An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 37

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 37

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During his early history in this country, Mr. Hamilton was a strong Union man and a stanch Republican, but later in life he has been more independent in his political views, voting more for men than for party. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity.

FREDERICK HERMSMEYER, one of Sheridan's leading citizens, is a native of Prussia, Germany, born April 13, 1832, his parents being natives of that country.

The Hermsmeyers were a family of farmers and me- chanics,-industrious and respected people. Frederick IIermsmeyer's father served in the German army during the war against Napoleon, and his suffering's in that campaign were such that the result was his death.

At the time of his father's death our subject was seven years old. He received his education in his native land and remained there until he was twenty years of age, at which time he emigrated to the United States, landing in New York and going from there to Cincinnati, where he had relatives. For a year and a half he worked at the carpenter's trade in Cincinnati. In 1854 he went to Cali- fornia, making the journey by way of the isthmus of Panama and landing at San Francisco sick with the Panama fever. After he recovered he began work at his trade there, and continued thus occupied for five years and a half. Then for some time he was engaged in mining at Goddy's bar in Sierra county. While he was successful in the mines and took out considerable gold, he had the misfortune to lose it in an enterprise that proved a failure. In 1860 he went to the State of Nevada and turned his attention to farming, making hay and

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

meet the camp, while we moved slowly on, and I had the pleasure of riding about two miles with my 'waw-haw,' the Big Rogue. (Waw- haw, in the Snake tongue, means 'enemy,' and Stuart calls him this because of an old grudge we had against this huge rascal for instigating his followers to kill some of our cattle when we attempted to winter at the mouth of the Stink- ing Water, in 1860.) About half a mile from where they were pitching their camp, we met about forty warriors on horseback coming to meet and escort ns into camp. On our arrival

pasturing stock. After a residence of four years and a half in Nevada, he came to Montana, arriving at Alder Gulch on the 2d of July, 1866.

At Alder Gulch Mr. Hermsmeyer purchased a mining claim and for eight years he was successfully engaged in mining, during that time taking out about $80,000 in gold. His mining operations, however, were expensive. The next enterprise in which he embarked was sawmill- ing. Purchasing the third mill that was built in Mon- tana, he remodeled it and ran it for ten years. This mill was located on Mill creek, six miles from Sheridan, and supplied the whole valley with lumber during the time he ran it. In 1890 he sold his mill, retired from the busi- ness, and came to Sheridan, where he invested in town property and began to aid in the upbuilding of the place. He purchased and improved a pleasant residence and also built the Ruby hotel, and in addition to dealing in real estate he is loaning money.

Mr. Hermsmeyer was married, in the spring of 1870, to Miss Minnie Willmire, a native of Germany and since 1866 a resident of Montana. They have two interesting daughters, Rosie and Annie. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM M. McKENDRICK, the pioneer dry-goods mer- chant of Marysville, was born in New Brunswick, Canada, July 25, 1850. His father came to America from Aber- deen, Scotland, when a young man, locating in New Brunswick. He married Miss Elizabeth Collins, a native of that place, and both still reside in that country.

William McKendrick, the fourth in a family of ten children, was early inured to mercantile life in his father's store. In 1885 he came to Marysville, and immediately opened a store in a bnikdling 20 x 30 feet, with a stock of goods amounting to $1,500. Ilis business proved a sue- cess from the beginning, and he now occupies a double brick store, with a $25,000 stock of dry goods, notions, clothing and boots and shoes. His store is located on the corner of First and Main streets. The dry-goods depart ment is 36 x 50 feet, and the boot and shoe department 18 x 50 feet. The stock is large and well kept, and by honorable and liberal dealings Mr. MeKendrick has se

Winnemucca, the . Big Medicine,' requested us to pitch our tents near his lodge. To humor him we did so. After we had unpacked he presented my mess with some elk meat, and in return asked for some tobacco to make a medi- cine sinoke. I gave him a small piece, for I could not very well refuse after his present of meat, although onr supply of the weed was very limited, and it was worth $15 per pound in Bannack City when we left. He then assem- bled his braves in two half eireles parallel to each other and both facing the same way, and cured a large trade and the reputation of being the lead- ing merchant of the town. He is also interested in mining claims on Cruse Hill, near the great Drum Lumon mine, which has yielded $16,000,000 to the wealth of the world. As his claims are a continuation of this great mine it is reasonable to expect large returns when they are developed.

Mr. MeKendrick was married August 24, 1886, to Miss J. F. Rawson, a native of Homersville, New York. Our subject has built a good residence in Marysville, also owns his store building, and takes a deep interest in the welfare of the town. In his social relations, he is a member of the A. O. U. W.

JOHN S. M. NEILL, real-estate dealer, Helena, Montana, and Surveyor General of Montana, was born at St. Paul, Minnesota, March 25, 1860, and removed with his parents to Philadelphia when two years of age, aud during the war removed to Washington, District of Columbia. In 1869 he accompanied his parents to Dublin, Ireland, his father, Edward D. Neill, being appointed Consul at that point by President Grant. During his residence of three years on the Emerald Isle he attended the grammar schools of Dublin, and on returning to America entered the schools of Minneapolis, graduating at the high school in 1877, and afterward attending Delaware College at Newark, Delaware, where, in 1881, he graduated with the degree of B. A. Ile then went to Washington, District of Columbia, and entered the Columbia Law University, re- maining there until the spring of 1883, when he came to Montana, locating in Helena, where he become book- keeper for his brother, who was engaged in the lumber business. He afterward acted as business manager of the Helena Independent. Next, he engaged in the real estate business with A. J. Steele for two years, but later conducted business for himself. Mr. Neill is a Democrat in politics, and was appointed by President Cleveland Surveyor General for the District of Montana May 28, 1894.

Mr. Neill was married in 1883 to Miss Margaret G. Evans, daughter of George G. Evans of Newark, Dela- ware. They have one son, George G. E. Neill.

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they then proceeded to do some tall smoking and heavy sitting around, while we exchanged the latest news about war, horse-stealing, etc. They spun long yarns abont what they had done during their buffalo hunt, and on my part I built some marvelous castles in the air about what we were going to do, how we would build towns, kill Indians, buffalo, etc., etc. When we separated for the night, I cautioned them about coming around where our horses were, after dark, explaining to them that we tied and guarded our horses to keep them from being stolen, and that in the night we did not know good Indians from bad ones, etc .; consequently,

ADELPHUS BARTLETT KEITH, Private Secretary to the Governor of Montana, was born in Appleion, Maine, April 24. 1855. His early life was spent on a farm with his parents, where he was able to acquire the rudiments of an education in the country schoolhouse of the period.

At the age of sixteen, with parental consent, he left home and began for himself the struggle of life. Devot- ing his nights and Sundays to close, systematic study, he added to a knowledge of the practical details of the print- ing trade and newspaper work a mastery of short-hand writing and a course of reading in law. Becoming the proprietor of a newspaper, journalism seemed to offer better advantages than the practice of law, and he de- voted himself energetically to that work. His experience in journalism covers a wide field, and he has successfully filled the various positions from that of reporter to that of managing editor and proprietor. He supplemented his journalistic experience with metaphysical studies, and while in New York city graduated at the American Institute of Phrenology, taking a course in mental phi- losophy and in anatomy and physiology.

Some of the more eventful years of his life were spent in Iowa, where he acquired a wide reputation as a news- paper man and politician, as well as a lecturer before popular audiences and educational hodies. He had early identified himself with the Democratic party, and his prominence as a writer and speaker led to his unanimous nomination for the office of Secretary of State by the Democratic State convention of Iowa, in 1880. Mr. Keith was then twenty-five years of age, but as the head of the State ticket he made a vigorous campaign, running ahead of his ticket in the State, and taking his place as one of the prominent leaders of the party in Iowa. He subse- quently served on important committees, and in 1884 was an alternate to the national convention in Chicago, and in 1888 represented lowa as a delegate to the national con- vention in St. Louis.

lle gave to the Denison (Iowa) Bulletin more than a

after dark they all stayed around their own lodges. They were all anxious to trade for to- bacco and ammunition, but we had none to spare. Winnemucca and the Bannacks do not agree very well. He calls them thieves and liars, and they are afraid to retaliate for fear he will cast an evil spell on them, for these fool Bannacks tell and believe that he can do all sorts of impossible things, such as making the game plenty or scarce, being invulnerable to fire-arms, catching rifle-balls in his hands, etc., etc .; but if it should ever become necessary, I think he would have warin work stopping a ball from my trusty Sharpe's rifle. This is the first

State-wide reputation, established Der Demokrat, a Ger- man paper, and other newspaper enterprises in that State. At a later date he was associated with Judge Kinne, Dow of the Supreme Court, in the publication of the Des Moines Daily Leader.

Having retired from practical politics, in deference to sentiments long cherished, Mr. Keith, in April, 1889, lo- cated in Helena, Montana, taking the editorship of the Montana Farming and Stock Journal. At the close of the State campaign that year he yielded to the earnest solicitation of Hon. Russell B. Harrison and accepted the managing editorship of the Helena Daily Journal, which he conducted with success through the memorable Pre- cinct 34 contest and the legislative muddle that followed. After a year's absence, recuperating health and energy, he resumed work on the Journal, remaining until Mr. Harrison's unfortunate business complications in the East led to the closing down of the big printing house immedi- ately after the defeat of his father, President Harrison, in 1892. Shortly after this Mr. Keith accepted the posi- tion of private secretary to the Governor, tendered hy Governor J. E. Rickards, of Montana.

Outside of office hours Mr. Keith's taste for journalism finds expression in the managing editorship of the Mon- tana Mining Area, a semi-monthly non-partisan maga- zine devoted 10 the mining interests of the State and recognized as the organ of that industry. He is promi- nent in the advocacy of silver, with both pen and voice, and proves his faith by liberal investments in mining enterprises.

Interested in mining matters, Mr. Keith lectures occa- sionally under the auspices of the Northwestern Lecture Bureau. Referring to one of his humorous productions, the New York Mail and Express said: " A new humorist has dawned in the West." The New York Journalist spoke of him as another Bill Nye, while the Helena Daily Herald commented upon a humorous lecture as follows : "'Brains : How to Make a Few go a Long Way Without

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time he has accompanied the Bannacks to hunt the buffalo, his headquarters being among the Pahute tribes along the castern base of the Sierra Nevada from Boise to the great Colorado desert, all of which tribes speak a common language and seem to acknowledge his author- ity, although they have special chiefs for each tribe. (.Winnemucca,' says Granville Stuart, ' was the father of the somewhat talented Sarah Winnemucca, who married a lientenant, and occasionally comes to the surface in communica- tions to the Nevada newspapers.')

"During the night they had some singing and dancing over some Flathead scalps. They

Using Any,' was the subject of a most interesting lecture at the Y. M. C. A. rooms last evening. Colonel A. B. Keith has had much experience as a lecturer, and as a humorist of originality ranks among the best in the coun- try." However, Mr. Keith has no ambitions in the line of humor, and his sketches and lectures of that character are merely for diversion.

July 3, 1875, Mr. Keith was married to Miss Carrie Bieber, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and they have had seven children, of whom five are living. He is domestic in his tastes, and attributes much of his success in life to his estimable wife. He holds a membership in several secret societies, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Iowa Legion of Honor, and Woodmen of the World being among the number. In the last named order he is a head officer and a member of the executive council.

CHARLES E. BECKWITH, who is engaged in the insur- ance business at Missoula, Montana, is ranked with the enterprising men of the place and is eminently deserving. of some personal mention in this work.

Mr. Beckwith was born in Fredericton, New Bruns- wick, June 30, 1836. His ancestors were English people who emigrated to New York during the early history of this country. When the Revolution was inaugurated they remained loyal to the king, and this resulted in their re- moval to New Burnswick, where three generations of the family have since resided. Frances E. Beckwith, our subject's father, was born there. He was a merchant, a prominent citizen, and was High Sheriff of Victoria county for a number of years. Ile married Miss Harriet Greenwood, a native of Halifax. Both were worthy mem- bers of the Episcopal Church. She died at the age of forty two, and he lived to be sixty-seven years of age.

Charles E. Beckwith is the youngest in a family of eight children. He was reared in his native town and was educated in her public schools. From Fredericton

state that about a week ago a party of Bannacks found two lodges of Flatheads who were en- camped, hunting somewhere below the Vermil- ion butte, on the Missouri, between Beaver creek and Spokan bar. They killed seven of them and captured thirty-five head of horses. Such is war among Indians- a massacre of the weak and defenseless by the strong whenever occasion offers. Only traveled six miles to-day. One of our horses broke loose last night, and it was 1 p. M. to-day before we found him. It had gone with the Indian horses; and in the morn- ing some of the herders tied it up, and the old chief, after haranguing the camp as usual,

he removed to Grand Falls, New Brunswick, where for twenty-eight years he was engaged in land surveying. In 1886 he came with his family to Montana, purchased a commodious and attractive residence on Pine street in Missoula, and has since continued to reside here. Since taking np his abode in Missoula he has given his atten- tion to the insurance business. He now has a large and lucrative business, representing some fifteen or twenty of the most solid and reliable insurance companies in the world, among which we note the following: Commercial Union, Phoenix, Lion, Imperial, Liverpool & London & Globe, Scottish Union, London & Lancashire, National of Hartford, Providence, Washington, American of Newark, Home Mutual, Western and others. JIe also has the Equitable Life, Pacific Mutual Accident and the Metro- politan Plate Glass. His nicely furnished office is in the First National Bank building.

Mr. Beckwith was married August 19, 1859, to Miss Sarah Hammond, a native of Victoria county, New Bruns- wick, and a daughter of A. B. Hammond, of that county. A record of their eight children is as follows: Clara, the oldest, is now the wife of C. II. McCloud, who is vice president and manager of the Missoula Mercantile Com- pany; Harriet is the wife of J. M. Keath, cashier of the First National Bank of Missoula: and the other children, Charles, Annie, George, Andrew, Emma and Sadie, are at home. The family are Episcopalians, and Mr. Beck- with is treasurer of the church committee. Ile is a strong temperance man, and his political views are in harmony with the principles advocated by the Republican party.

JESSE J. BIRD, one of Montana's worthy pioneers, is engaged in ranching eight miles northwest of Virginia City. Of his life and ancestry we make record as follows:

Mr. Bird was born in Patrick county, Virginia, June 2, 1831, son of Benjamin and Lucy (Gradey) Bird, both na-, tives of the Old Dominion. Benjamin Bird was a sollier in the war of 1812. He died many years ago, leaving a widow and five children. All the latter are still living.

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mounted his horse and brought ours to us, for which he charged the moderate sum of $5. I do not know how brave he may be in battle, but he evidently knows how to make a good charge. They have lost most of their horses during the winter, and about half of them are on foot. Early in the morning the women and children started ont walking and leading their pack-horses; it pleased me to see fancy dressed young bucks having to foot it. It snowed about three inches last night, and to-day we followed down the creek we had camped on until near the river; we then turned to the left through the low hills, when a few minutes brought us

The mother reached the advanced age of ninety-five years, and passed away in 1893. Jesse J. is their oldest child. He remained in his native State until his nine- teenth year. Then he went to Illinois and worked for wages, and remained there until 1864, when he crossed the plains to Montana, coming direct to Virginia City. Gold had been discovered there a year before and it was then a busy mining camp. He at once secured employ- ment, helped to put in the water works, and for this re- ceived $100 per month. After that he engaged in mining and spent five years there. Then he prospected a year. Next, we find him settled on a ranch a half mile below his present farm. In 1873, after having worked this place three years, he sold out and took up his abode where he now resides. Here he owns 130 acres of fine land.

In 1878 Mr. Bird married Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan, a na- tive of Canada. Their only child died in infancy, and in 1885 Mrs. Bird was called to her last home. Mr. Bird's aged mother lived with him up to the time of her death, since which his sister Ann has been his housekeeper.

In his early life Mr. Bird was a Whig. Later, he be- came a Democrat, and recently he has joined the ranks of the Populist party. During his long residence in Madison county Mr. Bird has maintained a good and worthy char- acter, and by those who know him best he is most highly respected.

LAPEYRE BROTHERS, the pioneer and leading druggists : of Great Falls, Montana, established their business here in 1886. They began in a small way, gave close attention to their business, met with marked success and iu 1890 they built their brick block on the corner of Centre and Third avenues, one of the best business corners in the city. This building is 25 x 100 feet: two of its floors are occupied by their stock of drugs and its upper rooms are utilized for offices. They keep an elegant stock of all kinds of goods in their linc. By their straightforward business methods and their courteous treatment of customers, they have won their way to the front and are justly deserving

to the Madison river. The bottom land for three miles wide is a swamp impassible to ani- mals, and I suppose from one end of the valley to the other in length. On the east side of the valley there are a number of small creeks coming out of a snowy mountain. We camped for the night on the only creek coming from the west; we called it 'Swamp creek,' because several of our horses mired down in crossing it. It was very windy and disagreeable to-day. Saw a few antelope and some geese. Traveled eight miles.

"16th .- Cold and windy. I killed an ante- lope and two black-tailed deer. Saw plenty of

of the position they occupy as the leading druggists of the city.

These gentlemen, A. R. and B. E. Lapeyre, are of French ancestry. Their parents, Alexander and Emilie (Vigner) Lapeyre, were born in France. They emigrated to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1832, and there the father was engaged in business up to the time of his death, which occurred in the sixtieth year of his age. The mother died at the age of forty-eight. The brothers, A. R. and B. E., were born in St. Louis in the years 1857 and 1861 respectively. They grew up in their native city, received their education there, and there learned the drug busi- ness. In 1874 they came to Montana and located at Helena, where for a number of years they were in the employ of Henry M. Parchen, druggist, and in 1886, as above stated, took up their abode in Great Falls. Previous to his coming here B. E. was for a time at Butte City with the Parchen firm and later with M. A. Flanagan at Fort Benton.

Both are members of the Masonic fraternity and in their political views are Republicans.

GEORGE W. DART, one of Dillon's most highly esteemed business men, is ranked with the Montana pioneers of 1863. A resume of his life is as follows:

George W. Dart was born at Mount Clemens, Michigan, December 2, 1837. His ancestors emigrated from Eng- land to Connecticut in the early settlement of that State, where his father, Thomas Dart, was born in 1794. Thomas Dart was a soldier during the war of 1812. He married Miss Alice Rowe, a native of Michigan, born in 1827. They became the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom fonr are still living. The par- ents were pioneer farmers at Mount Clemens, where they spent most of their lives and died, the father in his sixty- second year and the mother in her fiftieth.

George W. is the youngest of the family. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his native place and in the city of Detroit, where, later, he learned the hardware

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deer and antelope. We traveled through low hills all day, up one ravine and down another, but could not raise the color in prospecting for gold. Camped on a small branch that sinks abont a mile before it reaches the river. Trav- eled twelve miles to-day.

"17th .- Followed creek down to river and then down the river three or four miles; then crossed it. At this point it was over 100 yards wide. Saw about twenty elk at the crossing, and occasionally an antelope in the course of the day's travel; also saw a black bear, and some buffalo tracks abont a week old. Found plenty of burnt quartz and could raise the color, but that would not pay to stop and prospect. The mountain on the west side of the Madison looks favorable for gold; low, red hills along the base of the mountain. Timber is very scarce; there are a few firs high up on the mountains, and a few cottonwoods along the streams, but not enough to support a small farming community.

business with Edwards & McGibbon. With this firm he remained five years. Then he removed to St. Paul. That was in 1855, and there he remained eight years, working at the tinner's business, a part of the time on bis own account. In 1863 he came to Montana, making the journey across North Dakota to Fort Benton, in company with a train composed of thirty wagons and seventy men, being five months en route landing at his destination in safety.

Upon his arrival in Montana, he first engaged in min- ing at Confederate Gulch, which he continued for two years, meeting with fair success. He then engaged in freighting from Fort Benton to Salt Lake and to Ban- nack and other mining camps During those times he camped in his wagon most of the time. He was at Bannack wben Plumber and some of bis men were hung in 1864. Appreciating the situation and the necessity of immediate action, Mr. Dart joined the Vigilant Com- mittee and aided in sustaining law and order. As a re- sult of the prompt action of those committees the country was freed of its lawless element and plundering and kill- ing ceased.

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 37

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