A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 90

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

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plain bevel, the Memphis shoe and other styles of horse- shoes, all of which indicates that the maker is a thor- ough master of his trade. Excellency should be the aim of everyone, whatever the calling, and that has been the aim for which Mr. Grant has persistently striven. He speaks from his own experience when he says that Montana affords more and better opportuni- ties for the young man of worth than probably does any other state in the Union; that here honesty and honor prevail; and that here also any man may realize his expectations if he labors to fulfill them.

In March, 1892, in the state of New Hampshire was solemnized the marriage of Hugh D. Grant and Bessie McLaren, the latter a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John McLaren of Canada. Their union has been blessed by two daughters and a son, as follows: Essie K., who has completed her schooling and is proficient in music, play- ing both the violin and piano; Muriel R., now a high school student; and John A., a pupil in the grades. Both Mr. and Mrs. Grant are members of the Presby- terian church and the latter is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society and takes an active interest in church work. Mr. Grant is a member of the Masonic order and the Woodmen of the World, and in politics is a Republican. Though he takes no active interest in political affairs he believes it the duty of every citi- zen to exercise his right of franchise carefully and faithfully. He enjoys fishing and hunting, and the race track and a good boxing match are always of interest to him. In his home is a private library which in- dicates that Mr. Grant is an extensive reader and the books on its shelves show that his taste runs to good literature only. It is men of Mr. Grant's character that Montana wants and welcomes as citizens.

JAMES D. WYNN. As the incumbent of the respon- sible office of sheriff of Dawson county, James D. Wynn is showing qualifications which have gained him a repu- tation for executive ability and absolute fidelity to the demands of whatever duties he assumes. A resident of the county since 1898, although a young man he has had a varied and active career, and has attained his present high position through the recognition of his worth and ability by his fellow citizens. Mr. Wynn is a native of Colorado, and was born June 16, 1876, a son of John and Mary (Allen) Wynn, of Cass county, Virginia.

John Wynn was born in 1837, and as a young man worked at farming. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in a Virginia regiment, and served in the Confederate army until the close of hostilities, when he returned to his Cass county property. He was mar- ried in Virginia, and some time after the birth of his first child removed to Kentucky, where he continued to farm for a number of years. Later he moved to Mis- souri, but after a short period spent in agricultural pur- suits there. located in Colorado and engaged in pros- pecting and mining, becoming the owner of a mine and a valuable farm and acting as foreman for a cattle com- pany. Subsequently he went to the state of Texas and later to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, and there the last years of his life were spent, his death occurring in 1907. He was a Democrat in politics and in religious be- lief adhered to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his widow, who survives him and makes her home in Oklahoma, is also a member. Of

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their nine children, six are still living: Calla, the wife of Thomas J. Robinson; Emmett L .; Lillie, the wife of James Daniels; Benjamin; James D. and Albert.

James D. Wynn began to attend school in his native state and completed his education in the schools of Fort Worth, Texas. In the spring of 1898 he came to Montana, locating at Wibaux, where he engaged in the saddlery and harness business with his brother, Emmett L., under the firm name of Wynn Brothers, and this as- sociation continued until 1903. In that year Mr. Wynn entered the employ of Pierre Wibaux, with whom he continued one year in the cattle business, and after spending the same length of time as a cowboy on the range, engaged in the butcher business at Wibaux. He was subsequently appointed a deputy sheriff under Sheriff George Williams, and in November, 1911, suc- ceeded Mr. Williams as sheriff of Dawson county, an office which he has since filled to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He is fully entitled to the con- fidence and esteem in which he is universally held, and is proving one of the most popular officials Dawson county has had. In political matters he is a Democrat.

On October 4. 1900, Mr. Wynn was married . to Miss Myrtle J. Nation, who was born in Missouri, daughter of John and Mary Nation, and to this union there have been born two daughters, Mary Clementine and Lillian Gertrude. Mr. Wynn maintains a comfortable resi- dence in Wibaux, although his official duties demand his presence in his office in the court house at Glendive.

JOSEPH W. MUELLER, president of the Northwestern Bottling Works of Butte, and one of the enterprising young business men of that city, was born in Menasha, Wisconsin, on May 25, 1877, and is a son of William and Nettie (Groff) Mueller, the former a native of Koln (Cologne), Germany, who was born in 1852, and came to this country with his parents in his childhood. The family located at Menasha, Wisconsin, where the fa- ther remained thirty-five years. He followed engineer- ing for a number of years, and also served for a time as chief of the Menasha fire department. He is now living retired at Laurel, Montana. The mother, whose maiden name was Nettie Groff, was born in Hungary, and came to this country at an early age. She was married to Mr. Mueller in Wisconsin, and died in Bil- lings, Montana, on December 31, 1907, at the age of fifty-six years.

Joseph W. Mueller received a high school education in his native town, and after his graduation came to Butte and entered the employ of the Centennial brew- ery as a clerk. From this position he rose by rapid promotion on the merit he demonstrated to that of secretary of the company. He remained with the brewery nine years and two months, then decided to try his hand in business for himself.

With this end in view, on September 1, 1907, he bought the Northwestern Bottling Works on West Park street, No. 130, but soon afterward realized that he needed a better location and a more complete equip- ment, and bought the lot at 320 South Montana street for their enlarged development and greater conven- ience. On this lot he erected an up-to-date plant of ample dimensions and provided it with everything re- quired for its purposes, the machinery being of the most approved modern types, the sanitary arrange- ments being the best known to present day develop- ment in the line of work to be done, and the arrange- ment of the factory meeting every requirement of convenience and comfort for those employed in or do- ing business with it.

Mr. Mueller saw the needs of the case and pro- vided for them. His enterprise has been rewarded with a volume of profitable business that has passed far beyond his expectations and raised him to the first rank among the business men of the city. His plant is the most extensive and complete of its kind in the

state, and its output and the demands on its facili- ties are commensurate with its magnitude, and often go beyond that. The trade has found him ready to meet all requirements at short notice, and seems to have concluded that his factory is equal to any de- mand that may be made upon it. He meets this faith and justifies it by supplying in the vigor and thorough system of his management what he lacks in facilities of production and delivery, never being behind the necessities of the day as it passes, or failing to sup- ply the wants of his patrons at the hour of appointment, however short the notice.

Mr. Mueller was married in Butte, on October 4, 1905, to Miss Kathryne O'Connor, a daughter of Peter and Mary (Crane) O'Connor. No children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mueller, and the perpetuation of the family name and record is left to Mr. Mueller and his brother Alex, who was born in Menasha, Wisconsin, on May 25, 1887, and is now , a resident of Butte. They have also one sister, Jen- nie, who is the wife of Benjamin G. Schneider, of Laurel, Montana, where she is well known and held in high regard.

Mr. Mueller belongs to the Benevolent and Pro- . tective Order of Elks, the United Travelers' Associa- tion, the Sons of Hermann and the Butte Business Men's Association. He is a Catholic in religious faith and a Democrat in politics. He was a member of the city council as alderman from the Eighth Ward from May, 1910, to May, 1912. He is an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman, and an ardent supporter of all outdoor sports and amusements. His popularity extends throughout Butte, Silver Bow county and a large ex- tent of the surrounding country, all parts of the sec- tion being filled with friends who admire him and have influence to make their admiration effective in practical ways if he should ever desire them to do it.

ALBERT J. ROBERTS was born June II, 1867, at Central. a small mining town in northern Michigan. His father, Philip Roberts, and his mother, Elizabeth Hamlin, who came to America in the eventful days preceding the Civil war, were of English parentage. Mr. Rob- erts' home life and environment were good. His early education was received in the public schools of his native village. At the age of thirteen he was obliged, on account of the death of his father, to leave school and find employment in order to help support the home. Later, however, he attended Albion college, at Albion, Michigan, from which institution he received in the year 1896 the A. B. degree. After completing his work at Albion he went to Europe for further study and travel. While abroad he pursued courses at Halle and Leipzig, Germany, and at the Sorbonne, Paris, France.

Mr. Roberts came to Montana in September, 1898. He taught one year at Hamilton. Since then he has been connected with the public schools of the city of Helena, first as teacher of history, but since 1907 as principal * of the high school. It is not necessary to mention his standing and influence as an instructor and organizer. To the people of Helena his work speaks for itself.

Moreover Mr. Roberts' professional achievements have received splendid recognition throughout the state of Montana. In December, 1911, he was elected presi- dent of the Montana State Teachers' Association. At the same time he was made president of the Montana branch of the American School Peace League. He is also one of the associate editors of the Inter Mountain Educator, the official school paper of the state of Mon- tana. He has served also as president of the State High School Athletic Association, and as director of the State High School Debating League. There is indeed no movement which favors the betterment of the physical, mental and moral life of the state with which he is not actively identified.

De muler

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

Mr. Roberts was married in 1907 to Miss Willa M. Wicks, of Emporia, Kansas. There are two boys in the family, Albert Wicks, born July 21, 1908, and Philip Montgomery, born October 29, 19II.

Mr. Roberts owns property in Helena, and is deeply interested in the business prosperity of the city.

WILLIAM H. MALONEY, the well-known assistant county attorney of Silver Bow county, Montana, is recognized as one of the able lawyers of the city of Butte. When he was a small boy he dreamed of some- time becoming a lawyer, and his happiest visions were of battles fought in the court-room, in which he was always triumphant. His boyhood dream has come near to realization, for he has been very successful. He won the place that he now occupies with difficulty, for he was unable to devote himself wholly to the study of law, only giving to it his leisure moments. He never faltered, however, in his fixed ambition, and it is fortu- nate for the bar of Silver Bow county that he was of so determined a character. He is now only a young man, but while possessing those valuable gifts which youth alone possesses by right, enthusiasm and ardent loyalty to a cause, the early age at which he was thrown upon his own resources has served to steady him, and he is experienced beyond his years. He has been in practice a little over six years and it would not be fair to prophesy the future, but from what he has already accomplished he is evidently destined to win yet greater successes.

William H. Maloney is a native of Cambridge, Mas- sachusetts, and the ancient walls of Harvard were among the first sights that met his young eyes. He was born on the 15th of March, 1878, and his parents were Walker J. Maloney, who was a native of the state of Maine, and Ellen Muller, who was born in New Hampshire. His parents moved to Canada after a time, and there it was that William Maloney received his education. After his elementary studies were com- pleted he attended Joliet College in the province of Quebec, and here received his college education. He was still filled with his ambitions towards becoming a legal light, and his first real lessons were received at this time, the well-known attorney of Norway, Michi- gan, being his tutor. These could scarcely be called serious studies, but they served to whet the lad's appetite and make him long for more.

In 1898 he came to the West and settled in Butte. For several years he worked in the mines. When his day's work was over he would go home, and as soon as he had snatched a hasty supper, out would come the law books, and for hours the young miner would sit oblivious to what went on around him. He as yet did not have money enough to study under the guidance of any one, and the intricacies of his subject well-nigh discouraged him from going on with it, but he did not waver, and at last better times came to him. He was able to study under Judge Donlan and Matthew Com- ming, and under their tutelage was soon ready to take his bar examinations. He passed them and was admit- ted to the bar in 1905, and immediately commenced practice in Butte. People soon learned that he was a man to be depended upon. He is very quick to grasp the significance of a fact or an event, and then acts like lightning. While very clever and quick to turn every- thing to the advantage of his client, he despises trickery and underhanded methods, and in fact is what is rarely found, an honest lawyer. For this reason he is gain- ing each year in popularity, for people soon learn whom they can trust. His brilliancy is unquestioned, and his speeches are well worth listening to.

On the 2d of January, 1909, he was appointed assist- ant county attorney, which office he is holding at pres- ent, to the satisfaction not only of the general public. but of the more critical eyes of his confreres and asso- ciates. In politics he is a Democrat, but he believes

that the issue lies not so much now between parties as between men. In the coming crisis he believes that every man should vote for the candidate whom he believes best for the welfare of the nation, and not for the man whom his party puts up, simply because he feels that he must stand by his party. It is principles in which Mr. Maloney believes, not parties, though we all concede that they are necessary evils.

Mr. Maloney is very much interested in fraternalism, and is prominent in the various societies of which he is a member. He is worthy president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles for the county of Silver Bow. He is also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and of the Loyal Order of Moose. Mr. Maloney was married on the 26th of June, 1906, to Miss Marine Helen Putnam. She was a native of the state of Illinois, having been born in Cuba, that state.

FRANK A. HAZELBAKER, clerk of the district court of Beaverhead county, is a native of Kansas, born in Linn county, that state, on February 15, 1878. He is the son of Sidney J. and Alletta M. Hazelbaker, both born and reared in the Keystone state. The father removed to Kansas in young manhood and there engaged in ranch- ing, which occupation still claims his attention. He served in the Union army as a member of an Illinois regiment. He married his wife in Illinois, removing soon afterward to Kansas. They became the parents of seven children-six sons and a daughter, all of whom, with the exception of the subject, make their homes in Kansas, their native state.

As a boy, Frank A. Hazelbaker attended the schools of Linn county, his schooling there being followed by a course of study in the Kansas Normal College, at Fort Scott, where he was graduated in 1897. He was twenty years old when he first came to Montana, and after locating here he took a review course in the State Normal College, at Dillon. His first work in Montana was in teaching, and he gave his attention to this work for two years, between school seasons occupying him- self in work on a ranch. After two years he accepted a position in a mercantile establishment, remaining thus occupied until 1904, when he was elected to the office of clerk of the district court of Beaverhead county. He assumed the duties of that office on January 1, 1905, and has been continuously occupied in that position up to the present time (October, 1912). He has proved him- self a capable public official, who well merits the sup- port of his fellow citizens in consideration of his years of faithful service in his present capacity.

Mr. Hazelbaker is in sympathy with the tenets of the Presbyterian church, although not a member. He is a Republican, and has ever displayed a wholesome interest in the political activities of his district. He has been at various times secretary of the Republican state committee, and with but one exception, has been the secretary of every Republican state convention for the past seven years. He is now United States commis- sioner. At the convention held in Great Falls, Septem- ber 5, 1912, Mr. Hazelbaker was nominated for secretary of state on the Republican ticket, but in the great land- slide of November 5th, he was defeated, although one of the high men on the ticket.

Mr. Hazelbaker is a Mason, having taken all degrees up to Shrine. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all chairs, and belongs to the encampment and canton of this order. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Red- men, and the Elks. He was representative from Mon- tana for the Woodmen to the last head camp at Buffalo, New York, and has passed all chairs in the Redmen lodge. He and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and he is affiliated with the Beaverhead Social Club and the Beaverhead Commercial Club, being now president of the latter organization.

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On September 3. 1905. Mr. Hazelbaker, was united in marriage with Miss Carrie E. Woodworth, at Wisdom, Montana. One son, Frank Woodworth Hazelbaker, has been born. Mrs. Hazelbaker is the daughter of George and Florence Woodworth, of that place, where they have been located for some years, and occupied in the ranch business. Mr. Woodworth is a man of considerable prominence in this section of the state, having been a member of the Montana legislature in 1903 and 1904, and being otherwise known as a leading man of his dis- trict. Two brothers of Mrs. Hazelbaker are Fred E., and George Jr .; the former is married and makes his home in Dillon, while the latter is yet with his parents at Wisdom and is attending school.

JONATHAN C. CURRAH. Success has been worthily attained by Jonathan C. Currah, who is today accounted one of the most prosperous and substantial of Helena's citizens. To his energy, enterprise, careful manage- ment and keen discernment his present station in life is attributable. He started upon his career as an inde- pendent factor at the bottom of the ladder and now is a leader in his field in Helena-the installing of electric appliances. He is also interested in mining property and was formerly occupied in this industry, as was his father before him.

Mr. Currah was born in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, Sep- tember 4, 1861. His father, Joseph Currah, was a native of Durham, England. He decided to cast his fortunes with America in 1850, and upon arrival on American shores came to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He was a miner by occupation and upon the opening of certain fields he came west about the beginning of the Civil war and located in Colorado. He remained in that state until the summer of 1863 and then went on to Montana, choosing Virginia City as his headquarters. After leaving Virginia City he resided in Dubuque. Iowa, engaged in lead mining, but subsequently removed to Dry Canon, Utah, and engaged in mining. Later he removed to the Blue Cloud mining district, near Helena. He was in active service in the Blue Cloud mine, near this city when his death occurred, at the age of seventy four years. The subject's mother, whose maiden name was Isabella Coatsworth, was also a native of England, and the marriage of these two worthy people was solemnized in Durham. The remains of the father and mother are interred at Helena. They became the parents of ten children, equally divided as to sons and daughters, and Jonathan is the fifth in order of birth.

The public school education of Mr. Currah was ac- quired at various points, part of it at Dubuque, Iowa. where the family resided for a time. At the age of fourteen years he buckled on his armour for the battle of life, and work was secured for him in the mines in which his father was employed at Dubuque, Iowa. He worked as a miner in the states of Iowa, and Dry Canon, Utah, and Blue Cloud mining district, Montana. He had the spirit of thrift and in several years found himself with a comfortable capital, the result of his saving. He accordingly embarked in the lumber buși- ness in Helena, Montana, and also engaged in saw milling on Ten Mile. The date upon which he began business for himself-an important date in any man's career-was January 1, 1898, when he became identi- fied with his present business, the installing of electric appliances and electrical constructing. His establish- ment is the oldest in this city. Mr. Currah began in a comparatively small way, but has advanced steadily. His business is one of these sound and well-directed ones which has contributed in very definite fashion to the progress of the capital city of Montana. He em- ploys only skilled electricians and does a large business. In politics Mr. Currah is a Republican, but he takes in public issues only the interest of the intelligent voter. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of King Solomon Lodge of Masons, of Helena, Helena Consistory, No. 3, and Algeria Temple,

Mystic Shrine. He is an enthusiastic out-of-doors man, taking delight in a motor spin or in hunting and fishing. Mrs. Currah is an equally keen sportswoman.

The subject was married on April 26, 1905, at Butte, Montana, to Miss Odella Milot, daughter of Herbert A. Milot, a native of the state. Mrs. Currah was born at Deer Lodge, the date of her birth being November 13, 1876. The Milots are of Montana pioneer stock. The father is now deceased, but the mother resides in Helena. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Currah has been born one son, Wilbur Melo Currah, on February 2, 1906.

Mr. Currah is a popular and highly respected citizen. By strict attention to the ethics of life he has won a reputation for probity and he has earned and enjoys the honest regard of the community in which he lives. His place of business is at 106 Sixth avenue.

GEORGE J. JOYCE. This well-known and progressive business man has figured conspicuously in the com- mercial history of Helena and is entitled to mention as one of the representative citizens of this section of the commonwealth. He is engaged in the insurance and real estate business in this city and is a member of the Belgrade Company, Limited, a general merchandise incorporation of Belgrade, Montana. The world in- stinctively and justly renders deference to the man whose success in life has been worthily achieved, who has attained to a competence by honorable methods and whose high reputation is solely the result of pre-eminent merit in his chosen profession. This is the portion of Mr. Joyce, who is that typically American product-a self-made man.

George J. Joyce was born in New York City, October 9, 1860, and received his education in the schools of the great city in which his eyes first opened to the light of day. He attended both the common and higher departments and subsequently entered New York Col- lege, where he studied for a time. At the age of nine- teen he found his school days ended and entered upon his career. He followed clerical work in various mer- cantile establishments for several years in New York, but in 1884 he decided to cast his fortunes with the great west, whose opportunities for the ambitious young man he realized to be superior to those of the metropolis. He first located in the state of Washington, where he followed clerical work and his residence in Helena, Montana, dates from the year 1898. For a number of years he continued in clerical work in the line of ac- counting and bookkeeping. In the year mentioned he located in Belgrade, and now for a number of years has been associated with T. C. Power, banker and capitalist. this association having continued for fourteen years. The Belgrade General Mercantile Company is a modern and highly successful corporation, of the sort which contributes to the prosperity and prestige of any community in which it is located and no small share of this success is due to Mr. Joyce, who possesses judg- ment and executive capacity of a high order. He is also secretary of the board of sheep commissioners and for a period of four years was under-sheriff, of Whit- man county, Washington.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 90

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