Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 171

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

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County. He made his home there until 1881, when he came to Butte, Montana, where he remained for a time, but later filed on a pre-emption claim in the Flathead Valley, on which he located on May 14, 1883, thus being literally one of the very first settlers in this locality-in fact he was the only man with a family on the east side of the river, there being four "squatters" there beside him. He entered at once upon the task of improving his land and constructing a home, which in a new country is a task of some proportions, though their needs in those days were much less than the necessities of the present day. Mr. Lang took a prominent part in the various phases of the development of the new country, having helped to build the first schoolhouse, which was constructed of logs. He also rendered good service as a school director. He was the first justice of the peace in Flathead County, Tyson Dun- can holding that office on the west side of the river. At that time wild game was abundant, and the pioneer table was seldom without meat. Mr. Lang had a unique way of providing himself with wild game as he needed it. He had caught and tamed a young fawn, which would follow him about like a dog. The animal would go into the woods and after remaining awhile would return to its adopted home accompanied by a number of wild companions, who would be shot by the settlers, though they were always careful not to kill more than they really needed at that time, thus not wasting any food. Mr. Lang relates that as many as twenty-five deer have followed the fawn home at one time. Through the years that have come and gone since Mr. and Mrs. Lang came to the Flathead country a wonderful transformation has taken place in this country in almost every respect, and to such men as Mr. Lang is the community indebted for much of the solidity and stability of the civilization which has followed so closely on the heels of the pioneers. Under the noted Bill Huston, Mr. Lang gave good service as

deputy sheriff of Missoula County. Mr. and Mrs. Lang are now living in a comfortable and attractive home in Kalispell, where they are quietly passing the evening of life, surrounded by friends and ac- quaintances who enjoy nothing more than to hear Mr. Lang recite incidents of the early days. Mrs. Lang recites that at one time two squaws, with large knives, came into the cabin and tried to terrify her, but she hid her true feelings and carelessly moved about, apparently unconcerned. The squaws sat around, watching her and laughing and talking, and finally left. At another time a big ill-looking Indian came into the cabin while the men folks were away, and lay down on the floor so as to obstruct the doorway and thus prevent her from going out. After awhile, seeing that she paid no attention to him, he left. The red men got ugly at times and com- mitted outrages of the worst kind. They cremated two white men, from whose ashes some twenty-dol- lar gold pieces were raked, thus identifying them. At another time they killed a white man from whose coat a squaw took a Masonic pin, which she wore into town soon after, thus revealing the identity of the dead man and the criminals. A couple of In- dians were arrested and were under the guard of Mr. Lang. The Vigilant Committee, deciding to teach the Indians a salutary lesson, told Mr. Lang that his wife was sick and that he was wanted at home at once. In his absence the Vigilants took the Indians out and hung them.

John Lang was married in Scotland, on April 29, 1864, to Margaret Stone, who, as has been related elsewhere, did not accompany him on his immigra- tion to the United States, but remained at home until such a time as he could send for her. She

Margaret Long John Lang

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finally rejoined him on Christmas day, 1865, and at that time placed in his arms their first-born child, who had been born in bonnie Scotland. Her name is Margaret and she is now the wife of John E. McCarthy, of Browning, Montana. They have three children, namely : Daniel E .; John E., who saw active military service in France during the World war and is now a cadet at West Point Military Academy ; and Grace, the daughter, is a stenographer in Washington, D. C. The remaining children of Mr. and Mrs. Lang are as follows: John, who is engaged in the mercantile business in Pendleton, Oregon, married Catherine Kenny, and they have one son, John. James is probationary officer at Kalispell, having under his charge three counties. He married Mollie Bosten, a native of Kentucky. William, who is a stockman at Thompson Lakes, married Phoebe Elliott, and they have a son, Adel-

bert, who is a student in electricity at Oakland, California. Jane is the wife of L. C. Sloan, a stock raiser at Browning, Montana, and they have one son, Manly McCormick, who is now a student in the Armour Technical Institute, Chicago. Jessie, who was the first white child born on the east side of the Flathead River, became the wife of Duncan J. St. Claire, a stockman at Browning, Montana.

Politically John Lang has been a supporter of the republican party ever since coming to this country. his first presidential vote having been for U. S. Grant. Mrs. Lang is independent in her political attitude, giving her support only to those measures and men which she deems to be for the best interests of all the people. Religiously they were both reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, to which they still are connected and to which they give generous support. Fraternally Mr. Lang is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Lang has been essentially a man of the people, because he has large faith in humanity and is optimistic in his views. His success in life has been the direct fruitage of consecutive effort, directed and controlled by good judgment and correct principles.

SHIRLEY S. FORD, a prominent young banker of Great Falls, is a son of Robert and Sue ( McClana- han) Ford. The life record of his father, one of the earliest settlers in Montana, and long a prominent stockman and later a banker at Great Falls, is sketched on other pages.

Shirley S. Ford was born at his father's home at Sun River in Cascade County, March 9, 1887, being the fourth of five children. He was educated in the public schools of Great Falls, prepared for college at St. Paul's School at Concord, New Hamp- shire, then entered Harvard University, from which he received his A. B. degree in 1900. Returning home, he went to work for the Great Falls National Bank as bookkeeper, and since January, 1914, has served as vice president of that institution. Mr. Ford is a member of the Rotary Club, Commercial Club, and in politics is a democrat.

August 25, 1915, he married Miss Elizabeth Wal- lace, only child of William J. and Elizabeth Wallace. Her father was for many years a prominent lawyer at Helena, but is now living in New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have one daughter, Gertrude Elizabeth.

HENRY HOLMES STANLEY. Whether the elements of success in this life are innate attributes of the individual or whether they are quickened by a proc- ess of circumstantial development, it is impossible to clearly determine. Yet the study of a successful life, whatever the field of endeavor, is none the less interesting and profitable by reason of this same

uncertainty. In studying the life history of Henry H. Stanley, a well known business man of Great Falls, we find many qualities in his make-up that always gain definite success in any career if properly directed, as has evidently been done in his case through his persistence in the pursuit of a worthy purpose.

Henry Holmes Stanley was born in Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa, on May 27, 1860, and is the son of Robert and Evelyn Stanley. Robert Stanley was a native of Indiana and died at the age of sev- enty-three years. He became one of the pioneer farmers of Lucas County, Iowa, where he spent his last days, having retired and moved into the Town of Chariton. Politically he was a republican. His wife was a native of Illinois and died at the age of fifty-six years. To them were born seven children, of which number four are living.

Henry H. Stanley attended the public schools of his native community and remained on the paternal farmstead until he had attained his majority. He then went to Seattle, Washington, where for some time he was employed in lumber mills, and later on farms in that community. Going from there to Idaho, he was employed in the mines for about a year, when he went to Phillipsburg, Montana, and was there employed as a miner for some time, later following the same occupation at Butte for about a year. He then came to Great Falls and engaged in teaming, but about a year and a half later he sold out and engaged in the real estate and loan business, with which he has been identified continuously since and today is considered one of the leaders in his line in this section of the state. He has been very successful in handling many large real estate deals and has so conducted his affairs as to give entire satisfaction to those with whom he has had dealings. He possesses an accurate knowledge of land and building values and his services are frequently sought as an appraiser of values on real estate.

On February 15, 1880, Mr. Stanley was married to Amelia C. Wood, who was born in Lucas County, Iowa, and to them have been born five children, namely: Howard, who married Ruth Proyer and they have one daughter; Adelaide; Amelia; Evelyn and Dean. Howard and Dean are associated with their father in business.

Politically Mr. Stanley gives his support to the democratic party, though he is not an aspirant for public office. Nevertheless he takes a commendable interest in the public affairs of the community and for the past seven years he has rendered efficient service to the public as a member of the school board. His religious membership is with the Pres- byterian Church. Fraternally he is a member of Cas- cade Lodge No. 34, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Great Falls Chapter No. 9. Royal Arch Masons ; Black Eagle Commandery No. 8, Knights Templar, and Algeria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Helena. He is also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason.

The splendid success which has come to Mr. Stan- ley is directly traceable to the salient points in his character, for he started in life at the bottom of the ladder, which he has mouned unaided. With a mind capable of planning, he combined a will strong enough to execute his well-formulated purposes, and his great energy, sound judgment, keen discrimina- tion and perseverance have resulted in the success which is now crowning his efforts.

J. E. KENKEL, the pioneer shoe man of Great Falls, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1863. He came to Montana in 1887 by way of the Missouri River to Fort Benton and thence by stage to Great

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Falls, where he engaged in the shoe business the same year, the style of the firm being Budge & Kenkel. Their opening stock came to Helena by way of the Northern Pacific and was from there freighted by the T. C. Power Forwarding Company to this place. Mr. Kenkel's parents were John and Mary (O'Connor) Kenkel, who were among the early set- tlers in St. Paul, where his father was engaged in the cigar manufacturing business for many years, a member of the firm of Hart & Kenkel. His father died in 1899 and his mother in 1913.

In October, 1891, Mr. Kenkel was married to Miss Adaline Riley, a native of Lansing, Iowa. Five chil- dren were born to their union, and the three still living are John T., Kathrine and Evelyn. John T. Kenkel is associated with his father in business.

HARRY B. MITCHELL has been a resident of Mon- tana since 1890, with the exception of a compara- tively brief period when he followed his occupation of a newspaperman elsewhere. He was born in Scotland April 7, 1867, and came with his parents to the United States while yet a small boy. The family settled in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and there he passed his boyhood years and received his educa- tion. His parents were David and Mary (Ferguson) Mitchell. They were the parents of thirteen chil- dren, eight sons and five daughters, Harry being the ninth in age. Upon leaving school he entered the office of the Fergus Falls Journal and learned the printing trade. Striking westward, he came to Great Falls in 1890 and entered the employ of the Great Falls Leader. In 1892 he purchased the Belt Mountain Miner, published at Barker, then a flour- ishing mining camp. A year or so later he sold that newspaper and became associated with J. Alex. Wright in the publication of the Neihart Miner, a business connection which has continued ever since, although the Neihart Miner has long ceased to exist. In the summer of 1893 the slump in the price of sil- ver brought stagnation to mining in Neihart, and Mr. Mitchell was compelled to seek employment else- where. Leaving Montana he was engaged in news- paper work in Minneapolis and Chicago, spending the winter in the same employment in New York. The following summer business brightened in Nei- hart and he returned there, resuming his position as editor of the Neihart Miner. In 1896 he purchased an interest in the Great Falls Leader and was its manager until 1900. In that year he sold his inter- est in the Leader and became managing editor of the Great Falls Tribune, and in that position he continued until 1918.

In the meantime, in 1907, he had purchased a tract of land a few miles south of Great Falls, and in the course of time this was developed into a dairy farm of considerable size, being, in fact, one of the most modern and probably the largest distinctively dairy farms in the state, the milk from which is sold directly to consumers in Great Falls. He retired from the newspaper business in 1918 for the purpose of giving the whole of his attention to the farm. The farm is irrigated with water pumped from the Missouri by electricity, Mr. Mitchell being the pio- neer in the use of electricity for this purpose in Montana.

In 1916 Mr. Mitchell was a democratic candidate for Congress for Montana, but was defeated by a small plurality by Miss Jeanette Rankin. Again in 1918 he was nominated by his party with- out opposition, but was again defeated by a small plurality in a district largely republican. These are the only times he has been a candidate for public office, but he was for fourteen years a member of the Great Falls Library Board and is at present

a member and vice president of the State Livestock Commission. He is a Mason, a Knight Templar and Shriner and an Elk. During the war he was active in the Red Cross, and is still a member of the home service department of that organization.

On August 8, 1895, Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Mary Greening, a native of Wisconsin and daughter of William and Catherine (Cameron) Greening. The former is still alive (1920) aged ninety-four years. Mrs. Mitchell is one of the promi- nent women leaders of the state, being very active in club work and other civic activities. She has been twice president of the Montana State Federation of Women's Clubs, and during the war was chair- man of the Woman's Council of Defense for Cas- cade County. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have three children : Catherine M., Fergus G. and Hugh B. Catherine is a student at Wellesley College, Massa- chusetts, and Fergus attend's the State College at Bozeman. The latter served in the students' train- ings corps during the closing months of the war.

CYRUS W. BUCK. The gentlemen to a brief re- view of whose life and character the reader's atten- tion is herewith directed is among the favorably known and representative citizens of Western Mon- tana. He has by his enterprise and progressive methods contributed to the advancement of his com- munity during the course of an honorable career, and he has ascended through his individual efforts from the bottom of the ladder to a place of relative importance in this locality, having ever been known as a man of unswerving integrity, sound judgment and honesty of purpose.

Cyrus W. Buck was born in Washington County, Minnesota, on the 5th day of October, 1868, and he is the son of Orvil and Lavina (Mars) Buck. The father was born in Indiana in 1843, and died in 1915, and the mother, who is also deceased, was a native of Minnesota. They became the parents of four chil- dren, two sons and two daughters, the subject of this sketch having been the second child in order of birth. Orvil Buck went from Indiana to Minnesota in young manhood and engaged in farming in Otter- tail County, where he lived until 1902, when he re- moved to the State of Washington, where he en- gaged in farming and fruit raising until 1910. In the latter year he located in Chouteau County, Mon- tana, in what is now Teton County, and was there engaged in the sheep business up to the time of his death. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Grand Army of the Republic, his affiliation with the last-named organization being consistent from the fact that during the Civil war he served for one year and six months in the Union army as a member of the Sixty-first Regiment, Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry. Politically he gave his support to the republican party.

Cyrus W. Buck received his education in the public schools of Minnesota, having been reared in the home of his grandfather. The first money ever earned by him was by selling to his grandfather for $2 a dog which had cost him $1. The days of his early youth were spent in working on the home farm, and at the age of sixteen years he engaged in work- ing ont as a farm hand in Ottertail County, Min- nesota. After about two years of such work he went to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and entered the employ of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, work- ing in the supply department for about two months, at the end of which time he was transferred to the civil engineering department. He continued in that work until April 1, 1887, when he came overland by the way of Salt Lake to Silverbow, Montana, thence on to Fort Benton, where he was employed

gorbaumaton

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in riding the ranges as a cowboy up to 1894, when he located a homestead in Chouteau County, near Lost Lake, and here he has since been engaged in the horse, cattle, sheep and hog business. He has been successful in his ranch enterprise and is recog- nized as one of the most progressive and enterpris- ing stock men in Western Montana. He ships his cattle mainly to the Chicago markets, and buys and sells many horses. His ranch property is well im- proved with substantial and conveniently arranged buildings, the general appearance of the place indi- cating the owner to be a man of sound judgment and excellent taste.

On January 11, 1899, at Fort Benton, Montana, Mr. Buck was married to Margaret McVicar Gray, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Her parents, William and Isabel ( McVicar) Gray, were also na- tives of Scotland, and both are deceased, the father dying in 1913 and the mother in 1899. They became the parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, all of whom were born in the land of hills and heather. The father was a market man in Glas- gow for many years, up to 1880, when he came to the United States, locating in Minneapolis, Minne- sota. Some time later he sent for his family, who joined him here. In 1881 he came up the Missouri River to Fort Benton and located on a ranch in Chouteau County. Later he returned to Minnesota and bought cattle, which he shipped by rail to Bil- lings, Montana, from which point he drove them overland, a distance of 210 miles, to his ranch in Chouteau County. In 1887 he added a herd of sheep to his stock interests, and later added horses and hogs. All of his meat animals have been shipped to the Chicago market. In 1902 he retired from active business and is now enjoying a richly earned rest. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and gives his support to the republican party. To Mr. and Mrs. Buck have been born five children, namely : Marion McVicar, Jack, Margaret A., Grace B. and Robert R.

Politically Mr. Buck is an ardent supporter of the republican party, though to a certain extent he reserves the right to vote for the men and measures which meet with his approval, regardless of political lines. Religiously he is a member of the Presby- terian Church, to which he is a liberal contributor. Fraternally he is a member of Benton Lodge No. 25, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Great Falls Lodge No. 214, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In every phase of community life Mr. Buck has stood consistently for whatever will advance the best interests of the community, and because of his clean character and genial personal qualities he enjoys a well-earned popularity in this community.

J. V. HARRINGTON. For more than three decades the honored and venerable pioneer and substantial farmer whose name appears above was a resident of Western Montana and a prominent factor in its material growth, playing well his part in the ma- terial, civic and moral unbuilding of the same. He noted many wonderful changes after he made his advent into the wilderness here and he talked inter- estingly of the early days when this section of the country was still the home of the Indians and the haunts of many varieties of wild beasts. The death of this honored Montana pioneer occurred on the 17th of April, 1920.

J. V. Harrington was born in the quaint and his- toric Town of Pictou, Nova Scotia, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Norton) Harrington. He was educated in the public schools of that country, but when only fifteen years of age he determined

to cast his lot with the people of the states. Going to Eastport, Maine, he was soon engaged in engin- eering work, his first job being the erection of machinery on the steamboat "Westmoreland." He then sailed to Portland, Maine, and Boston, Massa- chusetts, and during the summer time made many trips to Philadelphia and to southern ports, whence vegetables and other farm products were brought to the northern ports. During the winter months he sailed to New Orleans, carrying marketable pro- duce from northern ports. This program he car- ried out during three seasons on the steamship "Oriental," calling at the ports of New Orleans, Pen- sacola, Havana and Cienfugoes, and carrying north a cargo of melons and other tropical and semi-tropi- cal fruits and vegetables. At length Mr. Harring- ton decided to transfer his attention to the Great Lakes, and for some time he served as an engineer on a tugboat on the lakes and Detroit River, occa- sionally taking trips to Cleveland and Erie. One fall he was taken sick with the "fever and ague" and was compelled to lay the hoat up at Milwaukee for the winter while he went to Chicago for medi- cal treatment. About the time he recovered suffi- ciently to think of work a call was made for men to work on the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, mechanics especially being called for. Mr. Harrington answered the call and went to the Wa- satch range, which was then the terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad, where he was engaged as an engineman. However, hearing wonderful stories of the success attending gold hunters in Montana and Idaho, he determined to venture in that line himself. He first located at Rocky Bar, Idaho, where his mining venture was fairly successful. He determined to solve the best means of working the ground in sluicing and hydraulic power, and in this he was successful. Possessed with a natural desire to see the country, he then went to Arizona. While there he became engaged in a round-up of some bad Indians, being associated with a noted Indian fighter named Smith. On one occasion also he was with General Crook, the famous Indian fighter, at a time when the Indians had been unusually ugly, killing men, women and children in a most dastardly manner. Mr. Harrington joined with other citizens and United States troops and they pursued the In- dians, killing 103 of the savages and taking others as prisoners. From Arizona he came by horseback to Montana, and at Butte he was again engaged as an engineer. While there he helped to erect the largest hoisting engine in the State of Montana, also one of the largest Cornish pumps in the state.

Two years later Mr, Harrington came to the Flathead Valley and filed on a homestead claim of 160 acres, and also bought considerable land adjoin- ing, his holdings of Montana land finally amounting to about 1,000 acres. This has continued the home ranch to the present time, though the family now spend the major portion of their time in their modern and comfortable home in Kalispell. At one time Mr. Harrington operated a threshing machine on the land where now stands the beautiful and thriving City of Kalispell. In this connection it is worthy of note that to Mr. Harrington belongs the credit for bringing the first steam thresher and the first steam plows to the Flathead Valley. The secret of his success was simply that he made the best use of the opportunities that presented themselves. He was a good business manager and accumulated a goodly property, but at the same time was generous in his support of every measure for the general good and was of material assistance to others who had a hard time getting started. He was a stock- holder in the First National Bank of Kalispell and

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 171

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