Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 41

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

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of Sanders County, and for over twenty years was engaged in surveying. He then practically retired, and building a beautiful residence at Hot Springs has since made this his home, amid delightful sur- roundings, the great mountains, like sentinals of the eternal army standing guard over the valley below. A niece of Mr. Hinchilwood, Miss Bertha Morrison, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of Benjamin and Jeanette (Owen) Morrison, has charge of the house-

daughter's affection and care. Mr. Hinchilwood has been very much interested in the work of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has enjoyed attending its re-unions, and was a delegate to the Twenty-first Annual Encampment from the Department of Mon- tana; to the encampment held at Dillon, Montana, in 1905; to the one at Helena, Montana, in 1907; to the one at Bozeman, Montana, in 1906; and to the one at Butte in 1908. In 1907 and 1912 he was on the staff of the Montana state commander. Mr. Hinchil- wood has in his possessions a number of badges bestowed upon him at different times.

In his own words, Mr. Hinchilwood is a "repub- lican dyed in the wool," and will continue to give his hearty support to the principles and candidates of that party, for he is convinced that under its admin- istration the best interests of the country have been, and will be, conserved. In every relation of life he measures up to the highest conception of American manhood, and is recognized as a true patriot, honor- able citizen, kind neighbor and generous friend, and it would be almost impossible to find anyone who does not accord to him due respect and place in him implicit confidence.

W. A. DAVIS, junior member of the mercantile firm of Peeso, Davis & Company of Camas, is a worthy associate of F. E. Peeso, and one of the alert business men of his community. He was born at Danbury, Connecticut, a son of Allan J. and Caroline (Buckley) Davis.

After attending the schools of his native city and being graduated from its high school, Mr. Davis in 1902 came West to Great Falls, Montana, as a traveling salesman, representing a large eastern manu- facturer in teas, coffees and spices in Washington, Idaho, Arizona and Montana. In August, 1916, he severed these connections, and buying the interest of Mr. Zeh in the firm of Peeso & Zeh, formed his present associations as a member of the firm of Peeso, Davis & Company.

Mr. Davis was married at Waltham, Montana, to Miss Mary Oberlin, a daughter of Peter Oberlin. Mrs. Davis was educated in Michigan, where her father still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have a son, Frederick Allan. Mr. Davis votes for the man he deems best fitted for the office in question, pre- ferring not to tie himself down to party issues. Both Mr. Davis and his partner are numbered among the progressive young men of the county, and are strong boosters for this section of the state. They have expressed their faith in its fu- ture by investing here, and are anxious to prove the wisdom of their selection. In addition to the large general store at Camas the firm maintains a branch establishment five miles from Camas, at Lone Pine. The new irrigation project is open- ing up the country . around Camas, and the branch store is a great convenience to the number of new settlers as well as the old ones, who can there secure the same goods as are handled at the main store. It is only a matter of a few years before all of this region will be well populated, and Messrs. Peeso and Davis will be given the honor of being pioneers in the mercantile field, and far-sighted

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men who realized the possibilities here and worked hard to develop them into realities. Having learned the mercantile business on the road, Mr. Davis under- stands the salesmanship end thoroughly, and can bring to bear his experience in the present under- taking with profitable results. As a man he stands well in the community, and he and Mrs. Davis are popular in the social circle the partners and their wives have gathered about them.

F. E. PEESO, senior member of the mercantile firm of Peeso, Davis & Company of Camas, is one of the sound and reliable business men of this region. He was born at Syracuse, New York, a son of Fred A. and Jennie (Priest) Peeso, and one in a family of three sons and one daughter born to his parents, he being the eldest of the children.

F. E. Peeso was educated in the public schools of New York and Pennsylvania, and when he was twenty years of age came West to Montana and for a period was engaged in mining. About 1907 he settled at Camas, where the celebrated hot springs of Montana are located, and embarked in a mercantile business, later being joined by a partner, a Mr. Zeh, with a small stock, increasing it as the demand increased until today he and his partner; W. A. Davis, who bought out the interest of Mr. Zeh, are the leading merchants of this part of the county. The firm handles groceries and dry goods and does a very large business, especially with the Indians, not only from the Reservation, but also those in Idaho, Washington and other parts of Montana, who send to them for goods to be delivered through the mails. In return they handle the valu- able furs, robes and all kinds of articles made by the Indians, which are highly prized by eastern tourists. These goods they not only keep in stock, but sell for the Indians in the San Francisco and Oklahoma markets. The tourists to Glacier Park depend on this firm to supply them with genuine Indian goods. During his residence in Montana Mr. Peeso has become familiar with the Indians, and they look upon him as their friend and trust him implicitly. Not only is he the one through whom they transact their business, but whenever an Indian gets into trouble with the authorities Mr. Peeso is sent for to give bail or explain matters for the trusting Red Man, and never does one of them appeal to him in vain. He speaks several Indian dialects, including the Kootenai and Flathead languages. Having done business with them for so many years Mr. Peeso is an authority and can be depended upon as knowing what he is talking about when he says that they are the best kind of customers, measuring up very favorably with the whites and are just as honest and dependable as those of the lighter skin.

Mr. Peeso was married to Miss Lillian Plint, of Butte, Montana, a daughter of John A. and Louise Plint. Mrs. Peeso was educated in the schools of Butte. Mr. and Mrs. Peeso have one daughter, Elsa Jeanette. In his fraternal affiliations Mr. Peeso belongs to the Masons and Elks. In politics he is a republican, having always supported the principles of that party, and he intends to con- tinue to do so for he appreciates the fact that the best interests of the country are conserved under a republican administration.

GEORGE B. PERHAM. That the plentitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affair of life is to be considered a most beneficial deprivation, for when ambition is satisfied and every ultimate aim is realized, if such be possible, individual apathy must follow. The men who have pushed forward the Vol. III-10

wheels of progress have been those to whom satis- faction lies ever in the future, who have labored continuously, always finding in each transition stage an incentive to further effort. George B. Per- ham, a well known farmer of Hill County, is one whose well directed efforts have gained for him a position of desirable prominence in the locality honored by his residence, and it is with a feeling of satisfaction that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the salient points in his career, which has been such as to be well worth consider- ing by the youth standing at the parting of the ways, for it shows that success may be achieved by perseverance, fidelity and sound judgment, even in the face of adverse conditions.

George B. Perham was born on his father's farm in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, on Sep- tember 15, 1870, and is the son of George O. and Frances E. (Bennett) Perham. Both of these par- ents also were born in Middlesex County, the father in 1842 and the mother in 1849. They are both deceased, the father dying in 1905 and the mother in 1910. The subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth of the four children born to these parents, and all of whom are living, namely : Nellie, George B., Mary and Belle, the latter the wife of Fred Higgins, of Tyngsboro, Massachu- setts. The daughter Mary after completing the pub- lic school course attended Radcliff Academy at Cam- bridge, Massachusetts. Having specialized in lan- · guages, she then pursued her studies in the Uni- versity of Berlin, Germany and the University of Paris, France. At the breaking out of the war with Germany, she became associated with the Young Men's Christian Association work in France, particularly in Paris, and at the present time she is acting as interpreter in the latter city. George O. Perham was educated in the schools of Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. He was reared to the life of a farmer and never forsook that vocation. Politically he was an earnest supporter of the republican party and occupied a prominent place in his community, having served as a member of the school board for many years and as one of the selectmen of his township for several terms. He was a Unitarian in his religious faith, and was a man of many fine qualities of character.

George B. Perham was reared on the paternal farmstead in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts and at- tended its excellent public schools. Subsequently he took a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Boston. He earned his first money by picking blueberries and potatoes, for which he re- ceived twenty-five cents a day, but after he com- pleted his business course he went to work for the New England Telephone Company, doing office or clerical work at various places in New England. Later he was assigned to offices at New York City ; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota; San Antonio and Dallas, Texas. On May 15, 1912, Mr. Perham came to what is now Hill County, Montana, and filed on a homestead of 160 acres, thirty miles west of Havre. His wife filed on the adjoining homestead, so that they thus oh- tained a farm of 320 acres, in addition to which they have leased a half section of school land, so they have 640 acres under their control. They have devoted the major part of their land to the raising of wheat, in which they have been very successful, the crop in 1916 running from fifteen and fifty bushels to the acre. Mr. Perham has also about thirty head of cattle and horses. His home farm is well improved, the buildings and general appear-

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

ance of the place indicating the owner to be a man of excellent taste and sound judgment.

On November 14, 1914, Mr. Perham was married to Mabel Mackerracher, a native of Perth, Ontario, Canada. She is the second in order of birth of the three children born to her parents, both of whom are deceased. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Perham attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are liberal supporters. Politically Mr. Perham is independent, preferring to cast his vote for the men and measures of his choice, regardless of political lines. His career presents a notable ex- ample of those qualities of mind and character which are sure to win success. He is deeply inter- ested in his adopted state and proud of its progress and prosperity. He is in every respect worthy of the high esteem in which he is held, for he is a man of public spirit, energetic habits and intellec- tual attainments.

W. H. GEORGE. The talent of success is nothing more than what we can do well, or in the words of the poet Longfellow "doing well whatever we do without any thought of fame." That has been the working attitude and purpose of Mr. W. H. George of Great Falls, who has lived and lahored for good ends with a capacity for determination and con- servative endeavor that merits and generally achieves success.

Occupying a prominent place among the progres- sive and enterprising business and professional men . not only of Great Falls and Cascade County but of the entire northern part of the state, Mr. George has devoted his entire life to his chosen profession as a funeral director, throwing into his work his entire zeal and energy, and with it has added that courtesy and personality that has won esteem for him in the hearts of all those with whom he has come in contact. Undoubtedly he has a genius for friend- ship, and there is hardly a man, woman or child in Cascade County but can claim a personal ac- quaintance with Mr. George.

Wade H. George was born at Arcola, Louisiana, June 29, 1877, and at the age of four years moved to Denver, Colorado, with his parents. He was reared in that western city, receiving his early education there, and although a native of the South the West can justly claim him as its product. At the early age of seventeen he obtained employment with Farmer & Hale, funeral directors of Denver, and thus be- gan learning the undertaking business in a practical way. With an ambition to go further than a prac- tical skill, he later took a course in the Champion School of Embalming and Sanitary Science in Chi- cago, after the completion of which he came hefore and successfully passed the Colorado State Board of Embalmers. Having finished his training in his chosen profession in Denver, in 1900 he was offered and accepted the managership of Hermann & Com- pany, funeral directors of Helena, Montana, where he remained two years.

Enterprising and progressive, he soon resolved to launch out for himself, and accordingly came to Great Falls and bought out George Berthold on Central Avenue, a location where he remained about twelve years. His chief aim has been to give the people who had occasion to need his services the best that was to be had, and in order to equip him- self and keep abreast of the times he made an ex- tended tour of investigation among the leading funeral directors and undertaking parlors over the United States. As a result, upon his return he de- cided to build an establishment second to none in the whole Northwest, and in doing so he added to the City of Great Falls one of its most beautiful

and substantial buildings, a source of pride to this section of the country. The lower floor he uses for his business, while the upper two stories are con- verted into a modern apartment house.

Since coming to Great Falls Mr. George has kept the welfare of the people of Cascade County upper- most in his mind. He was the first to realize that an antomobile-ambulance was badly needed in the city, and placed at the disposal of the doctors and hos- pitals of Great Falls in Cascade County the first one to be brought to the State of Montana and one of the first in the Northwest. He also was the first funeral director in Montana to use automobile equipment in connection with his business. He is now rated among the leaders of his profession in the West, his ideas and counsel are, constantly sought by his colleagues, and it may be said without hesitation that he has done more to elevate the standard of ethics and professional integrity of the undertaking business than any other one man in this section of the country.

This biography would be incomplete without ref- erence to the many sided interests Mr. George has taken in community and state affairs. He is a prom- inent exponent of good roads and one of the most earnest boosters for the transcontinental highways, and at the present time and for several years has been chairman of the Good Roads Committee of the Commercial Club. It is a common saying in Cas- cade County that when a group of farmers wish a piece of road put in shape they usually call on Mr. George to present their case before the com- missioners. His name is as frequently spoken with esteem among the farming population as among the residents of the cities. At different times he has been president of the Cascade County Good Roads Association, being one of the founders of the organization, and always holding an executive po- sition in its management. His public spirit has caused him constantly to give his whole-hearted support to every movement for the betterment and advancement of the community, and he has fre- quently been among the first to originate and father any movement that had as its object the best inter- ests of the boys and girls of Great Falls and Cascade County. It was this kindly motive that led him to make an annual event of Mothers' Day, when he places his fleet of automobiles, under his personal supervision, at the disposal of all the motherless boys and girls of Great Falls free of charge so that they may spend a few leisure hours at the graves of their mothers who have been so dear to them in life.

During the war period Mr. George was ready in response to the extent of his ability at every call, whether to do something for the young men who had gone to fight for his and their flag, or to pro- mote the comfort of the mothers, wives and chil- dren left behind. He was especially interested in the Red Cross, and placed his ambulance and au- tomobile equipment at their disposal free of charge.

Besides being one of the oldest members of the Montana Funeral Directors Association, Mr. George is an active member of the following: Great Falls Rotary Club, Meadow Lark Country Club, Great Falls Shrine Cluh, Great Falls Commercial Club. Cascade Lodge No. 34, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Great Falls Chapter No. 9. Royal Arch Masons, Black Eagle Commandery No. 8, Knights Templar, Great Falls Consistory No. 6 of the Scot- tish Rite, Algeria Temple of the Mystic Shrine, a life member of Great Falls Lodge No. 214 of the Elks, member of Cataract Lodge No. 18, Knights of Pythias, Rainbow Lodge No. 28, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Great Falls Aerie No. 14.

ST. George

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Modern Wood- men of America and Woodmen of the World. July 28, 1903, Mr. George was united in marriage in Helena with Susan K. Kline, a native of Blooming- ton, Illinois.

MICHAEL R. WENTZ, who is associated with the Northern Pacific Railroad in the capacity of round- house foreman at Whitehall, is descended from an old and well known family of West Virginia. His paternal grandfather was a timber merchant in Cabell County of that state, and while engaged in that work he met with an accident which caused his death. His son, John Thomas Wentz, the father of Michael R., still resides at Barboursville in Ca- bell County, West Virginia. He was born near that city in 1852, and there he has rounded out a long and useful life, still residing in the vicinity of his birth. He has been a life-long farmer, and success has rewarded his efforts. John T. Wentz married Josephine Dolan, who was also born at Barbours- ville, in 1853, and to them were born the following children: Michael R., of Whitehall, Montana ; George J., who resides at Belfry, Montana, where he is master mechanic for the M. W. & S. Railway Company, and he has resided in this state since the 5th of August, 1901; William Bailey, superintendent for. a large railroad contracting firm in Kentucky ; Robert M., who is employed by his brother Wil- liam; Hal E., also in the employ of his brother William; Mollie F., who graduated from Marshall College at Huntington, West Virginia, became the wife of a Mr. Carey, a locomotive engineer ; Myrtle, who attended Marshall College at Huntington, mar- ried a Mr. Adams, and they reside on their farm near Barboursville, West Virginia.

Michael R. Wentz was born at Barboursville in Cabell County, West Virginia, January 24, 1872, and the rural schools in the vicinity of his boy- hood's home furnished him with his early educa- tional training. He was early taught the work of the farm, and until he was seventeen years of age he assisted his father on the homestead in Cabell County. He then became a machinist's apprentice with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Company at Huntington, where he spent a period of four years, for the following three years was a journeyman mechanic at the same place, and then going to Salisbury, North Carolina, he worked as a machinist there until 1901.

That year marks the advent of Mr. Wentz into Montana, and locating in Missoula he secured em- ployment as a machinist with the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, and in 1910 he came from there to Whitehall' as roundhouse foreman for the Nor- thern Pacific, a position which he has ever since con- tinued to fill faithfully and well, true to his duties and his opportunities. His offices are located near the roundhouse. Aside from his work which has engrossed the attention of Mr. Wentz throughout his business career and in which he has gained suc- cess, he is also a land holder, the owner of a ranch in Granite County, Montana, in partnership with his brother George J. Wentz.

Michael R. Wentz was married at Huntington, West Virginia, April 27, 1897, to Miss Erma V. Hayslip, a daughter of Carey B. and Mattie (Burke) Hayslip, both of whom are now deceased. The father was for many years a painter and decorator in Huntington. A son has been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Wentz, Carey Frederick. He was born at Huntington, West Virginia. October 8, 1898, and is now a student in the Montana State University at Missoula. The republican party re- ceives the support and co-operation of Mr. Wentz,

and fraternally he is a member of Mystic Tie Lodge No. 17, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Whitehall.

PAUL BABCOCK. The bar of Plentywood enrolls among its members Paul Babcock, who has re- sided here and followed the practice of law since 1913. He was born and spent the years of his boyhood at Spring Valley, Minnesota, and farm labor claimed his time and attention until he reached the age of twenty, receiving in the interim a high school and a business college training.

Born on the 9th of December, 1876, Paul Bab- cock is a son of Seth C. Babcock and a grandson of George Babcock, of English extraction. George Babcock spent the final years of his life in Wiscon- sin, and he lies buried in Waterloo of that state. He became the father of two sons, Seth C. and William, and the younger, William Babcock, gave his life as a sacrifice to the Union cause during the war between the states.

Seth C. Babcock was born in the State 'of New York February 24, 1840. From Wisconsin he migrated to Minnesota and bought land near Owatonna, but after residing there for two years he moved to Spring Valley community, where he has since resided. His life has been modestly passed as a citizen, a participant in community affairs, an active member of the Grand Army of the Re- public and always a republican. During the Civil war he served as a member of Company A, 29th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and his brother was a member of the same regiment. They served in General Grant's army, and Seth C. Babcock con- tinued his military service until the surrender of General Lee and the restoration of the Union. He escaped without wounds or capture.

Seth C. Babcock married Sarah C. Cole, a daughter of Mrs. Melissa Cole. Mrs. Babcock was born in the State of New York, and she lived to celebrate her golden wedding anniversary before she passed away in June, 1900. The children born of this marriage are: Howard, a leading lawyer of Sisseton, South Dakota; George, a Methodist min- inster of Windom, Minnesota; Paul, of Plentywood; and Julia, the wife of Daniel Hall, of Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Paul Babcock began reading law in the office of his brother in South Dakota, and he remained under his guidance and instruction until admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court in 1900, and he tried his first lawsuit at Sisseton. He continued his law work in South Dakota until his removal to Culbertson, Montana, in 1907, and six years after- ward, in 1913 he became a resident of Plentywood. On the ist of January, 1915, he formed his pres- ent law partnership, that of Babcock & Ellery, his associate being Climo R. Ellery, and this has come to be known as one of the leading law firms in this section of Montana.

Mr. Babcock has pursued the same line of work in Sheridan County as he pursued in the old County of Valley, trying cases in the courts of Glasgow. He has the honor of being elected the first county attorney of Sheridan County, the election occur- ring March II, 1913, and he was reelected in Novem- ber, 1914. He instituted the work of that office and advised with his colleagues in office as to the law and procedure in inaugurating the business of their respective positions, and the first act of the new county attorney in the matter of issuing a war- rant of arrest was against a negro charged with the murdering of the newly elected sheriff and his deputy. The events and results of this tragedy are still fresh in the minds of those who were here

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

at the time. The first bond issue of Sheridan county was made during Mr. Babcock's adminis- tration, and was for the amount necessary to take up the indebtedness to Valley county, the bonds to run for a period of twenty years, with an option of earlier payment.

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 41

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