Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 39

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 39

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Mr. Thompson was a man of sturdy integrity and could not be moved from the strict path of hon- orable personal dealings by any inducement. In fact this was one of his dominant characteristics. He believed that all men should live up to their contracts to the fullest, no matter how the financial outcome resulted. In the conduct of his extensive business interests he took a broad view, and his dealings were always characterized by a strict sense of justice to all parties concerned. He never would enter into a business arrangement with any one unless convinced that both sides to the deal would participate in the financial returns, and was always inclined to lean towards the side of generosity in all of his business arrangements.

He was also a man of leadership in public affairs and twice represented his district in the State Legis- lature. He was also a member of the School Board several terms. Mr. Thompson was one of the organizers of the Empire Bank & Trust Company of Lewistown, and when the organization was com- pleted on March 30, 1907, he was elected first president and filled that office until January 16, 1909. He was affiliated with Lewistown Lodge No. 37, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Hiram Chapter No. 14, Royal Arch Masons, Lewistown Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar, and Algeria Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Helena. Politically he was a republican.

Mr. Thompson married Miss Imogene Jacobs, a native of Dane County, Wisconsin, and a daughter of George and Katherine Almira (Warren) Jacobs. Her mother was a native of Vermont. Her father, who was born in Germany, came to this country when seventeen years of age by sailing ship to New York, and thence came west to Iowa, whence he became a farmer and where he spent his last years. He was a whig in early life and later a republican. Mrs. Thompson was the fourth in a large family of thirteen children, eight of whom are still living. Her own children number three, the first, Jesse Fay, dying in infancy. Marion A. is the wife of Frank Ottman, living on the old Thompson homestead, and they have two daughters. Rufus B., Jr., married Susie Martin and has one daughter.

LAWRENCE S. STEVENS, M. D. The medical pro- fession made a record during the late war that will not soon be forgotten. Countless numbers of the profession left well established connections to enlist in the service of their Government when they had every excuse that could be tendered for re- maining at home. Their work was of the utmost importance, not only at the front, but in the train- ing camps, where through their skill and experienced knowledge the embryo soldier was prepared for the titanic struggle before him by making him fit physi- cally as well as strategically. The members of this learned profession who made the sacrifice of their material welfare to serve their country will not be forgotten by their fellow citizens, but in the years to come will be pointed out as men who placed

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their patriotism above the dollar mark, and to whom the fine physical condition of the country's soldiers is largely due. One of these loyal physicians and soldiers worthy of special mention in a work of this high class is Dr. Lawrence S. Stevens of Laurel, Montana.

Doctor Stevens was born in Cedar County, Mis- souri, October 29, 1881, a son of Dr. B. F. Stevens and grandson of Lawrence Stevens, the latter born in Indiana in 1812, and belonging to an old and honored family in this country, the original emi- grant coming from England to Virginia prior to the American Revolution. Lawrence Stevens be- came a pioneer farmer of Appanoose County, Iowa, where he died in 1888. His wife bore the maiden name of Fletcher, and she, too, was born in Indiana.

Dr. B. F. Stevens was born in Indiana in 1837, and he died in Cedar County, Missouri, May 1, 1882. He was reared in Iowa, but moved to Mis- souri in young manhood, after having been gradu- ated from the Medical College of Keokuk, Iowa, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During the Civil war he enlisted in the service, during 1864, and was sent against the Indians in Nebraska. Politically he was a democrat. For many years he was well known as a Mason. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma Akin, was born in Kentucky in 1853, and she died in Polk County, Missouri, in 1888. Their children were as follows: Frank, who is a rural mail carrier, resides at Quincy, Missouri; Locie, who married W. E. Vaughn, a ranchman, resides near Judith Gap, Mon- tana; and Dr. Lawrence S.

After attending the rural schools of Missouri and the academy of Lowery City, Missouri, Lawrence S. Stevens in 1900 went to Western Canada and for the subsequent six years was engaged in deal- ing in real estate, but in that year matriculated in the medical department of the Universiy of Kan- sas City, Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1910 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and that same year located at Fort Stockton, Texas, where for four years he was engaged in a general practice. In 1914 he came to Montana and until September, 1916, was in practice at Bridger, that state, leaving it for Laurel. In July, 1918. Doctor Stevens entered the United States service and was sent to the Medical Officers Training Camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, in the meanwhile being commis- sioned first lieutenant in June, 1918. He was as- signed to the Sixteenth Sanitary Train of the Six- teenth Division at Camp Kearny, California, com- manding Ambulance Company Two Hundred and Sixty-three. He was mustered out March 26, 1919, and returned to Laurel to resume his practice. His offices are in the McCauley Spencer Building on Main Street. Doctor Stevens is local surgeon for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. During 1918 Doctor Stevens was president of the Montana State Health Officers Association, and he belongs to the Yellowstone County Medical Society, the Montana State Medical Society, the American Medi- cal Association and is active in all of these organi- zations. Fraternally he belongs to Bridger Lodge, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and Bridger Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is very active in the Laurel Commercial Club. Politi- cally he is an independent democrat.

In 1909 Doctor Stevens was united in marriage at Fall City, Nebraska, to Miss Matilda H. Hill, born in Iowa, who attended the Clinton High School of Clinton, Iowa, and who is a graduate registered nurse. Doctor and Mrs. Stevens have the following children : Iva Constance, who was born December 29, 1910; Donna Mae, who was born January 3,

1912; and Virginia, who was born September 9, 1916. An experienced medical man, Doctor Stevens enjoys a wide-spread popularity, and is recognized as one of the most efficient men in his profession. Personally he has a large following, winning and holding friends through those characteristics which make for the highest standard of American citizen- ship.

WILBER I. POWER, M. D., physician and surgeon and vice president of the First State Bank of Philipsburg, is one of the best known men of Gran- ite County. He was born at Farmington, Oakland County, Michigan, September 17, 1860, a son of Thomas H. Power, and grandson of Jared Power, who was born in Chautauqua County, New York, in 1806, and died in Oakland County, Michigan. The Powers trace their ancestry back to William the Conqueror, and came from England to the American Colonies long before the Revolution.

Thomas H. Power was born near Farmington, Michigan, in 1830, and he died at Pontiac, Michigan, in 1902. He spent his whole life in Oakland County, and his mature years as a farmer. A republican of the old school, he was elected on his party ticket to several of the township offices, and was very prominent in his community. He married Lydia B. Stockwell, who was born in Redford Township, Oakland County, Michigan, died at Pontiac, Mich- igan, in 1884. Their children were as follows: Charles S., who is an oil operator, lives near Ossa- watomie, Kansas; Walter J., who is a retired farmer, lives at Pontiac, Michigan; Doctor Power, whose name heads this review; Harry, who died at the age of fourteen years; Frank, who died at the age of eighteen years; and Lonis, who is an overseer for Henry W. Ford, lives at Detroit, Mich- igan. After the death of his first wife, Thomas H. Power was married to Flora Perkins, who was born at Birmingham, Michigan, died at Owosso, Michigan, in 1919. They had one son, Frank, who lives at Pontiac, Michigan, where he is working as an automobile mechanic.

Wilber I. Power attended the rural schools of Oakland County, and the Pontiac, Michigan, High School, and then became a student of the State Agricultural College at Lansing, Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1885. In the meanwhile he earned sufficient money for his courses by teach- ing school in Oakland County and at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was graduated from the Detroit Col- lege of Medicine in 1889, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. While at the Agricultural College he was a member of the Greek Letter Fraternity Delta Tau Delta. For the subsequent year Doctor Power was at St. Mary's Hospital at Detroit, Mich- igan, and then in 1890 he came West to Granite, Montana, where he was engaged in a general prac- tice for two years. He then located permanently at Philipsburg, building up here a fine medical and surgical practice and has the distinction of being the pioneer in his profession in this city. He took a post graduate course in the New York City Post Graduate School in 1899, specializing on general medicine. Doctor Power has his offices in the Doe- McLeod Building on Broadway. Like his father, a republican, Doctor Power has served as coroner of Granite County for two terms and is now county physician, and city health commissioner for Philips- burg. For one term he was mayor of Philipsburg, and was the candidate of his party for state senator. but on account of the overwhelming democratic majority in this district, was defeated, although be- cause of his personal popularity he ran way ahead of his ticket, in one election losing by only two

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votes, and the second time he ran, by five. He be- longs to Flint Creek Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master, hav- ing served his lodge as master two terms; Hope Chapter No. 10, Royal Arch Masons, which he served as high priest for three terms; Pearl Chap- ter No. 14, Order of Eastern Star, of which he is past patron; Granite Camp, Woodmen of the World; Lincoln Homestead No. 559, Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Both as a private citizen and as chairman of the Granite County Chapter of the Red Cross, Doctor Power took a very active part in the war work, and in the Red Cross drives put Granite County over the top. Although not a member, he is serving the Philipsburg Presbyterian Church as a trustee. He is vice president and a director of the First State Bank of Philipsburg, and has been interested in the mining industry for many years, and has been very successful in his ventures in this line. Doctor Power owns a modern res- idence at Philipsburg, where he maintains his home.

In 1892 Doctor Power was married at Granite, Montana, to Miss Mary Williams, a step-danghter of Thomas Trevaille once postmaster of Granite, Montana, but now deceased. Mrs. Power died at Philipsburg in 1897 without issue. In 1898 Doctor Power was married second to Mrs. Marietta (Stock- well) Sewell, a daughter of Alva and Phoebe ( Smead) Stockwell. Alva Stockwell was a com- mission merchant, who died at Paola, Kansas, but Mrs. Stockwell survives and lives at Paola. Doctor and Mrs. Power have no children, but Mrs. Power has a son by her first marriage, namely: H. F. Sewell, who is an attorney of Conrad, Montana. Doctor Power is one of the most representative men of this part of Montana, and is ranked among the eminent practitioners of his profession.

CHARLES E. O'NEILL. The law is known as a stern mistress, demanding of her devotees constant and unremitting attention and leading her followers through many mazes and intricacies before she grants them success at her hands. This incessant de- votion frequently precludes the idea of the success- ful lawyer indulging in activities outside of the straight path of his profession, especially if his voca- tional duties are of large and important nature. Then again, some men have been led into the prac- tice of the law through their connection with some other interests which necessitated a knowledge of the law along certain lines, and when this knowledge was gained, a desire was awakened to study still fur- ther and make the profession a life work. This lat- ter was the case of Charles E. O'Neill, one of the successful attorneys of Butte, who became a lawyer through his initial studies with reference to bank- ing law.

Charles E. O'Neill was born at Marshall, Missouri, on February 22, 1889, a son of William P. O'Neill. The latter was born in Canada in 1860, and is now residing at Miles City, Montana. While still a child he was brought to Missouri by his parents, and there he was reared, educated and married, and became a farmer of Marshall, Missouri. In 1907 he came to Montana and has since been a resident of Miles City, having extensive farming interests in its vicinity. He is a republican in politics and a Roman Cathole in religious faith. William P. O'Neill married Julia Devaney, born in Missouri in 1865. a daughter of John Devaney, born in Ireland in 1814. His wife was also born in Ireland and they were married in Missouri, where both died, he in 1900 and she in 1901. They were farming people. The children born to William P. O'Neill and his wife were as follows : Stella, who married Dr. F. P

Mahon of St. Louis, Missouri, a dental surgeon; Charles E., who was second in order of birth; Ray Francis, who is a railroad employe of St. Louis. Missouri; and Florence, who married George Ach- maker, formerly an importer of New York City, but now a resident of St. Louis, Missouri.

Charles E. O'Neill was reared at St. Louis and attended its schools, and in 1906 came to Miles City, Montana, and spent a year on a ranch in its vicinity. He then took a commercial course at the Butte Business College, specializing in stenography and bookkeeping, and in August, 1907, entered the Butte Commercial Bank, with which he learned the bank- ing business, remaining with that concern until January 1, 1909, when he entered the First National Bank of Butte and continued with it until January I, 1919, a period of ten years. During this time he became thoroughly posted with reference to bank- ing of all kinds and banking law, and was admitted to the bar on June 11, 1919. He at once entered upon a general practice, and his offices are at Nos. 71-72 Owsley Building. Mr. O'Neill is independent in his political views. He belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. Fraternally he is connected with Butte Council No. 668, Knights of Columbus, in which he has been made a third degree knight, and the Knights and Ladies of Security. At one time he belonged to the Butte Country Club.

In 1911 Mr. O'Neill was married at Butte to Miss Kathryn C. Sullivan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Sullivan, both of whom are deceased, he having been a miner of Butte and a member of the police force, and came to the city during its pioneer epoch. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill have three children, namely: Edalene Frances, who was born on Novem- ber 6, 1913; Helen, who was born January 22, 1915; and Jack Charles, who was born on November 8, 1916. Although one of the recent additions to his profession, Mr. O'Neill has already proved his abil- ity and is looked upon as one who will rise high in it, for he possesses the characteristics necessary for such advancement, being bold, independent and fearless, scorning petty tricks, fighting in the open for what he believes to be right. A man of sound judgment who weighs carefully both sides, he is certain of rendering impartial justice.

HAROLD C. TILZEY, serving his fourth term as county surveyor of Fergus County, has been a resident of Montana nearly seventeen years and is a civil engineer of long and thorough practical experience and training.

He was born on his father's homestead in Osborne County, Kansas, June 10, 1881, the oldest of the five children of Samuel and Minnie M. (Pitt) Tilzey. His father was born in England December 31, 1854, and came when a child with his parents to America, making the journey by sailing ship and landing in New York. From there the family went West to Iowa, where they were pioneers, and subsequently were identified with the pioneer settlement of Kansas. Samnel Tilzey grew to man- hood in Kansas, engaged in farming in Osborne County for a number of years, and later became a buyer and shipper of cattle and hogs to the Omaha market. He was a republican in politics. His wife was born in Iowa September 28, 1861, and they were married in Kansas.

Harold C. Tilzey grew up in Northern Kansas and Southern Nebraska, and attended grammar and high schools at Geneva in the latter state. He has a military record, having enlisted when eighteen years old, September 20, 1899, in Company F of the Thirty-Ninth Regiment of United States Volunteers. He enlisted for a period of two years and was

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sent to the Philippines under command of Col. Robert L. Bullard. He was made corporal of Com- pany F and served a little more than a year, being given his honorable discharge October 13, 1900. After his return Mr. Tilzey went to work in a hardware store at Geneva, and in 1902 came to Lewistown, Montana, and joined the Civil Engineer- ing Department of the Montana Railway Company. In the fall of 1904 he went to California and was in the Civil Engineering Department of the Western Pacific Railway Company for one year. On return- ing to Montana he was employed on the survey of the transcontinental line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, and his duties on that great trunk line required his time until the spring of 1908. He then took up the private practice of civil engineer- ing at Moore in Fergus County, and in November of the same year was elected for his first term of county surveyor of Fergus County. He was re-elected in 1910 and then followed an interval in which he was again engaged in private practice. He was again elected county surveyor in 1916, and by re-election in 1918 is serving his fourth term. He is now serving as secretary and treasurer of the Montana Society of County Surveyors. He is affiliated with Lewistown Lodge No. 456, Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, is a member of the Judith Club and Chamber of Commerce at Lewistown and in politics is a republican.

June 8, 1907, he married Anna M. Toomey, a native of Nebraska. Their five children are Kath- erine, Harold C., Jr., Dorothea M., Anna Beatrice and Effa M.

GRANT ROBINSON, postmaster at Lewistown, is a thorough Westerner, a native of California, and has been a miner and rancher, public official, and actively identified with the various affairs of Mon- tana nearly thirty years.

He was born in Humboldt County, California, September 14, 1865, a son of William S. and Electa Lavina (Albee) Robinson. His father was born in Virginia in 1827 and died in 1905, was reared and educated in his native state, and in 1850 went to the California gold fields. After some experience as a miner he turned his attention to farming and stock raising and lived in California the rest of his life. During the war he was a Union democrat. He was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife was born in Michigan and died in 1918, at the age of seventy-two. They had eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, nine still living, and Grant Robinson was the second in age.

Grant Robinson acquired his education in the pub- lic schools of California and worked as a ranch hand during his early manhood. Coming to Mon- tana in 1891 he located in Fergus County, and on May 12, 1897, was united in marriage to Ethel Culver, a native of Iowa. Her parents, George and Caroline Culver, came to Montana in 1891, settling on East Fork, near Lewistown. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have one son, William Culver Robinson, who was born in 1906.

In 1901 Mr. Robinson bought a ranch on East Fork and operated it until 1908, in which year he was elected county treasurer and by reelection served four years. Mr. Robinson received his appointment as postmaster of Lewistown on May 20, 1913, and by reappointment in 1917 is in charge of the office for a second term. He is a member of Lewistown Lodge No. 37, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Lewistown Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar, and Algeria Temple of Helena, Montana. He is also

a member of Lewistown Lodge No. 456, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

BENJAMIN LINCOLN PRICE. One of the convinc- ing young attorneys of Yellowstone County, Montana, who possesses a distinct impulse toward the hu- manities among the leaders of thought, and has always been an inspiration for activities of the best sort, is engaged in the general practice of his pro- fession at Laurel. He is a man not readily deceived in men or misled in measures, and is therefore an ideal person for public preferment, which fact his fellow citizens have recognized, for they placed him in the executive chair of their city government. Mr. Price was born in Wabash County, Illinois, July 12, 1882, and for a man of his years has achieved much. His paternal grandfather, William Price, born in Delaware in 1825, sought better opportunities for expansion by turning his face westward, as did his grandson some years later, and located at an early day in its history in Wabash County, Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying there in 1897, having in the interval passed through some trying experiences as a pioneer of that region. After coming to Illinois he was married, the first name of his excellent wife being Melissa.

One of the sons of William and Melissa Price was Benjamin F. Price, born in Wabash County, Illinois, in 1852, and he became the father of Ben- jamin Lincoln Price, whose name heads this review. Benjamin F. Price was engaged in farming in Wabash County, Illinois, for many years, but is now living retired at Mount Carmel, Illinois. In politics he is a republican, and during 1900 was one of the census enumerators for his community. The Chris- tian Church holds his membership and is a benc- ficiary of his generosity. Mr. Price is well known as a Mason. He was married to Olive Angeline Duty, born in Wabash County, Illinois, in 1858, and they became the parents of the following children: Flora B., who died at the age of two years; Harmon E., who is a physician and surgeon of Stockton, California, is a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio; Benjamin Lincoln, who was third in order of birth; Emma, who mar- ried Clyde Lester, an oil operator, resides at Allen- dale, Illinois; Alfred M., who is a resident of Laurel, Montana, is now serving in the Army of Occupation at Luxemburg; Pearl, who married E. H. Dickson, a farmer, resides at Laurel, Montana; William F., who is a farmer, resides at Laurel, Montana; John D., who is in the radio branch of service in the United States Navy; Olive, who is in the surgeon general's office at Washington, District of Colum- bia; and Virgil, who is in the United States Navy.

Benjamin Lincoln Price after attending the rural schools of Wabash County, Illinois, attended the university at Valparaiso, Indiana, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law. Appreciating the opening offered the alert young man in the West, Mr. Price came to Montana, and in the fall of 1908 established himself at Laurel, where he has since remained. Having been brought up in a home dominated by republican sentiments, he naturally affiliated himself with that party, and by his associates was placed on its ticket for mayor of Laurel in 1917, and elected by a gratifying ma- jority. He served as chief executive of the city during 1917 and 1918 and gave his municipality a clean and businesslike administration. As a mem- ber of the Commercial Club of Laurel he takes part in the movements to better and advance the city, while professionally he belongs to the county and state bar associations. Laurel Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, has in him one of its

Grant Robinson

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most enthusiastic members. Mr. Price owns con- siderable property at Laurel and in Yellowstone County, including a comfortable modern residence on Sixth Avenue, and the building in which his office and a newspaper and bindery plant are lo- cated at Laurel, and a ranch of 600 acres of valuable land outside the city.

On January 6, 1909, Mr. Price was united in mar- riage with Miss Ibbie J. Fearheiley, at Mount Car- mel, Illinois. Mrs. Price is a daughter of Jacob and Anna (Aborn) Fearheiley, residents of Mount Carmel, Illinois, Mr. Fearheiley being a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Price have three children, as follows: Lois E., who was born April 26, 1912; Byron L., who was born July 10, 1915; and Harold, who was born December 20, 1918. Mr. Price is a man who possesses those qualities which are conspicuous in the characters of the best citizens, and in his pro- fession is admittedly one of the leading attorneys of Yellowstone County.

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 39

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