Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 167

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 167

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It must not, however, be supposed that life is all work and strenuous effort with Dr. Stephens. To a man of his temperament there must be at proper times and within due bounds a form and a measure of recreation suitable to keep the currents flowing in their true balance. He finds this recre- ation in the sport afforded by good horses, of which he owns a pair. One of them is a Piedmont horse in the 2:20 class, and well repays the affectionate attention which he receives at the hands of his master. But every good horse has the Doctor's ad- miration and in him a keen and discriminating judge of its merits.

H ENRY STERLING is one of the patriotic German-Americans to whom this country owes much for services contributed during the four- years struggle between the north and south. He was born in Hanover, Germany, June 10, 1841, and is a descendant of generations of soldiers who added lustre to German arms. His father, George Ster- ling, of Hanover, was by profession a soldier dur- ing many years of his eventful and distinguished life, but at times varied by the more peaceful avo- cation of agricultural pursuits. The grandfather, Henry Sterling, after whom our subject was named, was a distinguished soldier under Gen. Blucher, and participated in the decisive battle of Waterloo, which closed the military career of Napoleon.

Henry Sterling, our subject, one of a family of three sons, passed his early years in Germany, where he attended the neighboring public schools. In 1848 he suffered the loss of his mother, and seven years later, in 1855, at the age of fourteen years, he started for the United States, being un- acquainted with a single passenger on the vessel. Arriving at Baltimore he went thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured work on a farm and re- mained in that vicinity until April 15, 1861, when President Lincoln issued his first call for troops. To this Henry Sterling promptly responded and enlisted in Company I, Seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Col. Dumont. They were mustered in at Indianapolis, sent to western Vir- ginia, and took part in the engagement at Phillippi, the first battle fought on land, the result being a victory for the Union forces. Following a skirmish at Laurel Hill they continued in pursuit of Gen. Garnet, who was killed and his army almost com- pletely routed. At that period the three-months

term of Mr. Sterling's enlistment had expired He was mustered out at Indianapolis, but imme- diately re-enlisted in Company C, same regiment and under the same officers. They were sent to West Virginia, engaged in a number of skirmishes around Elk water, Greenbrier and Romanny, and later participated in the battle at Winchester, and Kearnstown, where they defeated "Stonewall" Jackson, followed him up the Shenandoah valley and engaged him at Strausberg. Our subject's brigade then retired on Warrington Junction, thence to Front Royal and from there to Port Republic, where they were surrounded by the Confederates and lost a large portion of their brigade in cut- ting their way through the lines. Subsequently they were ordered to Fredericksburg and later to Alex- andria, where they passed some time recuperating and getting again into fighting trin1.

At Greenbrier Mr. Sterling was severely injured in attempting to leap a ditch, but he remained with the command although advised by the sur- geons to accept a discharge from the army. He continued on duty and was in the battle of Manassas Gap, Warrington Junction and Cedar Mountain, and during the progress of the latter heavy en- gagement he was shot through the lungs and taken to the hospital at Culpeper Court House. Although in a terrible physical condition he rejoined his regi- ment, taking part in the battle of Antietam, but returned to the hospital at Washington, and later to Philadelphia. He served gallantly two years, and owing to disability was honorably discharged and returned to Rising Sun, Ind. It appeared to him, however, that he must be connected in some way with the stirring and warlike scenes around him, and he enlisted as a teamster; but even for this duty he was physically unfit and attempted to cook, but was compelled to give over that occu- pation. His health becoming somewhat improved he entered the railway service where he remained two years.

The first marriage of Mr. Sterling occurred in March, 1866, when he was united to Miss Perces E. Sumers, a native of Virginia, who died in 1867. Our subject then removed to Missouri, where he engaged in farming until the spring of 1878, when he removed to Montana, coming overland, being three months on the road. In the famous Gallatin valley Mr. Sterling purchased a homestead of Mr. Charles Lamour, the West Gallatin river passing directly through the land. Here he now has 400 acres, near Salesville, Gallatin county, all prac-

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tically under a splendid system of irrigation, and 160 acres of high grazing land. His principal crops are wheat and oats. He has a fine residence, spacious barns, and is in every way in a most pros- perous condition.

On September 20, 1873, Mr. Sterling was married to Miss Martha Jane Miles, of Indiana, daughter of Reuben Miles, a native of Kentucky, who subse- quently removed to Missouri, where he remained until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling are the parents of three bright children: Alpha, Nettie and George. Mr. Sterling manifests at all times an active interest in religious matters. He has filled efficiently the offices of road supervisor and school trustee. Fraternally he is a prominent and in- fluential member of the Grand Army of the Re- public and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

LJENRY C. STIFF .- Among the able representa- tives of the bar of Montana is the popular cit- izen of Missoula whose name initiates this review, and he has attained prestige in his chosen profession through signal devotion thereto and through an exacting preliminary preparation which has amply fortified him for its work. He has also been prom- inent in the political history of the state. Mr. Stiff is a native of Harrisburg, Saline county, Ill., born on November 9, 1859. His father, Nathaniel Stiff, was born in Kentucky, being a representative of a sterling old Virginia family of which members re- moved to Kentucky in the days of Daniel Boone, while other branches sent representatives into Mis- souri, Arkansas and Texas. Nathaniel Stiff re- moved to Illinois in 1825, one of the pioneer settlers of Saline county, where he was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He served as a valiant soldier during the Mexican war under Capt. Michael Law- ler, who subsequently became a general, and Mr. Stiff participated in the battle of Vera Cruez under the command of Gen. Winfield Scott. In politics he was a stalwart Democrat. He died in Harris- burg, Ill., in 1872, venerable in years and honored by all who knew him. The maiden name of his wife was Eliza J. Hamilton, and she was born in Wayne county, Ill., whither her father had removed from eastern Tennessee. She is still living at the old home in Harrisburg.

In the public schools of Harrisburg Henry C. Stiff secured his preliminary educational training, and at the age of eighteen years he engaged in teaching school in his native county. He passed the year

of 1880 in the Southern Illinois Normal School at Carbondale, and thereafter devoted his attention to pedagogic work until 1885, in the meanwhile taking up the reading of law, in which he had as pre- ceptor during his vacations W. V. Choisser, at that time state's attorney of Saline county, one of the leading members of the bar of that state, and who is now president of the bank of Harrisburg. On August 27, 1884, Mr. Stiff appeared before the appellate court at Mount Vernon, Ill., for examina- tion for admittance to the bar, and he was licensed to practice on November 12th of the same year. After teaching another term of school Mr. Stiff opened a law office at Harrisburg in April, 1885, and was there engaged in legal practice until July, 1886, when President Cleveland conferred upon him the appointment of special pension examiner, his duties requiring his presence in Washington for a portion of the time and the remainder in the field.

Mr. Stiff left the government service in May, 1889, and came direct to Missoula, .where he ar- rived on the 14th of July. He forthwith opened an office and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession in this city, his broad knowledge of the science of jurisprudence and his power of giving it practical application having won for him a clientage of distinctly representative character. He is known as an able advocate before judge or jury and as a safe and conservative counsel. In politics Mr. Stiff has ever been an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, and prior to his coming to Montana he was an earnest and indefatigable worker in the various campaigns of his congressional dis- trict, while he has not abated his zeal since locating in Missoula, and has received marked official prefer- ment in the gift of his party. In 1899 he was a member of the Sixth session of the Montana legis- lature, and had the distinction of being elected speaker of the house, proving an able and popular presiding officer. On June 1, 1887, at Smithland, Ky., Mr. Stiff was united in marriage to Miss Cora L. Compton, who was born in Illinois, the daughter of G. C. and Elizabeth A. Compton, who now make their home in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Stiff have two children, Ralph and Edith.

A MOS STOREY .- Nearly a quarter of a cen- tury has passed since the respected citizen of Madison county whose name introduces this article cast in his fortunes with the people of Madison county, Mont. Mr. Storey claims Eng-

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land as the place of his nativity, as he was born in Huntingdonshire, on January 28, 1852, the youngest of the six children of James and Mary (Harrison) Storey. His parents passed their lives in England, where the father was a tailor. Amos Storey was educated in England, and when eigh- teen years old set forth to seek his fortunes in America. From New York he made his way west- ward, and having learned farming in New Eng- land, he found employment in this line in Indiana and Illinois, where he remained until 1877, when he came to Montana.

He located on a ranch in Madison county, where he now has a fine estate of 2,000 acres, mostly available for cultivation, rendering satis- factory yields of grain, while he also devotes at- tention to high-grade cattle and horses. He has been wise and discriminating in his methods, ever alive to employ the most approved means. He is an up-to-date and progressive business man and has influence in the community so long his home. Taking a proper interest in public affairs he gives his aid and influence to undertakings for the advancement of the county and state, and gives a stalwart support to the Republican party. He is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church, and was in England connected with the established church.

On December 15, 1882, Mr. Storey was united in marriage with Miss Lily Randall, who was born in this state, the daughter of Harry and Sarah (Hudson) Randall, natives of Rhode Is- land and Kentucky and representatives of prom- inent old families. Her father was an honored pioneer of Montana, he having located in Vir- ginia City in 1863, where he was a blacksmith and machinist. Mr. and Mrs. Storey have five chil- dren, Alfred, Pearl, Arthur, Bessie and Luther. The family home is a modern and commodious residence, and here is dispensed a genial hospi- tality.

B ENJAMIN STRICKLAND .- One of the pioneers of Montana, and now a prosperous cattlegrower of Park county, Mr. Strickland is thoroughly familiar with experiences connected with the free and untrammeled life of the western plains and mountains during the early days. He rendered valiant service in the United States army in numerous conflicts with the Indians, and it is doubtless true that his knowledge of the abo-

rigines has been more intimate than pleasant. Mr. Strickland was born in Broome county, N. Y., on April 5, 1832. His parents were David and Betsey (Wheeler) Strickland, the former born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and the latter in Connecticut. In their family were seven sons and five daughters. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Strickland was Joshua Wheeler, who followed a seafaring life for many years. David Strickland removed to the west in 1855, locating in Iowa, where he farmed and passed the residue of his days.

Benjamin Strickland, the honored Montana pioneer, after attending school and assisting in the work of the paternal homestead until 1852, started for the west, locating first in Portage county, Wis., where he was identified in lumber- ing for five years, after which he joined his father's family, who had taken up their abode in Iowa. Here he remained until September, 1861, when he went to Albert Lea, Minn., where on September 25th he enlisted in Company H, First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and was thus part of the cavalry arm of the service and in com- mand of Col. Pender. From Fort Ridgely on the Minnesota they soon started in pursuit of the In- dians, this being shortly after the Minnesota mas- sacre. They hunted the savages for two years, having numerous engagements, so that Mr. Strick- land had active participation in many conflicts with the Indians, receiving several slight wounds. Finally his horse fell upon him, inflicting a per- manent injury, in recognition of which the gov- ernment now accords him a pension. The troops under Gen. Sibley, constituting the Sibley expedi- tion, finally drove the Indians across the Missouri. Mr. Strickland returned with his command to Fort Snelling, Minn., and later acted as escort for the governor of Minnesota, who effected the treaty with Red Cloud and Hole-in-the-Bay, the Indian chieftains, and received his honorable dis- charge in September, 1863, at the fort mentioned. He thereafter remained at the parental home until April, 1864, when he started for Montana, mak- ing the long overland trip from West Union, Iowa, with ox teams in a train which had 300 men, and they were not molested by the Indians, and safely arrived at Emigrant gulch, in what is now Park county, on August 27, 1864. Mr. Strick- land engaged in mining here for about a year, continuing it for five years, thereafter going into all sections of Montana, and also into Idaho. In

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1874 Mr. Strickland located in Paradise valley, taking up a homestead claim, and has since added by purchase until now he has a fine estate of 2,500 acres. Here he has been engaged in the extensive raising of cattle, giving preference to shorthorns, and usually wintering from 300 to 500. He has been very successful in his stock business, and holds prestige as one of the representative ranchmen of this state. He gives a strong sup- port to the Democrat party and maintains a deep interest in the progress of his county, state and community. For a number of years he was a school trustee, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree. On May 16, 1868, Mr. Strickland was united in marriage to Nancy J. Daley, born in Iowa, to which state her father, Ebenezer Daley, removed from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Strickland have had seven children, of whom Mary and John are deceased; the others are Katherine, Frank, Millie, Ebenezer and Samuel.

AMES STUART .- It is given to few men to J live so active, strenuous and widely useful a life and at its end be so generally esteemed and be- loved by the people among whom his combats are fought and his triumphs are won, as was the case with the late James Stuart, whose remains rest at Deer Lodge, but who was in fact a citizen and a potential influence for progress in every part of the state. He was the oldest of four brothers, James, Granville, Samuel and Thomas (three of whom were pioneers of Montana), and was born in Harrison county, Va., March 14, 1832. His parents removed from Virginia to Illinois, and thence to Iowa, in 1837. In 1852 James and Gran- ville went to California, and for the next five years mined in Butte, Sierra and Siskiyou counties. Five years later they, with Rezin Anderson, started for what is now Montana, journeying to the head of the Malad with a considerable party who went from there to the states, while these three turned north- ward and went into winter quarters on the Beaver -. head, six miles below Brown's bridge. In the spring they came to Gold creek, where they re- mained and prospected until June, getting good gold prospects-the first found in Montana. On June I they started to Fort Bridger and went from there to Camp Floyd, south of Salt Lake, where they sold their horses. James and Granville Stuart went to

Green river and Anderson returned to this section with a stock of goods. The Stuarts wintered on Henry fork, and, with Dempsey, remained in that vicinity until the summer of 1860, when they came to Salt river valley, near the site where the Oneida salt works were afterward built; that fall return- ing to Gold creek, built houses, and during the sum- mer of 1861 prospected around the Gold creek mountains. So encouraging were the results that they wrote to Thomas Stuart in Colorado, and the letter being shown, the stampede to Montana began the following spring. Thus prominently figured James Stuart in bringing the first tide of immigra- tion to Montana. In the fall of 1862, the Bannack diggings having been struck, the Stuarts took a large band of cattle to that place and remained there until the following April. In the fall of 1863 W. B. Dance and James Stuart formed the co-partnership of Dance & Stuart in Virginia City for the pur- pose of carrying on a general merchandising busi- ness, in which they were very successful and re- mained together until 1870, having removed to Deer Lodge in 1865 and associated with Worden & Hig- gins. From 1866 to 1870 James Stuart was presi- dent and general superintendent of the S. L. & M. M. Co., operating at Phillipsburg. In 1871 being appointed post trader at Fort Browning, he sold his interest in the company, and in 1873, when Fort Browning was dismantled and abandoned, he ac- companied A. J. Simmons to the Sioux. agency at Fort Peck, where his thorough knowledge of Indian character, his excellent administrative abilities and his cool nerve were valuable assistants in the control of that warlike tribe. While Mr. Simmons was ab- sent to conduct his successor to the agency, Mr. Stuart, who was in charge, was taken ill and died in eight days. Thus passed away one of the promi- nent and most deservedly esteemed of the pioneers of Montana-one whose name is linked inseparably and honorably with the early perils and exploits in the settlement and civilization of the state, and, while memory lives, will be a synonym for sterling merit, modest worth and chivalric courage.

Mr. Stuart represented Deer Lodge county in the legislature of 1864. He was junior warden of Flint Creek Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and later was junior grand warden of that state. He was a man of fine mental and physical organization, of extensive read- ing and close observation, of superior business qual- ifications and of unblemished character. He was also a man of great positiveness of character, al- though gentle and genial in manner. Of his early

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life not much information is available. It is known, however, that he passed his boyhood amid scenes and incidents usual to the frontier; that he imbibed the spirit of wild untutored nature that was every- where about him; that he always loved her with a passionate devotion; that he chiefly desired a new and untried field for endeavor, and hence in the gen- erosity, prodigality and freshness of western life he found a charm and early evinced a bold and adventurous disposition. Although fitted by nature to adorn any station, his greatest pleasures were in hunting, in field sports, and in the kindred pursuits of outdoor life.

PATRICK G. SULLIVAN .- In reviewing brief- ly the life history of one who is in hearty sym- pathy with the world's workers, who has a deep appreciation of the dignity of honest toil and who has espoused the cause of the laboring classes with all the vigor and ardor of an essentially loyal and generous nature, we have a pleasing and interesting task. Mr. Sullivan has been a stanch advocate of every measure looking to the amelioration of the condition of the more humble laborers in the indus- trial activities of life, and in the lower house of the legislature of the state he was an active worker for many important reforms. He is one of the re- spected and popular citizens of Butte.

Patrick G. Sullivan was born in County Cork, Ireland, on March 17, 1862, the second of the eleven children of Jerry and Ellen Sullivan, both of whom were born in the county mentioned, of a long line of Irish ancestors. The father, a miner by occupa- tion, died in southern Wales. The early educational discipline of Patrick was given in the public and parochial schools. He was fifteen years of age when his parents removed to southern Wales in September, 1877, and there he served an apprentice- ship of three years at the molders' trade, becom- ing a skilled workman. In May, 1880, he returned to the Emerald Isle, and on June 20 he set forth for the United States. He at once made his way to Houghton, Mich., and in that mining country he remained until March 20, 1883, when he came to the west, locating near Virginia City, Nev., where he was identified with the mining industry, later re- moving to Eureka, Utah, where he was for four years shift boss at the Beck mine. On the 6th of November, 1888, Mr. Sullivan arrived in Butte,

Mont., and on the 20th was made foreman of the Moose mine, retaining this incumbency three years. In March, 1891, he made a trip to his old home in Ireland, returning to Butte in June. Here he has served as foreman for various mines, being known as an able executive and efficient manager.

In politics Mr. Sullivan has rendered an un- equivocal support to the Democratic party and has been an active worker in its local ranks: In 1900 he was the nominee on the Democratic-Populist fusion ticket for representative of Silver Bow coun- ty in the lower house of the legislature and was successful at the polls, receiving a flattering ma- jority. He was assigned to the military and labor committees in the Seventh general assembly and was particularly active in advocating and promoting the passage of the eight-hour law. He was equally vigorous in his opposition to senate bill No. 87, relating to the disqualification of judges, and though he was ill in a hospital in the capital city when the bill came before the house, he insisted on taking a carriage to the assembly hall so that he could record his vote against the bill. Mr. Sullivan also made a vigorous and successful fight to abolish the circle at the head of the official ballots in the various elections. He took a deep interest in all measures that came up for consideration and ably represented his constituency. He is much in- terested in the new Labor party and is lending his influence in the promotion of its cause. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. On May 10, 1892, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sullivan, who, like himself, was born in the Emerald Isle, and their home has been brightened by three sons and one daughter, Lillie, Frank, Emmet and Jeremiah.

REV. STEPHEN J. SULLIVAN .- Although born in Newcastle, Pa., in 1876, the subject of this review came with his parents to Mon- tana when he was only three years old; and when we consider this fact, his interest in the state of his adoption and the excellent service he has rendered in developing and building up her moral and spiritual welfare, we may claim him as almost entirely Montana's own son. His parents were Timothy D. and Johanna (Connolly) Sullivan, na- tives of Ireland who came to the United States in their early lives, and were married in this country after they grew up. They had four chil-

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dren, namely : Ambrose, a member of the society of Jesuits ; Stephen J., the subject of this sketch; John, a medical student, and Josephine, who was born after the removal of the family to Butte, where the father was engaged in mining with gratifying success. There the parents died, the mother at the age of thirty-five and the father at that of fifty-four. They came to Montana in 1880, settled at Butte, and after nearly nine years of active labor in mining the father died at St. Joseph's Hospital in that city in 1889. He was successful in business, was a Democrat in politics, and was identified with the Ancient Order of Hibernians in fraternal relations. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church, as was that of his wife.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 167

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