Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 170

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 170

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Jeder Lagone

603

HISTORY OF MONTANA

in his brother's, Senator Gnose, dry goods estab- lishment; Martha, who married Benjamin Baker, a merchant of Zenas, Indiana; and Selma, who mar- ried Dennis A. Woods, banker, merchant and leading man of Zenas, Indiana.

James B. Gnose attended the rural schools of Decatur County, Indiana, and for a year was a stu- dent of Moore's Hill College, when he entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and spent two years in that institution. In the fall of 1887 Mr. Gnose returned to Zenas, Indiana, and taught school for two years, and for one of those years was principal. He then came to Anaconda, and for a time was engaged in chopping saw logs on Modesty Creek for Walton & Scott, and then located in the town and drove a team for contract work until October, 1888, when he began teaching a school in the Deer Lodge Valley, which occupied him that winter. In the following summer Mr. Gnose was engaged in developing fish culture on Lost Creek with the hope of interesting the Federal au- thorities to the extent of putting in a Government hatchery at Anaconda. In this he was disappointed, for the hatchery was established at Bozeman, Mon- tana. With the coming of winter Mr. Gnose resumed his school teaching and the following summer en- gaged with Jesse Miller in his dairy, remaining with him until 1891. when he established a small general store at 317 East Commercial Avenue, which has been expanded until it is now the leading estab- lishment of its kind in Deer Lodge County, it being a wholesale and retail grocery and bakery, occupy- ing three fronts, of seventy-five feet of frontage. He is a strong republican and very active in politics, serving as alderman of Anaconda for one term, and then being elected to the State Senate in 1916. Mr. Gnose served as a member of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth sessions and is still representing his district. He was chairman of the mines and mininig committee of the Sixteenth Session, and was chair- man of the fish and game laws committee in the Fifteenth Session and codified these laws. In the Fifteenth Session he also served on the educational, banks and banking and other important committees, and was chairman of the commerce and trade com- mittee, and fathered some of the most constructive legislation introduced and passed during those sessions.

Senator Gnose helongs to Anaconda Lodge No. 239, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ana- conda Club, and the Anaconda Country Club. He resides in the Gnose Block, and owns it, the block opposite the Montana Hotel, his store building and other city realty, and did own several ranches, but has lately disposed of them. As his name indi- cates, his family originated in Holland, represen- tatives having come from there to Pennsylvania at an early day in the history of America. Mr. Gnose has never married. Always active in pro- moting the welfare of Anaconda, during the Sec- ond Liberty Loan drive he served as chairman of the local committee, and saw to it that the quoto was considerably oversubscribed. This drive was the most successful of the series at Anaconda, the amount raised being $1.250,000, and the senator received many telegrams from promi- nent national office holders and others congratulat- ing him on his especially good work in this drive. The plans he made and put into operation for this drive were followed in the subsequent drives.

PETER LAGONI. In many respects the career of the late Peter Lagoni, long one of the progressive farmers of the Flathead Valley, is peculiarly in- structive in that it shows what a well defined pur-

pose, supplemented by correct principles and high ideals, can accomplish in the face of discouraging circumstances. It is an example of triumph over obstacles, the winning of success by honorable meth- ods, and as such may be safely followed by those whose life work is yet to be accomplished. He was a fine type of the sterling pioneer, having invaded the wilderness of this locality when settlers were none too numerous and when there was much to be done before a comfortable home could rise and good crops be reaped from the virgin soil, but he was a man who never permitted discouraging circumstances to influence him,' for he forged ahead despite them, and won not only material success, but the confi- dence and good will of all who knew him.

Peter Lagoni was born in Denmark, where he was reared to the age of thirteen years. At that time he and his brother August were brought to the United States by their father, who took that move in order to avoid their being conscripted into the German army. After accompanying them safely to the new world in which they were to cast their future lot the father returned to his home and family. Pos- sessing the industrious and economical habits of his progenitors, Peter Lagoni bravely went to work to win his way and in time succeeded in no uncer- tain manner. His first investment in real estate was the purchase of a pre-emption right from a Spaniard in the Flathead Valley, and it is interesting to note that his judgment in the selection of that particular tract was verified in subsequent years, for that tract became the homestead which has been occupied by the family during later years. The tract is located about a mile west of Kalispell and is considered one of the choice farms of this section of the country. The residence is attractive in style and convenient and comfortable in arrangement, while the other farm buildings are substantial in character, an addi- tional feature of value ahout the place being the many fine fruit and shade trees which were set out by Mr. Lagoni, and which now give an added beauty to the home.

That Mr. Lagoni was progressive in his ideas and methods may be judged from the fact that he was one of the first men in this section of the country to advocate irrigation for farm lands, and he per- sisted in his advocacy of the system in the face of almost solid opposition. However, the irrigation idea gradually began to take hold of the ranchmen and eventually its advantages became a matter of absolute record, thus justifying Mr. Lagoni's argu- ments.

Mr. Lagoni was proud of his humble beginnings and they fitted in with his hopeful, helpful philosophy of human life that merit will have its reward and that in this free country, which he loved, although born under an alien flag, young men may still look forward to success and honor as confidently as at any time in its history as the prizes of fidelity, courage and indomitable energy. Of lowly begin- nings, he nevertheless belonged to the highest nobil- ity of the race. No accident made his career, for he achieved every step, often in the face of over- whelming obstacles. He was universally recognized as a splendid citizen, progressive in all that the term implies; a man of lofty character, sturdy integrity and unswerving honesty. During the early years of his settlement here he was one of the sturdy figures upon whom the burdens of the new community fell and he bore his part in the general upbuilding of the same manfully and well. So when on June 22, 1918, Mr. Lagoni closed his eyes to earthly scenes the community realized that it had suffered an ir- reparable loss.

Mr. Lagoni married Anna Hannan, who was born

604

HISTORY OF MONTANA

in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Martin and Johanna (Hartnett) Hannan. To' this union were born two children, Sylvia and Dixie Jane, the latter being now a student in the Kalispell public schools. Sylvia, after com- pleting her elemental education in the Kalispell schools, finished her education at St. Mary's Hall, Faribault, Minnesota, where she specialized in art and music, graduating with distinctive honors in both subjects. She then returned home and took up the duties of housekeeper, devoting herself to her father, whose faithful companion she was during the re- mainder of his life, she and her sister contributing in every possible way to his comfort and ease. She is cultured and refined, and because of her many fine qualities of character is held in the highest esteem throughout the community where she has lived all her life. After the death of the father the grandmother Hannan came into the home and assisted the girls to care for the home, in conjunc- tion with her married daughter, Mrs. Helen Harmon, whose husband is manager of the estate. The mem- bers of the Lagoni family are adherents of the Epis- copal Church, to which they give generous support. Politically Miss Lagoni pays but little attention to party lines, supporting the men and measures which in her opinion are for the greatest good to the great- est number. During the trying days of the recent World war the Lagoni sisters showed themselves to be typical 100% American girls, and, as did many others, they donned their khaki suits and, going into the fields, they contributed in a very definite way to the success of the allied cause by their efforts at home.

The Lagoni ranch is one of the best in the Flat- head, standing today as a monument to the sturdy industry and intelligent direction of Mr. Lagoni. The ranch was devoted to diversified farming and stockraising, special attention being given to the breeding and raising of Chester White hogs, which were raised for the stock market. It is the purpose to specialize to some extent on Holstein cattle.

ELMER JAY ANDERSON. This is a brief account of a Montana pioneer, whose life for nearly forty years was lived at White Sulphur Springs, where he achieved success as a merchant, and enjoyed many of the substantial honors of citizenship and the esteem of his friends due the integrity of his character.

Of an old Ohio family, Elmer Jay Anderson was born at Alliance in that state November 20, 1854. He was well educated, finishing at Mount Union College at Alliance, and then returned to the voca- tion of farming, in which he had been reared. In 1878, more than ten years before Montana became a state, he came up the Missouri River, first to Fort Benton and then to Townsend, where for a brief time he worked on the ranch of Governor Potts.

He had been in Montana about a year when he went back to Ohio, and on December 25, 1879, he married Miss Eva King, a native of Homeworth, that state. After their marriage they started for Montana, and in 1880 Mr. Anderson located at White Sulphur Springs, where he bought out a store previously established, and was actively identified with merchandising, banking, mining and stock rais- ing until his death on May 7, 1917. Along with the cares and responsibilities of a successful business he at different times exercised much influence in politics as a republican, and served as a member of the Montana State Senate in 1900-01. He was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were the parents of four

children : Glenn, Olive King, George Eldon and Harold. Harold died in 1895. Olive King is the wife of Moncure Cockrell, of Deer Lodge, Montana. George Eldon, who is a salesman for a wholesale grocery house of Bozeman, where he lives, mar- ried Wilma Trotter, a daughter of William Trotter, of Boulder, and they have a daughter, Virginia.

Glenn Anderson, a prominent mining engineer, was educated at Columbian University at New York, graduating in 1904 with the E. M. degree. He has been engaged in mining ever since, and is now a resi- dent of Butte and has given his professional services to a number of the mining companies of the state. He is a republican in politics, is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi college fraternity, and is affiliated with Summit Valley Lodge, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons. In 1907 Glenn Anderson married Lucy Stephens, daughter of A. J. and Fannie Steph- ens, of Fort Logan, Montana. To their marriage were born two children, Jay Stephens and Marian Montana Anderson.

ROBERT M. MITCHELL. In reviewing the various branches of commercial activity, the historian finds that there is none more important, especially during the present epoch, than that connected with the handling and distributing of foodstuffs of all kinds, so that the men engaged in a business of this nature are not only certain of obtaining a fair measure of prosperity, but are rendering a service to the world. One of the men of Butte who is not only now con- centrating upon this work, but has devoted his life to it, is Robert M. Mitchell, manager of the North- west Sales Agency, fruit and vegetable brokers and car lot distributors.

Robert M. Mitchell was born at Farmington, Washington, on November 17, 1887, a son of Edmund and Lela (McDowell) Mitchell. The Mitchells colo- nized in Ireland, from Scotland in the sixteenth cen- tury, coming from that country to the American colonies, while the McDowells are of Scotch descent. The birth of Edmund Mitchell took place in Mis- souri, and his death, at Bellingham, Washington, in 1907. He was reared, educated and married in his native state. and there owned and conducted a hotel. but left Missouri for Washington before his son Robert M. Mitchell was born, continuing as a hotel- man at Stanwood, Everett, Farmington and Belling- ton, and other points in Washington. He was a democrat politically, and fraterally belonged to the Knights of Pythias. His widow, who was born in Missouri, survives him and makes her home in Seattle, Washington. Their children were as fol- lows: Allie, who married Herman Gantenbein, sales- man of Seattle; Robert M., whose name heads this review; Vera, who married Charles Schloth, a sales- man, resides at Portland, Oregon; Frank, who died at Ballard, Washington, at the age of thirteen years; Mayme, who married Leonard Shortall, a salesman of Seattle; and Walter, who is a banker of Seattle.

After the death of her husband Mrs. Mitchell was married to Michael E. Sullivan, a mill foreman of Seattle, and they have a son, Eugene, who is attend- ing high school.

Robert M. Mitchell attended the public schools of Washington until he was fourteen years old, but at that time he left school and became a clerk in a grocery store at Seattle, where he remained for six years. He then went to Spokane, Washington, to become a wholesale fruit salesman, and during the two years he was thus engaged he learned the mer- cantile business from both the retail and wholesale ends. In 19II Mr. Mitchell became salesman and manager of the wholesale fruit house of the Brown Fruit Company at Edmonton, Canada, and continued

605

HISTORY OF MONTANA

with this concern until 1916, when he left and went to Calgary, Alberta, as manager of the Mitchell Fruit Company, which he had organized in connection with the Nash Organization, and managed both until 1917. In the latter year Mr. Mitchell's services were se- cured as salesman by the Ryan Fruit Company, with which he continued until April, 1918, when he came to Montana and organized the Pacific Brokerage Company at Great Falls, and in October of that same year he organized the Northwest Sales Agency, a business of his own, which he still conducts. In December, 1919, he transferred his headquarters from Great Falls to Butte, although he still maintains a branch at Great Falls, and another one at Bil- lings, Montana. Although his is a new company he has already built up the leading business of its kind in Montana. His offices are at 9 Hennessy Annex, and he resides at 12 Hennessy Annex.

In 1910 Mr. Mitchell was married at Spokane, Washington, to Miss Mabel Rausch, a daughter of Julius F. and Margaret Rausch, residents of Tacoma, Washington, where Mr. Rausch is recognized as a musician of great talent. Mrs. Mitchell was gradu- ated from the Broadway High School of Seattle, Washington. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are as follows: Helen Roberta, who was born Jan- uary 2, 1913; Edmund Vance, who was born in Sep- tember, 1915; and Margaret Lela, who was born in March, 1917. Mr. Mitchell is a democrat in his po- litical faith. Since boyhood he has been a consistent member of the Baptist Church and is a generous con- tributor toward its support. He belongs to Great Falls Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; and Deer Lodge Chapter No. 3, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Butte. Mr. Mitchell is a man who possesses the staying power and is now reaping the harvest of years of steadfast endeavor, and al- though he has been located at Butte but a short time, the conservative business men feel that he is a valuable addition to the sound interests of the metropolis of Montana.

ALFRED L. O'BRIEN, metallurgical engineer for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, is one of the most expert men in his line in the country, and al- though only thirty has attained to a well-known dis- tinction in his calling. He was born at Boston, . Massachusetts, April 3, 1890, a son of J. J. O'Brien. . The paternal ancestors came from Ireland to Massa- chusetts in 1791, while on the maternal side Mr. O'Brien traces back to Quaker forebears, who were also among the founders of the republic. J. J. O'Brien was born at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1833, and is now living at Dorchester, Massachusetts, hav- ing spent his entire life in and about Boston. Dur- ing his active years he was engaged very profitably in merchandising, but for some years has been re- tired. He is an independent democrat. During the Civil war he gave his country his service as a soldier, and was at the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg. Two of his brothers made the supreme sacrifice, dying in defense of their country during that con- flict. J. J. O'Brien was married to Mary A. Paul, born at New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1858. She died at Boston, Massachusetts, having borne her hus- band the following children : Frank J., who is a hotel proprietor of Chicago, Illinois; Mabel, who is un- married and resides with her father; Alfred L., whose name heads this review; Paul, who is a lieu- tenant in the regular army, served as instructor in the transport service during the great war; Lucy, who married Harry G. McLeod, a manufacturer of soft drinks, lives at Dorchester, Massachusetts ; Grace, who married W. H. Hanlin, an artist, lives at Chelsea, Massachusetts; and Hester, who married

William Cummings, who served during the great war overseas, and as a member of the Army of Oc- cupation, and she during the period of his service is living with her father.

Alfred L. O'Brien attended the excellent public schools of his native city, and was graduated from high school in 1909, following which he became a student of Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Pennsyl- vania, from which he was graduated in 1913, with the degrees of Mining Engineer and Metallurgist. In October of that same year Mr. O'Brien came west to Anaconda and became assistant testing engineer for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company. It was not long before those in authority realized his capabili- ties, and the young man was promoted to be chief chemist and later was made assistant superintendent of reverberating smelting. His services further re- ceived recognition by his appointment to his present very responsible position. His offices are in the gen- eral office building of the Washoe Reduction Works two miles east of Anaconda. In his political views Mr. O'Brien is independent, preferring to use his own judgment with reference to supporting candi- dates. He belongs to the Anaconda Club and the Sil- ver Club of Butte, Montana. Fraternally he main- tains affiliations with Anaconda Lodge, No. 239, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

In 1916 Mr. O'Brien was married at Anaconda to Miss Moina Ducie, a daughter of John and Ellen (Mulhern) Ducie, both of whom died in 1917. Mr. Ducie was one of the pioneers of Montana, and dur- ing the early days was engaged in prospecting over the state. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien have two daughters, Phyllis Milicent and Rosalba. Mr. O'Brien is a man who possesses the power to stimulate men to whole- hearted endeavor, and not only has technical training, but also business ability, a strong will and resource- fulness. During his connection with the Anaconda Copper Mining Company he has attained the full measure of the confidence of his associates and has proven his personal integrity and sincerity in every day conduct of the affairs entrusted to him. Both he and Mrs. O'Brien are popular socially, for they hold their friends in good account and like to have them about them, their pleasant home oftentimes being the scene of delightful gatherings. Just as Mr. O'Brien is a model host, he is equally popular as a guest, and is a man of personal charm, culture and wide intellectual interests, which are shared by his wife.

WILLIAM G. ALLIN. The name Allin belongs among the early pioneers in Montana. William G. Allin, who at the time of his death was one of the oldest residents of Cascade County and a prominent citizen of Great Falls, was a son of the late William Allin, and father and son for many years were suc- cessfully associated in ranching and stock raising, and both have been well known leaders in state affairs and in democratic politics in Montana cov- ering a period of half a century or more. William G. Allin died at Great Falls, May 1, 1920.

Grant Allin, grandfather of William G. Allin, was a pioneer of Missouri, and for many years held the office of clerk of court of Randolph County, that state. He was an ardent democrat. When he left office he was succeeded by his son William Allin. William Allin was born in Kentucky, and that state was also the birth home of his wife, Amanda Allin. She died in 1882, at the age of forty-six, the mother of seven children, three of whom are still living. The late William Allin though a native of Ken- tucky spent many years in Chariton and Randolph counties, Missouri. William G. Allin was born on his father's farm in Chariton County November 19,

606

HISTORY OF MONTANA

1856. In the meantime his father had become a Cali- fornia forty-niner. He went overland to the coast and spent some time in the mining districts, until the spring of 1850. He went back to Missouri, married, and was again in California for a time. In 1864 he arrived in Montana, was in the Alder Gulch mining district, and the winter of 1864-65 he and several of his companions spent in Deer Lodge Valley. He owned some mining interests near Butte. In 1866 hie again crossed the country to his home state of Missouri. In the early '7os he was interested in Texas and lived there for a time. From 1872 to 1875 he was again in Missouri, and in the latter year came to the Chestnut Valley of Montana. This time his choice of a home was permanent, and he lived in the Chestnut Valley until his death in 1915, at the age of eighty-five. He became extensively interested in farming and cattle raising.

William G. Allin acquired his early education . in the public schools of Missouri and later attended college at Huntsville, Missouri. From the time he was eighteen years of age he was closely associated with his father in the livestock and ranching busi- ness. In 1914 he was appointed state stock inspector and continued to perform those duties until his death. He was a delegate to county democratic conventions in Cascade County for over thirty years, and probably no one has a better knowledge of politics in that county from the time of its organiza- tion from Meagher County. Mr. Allin was a mem- ber of the Christian Church.

July 20, 1899, he married Ethel Maw, a native of England, who came to America, in early child- hood with her parents. who settled at Hot Springs, Arkansas. They had three children, Ethelyn, Wil- liam F. and Edith.

JOHN LANG. No state in the Union can boast of a more heroic band of pioneers than Montana. In their intelligence, courage, capacity and loyalty to the right they have never had any superiors, for in their daring and heroism they have been equal to the Missouri and California argonauts. Their priva- tions, hardships and earnest labors have resulted in establishing one of the foremost commonwealths in the great Northwest of our country, and one which still has great possibilities before it. A mem- ber of this worthy band is John Lang, long one of our successful and thrifty ranchers, but who is now living retired in Kalispell.

John Lang was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, and is the son of John and Jane (Hannah) Lang He was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the schools of his home neighbor- hood. In his early life he followed the sea, but shortly after his marriage, which occurred in 1864, he determined to cast his lot with the great republic across the sea. Taking passage on the "Brittania," he arrived in New York harbor on May 4, 1865. As they entered the harbor the first news that reached them was of the assassination of President Lincoln. Mr. Lang had left his young bride in Scotland until such a time as he should have a home established for her. Times were hard, and Mr. Lang's start in the new land of his adoption was anything but propitious, for, going down into Virginia, he was forced to work for his board for a time. Later, however, he went to Cole Valley, Illinois, where he was fortunate in obtaining steady employment. He then sent back to Scotland for his young wife, who with her young babe made the trip across the ocean alone, rejoining her husband on Christmas day, 1865. In the following year Mr. Lang left Illinois in a covered wagon and drove overland to Nebraska, where he took up a homestead in Washington

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 170

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