Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 182

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 182

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William Lawson Holloway spent his early life on his father's farm in Northeast Missouri. The pri- mary advantages afforded by the rural schools he supplemented by attending a boarding school, and afterward the Missouri State Normal at Kirksville, from which he graduated in 1887. The next four years he was principal of schools at Crystal City in Jefferson County, Missouri. In 1891 he entered the University of Michigan law department, and re- ceived his LL. B. degree June 30, 1892. As the scene of his professional career he chose the new State of Montana, coming to Bozeman and opening a law office, where he quickly earned a reputation as an able lawyer and a man of force and energy in the community. He practiced law at Bozeman eight years, until 1900, when he was elected judge of the Ninth Judicial District, comprising Gallatin, Meagher and Broadway counties. He was chosen for the regular term of four years, but resigned in the middle of his term as a result of his election in the fall of 1902 to the Supreme Court. Judge Hollo- way was re-elected in 1908 and 1914, and his present term expired December 31, 1920. In 1894 he was elected county attorney of Gallatin County.

Judge Holloway is a republican in political affilia- tion. He is a prominent member of the State and American Bar associations, is a member of the Christian Church, and is affiliated with Bozeman Lodge No. 18, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Zona Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Bozeman; Bozeman Lodge No. 463, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Pythagoras Lodge No. 2, Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Country Club of Helena. February 18, 1898, at Butte, he mar- ried Miss Lalia Holmes, a daughter of Dr. L. E. and Sarah (Hall) Holmes, both deceased. Her father

was a pioneer physician and surgeon of Montana, and had been an army surgeon up to 1870, stationed at various posts in the west. He practiced medicine at Helena, Deer Lodge and Butte. Mrs. Holloway is a graduate of the Butte High School, and com- pleted her education in Wellesley College, Massa- chusetts. Judge and Mrs. Holloway have three children and have given them every incentive and advantage both in home and school. Eleanor, the oldest, born November 11, 1901, is now a student in Vassar College at Poughkeepsie, New York. William L., born March 16, 1903, is attending the Irving School at Tarrytown-on-the-Hudson. John, born September 14, 1909, is in the Helena grammar school.

A. J. DUNCAN. Among the men who. are repre- senting their districts in offices of civic importance, one who has a splendid record for public service is A. J. Duncan, the clerk and recorder of Lewis and Clark County. He has long been a leader in the local ranks of the democratic party, and in various other ways is an important factor in the life of his city and county.

Mr. Duncan, who was born at Oak Grove in Jackson County, Missouri, in December, 1876, traces descent in the paternal line to Scotland, but during colonial times the family became established in the South, as did also his family on the maternal side, who were originally from England. The father of A. J. Duncan was Robert Duncan, born in No- vember, 1834, near Frankfort, Kentucky, and died at Helena, Montana, in October, 1918. The parents of Robert Duncan removed to Jackson County, Mis- souri, as early as 1840, where they were among the pioneers, and where A. T. Duncan, the grandfather of A. J., was a farmer for many years. He died there shortly before the birth of his grandson. He had served in the campaign against the Indians. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth By- waters, and both she and her husband were born in Kentucky.

Robert W. Duncan, a son of these Missouri pio- neers, was reared, educated and married in Jack- son County, and there for many years he followed farming. In April, 1883, he came to Montana and located in the Prickly Pear Valley near Helena, where he resumed his farming operations and be- came one of the community's influential citizens. He finally retired from an active life and moved into Helena in 1900, where for eighteen years or until his death he lived in the enjoyment of the re- wards of former toil. In 1854, during the days of the California gold excitement, he crossed the plains to that state and spent about eight years in placer mining, returning then to his home in Jackson County, Missouri. He upheld the principles and policies of the democratic party, was a devout and consistent member of the Baptist Church, and for many years enjoyed affiliations with the Masonic fraternity. He joined the order when but twenty- one years of age, and during the remainder of his life retained an active interest in its work. When trouble arose between the North and South he en- listed for service in 1862 in the Confederate cause, and continued a brave and valiant soldier until the struggle ended, in the meantime having been taken prisoner and later exchanged.

In his early life Robert W. Duncan married Maria, Joyce, who survives him and resides at Helena. She was born in Missouri in April, 1843. The following children were born to this union; J. M., a rancher in Richland County, Montana; Effie B., the wife of Thomas Matthews, who came to Montana with the pioneers of the '6os, and is now

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a retired rancher living at Bozeman; J. F., who is engaged in ranching in Richland County, Montana, near his brother J. M .; Eldridge Hill, who died dur- ing his youth; Eugene Herbert, who also died when young; A. J., of Helena; Lilborn, who died when young ; Lula, the wife of Charles Grant, a merchant at Condon, Oregon; and Leona C., who resides with her mother in Helena, where she is serving as the deputy county clerk and recorder. During 1913 and 1916 she served as the county superintendent of schools for Sanders County.

After a training in the rural schools of Lewis and Clark County A. J. Duncan entered the Montana Wesleyan University in Prickly Pear Valley, now known as the Montana Wesleyan College of Helena, where he spent about four years. After attaining his twenty-fourth year he left his father's ranch and came to Helena and was appointed deputy clerk and recorder of Lewis and Clark County in February, 1901. He filled that position for five years, or until the spring of 1905, when he was elected the city treasurer, taking office in May, 1906, and two years later, in 1908, was reelected to the office and served for four years. In the fall of 1910 he was defeated for the office of county treasurer, and then engaged in the real estate business. In November, 1912, Mr. Duncan was elected the clerk and recorder of Lewis and Clark County, assuming the duties of the office January 1, 1913, and during the years of 1914-16-18 was returned to the office and is the pres- ent incumbent, having offices in the courthouse.

The home of Mr. Duncan is at 701 Sixth Avenue. Helena. He was married in 1905, in Bozeman, Mon- tana, to Miss Esther Gullic, a daughter of F. B. and Martha (Wallis) Gullic. The father, who was a mine operator in California, died in that state, and the mother is now living in Helena. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are Maria, born in April, 1907, and Robert Wallace, born in June, 1910. Mr. Duncan is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Morning Star Lodge No. 5, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Helena, Helena Consistory No. 3, fourteenth degree, and he is also a member of Helena Lodge No. 193, Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks, of Helena Aerie No. 16, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and of the Woodmen of the World.

PERCIVAL D. SCOTT, who is conducting an abstract and insurance business at White Sulphur Springs, is one of the representative men of his calling in Montana. Mr. Scott is a member of the American Association of Title Men, the Montana Abstracters Association and the Insurance Federation of Mon- tana, and is prepared to furnish complete abstracts to town lots, farm lands, water rights and mining claims in Meagher County, and represents the Home, Aetna, Lloyds, Niagara, Montana, Caledonian, Man- chester, Rocky Mountain, Fire Association, American Central, Law, Union and Rock, and Liverpool, Lon- don and Globe Insurance companies.

Percival D. Scott was born on his father's farm in Audubon County, Iowa, April 13, 1881, a son of John H. and Elizabeth (Carper) Scott. John H. Scott was born in Henry County, Iowa, July 31, 1854, and died on October 31, 1909. His widow was born at Harpersburg, Virginia, December 1, 1853. and is now residing at Los Angeles, California. They were married in Audubon County, Iowa, in 1880, and Percival D. Scott is their only child.

Completing his studies in the public schools of Iowa during his boyhood, which was spent on the farm, John H. Scott went into a merchandise busi- ness at Audubon, Iowa, and remained there until 1898, when he came to Montana and homesteaded

at Livingston, Park County, and also engaged in a general merchandise business at Livingston with his son, the two being associated together until his death, which was caused by an accident. He became county clerk and recorder in Audubon County, Iowa, holding the office for two terms, and he was on the school board of his district for many years. He was made a Mason in Audubon Lodge No. 211, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, but demitted and became a member of Livingston Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and he also demitted from the Chapter in Iowa to Livingston Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. While in Iowa he served his lodge as master. In politics he was a democrat.

Percival D. Scott attended the public schools of Audubon County, the Audubon High School, and the Montana Wesleyan University at Helena, Mon- tana, following which he became a civil service clerk in the postoffice at Livingston, Montana, leav- ing that office to go into business with his father. After the death of his father he continued this busi- ness until January, 1911, when he sold it and located in Meagher County on a homestead, and at the same time served as deputy clerk of the county court. Later he was a deputy for two years in the sheriff's office. Mr. Scott then embarked in his present busi- ness, which he has made the largest agency in Meagher County, and he has the only abstract office in the county. In politics he is a republican.

On April 7, 1910, Mr. Scott was married to Jose- phine Rader, a daughter of Charles T. and Jose- phine (Johnson) Rader, he born in Greene County, Indiana, March 30, 1842, and she in Copenhagen, Denmark, April 27, 1853. They were married at Salt Lake City, Utah, March 14, 1869, and had eight children, all of whom are living, Mrs. Scott being the fifth in order of birth. Mr. Rader was educated in Indiana, and enlisted from that state for service during the war between the North and the South. in the One Hundred and Forty-third Infantry, and took part in all the engagements of his regiment, and at the close of the war re-enlisted in Company G, Thirty-sixth Infantry, United States Regulars, and was sent to Camp Douglas, Utah. Later his command was consolidated with the Seventh, and he was quartermaster sergeant from the time he re-enlisted. On February 12, 1872, Mr. Rader was discharged at Camp Baker, Montana Territory. He then embarked in the sheep business on Camas Creek, his property being known as Rader's Ranch. Later he branched out and handled cattle and horses until his retirement in 1913. For several years he was sheriff of Meagher County, and also served as as- sessor for some time. He belonged to Washa Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Salt Lake City, Utah, but demitted and became a member of Diamond Lodge No. 7, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He also belonged to Helena Lodge, Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he was a strong republican. Mr. Rader died on August II, 1915.

JACK E. SODEN. The people of the country are awakening to the necessity for good roads, and the various localities are making the building of them part of their community work. Montana has taken a progressive stand on this class of improvement, and its citizens have on foot some very extensive plans for further extending the scope of the move- ment. One of the men who is making possible the construction of excellent country roads at a rea- sonable price is Jack E. Soden of White Sulphur Springs, who is also engaged in a real estate and loan business.

. Po. fuld and Family

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

Jack E. Soden was born in Brockings County, South Dakota, November 4, 1880, a son of Francis and Julia (Finch) Soden. Francis Soden was born at Rockford, Illinois, on December 25, 1845, and died in 1917, while his wife was born in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, on September 8, 1848, and died in 1916. They were married at Brooklyn, New York, and eleven children were born to them, nine of whom are still living, Jack E. Soden being sixth in order of birth.

With the outbreak of hostilities between the North and the South, Francis Soden enlisted in the Union army at Springfield, Illinois, as a mem- ber of Company H, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1801, and took part in numerous battles and skirmishes. He was wounded on the battlefield in the right thigh, and during that engagement was cited by his superior officer for bravery. After spending about three months in the hospital because of his wound he rejoined his regiment, with which he remained until the close of the war. In spite of the fact that he continued in the service he never fully recovered, and during the remainder of his life was a sufferer on account of this disability, as were so many of the survivors of that great conflict. In 1870 he came west to Kingsbury County, South Dakota, prior to the division of Dakota, and homesteaded, but later moved to Brockings County of the same state, and took up a tree claim and pre-empted land, con- tinning to farm until within three years of his death, when increasing disability, resulting from his old wound, forced him to retire. From its organiza- tion he took a deep interest in the Grand Army of the Republic, and belonged to the local post. The Methodist Episcopal Church had in him an earnest and active member. Like so many of the old soldiers, he supported the principles of the re- publican party.

Jack E. Soden attended the public schools of South Dakota, and found ample opportunity to be useful on his father's farm until he was twenty years old. At that time he left home and went to Grant County, South Dakota, and spent five years still continuing to farm, and then moved to Meeker County, Minnesota, where he not only was engaged in farming, but conducted a dairy for a year. Once more he made a change, going to Monona County, Iowa, for a year, agriculture still having in him an active exponent. Mr. Soden then came to Montana and homesteaded in Fergus County, near Garneill, but later moved to Judith Gap, and embarked in a real estate business and also handled farm imple- ments, remaining there until 1913, when he located permanently at White Sulphur Springs, where, under the firm name of Soden & Heyn, he is engaged in building country roads. This firm had the contract for building the first road in Meagher County. Under the name of the Northwest Loan & Realty Company, Mr. Soden is handling stock ranches, ir- rigated farms and wheat lands, and making loans, and is doing a very large business in this line as well. Fraternally he is active as a member of Lew- istown Lodge No. 654, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Brought up in the faith of the republican party, Mr. Soden has always given it his hearty support.

On December 16, 1902, Mr. Soden was united in marriage with Gertrude M. Jones, born at Charles- ton, West Virginia, a daughter of Thomas F. and Marian (Galbreath) Jones, both of whom are na- tives of West Virginia. They became the parents of ten children, nine of whom survive, and Mrs. Soden is the eldest of the family. Mr. Jones is · engaged in farming in South Dakota, where he and

his excellent wife are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Soden have two children, namely: Archibald C. and Grace. Mr. Soden is a man who has always realized that the future in Montana looms large with economic problems, which in his opinion can be satisfactorily solved by continuing to develop the rural regions so that more solid and reliable people will be encouraged to join those already here and aid in giving prestige to the great state of whom all fortunate enough to have interests here are so proud.

JAMES CURRIE AULD. It would be interesting to make a list of the early settlers in Montana and to note what a large percentage of them came orig- inally from the Dominion of Canada. Certainly no country has done so much for us, having sent her best blood into the wilderness of the Treasure State to clear it up and make room for advancing civiliza- tion. That they have done their work well goes without saying, and to be convinced of this one has only to take a cursory glance over the fine, well- improved farms and ranches throughout the state and at our splendid public buildings, for, while lahoring for their own advancement, they have also helped the public enterprises in a general way. Among the successful and enterprising farmers of Montana who hail from the neighboring country just over the line, specific mention should be made of James C. Auld, of Hill County, who as a farmer and stock raiser has achieved a splendid success and is numbered among the representative men of his section of the state.

James Currie Auld was born on his father's farm in Canada on March 8, 1851. His parents, James West and Isabella (Currie) Auld, were natives of Scotland, but both are now deceased, the father dy- ing in 1884, at the age of sixty-one years, and the mother in 1885, at the same age. They were mar- ried in Dumfree County, Canada, and James C. is the fourth child in order of birth of the nine chil- dren born to them. Seven of the children, four sons and three daughters, are still living. James West Auld left his native country in young manhood and came to Canada, the trip being made by sailing ves- sel, which required six weeks to complete the voy- age. They landed at Quebec. In his native land he had learned the trades of plasterer and stone mason, also that of tailor, and it is related that he made all the clothing for his children for a while. Eventually he was employed at his other trades in connection with building operations. In 1861 he located in the County of Huron, Canada, of which he was literally a pioneer, and there he and his sons bravely went to work to create a home, which meant the cutting of the dense timber growth and the clearing and breaking of the land. Eventually their efforts were rewarded in the realization of a good farm, where the father pursued his cultivation of the soil and the raising of live stock, in which he made a specialty of shorthorn cattle. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a man of fine per- sonal qualities of character.

James C. Auld secured his education in the public schools of Canada and as soon as old enough he helped his father clear the land and otherwise im- prove the new home in Huron County, Canada. He broke oxen, chopped cordwood and performed such other tasks as were characteristic of pioneer life in any community in those days. When twenty-four years of age Mr. Auld began farming on his own account, which he continued there until 1881, going then to Saskatchewan and taking up homestead and pre-emption claims. At that time the Riel re- bellion was under way in Canada, and up to 1885

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he served in the transport service of the Canadian Government. In 1887 he came to Montana and en- gaged with the N-Bar-N Cattle Company as a range rider or cowboy, but in the fall of that year he returned to Regina, Canada, riding the entire dis- tance horseback. Returning, he brought his family with him, bringing also teams and two cows, and they located at Hinsdale, Chouteau County, but which is now in Dawson County. Shortly afterward they removed to where Toledo, Hill County, now stands, and there the family lived in a section house for five years, Mr. Auld having secured employment as section foreman on the Great Northern Railroad. He was the oldest employe of the company between Minot and Great Falls, and he ran the first section car into Havre. He finally resigned the position in order to "squat" on a tract of Indian reservation land, this being right after the Indian reservation land was opened for settlement. In the spring of 1889 Mr. Auld started in the cattle business, his start having been made with the two cows which he brought from Canada. Later he bought a car- load of cattle, and increased his business from time to time until he had between 300 and 400 head of cattle. His favorite brand has been the White- face. He has also given considerable attention to the breeding and raising of Percheron horses, in which he has been successful. In the spring of 1919 he sold a team of horses which weighed 3,400 pounds. In 1914, just prior to the outbreak of the World war, he imported from France a fine Percheron stallion. He has been careful, prudent and discrimi- nating in his operations and has prospered in all his undertakings, so that today he is numbered among the successful men of his community.

On February 24, 1876, Mr. Auld was married to Mary Ross, who was born in Zora, Canada, the daughter of William and Willena Ross. Her parents were both born in Scotland and in 1909 Came to Havre from Canada and there they lived until their deaths, which occurred when they were ninety-two years of age. Mrs. Auld was the fourth in order of birth of their seven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Auld were born seven children, five daughters and two sons, as follows: William James, who was mar- ried to Ada Lawrence; John, who was married to Ethel Sprague; Margaret H., the wife of Thomas W. Mckenzie, postmaster of Havre; Marion, who is the wife of John F. Lindhe, received a good col- lege education and is now assistant cashier in the Security State Bank of Havre, with which she has been connected for four years, Mr. Lindhe being engaged in the mercantile business at Glacier Park, Montana; Mary, who received a teacher's certificate from the state superintendent of public instruction before she was eighteen years of age and who taught school for several years, is the wife of J. D. Kelly, .of Havre, and they have a daughter, Vir- ginia; Lillian is the wife of Harry B. Atkinson, a railroad conductor living at Havre, and they have two daughters and one son, Edith, Marion and James; Hazel is the wife of Clarence Reasman. During the recent World war he was in the United States aerial service, being in camp in Texas. He is now a traveling salesman for the Armour Pack- ing Company of Chicago, with headquarters in Boise, Idaho. During 1918 Mrs. Reasman was em- ployed as clerk and stenographer in the office of the clerk and recorder of Hill County at Havre.

Politically Mr. Auld is a stanch supporter of the democratic party, and for many years has rendered his community good service as a member of the school board. He was one of the first aldermen elected in Havre, representing the First Ward. Mr.

Auld has always been of a progressive type of busi- ness man, taking the lead in improvements. In the fall of 1891 he built the first livery stable in Havre, and in many ways has shown himself to be a man of value to his community, a man of lofty character, sturdy integrity and unswerving honesty. During the pioneer period in this section of the state he shared fully the trials and difficulties known to the early settlers of a new country. He was one of the sturdy figures upon which the burdens of the new community fell, and he bore his part in the general upbuilding of the same manfully and well.

GEORGE FOWLIE has given fifteen years of consecu- tive service in the courthouse at White Sulphur Springs, most of the time as county clerk and re- corder of Meagher County. His home has been in Montana for thirty years, a residence dignified and made notable by many services, as school teacher, as a miner, public official and rancher.

Mr. Fowlie was born on his father's farm in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, March II, 1866, son of James and Margaret (Whyte) Fowlie. His father, who was born in Scotland, came to this coun- try at the age of eighteen. A brother had proposed to make the voyage with him, but turned back at the last moment. James Fowlie came on alone, and was on a sailing vessel six weeks, being thus de- layed by storms, the ship losing its sails and drift- ing back for about 200 miles. He landed at Quebec, and operated a threshing outfit in Canada for sev- eral years. Moving to Waupaca County, Wisconsin, he played the part of a pioneer and hewed a farm from the wilderness. He died there in 1880, at the age of fifty-six. For four years he served as town- ship clerk in Wisconsin and in politics was a republican. His wife was born in Quebec and died at the age of sixty. . Of their eleven children George was next to the youngest, and six sons and one daughter are still living.

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 182

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