A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 75

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

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At the end of that time he determined to start in business again for himself and chose the real estate trade as the field of his operations. He opened an office for the purpose, and continued in the business until 1905, when he sold his interests in it and founded the Hub Clothing Company, of which he has ever since been the head and source of inspiration and enterprise. The business has been very successful from the start, and the store has risen to the first rank among the mercantile institutions of Butte and the northwest gen- erally. It is strictly modern in every respect, and wins universal admiration by the completeness of its equip- ment, the convenience of its arrangement, the extent and variety of its stock and the promptness and courtesy

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of its service, in which the most responsive energy and quickness of apprehension are blended with all the bland amenities of life.

In starting and conducting this enterprise Mr. Wert- heimer has found full scope for his talents and con- genial employment for all his faculties. He entered upon the undertaking with the determination to make it popular and profitable, knowing that he had within him and at his command the resources requisite for the purpose, and he has not failed in his design in any respect. He has accumulated considerable real estate in Butte and valuable property of other kinds, and is one of the substantial men of the city financially.

In civic, social and fraternal circles he is also promi- nent and influential. Every worthy project for the promotion of the best interests of his home city, county and state has his earnest and effective support, and his efforts in behalf of all are directed by intelligence, breadth of view and excellent judgment. Fraternally he is an active member of Mount Moriah Lodge of Freemasons. His genius for organization in business finds expression and a good field for operation through his zealous membership in the Business Men's Asso- ciation of the city, and in religious affiliation he is connected with the Jewish Temple in Butte, in whose service he is always a capable and willing worker. In political affairs he is strictly independent, casting his ballot at all elections for the candidates he believes best fitted for the offices they seek and most likely to render the people good service in administering them.

It is inevitable that with his abounding energy, great activity and comprehensive sweep of vision Mr. Wert- heimer's business cares should be serious and weighty. But he finds relief from them on all suitable occasions in hunting and fishing, of which he is an ardent devo- tee. No disciple of Nimrod, the "mighty hunter before the Lord" in the early history of our race, or genial old Izaak Walton, the historical angler of a later period, was ever more devoted to these manly and exhilarat- ing sports, and he enjoys them in full measure when- ever he has opportunity. Social amusements also greatly please him, and he is an adept in conducting them and aiding in giving them the highest standard in the enter- tainment of those who take part in them.

Mr. Wertheimer's father, David Wertheimer, who is now living retired on a competency he has accumulated by his unaided efforts, and is one of the patriarchs of Walla Walla, Washington, his age being seventy-five years, was born and reared in Heidelberg, Germany, and came to the United States when he was but four- teen years old. Soon after his arrival, boy as he was, he traveled by way of the Isthmus of Panama during the early gold excitment in that state. He there engaged in mining with great success, and at one time was very wealthy. But older men in the business with greater resources than he possessed euchered him out of his holdings.

He then turned his attention to freighting across the plains, and was one of the first settlers in Diamond City, Montana, which was then a promising mining camp. He rebuilt his fortunes to some extent, and is now comfortably fixed for the remainder of his life. He was twice married, first to Miss Regina Stein, also a native of Germany, and brought to this country in her childhood by her parents. They located in Vicksburg, Mississippi, but later removed to San Francisco, where she met and was married to Mr. Wertheimer. She died in Walla Walla, Washington, in 1900, at the age of fifty-seven years, and on January 15, 1901, Mr. Wert- heimer contracted a second marriage, in which he was united with Miss Belle Felberg, of Helena, Montana, a daughter of Jacob and Emma Felberg, pioneers in Mon- tana, and well known residents of its capital city in its early days. No children have been born of the second marriage, but there were three by the first: Alfred K., of Butte, his sister Julia, who lives with her father in

Walla Walla, and his brother Simeon, who is also a resident of Walla Walla. All the members of the fam- ily are enterprising and progressive, exemplifying in their daily lives and all their undertakings the daring and adventurous spirit of their father, and making good at everything they put their hands to. They are all highly esteemed as excellent citizens wherever their worth is known and their uprightness and usefulness are exhibited.

ARTHUR T. PORTER. The city of Stevensville has de- veloped rapidly as a center of commercial industry dur- ing the past few years, and its importance in the busi- ness world is being constantly advanced by earnest and hard-working citizens who have realized that to ad- vance their own interests they must contribute to the city's welfare. Prominent among this class stands Arthur T. Porter, one of the members of the Porter- Buck Mercantile Company, an establishment that caters to the best trade in Stevensville and has gained a wide reputation as a thoroughly reliable and progressive enter- prise. Mr. Porter, like many of the successful men in the business field in Montana, is a product of the farm and was reared to the life of an agriculturist. He was born in the state of Georgia, May 13, 1874, son of G. K. and Nellie (Sanford) Porter, residents of Doe Run, Georgia. His father, a real estate man and local preacher, fought throughout the Civil war as a Con- federate soldier, participating in such bloody contests as Bull Run and Manassas and being wounded in the latter engagement. There were seven children in his family: Carrie, who married Dr. Will Mathews, of Hawkinsville, Georgia; Janie, who is deceased; Arthur T .; Raymond, who is a partner in the company and also interested in a ranch with his brother, Arthur T .; Anna, who married C. B. Taylor, and lives at Burnt Fork, Montana; Andrew, in the United States Civil Service department at Doe Run, Georgia, and Rudolph, also connected with that service, one of the seventy-four successful applicants in a field of 1600.

Arthur T. Porter secured a public high school edu- cation, and after his graduation in 1892, returned to the home farm and assisted his father until he reached his majority. At that time he came to Stevensville, where he secured employment, and during the next four years worked on farms and ranches. In 1899, he became clerk in the store of Amos Buck Company, where he remained one year, and then identified him- self with the Stevensville Mercantile Company, being an employee thereof for eleven years, seven years of which were spent as manager of the grocery and imple- ment department. The Porter-Buck Mercantile Com- pany was organized in December, 1910, by Arthur T. and Raymond Porter, and Will W. and Abe Buck, as a co-partnership, and this has developed into one of the leading stores in the city. The firm has a modern struc- ture, and carries a full line of up-to-date goods, having gained a representative patronage and retaining the full confidence of the buying public. Mr. Porter is recognized by his associates to be a shrewd, alert busi- ness man, quick to recognize opportunities and able in bringing them to a successful conclusion. Courtesy and a desire to please have gained his business many cus- tomers, and his business record is spotless. With his brother he owns one of the finest ranches in Bitter Root valley, and takes his recreation in looking after its interests. His present modern residence was built of the first boards made in Stevensville, the contractor being George Wade, and was erected after he had lost his old home by fire. Mr. Porter has discharged his duties of citizenship by serving his adopted city as treasurer for two terms. Fraternally, he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he has twice passed through the chairs.

Mr. Porter was married to Miss Maggie Buck, a native of Stevensville, and they have had four chil-

John R, OK awake

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

dren: Gilbert, Marie and Nellie, who are attending school, and the baby.

VINCENT TRUZZOLINO. Engaged in the unique but highly lucrative business of manufacturing "hot tomales" at Butte, Montana, Vincent Truzzolino controls an extensive wholesale trade in that particular line of enterprise. He ships his product to different points throughout Montana and in addition to his "hot tomale" business is financially interested in various mining projects of broad scope and importance in Butte, besides which he is also the owner of extensive tracts of valuable real estate in this city.

Vincent Truzzolino was born at Palermo, on the Island of Sicily, in the Mediterranean sea, the date of his nativity being the 20th of February, 1871. He is a son of Giovanne and Vita (Bearbaria) Truzzolino, both of whom were born in Italy, the former in 1821 and the latter in 1828. The father was a farmer by occupation during the greater portion of his active career and he was summoned to the life' eternal 'on the 30th of July, 1895. Mrs. Truzzolino is still a resident of Italy, and while she has reached the venerable age of eighty-three years, is still hale and hearty.

Under the invigorating influences of the old home- stead farm, Vincent Truzzolino was reared to maturity and he received his preliminary education in the neigh- boring country schools. At the age of twenty-one years, he bade farewell to home and friends and immigrated to America, settling first in the city of New Orleans and going thence to San Francisco, remaining in the latter place for two and a half years. On December 31, 1895, Mr. Truzzolino came to Butte, where he has since resided and where he is recognized as a prominent and influential citizen. He began in a small way to manu- facture hot tomales and today practically monopolizes that business in Montana. He does a strictly wholesale business and ships to various points throughout the state. He employs a number of men in his factory and his business amounts annually to about twenty thousand dollars. He holds stock in a number of important min- ing corporations and is the owner of considerable valu- able real estate in Butte.

At Butte, August 21, 1899, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Truzzolino to Miss Jennie Wallchse, who was born in Germany on the 5th of September, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Truzzolino became the parents of two children, one of whom, Henry, died on the 19th of February, 1909. The elder son, Giovanne, was born on the 6th of May, 1901, and is a pupil in the public schools of Butte. The family home is maintained at No. 516 West Mercury street.

In politics Mr. Truzzolino is an uncompromising sup- porter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and in religious matters he and his wife are devout communicants of the Roman Catholic church. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Christopher Columbus Society. Mr. Truzzolino is exceedingly fond of hunting and makes many trips into the mountains every season in pursuit of big game. That he has been fortunate on his various expeditions is evident from the number of fine deer heads he has mounted. The life history of Mr. Truzzolino is certainly worthy of commendation and emulation, for along hon- orable and straightforward lines he has won the suc- cess which crowns his efforts and which makes him one of the substantial residents of Butte.

HENRY GILLENWATERS RODGERS was born in Coles county, Illinois, July 5, 1871, and had his home there until he was fifteen years of age. During this period he attended the public schools of his native county. At fifteen he went to Lincoln (Il1.), to college and remained there for two years. After that, for seven years he traveled extensively in Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa, fol- lowing various occupations.

He earned his first money as a boy at the age of about nine, as watch boy on a farm, receiving ten cents a day. While attending school at Lincoln, he earned his own way by working at various jobs. At ten years of age he worked with a team on his father's farm. At twelve years of age, he and another boy put in sixty acres of wheat without outside help. He never was afraid of work.

In November, 1895, Mr. Rodgers came to Montana, settling first at Deer Lodge. He remained there until the spring of 1898, at which time he accepted a position as clerk to the United States attorney in Helena. It was while in this office that he studied law and was admitted to the bar at Helena. He held his clerical position until 1908 and then came to Dillon where he began the practice of the law. Two years later, in the fall of 1910, he was elected county attorney of Beaver- head county, and is now filling that office.

Mr. Rodgers is a Republican and is active in politics. He is a member of the Christian church. He belongs to the Masonic order, to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Eagles. He has been through all chairs in the Woodmen's order and at present is past consul; has passed the chairs of the Eagles and is now past worthy president, as well as a member of the Independent Order of Redmen, and of the Beaverhead Social Club. He is fond of baseball and is an enthu- siastic rooter. He is also a devotee of good books. He has worked his way upward, absolutely through his own efforts.

Mr. Rodgers was married August 13, 1909, at Living- ston, Montana, to Miss L. Brittamna Adams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adams, of Livingston. There is one child in this household, a boy, Henry Rodgers, who was born May 20, 1907.

Mr. Rodgers' father was John Rodgers, who was born in Illinois, and lived there all his life, where he fol- lowed farming. He died in 1883, at the age of fifty- three. The mother was Margaret Elizabeth Gillenwaters Rodgers, who was born in Illinois and died in 1884, aged fifty. The father and mother are buried side by side. There were six children in the family of the elder Rodgers, five boys and one girl, the subject of this sketch being the youngest child. Mr. Rodgers has two brothers in Montana, as follows: William B. Rodgers, and Hiram W. Rodgers, both practicing law at Anaconda. The latter is now a member of the Mon- tana legislature for Deer Lodge county.

JOHN K. O'ROURKE. There are many successful men of today in the United States who have won their own way from the bottom of the ladder through making opportunities for themselves instead of standing idle awaiting a special call. Naturally these are practical, resourceful and efficient men and their advice, founded on their own experiences, is something worth listen- ing to. Reduced to its lowest terms, it usually is hard work and fidelity, honest effort and steady persistence. One of the well known men of Silver Bow county, Montana, and one of its public officials, is illustrative of the above statement. He was born in county Limer- ick, Ireland, March 31, 1867, and is a son of Michael and Catherine (Kennedy) O'Rourke, both parents spending their entire lives in Ireland.

John K. O'Rourke remained in his own country un- til he was twenty-one years of age and attended the Limerick schools as opportunity offered. He was more ambitious than other members of the family and de- cided to seek his fortune in America and came to the United States in 1888. On his way to the far west from the eastern coast he stopped at Chicago, where he found employment and for four and one- half years served as storage clerk in the baggage de- partment at the Dearborn station, a great railroad centering point, also spent a year at Collinswood,

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Louisiana, and worked on a stock farm belonging to C. C. Collins, of Chicago.

In 1895 Mr. O'Rourke came to Montana and for four years was employed in different capacities at the great Anaconda mines. For one and one-half years he served as time-keeper, for some time was boss of the mat house and through his agency the last mat, the alloy of copper, tin and iron designated by this name, was shipped from Anaconda to Baltimore, Mary- land. By this time Mr, O'Rourke had made himself a very valuable mine man and in 1899 he came to Butte in order to accept the position of time-keeper at the Mountain Consolidated Mine, where he continued to be engaged until 1905, when he took charge of the Mullins House and operated it for two years. After taking out his first citizenship papers, Mr. O'Rourke identified himself with the Democratic party and has given it his hearty support ever since and on several occasions has been honored by this organization with election to office. In November, 1906, he was first elected sheriff of Silver Bow county, was reelected in 1909 and is the present incumbent. He has proved his efficiency in this important public office, which he administers fearlessly, and the records show a notable disappearance of the lawless element since he took charge. Personally he is a pleasant man to deal with, being friendly and genial, but to the breakers of the law he is unrelenting and can be swayed from duty neither by fear nor favor.

In 1899, at Anaconda, Montana, Mr. O'Rourke was married to Miss Katherine Josephine O'Rourke, who was born at Denver, Colorado. They are members of the Roman Catholic church. Sheriff O'Rourke is iden- tified with a number of fraternal organizations, includ- ing the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Woodmen of the World, the Eagles, the Elks, the Fraternal Brotherhood, and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is also a member of the Robert Emmett Literary Asso- ciation, the Silver Bow Club and Butte Chamber of Commerce.

CHARLES E. SMITH. Regarded as one of the enter- prising and progressive citizens of Billings and as a business man of distinct sagacity and executive ability, Charles E. Smith, of No. 2605 Montana avenue, also deserves more than passing mention in a work of this kind, as a man who has materially contributed to the upbuilding of the city and as a patriotic soldier who fought in defense of his country during the Civil war. Mr. Smith is a native of Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, and was born December 29, 1844, a son of Charles and Sarah J. (Parker) Smith, also natives of the Empire state.

Charles Smith was born in 1811, and resided in his native locality until 1845, at which time he removed to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, and there took his place among the pioneers of that section and developed him- self a farm from the wilderness. In 1852 he sold his Michigan property to remove to Iroquois county, Illi- nois, purchasing land from the Illinois Central Railway Company, and residing there until 1860, when he be- came a resident of Monroe county, Indiana, and con- tinued to follow agricultural pursuits. In August, 1861, Mr. Smith enlisted in Company F, Twenty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years or during the war, and participated in all the battles, skirmishes and marches of that organization up to the battle of Chancellorsville, in which he was seriously wounded. He was subsequently removed to a hos- pital and was then taken to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was chief steward of the Soldiers' Home until the expiration of his term of enlistment, at which time he received an honorable discharge. At that time he removed to Newman, Edgar county, Illi- nois, and there his death occurred from the effect of his wound in 1871. His widow survived him until 1887.

They had three sons ; Charles E., Edward P., who lives at Mount Vernon, Missouri; and Daniel, who lives in Memphis, Tennessee. In politics Charles Smith was a stanch Republican, and he was known as an upright and public-spirited citizen and was highly esteemed in the localities at various times he made his home.

Charles E. Smith received his education in the com- mon schools of Iroquois county, Illinois, and remained at home assisting his father until he was fifteen years of age, at which time he secured work as a farm hand in Illinois, and received eight dollars per month. In the fall of 1859 he went to Indiana, and during the time his father was in the army he remained at home and helped to support his mother and brothers, but in 1864 he became imbued with patriotic enthusiasm and enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty- Eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years or during the war. At the close of hostili- ties he returned to his home, being mustered out of the service at Indianapolis, and in 1866 accompanied the family to Newman, Illinois, where he again took up farming and continued to be so engaged until 1868. In that year he went to Sedalia, Missouri, and until 1870 was engaged in the express and teaming busi- ness, subsequently returning to Edgar county, Illinois, and engaging in farming until 1875. In that year he again came west, locating near Lincoln, Nebraska, where he took up a homestead and followed farming and stockraising until 1888, after which for a short time he interested himself in locating settlers in Okla- homa. For some time he was also engaged in the newspaper business at Lamar, Nebraska, where he es- tablished the Lamar Leader, and during the next sev- eral years was interested in various lines in Denver, · Colorado, and Ogden, Utalı. Returning to Lincoln, he carried on real estate dealing until 1895, and that year saw his advent in Billings, where he has since been engaged in mercantile pursuits. He now has a well-established business at No. 2605 Montana ave- nue, stocked with an excellent line of goods, deals in new and second-hand goods, and maintains a stor- age warehouse. His business dealings have been of a strictly legitimate order and his reputation is that of a man of absolute honesty and integrity. In political matters he is a Republican, and the high esteem in which he is universally held has been demonstrated by his election to various offices. While in Harland county, Nebraska, he served two terms as county com- missioner, was justice of the peace in Lamar for one term, and in 1908 was elected to the same office in Billings and re-elected in 1910. He has discharged the duties of his official position with the same con- scientious thoroughness that has played such a large part in winning him success in his business ventures. Mr. Smith's public and private interests have kept him very busy, but he has managed to find time for recreation, and is a popular member of Billings Star Lodge, No. 41, I. O. O. F .; Billings Lodge, No. 394, B. P. O. E .; and the Woodmen of the World, and he also has many friends among the comrades of Wil- liam Mckinley Post, No. 28, Grand Army of the Re- public, of which he is a member.

In 1866 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Zurelda Conley, who died in 1871, leaving two children: Mary G., who was the wife of Robert Huckelberry and died in January, 1909, and Charles A., who is residing in Billings. In 1875 Mr. Smith was married a second time, his wife bearing the maiden name of Phoebe C. Agard. They have one son, Louis S., who is living in Billings.

JOHN G. HERD. It has been aptly said that a man will eventually find that vocation in life for which he is best fitted by nature and inclination if he will but cast about with the purpose in mind of finding out what that vocation .may be. The experience of John G. Herd

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is a striking illustration and example of that saying. Many and varied were the occupations which he fol- lowed between the ages of eighteen and twenty-eight, but the phenomenal success of which he has been cap- able in the ten years of his affiliation with the sheep raising business in Montana is sufficient evidence of the fitness of his occupation to his particular qualifications.

John G. Herd is the son of John R. and Mary J. ( Monks) Herd. The father, John R. Herd, was born in 1842, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the mother was a native of Wales. She is yet living and resides in Philadelphia where she has spent the best part of her life. but her husband passed away in the year 1904. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living at this writing. They are: John G., our subject ; Charles, now living in Montana: William, a resident of Chester, Pennsylvania; Walter, who re- sides in Philadelphia; Mary, who is the wife of Joseph McCarron, and living in Philadelphia also, he being a designer in the Cramp ship yards; Albert, living in Pittsburgh; and Emanuel, a resident of Philadelphia.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 75

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