An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 103

Author: Miller, Joaquin, 1837-1913. cn
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis pub. co.
Number of Pages: 1216

USA > Montana > An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 103

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William G. Conrad is the eldest son of the family, He was educated in the common schools of his native State and at the Washington Academy, and, as above stated, when merging into manhood, came out West to Montana with his brother. Their jonrney hither was made by rail to Cincinnati, thence down the Ohio river to Cairo, thence up the Mississippi to St. Louis, and thence on the Mis- souri to their destination, three months being consumed in making the trip, and the whole journey being over

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and discipline so far as may be possible, to avoid forcing any issue that will result in an outbreak, until suitable military preparations can be made.'

" November 15 Agent Royer sent to this of- fice the following telegram from Pine Ridge :

4,000 miles by water. After many dangers and priva- tions, they reached Fort Benton in safety.

At Fort Benton they were employed by I. G. Baker & Brother, who were engaged in general merchandising, freighting, steamboating, contracting and banking, at first working for wages. As time passed by they bought ont the interest of the Baker brothers and became sole owners of the business, and soon they did more merchandising, freighting and fur dealing than any other firm in all northern Montana. Their business spread out over a territory that extended a thousand miles in every direction. They furnished supplies for the Canadian government and freighted the same to all parts of the country extending between Winnipeg and the summit of the Rocky mountains, and as for north as the white man had penetrated. From 1874 until 1884 W. G. Conrad was president of the steamboat line on the Mis- sonri, and previous to the advent of the railroads to northern Montana they were by far the largest trans- porters of merchandise here. In one year they trans- ferred on wagons for the United States Government alone 20,000,000 pounds, besides hauling all the goods for the Canadian government and freighting for individuals. They have been for a number of years engaged in the stock business, and in this, as in their other enterprises, they have met with marked snecess, now owning four of the largest herds of cattle in Montana and the Canadian Northwest.

The advent of the railroads, of course, brought a change in their business operations, and of recent years they sold out their mercantile interests and freighting business, and are now giving their especial attention to banking, Conrad Brothers' principal office being located at Great Falls. Their establishments are backed by over a million and a half of dollars, all standing as the result of their own honest and earnest efforts. Willia'n G. is the presi- dent of the Northwestern National Bank, of Great Falls, and Charles E. is president of the Conrad National Bank, of Kalispell. At both of these places they are doing a prosperous business.

William G. Conrad was married in 1876 to Miss Fannie E. Bowen, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Hon. Paul L. Bowen, of that State. They have four children living, namely: Maria Josephine, Minnie Atkinson, George Hartfield, and Arthur Franklin. Their eldest son, William Lee, died in 1878, at the age of one year. Mr. Conrad owns an elegant home in Great Falls and also one in the noted Shenandoah valley of Virginia, which is considered the handsomest in the State. IIe and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church, in which he

' Indians are dancing in the snow and are wild and erazy. I have fully informed you that em- ployes and Government property at this agency have no protection and are at the merey of these dancers. Why delay by further investi- gation? We need protection, and we need it

has filled the office of vestryman for a number of years. Charles E. Conrad is also marriedl and has a family, their home being at Kalispell, the connty seat at Flat- head connty. This prosperous town he helped to found and has been actively identified with it ever since. Mr. Conrad was married, January 4, 1881, to Miss Alicia D. Stanford, a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a daugh- ter of James Stanford of that place. They have a son and two daughters: Charles D., Kate and Alicia.

Both these gentlemen have all their lives been staunch Democrats, and as such have taken a somewhat active part in the political affairs of Montana. William G. first served in an official capacity as County Commissioner of Choteau county, Later he served as the first Mayor of Fort Benton, both he and his brother having had a hand in the incorporation of the city. In 1878 he was elected a member of the Territorial Senate, in which position he rendered most efficient service. Charles E. has also been honored by official position. He was unanimously elected a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1899, and helped to frame the present constitution of the State.

IlON. JAMES II. LYNCH, the present Postmaster of Butte, Montana, is a native of Galena, Illinois, born April 11, 1853. Mr. Lynch's father, John Lynch, was born in county Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1814, and came to Illinois when twenty years of age. He married Miss Manly, a native of his own country, and they had ten sons, all born at Galena, to which he had moved in 1838, a pioneer there. In 1869 he moved to Dakota, taking all his sons with him: they obtained 3,000 acres of land and engaged in the rais- ing of wheat; and this valuable property is still their own. The father died in 1881, and the mother in 1884. They were people of the highest respectability. Eight of the sons still survive, two of whom are in the jobbing trade in Butte C'ity.

James II., the second son, attended the public schools in Galena, graduating in the high school. In business life he was first in the employ of Thompson & Lewis, at Vermillion, Dakota, buying and shipping grain and deal- ing in agricultural implements, and doing a very large business there until 1877, when he went to the Black Hills, by way of Fort Pierre, arriving at Fort Pierre on the 20th of February. Associating himself with Dudley Caldwell & Company, he took charge of their mills for two years. Later he was Under-Sheriff of Lawrence county for three years, and March 27, 1880, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary J. Lackey, the daughter of Henry Lackey. She was born in Canada. In February, 1882, the family came to Butte, where Mr. Lynch was first in the employ of Perron, Wall & Company, in their lumber

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now. The leaders should be arrested and con- fined in some military post until the matter is quieted, and this should be done at once.'

" A military force under General John R. Brooke, consisting of five companies of infantry, three troops of cavalry, and one Hotchkiss and one Gatling gun, arrived at Pine Ridge Novem-

business. The following summer he opened a lumber and produce business at Anaconda, where he did a rush- ing business, averaging a thousand dollars a day in sales for a year. He then became a member of the firm of Lynch & Mather, and kept the Homestead Ilotel. In the autumn of 1883 he ontfitted parties to go to the Coeur d'Alene country; in the spring of 1884 he resigned his po- sition and went to Eagle City, then the seat of the exeite- ment,-since dead and taken by the coyotes. In the fall of 1884 he retired to Butte and purchased the estate of Charles Trowbridge, a wholesale liquor business, and had a very successful trade. February 10, 1892, he sold this out and retired from business. Ile was appointed Post- master February 27, 1894, and took charge of the office on the first of April following.

Mr. Lynch is a stockholder and director in the Silver Bow National Bank, and has secured large property in- terests in Butte. He is a man of great energy and busi- ness ability. He has always been a Democrat, has taken a great deal of interest in political affairs, and for two terms was Alderman of the city and one term president of the Council. Every time that he has run for office he has succeeded iu the election. In the late contest for the position of Postmaster there were five good candidates, and he was successful in obtaining the place. The Butte postoffice is one of the first-class, doing five times as much business as one in a city of the same size that de- pends solely upon agricultural and commercial corre- spondence. Mr. Lynch has one assistaut Postmaster, one register clerk, two general delivery clerks, two distribut- ing mailing clerks, one postage clerk and nine carriers, -this number to be increased when South Butte is an- nexed. In 1893 the postal order business amounted to $625,542.33, which is a good index to the other business of the city of Butte.

Mr. Lynch is highly spoken of by the citizens, and there is uo question that the management of the postoffice will be such as to give the patrons general satisfaction.

WILLIAM J. ZIMMERMAN, Clerk of the Seventh Judicial District Court, and residing at Miles City, Custer county, is a native of the State of Pennsylvania, born at Tamaqua, in Schuylkill county, November 30, 1863, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Foruey) Zimmerman. His father, who was a mechanic by trade, was of Holland and English ancestry, who were early settlers in eastern Pennsylvania. His mother's ancestry can be traced back many centuries, into northern Italy and southern France, and later through England to this country. Longevity characterizes his au- cestry on both sides.

ber 20, 1890. Two troops of cavalry and six companies of infantry were stationed at Rose- bnd. Troops were ordered to other agencies until nearly half the infantry and cavalry of the United States Army were concentrated upon the Sionx reservations. When the troops reached Rosebud about 1,800 Indians-men,

William grew to manhood in his native State, attending the common schools, where he more than is usual utilized his opportunities for laying a solid foundation for future success. Ile learned the trade of his father,-saddle and harness making. His father served in the late war, in the Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, also in the One Hundred and Seventy-third Pennsylvania Infantry.

Resolving to seek his fortune in the great West, our subject came to Miles City, in April, 1886, and at once en- gaged at work in his trade for H. M. Moran & Company, leading saddle and harness manufacturers, and remained in their employ until the autumn of 1892, when he was elected, on the Republican ticket, to his present position. 1Ie is a gentleman of fine physique, modest, and of pol- shed manners and a congenial disposition. He soon be- came a social favorite in Miles City, and popular in his line of trade. His many friends are pleased to speak of him as an honest, conscientious young man, worthy of all confidence. While working at his trade in Miles City, it is said that he was a persistent student at all hours he could devote to study outside of hours devoted to labor and sleep. He never wasted time about saloons and loafing places, but attended night schools, and thus prepared him- self for the responsible position he now fills. Ile is deserv- ing of all the honors that the people of Custer county can bestow, and honors fit him well, as his nature is such that they cannot "spoil" him. IIe has a bright future before him. His popularity has thus won him many votes from the Democratic party. He is a Republican, as was his father before him, who voted for General Taylor and for every Republican candidate for president since.

He is a member of Yellowstone Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M., of Miles City, and has filled the office of Secretary of the lodge for two years: has also filled the Junior War- den's chair.

He was married in November, 1892, to Miss Minerva T. Heisler, a daughter of Frank and Maria (Tyson) Heisler. Her parents reside in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and are of Scotch ancestry. For many years her father was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in the late war was a Captain in a Pennsylvania regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman have one child, named Franklin IIenry,- and born November 12, 1893.

GASPARD DESCHAMPS is ranked with the most success- ful farmers of Grass valley, Missoula county, Montana, and is deserving of some personal mention in this work. Briefly given, a sketch of his life is as follows:

Gaspard Deschamps was born in Montreal, Canada, November 26, 1846. Ilis ancestors came from France to

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

women, and children -- stampeded toward Pine Ridge and the bad lands, destroying their own property before leaving and that of others en route.

" On December 1, 1890, in accordance with Department instructions, the following order was sent to the Sioux agents: 'During the present Indian troubles you are instructed that while you shall continne all the business and

America about the year 1700 and settled in Canada. His father, A. Deschamps, was a farmer and a hotel-keeper, aud lived to be eighty-eight years old. The mother of our subject also lived more than the allotted time, her death occurring at the age of seventy-two. They had a family of thirteen children, Gaspard being the sixth born and one of the five who are now living. Ile was reared and educated in his native town, and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to learn the trade of blacksmith. In 1865 he went to West Suffield, Connecticut, and was employed in work at his trade there and in other New England towns for five years. Ile went to California in 1870, landing in San Francisco, and working there as a journeyman for three mouths. Then he came to Cedar Creek, Montana, and the following three years was engaged in mining on a elaim of his own, during that time taking out between three and four thousand dollars. From mining he turned his attention to the cattle busi- ness, in which he was engaged five years and in which he met with excellent success. He ranged his cattle in the Flat Head country among the Indians, at that time there being only five white men there.

It was in 1877 that Mr. Deschamps came to Missoula, and upon loeating here he opened a blacksmith shop and began work at his trade. That same year, on the 12th of June, he was married, at Missoula, to Miss D. Ceyr, the daughter of Alys Ceyr, also of French descent. After their marriage they went to Valley Creek, and at Two Creeks located and purchased laud, 240 acres in all, to which he subsequently added until he now has 400 aeres there. He erected buildings and made other improvements on that property and resided there until April, 1883, when he came to his present location in Grass valley, nine miles west of Missoula. Here he purchased 400 acres, on which was located the first shingled house built in this section of the country. Prosperity has seemed to attend his every effort. To-day he is the owner of 2,500 acres of land, much of it well improved, and is classed with the wealthiest farmers in the county. Each year he makes from four to five hundred tons of hay, and keeps from three to five hundred head of cattle. For several years he has been breeding Galloway and Durham cattle. He also raises Norman horses, and keeps some hogs.

Mr. and Mrs. Deschamps are the parents of nine chil- dren, all born at their home in Grass valley, their names

carry into effect the educational and other pur- poses of your agency, you will, as to all opera- tions intended to suppress any outbreak by force, co-operate with and obey the orders of the military officer commanding on the reserva- tion in your charge.'

"Sitting Bull's camp, where the dancing had been going on, was on Grand river forty miles from the agency. The number of Indian po-

being as follows: Gaspard, Alvina, Ulric, Arthur, Regina, Alma, Elzeorel, Admie and Julia.

Formerly Mr. Deschamps was a Democrat, but he now favors the principles of the People's party. He has never accepted office and has never joined any society, his whole attention having been given to his own busi- ness affairs. He takes a deep interest in the prosperity of Missoula county and the State of Montana, and in his quiet way is doing what he can to bring about their further growth and development.

FRANK JANES, a member of the City Council of Ana- eonda, Montana, and one of her most worthy citizens, was born in Deerfield, Massachusetts, May 26, 1858, a descendant of Welsh ancestors who were early settlers of New England.

ITis father, George W. Janes, was also born at Deer- field, at the old family homestead, in 1824. He married Miss Ellen Janes, a lady of his own name, but not a rela- tive. They had seven children, of whom six are living, Frank being their fifth born. This worthy couple spent their lives on the farm where he was born, and were well known throughout the vicinity and highly esteemed for their many excellent qualities. Both were members of the Baptist Church. IFe served as one of the Selectmen of the town of Deerfield from 1863 to 1874; and in 1873 he was elected to the Legislature, and re-elected the fol- lowing year. In 1877 he was elected a member of the general school committee, re-elected in 1878 for one year, and again in 1879 for three years.

Frank Janes was reared on the farm and educated iu the public schools, and when he grew up learned the carpenter's trade. Ile worked at his trade in the East until 1883, when he came west to make his own way in the world, upon his own merits, not even having an ae- quaintanee here. His first step was at Bozeman, Mon- tana, where he worked a short time, and whenee he went to Helena and secured employment on the Northern Pacific Railroad, building water tanks for the company. Next we find him at Marysville. He was one of the workmen on the first twenty stamps put in for the Drum Lummon mine. From Marysville, in 1884, he came to Anaconda, which was then just starting. IIere he was employed by the Anaconda Company, soon became fore- man of their carpenter work, and for the next seven years has been superintendent of the construction of all their works, having under his supervision no less than

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licemen in that vicinity was increased and he was kept under close surveillance. December 12 the commanding officer at Fort Yates was instructed by General Ruger, commanding the Department of Dakota, to make it his special duty to secure the person of Sitting Bull, and to call on Agent MeLaughlin ' for such co-opera- tion and assistance as would best promote the object in view.' December 14 the police noti-

fifty carpenters. In the meantime he went to Hamilton, in the Bitter Root valley, and built the Bitter Root Development Company's sawmill, one of the largest and best mills in the State of Montana.

Since coming to Anaconda, Mr. Janes has thoroughly Identified himself with the interests of the place, and is doing everything in his power to promote its welfare. Ile has invested in real estate here, and is a stockholder in the Boulder Valley Fluming Company.

Fraternally, Mr. Janes is a member of the I. O. O. F., and, politically, he affiliates with the Republican party. In 1893 he was the choice of his fellow-citizens of the Third ward as their representative in the City Council, in which capacity he is now serving intelligently and efficiently.

GEORGE STAUDAHER, a well-known farmer and stock dealer of the Beaver Ilead valley, dates his arrival in Montana in June, 1863. Biographical mention of him is as follows:

Mr. Staudaher was born in Austria, April 23, 1836, sou of Michael and Mary (Myers) Staudaher, and one of a family of two sons and seven daughters. Ilis parents were industrious farmers and devout members of the Catholic Church. His father died in his sixty-third year and his mother in her sixty-sixth. Two of the daughters and the subject of of our sketch are the only ones of the family now living. The latter was reared and educated in his native land. When he was sixteen he began to do for himself, going successively to Baden, Prussia and Belgium, and doing farm work in those places, receiving two dollars and a half per month, which there was con- sidered good wages.

In 1859 Mr. Staudaher came to America, landing at New York city and going from there to Chicago, where he spent the winter. In 1860 he went to Kansas, but still he had not found a suitable location, aud in May, 1861, he started for Colorado, paying $25 for his passage with an ox train. Arrived in Colorado, he engaged in mining at Black Hawk in the Bobtail lode, where he remained three years, receiving from $2.50 to $3 per day. In 1863 he came to Bannack, Montana, in company with three others, they having purchased an outfit and two years' provisions. In June they went from Bannack to Alder Gulch, where they secured claims on German Bar, trad- ing their teams for six claims. There Mr. Staudaher took out $2,000 in gold dust in two months. In Novem-

fied the agent that Sitting Bull was preparing to leave the reservation. Accordingly, after consultation with the post commander it was decided that the arrest should be made the fol- lowing morning by the police under command of Lieutenant Bullhead, with United States troops within supporting distance.

"At daybreak, December 15, thirty-nine In- dian police and four volunteers went to Sitting

ber he went hy stage to Salt Lake, their being eight pas- sengers in the stage and all of them together having $60, 000 in gold. They made the journey in safety, while both the coaches that preceded and followed them were robbed. At Salt Lake he purchased three yoke of oxen and a wagon and laid in a stock of provisions for himself and partners sufficient to last a year. They continued their mining operations together until 1864, when Mr. Staud- aher retired from the company.

February 12, 1865, he married Miss Catherine Miller, a native of Germany who had come to this country and Alder Gulch that same year. They began their married life in a little log house which he built. From time to time he purchased other claims and continued his mining operations until 1867. Wages were high and he ran behind and that year found himself financially embar- rassed. In 1867 he selected a location in Beaver Head valley south of the Point of Rocks, where he took squat- ter's claim to a tract of land, built a log house and turned all his energies to farming and stock-raising. His first crops were destroyed by the grasshoppers. In 1880 he sold ont and came to his present location, ten miles north of Dillon, and here prosperity has since attended his efforts. Here he owns 900 acres of choice farming land and has one of the finest farm residences in the vicinity. He, however, resides in Dillon in order to give his chil- dren educational advantages. His broad acres are well stocked with fine horses, cattle and sheep, his cattle num- bering 600 head and his sheep no less than 3,000.

Mr. and Mrs. Staudaher have had nine children, one of whom, Annie M., died in her ninth year. The others are George J., Nicholas M., John A., Louisa K., William L., Agatha L., Mary Ester and Francis J. The first three named are enterprising young men and are engaged in the stock business on their father's ranch. Louisa K. is the wife of F. Brundridge. All the family are members of the Catholic Church.

Mr. Staudaher has always voted with the Democratic party until recently, but is now in favor of the free coin- age of silver. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.

CHARLES M. JOHNSON .- To this young man belongs the distinction of being the first County Clerk and Recorder of Ravalli county, Montana. A sketch of his life is ap- propriate in this work, and is as follows:

Charles M. Johnson was born in Virginia City, Mon - tana, July 19, 1870, son of Norman and Emma F. (Cooper)

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Bull's cabin and arrested him. He agreed to accompany them to the agency, but while dress ing caused considerable delay, and during this time his followers began to congregate to the number of 150, so that when he was brought out of the house they had the police entirely sur- ronnded. Sitting Bull then refused to go and called on his friends, the ghost dancers to res-

Johnson, natives of New York and Kentucky, respective- Iy. Norman Johnson was born in 1836, and is of English descent. He resided for some time in Illinois. In 1862 he made the long and hazardous journey across the plains from Illinois to Montana, arriving at his destination in the fall. Like nearly all the newcomers to this Territory, bis attention was first directed to the mines. After min- ing for a time at Bannack he went to Virginia City, and was at the latter place during all the early excitement that was experienced in that mining camp. He identi- fied himself with the best element of the camp and did his part toward putting an end to the crime, murder and lawlessness that threatened the life and property of every one. He was not only a member of the Vigilant Com- mittee, but wa- also identified with every enterprise which had for its object the best interests of the miners and pioneer settlers. It was in Virginia City that Mr. Johnson met and married Miss Cooper, she having come to Montana in 1869. They removed to Bozeman in 1873 and purchased a farm, upon which they resided nutil 18:3. That year they sold out and came to the Bitter Root valley. Mr. Johnson owns a fine farm of 200 acres near Corvallis, to the improvement and cultivation of which he has devoted much time and attention, and on this farm he has lived since 1883. Ile and his wife have eight children, all born in Montana, and all living, Charles M. being the oldes !.

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 103

Author: Miller, Joaquin, 1837-1913. cn Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis pub. co. Number of Pages: 1216

Author: Miller, Joaquin, 1837-1913. cn
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis pub. co.
Number of Pages: 1216