Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 180

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 180

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Mr. Reiter finished his education in Allegheny College at Meadville, Pennsylvania. In 1862 he ac- companied an uncle to the far West and was soon en- gaged in mining at Florence, Idaho. He was elected a member of the Legislature in the eighth session, and while in the Legislature assisted in creating Idaho County. Mr. Reiter came to Mon- tana in 1882, locating at Helena, and in 1890 moved to the Flathead country and filed on a pre-emption. He proved up that original land and has a fine home on it, situated in the very center of Flathead County. He enlisted in Company H, First Cali- fornia Volunteers, and fought in the Piute Indian war as a scout. Later, in 1877, he participated in the Nez Perce Indian troubles, was wounded three times, acted as orderly for General Howard and as a scout and performed many dangerous duties.

At Helena Mr. Reiter married Miss Julia Aurora Thore Ostlund. She was born in Sweden February 29, 1850, a daughter of Andrew and Anna Margaret Ostlund. Mrs. Reiter's father and mother were born in the year of 1814 and lived to the age of eighty-four, while the mother lived to be ninety- three. Andrew Ostlund was a prominent govern- ment official in Sweden, a well educated man and a man of affairs in his native country. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Reiter moved to the Flat- head and Mrs. Reiter was the first bride at Kalis- pell, the town having been started the same year. Mrs. Reiter is a member of the Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Reiter is one of the original repub- licans and cast his first vote in 1856, for the first standard bearer of the republican party, John C. Fremont, and has never missed an election in cast- ing a straight republican ticket.

Mrs. Reiter as a young lady in Sweden was thor- oughly educated and for ten years was a school teacher and a special teacher of music, also a com- poser of note. After coming to America she taught music up to the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Reiter enjoy the comforts of a pleasant home on the banks of the Stillwater River, and the years still sit lightly upon her. During his residence in Idaho Mr. Reiter was postmaster in Florence for six years and also ran the hotel and livery and feed barn. He has had a great variety of western experience both as a business man and rancher, and has always kept in close touch with world affairs. He owns a good library, has been a constant reader, is a stu- dent and debater, and has always been positive in his convictions and fearless in expressing his views.

EARL OGDEN. A purpose in life is as the helm of a ship-it shapes direction to the goal. It stirs ambition, arouses determination, and is the main- spring of success. To have some definite aim, some target to shoot at-no matter how modest it may be-is already to be well on the way to achieve- ment. Destination has much to do with destiny. - Purpose is that for which a man endures difficulties and hardships ; takes blows and rebuffs ; and tolerates

Earl Ogden comes of one of the old American families which was established in the American Colonies by ancestors who came here from England. He was born at Martinsburg, Iowa, on August 5, 1880, a son of I. N. Ogden, who was born in Indiana on March 4, 1843, and died at Oskaloosa, Iowa, on February II, 1920. The grandfather, Daniel Ogden, was born in New Jersey in 1816, and died at Mar- tinsburg, Iowa, in 1896, having been a pioneer farmer of Indiana and Iowa, and in the latter state developing into a banker at Martinsburg. He mar- ried Miss Rhoda DuBois, born in Indiana in 1821, who died at Martinsburg, Iowa, in April, 1919.

I. N. Ogden was reared, educated and married at Martinsburg, Iowa, and became a farmer and owner of a lumber yard and grain elevator, as well as of the controlling stock in the Martinsburg Bank. In 1913 he retired and moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he rounded out his life. Not only was he a successful business man, but he took a very im- portant and effective part in the civic and political affairs of Martinsburg, always working as a republi- can and as a sincere member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was an elder for many years. He also maintained fraternal connections with the local lodge of Odd Fellows.

The marriage of I. N. Ogden took place at Mar- tinsburg, Iowa, when he was united with Mary Botkin, born at Martinsburg, Iowa in 1878. She died at Yuma, Colorado, on July 9, 1903. Their children were as follows: Earl, who was the eldest born; Otto O., who lives at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he is engaged in a lumber business; Fern, who died at the age of twenty-two years, as the wife of Dr. A. A. Lynn, a dentist, surviving his wife and a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa; N. D., who is a rancher near Simms, Cascade County, Montana; R. B., who is a rancher, lives at Cascade, Montana; Beth, who married Wallace Wick, assistant superintendent of the Des Moines, Iowa, Power and Light Company ; Lois, who married C. C. Willett, a breeder of thoroughbred hogs and a resident of Brooklyn, Iowa, survives his wife, who died in 1916; Gladys and Florence A. both of whom are attending the Penn College of Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Earl Ogden attended the public schools of Martins- burg, Iowa, and was graduated from its high school in 1900, following which he became cashier of the bank of that place, and held that position for three years. He then embarked in the lumber, hardware · and grain business at Martinsburg, and conducted it for seven years.

Mr. Ogden is an ambitious young man and found the confines of Martinsburg too restricted for him, so in 1909 he came to Great Falls, Montana, where he spent the ensuing winter, and then in the spring of 1910 he bought a ranch six miles south of Augusta, comprising 3,000 acres of deeded land, in partnership with his brother, N. D. Ogden, the two still being associated, although they sold this ranch in 1916 and bought another one of 7,000 acres just south of Simms, Montana, which they are conduct- ing as a general ranching, cattle and sheep propo- sition.

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In the meanwhile, in 1916, Earl Ogden became cashier of the Peoples Bank of Augusta, which posi- tion he still holds. This bank was established on December 22, 1913, and opened for business in March, 1914. The officers of the bank are as fol- lows: J. F. McGraw, president; J. W. Nixon and Alexander Chrisholm, vice presidents; Earl Ogden, cashier ; and Ursula Manix, assistant cashier. The bank has a capital of $40,000, and its surplus and profits amount to $20,000, while its deposits are $250,000. It is located on Main Street and is one of the sound banking institutions of Lewis and Clark County.

Mr. Ogden is a republican. He maintains mem- bership with the Presbyterian Church of Augusta. Fraternally he belongs to Augusta Lodge No. 54, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Dearborn Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand, and he is also a member of the Encampment of Odd Fellows. He owns a modern residence at the corner of Main and Laura streets, which is a new .one completed in 1918, and one of the finest in the northern part of Lewis and Clark County.

In 1901 Mr. Ogden was married at Martinsburg, Iowa, to Miss Elizabeth M. Graves, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson Graves, who live at Martins- burg, Mr. Graves being a retired wagonmaker and an ex-Union soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Ogden became the parents of the following children: Dorothy, who was born on June 17, 1903, is attending the Augusta High School; Madeline, who was born on September 24, 1905, is also attending the Augusta High School; Ruth, who was born on May 5, 1908; Fern, who was born on January 17, 1910; and Donald, who was born on March 10, 1916.

JOHN EDWIN SHATTUCK, president of the Shat- tuck Commercial Company at Boulder, has been in the northwestern states a number of years, beginning his career as a railway telegraph operator, and through his enterprise has developed probably the leading mercantile establishment in Jefferson County.

Mr. Shattuck was born at Boston, Massachusetts, April 29, 1878. He is of English ancestry, his people having settled in Massachusetts in colonial times, and from Massachusetts moved to New Hampshire. His father, John Edwin Shattuck, Sr., is now living retired at Boston, where he was born in 1847, spent nearly all his life in that city, and for many years was a steward for the Revere House. At the age of sixteen, in 1863, he enlisted in the Union army in the Commonwealth Regiment of Massachusetts, and served to the end of the war. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is a republican in politics. He married Melissa Stirks, who was born in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1850 and died at Eureka, Illinois, in 1881. She was the mother of two children : Florence and John E. The former is the wife of William Wight, employed in the ac- counting department of the city government at Chicago.

John Edwin Shattuck spent his early life at Loda, Iroquois County, Illinois, graduating from the high school there in 1895. For one year he also attended the Onarga Seminary, a. Methodist schoo! at Onarga, Illinois. While a boy at Loda he learned the duties of station agent and telegraphy at the local office of the Illinois Central Railway, and on leaving there went to St. Paul, Minnesota, and was employed by the Soo line as a telegraph operator six months. For another six months he was night agent for the Minnesota Transfer Com- pany at New Brighton, Minnesota. Mr. Shattuck Vol. 11-41

came to Montana in 1900, and at White Sulphur Springs established one of the first sheep-shearing plants in the state. This plant was located at Dorsey. He managed it through three summer sea- sons, and during the winter acted as relief agent in railway offices. Following that he was cashier of the Yellowstone Bank at Mondak until 1907, in which year he engaged in the mercantile business at Elliston, Montana. He was proprietor of a store there, but sold out in 1911, and removing to Spokane organized the Spokane Feed and Fuel Company. He was president and manager of this corporation until 1916, when he came to Boulder and established his present business. This is now the leading general store in Jefferson County, and has prospered through a steady adherence to the ideal of affording a com- plete and satisfactory service to all the patrons. The business is incorporated as the Shattuck Commer- cial Company, with Mr. Shattuck as president, Frank Happ as vice president, and Mrs. D. O. Shattuck, secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Shattuck also owns a ranch in Franklin County, Washington, and a modern home at Boulder. He is affiliated with Helena Lodge No. 193 of the Elks and in politics is a republican. In 1903, at Loda, Illinois, he married Miss Della Ogan, daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Ogan, now de- ceased. Her father was an early mine operator of Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Shattuck have five chil- dren: Donald, born in July, 1904; Ralph, born in June, 1905; Wanda, born in April, 1907; Ramona, born in August, 1913; and Richard, born in October, 1914.

HARRY JOSEPH MCGREGOR, M. D. One of the best qualified surgeons in the northern part of the state is Doctor McGregor of Choteau, who in addition to his general practice has maintained a highly efficient hospital for the convenience of the people of Teton County.

Doctor McGregor was born at Davenport, Iowa, December 3, 1887, son of James and Elizabeth (Red- fern) McGregor. James McGregor was born in Scotland and came to this country with his parents when he was an infant. The McGregors first lived in Pennsylvania and afterward made the overland journey to Iowa, in which state they were pioneers. James McGregor grew up and was educated in the Iowa schools, and became a merchant at Davenport, where he was successfully engaged in business for a quarter of a century. He died in Davenport in 1917, at the age of fifty-five. He was a democrat in politics. His wife was a native of Iowa, and is still living at the age of fifty-five. Doctor McGregor was the fourth of their six children, five of whom are still living.

Harry J. McGregor attended the schools of Dav- enport, graduating from high school in 1905. He took his medical course in the Iowa State Uni- versity, receiving his degree in 1910. He served as an interne in the State Hospital of Iowa City and did his first practice in Nevada. He located at Choteau in 1911 and from the beginning has spe- cialized as a surgeon. His hospital is finished with every appliance and is one of the best institutions of its kind in Northern Montana. Doctor McGregor is a Fellow of the American Medical Association, and is also a member of the Teton County and State Society.

For several years he was active in the Montana National Guard, serving in the medical department of the Second Montana Regiment. He held the rank of captain. He was on duty in 1915 during the Butte strike riots, and in 1916 went with the regi- ment to the Mexican border. Doctor McGregor is

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affiliated with Great Falls Lodge No. 214 of the Elks and in politics is a democrat.

June 12, 1912, he married Miss Mary O'Neill, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Michael O'Neill. They have two sons, Bob and Jack. Doctor McGregor has been a leader in commercial circles in his com- munity, having been president of the Choteau Commercial Club during an active campaign, in which many roads were put under way and a $150,- 000 high school was erected in the Town of Choteau.

FREEMAN A. DALEY, of Teton County, has lived in that section of Montana for a number of years. He homesteaded a claim, has done his part in de- veloping the country, and his father has been one of the well known ranchers in Northern Montana.

Mr. Daley was born near Madison in Lacqui Parle County, Minnesota, on his father's farm January 7, 1888, being the fifth among the thirteen children of John J. and Anne (Lund) Daley. His mother was born at Stavanger, Norway, January 26, 1860. His father was born in Wisconsin, April I, 1855, grew up on his father's farm in that state, was married in Iowa and in 1879 took up a Government claim in Lacqui Parle County, Minnesota. He built a home, developed his land and was successfully en- gaged in farming in that state until 1902, when he moved to Teton County, Montana. Here he bought the old Charles Cooper ranch ten miles northwest of Choteau and became rather extensively interested in cattle and horse raising. In 1916 he sold that ranch and bought another one near Dupuyer, where he continued in the cattle industry. In 1918 he was appointed United States commissioner for his dis- trict. He has also served two years as justice of the peace and while in Minnesota was justice of the peace and one term county commissioner of Lacqui Parle County. He is a democrat in politics. Of his family of thirteen children three sons and five daughters are still living.

Freeman A. Daley was fourteen years of age when his parents came to Montana. He acquired his early education in Madison, Minnesota, and gradua- ted from the high school at Choteau in 1907. Mr. Daley is a civil engineer both by occupation and ex- perience. In 1912 he graduated from the civil engi- neering department of Montana State College at Bozeman. For two years he was connected with the engineering department of the Chicago, Milwau- kee & St. Paul Railway. He then homesteaded a claim near Choteau and in 1916 was appointed under sheriff, serving eight months. For about two years he worked and used every resource at his command to make a success of dry land farming. In November, 1918, he was elected county surveyor of Teton County, and in that office his thorough training as a civil engineer made him' thoroughly qualified for all the responsibilities devolving upon him. He resigned from the office of county surveyor April 1, 1920, because the three former county com- missioners of Teton County refused to place him in charge of road and bridge work in the county, thus making the office of county surveyor but a mere joke. Since that time he has done private engineer- ing and contracting. He is a democrat in politics and is affiliated with Chevalier Lodge No. 12 of the Knights of Pythias.

August 17, 1915, Mr. Daley married Patti G. Caradine, a native of Beebe, Arkansas. They have three children, John Joseph, Marcus Freeman and Mary Anne.

REV. LEONARD JACOB CHRISTLER, rector of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church of Havre, is one of the aggressive clergymen of his diocese, and an execu-

tive of exceptional ability to whose enthusiasm and zeal is largely due the growth of the church in this part of the state. Rev. Christler is also an effective militant and during the period he served as a mem- ber of the State Assembly, fathered and put through some of the most constructive legislation of recent years. He was born on his father's farm near Union Springs, Cayuga County, New York, November 24, 1876, a son of Henry Lewis and Mary Jane (Riley) Christler, both of whom were born at Waterloo, Seneca County, New York, he in 1858 and she in 1859, and both are still living. They had five children, three of whom are still living, and of them all Rev. Christler was the second in order of birth. Henry L. Christler was engaged in farming until 1904, when he embarked in mercantile business at Waterloo, New York. He is a member of the Episcopal Church. Politically he is a democrat.

After attending the public schools of Waterloo, New York, Rev. Christler entered Brown University at Providence, Rhode Island, and took the special classical course. Following his completion of it he entered St. Andrew's Seminary of Syracuse, New York, under the Rt. Rev. Frederick Dare Hunting- ton, S. T. D., and took the regulation four years' theological course, being graduated therefrom in 1896. For the subsequent four years Rev. Christler was rector of Calvary Episcopal Church at Homer, New York, and then from 1900 to 1907 was curate of St. Peter's Church at Auburn, New York.

The ardent spirit of the young clergyman, how- ever, was not satisfied with the work of old estab- lished parishes and, his ability being recognized, he was sent west on March I, 1907, as missionary of the Milk River Valley, Country of Northern Montana, with headquarters at Havre, and since that time has developed one of the largest mission fields in the American Church. When he arrived at Havre he found a mission of seven communicants and set to work with characteristic promptness to build a parish, and today St. Mark's Parish has a largely increased membership and is displaying a steady growth in all directions. Rev. Christler has just completed the erection of a beautiful stone church edifice and in the grounds surrounding it has a horticultural display which would do credit to any expert in this art. A lover of flowers, Rev. Christ- ler devotes his spare moments to cultivating them, and in this healthful recreation doubtless finds a much needed relaxation from the problems he is constantly called upon to solve.

Since coming to Montana Rev. Christler has not only built up St. Mark's Parish, but established St. Mathew's Church at Glasgow in 1911; built Trinity Church at Gildford in 1915, and laid the foundation for parishes in Malta and in about twenty-five com- munities, which he visits every month, his territory extending from Havre to the North Dakota state line, to the Glacier National Park on the west, the Canadian line on the north, and the Missouri River on the south.

A democrat by inheritance and conviction, Rev. Christler has not been content with merely giving his support to its principles and candidates, but upon the urgent demand of the citizens of old Chouteau County to take a more aggressive part in securing for the people of his adopted state the benefit of the ap- plication of these principles as he interpreted them, he entered the field of politics. He therefore became the candidate of his party for the State Assembly from old Chouteau County, and was elected in No- vember, 1908. From the time he took his seat, Rev. Christler made his influence felt and succeeded in introducing and having passed the House Bill No. I91, known as the Greater Montana Bill, out of

arag Christler

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which developed the bureau of agriculture, labor industry and publicity. To him is also due the credit for the passage of House Bill No. 131, which pro- vides for the sending of refractory girls and boys to the House of the Good Shepherd or the Critten Home, according to sex. In these homes the of- fenders are given the benefit of home training and practical educational advantages, so that when they are released they are able to earn a living honestly and become good citizens. In addition Rev. Christler is responsible for several other bills, including House Bill No. 252.

On October 7, 1914, Rev. Christler was married to Anna Wadsworth, born at Auburn, New York, a daughter of Hon. David and Mary (Cramer) Wads- worth, both natives of New York State. Mrs. Christler is the eldest of the three children born to her parents. Mr. Wadsworth is a prominent man and extensive manufacturer of Auburn, New York.

Prominent as a Mason, Rev. Christler belongs to Homer Lodge No. 252, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Homer, New York; Washington Chap- ter No. 17, Royal Arch Masons, of Homer, New York; Salemtown Commandery, Knights Templar, of Auburn, New York, and Zyara Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Utica, New York. He is a member of Auburn Lodge No. 474. Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and of Salemtown Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, holding a life membership in both of these organizations ; of Havre Lodge No. 166, Fra- ternal Order of Eagles, and Mizpah Lodge No. 64, Knights of Pythias, and Assiniboine Lodge No. 56, Independent Order of Foresters, of Havre.

Possessing a personality that commands immediate attention, Rev. Christler is also so humane, so genuine and sympathetic that there are few men more pop- ular with all classes than he. A thorough Ameri- can, devoted to his country and to his church, it has been his aim to raise humanity and bring about an appreciation of the practical as well as spiritual benefits of upright living. His wide experience and broad sympathies enable him to understand men and their motives as few can, and in dealing with them he displays such truly Christian attributes that he wins confidence and inspires the erring with an hon- est determination to live more righteously, soberly and Godly, no matter what the personal sacrifice may be. Such men as he are the very salt of the earth, and their value cannot be estimated in ordi- nary terms. Only the future will spell out the ex- tent of the debt this region owes to Rev. Christler and it but imperfectly. As the result of the diversity and bigness of the work in the Milk River Valley mission field and because of Rev. Christler's every- day practical application of the Kingdom of God to the needs of all sorts and conditions of men, he has been styled the "Bishop of All-Out-Doors" by those among whom he has ministered for fourteen years. Montana, the Land of Majestic Shining Mountains and the "Bishop of All-Out-Doors" are synonymous terms.

JAMES L. JOHNSTON reached Montana about the time the territory became a state, and for thirty years has pursued an uninterrupted career of hard work and good business management, chiefly in the ranch industry. At one time he was one of the large land owners in the state, and is still active as a wool buyer at White Sulphur Springs, his home.

Mr. Johnston was born in Indiana County, Penn- sylvania, October 27, 1868, son of Joseph M. and Martha J. (Fleming) Johnston. His parents were also natives of Indiana County, his father born November 18, 1838, and his mother June 24, 1846. His widowed mother is now living at Warm Springs,

Montana. Their five children are all living, James L. being the oldest.

His father, who died November 28, 1897, was a Union soldier during the Civil war, enlisting in the spring of 1862 in Company A of the One Hundred and Thirty-Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry. For about nine months his commander was Gen. George B. McClellan. After his honorable discharge he resumed his career as a farmer in Indiana County and spent practically all his active life on a farm. He was active in local affairs, serving as school director many years, as secretary and treasurer of a local mutual fire insurance company, was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, and was a democrat and a Presbyterian.

James L. Johnston was educated in the public schools of Pennsylvania and lived on his father's farm until he came to the Northwest, reaching Townsend, Montana, November 8, 1888. A stage took him from Townsend to White Sulphur Springs, and he was soon employed riding the range as a cowboy on Rock Creek. He came here practically without capital and exercised both his industry and good judgment to acquire a permanent stake in the country. In 1897 he bought a squatter's right, and for several years was associated with his brothers, John and Frank, in the general merchandise business at Valley Park and Crystal City. In 1913 he also entered the merchandise business at White Sulphur Springs under the name Anderson, Spencer & Com- pany.

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 180

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