Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 162

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 162

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On September 15, 1882, Dr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Hoffpauer, of Minne- apolis, the young couple coming to Montana and locating in Bozeman, where the Doctor has since been engaged in the practice of his profession and where he has attained such distinction and success. The home of Dr. and Mrs. Foster is brightened by the presence of their two daughters, Mabel and Myrtle, both of whom were born in Bozeman, the former in 1883, and the latter in 1886. After locating in Montana there was but brief interval before popular recognition of the talents and professional worth of Dr. Foster was accorded, and his reputation as one of the rep- resentative medical practitioners of the state but stands in evidence of his just deserts. The evi- dences of high esteem in which he is held as a man have been many; as in addition to his pro- fessional duties he has been called on to serve as mayor of his home city, and for several years was a member of the city council. Realizing, how- ever, that his profession is a jealous mistress, he has not felt justified in giving much time or at- tention to political affairs, his increasing practice

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placing inexorable demands upon his entire time, alniost night and day, and he has not swerved for a moment from his devotion to professional work. Several years ago the Doctor felt there was an imperative need for a first class sanitarium in Boze- man, and being distinctively a man of self-reliance and action, it is not surprising that we soon find him vigorously planning for the needed institution. He at once rented a building, which he equipped as a sanitarium, utilizing the same for three years, within which time the demands placed upon the institution so taxed its capacity that steps were taken to secure more commodious quarters to meet the required service. In 1896 Dr. Foster built his present fine sanitarium building, which is of modern and attractive architectural design, and is admirably adapted in its arrangement for the pur- poses intended. The structure is of brick, and the cost of its construction approximated $20,000, hence it may be inferred that it is essentially mod- ern in its accommodations and equipments. At the time the building was completed it was sup- posed its capacity would be adequate to meet all demands for a long term of years, but such has been the patronage accorded by those afflicted that it has been found essential to fully double the ca- pacity of the institution, which will be done within the near future by the erection of an annex. It is expected that this work will be completed within the present year (1901), and at an estimated ex- penditure of about $12,000. The value of this mag- nificent enterprise to the community is inestimable ; all brought to fruition entirely through the efforts of Dr. Foster, and through his innate modesty and unpretentious attitude are such that he is signally free from any self-adulation, there is a distinct appreciation of his labors and noble efforts. The sanitarium derives its patronage not only from the city and contiguous territory, but from the most diverse sections of the north- west, the reputation of the institution be- ing such as to constantly augment its prestige. It is safe to say that there is no more modern or finely equipped sanitarium west of St. Paul, while the attendance and service are of equal excellence. Dr. Foster is deserving of great credit and grat- itude for the magnificent institution which he has thus provided, which will remain a perpetual mon- ument to the originator, who has thus shown, as a young man, his capacity in an executive as well as a professional way. Dr. Foster is a member of the American Medical Association and the Mon-

tana State Medical Society, and prior to locating here he was identified with the Minnesota State Medical Society. In the midst of the multitudin- ous demands placed upon him by the practical work of his profession and the maintenance of the sanitarium he neglects no opportunity to be thoroughly well read in the best literature of his profession, thus keeping at all times abreast of the advances made in the sciences of medicine and surgery and personally contributing to such advances through his experience in clinical work and his original thought and investigation. Dr. and Mrs. Foster are leaders in those social cir- cles where refinement and culture are in evidence, and they enjoy a marked popularity in the city of their home. Mrs. Foster is a communicant of St. James Protestant Episcopal church in Boze- man, and while not a member of the same, the Doctor is one of the trustees and contributes a due quota to the work of the parish. In politics the Doctor gives his support to the Democratic party, having cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Hancock; fraternally he is identified with the Be- nevolent Protective Order of Elks.

F "RANK SCHULTZ is one of the sterling citi- zens whom the great German empire has granted to Montana, and he is deserving of repre- sentation as one of the successful farmers and stockgrowers of Choteau county. He was born on January 19, 1854, in the province of Westphalen, Germany, a son of Conrad Schultz, who was born in the opening year of the nineteenth century and who passed his entire life in his native land, his death occurring in Westphalen in 1883. He was a forester by vocation and a man of ability and sterling worth. His wife, whose maiden name was Amalie Weber, died in the same locality in the year of the birth of her son Frank.

Frank Schultz secured his educational discipline in a private school at Annen, Westphalen, and when fourteen years of age he went to the city of Dusseldorf, where he was identified with dairying for seven years. In 1879 he emigrated to the United States, making his home in Colorado and engaging in mining operations at Ophir until 1883. He then made the overland trip to Prescott, Ariz., where he passed one winter, in the spring of 1884 going to San Francisco, and thence to British Columbia. He soon returned to the states, was for

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a time at The Dallas, Ore., and in the fall of 1884 he went to Seattle, and was thereafter em- ployed on the Northern Pacific Railroad until July, 1885. He then went to Montana and passed the following four years in Butte and Deer Lodge in the employ of Nicholas Bielenberg. In the sum- mer of 1889 Mr. Schultz located on his present ranch in Choteau county, lying in proximity to the Bear Paw mountains and eligibly located on Birch creek. "He brought with him 6000 sheep belonging to Mr. Bielenberg and Boyse.

Mr. Schultz's original claim in this county ag- gregated 640 acres, and he also has a school sec- tion of equal area and recourse to a free grazing range of about 3000 acres, so that ample scope is afforded for his sheep growing operations in which he is now engaged on his own responsibility, run- ning an average of 2,000 head and manifesting that progressive spirit which is certain to make his ranching enterprise expand in scope and import- ance. In politics our subject accords his support to the Republican party. In the city of Great Falls, on April 16, 1898, Mr. Schultz married Mrs. Min- nie B. Smith, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1864, the daughter of Adolph Feremeier Hu- bertshofen. She first married Richard Smith, who died in 1892, leaving two children: Max, now an apprentice in the United States navy yard at San Francisco, and Rosa, now residing with her mother. Of the present union no children have been born.

OHN T. SEYLER .- Among those whose minds. J revert in detail to the strenuous life and stirring incidents of the early pioneer epoch on the Montana frontier is Mr. Seyler, now one of the honored" citizens and successful ranchmen of Madison coun- ty. He is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born June 22, 1834, the son of Jacob and Margaret Seyler, both of whom were born in . the same province of Germany. They emigrated to the United States in 1848, and settled near Marietta, Ohio, where the father was a farmer and where both ended their days. They had six children, of whom John T. was the fifth in birth and one of the two who survive. John T. Seyler received his edu- cational training in his native land, and after the re- moval of the family to America he assisted in the work of the homestead farm for some time, after which he devoted three years to the shoemaker's trade. He then went to the mining regions of Lake

Superior, where he passed three years, and in 1856 he set sail from New York city for California, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Francisco twenty-four days after embarking. He was there engaged in placer mining until 1864, when he drove a herd of cattle from California to Nevada, and in the spring of 1865 he came to Vir- ginia City, Mont., purchased a placer claim and devoted his attention to mining for the precious metal in that locality until 1868, when he trans- ferred his base of operations to Bevin's gulch, where he was successful in his quest for gold, se- curing good returns. He made a prospecting trip into Idaho, but soon returned to Bevin's gulch, and was thereafter engaged in mining in German gulch, being also successful here.

In 1869 Mr. Seyler made a trip to Texas, re- turning with a herd of cattle in 1871. He located and made his home on the Big Hole river, where he has now a fine estate of 1,000 acres, in three ranches, and here he raises horses and cattle for the local market. He formerly had a large number of range cattle in Fergus county. The homestead ranch is located one mile and a half southeast of Twin Bridges, his postoffice address. Mr. Seyler recalls many interesting incidents in regard to the early days in Montana. In the winter of 1865-6 he was before the vigilance committee as a witness in the trial of a suspected road agent, and he was in Alder gulch during the memorable flour riot, when the citizens took matters into their own hands and seized the flour which had been held at a most exorbitant price, and parceled out the product in just proportions and offered a reasonable amount in payment therefor. In politics he gives his al- legiance to the Republican party, and fraternally he is a member of West Gate Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M. In 1877 Mr. Seyler was united in marriage to Miss Jane Dempsey, who was born in Montana, and of this union six children have been born, James, John, William, Amos, Alice and Edward. The family are highly esteemed in the community, and their pleasant ranch home is one of western hospitality.

L OREN L. SHAW, one of the oldest and most successful of Montana pioneers, and a plains- man of varied and profitable experience, now re- sides on a beautiful ranch on the South Boulder river, near Jefferson Island, in Madison county. He was born in Greenwich, Hampshire county,

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Mass., on December 31, 1834. His parents were Loren and Malinda (Wheeler) Shaw, both natives of Greenwich. Their paternal grandfather was Presperrie Shaw, and the maternal grandfather was Gardner Wheeler, of Braintree. After attend- ing the public schools of Greenwich, where his father was a shoemaker, until he was thirteen, Lo- ren L. Shaw started for Indiana, and following the example of President Garfield worked on the tow- path of the Wabash & Erie canal until 1865, when he enlisted in the United States army and was first stationed at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., and later at Forts Snelling and Ridgely, Minn.

He crossed the plains in 1857 in Gen. Johnston's command, and wintered at Fort Bridger, and in the spring they went to Utah and established Fort Floyd. The Indians were generally peaceable and the troops had no serious difficulty with them. The command to which Mr. Shaw belonged brought the first long range guns the Indians ever saw, and they remained pretty quiet. Having served his five- years term, Mr. Shaw was honorably discharged on July 16, 1860. Following this event he went to Fort Bridger, where the garrison had been called east by the breaking out of the Civil war, and had left a large amount of supplies for Gen. Connor, who was coming from California. Mr. Shaw and one Siddell were placed in charge of these sup- plies and they remained at Fort Bridger in this duty for one year. Then after railroading until 1864, Mr. Shaw started for Montana and on the journey had no trouble with the Indians, and in this re- spect he was always quite fortunate, as frequently parties ahead of and behind him met with serious trouble and fatalities. He arrived at Alder gulch on May 2, 1864, and remained here seven years engaged in prospecting and mining with varying success. He then took up a homestead at South Boulder, where he at present resides. To his orig- inal property he has added extensively until now he has one of the best improved ranches in the state. He has 440 acres in a most eligible loca- tion, improved with a fine brick house and stocked with a valuable herd of cattle and everything neces- sary for the successful carrying on of farming.

On March 23, 1863, at Camp Floyd, Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Clara Theobald, of the Isle of Wight, England. She was born June 15, 1847, the daughter of William and Martha (Lane) Theobald, who were married in England and removed to the United States from the Isle of Wight in 1857, locating at Salt Lake City, Utah,

for ten years, then went to southern Utah for one year, and returning remained six months, during which time Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were married. Their children are Lorenzo, Arthur, Ralph, all de- ceased; Helena, now Mrs. Weingart, residing on the ranch at Silver Star ; Highland, Frances, now Mrs. Powell, of Willow Creek; Susie, now Mrs. Martin, of the same place; Lorin, a successful rancher at Willow creek, and Harry, at home. For twenty years Mr. Shaw has been a school trustee, which fact is but one of the numerous illustrations of the esteem in which he is held. His home is in a most beautiful location, protected on three sides by high mountains, with only a southern exposure, through which come the south winds, soft and balmy. In his home life Mr. Shaw is a prince of hospitality, and with a genial, kindly smile he is ever ready to "welcome the coming and speed the parting guest."

DATRICK SHEEHAN .- A resident of Butte for nearly twenty years, during which time he has been consecutively identified with the great mining enterprises of this section of the state, the fidelity, energy and executive ability of Patrick Sheehan have brought about his advancement and retention in positions of trust and responsibility. Mr. Sheehan is a representative of old Irish stock but was himself born in Oneida county, N. Y., on March 4, 1857, the third of the eight children of Patrick and Kate (Hoolihan) Sheehan, both of whom were born in Ireland, whence they emigrated to America about 1840, passing the remainder of their lives in New York.

Patrick Sheehan, at the age of twelve years be- came identified with farm work, and continued at this until he was twenty-two years old, when he came to the west and was engaged in mining opera- tions in the Black Hills for two years, after which, in 1882, he came to Montana and located in Butte, where he secured employment in what is now the East Colusa mine, whch then had reached a depth of only 260 feet. Mr. Sheehan remained in the employ of this company for three years and then took a position in the Montana Chief mine, whose development had not progressed far. He was fore- man of the mine for the Idona Mining Company for some time, and in 1899 he assumed a similar posi- tion in the Speculator mine, which incumbency he has since retained, having assisted in the equip-

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ment of the mine. He is a thorough and practical miner and manages the affairs pertaining to his re- sponsible position with marked ability and discrim- ination. He owns real estate in Butte, having an attractive residence at 217 North Jackson street, and is also interested in several mining prospects. His political support is given to the Democratic party. On July 11, 1898, Mr. Sheehan was united in marriage to Miss Maud Carpenter, who was born in Missouri.

D AVID R. SHORTHILL .- Bearing a name conspicuously identified with the development of Park county, where the family is represented by a number of prominent residents, David R. Short- hill was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., on Feb- ruary 26, 1831, son of Dennis and Jane (Gilland) Shorthill, the former being born on the vessel upon which his parents emigrated to America, while the latter was a native of Huntingdon county, Pa. His paternal grandparents were natives of the north of Ireland, his grandfather being John Shorthill, who came with his family to the United States in 1794.

David R. Shorthill secured his education in the public schools, but early assumed the practical du- ties of life. When but thirteen he went to eastern Pennsylvania and was employed in lumbering in the Alleghany mountains, thence going to Brady's Bend and mining about four years, and to which locality he returned after a short stay in Youngs- town, Ohio, becoming superintendent of the mines at Johnstown for about two years, after which he was superintendent for two years in the mines of the Broad Top region in Huntingdon county. In 1856 Mr. Shorthill went to Kansas for a year, this being when that locality was the scene of the great contest for the extension of slavery. In 1858 gold was discovered on Cherry creek, Colo., and Mr. Shorthill went thither by the Smoky Hill route, and great privations were endured by those who went to the new field, starvation facing not a few. In 1861 he returned to Pennsylvania and was com- missioned a recruiting officer for the Union army, and a year later enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, with which he participated in the second battle of Bull Run and the engagement at South Mountain. At Antietam he was in the line of battle and received a wound thought to be fatal, but he was found by friends

and taken to his home, where he was confined for a considerable length of time, receiving his honor- able discharge at Stafford C. H., Va., on March 8, 1863.

Mr. Shorthill came to Montana in 1864 from Iowa City, Iowa, overland with an ox team. Dur- ing the trip they buried three men killed by the Indians, members of the Townsend train ahead of them, and had considerable trouble with the In- dians. On the way they met James Bridger, who informed Mr. Shorthill that there was gold in Emigrant gulch. At Stillwater he and Hiram Bennett left the train and came to Emigrant, Park county, where they found that Bridger had stated the truth, for they found gold, and retraced their way and met one part of the train, which had been divided, at Hunter's Hot Springs. This division accompanied Short- hill and Bennett to Emigrant gulch, where the other division had already arrived. The gold did not yield in paying quantities at the mouth of the gulch, and Mr. Shorthill went up the gulch and made discovery six miles above in what became Shorthill's district. In 1866 he visited the present Yellow- stone National Park, and in 1868 made a report to the United States government concerning the hot springs, geysers and other attractions.

In 1868 also he went to the Saskatchewan coun- try, B. C., for a short time and then returned to Pennsylvania, and was again mine superintendent for Robert H. Powell for nine years, when he re- moved with his family to Austin, Texas, where they raised two years, and in Weatherford, Texas, then one year in New Mexico, after which he per- manently located with his family on Shorthill creek, in the Yellowstone valley, Mont., in 1880. Here he took up a homestead claim and engaged in ranch- ing and has ever since maintained his home. Po- litically he supports the Democratic party, and fra- ternally he is identified with the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders and the United American Mechanics. On December 31, 1849, Mr. Shorthill married Miss Margaret Richards, born in Wales, the daughter of John and Mary (Jenkins) Richards, who emi- grated thence to America. Mr. and Mrs. Short- hill have had eight children, John, Thomas, of Pine creek, Park county ; Mary Jane, wife of David Duncan, of Red Lodge; Angeline, the late wife of Robert Divelbiss, who died in 1890; Josephine, wife of Frederick Bottler; Eleanor, wife of Joseph George; Margaret, wife of Albert Allen, and Ab- bie, wife of William Hancock.

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JOHN SHORTHILL .- One of the progressive farmers of Park county, where he has demon- strated the productive capacity of the soil and takes an enthusiastic interest in the locality and its de- velopment, Mr. John Shorthill was born in Trum- bull county, Ohio, on January 12, 1851, the son of David R. and Mary (Richards) Shorthill. (See sketch elsewhere in this work.) The family re- moved from Ohio to Pennsylvania when John was a child, and there he attained maturity, receiving his education in the public schools. In 1876 he traveled to Texas, where he passed about two years, then was in New Mexico two other years, thence removing to Colorado, where he was railroading seven years. In 1885 Mr. Shorthill came to Mon- tana and direct to the Yellowstone valley, where he took up a homestead claim, to which he has added until his ranch has now 320 acres, mostly under effective irrigation, so that excellent yields of hay and grain are secured.

The great basic art of agriculture is destined to show magnificent development in Montana, and John Shorthill has contributed to progress in this line. His ranch is well improved and located six- teen miles south of Livingston, his postoffice ad- dress. In politics Mr. Shorthill gives his allegiance to the Republican party, and he served for a num- ber of years as school trustee, taking an active in- terest in educational, religious and temperance work, and being a member of the Methodist church. On December 12, 1870, Mr. Shorthill wedded Miss Alice Divelbiss, born in Pennsylvania the daughter of Isaac and Eliza (Jackson) Divel- biss, both natives of the Keystone state. Mr. and Mrs. Shorthill have raised five children, May, wife of Thomas Allen, a rancher in the Yellowstone valley ; Charles, a successful rancher in the same valley ; David, who married Miss Sarah B. Allen, a native of New York, who is located on the home ranch; Eliza, wife of Andrew Middaugh, of Livingston, and Robert, clerk in a Livingston store.

D ANIEL W. SLAYTON .- This prosperous and enterprising ranchman is a member of that distinguished family whose record in America which began in 1682, is fully set forth in the sketch of Dalon F. Slayton, elsewhere in this work. He is a native of Steuben county, N. Y., where he was born November 6, 1862. His school days were passed in his native county and in Virginia, whither the

family removed after the close of the Civil war, and he remained at home until after his father's death. In 1884 he came to Montana, and entering into partnership with his brother Dalon, at White Sulphur Springs, he located his present ranch and engaged in raising sheep. The partnership was continued three years, and at the end of that time was dissolved by mutual consent, each brother tak- ing his share of the property. He has about 1,000 acres in his home ranch on Folsom creek, sixty miles north of Billings. In 1897 he purchased the Moser ranch, twelve miles above his home, and has the two connected by a private telephone. The Moser ranch was the first one located in that sec- tion, it being originally the property of Joe Moser and on what was then Currant creek, but is now called Folsom creek ; also about 1,000 acres. Both properties are well irrigated, the first ditch on the creek being on the upper property. He has a val- uable herd of Merino and Cotswold sheep, number- ing 14,000. The ranches are improved with a fine two-story residence, large and well built barns, sheds, corrals and other necessary appliances. In addition to the ranches mentioned Mr. Slayton owns the Trask ranch, near the town of Lavina, which he purchased in 1901, and thirty-seven sec- tions of railroad lands. In November, 1887, he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie E. Ellis, a native of Massachusetts who came to Montana with her parents some years ago. They have five chil- dren : Lydia Elizabeth, Daniel Ellis, Albert John, Ernest Gardner and Ruth Catherine.

JAMES M. SLIGH, M. D .- The scion of good Scotch and Irish families, the orphan of a soldier and himself a soldier, having borne his share of the service and wearing the marks of its burden, the product of city life and yet ministering to the suffering and dying in a great mining camp, a gentleman of quiet tastes but forced by circum- stances into the very maelstrom of political con- tention, Dr. James M. Sligh, of Anaconda, is an inviting theme for the biographer on many sides. He first saw the light of day at Rochester, N. Y., May 19, 1845. His father, James W. Sligh, a prom- inent merchant of that city, was a native of Scot- land who came to the United States in 1835. His mother, who was Miss Eliza Wilson before her marriage, was born in Ireland and brought to Rochester when she was a year old. Her father

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 162

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