Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 165

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 165

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December 1, 1875, Mr. Smith was married at Radersburg, Mont., to Miss Catherine Twombly, of Denver, Colo., a daughter of George Twombly. To them have been born five children, namely: Della M., Benjamin F., Martha E., Grace Kirk- wood and Edie St. Clair. Mr. Smith is a promi- nent member of the Grand Army of the Republic ; personally and socially he is greatly esteemed for his high character and superior business ability ; while financially he has, since his first residence in the territory, been eminently successful.

A LBERT KLEINSCHMIDT .- This leading merchant and representative business man of Montana, who has inspired and carried out many important enterprises for the development and im- provement of the state, and has been connected with

extensive mercantile, mining and agricultural inter- ests in several states, was born in Prussia, in July, 1844, and emigrated to the United States when he was but fourteen years old. During 1858-60 he was learning the tanner's trade at Hermann, Mo. He then entered mercantile life with a large dry goods house in St. Louis, and in 1861 he went into business for himself. In 1865 he went from Law- rence, Kan., in charge of a train of ten teams loaded with goods for Albuquerque, N. M., and in 1866 loaded a train at Leavenworth, Kan., for Helena, Mont., where he arrived late in the year, and started in business with partners under the firm name of Wm. H. Weimar & Co. This firm was succeeded by that of Kleinschmidt & Brother, Mr. Kleinschmidt's brother, Reinhold H., having fol- lowed him to New Mexico and later to Montana, where he joined him in a partnership that was dis- solved in 1880, Mr. Albert Kleinschmidt with- drawing from the concern.

Albert Kleinschmidt has been identified in a lead- ing way and in many capacities with the develop- ment and upbuilding of the far west. He con- structed three of the largest canals in Montana, the Florence, the Chestnut and the Gallatin, and was the originator of the great system of irrigation that has done so much to fertilize and fructify the Yakima valley in the state of Washington. He has also been a contractor and builder of houses on a large scale. A number of the best and most im- posing buildings in several Montana cities are the products of his skill and enterprise. As early as 1879 he appreciated the wonderful climate and ag- ricultural resources of southern California, and planted in that favored section several hundred acres in a vineyard, and a large tract in oranges and other citrus and semi-tropical fruits. To all of his enterprises he impart- ed his own indomitable spirit, giving them vigor, productive vitality and rapidity and firmness of growth. Obdurate conditions have bent to his will; adverse circumstances have yield- ed to his shrewdness and energy; men and nature have paid tribute to his commanding ability. In 1885 he purchased for himself a large tract of cop- per-bearing mineral ground in the Seven Devils district of Idaho. Among its rich veins is the re- nowned and phenomenal copper deposit known as the old Peacock Copper mine. In order to open up this district he constructed a steamboat on Snake river near Huntington, Ore., which made a number of successful trips, connecting with the

albert Klinschinh

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company's lines and a wagon road that he had built from the Pea- cock mine to Snake river, a distance of twenty-two miles and a descent of 7,500 feet, with an average grade of seven per cent. These mines would have been developed in 1889, but, owing to the failure of the Sacretan copper trust then in existence, the price of cop- per was reduced to less than the cost of production and the development of the mines was deferred. The district is now yielding impressive proofs of Mr. Kleinschmidt's knowledge of the art of min- ing and his excellent judgment with regard to mineral-bearing belts.

Mr. Kleinschmidt is yet in the prime of life, and apparently the days of profitable work in store for him are many, although his achieve- ments already surpass those of most men. He has ever been energetic, liberal and public-spirited, but with no outward show or demonstration. He has reared and educated a family of three daugh- ters and six sons, who were all born in Helena, on lot No. 22 Jefferson street, where he has re- sided with his family since June, 1869, the year of his marriage with Miss Ellen Harrison, a native of Missouri, who still abides with him. To the affairs and management of the Helena Hardware Company, which he founded in 1880, and already well developed, of which he has been the president from its organization, Mr. Kleinschmidt now de- votes a portion of his time and attention to its further development. It is the oldest corporation in the state under one continuous management, and does an extensive wholesale and retail busi- ness.

The life of this man has been a potent force for good in many ways and many places. It has set in motion numerous productive enterprises whose benefits are abundant and far-reaching. And his active mind is still evolving means and plans of improvements for the communities in which he is interested, with as much sagacity and fertility as he exhibited in his earlier manhood.

T HOMAS F. SMITH .- The descendant of a long line of Irish ancestry who were always ac- tive in the service of the state in times of war and diligent and skillful in the arts of peace, Thomas F. Smith, of Three Forks, aptly illustrates in the vigor and success of his business career and the graces

of his personality the best traditions of the family and the most admirable traits of good American citizenship. He was born at Boulder, Jefferson county, Mont., September 22, 1867. His father, John Smith, was a native of Ireland, and his mother, Annie Smith, also of Irish parentage, was born in midocean while her parents were en route to America. Philip Smith, the grandfather of our subject, came to the United States as a young man, and after spending some years in Wisconsin removed to Colorado, where he re- mained until 1864. In that year he came to Mon- tana, traveling the entire distance without trouble with the Indians or other incident worthy of note. He rested for a short time at Virginia City and then located permanently at Boulder, where he spent the rest of his life. The parents of our sub- ject were married at Alder gulch, and soon after took a trip to Salmon river; but in 1866 they re- turned to Boulder, located in that neighborhood and engaged in stockraising and farming.

Mr. Smith was educated in the schools of Boulder, supplementing his training there by a course in the Business College at Helena. He then took up mining as an occupation and spent five or six years at it and prospecting, but with such indifferent success that he returned to stockrais- ing ; and his father dying soon after, he took charge of the homestead for the next three years. At the end of that time he went into the employ of the Empire Cattle Company as a buyer. The head office of the company is at Helena and its prin- cipal seat of operations at Chinook, but Mr. Smith makes his headquarters at Three Forks, from which he has easy access to all parts of the state into which his business takes him. The company operates on a scale of considerable magnitude, handling about 2,000 head of cattle a year, and keeping for their use large tracts of grazing ground on Milk river, four miles from Chinook.

Mr. Smith was married January 3, 1893, to' Miss Katie B. Ryan, of Boulder, a daughter of Edward Ryan, of that town, whose record is fully set forth on another page of this volume. Their children are Lawrence W., Thomas F., George W. and Clarence, all young, but adding to the interest and attractiveness of their pleasant home, which is a hospitable resort for their many friends. Mr. Smith has four sections of government land leased near Three Forks, which he uses for pasturage and producing hay for the company's cattle, of which he feeds a great number. He cuts about 150

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tons of excellent hay each year from this land. He is a progressive and energetic man in his busi- ness, letting no chance escape him to push it to the best conclusion, and using superior judgment in all its phases. He enjoys in a high degree the respect and confidence of his employers, and in the communities in which he operates most largely is held in the highest esteem by people generally. Socially he is obliging, entertaining and com- panionable, and has a warm place in the hearts of his numerous friends.

G EORGE T. SPARRELL, one of the enterpris- ing and representative agriculturists of Madi- son county, is thoroughly a man of the west, im- bued with its spirit through long association with its productive activities. He was born in New Bedford, Mass., on April 21, 1855, the son of G. H. and Augusta (Peggott) Sparrell, both of whom were born in Massachusetts, and his father a carpenter and builder. In 1861 the family re- moved to Omaha, Neb., and shortly afterward to Utah, where was their home until 1865, the father having come to Montana in June, 1864, and return- ing to Utah for his family. They came back with him to Virginia City, which was their home for several years, the father working diligently at his trade, in which he was successful. Later they removed to Ruby valley, where with his carpenter work Mr. Sparrell engaged in farming. Two sons and two daughters enlivened their home.

George T. Sparrell remained at the parental home until 1871, when, visiting Silver Star and later Deer Lodge, he engaged in ranching on Spring creek in 1872, after which he removed to Willow creek, now Pony, and with his father, rented a ranch, putting in one crop only. George here assisted in rounding up stray horses and the funds from their sale were devoted to maintaining a public school in his neighborhood. He attended this school in the winter, duly profiting thereby. In the spring he engaged in butchering at Sil- ver Star, continuing here for three years, then returned to Pony, and was employed in the Red Bluff mine for six months, again returning to Pony and thereafter passing seven years in the employ of J. H. Mallory in the mines.

In 1878 he went to the Cook ranch on Willow creek, where he raised one crop, and went to South Boulder, where he passed the winter, and then

purchased the S. D. Bollinger ranch, on which he has since maintained his home, successfully en- gaged in general farming and cattleraising, his efforts having been well directed and attended with marked success. He has recently erected a com- modious and attractive two-story brick residence, one of the fine homes of the county. Mr. Spar- rell gives his support to the Republican party, and though not an aspirant for office, he has been given a distinct testimony of the confidence and esteem in which he is held by the community, having served for nine years as road supervisor and for two years as school trustee. In 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Sacry, the daughter of J. W. Sacry, and a native of California. They have four children, Albert M., Ella Leone and Roy and Hazel, twins.

T THOMAS S. SMITH .- One of the most pro- gressive, studious and thrifty of those who follow the vocation of the old patriarchs in Mon- tana is Thomas S. Smith, whose farm in the Bit- ter Root valley, near Carlton postoffice, is a model of neatness and taste, of skillful management and intelligent husbandry, of wise application of ad- vanced ideas and generous appreciation of na- ture's responsive bounty. He was born on Christ- mas day, 1846, at Booneville, Mo. His parents were Charles H. and Mary Smith, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Scotland. Of their eight children Thomas was the seventh. He attended the public schools in his native state until he was seventeen years of age, when impelled by a patriotic devotion to his section of the coun- try, he enlisted in a company of Missouri volun- teers for service in the Confederate army, and saw three years of arduous and exacting service in the cause he espoused. After the war was over, seeking his fortune where he deemed the oppor- tunities best and most suited to his taste, he came to Montana in 1866, locating at Emmettsburg, where he secured a clerkship in a store at which he continued for fifteen years. He then carried on the grocery business on his own account at Philipsburg with gratifying success for ten years, part of the time conducting also a ranch he had purchased six miles south of the town.

After retiring from trade Mr. Smith devoted his time exclusively to his ranch for three years and then came to the Bitter Root country and

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bought the farm of 160 acres on which he now resides, located a mile and a half north of Carl- ton, in Missoula county. He at once planted 3,000 fruit trees as the nucleus of a future or- chard, which are now rewarding the intelligent care he has bestowed on them with annual yields of fine fruit in large quantities, enabling him to make extensive shipments, especially of apples, to Montana markets, where his output has a high rank. Mr. Smith was married in November, 1895, to Miss Verda Horning, daughter of Thomas and Eliza Horning, of Carlton, where the nuptials were solemnized. They have two children, Thomas Sloan, aged five, and Millie, aged three. In politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat, but not an active parti- san. He has never taken much interest in the fra- ternal orders, his family, his farm and his other business furnishing abundant occupation for both mind and body. He does, however, have great pleasure in the social relations of life, and delights in the visits and companionship of his friends, of whom he has a large number.

D ATUS E. SPERRY .- That "Fate hates the slow and loves the bold," has been often said in many forms and many times proven in the his- tory of mankind. A shining example of the suc- cessful bold is found in the career of Datus E. Sperry, who was born in Otsego county, N. Y., January 15, 1842, the son of Henry D. and Caro- line Sperry, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Connecticut, who accompanied their parents to New York while yet in childhood. In 1868 Henry D. and his wife removed to School- craft county, Mich., and there the father worked at his trade as a carpenter for a number of years and then turned his attention to farming, being successful in both occupations. He was a Whig in politics; both parents attended the Methodist church. His services to the community were valued, and were well exhibited in the office of township assessor, to which he was elected for several successive terms. The family consisted of seven children, of whom six are still living, namely : Amanda A., Datus E. (our subject), Mary A. R., Emily J. B., Francis B. and Charles B .; another son, Miles, is deceased. Mr. Sperry, our immediate subject received a limited education, being obliged to assist his parents on the farm when he was only twelve years old. He remained

with them until he was twenty-four years of age, and then hired out as a farm hand until 1872, when he came to Montana and located in Seven- mile gulch, near Helena. Having purchased some land in partnership with his brother Miles, he be- gan the life of a ranchman and engaging in raising good crops of grain and hay and large numbers of cattle and horses. The success of the brothers in this venture was good, and they continued oper- ations until 1884, when they dissolved partnership by mutual consent, Miles taking the ranch as his part of the property and Datus taking the stock. In 1885 our subject removed to the ranch he now occupies, which consists of a homestead claim of 160 acres located twenty-four miles northeast of Helena. On this he raises abundant crops of hay, grain and vegetables, and conducts a dairy business which proves to be very profitable.

In politics he is a Republican. He finds the conditions of life in Montana much to his taste, furnishing opportunity for enterprise, rewarding diligence and thrift, and offering health and com- fort to those who seek them with judgment and energy. Mr. Sperry was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Schroeder June 24, 1879. She is a native of Germany and daughter of Godfrey and Dorothy Schroeder, who emigrated from their na- tive land and settled in Michigan, where the father worked at his trade as a cooper and prospered. They were members of the Lutheran church and in politics the father supported the Republican party. Their family consisted of two children, Amelia and Rachel, both of whom survive the parents, who died some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Sperry have five children, namely: Carrie A., Bertha L., Arthur D., Fannie E. and Walter S.

L OUIS SPONHEIM, the present efficient and courteous postmaster of Basin, Jefferson county, was born in Norway, on December 5, 1863, the son of John and Anna (Olson) Sponheim. The father followed agricultural pursuits, to which he also added the trade of a blacksmith. On the rough Norwegian farm Louis had his first ex- perience of labor and acquired a limited educa- tion in the public schools. At the age of sixteen years, in 1879, he emigrated to the United States, never staying his progress until he reached Iowa. Here he added to the rudimentary education he had received by three years attendance in the

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schools, and in 1882 he engaged in farming in Minnesota. He later became an office clerk in the flour and feed store of Williams & Lawrence, at Minneapolis, where he remained two years.

In 1886 Mr. Sponheim came to Fort Custer, Mont., and joined Troop D, First United States Cavalry, and was active and faithful in service for two and one-half years. During this period lie acted as canteen steward and he was honorably discharged in 1889. Returning to his old home in Norway he remained there until 1890, when he crossed the Atlantic again and hastened to Mon- tana, coming direct to Helena. Here he pur- chased a home, in which he resided for one year, then engaged with the hardware firm of Sturrock & Brown, and later removed to Bozeman, where he was with the Pray Lumber Company until 1893. Thence he went to Basin, and conducted a popular hotel for 'seven years, and until 1900, when he engaged exclusively in mining, real estate and insurance, in which lines he still continues.

During his visit to Norway Mr. Sponheim was there married to Miss Julia Nelson, a daughter of Nelson Nelson. Their only child died in infancy. Mrs. Sponheim died in July, 1896, and on June 6, 1900, Mr. Sponheim wedded Miss Anna Dahl- man, daughter of John Hamkey. Mr. Sponheim has been active in public affairs and in Republican politics. He was appointed a delegate to the in- ternational mining and irrigation convention, held in 1896, and was appointed postmaster of Basin by President Mckinley in 1897. Fraternally he has touched every link of the Masonic chain to the thirty-second degree, and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Daugh- ters of Hermann, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (lodge and encampment) and the Patriarchs Militant. He has held offices in all of these or- ders. He has a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintances among whom he is extremely pop- ular and he is highly esteemed in his home com- munity.

W ILLIAM SPURGIN is one of the success- ful farmers and honored citizens of Mis- soula county, where he has made his home for nearly two decades. He served his country with utmost loyalty in the Civil war and in all relations of life he has been guided by those principles which imply sterling character and command respect and

esteem. The Spurgin family was originally Eng- lish and was established on American soil before the Revolution, and from an early epoch the name has been prominent in the south. William Spur- gin was born on August 18, 1837, in North Caro- lina, the son of Isaiah and Mary (Davis) Spurgin, likewise natives of that state. The father was a Baptist clergyman and also conducted agriculture. He served in the ministry for fifty-six faithful years, and exercised a beneficent and widespread influence, being a man of unassuming nature and deep religious convictions. In 1840 he removed to the southern part of Missouri, and there con- tinued his residence, his death occurring in Pettis county, at the age of seventy-six years. His be- loved consort died in the same county in 1867. Of their children three sons and one daughter are yet living.

William Spurgin was reared and educated in Missouri, having the advantages of a refined home and the most gracious influences during the forma- tive period of his character. He devoted his earlier years to farming, and later learned blacksmith- ing, which constituted his vocation in Missouri for twenty years, and which he continued for two years after coming to Montana. The arrival of Mr. Spurgin in Montana dates back to 1883, and in 1884 he purchased a fine farm located three and one-half miles south of the city of Missoula, which is now his postoffice address. This place com- prises 400 acres of exceedingly prolific land, but he sold it, yet maintains his residence near by.

Early in the Civil war Mr. Spurgin's patriotism was aroused, and on June 17, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-seventh Missouri Mounted Infantry, commanded by Col. Montgomery, and served in these organizations for seven months, being a participant in several minor engagements, and taking part in the battle of Lexington, Mo., where he was taken prisoner by the forces of Gen. Price, but soon paroled and the regiment mustered out. In 1862 Mr. Spurgin re-enlisted in Company B, Forty-fourth Missouri Infantry. After five months he was transferred to the Fiftieth Missouri, with which he served until the close of the war in 1865, when he was honorably discharged, as or- derly sergeant. His regiment had been stationed at Benton Barracks, St. Louis. Mr. Spurgin re- ceived no wounds while in the service, but had his right arm broken on three different occasions, and this arm is now shorter than the other. In politics Mr. Spurgin is a member of the Re-

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publican party, and fraternally he is a Master Mason, holding membership in the lodge at Mis- soula. In February, 1867, Mr. Spurgin was united in marriage to Miss Orlena C. Reed, who was born in Missouri, and they had two children, Verdie and Minnie O. Mrs. Spurgin entered into her final rest in August, 1882, and on January 27, 1883, Mr. Spurgin consummated a second marriage, being united to Miss Ruhamah P. Raper, born in John- son county, Mo. They are members of the Bap- tist church and are well known and highly es- teemed in the community.

BERNARD E. STACK .- Among those who have attained success in connection with the sheep industry in Fergus county and are num- bered among the representative citizens of that section of the state is Mr. Stack, a progressive and capable business man. The Emerald Isle fig- ures as the place of our subject's nativity, since he was born in County Kerry, Ireland, on June 15, 1856, being the son of John and Katie Stack, who emigrated thence in 1864 and located in LaPorte, Ind., in which state they passed the remainder of their lives, both having been devoted members of the Catholic church. The father gave his support to the Democratic party and his life was one of industry and inflexible integrity. Of the family of five children two are deceased, Mary and Julia, while those who survive are Gerald G., John H. and Bernard E., the immediate subject of this re- view. Bernard E. Stack received but a limited education in his boyhood. When but twelve years old he entered a printing office for the pur- pose of learning the trade. At the expiration of two years, however, he turned his attention to rail- road work, securing a position as fireman on the Indianapolis, Peru & Chicago Railroad, and later was employed in a similar capacity with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern. In 1874 Mr. Stack started forth to seek his fortunes in the west. He first located at Denver, Colo., and devoted his at- tention to running stationery engines and working in sawmills. In 1875 he came to Montana, and lo- cating in Helena was engaged in mining on Red mountain. He went to Butte in 1876, thence to Fergus county in 1883 and turned his attention to farming and stockraising, locating at a point six miles southwest of the village of Stanford, where he purchased a tract of 640 acres of land from Ed- ward Ramsey. In 1898 he disposed of his

horses and has since given the sheep industry his entire attention, but pays some attention to gen- eral agriculture. To his original ranch he has added 2,360 acres by purchase of adjoining tracts, bringing his estate up to the aggregate area of 3,000 acres, while he leases 1,280 acres of state land. He has 400 acres available for cultivation, and raises large crops of alfalfa, and devotes con- siderable attention to the raising of oats, barley, squaw corn and vegetables.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 165

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