An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 143

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 143

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November 29, 1855, soon after leaving college, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Lncy Alice Alexander, daughter of William and Sarah Alexander, who resided near Shiloh, St. Clair county, Illinois. She was educated at Monticello Seminary, Godfrey, that State. Her father emigrated with his parents from Pennsylvania to Illinois at an early day and settled near Shiloh in what was known as the Alexander settlement. He was a prosperous farmer in his day: died in 1847. Her mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Scott, was a daughter of James and Sa- rah Scott, Mr. and Mrs. Scott having settled in St. Clair county, near Shiloh, with their numerous relatives who

$32,000, and in 1894 $40,000. The ores are nearly all worked at Seattle and East Helena. The MeClintock has a force of men constantly at work in development. It ships some ore. The Yankee Girl is a combination of seven claims, which promise well. The Free Coinage is a good mine. The Ida mine has a force of men doing development work. The shaft is down 220 feet. There is a ten-stamp mill in this district. The Park District has the Clipper, Gold Dust, Switzerland, Unele Ed, Silver Bell, Jaw Bone and others.

emigrated to that place from Virginia. All the Scotts were large land holders. Her mother was a cousin of Judge John Milton Scott, of Bloomington, Illinois.

In 1856 our subject and his wife settled on a farm near Shiloh, and there he was quietly engaged in agricultural pursuits until the Civil war came on. At the breaking out of the war he organized the First Home Guard Com- pany at Shiloh, of which he was Captain. He afterward entered the service as a private in Company A, and as a member of Fremont's body guard was in the Fremont campaign in Missouri, until the removal of General Fre- mont in November, 1861. In 1862 he received an appoint- ment, with the rank of Lieutenant, in a branch of the United States service, organized for the protection of the overland emigrants between Omaha and Walla Walla. Captain Crawford, of Oregon had command of this expe- dition, and to him Mr. Thomas reported for duty at Omaha in May. There he remained in charge of the camp and men until necessary supplies and equipments were put in readiness for the expedition. During this delay Lieu- tenant Thomas organized a company of about sixty men, whom he drilled in cavalry tactics so as to be serviceable on the road in case of Indian attacks. He had charge of this company of mounted meu on the entire ronte and rendered efficient service to the command and expedition until they reached their destination, having traveled about 1,500 miles. The journey was made in safety and without even the loss of a single man. After reaching their destination Lieutenant Thomas received a discharge from this service from his captain, who highly commended his services and deportment npon the expedition. While sojourning on the Pacific coast he visited various portions of Oregon and California with a view to future settle- ment. About the first of December, 1862, he started home, via the Isthmus of Panama, and in the early part of 1863 rejoined his family in Illinois, having traveled over 10,000 miles in less than a year, and brought home with him $600 of his earnings.

In 1863 Mr. Thomas remained on the farm and culti- vated a crop. At the same time he was making prepara- tions to come West with his family, intending then to

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Near Wickes are Comet, Silver Hill, Gregory, Penn Yan, Alta, Rumley, Vista, Bluebird, Valdemere, Minah, Excelsior, Blizzard, Alpine, Harriet, Amelia and many others, which yield every year. Amazon District has several mines which are shipping ores more or less regularly. Bambo Chief, Mono, Pilot, Amazon, Von Armin, Hard Cash and others are located in Park. Dog Town has numerous good prospects: among them are the Ruby, Black Hawk, Red Wing, Elgin, Summit, Alice, Reynold, Whippoorwill, Hope and Black Prince. Cardwell District has

locate in California; but the discovery of the mines at Virginia City, Idaho, and the fact that greenbacks were- at a heavy discount in California, induced him to remove to the former place, thinking to invest his surplus money in groceries, which he could sell for gold dust, and, if dis- satisfied with the country, could go on to California with gold instead of greenbacks. Accordingly, in the spring of 1864, he outfitted six ox teams, four yoke of oxen to each wagon, and loaded them principally with groceries and provisions. With this outfit and his family he left Omaha about the first of June, his family then consisting of his wife and two little sons. More than 1,500 miles had been traversed, 500 of which were through a hostile Indian country, and more than five months had been consumed on the road, when they reached their destination, without serious accident to himself or family, and all in good health and spirits.

October 10, 1864, Mr. Thomas settled on a ranch near the present site of Manhattan, on the west side of the West Gallatin river, in Gallatin county, Montana. Here he soon erected a house, eighteen by twenty feet, built of cottonwood logs, with dirt roof and puncheon floor; and here he lived and farmed until 1871, in the mean- time his primitive cabin having given way to a much more comfortable house. On his farm he used the first gang plow that was ever introduced into Montana. That was in 1866.

In 1871 Mr. Thomas removed to Gallatin to take charge of the Madison Flouring Mill, of which he had become sole owner. lIere he had a wide field for his progressive spirit, studying the art of milling and planning improve- ments which he deemed necessary to establish a success- ful business. The following year he made changes and improvments in the mill and started "Thomas' Extra," a fancy grade of flour, which he put up with such uniform quality and excellence that it soon took the lead at $1 per hundred pounds more than any other flour mannfac- tured in Montana. This grade stood at the head of the flour market in Montana until 1879, although several millers had made an attempt for more than three years to compete with it. He became his own competitor and

the Gold, Gold King, Gold Bug, White Star, Shiloh and Ohio. Radersburg has a number of mines. The Keating, Ringwald, Eiffel, Edith, Black Hawk, Elgin, Jo-Jo and Jewell. Regu- lar shipments of ore are made from the mines in this mining region. Boulder has the Vir- ginia Bell, Louise, Mollie McGregor, Burlin- game, Bambo Chief, Ella and Hidden Treasure.

The mills, furnaces and concentrators of Jef- ferson county are very numerous, and have done their share in reducing Montana ores. Some of them are nearly worn out in the good work,

placed "Thomas' White Rose" on the market, it soon tak- ing the lead and becoming famous. His middlings puri- fier, which he put in operation in 1874, was the first ma- chiuery of the kind ever brought to Montaua. That same year he also brought the first emery wheel buhr dresser to this place. Early in the spring of 1877 he secured one of the finest water powers in the county, aud in July of that year visited Minneapolis and Milwaukee, noted for their fine mills, the improvements in which he examined in detail. Having fully decided to build with the latest and most improved machinery, he contracted with Edward P. Allis & Company for a complete, three-run mill, and this mill he had the satisfaction of seeing completed in De- cember, 1878. He very appropriately named it the Empire Mill. It had the largest capacity of all milis in the Ter- ritory at the time of its erection; is located on Ross creek, about eleven miles uorth of Bozeman. He has all these years conducted a large business, and not only personally superintends the mill but also keeps the books and at- tends to his extensive business correspondence.

Mr. Thomas is liberal in his dealings, and is generous to the needy, asking few favors but granting many. His integrity in business matters has been of great advantage to him, and that, coupled with a thorough knowledge of his trade, is the secret of his success. In business trans- actions his word is his bond, and is so regarded by those with whom he deals.

Ever since he took up his residence in Gallatin county, Mr. Thomas has been a leader among its citizens. He was the first Assessor of the county; was Clerk of the first grand jury impaneled in the county; in 1882 was nomi- nated by the Republican convention for Councilman to the Territorial Legislature, to which position he was elected, and in which he served with credit to himself and his constituents. For this last named office Mr. Thomas' Democratic opponent was W. O. P. Hays, who had been elected before to the same office by a large ma- jority. Mr. Hays and Mr. Thomas were neighbors and warm friends, and both belonged to the same Masonic Lodge and to the Grange, and when it is considered that

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

and many others are silent, waiting for silver to come up to its good old standard; but the sam- pling works at Boulder is a constant worker, doing her best to make the times more golden.

Prickly Pear valley, from Montana City to Jefferson City, has its hills and mountain sides checked with quartz claims and mines as its val- leys were with placers. McClellan, Mitchell, Clancy, Jackson Creek, Clark's Creek, and Holmes' Guleh all have numerous quartz mines and claims more or less developed. The Clancy group have proved very rich with de- velopment.

the distriet was strongly Democratie, Mr. Thomas' elec- tion, although by a small majority, was highly compli- mentary to him.

Although Mr. Thomas has been a Republican ever since the party was organized, has taken an active and prominent part in its campaigns and grown gray in its serviee, he declares to-day, July 21, 1893, that he will no longer support the old party, as he differs with it on the financial question, which he helieves is the most import- and vital question before the people, and must be solved in the interest of the masses by the adoption of a bill for the free and unlimited coinage of silver. While not a member of a church, Mr. Thomas believes in the Chris- tian religion and has all his life contributed liberally to its support. In Masonry he has taken the Royal Arch degree, and was twice Master of Washington Lodge, of Montana Territory. He is a member of the Millers' National Association.

Of his family we record that it now consists of six chil- dren, one child, Annie Julia, having died in 1863, and his devoted wife having passed away January 26, 1890. The names of his children are as follows: Samuel IIomer, George Edgar, Lillian Eugenia, James Finley, Rosa Al- berta and Sarah Isabella. All except the two youngest girls are doing for themselves, and the oklest son, Samuel Homer, is married, and resides at Neihart, this State.

Mr. Thomas' prominence in past years has given him a place among the leading men of his day. A sketch of his life appears in the first history of Montana, and in the United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gal- lery of Eminent Self-made Men, Illinois volume, pub- lished in 1883, we find a sketch of his life and a steel portrait of him. From the last named volume this arti- ele has been largely copied.

JUDGE FRANK IIENRY .- In this great Western country with its vast resources and rapidly growing cities, a young man is able to accomplish in a decade or two as much perhaps as a man of equal ability can in a lifetime in the over-crowded centers of the East. A knowledge of this fact and a desire to bring about the best results

In the foot-hills opposite Montana City are a great number of mines and prospects. Among those most developed is the Bonanza Chief, which has a twenty-stamp mill for working its ores. The ores in this region are free-milling down to permanent water.

The Little Emma, Sterling Price, and Mari- etta, on Jackson creek, are noted for their rich ores and large returns. Harrison and Molly Hunter on Sky High Gulch and Standard, Water-Witch, Rising Sun, Rainbow, Hopeful, Silver King, Little May, Rebecca, Trojan and Yellow Jacket are samples of a large number of

within the least possible time have brought to the West- ern States and Territories mauy of the most enterprising young men from the East. Probably no better example of this elass of men can be found than in the person of our subject-Frank Henry, Judge of the Sixth Judicial District, comprising Park and Meagher counties, Mou- tana. He hails from Ohio, that grand old State that has furnished so many men to occupy prominent and useful positions all over the country, and of his life we present the following review, which, although brief, will serve to show something of his characteristics as well as his great popularity.

Judge Henry was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1855, son of James M. and Elizabeth (Reid) Henry. His father was a Christian minister, and was pastor of one church in Day- ton for a period of sixteen years. The Henrys are de- scended from Scotch-Irish ancestors. The subject of our sketch grew to manhood in Ohio and Indiana, where he received a common-school education, which he supple- mented by reading and study outside of school, and thus prepared himself for any position he migh choose. About the time he reached his majority he removed to Chilli- cothe, Missouri, where he at once began the study of law under the instructions of Luther T. Collier, and was there admitted to the bar in 1878. He was elected City Attor- ney for Chillicothe in 1879, which position he filled most creditably. Ile continued the practice of his profession in that city until 1883, when he came to Montana and en- tered upon a professional career at Livingston. Here he soon became well and favorably known, and in 1886 was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Gallatin county, which necessitated his removal to Bozeman. After filling the position nearly two years, he resigned and returned to Livingston. IIe was the first City Attorney of Livings- ton after it was incorporated as a city. He was first elect- ed Judge in October, 1889, when the district comprised Gallatin, Park and Meagher couuties, his opponent for judicial honors at that time being M. J. Liddell, a native of Louisiana, who had presided as Territorial Judge of Montana. Indge llenry defeated him by several hun-

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

quartz claims on Clark's creek and Holmes' Gulch. On Packer are Pay-up and Fine Gold; on Big Indian are the Gold-Hill and Alabama.

At Porter Grove Camp, north of Dog Town are the Eureka, Eureka Extension, Anna, St. Lonis, Golden Crown, Travonia, Lost Horse, Potomac and Great Western. The above are not more than a tenth of the mines and mining claims in Jefferson county. Every foot-hill and mountain seems intersected with veins of gold, silver, copper and lead; and every gulch and creek carry gravels rich in nuggets and fine gold. During 1890, 1,660 mining claims were recorded, 1,466 quartz claims and 194 placers.

dred majority, which showed his popularity in the dis- trict. His first term on the bench gave such satisfaction that at the last judicial election he had no opposition whatever. Wherever he is known he has the reputation of being a fearless and impartial judge. He is court- eous and unassuming in manner and is ever ready to hear the most humble citizens. Ilis time and study are wholly given to his profession.

Judge Henry is a member of Yellowstone Lodge, K. of P., Livingston, which was organized in 1884. He was the first Chancellor of the order here and has filled all its chairs. Politically, he is a Republican, but in no sense is he a politician.

Iu 1880 Judge Ilenry married Miss Julia Ballinger, daughter of M. S. Ballinger, of Livingston, Montana. They have one child, a son, Merrill.

FINIS BARNET MILLER, deceased, was ranked with the Montana pioneers of 1864 and was for a number of years an honored resident of the Territory.

Mr. Miller was born in Louisville, Kentucky, Novem- ber 15, 1815, a descendant of Scotch ancestors who were early settlers of the South, where they were prominent and wealthy planters. He was twice married. By his first wife he had a son and daughter, the former now de- ceased, and the latter now the wife of Charles G. Com- stock, of St. Joseph, Missouri. In 1851 he married Miss Lucy Ann Kendall, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and after their marriage they removed 10 Missouri. He en- gaged in merchandising at St. Joseph and continued there until 1862, when he removed to Denver, Colorado. In 1864 he returned to St. Joseph and that same year crossed the plains with his wife and five children to Mon- tana, the long and perilous journey across the plains be- ing made with ox-teams and covering a period of four months. They finally landed at Virginia City in safety and he opened up his stock of goods and did business there until the following year. In 1865 he went to IIel- ena and engages in the hardware business with Messrs.

Mills run all the time on these ores and the granite walls, so rich is this granite in gold.

MILLS .- Elkhorn mill at Elkhorn, thirty stamps; Bonanza Chief mill at Montana City, ten stamps; Keating mill at Radersburg, twenty stamps; Iron Age mill at Beaver creek, ten stamps; Smith mill on Indian creek, twenty stamps; Dumphy mill in Park district, twenty stamps; Jewell & Sage mill on Mcclellan, twenty stamps; and Emannel mill in Park dis- triet, five stamps.

CONCENTRATORS .- Comet at Comet, Corbin at Corbin, Cataract at Cataract, and the Hot Springs concentrator.

Clark aud Conrad, under the firm name of Clark, Conrad & Miller, and continued there until 1869. That year he removed to Deer Lodge, established himself in the hard- ware business here, and here he soon acquired a large trade,-indeed, such an extensive trade that ere long he became known as the Iron King of Montana.

In 1875 Mr. Miller sold out and removed with his fam- ily to Oakland, California, where he spent the residue of his life and died, the date of his death being September 29, 1881, and at the time of his death in his sixty-sixth year.

Mr. Miller was a Christian in the truest sense of the word. His influence was always on the side of religion and good morals. At Deer Lodge he was prominent in securing the closing of the stores on Sunday. He aided in the organization of the Presbyterian Church at this place, helped to build their house of worship, and was one of the most ardent and liberal supporters of the Church while he remained in Deer Lodge. His political views were in harmony with the principles of the Demo- cratic party, with which he affiliated all his life. In every respect he was a man of the highest integrity of character.

Mrs. Miller and a part of her children still reside in California. One son, George S., is a resident of Deer Lodge, Montana. He honors the memory of his worthy father, and it was through his kindness that we secured the data for this brief sketch.

DR. W. P. MILLS, a prominent member of the medical profession of Missoula, Montana, is a native of Missouri, born in Pettis county, September 27, 1857. His maternal ancestors were German and his paternal ancestors were Scotch. Several generations on both sides of the family, however, were born in America. Grandfather Mills served in the war of 1812, and lived to be an octogenari- an, while Grandmother Mills lived to be nearly as old, her death occurring in her seventy-eight years. Both were earnest Christians and faithful members of the

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

FURNACES .- Gregory smelter at Gregory, Elk- horn furnace at Elkhorn, Reduction works at Wickes, Amazon smelter at Amazon, and the Sampling works at Boulder.

LEWIS & CLARKE COUNTY.

Minining in Lewis and Clarke county began early in Last Chance, where the Queen City of the mountains has laid the foundations of her warehouses. Last Chance has paid miners' drafts to the amount of some $30,000,000, and is continuing to pay them with a liberal hand. All the principal business houses of Helena have their foundations in gravels that have paid

Baptist Church. For many years they were resideuts of Kentucky. In their family were six children, one of whom, James H., was the Doctor's father. James II. Mills was born in Kentucky and reared in Missouri, marrying in the latter State Miss Kate Parsons, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Isaac Parsons, his people having come to Virginia from England at an early period in the history of this country. The subject of our sketch is the eldest in their family of seven children, four of whom are living. The parents removed to Montana in 1883 and settled on a ranch in Missoula county, where they still make their home.

Dr. Mills received his literary education in Missouri and his medical education in New York city, at the Belle- vue Hospital Medical College, of which institution he is a graduate with the class of 1879. He began his prac- lice at Sweet Springs, Missouri, where he resided until 1882, at which time he came to Missouri. One of his objects in coming to Montana was for a residence in a higher altitude. hoping that thereby his health would be benefited. After his arrival here he traveled all over the State to select a suitable location and finally selected Missoula. He accordingly settled here, and at once be- gan the practice of his profession, at first being in part- nership with Dr. Henke and serving as physician for the construction force of the Rocky mountain division of the Northern Pacific Railroad. In this position he continued during the building of the road over the mountains.

From 1889 until 1892 Dr. Mills and Dr. Parsous were partners, but since the latter date our subject has prac- ticed alone and has met with very satisfactory success. Ile now has a thoroughly equipped office in the First National Bauk building. Dr. Mills is a member of the State Medical Association, and has served as president of the County Medical Association.

June 15, 1881, he was married at Sweet Springs, Mis- souri, to Miss Lizzie West, a native of Maryland, and daughter of Thomas H. West of that State. They have two children, William Gilbert and Mary Almeda.

or would pay if the miners were permitted to present their claims. , Oro Fino and its tribu- taries -- Park, Arastra, Squaw and Limekiln Gulches -- were the feeders of Last Chance, and all have liberally paid the miner for his work. In the mountains around these gulches are the hundred veins of quartz from which the Last Chance glacier ground out the gold so abundant in all these gulches; hence were the Whitlatch Union and the mills to crush its ores.

A few hundred yards east of Last Chance is Dry Gulch, once filled with busy miners, but now a busy street of the Queen City. Above

Politically, the Doctor affiliates with the Democratic party; fraternally, he is an I. O. O. F., having passed all the chairs in both branches of that order. Mrs. Mills is a woman of rare domestic and social graces, and is a worthy member of the Christian Church. Few people in Mis- soula have more friends than the genial Doctor and his amiable wife.

THOMAS FOLEY, one of Montana's earliest pioneers, and now one of Missoula county's most worthy farmers, was born in county Mayo, Ireland, on St. Thomas Day, 1836, a son of Patrick and Mary (McCue) Foley. In 1846 the entire family, consisting of two daughters and three sons, came to America, locating in Pennsylvania, where the father was engaged in coal mining until 1849. He then returned to Ireland on business, and his death oc- curred there in his forty-eighth year. His wife departed this life in 1841. They were devout members of the Catholic Church.

Thomas, their youngest child in order of birth, went to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1850, where he remained until 1855. While there he was promoted to the posi- tion of foreman in a factory. Hle next worked as a farm hand in Wisconsin at $15 per month, was afterward able to command $20 a month, and later farmed land on the shares. In April, 1860, inspired with a spirit of adven- ture, and with a desire for gold-hunting, Mr. Foley crossed the plains to Pike's Peak, Colorado, where he followed mining, with only moderate success. In the spring of 1863 he came to Alder Gulch, Montana, re- maining there until the following fall, and received from $7 to $13 a day; also worked a claim of his own. From there Mr. Foley came to his present location, in the Bitter Root valley, which was then almost a wilderness. In October, 1864, he began work on the new farm, his early efforts at raising grain and vegetables meeting with good success, for which he found a ready market at the various mining camps. Ilis wheat sold for $5 per bushel, and other products equally high. Mr. Foley added to his land from time to time until he now owns

entr

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

are West Dry Gulch, Tucker and Big Indian, all once rich in placers, all rich still in placers, and much richer in quartz. Here Tucker joins hands over the divide with Big Indian, and Sky High in Jefferson county. Before the water famine a bed-rock flume was working up Dry Gulch with a big giant in front cleaning up the gravels from rim-rock to rim-rock. Three miles west of Last Chance is the Ten Mile, where the Broadwater and the great Natato- rium are built in the golden sands, which ex- tend along the bed of the creek for more than twenty miles up into the main range, where

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 143

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