Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 163

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 163

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

was a contractor in the construction of the Erie canal. She was married to Mr. Sligh at Rochester in 1843. Five children blessed the union, of whom the Doctor was the oldest. When he was two years old the family removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he grew up and was educated in the public schools of that city, finishing at its excellent high school. The shadow of the Civil war fell darkly on his early life, and perhaps changed its whole tenor. His father enlisted in the Union army at the beginning of the struggle and after rising to the rank of captain in the First Engineer Corps, was killed in one of the Tennessee campaigns No- vember 1, 1863. The son was also a soldier for the Union, having enlisted in the First Michigan Engineers as a private. He soon rose to the rank of sergeant, and on the battlefield of Lavergne, near Stone river, was made first lieutenant for con- spicuous bravery. Subsequently he was with Sher- man in his famous march to the sea, and saw all the lights and shades of that great military achievement. When in the very thick of the bat- tle of Nashville, he was shot through the cheek, but concealing the pain, he gallantly fought on until victory was won. Being mustered out of service at Jackson, Mich., September 30, 1865, having been made captain April 30, 1865, he cast about him for an occupation through life, and chose the profession of medicine. He entered Detroit Medical College in the fall of 1875, and was graduated therefrom in 1880, having taken all the time necessary to complete, in the most thorough and deliberate man- ner, the entire course. He began the practice of his profession at his former home, Grand Rapids, and continued there, with steadily increasing reputation and reward until 1887, when he came to Montana and formed a partnership with Dr. Cole, of Helena. In that city he gained friends and reputation rap- idly, and so firmly established himself in the public regard that when the Granite Mining Company, owning and working at that time the largest min- ing camp in the state, desired to employ a phy- sician for its force, he was the man selected and was engaged by telegraph in December, 1889. In his practice at the camp, which continued tor more than eight years, the Doctor had a great many difficult cases which brought him a wide range of experience and tested to the utmost his capabilities. For the work, however, he was well equipped by his long and studious previous preparation ; and in its performance was singularly successful and so endeared himself to those whom he served, that

when Granite county was formed, he was chosen as its first representative in the state senate. He was supposed to be elected for two years, but owing to the fact that they were representing new counties as to which the conditions had not been definitely fixed, he and another senator held over and served four years. His legislative duties opened up to him a new held for intellectual effort, and he entered upon it with the same intelligent and comprehen- sive grasp of details and general principles that characterized his work in other fields. He was made chairman of the committee on mines and mining, and showed such tact and re- sourcefulness in parliamentary proceedings that he was given special charge of the bill for locating the soldiers' home at Kalispel and also the one creating the new county of Carbon. A still higher proof of the faith of his party asso- ciates in his readiness and wisdom as a tacti- cian is found in his selection to place Hon. Lee Mantle in nomination for United States senator, in the caucus of his party, and to manage the cam- paign which resulted in his election to that ex- alted position.

Dr. Sligh was married March 21, 1867, to Miss Sarah Hill, a native of Detroit, Mich., who is the offspring of distinguished New English ancestry, her mother being a direct descendant of Elder Brewster, who came over in the Mayflower. Mrs. Sligh is a Daughter of the Revolution and a mem- ber of the Society of Colonial Dames. They have been blessed with six children, of whom four are living and all grown up. The Doctor is a member of the Montana State Medical Society, of which he was president in 1896, and an honorary member of the L. & C. Medical Society. In church affilia- tions he is an Episcopalian, and in fraternal rela- lations a member of the order of Elks, the order of Eagles, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Freemasons, belonging in the last to Oriental Lodge No. 240, of Detroit, of which he was secretary for a number of years.

JOHN L. SLOANE .- Among the distinguished heroes of the Civil war who, coming to the ter- ritory of Montana in a military capacity, cast in their lot with its enterprising citizens, grew with the country's growth and strengthened with its strength, is John L. Sloane, of Missoula. That he has found therein profit and honor commensurate with his

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ability and energy is indisputable. He has encoun- tered many arduous private and official duties dur- ing his twenty years' residence in territory and state, but he has met them bravely and successfully. In civic as in military life his vocabulary has con- tained no such word as "fail." He is an Irish- American, born in New York city on March 28, 1847, his father, Robert Sloan, being a native of Ireland who, at the age of fifty years, sailed for New York accompanied by his wife and twelve children. He died at sea and the stricken family continued their way to their new home bereft of the paternal head and guide. The widow, Jean ( Sloane) Sloane, was born in Ireland and died in New York city during the devastating cholera epidemic of 1854. She sprung from the same Scotch-Irish ancestral stock as did her husband, of whom she was a dis- tant relative.

John L. Sloane resided in New York city until he was seventeen years of age. His patriotism, which up to that period had been curbed by youth, now found vent, and, on March 18, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, Fifth New York Veteran Infantry, the historic Duryea's Zouaves. This company be- came a part of the First Brigade, Second Division, and Fifth Corps of the Army of the Potomac, and served with distinction in all Virginia campaigns, during which service Mr. Sloane was wounded four times. He was mustered out in New York city on August 22, 1865. His military ardor, however, had only been quickened by the'exciting scenes in which he had taken part and he was at once commis- sioned second lieutenant of Company B, in the Sec- ond California Cavalry, under Col. Edward Mc- Gary. The regiment was then stationed in Nevada, where Lieut. Sloane joined his company. On his ar- rival he was agreeably surprised by the offer of the position of aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen. Mc- Dowell, then commander of the department of Cali- fornia. This he accepted and in that responsible ca- pacity served with distinction until January 24, 1866. Then followed eleven years of civic avocations in New York, Kansas and the southern states, prin- cipally, however, in New Orleans. In 1877 he re- enlisted, joining the Third Infantry Regiment, United States Army, with which he came to Mon- tana and served four years. In 1881 he retired from the service and located in Missoula, where he has since resided, founded a handsome home and ac- quired wealth and prominence.

In 1882 Mr. Sloane was chosen justice of the peace and in 1883 he was elected the first police

magistrate of the newly incorporated city of Mis- soula. He was repeatedly re-elected, continuing in the office until 1889, and during a portion of this time he officiated in the responsible position of ex- press agent for the Northern Pacific Railway. In the fall of 1889, following the admission of Mon- tana into the sisterhood of states, he was elected clerk of the district court, which he occupied until January 1, 1893, when he became chief clerk of the land office at Missoula, acting in that capacity until January 1, 1895. He then became deputy county assessor, serving until 1896, when he was again elected clerk of the district court, continuing in that office until January 7, 1901. The wife of Mr. Sloane, Lizzie A. (Mansfield) Sloane, was born at Sidney, Ill. She was called front earth at Missoula in January, 1897, leaving seven children, Mrs. Jes- sie Thompson, Mary E., Gertrude F., Robert U., Ona M., Harold F. and Jean Sloane. Fraternally Mr. Sloane is a Mason and a past master of Mis- soula lodge. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Loyal Legion. In 1892 he served as department com- mander of the Grand Army of the Republic for the state of Montana. The same year he was elected grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias in Mon- tana. He resides in an elegant home in Missoula, surrounded by the affluent conditions that give to life its comforts and luxuries. It is quite evident that he has seen no reason to regret the fortunes of war that led him to Montana.

G EORGE SLOCUM .- Generic history con- cerns itself principally with the men who have had to do with the political and military inter- ests of the country, but a work of this nature treats also of those busy toilers in the affairs of life who form the true strength of the nation, and among these is numbered Mr. Slocum, one of the representative farmers and stockgrowers of Mis- soula county, who has been the artificer of his own fortunes, having started out on his own re- sponsibility when a boy of less than sixteen years. Mr. Slocum is a native of Iowa, born in 1863, the son of Dr. Elisha M. and Emily (Griffin) Slocum, both natives of Pennsylvania. Dr. Slocum re- moved to Iowa in an early day, and has there resided, save for an interval of about eight years,

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when he was in Utah. He was educated for a physician, and was successfully engaged in medical practice for a number of years, but the work did not please him and he turned his attention to dentistry, and is now following that profession at Gideon, Iowa, where he and his wife now have their home.

`George Slocum received the educational ad- vantages of the public schools of Iowa up to the age of seven years, when he accompanied his parents to Utah, where he continued his studies until he was fifteen, four years in Corinne, and two years each in the towns of Willow creek and Farmington. He then started out for himself, making his way to Montana and arriving in Mis- soula in the fall of 1878 without a cent of money and minus an undershirt and coat. He was at the time but sixteen years of age, but was not lacking in courage or self-reliance. He secured work on a ranch, learned the business in all its details and con- tinued to be engaged in work of this nature until 1885, when he filed claims on his present ranch, located on Camas prairie, one and one-half miles south of Potomac, which is his postoffice address. Here he has a finely improved place of 240 acres, where he has erected an attractive and commodious residence and other substantial farm buildings, while he has machinery of modern order and all necessary equipments.

Mr. Slocum is thoroughly progressive, has shown marked business ability and has attained a nota- ble success by worthy means, being held in the highest confidence and esteem by all who know him and recognized as one of the representa- tive men. He is devoted to his family, and is giv- ing his children the best possible educational ad- vantages, being deeply appreciative of the true values of life and aiming to do good through his efforts and influence. His ranch is devoted to general farming and stockraising, and he has been signally prospered.

In November, 1884, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Slocum to Miss Rhoda Lish, who was born in California, and is a twin sister of Mrs. Rachel Nelson, wife of Frank Nelson, to whom individual reference is made on another page. Mrs. Slocum is the daughter of George W. and Rachel (Sharp) Lish, natives of California, who now make their home in Drummond, Mont. She is the mother of seven children, Levina, Emily, Mettie, Gertrude, Rhoda Ellen, George Merritt and Grace A. In politics Mr. Slocum gives his sup-

port to the Democratic party, and he is ever ready to lend his aid and influence in advancing the legit- imate interests of his county and state.

JAMES H. KENNEDY .- It is doubtful whether there will appear in this work the record of a life which has been more varied or prolific in interesting incidents than that of the honored sub- ject of this review. He is of distinctive individual- ity, and stands as one of the sterling pioneers of the northwest. The story of Mr. Kennedy's ca- reer reads like a romance, and to rehearse the de- tails of that story would demand space far exceeding the prescribed limitations of a work of this na- ture. This prosperous and popular citizen of Gal- latin county, who is known far and wide as "Uncle Jim Kennedy," was born in Platteville, Grant county, Wis., October 30, 1832, the son of Am- brose and Mary (McDowell) Kennedy. The former was born in Charlotte, S. C., but in 1829 removed to Wisconsin, then practically a wil- derness, where he remained until 1833, removing thence to Iowa, where he remained about two decades, and taking up his residence in Minne- sota in 1854. He devoted his attention to agri- cultural pursuits during his entire life, and had the distinction of being a pioneer of what are now three prominent states of the Union. While a resident of Iowa he served six years as sheriff of Clayton county. His death occurred near St. Peter, Nicollet county, Minn., at the age of six- ty-eight years. His wife, also born in South Carolina, died at the old Minnesota home at the age of sixty-five. They were the parents of six- teen children, of whom only four are living at the present time.

James H. Kennedy, our subject, was reared un- der the sturdy discipline of the farm. His edu- cational advantages were limited, but he attended the district schools as opportunity presented, and while his father was sheriff of Clayton county he was enabled to attend the public schools of El- kader, the county seat. He assisted his father in his farming operations until attaining his legal majority. In May, 1853, with the courage of youth and animated by a spirit of adventure, he left the parental roof and started across the plains and over the mountains to Oregon. The most ex- traordinary phase of this venture, however, is that he made the entire trip from Minnesota to the

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Pacific coast ou foot. After crossing the Missis- sippi he thereafter swam every stream of appreciable size which he encountered on the remainder of the journey. Mr. Kennedy arrived in Oregon in August, 1853. He soon secured a job at split- ting rails, and before the end of the ensuing winter he had turned out 10,000 rails, receiving in com- pensation his board, and a horse, saddle and bridle. In the spring of 1854 he rode his horse to Cali- fornia-a distance of more than 400 miles. Upon starting he joined the forces enlisted for the Rogue river war in the state of Oregon. He states that Oregon still owes him $180 for his services in the army organized for the purpose of fighting the hostile Indians. When near the south line of Oregon an officer asked for two men who would volunteer to take a message to Yreka, Cal., a dis- tance of seventy-five miles, a most perilous and hazardous undertaking. Mr. Kennedy and his partner, however, volunteered to make the trip, and when they were about to depart they were informed that the people of Yreka had agreed to pay the sum of $250 for the first Indian scalp de- livered to them. The young men proceeded on their wild and lonely trip, and a few hours after climbing the first mountain and were starting on the descent, our subject descried an Indian not far distant, and immediately called his partner's attention to the fact. They both swung them- selves over on the right side of their horses and out of sight of the wily savage, who immediately fired at them. By looking under the necks of the horses they were able to watch the manoeuvers of the Indian, who evidently imagined that he had killed or wounded both, as the crack of his gun and their falling from erect position were prac- tically simultaneous. The Indian stood reconnoiter- ing, and Mr. Kennedy's companion managed to level his gun on the savage and when the shot was fired the Indian fell to earth. They ran to him and promptly relieved him of his scalp. They had just started to resume their journey when our subject chanced to look back and was filled with amazement when he saw that their Indian was running at full speed in the opposite direction. it being evident he was simply wounded; but his stoical nerve was shown in the fact that he made no outcry when his scalp was unceremoniously lifted. The young men had no further difficulty on their trip, and- when near Yreka they cut the scalp in two pieces, and each fastened his section of the gory trophy to his horse's bridle. They

rode into the town at full speed and with the dis- tinctive flourish of the frontier days, prompted by the natural ebullitions of youthful energy and aban- don. The people of the town had seen them from a distance, and so unusual was it for anyone to come from that direction on horseback that the entire population turned out to receive them, and they were feted and made much of during their brief sojourn in the town. They delivered the message and also received the bounty of $250 for the Indian scalp. Mr. Kennedy remained in Cali- fornia until October, 1856, when he set sail for South America, thence went to New York, and finally returned to Minnesota for a visit with his parents. He afterwards went to Kansas, taking up a tract of land and there devoting his attention to ranching until 1864. In the interim, however, in April, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Sec- ond Battalion Kansas Volunteers, with which he served until that fall, when he was paroled. In 1864 he started for Montana, driving a yoke of oxen, and upon arriving in the Gallatin valley he took up a tract of land, a portion of his present fine ranch, located about three miles south of Belgrade, his postoffice address. When he arrived in Gallatin county all he had as the foundation of his present substantial fortune was three yoke of oxen, one cow, a small amount of provender and $100 in greenbacks, worth less than half their face value in gold. His first home was the usual little. log cabin of the frontier, and here he in- stalled his Lares and Penates, and that these household gods have been propitious during the succeeding years is evident when we consider the success which has attended our subject's well di- rected efforts. From the original claim of 160 acres Mr. Kennedy's estate has been increased until it now comprises 640 acres, located in the garden spot of Montana.

Several years ago Mr. Kennedy decided that he had accumulated sufficient property and had la- bored so incessantly that he was entitled to enjoy the fruits thereof. He has since traveled exten- sively and found much pleasure. On one occasion he made a long trip through the Pacific coast country, looking for a more desirable place of residence in which to pass the evening of his life; but he returned fully satisfied that his Montana ranch and Montana's climate offered more at- tractions than any place he had visited. In 1897 he made another extended trip, visiting points of interest along the Pacific coast, including San

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Francisco and Los Angeles, thence proceeding to the national capital, he stopped at El Paso, New Orleans and Galveston, returning home by way of Indianapolis and Chicago. In 1901 Mr. Kennedy returned from another tour, during which he vis- ited his boyhood home and his old home in Kan- sas ; going thence to Arizona and California, re- turning by way of Salt Lake City to his home.

Mr. Kennedy is a man of genial nature and wins the friendship of all whom he meets. He is generous and kindly, and ever ready to lend a help- ing hand to those in affliction or need. Of broad information and force of character, his varied ex- periences and powers as a reconteur make him an interesting conversationalist and companion, and he is always in demand for the recital of tales of frontier life. His life has been one of inflexible integrity, is well known throughout the state and is a general favorite, as is shown by the familiar appellation, "Uncle Jim Kennedy."

In politics he gives his support to the Demo- cratic party, and is a prominent member of the Montana Pioneers' Society. On September 3, 1857, in Kansas, Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa Stevens, who was born in Penn- sylvania. She was a true companion and help- meet to her husband during all the years of their happy married life, and her gentle and noble char- acter endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. Her life was a benediction to all whom it touched, and the immortal gained a new glory when death set its seal upon her mortal lips. She was summoned into eternal rest on December 16, 1897, at the old homestead in Gallatin valley, and was mourned by the entire community. To Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy nine children were born, of whom seven are living, all being married and well established in life, and all residing not far dis- tant from the old homestead. Our subject has ten grandchildren. He claims to have the largest family, in weight, in the west, as the aggregate weight of his seven children reaches the total of 1.517 pounds.

W TASHINGTON F. SLOAN .- The death of

the late Washington Franklin Sloan, of Bozeman, at his home in that city on September 5, 1900, at the age of sixty-eight, removed one of the well known and useful citizens of Gallatin county. He was born in Wayne county, Ky., February 13,

1832, the son of James Sloan, of Virginia, who re- moved to Kentucky and after years of successful farming there died in 1856. Washington F. Sloan was educated in the country schools of his native state, and after the death of his father removed to Missouri and engaged in farming. In 1860 he went to Santa Fe, N. M., with a freighting outfit, and from there to Pike's Peak, where he followed mining. In 1863 he came to Montana, locating first at Ban- nack. After a short time he removed to Virginia City (June 6, 1863) and again engaged in mining, taking out $31,000 worth of gold in six weeks. He soon spent all this, however, in mining ventures at Alder gulch. In 1865 he went to Last Chance gulch and thereafter passed a number of years mining there, at Diamond City and at White's gulch. In 1872 he returned east and remained through the winter in Kentucky and Missouri. In the spring of 1873 he returned to Montana, taking up his resi- dence near Gallatin City, at the head of the Mis- souri, and engaged in the stock business. Later he removed to Shields river, and there continued his operations in stock until 1877. In the spring of 1878 he made his home at Bozeman, and formed a partnership with Alexander Proffit in the stock and butchering business. In December, 1879, they sold the butchering outfit, but continued as partners in stock dealing for a short period, when they dis- solved, and for a few years thereafter Mr. Sloan conducted the business alone. In 1880, '82, '86, he was treasurer of Gallatin county, and became interested in the Profitable Trail creek coal properties, to which he devoted his attention, after the expiration of his final term in office, until his death.

In politics Mr. Sloan was a Democrat, and was ever active and zealous in the service of his party. He was never in the military service in any way, but at times had great trouble with the Indians and hairbreadth escapes fromtheir treachery and cruelty. On one occasion they shot his horse under him, while living on Shields river. Fraternally he was identified with Gallatin Lodge No. 6, A. F.& A. M., and with Bozeman Lodge A. O. U. W., having been a charter member of the latter. In November, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Blanch A. Daugherty, a native of Kentucky and daughter of Charles and Margaret (Jones) Daugherty, who re- moved into that state from Tennessee, where they were born. Mr. and Mrs. Sloan had seven children, of whom William F., James H., Blanch D., Charles D., Mary and Robert E., are living ; Margaret J. is

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deceased. Mr. Sloan was a member of the Christian church, being one of its organizers and main sup- porters. Mrs. Sloan is also a member of the same church. Mrs. Sloan's parents, after locating in Kentucky, remained there during life, her mother dying in 1858 and her father in 1886. The former was a member of the Christian church. They had a family of one son and five daughters : D. W. is a doctor in Arkansas, one sister in Kansas, and four sisters in Montana.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 163

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