Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 181

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 181

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in company with Eugene Abbott. On the way they passed through Sitting Bull's camp, that being only a short time after the massacre of General Custer and his troops. After spending a week at Fort Peck and two weeks in Fort Benton he engaged in hunt- ing on Beaver Creek. He then returned to Fort Benton and sold his hides and pelts, after which he returned to Cow Island and re-engaged in the wood business, remaining there until it became unsafe on account of the outbreak of the Nez Perces. He assisted a number of white people across Cow Creek, and while he was absent from the island on one of these trips his partner, Charles Buck, was killed by the red men. Mr. Skelton returned to the island, but could find no trace of Buck, for the red men had put the torch to everything that would burn. When things had quieted down somewhat Mr. Skel- ton went on a hunting trip down the Missouri River, but later returned to Cow Island and for the third time engaged in the wood business. In 1878 Mr. Skelton joined the stampede to Bearpaw Mountain on account of the gold strike there, and a year later he joined the gold stampede to Yogo. Later he squatted on a ranch near Stanford, Fergus County, turning the first furrow in the valley, and where he engaged in stock raising. He was successful in that enterprise, carrying on an average from 200 to 500 head of cattle and from 50 to 200 head of horses. He brought his ranch up to a fine state of improve- ment and so conducted his affairs as to be num- bered among the progressive and enterprising ranch- men of his section of the country. In 1916 Mr. Skelton sold his ranch and retired from active business, making his home in Great Falls, where he is quietly enjoying that rest which his years of labor so richly entitle him.

On December 2, 1879, he was married to Vait- leain Vann, who was born in Fort Snelling, Minne- sota, the daughter of Peter and Mary (Billguard) Vann. These parents were both natives of Canada, the father born at Winnipeg and the mother at Red Lake, and both are now deceased, the father dying in 1878, at the age of fifty-one years, and the mother in 1884, when in her fortieth year. They were the parents of eleven children, three of whom are liv- ing. Peter Vann operated a stage house in Minne- sota known as Vann's Crossing, and he also ran a stage line for many years. At the time of his death he was about to engage in the cattle and horse business on the Teton River in Montana. He was a republican in his political views and was a mem- ber of the Roman Catholic Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Skelton were born eleven children, namely: William H., who died at the age of twenty-one years ; Mary Ann, who died at the age of three years; Martha M., the wife of L. F. Coughlin; Joseph, who married Sophia Anderson, and they have one son; John L., who was married to Saide Huff, and they have one son; Peter A., who married Ida Bush- ard, and they have one daughter; Nina V., the wife of James Hogan, and they have a daughter; Stan- ford W .; Lena; Carl M .; and Florence V., who died when two years of age.

Politically Mr. Skelton has given his support to the democratic party. He takes a commendable in- terest in local public affairs and can always be counted upon to lend his support to every movement which promises to benefit the community in any way. He has had in many respects a remarkable record since casting his lot with this section of the country, and has passed through many experiences which would have daunted one of less courage and determination. He had many encounters with the Indians, who in those early days were apparently ready to take to the warpath on a moment's notice,

but he was diplomatic in his intercourse with them in peace and fearless in his attitude toward them in hostile days, so that he gained a reputation as one who could hold his own with the redskins at any time. He tells many interesting incidents of those early days, and if his experiences could be put in permanent form they would make an important and valuable contribution to the historical literature of the state. A man of genial qualities and sterling character, he enjoys the esteem and respect of all who know him.

JOHN W. BLAIR, rancher, banker and business man of Helmville, is one of the comparatively few sur- vivors among the real Montana pioneers, those who came to this territory during the early '60s.

Mr. Blair was born in Seneca County, Ohio, in October, 1841, son of Thomas and Mary (Saylor) Blair. He is of Scotch-Irish ancestry on his father's side, while his mother represented some of the most prominent people of old Virginia. John W. Blair grew up on his father's farm in Ohio, had a public school education, and had barely reached his ma- jority when the Civil war came on. He enlisted and served as a member of the Forty-ninth Ohio Regi- ment of Minute Men.

John W. Blair was one of a party of 300 men who arrived at Virginia City, Montana, July 12, 1864. They had traveled hundreds of miles through the western wilderness to reach this famous mining camp. During the next year Mr. Blair spent part of the year in Utah, was also a miner in the Last Chance Gulch, where he lived for about six years, and in the fall of 1871 identified himself with the com- munity of Helmville in what is now Powell County. His residence here has been almost continuous for half a century.

While he had an active participation in the early mining districts of the state, Mr. Blair's career has been practically that of an agriculturist and rancher. Near Helmville he developed one of the finest and largest ranches in the state, at one time comprising 28,000 acres. He was one of the big sheep men of Montana, and his ranch was also the home of some of the finest specimens of Shorthorn cattle. He sold this magnificent ranch property in 1910. In that year he established the banking business of Blair & Com- pany at Helmville, becoming president of the com- pany. He also did much to develop the Town of Drummond, being a partner in the erection of the Palace Hotel and one of the organizers of the Drum- mond State Bank, Mr. Blair for many years has been a man of wealth, resources, energy, initiative and public spirit, and no attempt can be made here to summarize his manifold activities either in his home community or the state at large.

He has been in politics only for the good of his home community or state. An interesting story is told to the effect that Mr. Blair went to the polls to vote upon the first state ticket after the adoption of the constitution in 1889, and believed that the name John W. Blair, which he found as a candidate for a member of the Legislature, to be an acquaintance in another part of the district. Just before casting his ballot he was informed that the name was his own, and thus unexpectedly the honor was thrust upon him of being a member of the first State Legislature and taking part in the proceedings. He was again elected a member of the Legislature in 1912. In politics he is a republican. He is one of the honored members of the Society of Montana Pioneers.

JOHN J. FOLEY, the division freight and passenger agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road Company at Miles City, has been a Montana

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resident since 1909. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 29, 1872, and was reared there, attending St. John's College and Marquette University of that city and prepared himself for a commercial or business course. His parents had died during his childhood, and thereafter until he reached mature years he remained with his sisters and broth- er. He is a son of William and Mary (Murphy) Foley, both of whom were born in County Wexford, Ireland, were married there and came to the United States before the war between the North and the South. The father volunteered for service in this Civil war, and served throughout the period as a member of the famous Iron Brigade. He was a Wisconsin soldier under Colonel McArthur and in General Bragg's command. In civil life Mr. Foley was a stanch supporter of republican principles, and at the time of his death, which occurred in Milwau- kee in March, 1877, he was serving as deputy col- lector of internal revenue. His life's span covered a period of forty-five years. His widow survived him but three years and passed away in 1880. Their children were: Mrs. Anna Roberts, whose home is still in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; George, in charge of the city incinerator of Milwaukee; Mrs. T. P. Man- ion, also of Milwaukee; and John J., the only repre- sentative of the family in Montana.

John J. Foley has devoted nearly the entire period of his industrial career to railroad work, and his first identification with railroading was as freight clerk with the Milwaukee road. In 1896 he entered the service of his country as a soldier in the United States army, enlisting as a private in the Fourth In- fantry, Company G, at Milwaukee. Two years later, in 1898, he was promoted to the rank of second lieu- tenant, and on the 10th of October, 1899, was made first lieutenant. He saw service in Cuba, the Philip- pines and in China. His Cuban service was during the Spanish-American war, in which he participated in the famous battle of San Juan as sergeant of his company, and in the Philippines he took part in the Philipino insurrection, having served in the first out- break made by Aguinaldo's troops in February, 1899. Following this outbreak came the battle of San Pedro Macti, Pasig River, and the southern campaign with General Swann and engagements at Binang, Calamba, Lucena, Tyavas, Santa Tomas, Atimoncan and Santa Cruz.

Leaving the Philippines, Mr. Foley went with the quartermaster's department on detail to China in 1900 to participate in the Boxer uprising. The troops landed at Tientsin, went inward to Peking to relieve the American legation, and about a month later were ordered back to the Philippines and remained there until November, 1902, performing police and garrison duty. Ordered back to the United States, Mr. Foley arrived in San Francisco, December 24, 1902, remained at Camp Presidio for two months, and ordered then to Fort Clark, Texas, he spent about six months in recruiting service, until he resigned from the army in January, 1904. He was wounded in the engagement at Tyavas in 1899, sustaining a flesh wound in the knee, but with this one exception he enjoyed good health during the eight years he served in the army.

In 1904, the same year he resigned from military duty, Mr. Foley entered the service of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company at Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, as rate clerk in the freight office, and five years later was transferred to Montana as agent of the company at Miles City. After some time spent as the Miles City agent Mr. Foley was promoted to the position of traveling freight and passenger agent, and this appointment was succeeded

in turn by his promotion to the office of division freight and passenger agent at Miles City in 1916.

Before leaving Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mr. Foley was married there in April, 1897, to Miss Rose Pat- tison, who died without issue. In St. Louis, Missouri, in November, 1909, he married Miss Rilla Clements, a daughter of George Clements, a business man of St. Louis. One daughter, Camilla, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Foley.

Mr. Foley began voting as a democrat, casting his first presidential ballot for Mr. Wilson. In 1911 he served as his party's delegate to the state demo- cratic convention at Great Falls, during a period of four years was treasurer of the Custer County Democratic Committee, and since that time has served . continuously as a committeeman. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Miles City, and is a deputy grand knight of the Knights of Columbus and chairman of its entertaining commit- tee. During the period of the World war Mr. Foley conducted all the war loan and other drives on the Trans-Missouri and the Mussellshell Division of the Milwaukee road, and in many other ways he assisted in war auxiliary work and has always made his presence felt in the promotion of civic and industrial interests.

JOHN ESCHLIMAN has been a resident of Fergus County for over twenty years. For some time he was engaged in contracting and building in and around Lewistown, but for the most part has been a success- ful rancher and farmer. Mr. Eschliman is probably the leading alfalfa grower in Fergus County, having been one of the first to develop that crop and by in- tensive experimentation and study having mastered the difficult art of raising the crop for seed.

Mr. Eschliman, who has had a long and varied career in many localities, was born on his father's farm near Massillon, Ohio, January 30, 1851, a son of Abraham and Mary (Horst) Eschliman. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania. His father went to Ohio with his parents in 1833, and the Horst family located in the eastern part of that state a few years later. The Eschlimans were pio- neers in Stark County, Ohio, and the family when they first settled there lived in the woods and their nearest markets for supplies were Cleveland fifty miles away and Pittsburgh ninety miles distant. When the head of the house went for supplies the mother remained to keep guard and prevent the bears from invading the log barn after the small stock of pigs and other animals. Abraham Eschliman was well known in Stark County, serving as a justice of the peace for about twelve years. He afterward moved to Illinois. He was a member of the Metho- dist Church and in politics a whig. John Eschliman was the second in a family of twelve children, seven daughters and five sons, nine of whom are living. Their father died at the age of seventy-five and the mother at eighty-four.

John Eschliman grew up on his father's farm in Illinois, attending the public schools and working with his father until 1872. He learned the carpenter's trade, and in the spring of 1872 returned to Ohio for his bride. They then settled in Crawford County, Illinois, where he followed farming for several years. In 1876 Mr. Eschliman made the first stage of his journey westward, going overland to Nebraska and locating on the Blue River in Saline County. He was a farmer on that part of the frontier for three years, and then bought land in Washington County, Kansas, farming and stock raising until 1884. He then sold out all his possessions and returned to Can- ton, Ohio, in order to give his children better ad-

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vantages at school. While living there he worked with the Canton Steel Works as heater for nine years and one month. In 1893 he returned to Nebraska, and in Butler County worked at his trade as a car- penter. In the fall of that year he went to Jules- burg, Colorado, to visit his brother, spent the winter at Denver, working at his trade, and in May, 1894, took employment with the Denver and Rio Grande Railway. In July of that year he returned to Denver and then came on to Billings, Montana, with a party of freighters bound for Grass Range in Fergus County. Here he filed on a homestead, and while proving up worked at his trade at Lewistown. While there he built three houses and was also employed in the Lechmond Department Store. In 1907 Mr. Eschliman took his family to his homestead, and about that time began his efforts in the growing of alfalfa. He had made a thorough study of alfalfa for several years. The seed produced on his land has found an extensive sale throughout Montana, and even in the states of Kansas and Illinois. In 1918 Mr. Eschliman leased his ranch, but is still making his home there. He has been honored with several places of responsibility, such as road supervisor, member of the school board, and has always taken a deep interest in the cause of education. He has also been a member of the Republican Central Com- mittee and a delegate to various conventions. Mr. Eschliman is a republican and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In December, 1872, he married Miss Caroline Mil- ler. She was born in Ohio in 1850 and they were school children together. To their marriage were born eight children, five daughters and three sons. Two of their sons have military records. The oldest child, Oliver, is now living on the home ranch with his father. He married Clara Gouder and had four children, three of whom are living. Clara is the wife of Ed Faulk, of Canton, Ohio, a contracting painter, and of their five children four are living. David, the . third child, is a resident of Canton, Ohio, and en- gaged in the real estate business and has been hon- ored with the office of alderman. He enlisted in 1898 for service in the Spanish-American war, was cap- tain of a company, and served in the Santiago cam- paign, his troops being re-enforcements to Colonel Roosevelt's Rough Riders. After the war he re- turned to Canton and married Miss Eubehurdt and they have three children. Minnie, the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Eschliman, is the wife of Ed Dean and the mother of three children. They live at Canton. Mary is a resident of Canton. Della, of Canton, married John Campbell and has two living children. Mrs. Alice Richardson lives at Buffalo, New York, and is the mother of two children. John, the youngest son, enlisted in the Tank Division in the spring of 1918, and was with his command in the great battle of the Argonne Forest, where he led the way against the Huns. He was a corporal and master of the Tank Division.

CHARLES Fox KING is one of the buoyant pioneer characters in the Northwest who are still active in business, and is giving a full measure of service for all the strenuous experiences of his early days. Mr. King, who is proprietor of what is probably the old- est taxi cab and transfer business in Montana, and the largest concern of its kind at Helena, at one time drove stage and did freighting when Montana was practically innocent of railroads.

He was born at St. Paul, then little more than a pioneer outpost in the Northwest, on February 28, 1859. He is of English ancestry. His father, Charles Columbus King, was born in 1826 at the City of Wheeling, which subsequently became the birthplace

of the State of West Virginia, but at that time was in old Virginia. He was married in Wheeling, moved to St. Paul in 1850, and was one of the first merchants in that pioneer city. He died at St. Paul in 1910, after a residence of sixty years. In the early days when Minnesota was subject to Indian hostilities he served as a member of the Pioneer Guards at St. Paul. He was a democrat, a member of the Episcopal Church and the Masonic fraternity. His wife was Emily Bennett, who was also born in what became the State of West Virginia in 1830. She died in St. Paul in 1917. Of their family of ten children only three are now living: Virginia Miller, who never married and died at St. Paul at the age of sixty-three; Franklin John, a machinist, who died at St. Paul at the age of forty-eight; Emma, who died at St. Paul aged eighteen; Charles F .; Walter T., an accountant living in St. Paul, Minne- sota; Nellie Aubrey, unmarried, and living in St. Paul; Jennings, who died in boyhood; Fannie, Mamie and George, all of whom died in childhood at St. Paul.

Charles Fox King received his early education in the public schools of his native city, and left high school when he was about sixteen years of age. He worked in stores and at other employment until his first visit to Montana in 1877. For about six months he was employed by the Government in Custer County. He then went back to St. Paul, worked in the city for a time, and during the summer of 1879 was steamboating on the Red River of the North with headquarters at Winnipeg, Canada. Soon after- ward he came again to Montana, and at Fort Assini- boine was a stage driver and trader, carrying pas- sengers and goods to many of the settlements in the western part of the state. He followed that occupa- tion for six years. Mr. King came to Helena in 1885 and followed teaming in the city for two years, and in 1887 established a hat business, which he con- ducted until 1889. The next two years were spent in the cab business at Seattle, and he then returned to Helena and since then for nearly thirty consecutive years has managed the leading cab and transfer busi- ness of the city. Since 1906 a full line of taxi cabs has been added to the equipment, and he is still giving his personal attention to the details of a perfect service. The offices are in the Placer Hotel.

Mr. King is unmarried and resides in the Atlas Block. He is a democrat, a member of the Episcopal Church, is affiliated with Morning Star Lodge, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, Helena Consistory No. 3 of the Scottish Rite, Algeria Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and Helena Aerie No. 16 of the Eagles. He is a former member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

HENRY N. KEMPTON. On another page is con- tained a review of the fortunes and experiences of one of the most interesting pioneers of Eastern Mon- tana, the late James B. Kempton. One of his sons is Henry N. Kempton of Terry, whose life also con- tains elements of interest and whose work and in- fluence have gone for the greater development and prosperity of this section.

Henry N. Kempton was born on his father's ranch below Greeley on the Platte River in Colorado, De- cember 31, 1871. He acquired his early education at the ranch in Evans, Colorado, and later at Terry when the family moved to Montana. His last school- ing was at old Amity College in College Springs, Iowa. He left school and returned to work on the range ahout Terry.

As a boy he spent much of his time on the back of a broncho, and, like his older brother, became an expert rider. In time lassoing horses and cattle be-

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came a tame sport, and wolf catching was proposed. The two boys had some successful tryouts on a bunch of gray wolves. By riding close to the pack and crowding one of the wolves out of the bunch, it was easy to get him into the loop. In a dispute as to which of the brothers was the better rider, a couple of uncles suggested a contest on the home ranch. The horses were saddled and the conditions were that which ever one could ride and whip his horse without holding on would be declared the winner, and the title fell to Henry.

Henry Kempton gave his whole time to the Kemp- ton "Home Ranch" and lived there until 1916 and continued to be associated with its management until January, 1919, since which date his chief business has been the ice plant at Terry, which had been estab- lished several years previously. On moving to Terry in 1916 he occupied his new home and rooming house on Logan Avenue, a ten-room, generous, mod- ern home for the family, and one which also dis- penses hospitality and comfort to transient guests.

Mr. Kempton has had many experiences that iden- tify him with the old time cattlemen and cowboys. He has been all over the Northwest country handling stock, and at one time he trailed 400 head from Terry to Camp Crook, shipping stock from there to Omaha. Mr. Kempton is a republican and cast his first political vote in 1896.

In Miles City, Montana, December 16, 1906, he married Miss Charlotte Manguson, a native of Verm- land, Sweden. Her parents were Magnus Brenson and Cajsa Elofson. Mrs. Brenson came to the United States in 1903 with her younger daughter, following Mrs. Kempton, who crossed over in 1902. Mrs. Kempton was employed as a housemaid in Terry for a time and later at Miles City. She is one of four children: Mrs. Sanford S. Kempton, of Kildron, South Dakota; Mrs. Augusta Braley, of Terry ; Mrs. Henry N. Kempton; and Hedwig, who married Ole Waswig, of Terry. Mr. and Mrs. Kempton have a family of five children, named Albert, Helen, Millie, Oswald and Freda.

ANDREW GREEN. Widely known in many parts of Montana as a successful building and construction contractor, Andrew Green has been through a most interesting variety of experiences. Few men have seen more of their native country, and he knows much of pioneer days in Montana.

Mr. Green, a resident of Lewistown, was born at Paterson, New Jersey, May 24, 1865, sixth in a family of twelve children born to Thomas and Dora (Bur- ger) Green. His father was a street contractor but retired fifteen years before his death.

Andrew Green had limited opportunities in the way of schooling. As a boy his first regular employment was in the silk mills at Paterson, beginning at wages of $1.50 a week, sweeping out, and later at quill winding. Then successively he stripped tobacco in a tobacco factory, worked in a shirt factory, was em- ployed in the Rodgers Locomotive Works, and did much common labor with pick and shovel. By hard and practical experience he learned the brick laying and plastering trade. He followed this for about a year at Philadelphia, and then took passage at New York City in the winter of 1886 bound for San Francisco. He crossed the Isthmus of Panama on the railroad. He worked at San Francisco and then went around by sea to Seattle, Washington, and followed his trade at Seattle, Tacoma, Port Townsend and other places. He kept up with the progress of the building boom through Portland, Salem and Engene, Oregon. He returned to California by rail to Los Angeles, worked in Sacramento, Oakland, at Salt Lake City, Leadville and Denver, Colorado, on to

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 181

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