An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 158

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 158

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

Landowner mine, which gives such promise of golden returns that a company has been formed to erect a mill for working the quartz. Impor- tant discoveries of quartz veine are reported on Rocker creek. Cedar creek placers are again coming to the front and its group of copper claims are said to be very bright prospects. At Wallace, some five miles from the Northern Pacific and east of Missoula, there is another group of mines which are now attracting the attention of mining men. The West Point, Hidden Treasure, Eagle and Wallace are men- tioned with favor. The Eight Mile District has a number of mines showing large bodies of gold-bearing quartz. Mr. Marsh mentions the

expanded by his early training, Mr. Cooper's relentlessly active mind has gathered to it the attributes of the thinker and student, well able to present his views in the public prints and upon the rostrum.

Mr. Cooper was born in the town of Sterling, Cayuga connty, State of New York, July 4, 1843, and was the third son of Andrew H. and Sarah E. Cooper. His paternal grandfather was of Irish descent, and his grand- father on the mother's side was of Scotch descent. Both father and mother were from the town of Argyle, Wash- Ington county, New York. Argyle was founded by Don- ald McGillvra, great-grandfather of Mr. Cooper, and was by him named for his birth-place, Argyle county, Isle of Mull, Scotland, where he was born in 1723, and whence he came to America,-first to Canada, as a private soldier in the British army. In 1752 he served with Gener- al Wolfe during the latter's campaign against the French, and fonght under Wolfe on the plains of Abraham, Sep- tember 13, 1759. This sturdy Scotch soldier gained an enviable reputation for courage and stability, and was honorably discharged, in the year 1759, after seven years' service. The original discharge is now in the possession of the Cooper family. After his discharge Donald Me- Gillvra went directly to New York city, where he re- mained three years, and then located at the town of He- bron, in Washington county, New York. There he re- mained a number of years. Having cast his lot with the American party, he was set upon by Indians and Tories to such a degree that he was forced to abandon his home, and he finally joined the American army and entered the Revolutionary struggle. In 1789 he settled again in Washington county and founded the town of Argyle, where he died in 1812, aged eighty-nine years. George Cooper, grandfather of Mr. Cooper on the father's side, and Daniel McGillvra, son of Donald McGillvra, grand- father on the mother's side, emigrated from Washington county, New York, to the town of Sterling, Cayuga

White Cloud, the L. R. and the Anna Bell among the mines of this camp, sixteen miles from Missoula.

Among the other quartz claims of Missoula county the following have been deemed worthy of mention: Abraham Lincoln, Alhambra, Alps, American Girl, Argentine, Argo. Aspen, Augusta, Badger, Bay Hoss, Bell-of-the-Hill, Big Pittsburg, Bill Nye, Black Drake, Blue Dick, Brooklyn, Bullion, Cashier, Carlton, Chi- cago, Chieftian, Cinnamon Bear, Clan-na-Gael, Clear Grit, Climax. Comstock, Contention, Cop- per Queen, Copper Trust, George Crane, Crown Point, Crystal Daisy, Dandy, Dearborn, Dick & Joe, Dutchman, Echo, Eclipse, Elephant,

county, New York, arriving April 27, 1827, and being among the early settlers in that section. George Cooper was of Irish parentage and served in the war of 1812, being stationed at Fort Oswego, where he was taken prisoner by the British squadron under Sir James Yeo, who bombarded and captured the fortress in 1814.

Andrew H. Cooper, father of Walter Cooper, was born at Argyle, Washington county, New York, in 1813, and married Sarah E. McGillvra, daughter of Daniel Mc- Gillvra, at the town of Sterling, Cayuga county, New York, October 30, 1832.

Sarah E. McGillvra was born in Washington county, New York, November 29, 1814. Mr. Cooper lived in the near vicinity of Sterling until 1845, when he emigrated with his family, consisting of wife and four sons, to Shiawassee county, Michigan, where he died June 24, 1851, leaving a wife and six sons. The oldest son was but sixteen years of age, and upon him the care of this large family largely devolved. Shortly after the death of his father, at the age of eight years, Walter was sent to Lan- sing, Michigan, to live with a maternal aunt, who prom- ised to educate and care for him as her own. For three years the boy lived with this aunt, not having seen the in- side of a schoolhonse. Becoming dissatisfied, he ran away from his aunt, and hence we find him, at the early age of twelve, working as a farm hand in summer and in the lumber camps in northern Michigan in winter,-depend- ing entirely npon his own resources. Mrs. Cooper had in the meantime returned to New York, taking her second and three younger sons.

The fall of 1858 Walter started West, reaching Leaven- worth, Kansas, in the month of November, where he passed the winter, driving team for the Government and doing such work as he could find to do until February, 1859, when he engaged to drive a team across the plains to Pike's Peak, where he worked as a herder on a ranch. In the spring of 1860 he joined a prospecting expedition

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

Elkhorn, Half Moon, Harrison, Hatch, Home, Montana, Pardee and Pleasant View. The old discoveries on Wolf creek south of Demersville are once more attracting the attention of miners and capitalists.

Richard Marsh, who has given the mines of Missoula much attention, gave me the following facts some time since.

In many mining camps of Missoula county the development has not yet reached a stage be- yond prospect holes a few feet in depth, and the sole means of transportation is by pack animals over rough trails. In those districts that have had the advantage of railway facilities, the pro- dnetive power of the mines have been amply

to the San Juan mountains. The party left Denver, Colo- rado, early in May, and visited old 'Mexico. Returning to Colorado in the winter of 1861, our subject spent the summer and fall of 1862 near Colorado Springs. acting at times as scout for the First Colorado Regiment. In No- vember, 1863, he started for Montana (then Idaho), ar- riving at Virginia City in February, 1864, and engaging at once in mining in Alder Gulch. In May he became interested with Charles Cooper in a freight train, with which he started for Fort Benton to meet the steamboats, -expecting to return to Virginia City with freight. During 1864 the water was so low in the Missouri river that little freight reached Fort Benton, and he was forced to return with his teams empty. Arriving at Virginia City in August, he disposed of his train, fitted out a team with supplies for winter, and located and passed the win- ter of 1864-5 in the Missouri river valley, near Round Grove, spending the winter in hunting. In the spring of 1865 he engaged in mining at Nelson Gnlch and other points, which occupation he followed with varying suc- cess until the fall of 1869, when he settled in Bozeman, Gallatin county, Montana.

On the 19th of April, 1870, Mr. Cooper married Miss Mariam D. Skeels, only daughter of Nelson Skeels, of Boulder Valley, Jefferson county, Montana, and he has since resided at Bozeman. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have had one son and two daughters born to them, the son and one daughter having died in infancy; they have one daughter, Mariam Cooper, living, aged four years.

In 1870 Mr. Cooper founded in Bozeman a mercantile house which became famous as the most complete estab- lishment of its kind in the Northwest. Ile also engaged in the fur business in 1872, giving this branch of business such energy that, as a result of his efforts, Bozeman in three years became second in importance as a shipping point for fur robes and skins. Mr. Cooper invented and patented many improvements in firearms, and at one time

demonstrated by cash returns from marketed ores. Most of the mineral veins are found in the granites and micaceons slates. Coal of the lignite variety and fire-clay of fair quality have been found in the immediate vicinity of the city of Missoula, in formations of sandstone, slates and limestones. The coal has been burned to a limited extent in the grates of that city; but sufficient development has not been done on these lignite deposits to demonstrate their com- mercial value.

At Wallace, seventeen miles east of Missoula, are located quarries of excellent granite. It has been used with success in several of the best business blocks in Missoula. At Frenchtown

manufactured the most famons long-range hunting rifle ever used in the West. He was selected as one of the in- corporators of the city of Bozeman in 1883, on the adop- tion of the city charter, and was a member of the first City Conncil; was nominated for Mayor of the city of Bozeman by the Democratic city convention in 1888, but declined for business reasons. On the organization of the Board of Trade of Bozeman, in 1883, Mr. Cooper be- came its first president, in which capacity he served two years. In 1884 he was nominated by the Democratic dis- triet convention of the First Judicial District, was elected to the Constitutional Convention as delegate at large, and was made chairman of the Committee on Privileges and elections. He was again nominated and elected to the Constitutional Convention in 1889, on the admission of Montana into the Union, and was made chairman of the Committee on Appointment and Representation. As chairman of this committee Mr. Cooper reported and strongly advocated the adoption of the famous article giving one Senator to each county. This article was bit - terly opposed by delegates from populous districts, but was ratified by the convention after a fierce struggle, be- came a part of the constitution and is thoroughly appre- ciated, especially by the less populous counties, being considered a safeguard against reckless legislation and serving to dignify the Senate and render it a more con- servative body.

Mr. Cooper was selected by the State Convention as a delegate at large to the National Democratic Convention held at Chicago in 1892, was selected and served on the Committee on Credentials, espoused the cause of the regular delegates, Ilenry P. Ilenderson and John T. Coign, of Utah, against the contesting delegation backed by an influential club, in which contest Mr. Cooper de- veloped rare qualities as a debater, showing, as well, a thorough knowledge of Western affairs. The regular delegates were seated, and Mr. Cooper received a letter

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

are the lime quarries and kilns that produce much of the quicklime used along the line of the Northern Pacific for 100 miles east and west. Marble, that has been pronounced equal to the best Italian stone, has been found within the county limits. The Paying Teller mine is located three miles from Missoula, on the east side of Rattle Snake creek. This ledge is in slate, is from two to four feet in width, carries copper sulphides, copper carbonates, galena and free gold. The gangue is a fine white quartz without clay or tale.

Wallace Camp is located seventeen miles east of Missoula. The mines are from two to five

of thanks from the Utah Territorial Central Committee. Mr. Cooper was nominated as an Elector on the Demo- cratic ticket in 1892, and ran several hundred ahead of his ticket.

He was elected president of the State Pioneer Society in 1892, serving two years, and was elected president of the Pioneer Society of Gallatin County in 1893, serving one year. He is at present a member of the State Legis- lature. He was appointed by Governor Rickards, in 1892, as a member of the local executive board of the Montana College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, in which capacity he still serves. In the business world, Mr. Cooper's foresight, courage, and, above all, his tireless energy, have won for him a position in the forefront. His associates say he was never known to express a doubt in the ultimate success of any enterprise in which he was interested.

When, in 1889, the city of Bozeman wanted a supply of fresh water for fire protection and domestic use, Mr. Cooper acquired the water right on Lyman creek, organ- ized the Bozeman Water-Works Company, and caused the construction of the most perfect system of water-works in the Northwest. He is vice-president and one of the largest stockholders of the company. In 1884 he secured control of the coal fields on Rocky Fork, and, together with Hon. Samuel Word, of Helena, brought about the building of the Rocky Fork & Cooke City Railway, and the development of this great coal field, with its limitless supply of the most excellent coal. From the inception of this enterprise to its completion, covering a period of six years,-much of Mr. Cooper's time was occupied with it. As an enterprise bearing upon the general welfare of the State it will douhtless rank among the most important achievements of the last decade, and its history from start to finish stands in perpetual credit to the master mind of Mr. Cooper. As one fam liar with almost every detail of this enterprise, the writer regards Mr. Cooper's connec- tion with it as Napoleonic. The difficulties surmounted,

miles from the Northeru Pacific. The ledges are large and the ore is generally low grade. More activity prevails here at present than for the several years past. The following claims have received the most attention: The Treas- urer, which has a 75-foot shaft and 100-foot tunnel, showing a strong ledge of galena and copper sulphides; the West Point, which has a 50 foot shaft and a 50-foot tunnel, showing galena and copper sulphides; the Eagle, which has 175 feet of shaft and tunnel; the Anchor, which has a 50 foot shaft and 65-foot tunnel; the Hidden Treasure, which has a 110-foot shaft; the Kenebec, an 85- foot shaft; the Wal-

the energy displayed and the benefits accruing to the State at large make it a memorable page în Montana's history.

Mr. Cooper has among other things devoted some of his attention to mining. He organized and is president of the Bozeman Gold & Silver Mining Company. He was also instrumental in organizing the Bozeman Milling Com- pany, operating one of the largest flouring-mills in the State, and of this he is president, as well as its largest stockholder.

Mr. Cooper is identified with many other enterprises of a public and private nature. In politics he is a Democrat and has taken a prominent part in the councils of his party since the formation of Montana as a Territory, as well as rendering it and his beloved State valuable service whenever called on. He has earned and deserves the reputation of being a skillful leader of men,-an organ- izer whose magnetism, personal courage and unceasing activity have always won and merited approval. Time and again he has led his party to victory, directing its move- ments with cool judgment and clever generalship.

Mr. Cooper has a pleasing and engaging personality. He is exceptionally well informed upon all subjects, and takes a lively interest in the welfare of the State, for Mr. Cooper's predominating characteristic is loyalty to his country. There is no man prouder of the American flag, more devoted to his country, or who feels like drawing himself to a greater height when he says, "I am an American, and from the State of Montana."

A. K. YERKES.

PAUL W. FANN, a respected Montana pioneer of 1863, was born in Greene county, Tennessee, October 29, 1820. He is of German ancestry, who located in Virginia prior to the Revolutionary war. George Fann, the father of our subject, enlisted for service in that struggle at the age of sixteen years, and served with Washington for three years and six months. His wife, nee Lucinda Wil- son, had three children by a former marriage. Mr. Fann

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

lace, which has eighty feet of work in shaft and tunnel; and the Southern Cross, which has 100 feet in shaft and tunnel.

The mines of Thompson river are located nine miles to the northeast of Thompson Falls. The formation is quartzite, which extends easterly and westerly through the country in a belt from three to four miles wide. Up to the present the heaviest producing mine of the camp has been the Silver King, or, as it is better known by its old name, the Belle Stowe. In this the ledge ents the formation at right angles to the strata, and has most of the characteristics of a true fissure vein. The present development consists

was also previously married, and had sixteen children. To the parents of our subject were born six children. The former is the only known survivor of his father's twenty-two children. Mrs. Fann died at the age of sixty- eight years, and her husband survived until eighty-seven years of age.

Paul W. Fann, the subject of this sketch, went with his parents to Illinois when fonrteen years of age, and in 1844 removed to Wisconsin. After his father's death, he had the entire care of his mother until her death, in 1852. He then made the jonrney with ox teams across the plains to California, having spent six months and nine days on the road, and for the following five years was en- gaged in mining at Shasta. While there he found $176 worth of gold dust in one day, and on another occasion fonnd $196 in one pan. From there Mr. Fann returned to New York, cia Panama, Aspinwall, and Havana, and in twenty-one days traveled 5,321 miles, on the steamer John D. Stephens. He next returned to Wisconsin; in 1859 located in Colorado; next went to New Mexico, and again to Colorado. While in the latter State, Mr. Fann mined on California Gulch, where he took ont $8,800 worth of gold in four months.

Ile subsequently returned to Wisconsin; in 1862 made the journey to Powder river, Oregon; in 1863 went to Boise Basin, Idaho, and in the same year came to the Bitter Root valley. He purchased 160 acres of land, which he improved and farmed for twenty-one years, and then sold the land to Marcus Daly. It now forms a por- tion of the fine Daly farm. Mr. Fanu next purchased eighty acres three-fonrths of a mile from lIamilton, which he sold six years afterward for $3,000. In 1893, having decided to retire from agricultural pursuits, he purchased an acre of ground in this city, and built the comfortable and commodious residence in which he is now enjoying the comforts that his industry has secured.

September 20, 1882, our subject was united in marriage with Mrs. Polly Harris, who had resided on a farm near

principally of two tunnels perpendicularly 100 feet apart, the lower one 180 feet long. The upper tunnel has been driven on the ledge 350 feet, and has encountered five distinct ore chutes, each of which shows in the level a dis- tance of from thirty to forty feet. The ore is mostly copper glance, running well in silver. There is a small amount of nickel and cobalt, though not in sufficient quantities to justify ex- traction. This mine has shipped during the year an average of about twenty tons of ore per week. This has netted from $900 to $1,000 per car-load. The mine is in good condition and substantial shape. Thirty men are employed.

Mr. Fann's for many years. She had seven children by her former marriage, of whom three daughters and one son are still living. Mrs. Fann is a worthy member of the Advent Church. In his political relations, Mr. Fann has voted the Democratic ticket for fifty years, and so- cially was at one time a member of the "Granger" so- ciety. IIe has lived an upright, industrious and honorable life, and has secured the good will and respect of all who know him.

EDGAR GLEIM MACLAY, one of Montana's pioneers of 1863 and a pioneer merchant of Great Falls, was born near Johnstown, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, August 26,1844, and traces his lineage to the clan Maclay of the highlands of Scotland, one of Scotland's most not- ed clans. The first of the family to come to America was Charles Maclay, in 1635, who settled in the Keystone State, where eight generations of the family have since been born, and where Mr. Maclay's father, John Maclay, was born, in September, 1792.

Mr. E. G. Maclay, of this sketch, the ninth of eleven children, was educated in the common school at St. Louis. In 1863, at the age of nineteen years, he came to Montana, with Captain N. Wall, a member of the firm of John J. Roe & Company, who were sending a stock of goods to Montana; and Mr. Maclay accompanied the expedition as its bookkeeper. They arrived at Virginia City, Novem- ber 1, 1863, and opened a store.

After a residence of three years at Virginia City, Mr. Maclay moved with the firm to Helena. In 1868 he was one of the three gentlemen who bought ont the firm, and the following year Mr. Broadwater became a member of the firm, and, in addition to merchandising, they did a large freighting business to Bozeman, Missoula, Deer Lodge, Helena and all the military posts in the Territory. In 1881 Mr. Maclay sold out to his partner, Mr. Broad- water, and remained out of business for a year, in which time he made a trip East to improve his health. He then returned to HIelena and formed a partnership with

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

The mines of Vermillion creek are in granite. The ledges contain a free-gold quartz. A ten- stamp mill has been erected on one of these by the Missoula Mining Company. Two short runs have been made with this mill, but the ex- act results have not been made public. This district is twenty miles to the west of Thomp- son Falls. Fisher creek is fifteen miles from the Vermillion station of the Northern Pacific, and most of this distance is by trail only. Of the several properties of the camp, more devel- opment has been done on the Silver Bow than on any of the others, and better opportunity is presented to study the general characteristics which appear to be common to the several mines

J. T. Murphy, Sam Neel and Dr. W. W. Higgins, opening a general merchandise store at Fort Benton. Mr. Neel died in 1882, and Mr. Murphy purchased the interest of Dr. Higgins, and the firm name became Murphy, Maclay & Company, in which form it has since continued. They continued the business at Fort Benton, meeting with sat- isfactory success.

In 1884, when the city of Great Falls was started, they opened a branch establishment there, that being the first general store in the town. The business at Great Falls increased so rapidly that in 1886 they decided to consoli- date the whole business at Great Falls. In 1893 they dis- posed of the general stock and embarked in the hard- ware trade exclusively, in which they now carry a large stock and enjoy a successful business. Mr. Maclay has also been engaged in Inmbering, with Ira Myers as part- ner, is oue of the owners of the Diamond R mines at Nei- hart, and has other investments. When the Great Falls National Bank was organized he became one of the first stockholders, and was elected vice president, which posi- tion he has since held. In company with Paris Gibson, Ira Myers and others, he formed the Great Falls Water Company, which now furnish the city with an excellent water system. Indeed, he has aided iu all other enter- prises which have had for their object the improvement and advancement of the city of his choice, and so has ac- quired the reputation of being one of. her most success- fnl, public-spirited and enterprising citizens.

In 1882 he married Miss Blanche Murphy, a cousin of his partner and a daughter of Joseph Murphy, now of Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Maclay have had three children, one of whom they lost by death in its infancy. The liv- ing are: Theodora J. and Edgar G., Jr.

Mr. Maclay's political affiliations have always been Democratic, but he has never sought office, preferring to give his whole attention to his business interests, in which he has met with well earned success.

of this district. A series of veins run in a zone at and near a contact between quartzite and slate. Below the contact and running parallel in the stata of the slate are several veins carry- ing galena in a quartz gangue. The mineral- ized zone on the Silver Bow is over 100 feet wide. The Monarch is the adjoining claim on the east and on the same ledge. On the west of the Silver Bow is the Panhandle mine. The Tenderfoot is a property in this same belt which carries essentially a free-milling gold ore. Fisher creek is a most promising camp and with the completion of a wagon road will imme- diately become a producer of no small import- ance.

DR. O'DILLON B. WHITFORD began the practice of his profession in Butte City in 1876, and has the reputa- tion of being one of the oldest practitioners in the State of Montana.

He was born in Ohio, November 4, 1834, of English and Scotch ancestry long residents in America. His father, Augustns II. Whitford, was born in Wayne county, New York, and married Miss Charlotte Bidwell, a native of his own county and also of English ances- try. They emigrated to Wayne county, Ohio, being pioneers there, and later moved to Noble county, Indi- ana. In 1856 they started for Nebraska, intending to lo- cate there, but Mr. Whitford died on the way there, in Iowa. He was a thoroughly read man, ane was one of great intelligence and power as a public speaker, rea- soner and debater; was a lover of liberty and an invet- erate hater of slavery. While in Indiana, indeed, he was

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 158

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