Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 186

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 186

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whence they removed to Ohio as early as 1835, the father becoming one of the pioneer farmers of that state, and where both passed the residue of their lives, honored by all who knew them. The educa- tional advantages of George Woodworth were such as could be had in the public schools of that early day. On laying aside his text books he continued to devote his attention to farın work, but also be- came identified with the manufacturing of pearl ash, an industry of importance in that section in early days. In the year 1865 on the first day of March he left Bryan, Ohio, and started on the long journey across the plains of Montana, proceeding by rail as far as Grinnel, Iowa, the then terminus of the road. From Grinnell he traveled by stage to Fort Kearney, Neb., thence to Denver by mule train under the protection of friendly Pawnee Indians, who, having donned Uncle Sam's uniforms, had volunteered to go under the direction of a captain of the regular army, and give battle to the more warlike Sioux.

He arrived in Denver in April, and continued his journey by stage to Salt Lake City, paying $200 for his transportation, requiring ten days and nights on the road. He remained in the Mormon capital for a few daysand then purchased saddle horses and a pack horse, with which he continued to his desti- nation, arriving in Virginia City, Mont., early in May, having completed the journey in seventy days. then considered quick time. Shortly afterward he went over into the valley of the Madison river, where he took up a tract of land and engaged in ranching. remaining there for a period of three years, when he disposed of the property and engaged in the freighting business between Corinne, Utah, and various points in Montana, conducting a successful enterprise in this line for ten years, but subsequent- ly located in the city of Butte and engaged in mercantile business which he conducted for three years. In 1885 Mr. Woodworth came to the Big Hole basin, Beaverhead county, and located a ranch to which he has added from time to time until his present extensive and valuable estate, and lands under his control, now number 8,020 acres. His operations in the raising of high-grade cattle and horses are of wide scope and importance, and con- tribute materially to the industrial prestige of the county. He makes a specialty of fine draft horses. disposing of many in Butte, where he finds a ready demand. From his ranch he also secures large annual yields of hay, much of which is required in feeding his stock.

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Politically Mr. Woodworth is a stalwart Republi- can, and has been prominent in county affairs. In 1888 he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, serving two terms of two years each and doing much to forward the normal interests and material progress of the county. While he was in office the county court house was erected and the county poor farm was purchased and equipped, while many other needed improve- ments and facilities of a public nature were pro- vided. Fraternally Mr. Woodworth is identified with the time-honored order of Freemasons, being affiliated with Lodge No. 30, A. F. & A. M., at Dil- lon. On May 1, 1881, Mr. Woodworth was united in marriage to Miss Florence E. Emerick, who like- wise was born in Ohio, and they are the parents of three children : Fred, who was born on September 3, 1883; Carrie, born June 23, 1887; and George, Jr., September 10, 1895. The attractive family home is located five miles south of the village of Wisdom. which is the postoffice address of Mr. Woodworth and family.

F ERDINAND DELL .- The subject of this brief sketch first saw the light August 18, 1839, amid the classic and historic scenes of Prus- sia, where his father was a forester for the Duke of Braunfels, in whose service he remained until his death. His mother was Elizabeth Hirz, also a na- tive of Prussia. Mr. Dell was educated in the schools of his native land, finishing with a special course in a first-class gymnasium. In 1855, at the age of sixteen, he immgrated to America, locating in Michigan, where he remained six years, engaged in clerking. In 1861 he went to California by the isthmus route, and there spent two years, clerking a part of the time, but most of it in mining with fair success. The next seven years he passed in Nevada, occupied in quartz mining, and then went to Idaho for the winter. In the summer of 1871 he came to Montana, and locating in Jefferson county was vigorously engaged in mining for about a year, and then bought an interest in a prosperous butcher business, which continued until 1882 with very good returns, meanwhile carrying on some mining operations. In the year last named he bought his present homestead, about twelve miles up the Madison, to which he has added by purchase until he has now about 1,000 acres, a large part of which is under irrigation. Hay is his principal crop, but he also raises large

quantities of grain. He is also interested in the raising of high-grade cattle, keeping from 200 to 300 head, the Herefords being his favorite breed.

Mr. Dell was married January 27, 1877, to Mrs. Olive C. Merriman, a descendant of an old Ver- mont family of prominence and wealth in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Dell have two children, namely : Frankie A., now the wife of Samuel H. Sharman, of Ogden, Utah, and De Lano F. They have a very desirable residence, the ranch being improved with good buildings and all the neces- sary equipment for its purposes, and in an ad- vanced state of cultivation. The proprietor is a progressive man and one who has justly won the respect of all his neighbors and the community generally. He takes a lively interest in public af- fairs, and has rendered good service to his people in the office of county commissioner, which he filled with great credit for five years. He was also a county commissioner in Jefferson county before he removed to Gallatin. In addition to this office he has been school trustee and road supervisor for many years. He is a Mason, and takes great in- terest in the affairs of the order.

H ENRY WILLIAMS, of Butte, who has added much to the wealth and wisdom of the world as a practical mining expert and is now continu- ing his usefulness as a scientific stockbreeder, was born at Truro, County Cornwall, England, on August 30, 1841, and in the schools of that town received his primary education, afterwards taking a thorough scientific course in the schools of mines at Truro and at Clausthal, Germany, being em- ployed during a portion of the time while pursuing these courses in practical work for the great smelt- ing establishment of Vivian & Sons, at Swansea, Wales. In 1869 he came to America and located at Mazatlan, Mexico, as ore purchasing agent for Vivian & Sons and for Gibbs & Sons, of London, I11 1872 he went to Spanish Bar, Clear county, Colo .. and for three years had charge of the smelter at that place. From 1875 to 1879 lie was superintend- ent of the Boston & Colorado Smelting Works at Alma, Park county, Colo., and in May, 1879, came to Butte, Mont., where he organized a company and built the Colorado & Montana Smelter, which was completed in the fall of that year. In 1883 the company was re-incorporated and the name was

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changed to the Colorado Smelting & Mining Com- pany. The works were destroyed by fire in 1896, but were immediately rebuilt on a more elaborate scale, and without delay to the business. Mr. Williams was the originator and builder of these extensive works, both in the first place and after the fire, and their completeness and thorough equip- ment for their purpose furnish a high tribute to his skill and full knowledge of the business, of which he was the general manager from 1879 to 1899. In the year last named the establishment was sold to the Amalgamated Copper Company and became a part of the properties of that great corporation. In 1893 Mr. Williams purchased a 1,600-acre ranch in Deer Lodge valley, near Gregson's Springs, now known as the Alma stock farm, on which he is extensively engaged in raising a high grade of stock, including a large number of fine Hereford cattle, superior and thoroughbred draft horses. In politics Mr. Williams belongs to the Republican party, but takes no active part in its work, his business occupying his time and satisfying his ambitions ; and in its sphere he is rendering good service to his section, while no duty of good citizenship is ignored or neglected.

C HARLES S. WARREN .- The life of the in- teresting subject of this biographical review has been one of adventure and usefulness from boy- hood. His ancestors were people of consequence and standing in their native England, closely and prominently identified with all that is creditable in her history-in civil, military and commercial lines -and the family has borne itself with the same spirit and progressiveness in the land of its adop- tion. The American progenitors of Mr. Warren came over from old England in the Mayflower in her second voyage, and the name has since been conspicuous and honored wherever it has appeared in the annals of New England.

Mr. Warren was born November 20, 1847, at Utica, La Salle county, Ill., where he attended the country schools until he was fourteen years of age. At that time the Civil war broke out and, fired with the patriotism and loyal zeal which has always characterized the strain from which he sprang, youth as he was, he enlisted as a private soldier in the One Hundred and Forty-Seventh Illinois Infantry, and served in the Army of the Cumber- land throughout the war, being with Gen. Wilson at the last battle, and subsequently at the capture

of Jefferson Davis. He was honorably discharged from the service at Savannah, Ga., January 24, 1866, having risen by merit to the rank of first ser- geant. He returned to Illinois in February of that year, and after resting a few months he started for St. Joseph, Mo., by rail, and there engaged in driv- ing a bull team across the plains to Montana at a compensation of $25 a month and his board. He reached Virginia City without mishap, arriving August 20, 1866, and receiving his pay in green- backs, which at that time were worth only half their face value.

Four days later he camped under a wagon on the spot now occupied by the Herald office in Helena. Fate did not smile on his aspirations at this period ; yet, sustained by his lofty and resolute spirit, he packed his blankets all over the territory in search of the opportunity he felt convinced was waiting for him somewhere. He went by way of Deer Lodge valley to French gulch, and there engaged in placer mining for about four years with varying success.

In 1873 he was elected sheriff of Deer Lodge county, as a Republican, but the term was not a profitable one, and when it was ended he found him- self "broke" and obliged to borrow $15 to take him to Butte. There he located a number of mines which proved to be valuable, but not for him. Among them was the Lexington, which he sold to Judge Davis for $50, and which the Judge afterwards sold for a million and a half. He was also one of the owners of the Gagnon, which was involved in costly litigation. He fought it through the courts and finally lost it, and since that time it has yielded over two million dollars in dividends. These are but samples of the fatality which at- tended him during these trying times, but they did not subdue his spirit or lessen his energies. He went on working one thing and another, serene in the confidence of final success, and taking his proper place among the developers and builders in the com- munity in which his lot happened to be cast, letting no public enterprise languish for want of help which he could give it. He was the mustering officer and served in the Nez Perces war in 1877 as adjutant of the Montana battalion. He served also as the first police magistrate in Butte, and was continuously active in political affairs. Being nom- inated by his party for the office of mayor, he was beaten by the Marcus Daly and W. A. Clark allied combination. He was, however, elected as a mem- ber of the convention which framed the constitution

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of the state, and was a member of its committee appointed to make its work properly known by an address to the people. He was also a member of the Republican national committee of 1888, and as such rendered most valuable assistance in electing Benjamin Harrison to the presidency of the United States. In business he has been associated for a number of years with Hon. Lee Mantle in real estate and mining deals. Their operations in these lines are very extensive, covering interests in every part of the state and elsewhere. The "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune," which he has en- dured, the tribulations through which he has come to his present state of high prosperity and inde- pendence, are now remembered only as features of a beneficial discipline that serves to heighten the enjoyment to which it has led and to emphasize by contrast a present condition in which it is no longer needed.

In 1872 Gen. Warren was married to Miss Mittie Avery, a native of Maine. They are the parents of five children, of whom only two are living : Wesley, who is a civil engineer, a graduate of Peekskill Mil- itary Academy and Cornell University, N. Y .; and Mary Alice, a daughter, who was educated at St. Mary's Episcopal Convent in New York city. In fraternal circles the General has numerous and prominent affiliations, and has filled many high offices. He is a past master of Butte Lodge No. 32, A. F. & A. M., as well as a thirty-second-degree member of the order, a past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias, a past noble grand in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a past com- mander of Lincoln Post No. 2, G. A. R., and a past department commander of Montana, and an active and valued member of the Order of Elks. Gen. Warren is everywhere regarded as one of the most enterprising citizens of Butte, and one of the most worthy and serviceable of the pioneers of Montana -an example to the struggling, an incitement to the faithful and an ornament to the state.

M. W. WOLVERTON .- In his family his- tory no less than in himself the subject of this sketch presents a pleasing theme to the con- sideration of the annalist. His paternal grand- father. W. W. Wolverton, was one of three broth- ers who emigrated from Wolverhampton, England, to America in Colonial days, and immediately entered into the spirit and aspirations of their

adopted country. As a member of the gallant old Maryland Line in the Revolution he met the scarlet uniform and glittering steel of his native country on many a bloody field, from Bunker Hill to the crowning triumph of Yorktown. And Adam Hall. a brother of our subject's grandmother, took a prominent part in the war of 1812, the Halls being also an old English family whose descendants came to America early in the eighteenth century and settled near Hagerstown, Md., where Grandmother Hall was born.

About the year 1833 the grandfather removed with his family to Putnam county, Ind., where he followed farming as an occupation until his death. His son, Alfred Wolverton, married in that state. Miss Elizabeth Albin, of Lawrence county, and they were the parents of Wm. W., who was born at Greencastle, Ind., November 17, 1845. When he was ten years old the family removed to Missouri, locating at Albany, Gentry county, where his father was engaged in farming until 1860. They then re- moved to Iowa, remaining three years, but returned to Missouri in 1863. In May, 1866, the father, mother and our subject started to Montana by an overland route and ox team, crossing the Missouri at Plattsmouth, Neb., and proceeding along the south side of the Platte to Fort Sedgwick, thence to- Fort Laramie, and from there to Bridger's Cross- ing, later striking off to Brown's Springs by way of the government road, arriving at Brown's. Springs about noon of July 22, 1866. Morse's train, which was a short distance ahead, continued on to- Cheyenne, where it was attacked by the Indians. and two men were killed. After this all the trains in the neighborhood were consolidated, forming a train of sixty wagons and seventy-five men. But notwithstanding its formidable size it was attacked next day by Indians, and two of the savages were- killed. Thereafter they had no trouble except at Fort Reno, where the train was held up by the- commander of the post until others could arrive. In a few days Horner's train arrived at the Fort and reported that seven of their men had been killed and a number wounded. This increased the appre- hension, and no one thought of going on until the force was considerably increased. When wagons. to the number of 200 and attended by 300 men had collected, the train was permitted to proceed to Fort C. F. Smith, where the different parties separated and pursued their several ways. Mr. Wolverton and his parents came to where he is at present lo- cated and bought of a Mr. Cottrell the home prop-

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erty of 160 acres, which is now all under irrigation and in an advanced state of productiveness, yield- ing abundantly under proper treatment.

Mr. Wolverton was married December 26, 1875, to Miss Johanna Aiken, a native of Stark county, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph Aiken and Joanna Shriver, of Maryland, who had moved to Ohio in early life. They have three children : George L., Eugene L. and Thomas C. He has taken an active interest in public affairs, serving from time to time as school trustee, road supervisor and deputy sheriff. He is a member of the Society of Montana Pioneers. In April, 1864, he enlisted in Company F, First Missouri Volunteers, Capt. Charles G. Comstock, and was engaged in a number of skirmishes. He was honorably discharged from the service in August of the same year. He was also one of the party who went over to the Yellowstone to bury the remains of Col. Jolin M. Bozeman, starting im- mediately after Coover brought the news of his tragic death.

Mr. Wolverton is a man who has the respect and confidence of all the best people in Gallatin valley, exemplifying in public and private life the most admired traits of American citizenship.

CHARLES WINTER .- Among the pioneers of Montana who became identified with mining in this section when the present opulent common- wealth was on the very borders of civilization is Mr. Winter, now one of the prosperous and high- ly esteemed farmers of Missoula county, his ranch of 200 acres being located two miles west of the city of Missoula, his postoffice address. Although a German, Mr. Winter has passed practically all of his life in America, whither he came with his parents when about eight years of age. He was born in the grand duchy of Baden, Germany, on October 10, 1843. His parents, John D. and Mary (Huger) Winter, were born in the same state of the German federation, where the former was engaged in agriculture up to his emigration to the United States, in 1851. He first located in Charleston, W. Va., but after a time took up his abode in Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio, which was the family home for about fifteen years, when in 1870, they removed to St. Joseph, Mo., where the parents passed the residue of their days, honored for their sterling characters. They had two sons and one daughter. The latter is now deceased,

while Bernhard Winter, the other son, is a resi- dent of the Puget Sound district of Washington.

Charles Winter was reared as a farmer and se- cured his education in the public schools of West Virginia and Ohio. In 1863 he started in life on his own responsibility, setting forth for Montana, making the trip by the North Platte and the Sublet cutoff. The party had no trouble with the In- dians, and arrived in Bannack in June, 1864. Thence Mr. Winter proceeded to the great min- ing camp in Alder gulch, and engaged in mining during that summer, after which he removed to Butte and located ground in German gulch, work- ing the claim for two years and also devoting con- siderable time to prospecting. In 1866 he located some claims on Bear creek, Deer Lodge county, which yielded fair returns, and he was there lo- cated until 1871, when he came to Missoula. In 1874 he went to Alaska, and prospected to within 300 miles of Dawson, but failed to discover any good prospects. He also spent some time in pros- pecting in the Black Hills. In 1886 Mr. Winter purchased the ranch where is now his home, and has since been successfully engaged in farming, his place being well improved and under effective cultivation. He has taken no active part in polit- ical affairs and has never sought official prefer- ment. He is well known as one of the represen- tative farmers of Missoula county, where he is held in high esteem. On November 12, 1896, Mr. Winter was united in marriage to Miss Mertie Kopple, a native of Pennsylvania.

DOBERT H. WILLIAMS .- In the parentage of

this enterprising and productive citizen of the Gallatin valley, whose fine ranch of 160 acres, lo- cated two miles north of Bozeman, is a model of thrift and skillful management is commingled the blood of the thrifty German and of the versatile, quick-witted and resourceful Irishman. He was born October 12, 1859, in Montgomery county, Ill., the son of J. W. Williams, a native of Ohio, but of German descent, and Amanda Kirkpatrick, who was born in Illinois, but whose father, Samuel Kirkpat- rick, was a North of Ireland man. Our subject's father removed to Illinois when a young man, where after a few years he was married, and a little later, with his young family, made the trip overland to California, where they arrived in 1863, having had a few skirmishes with the Indians on the way, but

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no very serious trouble. He settled down on a farm and engaged in stockraising for a number of years and then gave his attention to more distinct- ively agricultural pursuits, in which he was very extensively interested, having under cultivation somTe 3,000 acres for many years. Recently he re- tired from active business, and is now living at The Willows, Glen county, Cal., a new town of which he was one of the founders and is now one of the principal owners. Robert H. spent his school days in California, remaining on the homestead until 1888. At that time he came to Montana, traveling through Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, looking the country over and also working at sheep-shearing. and being an expert in the business frequently made contracts to shear large flocks.

Arriving at Bozeman, he went into the milling business in the employ of Nelson Storey, and con- tinned at it for two years. He next engaged in running a threshing outfit, and after that spent five years in the Bozeman Milling Company's service. Quitting the employ of the company, he leased the Bishop ranch of 160 acres and has since been en- gaged in farming with excellent success, oats being his principal crop.

Mr. Williams was married November 5, 1889. to Miss Alice Nelson, who was born and reared in the Gallatin valley, and is a daughter of J. W. Nelson, of that section. They have five children. namely : Frank, Ernest, Warren, Lewis and John. Their home is a very desirable one, the land being good, the location fine, the equipment complete and the farming excellent. In addition to his work on the ranch, Mr. Williams still engages in sheep shear- ing on a large scale, being much sought after for this line of work, and having in reference to it and in other respects the confidence and cordial regard of all who know him.

JOHN E. WOODWORTH .- One of the hon- ored veterans of the Civil war and a sterling pioneer of Montana is Mr. Woodworth, a success- ful farmer and stockgrower of Madison county. His place is located six miles northeast of Ennis, his postoffice town. Mr. Woodworth was born in Williams county, Ohio, on October 9, 1842, the sixth of the nine children of Josiah and Maria (Snow) Woodworth, natives of New York, whence they early removed to Ohio. There the father was a farmer until his death, by a stroke of lightning,

when his son, John E., was five years old. In the public schools of Ohio John E. Woodworth gained his early education, and he continued at farm work until a higher duty came to him and elicited a loyal response. In 1862, when eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Twenty-third Army Corps. He was mustered in at Toledo, Ohio, and after one month's drill started with his regiment for the front. It was for a time engaged in scout- ing near Covington, Ky., thence went on garrison duty at Louisville for several months, and then marched to Knoxville, Tenn., having several skir- mishes en route. At Knoxville they were be- sieged by Longstreet for twenty-one days, and were reduced to one-fourth rations. In the spring of 1863 they joined Sherman's army and took part in the battle at Buzzard's Roost, and was with him in the fight at Resaca, and from that well-con- tested field battled on every mile of the way to Atlanta. Mr. Woodworth was at Lookout Moun- tain, the siege and battle of Atlanta and the en- gagement at Jonesboro. After the battle of At- lanta his regiment joined Gen. Thomas's command and proceeded westward. At Chattanooga, Tenn., his brigade received the arms of Johnston's com- mand. At Franklin, Tenn., the Confederates had the entire army in retreat and captured a part of the supply and ambulance train. At night the in- fantry was withdrawn to the place where the train was captured, and in the morning the rebel forces were defeated and the train recovered. The Union forces repulsed the enemy and returned to Nashville. Mr. Woodworth received a severe bayonet wound at Franklin, which incapacitated him for three months, when he rejoined his regi- ment, then in South Carolina, and with Sherman's army. The regiment served under Gen. Scofield when pursuing Morgan on his famous raid. Mr. Woodworth was honorably discharged and mus- tered out as sergeant, at Cleveland, Ohio, in July, 1865.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 186

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