Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 31

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 31

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).

In 1911 Mr. Watson was united in marriage with

ADOLPHUS D. MYERS

109

HISTORY OF MONTANA

Miss Alma Hanley at Raymond, Washington. She i's a daughter of W. J. and Mary (Campbell) Han- ley. Mr. Hanley and his family reside at Hall where he is conducting a garage. Mr. and Mrs. Watson became the parents of the following chil- dren : Lucy Belle born in 1912; Henry Jackson, who was born in 1913; James Robert, who was born in 1915; Bessie, who was born in 1917; and Jane, who was born in 1919.

OTTO K. MYERS, who was brought to Montana when a child by his parents, grew up on a ranch, but for many years has been a successful business man at Lewistown.

He was born at Midland, Ontario, December I, 1881, a son of Adolphus D. and Della May (Davis) Myers. His father was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1834, while his mother, who is still living, is a native of Canada. Adolphus Myers was a car- penter by trade, was in the merchandise business in Canada for several years, and in 1889 brought his family to Montana. He entered a homestead ten miles south of Great Falls and engaged in general farming. The old homestead among other features had a very fine spring of water. He later sold the ranch and was employed at his trade for five or six years with the B. M. Smelting Company at Great Falls. Then for two or three years he was solicitor for the Great Falls Tribune and in 1905 came to Lewistown and took up the manufacture of soda water and soft drinks. Later he built a fine plant, and operated it very successfully until his death, which occurred September 10, 1918. He was candi- date for mayor of Lewistown in May, 1913, against W. D. Symmes. In politics he was a socialist and was a member of Lewistown Lodge No. 37, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and a Woodmen of the World.

Otto K. Myers, only child of his parents, was eight years old when brought to Montana, and he acquired his education in the public schools of Great Falls. He also worked on the ranch of his father and at one time had a thrilling experience when he and a boy companion got in the way of a stampede of about 1,000 head of cattle. They ran for about three miles before they met his father and other men, who by shooting into the on-coming herd turned their course and saved the lives of the boys. Mr. Myers on leaving the ranch went to work for a soda water company at Great Falls, learning the business, and in 1905 he used his experience jointly with his father's capital in the soft drink in- dustry, and since his father's death has been owner and proprietor of what is one of the flourishing business enterprises of Lewistown.

Mr. Myers is independent in politics, voting for the best man, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. On June 9, 1913, he married Florence Connolly. She was born in Traverse City, Michigan. They have one daughter, Arelene.

CHARLES H. LANE. In a city of the importance of Butte almost every line of endeavor is well repre- sented, this region offering an unsurpassed field for the abilities of some of the most enterprising busi- ness men of the country. . One of them who is attaining to a gratifying prosperity here is Charles H. Lane, manufacturers agent. He was born at Natick, Massachusetts, on May 13, 1854, a son of John Edward Lane, an Englishman, born in 1801, who died at Natick, Massachusetts, in 1861. He founded the family in the United States, becoming a sea captain and sailing out of Boston, Massa- chusetts, across the ocean and carrying on trading in almost every port of the world. After the

organization of the republican party, he voted its ticket. His marriage occurred at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, when he was united with Mary Jane La Coste, born in New Hampshire in 1804. She died at Natick, Massachusetts, in 1884, having borne her husband the following children: Anna, Mary, Victoria, Louise, Josephine, John Edwin, William and Isabelle all of whom are deceased; Susan, who resides at Brooklyn, New York, is the widow of H. O. Daniels, who was a shoe manu- facturer, and she now conducts a large custom shoe repairing shop of New York City and gives em- ployment to eleven persons; and Charles H., who is the youngest of the family.

Charles H. Lane was educated in the public schools of Natick, Massachusetts, and was gradu- ated from its high school course in 1870. He be- gan his business career as a clerk for a Natick drug store and remained with it for eleven years. In 1880 Mr. Lane came to the West, and for six years was engaged in the sheep industry in Wyom- ing. He then engaged with Beckwith, Quiun & Company, general merchants of Carbon, Wyoming, and remained with them until 1889. In that year he came to Butte, Montana, to become secretary of the W. R. Kenyon Hardware Company, now the Montana Hardware Company, and held that office for three years, when he became cashier of the Miller, Chapman & Castle Hardware Company. A year later he became cashier for the Tuttle Manu- facturing Company, leaving it in 1897 to assist in organizing the Harrison-Lane Company, dealers in coal and mining supplies at wholesale. At the ex- piration of a year Mr. Lane sold his interests in this concern and established himself as sales agent, and for twenty-one years has represented the Ameri- can Steel & Wire Company and other corporations as a manufacturers agent, and he also is a whole- sale dealer in coal, his offices being at No. 101 Lewisohm Block, Butte. He covers the whole state of Montana, visiting jobbers only.

A very prominent man and a leader in the local democratic party, Mr. Lane served as mayor of Butte from 1915 to 1917, and gave the city a sound and businesslike administration, and he has also been a member of the school board for eight years. Both as a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Lane is valued by his associates in religious endeavor. He belongs to Summit Valley Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Parker Chapter, Royal Arch Masons and Natick Com- mandery, Knights Templar, the first of Butte and the last two of Natick, Massachusetts; of Butte Council No. 106, United Commercial Travelers of America; the Rotary Club of Butte; and joined the Silver Bow Club in 1890. Recognizing the value to the community of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, Mr. Lane is a member of the Butte branch and is serving it as a director.

In 1887 Mr. Lane was married at Belvidere, Illinois, to Miss Eliza Tompkins, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Newell C. Tompkins, the former of whom was a retired prospector who died at Butte, Montana, in 1911, having been associated with the Strang Company of Omaha, Nebraska, and Walker Brothers of Salt Lake City, Utah, together with the latter gentlemen opening a bank in that city dur- ing its pioneer days, which was housed in a tent. Mrs. Tompkins is also deceased. Mrs. Lane was educated in the girls seminary at Knoxville, Illinois. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lane have been as follows: Roger O., who was born on November 23, 1888, is cashier in the pay office of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company. and a graduate of Lake Forest University of Illinois, with the degree of

110

HISTORY OF MONTANA

Bachelor of Arts; Anna Isabelle, who was born May 2, 1897, is at home; and Helen Elizabeth, who was born September 23, 1899, is also at home. The latter attended Ferry Hall Academy, Lake Forest, Illinois. The family residence at No. 2744 Edward Street is owned by Mr. Lane and he also owns a double dwelling on North Christopher Street. A man of capabilities and broad vision, he has been able to look into the future and see possibilities not visible to the ordinary man, and has possessed the courage to take advantage of opportunities as they came to his hand. His success is his own creation, and it is not confined to business circles, for he has at- tained to prominence both politically and socially.

ALBERT LEROY PHILLIPS came to Montana with a thorough practical knowledge of the pharmacy and drug business, and since 1912 has been the leading business man of that class in Big Timber.

He was born on a farm in Sullivan County, Mis- souri, March 15, 1880. His paternal ancestry came originally from Wales and settled in Massachusetts.

However, his grandfather, Brice Phillips, was born in Pennsylvania on December 16, 1821, and about 1866 left his farm near Waynesburg in that state and moved to Eastern Illinois, and a few years later went to Sullivan County, Missouri, where he died in 1896. Elias Phillips, father of Albert L., was born in Pennsylvania in 1850, and was sixteen years old when his parents moved to Eastern Illinois, near Laharpe, and was still a youth when he went with them to Sullivan County, Mis- souri. He became a farmer in Sullivan County and vigorously prosecuted his interests as a grain and livestock raiser and is still a factor in that promising agricultural district of Missouri. He is a democrat in politics and is an active supporter of the Church of God. He married Mary Isabel Rowland, who was born in Elbridge, Illinois, in 1853. Chloey E., the oldest of their children, is the wife of James Scott, a farmer near Yukon, Okla- homa; Albert L. is the second in age; Ira R. is a farmer in Sullivan County ; Kenney is also a farmer in that county; and Eva May is the wife of Albert Shaver, a farmer in Sullivan County.

Albert L. Phillips lived on the farm and ac- quired a rural school education, and in 1898 grad- uated from the Green City High School. He early determined that his career should not be that of a farmer. In 1902 he graduated from the State Nor- mal School at Kirksville, Missouri, and for two years taught in his native county. At Green City he acquired his first experience in the drug and jewelry business, where he remained two years, then worked in similar lines at Galt, Missouri, one year, and three years at Fairfax, Missouri. With this education and equipment he came to Montana in 1910, and became proprietor of the Melville Drug and Jewelry Company at Melville. His part- ner there was H. P. Nelson. In 1912 he formed a partnership with W. D. Richards under the name Richards & Company, and established his present business at Big Timber. In 1915 he became sole proprietor, and has given Big Timber a model es- tablishment as a drug store, one of the best stocked and managed stores of the kind in Sweetgrass County. Mr. Phillips lives over his store.

He is a republican in politics, and is affiliated with Doric Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons, at Big Timber, Big Timber Lodge No. 25, Knights of Pythias, is a member of Green City Camp No. 2656, Modern Woodmen of America, and is a member of Big Timber Chamber of Com- merce and the Sweetgrass County Good Roads Asso- ciation.

EMIL O. KINDSCHY. The deft manipulation of the chisel has at all times commanded a liberal share of wonder and admiration; it has preserved to the human race the beauty of antiquity, has marked the final resting-place of our dearest and most be- loved friends, and has made the home of their mortal remains a garden of art and loveliness; it has also contributed largely to the beautifying of our cities, the adornment of our public parks, and to the perpetuating of the memory of the great and good. Among the men of Montana who are identi- fied with this line of work as proprietors of monu- ment establishments, one who has been particularly successful is Emil O. Kindschy, of Lewistown, who has likewise been prominent in civic affairs.

Mr. Kindschy was born on a farm in Montana Township, Buffalo County, Wisconsin, June I, 1881, a son of Christ and Margaret (von Wald) Kindschy, natives of Switzerland. Christ Kindschy was born in 1836 and was nine years of age when he accompanied his parents to the United States, the family settling in 1845 in Sauk County, Wis- consin. After coming to this country he was able to secure only three months of schooling, but as a man of natural intelligence and quick perception acquired a practical knowledge of matters of im- portance and moment which made up for his lack of a technical education. When a young man he went to Buffalo County, Wisconsin, where he se- cured a homestead in the wilderness and hewed himself a home out of the virgin forests, and in his latter years was engaged largely in diary farm- ing, with a prosperous business. He was one of the prominent and influential men of his commu- nity and served in various township offices, in- cluding those of chairman and treasurer, in addi- tion to being active in assisting in the advancement and progress of his county and state. His death occurred in 1912, when he had reached the age of seventy-six years, while Mrs. Kindschy, to whom he was married at Fountain City, Wisconsin, passed away in 1888, at the age of forty-four years. Of their seven children Emil O. was the sixth in order of birth, and five still survive.

Emil O. Kindschy divided his boyhood between working on the home farm during the summer months and attending the district schools in the winter terms in Buffalo County, and when he en- tered upon his career it was in the role of school- teacher. He was but sixteen years of age when he took his first class in his home community in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, but the youthful in- structor proved proficient and capable of securing results, and for four years he was retained in the same capacity. In 1901 he came to Montana, ar- riving at Lewistown in February, and shortly there- after secured a position teaching in the public schools of Fergus County. After four years thus passed he turned his attention to other pursuits and until 1910 was occupied in connection with employment in the ranch business, cattle raising and farming. He then spent a year in visiting his father and other relatives in Wisconsin, but in 1911 returned to Lewistown, where he entered the em- ploy of Abel Brothers, with whom he continued something under three years. In 1913 he embarked in the monument business, and now has a modern establishment at No. 123 East Maine Street, where he has the most up-to-date equipment to be se- cured. He uses only the best of materials, and, as a natural artist, his love for the picturesque and beautiful asserts itself in every detail of his busi- ness.

Mr. Kindschy was married April 25, 1905, to Miss Ursula Camastral, who was born in Switzerland

111

HISTORY OF MONTANA

and was eleven years of age when brought to the United States by her parents. Three children have been born to this union: Lillian, Ruby and Doris. In his political views Mr. Kindschy is a republi- can. He has been active in local affairs, and in the capacity of alderman of the first ward, to which position he was elected in the spring of 1916, worked effectively and constructively in behalf of the in- terests of his city and his constituency. Fraternally he is affiliated with Judith Lodge No. 30, Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and he and Mrs. Kindschy belong to Anchor Rebekah Lodge No. 55.

FRANK M. MORSE. Within the past couple of years real Americans have found that they possess a priceless heritage in a line of honorable ancestry dating back to the colonial days of this country, and they realize that some record of their family ought to be put in shape for preservation for their children. Money cannot buy this distinction; it out- weighs wealth and high social position, and with it comes as a natural result, an earnest striving on the part of this and future generations, to live up to the standards of those who helped to make this country what it is today, the greatest on earth. One of these one hundred per cent Americans who are living in Montana, is Frank M. Morse, postmaster of Hall, who is one of the prosperous business men of Granite County.

Frank M. Morse was born at Drummond, Mon- tana, October 8, 1886, a son of F. D. Morse, and grandson of Maj. John W. Morse. Major Morse was borne in Maine, where his ancestors settled prior to the American Revolution, coming to this country from England. The date of his birth was 1834, and of his death, 1908, he passing away at Philipsburg, Montana. He came to Philipsburg at a very early day, and for years conducted a feed store here. At the time he selected this city for his permanent home, it was a pioneer settlement, and Major Morse did much to insure its future, both as an official and private citizen. A man of more than average ability and education, he was called upon to functionate as incumbent of practic- ally all of the local offices, and as a non-official ad- visor on matters of civic importance.

F. D. Morse, father of Frank M. Morse, was born at Bangor, Maine, in 1854, and now lives at Drum- mond, Montana. Coming to Montana in the early '70s, he was engaged for a time in mining at Bear Gulch, but later homesteaded 160 acres of land in the vicinity of Drummond, to which he has since added until he now owns 1,600 acres of land and devotes it to hay, grain and cattle raising, his prop- erty being a very valuable one. His operations are carried on upon an extensive scale, and he has been very successful in his calling. A republican of the old school he has always supported the principles of his party, and served as deputy sheriff of Granite County for eight years and as sheriff for two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Julia Gas- per, was born at Surry, Maine, in 1861. Their chil- dren are as follows: Verdine B., and Frank M. Verdine B. was born August 23, 1884, and after attending the Drummond schools, was graduated from the Garden City Business College of Missoula, Montana. He then was engaged in farming until 1916, when he entered into partnership in a mer- cantile venture with his brother at Hall, Montana. Like his father he is a republican. Verdine B. Morse was married to Wanda E. Burt, a daughter of Charles E. and Rosa (Healy) Burt, the former of whom is now deceased. having been a pioneer livery- man of Drummond, Montana, but the latter sur- Vol. II-8

vives and lives at Drummond. Mr. and Mrs. Ver- dine B. Morse have the following children: Fran- ces, Edwin, Muriel and Reuel.

Frank M. Morse was reared on his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age, and during that period attended the public schools of Drummond. For the first five years following the completion of his sixteenth year, Frank M. Morse was in the employ of J. B. Featherman, a merchant of Drum- mond, and then for two years he was with Duncan Dingwall, another merchant of Drummond. In the meanwhile, desiring to learn something of the theory of business methods as well as their practical ap- plication, the ambitious youth took a correspondence course in this branch of learning, and then, feeling qualified for independent action, formed a partner- ship with his cousin, A. P. Morse, a son of Col. G. W. Morse, a pioneer of Montana, and the two young men carried on a mercantile business together for eighteen months at Drummond, and then, in 1913 moved to Hall, Montana, and bought the small store, 20 by 25 feet, owned by Albert Tinklepangh. From the time Mr. Morse took over this business, the trade improved and some time ago it was neces- sary for him to seek larger quarters, and now he and his brother occupy a modern store, 90 by 20 feet, with full basement, and have three warehouses for the storing of their stock. The store is located near the depot, and the brothers keep at least $14,000 worth of stock on hand. Although Mr. Morse is a republican, his fitness for the office of postmaster was so universally recognized, that he was appointed by President Wilson on March 9, 1915, to this office, and has held it ever since. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Morse owns a dwelling at Drummond.

On June 10, 1908, Mr. Morse was married to Miss Anabelle McDonald, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonas D. McDonald, both of whom were killed in the wreck of the Coeur d' Alene in 1909. Mr. McDonald was pumpman for the Missouri Pacific Railroad at Drummond for ten years prior to his tragic death. Mr. and Mrs. Morse became the parents of the following children: Donald, who was born December 25, 1909; Nevin, who was born March 17, 1911; Julia Irene, who was born in 1912; Fern, who was born in 1915; Carrol, who was born in 1917; and Edith, who was born in 1918.

Mr. Morse is a splendid business man and under- stands his trade and how to meet its demands. Dur- ing the difficult days of the war and the reconstruc- tion period he has lived up to government require- ments, and made many sacrifices in order to meet them and at the same time protect his customers from excessive prices and unnatural shortage of commodities, and is certain to reap a well-merited reward in the future by a continued patronage from those whose interests he has kept in mind at a time when some of his calling have not hesitated to profit through the necessities of their customers.

CHARLES L. WENTWORTH. The career of Charles L. Wentworth, of Lewistown, illustrates most forcibly the possibilities that are open to a young man who possesses sterling business qualifications. It proves that neither wealth nor social position, nor the assistance of influential friends at the outset of his career, are at all necessary to place a young man upon the road to success. It also proves that ambitious perseverance, steadfastness of purpose and indefatigable industry, combined with sound business principles, will be rewarded, and that true success follows individual efforts only.

Mr. Wentworth was born in Waldo County, Maine, March 26, 1871, a son of Franklin L. and

112

HISTORY OF MONTANA

Margaret E. (Bennett) Wentworth, natives of the same county, the father born August 24, 1838, and the mother July 17, 1846. The parents were mar- ried at Searsmont, Maine, and had two children : Charles L .; and Nettie, the wife of Harry Haskell, of Portland, Maine. Franklin L. Wentworth passed his boyhood days on his father's farm, where he resided until his enlistment, June 26, 1862, in Com- pany D, Nineteenth Regiment, Maine Volunteer In- fantry. He served bravely and faithfully through- out practically the remainder of the Civil war and received his honorable discharge May 31, 1865. At the close of his military career he returned to the homestead, where he resumed farming, and was so engaged until the time of his retirement in 1918. A lover of fine horses, during his active years he was greatly interested in the breeding of such animals, as he was also of Durham cattle. Mr. Wentworth was originally a whig in his political views, but from 1856 was a republican. He was prominent and in- fluential in civic affairs, and in addition to being road supervisor for fifteen years was one of his county's selectmen during a long period. He was act.ve in the movements of the Presbyterian Church, and for many years held the post of deacon. Mr. Wentworth died May 2, 1919, and Mrs. Wentworth on May 16, 1919.

Charles L. Wentworth received his education in the public schools of Waldo County, Maine, walking two miles from his father's farm to the little red schoolhouse on the hill. He was an industrious lad, and when only fourteen years of age earned his first money shingling the home, barn and shed of Isaac Burns, for which his daily wage was fifty cents. On October 19, 1891, Mr. Wentworth left the parental roof, and one week later arrived at Big Timber, Montana, where he engaged in teaming for the C. E. Severance Sheep Company. He sub- sequently took charge of all the team work and farming, and after about two years became super- intendent of the cow outfit of the same company, a position which he held for 11/2 years. During 1894 and 1895 Mr. Wentworth attended J. C. Duncan's Business College at Davenport, Iowa. During this time he had been employed as a cowboy in the outfit of Oscar Stephens, and for four years rode the range. His experiences as a rider of the range ceased at the time of his marriage, November 26, 1896, to Miss Iva Ann Corbly, who was born near Sedan, Kansas, January 8, 1875, a daughter of Jacob Ingram and Jane (Bolton) Corbly.

Jacob I. Corbly was born in Pennsylvania and died in 1904 in Montana, when sixty-two years of age. Mrs. Corbly, who was a native of Iowa, died in Kansas when her daughter, Mrs. Wentworth, was but three months old, she being the youngest of three daughters. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Corbly came to Dillon, Montana, by rail, and then traveled overland to near Bozeman, Gallatin County. In 1890 he removed to Fergus County, and bought land four miles northeast of Lewistown, and also took up Government land under his soldier's claim, to which he added until he had nearly 1,000 acres at one time. He was a large cattle operator, and was not only well known in business circles, but was prominent also in civic affairs, was chosen by his fellow-citizens to represent them in the capacity of county commissioner for two terms, and served as a member of the school board for several years. He was a democrat in politics, a member of the Christian Church, and affiliated with Lewistown Lodge No. 37, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

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 31

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