, Wisconsin, where he was born October 22, 1864, a son of Jolin and Bridget ( Ring) Hagan.

John Hagan was born in Buffalo, New York, from which city he came west with his parents as far as Chi- cago when a mere lad. After spending ten or twelve years in that city, they removed to Erin, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, where John Hagan grew to man- hood, being reared to agricultural pursuits, which he followed for a number of years in connection with stock raising. He was also for a long period engaged in a general merchandise business at Erin, but in 1884 sold his interests there and moved to New Richmond, in the same county, where he erected the New Richmond Opera House, interested himself in other realty trans-' actions, and for some time prior to his death, which oc- curred in 1905, when he was sixty-eight years old, lived retired. In political matters he was a Republican. His wife, who was born in Ireland in 1838, passed away at Erin, Wisconsin, in 1871, having been the mother of eight children, of whom five are living, and Thomas F. was the fourth in order of birth.

The education of Thomas F. Hagan was secured in the public schools of St. Croix, Wisconsin, and the University of St. John's, Minnesota. An enterprising, energetic youth, he came to Montana in 1886, securing employment as a brakeman on the Northern Pacific Railroad, and being connected with that line for about two years. He was then promoted to the position of fireman, in which he continued for six years, and at that time took the local agency for the Pabst Brewing Company, of Milwaukee, continuing in the retail liquor business for about four years and in the real estate business for two years. In 1904 he was one of the or- ganizers of the First National Bank, of which he has been cashier to the present time. In 1896 Mr. Hagan also embarked in the horse business, and in 1899 ex- tended his operations so that they covered cattle. He does a large and growing business, and is well known to stockmen all over this section of the state. In politics a Democrat, in 1899 and 1900 he served acceptably in the office of justice of the peace, and in 1909 was his party's choice for the office of mayor. He was elected to that office, and the remarkably satisfactory adminis- tration that followed made him the logical candidate in 1911 for the chief executive's chair, to which he was re-elected. Progressive and public-spirited, with vast executive ability, Mayor Hagan has made an ex- cellent official and the municipal reforms and improve- ments that have taken place during his incumbency of his high office have made Glendive an excellently gov- erned city. Fraternally, Mayor Hagan is connected with Miles City Lodge No. 537, B. P. O. E.

On September 12, 1893, Mayor Hagan was united in marriage with Miss Mary Gavin, who was born in St. , Croix county, Wisconsin, daughter of John and Cath- erine (Kelly) Gavin. Mr. Gavin is a native of Ireland,

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and is now in his eighty-fifth year and a retired citizen of Glendive, whence he came in 1910. He and his wife, who is now deceased, had a family of six children, of whom three are living, and Mrs. Hagan was the fourth in order of birth. Mayor Hagan and his wife have had four children : Phillip, Paul, Mary and Gerald.

OTTO EGBERT SIMONSON. Butte, Montana, has a wide- awake, energetic business element that is prosperous and progressive and helps to sustain the reputation the city enjoys of being one of the most up-to-date and rapidly growing of any in the state. Among the lead- ing representatives in his line of commercial and in- dustrial activity in Butte must be mentioned Mr. Otto Egbert Simonson, who since 1896 has conducted one of the best and most completely equipped livery establish- ments to be found anywhere. Mr. Simonson came to Montana when a young man of twenty years, fired with ambition and a determination to succeed, and being en- ergetic and industrious and endowed with a high order of business talents he achieved that result.

The first year he spent at Helena, and left there to go to Elliston, in both of which cities he was employed as a teamster. Subsequently he secured work in the mines at Basin and from that place moved to Butte and for several years was a hoisting engineer in the mines of this section. Deciding that greater profit and satis- faction could be gained through independent business operations, Mr. Simonson cast about for an opening suited to his tastes and finally decided upon the estab- lishment of his present business. The decision proved to be a wise one, for his trade has grown steadily and the business now yields him a handsome income.

Mr. Simonson is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred at Stoughton, that state, March 21, 1866. His parents, Engebret and Carrie Simonson, were born in Norway, came to America after their marriage and settled in Wisconsin upon arrival in this country. They had a family of seven children, four daughters and three sons, and when Otto, the youngest, was thirteen years. of age the family moved to Minnesota, the parents living there the remainder of their lives, the mother's demise occurring in 1881 and the father's in 1904.

The marriage of Otto Egbert Simonson and Mary Buckley took place at Basin, Montana, May 11, 1898. Two sons and one daughter were born of this union. Helen is now a high school student, while Raymond is attending business college in preparation for a com- mercial career, and Earl, the youngest, is a student in the graded schools of the city.

Mr. Simonson is a citizen of the highest type, who takes a lively interest in civic, religious and social af- fairs and keeps himself informed on all vital topics of the day. He is prominent in Democratic political coun- cils and a staunch advocate of the principles of that party. Religions work has for him a great interest and he is counted one of the most valued members of the Lutheran church, having at one time filled the office of trustee of the same. Several fraternal orders also know him as a leading member and official. He be- longs to the Knights of the Maccabees, in which order he has filled all the chairs and is now and has been for several years record keeper. He belongs to the Eagles fraternal order and is a member of the Scandinavian Brotherhood of America, of the latter organization be- ing at the present time financial secretary. A man ot unimpeachable personal integrity, comprehensive busı- ness talents and broad sympathies, he is held in the highest esteem by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

ITHEL S. ELDRED was born March 18, 1862, at Climax. Michigan. His education was received in the public and high schools of Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, after having his first schooling at Climax. He left school at eighteen years of age and then taught for two years

at Augusta, Michigan. At twenty years of age he learned telegraphy and began to work for the Chicago and Grand Trunk Railway. He was with that com- pany for three or four years and then came west to Dillon, Montana, in 1886, as telegraph operator for the Utah Northern. He was with that company one year and came to Deer Lodge in 1887. He began to work for the Rocky Mountain Telegraph Company, now the Postal Telegraph Company, and was with them for six years. He then went to the Montana Union, now the Northern Pacific, and remained with them until 1897, as operator and agent, when the Montana Union was leased to the Northern Pacific Railway. The change caused him to be transferred to the general office in Butte, Montana, and he assumed the position of assistant freight auditor and remained one year. Then he was transferred to Deer Lodge as agent in 1900, and remained until August, 1908, when he was appointed by President Roosevelt to the position of postmaster at Deer Lodge, a position he has since filled to the entire satisfaction of the people. His steady advance in life is due to his own efforts, honesty and ability. He is universally well liked.

In fraternal matters he is a Mason. He has been a school trustee for nine years, is a member of the Security Investment Company of Deer Lodge, is an owner of city realty and has a delightful home.

Mr. Eldred married Miss Sadie Harris, a native of Deer Lodge, Montana, a daughter of Henry S. Harris, a pioneer miner and ranch owner. Two children have been born to this union, Irene Rivers Eldred and Ithel Sheldon Eldred, Jr.

The father of the subject of this sketch, Alonzo J. Eldred, was born at Otsego, New York. Later he be- came a farmer near Climax, Michigan. He died in 1896. The mother was Polly Peckham, who was born at Binghamton, New York. In this family there were nine children: One is deceased; B. A. Eldred is a professional man in New York City; W. H. Eldred, a merchant, Pasadena, California; Allie, now Mrs. Sam Carson, of Fort Lauderdale, in the Ever- glades of Florida; Eunice, Mrs. N. E. Retallic, of Bat- tle Creek, Michigan; Emma, Mrs. George Steers, Kalamazoo, Michigan; Amy, now Mrs. W. S. Wood, Kalamazoo, Michigan; Inez, Mrs. Sydney Davis, Bat- tle Creek, Michigan; and the subject of this sketch, the sixth child.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 6

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