An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 138

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 138

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In 1880 Mr. Lewis located in Butte City and established a general merchandise store liere. Ile also handles large quantities of wood and coal. For ten years he was en- graged in these enterprises. In 1889 he met with a heavy loss of wood, it having been ignited by sparks from a Northern Pacific steam engine. This loss amounted to $25,000. Mr. Lewis has sued the company and has got judgment in all the lower courts, and the case will soon br decided by the Supreme Court of the United States.

During his mercantile career in Butte City Mr. Lewis pired a large amount of valuable property here. He has created many buildings, both business houses and res-

the first silver mill in Montana, the Hope at Phillipsburg; and one of the first gold mills, the Cable; and has one of the largest reduction works in the county, at Anaconda. This county has had twenty-tive mills; but, like the Hope, many others have gone with the new counties. Some of them continue to give their regular supply of bullion, but the change in silver has silenced the stamps of others.

Every mountain range which helps to enclose the beautiful Deer Lodge valley, and almost every

idences, and in 1890 he added to the city the Big Bntte Addition, a tract of sixty acres, much of which has been sold and is being rapidly built up. Since 1890 he has been retired from active business, and is now giving his attention to the collection of his rents and the care of his property.

After a happy married life of forty-seven years, Mrs. Lewis departed this life March 24, 1892, leaving a hus- band and four children to mourn their loss. She was a most amiable woman, was devoted to her family and loyal to her friends and was loved by all who knew her. Of their family we record that Leonard is engaged in the stock business in Meagher county; Annie is the wife of J. O. Hassy, White Sulphur Springs; Irene is the wife of John Moore, Meagher county; and John G. is also a stock man of that county.

Mr. Lewis has been a Republican all his life. Since coming to Bntte City he has served two years as a mem- ber of its Council. He is now seventy years of age, is well preserved both physically and mentally and is a fine representative of the successful pioneers of Montana. Long may he live to enjoy the wealth that has come to him through his honest and earnest efforts.

JAMES MCCORMICK, County Clerk and Recorder of Dawson county, residing at Glendive, is a patriotic son of the Emerald Isle, and gave many years of his life to the defense of this Union, his adopted country.

Ile was born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1836. When two years of age he came with his parents to the United States. They resided in New York city until James was eleven years of age, when they removed to Connectient, where James resided when the Civil war broke out. He answered the call for defenders of the Union by enlist- ing, in July, 1862, in the Nineteenth Connecticut Infan- try. After one year's service he was transferred to the Second Heavy Artillery, and served in the First Division. Second Brigade, Sixth Corps, Army of the Potomac, and continued in the service until the close of war. Was with General Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley, and partici- pated in all the campaigns, engagements, etc., of the Army of the Potomac from the time he enlisted until the war closed. Afterward he enlisted in the regular army, in the Seventeenth United States Infantry, where he

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

stream and gulch in those mountains have fur- nished placers and veins of gold, silver, copper and lead. New discoveries of placers and veins of gold and silver and copper have been made every year for more than a quarter of a century; and even as late as 1890, 1,184 new quartz claims and 147 placers were recorded in this county.

While in the early days of Montana mining placers alone were sought and worked, quartz mining has gradually come to the front and is

served as a non-commissioned officer. Was in Texas from the spring of 1866 to the spring of 1869, then for several months in Richmond, Virginia. His term of service expired at Fort Keogh, Montana, in 1879, where he was engaged in the Commissary Department.

After leaving military service he was for a short time engaged in agricultural pursuits. In June, 1881, he located at Glendive, where he was appointed Justice of the Peace by the Board of County Commissioners. IIe filled the office until the fall of 1882, when he was elected Probate Judge of Dawson county, and filled the position for four years, giving such general satisfaction that in the fall of 1888 he was elected to the office of Clerk and Recorder of Dawson county, and has been continuously re-elected ever since. He is a member of Thomas L. Kane Post, G. A. R., at Glendive. He is a stanch Repub- lican, and a social favorite among all who enjoy the privilege of his acquaintance.

PHILIP DODSON, senior member of the firm of Dodson & Henke, cigar manufacturers and dealers in cigars, to- bacco, and smokers' supplies, Bozeman, Montana, forms the subject of this biography.

.Philip Dodson was born in Cambridgeshire, England, June 15, 1845, son of Philip Dodson, Sr., a farmer and stock dealer. In 1862 young Dodson came to the United States, and from that time until 1866 was engaged in railroading in Illinois, working on several of the lines running out of Chicago. In October, 1866, he came to Bozeman, Montana, and entered the employ of the Me- Adow Milling Company, for whom he was engaged in teaming until 1869. Ile then spent a few months in llel- ena, but soon returned to Bozeman and opened a restau- rant on Main street, which he conducted until 1871. This enterprise not proving a profitable one, he again went to Helena, where he was variously employed until July, 1875. That year he directed his course toward Washing- ton Territory, located on a ranch of 160 acres and engaged in farming and stock-raising. This occupation, however, not proving congenial to his taste, he sold his land for $1,000 and for some time thereafter traveled throughout Idaho and other parts of the West. The winter of 1879 '80 he spent in Helena. The following spring he went to Deer Lodge, a few months later to Butte, and from there

now commanding the attention of most mining men. It may be said that Deer Lodge quartz mining began in earnest with the erection of the Hope mill at Phillipsburg to work the rich ores of that camp, and the Cable mill to work the rich ores of the Cable mine. Deer Lodge county has some fifty gulches containing placer and quartz mines. All of these have been more or less worked, many with great profit.

The Cable mill was erected in the early '60s to work the gold ores of the Cable mine, and

came again to Bozeman, landing in Bozeman in Septem- ber. From that time until 1883 he was engaged as clerk in the northern Pacific Hotel. In 1883 he opened a to- bacco and cigar store in the May building on Main street. In 1887, while doing business in a frame building on the opposite side of the street from the May block, the frame structure and his entire stock were burned. He immedi- ately erected his present commodious brick store room, and since 1888 has been doing a successful business here.

Mr. Dodson was elected to the office of City Treasurer of Bozeman for four terms, three of them consecutive. In politics he is a stanch Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the Western Star Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., of Bozeman, being Secretary of the lodge and Grand In- structor for the Order in this State; he is also a member of the A. O. C. W.

Mr. Dodson was married in 1882 to Mrs. Elnora Wer- field, a daughter of Samuel Griffith, a resident of Fayette county, Illinois. They have one child, Philip Griffith Dodson. Mrs. Dodson is a member of the Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM M. COCKRILL, Clerk of the Eighth Judicial District Court of Montana, located at Great Falls, has the honor of being the first Clerk of this district under the State constitution.

He was born in Glasgow, Barren county, Kentucky, June 17, 1856. Ilis grandfather, Joseph Cockrill, re- moved from Virginia to Barren county, Kentucky, at an early day, became one of the prominent pioneers and large landholders of that place, and there reared his family and spent the residue of his life. In his religious views he was a Baptist. He had four sons and two daugh- ters. One of the sons, Travis Cockrill, the father of Will- iam M., was born at the old homestead in Barren county, Kentucky, in 1822. Ile married Mi-s Elizabeth Maupin, a native of Columbia, Boone county, Missouri, where their marriage occurred. Ile took his bride to his home in Glasgow, Kentucky, and there he was for a number of years engaged in the practice of law and became emi- nent in his profession. For many years he was Clerk of the County Court of Barren county, and was the candi- date of his party the Democratic party-at the time of his death, October 26, 1868. His widow is still living

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

has been doing some good work up to the pres- ent time. The ten-stamp mill on the Poorman near the Pyrenees, is now reported idle. The ten-stamp mill on the Southern Cross has lately made an excellent run. The Red Lion mill is running its ten stamps on the Red Lion mine, six miles north of Georgetown. A group of rich gold mines has been discovered in the Eddy district, south of Pioneer. Ontario, Red Nell, Crapps and other good prospects are located between Georgetown and Phillipsburg. There

now a resident of Great Falls. They had ten children, William M. being the fifth-born and one of the six who are still living.

William M. Cockrill was educated in private schools and at Bethel College, Russellville. After leaving college he accepted a position in the County Clerk's office at Glasgow, and while there spent his leisure time in the study of law. In April, 1876, he was admitted to the bar. Ile then entered upon the practice of his profession, and later served as County Attorney and also as Master in Chancery of the Cirenit Court of Barren county, continuing in the latter position until 1888. At that time, becoming convinced of the great future of Montana and the bright prospects of the then new city of Great Falls, he came out West and located here. Soon after his arrival he was appointed by Judge Thomas C. Bach as Clerk of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which position he held under the Territorial government until Montana was admitted into the Union, and he was then elected Clerk of the Eighth Judicial District, which embraces Cascade county. He was re-elected to this office in 1892, and is still serving efficiently in it.

Upon coming to Great Falls he made investments in both city and county real estate, and he bnilt one of the finest residences in the city. He is a stanch Democrat and has rendered his party much valuable aid in its cam- paigns. Fraternally, he is a member of the Order of Elks and of the I. O. O. F. .

WILLIAM BERKIN, one of the first settlers of Boulder valley, was born in Leicestershire, England, in 1830. He received his education in his native land, where he also learned the machinist's trade. In 1856 he married Miss Jane Ilall, a native also of that country, and three children were born to them in England. One child died, and the living are Frances May and John. In 1860 Mr. Berkin came to America, landing at New York, and afterward followed his trade in that city, Canada and St. Louis, at the same time looking for a location in which to settle. While at St. Louis he held the position of superintendent for the firm of John J. Roe & Company, known as the American Fur Company. In 1862 Mr. Berkin came up the Missouri river to Montana, landing at Fort Benton. He brought the first pack train of miners' supplies from

are several mines near Anaconda. A good mining plant has been obtained for the Silver Crown, on Foster creek.

The whole western slope of the main range of the Rocky mountains, from the Big Black- foot on the north to the Dry Cottonwood on the sonth, is intersected with veins rich in gold, silver, copper and lead. Nearly every creek and gulch has its groups of quartz claims, some of which have been developed into pro- ductive mines. The Oro Fino District, on

Fort Benton to Virginia City, having sixty mnles in his train. His supplies were in good demand, and brought very remunerative prices, shoes for $5 a pair, flour for $50 a sack and all things were equally high. Mr. Berkin was also the first to engage in freighting with wagons. He became superintendent of the Diamond Freight com- pany, freighting from Fort Benton to other points in the Territory, and while in that business employed the Hon. C. A. Broadwater as assistant. Our subject also has the honor of having located one of the first ranches in the Territory, which is in the Boulder valley, near the present- site of Boulder, and is now owned by a Mr. Belcher. Mr. Berkin wintered his many ox teams on that place, and con- tinued his freighting operations. To that new home, in the then unsettled Territory of Montana, he bronght his wife and children from England, they arriving June 17, 1865. The Indians were then plentiful in the country, and Chief Joseph and about 1,300 of his tribe often camped near them .. Mr. Berkin assisted in building the Spring Bar and Boulder ditch to bring water to the placer mines near Boulder. The ditch was five miles in length, and carried 500 inches of water. He put about $22,000 in the enterprise, but, as it proved unsuccessful, afterward sold his interest for $2,800. In 1872 he discovered the Rumley quartz mine, in which he sold his right for $3,500, and it afterward yielded a large amount of silver ore and proved to be one of the best mines in that region of the country- In 1881 Mr. Berkin sold his property in Boulder, pur- chased a farm near Cottonwood, Meagher county, took an active part in the welfare of that country, and for several years held the important office of County Commissioner. In 1892 he sold his Cottonwood property and removed to Livingston, where he is now living a retired life.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Berkin in Montana, as follows: William A., Thomas, Sarah (now Mrs. William McCullam, and resides in Livingston), Eliza and Hattie. In political matters, our subject is a stanch Democrat, and socially, is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. Ile was one of the founders of Montana, took part in all the exciting times of the early settlement of the country, and, with other good pioneers of the State, was always arrayed on the side of law and order and the best interests of the Territory.

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HISTORY OF MONTAN .1.

Gospel mountain, has a large group of mines which in many particulars resembles the mines on Granite mountain. The mines are in veins in granite, and the ores are brittle silver, ruby silver and native silver, as are those of Granite mountain. The Champion, American Ruby, New State, Silver Crown and Mountain Lion are the most noted mines in this new camp. These have steam hoists and pumps, and are developed by shafts down 200, 300 and 400

RORERT H. CHILDS, one of the early Montana pioneers, was born in Virginia, June 22, 1836. His ancestors were among the early settlers of the South and his father, Richard Childs, was born in North Carolina, in 1808. At the age of eight years he went with his parents to Virginia. He was there married, in 1831, to Miss Margaret Snell, a native of that State and a descend- ant of one of the old Virginia families. They removed to Missouri in 1846, and in 1849 crossed the plains to Cal- fornia. Mr. Childs began mining in Coloma, and at the end of the year returned to his family with $3,000 in gold. In 1871 he went to Missoula, Montana, where he died in 1876. His widow still survives, aged sixty-four years.

Robert H. Childs, their third son in order of birth, re- mained in Virginia until nineteen years of age. In 1855 he crossed the plains to California, starting from the Mis- souri river May 10, of that year, and arrived at Downie- ville on Angnst 10, the journey having been a safe and successful one. He mined in Shasta and Siskiyou coun- ties, with three others, taking out $400 in one pan of dirt and $300 in another, both on Scott's bar. Mr. Childs fol- lowed mining four years in Nevada, and while there, with others, took out $1,500,000, which, however, was used iu paying expenses and lawing. He next went to Owyhee, Idaho, where he served as superintendent of a New York mining company one year, after which he became snow- blind. In 1865 he began mining near Blackfoot, in Deer Lodge county, Montana, where he had heavy drains for drospecting gulches, one of them costing 850.000, and the others, which run to Lincoln Gulch, $30,000. The com- pany was composed of fourteen men. After losing money in that enterprise, Mr. Childs purchased 400 acres of land near Florence, in the Bitter Root valley, and in 1890 set- tled down to the life of a farmer. He converted that place into one of the most valuable farms in the county, and resided there twenty years, when he sold it for $6,560. Since that time he has resided in Missoula, and is now en- gaged in running the Reality House, one of the largest and best furnished boarding and rooming houses in the city.

Mr. Childs was married August 1, 1881, to Mrs. Mary E Kent, a daughter of Daniel Boyce, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Two of her brothers were Union soldiers, and one lost his life in the battle of Fort Donelson. The other,

feet, with crosscuts and levels enough to prove them valuable mines. The ores shipped and worked have made good returns.

A twenty-stamp mill to work the ores of the Champion was erected at Deer Lodge. The Phoenix, Oro Fino, Keystone and Silver Coin have steam hoists and good working plants. One hundred and forty claims have been located on Gospel mountain. The Zorsel District is six miles east of Deer Lodge. It has many prom-

H. H. Boyce, served through the entire struggle, and for meritorious conduct was promoted to the rank of Colonel. For a number of years he has been proprietor of the Los Angeles Times. Mrs. Childs' former husband was O. C. Kent, who left one son at his death, D. D. Kent, now of Missoula. Mr. and Mrs. Childs have two children, -- Harvey and Nora,-both born in Bitter Root valley. Mr. Childs still continues his interest in mining, owning the O. K. and Eureka lead mines at Cedar Creek, and has a fine gold prospect in the same locality. He has been a life- long Democrat, and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

GEORGE JACQUES, a Montana pioneer of 1863 and a prominent farmer of Deer Lodge valley, is a native of France, born March 4, 1843. Further mention of the Jacques family will be found in this book in the biogra- phy of his older brother, Anthony Jacques, who came with him to Montana and who resides on a farm adjoin- ing his.

George Jacques was next to the youngest in his father's family, and was three years old at the time they emigrated to America. After stopping for a time in St. Louis, Mis- souri, they moved to a farm in Pike county, that State, where he was reared and educated. When he was nine teen he and his brother Anthony made the long journey to Montana, traveling in company with two families and being from April until August on the road, finally landing in safety at Bannack. They mined at Alder Gulch and Silver Bow, working hard in the placer mines, but uot meeting with the success they had anticipated. Next we find them at French bar, engaged in hydraulic mining. At that place they remained four years, and during that time they took out $20,000. Expenses were high, how- ever, and they saved only about $8,000 cach. The sub- jeet of our sketch then returned to the States for a visit, and upon coming back to Montana he took claim to 160 acres of land in Deer Lodge valley. This first claim was Government land. Ile afterward added to it by pur- chasing railroad lands until now he has a splendid ranch of 630 acres. In 1892 he built a good frame residence on this property, and here he now resides in peace and con- tentment with his family, surrounded with all the com- forts of life. Ile annually cuts about 100 tons of hay and raises 3,000 bushels of grain, and he is also largely in-

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ising mines, which will go up with silver. On Bison mountain, sixteen miles south of Elliston, is a copper group of which the Monarch claims to be the principal mine. The country will hear of this camp in more emphatic terms than can now be used. The Walker creek group includes the Lucky Baldwin, Lady Fischer, Mint and Mystery, which are reported as looking well.

On Nigger Hill, eight miles southeast of Elliston, we find the Veracions, Ontario, Lily, Comstock. Big Dick and Bunker Hill worked

terested in raising sheep and cattle, his brother being in partnership with him in the stock. They keep as many as 10,000 head of sheep. Mr. Jacques has imported from France a Norman-Percheron horse, which cost him $2,000, and he has thus been instrumental in improving the breed of horses in his section of the valley.

In 1883 Mr. Jacques returned to Missouri and married Miss Celestia Arthur, a native of that State and a daugh- ter of William Arthur. They have two children, Annie May and George Oliver.

Mr. Jacques has been a Democrat the most of his life; but, not liking the position of his party on the silver question, he is now an independent. He is of a genial and hospitable nature and delights to see his friends, all of whom are sure of a cordial welcome and the best his home affords whenever they visit him.

Such is a brief sketch of one of the representative men of Deer Lodge valley.

J. HARRY BEALS, one of the representative citizens of Montana, was born in Maine, in 1854, a son of Isaac Beals, a prominent farmer by occupation. Our subject read much of the great possibilities awaiting young men in the West, and accordingly, at the age of nineteen years, arrived in Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, where he applied himself to the blacksmith's trade. He came to Fort Cus- ter, Montana, in 1880, where he spent eighteen months, and from that time until 1886 was engaged in hunting and trapping in the Black Hills, Wyoming. He became one of the skilled shots of that region, and was appro- priately called the mighty hunter of Wyoming. Mr. Beals has had many thrilling experiences with wild ani- mals, and his first hunting on the plains was for buffalo of which he frequently killed twelve a day. He worked at his trade in Billings from 1886 to 1890, when he again engaged in hunting in Wyoming. At one time he en- countered two old bears with three young ones, and, after exhausting his ammunition, seenred four as trophies, one young one having escaped. Mr. Beals returned to Bil- lings in 1892, and since that time has applied himself in- dustriously to his trade.

Hle was married in September, 1888, to Miss Gertrude Selinidt, a daughter of John Schmidt, a mining broker of Helena. They have two sons, -Clyde and William.

by an arastra. These claims and mines are held in high estimation. On Little Blackfoot are located Wall Street, Fairview, Big Dick and numerous other claims, many of them proved to be very valuable. Some have paid from the grass-roots down.

The Bald Bulte mill is running and making its owners rich. The Brooke mill is in this neighborhood. The Penobscot mines and ten- stamp mill will doubtless come to the front be- fore long as continned producers. On the

Mr. Beals is a stanch Republican, is well informed on the passing public issues, and is genial and courteous to all The family reside in a comfortable home in Billings.

PETER OVREN, a contractor and painter at Billings, was born in Norway, in 1855, a son of Ole and Martha Ovren. The father was a prominent farmer and mill-owner in that country. Peter received a liberal education in his native land, but when sixteen years of age decided to seek larger fields for work, and accordingly, in 1871, came to America. He worked at his trade principally in Iowa until March, 1882, when he came to Billings, but at that time the place contained only one house. He has taken an active part in the welfare of the city, has deco- rated all the principal buildings, and has a good and comfortable home. Mr. Ovren is a well-informed gentle- man, but unassuming, and is an interesting conversa- tionalist.

In 1875 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Thompson, a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and they have three sons,-Oscar C., Theodore M. and Arthur. Mr. Ovren is Permanent Secretary of the I. O. O. F., and is Overseer of the A. O. U. W. In his political relations he is independent. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Ovren is well and favorably known, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.

DAVID DAVIS WALKER, of Anaconda, Montana, has been prominently identified with the interests of this town during the whole period of its existence, and of his life we make biographical mention as follows:

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 138

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