An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 43

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 43

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JOSIAH HI. RAY, one of the most prominent citizens of Glendive, was born in Portage county, Ohio, in 1826. ITis parents were Patrick and Margaret (Koonce) Ray; pater- nal ancestry, Scotch; maternal, German. He was edu- cated at Hiram College, with James A. Garfield. In 1849 he went to Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits, and where he was married in 1832,

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do so. None of us ever expected for a moment that we would get through withont a battle, and at a great disadvantage, too; but they are a superstitions, cowardly set, and I believe they are getting rather afraid of us, thinking that our ' medicine' is very strong; for, in the first place, they were amazed to find that they had not killed us all in the night attack, and then our sallying out and defying them to come and fight us the next morning, astonished them still more, and our calm and deliberate way of get- ting ready and moving slowly off, convinced them that it would be dangerous to come within our reach, and now, to-day, our two men riding so boldly, almost among them, and cutting

to Angelia M. Hopkins, daughter of Robert Hopkins, a lineal descendant of Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, from the State of Rhode Island. Her mother was a lineal descendant of General Bartholomew of the Colonial period. Mr. Ray and wife have four children,- three daughters aud a son : Emma E., Maggie M., Minnie M. and J. H. Ray, Jr., who is engaged in mercantile business in Glendive.

Mr. Ray located at this place in 1881, and conducted a hotel for one year, when he was elected the first Superin- tendent of Schools of Dawson county. He found the educational features of the county in their incipent stage and the schools unorganized. He at ouce proceeded to organize a thorough system of schools. The area of the county at that time was nearly 28,000 square miles. The handsome brick school building at Glendive was erected under his administration. He was County Superintend- ent of Schools for four years, and he has also filled the office of Justice of the Peace for seven years; and the latter position in this State entails a vast amount of busi- ness, as it fills the place of probate court in other States. He has also held the position of United States Court Commissioner for ten years, and he is also in charge of the United States Signal Service of the Weather Bureau at Glendive, and is special correspondent for the Govern- ment Agricultural Department. He is a close observer, and finds that the range of temperature is greater in the Yellowstone valley than elsewhere in the United States. February 1, 1893, the temperature was forty-six degrees below zero at Glendive, and in July following the mercury stood at 115 in the shade.

Politically, Mr. Ray is and has been a consistent Re- publican. He voted for the first Republican Presideut, and for every one since. He is a member of Glendive Lodge, No. 31, A. F. & A. M., a charter member, and has fille.1 all the chairs in that body.

them off from the rocks, from the top of which they would have so great an advantage, seems to have demoralized them so that they were afraid to commence an attack, for fear they would get the worst of it. *

"May 28 .- Traveled thirty miles. Came in sight of the old emigrant road to California, and Oregon road at noon. We made a lucky hit coming across from the Popo Agie river. The way we came is the shortest and best. We struck Sweetwater river, sixteen miles below Rocky Ridge, and camped for dinner. Found plenty of colors in loose gravel on the bars. Started after dinner (3 p. M); crossed the river, and went sonth two miles, where we came in

MAJOR JOSEPH L. HORR .- Few men have been more active than Major Horr in preparing Montana for civil- ization. In his make-up are found the characteristics of the true pioneer,-good judgment, bravery and courage, -- courage guided by caution in that degree which inspires others with confidence and constitutes the one important quality of a safe leader of men.

Major Horr was born in Dundas, Ontario, Canada, in April. 1838. He was the eldest son of Captain Leonard and Harriett (Latshaw) Horr, who were born in New York and Ohio respectively. They resided in Canada until Joseph L. was fourteen years of age, when they re- moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. receiving a common-school education. He entered the regular army in the summer of 1861, enlisting in the First Battalion of the Thirteenth United States Infantry, of which General William T. Sherman was then Colonel, and in which General Phil. H. Sheridan was Captain. Mr. Horr was made First Sergeant of Company C, com- mauded by Captain E. C. Washington, and he rose suc- cessively to the rank of Second Lieutenant, First Lieu- tenant and Captain. He was brevetted Captain for bravery at the battle of Arkansas Post. and was likewise brevetted Major for his gallant service at Vicksburg, May 19, 18:3. At the latter place he received six gunshot wounds. Two of the balls he carries in his body to-day.

During the early part of the war, while at Alton, Illi- nois, assisting in the irksome duty of guarding Confed- erate prisoners, Sergeant Horr was offered and strongly urged to accept the position of Adjutant of the Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Being anxious to go to the frout, he accepted the position, but subsequently learning that his old battalion was in receipt of orders to proceed to the front, he reconsidered his action and returned to Governor Yates the appointment as Adjutant. The wounds received at Vicksburg rendered him for a time

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sight of telegraph poles. Our feelings at seeing the road and telegraph, after running the gaunt- let of about four hundred miles through the Crow nation, can better be imagined than de scribed. In another mile we came in sight of a train of horse teams about three miles ahead of us. The boys couldn't stand it any longer, but gave vent to their feelings in all kinds of motions and noises. We we were equal to a Chinese camp on a drunk, for noise. We fol- lowed the train slowly, and abont sundown we came to their camp, at at the foot of Rocky Ridge, at the place that, in 1860, was called " Pacific City," although it only consisted of a

unfit for active field service, yet he was anxious to be do- ing something for the Union cause, and was detailed by the Adjutant General of the United States Army on re- cruiting service, and in that line rendered valuable serv- ice to his country. He enlisted a large number of men at Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis and Keokuk. He was also on mustering duty at Chicago, Dixon and Springfield, Illi- noi.

Besides engaging in active service during the war, he served in various capacities with his command after the war. He dates his arrival in Montana in December, 1866, at which time his command was sent here and established Camp Cook. In October, 1867, he was pro- moted to a Captaincy. He was one of the original con- structors of Camp Cook, and Forts Shaw and Ellis, per- forming at the latter place the additional duties of Quartermaster and Commissary.

In 1868 General Sherman, knowing him personally and his fitness for the position, appointed him purchasing and disbursing officer for the Crow Indians. He purchased and distributed Indian supplies to the amount of $50,000, and made three trips during the severe winter across the divide with large supply trains from Fort Ellis to the Crow Indian reservation. While stationed at Fort Ellis he recovered from the Indians several herds of stock which had been stolen from the settlers. ITis famous ride with his First Lieutenant, M. O. Codding, and fifty men from Fort Ellis, to Shields' river, to recover Con- tractor Hugh Kirkendall's herd of mules that had been stampeded and run off by Indians, was graphically de- scribed in the Helena Herald. His pursuing party, on overtaking the Indians at the crossing near the mouth of Shields' river, consisted of only himself and nine men, who were opposed by a war party of some thirty-four Indians. Firing immediately commenced with the re- sult that twenty-seven head of mules were recovered out of the band of thirty-four that were run off, and, besides, nine Indian horses with empty saddles were captured.

single trading house When the train saw us coming, they were all in confusion, like a disturbed ant-hill, running in every direction and hallooing to one another. They finally formed in an irregular square in the road, in front of their stock, fully prepared to exterminate us. We rode slowly up to them, and before we came close enough to be killed decently, they discovered we were white men, and great was their rejoicing thereat, for I think the greater part of them had faith in the motto, " He who tights and runs away," etc. With the emigrants were four soldiers from South Pass station. It seems that this year there are

He was thus engaged in active service for his country until December, 1870, when his old wounds, combined with continnal exposure, so impaired his general health that he was compelled to retire from military life.

His experience and observation while in Montana gave him confidence in its future prosperity, and in 1882 he returned and prospected for coal, which he found near the river below Livingston, but not situated favorably for mining. He then proceeded up the Yellowstone to Cin- nabar mountain, where he obtained some 480 acres of claims, containing valuable bituminous coal. In connec- tion with his uncle, Dr. Asa Horr of Dubuque, he opened up these mines at Horr, expending some $30,000 in their development. These mines are now leased to the Park Coal & Coke Company, who have succeeded in estab- lishing a large coking plant at this point. The mines are yielding a large annual output. Besides these mines, Major Horr has real-estate interests in Dubuque, Iowa; Denver, Colorado, and Phoenix, Arizona.

He was married in the spring of 1870, to Elizabeth R. Ogilby, a schoolmate, daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Read) Ogilby, of Dubuque, Iowa, and a niece of Thomas Buchanan Read, author of "Sheridan's Ride." Of their children we record that the eldest, Read, died at the age of ten years; Elizabeth R., a gradnate of Grant Collegiate Institute, Chicago, is now taking a course at Vassar College; Irene is now at Lindon Hall, Poughkeepsie, New York, preparing herself for Vassar; Dora died at the age of three years.

Major Horr is a member of Hyde Clark Post, No. 79. G. A. R., at Dubuque. He also has a membership in the Masonic fraternity, Waubansia Lodge, No. 160, Illinois. Politically, he is a Republican, but is broad and liberal in his views. He is a courteous gentleman, a man of ex- cellent business quali ies and his career has been of suc- cess. Few men of his age have rendered their country more valuable service. He was engaged in active mil- itary duly nearly ten years, and notwithstanding priva- tions, exposure and wounds, he is still well preserved.

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soldiers stationed in small squads at intervals of about eighty miles all along the road, to protect the emigrants from the States to California and Oregon. As soon as we had unsaddled, and the soldiers found out where we were from, they gave ns enough provisions to do us a week.

"Samuel T. Hauser, in addition to this en- try, says: 'The soldiers of this train told ns that a party of Indians had, the day before, suc- ceeded in stampeding and running off abont forty head of horses and mules from some trains about thirty miles below where we then were, and that they had pursued them for some dis- tance, but could not come up to them. The In-

FREDERICK J. SCHULZ, proprietor of the Sheridan Ho- tel and an early settler of Montaña, is a native of the province of Pummar, Prussia, born October 13, 1840 of Prussian ancestry. His parents were William and Mary (Koupp) Schulz. Early in life he was deprived of a father's aid and protection and when he was fifteen he accompanied his uuele to the United States, landing in New York city and going thence to Wiscon- sin. In Wisconsin he worked at farming, his first wages being $3 per month and his board. He continued at farm work in Wisconsin until 1866, at which time he crossed the plains to Montana. He drove a team of oxen for his passage and walked nearly twice the distance. On this journey they saw plenty of game, deer and buffalo, and were at times in danger of being run over by the latter as they came over the plains in great droves. Mr. Schulz shot a buffalo on one of these occasions. The Indians too, often menaced the party, but, the emigrants being provided with a Government escort, the Indians were kept at bay.

After a journey of over five months, they arrived safe at Bozeman, Montana. Mr. Schulz remained there during the winter, he having secured a contract to dig a mill race. In the spring of 1867 he came to Alder Gulch, and at first worked in the mines for $5 per day. Later he got an interest in a claim and took out considerable gold. In this way he got his start. In 1869 he prospected without success at Gold Creek, worked for wages there for a time, then went to German Gulch in Deer Lodge county aud secured a claim. This claim, however, did not prove a very profitable one, and his next move was to Ruby val- ley, where he purchased a squatter's right to 160 acres of land twenty miles below Sheridan. After working it a year he sold out at a small advance over the price and in 1876 came to Sheridan. Here he formed the acquaint- ance of Mrs. Julia MeCoy, widow of Jesse McCoy, who had built the first hotel in Sheridan.

She was the daughter of Mr. Philpat, a native of South-

dians had gone north toward the Big Horn mountains, and in their flight had thrown away some flour, which the soldiers picked up, and wondered where they could have obtained it. This afforded proof positive that our cap- tain was right, and that the same party who made the night attack on the Big Horn river had dogged us some four hundred miles to the road. for we had left several hundred pounds of flour in that ill-fated camp, which they of course at once appropriated; and, as we drew near the road, they, despairing of getting any advantage of us, had turned off and struck the road lower down, and made the above-mentioned raid upon

ampton, England, and when a little girl crossed the plains with her parents in the "hand-cart" emigration. This was in 1857. On the journey they got out of provisions and endured untold sufferings. Both her parents died of cold and hunger. Through the kindness of other members of the party she was taken to Utah, where she subsequently became the wife of Oliver Thomas, with whom she came to Montana in 1865. They had five children, namely: William; John; Katie, now Mrs. J. Moore; Ellis, wife of George Copp, County Commissioner of Madison county, Montana; and Rita, wife of Alexander Scott. Soon after the death of Mr. Thomas she became the wife of Mr. McCoy, by whom she had two children, Gilbert and Charles, both at home with her. She and Mr. Schulz were married September 15, 1878, and they have four children, Harry, Burtie, Minnie and Frankie.

Mr. Schulz has enlarged and improved the hotel and is managing it successfully, sparing no pains to make his guests comfortable and at home. In connection with the hotel, he also owns and runs a livery stable.

Politically, Mr. Schulz is a Republican. He was elected one of the first Aldermen of the city and is also a school trustee. He is a Past Master of the A. O. U. W. and has been the Financier of his lodge during the past six years.

CORTEZ GOFF, a prominent and successful farmer of the Bitter Root valley, was born in Howard county, Mis- souri, July 31, 1838, of Scotch and German ancestors. They were among the early settlers of Virginia. The maternal grandfather of our subjeet, James Turpin, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject's father, Moses Goff, was born in Virginia and brought up in Kentucky, where he was married to Miss Polly Turpin. They had three daughters and one son, the latter being the subject of this sketch. The father died in Andrew county, Mis- souri, at the age of eighty-seven years. He had been four times married, and was the father of nine children. Religiously, he was a member of the Christian Church. The mother of our subject died at the age of thirty-five years.

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the emigrants, and returned to their country rejoicing.' At noon on May 30, the party camped on Rock ereek, the same place where James Stuart found good prospects in 1860. That night they made the last crossing of the Sweetwater, where they found a post of twenty soldiers, in charge of a second-lieutenant, and an operator in charge of a telegraph station, on the north side of the river, the post being moved since 1860 from the south side. Here they met Louis Silvers, on his way to his old ranch at Rocky Ridge. The pioneer of Montana failed not to inquire after Reece and Granville Stuart, and all the pioneers he used to know in Mis- soula county.

Cortez Goff received only limited educational advant- ages during his youth. In 1855, when only seventeen years of age, he went to Kansas, where he began life on his own account, and was there married. In 1860 he went to Colorado, where he engaged in mining. In 1864 he moved to Polk county, Oregon, locating near the town of Bethel, but eighteen months afterward came to Montana. After following mining and dairying a number of years, Mr. Goff purchased a squatter's right to 160 acres of land in the spring of 1874, to which he has since added 160 acres more, and now has one of the best farms in the en- tire valley. In 1876 a good frame residence took the place of the log cabin, and the farm contains many other improvements.

Mr. Goff was married, in Kansas, to Miss Sarah Jane Strange, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Jacob Strange. Their eldest son, William, who was born in Kansas, accompanied them to this State, and now resides on an adjoining farm. Clarence, born in Montana, is still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Goff are worthy members of the Methodist Church, and the former supports the Repub- lican party. He gives close attention to his farm interests, has acquired a competency, and is known as a man of the highest integrity and honesty.

FRED BUCK, deceased, was for many years one of Ste- vensville's most enterprising and respected merchants. He had been, upon his first arrival in Stevensville, in 1868, and for five years afterward, the partner of his brothers, Amos and Henry Buck, and up to the time of his death, which occurred January 31, 1890, a partner of his brother Henry.

Fred Buck was born in Monroe county, Michigan, in the year 1840, and his history is almost identical with that of his brothers, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, with, however, a few exceptions. When the rupture between the North and South occurred, he was among the first to enlist in the service of his country, the

" May 31, the party came up with Hardesty & Alexander's freight train, and camped with the freighters on Sweetwater, five miles from Pacific Springs. York found several acquaint- ances in the train. William McAdow, a brother of Rudd Mc Adow, was with the party. On June 2d this McAdow volunteered to accompany the expedition back to Bannack, while York agreed to go with the freighters to Salt Lake. On June 4, the expedition arrived at Fort Bridger. Here the party met a number of old mountain- eers and acquaintances, a few of whom sent newspapers to Robert Hereford, Dick Hamil- ton and John Sharpe, theu residing at Bannack. Here Jim Roup joined the expedition. [From

date of his enlistment being in May, 1861. Immediately upon his entering service he was elected Corporal, and from time to time was promoted for his gallantry until he became Captain of his company. A trner, braver soldier than Fred Buck, never faced the enemy's. fire.

Mr. Buck was married, in 1889, to Miss Dell Sybrant, a native of Pennsylvania. Their only child, Fred S., is now four years old, and is residing with his widowed mother.

In his business Mr. Buck was equally as successful as his brothers, and left to his widow and son a most delight - ful home and a snug fortune. He was a devoted and loving husband, and was ranked with Montana's best citizens, and his death was a sad bereavement, not only to his family, but also to a large circle of appreciative friends.

THE SECURITY BANK of Great Falls, Montana, was founded in 1890, with the following gentlemen as owners and officers: C. M. Webster, president; Robert Blanken- baker, vice-president, and W: A. Webster, cashier. Up to the present time the officers have continued the same. They do a general banking business, and thus far have met with most satisfactory success.

HON. C. M. WEBSTER, president of the Security Bank of Great Falls, is a native of Minnesota, the date of his hirth being April 12, 1858.

Mr. Webster's ancestry is traced back to Suffolk coun- ty, England. Representatives of the Webster family set- tled in Massachusetts as early as 1632. They were pio- neersof Ipswich, that State, and their descendants resided there for many years and were prominently identified with the early history of that portion of New England. The first of the family born on American soil was Nathan Webster, and a record of the family in a direct line on down to the subject of our sketch, is as follows: Nathan, horn in 1646; Nathan (2), March 7, 1678; Abel, January 3, 1726; Nathan (3), November 23, 1753; Alpha, Novem-

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this date to the 18th, when the expedition came up with a party of immigrants for Beaverhead and Deer Lodge valleys, there is no record of matters relating to Montana].

"On June 19, the expedition reached Camas Creek. Mr. Stuart says under this date: 'Camped for dinner above crossing of Camas creek; found poor grass, but plenty of trout. About two miles from camp we overtook George Hil- lerman (alias 'Pie-biter'), who had a doleful tale to tell. He says he left Bannaek shortly after we did last spring, to prospect on the head of Snake river. They could not agree about the route to travel when they were on Lewis

ber 14, 1799; and Charles C., May 1, 1824. Charles C. Webster was the father of Hon. C. M. Webster. He was born in Cabot, Vermont, and was married to Elizabeth Drew. daughter of Theophilus Drew, a native of Danville, Vermont, and a prominent citizen of that place. They became the parents of five children, four of whom are liv- ing, Charles M., being the eldest son and the third of the family. Charles C. Webster was a distinguished lawyer. For many years he was engaged in the practice of his profession in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and while a resi- dent of that State served in both branches of its Legisla- ture. Politically, he was a Repubican; religiously, a Congregationalist. He died in 1893 at the age of sixty- nine years. His good wife survives him.

C. M. Webster was educated in the Minnesota Univer- sity, where he graduated in 1882. Then he took up the study of law; was admitted to the bar in Minneapolis, and practiced his profession in that city for three years. In April, 1886, he came to Great Falls, Montana, and since that date has been identified with this prosperous Western town. Upon his arrival bere, he accepted the position of editor of the Great Falls Tribune, be being its first editor. In this position he continued one year. At the end of that time he was tendered the secretaryship of the Great Falls Water Power & Town Site Company. He accepted the place and filled it most efficiently until the fall of 1890, at which time he resigned in order to give his time and attention to the Security Bank, of which he has since been president.

During his residence at Great Falls, Mr. Webster has been identified with all her interests, and has been an act- ive factor in improving the Falls and in the upbuilding of the city, and while thus actively engaged has secured the good will and fullest confidence of her best citizens. Like his father before him, he affiliates with the Republican party. In 1889 he was chosen a member of the Constitu- tional Convention which formulated the present State Constitution. He served two terms on the City Council

Fork, and he and a man named L. F. Richie separated from the rest, who all went south toward Lander's road. They two went on up Lewis fork, and he says they found good pros- pects; cached their tools and grub, and started for Bannack City, and when near the valley on the river, Ritchie accidently shot himself, break- ing his arm near the shoulder. Hillerman brought him to where the Salt Lake road leaves Snake river, where he died from mortification. Hillerman having no tools to bury him with, wrapped him in a blanket and two buffalo robes, and sent word by the expressman to get the first train to bury him as they came along by

of Great Falls, all of that time as Chairman of the Coun- cil, and in 1892 was elected Mayor of the city, which office he filled in an able manner, showing himself to be the right man in the right place. He is one of the founders of the public library and a member of Great Falls School Board and of the State Educational Board.

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 43

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