Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 10

Author: Bowen, A.W., & Co., firm, publishers, Chicago
Publication date: [19-?]
Publisher: Chicago : A. W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1374


USA > Montana > Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1 > Part 10


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"It is a matter of history that a large portion of the early settlers of Montana were from the border states-warm, outspoken sympathizers in the 'lost cause.' In the first campaign for delegate to con- gress, the first and almost only plank in the Demo- cratic platform was 'the immediate recognition of the Southern Confederacy'; and instead of the


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'Stars and Stripes' they carried a white flag where- on 'Lilly' was inscribed as an emblem of peace at any price. Hardly any other man than Col. Sand- ers could have faced the opposition at that time. Our first delegate in congress had no influence in Washington, and Col. Sanders, while battling with secessionists at home had to overcome the preju- dices against us at the national capital. For this double and continuous fight no one was ever better equipped by nature and experience; no veteran war horse was ever more eager and impatient for a desperate charge, and the title of 'Republican war horse of Montana' was never more fitly bestowed. Even after our admission as a state the same bitter contest continued and prejudiced the actions of the four legislatures, and after Col. Sanders was chosen United States senator by the Republican members, the prolonged and bitter fight was continued in Washington and there ended his wise and sound victory. In the highest legislative body of the na- tion he stood as a peer of the ablest statesman, of whom all our people have reason to be proud. Throughout the 'thirty years' war' no friend or supporter of Col. Sanders had any more unfavor- able criticism than that he was too independent to be politic or popular. No access of personal gain could swerve his mental integrity. He would rather go down in temporary defeat than advocate what he believed false and wrong. Already the most con- spicuous person that has figured in the history of Montana, his wide reading and ample store of ex- perience have equipped him to be as interesting a writer as he is a forceful speaker."


GEORGE W. BECKHORN .- Coming to Mon- tana with the earliest territorial pioneers, en- countering with fortitude the manifold hardships and with philosophy the fewer financial triumphs of the days of '63, Mr. Beckhorn has lived to reap substantial rewards of industry and to realize the truth of the familiar proverb, "All things come to him who waits," which is amply exemplified by his handsome home and surroundings in Gallatin coun- ty, near Belgrade. He was born in Chemung coun- ty, N. Y., on February 22, 1838, one of a family of five sons and five daughters. His parents were James G. and Abigail (Green) Beckhorn, and his paternal grandfather, James Beckhorn, also his great-grandfather were natives of Orange county, N. J. The maternal great-grandfather, James Green, was born in 1750, and was a continental sol-


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dier of the Revolution. The boyhood days of George W. Beckhorn were passed in the state of New York, where he received his education in pri- vate schools, public schools not having been estab- lished. At the age of eighteen, in 1856, he re- moved to Michigan and later to Minnesota, where he passed four years in various pursuits. In 1860 he joined the hegira to Pike's Peak, where he passed three years in mining. April 24, 1863, Mr. Beckhorn left Colorado for Montana, via Fort Bridger and Soda Springs. There were thirty-five people in the party, and they experienced no par- ticular trouble with hostile Indians, although this could not be said of other expeditions traveling before and after them. Arriving at Bannack on June 20, 1863, he engaged in prospecting and min- ing, and finally settled at Virginia City. Those were sensational days in Montana, and in this camp among the mountains Mr. Beckhorn witnessed the hanging, by vigilantes, of George Ives, Jack Galla- gher, Clubfoot George, Haze Lyons, Frank Parish and Boone Helm, all notorious "road agents" and desperadoes. In Virginia City he was fairly suc- cessful financially, but he removed to Boulder Val- ley and for three years engaged in the stock busi- ness. Coming then to Gallatin county he continued the same industry until 1884, when he selected a homestead on Reese creek, later purchasing addi- tional land until he now has a fine property of 700 acres, a good portion being under irrigation. The principal crops raised are oats and wheat, and he has also an extensive herd of cattle and horses.


C `HARLES A. BEEHRER .- Among those who became identified with the history of the great west in the early pioneer days, and the record of whose lives is replete with items of interest as touching the scenes and incidents of life on the frontier, is Mr. Beehrer, whose fine ranch property is located four and a half miles east of the village of Willis, Beaverhead county, and who merits consid- eration as one of the sterling pioneer citizens of . Montana and as a progressive and successful busi- ness man.


Mr. Beehrer is a native of Germany, having been born on December 4, 1836, of stanch old German Christiana Hoechner. Charles A. Beehrer was prominent farmer and business man in Germany, having there operated a brick-yard, lime-kiln and plaster of paris mill, and where he remained until


his death, as did his wife, whose maiden name was Christina Hoechner. Charles A. Beehrer was reared and educated in the Fatherland, where he was apprenticed to learn the cooper's trade, becom- ing a skilled artisan. After thus equipping him- self he determined to seek his fortunes in America, whither he immigrated in the year 1855, arriving in the port of New York city in June and soon after- ward making his way to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he remained about eight months. He then learned the brewing business at Kalamazoo, and traveled about the state for a time in order to perfect himself in all the details of this industry. In 1857 he went to St. Joseph, Mo., where he was employed in a brewery ; subsequently he associated himself with another young man and took a contract for the building of beer vats, and remained in that city for one year. He then went to St. Louis, to Philadel- phia, back again to St. Louis, and finally to Kansas City, where he remained during the winter of 1859- 60. In the spring he secured a mule team and out- fit and with others started for Denver, Colo., the gold excitement then being at its height. He reached his destination on the 5th of June and at once turned his attention to mining, securing some placer claims, realizing but little from its operations. He then went to Montgomery, Colo., where he took contracts for the erection of some large barns and five other buildings. He finally traded his con- tracts for a pair of boots and a revolver, and after the buildings had been completed he went up the gulch to a mine he had previously secured, and there remained until his stock of provisions was practically exhausted. He was determined to con- tinue work on the mine, and went to Denver to find employment unil he could secure another lot of pro- visions. He was not successful in finding a job, but met a man who wanted a partner in the butcher- ing business. Mr. Beehrer availed himself of the opportunity thus afforded, and the two established themselves in business and put into operation the first ineat wagon ever run in what is now the city of Denver. The enterprise proved profitable, and our subject followed it for three months, when he sold his interest and opened a saloon in the same city ; but his plan of closing the doors of the estab- lishment at ten o'clock each night was viewed as a strange innovation. In the spring of the following year, 1863, he disposed of this business and bought a small brewing outfit, which he loaded onto wag- ons and started across the plains for Montana, ar- riving in Virginia City on the Ist of July. The


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following day he turned out a small amount of beer, the first ever manufactured and sold in the state; and he recalls the fact that he carried the twenty- two gallon keg on his back to the saloon, having only twenty-five cents in his pocket at the time of making the delivery. But he was well repaid, re- ceiving $88 for the keg of beer. He continued to manufacture beer at Virginia City until October, 1865, when he disposed of the plant and business and turned his attention to buying and selling cat- tle. In 1863 Mr. Beehrer was a member of the Vigilance Committee at Virginia City, and on the night when George Ives was hung he went out with a party to secure horses for the purpose of pursuing and capturing other road agents at Deer Lodge; but they were too late, the bandits having made their escape when the party reached Deer Lodge. He thereafter was prominently concerned in the capture and execution of several of these notorious outlaws who were a menace to life and property, and it was through the efforts of such brave and earnest men that Montana was eventually freed from the grasp of a band of outlaws whose deeds were more despicable than the savages. In 1866 Mr. Beehrer took up a ranch of 320 acres, and he was there residing at the time of the gold excite- ment at Reynolds City, now in Powell county, where he engaged in the mercantile business, hav- ing a large stock of goods. He also provided an acquaintance with funds to engage in the brewery business, but he proved to be dishonest and our sub- ject assumed control of the brewery and conducted the same until he was able to sell the property, when he returned to his ranch. In 1865 he went to Helena and erected the original plant of what is now the great Kessler brewery, selling out to Mr. Kessler in the fall of the same year. The two gen- tlemen were stanch and intimate friends for a long term of years. December 12, 1869, Mr. Beehrer started for California, and upon reaching Los An- geles purchased a band of horses which he drove through to Montana, being one hundred and twen- ty-six days on the road. In the spring of 1873 he took a band of beef steers to Cheyenne, Wyo, for shipment to Chicago, the second lot of cattle ever shipped from Montana to that city. He con- tinued to raise and ship cattle until 1876, when he returned to his old home in Germany for a visit, stopping in England, where he took unto himself a wife, the bride accompanying him on his return to Montana. They took up their residence on the present ranch, which is a valuable property, with


the best of improvements, including an attractive residence of modern design and conveniences, the place comprised 780 acres and including the origi- nal claim taken up by the owner so many years ago.


In 1881 Mr. Beehrer assisted a friend in the erec- tion of a brewery in the city of Butte, but the ven- ture proved a failure under the management and our subject was constrained to assume control of the plant and business which he conducted until 1885, when he disposed of the property, known as the Butte brewery, and returned to his ranch. Here he gives his attention principally to the raising of high grade horses, though he formerly was exten- sively engaged in the raising of shorthorn cattle. His political support is given to the Republican party, but he has never been an aspirant for politi- cal office. He traveled about, buying and selling horses and cattle for a number of years, having held a government contract for supplying horses in 1880.


In June, 1877, Mr. Beehrer was united in mar- riage to Miss Emily Clough, who was born in Eng- land but was studying music in Germany at the time she became acquainted with our subject. She returned to England, and there her marriage was solemnized, as has already been noted. Her father, Charles Clough, was a leading lawyer of Bradford, England. Mrs. Beehrer returned to England in 1877 for the purpose of recuperating her health which had become much impaired, but returned to Montana in 1882 and now presides with gracious dignity over their attractive home, which is a cen- ter of refined hospitality. Mrs. Beehrer is an ac- complished musician and a lady of distinctive cul- ture. Our subject and his wife have no children.


J L. BELCHER, M. D., was one of the first resi- dents of Townsend, Broadwater county, and is now its leading physician. He was born in Hunts- ville, Mo., on November 20, 1847, the son of James and Dilla (Wright) Belcher. The latter James Belcher was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth. (Lee) Belcher and born on June 15, 1815, and his mother was the daughter of Richard Lee, a Virgin- ian, who removed to Kentucky at an early day. Thomas Belcher made his family home in Howard county, Mo., in 1825. The mother of Dr. Belcher was the daughter of Gideon Wright, of Randolph county, Mo. Originally he came from North Caro-


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lina to Kentucky and later moved to Missouri. James Belcher was married in 1840 and had two sons and two daughters. Dr. J. L. Belcher received his earlier education in the public schools and this was amply supplemented by a thorough collegiate course at Mt. Pleasant College at Huntsville, where his purely literary education was completed. He then matriculated at the St. Louis Medical College, of St. Louis, from which he was graduated as M. D. on March 12, 1871.


He first engaged in the practice of his profession in his native town, where he remained until 1878. Coming then to Montana he located at Centerville, in Meagher county, where he resided, enjoying a gratifying medical practice. When Townsend was founded, now the capital of Broadwater county (formed from portions of Meagher and Jefferson), Dr. Belcher was among the first to locate therein, establishing his home and office in Townsend. In those early days it was not uncommon for the Doc- tor to have calls from places fifty to seventy miles away. On April 11, 1872, Dr. Belcher was united in marriage to Miss Nannie Belle Rutherford, daughter of Archibald Rutherford, of Randolph county, Mo.


The political sympathies of the Doctor are with the Democratic party, in whose campaigns he takes a lively and patriotic interest. From 1892 to 1896 he was public adminisrator of Meagher county. He was county physician of Broadwater county from 1897 to 1898, and was again appointed in January, 1901 ;elected coroner in 1898, he held the office two years, and he was appointed a member of the first state board of health by Gov. J. K. Toole, in March, 1901. The Doctor has been a member of the Knights of Pythias since 1882, has passed the chairs and is a past chancellor, while in his lodge of Odd Fellows he has also passed the chairs, and he has filled every office in the local body of the United Workmen. He has been a member of the Medical Association of Montana since 1879, holding prom- inence therein. He is highly respected by his nu- merous acquaintances and business associates and is a man in whom the people of the county in which he resides have great confidence.


CHARLES E. BELL .- A profession which has a distinctive influence upon the substantial up- building of any city or commonwealth is that of the skilled architect, and in Helena Bell & Kent stand


representative in this line, their reputation coming as the result of their artistic ability, reinforced by specimens of their skill. Charles Emlen Bell, the senior member, is a native of McLean county, Ill., where he was born on March 31, 1858, the son of Chalkly and Mary (Emlen) Bell, natives of Penn- sylvania, whence they removed to Illinois in 1855. The father was a drover and stock raiser, and he died in McLean county, Ill., where he was engaged in business many years, a man of influence and worth. His family was of old Pennsylvania Quaker origin.


Charles E. Bell attended first the public schools, then he completed a three years' course in the West- town School, of Pennsylvania. Learning the car- penter's trade, for seven years he was engaged in this in Illinois, and then entered the office of his brother, Mifflin, a skilled architect, with whom he studied and worked for one year, gaining valuable experience and the practical training essential to the success of an architect. Mr. Bell was thereafter for a time in Belleville, Kan., where he was appointed assistant inspector of public buildings at Council Bluffs, Iowa, the jurisdiction of this office including the local federal buildings, erected at a cost of $250,000. Mr. Bell retained this incumbency three years, when he opened an office as architect in that city, soon building up an excellent business and gaining an enviable reputation. He was engaged in this from 1884 to 1898, within which time he had been the architect and builder of many edifices of importance, including the court house at Harlan, Iowa; the Kellum School at Omaha, and business blocks in Council Bluffs. The buildings erected in his home city included several fine school buildings and others of a semi-public nature. He was the architect and builder of the high school building at Schuyler, Neb., and buildings at Harlan, and he was associated for a part of this time with Mr. Kent, his present partner.


In 1894 Mr. Bell and Mr. John H. Kent entered into a partnership as Bell & Kent, and this associa- tion has since continued to their mutual satisfaction and profit. The firm has had headquarters in Helena since March 10, 1898. That their work has been one of signal importance and gratifying ex- tent is evident from the fact that they have charge of the erection of some of the finest buildings in the state, the most conspicuous one being the new state capitol at Helena, erected at a cost of $450,000. In securing the contract for this the firm was brought into competition with more than 130 architects.


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Bell & Kent's plans were adopted for the court house and jail at Anaconda, the expenditure there aggregating $100,000; also for a fine public school building at Columbus, Mont .; the court house at Williston, N. D .; court house at Kalispell, costing $54,000; the Hotel Havre, which cost $33,000; a number of business blocks in Glasgow, and many private residences. A conservative estimate of the entire cost of buildings erected under their direction since coming to Helena is given as over $250,000. This does not include the more important contracts -those for the capitol, court houses and other pub- lic buildings, churches, etc. The record is one of which the firm may well be proud. The gentlemen comprising the firm enjoy popularity in business and social circles, and are representative business men of Montana. Fraternally Mr. Bell is identi- fied with the Royal Arcanum, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.


T THOMAS CRUSE .- In the annals of Mon- tana, from the early pioneer epoch, there has been perhaps identified with her history no more distinctly unique and individual character than Thomas Cruse. His life has been marked by Mr. Cruse is interested in sheep and cattle grow- ing, and is the owner of one of the largest stock outfits of the state. His dominating characteristics are absolute personal unpretentiousness, sterling integrity in all the relations of life and an intuitive and accurate discrimination and judgment.' In poli- tics he gives an unqualified support to the Demo- cratic party, but has had no desire for official prefer- ment. In religion he clings to the faith of his fathers, the Roman Catholic church, to whose sup- port he contributes with marked liberality. He has an appreciation of the responsibilities of wealth and is charitable and generous, but has the wisdom to use proper discrimination in his benevolences, which are invariably made without ostentation. In 1886 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Cruse to Miss Margaret Carter, a sister of Hon. Thomas H. Car- consecutive toil and endeavor, by modesty and un- pretentiousness and crowned with success unusual to man. It has been a life of hard work, self- reliance and integrity, and its success has been worthily achieved. It has also been a life of kindli- ness and charity, and thus has borne its concomi- tant helpfulness. Thomas Cruse was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in March, 1836, of sterling Irish stock, possessed of that alert and vigorous mentality so characteristic of that race. His educa- tional privileges were limited in scope, being such as were afforded by private schools in his native land. He early began to depend upon himself, and in 1856, at the age of twenty, he emigrated to Amer- ica. He remained in New York City until 1863, doing any work that came to liand, and then he boarded a steamer for California, made the voyage . ter, ex-United States senator from Montana. She by the Isthmus of Panama, and after arriving in the Golden state, divided his time between that locality and Nevada and Idaho until 1866 in pros- pecting and mining, working bravely and indefati- gably, and always successfully.


In 1866 Mr. Cruse came to Alder Gulch, Mont., and engaged in placer mining. In the winter of 1866-7 he went to Salmon river, Idaho, on a stam-


pede, returned to Montana in the summer, arrived at Helena on the evening of July 4 and on the next day went to Trinity Gulch and engaged in mining and prospecting. In the winter of 1868 he went to Silver creek and continued prospecting and placer mining until he struck the Drum Lummond mine (named from a parish in his native county) in 1876. From the day of its discovery the mine proved rich and made money until he sold it to an English syn- dicate in 1882 for $1,500,000. Mr. Cruse is still interested in mining properties, the Old Blue Cloud, the North Star and others. In 1887 he founded the Thomas Cruse Savings Bank of Helena, the first savings institution organized in Montana. It was capitalized for $100,000 and has been successful from its inception, the people having confidence in the methods of the founder and in its financial solid- ity. It carries an immense deposit account in addi- tion to its large savings, and does a general bank- ing business, making a specialty of State, county, city and school bonds and warrants, and ranks as one of the strongest monetary institutions in the state. The official corps in 1901 is: Thomas Cruse, president ; Frank H. Cruse, vice-president ; William J. Cooke, treasurer ; Frank J. Lange, assist- ant treasurer.


died in December of the same year, leaving an in- fant daughter, Mary. In his beautiful home in the capital city Mr. Cruse has installed his niece, Miss Mary Cruse, who there presides with grace and dig- nity, holding a prominent place in the social circles of the city. Miss Cruse is the daughter of William Cruse, late of San Francisco, Cal., and a brother of Thomas. She has shown a deep appreciation of


thomas cruse


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the advantages afforded her by her uncle by making the home a center of gracious hospitality. Frank H. Cruse, vice-president of the savings bank, is a nephew of Thomas Cruse, and he, too, has gained distinctive preferment through the kindly considera- tion of his uncle. This is a brief synopsis of the activities of one of Montana's honored pioneers, and there is perhaps not another instance in the state where the mutations of human affairs are shown in higher relief, or where insistency of purpose and effort has gained a greater monetary reward.


CHARLES M. BELDEN .- The enterprising subject of this sketch is one of Montana's most extensive cattle raisers, and owns one of the most beautiful ranches in Fergus county. It con- sists of some 3,000 acres of land, of which about 320 have been brought to an advanced state of cul- tivation and yield large crops of hay, grain and other agricultural products, and generously support extensive herds of superior cattle.


Mr. Belden was born at Painesville, Ohio, July 15, 1848. His parents were Samuel and Eliza Bel- den, natives of Vermont, who emigrated to Ohio when they were young. The father was a carpen- ter, who worked at his trade with industry and zeal, and was successful in accumulating a compe- tence. Both parents were members of the Meth- odist church, and both have departed this life, the mother having died in 1852 and the father in 1872. Six children survive them, of whom Charles is the fourth.


Mr. Belden must be classed as distinctively a self-made man. He had no opportunity to go to school after he was eleven years of age, and was obliged to earn his own living, which he did by working for a gardener for twelve and a half cents a day. He drew this pay for two years and then hired out regularly. as a farm hand until he was nineteen. In 1868 he came west, locating at Chey- enne, where he secured employment from the Union Pacific Railroad Company, hauling ties. Af- ter a year's time he freighted for three years, with headquarters at Sweetwater, Wyo. At the end of that time he had saved enough to go into business on his own account. Purchasing a sufficient number of good mules, he passed the next thirteen years in this occupation, with large profits, good health and considerable enjoyment. In 1884 he retired from freighting and bought the nucleus of his present




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