A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 98

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

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WILLIAM CLUSTON. Among the progressive business men of Great Falls, Montana, none have taken a more prominent part in its industrial activity than William Cluston, of the planing mill firm of McRae & Cluston. Coming to this city practically unknown only a few years ago, and with but little capital save inherent ability and a large fund of industry, through his own efforts he has made a place for himself among the sub- stantial men of this vicinity, and has gained the con- fidence of the citizens of his adopted city to such an

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extent that on a number of occasions he has been elected to positions of public trust. Mr. Cluston was born January 2, 1862, at New Brunswick, Canada, and is a son of John and Mary (McKay) Cluston.

Magnus Cluston, the paternal grandfather of Wil- liam, was born in Scotland and emigrated to America in 1804, locating at Fort Garry as a representative of the Hudson Bay Company. He purchased a farm in eastern Canada, in 1833. His son, John Cluston, was born in Canada, and in early life adopted the trade of blacksmith. Subsequently he became the captain of a steamboat on the Miramichi river, but in his latter years carried on agricultural pursuits. He always lived on a farm when at home. He is now living retired in Canada, at the age of seventy-three years, enjoying the fruits of his industrious and well-spent life. John Cluston married Miss Margaret Mckay, who was born in Canada, daughter of George Mckay, a native . of Scotland, who came to Canada at an early period and became a well-known builder of ships of the wooden type. Mrs. Cluston passed away in 1872, at the age of thirty-two years, having been the mother of five children, of whom William was the eldest.

William Cluston attended the public schools of his native vicinity, and as a lad was apprenticed to the trade of carpenter. Having thoroughly mastered this vocation, worked at his trade in eastern Canada until 1883, and in that year removed to the northwest ter- ritory of the Dominion, continuing to engage in car- penter work, and also following contracting and build- ing. For six years he acted as superintendent of pub- lic works for the Dominion government, and for seven years worked for the Great Falls & Canada Rail- way Company, first as bridge foreman and later as superintendent of bridges and buildings, but in 1899 located in Great Falls, and for a short period worked in the smelter as a millwright. At this time he decided to engage in business on his own account, and formed a partnership with Mr. McRae, under the firm name of McRae & Cluston. A small structure was erected at first, but as the business grew additions were made and new machinery installed, until the firm at present owns a large mill, fully equipped with the most modern machinery for all kinds of mill and cabinet work, and giving employment to a small army of mechanics. Mr. Cluston is thoroughly competent to manage the affairs of a large and growing business, and the firm bears an excellent reputation throughout this part of the state, doing business with some of the largest houses in Montana. In political matters Mr. Cluston is a Democrat, and as a member of the state legislature, in 1907 and 1909 introduced a number of important bills and was successful in bringing about the adoption of legislation that advanced the interests of his con- stituents. He is past master of the local Masonic lodge, and his religious connection is with the Pres- byterian church. Mr. Cluston is very fond of out-of- door life, spends his vacations in hunting and fish- ing, and is a popular member of the Great. Falls Gun Club. Although possessed of little capital when he came to Great Falls, he has taken a place among the men of means here, and is the owner of considerable property.

JOHN P. KEARNS. Prominent among the representa- tive citizens of Townsend, Montana, is John P. Kearns, a man of wealth and influence, who is contributing his full share in promoting the industrial and finan- cial interests of his home city, and is widely known as cashier of the State Bank of Townsend, of which he is one of the owners. A son of James Kearns, he was born, December 29, 1871, in Benton, Wisconsin, where his father settled in pioneer days.

James Kearns was born in County Fermanagh, Ire- land. He subsequently settled in Benton. Wisconsin, where he was for years one of the leading citizens, being a prosperous merchant. He held many public

offices, serving as township treasurer, and in other positions of trust, his death, in 1893, being a cause of general regret. He married Phoebe Tierney, who was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1842, and came to America with her parents in 1847. With them she spent her first winter in America in St. Louis, Missouri, and the following spring accompanied them to Benton, Wisconsin, where she was educated, having been one of the first pupils of St. Clara's Academy. She subsequently taught school until her marriage, in 1864, to James Kearns. She was the mother of six children, five of whom survive, as follows: James T., of Benton, Wisconsin; Samuel J., also of Benton; John P., the subject of this sketch; Anna; and Mrs. P. H. Murphy, of Townsend, Montana, at whose home her death occurred, January 6, 1912.

After leaving the public schools of his native town, John P. Kearns completed his early studies at a com- mercial college in Dubuque, Iowa. Thus equipped, he entered his father's general store as an assistant, and during the administration of President Cleveland was appointed postmaster at Benton, Wisconsin, and held the position until the change of administration, in 1897. In 1893, after the- death of his father, Mr. Kearns, with his brother Samuel, succeeded to the ownership of the store, with which he was connected until 1899, when he sold his share of the business to his partner. Coming to Townsend, Montana, in Jan- uary, 1899, Mr. Kearns organized the State Bank of Townsend, of which he is one of the owners, and has since been cashier of the institution, his brother-in- law, P. H. Murphy, being assistant cashier. Mr. Kearns has other important interests in Broadwater county, being one of the five members of the Townsend Realty and Investment Company, which has title to three thousand, six hundred and sixty acres of valuable land adjoining the city of Townsend, the tract which was formerly owned by Governor Potts and President Harrison. The growth of the city being already an assured fact, a part of this land has been laid out in town lots, and made a sub-division of the city.

Mr. Kearns married Sarah Curley, who was born in Galena, Illinois, the early home of the late Ulysses S. Grant. Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kearns, namely: Katherine Mary, John Claire, James William, Edmund Joseph, Phoebe Sarah, and Margaret Irene. A stanch Democrat in politics, Mr. Kearns has been active in public affairs, and for ten consecutive years served as city treasurer of Town- send, resigning the position in 1911. True to the religious faith of his parents, he is a member of the Roman Catholic church, to which his wife and chil- dren also belong.

RALPH E. LOGAN. To the enterprise and progressive ideas of the business men of the younger generation must be given a large measure of the credit for the wonderful growth and development of the Bitter Root valley during late years, as is due to their ability in combining youthful energy and enthusiasm with the lessons taught by those who have gone before them that this section of the state has been brought extensively before the buying public, thus attracting added popula- tion and capital and serving to advance its commer- cial, industrial and agricultural importance. Natur- ally, those who have been engaged in the real estate business have been prime movers in this forward ten- dency, and in this connection extended mention should he given the oldest realty firm of Stevensville, that of Logan & Cochran, whose senior member, Ralph E. Logan, has gained an enviable position among the younger generation of Montana's business men. Mr. Logan was born in Rutherford county, North Caro- lina, November 17, 1882, and is a son of Burchett L. and Emma (Fraser) Logan.

Burchett L. Logan was born in Rutherford county, North Carolina, where he is an extensive owner of

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plantations and other properties, but in 1899 disposed of his holdings and came to Montana, where he in- vested heavily in ranch lands in the Bitter Root valley. He now holds prestige as one of the most prominent and influential ranchers and grain men in the entire valley, is president of the Co-operative Creamery at Stevensville, and has numerous other important inter- ests, and his family are widely and favorably known in social circles. Mr. Logan married Miss Emme Fraser, a native of New York state, and they have had six children: William F., who was one of the first to volunteer at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, becoming a member of Company D, Second Regi- ment, North Dakota Volunteer Infantry, participat- ing in twenty-five out of twenty-seven battles fought hy that organization, and being wounded during the Philippine troubles; Fannie Louise, who married Rob- ert Marks of Harrisburg, Oregon; Mary Pearl, who married Charles McCormack of Evaro, Montana ; Simon Rae, a graduate of the Montana high schools and of the class of 1908, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and now a well known rancher at Arlee, Mis- soula county, Montana; Ralph E., and one child that died in infancy.

Ralph E. Logan received instruction in private schools and a military institution in his native state, and accompanied his parents to Montana in 1899. He con- tinued his studies in the Montana State University, at Missoula, which he left in his junior year and sup- plemented this by attendance at the Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon, from which he was graduated. In 1907 he became principal of the science department in the schools of Metford, Oregon, where he held the chair of science for one year, then coming to Hamil- ton, Montana, as principal but shortly thereafter re- signed his position to begin a business career, and during the fall of 1908 organized the firm of Logan & Cochran. This has become the leading real estate con- cern of Stevensville, and through honorable business methods and straightforward dealing enjoys prestige throughout Montana and the adjoining states. The company owns considerable ranch property in the Bitter Root valley, and makes a specialty in sub- dividing large properties into small ten or twenty-acre tracts, the land in this section being so productive that a property of this size affords a family with the means of a comfortable livelihood. 'From a modest begin- ning, the firm has had a healthy and well-balanced growth, and has done its full share in bringing settlers and capital into the Bitter Root valley.

Mr. Logan is progressive in business and in politics, being an active worker in the ranks of the Progressive party. He has a wide acquaintance and many friends in Stevensville, and shares the family's popularity in the social set.

LEWIS C. FALTERMEYER. Coming of sturdy stock, reared in a frugal and careful home and given fair edu- cational opportunities, Lewis C. Faltermeyer, who is secretary and treasurer of The W. A. Orgain Company, of Wibaux, Montana, has built up his business success on the above foundation, with the assistance of per- sonal effort in the way of persistent industry. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 2, 1865, and is a son of Joseph and Krescenz (Lechner) Faltermeyer.

Joseph Faltermeyer and wife were both born in Ba- varia, Germany, and both died in America, he in 1895, when aged fifty-two years, and she in 1899, at the age of fifty years. Joseph Faltermeyer was a small farmer in Germany, but he became dissatisfied as he saw his family increasing with no prospect of adding to his acres or of providing for his children in so closely settled a region. In 1872 he came alone to America and located at Faribault, Rice county, Minnesota, where he provided a home and in the fall of 1874 his wife Vol. II1-21

and their three children-Lewis C., Frances and George joined him there. Subsequently four more children were born: Mary, Rose, Joseph, Jr .. and Dora. Mr. Faltermeyer found work with the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, and became foreman of construction and continued with that company for about six years. Afterward he was with the Polar Star Flour Mill Company and later he was in the stone quarry business. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church.

After attending the public schools at Faribault for some years, Lewis C. Faltermeyer accepted a position as clerk in a mercantile establishment in that city and continued there for two years. In 1883 he went to Manvel, North Dakota, and as a clerk was connected with mercantile houses until 1890, when he removed to Minto, North Dakota, and for two years following was a clerk in the freight department of the Great Northern Railroad. From there he came to Helena, Montana, as bill clerk for the Great Northern Express Company, one year later accepting the position of cashier for that company, with headquarters at Butte. He remained there for two and one-half years and then made his first visit home. In August, 1896 he went to Redwood Falls, Minnesota, where he was bookkeeper for a large mercantile house until January, 1899, and then returned to Faribault for a short season, in May following be- coming a resident of Wibaux, Montana. Here he en- tered his present company as bookkeeper and when the company was incorporated as The W. A. Orgain Com- pany, he became its secretary and treasurer. The other officers are: W. A. Orgain, president, and Cetius Or- gain, vice president. This house carries an immense stock of general merchandise, including groceries,' hard- ware, dry goods, boots and shoes, crockery, glassware, sporting goods, and wagons and farm machinery of all kinds. The business is soundly financed and is in a very prosperous condition.

In 1905 Mr. Faltermeyer was married to Miss Emily Pickering, who was born in Dakota, and they have two daughters : Claudia and Elvira. Mr. Faltermeyer and children are members of the Roman Catholic church, and Mrs. Faltermeyer is a member of the Episcopal church. His political affiliation is with the Democratic party. The first public office he ever accepted was that of assessor of Ferry township, in Grand Forks county, North Dakota, and since then he has served in numer- ous other capacities. In 1906 he was elected school trustee at Wibaux, Montana, was reelected in 1909, and on March 5, 1910, he was appointed a member of the board of county commissioners of Dawson county, his election to this office following in November. He be- longs to three of the leading fraternal organizations of the Catholic church, the Knights of Columbus, the C. O. F. and the K. O. T. M.

FRANK L. SUMMERS. Among the successful ranch- men of the Yellowstone valley, one who has taken an important part in the development of this section and who has witnessed the marvelous changes that have taken place within the space of only comparatively a few short years, is Frank L. Summers, of Billings. Coming to this country as a buffalo hunter, with the passing of the great herds he became a cattle raiser, and eventually transferred his interests to the sheep in- dustry, in which he is at present successfully engaged. Mr. Summers was born in Nohle county, Ohio, April 24, 1860, and is a son of John and Harriet (Millner) Summers, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Ireland.

John Summers removed to the state of Ohio as a young man, and was there engaged at the shoemaker's trade until 1880, which year saw his advent in Custer (now Yellowstone) county, Montana, where he was a pioneer. After following his trade for two years he

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located on the homestead on which he now lives, and has been since engaged in farming and stock raising. He is one of the highly esteemed men of this com- munity, and has been active in his support of the Dem- ocratic party, being a great admirer of William J. Bryan. Mr. Summers was married in Ohio to Miss Harriet Millner, who also survives, as do five of their seven children, as follows: Charles, who resides near Billings; Frank L .; Elmer G., a ranchman of Yellow- stone county; Lottie, the wife of J. L. Guiler, the owner of a fine ranch in this county; Iola, who married E. H. Carle, also of the Yellowstone valley.

Frank L. Summers received his education in the common schools of his native vicinity, and like other farmers' sons of his day and locality spent his summers in work on the home place. His educational advantages were not of an exceptional nature, for at the age of thirteen years he commenced farming out for his uncle, Frank Miller, his wages for the first eight months being five dollars per month, and for the next seven months, nine dollars. The hard, healthy work of the fields gave him an excellent physique, and when he was nineteen years of age he decided to try his fortunes in the West, and with ten other adventurous young men went by train to Bismarck, North Dakota. Subsequently he purchased a mule team, with which he came through to what was then Custer (now Yellowstone) county, where he secured employment at cutting hay for the United States government, to be used at Fort Custer.

He followed that for only one season, however, and in the fall of 1879 located on the Yellowstone river, and during the two following winters was engaged in hunting buffaloes and other game for their hides. He was only twenty-one years old when he homesteaded a claim of 160 acres on Canyon creek, Yellowstone county, and there he remained until 1884, at which time, with others he was engaged in opening up Canyon Creek ditch. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Summers returned to Ohio, where he was married, and in March, 1887, located on his new farm, where he continued to live until 1899, at that time locating in the city of Billings in order to give his children the benefit of better educational advantages. Selling his homestead, he engaged in the sheep business, in which he has since continued, and his animals bring top-notch prices in the Chicago markets. In addition to a ranch located near his old home he has a fine property on the south side of the Yellowstone river, about eighteen miles from Billings. He main- tains his home, however, in the city, having a hand- some residence at No. 3303 Fourth avenue, North. Mr. Summers has made improvements of the best order. bringing to bear discrimination and judgment, and sparing no effort in placing his properties in the finest possible condition. He has thoroughly demon- strated the possibilities of sheep raising in his section, and is recognized as an able judge of stock. Mr. Sum- mers has found time to spare from his business interests to take a prominent part in fraternal work, and is now a member of Ashlar Lodge No. 29, F. & A. M., Billings Chapter No. 6, R. A. M., Aldemar Commandery No. 5, K. T. and Algeria Temple, of Helena. He is well known in Masonry, having served his lodge as master for one term, his chapter as high priest two terms and his commandery as cminent commander two terms. In political matters he is a Republican, but his activities have been rather as a spectator than as a participant, although he is well informed as to the important issues of the day and takes a keen interest in any matter that pertains to the welfare of his community. Mr. Sum- mers has a perfect right to the title of "Old-timer," and has numerous warm friends among the pioneer settlers of the Yellowstone valley.

On March 12, 1887, Mr. Summers was married to Miss Clara Nowell, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of John and Frances (Lucas) Nowell, the former a

native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. Mrs. Sum- mers' mother died in the Buckeye state, but her father still survives and makes his home there. Mrs. Sum- mer's was the fourth in order of birth of her parents' seven children, all of whom are living. Two children, Frances E. and John E., have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Summers.

FRED H. KNISLEY. Since 1906 Fred H. Knisley has been a resident of the city of Missoula, but it was not until three years ago that he became established in business for himself. He is now engaged as the owner and proprietor of one of the most up-to-date and al- together popular places in the city. His pool room is the most modern of its kind, and in connection with it .he conducts a cigar store and news stand. The place is steadily increasing in prominence and popular- ity and the success of the venture has proved to the city the lack of such a place heretofore.

Mr. Knisley was born in Hagersville, Ontario, Canada, on February 24, 1872, and is the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Mallen) Knisley, both native born Canadians. Benjamin Knisley was chief of police in Hagersville for twenty-four years. He came to Missoula about six months after his son located there, and he died in this city in 1909, aged sixty-two. His remains were taken back to his birthplace and interred in the family plot at Hagersville. His wife died in 1895, aged forty-three years. Three children were born to them. Of that number, Fred H. of this review is the only one living, and he now represents all that is left of the family.

The education of Mr. Knisley was of a fair order, he having been privileged to finish the high school course of his home town, and at the age of fifteen, after fin- ishing school, he began to study telegraphy. He was soon a competent operator and at once began work for the Michigan Central Railroad, and he continued in their service for eleven years. He was about twenty- six years old when he came to Missoula first in 1899, and he has been a resident of the state continuously since then. When he first located in Missoula he was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad as station agent and telegraph operator, and he was stationed at various points along the line until 1904, in which year he went to Butte City for two years as soliciting freight agent for the Rock Island Railroad. He then returned to Missoula and worked for the Missoula Light & Water Company for four years as bookkeeper and cashier. The young man was ambitious to become established in business on his own responsibility, and seeing an opportunity for a wide-awake man, he en- tered the business which now engages him. His pool and billiard rooms are the finest and best equipped to be found in his section of the country, and the sale of tobacco, cigars, stationery and periodicals has lent a popularity to the place equal to that which it bears by reason of the general esteem in which its proprietor is held in the city. The establishment is well ordered, carefully kept up, and is known as headquarters in good fellowship throughout the city.

Mr. Knisley is a Republican, and is actively inter- ested in the political affairs of his district. At the pres- ent time he is secretary of the Republican county central committee, and has done good work for the party since he has been identified with the public life of the county. Mr. Knisley is particularly prominent in fraternal cir- cles. He is a Mason, and a member of the blue lodge and the mystic shrine. He has been master of the blue lodge on three different occasions. At present he is master of Harmony lodge No. 83, and he was master of Hiram lodge No. 319, at Hagersville, Ontario, be- fore coming to Missoula. In 1909 he was master of Missoula lodge No. 13, and is now past high priest of Western Sun Chapter No. II, and past patron of Electa Chapter No. 7, order of the Eastern Star, at

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Missoula. He is past thrice illustrious master of Tyrean Council No. 3 Royal and Select Masters, and is its re- corder at the present time. He is a member of St. Omar Commandery No. 9, Knights Templar and a member of Bagdad Temple of the Ancient Arabic Or- der of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias as well as of the Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Foresters. He is also a member of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers, in which he has held a con- tinuous membership since 1888. Although he is no longer connected with the order in the manner in which he formerly was, he retains his membership in memory of the pleasant associations it brings to him. Mr. Knisley is an ardent sportsman, and baseball is his pet enthusiasm. At one time he played the game himself, and has ever been the most enthusiastic of fans.

On February 12, 1896, Mr. Knisley was married at Cornell, Ontario, to Miss Elizabeth Drake, the daugh- ter of David W. and Elizabeth Drake, of that place.

Mr. and Mrs. Knisley are both members of the Epis- copal church of Missoula.

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A history of Montana, Volume III, Part 98

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