A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 65

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

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At Independence, Kansas, Mr. Berry was united in marriage to Miss Emma Alice Bowen, a daughter of George W. Bowen of that city. Mrs. Berry is a native of Ottumwa, Iowa, and is a graduate of the Iowa Wesleyan University. Of this marriage one son has been born, Rogers Wilson Berry, Jr., whose birth occurred at Great Falls on June 24, 1904.

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In line with his profession Mr. Berry is identified with both the county and state law associations, and with the University Club. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, and the Modern Woodmen of America, being also a trustee of the last named order. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Great Falls, of which Mr. Berry is also a trustee.

Professional ability, the undaunted courage with which to rise above reverses, and good business discern- ment have been the capital with which Mr. Berry has ga:ned a competence, social position and professional repute.

MORGAN P. GILCHRIST. The career of M. P. Gilchrist is a splendid example of what may be accomplished by young manhood that is consecrated to ambition and high purposes. He is a lawyer and a self-made one at that, but he is recognized throughout the city of Butte for his high order of ability and his conscientious deal- ings with his clients. His start in getting his education was particularly difficult and under similar circum- stances many young men would have become discour- aged and left the field, but the obstacles, instead of discouraging Mr. Gilchrist, spurred him onward, giving him a momentum and force which have resulted since the period of his first struggles in steady progress and success, and have brought him the esteem of both the judiciary and associate attorneys.

M. P. Gilchrist was born at Davenport, Iowa, on the third of May, 1862, and he is a son of Hugh and Eliza- beth (Ray) Gilchrist, the former a native of Scotland and the latter a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, her parents having been of Scotch-Irish extraction. Hugh Gilchrist came to America as a young boy and settled in the city of Philadelphia, where was solemn- ized his marriage and whence he removed to the state of Iowa and later to Missouri about the year 1866. During the latter portion of his life he was a farmer of prominence and influence in Livingston county, Mis- souri, and he was summoned to the life eternal in November, 1892, at the age of 72 years. Mrs. Gilchrist, who survives her honored husband, is now living on the old homestead in Livingston county, Missouri : she has reached the venerable age of eighty-seven years.

M. P. Gilchrist passed his boyhood and youth on the old home farm, in the work and management of which he early became associated with his father. He attended the neighboring district schools as a boy and being of a studious nature was anxious to receive a good education. Accordingly, he saved what little money came his way and eventually was enabled to attend the Campbell Normal University, at Holton, Kansas. He taught school during the winter terms in his home county and when twenty-six years of age had com- pleted the commercial and scientific courses in the Campbell Normal University. In 1888 he gave up teaching and for the ensuing three years was editor and owner of the Chillicothe Constitution, a daily paper, in the conduct of which he was eminently successful. He was county superintendent of schools in Living- ston county from 1886 to 1889. In 1890 he gave up journalism in order to devote his attention to the life- insurance business, in which enterprise he was as- sociated with the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, representing that concern for a period of three years, during which time he traveled through all of the western states .. He came to Montana in 1892 and first located in Helena, subsequently removing to Butte, where he took up the study of law. Mr. Gil- christ was admitted to the bar of Montana on the 5th of January, 1897. He initiated the active practice of his profession at Butte, where he has figured as coun- sel in niany important litigations and where he is recognized as a lawyer of unusual skill and learning.

In 1901 he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to membership in the Montana legislature and he served with the utmost efficiency in that ca- pacity until 1903. His offices are maintained at rooms No. 408 and 409, the Miners' Building, and he holds prestige as one of the leading lawyers in Montana. President of the Silver Bow County Bar Association and as the head of this organization he has worked for both progress and efficiency, endeavoring to broaden its influence and making it an instrument of public utility, as well as for the solution of strictly legal questions.

In politics Mr. Gilchrist is a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, in the local councils of which he is an active and zealous worker. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with the Silver Bow Club. His leisure time is devoted to the study of good literature and he is one of the best read men in Butte. Mr. Gilchrist is unmarried.

GIDEON E. BLACKBURN. Influential as one of Butte's leading citizens, conspicuous as her most skillful home- opathic physician, noted as the founder of Blackburn Hospital, popular in extensive social circles and dis- tinguished as a state legislator, was the late Dr. Gideon E. Blackburn, who is remembered with deep respect and regretted with sincerity. A review of his dis- tinguished ancestry, his military experience and his pro- fessional career is therefore of especial interest.

His ancestral record was a matter of especial pride to Dr. Blackburn. His paternal progenitors, the Black- burns, and those of the maternal line of the Hoxey name represented families founded in the colonial era in Virginia. Among the former he numbered a great- grandfather who was a soldier of distinction in the War of the Revolution, in which he served as an officer under General Washington, from whom he received ·letters indicating the close association and intimate friendship of the two. Dr. Blackburn had in his possession a number of these communications and it is needless to say that he regarded them as heirlooms of high value. His maternal great-grandfather was also a Continental soldier of the Revolutionary war. and records extant show that he served with special gallantry in the great struggle for independence. One of his grandfathers also was an officer of subordinate rank in the command of General Andrew Jackson in the Seminole Indian war and was on intimate terms with his commanding officer. The paternal grandfather of Dr. Blackburn was the Rev. Gideon Black- burn, who was a fine type of the old Virginian, a man of rare intellectual attainments and a distinguished clergyman of the Presbyterian church in Illinois. He it was who has endeared his name to posterity by the founding of Blackburn College, at Carlinville, Illinois.

Reverend Blackburn's son, Anderson M. Blackburn, married Miss Margaret Hoxey, thus mingling in his descendants the sterling traits of the latter Scotch family with the English characteristics of his own. On his farm near Jerseyville, Illinois, was born the son named Gideon, whose life has developed so much of worth and honor. His early education was that gath- ered from the public schools of the rural community which was then the Blackburn home. But his was the ability that goes hand in hand with ambition and he sought the superior advantages of Yale University when he had prepared himself for admission to that institution. But before he had quite completed his prescribed course the outbreak of the Civil war was imminent. Gideon Blackburn forthwith subordinated all other interests that he might offer his aid in de- fense of the Union and it was his to maintain thus the military prestige of the honored name he bore. Leav- ing the college he returned to Illinois, where he en-

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listed in Company E, Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He lived up to the full tension of the great struggle between the North and the South, and par- ticipated in many important engagements, his services having been rendered principally under the command of General Grant, with whose volunteers he took part in the battles of Shiloh, Fort Donelson and Corinth, besides other engagements, in two of which he was severely wounded. On one occasion, he was captured by a party of Confederate guerrillas and for a day was subjected to severe tortures. He was finally sen- tenced to death on the following morning, but in the night he contrived to effect his escape and succeeded in reaching the Union lines. At another time he was halted by thirty-five Confederate soldiers, two of whom he shot with his revolver, after which he severely in- jured another of the party by a swinging blow from his weapon. Then, by giving rein to his horse, he made good his escape, in the midst of a fusillade of bullets. While in the army he won five successive promotions, in recognition of gallantry and efficient service, finally receiving the brevet rank of lieutenant- colonel. He continued with his command until near the close of the war, when his health had become so seriously impaired that he was obliged to resign his com- mission and was accorded an honorable discharge. During his period of study before going to the front he had devoted considerable time to the study of medical science, and in addition to his field service he proved a valuable assistant in the performing of surgical operations and in caring for ill and wounded comrades.

Having recuperated his physical energies, Gideon Blackburn went to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, whence he later transferred his residence to Camden, in that state, engaging in the general merchandise business until 1870. In the meanwhile he had continued the study of medicine and in the year last mentioned he entered Pulte Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the leading institutions of the Homeopathic school of prac- tice. Here he was graduated with the class of 1871 and received his professional degree of Doctor of Med- icine. He was valedictorian of his class and was al- ways thereafter a popular member of the alumni asso- ciation of his alma mater.

Dr. Blackburn then established himself at Shreve- port. Louisiana, for the practice of his profession, later removing to Galveston, Texas, and subsequently to Evanston, Wyoming, eventually adopting Montana as his home state and locating permanently in the city of Butte. Here he has since maintained his home and built up a large and representative practice. Here he founded in 1892 the well-equipped hospital which bears his name and of which he was the executive head. Here too he identified himself with important capitalis- tic and civic interests and with representative social circles, as well as with broader affairs co-extensive with the state and of even greater extent.

He has been connected with various mining enter- prises and other important investments. He was a mem- ber of the directorate of the Independent Telephone Company; was both a director and the treasurer of the Butte Extension Mining Company; was a director of the Globe Mines Exploration Company and held the same office in the Butte & Elliston Copper Mining Company.

He was furthermore a valued director of the Butte General Hospital. His affiliations with medical asso- ciations were naturally of the utmost importance to him in his connections with societies. The leading social organizations of Butte nevertheless claimed a part of his attention and he was therefore a prominent member of the Masonic order. of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Silver Bow and University clubs.

These prominent and manifold interests, numerous and important as they were, did not crowd out of the doctor's life his interest in politics and public affairs of a practical nature. He gave loyal allegiance to the Democratic party and was ever alive to the legislative welfare of his adopted state. In Novem- ber of 1910 he was elected to represent Silver Bow county in the state legislature. In this office his service was marked by broad-minded progressiveness and by an earnest desire to further the best interests of the commonwealth of Montana and its people. He was made chairman of the committee of appropriations and was also assigned to other important committees, in each of which his counsel and service proved valu- able.

Dr. Blackburn was married in 1871 to Miss Cinder- ella E. Mahoney of Pine Bluff, and to their union were born four children, Daisy, Idah, Charles and Flora. Domestic troubles resulted in a dissolution of this marriage in 1889 at Evanston, Wyoming. He was again married in 1893 at Butte, Montana, shortly after taking up his residence in that city, to Miss Hannah Aiton, formerly a resident of St. Peter, Minnesota. This marriage proved a very happy one and contributed much to the success of Dr. Blackburn's life in Mon- tana. They established their home at Butte, Montana, and lived there continuously to the date of the doctor's death, and the widow still continues to reside there at the date of this writing.

It was not generally known among Dr. Blackburn's friends that he was in ill health. The shock of the news of his sudden death, on March 24, 1912, was therefore most keenly felt throughout the city of Butte. From the editorial comment of the Butte Miner we quote the estimate of his townsmen on the "long, honored and very useful career" of this "well-known physician, prominent citizen and active participant in state affairs," whose important capacities were therein reviewed just after his death. "Always genial, wide awake to all affairs of the day and of a disposition that made him many friends, the good doctor will be greatly missed by those who knew him. In the twelfth legislative session of Montana, Dr. Blackburn worked hard, con- scientiously and effectively. His years of residence in Butte made him personally known to many of his fellow townsmen. His demise takes from Butte's citi- zenship a most estimable man."

JOHN L. HURZELER. Butte, Montana, figures as one of the most progressive and prosperous divisions of the state, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve consecutive development and marked advancement in the material upbuilding of this section of the North- west. The city is and has been signally favored in the class of men who have contributed to its develop- ment along commercial and manufacturing lines and in the latter connection the subject of this review demands recognition, as he has been actively engaged in the manufacture of carriages here for fully a score of years.

John L. Hurzeler, vice president of the Butte Car- riage Works, was born in Wayland, New York, on the 6th of May, 1861. He is a son of John and Eliza- beth (Houri) Hurzeler, both of whom were born and reared in Switzerland, where was solemnized their marriage and whence they immigrated to America in about the year 1855. The father was a shoemaker by trade and for a time after his arrival in the United States he lived at Rochester, New York, later in Way- land, New York, then lived in the state of Wisconsin. During the Civil war he enlisted as a soldier in a Wis- consin company of Volunteer Infantry, serving with all gallantry and faithfulness for a period of nine months. During the latter years of his life he resided at Way-

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land, New York, where his death occurred in 1900, aged 65. His widow survived till 1902, died at Way- land, New York. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Hurzeler and of the number John L. was the sixth in order of birth and Charles, who is president of the Butte Carriage Works, was the third in line. Charles Hurzeler was born at Rochester, New York, in July, 1856. John L. and his brother Charles received their rudimentary educational training in the public schools of Wayland, New York, but at the age of about twelve years were obliged to quit school in order to help support the large family.

John L. Hurzeler initiated his active career as a farm hand when a mere youth and at the age of eighteen years he was earning fourteen dollars per month. About that time he entered upon an appren- ticeship to learn the blacksmith's trade at Mendon Center, New York. He completed his apprenticeship at Hornell, that state, in 1883, and for the ensuing six years he was a journeyman blacksmith. In 1884 he located in the Black Hills, in South Dakota, start- ing in business for himself at Rapid City, where he remained for a period of eight years and where he met with fair success. He came to Butte in the fall of 1892 and here formed partnership with W. J. Christie, which firm of Christie & Hurzeler, in general blacksmithing, existed eight years.

Mr. Hurzeler disposed of his interest in firm of Christie & Hurzeler, and went to Honeoye Falls, New York, and purchased the business of his late father-in- law, John Druschel, in wagon manufacturing business. He also acquired in the meantime an interest in the cattle business, with his brother Charles, in South Da- kota. About 1892, he disposed of his eastern interests and returned to Butte, where he purchased an interest in the Butte Carriage Works,-which was incorporated in 1904, under laws of Montana, with Mr. J. L. Hur- zeler as treasurer. He has taken an important part in the management of the business ever since, at present being vice president.

The Butte Carriage Works is the largest carriage manufacturing business in the entire state and it employs a force of from twelve to twenty men. The plant is located at 112-14-16 East Galena street, Butte. In addition to his interest in the above company, Mr. Hurzeler is a member of the board of directors of the Big Hole Commercial Company, and is vice presi- dent of the Wisdom Live Stock Company.

In politics John L. Hurzeler is a stalwart Republi- can. He was the efficient incumbent of the office of alderman of the Sixth ward of Butte from 1908 to 1910 and is an active worker in the local councils of his party. He is affiliated with the various depart- ments of Masonry at Butte, belonging to the Scottish Rite and also to the Shrine. He is likewise a valued and appreciative member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Hurzeler had a capital of thirty-five dollars when he came to Butte and as he received no financial backing from anyone his success as a business man and citizen is most gratifying to contemplate. He is possessed of fine ambition and sterling integrity of character and all his business dealings have been characterized by fair and honorable methods.

In March, 1895, at Honeoye Falls, New York, Mr. Hurzeler wedded Miss Elizabeth Druschel, a native of the Empire state, daughter of John and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Hurzeler have one child, Gladys Lillian, born September 22, 1898, and at the present time a pupil in the public schools at Butte. The Hurzeler home is maintained at 817 West Galena street.

FRANK B. TOLHURST. One cannot be a master of the art of taxidermy unless he has the artistic faculty in a high degree, and before the taxidermist can stuff or

mount well, he requires some training in anatomy and modeling, and a knowledge of the external forms of animals, as well as some acquaintance with their habits. That birds, mammals and other animals can be made beautiful, instructive, and even of real value to science in the mounted state is clearly seen in the work of the best taxidermists, and this is true as expressed in the art of Frank B. Tolhurst, dean of the taxidermists of Montana, a man whose nature, inclination, experience and training have eminently fitted him for his vocation. Mr. Tolhurst was born at Gravesend, County Kent, England, twenty-two miles from the city of London, on the Thames river, March 22, 1856, and is a son of Spencer and Elizabeth (King) Tolhurst. His father, who was born at Maidstone, County Kent, in 1824, was for thirteen years a customs officer, until he was dis- abled during the performance of his duty, and then received a pension until his death in 1868. Mrs. Tol- hurst, born in London in 1828, died in 1886, and to them a large family was born, of whom four children survive: Richard, living in Nebraska; Frank B .; Corunna, the wife of M. Reed, living in New York City; and Thomas K., of Sweet Grass county, Mon- tana.

Frank B. Tolhurst received his education in the com- mon schools of England, and as a lad of sixteen years decided to try his fortunes in America. He accordingly boarded the ship Helvetia, which made New York harbor April 25, 1872, after a stormy passage of twenty- one days, during which it encountered numerous ice- bergs, and subsequently made his way to Newark, New Jersey, where he remained one year. He then went to Sandwich, LaSalle county, Illinois, and for four years spent his winters as a farm hand and during the winter months prosecuted his studies in the district schools. Leaving Sandwich, he journeyed by rail to Sidney, Nebraska, where he took the stage to Deadwood, Da- kota, and there was engaged in prospecting and mining up to 1882. The party of which he was a member then pushed on overland to Bozeman, Montana, and later located in Clark City (now Livingston). During the trip overland from Sidney, Nebraska, to Deadwood in February, 1877, they reached the Red Cloud Indian reservation, but during the night word was received that Chief Spotted Horse had been killed and they were advised to proceed at once, which they did by leaving the agency at one o'clock at night in a bad blizzard. From 1882 to 1892 Mr. Tolhurst was engaged in pilot- ing pack trains through the National Park and sur- rounding country, and conducting hunting parties from England, Ireland and Germany, including Lord Little- ton and other noted personages. In the latter year he came to Livingston and established himself in business

as a taxidermist, and now has a place of business at No. 305 West Park street, where may be found many interesting examples of his art and various relics and trophies of the chase. He is the oldest man in his line of business in the state and ranks among the most skilled devotees of the taxidermist's science. Frater- nally, he is connected with Livingston Lodge No. 32, A. F. & A. M., and was the thirty-sixth man made a mem- ber of Livingston Lodge No. 246, B. P. O. E. In political matters he is a Republican, but he has never cared to enter public life.

Among his fellow citizens Mr. Tolhurst is known as a man who is ready at all times to support movements for the benefit of his adopted 'city, and his business reputation is without stain or blemish. On October 10, 1889, he was married to Mand B. Boright, who was born in Canada, daughter of Nelson and Azubah Boright, natives of the dominion, the former of whom is de- ceased. Mr. Boright was a prominent merchant and farmer and held numerous public offices. Mr. and Mrs. Tolhurst have one daughter, Bessie, who is attending Washington University at Seattle.

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JAMES E. LANE. One of the livest of Montana's live citizens is Mr. James Lane, whose career is one of achievement noteworthy even in this country where at- tainment is the rule instead of the exception. He is the only son of James E. Lane, who was born in Osh- kosh, Wisconsin, and married in Illinois to Nancy J. Baker, a Kentuckian. The elder Lane was a farmer, but he died before his son was two years of age, so the boy had to assume responsibilities at an age when the sons of the well-to-do are care-free children. White- hall, Illinois, was the place of his birth and September 8, 1871, the date. At the age of eleven James Lane left Whitehall with his mother and for three years they re- sided in Virden, Illinois, where James attended school, entering the high school, but not finishing his course. At the close of his first year in Virden he began to work in the harvest field and received fifty cents a day as wages. This money he expended for clothing and the experience he gained as a farm worker stood him in good stead when in the year of 1885 he went alone to Edgar, Nebraska, where he first obtained em- ployment at the same sort of labor. From farming he branched out into carpenter work and from that into contracting.

Mr. Lane did not come to Montana until 1892. He had come to the national park of the Yellowstone and worked as a carpenter there during the summer. He made the trip from Newcastle, Wyoming, to Livingston, Montana, overland with a mule team. His first work in this state was with the construction department of the Northern Pacific Railway and he remained with this corporation until 1896 when he went to Nelson, British Columbia. After a year there, Mr. Lane came back to Montana and resumed his work with the Northern Pa- cific. During his stay in Canada he had been follow- ing the trade of a millwright, but he preferred the rail- road work and his services in this great branch of in- dustry received prompt recognition. When he left the Northern Pacific it was to become the superintendent of bridges and buildings for the Montana Railroad. This was in 1897, and before he left the railroad work two years later, he was made assistant superintendent of the system.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 65

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