Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 150

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 150

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Darien mission. After his graduation in 1894 he was called to take charge of his first regular church, which was at Milledgeville, Ill., and here he raised funds and built the First Baptist church, a beautiful structure, creditable alike to the spirit which inspired and the liberality and artistic taste which erected it. In November, 1896, he came to Butte as pastor of the First Baptist church, where he is still engaged in the work of spreading and building up the Redeemer's kingdom and bringing men into the light of the Gospel.

His ministrations have been blessed with abund- ant success, the church membership having in- creased during his pastorate from 112 to 365, the attendance at the Sunday-school from seventy- three to 465, and the spirit and enthusiasm of the congregation, in some instances thirty, in some sixty and in some an hundred fold. In national affairs Rev. Mr. Noftsinger is Republican in his political inclinations, but in local matters he is not an active partisan. He was married on Septem- ber 3, 1894, to Miss Mate E. Teeple, daughter of Charles S. Teeple, a prominent merchant and pub- lic man of Darien, Wis., who has served several terms in the Wisconsin legislature and filled other positions of trust and usefulness. Her mother was Miss Emily Enders, a native of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Noftsinger have one child, a son named J. Erston, born on April 20, 1898. They live in a pleasant parsonage connected with the church where they dispense a genial hospitality and diffuse a spirit of zealous devotion to human duty and to all the lofty ideals of the Christian re- ligion, standing high in the community and firmly fixed in the affectionate regard of their congrega- tion.

JAMES H. NIXON .- To this successful and cn- terprising miner, farmer and stockman life was no holiday, but a stern reality, full of struggle and effort that was rewarded by good returns in sub- stantial acquisitions and in the respect and esteem of his fellowmen. He was born at Racine, Wis., on November 29, 1841, the son of John and Maria (Vader) Nixon, who came with him to Montana in 1864, and located near Logan. where the father was killed by Indians in 1870. Mr. Nixon was edu- cated in the public schools, and at the beginning of the Civil war enlisted in the first company of volunteers raised in his neighborhood, and fought in defense of the Union until 1864, when he was

778

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

honorably discharged. He then came to Mon- tana, and for a time was engaged in mining at Bannack, after which he removed to Alder gulch and mined there until 1868. In that year he set- tled in Gallatin valley, and in partnership with his father engaged in farming and raising stock near Logan. In 1870 the Indians, who had been troublesome from the beginning, killed his father, and he continued the farming and stock business alone. In 1874 he moved up the valley to the neighborhood of Bozeman, and there continued farming until his death on November 14, 1898. In life he was much esteemed, and his untimely death was deeply regretted. In politics he was an active Republican. In fraternal relations a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He served his section faithfully for a number of years as school trustee, and always manifested a lively and intelli- gent interest in public affairs and the welfare of the community. On December 30, 1873, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Shepherd, of Illinois, a daughter of W. H. H. Shepherd, who was born in Delaware in 1805, and died in Gallatin valley, Mont., in 1887, having come to the state accom- panied by his wife and daughter in 1871. Mr. Nixon was a leading man in his community, his success in business, his agreeable social qualities, his high character and his excellent judgment on all questions of public interest giving him in- fluence of a potential nature among those with whom he was associated.

EV. JOHN H. O'BRIEN .- As the Catholic church was the avant-courriere of civilization throughout the great west in the days when only beasts of the plains and mountain fastnesses were present to dispute dominion with the scarcely less savage Indians, so has it maintained its prestige and fulfilled its divine mission through all the in- tervening years leading up to the dawn of the glorious twentieth century. One of those who worthily represents the cause of the Master in the priesthood of the church is Father O'Brien, who is placed in charge of the parish of the Immaculate Conception in the village of Fort Benton, where he is held in esteem by all classes of citizens and in deep affection by those to whom he ministers. Father O'Brien was born near the beautiful little city of Marquette, in the Lake Superior district of Michigan, his native town having been named in

honor of Father Marquette, of revered memory, and here our subject's birth occurred on Septem- ber 26, 1874. The parents of Father O'Brien are Quinlan and Johanna (Hanley) O'Brien, natives of the Emerald Isle, whence the mother came to the United States September 29, 1854, and the father in 1861, their marriage being solemnized in 1863 in Michigan. In 1897 they removed to Butte, Mont., where they now reside.

Father O'Brien's early educational discipline was received in the public schools. In 1890 lie be- gan his classical studies in the college department of St. Francis' Seminary, Milwaukee, Wis., which were rounded out at St. Joseph's College, Du- buque, Iowa, in 1896, and supplemented by a course in philosophy at St. Mary's Seminary, at Baltimore, Md. Having completed his more purely literary education, he entered upon a three- years course of theology at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, which he completed in June, 1899, and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Elder, of Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 16th of that month. His initial work in the min- istry was at the Cathedral of the Sacred Hearts, at Helena, Mont., where he was assistant from July 6, 1899, until July 7 of the following year when he was assigned to the pastorate of the church of the Immaculate Conception at Fort Benton, where he gave devoted service to the parish, looking in every way to its welfare in both spiritual and temporal relations. The church edi- fice is a frame structure, erected in 1878-9, under the direct supervision of Father C. Imoda, S. J., and was the first church building in Fort Benton. In 1894 Father Follett, then pastor, collected the necessary funds to build a house for the resident priest. Notwithstanding the loss of many of its members who have taken up their residence in other parts of the state, the parish enjoys a large membership and is in a prosperous condition. In- cidental to his pastorate he is chaplain of St. Clare's Hospital, one of the noble institutions of the church, the building of which by the citizens of Fort Benton was commenced in 1883 and cont- pleted the following year at a cost of $12,000. July 27, 1886, three Sisters of Charity, Sister Mary as superioress, arrived in Fort Benton, and on the 5th of August opened the institution under the name and patronage of St. Clare of Mountefalco. The hospital is well equipped, its usefulness pro- nounced and its service greatly appreciated by all classes of citizens. The main building is of brick,

779

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

two stories in height with lateral dimensions 40x70 feet. In 1899 a frame annex was added to the building, being one story in height and 43×56 feet in dimensions. There are twenty-three rooms, twelve of which are devoted to hospital purposes, of which four are wards. Within the year 1900 34I patients received care and treatment in the hospital, seven sisters, Sister Aldric superioress, now being retained in the service, which is effective in every particular.

While he is still a young man, Father O'Brien is eminently qualified for his holy calling and for the manifold responsibilities involved. He is broad-minded and charitable in his attitude, ever tolerant of the errors that frequently overshadow individual life, seeking by all means to uplift his fellows and to prove a worthy laborer in the vine- yard of the Divine Master whom he serves. He is endowed with a genial and gracious personality, is an able speaker and writer, and wins the trust and friendship of all with whom he comes in con- tact without regard to religious or sectarian af- filations. He is thoroughly a man of the twen- tieth century, and aims to make his influence one for good in temporal affairs as well as in the spe- cific work of his high calling, to the mark of which he ever presses forward. To the regret of his many warm friends, in the early spring of 1892 Father O'Brien was compelled to relinquish his pastorate on account of ill health, and became an inmate of St. Clare's Hospital. It was a severe loss to the parish, but happily the rest and care there secured enabled him to resume his labors, and he was reappointed on May 10, 1902, and his numer- ous flock being pleased to welcome his return to that sphere of usefulness wherein he has accom- plished so much for the uplifting of humanity.

JOHN E. O'CONNOR. - This enterprising, progressive and conscientious pharmacist of Helena, easily in the front rank in his profession; may be said to be one of the drug men of the day, who are really in love with their work. For while he carries an extensive and valuable stock of the commodities which are usually allied with the drug business, he makes everything else sub- servient to the drug and pharmaceutical lines of his enterprise. He is a native of Newton, N. H., where he was born in 1855, the son of James and Mary (O'Brien) O'Connor, both natives of Cork,

Ireland, whence they came to America, the father when he was thirty years old and the mother when she was twenty. They were married in this coun- try and first settled at Charleston, S. C., where the father followed the business of a contractor in stone-building work for a number of years, when he removed to Newton, N. H., where they are still living, the father aged eighty-three and the mother seventy-three.

Their son John, at the age of thirteen, entered Phillips Exeter Academy, New Hampshire, and after completing the academic course attended the Massachusetts School of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in 1877. While taking his pro- fessional course in the school of pharmacy he also attended a night school for advantages in other lines. After his graduation he went to Butte, Mont., and for a time worked at whatever offered good opportunities. In 1878 he removed to Helena, remaining a short time, and then went to Lower California, and in 1880 drove the first flock of sheep from that country, a distance of 1,500 miles, to Helena. On the conclusion of this trip he entered the employ of Hale & Co., drug- gists of Helena, remaining with them three years. He then purchased the interest of Mr. Weir, of the firm of Pope & Weir, druggists, and the business was thereafter conducted under the style of Pope & O'Connor until 1895, when Mr. O'Connor bought Mr. Pope out, and from that date has con- ducted the business alone. He is also engaged in a profitable stock business in partnership with his two sisters-in-law, Misses Nettie and Amy Rosen- beaun, on a ranch of 5,000 acres located nine miles from Townsend, Broadwater county, Mont. Here they have a fine herd of thoroughbred Here- ford cattle, and carry on the business of cattle- raising and ranching on a scale of considerable magnitude.

Mr. O'Connor was united in marriage, in 1887, with Miss Ella Rosenbeaun, a daughter of Her- man and Mary (Maloney) Rosenbeaun, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ireland. The father came to Montana in 1862, followed mining for two years, and then bought a ranch and con- ducted it until his death, in.1887. His widow is still living, making her home with her daughters on the ranch near Townsend. Mr. O'Connor is a prominent member of the Catholic church, and takes great interest in its progress and activities. In his business career he has developed unusual acumen and capacity, and has achieved a gratify-

780

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

ing success. In social circles he is a favorite; as a citizen is alive to the best interests of the com- munity at all times, and is highly esteemed by all classes.

COL. T. O'LEARY .- A native of the land which has enrolled so many of her gallant sons on the list of Fame's immortals, Col. O'Leary, of Ana- conda, has won a place among them by valiant service in many a hard-fought engagement in sev- eral wars, and won additional triumphs in the peaceful contests of professional life. He was born in Ireland December 15, 1846, where his father was a prominent architect and engineer, and where his parents died in 1892. The Colonel was educated by the Christian Brothers and came to the United States in 1862. Immediately upon his arrival, inspired by the martial spirit of his ancestry, he enlisted in the Fifteenth United States Infantry, Second Battalion, and served throughout the war in the Army of the Cumberland, being at the front in its dreadful battles and winning pro- motion by gallantry on the field. On returning to New York in 1865 he was commissioned lieu- tenant-colonel of volunteers. In 1866 he joined the Fenian movement, and, as major of a regiment, invaded Canada, participating in the battle of Ridgeway, or Limestone Ridge. In 1868 he joined the movement for the liberation of Cuba and served two years as chief of ordnance of the Cuban army under Gen. Jordan. In 1870 he took part in an- other Fenian movement into Canada, and in July of that year located at St. Paul, Minn., where he opened a law office and practiced until 1886, when President Cleveland appointed him postoffice in- spector for the Chicago district, and later inspector in charge at Philadelphia. He was admitted to practice at the bar of Minnesota in 1870, and at that of Montana in 1889. He was district judge of Dakota county, Minn., from 1874 to 1878, was county attorney of Murray county, from 1882 to 1884, and city attorney of Anaconda, Mont., from 1895 to 1899. His activity in political affairs has been great and serviceable, and has been exerted in behalf of the Democratic party. He has been a delegate to every state convention of that party since his advent into Montana in 1889, and has taken a prominent part in the proceedings.

Col. O'Leary maintains high rank at the bar, and is regarded as one of the most profoundly learned and resourceful lawyers of the state. His

law library is one of the most extensive and val- uable in this section of the country. It is well selected and there is abundant evidence in his legal career that it is well used. He has also achieved success and distinction in business and social life. He has large mining interests in Warm Springs gulch and other parts of Montana, and is secretary and treasurer of the Gold Bar Mining Company. He was president of the State Bar Association, is past exalted ruler of the local lodge of Elks, and a member in high standing of the Maccabees and the National Union. He well deserves the suc- cess he has won and the exalted place he holds in public esteem. He combines keenness of intel- lect with geniality of manner and rigid integrity. His ideals are lofty and he has worked toward them with unflagging industry.

He was married in Hastings, Minn., in 1876, to Miss Kate Ahern, born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1854. They have one child, Arthur O'Leary, a lieutenant in the Marine Corps of the United States, a position to which he rose from the vol- unteer ranks by gallantry in the Spanish-Ameri- can war, which he entered as a bugler when a mere boy. He soon distinguished himself, won a first lieutenancy and was the youngest officer in the First Montana Volunteers.

JOHN P. O'NEILL .- The able superintendent of the Anaconda mine in the city of Butte, Mr. O'Neill is one of those energetic workers who con- tribute to the material prosperity of the state through their well directed efforts in connection with the great mining industry. Mr. O'Neill was born in Orange county, Vt., on October 15, 1862, the third of the seven children of John and Mary (Welch) O'Neill, both of whom were born in Ire- land. John O'Neill devoted his attention to min- ing and railroad work until his death, which oc- curred in Vermont. His wife also died in that state. John P. O'Neill attended the public schools of his native state until he was eleven years old when he secured work in the mines at Ely, Vt., where he remained until the age of sixteen, when he went to Wisconsin, where he engaged in pros- pecting in the iron ore districts. He then returned east, passing eight months at Blue Hill, Me., and then was employed in the mica mines of New Hampshire for five months. In 1887 Mr. O'Neill came to Montana, locating in Butte, where he has

78 1

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

ever since been identified with mining enterprises. For a year he held the position of shift boss in the Anaconda mine, of which he later became fore- man, retaining this position about five years, after which he was appointed superintendent of the mine, which incumbency he has ever since retained, showing distinctive executive ability and handling his responsible duties with signal efficiency. He is also superintendent of the St. Lawrence and Never Sweat mines. Under his direction all the late improvements have been made in the three mines. The largest machines used for mine work- ing in the world are installed in these great mines. Being of an original and inventive turn of mind Mr. O'Neill has been able to suggest and effect many improvements in methods and devices. He was the originator of the system of uncovered hoists, the frames being constructed of steel, so that the danger of fire entering the mines in case of the hoist taking fire is effectually obviated. In politics Mr. O'Neill gives his support to the Dem- ocratic party, but has never been an aspirant for public office. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church, in which he was reared.

On July 1, 1895, Mr. O'Neill was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret O'Brien, born in Montana, the daughter of James and Catherine (Clancy) O'Brien, among the pioneers of the state, and of this union three children have been born : William, born on June 6, 1896; Thomas, born on November 14, 1898, and John, born March 9, 1900.

G EORGE N. OSBORNE, general agent of the Montana Central Railway, at Basin, was born at Wayne, Erie county, Pa., on June 5, 1865. He is the son of Dr. Robert J. and Caroline (Newton) Osborne. The father was a hospital staff doctor and veteran of the Mexican war. The paternal grandfather was James Osborne, a native of Ire- land, who came to America prior to the war of the Revolution, and, it is supposed, settled at Lancas- ter, Pa., for the war records at Washington show that he enlisted from Lancaster in June, 1776, as a private in Capt. Stephens' company of Col. North's Pennsylvania Regiment, and served until December, 1780, when he was discharged from the service by Col. Richard Butler on account of a wound in his arm, received at Germantown, Pa. During his active service he participated in the engagements at Trenton, Princeton and Bergen

Point, N. J., and those at Brandywine and Ger- mantown, Pa.

The elementary education of George N. Osborne was received in the public schools of his native township. This was supplemented by a course in the Corry high school, and in 1882 he entered the Edinburg (Pa.) normal school, from which he was graduated in 1885 with honors. In that year Mr. Osborne engaged with the Erie Railroad, first as office clerk and later as telegraph operator. In 1887 he resigned his position and came west, believing that he could thereby ma- terially better his financial condition, and it is tin- doubtedly true that he has done so. He at first entered the service of the Great Northern at Nor- wich, N. D. He remained there and at other points on the Great Northern only a short time but was stationed at Michigan City in the same capacity for seven years. In 1897 he took a much needed vacation, visiting his old home in Pennsyl- vania.

In the spring of 1898 he removed to Montana and became superintendent of the Lewistown & Great Falls Telephone Company. In 1899 he was appointed agent of the Montana Central, at Teton, Choteau county. He was also commissioned postmaster at that place. In April, 1900, he was transferred to Basin, Jefferson county, and he has since resided there, serving in that capacity and performing his duties in a manner satisfactory to both the railroad and its patrons. On August 13, 1888, Mr. Osborne was married to Miss Lizzie N. Cleeland, of Breckenridge, Minn. She was a scholarly woman and a teacher, the daughter of William N. Cleeland, a jeweler and machinist, now of Great Falls. Their family circle is enlarged by three children, Robert G. C., George N., Jr., and Clarence M. Mr. Osborne was for two years cor- responding secretary of the state society of the Sons of the American Revolution of North Dako- ta. He belongs to the Masonic order at Corry, Pa., in lodge, chapter and commandery, and is a noble of El Zagel Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Fargo, N. D. He is a gentleman highly esteemed in his home community and one of the most popu- lar citizens of Basin.

JACOB OSENBRUG .- The German fatherland has contributed to the great American republic one of the most valnable elements in its social fabric, and among the successful men of Montana's.

782

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

metropolis who claim the German empire as their place of nativity is Jacob Osenbrug. He was born in Stade, Germany, on January 28, 1860, the son of Claus and Eliza (Stockman) Osenbrug, both of whom died in the fatherland, the former in 1878, having attained the age of three score years and ten. He was engaged in merchandising dur- ing his active business life, and was a man of worth. and ability.

Jacob Osenbrug came to America in 1877, when seventeen years of age, having received in his na- tive land a complete academic course of education and being graduated in 1873. He began an ap- prenticeship at the baker's trade, and also con- tinued his studies in an industrial school. He re- ceived the best of instruction in his trade, in which he was employed in London for a year before his emigration to America. Upon his arrival in the United States in 1878 he was employed for a short interval on the farm of an uncle in Missouri, after which he worked at his trade in that state about one year. In 1879 Mr. Osenbrug came to Mon- tana and located in Butte, which has been his home and field of successful business operations for more than a score of years. Soon after his ar- rival he went to work as a baker, and devoted his attention to his trade and, in 1881, he purchased the Eagle bakery, which he has since conducted. This establishment caters to a large and repre- sentative patronage, is modern in its equipments and facilities and its products meet with high fa- vor from their unmistakable superiority. It is eligibly located at No. 15 East Granite street, and the salesrooms are tasteful and attractive.

Mr. Osenbrug was for some time identified with ranching, having located a claim in the valley of the Big Hole river in 1885, but he disposed of his interests here in 1899. He has also made invest- ments in mining and prospecting enterprises in this section of the state. His energy and ability have given him success in business, and his char- acter has gained him respect and esteem. In pol- itics Mr. Osenbrug gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, and he is prominently identified with a number of fraternal organizations, includ- ing the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees, the United Workmen, the Select Knights and the Sons of Hermann, and for ten years he was a member of the National Guard of Montana. On March 9, 1883, Mr. Osenbrug was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Heimbockel, who was born in Germany, being

a. daughter of Henry and Matilda (Busch) Heim- bockel. She came to the United States but a short time prior to her marriage. Her death oc- curred on October 17, 1900. She was a true help- meet to her husband and by her true womanly character gained the effection and esteem of a large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Osenbrug's chil- dren are : Henry, Lizzie, Rudolph, Edward, Albert (deceased), and Albert again.

GEORGE OSWALD. - Perhaps there is no J other prominent business man of Butte, Mont., who has had a wider experience in the western country or endured more of the hardships and vicissitudes of pioneer life than George Oswald. The story of his life, while lightened by the sun- shine of romance, is also darkened by the shadows of tragedy and the manifold privations incidental to an adventurous career. He was born in Scot- land on April 19, 1838, the son of Robert and Eliz- abeth (Linton) Oswald. The father, born in Scot- land in 1796 and died in 1852, was prominent in mining circles and the general manager of a large coal and iron manufacturing firm, dealing largely in railroad iron. The mother was born in Scot- land of Irish parents. George was the second of her four children. In 1853, at the age of fifteen, he crossed the ocean to America and located in Norwich, Conn., where he worked as a machinist for three years. He then found employment in Chicago with the Excelsior Iron Works, for three - years, going then to Memphis, Tenn., where for a year he was a locomotive engineer on the Mem- phis & Ohio Railroad, and he served another year on the Little Rock Railway. Having traveled ex- tensively in the south Mr. Oswald went to Leaven- worth, Kan., in 1860, and with three others started for Pike's Peak. On their arrival in Denver, the Pike's Peak prospect was not so promising, and Mr. Oswald went to the Blue river in Colorado, and for six months engaged in placer mining, thence going to Georgia gulch where for eighteen months he was with a large placer mining com- pany. Removing to French gulch he purchased claims and worked them five months with indiffer- ent results.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 150

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