Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume II, Part 49

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 49

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).

Harry D. Blakeslee was born at Fort Scott, Kansas, December 27, 1873, and is the son of John G. Blakeslee, who is referred to more specifically in the sketch of Glenn B. Blakeslee, elsewhere in this volume. He was educated in the public schools of Weaver, Iowa, and accompanied the family on their removal to DeSoto, Nebraska, where he also gained some school training. In 1894 he graduated from the Lincoln Business College at Lincoln, Nebraska, and shortly afterward became a traveling salesman for the Chicago Portrait Company, his territory in- cluding Eastern and Northern Nebraska and South Dakota. After following that vocation for five years Mr. Blakeslee came to Livingston and for a few months was employed in the mercantile house of James Thompson. He then purchased a partnership in what was then known as Houston & Alkier's, buy- ing the junior partner's interest. At that time his brother Glenn B. became associated with the store and about a year later bought Mr. Houston's in- terest. The firm was then reorganized under the title of Blakeslee Brothers and so continued until Harry D. sold out to his brother on January 1, 1916, the former taking the ranches owned by the brothers and Glenn B. taking the store. Mr. Blakeslee now owns 1,920 acres of land, all good ranch property .. Of this 480 acres are located sixteen miles north of Livingston and Mr. Blakeslee also owns the water right for this land. The remainder of his land is located about five miles from Chico Springs, Mon- tana, which land he rents. For several years Mr. Blakeslee has been engaged as a track shipper, send- ing hay, grain and potatoes in carload lots to large cities, such as Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Duluth, besides many smaller places through Montana and other sections of the Northwest.

Mr. Blakeslee has long been numbered among the active supporters of all local movements for the advancement of the best interests of the community. During the time he was connected with the store here he was president of the Business Men's Credit Association, and he was one of the organizers of the Livingston Commercial Club, but resigned his membership when he left the store.

In politics Mr. Blakeslee assumes an independent attitude, and his religious membership is with the Church of Christ, Scientist. Fraternally he belongs to Livingston Lodge No. 32, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted . Masons, and to the Eastern Montana Con- sistory of the Scottish Rite, in which he has attained the eighteenth degree.

In 1901, at Fremont, Nebraska, Mr. Blakeslee mar- ried Sarah Crosby, the daughter of J. M. and Martha . E. (Hancock) Crosby. Mr. Crosby was a Union veteran of the Civil war, and as a result of his sufferings and privations while a captive in Libby Prison he was practically an invalid during the re- mainder of his life. He died at Schuyler, Nebraska, in 1914, and his widow now makes her home with Mr. Blakeslee and his wife. Mrs. Blakeslee at- tended the Normal College at Fremont, Nebraska, and for several years prior to her marriage she was principal of the graded schools at Emerson, Ne- braska. To Mr. and Mrs. Blakeslee have been born

the following children: Glenn, born October 15, 1902, is a sophomore in the Park County High School; Imogene, born in May, 1904, is a freshman in the same institution; Donald, born in 1906, John, born in 1908, and Gretchen, are in the public schools ; and Betty, at home.

JOHN P. SCHMIT, of Luxemburger extraction, was born at Port Washington, Wisconsin, March II, 1864. He is the eldest of ten children. His father, J. Michael Schmit, was born at Esch op der Ulzicht in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on October 10, 1838, and his mother, who was Katha- rina Hansen, was born at Everlingen in the same duchy, October 1, 1842. Mr. Schmit's parents came to America with their respective families in 1846, the Schmits settling on an eighty-acre homestead near Holy Cross and the Hansens acquiring a home in Port Washington, both towns being in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. Mr. Schmit's par- ents were married on June 1, 1863. The mother died June 15, 1909, and the father on June 12, 1913.

John P. was educated in the public and parochial Catholic schools of his home town. His first em- ployment was as clerk and bookkeeper in a gen- eral store. In August, 1885, he went westward, remaining in St. Paul over winter and in the spring of 1886 he went to Devil's Lake, North Dakota. There he married Susie Weis on December 18, 1887, she going there from her native home to wed him. Mr. Schmit was engaged in business at Devil's Lake until October, 1890. On November 2, 1890, he arrived at Helena, Montana, with his wife and two babies. Mr. Schmit soon after became en- gaged in gold mining as manager for English and American companies, and followed this occupation in Montana, Oregon and California. In 1899 Mr. Schmit resigned his position with the mining com- pany to take up his home in Helena, where his children were educated.

In 1901 he was appointed register of the state land office by Governor Joseph K. Toole, and re- mained in the position until April, 1908.

On August 15, 1910, Mr. Schmit entered the First National Bank of Lewistown as assistant cashier. For the past few years he has been active vice president of this leading institution.

He built a nice residence at 821 W. Water Street in the fall of 1910, where he has since resided with his family. His three children, two sons and one daughter, are married and also live here.

Mr. Schmit has always taken a keen interest in public matters and is regarded as one of Mon- tana's most forceful public speakers. He has always been a democrat in politics, and is throughout a thorough and intense American.

JESSEE FRAZER FORBES is president of the Fergus Hotel Company at Lewistown. Of his ability as a hotel manager perhaps nothing could speak in stronger terms than the long period of his service with the famous Fred Harvey Eating House and Hotel System. With his brothers as associates he has given to Lewistown one of the most creditable hotels in the state.

He was born at Wathena, Kansas, May 25, 1885, son of Benjamin N. and Frances (Jessee) Forbes. His father, a native of Ohio, died in 1910, at the age of seventy-two, while his mother was a native of Missouri and died at the age of fifty-six. They were married in Kansas, and their nine children, seven sons and two daughters, are briefly noted as follows: Clyde, who died in infancy; Clinton D .; Edward N .; Pearl Marie, wife of C. H. Bauer; Benjamin N., Jr., who enlisted at Great Falls, Mon-

174

HISTORY OF MONTANA

tana, in February, 1918, in the Field Artillery serv- ice, reached France in November, some days before the signing of the armistice, and has since returned to the United States and received his honorable discharge March 1, 1919, with the rank of corporal; Jessee F .; Annie; George Thomas, who enlisted in December, 1917, was transferred to Camp Berkeley, California, then to Fort Worth, Texas, as a flying cadet, and was discharged after the signing of the armistice; Wylie H. enlisted in 1917 in the ground school of the aviation service at Atlanta, Georgia, was commissioned a lieutenant, was transferred to Dallas, Texas, then to Kelly Field at San Antonio, and has since been given an honorable discharge.

Benjamin N. Forbes became a prominent farmer and stock man in Doniphan County, Kansas, near Highland. He was a merchant at Highland and Wathena, was president of the Fruit Growers State Bank at Wathena, and established a mercantile busi- ness at Sterling, Colorado, known as the Wathena Mercantile Company, of which he was president. He was affiliated with Smithton Lodge No. I, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, was a Methodist and a republican in politics.

Jessee Frazer Forbes secured his early education in the grammar and high schools at Wathena, Kan- sas, attended the St. Joseph Business University in Missouri, and gained his first knowledge of busi- ness as clerk in the First National Bank of St. Joseph. Later he was made cashier of the Fruit Growers State Bank at Wathena, remaining there about two years. Following that he finished his education with a course in the Kansas State Normal College at Emporia. From that he entered the serv- ice of the Fred Harvey Eating House System, being first located at. Dodge City, Kansas, was made as- sistant manager at Houston, Texas, later at Dallas, Texas, and his work with that company until the fall. of 1913 gave him splendid opportunities to master the technique and system which has made the organization of Fred Harvey famous throughout the world.

Mr. Forbes came to Lewistown in the fall of 1913 and organized the Fergus Hotel Company, of which he is president. George T. Forbes is vice president and W. H. Forbes is secretary and treas- urer. Mr. Forbes is a Mason, having been raised to the lodge at Wathena, Kansas, later demitting and becoming a member of Lewistown Lodge No. 37. He is also affiliated with Hiram Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, and with Lewistown Lodge No. 456, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Montana State Hotel Men's Association and in politics is a republican.

J. HARRY SCHUCH, chief engineer of the Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railway, is one of the highly trained men of his profession in this region, and he is rendering an efficient service not only to his road but to the people which it supplies with trans- portation facilities. Mr. Schuch was born near Wil- liamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 18, 1880, a son of Jacob Schuch and grandson of Peter Schuch. Peter Schuch was born in Ba- varia, Germany, in 1800, and died at Cogan Sta- tion, Pennsylvania, in May, 1886. In 1841 he came to the United States and located in Lycoming Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, where he followed farming, al- though he was a tailor by trade, and had worked as such in Bavaria. From 1823 to 1829 he served in the German army. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Drum, was born in Ba- varia, Germany, in 1807, and died at Cogan Station, Pennsylvania, in June, 1886.

Jacob Schuch was born in Bavaria, Germany, Feb-

ruary 17, 1835, and died March 17, 1918, at Cogan Station, Pennsylvania. He was brought to the United States by his parents in 1841, and spent the remainder of his life in Lycoming County, Penn- sylvania. A democrat, he held all of the local offices and took an active interest in public affairs. The Lutheran Church held his membership. Jacob Schuch was married to Regina Stoltz, born in Lycom- ing County, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1839, who died in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, July 14, 1917. Their children were as follows: William, who is a farmer of Morenci, Michigan; Charles, who is a farmer of West Unity, Ohio; Emma J., who mar- ried C. B. Bastian, a physician and surgeon of Wil- liamsport, Pennsylvania; Peter L., who is a general business man of Cogan Station, Pennsylvania, holds the office of postmaster and conducts a general store; Phoebe E., who married Ed Williamson, a farmer of Nesbit, Pennsylvania; Harriet B., who married Willard Lusk, a merchant of Newberry, Pennsylvania; Catherine M., who died on December 31, 1916, at Newberry, Pennsylvania, was the wife of William Marquardt, who survives her and lives at Newberry, being a telegraph operator and dis- patcher ; and J. Harry, who was the youngest born.

J. Harry Schuch attended the rural schools of his native county and the Lycoming County Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1900, and then for the subsequent four years he was engaged in teaching school in Lycoming County. He became a student of Bucknell University at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and was graduated therefrom in 1907, with the degree of Bachelor of Science in civil .en- gineering. In September of that year he entered the employ of the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad, and for two years was in its engineering depart- . ment at Greenville, Pennsylvania, leaving that road for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, where for two years he was a draughtsman in its Lincoln, Nebraska, office. In February, 1912, he came to Anaconda and for five years was assistant engineer of the Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Rail- way, when, in October, 1916, he was promoted to the position of chief engineer, and still holds that position, his office being in the general office build- ing of his road on West Commercial Avenue, Anaconda.

In 1915 Mr. Schuch was married at Anaconda to Miss Nellie G. Daniels, a daughter of Phillip and Anna (Schantz) Daniels, of Anaconda, of which city Mr. Daniels is police magistrate. Mrs. Schuch is a graduate of the Anaconda High School. Al- though he votes the democratic ticket, Mr. Schuch has never taken an active part in politics, prefer- ring to give his time to the profession he follows. The Presbyterian Church has in him an active mem- ber. He belongs to Eureka Lodge No. 290, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Greenville, Pennsyl- vania; and the American Association of Engineers. Mr. Schuch owns his own modern residence, at No. 715 Hickory Street, Anaconda. Being trained in the theory and practice of his profession, Mr. Schuch approaches his problems with a sure and steady knowledge of the method to adopt in their solu- tion. He is very much interested in the economic . and social welfare of men in the engineering pro- fession, especially of the younger men who have not had much experience. As a citizen he measures up to high standards, and while his profession de- mands the greater portion of his time, he can al- ways be counted upon to support heartily and effec- tively measures which in his judgment will prove beneficial to his community, state or country. There are few men of the state who stand any higher in the confidence of his associates than he.

175

HISTORY OF MONTANA

J. E. Muzzy. A highly esteemed resident of Broadview, Montana, and one of its substantial merchants, J. E. Muzzy is actively identified with the advancement of the mercantile and agricultural de- velopment of town and county, and holds high rank among the successful business men of his community. A son of the late B. F. Muzzy, he was born August 13, 1864, in Nicollet County, Minne- sota, being a descendant, many generations re- moved, of Miles Standish, a Mayflower passenger. His grandfather, Calvin Muzzy, was born in New York State in 1799, but after his marriage engaged in farming in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Ambi- tious to advance his material interests, he removed to Illinois, becoming a pioneer of Dupage County, Illinois, and later settling permanently in Minne- sota, where he resided until his death, a few years later. He married Betsey Meacham, who was born in New York State, and died in Nicollet County, Minnesota.

Born in 1820, in Erie County, Pennsylvania, B. F. Muzzy grew to manhood on the home farm, and while young was well drilled in agricultural labor. Soon after his marriage he removed to Illinois, locating not far from the now busy City of Chi- cago, where he followed his independent calling for a brief time. Not satisfied with his prospects there, he migrated to Minnesota, and was there engaged in farming for some time, first in Leseur County and afterward in Nicollet County, continu- ing a resident of that state from 1863 until 1903. He made one more removal, going to Emmett, Idaho, where he lived retired until his death in 1913, at the advanced age of ninety-three years.

B. F. Muzzy married in New York State, Persis Templeton, who was born in that state in 1824, and died in Emmett, Idaho, in 1912. Six children were born into their household, as follows: Abbie, de- ceased; Julia, deceased; F. H., whose death oc- curred at Payette, Idaho, in April, 1918, was for thirty years a rancher in Laramie County, Wyo- ming, and in Idaho was a fruit grower; Ida, widow of A. M. Howard, a ranchman, resides at Emmett, Idaho; Carrie, who never married and died at the age of thirty-seven years; and J. E., the special subject of this personal narrative.

Obtaining the rudiments of his education in the public schools of Minnesota, J. E. Muzzy contin- ued his studies at the State Normal School in Man- kato, Minnesota, for three years. Entering upon a professional career in 1888, he taught school for a year in Leseur County, Minnesota, and a year in Gallatin County, Montana. Going to Oregon in 1890, Mr. Muzzy was engaged in mercantile pur- suits at Pendleton for two years. He then re- turned to Minnesota, and for a year taught in the public schools of North Mankato, and the ensuing six years held a responsible position with a whole- sale grocery company, after which he was for five years bookkeeper and cashier for a large manu- facturing company at Minneapolis.

In 1908, with characteristic enterprise and fore- thought, Mr. Muzzy took up a homestead at Reeder, North Dakota, and prior to the founding of the town established himself in the mercantile business, being the pioneer merchant of the place. Sell- ing out at an advantage in 1910, he opened a gen- eral merchandise store at Broadview, Montana, and in its management has shown marked ability, having a thriving and constantly increasing trade, his patronage extending many miles in either di- rection. He has valuable landed property, own- ing a ranch of 160 acres in Adams County, North Dakota, and 320 acres of land lying six miles east of Broadview, while on Donald Avenue, Broad- Vol. II-13

view, he owns a good modernly improved resi- dence. Mr. Muzzy is a stockholder in the Mutual State Bank of Broadview, and a director of the Broadview Amusement Company. He is a stanch adherent of the republican party, and a member of the Baptist Church. He likewise belongs to the Broadview Commercial Club, and is a mem- ber of Broadview Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Broadview Camp, Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. Muzzy married in 1898, in Minneapolis, Minne- sota, Miss Cora Bittner, a daughter of August and Barbara (Scheure) Bittner, neither of whom are now living. Mr. Bittner was for many years a prominent business man, and also a large land owner. Mr. and Mrs. Muzzy have no children. They are held in high regard throughout the com- munity in which they reside, and their home is ever open to their many friends.

HON. JOHN D. WAITE. The high awards that are securable in influence, character and fortune through a life of honest industry and genuine probity, guided and regulated by a sense of Christian obligation, are illustrated in the life of the late Hon. John D. Waite, Montana pioneer, prominent banker and rancher, ex-state senator, and one of Lewistown's most honored and respected citizens. With no ex- traordinary endowment of faculty, unaided by in- heritance or friendly assistance, he was content to enter into the life which a rising community offered in a humble station, and to follow up the oppor- tunities that opened before him with steadiness and industry, gaining, step by step, the rare fruits of well- directed enterprise, until he found himself the pos- sessor of an enviable fortune, the director of a vast cattle ranch industry, a trusted repository of im- portant interests, and the head of a family circle which yielded the richest fruits of satisfaction of which our human lot is capable, while it still re- flects credit upon the wise and guiding hand that trained its harmonious members to lives of useful- ness and honor.

John D. Waite, who had been one of the pioneers of Central Montana, who had been closely identified with its interests for thirty-six years, and who had been a central figure in every movement for its advancement, was born in Saratoga County, New York, October 17, 1858, and secured his education in the public schools and Oberlin College, Ohio. In 1880, in company with a friend of his boyhood, Frank E. Wright, he came west, and, having come up the Missouri River by boat as far as Bismarck, North Dakota, took the stage to Helena, where he procured a saddlehorse and rode through to the present site of Great Falls. Subsequently he con- tinued his journey to the Judith Basin, where he se- cured Government land and settled down to sheep and cattle raising, an industry in which he was later to acquire such position that at one time in his career his bands of sheep numbered 30,000 head. From his original homestead there grew in the western Judith Basin, near Utica, the great Waite ranches, some of the finest in the state, and his cattle and sheep holding interests became among the finest quality and most extensive in Central Montana. He was for years a director in the Bank of Fergus County, and in 1908 was elected its presi- dent, a position which he continued to hold until his death, which occurred at his ranch, July 15, 1916.

Aside from his financial and business interests, which were numerous and important, Mr. Waite was probably most prominent as the leader of the re- publican party in Fergus County and one of the

176

HISTORY OF MONTANA

foremost republicans in the state. His splendid judg- ment and strong personality marked him as a natural leader not long after he had come to Montana, and he was chosen a representative of his party and elected from his county in the Territorial Legis- lature before Montana was admitted to statehood, and later served in the same capacity in the first legislative assembly. He subsequently served as state senator. In his various civic capacities he showed such marked qualities of leadership and ex- ercised such comprehensive judgment that he was elected as the member from his state on the Republican National Committee, where his service was characterized by the same wisdom of council and efficiency of action that had marked him in the various walks of life. He was favorably con- sidered by his party as its candidate for governor, but declined the honor to give his time and attention to his extensive commercial affairs. In politics he was ever recognized as an honorable opponent, and while sincerely believing in the principles of his party he nevertheless accorded to every man the right to entertain a different view. Among the hundreds gathered at his funeral to pay their final tribute of admiration and respect were many of other political affiliations who felt that their former adversary was their dearest friend.

As a man Mr. Waite was of a genial, cheerful disposition, ever ready to lend a word of counsel and good cheer. His sympathies were as broad as his acquaintance, extending to all the various walks of life, and no person in need made appeal to him in vain. The years allotted to him to live were spent with a dual purpose: To make life rich by his contribution of service and sacrifice, and to enjoy in the fullest measure whatsoever was ac- corded him. The world is wont to measure success in life by wealth acquired, or social prominence or political position. These are but gauges of qualities which have enabled their possessor to overcome ob- stacles and push aside hindrances. The true tests of human greatness are the building up of char- acter into symmetrical manhood, and the faculty of contributing to the well-being of the community in some of the many lines which affect the welfare and perfection of society. When success in acquir- ing fortune and power is employed to better the condition of mankind, to establish and promote worthy enterprises, the best ends of life are at- tained and the surest guarantee of an honorable reputation secured. While it is given to no one in this mortal state to gain perfection, it can truly be said Mr. Waite was not far from achieving a truly successful life. In commenting editorially upon his death a Lewistown newspaper said: "Lewistown is not alone in her grief over the passing of this .good man. He possessed admiring friends in every portion of the state of Montana-friends who knew him as a stalwart pioneer, a representative citizen who had grown and expanded with it. They knew him as a leader of men; a man who was as gentle as a woman and from whose kindly heart radiated good cheer and good will toward his brother man at all times. They will pause many times, in coming years to ponder over the good deeds he performed, the usefulness of his citizenship, and thus they will pay tribute to the man as tributes are paid all good men who leave behind them worthy life ex- amples. There are too few men of the type and character of John D. Waite: and yet there are many good men in the world. For what does it count a man to live his life unless when he lies down to his eternal rest he leaves behind him something which will make other lives better. Fortunate will be those who profit by the heritage of honor, fidel-

ity, good will and sturdy principle that this man leaves. More may not be said of any man than that he loved his fellow man."

In 1893 Mr. Waite became identified with the Masonic fraternity and was elected a member of Lewistown Lodge No. 37, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Subsequently he became a member of Hiram Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, past eminent commander of Lewistown Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar, and past potentate of Algeria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The entire membership of his home lodge, together with many visiting brothers, attended his funeral and escorted his body to its final resting place, where in accordance with the ritual of the order of which he was a distinguished and honored member the last rites were performed. The funeral procession, which was headed by the Knights Templar, was the largest ever held at Lewistown, being practically a mile in length, which indicated in a small way the high esteem in which Mr. Waite was held in the community. In September, 1886, Mr. Waite was united in marriage with Miss Martha Sloan, of Penn Yan, New York, and they became the parents of five children : Donald S., who married Hazel Belden and has two children, John D. and Jean; Judith, the wife of James E. Woodard, presi- dent of the Bank of Fergus County, Lewistown; John D., Jr., who married Lillian Taylor, joined the United States Aviation Corps at Berkeley, California, graduated in February, 1918, was then transferred as an instructor to the aviation training field at Chanute, Illinois, and was honorably discharged in December, 1918; David Bradley, who enlisted in the United States Signal Corps in May, 1918, left Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for France, and when last heard from was with the Ninety-first Division, sta- tioned at Grieves, France; and Leslie Stirling, a student of the University of Michigan, who at the time of the signing of the armistice was in training with the Students Army Corps of that institution.

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 49

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