An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 83

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 83

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At the seventh general election in Montana

born in Champaign county, Ohio, August 5, 1855, and was early inured to farm labor, attending school during the winter months. He afterward entered the Sweden- borgian College, where he graduated in 1876. He then read law in Dayton, Ohio, with the firm of Houk & McMahon, was admitted to the bar in 1879, and then prac- ticed his profession for ten years in Springfield. On account of ill health he came to Montana in 1889, was admitted to practice in this State in the fall of that year, and entered into a law partnership with George D. Greene at Boulder. Mr. Showers has always been an adherent to the principles of the Democratic party, and was the choice of his party, also the Populists' party, for District Judge, having been elected to that important office November 8, 1892. He is now serving as District Judge of the Fifth District, comprising the counties of Beaver Head, Jefferson and Madison. Judge Showers is possessed of an easy and prepossessing manner, is endowed with a fine, thoughtful and judicial mind, and has ac- quired a thorough knowledge of the law.

In 1878, in Urbana, Ohio, he was united in marriage with Louisa Cralle, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Richard Cralle, of French extraction, but the family have long been residents of Virginia. Our subject and wife have one daughter, Mabel, who was born in 1881. They have a pleasant home in Boulder, and have made many warm friends in their community.

HON. J. B. LOSEE, a prominent business man and enter- prising citizen of Anaconda, Montana, was born in Gene- see county, New York, August 26, 1849. He is a descend- ant of French ancestors who were early settlers in Canada. IIis father, Dr. James Losee, was born in New York State and was married to Elizabeth Mathews, also a native of New York State. They spent their lives in Genesee county, where he was a successful practicing physician for many years, his death occurring there in the seventy- second year of his age. Ilis widow still survives him,

the first Republican delegate, William H. Claggett, was sent to congress, through defec- tions in the opposite party. He did great ser- vice by having the Indians removed from Bitter-root valley to their reservation and ex- changing the Judith basin with the Crow In- dians for their claim to the Yellowstone. He was not a politician or a "tender-foot," having been long in Nevada, where he learned the needs of the much-neglected pioneers; but by the time of the next election the disaffected had been herded in the opposite party and he was not returned.

From the records of the upper branch of the legislature it seems that Montana early became

and is now (1894) eighty years of age. They had nine children, of whom only four are living.

Judson B., the subject of our sketch, is the youngest of the family. He was educated in the public schools, and when his older brothers enlisted in the service of their country, in 1861, the work of a man devolved upon him, at the early age of thirteen years. Soon afterward he began to do for himself as a clerk in a store, and fol- lowed that occupation for ten years.

In 1878 Mr. Losee came up the Missouri river to Fort Benton, reaching that historical town on June 11. He clerked two years for Raleigh & Clark in Helena, and then, in partnership with A. G. Clark, Jr., opened a store at Glendale, and did a successful business there for sev- eral years. After severing his connection with Mr. Clark Mr. Losee formed a partnership with Charles Armstrong, and they did a banking and mercantile business there for a number of years, and also had branch stores at Hecla, Lyon and Twin Bridges. In 1886 they sold out their business in Glendale to the II. M. & B. Co., and built his present brick block iu Anaconda. This building is 25x 120 feet, is located at 110 Main street, one of the best business locations in the city, and is stocked with a fine assortment of dry goods, boots and shoes and gentlemen's furnishing goods; and here Mr. Losee has since been doing an extensive retail business. In 1888 he took in as partner Mr. Maxwell, who had been his bookkeeper at Glendale for seven years, and the firm name has since been Losee & Maxwell.

Mr. Losee was married in 1869 to Miss Alice Flagg, a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and daughter of Mr. Isaac Flagg of that city. They have three children, Gracie, Bessie and Harry.

Politically, Mr. Losee Is a Republican. In 1892 he was elected to represent Beaver Head and Deer Lodge counties in the State Legislature, which term of office has not yet expired. While in the Legislature, he has m

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

dissatisfied with the location of her capital at Virginia City and a bill to remove it to Deer Lodge was introduced into that body in 1868. This was not formally reported, but still the question was agitated from one session to an- other and finally voted upon in 1872, but to no purpose. Two years later a vote was taken to remove it to Helena, which prevailed. We read in the journals of that day much that, if true, is to the discredit of the parties concerned; but let it be taken into consideration that the really bright newspapers of the State were at that time far from all the great world centers of excitement and probably made the most of all such things as this moving of the capital, as they certainly did in politics,-mountains ont of molehills.

many friends, and has been an active and successful worker. In many of the public enterprises of Anaconda he has been active and helpful. He was one of the organizers of the Standard Fire Brick Company, aud like most of the successful business men of Montana Mr. Losee has invested in mines and has a number of mining interests which will ultimately prove valuable. He is vice-president of the Red Lyon Mining Company.

Fraternally, Mr. Losee is indentified with the Masonic order.

ALEXANDER MCKAY, one of Virginia City's earliest and most respected pioneer miners and citizens, was born in Glasglow, Scotland, May 15, 1832. His remote ancestors were Highlanders, but later generations of the family lived in the lowlands of Scotland. He was reared and educated in his native town, and there learned the trade of plasterer, at which he worked in that city until 1854.

In 1854 Mr. McKay came to the United States. He landed in New York city and worked there, in Canada, and in the Southern States, and was in Kansas during the troublous days immediately preceding the Civil war. In 1860 we find him en route to Colorado, crossing the plains with oxen. He spent two years at Denver, then a small town, and also for a while was at California Gulch. When gold was discovered at Bannack and the news spread over the country, he, in company with about 130 men, started with horse teams and thirty-two wagons for Ban- nack, marking out their own road and fording the streams and rivers.

Arriving at Bannack they found the mining camp a scene of great activity. Mr. McKay mined there until the discovery of gold at Alder Gulch, to which place he directed his steps in July, 1863, finding that camp also full of miners bent on securing the precious metal. Ile

Of these bright papers, dead and living, I have a list of seventy-two; and even yet thie list is not complete, for I miss the newspaper which said to another newspaper in response to its ad- vice to boil the water of a certain mining town, "Boil it? better fry it!"

The first of this astonishingly long list was the weekly Montana Post, Virginia City, August, 1864, edited by an Englishman; next the weekly Montana Democrat, same place, November, 1865, and edited by Bruce and Wilson, Americans: the third was the Tri- Weekly Republican, at Helena, the first there. The Herald, Helena, September, 1866, was the first Republican newspaper in Montana.

The first public school opened in Helena, late in 1867, and was taught by William I.

paid $500 for a fourth interest in a claim and worked hard until winter set in, during that time taking out $3,- 000. Then on account of the scarcity of water, he sold out, receiving $750 for his share. Since that time a deal of gold has been taken from the claim. In July, 1864, he came to Bevin's Gulch and purchased 200 feet of land for $500, and here he became permanently located, suc- ceeding well and from time to time adding to his claim. Now his claim extends for a length of two miles, and in its operation he employs usually about fifteen men. He has invested largely in lands, owns a comfortable home in Virginia City, and loans his surplus funds.

Mr. MeKay was married in Kansas, in 1860, to Miss Caroline Hanson, a native of Germany. She has been with him in all his meanderings and has proved herself a true and faithful helpmate. They have two daughters: Flora, the elder, was born on the plains, between Denver and California Gulch, in the spring of 1861, and is now the wife of Dr. C. A. McNulty. The other daughter, Mary, was born in Virginia City on the last day of 1863. She is the wife of R. II. Herhold.

Personally, Mr. McKay is au intelligent and pleasing gentleman, standing high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He has been a Republican ever since that party was organized.

EDMOND HAMEL, deceased, one of the representative early settlers of Montana, and one of the late proprietors of the Western Hotel, was horn in Canada West, Jan- uary 19, 1840, and is of French descent. His ancestors located in Canada in an early day, where the father of our subject, Francis Hamel, was born. Ile married Miss Delarde Perron, and they had eight children, seven of whom are living. The mother died at the age of thirty eight years; and the father, who now resides with Mr.

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

Marshall and Mrs. R. M. Forby, and the first church bell was heard there during the follow- ing year. Of course preaching had been had years before; in fact, there were already several churches; but the clear, exhilarating cheer of the church bell had not been heard till two young ladies raised the funds for it by going around among the miners and merchants. But the first Protestant sermon ever preached in old Montana was delivered by a colored man, an immigrant who had crossed the plains by way of Salt Lake to Bannack, where this first ser- mon was delivered, in the winter of the first discovery of gold, 1862. The name of this good man can not be recalled, but he was a Methodist.

Let it be borne always in mind, however, that the Catholics had been preaching to the

Hamel, has reached the age of eighty-two years. Edward Hamel was reared to manhood in his native country, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. From 1856 to 1859 he worked at his trade in Burlingtou, Vermont, and then went to San Francisco, and next to Calaveras county, where he was engaged in repairing miners' tools. After two years spent at that occupation he went to Virginia City, Nevada, and was the discoverer of the Austin mine from which he afterward took out many thousand dollars he finally sold the property for $10,000. Next he spent a year and a half in Canada, then came up the Missouri river to Fort Benton, Montana, worked at his trade six months in Helena, next went to Deer Lodge, later to Alder Gulch, and in 1869 came to Frenchtown. In company with Theodore Bedard, he opened a shop in this city; but as soon as gold was discovered at Cedar creek he went to that place, where he mined with his usual success. In 1870 he came again to Frenchtown and engaged with his former partner in the stock business, in which they continned until Mr. Hamel's death, which occurred June 23, 1894, from pneumonia. Although he suffered much he never complained. He received the last rites of the Catholic Church. He and Mr. Bedard invested in farm land until they owned together 3,000 acres, and were also owners of the gristmill and hotel in Frenchtown. In 1887 they came into possession of a flock of sheep, and continned in the business of sheep-rearing, giving one share to J. Joiner of Dupnyer, Choteau county.

Mr. Ilamel was married March 8, 1883, to Miss Melvina Bergearon, of French extraction, and they had five children, Alberto, Evon, Florence, Edmond and a babe yet unnamed.

Indians under the lead of Father De Smet and other good men for many decades before this date, and they were the first now to come for- ward to comfort the sick and dying, whether Catholic or Protestant. Being first on the ground they, of course, built the first churches in almost all the crowded camps.

Of the three wonderful men who gave long lives of toil and patient endeavor in the hope of taming the wild red men of Montana, I choose to make mention of the one who had least to say for himself, Anthony Ravalli. Father De Smet left us many full pages, dying at last with friends in St. Louis; Father Broulette wrote amply in Latin, and died in Washington, at the home of his old friend, Ben Haliday, once of Montana; but this one of the three good fathers fell in Montana.

Politically Mr. Hamel was formerly a Democrat, but he more recently began to act with the "People's" party. The family are members of the Catholic Church, and are highly respected by the community in which they reside. Mr. Hamel was well known to be a sincere and upright gentleman, whose influence was always for good.

IRA A. LEIGHTON, a successful medical practitioner of Boulder, and physician of the Boulder Hot Springs, was born in Maine, March 8, 1858. His ancestors were Eng- lish people, who came to Massachusetts prior to the Re- volutionary war. His grandfather, George B. Leighton, was born in that State, was one of the prominent citizens of his community, and lived to the age of 106 years. The Doctor's father, Ira Leighton, the eldest son of his father's family, was also born in Massachusetts, in 1845. He was married in 1866 to Miss Eunice Tibbets, a native of Maine, and they had eight sons. The parents have resided for many years in Pittsfield, Maine.

Ira A. Leighton, their youngest child, graduated at the West Brook Seminary in 1880. He afterward read medi- cine with Dr. W. S. Howe, an allopathic physician of Lew- iston, Maine, next attended the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, took both regular and homeopathic lectures, and graduated at the homeopathic department in 1885. While at Ann Arbor, Mr. Leighton was invited to accept the position of physician of the Boulder Hot Springs, and since coming to Montana he has met with the most flat- tering success, being highly spoken of both as a gentle- man and physician. The springs have gained a wide and favorable reputation on account of its valuable medi- cal properties, and many remarkable cures have been performed in severe cases of rheumatism, kidney dis-

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

Anthony Ravalli was an Italian, born at. Ferrara, May 16, 1812. He entered, Novem- ber 12, 1827, at the age of fifteen, the Society of Jesus. After his noviceship, he devoted himself, for several years, to the study of belles- lettres, philosophy, chemistry, mathematics, and the natural sciences. He then passed to impart to others the knowledge in which he had perfected himself, and taught for a time in Turin, Piedmont and in other parts of Italy. Later on he completed his course of divinity and was raised to the priesthood, and after a third year of noviceship, as customary in the Society of Jesus, took his last vows in religion, April 21, 1844. With a longing for the In- dian missions from the beginning of his reli- gious life, Father Ravalli, whilst preparing for the sacred ministry, sought also to store himself with every useful knowledge that would render him more efficient in the double object of christianizing and civilizing the savage; and to the study of philosophical an I theological books he a lde l the study of medicine, under some of the ablest physicians of Rome; and, making

eases, various skin diseases, etc. The Doctor is an enthusi- ast in regard to the wonderful efficiency of the springs.

Dr. Leighton married Miss Cora M. Hartell, a native of Kansas City, and they reside in a pleasant cottage at the Hot Springs. In political matters, the Doctor affili- ates with the Republican party, and for the past seven years has held the position of County Physician of Jeffer- son county. In his social relations, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

COLONEL JAMES KING, one of Moutana's earliest pio- neers and one of her most successful and respected citi- zens, is a native of Morrisburg, Canada, where he was reared and educated. In 1851 he settled in Chicago, where he was for a time paymaster for the Illinois Central Railroad while it was building its line to Kankakee. After this he entered the employ of the wholesale dry-goods firm of Mills & Company, Chicago, with which he re- mained until 1858, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the wholesale business. Severing his connection with that firm, he engaged in business on his own account in Galena, Illinois, where he continued successfully until 1862, when he removed to Montana.

Upon coming to Montana, Mr. King brought with him a stock of goods, making the journey up the Missouri river as far as Milk river, and from there transferring to Fort Benton with mule teams and wagons. There was then a camp of about forty people at Prickly Pear (now Montana City), and there Mr. King opened some of his goods and conducted a store for about two months. Then he moved to Deer Lodge. IIe built the first store in Deer Lodge, and under the firm name of King & Gillette he engaged in business. January 1, 1863, Mr. King hired a half-breed to pilot him to Salt Lake City, and from there

himself an apprentice also in the artist's studio and mechanic's shop, he could handle with con- siderable skill the chisel and brush of the artist as well as the tools and implements of almost every trade.

The pioneer of christianity and civilization in what is now Montana, Father P. DeSmet, in his second trip to this country had permanently established, in 1841, a Jesuit mission amongst the Flathead Indians, in the Bitter Root valley, and the following year had returned to Enrope to raise means and laborers to. help him culti- vate the large and promising field now open in the very heart of the Rocky mountains.

Father Ravalli was amongst the first who joined Father DeSmet's little band of apostolic heroes. Taking leave of his parents, whom he was never to see again, and bidding forever farewell to his native land in the summer of 1843, he repaired to Flushing, Holland, whence in the month of December, of the same year, with Father DeSmet in the lead, he and F. F. Vorcruysse, Accotti, Nobili, and Bro. Francis Huybrechts. sailed for their distant mission.

by stage he returned East. In the meantime they had re- moved their store to Bannack City. He purchased goods in the East and in the spring returned to Montana and started a store at Virginia City, the first in that place. The boat on which he brought his goods came no further up the river than Snake Poiut, and Mr. King took a con- tract to bring all its cargo to Virginia City, at thirty-five cents per pound. He continued this freighting in ad- dition to his mercantile business for a number of years, and did a very large and paying business in both. In 1865 he opened his mercantile establishment in Helena, and for many years he was one of the largest and most successful wholesale dealers in general merchandise in Montana. In the winter of 1864-5 he returned East again, buying goods and brought back a large stock in the spring.

From his first arrival in Montana Mr. King became one of the most prominent factors in her development. IIe built the toll road from Virginia City to IIelena and also the toll road to Prickly Pear canon, the length of the latter being sixteen miles and costing $60,000 in gold. These roads were a great necessity and proved of inestimable value at that time. He obtained his charter from the first Legislature assembled at Bannack City. The toll on the road for the round trip with oxen and wagon was $15, and the road paid $35,000 in one season. After keeping up the Virginia City road until 1867 or '68, he sold it for $25,000.

It was with the rush in the summer of 1865 that Mr. King came to HIelena. In a short time a thriving little town was started, and from the very first Mr. King has been identified with its development. Ile built the first business block in the city, opposite where the Cosmopol

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

In the spring of 1845 Father Ravalli was sent amongst the Kalispels, where he learned the wonderful secret of living withont the neces- saries of life, as good Father Hocken had been doing all along for about a year before. The fathers' bill of fare was principally roots and berries, and that year's crop having failed they had little of either.

Father Ravalli employed himself for several months in teaching, through an interpreter, the Indians, baptizing their children and sneh adults as were sufficiently instructed, attending the sick, and assisting Father Hæcken in the con- struction of a chapel and a poor shelter.

In September he was ordered to Colville to build a chapel and open a mission amongst the Colville Indians, whence, however, scarcely a month after, he was recalled and sent to St. Mary's to replace Father Zerbinati, who had died there during the summer.

St. Mary's was the mission amongst the Flat- heads that had been established in 1841. It was located a short distance from where Stevensville now is, on the right bank of the

itan Hotel now stands. As the place improved he became largely interested in real estate and also in placer min- ing, and in 1872 he retired from the mercantile business in order to give his attention to his other varied interests. In Confederate Gulch he has for many years conducted large placer mining operations. In the early days his firm employed as many as fifty men, paying $8 a day for eight hours' work. In this way they spent $125,000 in getting to bed rock. They had for some time a five-foot flume and later a seven-foot one. Their ground and im- provements cost in the neighborhood of $290,000. These mines have been operated for many years and are still yielding large quantities of gold.

Mr. King also has large land and water iuterests in Montana, he being president of the Castle Land Company Their town site is in Meagher county and is adjacent to a large number of valuable mines that are in active opera- tion. Here the company are making many improve- ments, putting in water works and electric lights and all other modern improvements. The town has now about 2,000 inhabitants. Railroads are being built to it, and with the present outlook it promises to be the Leadville of Mon- tana. He is also interested in various other corporations. Mr. King was instrumental in establishing the first mail route in the Territory of Montana; he helped to organ- ize and was the first president of the Montana Fair As- sociation; and he was also one of the founders of the first library in Helena, out of which has grown the present extensive IIelena Public Library.

In 1858 Mr. King was married to Miss Eliza M. Lunn, a native of Illinois. Her father, William Lunn, was born in England. Mr. and Mrs. King have four children, namely; Walter J. Warren C., Benjamin E. and Laura B.

St. Mary's known now as the Bitter Root river, just between the present mission buildings and old Fort Owen. It is here that the first at- tempt at agriculture was made in what is now the State of Montana, and here was raised, in 1842, by the Jesuit Fathers, from seed bronght over from Colville by Father DeSmet, the first wheat and potato crop, to the great surprise and delight of the natives, who now saw for the first time the way and advantage of tilling the soil.

Though from this on there had been wheat at the mission, there was no bread, except that which could be made by ponnding the wheat on a stone or in a mortar. Father Ravalli's in- genuity and mechanical skill soon found the way out of the difficulty, and in a comparatively short time he had all bnilt, rigged np and inn- ning by water a miniature mill, the first flour mill in the country. Bread was here now a tangible reality as well as an associated idea with wheat and wheat-raising for the Indians and the Fathers too.

Father Ravalli built here also the first saw-

Mrs. King died, in Chicago, in 1876, survived by her husband and children.

Mr. King voted for John C. Fremont for President, and has ever since been identified with the Republican party, having rendered the party much valued service. He has always declined office, but during the administration of Governor Green Clay Smith he was commissioned Colonel and served as such on the Governor's staff. He belongs to the order of the Elks, and while not a member of any church he attends the Unitarian service.

THOMAS CRUSE, president and founder of the Thomas Cruse Savings Bank of Helena, and one of Montana's best citizens, is a native of the Emerald Isle. He was born in county Cavan, in 1836, a son of Irish parents. In the private schools of his native country he received his education, and in 1856, at the age of twenty, he emigrated to the United States, landing at New York. He remained in that city until 1863, when he directed his course toward California, making the journey by way of the Isthmus of Panama and in due time landing at San Francisco. Un- til the summer of 1866 his time was divided between Cal- ifornia, Nevada and Idaho.

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 83

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