Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 117

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 117

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port from no measure or movement which he be- lieved to be projected for the public good. He was a member of the state constitutional conven- tion in 1889, in whose work and deliberations he took an active part. Fraternally he is identified with Bannack Lodge No. 16, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master. For almost a third of a century Mr. · Graves has been identified with the business activities of Bannack, and has been a prime factor in the promotion of those enterprises that have been the means of building up the town and advancing its prosperity. His business meth- ods have ever conformed to the strictest ethics of commercial life, and he is held in the highest esteem by all classes, being stanch in his friend- ships and just and charitable in his judgment of his fellow men.

On February 18, 1877, Mr. Graves was united in marriage to Miss Leotie Ney, who was born in Wyoming, the daughter of A. J. Ney, one of the sturdy pioneers of the northwest. Mr. and Mrs. Graves are the parents of two sons and three daughters: Georgia, born March 31, 1878, is the wife of Dr. R. H. Ryburne, of Bannack; Field- ing L., Jr., born March 3, 1880, is associated with his father in the store; Edith, born February 22, 1882, is attending school at Salt Lake City, and Harry C., born in 1886, and Lelah, born in 1890, are students in the public schools of Bannack.

D R. C. DENBOW, one of the most successful professional nurses in the northwest, re- sides at Boulder. He was born in Knox county, Ill., on October 13, 1851, the son of William and Elizabeth (Tate) Denbow. The father was a successful physician and surgeon. In 1853 the family removed to Iowa, where the children re- ceived the benefit of the public schools, and in 1869 the son entered the Lutheran College, Iowa, attending it for two years and then studied medi- cine with his father, and later practiced his pro- fession in Iowa. In 1880 he came to Montana, and settled at Jefferson City, continuing medi- cal practice in that city and in Elkhorn until 1887, when he removed to Wickes, Jefferson county, and retired from the duties of a physician to serve successfully as a professional nurse. In January, 1901, he changed his residence to Boul- der, where he now resides.

On June 14, 1872, Dr. Denbow was married to

Miss Ella Scott, daughter of J. W. and Nellie (Wescott) Scott. Mr. Scott was a cabinetmaker of Marshalltown, Iowa. In 1886 Mr. Denbow wedded with his present wife, Miss Jennie Vir- ginia Lapierre, daughter of William Lapierre. Dr. Detbow was at one time constable of Jeffer- son City, and also coroner for Jefferson county. He was a member of the school board for many years and was county commissioner of Marshall county, Iowa, in 1874. Fraternally he is a member of the United Workmen, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows (lodge and encampment), and holds membership in the Freemasons at Boulder. Dr. Denbow numbers many warm personal friends in his home town, and they are also numerously scattered in the state.

JONATHAN DAVIS .- One of the prosperous and progressive farmers and stockgrowers in the vicinity of Potomac, Missoula county, the genial nature and straightforward business meth- ods of Mr. Davis have won him a large circle of friends in this section of the state. He was born on August 27, 1854, in the city of Waukesha, Wis., the son of John and Mary (Humphrey) Davis. The former was born in Wales, whence he came to the United States in 1848, stopping for a short period in Milwaukee and thence removing to his present home, six miles east of Waukesha, being one of the pioneers. He has here been a farmer for more than half a century, honored as one of the patriarchs of the county. His wife, who was likewise born in Wales, died at the old home in Wisconsin, in 1890.

Jonathan Davis secured the educational ad- vantages of the public schools of his native state, and after attaining maturity he went to Chicago, and engaged in the livery business about a year, and then turned his face westward, first stopping in South Dakota for a short period, then coming to Helena, Mont., from which city he proceeded to the Wickes tunnel on the Northern Pacific Railroad, where he secured a contract on the tun- nel. In 1888 he came to Missoula county and located on Camas prairie, four miles west of · Potomac, where he now has a weil improved and valuable ranch of 160 acres, devoted to farming and the raising of cattle, in both of which de- partments of industry Mr. Davis has been very successful, being wide-awake and enterprising

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and recognized as a representative ranchman. He gives his political support to the Democratic party, and he is now a member of the board of school trustees of his district. He maintains a lively interest in the progress and material pros- perity of his county, and is ever ready to lend co-operation to any worthy cause. At Missoula, on May 29, 1894, Mr. Davis was united in mar- riage to Miss Clara McDonald, who was born in Illinois, and they are the parents of three chil- dren : Hazel, Ethel and Pearl.

BENJAMIN F. DODGE .- There are many elements of interest entering into the life record of this prosperous and influential stock- grower of Madison county. He traces his lineage to old colonial stock. He gave his country a soldier's service during the Civil war, and he was also one of the pioneers of Montana. Mr. Dodge was born in Burnham, Waldo county, Me., on February 16, 1836. His father, Israel W. Dodge, was born in the same town, the son of Nicholas Dodge, a native of Vermont, whose father emi- grated from England with two brothers, he settling in Vermont, one brother in New York and one in Ohio. During the Revolution Nicholas Dodge was superintendent of black- smithing in Gen. Washington's division of the Continental army and was frequently sent out on scouting duty during his service. Israel W. Dodge, who was a farmer, married Miss Martha McAllister, a native of Montville, Me., and the daughter of Archibald McAllister, whose father came from the north of Ireland.

Benjamin F. Dodge had the invigorating discipline of the Maine farm, and the schooling of her schools, and at the age of eighteen secured employment in the sawmills at Oldtown until he attained his legal majority, when he removed to Ohio, a town in Bureau county, Ill., where he was a farmer until 1866, excepting the time he served in the Civil war, two of his brothers also partici- pating in that great conflict. In 1864 Mr. Dodge enlisted in Company C, Fifty-third Illinois In- fantry, with which he proceeded to the front, par- ticipating, among other historic engagements, in- the battle of Nashville, in which he was stationed on the outside breastworks. He then went with his regiment to Morehead City, N. C., and thence to Newberne, where, after a month, he started for

Kingstown, N. C., having been transferred to the Twenty-third Massachusetts under Col. Raymond, there taking part in an engagement in the Gum swamps near Kingston, where they encountered Gen. Johnston's army, 30,000 strong, while the Union forces numbered only 8,000 men. The unequal conflict waged in favor of the Confeder- ates until Gen. Schofield arrived with 15,000 men, turning the tide of battle and effectually routing the rebels. His regiment now marched to Kingston and thence started for and captured Goldsborough, Gen. Sherman arriving about three weeks later. Two weeks after this the com- bined forces started for Raleigh, but, hearing of the surrender of Johnston, they went to Richmond and on to Washington, D. C., participating in the grand review, and thence going to Louisville, Ky., where they were mustered out and, on July 27, 1865, Mr. Dodge received his honorable discharge in Chicago, Il1.

In 1866 Mr. Dodge came to Montana with mule teams, by the Bozeman cutoff, arriving in Helena on the 4th of July. He engaged in prospecting and mining until September with meagre success and then went to Highlands, in the Red Mountain district, where he tarried until the fall of 1870. In that year Mr. Dodge took up land at South Boulder and engaged in farming and stock raising, in which he has successfully continued, having a valuable property, his ranch comprising 160 acres, the most of which can be effectively cultivated, while he has excellent grazing facilities. Mr. Dodge supports the Republican party, but has never sought office, though his interest in education led to his election as school trustee, as which he served several years. His efforts have been well directed and he has gained public con- fidence and respect.

On April 16, 1861, Mr. Dodge wedded Miss Abigail Winslow, born in Wilkesbarre, Pa., a daughter of Rufus Winslow, a Pennsylvanian, who removed to Illinois and engaged in farming until his death. The family has numbered six children : Sarah, deceased; Walter, a rancher in Summit valley; Charles, Frederick, Warren and Albert.

JAMES DAVIDSON .- In the life story of this prominent citizen of Butte the pioneer days of Montana and the early mining experiences of her people are vividly recalled ; and names of places

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that have passed into history as among the most remarkable mining camps in the northwest fre- quently occur in the tales told of his wanderings. He was born in Roxborough, Canada, November II, 1844, the son of Donald and Jeannette (Spraul) Davidson, natives of Scotland, where the former was born in 1806 and the latter in 1810. The father immigrated to Canada when he was twenty-one, and locating in County Stormont, Ontario, en- gaged in farming. A short time after he was elected township clerk and treasurer, and con- tinued to hold the office for twenty-eight consec- utive years. He died in 1877 in Roxborough, Ontario, where his widow is still living. Mr. Davidson was educated at the public schools of Roxborough, and worked on the home farm until he reached his legal majority. On April 3, 1865, he went west and arrived at Virginia City, Mont., the following June. After visiting the present sites of Butte and Deer Lodge, he went to Washington gulch and mined until fall, then removed to Last Chance gulch, where he mined during 1866-7. In the spring of 1868 he changed his base of operations to Henderson gulch and remained there for a year engaged in mining. He then opened a store at that place and conducted it until 1871, when he sold out and bought the Fisher & French store at Pioneer, which he carried on until 1876, removing the spring of that year to Butte, which has since been his home. He has been uniformly successful in mining and mining speculations, having pro- ductive properties at Butte and at Basin in Jef- ferson county. In addition to his mining enter- prises he has for years made judicious investments in real estate, thus becoming owner of a large amount of valuable property in the city of Butte.

In politics Mr. Davidson is a Republican, and has been active in all state, county and city cam- paigns since coming to Montana. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Deer Lodge. He was married in Roxborough, Canada, on March 5, 1874, to Miss Mary A. McIntyre, who was born in On- tario in 1852. Their living children are Donald W. and J. Maud. Those deceased are James Arthur, Mary Alice and Frank Monroe.

R EV. PETER DESIERE .- In giving even a cursory review of the history of the west, one must recognize the powerful and beneficent influence which the Catholic church has here

wielded. Montana owes a debt of gratitude and honor to the early emissaries of the church who planted the seed which has found fruition in maximum good. Not less have the devoted workers of that great church been a power for good in the latter-day continuation of the work inaugur- ated so many years ago, when the Father could minister only to the spiritual needs of the Indians. Father DeSiere, the pastor of St. Patrick's parish, in Butte, has been a devoted and successful re- ligious worker in Montana for the past fourteen years, and in the various parishes to which he has been assigned he has labored incessantly and with marked self-abnegation for the uplifting of his fellowmen, both spiritually and in temporal affairs. He is a native of Belgium, as is also the bishop of this diocese, born on April 7, 1843. His parents were Peter and Mary (Vienne) DeSiere, both natives of Belgium. Peter DeSiere was a merchant and a man of influence in his com- munity. Of his eight children Rev. Peter DeSiere was the second, and one of two to enter the Catholic priesthood.

Rev. Peter DeSiere received his collegiate education in the college at Furnes, West Flan- ders. He was a student in this institution for six years and was graduated therefrom in 1862. He then matriculated at the theological seminary in the old Catholic city of Bruges, where he passed one year in the study of philosophy and three years in his theological course, and was there graduated in 1867. He thereafter served as a professor at Dixmude for a period of twelve years, doing efficient work and arranging an excellent curriculum for the study of languages and mathe- matics, his original and practical ideas receiving the endorsement of the faculty and proving of benefit to the students. Father DeSiere was or- dained to the priesthood in 1867 by Bishop Faict, and giving up pedagogic work he was installed as assistant pastor of a church at Roulers, where he remained four years, after which he was for an equal length of time in charge of a parish in the west end, where he remained until he immi- grated to America. One notable work which he effected while residing in Roulers was that of the direction and the establishment upon a permanent basis of a home for working girls. In 1887 Father DeSiere came to the United States and to Mon- tana. He located in Deer Lodge, and while there held no regular charge, but for fourteen months ministered to various parishes in the state,

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during this time devoting careful attention to learning the English language. In June, 1888, Father DeSiere was appointed assistant priest at St. Patrick's church, Butte. He retained this incumbency four months and was assigned to the pastorate of St. Paul's church, Anaconda. In this important field he labored for five years and was eminently successful, bringing the parish af- fairs into flourishing condition. He gave incep- tion to his work there by holding the services of the church in a skating rink; later he utilized the opera house and finally, through his zealous labors, a church edifice was erected. He origin- ally planned a small building, but as it became evident that the city would largely increase in population and importance he abandoned this plan and arranged for and completed the erection of a more pretentious edifice. In addition to the church a residence for the priest was also built. The indebtedness of the parish was entirely dis- charged within eighteen months from the com- pletion of the buildings. The energy and exec- utive ability of Father DeSiere was in marked evidence during this work. In 1893 Father De- Siere was assigned to the pastorate of St. Pat- rick's church and he found that here was another opportunity for definite labor in advancing the temporal welfare of the church, as well as minis- tering to its spiritual needs. The parish was encumbered by an indebtedness of $45,000, largely incurred in the erection of the parish school buildings. Within three years this indebtedness was entirely paid, his energetic labors to this end receiving hearty co-operation from his people. In other lines the parish had become impaired. Under Father DeSiere's strong guidance St. Patrick's is now one of the leading parishes of Montana and its affairs are in the best condition. During the incumbency of Father DeSiere the capacity of the church edifice, and the attendance also, has been fully doubled. An attractive parochial residence has also been erected. The parochial school is now the largest in the Pacific northwest, the number of its pupils having in- creased from 300 to 700, and in this branch of the parish work $3,500 has been expended in im- provements. Father DeSiere is a great favorite with the children, is held in deep affection .by his parishioners, and his genial personality and broad tolerance have gained him the respect of all classes, irrespective of religious affiliations. He is a man of fine scholarship, and his influence

in all departments of church work is notable. In 1900 Father DeSiere visited Europe, and while in Rome was granted a special audience with the venerable head of the church, Pope Leo, one of the grandest characters of the age.

0 ZRO P. DAVIS .- Left an orphan by the death of his father before he arrived at years of maturity, and with the care of the family laid heavily on his young shoulders, Ozro P. Davis, now a prominent rancher and cattle dealer of near Salesville, Gallatin county, met his responsibil- ities with manly courage, and through his very difficulties developed a force of character, a breadth of view and a readiness for emergencies which have served him well and made possible the creditable career he now enjoys. His father was Oliver Davis, a native of Ohio, who removed in his young manhood to Miami county, Ind., where the subject of this sketch was born, September 23, 1865. His mother was Maria (Gaffres) Davis, descended from a New York family long resident in that state. His father's father was James Davis, one of the early settlers of Ohio, who later removed to Indiana and passed the rest of his life there. His mother's father was also a Davis, Joseph J., a gentleman of consequence and promi- nence in his locality. The father of our subject was a plasterer by trade, and followed that business until a few years before he died, when he be- came a farmer. After his death, which occurred in Indiana, the mother removed with the family to Montana, going by rail to Corinne, Utah, and from there overland by wagons to Bozeman, where they arrived June 17, 1872. They remained in Bozeman but a few months, then located on the East Gallatin river for one season, moving the next season to the West Gallatin river, where they remained until 1890, when they bought the present home of 160 acres, situated about one mile and a half from Salesville. It is a fine ranch, all under irrigation, and productive of large crops of wheat, oats and barley, which never fail. From 1889 to 1892 Mr. Davis was in Wyoming, en- gaged in the cattle business and attending a large practice as a veterinary surgeon. Since his re- turn he has resided continuously on his ranch, dealing considerably in cattle but never keeping many on hand. He is a shrewd and progressive business man, with a keen eye for opportunities

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and a ready responsiveness when they come. He is earnestly interested in whatever pertains to the good of the community, and bears his share of the burden of public enterprises of every kind He is a thirty-second-degree Mason and full of a proper enthusiasm for the order. His mother has retired from active life to a pleasant home in Bozeman, where she dispenses a modest hospi- tality, seasoned with interesting narratives of her varied experiences and adventures.

H ON. JOSEPH M. DIXON .- Few states of equal age in the galaxy which constitutes the great American republic can claim more honor and prestige for their bench and bar than Mon- tana, for hither have been attracted some of the most brilliant legal minds and jurists and legists who would honor any commonwealth or any nation. Among the distinguished members of the bar of Missoula county is Hon. Joseph M. Dixon, and it is but compatible with the province of this work that he be here accorded recognition. Mr. Dixon was born at Snow Camp, Alamance county, N. C., on July 31, 1861. His parents, Hugh W. and Flora A. (Murchison) Dixon, were likewise natives of the same southern common- wealth, the former being of Quaker ancestry, the original American representatives of the name having come from England with William Penn. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Dixon, was born in North Carolina, where he established an ex- tensive iron foundry, which became the property of his son, the father of Joseph M. The maternal ancestral line traces back to Scottish origin, the name being prominent among the sturdy highland clans of fair Albion. The family was established in America as early as 1750. During the Civil war, Hugh W. Dixon, who is a stanch Republican in politics, although a Union man, was compelled to manufacture arms for the Confederate army, his foundry being utilized for this purpose. He is still living at a venerable age, while his devoted wife ceased her earthly activities in 1900. They became the parents of one son and three daughters.

Joseph M. Dixon received his preliminary edu- cational training in the common schools, after which he entered the college maintained by the Society of Friends in the good Quaker city of Richmond, Ind., where he pursued his studies for some time and then matriculated in Guilford Col- lege, in his native state, where he graduated in

the class of 1889. In 1891 Mr. Dixon came to Missoula, Mont., and entered the law office of Woody & Webster, with whom he continued his reading of the law until he was admitted to the bar of the state in 1892, upon examination before the supreme court. He then formed a profes- sional association with I. G. Denny in Missoula, and entered upon the active practice of law, his novitiate being of short duration, since he soon proved his capacity as an able attorney and safe and conservative counselor, being thoroughly well read in the literature of the law, having a strong grasp upon the science of jurisprudence and prov- ing an able advocate before judge or jury. He served as deputy county attorney in 1893-4, and at the fall election in 1894 was chosen county attorney, retaining this important office until January, 1897, when he resumed the individual practice of his profession, his partnership having been dissolved on his election as county attorney.

In the fall of 1900 he was one of the Republican candidates for representative of Missoula county in the lower house of the state legislature, and his election was secured by a satisfactory ma- jority. In the legislature he was assigned to membership on several important committees, among them being the judiciary committee and those on education, insurance and irrigation. His services in this capacity have shown his ex- cellent judgment and zealous interest in pro- moting the best interests of the state. In politics Mr. Dixon has been unswerving in his allegiance to the Republican party, whose cause he has ef- fectively advocated on the stump in various cam- paigns in the state, and he has served ably as chairman of the Republican central committee of his county. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, enjoying a marked popularity in all the relations of life. On March 12, 1896, Mr. Dixon wedded Miss Carrie Worden, daughter of Hon. Frank Worden, of whom specific mention is made on other pages of this work, and they are the parents of two interesting daughters: Vir- ginia and Florence.

C 'OL. P. R. DOLMAN was born near Zanes- ville, Ohio, in 1833. While yet a boy he re- moved to Missouri and located in Chariton county. 'Here he was educated and admitted to the bar as an attorney, and here also he held the

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office of city clerk of Brunswick. At the outbreak of the Civil war he organized a Union company, notwithstanding this was the county of Gen. Sterling Price, the celebrated Confederate com- mander. After several minor engagements, Capt. Dolman found himself in command at the left of Prentiss' division at the battle of Shiloh, all other general officers being disabled, and was in the position known as the "Hornet's Nest" nearly all dav. It was directly in front of this that Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, the Confederate com- mander, was killed and most of the Confederate losses were incurred. Towards evening Capt. Dolman was captured with the remainder of Pren- tiss' command, and passed six months in southern prisons, among them Libby. After being ex- changed he was made provost marshal at Chewalla, Tenn., and continued to act as such until he joined Sherman's movement against At- lanta, and during the most of its operations was in command of the Eighteenth Missouri. He par- ticipated in all the battles of the march, notably the desperate struggle before Atlanta on July 22, 1864, when he had a large part in the stand which checked Hood's advance. After the capture of Atlanta this valiant soldier, who had risen by merit to the rank of colonel, was assigned to a command in Missouri and served there during the rest of the war. In 1881 he came to Mon- tana and since that time has been engaged chiefly in mining operations, and has served for a number of years as president of the board of directors of the Soldiers' Home. During his residence in Missouri between the close of the war and his removal to Montana, he was prominent in busi- ness and political circles, being a member of tlie state legislature for a number of years. His mining operations have been conducted princi- pally in the vicinity of Butte and in the Snake river country, Idaho. In the latter he has ex- tensive placer claims, and in and around Butte, in addition to his mining enterprises, he is largely interested in real estate. He was a member of the First state legislature of Montana in 1889, and has been a member of the city council of Butte and has taken an active part in public affairs on the Republican side in party politics. In fraternal · relations he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he was the first com- mander for the department of Montana, and with the Masonic fraternity in which he holds a con- spicuous place. He is also prominent and much

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 117

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