Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 57

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

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family. Their tavern was the first in Flathead County, and Mrs. Foy says that beginning to cook on that little stove she has never left off since, and those who enjoy her present hospitality feel certain that she has not lost any of her former skill. For some years past in addition to his ranch- ing activities Mr. Foy has been employed by the county in building good roads.

Mr. and Mrs. Foy enjoy meeting their old friends and living over again the pioneer days, which had their pleasures as well as hardships. Such friend- ships remain through life, being founded as they are on mutual esteem and service, and are much more valuable than some of the transient ones of today.

PATRICK J. WALSH. In Columbia Falls is a beau- tiful home facing a lofty range of mountains, sur- rounded by inspiring landscape. This is the home of Patrick J. Walsh and family. Mr. Walsh has well earned the comforts with which he is now surrounded. He was one of the earliest settlers in Columbia Falls, and the part he has played as a worker and good citizen is appreciated throughout that community.

Mr. Walsh was born at Scranton, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1859, a son of Thomas P: and Bridget (O'Hara) Walsh. His parents were both born in Ireland. Thomas Walsh came to this country at the age of fourteen and lived for many years in Scranton.

Educated in the public schools of his native town, Patrick J. Walsh at the age of nineteen yielded to a zest for adventure and new scenes and went west to Nebraska. In 1878, during the Indian war in the Black Hills region, he was a member of a company taking supplies to Deadwood City. After returning to Nebraska and in the same fall he started for Colorado and became a coal miner at Erie, thirty miles from Denver. In 1879 he went over the mountains to Western Colorado in the Gunnison Valley, and worked at the Hortense gold mine. Grand Junction, now one of the largest cities in Western Colorado, then contained only two log cabin huts. He located and opened a coal mine on Grand River, four miles from Grand Junction. He then sold that property and located a pre-emption four miles from Grand Junction. Subsequently he looked after interests at the Crested Butte mine in the Gunnison Valley.

At Grand Junction in 1883 Mr. Walsh married Miss Catherine Welch. She was born in St. Law- rence County, New York, a daughter of Patrick and Ellen (Bradley) Welch. Her father was a Union soldier, being a member of Company K of the New York Heavy Artillery. Mrs. Walsh was educated in the public schools at Hogansburg, New York, and also in a convent.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Walsh came to Montana and in the spring of 1887 homesteaded 160 acres three miles west of Columbia Falls. This was then a portion of the real wilderness, inhabited by Indians and wild game, and only here and there the cabin of an isolated white settler. Mr. Walsh had come to this region on a mission for Marcus Daly, by whom he was employed as an expert to locate coal fields on the North Fork of the Flat- head River. Mr. Walsh executed that commission, but was so attracted by the beauties and opportuni- ties of the new country, that he settled down and has since been a factor in the agricultural develop- ment. He and his wife built for their first home a log cabin.

Six children were born to their marriage. Mary and Ellen are now deceased. The survivors are

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John J., Maud, Oliver T. and Richard Patrick. They were carefully trained at home and in the public schools of Flathead County. The daughter Maud completed a course in the State Normal at Dillon, Montana, and is now the wife of Ernie McCrea, a Kalispell lumber man. The son John made the first filing on land in what is now Glacier Park and is a rancher and postmaster of Kintla. He married Miss Harriet Smith, a teacher who came to Montana from Wisconsin.

The son Oliver T. Walsh was one of the four members constituting the first graduating class at Columbia Falls High School in 1916. December 3, 1917, he enlisted for service in the World war and was in service until honorably discharged at Fort Russell, Wyoming, July 20, 1919. His number was A S 2492162. He was a corporal and was com- pany clerk of Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Engineers. With his command he saw active duty in France. He is now at home with his parents and is an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Walsh are Catholics, and he is a Knight of Columbus. Politi- cally he gives his support to the democratic party. Both Mr. and Mrs. Walsh were workers in behalf of various patriotic causes that demanded their ef- forts at the time of the World war. Mrs. Walsh gave much of her time to the local Red Cross Chapter at Columbia Falls.

ALBERT LEE, who is one of the interesting old vet- erans at the Montana Soldiers Home in Columbia Falls, is a native of Canada and was one of many thousands of Canadian native sons who served with the Union armies in our Civil war.

He was a son of Charles and Catherine Jane (Ferguson) Lee, and was educated in the public schools of Canada and New York. He was eighteen years of age when he enlisted in Williamsburg, New York, in Company D of the Sixty-Seventh New York Infantry, under General Wright. He was first sent to City Point, Virginia, and participated in several notable battles, including Cedar Creek. He was taken prisoner and after three months in Libby Prison was paroled and recuperated in St. John's Hospital at Annapolis, Maryland. He then rejoined his comrades in front of Petersburg and participated in the historic charge on Fort Stedman the 25th of March and was also in the battle of Petersburg on Sunday morning, April 2, 1865. There he was wounded, and during the concluding days of the war was in hospital at City Point, Virginia. Three days after Appomattox President Lincoln visited the wounded soldiers in that hospital, and among others he greeted and shook hands with Al- bert Lee. That was just three days before the president's assassination. Mr. Lee was mustered out June 21, 1865, and then went back to his old home in Canada.

After the war he learned the blacksmith's trade, worked for a time in Michigan and first came to Montana in 1870. He has heen all over the western states. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist Church and fraternally is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic Order, and in politics supports the principles of the republican party.

JOHN W. FISHER came to Montana soon after the close of the great Civil war, in which he bore a worthy part as a Union soldier. He has been a soldier in Montana, fought against the Indians in many campaigns, and is one of the most interesting of the veterans who are now spending their declining years in the State Home for the soldiers at Columbia Falls.

Mr. Fisher was born in Sullivan County, Indiana,

a son of W. and Anna Fisher. At the age of twenty years he entered the service of his country as a member of Company B of the Eighty-Fifth Indiana, and was transferred to Company H of the Thirty- Third Infantry. He served under General Buell and General Sherman. He was in the battles of Chattanooga, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and At- lanta, and was with Sherman on the march to the sea. He was captured in Tennessee, but on the fifth night after capture he and other prisoners made their escape. He was in the campaign through the Carolinas culminating in the surrender of Gen- eral Johnston, and later went on to Richmond and from there to Washington, where he was among the veterans of General Sherman's army who marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in the Grand Review. From Washington he was sent west to Louisville, and was mustered out and granted an honorable discharge at Indianapolis.

He came to Montana in 1866, and was in the Government service many years. At the time of the Custer massacre he helped rid the country of its hostile Indians and break up the bands of hostile Sioux, Cheyenne and Nes Perces. Since 1887 his residence has been continuous in Montana. He lived in Choteau County and also in Blaine County, and is widely known among the old settlers and old soldiers of the state. He is a member of Custer Post No. 5, Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics is a stanch republican.

MRS. NANCY J. WALKER is a resident of Columbia Falls, and widow of the late John A. Walker, an honored veteran of the Civil war.

Mrs. Walker was born at Berwick, Illinois, daugh- ter of Joseph and Nancy (Hagler) Pierce. She was married in Van Buren County, Iowa, to John A. Walker. Mr. Walker was a soldier in Company H of the Forty-Seventh Infantry under Captain Gowdy. He served one year, and was with General Sherman on the march to the sea. During an illness in that campaign he was hauled for four days in a wagon. He was a brave and dutiful soldier, until his honor- able discharge.

Mr. and Mrs. Walker had nine children, two of whom, Mary and Harper, died in infancy. .The others are Nancy C., Joseph, Gracie, Oliver, Margaretta, Charles and Clella May. Nancy C. is now Mrs. Hartman, and her children are Leslie, Robert, John, Ethel, Stella and Marvin. Joseph, who was accidentally shot and killed on a hunting expedition in Arizona, had six children. His son Ernest was a soldier in the World war and his three daughters are Marie, Freda and Ida. Gracie died at the age of sixteen. Oliver Walker has two daughters, Mabel and Florence. Margaretta Walker is the wife of Arthur Wilcox and has three sons. Charles was killed in a train wreck. Clella May is the wife of Clyde Drollinger, of Kalispell, and their children are Burl, Veta, Clyda and May.

Mrs. Walker is a faithful member of the Meth- odist Church and is affiliated with the Women's Christian Temperance Union. She is a good Chris- tian woman, has reared her children to right prin- ciples, and has always been a stanch temperance woman.

MRS. CLARA CRAMER is the wife of Ben Cramer. and both of them deserve record as among the pioneers of the Polson district of Flathead County.

Ben Cramer was born in Gratiot County, Michi- gan, August 21, 1865, son of Martin W. and Delinda (Sias) Cramer. Martin W. Cramer was a Civil war veteran, a member of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and was for four years in the service of his coun-

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Clara Cramer.

Ben Cramer

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try, a volunteer. He took part in many of the notable engagements, and was wounded seven times. Martin Cramer's father was a minister of the Disciple Church. Ben Cramer has frequently been a delegate to the republican state conventions, and was a dele- gate to the Chicago National Convention. in 1916. At present he is marshal of Polson. He has always been friendly to the Indians. At one time Chief Antone was severly wounded in a fight, and as there was no physician in the country Mr. Cramer had him carried home on a stretcher and sewed up the gash with silk thread. The chief was always after- ward grateful to him.

Mrs. Cramer belongs to the real pioneer stock of Montana and was born at Frenchtown in Mis- soula County, a daughter of J. B. and Catherine (Wood) Ducharme. Her father was of French an- cestry. Clara Ducharme was the youngest in a family of twelve children. When she was eiglit years of age her parents moved to western Canada, to what is now the province of Alberta, and while there her mother died when the daughter was thir- teen and two years afterward the father followed. After the loss of her parents she returned to Great Falls, and while there met and married Ben Cramer.

Soon afterward they moved to the Flathead counl- try south of the lake, where Polson now stands. They were the first to locate in that Indian country, and subsequently filed on a homestead. They were established and in readiness with their hospitable hearts to help the first comers to Polson. Mr. Cramer developed an extensive business as a rancher and stockman and enjoyed unusual success in that industry. Several years ago he sold his homestead and removed to Polson, where he erected a modern bungalow, one of the best homes in Polson.

Mr. Cramer in former years was one of the great nimrods of this country. The district is still noted for its big game, and only recently a moun- tain lion and a cougar were killed in what is known as the Cramer Addition to Polson. During one hunt Mr. Cramer killed two elk, a mountain goat, a cinnamon, black and grizzly bear and several deer. His home is adorned with the trophies of the chase, including the mounted heads of two elks, perhaps the finest specimens of the kind in the state, and for one of which Mr. Cramer was offered, but refused, a thousand dollars.

While living on the ranch Father Ravelli, a pioneer priest, was a frequent visitor at the Ducharme home and often enjoyed its hospitality. Mrs. Cramer's father, J. B. Ducharme, was a prominent pioneer Catholic of Montana, and lived to the extreme age of a 105, dying on his birthday. His home ranch was at Frenchtown.

Mr. and Mrs. Cramer never had any children of their own but reared two girls from childhood. One was Mary Beauvais, who became the wife of Harry Mckenzie of Polson. The other is Miss Nettie Moss, now a student at Chemawa, Oregon, and a vivacious young woman with an interesting outlook on life .. Both these adopted daughters have been a great comfort to Mr. and Mrs. Cramer. Mrs. Cramer attends the Presbyterian Church at Polson, both are stanch republicans, and their polit- ical sympathies are indicated by a fine portrait of the late Theodore Roosevelt that hangs in their home.

In the early days Mr. and Mrs. Cramer had some exciting experiences when they first came to the reservation. They were regarded by the native I11- dians as intruders, and the mounted policemen of the Indians never omitted an occasion or oppor- tunity to do what they could to frighten and in- timidate the white settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer

were proof against their wiles and threats. One day during the absence of Mr. Cramer some In- dians came riding up on their horses, and seeing Mrs. Cramer at a distance gave chase. She was mounted on a swift horse and easily kept ahead of her pursuers until the horses of the Indians were tired ont, and instead of being frightened she con- fesses that she really enjoyed the chase as good sport. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer have seen many changes in this district, having lived here for twenty-nine years, during which time Polson has been developed from nothing into one of the thriving and preten- tious commercial centers of the Flathead district.

CROMWELL MARSH, of Columbia Falls, was an honored veteran of the Civil war whose death oc- curred in April, 1920.

He was born at Sullivan in Ashland County, Ohio, son of Aretas and Evangelia (Toms) Marsh. He received his early education at Sullivan, and was twenty-two years of age when he was mustered in at Cleveland, Ohio, in Company M of the Second Ohio Cavalry, under Colonel George Doubleday. Most of his service was on the western border. He was first sent to Kansas City, then to Fort Scott, Kansas, then into Indian Territory, and at Fort Scott helped rig up a train of 300 wagons, six mules to each wagon, loaded with provisions and supplies for the army. He did picket duty along the Missouri River during the summer, and par- ticipated in several engagements in Kansas and Mis- souri. He remained at Fort Scott until December, and then returned to Columbus, Ohio, and was sent to Knoxville, Tennessee. On leaving Camp Chase his regiment was detailed as body guard to the gen- eral of the division. On January 7th he started home and, re-enlisting, joined the Army of the Poto- mac. He was at Annapolis, Maryland, and for twenty-two days was in continuous fighting. He was at the battle of Winchester at the time of Gen- eral Phil Sheridan's famous ride and saw that great cavalryman as he came into camp. He was also under General Custer in the Shenandoah Valley campaign. He participated in the battles of Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, and helped pursue and drive back the forces of General Early. For four days he was in the saddle in a drenching rain, and camped one night in the middle of a plowed field, his blanket freezing to the ground. Later he was furlonghed and returned home in February, and after his return to Maryland was appointed drill master and was sent to Rolla, Missouri. He walked 125 miles to Springfield, Missouri. At the close of the war he was orderly sergeant of his company. He was commissioned second lientenant at Spring- field and later first lieutenant, and was mustered ont at Columbus, Ohio.

February 13, 1866, Mr. Marsh married Miss Rachel McConnell, who was born at Ashland, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Miller) McCon- nell. She was educated at Ashland, Ohio. For fifty-three years Mr. and Mrs. Marsh were de- voted companions and they were childhood play- mates still earlier. They have two children, George and Mand, both of whom were well educated and given normal training in the schools of Kansas. Mand taught school in Kansas. George married Lizzie McCurdy and has a son, Eugene. George Marsh is now a farmer near Conrad, Montana. Mand is the wife of Albert Palmer, who is a ship- builder living at Anacortes, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have three daughters, Vivian, Hazel and Margery.

Mr. Marsh was active in all good works and was a stanch republican in politics. He was affiliated

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with the Masonic Order and the Grand Army of the Republic, and Mrs. Marsh is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps and the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. She was a skillful nurse and for many years followed that profession in the eastern states and at one time was connected with the hospital at Anacortes, Washington.

JAMES J. AMES over thirty-four years ago came to the Flathead country of Montana, took up and developed a homestead, and in all the following years has been one of the honored and substantial residents of the state.

His present home is at Columbia Falls, and he is an honored veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Pennsylvania, a son of Ruel C. and Sally (Bur- gess) Ames. He was twenty years of age when he enlisted as a soldier, being mustered in at Phila- delphia in Company B of the Fifty-Eighth Pennsyl- vania Infantry. He was sworn in August 25, 1864, and his first post within the enemy's country was at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia. Toward the close of September he engaged in the battle of Fort Harri- son, and in that battle was wounded in the left foot. He was taken to Fortress Monroe Hospital, later transferred to the Long Island Hospital, and furloughed home. He rejoined his regiment in the spring of 1865 at Richmond, and received his hon- orable discharge July 12, 1865.

On September 18, 1865, Mr. Ames married Miss Viola D. Fassett, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Fassett. To this union was born one son, Charles W. Ames. He was educated in Pennsylvania, took a business course in New York City, and is now connected with Switzer's Furniture Store at Kalispell. He married Miss Nellie Jayne, a native of Pennsylvania, where she was educated, a daughter of Judson and Eliza Jayne. Charles W. Ames and wife have two chil- dren, Clyde I. and Nina.

After the death of his first wife James J. Ames married Miss Sarah Dorsey, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and a daughter of Mary and Owen Dorsey. To this marriage was born a daughter, Mary Blanche, who received her education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and is now the wife of Lew Switzer, the well-known furniture merchant of Kalispell. Mr. and Mrs. Switzer have a daughter, Kate, who is the wife of Herbert V. Alward and lives at Tacoma, Washington. There are three Al- ward children, Kate, Lewis and Herbert.

In politics Mr. Ames is a stanch democrat. When he came to Montana in 1886 he took up a home- stead in the Flathead country and was an industrious farmer who reaped many of the rewards due to early residence and contending with the hardships of the time. He has had a long life, and the later years have been as honorable as was his record as a youthful soldier for the Union.

HUBERT BECKERS, of Big Fork, practically grew up and has spent all his life in the Flathead district of Montana. He is a prosperous young farmer and as a citizen is widely known over this section of the state.

He was born March 12, 1879, on the river Rhine in Germany, son of Charles and Mary (Kuhn) Beckers. His parents came to America in 1881, when Hubert was two years of age. . They lived at St. Vincent, Minnesota, several years, where the father was employed by the Great Northern Railroad Com- pany. In 1892 the family moved to the Flathead country of Montana, about the time Kalispell started its growth as a city.

Huhert Beckers married Miss Gena Cook, daugh- ter of James and Margaret (Allen) Cook. She was born in Butte and was educated in the schools

of Kalispell. They have three children, Margaret, a student in the Big Fork school in the fourth grade, Cecelia Marie and Hubert, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Beckers are members of the Catholic Church, he is affiliated with the Elks and in politics is a democrat,

Mr. Beckers some years ago bought the Cook ranch on Big Fork, containing 158 acres, with a home situated on a picturesque and commanding site. This home has long been noted for its hos- pitality and no one was ever turned from the door empty-handed. Mr. Beckers has given support to community measures of benefit and advancement.

Though born in Germany, he had no choice in the matter of his birthplace, and is as much an Amer- ican as though his ancestors had lived here for gen- erations. In proportion to his means he gave liberally to the winning of the war, and was preparing to volunteer as a mechanic in the United States Naval Yards in the State of Washington when the armis- tice was signed.

As a boy in Kalispell he was the first to cry the newspapers on the streets, and has always been a hustler, a ready applicant for any job. He would set up pins in bowling alleys, sell papers, run ar- rands, and in that way he attracted attention and not only earned a living when a boy but laid the foundation of that credit and confidence which are indispensable to a business man. Mr. Beckers has an ingenious mechanical mind, and has patented a collapsible baby cab. Once walking down the street he observed two ladies hauling a baby in a cab with runners over the snow. From one block the snow had been swept, and it was necessary for them to carry the cab. This suggested to Mr. Beckers a problem which he has worked out through his in- vention. By a slight pressure on a hand lever the cab can be changed in a moment from wheel to run- ners, and by reverse process from runners to wheels. In addition to this convenient feature the cab can be folded flat and easily carried on a car or other vehicle.

C. D. MORTON, a farmer and stockman, has been closely identified with the history and development of the Flathead Valley for over thirty years, and his industry has aided much in the upbuilding of the country.

He was born at Columbia, Tennessee, son of G. L. and Emily (Hardison) Morton. He first came to the West in 1880, going to Colorado, and after stay- ing there seven years came to the Flathead Valley in 1887, homesteading 160 acres. In passing years his industry has met with success, and he bought additional lands until he owns today 380 acres.

Mr. Morton married Mary Newhan, daughter of James and Harriet Newhan. She came to Montana at the time of the Custer massacre. To their mar- riage were born seven children: James, Ruth, Charles, Joel, John, Paul and Thomas. All were educated in the schools of Flathead County. Ruth is the wife of Henry E. Slick, a farmer of Flat- head. The son James was an early volunteer in the World war, going to Vancouver. He was with the Field Artillery, was promoted to sergeant, and was honorably discharged as first sergeant in the Fifth Squadron of the First Provincial Regiment.

Mr. Morton in fraternal affairs is a Modern Wood- man and Odd Fellow and in politics supports the man rather than the party. He has made good use of his time and opportunities in Montana, and has acquired a fine country home, situated on an emi- nence overlooking a picturesque part of the Flat- head Valley. Believing that country homes should have all the conveniences of the city he is now planning a modern residence. His well tilled fields

William Irvine and Wike

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show his ability as an agriculturist, and he is making preparations to specialize in Holstein cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Morton have long been noted for their hospitality, and it is said that no needy individual ever applied to them in vain and that they never took a dollar for the numerous meals they furnished to the travelers through their section of the coun- try. They may well look back with pardonable pride upon the accomplishments and experiences of the years since they came to Montana.

W. M. IRVINE. Fortunate is the man who finds his work early in life and pursues it with undivided attention and vigor all his years. That has been the case with W. M. Irvine, one of the oldest and best known residents of the Flathead Valley. His work and interest trom youth up have been ranchi- ing and stock raising, with special emphasis on live- stock. He is accounted one of the acknowledged authorities on good livestock, and every condition affecting the breeding, raising, care and marketing of stock in Montana.

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Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, Volume III, Part 57

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