A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 74

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

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November 24, 1875, in Riley, Kansas, occurred the birth of Ernest A. Southwick, a son of Aaron and Annette (Fairbanks) Southwick, the former of whom was born in the state of Vermont and the latter in Michigan. Aaron Southwick removed to Kansas about 1866 and there was actively engaged in agricultural operations for a number of years. He was a teacher and writer of note and was a man of distinctive promi- nence and influence in his home community prior to his demise, which occurred in 1909, at the age of seventy- seven years. He was a Republican in his political con- victions and during the latter years of his life was a devout Christian Scientist in his religious belief. Mrs. Southwick preceded her honored husband to the life eternal and passed away in 1901, aged fifty-seven years.

The youngest in order of birth in a family of five children, Ernest A. Southwick was reared to adult age in Riley, Kansas, where he attended the public schools until he had reached his thirteenth year, when he en- tered upon an apprenticeship to learn the trade of printer. During a short period when he was printer's devil he received no pay for his services but later was paid fifty cents a day for his labor. His apprenticeship covered a period of six years and at the end of that time, in 1894, he came to Montana, locating first in Butte. where he worked on the Butte Miner for a number of years. His first editorial connection was at Whitefish. whither he went in 1905 and where he owned and edited the Whitefish Pilot, a weekly paper, which he conducted for the ensuing four years. In 1909 he sold that paper and came to Libby, where he purchased a half interest in the Western News, originally established in 1900 by C. R. Leonard and L. H. Faust. This publication is a weekly and has a circulation of one thousand. It favors the Republican party in politics and is known as the leading newspaper in Lincoln county.

In addition to his newspaper work, Mr. Southwick is a heavy stockholder and a director in the First National Bank at Libby. He is aligned as a stanch Republican in his political faith and while he is no office seeker he is ever on the qui vive to do all in his power to forward all measures and enterprises advanced for progress and improvement. He is affiliated with the time-honored Masonic order at Libby and is likewise a valued and appreciative member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World and the Order of the Eastern Star. He is connected with the Libby Chamber of Commerce, the Montana National Guards and the Libby Volunteer Fire Depart- ment. In religious matters he and his wife are Baptists.

In the city of Butte. Montana, September 16, 1900, Mr. Southwick was united in marriage to Miss Alice MacDonald, a native of New Hampshire and a daughter

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of E. A. MacDonald. Mr. and Mrs. Southwick have two children, Alice and Ernest, Jr.

Mr. Southwick has been self sustaining since the age of fourteen years and inasmuch as his success is due entirely to his own well-directed efforts it is the more gratifying to contemplate. He writes for a number of magazines and represents eight daily papers, five trade magazines and several special publications.

REV. JAMES H. DURAND. There is no profession or occupation affording a wider field for usefulness than the ministry. Not in the cultured centers of the east but in the heart of the mining district of Montana has Rev. James H. Durand, an earnest and able representa- tive of this profession, chosen as his field in which to labor with the best of his ability and energies for the uplift and welfare of his fellow man. He is a splendid example of the modern manly, aggressive and wide- awake Christian, one who does things instead of spend- ing the better part of his energies in the pursuit of ab- stractions and the expounding of theories.

Reverend Durand was born in New York state on November 16, 1877, and received his early education in Kansas, whither his parents had removed while he was still a child. Later he was a student at Leavenworth, Kansas, and subsequently pursued a theological course at Chicago, where he was graduated in 1894. From that time until 1910 he was engaged in mission work in various parts of the country and in that year came from California to become pastor of the Methodist Episcopal charge at Stockett, Montana. This charge also includes the churches of that denomination at Sand Coulee and Red Butte. The Methodist church at Stockett was established when the town was opened in 1902, and prior to the coming of Reverend Durand had had as its pastors first Reverend Stone and then Reverend Ross. With zeal and earnestness Reverend Durand entered upon his duties at Stockett, where with a warm heart and a genuine human sympathy he has come into close touch not only with members of his own large congregation but with all classes of citizens who, judging him by his life and his kindly acts, accord him the highest respect and esteem. He is himself of stal- wart moral character and in the short time that he has mingled with the people there he has become recognized as a potent and persuasive force for purer and more noble living. The distress of the poor comes especially close to his heart and with cheering words and helpful deeds he has labored indefatigably to assist them. He is genial and sociable and has won the respect, admir- ation and regard of the people among whom he has chosen to labor. He sustains fraternal membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum, and in politics is an independent and votes for men of high character irrespective of party.

Anderson K. Durand, the father of Reverend Durand, was an official in the Kansas state prison for the last two years before his death, which occurred at the home of his son in August, 1911, when sixty-four years of age and which was caused by a stroke of paralysis. In New York state he had wedded Miss Adaline Shook, a native of New York City who is still living, being now sixty-five years of age, and resides at Stockett, Montana. They were the parents of two sons: Rev. James H. Durand of this review and Harry A. Durand, of Mount Vernon near New York City.

On April 3, 1901, at New York City was solemnized the marriage of Reverend Durand and Miss Norma B. Thompson. They have three children : Herbert Durand, born in New York state on January 16, 1902, who is now attending school in Stockett; Edward Walla Durand, born June 1, 1905, in Chicago, Illinois, who also is a pupil in the Stockett schools; and Norma Helena Durand, born in November, 1906, at Chicago, Illinois.

LEWIS A. SMITH. In the sixteen years of his prac- tice as a lawyer in Butte, Lewis A. Smith has risen to Vol. III-16

a high rank at the bar, won the confidence and regard of the courts, built up an extensive and lucrative busi- ness and firmly established himself in the esteem and good will of the people of the city. He has not been ostentatious or self-assertive in his practice, or made any special efforts to secure business. The people saw his merit and evidence of his ability soon after he lo- cated in the city, and they have sought his service be- cause they believed in him. He has justified their faith by his knowledge of the law, his wisdom and safety as a counselor, his tact and shrewdness as a trial lawyer, and by his real manhood.

Mr. Smith was born at Blandinsville, Illinois, on the twenty-seventh of February, 1871, and he is the son of Peter A. and Sarah J. (Stinson) Smith, the former a native of Indiana, born on June 24, 1842, and the lat- ter of Michigan, born on October 11, 1847. They are still living and are residents of Burlington, Iowa. At an early age the father moved from his native state to Illinois with his parents, and there grew to manhood. He was the son of Ambrose B. Smith, who was born on September 22, 1810, and died on July 22, 1859, in Indiana. Peter A. Smith took an active part in the Civil war, enlisting at the beginning of the contest in the artillery service, his regiment being assigned to General Sherman's division of the army. He remained in the service throughout the war, taking part in many of its notable engagements, but escaping without in- jury and never being taken prisoner, although he suf- fered many of the hardships incidental to all army life and any state of war. Upon the close of that momen- tous conflict, Mr. Smith returned to his Illinois home and resumed his former business there. In 1877 he moved his family to Burlington, Iowa, where he started an enterprise in blacksmithing and carriage manufac- turing on a large scale. In this he enjoyed a most lib- eral success, and he is now one of the most prominent and substantial residents of that city. His marriage with Sarah J. Stimson took place on January 23, 1864, and they became the parents of three children, as fol- lows: Cora C., born April 22, 1866, and who died in Illinois in 1874; Frank A., born in Illinois on September 13, 1868, and who is now a prominent contractor in Burlington, Iowa; and Lewis A. of this review.

Lewis A Smith began his education in the public schools of Burlington, Iowa, and completed it at the State University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa. He was graduated from the law department of that insti- tution in June, 1895, with the degree of LL. B., and at once located at Peoria, Illinois, where he began the practice of his profession. In the latter part of that year he came to Montana, and he was admitted to prac- tice in the supreme court of the state on March 11, 1896. Since then he has been especially successful in his professional work, and has been connected with a number of cases of prominence in the state. He lo- cated in Butte as a lawyer in 1896.

Mr. Smith's life has been somewhat eventful in one respect at least. He left Iowa in 1888 and traveled ex- tensively, making the west his field of journeyings and working for short periods in Denver, Omaha, San Francisco, Portland, Spokane and many other western cities. He first located in Butte in 1891, and in this city worked until 1893, when he returned to Iowa to enter the law school in which he received his profes- sional training. He was pleased with the city, and as soon as he had a fair opportunity returned to it to make it his home, and he has never had occasion to regret his choice.

Mr. Smith has been married twice. By his first mar- riage he became the father of two children: Walter Allen, who was born on January 25, 1902, in Butte, and died, in July, 1910, the victim of a wound from a toy pistol which brought on lockjaw; and Lillian, born in Butte on December 13, 1896, and died on July 31, 1897. The death of Mr. Smith's son in so tragic a manner

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

caused the father to draft a law prohibiting the sale of toy pistols in Montana, and it became a law at the next session of the legislature. On December 25, 1909, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Lillian De Mordaunt, in Butte, who died on December II, 1911, after a brief illness.

Mr. Smith has ever taken an active interest in the fraternal life of the community. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Bagdad Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He holds the rank of past master of Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 24, A. F. & A. M., of Butte, of which he was wor- shipful master in 1906. He is also a member of the Grand Lodge of the state of Montana in this fraternity, being at present the right worshipful senior grand warden. In addition to his Masonic affiliations he holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Brotherhood. He has served as sec- retary of the Silver Bow County Bar Association from its organization in January, 1905. His religious con- nection is with the Episcopal church, and in politics he is a Republican. In 1908 he was a candidate for district judge, but was defeated by a small majority at the election. A member of the city council, he was elected alderman of the Fourth ward on April 1, 1912, by a majority over two other candidates.

Mr. Smith is a great lover of outdoor sports and in- dulges his fondness for them whenever he can do so without neglecting his business. He is fond of hunt- ing and is an enthusiastic autoist and takes a warm in- terest in all forms of athletic performances. He is recognized as one of the leading lawyers and most prominent and influential citizens of Butte, popular in social life, and a public-spirited and progressive man in regard to public movements, devoted to the general weal in every way.

, CHARLES A. BANKER. When a man has been the in- cumbent of an important public office for ten consecu- tive years, and during that time has held in the fullest degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens throughout the county, it may be said without fear of contradiction that his has been an unusual record for faithful and efficient service, and that he has fully earned the right to be numbered among the representative men of his community. Add to this a connection with one of the leading financial institutions of the state cover- ing a like period of time, and a record of the career of Charles A. Banker, cashier of the Exchange State Bank, of Glendive, has been sketched. Mr. Banker was born at Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, July 11, 1870, and is a son of Albert and Florence (Comer) Banker.

Mr. Banker's father was born in Picton, Ontario, Canada, in 1826, and there was engaged in the lumber business for a number of years. In 1866 he removed to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, with his wife and four children, and engaged in farming up to 1871, in which year he moved to Cass county, Iowa. He con- tinued to carry ou agricultural pursuits in that county until 1879, then removing to Russell, Kansas, and until 1902 was engaged in farming and conducting a hotel, but since that time has lived retired. Mr. Banker mar- ried Florence Comer, who was born in 1834, in On- tario, and they had a family of eleven children, of whom eight are still living: Eugenia, the wife of Emery Lewis, living in Gering, Nebraska; John, of Russell, Kansas, one of the firm of The L. Banker Mercantile Company ; Louis, also a member of that firm; Willard, who makes his home in Los Angeles, California ; James, a member of the mercantile firm at Russell, Kansas; Edwin, of the United States Marine Band, living at Washington, D. C .; Charles A .; and Maud, the wife of S. J. Wills. living at Wibaux, Montana.

Charles A. Banker attended the public schools of Russell, Kansas, until he was fifteen years of age, at

which time he began his business career as a clerk in a general merchandise store. He first came to Montana in 1895, at which time he located in Wibaux, Dawson county, and until 1900 continued to be employed as a clerk, in that year returning to the home of his father in Russell, Kansas. After spending two years at home he returned to Montana in 1902, locating in Glendive, where he became cashier of the old Exchange Bank, which on July 1, 1911, was incorporated as the Exchange State Bank, of which he has since been cashier. He is also president of the First State Bank of Wibaux, and is widely known in banking circles of Dawson county as a capable, far-seeing financier. Following in the foot-steps of his father, Mr. Banker is a stalwart Re- publican, and in the fall of 1902 was elected city treas- urer, the city of Glendive having then just been in- corporated. He was reelected in the spring of 1903, and again in 1905, 1907 and 1909, and his shrewdness, far-sightedness and exactness have enabled him to engineer successfully the city's finances and to safe- guard them from waste and loss. He is connected fra- ternally with Glendive Lodge No. 31, A. F. & A. M., in which he has numerous friends, as he has, in fact, in every walk of life.

On November 22, 1906, Mr. Banker was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Kelly, who was born in Minnesota, daughter of William and Harriet (Mur- phy) Kelly. Mr. Kelly was born in Richland county, Illinois, September 7, 1843, moved to Minnesota, in 1856, and was married in Freeborn county, that state, to Har- riet Murphy, a native of Jackson county, Wisconsin. They came to Custer county, Montana, in 1883, Mr. Kelly becoming one of the pioneer stockmen of this part of the state, and both are now living in Glendive. Mr. and Mrs. Banker have had one child, a bright lad, Llewellyn William.

ALBERT M. BIEN. The popular and efficient incum- bent of the office of county treasurer of Deer Lodge county, Montana, Albert M. Bien is a prominent and influential citizen at Deer Lodge, where he conducts a strictly up-to-date undertaking establishment. He is unusually loyal and public-spirited in his civic attitude and is ever on the qui vive to do all in his power to advance progress and improvement and to forward all movements projected for the good of humanity.

Albert M. Bien was born at Black Foot City (now Ophir) Montana, February 4, 1870, and he is a son of Moritz and Johanna (Boehl) Bien, both of whom were born in Germany, the former at Nuremburg. The father's birth occurred December 24, 1830, and he was reared to maturity at Nuremburg, where he at- tended the public schools until he had reached his fourteenth year, at which time he was apprenticed to learn the trades of harness-maker, saddler and up- holsterer. He served an apprenticeship of three and a half years, at the expiration of which he travelled as a journeyman for five years throughout Germany. He came to the United States as a young man, landing in New York City, where he was identified with the work of his trade for the ensuing three years, at the expira- tion of which he went to San Francisco, California, and in the latter place formed a partnership with a Mr. Goldberg and opened a furniture and upholsterer's shop. Three years later he disposed of his interests in San Francisco and came to Montana, locating at Virginia City, where he secured work as foreman of a furniture factory. He removed to Black Foot City. where he remained four months, at the expiration of which he went to Washington Gulch. A few months later he went to Helena and there opened a harness shop, which he conducted for one season. He then re- turned to Black Foot City and for the ensuing three years conducted a brewery. Eventually disposing of his stock in that place, he came to Deer Lodge and here formed a partnership with a Mr. Whaley to en-

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

gage in the brewery business. One year later the brewery which they conducted burned down and Mr. Bien rebuilt and continued the business for another year. In 1873 he engaged in the furniture business in this city and in 1894 was joined in that enterprise by his son, Albert M., the subject of this sketch. Moritz Bien was summoned to the life eternal September 3, 1909. Mrs. Bien is still living and resides in Deer Lodge. They became the parents of five children, of whom Frank and Julius are deceased; Annie is the wife of Dennis Challoran, of Mica, Washington; Clara is Mrs. B. F. Jordan and resides in Spokane, Wash- ington; and Albert M. is the immediate subject of this review.

To the public schools of Deer Lodge Albert M. Bien is indebted for his preliminary educational training and subsequently he was a student for several years in the College of Montana, at Deer Lodge. At the age of sixteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the blacksmith's trade, devoting his attention to that line of work for two years at Helena, and for one year at Butte. In 1889 he learned stationary engineer- ing, following that work at Butte for the ensuing eight years. During a portion of the time he resided at Butte he was street-car conductor and motorman. In 1895 he returned to Deer Lodge and became a partner in the furniture business with his father. He now conducts an undertaking establishment at Deer Lodge. In politics Mr. Bien is a Progressive Republican. He was thrice elected coroner for Powell county. In 1910 he was further honored by his fellow citizens with election to the office of county treasurer and in discharging the duties thereof he is acquitting himself with the utmost honor and distinction. Mr. Bien ad- vocates progressive theories, is liberal-minded and is willing to do anything in his power for the benefit of humanity as a whole. He is affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is a past grand of the local lodge and has also held offices in the Grand Lodge. He is likewise connected with the Woodmen of the World. He has made a thorough study of political economy and is deeply interested in that subject. He is honesty itself and is generous to a fault.

On November 24, 1897, at Deer Lodge, Mr. Bien was united in marriage to Miss Clara Wilson, a daugh- ter of William Wilson, a pioneer in Montana and a resident of Kalispel, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Bien are the parents of four children, whose names are here entered in respective order of birth,-Albert Ferris, Mabel Eleanor, Clara Margaret and Virginia.

THOMAS PRENDERGAST. It would be hard to find a better illustration of the facility with which, under the liberal institutions of this great country, a man of ability and integrity, whether native-born or of foreign birth and impressions, may rise to any station, per- haps among the most exalted, than is afforded in the history of Thomas Prendergast, of Butte. In his ca- reer may be found also a lesson for the youth of any land, something that should prove encouraging to those who are struggling to attain recognition and position, for Mr. Prendergast has demonstrated that it is neces- sary to have neither financial backing nor influential friends to attain success, but that industry, persever- ance and integrity, followed along the proper channels, will invariably end in satisfactory results.

Thomas Prendergast was born at Dunmore. County Galway, Ireland, December 25. 1875, his parents being John and Katherine (Coan) Prendergast. He secured his education in the national schools of his native place, and when twenty years of age immigrated to the United States. After spending a short time in New York City, he came to Butte, and during that year engaged in mining at the St. Lawrence Mine, where he was employed for four years. At that time

Mr. Prendergast gave up mining to engage in business on his own account, and for a number of years suc- cessfully conducted a liquor business and later a gro- cery store. He became immensely popular in his com- munity, and has declared that it was due to his friends that he met with subsequent success, while his friends claim that it has been due to his own grit and energy. Taking an active and healthy interest in Democratic politics, in 1906 he was the nominee of that party for the office of county auditor, but lost the election by one vote, after a strenuous campaign. In 1908, nomi- nated in a field of ten, he was elected by a large ma- jority, and in 1910 succeeded himself in office. A painstaking, conscientious and .obliging official, Mr. Prendergast has won the respect and esteem of all who have had business to do at his office. By attend- ing strictly to business, and using all his leisure time to advantage, he has succeeded in attaining his pres- ent position and securing a well-earned popularity with all classes. He has also at various times leased and engaged in mining for himself, and when the McIn- tosh Brothers were building the new railroad, he was appointed deputy sheriff and had the supervision of the district extending from Butte to Whitehall.

In 1905 Mr. Prendergast was united in marriage with Miss Joanna O'Grady, who was for several years a popular teacher in the public schools of Butte. She is a native of Nebraska, and a daughter of Patrick and Kate (Thornton) O'Grady. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Prendergast : Thomas, Mary and John. Mr. Prendergast belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Robert Emmet Literary As- sociation and the Knights of Columbus, taking a very active part in these societies and Irish affairs and is popular in business, public and social circles.

ALFRED K. WERTHEIMER. Almost all of the time since he left school at the age of sixteen, this enter- prising and progressive man, whose natural ability and studious course of preparation have fitted him well for affairs of magnitude, has been engaged in mercan- tile pursuits, and it is a logical result of his well applied industry and ambition that he is now one of the leading and most far-seeing and successful merchants of Butte. He is closely attentive to every detail of his extensive and active trade, studving the wants of the community in order that he may provide for them intelligently, and also keeping his keen eye on the markets for the purpose of supplying his customers to the best advantage in every particular.

Mr. Wertheimer was born in Walla Walla, state of Washington, on April 7, 1870, and was sent to school in San Francisco, where he continued his academic studies until he reached the age of sixteen. He then worked at a variety of occupations until he was able to estab- lish himself in the mercantile business in Portland, Oregon. He remained there profitably engaged in trade until 1895, when he came to Butte, arriving in the city on May 19. He at once secured a position in the gentlemen's furnishings department of the Segel Cloth- ing Company, which he filled to the satisfaction of the company and its patrons for a full period of nine years.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 74

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