Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 175

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 175

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In political affiliation our subject is a Repub- lican, and as such was elected assessor of Teton county in 1894 for a term of two years. Fra- ternally he holds membership in Choteau Lodge No. 44, A. F. & A. M., and Chevalier Lodge No. 12, K. of P., of Choteau. He was married Decem- ber 29, 1890, åt Great Falls, to Miss Margaret Gyldenskog, a native of Norway, where she was born in 1861. They have five children, namely : Edward, aged nine; William Lawrence, seven ; Ursula Caroline, five; Ruby Florence, four, and Grant Henry, two. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hodgs- kiss are highly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of knowing them, and enjoy the cordial regard of a large circle of intimate friends. He has been a useful citizen, aiding in the develop- ment of every good enterprise for the benefit of the community, ever holding up before his fellows the example of a high order of manli- ness and integrity.

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

THOMAS HOGAN is known as one of the representative farmers and stockgrowers of Carbon county, enjoys the distinction of having served as the first sheriff, and in all the relations of life has retained the confidence and high esteem of his fellow citizens. He is a native of the old Keystone state, having been born in the city of Pittsburg, Pa., January 1, 1852, the son of John and Mary (O'Neil) Hogan, natives of Coun- ty Clare, Ireland. The father of our subject came to America when a young man and located in Pittsburg, where his marriage to Miss O'Neil was solemnized. In 1854 he removed with his family to Manitowoc county, Wis., becoming one of the pioneers of that section of the Badger state, where he continued to devote his attention to farming and stockraising until his death in 1893; his widow now resides in St. Paul, Minn. All of their eight children are living, our subject being the eldest. Thomas Hogan grew to young manhood on the homestead farm, and secured such advantages as were afforded in the public schools. In 1878 he was married to Miss Margaret Ready, who was born in that state, the daughter of James Ready, a farmer of Manitowoc county. Mr. and Mrs. Ho- gan have three children: Michael, Mary and Norah, all of whom remain at the parental home. . · In 1876 Mr. Hogan made a trip to Chicago, but shortly after located in Minnesota, and for six years was in the employ of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. In 1882 he became identified with construction work on the line of the Northern Pacific Railroad, came to Montana, remaining in its service for six years. He then located in Carbon county on his present ranch, situated ten miles west of the city of Red Lodge, on Hogan creek, named in his honor. Here he engaged in the sheep business until the year 1893, when he disposed of his stock, having met with considerable loss through adverse finan- cial conditions then existing. He then turned his attention to the raising of cattle and horses with gratifying success, particular attention be- ing given to the Durham and Hereford strains of cattle and Percheron horses. Mr. Hogan has a valuable and well-improved property, and is recog- nized as one of the able and progressive ranchmen of this section of the state. His ranch is most eligibly and attractively located, and he has con- trol of a tract of more than 600 acres under ef- fective irrigation which yields large crops of hay. He has a fine modern residence and substantial

farm buildings, and his home is one of the most attractive in the county.

In politics Mr. Hogan gives support to the Republican party, in whose cause he is an active local worker. Upon the organization of Carbon county, in 1895, he was chosen as its first sheriff, and administered the affairs of the office with dis- cretion and ability for two years. He takes a deep interest in the progress and well-being of the community, and has served as a member of the board of school trustees for a number of years. Commanding the respect of the people of the county and known as a man of inflexible integrity, he well merits recognition in this work as one ot Carbon county's representative citizens.

TILLIAM HOLBROOK .- A man of resolute will, ready and fruitful resources with self- reliance and courage, is superior to circumstances and makes his way over every obstacle. No dan- ger daunts him, and he presses forward in his chosen course with a firm belief in his own pow- ers. The truth of this is well illustrated in the career of William Holbrook, who was born in Penobscot, Me., January 27, 1852, a son of Will- iam and Caroline (Bolland) Holbrook, the former a native of New York state and the latter born on the ocean while her parents were on the way from Ireland to the United States. Our subject's par- ents located in Maine, where the father profitably engaged at his trade as a millwright. After a time he engaged in farming with gratifying suc- cess. For a number of years he was one of but two old-line Whigs in the town of Newport, but this never lessened his interest in the success of the party. His parents were members of the Methodist church, and when they were summoned into eternal rest they left six of their seven children surviving them, namely: Annie, Viola, William, Carrie, George and Fred P. Mr. Holbrook at- tended the public schools of his neighborhood un- til he was thirteen years old, and made good use of his time. At the age named he hired out as a farm hand at $13 per month and his board. After spending five months in this engagement he went to work in a sawmill at $20 per month. He spent the winter of 1865 at home, and in the spring took a contract to put logs in a pond for a sawmill. In 1870 he removed to Michigan, locating at Port Huron, where he remained until fall and then went

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to the Straits of Mackinac, locating at Cheboy- gan, where for eight years he was in the employ of a lumber company. After that, and until .1878, he was engaged in farming, lumbering, millwright- ing or sawmill work, always finding or making something profitable to do, steadily moving for- ward with prosperity in all his undertakings. In 1878 he came to Montana and located at Helena, where he secured employment in the sawmill con- ducted by Sanford & Evans ; and the next spring went out with a government survey expedition on the upper Missouri. In the fall he quit the survey and spent the winter of 1879 and the summer of 1880 driving a team for Joe O'Neill, and in the fall of 1880 he started a freighting enterprise of his own, which he conducted profitably for three years. From 1883 to 1885 he teamed, and in the latter year sold his teaming outfit and gave his attention to running a bus line until 1890 when, with George W. Huffacker, was begun the profitable livery business in which they are now engaged under the firm name of Holbrook & Huffacker. This enterprise, begun on a moderate scale, has grown to large proportions and is now the leading business of its kind in Helena.

In politics Mr. Holbrook is an active Republi- can, and in fraternal relations is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He was mar- ried January 13. 1883, to Miss Irmind Bartley, a native of New York state and daughter of John and Adeline Bartley, natives of Canada. They removed into New York state in early life, and the father was there successfully engaged in shoemaking. They were members of the Catholic church, and were the parents of five children, all of whom are still living : Edward, Isra, Irmind and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook have two chil- dren, namely : Eleanora A. and Maud I. Mrs. Holbrook is a valued member of the Baptist church, and both she and her husband have the cordial regard of a large circle of admiring friends and the respect and confidence of all who have the pleasure of knowing them.

B ENJAMIN S. HOLLOPETER, who is recog- nized throughout the county of Sweet Grass as one of its most highly esteemed and successful business men, is a native of Ohio, having been born at Covington, Miami county, November 7, 1863, one of a family of six sons and one daugh-

ter. His parents were Samuel and Catherine (Shellabarger) Hollopeter, both of them Penn- sylvanians. The grandfather, John Hollopeter, was also a native of the Keystone state, and re- inoved to Ohio in the early days as did the mater- nal grandfather, Jacob Shellabarger. They were successful farmers. In the excellent public schools near Covington our subject received a good, practical education, and in August, 1875, he removed to Darke county, but in six years re- turned to Miami county, and for nine years subse- quently was employed in agricultural pursuits. He then went to Illinois, remained a year, and came to Montana in 1890. Two months were spent near Mellville at W. P. Franklin's, and then he went to the Judith Basin, where he was in the employment of Charles Severance ; and a year later he removed to Big Timber, Sweet Grass county, and worked at the carpenter's trade for about one year. Five miles from Big Timber, on the Boulder river, he secured a homestead claim of 160 acres, and began the business of raising cat- tle. He has 100 head, principally shorthorns, and a band of 2,000 Shropshire sheep. He is also quite extensively engaged in the business of dairy- ing, finding a profitable market for his milk in Big Timber and for cream in Butte.

The domestic life of our subject can be said to (late from December 23, 1895, when he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Mary Wetzel, of Car- lisle. Pa. She is the daughter of Moses and Susan (Waggoner) Wetzel, the father a native of Carlisle, and the mother of Perry county, Pa. The family removed to Covington, Ohio, in 1876, remained there twelve years and then went to Oxford, Ind., where they at present reside. Mrs. Hollopeter came to Montana in 1895. She is a descendant of Lewis Wetzel, whose father and brother were killed by the Indians on the Ohio river. Subse- quently Lewis became a terror to all the Indians in the vicinity, owing to his implacable hatred of them on account of the cruel death of his relatives. In revenge for their murder he became one of the most celebrated of historical Indian fighters. Foresters, their home, is in a beautiful location, comprising 183 acres, well irrigated and provided with apple, cherry and plum orchards. The out- buildings are of the most substantial character. He is now arranging for the erection of a new stone residence which, when completed, will be one of the handsomest houses in the vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Hollopeter have no children.

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

H ON. THOMAS C. POWER .- Among the illustrious public men of the west who have stamped the impress of their personality not only upon the communities wherein they have lived and the state at large, but upon still more far-reaching sections of the country, none are entitled to more prominent notice than that distinguished gentle- man, Hon. Thomas C. Power, of Helena, Mont. Largely reared upon the frontier and with limited advantages except those wrung by his own ability and force of character from his situation, few have exhibited a greater spirit of determination in over- coming opposing obstacles and no man in Mon- tana has been more prominent in so many lines of distinction. Eminent as an energetic and far- sighted business man and the inceptor and in- augurator of large industrial interests and public improvements, he has been equally conspicuous as a statesman, publicist and political leader, be- sides in an eminent degree being a director of thought and molder of opinion in many other im- portant matters. His place in the record of Mon- tana's eminent men is a high one, and it certainly is an assured one in the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has had relations, business, political or social. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on May 22, 1839. His father, Michael W. Power, was a native of Ireland, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Catherine McLeer, was born in Hagerstown, Md. Michael W. Power came to the United States when a boy and in 1829 set- tled in Iowa, at that time a new and undeveloped country, and in 1836 was married to Miss McLeer in the frontier town of Peru, Iowa, a suburb of Dubuque. By occupation he was a farmer and also conducted merchandising for some years, be- sides giving time and attention to lead mining. He was a true type of the brave, hardy pioneer, did well his part in introducing civilization into what is now one of the most enterprising and pros- perous states in the Union and died near the site of his original settlement in the fiftieth year of his age. . Mrs. Power survived her husband and de- parted this life at the age of seventy-five. M. W. and Catherine Power were the parents of four chil- dren, J. W., of Fort Benton ; Sarah E., also of Fort Benton; Mrs. T. L. Martin, of Helena, and Thomas C. Power.

The childhood and youth of Mr. Power were passed on the frontier, and, being the oldest of the family, much of the work of the farm devolved on him as soon as he was strong enough to be of prac-

tical service. In the primitive schools of those days he received his first instruction in the mys- teries of education and, being of a studious mind and a natural lover of books, he afterward deter- mined to prosecute his studies under more favor- able auspices. With the laudible aim of fitting himself for a useful station in life, he entered the Sissinawa Mound (Wis.) College, in which he com- pleted a three-years' course and gave especial at- tention to the sciences and civil engineering, and for some time after leaving college followed teach- ing. In 1860, however, Mr. Power engaged as rodman with the engineers in charge of the gov- ernment survey of the Dakotas, and in that capaci- ty traversed on foot the greater part of Iowa and Dakota, receiving at first for his services $20 per month, which was increased with the progress of time. After passing some time on the survey he resigned his position and returned to Iowa, but in 1861 went back to Dakota and engaged in gov- ernment surveys and he was also frequently em- ployed to do engineering for private parties, in laying out town lots, surveying farm lands and other kinds of surveyor's work. Subsequently he joined an expedition that ascended the Missouri and did considerable engineering work in the northwest for the government and private parties.

Mr. Power first canie to Montana in 1864, but did not long remain, going from here to Omaha, Neb., from which place in 1866 he began shipping merchandise to various points in this and other territories of the northwest. One year later he opened a general store at Fort Benton for the ac- commodation of the garrison and the settlers, and also traded quite extensively with the Indians. In due time he added freighting to his rapidly grow- ing commercial business, continuing this for a number of years with encouraging success, his general trade meanwhile increasing in magnitude and importance. In 1874 Mr. Power, in company with I. G. Baker and others, built the steamer "Benton," which was used for shipping freight be- tween Pittsburg, Pa., and various Montana points, making on an average two trips a year while in the carrying trade. The success of this enterprise en- couraged him to proceed further in the same di- rection, and in 1876 he built the steamer "Helena" and in 1878 the "Butte" was added to his line of vessels. In 1878 also he purchased the steamer "Black Hills," which, with the others mentioned, was used for many years in the Missouri river traffic. In 1879 Mr. Power established a stage

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line between Helena and Fort Benton, which proved a most successful undertaking, and about the same time greatly extended the area of his mercantile interests by opening branch stores at Helena and Bozeman. Meanwhile, in 1878, he made his home and residence in Helena, and from that year to the present time he has been actively identified with the city's material and business in- teres:s, contributing in a large measure to its growth and development. He erected some of the largest and most substantial business blocks in the city and in many other ways he has added to its importance as an industrial center and attractive place of residence. He has always had an attrac- tion. toward large undertakings and such words as discouragement and failure were eliminated from his business vocabulary. While inaugurating and carrying to successful issue the numerous lines of business referred to he has also been prominently identified with various other enterprises of a public and private character, notably, the American Na- tional Bank of Montana, in the organization of which he was a prime mover and 'leading spirit. Interested in everything tending to benefit the public, he has been no idle spectator of local im- provements, but in a large measure has led and controlled them. He was a leading factor in originating and constructing the present water works of the city and is one of the heaviest stock- holders of the company having the system in con- trol. He is also identified with other enterprises in and about Helena and his influence has been active in the promotion of nearly every measure having for its object the material and intellectual advancement and improvement of Helena, and it has been largely instrumental in making the city one of the most thriving and progressive places of the commonwealth. In the live stock business, in which he has been quite extensively engaged for a number of years, owning at the present time 12,000 acres of valuable grazing land near Great Falls upon which are produced some of the finest herds of cattle and sheep in this region, he stands as a leader. He has realized large profits from this business and adds to its magnitude with each recurring year, and in addition to the company conducting the above-mentioned enterprise, are several other large cattle and sheep companies in which he is interested.

Mr. Power's political career and the history of Montana have been almost identical. He has long enjoyed distinctive prestige as one of the

ablest Republican leaders of the state, and during the last quarter of a century the success of the party in the state has been largely due to his untir- ing work and matchless leadership. In 1878 he was elected to the first territorial constitutional convention and in 1884 was chosen as a delegate to the Republican national convention. In 1888 he was nominated for governor of Montana, but, by reason of the state being normally Democratic, failed of election by a very small majority. The trend of events made him the logical candidate in 1889 for the United States senate, and when the general assembly of the state convened for the purpose of selecting a man for that distinguished position he was chosen for that office. He en- tered upon the discharge of his duties as a mem- ber of that eminent body in 1890 and served with distinction until the expiration of his term in 1895. His record as one of the nation's law-makers is a part of the history of the country and he earned the reputation of being an able, discreet and capable statesman. He was given places on some of the most important committees, especially on those having bearing upon the west and its in- dustries, and was thus enabled to do effective ser- vice not only for his own state but for the entire Pacific slope. Among the committees on which he served and in which he was especially promi- nent were those on public lands, mines and mining, transportation and railroads and others.

· On the expiration of his senatorial term Mr. Power returned to Helena and resumed the super- vision of the industrial and financial operations with which his name has been so long and in- timately associated. His marriage with Miss Mary G. Flanagan, of Dubuque, Iowa, was sol- emnized in 1867. Their son, Charles Benton Pow- er, was finely educated and was graduated from Georgetown College, Washington, D. C., and from the Columbia College of New York city. It is proper to state in conclusion that Senator Power is, in the broadest sense of the term, a western man, having the interests of his state and people deeply at heart. His mind, strictly practical in scope and bearing, is eminently utilitarian, while · energy of character, firmness of purpose and an unswerving integrity are among his more pro- nounced characteristics. As a business man he ranks deservedly high, and in the domain of poli- tics the wisdom of his leadership has long been recognized and duly appreciated. Not only in the various spheres to which reference has been made

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has the Senator achieved distinction, but in the common affairs of life he discharges every duty with the same conscientious fidelity that character- ize his career as a politician, statesman and leader of great enterprises. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions, but a lively sympathy and an abiding charity, com- bined with sterling integrity and honor of char- acter, lead him to avoid rather than seek dis- putes with his fellow-men. In private and social relations he is without blemish and above re- proach and his generous, open nature makes him easily approachable. This hasty sketch can not fully represent the life and achievements of Sena- tor Power; it is scarcely more than an index, pointing to years of patient toil and success, to scenes of bold daring and persistent endurance. He is one of the strong characters who stand out in bold relief on the history of the state.

AMES S. HOPKINS .- The life story of this interesting subject is not unlike that of many others in our land of boundless opportunities, but has its own specific details and features growing out of the individual characteristics of the man. Thrown on his own resources at an early age, he neither inherited nor found his way to success and prosperity, but resolutely hewed it out of ad- verse circumstances by his own indomitable will, diligent application and intelligent use of the means that came his way.

He was born in Syracuse, N. Y., June 26, 1863, the son of Samuel L. and Harriet (Skinner) Hop- kins, both natives of near Syracuse, where the lat- ter is still living. The father was a farmer in Onondaga county, where he was born and there died in February, 1893. Our subject was allowed to attend the Syracuse public schools until he was seventeen years old, and then came west in search of greater opportunities than his home appeared to offer. After working two years on a sheep ranch near Denver, Colo., he made a trip to the ·Pacific coast, and later came to Cascade county, Mont., where he spent two years in the service of the Colorado & Montana Cattle Company, a con- cern that bought the Clarke and Ulm cattle inter- est near Great Falls in 1881. From the spring of 1883 to the fall of 1884 he was engaged in taking some of this company's cattle to Idaho and the Lost river country, and in the fall of the last-

named year he trailed their cattle to Porcupine creek in Custer county, Mont., eight miles from Forsyth, where he remained until the company re- tired from business in 1899, having been in its employ and connected with it for a period of eight- een years. In 1886 he engaged in the cattle busi- ness on his own account on a ranch near Helena,. bordering the Big Blackfoot, in a partnership with William Denton, which lasted until 1894. In that year he became associated with Harry H. Fletcher in a partnership on a ranch of 960 acres on the Porcupine, devoted to cattle ; and also in one with Thomas Alexander on a stock and hay ranch of 800 acres on the Yellowstone, eight miles west of Forsyth. In addition to these he became a partner of William W. McDonald in two ranches : one of 1,600 acres on the Rosebud, and one of 500 on the Yellowstone, at the mouth of Big Por- cupine creek. But his enterprise and capital are not all consumed in ranching operations. He and Thomas Alexander own the Merchants' National Bank of Forsyth, and he has a half interest in a furniture store there, the partner being J. F. Ken- nedy.

In politics Mr. Hopkins is a zealous Democrat, and has rendered his party good service in the ranks and as its standard-bearer. In the fall of 1894 he was elected to represent his county in the state legislature, and in the ensuing session he was potential in securing local and general legislation of value to his constituents. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Elks, holding membership in lodges of the first two at Forsyth, and in the last in Lodge No. 537 at Miles City, of which he is a charter member. Mr. Hopkins is unmarried. He holds a high place in the regard of his fellowmen, not only locally, but throughout the state wherever he is known.

G EORGE G. HOUGH .- The duties of citizen- ship in our free republic lay upon the man of parts many unexpected public responsibilities for which he may have had no special training beyond a constant participation in the government in a local or general way. Thus it has come to pass that. without any direct or conscious effort on his part and without any special preparation for the function, George G. Hough, of Bridger, had thrust on him the duties and responsibilities of the mayorality of his home city, and administered the

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 175

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