Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 16

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

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cents a' day, but he was unable to collect and never received his wages for that work. At the age of fifteen years he went to Dakota and worked for his brother Andrew for $25 a month. In 1891 Mr. Redwing came to Fort Assiniboine, Montana, where he went to work for the Great Northern Railway in the roundhouse. In the following year the round- house was moved to Havre, which at that time contained nothing but a water tank, no houses as yet having been built, but Mr. Redwing went there and continued his work with the railroad. Later he became a fireman during the construction of the road west to the Pacific Coast. In the spring of 1903 Mr. Redwing quit railroading and with two asso- ciates engaged in the cattle business, under the firm name of Redwing, Rehburg & Thompson. They began business with 100 head of cattle, the range being located about fourteen miles south of Havre. About one year later Mr. Redwing separated from his former associates and has since been alone in the business, a period of fifteen years, during which he has been more than ordinarily successful. In 1904 he filed on 160 acres of land in Chouteau County, now Hill County, and at the present time has about 5,000 acres of land in Hill County, in addition to which he also rents in two townships in Canada for grazing purposes. At the present time he owns about 2,000, head of cattle, most of which have been kept in Canada of late because of the drought which has prevailed in Montana. Mr. Redwing ships most of his cattle to the Chicago market, and has been notably successful in his operations.

Politically Mr. Redwing is a stanch supporter of the democratic party, and for many years he has rendered appreciated service as a member of the school board.

On June 27, 1904, Mr. Redwing was married to Honora Matilda Ryan, who was born in Duluth, Minnesota, a daughter of John J. and Delia A. (Joyce) Ryan, the father a native of Canada and the mother was born in Wisconsin, coming to Mon- tana in 1893, the father took up land in Hill County, raising cattle until 1908, when he moved to Chenook, engaging in the livery business there. Mrs. Redwing is the eldest in a family of five children, three of whom are living. The parents are still living in Chinook, Montana, and they are the parents of three children, Delia Meyrl, Edna Rose and Mar- garet Mary. While he has carried on a special line of business in such a manner as to gain a comfort- able competence for himself, he has also belonged to that class of representative men of affairs who promote the public welfare while advancing in- dividual success.

WILLIAM EDWARD WILTNER. A prominent and well known citizen of Havre, Montana, is William E. Wiltner, who has led an eminently honorable and useful life and achieved a marked success in his chosen vocation, and at the same time has bene- fited the community of which he is a resident, for he has not been so selfishly absorbed in money- making that he has not had time for the higher things of life. Because of his splendid personal character, as well as because of his success in business, he enjoys the esteem and respect of the entire community.

William Edward Wiltner was born in Seneca Falls, New York, on May 19, 1876, and is the son of Joseph and Wilhelmina (Fahland) Wiltner, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father is still living, but the mother passed away November 28, 1919. They were married in Seneca Falls, New York, and became the parents of five children, of

Elwood Reaising

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

whom three are now living. Joseph Wiltner left his native land when about eighteen years of age, accompanying his parents on their immigration to the United States, and they landed at the port of New York. His future wife came to this country with her parents when ten years of age. Before leaving the old country Mr. Wiltner had learned the trade of marble finisher, at which trade he was em- ployed in Seneca Falls, New York, for a time. In 1887 he moved to Polk County, Wisconsin, with his wife and four children, but soon afterwards moved to Stillwater, Minnesota, where he remained a short time. He then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, being employed in the construction of the state capitol building as a granite worker. In 1892 he went into business on his own account as a marble worker and tombstone manufacturer, which engaged his attention for some time, but eventually he went out of business and was employed by others as a foreman, in which work he is still engaged. He is a republican in his political views and in religion he is a member of the Congregational Church, while his wife is identified with the German Lutheran Church.

William E. Wiltner received his education in the public schools of Seneca Falls, New York, and then took a bookkeeping and business course in the International Correspondence School. He accom- panied his parents on their removal to Wisconsin, and at Shell Lake, that state, he took his first employment, which was in a butcher shop. He soon acquired a thorough knowledge of that business and then went to Stillwater, Minnesota, where he con- tinued in that line of work. In 1895 Mr. Wiltner came to Havre, and for about eleven years was employed in various meat markets. He then went into the meat business on his own account and has continued the business to the present time, his mar- ket being generally considered one of the cleanest and most up-to-date shops in the city. Fair deal- ing, prompt service and right prices have gained for him not only a fair share of the local trade, but also the respect of the public. He has been prosperous in his financial affairs and in 1915 he erected the Wiltner Building on Second Street, a splendid two-story building, with stone trimmings. He is also the owner of two ranches, on which he raises much of the stock which he butchers for his market.

On June 18, 1899, Mr. Wiltner was united in marriage ·with Margaretha Hops, who was born in Germany and whose death occurred on January 10, 1919. They became the parents of one son, William Marvin. On April 17, 1920, Mr. Wiltner was mar- ried to Miss Kate Fleener, a native of Indiana.

Politically Mr. Wiltner has been a republican for many years and has taken an active part in local public affairs. In 1900 he was elected alderman from the First Ward, serving one term, and in 1916 he was again elected to that position, serving two terms in all. For eight years he rendered efficient and appreciated service as chief of the fire department. Fraternally he is a member of Havre Lodge No. 55, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Assiniboine Lodge No. 56, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which lodge he has been secretary for ten years; and is also a member, as was his wife, of Lillian Lodge No. 47, Daughters of Rebekah, of which they were among the first members. He is a member of the Havre Band, of which he has been treasurer for fourteen years. In every relation of life he has so acted as to earn the respect of his fellow citizens, and today he is rightfully numbered among the representative men of his community.

ROBERT FELTON. Golden opportunity, awaiting a Midas-like touch of genius and ability, is not con- fined to the great centers of population and indus- try, but is resident far from the commercial tur- moil of the metropolis. Upon the plains and in the rich valleys of an immense western empire has it beckoned to the capabilities and courage of able and talented men. There are many such men who have wrought in the evolution of the great Treas- ure State, initiated vast enterprises which have stim- ulated community growth and wrested fortune from an opportunity that has yielded to their power. Among the comparatively young men of Northern Montana who have reaped generous results from their strenuous efforts in recent years the name of Robert Felton stands out prominently and be- cause of his splendid personal character as well as because of his success he is entitled to specific men- tion in a work of the character of the one in hand.

Robert Felton was born in Columbia, Tyrrell County, North Carolina, on March 17, 1890, and is the son of Robert P. and. Emmeline D. (Davenport) Felton, both of whom also were natives of the Tar- heel State. The father is now living on Clear Creek, Blaine County, Montana. They became the parents of seven children, six of whom are now living, and the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth. Robert P. Felton was reared in his native state, attended the common schools and then took the collegiate course in Richmond College, at Rich- mond, Virginia, where he was graduated. He then entered upon the active practice of his profession at Columbia, North Carolina, where he remained until 1890, when he came to Montana, locating in Chouteau County, where he took a squatter's right to a homestead in the Milk River Valley. Later he located in the Bearpaw Mountain, on Clear Creek, where he engaged in the cattle business and in farming, which commanded his attention for about 'twenty years, since which time he, with his wife, has been engaged in the mercantile business. He is a good business man, carries a well selected stock of goods and is meeting with success. Politically, he gives his support to the democratic party, while his religious membership is with the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

Robert Felton was brought to Montana when a baby of less than one year and has lived here ever since He secured his school training in the pub- lic schools of Chouteau County, and since the age of nineteen years he has been identified almost con- tinuously with the livestock business. He was one of the organizers of the Morris Turner Live Stock Company, of which he was manager up to 1919, when the company was reorganized under the title of the Bearpaw Live Stock Company, of which like- wise Mr. Felton is manager. He has an intimate acquaintance with and understands thoroughly the technic of the cattle business and is thoroughly capable as the manager of a great enterprise like this one. The Bearpaw Company has four ranches, on which they have from 1,200 to 1,500 head of cat- tle and about 2,500 head of sheep. One of their properties is what was formerly known as the old Diamond Bar ranch, famous in the old days of the cattle business in Montana. The Bearpaw Com- pany is widely known as one of the progressive and enterprising companies now operating in north- ern Montana, not a little of its success being at- tributable to the business management and personal qualities of the subject.

On June 18, 1918, Mr. Felton was married to Stella Soloman, and they have a daughter, Ruth. Mrs. Felton was born at Great Falls, Montana, the daughter of Wolf and Stella Soloman.

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'HISTORY OF MONTANA

Politically Mr. Felton is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and has taken an intelligent interest in local public affairs. He has been especially inter- ested in educational matters and served efficiently one term as school trustee. He has also served as notary public. Fraternally he is a member of Havre Lodge No. 55, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of Chouteau Chapter No. 19, Royal Arch Masons. He has a fine presence and pleasing man- ner, his appearance denoting the intellectual, force- ful, manly man. He has in him the elements which make men successful in the highest degree and is deservedly popular among his associates and the community.

DOMINIC SPOGEN. The names of such men as Dominic Spogen are those which the historian likes to see recorded, for they indicate the true history makers of a country. They have been men of strong arm and brave heart, willing to forego the pleasures of advanced civilization and undergo the hardships of a comparatively new country in order that they do the most for their families and succeeding gen- erations.

The subject of this sketch was born in Luxem- burg on June 24, 1861, and is the fifth child in order of birth of the thirteen children born to Peter and Barbara (Schaus) Spogen, both of whom were also natives of Luxemburg. They are both deceased, the father dying in 1910, when eighty-six years old, and the mother in 1913, at the same age. The father was a farmer by vocation and also conducted a general mercantile business, spending his entire life in his native community. In religion he was a mem- ber of the Roman Catholic Church.

Dominic Spogen received a good education in the schools of Luxemburg, studying in both German and French. In 1881, when twenty years of age, he immigrated to the United States, landing at New York City on the 2d day of July. His first employment here was on a farm for about six months, for which he received $12 a month. He then went with a brother to Jamestown, New York, where for about a year he was employed in a sawmill. Going then to Lake Linden, Michigan, he went to work in the stamp mill of the Calumet-Hecla Cop- per Company, remaining there about a year. In 1883 he went to Silver Cliff, Colorado, where for about eight months he worked in the concentrator mill for the Basick Mining Company, following which he was a short time in Butte, Montana, going from there to Anaconda in 1884. There he was for a short time employed in a stone quarry, but later he entered the employ of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, for which he soon became a foreman in the concentrator department, remaining there until 1894, when he returned to Durango, Colorado, going from there to Lake City, that state, where as an expert he took charge of a concentrator, remodeling the machinery in such a way as to save the ore to a greater degree than had been done before. Later he returned to Anaconda, Montana, and became a foreman for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company. He was requested by Marcus Daly to take charge of their interests in Belt, which he did, serving as superintendent here from 1905 to 1915 and giving entire satisfaction to his employers. In the latter year Mr. Spogen went into the real estate and min- ing business on his own account, and he has met with very good success. He holds a large interest in the Midnight Copper Company at Silver Camp, Montana, as well as interests in the East Belt Com- pany at Belt, a coal company with an apparently inexhaustible supply of that mineral, one estimate

being that there are at least 12,000,000 tons of first class coal and easily accessible. Of this com- pany Mr. Spogen is secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Spogen has taken an active and public-spirited part in the affairs of the community with which he is now identified and is acknowledged to be one of its leading citizens. He takes an especial interest in educational matters and has rendered effective service as a member of the school board for eighteen years, being chairman of the board at the present time. To him probably more than anyone else is due the credit for the erection of the splendid high school building. He was one of the first members of the City Council of Belt, and in 1912 was elected mayor of the city. So eminently satisfactory was his administration of the affairs of the city that he was five times re-elected to succeed himself. In 1912 also Mr. Spogen was elected a representative to the State Legislature, serving one term. Politi- cally he gives his support to the democratic ticket. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America.

On July 19, 1898, Mr. Spogen was married to Jennie Lochray, a native of Sharon, Pennsylvania, and to them have been born four children, namely : Leo R., who is a student in the University of Mon- tana, at Missoula; Laura May, who after graduating from the public schools of Belt spent four years in preparing for teaching, and is now employed as a teacher about seven miles from Belt; Roy J. and Madaleyne. Mr. Spogen has by a course of right living earned the sincere regard of all who know him. Though not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, he has by per- severance, industry and a wise economy attained a comfortable station in life and is well and favorably known throughout Western Montana, being regarded by all who know him as a man of sound business principles, thoroughly up-to-date in all phases of the mining industry, and as a man who while advancing his individual interests does not neglect his general duties as a citizen.

JOHN B. KINSELLA is one of the typically pro- gressive men of Hill County, whose operations in an agricultural line have resulted in his advance- ment in a material way. He was born at Fair Haven, Rutland County, Vermont, June 13, 1861, a son of Lawrence and Ellen (Burke) Kinsella. Law- rence Kinsella was born in Kings County, Ireland, and his wife in County Cork, Ireland, he. dying in 1909, aged seventy-six years, and she in 1906, aged seventy-one years. Coming to Canada after he at- tained his majority, Lawrence Kinsella made the trip in a sailing vessel that took from seven to eight weeks on the trip and landed at Quebec, where he spent a short time. He then came to the United States and located permanently in Vermont, for many years being employed in the slate mills at Castleton, leaving that occupation only a few years prior to his death. He and his wife were married at Castleton and they became the parents of seven sons and six daughters, of whom John B. was the sixth in order of birth. Of this large family four sons and one daughter survive. The family, includ- ing the father and mother, were all members of the Roman Catholic Church. In politics Lawrence Kin- sella was a democrat.

After attending the public schools of Fair Haven, John B. Kinsella was graduated from the Fair Haven High School in 1880, and then learned the trade of a stone cutter, working at it for five years, before he came west to St. Paul Minnesota, and was employed at work in stone cutting for a time.

Dominic Sprangen

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

He then started out from St. Paul with a trainload of cattle, 4,600 head, and brought them to Devil's Lake, Dakota. From there he drove them to the present site of Big Sandy in Montana. It was in June, 1886, when he took his cattle from the train at Devil's Lake, and November before he reached his destination with them, delivering them to the Diamond B Cattle Company. Mr. Kinsella remained in the employ of this company for two years, and then was employed in freighting from Great Falls into the Judith Basin. In the spring of 1891 he re- engaged with the Diamond B Cattle Company at Fort Assinniboine. It was at this time that the United States Government set aside a portion of the Indian Reservation from Fort Assinniboine, and in No- vember, 1891, Mr. Kinsella homesteaded on his present location, just three days after the land was opened up, and before it was surveyed. He entered the cattle business with one cow, but increased his herd until he now has about 175 head of White Face and Durham strains and a number of horses of the Belgian Draft strain. He and his brother, Lawrence I. Kinsella, operate this ranch in partner- ship. When he first located on his land he put up a tent by a fine spring of running water, and it did him as a shelter for some time. While he is a demo- crat, he has never been willing to go on the party ticket for office, preferring to devote himself to his own affairs. The Roman Catholic Church holds his membership. Both he and his brother are held in the highest esteem in Hill County and deserve the confidence they inspire.

LAWRENCE I. KINSELLA, who with his brother, John B. Kinsella, operate the fine ranch on the Little Box Elder Creek, twenty-five miles south of Havre, is one of the successful farmers and cattlemen of Hill County. He was born at Fair Haven, Ver- mont, and is the eleventh child of the thirteen chil- dren born to his parents, Lawrence and Ellen (Burke) Kinsella, both natives of Ireland, who are now deceased. A review of the Kinsella family will be found in the biography of John B. Kinsella pre- ceding this sketch.

When he was but fifteen years of age Lawrence I. Kinsella was graduated from the Fair Haven High School, following which he took a course at St. Josephs College at Burlington, Vermont, from which he was graduated in 1889. He then attended the Grand Seminary at Montreal, Canada, but after one year returned to Burlington and took a three years' course in the medical department of the Ver- mont State University. His attention was then called to professional baseball, and he became a member of the Troy Club of the New York State League, and after two years with it went with the Toronto Club in the Eastern League, where he remained until 1898. In that year he went to Meri- den with the Connecticut State League, and was a member of that .club until 1900, that year bringing him West to Great Falls, Montana, as business man- ager of the Great Falls Club of the Montana State League, but after about two months he engaged with the Great Northern Railroad as checker on a gang of steel workmen, holding that position until November of that year, when he joined his brother on the pres- ent ranch, since which time he has devoted himself to ranching. He is a democrat and for twelve years has been a school trustee of his district. Like the other members of his family he is a Roman Catholic.

On January 27, 1906, Lawrence I. Kinsella was married to Anna M. Pflepsen, born at Cold Springs, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsella have become the parents of the following children: Lawrence P., who died at the age of three months; Nicholas B.,

Rose Mary, Helen P., Margaret E., Anna C., Gertrude S. and Francis J.

The Kinsella brothers have not tried to do any- thing spectacular in their ranching, but have been content to go quietly along, steadily increasing the value of their property and the amount of their profits. Having supreme confidence in the future of the county and state, they are willing to devote the best years of their lives to improving this sec- tion, and take great pride in their neighborhood and its advancement.

GEORGE E. GOHN. Madison County has one of the ablest county clerks and recorders in this part of Montana in the person of George E. Gohn, whose experience in public office is a varied one and whose capabilities are unquestioned. He comes of an old colonial family, and his grandfather, George Gohn, was born in Pennsylvania, where he spent his life, and died near Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, before his grandson, George E. Gohn, was born. His son, George Gohn, father of George E. Gohn, was born at Wrightsville, York County, Pennsylvania, in 1834, and died at Missoula, Montana, in October, 1906. Reared at Wrightsville, George Gohn left his native place after reaching his majority and coming West, spent two years at Central City, Colorado, where he conducted a meat market and also was interested in mining. In May, 1863, he reached Bannock Mon- tana, and in June of that same year located perma- nently at Virginia City, bringing his wife and daughter here in the spring of the following year. While primarily he had been attracted to the place on account of the mining possibilities, he soon saw that there was an excellent opening for a meat mar- ket, and was the pioneer in this line of business not only at Virginia City, but as far as is known he was the first to establish one in the entire state. As the place grew his business expanded and in time he erected a business block, in which his mar- ket was located. In 1868 he erected a comfortable residence and was numbered among the successful men of Virginia City. His health failed him, how- ever, and he went to Missoula, Montana, in the hope of regaining it, but died there after a few months. A strong republican, he was elected assessor on his party ticket and re-elected, serving in 1872 and 1873, and he was also county commissioner for four years during the early days, and for the same period was county treasurer. In addition to serving in these offices he took a very active part in politics, and was one of the forceful men of his period. The Lutheran Church held his membership. He was a member of Montana Lodge No. 2, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was past master; Virginia Chapter No. 1, Royal Arch Masons; Virginia Com- mandery No. I, Knights Templar, and Oro y Plata Lodge No. 390, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. George Gohn was married at Central City, Colorado, to Anna Zweifel, born at Glarus, Swit- zerland, in 1842. She died at Virginia City, Mon- tana, in 1898. Her parents brought her to the United States when she was twelve years old, and she was reared at Taunton, Massachusetts, and Central City, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. George Gohn had the following children: Mary Frances, who died at Virginia City, Montana, in May, 1917, first married August Jessen, who was county clerk for four years, and after his death she married Gilbert H. Rew, also deceased, who was a carpenter and builder ; George .E., who was the second in the fam- ily; Philip Henry, who is assistant cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Alameda, California, and Ana May, who married Ira H. French, died in Octo- ber, 1917, at Livingston, Montana, but he survives

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 16

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