Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 35

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 35

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there but a short period and then went up the Tongue River to cut cordwood that summer, above the mouth of Otter Creek, following which he went to work for the old ranchman, Captain Howes, at the mouth of Tailor Creek. Mr. Stewart spent three years with the Captain as a hand and at the end of that time selected his homestead where he is now located, entering a quarter section of land and erecting upon it his first .home in Montana. This was a log cabin of one room, covered with dirt, and was occupied as a home by its bachelor tenant and owner for fifteen years, being then succeeded by Mr. Stewart's new combined log and weatherboard home of three rooms. Other and numerous buildings have risen by his hand to make the farm. conveniently improved and substantially as well, and he has con- tinued permanently to make his residence here.

Speaking of his financial condition, when Mr. Stewart began working for Captain Howes he had but I0 cents in his pocket and was $60 in debt. He had accumulated personal property to the extent of fourteen head of mares, and when he left the Cap- tain's employ began the stock business with horses and ran them for twenty years. He experienced, finally, a gradual decline in prices, and eventually closed out his horses in the spring of 1898 and entered the cattle business, in which he has con- tinued to be engaged to the present time. His recorded horse brand was the "SS" (the Lazy S and the Standing S), but his cow brand is the "Y-Bar-K" on the left side. His are stock cattle for food purposes and he finds his market for them as a shipper to Omaha, loading at Kendrick and Arvada, Wyoming. Samuel Stewart's place is re- membered as the site of his sawmill for several years, and the lumber he cut there went to the settlers who came in and improved the locality by the building of homes.

Mr. Stewart came into Montana from Utah, where at Ogden he had been working in the coal mines for a few months, and his journey was completed by stage from the end of the narrow-gauge rail- road running from Ogden to Butte. He spent sev- eral years in different states of the West before coming to Montana, doing any kind of labor that he could find that was honorable. He is a native of Ireland and was but ten months old when his parents immigrated to America, settling and making their first home in West Virginia. Ten years later they removed to Pennsylvania, and at Noblestown, that state, Samuel Stewart grew up. His father, Samuel Stewart, Sr., was a laboring man and died at Noblestown when past ninety years of age, while Mrs. Stewart passed away during the infancy of her son Samuel, to whom her maiden name is unknown. Of her six children to grow up Samuel is the only survivor. A brother, Robert Stewart, died at Chi- cago, leaving twelve children, two of whom, Robert and Hugh, are with their uncle Samuel, their mother having been Mary A. (Hoskins) Stewart. Hugh worked in the shipyard at San Francisco during the World war. Samuel Stewart's brother John, an engineer on the "Panhandle" Railway, left a daugh- ter, Ellen, of Columbus, Ohio, at which city he died ; and Sarah Stewart, a sister of Samuel, married Hugh Wilson and died in Pennsylvania, leaving a daughter, Mrs. Mary Barzee, of McDonald, that state. The above named constitute the posterity of Samuel Stewart, Sr.

Samuel Stewart was born in July, 1854, and has never married. His schooling was somewhat lim- ited, being confined to the ability of reading and writing, and whatever other knowledge he possesses has been acquired through his own efforts. All of

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his life has been given to toil with his hands, the monument to which is found in his valuable and attractive ranch on Tailor Creek.

ODIN 'T. STENNES was one of the early merchants at Wolf Point, has been one of the substantial busi- ness men and equally substantial citizens of that locality for six years, and his record is one of com- mendable exertions both in his own behalf and in behalf of enterprises in which the entire community is interested.

Mr. Stennes was born at Halstead, Minnesota, November 19, 1883. His father, Theodore Stennes, was a native of Norway, came to the United States when a young man, and in Minnesota married Miss Anna Serum. Their children were: Ed T., who is farming the land near Halstead which his father homesteaded; Clara, a milliner at Halstead; Odin T .; and Theodore, associated with his brother at Wolf Point.

Odin T. Stennes was a boy when he lost his par- ents. He grew up in the country, in the home of his stepmother and brother to the age of nineteen. Beyond the industrious habits acquired on the farm he had only the opportunities of country schools. After leaving home he was a student for two terms at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, and subsequently prepared for a business career by study- ing stenography and bookkeeping at Minneapolis. On leaving the commercial school he served the firm of Wyman, Patridge & Company at Minneapolis as bill clerk for six months, at a dollar a day wage. The following year he was an office man with the Landing-Ronning Company at Minneapolis. His first experience as an all around merchant and office man was gained during the next year, which he spent in the St. Paul office of Fairbanks, Morse & Company.

This house then sent him on the road as a com- mercial salesman, and he sold the products of that great concern over northwestern territory for eight years. During that time his headquarters were at Minot, North Dakota. On leaving the road Mr. Stennes came to Montana, locating at Mondak in I9II, and for three years was engaged in the hard- ware and lumber business. From Mondak he came to Wolf Point, reaching the townsite May 13, 1914. Here he opened a new business as a hardware mer- chant, and the Stennes-McConnon Company has been the chief concern selling hardware and furniture retail in this locality.

Mr. Stennes was in Wolf Point before its incor- poration and had something to do with the move- ment to make it a municipality. He was elected an alderman of the first city government, beginning in September, 1915, was reelected for another term, and then, in June, 1919, was appointed mayor to succeed John Listerud, resigned. When the first city administration took hold of Wolf Point the townsite was little more than an open prairie. Mr. Stennes gave his counsel and study to the various problems presented not only for immediate settle- ment but involved in the future of the growing town. Street grades were established, streets were graded, more than seven miles of sidewalks were constructed, a water system and sewers installed, and Mr. Stennes has been associated with all this work. He was also on the school board in the primitive days of public education in West Point.

Mr. Stennes has always been affiliated as a repub- lican in politics, casting his first presidential vote for Mr. Taft in 1908. He is a charter member of Loyalty Lodge No. 121, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Wolf Point, and is affiliated with the Helena Consistory and Algeria Temple of the Mys-

tic Shrine. He is also a member of the Elks Lodge at Minot.

During the war he was a local committeeman in the various campaigns for raising war funds, while Mrs. Stennes was a member of the Red Cross Chap- ter. Their home is of their own planning and con- struction, a comfortable four-room cottage with fur nace heat.

The business house of the Stennes-McConnon Com- pany is another contribution by Mr. Stennes to the substantial upbuilding of Wolf Point, and through his capital and enterprise a number of homes have been constructed for working people.

At Minot, North Dakota, October 23, 1911, Mr. Stennes married Miss Alice Bergen. She was born in Norway February. 23, 1887, and the following year her parents, Peter and Mary Bergen, came to the United States. Her father was a farmer at Churches Ferry in North Dakota for a number of years, also lived for a time in Saskatchewan, and spent his last days at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Mrs. Bergen now lives at Wolf Point. Mrs. Stennes was educated in public schools, is one of a family of two sons and five daughters, and all the others are in Saskatchewan, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Stennes have a son, Leo Odin, born in April, 1918.

ALFRED W. HUXSOL, who came to Montana thir- teen years ago with qualifications as a pharmacist and with practically no capital, has made a splendid use of his time and opportunities, has had several independent business enterprises, and has achieved prosperity and prominence. For the past several years his home and business interests have been at Wolf Point.

Mr. Huxsol was born in Floyd County, Iowa, November II, 1881. His father, August Huxsol, is a native of Germany, came to the United States when a young man, and began his career as a laborer in Floyd County, Iowa. Eventually he bought a farm, and he is still living in the country, though practi- cally retired from the responsibilities of farming. He is about seventy years of age, and his life has been one of prolonged industry. He is a republican voter, and his household is identified with the Methodist Church. August Huxsol married Elizabeth Keller, who was born in Ohio about 1852, daughter of Jacob Keller, a native of Germany and a farmer. The children of August Huxsol and wife are: Hertha, wife of August Rantz, of LaPorte, Indiana; Miss Emma, of Charles City, Iowa; Alfred W .; Amelia, wife of Gordon Newcity, of California; Ida, wife of Horace Clayton, of Phoenix, Arizona; Eddie, of Floyd County, Iowa; Miss Lucy, with her brother at Wolf Point; Miss Viola, employed in the First National Bank of Wolf Point; Julius, a Floyd Coun- ty farmer; Miss Nellie, a teacher in the schools of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Elmer, a farmer in his home state ; and Emil, a drug clerk at Charles City.

Alfred W. Huxsol was a farmer's son, grew up and acquired a country school education, and also graduated in a commercial course at Charles City, Iowa. When he left the home farm he gained his first business experience as delivery boy in a grocery store at Rockford, Iowa. He next went into a drug store at Charles City, where he gained a practical knowledge of pharmacy. He completed his educa- tion as a pharmacist in Northwestern University at Chicago. He passed the examination before the Iowa Board for a license, and soon afterward went with a drug firm in Cedar Rapids. It was while there that he established connection with a new oppor- tunity in Montana, and in September, 1907, came out to Culbertson.

At Culbertson he began with the Valley Drug

Joseph Guesenhoven and Family

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

Company as their pharmacist, subsequently became a half owner in the business with C. S. Stafford, and in 1909 became sole proprietor. He managed the business successfully and in time was able to branch out and extend his affairs to other points. In his store at Culbertson a jeweler, Clint J. Poe, occu- pied a small space in the drug store for his jewelry stock, and frequently relieved Mr. . Huxsol at noon and other times, thereby gaining a thorough famil- iarity with the drug stock as well as his own estab- lishment. They became good friends and thoroughly in each other's confidence. Eventually they formed a partnership and opened a new business at Medi- cine Lake in 1910, with Mr. Poe as manager and half owner and Mr. Huxsol as a partner. In 1915 Mr. Huxsol sold his interest in the Medicine Lake en- terprise to Mr. Poe, and in the same year bought the interest of the late Doctor Johnston in his drug busi- ness at Poplar. Thus he became a partner with Maj. C. B. Lohmiller. Mr. Huxsol sold out his business at Poplar in 1918 to R. E. Patch. He had already established himself as a druggist at Wolf Point, and after disposing of his Poplar interests and his business at Culbertson a year later concen- trated all his affairs at Wolf Point. He is a mem- ber of the Montana State Pharmaceutical Associa- tion.

Some other substantial affairs have gained his par- ticipation at Wolf Point. He was one of the pro- moters of the Citizens National Bank, associated with H. B. Tyson, O. C. Johnson, Ole Erickson and A. J. Isaacson. They chartered a bank in 1917 and opened it with a capital of $25,000, with Mr. Huxsol as president, H. B. Tyson, vice president, and F. W. Bleck, cashier. The institution merged in 1919 with the First National Bank, under the latter title, and at that time the capital was increased to $50,000. Of the consolidated bank Mr. Huxsol is president, H. B. Tyson, vice president, C. L. Cleave, vice presi- dent, F. W. Bleck, cashier, and other directors are M. J. Winton, of Minneapolis, Mr. Keith, of North Dakota, Ole Erickson, O. C. Johnson and W. H. Hogan.

Mr. Huxsol is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Culbertson, where he took his first degrees, and is a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory at Helena and Algeria Temple of the Mystic Shrine. At Red Wing, Minnesota, November 25, 1908, le married Miss Elizabeth Matthews, who was born in Floyd County, Iowa, May 25, 1880. Her parents, Christ and Elizabeth (Jung) Matthews, are natives of Germany, and Mrs. Huxsol was one of their six children, four of whom are daughters. Mr. Hux- sol had the misfortune to lose his wife by death at Culbertson November 10, 1918. She is survived by two sons, Russell and Robert.

JOSEPH GUSSENHOVEN. It sometimes comes to pass that a certain individual through his business enter- prise and high character is able to impress his per- sonality on almost everything of importance in the upbuilding of a community. His talents, in a busi- ness way come close to genius. Such a man is Joseph Gussenhoven, who for about thirty years has been a vital factor in the business affairs of Havre, Montana, one whose association with any enterprise has been beneficial.

Joseph Gussenhoven was born at Steven's Point, Wisconsin, May 10, 1869. His parents were Walter J. and Alyda Mary (Doormoolen) Gussenhoven. Both parents were born near the River Rhine in Holland, in 1840, and were reared, educated and mar- ried there. They became parents of ten children, two of whom were born in Holland, six survive, and Joseph was the third in order of birth. . The father

was a man of talent and education, a civil engineer by profession and conversant with seven different languages. In the late '6os, because of better busi- ness opportunities in the United States, he came to America. The first family home was in the City of Steven's Point, Wisconsin, where Walter J. Gussen- hoven was a very acceptable school teacher for some time. He removed afterward to Green Bay and en- gaged in the manufacture of brick until 1872, when he went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was em- ployed in the engineering department of the govern- ment in making surveys for the building of the Union Pacific Railroad. Still later he was in the . service of the government as guide and scout, with headquarters at Fort Saunders, Wyoming, during the Indian outbreaks. It was in this way he became acquainted with the western country and in 1873 he became interested in the cattle business not far from Laramie City, Wyoming, remaining in the ter- ritory until 1880, when he sold out.

In large measure by this time Mr. Gussenhoven had learned to highly estimate his adopted home, but not to the extent of feeling justified in educating his children in any other country than Holland. Therefore he accompanied his family back to his native land and settled them comfortably there with the children in school. He came back to the United States alone and soon afterward embarked in the crockery business in New York and New Jersey, where the family later joined him, but in 1885 re- turn was made to Holland and the children con- tinued their studies there. During these years the solicitous father often visited them, but continued his business in New York City for a number of years. Finally, however, his. love of his native land led him back to make his permanent home in Hol- land and he died there in 1914. The mother of Mr. Gussenhoven still survives, a devoted member of the Roman Catholic Church, as was his father.

Joseph Gussenhoven attended the public schools of Laramie, Wyoming. Environment had, as usual, much to do with his boyhood amuesments and tasks and he remembers when he herded cows and sheep in the City of Laramie. He then sold soda water to the soldiers of Fort Saunders, Wyoming, and later engaged in freighting from Laramie to North Park. When he was only twelve years old he took 1,200 head of sheep on shares to Shallow Basin, near Medicine Bow, Wyoming, running the sheep alone. and saved 90 per cent of the lambs. This under- taking has subjected him to much exposure, however. from which illness resulted, and his father sold his western interests and took the family to Holland, where Joseph came under the care of a noted phy- sician at Almalon. After rcovering his health he attended a business college and also was instructed by private tutors.

In 1883 Mr. Gussenhoven returned to the United States and embarked in an express and commission business at Hackensack, New Jersey, which he con- tinned until 1886, returning then to Holland, where he completed his education. In 1889 he once more found himself in the United States, his destination being Minot, North Dakota, where he became book- keeper in the First National Bank and later cashier in the Bank of Minot. In the banking field he proved thoroughly efficient and later became identified in the same field of activity on a larger scale.

In the spring of 1891 Mr. Gussenhoven came to Havre, Montana, and entered into the general mer- cantile business, which he continued until 1904. in the meanwhile becoming interested in numerous other important business enterprises. In 1893 he was the leader in the movement for open drilled wells. In 1897 he established the first steam laundry

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at Havre which later was burned. In 1902, in addi- tion to his other business interests, he engaged in dealing in lumber and brick, continuing this line together until 1910, when he disposed of the brick feature, but continues his lumber business. Since away back in 1892 he has given attention to the de- velopment of coal, being the first man in this locality to foresee the coal wealth here. His mines are situated just outside the City of Havre, on the south bank of the Milk River, and the industry is one of vast importance. Mr. Gussenhoven also established a sawmill in what is now Lincoln County and operated it from 1904 to 1907. In 1912 he bought the Citizens National Bank of Havre, and served as its president until the press of busi- ness caused him to sell in 1913. Journalism has also claimed his attention and interest, and in 1914 he be- came the owner and publisher of the Hill County Beacon, the leading weekly newspaper of this sec- tion:

Mr. Gussenhoven was also one of the pioneers in the natural gas development of Havre, having been instrumental in putting down two wells. He secured a franchise from the City of Havre and piped the city at his personal expense.

On January 30, 1893, Mr. Gussenhoven was united in marriage to Miss Susan Munger, who was born at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They have had the fol- lowing children: Joseph J., Lloyd L., John A., Susan Pauline, Charles H., Adolph and Marguerite, twins, Marguerite, Helena and Eugene William. All survive with the exception of Marguerite (I) and Helena, both of whom died in infancy. The eldest son, Joseph J., married Ella Nelson. Lloyd L., who went to France as a member of the Eighty-Ninth Division Signal Corps, enlisting in the spring of 1918 with the American Expeditionary Force, was honorably discharged at Fort Douglas, Utah, after his return, but is still suffering from shell shock and gas exposure; a brave and gallant soldier who re- sponded wherever duty called. John A., the second soldier son of Mr. Gussenhoven, entered the Na- tional Army at Havre, Montana, in the Coast Artil- lery service, was sent from Camp Lewis to Fort Stevens, then to Camp Houston and from there to Camp Dodge, Iowa, where, the armistice having been signed, he received his honorable discharge, with the rank of corporal. Susan Pauline, the oldest daugh- ter, attended school at Havre until the age of fifteen years, then went to Holland and became a student in the Jerusalem Convent at Venray, five years later being graduated in the class of 1918. She is a young lady of solid education as well as many accomplish- ments, speaking four languages. She is bookkeeper and stenographer for her father. Charles H., the fourth son, attended school at Havre and from there went to Holland and spent five years in a famous school at Duivan. the Genbbels Institute, where he was graduated in 1918. He speaks four languages and is now a law student at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. Adolph, the fifth son, was also a student in the above institution of learning in Holland. He speaks four languages. After five years of study he is now a student in Saint An- thony's Seminary at Santa Barbara, California, pre- paring for the priesthood. Marguerite, the second surviving daughter; attended school at Havre, then spent five years in the Jerusalem Convent at Venray, Holland, reaching home in August, 1918. She speaks four languages. Joseph J. Gussenhoven, Lloyd L. Gussenhoven and John Gussenhoven attended St. Joseph Academy at Cascade, Montana, and Lloyd L. also went to Columbia University, Portland, Oregon, for two years. Mr. Gussenhoven and his family are faithful Catholics and largely through his efforts

the Jesuits succeeded in retaining the Havre diocese. In his political affiliation Mr. Gussenhoven has al- ways been a democrat, as was his honored father. Fraternally he is identified with Havre Lodge No. I201, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Knights of Columbus. For over a quarter of a century Mr. Gussenhoven has been foremost in championing movements for the general welfare and has mate- rially aided in the advancement of social, educa- tional and moral interests.

Mr. Gussenhoven was also one of the pioneers in the natural gas development of Hovne, having been instrumental in putting down two wells. He secured a franchise from the City of Hovne and piped the city at his personal expense.

HOWARD M. COSIER. In 1881 a young man of twenty, with about a year's experience in a country store back in New Jersey, arrived at the "Poplar Creek Agency" of Fort Peck Indian Reservation and began work at the trading post. It was a com- plete transition from the settled and humdrum rou- tine of the Atlantic coast to the typical Far West pictured in romance and story, among Indians more or less wild, in a rude community where soldiers and Government employes were practically the only white men.

Of the white men who were in that locality in that year Howard M. Cosier is one of the few left, and might assert a strong claim to being one of the oldest residents. He is certainly a pioneer citizen of Poplar, and through all the years has been one of its most active citizens in business and civic affairs.

Mr. Cosier was born in Cumberland County, New Jersey, March 21, 1861. His great-grandfather, Benjamin Cosier, came from England and founded his family in New Jersey, and later was in the American army during the Revolutionary war. He was a gunsmith and blacksmith and died in Down Township at the age of 106. His sons were Jonathan and Benjamin. Jonathan Cosier, grandfather of the Poplar business man, was born in New Jersey and spent his life there as a farmer and blacksmith. He married Mary Cantrell. Their children to reach ma- ture years were: Valentine, Phenix, William, Mary, who became the wife of Thomas Bell, and George. George was a Union soldier in the Civil war and was made first corporal of his company because he was the tallest man of the company.

Phenix Cosier, father of Howard M., was born in New Jersey, was a carpenter by trade, and served for some years as a freeholder in Cumberland Coun- ty. He was affiliated with the Odd Fellows and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in August, 1912. He married in Cumberland County Phebe Gandy, who was born at Philadelphia March II, 1835, and is still living at Cedarville, New Jer- sey, at the age of eighty-five. She was one of the ten children of her parents, Enos S. and Abigail (Ogden) Gandy, both of old families of the Atlan- tic Coast states. She attended school in Philadel- phia to the age of thirteen, when her parents moved to New Jersey, and she grew up at Cedarville.

Howard M. Cosier was the only child of his par- ents and spent his early life in the country town of Cedarville, attending public schools there and a boarding school at Bridgeton. He graduated in 1880, and the following year worked in a country store and gained a training that was of value to him when he came West.

In 1881 the superintendent of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation was Maj. N. S. Porter. The few build- ings on the site comprised the agent's residence, the Government offices, a few log cabins occupied by

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 35

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