Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 157

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 157

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Mr. Reimel received a very limited education in the public schools and then learned the trade of a carpenter, engaging in contract work as a builder. In 1859 he went to Elmira, N. Y., and there worked at his trade for a year, at the end of which he removed to Jersey City, N. J., and followed the same line for awhile. In 1862 he engaged in the government employ in the construction depart- ment, principally at railroad service, being sta- tioned much of the time in and near Alexandria, Va. At the close of the war he returned to Jer- sey City and remained until 1868, working at his trade. That year he went to Wyoming, landing there in June, the month in which the new terri- tory was created. He remained there a year and then proceeded to California, where he remained almost continually until 1877, working as a mill- wright in that state, Nevada and Utah. In 1877 he came to Montana, locating at Walkerville, near Butte, and continued his work as a millwright for · a number of years. He erected and equipped the first mill built in Walkerville-the Alice, and has since served the leading mining companies in the neighborhood, being with the Moulton in 1880-1, and for the next ten years with the Lexington. Since 1892 he has been successfully engaged in mining and the real estate business, and now owns several houses and other real estate in the town.

Mr. Reimel was married in 1878 to Miss Lizzie Weaver, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Weaver, of Pennsylvania. She died July 18, 1900, leaving one son, Blaine W. Reimel, who was born July 16, 1884. Fraternally our subject belongs to the Masonic order. He was made a Mason in Union Lodge, Alexandria, Va., under dispensation from the grand lodge of the District of Columbia in 1864, and affiliated with Butte Lodge No. 22, in 1878. He is also a Royal Arch Mason and past high priest of Deer Lodge Chapter No. 3, of Butte. In political conviction he is a Republican, and was one of the first aldermen to represent the First ward of Walkerville in its city council. He was also public school trustee for several terms, at different times froin 1879 to 1893. His sterling worth, high character, energy in business and intelligent discretion in public affairs, have given him a strong hold on public esteem and the per- sonal regard of his associates, who see in him all the elements of upright and useful manhood.

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

F RANK REID .- Madison county numbers among her progressive business men, agricul- turists, miners and manufacturers many whose per- sonal history is valuable as an incitement to en- deavor. Among these there stands Frank Reid, who was born December 21, 1861, at New Scotland, Albany county, N. Y. His parents were George I. and Anna M. (Fuller) Reid, whose ancestors came from Scotland, and who were themselves well-to-do farmers and very religious. They had a family of seven children, of whom Frank was the youngest. He left school at the age of nine- teen, in 1880, and came to Montana, arriving at Virginia City on July 2, of that year. There he followed mining, teaming and contracting two years, and in 1882 removed to Butte for a year, re- turning to Virginia City in 1883, and remaining there until 1890. He and his family then made their home at Twin Bridges, where they now reside, and where he is extensively engaged in farming and butchering, in partnership with A. J. Wilcomb. The firm owns a farm of over 1,600 acres, well improved, under good cultivation, and abundantly stocked. Mr. Reid also owns real estate in Rochester and Twin Bridges. In business he has been successful, and in social circles and among his fellow citizens he has a high standing.

Mr. Reid is a strong Republican, keenly alive to the welfare of his party, and willing to do his part to secure its success. He is a member of West Gate Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., and belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. He was married December 29, 1886, at Butte, to Miss Margaret Gilbert, daughter of Henry S. and Mar- garet Gilbert, the family being pioneers at Alder gulch. Her parents are now living at Virginia City, secure in the respect of all. Mr. and Mrs. Reid have three children, namely : Almon G. and Alvin F. (twins), who were born at Virginia City, April 8, 1888, and George H., born at Twin Bridges June 5, 1895.

Mr. Rcid is not yet near life's meridian, and his past success, present prosperity and enterprise, and other well known traits, give abundant as- surance of more extended usefulness, a wider range of commercial activity and influence on the public life of the community.

HARLES RICH .- Of prominent New England C stock, although himself a native of Morley, N. Y., where he was born June 25, 1832, the late

Charles Rich, of Bozeman, the pleasing subject of this memoir, exhibited in his character and career the salient points of the New England makeup and thereby won success even from hard conditions in life.

His parents were Jacob and Sally (Willson) Rich, natives of New England, who removed into St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where the father died while our subject was quite young. Thus left without paternal care at an early age, Mr. Rich had but few educational advantages, and those were of a primitive kind. He had decided literary tastes and cultivated them at every opportunity. About the year 1850 he started west, and for a time worked at railroading, gradually making his way farther and farther until he reached California, where he engaged in mining and also in the hotel business. After spending five years in the Golden state he returned to his old New York home with the fruits of his profitable labors and there engaged in farming for a year or two. In 1861 he removed to Illinois, where he followed farming until 1864, when he again returned to New York, and spent the next two years in the service of the quartermaster's de- partment of the United States army under Gen. Merritt, of the Sixtieth New York. In May, 1866, he started for Montana, and in September of that year he reached Bozeman, where he opened a store in a tent. The business grew rapidly into pro- portions of magnitude, it being a partnership con- cern under the firm name of Rich & Willson, and having the combined energies and resources of two active men to push it. In 1883 or '84 Mr. Rich retired from the enterprise on account of failing health, and from that time lived a retired life until his death in 1896.

In political affiliation Mr. Rich was an earnest but not an active Republican ; fraternally he was a Mason, but had not affiliated with the Masonic lodge of Bozeman. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was mar- ried February 24, 1856, to Miss Malinda M. Tay- lor, who, like himself, was a native of St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where she was born August 29, 1832. Mrs. Rich's parents were the Rev. James and Lo- rena (Dimick) Taylor, natives of Vermont, who re- moved to New York in 1818 or 1820, where the father was a prominent minister in the Congre- gational church. Mrs. Rich is a prominent and active worker in the Presbyterian church, and espe- cially diligent and serviceable in behalf of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, of Boze-

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man, of which she is one of the charter members. She has one son left of the eight children born to her and Mr. Rich. He is Edwin T. Rich, a pros- perous plumber of Bozeman. Mr. Rich stood high in the good will and regard of his fellowmen where- ever known, and made his life a full, calm cur- rent of active goodness to those around him. No enterprise of a public character which promised good results for the community ever failed for his active support ; and his resourceful mind conceived and his energy put in operation many useful schemes for the advancement of his people. His death was a distinct loss to the county and was universally regretted.

JOHN T. P. FLETCHER was born at Water- town, N. Y., February 24, 1833. He is the son of Samuel and Emily (Johnston) Fletcher, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New York. His grandfather Fletcher was a gallant soldier in the war of 1812 and gave his life for the cause at French Mills on the Canadian border. His father located in New York, where he was engaged in farming, steamboating and the fur business until he came to Montana in 1874. Here he carried on a successful dairying business until he died in 1890, his wife having preceded him two years. Mr. Fletcher passed his school days at Hinsdale, N. Y., remaining there until 1855, then locating at Waterloo, Black Hawk county, Iowa, he engaged in bricklaying and mason work, helping to put up the first brick building of that locality. He returned to New York, and in the spring of 1856 came to Nebraska, took up land near Belleview and farmed for seven years, and was a pioneer of the state. In 1860 he went to the country crossed by the stage line and took contracts from the company to put up hay, but being run off by Indians, he returned to Belleview, having lost heavily in the enterprise. In 1862 he went to Nebraska City, bought a half interest in a freighting outfit, and engaged in freighting to Denver. In the fall he and his partner bought out a freighting, auctioneering and livery business at Denver, which they conducted until the follow- ing February, when Mr. Fletcher sold his interest. He then bought a four-horse team and started freighting on his own account. But, after making one trip to Fort Lyons, he returned to Denver.

His brother having arrived with a freighting

team, Mr. Fletcher joined him on a trip to Ban- nack with a load of freight. They had some bad scares on the way, some of them serious enough to induce them to throw up rifle pits and take other extra precautions, but they escaped trouble with Indians, and arrived at their destination May 12, 1863. Mr. Fletcher remained there until June 9, when he removed to Alder gulch and followed butchering until the summer of 1865, at which he was successful. In June, 1863, he sold out and went prospecting at the head of Ten Mile, where he secured two or three claims which proved worth- less. He then went over the mountains to Black- foot City, and on to Washington gulch, furnish- ing the outfits for himself and two companions. They soon became discouraged and quit, and Mr. Fletcher bought a claim in Blackfoot from which he made his expenses for the trip, and left it in charge of Ed. Herringdean and went to Virginia City, later in the fall making a trip to Salt Lake, Denver and New York, where he remained four months. During his absence Herringdean sold the Blackfoot claim for $100. It afterward proved to be very rich.

On his return to Montana he came from St. Joseph, Mo., up the Missouri to Belleview. There he bought horses and came by land to Bozeman, and was corralled one day by the Indians, but got away without serious trouble. He joined his brother at Virginia City, they again engaged in freight- ing and also started a horse ranch. After a few months he located on a small stream known as Fletcher creek, and went to farming. Two years later he bought his present property, on Nor- wegian gulch, seven miles east of Pony, to which he moved in December, 1868, and began mining, which he followed with varying success for sixteen years. In 1885, having acquired some capital, Mr. Fletcher started a dairying and stock- raising business, which he is still conducting, and now has oved 400 acres, all under irrigation and very productive, yielding large crops of both hay and grain, and supporting about 150 head of cat- tle and horses. In September, 1875, Mr. Fletcher married Miss Julia E. Gordon, of Rushford, N. Y. They were acquainted in the east, and she came to Montana at his request from Allegany county, N. Y., for this purpose. During the whole . of his residence in Montana Mr. Fletcher has been deeply interested in the welfare of the people among whom he has been living, and has won their highest respect and confidence. He was one

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

ot the original vigilantes, and assisted materially in subduing and driving out the lawless element, and in promoting the peace and order of the com- munity.

T THOMAS RICHARDS .- This popular business man, public official and useful citizen is a native of Dowlais, Glamorganshire, Wales, where he was born on December 18, 1848. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Watkins) Richards, also na- tives of Wales, from whence they came to the United States in 1862, and, after residing two years in Pennsylvania, removed to Bevier, Macon county, Mo., where the father was a prosperous farmer and died in 1898, having survived his wife twenty years, she having died in 1878 at Rome, N. Y. Her re- mains were buried at Bevier, Mo. Mr. Richards at- tended the common schools of his native country when a boy, went two winters to the schools in Pennsylvania, and had one term in the high school at Hannibal, Mo. He began his busi- ness career as proprietor of a general mer- chandise establishment at Bevier, Mo., which he conducted for six years. From 1874 to 1884 he was coal mining in Macon county, Mo., and from the tall of 1884 to 1886 he was in Kansas City, Mo., whence he came to Montana and passed three years prospecting and mining in the neighborhood of Butte. In 1889 he was appointed deputy, under sheriff John E. Lloyd, serving four years. He was then appointed deputy county clerk and recorder under C. Q. Johnson, and served four years. In July, 1897, he was appointed clerk of the board of education of Silver Bow county, an office which he still holds. He is a Republican in politics, and belongs to Butte Lodge of Freemasons and Esk- ridge Lodge of Odd Fellows at Bevier, Mo., which he joined thirty-four years ago. He was married at Bevier, Mo., in 1873, to Miss Jennie C. Jones, who was born in Vermont in 1849, of Welsh parentage, her ancestors being among the pioneer settlers of New England. They have four children : Ralph, Annie, John and D. Dudley.

OHN C. RICHLIE .- It has ever been a matter of pride and satisfaction that our great Ameri- can republic offers such rare opportunities for the winning of success and an honored position in life through individual effort. Among those who have J

come from far distant lands to cast in their lot with Montana is Mr. Richlie, who is one of the popular and successful farmers and dairymen of Missoula county, his well improved ranch being located four miles west of the city of Missoula, which is his postoffice address. Mr. Richlie is a native of Switz- erland, and he was born near the city of Frauen- feld, on April 15, 1857, the son of Conrad and Victoria (Hoffetter) Richlie, born respectively in Switzerland and Germany, where the former died in 1898 and where the mother is still living. Con- rad Richlie was an architect, and to this vocation devoted his life, though in later years he was also identified with agriculture. In the family were one son and two daughters, and Mr. Richlie and one sister, Mrs. Trautwein, are residents of the United States, while the other sister, Mrs. Nahel, still re- mains in Switzerland.

John C. Richlie completed his scholastic work in a university at Huttweilen, and later learned the trade of machinist, becoming a thoroughly skilled artisan. He served two years in the standing army of Switzerland, holding commission as sergeant, an office of quite high distinction in that land. He steadily worked at his trade until 1879, when he came to the United States and remaining three months in New York city, for a short time located in St. Louis, whence he went to New Mexico, for one year, then to Texas, and later to Los Angeles, Cal., when that beautiful city was a hamlet. During all these travels he continued work at his trade, and in 1882 came to Missoula in the employ of the Northern Pacific, being the first machinist to be sent to this point by that road. He continued in the employ of the Northern Pacific a few years, and then became a foreman on the Montana Union Railroad.

He eventually entered claim to a tract of govern- ment land where the town of Bonner now stands, disposing of it and later taking up land near his present ranch, which comprises nearly 1,000 acres and is well improved. Here Mr. Richlie has been engaged in farming and dairying since 1891, in the latter branch of the enterprise keeping an aver- age of 150 cows. On his ranch is located a vein of excellent coal, from six to twenty-eight feet in thickness, and he expects to soon develop this valuable deposit. In politics he is in harmony with the Democratic party, but has never sought public office. Fraternally he holds membership in the Ancient Order United Workmen. In 1880, while in New Mexico, Mr. Richie was united in marriage

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to Miss Addie Sougg, a native of Switzerland, who died in 1883, leaving two sons, Ray and Chester. In the city of Missoula, in 1891, Mr. Richlie con- summated a second marriage, Miss Caroline Eigen- man becoming his wife. She is also a native of Switzerland, and of this union five children have

Robert Riddle secured such educational advan- tages as were afforded by the public schools of Ohio, and thereafter learned the trade of harness- maker, at Wellsburg, Va., where he remained been born, Ernest, Ida and John now living, while . about two years; but returned to the old homestead two are dead. The family enjoy the respect and esteem of the community, and Mr. Richlie must feel a just pride in the success which he has attained and this should also prove an encouragement to others fighting the battle of life for themselves. for a brief interval and then located in Iowa, which was his home until 1864. That year he moved west, selecting Montana as his destination, and is known as one of the pioneers of this state. He made the long and hazardous journey across the plains with an ox team under the guidance of Capt. Stafford. At that early day serious encounters with hostile Indians were frequent, but the Stafford train fortunately escaped. though serious appre- hension of trouble was felt at various points en route. They came up the Yellowstone river to Em- igrant gulch, where our subject passed the winter, and he recalls the fact that meat was the only ar- ticle possible to secure. In the spring of 1865 he moved to Alder gulch, arriving in Virginia City about two days before the memorable flour riot. He engaged in mining in that locality until 1870, devoting some attention to the raising of hay and meeting with success of a rather negative quality. With a view to bettering his fortunes Mr. Riddle went to the Coeur d'Alene mining district, where he became associated with three other men in se- curing claims. He found one nugget valued at $33, and appearances indicated that fortune was in his grasp, but in his case Burns' aphorism, "The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft aglee," found verification, the claims not yielding appre- ciable returns. After two years of varying exper- iences Mr. Riddle left that section of the country with his finances reduced to the lowest possible ebb. He came to the Gallatin valley and was identified with farming in the employ of others for one year; but at the expiration of that period he purchased a small place near his present ranch, rais- ing one or two crops thereon, and then purchased his present property of James Stewart. Here he has since been successfully engaged in farming and stockraising.

R OBERT RIDDLE is well classed as among the leading farmers and sterling pioneers of Mon- tana, whose labors have contributed to the material advancement and general welfare of the community. His life has been a busy and useful one, and is an example of honorable dealing, steadfast purpose, fidelity to principle and invincible moral courage. As one of the representative farmers of Gallatin county he well deserves the esteem which is uni- formly accorded him. His ranch is most eligibly located, being situated five miles south of Bel- grade, and being traversed by Middle creek, has ample irrigation facilities. The ranch embraces 280 acres, all under effective cultivation, devoted to the raising of barley, wheat, oats, clover and alfalfa, yielding an abundant harvest. The ranch is well improved, and shows the discriminating care be- stowed and the progressive methods brought to bear by the owner. Mr. Riddle is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in Jefferson county, October 18, 1840. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Howse) Riddle, were natives respect- ively of Maryland and Ohio. The paternal grand- father was Isaac Riddle, who likewise was born in Maryland, while the maternal grandfather was Wil- liam Howse, who claimed England as the place of his nativity, coming to the United States when a young man. It is a matter of record that Isaac Riddle attained remarkable longevity, being 104 years of age at the time of his death. John Riddle, father of our subject, served under Gen. William Henry Harrison in the war of 1812, and thereafter continued his residence in Ohio until his death, which occurred in 1894. Being a cooper he de- voted his attention to that business for a number of years, but engaged in agricultural pursuits in later years and to the end of his life. In his fam-

ily were eleven children, of whom the subject of this review was the sixth in order of birth.

In politics he gives his support to the principles and policies of the Republican party, maintains a lively interest in all measures that will promote public prosperity and the best interests of the com- munity, but has never been an aspirant for official preferment. He is a stanch friend to the cause of education, and has done all in his power to ad-

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vance the same in his home community, having been a member of the board of school trustees for many years.

July 4, 1882, Mr. Riddle was united in marriage to Miss Zynthia Stevens, who was born in Mis- souri, the daughter of William Stevens, one of the pioneers ot that state. To this union one son was born, Louis, now with his father on the home farm. Mrs. Riddle was summoned into eternal rest in 1884, and on the 16th of December, 1888, Mr. Rid- dle consummated a second marriage, being united to Miss Sarah Ivy, a native of northern Missouri, and daughter of James Ivy. They are the parents of two children : Alice and Wilson. Again was Mr. Riddle bereft of his helpmeet, she passing away January 5, 1895.

EREMIAH ROACH, whose useful life ended August 22, 1895, was born in New York city, January 7, 1829. His parents were James and Margaret (Galvin) Roach, natives of Ireland, who came to New York soon after their marriage and after a short time spent in that city removed to Scranton, Pa., where the father engaged in farming and continued at it until his death. They were the parents of ten children, of whom our subject was the first born. Mr. Roach was only two or three years old when his parents removed to Scranton. He remained with them attending school and working on the farm until he was twenty-one years old, and then made his way to St. Paul, Minn., where he engaged in trading and the lumber busi- ness, which he followed for about five years, when he removed to Dakota and in 1863 came to Mon- tana, locating first at Bannack, where he sold a herd of cattle which he had, and from there went to Virginia . City and there engaged in the lumber business. In 1865 he moved his sawmill to Gold creek, near Philipsburg, and continued the same business until 1873, when he moved the mill to Deer Lodge where he carried on a prosperous business. In 1876 he took up his residence at Butte, and engaged in the lumber business, al- though the mill was located at Elk Park. The next year he sold out all of his lumber business and de- voted his time exclusively to mining, in which he was very extensively engaged, having important in- terests in mines all over the state, principally, how- ever, in Madison and Silver Bow counties. He owned interests in nearly all the large mines in

Butte, and a great deal of real estate. While his business operations were extensive and engross- ing, he did not allow them to absorb all his time or energy to the exclusion of his duties as a citizen or his abiding interest in the welfare of the com- munity.

He was an ardent Republican in politics, but in local affairs placed the common weal above party claims. He was a member of Butte's first board of aldermen, and administered the duties of the office in a way that won him high commendation and gave general satisfaction to all classes of the community. In fraternal relations he was identified with the Masonic order in lodge, chapter and in the Eastern Star organization. He was married September 23, 1877, to Miss Alice Meiklejohn, a native of Camp Douglas, Utah, and daughter of David and Ann (McGovern) Meiklejohn, also na- tives of Scotland, who came to America in 1856 and located near St. Joseph, Mo. Her father was a manufacturer of woolen cloth in Scotland. The family removed to Montana in 1863, and the father died in Butte in 1888, after a career of great success and prosperity, in which lie attained a position of commanding prominence. Mr. and Mrs. Roach were the parents of seven children, of whom six are living, namely: J. Walter, Edward, David Forbes, Alice Israel, James Clarke and John Sisley ; another child, Elmira Noyes, is deceased.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 157

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