Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 166

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 166

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In politics Mr. Stack is an enthusiastic Republi- can. On August 26, 1885, Mr. Stack was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Ziman, who was born in Prussia, the daughter of Gottleib and Mary Ziman, who emigrated thence when Mrs. Stack was a child. The father devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and died in the state of Wis- consin in 1897, his widow passing away the suc- ceeding year. Both were members of the Catholic church. Their three children, Mary A., John and Annie, survive them. Mr. and Mrs. Stack are both communicants of the Catholic church, in which faith they were reared.

DEV. THOMAS F. STACK, assistant priest in the new and flourishing parish of the Church of the Sacred Heart, in Butte, merits recognition among others of the earnest workers in the priest- hood of the Roman Catholic church in Montana. Thomas Francis Stack is a native of Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland, where he was born on October 11, 1874, the son of Thomas and Honora (Donoghue) Stack, both of whom were likewise born in old County Kerry and still reside in the Emerald Isle, the father being a merchant. For fifteen years a resident of the United States he eventually returned to his native land, and of his seven children Thomas F. was the second. Father Stack received preliminary education in the na- tional and parochial schools and thereafter entered St. Michael's College, a preparatory institution, where he completed a three-years course, graduat- ing in the class of 1893. The same year he matricu- lated in All Hallows College, Dublin, where he de- voted special attention to philosophy, in which connection he won distinction, receiving several prizes.

In this well equipped institution, governed by the Vincencian fathers, he completed his theological course of two years, closing his studies there in

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1898, when he caine to the United States and in St. Bonaventure's College, at Allegany, N. Y., con- tinued his preparation for his holy calling. Two years later, Father Stack had finished the prescribed course, and he was there ordained to the priest- hood on July 16, 1900. He forthwith started for Montana, arriving in Helena on August 15, and reporting to Bishop Brondel. At the expiration of ten days he was assigned as assistant priest at Deer Lodge, where he remained six months, and, on March 15, 1901, he became assistant priest, under Father Callahan, at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Butte. Here he has entered with enthusiasm and devotion upon his duties, proving an able co- adjutor to Father Callahan and striving to further in every possible way the material and the spiritual welfare of his parish. Father Stack is ably equipped for his work and his labors are certain to be cumulative in their power for good as the years continue to drop into the abyss of time.

E 'DWARD S. STACKPOLE .- Among the rep- resentative citizens of Deer Lodge county this gentleman stands prominent, not only as pioneer of the state, but for those sterling qualities which tend so strongly to influence for good a young and grow- ing community. Mr. Stackpole is the present post- master at Deer Lodge, a position he has practically held from the time when the town was established. Mr. Stackpole is a native of Kennebec county, Me., where he was born October 27, 1834, being the son of Peter Morrill and Mary (Dow) Stackpole, also of prominent families of New England from the carly Colonial period. Peter M. Stackpole was a manufacturer of woolen goods at North Vassalboro, and conducted quite an extensive business under the firm name of Stackpole, Pope & Company for a number of years. He died in that place in 1854, his widow surviving him many years, being sum- moned into eternal rest in 1900, at Amesbury, Mass., at the venerable age of ninety-four years. Both were birthright members of the Society of Friends, and their lives were in harmony with the gentle and kindly teachings of that faith.

Mr. Stackpole has always been a stalwart sup- born in the old Pine Tree state and representatives, porter of the Republican party and its principles, and has taken an active interest in forwarding the party cause. In 1895 he was the Republican candi- date for county treasurer, but was defeated, the normal political complexion of the county having been strongly Democratic at that time. In religion he is a regular attendant of the Protestant Epis- copal church, of which the members of his family are communicants.

Edward S. Stackpole was educated in the schools of his native county, supplemented by a thorough course of study in the Friends' School at Provi- dence, R. I. Soon after leaving school he assumed charge of the store connected with the factory of

Stackpole, Pope & Co., secured an interest in the business with which he continued to be identified until 1800, when he disposed of his interest and re- moved to California, making the trip to the Golden state by way of Panama and locating in San Fran- cisco, where he found employment in a mercantile establishment. In 1863 he made the overland trip from California to Idaho, and at Centerville, Boise county, he conducted a mercantile business about two years. Returning to California in 1865, he soon after started east via the Nicaragua route, passing the winter with members of his family at Cleveland, Ohio. In the summer of 1866 Mr. Stackpole came to Montana, making the trip across the plains with the expedition composed of 120 wagons, commanded by Capt. James Fisk. He came at once to Deer Lodge county, locating at Red Mountain City, in the Highland district of what is now a part of Silver Bow county. Mr. Stackpole brought with him a stock of general merchandise, engaged in business and continued operations until 1870, meeting with excellent suc- cess. In that year he took up his abode in Deer Lodge, then a mere straggling village, and in the fall of the same year he was appointed postmaster, was removed under the administration of Presi- dent Cleveland on the charge of "offensive partisan- ship." In 1898, however, Mr. Stackpole was again appointed to the office which he had filled so long and so acceptably, receiving his commission from President McKinley, and he is again postmaster, much to the satisfaction of his old-time friends and the general public.

On the 5th of May, 1872, Mr. Stackpole was united in marriage to Miss Mollie Mckinstry, who was born in Indiana, the daughter of Thomas B. and Lavina (Wood) Mckinstry, also natives of the old Hoosier state. The father died in Decr Lodge, in 1898, his widow surviving until April 24, 1901, her death occurring at Portland, Ore. Mr. and Mrs. Stackpole are the parents of five children : Morrill D., Mary, Jessie, Theodate and

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Harvey. Morrill D. is a graduate of the College of Montana, and is now superintendent of a mine at Mercur, Utah. The daughter, Mary, is also a graduate of the same institution. The family are prominently concerned in the social life of Deer Lodge, where their friends are numerous. Mr. Stackpole is now United States commissioner at Ketchikan, Alaska.

G EORGE H. STANTON .- Among those who have attained distinction and honor as repre- sentatives of the legal profession in Montana is Mr. Stanton, a leading member of the bar of Cas- cade county, who has held in the state official posi- tions of trust and responsibility, being the present representative of his district in the senate of the Montana legislature. The law is a jealous mistress, and demands of her votaries a careful preliminary training, broad general information and clear judg- ment. In no other profession is there a career more open to distinctive talent, and advancement must come as the result of this and individual study and persistent application. Montana has been highly favored in the personnel of her benchi and bar, and George H. Stanton may well be con- sidered one of the representative members of the profession now in active practice within her con- fines. Mr. Stanton is a native of Indiana, being the son of Thomas and Mary ( Walker) Stanton, both of whom died when our subject was a child. George H. Stanton was reared and educated in Indiana, receiving his preliminary scholastic train- ing in the public schools and thereafter matriculat- ing in the Central Normal College, at Danville, where he graduated as a member of the class of 1887. In October of that year Mr. Stanton came to Great Falls, Mont., and engaged in civil en- gineering, devoting his attention to this line of work until 1889, when he had the distinction of being appointed clerk of the state constitutional convention, in which capacity he rendered most ef- ficient service during the session of the convention which framed the present admirable constitution of the state; within the same year was appointed deputy clerk of the Eighth judicial district, with headquarters in Great Falls, retaining this incum- bency until 1890, in the meanwhile taking up the reading of law with a view to making that profes- sion his vocation in life. In the year last men- tioned he entered the law department of Yale

University, where he graduated with honors as a member of the class of 1893. On returning to Montana he was admitted to practice in the courts of this state in 1893. Resuming his residence in Great Falls he associated himself with his brother, John W. Stanton, in the practice of his profession, under the firm name of Stanton & Stanton. This alliance continued until July, 1899, when his brother removed to Butte, and since that time he has con- ducted an individual practice, retaining a clientage of representative character and being recognized as a forceful, skillful attorney and a safe, conserv- ative counselor. He is attorney for several large corporations in the state, and his precedence is the natural sequence of his professional talent, his close application to business and his unvarying fidelity to the interests of his clients.

In 1896 Mr. Stanton was elected to the lower house of the Montana legislature, serving with dis- tinction on the judiciary committee and proving one of the valuable working members of the house. In 1898 still further honor was conferred upon him, being elected to the state senate from Cas- cade county, and in the sessions of this de- liberative body he has shown the same vital interest in conserving the welfare of the common- wealth and the same faithfulness and power which made him successful in his profession. His abilities were recognized and resulted in his appointment to membership on a number of the important senate committees and to his election to the office of presi- dent pro tem of the senate and chairman of the judiciary committee. Mr. Stanton gives his sup- port to the principles and policies of the Demo- cratic party, and has been an active factor in in- suring its success in the state. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World. He is a young man of pleasing address and gra- cious personality, retaining the high regard of the people of his home county and gaining the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.

ST. PAUL'S MISSION .- In connection with the advancement of civilization in Montana there has been no factor which has maintained so marked and beneficent an influence from the early days as the Catholic church, whose missionaries labored zealously among the Indians of the great

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northwest at a time when personal danger and manifold vicissitudes were to be encountered. The influence of the church can not be overestimated, and every historical compilation must needs give to its emissaries a full measure of honor for their work among the Indians and their efforts in the maintenance of peace. In this volume will be found many references to the missionary enter- prises and individual labors of the representatives of the church, and we may here consistently enter brief record concerning St. Paul's mission, which is located on the Fort Belknap Indian reservation. The mission buildings include a church, separate schools for the boys and girls; a postoffice and needed residences. The mission was founded by the zealous Father Eberschwiler, in 1886, and re- mained in his charge until 1890, and from that year forward until 1894 Father Feusi presided over its work. There are now more than 100 children in the schools, and here most effective work is being done among the Indians in forwarding both their spiritual and temporal interests. The mission farnı comprises 320 acres of exceptionally well watered and arable land, from which large crops are secured annually, special attention being given to teaching industrial lessons to the wards of the nation and of the mission.

H ENRY C. HARRISON was born at Will- iamsburg, N. Y., September 15, 1829, and, after an active, useful and varied career, in which he saw much of the sunshine and much of the shadow of human experience, departed this life at Harrison, Mont., January 7, 1895, lamented in death as he had been esteemed in life by all who knew him. Mr. Harrison's mother died when he was an infant, and his father was a prominent con- tractor and builder, with too much business to give his family all the attention it needed and he desired. So Mr. Harrison passed his youth without a great amount of discipline, and owes his strong traits of character and the vigorous working out of his career more to inherent than external conditions. He secured what education he could at the public schools of New York state and learned the carpenter's trade with his father. In early manhood he went to Chicago and engaged in contracting and building, erecting the first house that was built on the lake shore at Lakeview known as the Lakeview house. He remained some years in Chicago, and then went south, and was

in that section when the war between the states broke out. He at once came north to Minneapolis and offered his services to the government as a soldier in defense of the Union, but was unable to pass the physical examination. Being disappointed in this regard, he opened a grocery store, which he conducted until the spring of 1862, when he came to Montana with Capt. Fiske's train, locating at Last Chance gulch, where he engaged for awhile in putting up hay, and then built some cabins, one of which is now (1901) standing in Helena.

About this time the residents at Bannack had trouble with the Indians, and sent to Last Chance for help. Nearly everybody went to their assist- ance, and Mr. Harrison was one of the first to volunteer. He remained at Bannack until the dis- covery of Alder gulch and joined the stampede to that place. He did not succeed in locating any paying ground of consequence, but followed con- tracting and building with good results, and started a sawmill in Granite gulch, which he ran at ex- cellent profits until 1868, then removed to a ranch which he had located on Willow creek, in 1865, in company with D. E. Folsom, whose interest he had purchased in the meantime. Here he en- gaged in stockraising, making a specialty of fine Norman horses and shorthorn cattle, of which he had a considerable number when he died, although he had reduced them somewhat and turned his attention to the establishment of a large steam dairy, which Mrs. Harrison is still conducting. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Harrison has given her personal attention to the extensive in- terests he left, and has managed them with suc- cess and profit. There were about 900 acres in the ranch when he died, all practically under irri- gation, and very productive of alfalfa, grain and garden vegetables. To this Mrs. Harrison has added by purchase 1,000 acres, and has kept up the stock and reputation of the farm, having now more than 100 superior horses and nearly as many fine milch cattle. The ranch is plentifully supplied with good buildings, and is thoroughly furnished with all appliances for its prosper use. Mr. Harri- son was a prominent man in his section during his life, serving as county commissioner and in various other civil capacities.

Mr. Harrison was married May 8, 1869, to Miss Almirett Geer, a native of Ohio, whose father died about the time she was born, and whose mother died when she was eleven years old. She was left practically to her own resources and thereafter

HC, Harrison

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made her own way in the world until she married. She lived in the family of Col. W. F. Sanders for five years previous to their coming to Montana, and came through with them, remaining with them until 1865, then accepting employment in the of- fice of the Montana Post as cook. She was one of the three women who made the first United States flag unfurled in Montana, which was flung to the breeze in Virginia City on July 4, 1864, and, owing to the divided state of feeling at the time, caused considerable trouble.

Mrs. Harrison is a lady of great executive ability and self-reliance. She has never faltered to accept a responsibility which belonged to her in the way of duty, and has made a reputation, enviable as well as wide spread, for resourceful- ness and courage. At Snake river, when she was coming west, the ferryman refused to take her party across, and the leaders, seeking a ford pointed out by the Indians, got too far down the river, endangering the lives of the whole com- pany. But, by great presence of mind and prompt action on the part of Col. Sanders, they were saved, the women being helped to safety first. An Indian offered Mrs. Harrison a seat on his horse, and although she had never seen him be- fore, she was not afraid to accept his offer, and was thereby the first of the party to get ashore.

S IDNEY E. STEPHENS, who is recognized as one of the representative stockgrowers of Park county, has been a resident of Montana for more than a decade, and in the paternal line traces his ancestry back to stanch old Welsh origin, three brothers emigrating to the United States prior to the Revolution. The original name was Stephen- ship, a common patronymic in Wales, but the brothers changed it to the shortened form. One of these brothers was Joshua Stephens, who located in Berks county, Pa., and married Priscilla Humph- rey, who bore him eight children, the sixth being Ebenezer David Stephens, the grandfather of Sid- ney E. Joshua and Minerva (Metcalf) Stephens were natives of Shelby county, Ohio, and New York, and became the parents of one son and one daughter, the latter now being a resident of Mer- rill, Wis.

Sidney E. Stephens was born on November 8, 1842, at Woodstock, McHenry county, Ill. As a young man his father had removed to Illinois, where he largely engaged in lumbering and sawmilling

until his death, which occurred at the age of thirty years, just in the prime of his useful manhood. After the death of his father Sidney returned to Ohio, where he was educated in the public schools. At the age of twelve years he rejoined his mother in Wisconsin, she having remarried, and there he grew to maturity and was engaged at the carpenter trade until 1889. Within this time, however, the dark cloud of civil war had heavily rested over this country, and Mr. Stephens, being then twenty- two years of age, enlisted in 1864 in Company H, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, but at Grand Rapids was transferred to Company A. His command was first sent to Little Rock, Ark., where it was six months on provost duty, thence proceeding to Calvary De- pot and Duvall's Bluff and having almost daily bat- tles or skirmishes. They eventually reached Ben- ton barracks, in St. Louis, Mo., and here Mr. Steph- ens was honorably discharged from service on June 19, 1865, victory having crowned the Union arms. He still signifies his interest in his old com- rades in arms, by retaining membership in the Grand Army of the Republic.

Mr. Stephens removed with his family to Montana in 1889, locating in Livingston, where he engaged in work as a carpenter and builder, until 1895, being successful in his efforts and controlling a representative business. In 1895 he erected the lease of the Zuber ranch on Shields river, and there he engaged in the raising of livestock until 1899, when he removed to the Fredericks ranch at the mouth of the same river, where he has con- tinued operations, usually having about fifty head of cattle and devoting some attention to the raising of and dealing in horses. On October 19, 1866, Mr. Stephens was united in marriage to Miss Emma F. Lombard, born in Gorham, Me., the daughter of James and Isabella (Currier) Lombard, both natives of Gorham. In their family were ten sons and three daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have three children, Minerva I., who was a success- ful teacher and is now the wife of Charles Cady, of Livingston ; Mabel I., wife of George Marshall, of Livingston, and Arthur D., who is attending school in Livingston.

H ENRY W. STEPHENS, M. D .- A prominent general practitioner of the old school of medi- cine, an expert in gynecology and the treatment of children, an insatiable inquirer after the truth and all the latest discoveries in his profession and mak-

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ing regular trips to the best seats of learning in the east for the purpose of finding out all about them, an active politician in the best sense and enjoying the confidence and support of his party in official station, administering the municipal affairs of his home city, as alderman and mayor, with the same skill and fidelity as he uses in his professional work, an enthusiast before the altars of several fraternal orders, and an ardent lover of the horse, man's noblest companion and the best friend in the animal world, Dr. Henry W. Stephens, of Ana- conda, illustrates in a striking way the picturesque variety of occupation and experience involved in a characteristic American career. His eyes first opened to the light of day at St. Joseph, Mo., March 17, 1862. He is one of the twin children of Peter and Pernina (Crank) Stephens. His father was a Kentuckian, born in that state, at Louisville, about the year 1830. He is still living in the enjoy- ment of all the comforts of life, and the good will of his friends and acquaintances at Anaconda. He was an artistic and prosperous cabinetmaker in Missouri, the state to which he emigrated in early manhood, and when the Civil war broke out he obeyed the call of his country to arms, joined a cav- alry company of volunteers from Missouri, and spent three hard and trying years in the field. It seemed to come natural to him, however, for he was of a martial strain, having had ancestors in the war of 1812 and also in the Revolution. The Doc- tor's mother was a native of Ohio, a descendant of one of the oldest families of that state, early emi- grants from England. She is not now living.

Dr. Stephens was educated in the public schools of his native town, being graduated from the high school there in 1879. He then pursued the full course of instruction at the St. Joe Medical School, spending four years in it, and being graduated in 1883. He began the practice of his profession at home and followed it there two years, one of them as resident physician at the City Hospital; then, feeling that there was greater opportunity for men of his cult in the far west, he removed to Anaconda, arriving October 4, 1886. From the very day of his graduation he has been in active practice, and has been more than ordinarily successful in the work. Since his arrival in the west he has made a specialty of diseases of women and children, and has won a well deserved reputation for skill, deli- cacy and progressive methods in this branch of the profession. Some of the operations he has been called on to perform „have required the utmost

steadiness and delicacy of manual application and the most exact knowledge of the parts under treat- ment and the proper method of dealing with them. There is often scarcely more than a hair's breadth between safety and a fatal result in the use of surgical instruments. But Dr. Stephens takes noth- ing for granted. He exhausts his opportunities to inform himself both in the theory and the actual practice of his department of medical science; and then he uses every precaution to secure the best re- sults in the application of his knowledge. He be- gan his specialty with a comprehensive and accurate course of instruction at a post-graduate school under Dr. Waldo, of New York, one of the most pro- found reasoners and dexterous practitioners known to this branch of the business, and has supplemented that with periodical visitations to the best hospitals in the east, accompanied with diligent study all the time, in order that nothing of value which may come to light in his line shall escape him. He is also a contributing member of the Montana State Medical Society, and takes a deep interest and a conspicuous part in its deliberations.

Notwithstanding the exactions of his growing practice, the Doctor has found time to devote to an intelligent participation in public affairs. He is a Republican in politics, and a firm believer in the policies of that party. But he realizes that mu- nicipal government is a matter of business rather than politics, and in the administration of the office of city alderman, to which he was elected for four years in succession, and in that of mayor, which he is now filling (1901), he has considered only the public interest as of primary importance. He was elected mayor by a majority of 800 votes, carrying every ward in the city and being the first man chosen to that office in Anaconda on the Republican ticket. He has also found time to give due atten- tion to the claims which the fraternal orders make on a man of his social and companionable disposi- tion. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and is past chancellor in the order. He is also a mem- ber of the Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and the Modern Woodmen of America. The religious affiliations of himself and his family are with the Presbyterian church. His wife was Miss Katherine Alcott, of San Francisco, her people hav- ing emigrated to that city from Ohio in the 'seven- ties. They have five daughters, the oldest twelve and the youngest two years old. There is also an infant son.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 166

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