Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 38

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 38

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

years, and then engaged in the liquor business at Lewistown and from that took up real estate and latterly engaged in the automobile business under the title Judith Automobile Company, with a garage in Lewistown. He was also interested in a number of other local business affairs.

Mr. Weaver was popular, not only in social but in business circles. His reputation as a man of his word was universally recognized and he con- ducted his affairs on a broad gauge plan which com- manded the respect and admiration of all with whom he came in contact. Small or petty ways in business he could not tolerate, and he was a strong believer in the maxim of "live and let live." He held his business and personal honor on a high plane with the natural resulting consequence that his associates always felt that they could bank on him at any time.

In the words of one of the local newspapers : "Sam Weaver was one of the best known and best liked men in Fergus County. He was a keen sports- man and for many years had been prominent in the state trap shooting tournaments." He was affiliated with Lewistown Lodge No. 456, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in politics was inde- pendent. Two of his brothers live at Lewistown, James A. Weaver, deputy game warden, and Edward Weaver. Another brother, William, lives at Geraldine and George lives at Chinook.

March 11, 1896, Mr. Weaver married Myrta E. Duncan. She was born in Caldwell County, Mis- souri, a daughter of William and Refugio (Slone) Duncan, both natives of Missouri. Mrs. Weaver was the younger of two children.

O. G. KASSNER. It has been truly said that there is no royal road to fortune, but that each man must advance step by step along the highway of life. Some retard their advancement by resting too long by the way; others seek to discover treasure in bypaths, but the one who keeps straight ahead, never shirking work or avoiding responsibilities, is the one who reaches the goal and has the satisfac- tion of knowing that his success is his own and that he does not owe it to any assistance rendered him. The City of Laurel has as one of its lead- ing merchants a man who has become one of the leaders in his special line not only for this but other cities in the state, and has won a deserved place among the substantial citizens of his county. This man is Otto G. Kassner, grocer and hard- ware merchant, member of the Laurel Commercial Club and one of the most alert boosters for the city. Like so many of the successes in business life in our western cities, Mr. Kassner is a young man, being in the very prime of life, but he is experienced and sagacious in handling the problems of his trade and those of the municipality.

Otto C. Kassner was born in Blue Earth, Fari- bault County, Minnesota, April 11, 1880, a son of Edward Kassner, born in Germany in 1839, and died at Blue Earth, Minnesota, in 1886. He was reared, educated and married in Germany, his wife, aiso a native of Germany, bearing the maiden name of Pauline Shimmel. Entering the German army, he gave his country the compulsory military serv- ice, and upon his return from the army resumed his farming which it had interrupted. In 1875 he brought his family to the United States, and com- ing to Minnesota secured land at Blue Earth and wrested a farm from nature amid pioneer condi- tions and privations. A lover of liberty and free- dom, the republican party's platforms offered him a materialization of his ideals, and from the time he was naturalized until his death he voted its ticket.

His wife was born in 1844 and survives him, and makes her home at Sank Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota. Their children were as follows: Emma, who married Albert Matthews, a general workman, resides at Minneapolis, Minnesota; Pauline, who married Gus Matthews, now deceased, is the owner of a large farm, but lives at Blue Earth, Minne- sota; Matilda, who married Albert Buegler, an ex- tensive farm owner, resides on their farm at Sauk Rapids, Minnesota; Otto G., who name heads this review; Helen, who married Henry Levnau, died at Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, in 1912, but he sur- vives and is now baggagemaster on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Minneapolis, Minnesota ; and Lilly, who married Arthur Kelem, a barber, resides at Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Otto G. Kassner attended the grammar and high schools of Blue Earth, Minnesota, and then became a student of the St. Cloud, Minnesota, Business College, completing his course in that institution in 1897. Following that he entered a clothing store at Blue Earth as a clerk, where for five years he was thoroughly grounded in practical salesmanship, using his experience to secure him a better posi- tion in a similiar establishment at Appleton, Min- nesota. He then went to Macoun, Saskatchewan, Canada, and spent three years there in a general store.

Returning to the United States, Mr. Kassner in 1912 bought an interest in the general store known as the Funk-Wold Company of Laurel, the. name being then changed to the Wold-Kassner Company. but he severed his connection with it January 13, 1916, and established himself in a hardware and grocery business on Main Street. Between then and April, 1919, his business expanded to such an ex- tent that he was obliged to buy a large building to house it, his new establishment being also on Main Street. This building is 30 by 130 feet, and he also owns a large warehouse in the vicinity of his store and a residence which he occupies. His knowledge of selling methods, and his desirable connections, which enable him to buy to advan- tage, have resulted in his building up a fine trade and establishing him as one of the most influential merchants in this part of Montana.

In 1904 Mr. Kassner was married at Mankato. Minnesota, to Miss Tinna Sonnek, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sonnek, the latter of whom died in the spring of 1019, although the former survives and lives at Minnesota Lake, Minnesota, being now a retired farmer, but formerly very active as a pioneer agriculturalist of Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Kassner have three children, namely: Kermit, who was born May 7, 1906; Donald, who was born in 1908; and Willard, who was born in 1912.

Mr. Kassner belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, and to Billings Council No. 1259, Knights of Columbus, of which he is a third degree knight. From the time it was organized he has been very active in the Commercial Club of Laurel, and he also belongs to the Billings Midland Empire Club. Having found his opportunity at Laurel, Mr. Kass- ner has great faith in Montana, and is anxious to educate others in the possibilities of this state, and especially of Laurel and its vicinity. He believes that the West is the place for the young man, and that each year will bring more of those who de- velop into worthwhile citizens to Laurel and other Montana cities, and through them and their efforts will additional capital be brought for investment in local enterprises.

A stanch republican, Mr. Kassner has always supported the principles for which its best element

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has always stood, and he is a great admirer of the late Colonel Roosevelt.

GEORGE W. YOUNG, D. D. S. Among the lessons which war conditions are emphasizing is the im- portance of sound teeth. This is not a lesson which ought to be new in our country, unless the proverb as to the honor of prophets in their own country applies; for American dentists have occupied the front rank throughout the world for many years. But the significance of teeth and diseases incident to them has only comparatively recently been real- ized by science. It is, however, realized now, and no competent diagnostician overlooks this fertile source of disordered health. A practical rule for all to follow is to have the teeth examined period- ically and make sure that no obscure focus of in- fection exists. In wartime the drastic standards of health demanded by military efficiency required the most careful supervision of the teeth, and the scien- tific dentist has become a recognized adjunct of mil- itary organization. This should carry weight with the civil population, for health in peace is worth considering. War must not have all our efficiency. Good teeth are an essential of good health. In man's constant warfare against disease the dentist fights in the front trenches. One of the skilled men of this learned calling who is engaged in the general practice of his profession in Granite County, is Dr. George W. Young, of Philipsburg.

Doctor Young was born in County Middlesex, Ontario, Canada, September 23, 1860, a son of George Young, who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1822, and died on his farm in County Middlesex, Ontario, Canada, in 1897. He left Ire- land with his parents in 1823, his father Charles Young having been commissioned to survey the La Chene · Canal, but died of pneumonia contracted while making this survey, in 1827, and George Young was taken by his namesake uncle and reared, they living in the vicinity of Ottawa, Canada, until the lad was sixteen years old. He then began work- ing at the trade of a carpenter, and followed it at London, Hamilton, Kingston and Woodstock, Can- ada, and built the market at London, Canada. After his marriage, he located on a farm he had bought in County Middlesex, Canada, and there he rounded out 'his useful life. He was a conservative in poli- tics, and firm in his support of its policies. The Church of England held his membership. The maiden name of his wife was Catherine Bateman, and she was born in Caradoc Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada, in 1827, and died in Middlesex in 1894. Their children were as follows: Mary E., who died in Middlesex, in 1898; Charles H., who is a horse dealer of Glencoe, Ontario, Can- ada; Doctor Young, whose name heads this review; Harriet Hester, who married S. E. Bowler, a farmer of Salmon, Idaho; Thomas H., who is manager of the Scales Work of Toledo, Ohio; J. L., who is a dentist of New York City; John B., who came to Montana in 1891, died on his ranch at Belt, Mon- tana; and Catherine E., who married K. E. Parson, a hardware merchant of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

After being graduated from the rural schools of his native county, and the Strathroy High School of the same county, completing his courses in the latter in 1880, George W. Young taught the school which he first attended, for a year. In 1883 he came to the United States, and after spending a short time at Chicago, Illinois, traveled through twenty- seven states being engaged at carpenter work. He then returned to County Middlesex, but in 1889 came back to the United States, and after a short stay at Great Falls, Montana, was in Helena for

two years, where he studied dentistry and worked at his trade. Doctor Young then engaged in a prac- tice with his brother, J. L. Young at Granite, Mon- tana, for a year, when he moved to Philipsburg, and since December 15, 1891, has been engaged in practice here, being the pioneer of his profession at the county seat, now living today. His dental parlors are in the Sayrs Block. Doctor Young is a democrat and served as a member of the city council. He belongs to Granite Camp No. 323, Woodmen of the World at Philipsburg; Court Al- gonquin No. 3369, Independent Order of Foresters of Philipsburg; and to the Philipsburg Commercial Club. He owns a modern residence on the corner of Sutter and California streets.

On May 26, 1892, Doctor Young was married to Miss Martha Paradise, at Granite, Montana. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Moses Para- dise, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Paradise was a wagonmaker at Elizabethtown, New York. Mrs. Young died in I911, leaving two children, namely : Catherine, who is at home; and Glenn, who served during the great war as a marine, and was in the service for seventeen months. In 1915 Doctor Young was married to Miss Lucy Paradise, his sister-in-law, the ceremony being performed at Butte, Montana. They have no children.

ROBERT H. RAINS. As the largest mining center of the world, Butte naturally attracts to it men of the highest caliber, whose inclinations and abilities have led them to take a constructive interest in those activities founded upon mental production or business lines which are the outgrowth of such production. One of the alert, dependable and enter- prising young men of this city is Robert H. Rains, president of the Rains Metallic Packing Company, who has not only gained an enviable position in his special line, but has a bright future before him and is laying extensive plans for a much larger expan- sion than he has hitherto effected.

Robert H. Rains was born at Silver Cliff, Colorado, on March 12, 1885, a son of W. H. Rains, who was horn in July, 1857, at Queensland, Ohio. The Rains family was founded in this country during its colonial epoch, representatives of it coming from Scotland and England to Massachusetts at a very early day. Henry E. Rains, grandfather of Robert H. Rains, was born in New Jersey in 1809, and he moved to Olio in young manhood and became active as the owner of large saw-mill and flour-mill interests. His death occurred in Ohio in 1893. On his moth- er's side of the house Robert H. Rains traces back to the same family tree as former president of the United States John Quincy Adams.

Until he was eighteen years of age W. H. Rains lived in Ohio and attended its public schools, but at that time he came West to Leadville, Colorado, and became manager of a mine. In 1878 he moved to Silver Cliff, that same state, still operating as a mine manager. His efforts proved very successful and at one time he was worth $500,000, but the de- cline in the value of silver stock reduced his fortune so as to practically wipe out all his profits. Always a supporter of the republican party, he was elected on its ticket as a member of the City Council of West Cliff, Colorado, which is located one mile from Silver Cliff, but he is now living in the latter city. W. H. Rains was married to Cynthia Jennie Adams, born at Sedan, Kansas, in 1862, and they became the parents of the following children: Robert H., whose name heads this review; Henry E., who was a stationary engineer at Cripple Creek, Colorado, died of the influenza in 1919; Celia Ann, who mar- ried Morey E. Jones of Aurora, Illinois; Leafa,

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who died on July 12, 1899, aged four years; Leta, who was graduated from the Cripple Creek High School, lives with her parents; and Sidney H., who is in the moving picture show business at Cripple Creek, Colorado.

Robert H. Rains was educated in the public schools of West Cliff, Colorado, and the Canyon City High School, until he was sixteen years old, when he left school to begin work as a stationary engineer at Cripple Creek, Colorado, where he re- mained until 1907, when he came to Butte. He is the inventor of a metallic piston ring packing for machinery, specially designed for use in pumps, hoists, compressors and all steam machinery. This invention has a nine-year record of successful opera- tion in Cripple Creek, where it was used in mining machinery. In order to manufacture it Mr. Rains incorporated his company at Butte in October, 1919, and it is backed by Montana capital. The officers of the company are as follows: Robert H. Rains, president; Judge Sydney Sanner, vice president ; Elmer O. Binder, secretary; and Daniel Rafferty, treasurer. This company was formed for the pur- pose of putting Mr. Rains' invention on the world's market, and Judge Sanner is the legal adviser and business director, and is assisted in this work by his partner J. L. Templeton. Mechanical experts say that this is the best appliance ever devised for the purposes for which it is used. With the excep- tion of one concern, Mr. Rains' invention is now used by all of the large mining companies of Mon- tana. Judge Sanner's offices are at No. 402 Miner Building, Butte, and Mr. Rains' office and residence are at No. 317 South Dakota Street, Butte. Mr. Rains is a republican. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World.

In addition to his Butte company, Mr. Rains is promoting a mining company at Corbin, Montana. to develop five claims he owns just east of the old Alta Works.

On December 30, 1918, Mr. Rains was united in marriage with Miss Annie E. Lohrer at Helena, Montana. She is a daughter of Albert and Holda (Birkley) Lohrer, of Corbin, Montana, pioneers of the state. Mrs. Rains was graduated from the Jefferson County High School at Boulder, Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Rains have one danghter, Cecelia, who was born on December 16, 1919.

DANIEL RAFFERTY, treasurer of the Rains Metallic Packing Company of Butte, is one of the men of Montana who is proving that success is the fruition of intelligent effort and indomitable persistence in the pursuit of ideals. Of course before there can be accomplishment there must be vision, and after that, long, hard work. He comes from the land of high ideals, enthusiasm and willingness to work, for he was born in County Armagh, Ireland, on March 9, 1881.

The father of Daniel Rafferty was also Daniel, and his birth occurred in the same place as that of his son, during the year 1836, and he died there in 1896, having been a farmer all his life. He was a consistent member of the Roman Catholic Church. His widow, who survives him and lives in County Armagh, was born there in 1844, and bore the maiden name of Mary Brawley. Their children were as follows: Katherine, who is the widow of James Robinson, an officer of the Irish Constabulary stationed at Belfast, Ireland, lives at Dublin, Ire- land; John, who lives at Monaghan, Ireland, is an insurance agent; Sarah, who is a graduate nurse, served as such for the British Government during the great war in France, was seriously wounded and now lives at Edinburgh, Scotland; William, who

was employed in the tube manufacturing works at Coatbridge, Scotland, died there in 1908: Daniel, whose name heads this review; James, who lives at Darby, Pennsylvania, has been in the employ of the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the past fifteen years; Minnie, who is unmarried, is a dressmaker of Clonas, North of Ireland; Bridget, who is un- married, lives with her mother; and two who died young. The paternal grandfather was John Rafferty, and he was born, reared, married and spent his entire life in County Armagh, where he was engaged in farming. The maternal grandfather was John Brawley, and he was born in County Armagh in 1813, and died there in 1893, having been a farmer of that region all of his life. On both sides of the house Daniel Rafferty's ancestors were County Armagh people for many generations.

Daniel Rafferty attended the parochial schools of his native county until he was seventeen years old, at which time he left Ireland for Liverpool, England, and spent eight months in a cabinet-making estab- lishment of that city. From there he traveled on into Scotland and worked at Glasgow and Lenox- shire for about six years, during which period he was connected with the iron and steel industry. Mr. Rafferty then went to Greenock, Scotland, and spent three months in a large shipbuilding plant, when he became motorman for the electric street car company and held that position for eighteen months. Returning to Ireland, he paid his old home a visit, and then went to Liverpool, England, and embarked from there for the United States, landing in New York City.

For the first year after his arrival in this country Mr. Rafferty was employed in the Baldwin Locomo- tive Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then for four months he was in the employ of the Philadelphia Traction Company. His next employ- ers were Gimbles Brothers, and he remained with them for six months. Mr. Rafferty then came to Montana and arrived at Butte on July 3, 1909, and from then on has operated in and about Butte, leasing a number of mines, generally in partnership with J. L. Templeton, and has become very success- ful. Since April 19, 1919, he has been piston expert for the Rains Metallic Packing Company, and he also holds the offices of treasurer and director of this corporation. In politics Mr. Rafferty is a republican. He belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. Unmarried, he makes his home at No. 507 North Main Street. A man of courage and initiative, Mr. Rafferty has steadily advanced until he is today one of the leading men in his special line, and is also recognized as a mine operator of considerable importance.

HARRY L. FITTON. Having served his fourth term as city clerk of Lewistown, Harry L. Fitton is now a partner in the Lewistown Marble & Granite Works. He is an expert accountant, a man of thorough training and experience, having formerly been an educator, and is a citizen whose public spirit leads him to make ready response to whole- hearted co-operation with every movement affecting the welfare of his home city:

Mr. Fitton was born on his father's farm in Dane County, Wisconsin, April 15, 1887, a son of James H. and Elizabeth G. (Broderick) Fitton. His parents were both natives of Dane County, Wisconsin, the county seat of which is the City of Madison. His father was born October 16, 1855, and his mother August 21, 1858. They were mar- ried November 7, 1884, and of their three children Harry is the oldest. His sister Valeria E., died October 26, 1918, wife of Herbert Gorman, and the

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

younger sister is Velma V. James H. Fitton has long been a prominent farmer, stock raiser and dairyman in Southern Wisconsin, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle. He has served as chairman of his township board, is a democrat and a mem- ber of the Congregational Church.

Harry L. Fitton acquired a good education in local and high schools and took special courses in the University of Wisconsin. He taught his first term of school at the age of seventeen and at nineteen was made principal of the schools of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. He filled that office creditably for four years and in the spring of 1910 left Wisconsin and came to Lewistown, Montana. Here he took charge of the books for the Depart- ment Store of Charles Lehman & Company at Lewistown, serving until August 3, 1912. On the 5th of August of that year he was appointed city clerk under John L. Marshall, mayor, and has served continuously by reappointments in May, 1913, 1915 and 1917. During the war Mr. Fitton was untiring in doing what he could in behalf of the soldiers and war auxiliary movements, especially the Red Cross. He filled out many papers for soldiers free of charge. His wife has been prominent in Red Cross work, being now county superintendent of a department of that great organization, and holds a badge of honor for over 800 hours of work. Mr. Fitton is a democrat in politics, and is exalted ruler of Lewistown Lodge No. 456, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In Masonry he is affiliated with Lewistown Lodge No. 37, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is now serving his third term as secretary of the Lodge. He is a member of Hiram Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons; Lewistown Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar; Algeria Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Helena; and he and his wife are both members of Marie Chapter No. 36, of the Eastern Star.

Mr. Fitton married Miss Adella F. Schantz. She was born at Villisca, Iowa, daughter of Carl J. and Christine (Holmes) Schantz. Her parents are natives of Sweden and both are still living, her father being a farmer in Page County, Iowa. He is a republican and a member of the Swedish Lutheran. Church. Mrs. Fitton is the fourth in a family of nine children, all of whom are still living.

RUFUS B. THOMPSON. When in the high tide of his activities Rufus B. Thompson was one of the monarchs of the sheep industry of Montana. His flocks numbered thousands and thousands of head, and grazed over uncounted hills and valleys. He was also well known as a banker of Lewistown, where he lived for a number of years and where his death occurred December 6, 1914.

He was of old New England ancestry and was born at Colchester, Vermont, June 16, 1857, a son of Samuel and Marion (Buell) Thompson. His parents were both natives of Vermont. He was the second of three sons. His father was a Ver- mont farmer, voted as a whig and republican and was a devout member of the Methodist Church.

Rufus B. Thompson spent his early life on his father's rugged New England farm, and alternated with the work of home by attending school in winter sessions until he was about twenty-one years of age. He then came West, the first stage of his journey taking him to St. Paul, Minnesota. From there he proceeded by stage to Bismarck, Dakota Territory, and thence by steamer up the Missouri River to Fort Benton. He first saw Montana about forty years ago, when nearly all the territory was still in a pioneer condition. From Fort Benton after some time he went overland by ox and horse team

to the Judith Basin, and was one of the first settlers on Willow Creek south of the Snow Mountains, where he took up Government land and began the sheep industry. He saw his flocks expand and in- crease and his business grow until he frequently had from 15,000 to 20,000 head on range at one time. In 1896 he established a feeding station for sheep at Seward, Nebraska, and also owned a home at York in that state. In 1906 he bought a fine home in Lewistown, and spent the rest of his days in that city. He sold his last interests as a sheep man in November, 1914, only a few weeks before his death.

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 38

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