Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 149

Author: Stout, Tom, 1879- ed
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 1144

USA > Montana > Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III > Part 149

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Politically Mr. Boggs is a firm adherent of the republican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has been a witness of and a participant in the wonderful growth and development of the section of country honored by his citizenship, for when he first came to Ekalaka it had but a single store, an eating house and a saloon. He at once gave his efforts to the upbuilding and improvement of the place. For nine years prior to the incorporation of the village he served as a member of the school board. A man of genial and kindly nature, he is well liked by all and is numbered among the representative men of his county.

MATT F. CAREY. Unless a man possess confidence in himself, his community and his calling he cannot hope to make much progress in life, nor will his location in a neighborhood advance its prosperity to anv marked degree. On the other hand, if he is ambitious, satisfied that he is engaged in the right business in a. locality where the prospects are ex- cellent, his own enthusiasm is bound to inspire others with faith, attract outside capital and bring about important changes in local affairs. Especially is this true of the merchant, who by reason of his business is brought into personal contact with all classes, and in learning their tastes and require- ments with reference to his wares also hecomes acquainted with their ideas and their fitness for their own lines of endeavor. As they make an impression on him, so he in turu influences them, and if he

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possesses the right characteristics before long he begins to be recognized as one of the strong factors in the constructive work of the community. Such a man is Matt F. Carey of Ekalaka, member of the Charters Mercantile Company, his partner being M. C. Newstrom.

Matt F. Carey was born in Freeborn County, Minnesota, on June 3, 1882, a son of Martin Carey. The birth of Martin Carey occurred at Rush City, Wisconsin, and he spent his life as a farmer and ranchman, dying at Belfield, North Dakota, when sixty-eight years old. While a stanch republican, he never held any public office. Martin Carey was united in marriage at Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Mary Tracey, a daughter of John Tracey, who survives her husband and is now living at Austin, Minnesota. Martin Carey and his wife had the following chil- dren born to them: Mrs. Nell McBride, who is a resident of Melton, North Dakota; Mrs. Margaret Cunningham, who is a resident of Albert Lea, Minnesota; Edward, who is a resident of Baker, Montana ; Matt F., whose name heads this review; John, who is a ranchman in the vicinity of Ekalaka; Patrick, who is a ranchman of the same neighborhood as John; Joseph, who is still on the old homestead at Belfield, North Dakota; Mrs. Nick Boltz, who also lives at Belfield, North Dakota; Angeline, who is a school teacher of Baker, Montana; and Madeline, who is a school teacher of the Belfield locality of North Dakota.

The Carey family was founded in this country by Patrick Carev, who came here from Ireland and located in Wisconsin, where he was married. His children were as follows: Martin, who became the father of Matt F .; James; Patrick, who entered the priesthood and spent his life at Red Wing, Minnesota ; Mrs. Winnie Dryer ; and Edward, who is chief of police at Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Matt F. Carey attended the public schools until he reached the eighth grade, and then became a student in a business college at Austin, Minnesota, following which he took a six months' course in the Minne- apolis School of Business at Minneapolis, Minnesota. He began his business career as a clerk in a store at Buffalo, North Dakota, from which point he came to Ekalaka to accept a position as a member of the selling force of the R. C. Charters Company. In- dustrious and thrifty, from the time he came to Ekalaka in May, 1909, he had before him the idea of establishing himself in business, and when the opportunity arose for his becoming part owner of the concern employing him he had the money to make the purchase, all of which he saved from his salary, the new firm coming into being in July, 1919. The Charters Mercantile Company does a general mer- chandise business, selling at retail only, and drawing its patronage from a radius of sixty miles. This house has been in existence for about a dozen years, and the new management is not only upholding all of the old standards but creating new and better ones, and is justly numbered among the stable con- cerns of the county. Mr. Carey has identified him- self with other enterprises, being secretary and vice president of the telephone company, treasurer of the Ekalaka Commercial Club, treasurer. of the Rifle Club and director of the fire department. During the late war he was one of the Government agents for the sale of War Savings Stamps, and bought liberally of all of the issues of Liberty Bonds.

On June 17, 1916, Mr. Carey was united in mar- riage at Ekalaka, Montana, to Mrs. Emily (Trout) Meriam, a daughter of John Trout. Mrs. Carey was born in Michigan, but was brought to Montana when a child, and was reared in this state, chiefly at Helena. In addition to his comfortable residence

at Ekalaka Mr. Carey has proved up a homestead in the locality, which he still owns. A man of sound principles and progressive ideas, he has advanced rapidly, and his progress. is all the more to be com- mended because, as before stated, it has come about through his own efforts and his willingness to work and save. He is a strong democrat, and is now serv- ing as a member of the City Council of Ekalaka, his methods as a public official being the same he has found so eminently successful in his private enter- prises, and the community is benefiting accordingly because of his connection with its management.

JUNE G. OLSEN. Montana enjoys a high reputa- tion because of the high order of her citizenship, and none of her citizens enjoy a more enviable posi- tion in the esteem of his fellows than the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch, who is successfully engaged in the drug business at Ekalaka, the county seat of Carter County. A residence there of nearly twenty-five years has given his fellows a full opportunity to observe him in the various lines of activity in which he has engaged, and his present high standing is solely due to the honorable and upright course he has pursued. As a leading citizen of his community he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.

June G. Olsen was born in Benton County, Iowa, on June 12, 1881, and is a son of Rasmus Olsen, who was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1845. The latter came to the United States about the close of the Civil war and went at once to Iowa, where he obtained employment as a farm hand. Later he took up land in Benton County, bought other lands, and spent his final years as a successful farmer, his long and industrious life being rewarded by a hand- some accumulation. He was a republican in political matters and his religious belief was that of the Lutheran Church. Rasmus Olsen married in Luzerne, Iowa, Lundina Nicholaison, who also was born in Copenhagen. These parents are both now deceased, Mr. Olsen dying in 1882 and his widow survived until 1919, having married a Mr. Pedersen after the death of Mr. Olsen. To Mr. and Mrs. Olsen were born the following children: Mrs. J. H. Coffey, of Boze- man, Montana; Oleander L., of Fairview, Montana: Addiel F., of Fairview; Mrs. E. C. Ohlsen, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Clarence E., also of Min- neapolis; June G., the immediate subject of this review; and Walter G., of Northwood, Iowa.

June G. Olsen attended school up to the age of ten years in Cedar Falls, Iowa, that being practically the limit of his school attendance. However, he early formed habits of careful reading and close observation and is a well informed man. His first employment was as a "bell hop" in the Irving Hotel at Waterloo, Iowa, where he remained for three years, when he accompanied his brother Clarence to Montana, arriving here on August 4, 1895. They stopped first at the old "TD" ranch, then in Custer County, and there he obtained his first employment as a range rider. He followed that work for ahout twelve years, and also during that period did a good deal of stage driving, covering the Miles City-Eka- laka trail, most of the trip being made at night. He and his brother entered homesteads in what is now Fallon County, on Miles City Creek, as squatters, but more recently June G. took up land near Ekalaka, which he had patented and still owns. He closed his ranching experience with the "Hash Knife" outfit and abandoned the range in the fall of 1006. He then entered the Postoffice store as a clerk, remaining there for three years. He next went to the north side of the Yellowstone River and spent a summer ranching near Fairview, raising horses in partnership

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

with bis brother. He then returned to Ekalaka and resumed his former position with Mr. Wilson. The next season he became a clerk in Walter H. Peck's general mercantile store, where he remained a year. He then purchased a half interest in the Postoffice store from Mr. Wilson, a good store build- ing was erected and the partnership was maintained for four years, during which time they added a drug department. In the meantime Mr. Olsen took up the study of pharmacy by correspondence course, and soon afterward became the sole owner of the store. The following winter he went to Minneapolis, where he entered the Minnesota Institute of Phar- macy. He took the state examination as a pharmacist at Helena, was registered and has since conducted a drug business, together with which he carries jewelry and all the accessories now found in all up-to-date drug stores. Besides building the store building occupied by him, Mr. Olsen has also erected four other business houses and his residence, and in every possible way he has helped to advance the material interests of the community.

At miles City, Montana, on June 6, 1909, Mr. Olsen was married to Henrietta M. Terrett, the daughter of A. F. Terrett, who was an early settler of Custer County, having come from Indian Terri- tory and settled on a ranch on the Tongue River. He was the father of the following children: Mrs. Georgia Francis, of Wyoming; Mrs. Philip Myers, of Chicago; Henrietta, Mrs. Olsen, who was born in what is now Oklahoma on May 17, 1889; John F., deceased; Mabel, of New York; and Warren, of Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. Olsen have been born two children, Beverly, born in 1910, and William, born in 1914.

Politically Mr. Olsen is a stanch supporter of the republican party. His only public office has been that of a member of the school board, where he rendered good service in the interest of education. He was a member and hearty supporter of the Red Cross during the recent war, and also a member of the One Hundred Club, a community organization . for the better protection of life and property during the war and also to secure a more complete loyalty among the citizens. For a few months he served as a justice of the peace, but resigned the position. In every phase of community life he has taken a keen interest, his support being given to every movement promising to advance the public welfare in any way. Because of his stand for the right things and be- cause of his fine personal character he justly merits the high position he holds in the esteem of the people.

LOUIS T. RAMME. Individual enterprise, which is the just boast of the people of Montana, is forcefully exhibited in the career of Louis T. Ramme, a sub- stantial citizen and well known hotel keeper at Ekalaka, Carter County. He has been a resident of Montana for many years, has been a witness of the wonderful development of this country and has himself had a part in the work of upbuilding the country and advancing it in the scale of civilization. Of earnest character and forceful personality, he has made a definite impression on the community where he lives and is justly numbered among its representative citizens.

Mr. Ramme was born at Houghton, Michigan, on May 23, 1866, and is the son of Chris Ramme, who is now a retired stockman and farmer living at Ekalaka. The latter was a pioneer of Montana, having come to this state in 1877, coming up the Yellowstone River and landing at old Milestown, then a tent village located just below where Miles City now stands. Five years after his advent to Montana he was followed by his son, the subject

of this sketch. The latter had been reared at the old home in Michigan, receiving his school education in Menominee and completing his studies at Neosha, Wisconsin. From the age of fifteen years he has been practically on his own resources and has thus earned the proud American title of "self-made" man. Louis Ramme was sixteen years old when he came to Montana, stopping first at Miles City, where he waited on table for about a month, after which he became cook in a restaurant there, following that vocation until 1884. He then went to Mussellshell River and went on the range as a sheep owner with his father. Later they moved over to Powder River and then to Ekalaka just before the founding of that town. They suffered very severely from winter losses, and finally, in 1891, they sold out. Thereafter Louis Ramme followed sheep shearing, cooking, machineshop work and other lines. In 1911 he came to Ekalaka and engaged in the hotel busi- ness, which he has followed ever since. He devotes his attention principally to the cuisine, and it is a matter of common consent hereabouts that as a chef he is a little superior of anyone else in this section of the country.

Mr. Ramme entered a homestead east of Ekalaka, proved it up, but later disposed of it, but still own- ing a ranch nearer the town. He has at times resumed ranching with cattle and horses, but his former unfortunate experience with sheep has dis- couraged him from again handling them. He be- came associated with others in the organization of the Ekalaka Fair Association, and has ever stood ready to do everything in his power not only to contribute to the welfare of the people here, but he never overlooks an opportunity to induce new settlers to come to this locality, being a persistent and consistent booster for Carter County in par- ticular and Montana in general.

At Miles City, on August 8, 1903, Mr. Ramme was married to Mrs. Hattie Nehrbass, a former play- mate of his back in Hartford, Wisconsin. She is a daughter of Samuel Leonard and stepdaughter of Edward Burns and wife, nee Harriet Felt. Mr. Burns was born in Ireland, came to the United States in boyhood and located on a farm at Hart- ford, Wisconsin, where his death occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Ramme has been born a daughter, Martha. By her former marriage Mrs. Ramme is the mother of the following children: Mrs. Clifford O'Connor, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Leslie T., of Ekalaka; Laverne, wife of Theron Comstock, of Ekalaka; and Linville, of Ekalaka.

Politically Mr. Ramme has been a stanch supporter of the republican party, though since the Roosevelt campaign of 1912 he has occupied an independent attitude. Fraternally he is a member of Ekalaka Lodge No. 120, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is the present worshipful master, being the first to hold that exalted position in this county. Mr. Ramme has always retained an optimistic atti- tude towards the affairs of life, never allowing things, however discouraging, to deter him, and he is always inclined to see the best side of everything. This happy trait, with other fine personal qualities, has commended him to the good will and esteem of the people.

WILLIAM P. NIMS. The office of biography is not to give voice to man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise ; yet

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he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life-a life characterized by perserver- ance, energy and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.

William P. Nims was born in Jackson County, Iowa, on January 22, 1867, and is a son of James Nott Nims, now a retired farmer of that place. James Nott Nims was born and reared in Jackson County, Iowa, to which locality his father, Amasa Nims, had come in 1838 from Bolton County, New York, taking up Government land and spending his remaining years there as a farmer. His son Wesley was the first white child born in Jackson County. Amasa Nims' father was one of the first forty Minute Men of the Revolution wintering at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and serving all through the Revolutionary war. James Nott Nims received a country school education and has been a man of clean life and character, never having taken a chew of tobacco, used an oath or played a game of cards. He is a democrat in his political faith. He married Huldah Watterman, a daughter of Asahel Watter- man, who migrated to Iowa from Frankfort, Indiana, and here became a successful saw-mill man. Mrs. Nims passed away in Iowa. She was the mother of the following children: William P., the subject of this sketch; Emily, who became the wife of Joseph Grant and died in Iowa; Nora, the wife of Harry Griffin, of Jackson County, Iowa; Pearl, wife of Riley Taylor, of Thermopolis Springs, Wyoming ; Julius, of Jackson County, Iowa; Myrtle, the wife of Fay Huff, of Dupree, South Dakota; and Abner P., who lives at the old home in Jackson County, Iowa.

William P. Nims was reared in Jackson County, Iowa, and received a good practical education in the district schools there. He became familiar with live stock on the home farm and has continued to handle stock ever since. He became identified with Montana on September 15, 1910, and his first act in this state was the entering of a homestead five miles northeast of Ekalaka, on which he resided until he had completed the Government requirements and obtained a title to it. His career here has been a most interesting one in several respects. When he came here he was $900.00 in debt. As soon as he had completed a frame residence, 14 by 16 feet in size, and a small barn he came into Ekalaka and established a meat market. He gave his attention to this business until he had his land title, when he leased the market, which was the first one in the town, and bought an old livery barn, which he converted into a garage. After running that a year he sold it and purchased the only feed barn in town, which he also converted into a garage, and this he now occupies as a Ford sales and service station, including, of course, a full line of accessories. Mr. Nims has also been a large dealer in lumber,' having erected sheds in 1915, and shipping in the first car of western lumber that had come to Ekalaka. He also brought in the first car of Portland cement, built the first cement sidewalk, established the first meat market and the first farmers' feed yard. As one of the active citizens of the town he urged its incorporation as a village, served two years as a member of the Village Council, and was instrumental in getting a resolution through that Council, order- ing the construction of cement sidewalks on both sides of Main Street. With all his interests in town he has also given considerable attention to his ranch, which he has added to from time to time until it

now comprises 1,800 acres, all fenced and in one ranch.

William P. Nims was married in Jackson County, Iowa, on November 21, 1888, to Harriet Shrigley, who was born in Jackson County, Iowa, the daughter of a Vermont man, Lee Shrigley, who was a book- keeper and clerk in Maquoketa, Iowa. To this union was born a son, Eugene L. Mrs. Harriet Nims passed away in 1910, and on December 14, 1914, Mr. Nims was married to Josephine Sammon, a native of Maquoketa, Iowa. She has proved up a homestead near Ekalaka.

Eugene L. Nims was born May 21, 1890, grew up with his father on the Iowa farm and was educated in the public schools of Iowa. Coming to Montana, he became identified with his father in the ranch work and has been his capable assistant ever since. In October, 1917, he volunteered for service in the recent war and was assigned to Company F, Fourth Battalion, Twentieth Engineers, with which he trained at Washington, D. C. He was sent overseas in January, 1918, and served in France. He was in the forestry engineers, which was engaged in manu- facturing commodities for the army. He gave faith- ful service and returned home on June 7, 1919.

Such, in brief, has been the record of William P. Nims, than whom a more whole-souled or popular man it would be hard to find within the borders of Carter County, where he has labored not only for his own individual advancement but also for the improvement of the entire community whose interests he has ever had at heart.

SILAS C. DISHNO has been in Montana and other sections of the Northwest for forty years, and has filled in his time with a varied experience, though chiefly at ranching. He owns one of the finest ranches and is one of the leading producers of pure bred horses and cattle in the vicinity of Dillon.

Mr. Dishno was born at Whalensburg, Essex County, New York, January 6, 1858. His paternal ancestors were French and were colonial settlers in the Province of Ontario, Canada. His father, Charles Dishno, was born in St. Mary's, Ontario, in 1831, but in 1838 his parents settled in Essex County, New York. He was reared and married there and in early life took up timber and logging contracting. In 1866 he transferred his headquar- ters to Marquette, Michigan, and was a timber con- tractor in the northern districts of Michigan for over ten years. In May, 1879, he arrived at Ban- nack, Montana, and became a contractor for tim- ber for the manufacture of charcoal on Rattle Snake Creek as an employe of Smith Ball, while in the winters he did logging for Mel Trask and Graves for four years. For two years he was proprietor of a hotel at Spring Mountain, Idaho, and then engaged in ranching on the head of the Lemhi in Idaho. He remained in that locality ten years, and later transferred his ranching headquar- ters to the Big Hole Basin in Montana, and died at Jackson in that community on September 15, 1906. He was a democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. Charles Dishno married Septem- ber 17, 1856, Rosella Little, who was born in Ver- mont in 1842 and is now living with her son Silas, the oldest of her children. Eliza, the second in age, died at Spring Mountain, Idaho, being killed by a snow slide on December 23, 1883. She married Rock Vezina and he is now living at Leadore, Idaho. Julia died at Hancock, Michigan, in 1914, wife of Andrew Yell, also deceased. Mr. Yell was a con- tractor and builder and had the contract for the hardwood finish in the First National Bank Build-

Silas. C. Dishno

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ing at Dillon. Minnie, the fourth of the children, is the wife of Michael Proulx, a miner at Leadore, Idaho. '

Silas C. Dishno was educated in the public schools of Champion, Michigan, but at the age of fourteen began working in the woods with his father and later in the mines of Northern Michigan. He was twenty-one years of age when he came to Mon- tana in 1879 and for four years was associated with his father in the contracting business on Rattle Snake Creek. He worked in the mines around Ban- nack one year, spent two years in the mines of Spring Mountain, Idaho, and a year and a half in the smelters at Anaconda. For two years he was also in the mines where the present town of Gil- more, Idaho, now stands. Mr. Dishno began his career as a cattle rancher in Idaho, but in July, 1895, came to the Big Hole Basin of Montana, and has been one of the chief factors among the agri- culturists and stockmen of that community for a quarter of a century. He owns 4,000 acres in a ranch which is located eight miles south of Wisdom. He has water on all his agricultural land, and the property is an extremely valuable one. Mr. Dishno has acquired a herd of well bred Shorthorn cattle, pure bred horses and also raises many cattle for beef. He is president of the Dishno Livestock Com- pany and makes his home in the city of Dillon, hav- ing a modern residence at 407 South Railroad Avenue. Mr. Dishno is a Catholic, a democrat, and is affiliated with the Jackson Camp Modern Wood- men of America, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. At Champion, Michigan, in De- cember, 1881, he married Miss Melinda Rhino. Her father, John Rhino, was born in Canada in 1826, spent most of his active life in railroad service, and died at Champion, Michigan, in 1907. Her mother was Phoebe Burke, a native of Canada, who died at Champion, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Dishno have four children: Alfred C., a partner in the Dishno Livestock Company and associated with his father in business, with home at Big Hole; Edward, also. a resident of Big Hole, and individual owner of a fine ranch of 640 acres of irrigated land; Min- nie, wife of George Webber, a sheep man at Dillon; and Laura, wife of Charles F. Bland, a rancher at Big Hole.

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 149

Author: Stout, Tom, 1879- ed Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society Number of Pages: 1144

Author: Stout, Tom, 1879- ed
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 1144