Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 11

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 11

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large ranch, which is located one mile north of Utica, and has kept adding to it by purchase.

Mr. Belden is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Democrat, always in- terested in the success of his party, but exhibiting no special activity in party affairs. He was mar- ried April 5, 1885, to Miss Etta C. Platt, of North Madison, Ohio, daughter of Sydney and Julia Platt, also natives of Ohio. Her father is a pros- perous farmer and an ardent Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Belden have three children, namely, Platt C., Hazel J. and Harold P., who enliven their home with the sunshine of their presence and the life and grace which they add to its cordial hospitality.

0 LIVER W. BELDEN, the present incumbent of the office of county attorney of Fergus county, has given an able administration of the duties connected therewith, and there is propriety in according him recognition in this work.

Oliver W. Belden is a native son of the west, born in Richardson county, Neb., on the 26th of September, 1873, the son of Hiram and Martha A. (Jennings) Belden, both of whom were born na- tives of Ohio. They removed to Nebraska in 1867, and there still maintain their home, the father de- voting his attention to agriculture. He is an hon- ored veteran of the Civil war, serving as a private in Company E, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, in the Army of the Cumberland. Here he served for four years and four months until victory crowned the Union arms. He participated in the historic battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and the Atlanta campaign, and was with Sherman in the march to the sea. He also took part in the grand review of the victorious armies in the Federal capital. He was wounded at Hatcher's Run, but not long incapacitated for duty. He was mustered out as first sergeant of his com- pany. In his family are four sons and three daugh- ters, Oliver W. being the only representative of the family in Montana.

Oliver W. Belden was reared on the homestead farm in Nebraska. and his early education was ac- quired in the public schools. In 1896 he matricu- lated in the State University at Lincoln, and in 1898 was graduated from the law department, and was at the same time admitted to practice before the supreme court of Nebraska. The same year he came to Montana and soon located in Lewistown

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

for the general practice of his profession. His novitiate was of brief duration. He soon gained a clientage and is considered one of the representa- tive young members of the bar of the state and one thoroughly devoted to his profession and its work. In 1900 he was elected to his present office as county attorney, and his course has won endorse- ment and commendation. In politics Mr. Belden is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He is active in the party cause in his county.

On the 26th of September, 1901, Mr. Belden was united in marriage with Miss Susie Remington, daughter of Silas K. and Jeannette (Root) Rem- ington. She was born on August 4, 1879, in Michi- gan and educated in Helena public schools and is a graduate from the Balatka Conservatory of Music, of Chicago, Ill. Her parents reside at Miles City.

F RANK BELL, of Pony, one of the most pro- gressive, enterprising and far-seeing ranch- men of Madison county, came to Montana in 1874, arriving in the Madison valley with thirty-five cents in worldly wealth and the clothes on his back. He has taken intelligent advantage of the opportunities the country affords to thrift and industry, and is now well established financially and holds a high place in public regard. He was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on March 24, 1854. His parents were Henry and Laura (Bull) Bell, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. The Bell family is an old one in Maryland, with a good record in the civil and military history of that state. The father of Mr. Bell settled in Ohio as a young man and after half a century of life there, winning a competence in property and the universal confidence and esteem of his fellows, among whom he conducted a prosperous business as a manufac- turer, merchant and farmer, he retired from active life and returned to his old home in Maryland, where he passed the rest of his days.

Frank Bell passed his school days in Ohio, and went with his family to Maryland. In 1873 he re- turned to Ohio, and, after remaining about a year, he came to Montana, traveling by rail to Corinne, Utah, and staging it from there to Virginia City. He settled in the Madison valley and engaged in farming for three years, then removed to Upper Willow creek, buying the original Lake ranch, to which he has added by purchases until he has now

a body of 2,100 acres of land, a large portion of which is under irrigation and produces excellent crops of grain and hay. In 1901 he had 225 acres in oats alone. His herd of cattle usually numbers from 400 to 500, and in addition he has about 150 head of horses. Willow creek runs through his ranch and affords him facilities for irrigation. But not content with this, his natural enterprise has in- duced him to dam two lakes in the mountains to in- crease his irrigating facilities. He has a partner in each dam, and when the dams are in operation they will irrigate a large extent of land. Mr. Bell lets no opportunity go by him to improve his own prop- erty and elevate the standard of the community in every way. His farm is already a model of thrift, foresight and intelligent application of the best methods, and, with the improvements under way and in contemplation, will soon be one of the most desirable in the county. Mr. Bell was married De- cember 6, 1880, to Miss Katie M. Noble, a native of Ohio, daughter of Joshua Noble, who came to Mon- tana in 1879 and located on Willow creek. The Bells have three children, Alice, Clarence and Frankie. Mr. Bell is a man of great public spirit and is always concerned in whatever operates for the welfare of the community. He is recognized as a leading man in his section, and has influence in all public and local matters. For some years he has run a threshing outfit, principally for his own use, but not restricted to that. He has also an interest in 400 town lots in Pony, and a fine residence in Bozeman, with other property in that progressive city.

JOHN H. KENT .- In the review of Charles E. Bell we have given an epitomized record of the operations of the well-known firm of architects, Bell & Kent, of Helena, and it now devolves upon us to give recognition to Mr. John H. Kent, the junior member, who has contributed his quota toward the success of the firm. He was born Feb- ruary 3, 1852, in England, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Hackett) Kent, both of whom belonged to long established English families and were life- long residents of the land of their birth. Mr. Kent received excellent educational advantages, conclud- ing his literary studies in Cambridge University, where he completed the course and was graduated with the class of 1873. For some years previous to this event he was also giving careful at-

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

tention to the science of architecture, and he had a four years' apprenticeship under T. C. Hine, one of the foremost architects of England.

Having become thoroughly well equipped by technical training for his chosen profession, Mr. Kent established himself as an architect at Chester- field, England, where he remained until 1881, when he located in Toronto, Canada, where he was in business for two years. He then located in Detroit, there associating himself for two years with E. E. Myers, widely known as an architect of public buildings. From Detroit he removed to Toledo, Ohio, and thence to Omaha, Neb., where he was a partner of F. M. Ellis until joining his present asso- ciate, Charles E. Bell. The two gentlemen have proved able coadjutors, and the capital city is fa- vored in their having located here.

F RANK H. BIMROSE, D. D. S .- Frequently in commercial life a person may come into possession of a lucrative business through inher- itance or gift, but in the professional vocations ad- vancement is gained only through individual ability and effort, and in the important profession of dental surgery distinction is acquired only by close appli- cation, thorough mastery of the principles of the science and by a delicacy and accuracy of mechan- ical skill necessary in hardly any other calling. The possession and utilization of these essential attri- butes have made Dr. Bimrose, of Butte, one of the representative dental surgeons of the state.

Frank Herbert Bimrose is a native son of merrie old England, having been born in picturesque Lan- cashire on April 30, 1874. His parents, Edward and Elizabeth (Biggs) Bimrose, were likewise rep- resentative of old English lineage, and they are now residents of Eureka, Utah, having emigrated to the United States when Dr. Herbert was a lad eight years old. The Doctor received such educational advantages in his early youth as were afforded by the public and high schools, and put his scholastic acquirements to a practical test by engaging in teaching for two years. In 1894 he entered the dental department of the Northwestern University, of Evanston, Ill., at Chicago, and there he was graduated in the class of 1898, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Upon being thus thor- oughly fortified for his profession the Doctor located in the beautiful city of Kalamazoo, Mich., for one year and was associated with Dr. F. C. Rood.

Then he came to Montana, believing that this new and progressive state offered superior advantages to an ambitious young professional man.

He has had no reason to regret his choice, for he located in Butte and has established a most satis- factory professional business, his careful and skill- ful work having given him a high reputation. His finely appointed offices are located in the Hennessy block. The mechanical equipments are of modern design, while all work is executed with scrupulous fidelity and the utmost skill. In politics he is inde- pendent in his attitude and fraternally he is identi- fied with Damon Lodge No. I, Knights of Pythias, and with the Butte Council, Royal Arcanum, of which he is now vice-regent. The Doctor enjoys marked popularity and esteem in professional, fra- ternal and social circles and is recognized as an able and progressive business man, energetic and public- spirited.

On April 27, 1895, Dr. Bimrose was united in marriage to Miss Marie Duffield, born in Matta- mora, Ill., the daughter of Milton and Martha (Whittlesey) Duffield, natives of Connecticut, the Whittleseys being an old colonial family, several representatives of which were valiant soldiers in the Revolution.

F 'RANK L. BENEPE .- To the enlisting of men of notable enterprise and integrity in the furthering of her industrial activities is mainly due the precedence and prosperity which attends the great state of Montana; and among those repre- sentative business men is Mr. Benepe, at the head of industrial enterprises of great importance, and who is well known as a progressive and popular citizen of Bozeman, Gallatin county. He came to Montana with naught but energy, self-reliance, hon- esty of purpose and a determination to attain suc- cess by worthy and legitimate means. He holds prestige as a sterling type of the self-made man. and has demonstrated the possibilities for individual accomplishment in the industrial and commercial life of Montana. Mr. Benepe is a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on January 3, 1851, being the son of Seth W. and Sarah H. (Howe) Benepe, the former of whom was born in Ohio, July, 1817; the latter in the same state in October, 1816. In 1851 they moved to Christian county, Ill. The parents are now living in Kansas City, Kan. The paternal .

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

grandfather was a surgeon in the French army un- der Napoleon, and was called a Swiss, the place of his birth being near the line between Switzerland and France. He came to America in an early day, remaining in Ohio until his death, and was known as a man of superior ability.

Frank L. Benepe, the subject of this review, was reared on the homestead farm, and received such school advantages in his youth as were afforded in the district, but in later years he has effectively added thereto by close study and by a rare power of absorption through association with men and affairs in the practical sphere of business. He early assumed the duties of life, having earned his first dollar when but fourteen years of age. When twenty-four years old he engaged in farming, culti- vating a portion of the farm owned by his father, and in 1876 he engaged in buying and shipping horses to the New Orleans market. On the discov- ery of gold in the Black Hills he started for that section. From Cheyenne, Wyo., he made his way into the Black Hills in the spring of 1877, and after prospecting for a short time, he went, in August, to the Little Big Horn country. He gradually moved westward, suffering all the hardships a trip under such conditions entailed in the early days, and finally reached the town of Bozeman, Mont., on the IIth of September. He traversed the Custer battle- field the year after the memorable massacre of Gen. Custer and his brave men, and on the entire trip from the Black Hills to Bozeman he was accom- panied by I. J. Kountz, now president of one of the leading banking institutions in the city of Boze- man. On reaching Bozeman Mr. Benepe had en- tirely exhausted his financial resources, being "flat broke"-quite expressive, if not elegant.

He walked on into the valley about three miles and secured work in the harvest field, but later secured a position to teach in a country school dur- ing the ensuing fall and winter. In the spring of 1878 he rented a ranch, engaged in farming until fall, when he came to Bozeman and engaged in the setting up of farm machinery preparatory for field work. It was by mere accident that he turned his attention to this line of industry, wherein he has attained such notable success. Observing and at all times able to discern a good business opportunity, he became impressed with the idea that an excellent opening was offered for the establishing of an agri- cultural machine and implement business in Boze- man. He at once consulted ways and means, form- ulated definite plans, and on January 10, 1880, we find

him associated with John B. Davidson in the open- ing of the first agricultural implement and grain warehouse in Bozeman, to which city Gallatin val- ley is tributary. This partnership continued until .April 27, 1883, when he purchased Mr. Davidson's interest and established the enterprise upon his own responsibilities, conducting the same until 1890, when he effected the organization of the Bozeman Implement, Harness and Carriage Company, of which he is the head. The business was enlarged and conducted under the title noted for a period of two years, when the present firm of Benepe, Owen- house Company was incorporated, our subject becom- ing president of the concern at its inception and has since presided over its destinies in the same capac- ity. The effective methods introduced by our sub- ject, the system brought to bear in the conducting of details and the thorough executive and business ability of the interested principals, gained the confi- dence and patronage of the farmers throughout the tributary territory, and the business has so broad- ened in its scope that the establishment stands to- day as the most extensive supply depot and ware- house in its line that can be found in eastern Mon- tana, if not in the entire state. It is certain that the company annually handles more grain than any other firm or corporation within the limits of Mon- tana, this adjunct of the original business having grown to be of vast importance. In addition to this magnificent enterprise, so largely resultant through his progresive efforts and keen business discrimina- tion, Mr. Benepe owns and operates a large grain and stock ranch in Gallatin valley, and has a fine stock farm in the vicinity of Bozeman, both devoted to the raising and breeding of high-grade Hereford cattle. Through this latter enterprise he has done much to advance the stock interests in the state, and is specially advantageous to others engaged in the cattle industry in the great northwest. In his fra- ternal relations Mr. Benepe is identified with the time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons, and while he takes a public-spirited interest in all that concerns the general progress and material prosperity of the county and state, has neither time nor inclination to actively identify himself with political affairs, believing that he discharges his duty in this line when he exercises his right of fran- chise. In national affairs he gives his support to the Republican party, but in local matters maintains an independent attitude. He has served as mayor of Bozeman for two years. One of the most beauti- ful homes in the city of Bozeman is that owned by

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Mr. Benepe, where the gracious and refined hospi- tality of himself and wife is always in evidence. They are prominent and popular in social life, and their immediate friends and acquaintances embrace the entire community. Mrs. Benepe is a member of the Presbyterian church. On December 19, 1882, Mr. Benepe was united in marriage to Miss Jan- nette Trent, who was born in Leavenworth, Kan., February 16, 1861, a daughter of Matthew and Frances (Doyle) Trent, natives of Louisville, Ky., who moved to Kansas in an early day. The former was born October 19, 1817, and the latter in 1825. They are the parents of five children, one of whom, Byron, died at the age of eighteen months; the oth- ers, Frank L., Jr., Ellen E., Genevieve A. and Lu- cien, are devoted in their parental affections, and are worthy representatives of that manhood and womanhood which marks the American type as a standard that all others may follow.

H Į ON. WILLARD BENNETT .- In the ances- try of Hon. Willard Bennett, of Helena, the cavaliers of Virginia and the Puritans of Connecti- cut were united, and he presents in his character and career the best features of both, being a courtly and cultivated gentleman and a keen, thrifty and ingenious business man. His father was Nicholas Bennett, a native of the Old Dominion, where his family had a long and honorable record; and his mother was Diana Sprague, descendant of an old and prosperous Connecticut family. They removed in childhood with their parents to Canada, where they were educated and married, and where the father died after a life of usefulness, leaving the mother, who still resides in that country. They had five sons and one daughter, all of whom made their residence in the United States. One of the sons, following the flag of his adopted country through the strife and turmoil of the Civil war, was killed at the battle of Antietam. The others are yet living, a credit to their parentage and helpful factors in the body of our people. Nelson's home is at Tacoma, Wash .; Sidney's- at Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Albert's in New Mexico.

Willard Bennett lived in Canada until he was `fourteen years old. Then, in 1860, he removed to the United States and located at Medina, N. Y., where he remained eighteen months. Just then petroleum, the newest gift of Mother Earth to man, awakened the cupidity and quickened the energies

of thedwellers on the Atlantic slope and the eastern portion of the Mississippi valley, and thousands flocked to the oil fields. Among them went Willard Bennett. He remained there two years, drilling oil wells with his brother, Nelson. In 1865 he went to Missouri and purchased land near Sedalia as an in- vestment. In 1867 he returned to Pennsylvania and soon afterwards to Canada. Subsequently he re- turned to the oil regions and remained there until 1881, when he emigrated to Montana, locating at Deer Lodge, where he and his brother Nelson en- gaged in merchandising. They conducted branch houses at Butte and Townsend, all under the firm name of Bennett Bros. For eleven years they pros- pered together ; then, in 1892, Willard sold his share of the enterprise and purchased a controlling inter- est in the Royal gold mine in Granite county, which he operated successfully for four years. In 1894 his attention was attracted to the profitable and rapidly increasing industry of stock raising, and he immediately started an extensive business in that line in Custer county, to which he has since added sheep breeding in Broadwater and other counties. He now (1901) owns over 10,000 sleep and a large number of horses of superior quality. In addition his mining interests are still large in various parts of the state. Mr. Bennett was married in 1873 to Miss Elizabeth Tomlinson, of Canada, where the ceremony was performed. They have three sons and one daughter, Milton, Anson and George N., the first being in partnership with his father, and Ethelene, wife of Albert J. Galen, of Helena.

In lines of public enterprise Mr. Bennett has been energetic and progressive. He, in company with N. J. Bulenberg and William Coleman, built and still owns the first system of water works for Deer Lodge. He was also potential in organizing the first street railway company in Butte, a combination horse and steam line, for which he secured the fran- chise. And he is largely interested in the gas man- ufacturing plant at Billingham Bay, Wash., in com- pany with his brother Nelson. In politics he is a lifelong Republican. He has no ambition for the honors of official position, but as a good citizen, having the welfare of the community in which he lives at heart, in 1894 he did consent to represent his people in the state legislature for one term, in order to secure for them much-needed local legisla- tion. Fraternally he is a Free Mason, connected with two of its branches, the Blue Lodge and the Royal Arch Chapter. The story of Mr. Bennett's success in Montana is not one of the many, but one

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

of the selected few. His opportunities have not been greater or more numerous. than those offered to thousands of others, but his sagacity and in- telligence have enabled him to grasp and utilize his, while others have allowed theirs to go un- noticed. Moreover he has at the same time those other qualities which command the respect and es- teem of men-a high sense of honor, a proper re- gard for the rights of his fellows and a suavity and sincerity of manner.

LDEN J. BENNETT .- The specific and dis- A tinctive province of this publication is to enter record concerning those who have been the found- ers and builders of the great state of Montana, and in view of this fact it is imperative that special ref- erence be made to Mr. Bennett, that honored pio- neer and influential citizen of both territory and state. He was born in Delaware county, N. Y., on June 25, 1847, the son of Phineas L. and Minerva (Hakes) Bennett. The original American progeni- tor in the agnatic line was Robert Bennett (1), an emigrant from England to Rhode Island in 1630, and the lineage is traced through Robert (2), who died in Portsmouth, R. I., in 1722; Robert (3), who died in Tiverton, R. I., in 1746; John (4), who died at Dartmouth, Mass., in 1769; Alden (5), a sea captain, lost at sea in 1798; Isaac (6), who died in Harpersfield, N. Y., in 1812; Phineas L. (7), who died at York, Pa., in 1892, to Alden J. Bennett (8). On the father's side in the cognatic line, the ances- try traces to George and Anna (Becket) Soule, the former of whom landed from the Mayflower in 1620 and the latter from the Ann, three years later. The Soule family has ever been one of the most distinguished families of New England, numbers battling bravely as soldiers in every war from King Philip's war to the Spanish-American contest ; while in law, literature and commercial life they have been prominent. Isaac Bennett, great-grand- father of Alden J., was born in Duchess county, N. Y., June 22, 1780, and married Anna Losee, both being Friends. They removed at once after mar- riage to the primitive wilds of Delaware county, where they were of the earliest pioneers. The sec- ond of their five children was Phineas Lounsbury Bennett, born in Harpersfield, N. Y., February 15, 1806, and who died in York, Pa. On December 23,. 1840, he married Minerva Hakes, a daughter of Judge Lyman Hakes, who presided on the district

bench. in Delaware county and also served in the war of 1812. Mrs. Bennett died at York, Pa., May 7, 1899. Phineas L. and Minerva (Hakes) Ben- nett had four children, Frances M., Lyman Hakes, Alden J. and Isaac. Frances M. married Hon. Rodney Dennis and died at York, Pa., in March, 1901. Ly- man Hakes Bennett died in Wilkesbarre, Pa., in October, 1897, being then judge of the district court for Luzerne county. Isaac resides in Phila- delphia, Pa.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 11

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

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