Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 12

Author: Stout, Tom, 1879- ed
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 1126

USA > Montana > Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II > Part 12

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Mr. Bradbrook is president of the Rapelje Com- mercial Club, a director of the First National Bank, is president of the Rapelje Telephone Company, and owns some extensive ranch lands at Hysham. Mr. Bradbrook is unmarried, is independent in poli- tics and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

J. A. SHADOAN. Deeds are thoughts crystallized, and according to their brilliancy do we judge the worth of a man to the country which produced him, and in his works we expect to find the true index to his character. The study of the life of the representative American never fails to offer much of pleasing interest and valuable instruction, de- veloping a mastering of expedients which has brought about most wonderful results. The subject of this review is a worthy representative of that type of American character and of that progressive spirit which promotes public good in advancing individual prosperity and conserving popular inter- ests.

J. A. Shadoan, president and general manager of the Salesville Mercantile Company, one of the most important enterprises in the Gallatin Valley, was born in Somerset, Pulaski County, Kentucky, on November 25, 1881. He is the son of J. T. and Bethada (Bales) Shadoan, who are still living in their old Kentucky home. J. T. Shadoan was born in Somerset, Kentucky, in 1859, and his entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. He is a republican in politics, and his religious affiliation is with the Christian Church. His wife, Bethada, was also born in Pulaski County, Kentucky, in 1859, and she bore her husband the following chil-

Kohm Rowley

HISTORY OF MONTANA

dren: John, who is a railroad conductor, residing at Mart, Texas; Joseph, who died in Pulaski Coun- ty, Kentucky, at the age of twenty-five years; the subject of this sketch is the next in order of birth; Stella, who is the wife of William Gover, a ranch- man at Manhattan, Montana; Clarence lives in Manhattan, Montana, where he is employed in a garage; L. D., who also lives in Manhattan, oper- ates a ranch near there; Frank is his father's as- sistant on the home farm in Kentucky; Hobart is a rancher at Manhattan; May is the wife of a Mr. Burns, an electrician by trade and foreman in the railroad shops at Somerset, Kentucky.

J. A. Shadoan received his educational training in the rural schools of his native community, where he lived until seventeen years of age. In 1898, ambitions for a larger field of labor and oppor- tunities for advancement, Mr. Shadoan came to Manhattan, Montana, and entered the employ of Thomas Gibson as a farm hand, with whom he remained for two years. He then rented a ranch, which he operated on his own account for three years. In 1909 he bought 240 acres of fine irri- gated land situated two miles west of Salesville, and to the improvement and cultivation of that place he devoted himself for a year. He still owns this place, though now residing in Salesville. In 1910 Mr. Shadoan bought the controlling interest in the Salesville Mercantile Company, of Salesville, which he incorporated and to which he has since indefatigably devoted himself. The company has been incorporated and the present official personnel of the corporation is as follows: President and general manager, J. A. Shadoan; secretary, F. C. Roberts; treasurer, W. H. Bradley. The company operates a fully organized department store, the departments including farm implements, hardware, groceries, dry goods and other lines demanded by the local trade. The policy of the company has always been to so select their stock as to meet the needs of their patrons, and this fact, coupled with courteous treatment and prompt service, has gained for them a well deserved popularity throughout the Gallatin Valley. Mr. Shadoan devotes himself un- remittingly to the management of the business, and to his good business judgment is due the splendid success which the company enjoys.

Politically Mr. Shadoan is a stanch republican, though not an aspirant for public office. He is a member of the Christian Church and also belongs to Salesville Lodge No. 69, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In 1904, at Bozeman, Montana, Mr. Shadoan was married to Alma Wright, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Wright. Her father, who is deceased, was county judge of Wayne County, Kentucky ; his widow now resides in Los Angeles, California. To Mr. and Mrs. Shadoan have been born two children, namely: Raymond, born August 12, 1905, and Lawrence, born April 18, 1908. In every phase of life's activities Mr. Shadoan has been true to his duties and his opportunities and has so ordered his actions as to merit the high regard in which he is today held by those who know him.

EDWIN LEONARD JOHNSON came to Plains, Mon- tana, in 1906, and has been continuously associated with the First National Bank of Plains, and as its cashier has helped promote its prosperity and its strength as one of the leading banking institutions of Sanders County.

Mr. Johnson was born at Center City, Minnesota, January 24, 1885. His people were pioneers in Min- nesota, where his grandfather, Jonas Johnson, homesteaded a farm more than half a century ago.

Jonas Johnson was born at Smoland, Sweden, in 1827, and after his marriage brought his family to this country and settled in Center City, Minnesota. He was an industrious and successful farmer in that locality until his death in 1917. C. J. Johnson, father of the Plains banker, was born at Center City, Minnesota, in 1862, and is still living there. He has spent his active career as a dairy farmer. He is a republican and a member of the Lutheran Church. C. J. Johnson married Mary Moline, who was also born at Center City, in 1863. They have a large family of children, and several of the sons were soldiers and officers in the World War. Henry A., the oldest, is cashier of the Scandia State Bank at Scandia, Minnesota. Edwin L. is the second in age. William, the third, died at the age of four years. J. Arthur, at home with his parents, en- tered the first officers' training camp, was commis- sioned second lieutenant at Fort Snelling, and after- ward promoted to first lieutenant, and was in serv- ice at Houston, Texas, and in New Mexico until mustered out in the spring of 1919. Oscar R., an electrician living at Minneapolis, also enlisted at the outbreak of the war, was in an officers' train- ing camp and commissioned a second lieutenant, and served until discharged in May, 1919. Theodore, at home, attended a training school at Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, and was mustered out in January, 1919. Paul, the seventh child, helps on his father's farm. Esther T. is the wife of a farmer at Marine on the St. Croix River in Minnesota. The two younger children are Oliver and Elmer, twins, both at home.

Edwin Leonard Johnson was educated in the pub- lic schools of Center City, including the high school, and for two years was a student in the famous Gustavus Adolphus College at St. Peter, Minnesota. Leaving college in 1905, he spent the following year before coming to Montana in the employ of Wy- man, Partridge & Company, wholesale dry goods of Minneapolis. He entered the First National Bank of Plains in 1906 as bookkeeper and stenog- rapher, was promoted to assistant cashier in 1908, and since 1910 has been cashier.

The First National Bank of Plains was estab- lished in 1904 under a national charter. It operates on a capital of $25,000, surplus and profits of $12,- 000, and enjoys aggregate deposits of $300,000. J. M. Keith, of Missoula, is president of the bank, C. H. Rittenour, of Plains, is vice president, with Mr. Johnson, cashier.

Mr. Johnson has identified himself with Plains as a citizen and home owner and has a modern residence here. He has served as mayor, is a re- publican voter, a member of the Community Church and is a past master of Ponemah Lodge No. 63, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member of the Montana and the American Bankers Association.

In 1910, at Plains, he married Miss Louise Jack- son, a daughter of P. B. and Mamie (Glenn) Jack- son, residents of Gate, Washington. Her father is now a retired minister of the Congregational Church. He first came to Montana in 1892, and for five years was pastor of the Congregational Church at Billings, later had pastorates at Sprague, Washington, Little Rock, Arkansas, North Yakima, Washington, and from 1901 to 1909 was pastor at Plains. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two chil- dren : Charles Glenn, born November 17, 1911; and Robert Brooks, born March 8, 1913.

JOHN ROWLEY. A number of Montana and western pioneers have their home at Lewistown, including John Rowley, whose experiences in the West cover

HISTORY OF MONTANA

more than forty years, though practically all his life has been spent in a western environment.

He was born at Salt Lake City, February 18, 1858. His parents, John and Isabel (Slater) Rowley, were only temporarily residents at Salt Lake. They were natives of England, and came to this country with six of their children in 1849. They were eight weeks in crossing the ocean on a sailing vessel and from New York City went out to the then extreme frontier, Nebraska City, Nebraska. From that point John Rowley, Sr., engaged in freighting over the plains with ox teams. His family made several trips with him, and for one winter, 1858, the family home was at Salt Lake City. John Rowley, Sr., continued in the freighting business until his death. He was the father of nine children, five sons and four daughters, and four are still living, including John Rowley, the youngest child.

The latter spent most of his boyhood at Nebraska City and attended the public schools. At the age of thirteen he became a cowboy with Crawford, Thompson & Company, and not long afterward reached Deer Lodge, Montana, where he was con- nected with a prominent cattle outfit. Later he was with the Horse Shoe - Outfit, and for about twenty-five years was associated with N. J. Dovenspeck. He then engaged in the sheep and cattle business for himself, and at the present time owns a fine ranch fifty miles east of Lewiston. He is a republican, but has never had any aspira- tions to hold office.

His life has been one long and eventful experience in the western country. He made seven successful trips between Montana and Cheyenne, Wyoming, the latter being the shipping point for many years. The first trip was made with a bunch of cattle in 1876. In crossing Green River one of the young men of the party was drowned. His companions re- covered the body, rolled it in a blanket and gave him as decent a burial as possible. At another time Mr. Rowley and his companions were crossing Wind River where Lander, Wyoming, now stands. Indians appeared, stole their horses, but the cowboys gave chase and overhauled the Indians about seventy miles distant. There ensued a skirmish in which the stolen stock was recovered. One man was left to guard the stock while the others, bent upon vengeance, fol- lowed the Indians. Going about fifteen miles they came up and had a skirmish. One of the men, named John McCullum, was wounded in the fight, and the white men decided they had sufficient Indian encounter for the time. They started back, but on reaching the spot where the horses had been left discovered they had again been driven away by the Indians, and they then made their way back as best they could, carrying the wounded man to Lander.

Mr. Rowley recalls an amusing incident in 1879 that happened at Pine Bluff, Wyoming, showing how the West was looked upon by a certain class of eastern people. There were seventeen different herds waiting shipment at the point with the full com- plement of cowboy attendants. About 100 yards from the station was a saloon crowded with cowboys when the westbound train pulled in for a stop of about ten minutes. It was a cold winter day and blowing hard; and a passenger dressed in eastern style and holding on to a derby hat jumped off the train and ran over to the saloon. He pushed his head in the door and said, "I don't want to buy anything but just want to see the interior of a Western saloon." One of the cowboys for a joke pulled out his gun and shouted "Kill the son of a gun." Immediately they all pulled their guns and began shooting through the roof. The passenger yelled with terror and made a wild break for the

train, breaking all speed limits and records in getting there, and no doubt since has told the tale many times of how he escaped death from a crowd of bloodthirsty ruffians chasing him over the country. Such incidents were common in the old days, and the old timers have had many hearty laughs since that time about them.

At Lewistown October 6, 1889, Mr. Rowley mar- ried Miss Martha Josephine Skaggs. She is a daugh- ter of Cyrus and Anna Caroline (Moser) Skaggs. Her father was born in Missouri and died at the age of seventy-eight and her mother was a native of North Carolina and died at the age of fifty- eight. Mrs. Rowley was the oldest of seven chil- dren, four sons and three daughters, six of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Rowley have three chil- dren: John Harvey, the oldest, enlisted December 7, 1917, in the Aviation Corps and was in service at Kelley Field, later at Camp McArthur, Texas, sub- sequently at Newport News, and received a commis- sion. Lancelot Charles, the second son, is a civil engineer with home at Philadelphia. Hyacinth, the only daughter, is completing her education in the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

FRANK BENDER came to Montana more than thirty- eight years ago, has had a varied experience as a rancher, printer, merchant and public official, and is now at the head of one of the leading real estate businesses in Southern Montana, at Livingston.

Mr. Bender was born in New York City March 9, 1860. His father, John Adam Bender, was born in 1824 and died in 1869, spending all his life in New York City, a shoe merchant, manufacturer and leather dealer. After the formation of that party he became an ardent republican. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife, Rosie Bender, was born in 1826 and died in 1866. Of their children the oldest, Charles, enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-Ninth New York Infantry, was wounded in battle and died from the effects of the wounds after the close of the war. Philip, the second son, was a farmer and died at Sparta, Wisconsin. Emil E., died in Dakota Territory. Frank is the fourth in age, while John A., the young- est, is a miner now at Anchorage, Alaska.

Frank Bender graduated from high school in New York City in 1876. For two years he worked with the Hatch Lithograph Company in his native city and spent one year in the Jones Foundry Com- pany at Brooklyn. On leaving the East he went to a farm near Sparta, Wisconsin, and afterward spent two and a half years with the job printing firm of Johnson, Smith & Harrison at Minneapolis.

Mr. Bender came to Montana in 1881, first locat- ing at Glendive, soon afterward, going to Miles City, and for about six months was employed as purchasing agent for the contractors who were working down the Cheyenne Bluffs along the river between Miles City and Rosebud. Mr. Bender then had some business relations speculating in ranch properties around Bozeman and in March, 1883, came to Livingston and was associated with his brother John A., as a farmer and stockman. In 1884, leaving their stock on the range, they moved to Cook City and during the winter of 1885-86 Mr. Bender was at Fridley, now known as Emigrant. March 1, 1886, he started on a visit to California, but returned in May and resumed his activities as a stock raiser. In 1898 he sold out his ranching interests and returning to Livingston spent two years as a merchant. Then followed a long period of official service, including four years as constable of Livingston Township, and since then continu- ously as a justice of the peace. He also served

HISTORY OF MONTANA

a term as alderman, and twelve years as police judge. Since 1909 Mr. Bender has been in the real estate business, and has developed a complete organization with a service covering city and ranch properties all over Southern Montana. His offices are in the Thompson Block.

Mr. Bender is one of the prominent Odd Fellows of Montana. He is affiliated with all branches of Odd Fellowship, being a past grand of Park Lodge No. 17, past chief patriarch of Columbian Encamp- ment 204, past captain of Garfield Canton, and was major of the Second Battalion of the Patriarchs Militant for a number of years and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge, representing all the branches on a number of occasions. He is also past venerable consul of Silver Tip Camp No. 5675, Modern Woodmen of America and past exalted ruler of Livingston Lodge No. 246 of the Elks and was a representative to the Grand Lodge in 1906 at Denver Colorado. For a number of years Mr. Bender has served as secretary of the Livingston Fire Department which was organized in 1886 and of which he. is one of the oldest living members. He is also secretary of the Park County Pioneers, an association which was organized in 1918. He is a democrat in politics.

His home is at 320 South Third Street. He mar- ried at Livingston in 1892 Miss Ollie V. Cole, daughter of Alfred and Mary Ann (Freeman) Cole. Her parents are deceased, her father having been a pioneer Montana farmer at Glendive.

WILL J. SODERLIND, who was prominently identi- fied with the establishment of the pioneer banking institution of Rapelje, is a banker by profession, since he has been connected with banks during the greater part of his active lifetime and all his ex- perience has been in commercial lines. Mr. Soder- lind has a wide acquaintance with the northwestern country, not only Montana but several adjoining states and in Canada.

He was born at Ludington, Michigan, May 23, 1885. His father, Alfred Soderlind, was born in Sweden in 1857, was reared in that country to the age of eighteen, and on coming to the United States located at Ludington, Michigan. In 1886 he moved to Lake Benton, Minnesota, where he bought a farm. From farming he formed connections with the financial community and established the Farm- ers State Bank of Lake Benton and since 1906 has been its cashier. He is still living at Lake Ben- ton. He also served as register of deeds of Lin- coln County, Minnesota. He is an independent democrat and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. Alfred Soderlind married Emily Johnson. She was born in Sweden in 1861 and was reared from childhood in Michigan; Will J. is the oldest of their children. Charles is assistant cashier in the Farmers State Bank at Lake Benton, Minne- sota ; Alma is the wife of Hans Lyngaard, a farmer in Lincoln County, Minnesota; Alice is still at home; Grace is the wife of Roy Martie, who has a lieutenant's commission in the National army ; and Walter, the youngest, is with the home circle.

Will J. Soderlind acquired his early education in the public schools of Lake Benton, to which com- munity he was taken when about a year old. He finished his sophomore year in the high school, and in 1903 attended the Minneapolis School of Busi- ness. His banking experience began as bookkeeper with the National Citizens Bank of Lake Benton. He was 11/2 years in that work, then spent two years as assistant cashier, and two years as cashier, of the Securities State Bank of Seaforth, Minne-

sota. On leaving that position he acquired a some- what different experience in banking. As an em- ploye of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Com- pany he was in their Minneapolis office for 11/2 years and then for one year represented the com- pany at Winnipeg, Canada, and in 1911 the same company sent him to their Billings headquarters, where he remained as bookkeeper and cashier for two years, and then for two years was assistant collector and another two years were spent as gen- eral collector covering Montana and Wyoming.

Mr. Soderlind left the Case Company in 1917 to identify himself with the new Town of Rapelje at the time the First National Bank was established. This bank has a capital of $25,000, and its surplus is $2,500. The officers are: Roy J. Covert, of Bill- ings, president; Albert E. Platz, of Billings, vice president ; Will J. Soderlind, cashier ; and J. Herbert Jones, assistant cashier.

Mr. Soderlind is also secretary and treasurer of the Rapelje Telephone Company and is agent for the Rapelje Townsite Company. He owns his home in the town and a farm north of Rapelje. Mr. Soderlind is an independent in politics, a member of the Episcopal Church, belongs to the Commer- cial Club of Rapelje and is affiliated with Rapelje Lodge No. 122, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

In 1910, at Seaforth, Minnesota, he married Miss Florence Longbottom, daughter of John and Eliza- beth (Johnston) Longbottom, resident of Seaforth, her father being a retired merchant, farmer and banker. Mr. and Mrs. Soderlind have two children : Jay, born August 24, 1912, and Shirley, born July 7, 1916.

PROF. J. H. HOLST since 1913 has been principal of secondary education and director of the sum- mer season of the Montana State College at Boze- man. A notable achievement as a teacher and school leader preceded his coming to Bozeman, where during the past half dozen years he has been able to influence for the better the large number of young men and women preparing for work in the educa- tional profession.

Professor Holst was born at Gravois Mills, Mis- souri, March 2, 1873. His father was N. J. Holst and his grandfather was Nicholas Holst, and both were natives of the Province of Schleswig Hol- stein, when that province was part of the King- dom of Denmark. The family are of Danish an- cestry. Nicholas Holst was born in 1815, had served his time in the Danish army and in 1859 brought his family to America and settled in Mor- gan County, Missouri. He was one of the early farmers in that section and lived there the rest of his life. He died at Gravois Mills in 1898, at the advanced age of eighty-three. N. J. Holst, his son, is still living at Eldon, Missouri. He was born in Schleswig Holstein in 1849, and was ten years of age when brought to the United States. He grew up in Morgan County, Missouri, and has spent his active life as a farmer. Since 1911 he has lived retired at Eldon, but still owns a small farm, his original place being owned by his sons. He is a democrat, an active worker in the Christian Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Order. His wife, . Rachel Jane James, was born at Gravois Mills, Missouri, in 1850. Professor Holst is the oldest of their six children. Letreciam, the second in age, is the wife of C. F. Rastorfer, a farmer at Bar- netts, Missouri; Thomas R. lives on a farm at Mar- vin, Missouri; J. D. is a farmer at Eldon; Hiram operates a grain elevator in Colorado; and Ola. the youngest, is unmarried and living with her parents.

Receiving his first advantages in the rural schools

HISTORY OF MONTANA

of Morgan County, J. H. Holst afterwards at- tended an academy at Versailles in his native state, and in 1898 graduated from the Hooper Institute at Clarksburg, Missouri. In the meantime for two years he had practical experience as a newspaper man, one year of which was with the St. Louis Chronicle. For two years he was associate presi- dent, but as a matter of fact was the actual head of the Hooper Institute. Professor Holst began his career as a Montana educator in 1900, when he located at Dillon and worked a year with the Dillon Tribune. He then became principal of schools at Gibbonsville, Idaho, held that post three years and for three years was also interested in mining opera- tions in Idaho.

In 1908 Professor Holst returned to Montana and organized at Victor the first consolidated school in the state. He was its superintendent six years. What he did there is best reviewed in the words of the leading editorial contained in the Journal of Education of Boston in the issue of October 25, 1917. "Professor J. H. Holst," says the editorial, "now of the State College of Agriculture at Bozeman, Montana, is one of the best demonstrations we know of a man's giving himself more than state-wide recognition by intensified service in a small com- munity. Victor is a little place in the Bitter Root Valley of Montana. It has never had more than a hundred fifty population. Mr. Holst went there nine years ago this September. The school en- rollment was one hundred thirty-seven, or nearly equal to the entire population of the village. Of course the district lines were much larger than the village boundaries." The editorial then enume- rates a long list of progressive achievements under- taken through and as a result of Mr. Holst, in- cluding the increase in number of teachers, better salary schedule for their services, the teaching of agriculture on scientific principles, the organization of a Parents-Teachers Association and a District Teachers Association, the establishment of a school savings bank, the first in the state, the organization of the first County Interscholastic League, and the making of the periodic events of debating and liter- ary contests, athletic meets, the principal gala oc- casions for the entire community. In 1912 Mr. Holst, after having added a high school course and greatly increased the facilities of the Victor school and the building of a splendid schoolhouse for the district, secured the consolidation of five school districts, thus bringing about the first con- solidated school in Montana.

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 12

Author: Stout, Tom, 1879- ed Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society Number of Pages: 1126

Author: Stout, Tom, 1879- ed
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 1126