Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 23

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 23

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JAMES CONLON .- One of the sterling pio- neers of Montana, one to whom the scenes and incidents of the early days were made familiar when

he was a young man, and one who has witnessed the marvelous progress of territory and state, James Conlon surely merits attention. He was one of the early settlers near Lolo, in Missoula county, and there has a valuable and prolific ranch. He is a native of the Emerald Isle, born in June, 1841, the son of Marcus and Mary (Connavan) Conlon, the former of whom died in Ireland, while his widow came to the United States in 1887 and died in Chicago in 1898, at which time she had attained the venerable age of ninety-two years. She was the mother of four sons and two daughters, all of whom, except one daughter and one son, re- side in this country. One son, Patrick, is now a resident of Butte.

James Conlon remained in his native land until he had attained the age of sixteen, when, in 1857, he came to the United States, where he believed better opportunities were afforded to make his own way in the world. In Chicago he secured a position as a newsboy on the Illinois Central Railroad, and Chicago was his headquarters until 1864, when with his brother, Patrick, he started for Montana, by way of Fort Laramie and the Yellow- stone and Wind rivers, arriving in Virginia City in August, 1864. The journey was made with mule teams, and they had no trouble, from the Indians, probably because the train was a large one, having 105 teams. Mr. Conlon and his brother engaged in mining in Alder Gulch two months, and then James joined the stampede to British Columbia, where the Kootenai excitement was at its height. This trip was made in winter when the weather was very severe, while provisions were very limited in quantity and variety, it being necessary for the miners to have recourse to various kinds of grain for food, which were prepared for eating in most primitive fashions. After five months stay in that section, Mr. Conlon made his way to Portland, Ore., where he resided two years, then removing to Idaho City, Idaho, while in 1866 he returned to Montana, and for four years engaged in mining near Diamond City.

In 1870 Mr. Conlon removed to the Cedar Creek district, and in 1871 settled on the land where he now makes his home, which is one and one-half miles south of Lolo, his postoffice address. He was the first permanent settler in this locality and here he now has a fine ranch of 540 acres, devoted to the raising of cattle, to fruit culture and to gen- eral ranching, and he has been very successful. In 1877 he was engaged in hauling supplies to the

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troops under Gen. Howard, and on their way to Henry lake, in Madison county, the party had sev- eral spirited encounters with the Indians, who had stolen their stock. In one conflict three men were killed and several wounded. Mr. Conlon is a Demo- crat, but has never been an aspirant for public office, though for the past twelve years he has been a school trustee, and he takes an active interest in the well-being of the community. He and his family are communicants of the Catholic church in Missoula. In 1881, in Illinois, Mr. Conlon was united in mar- riage to Miss Teresa Garvey, who was born in Ire- land, whence she came to the United States in in 1856, with her parents, Thomas and Anna Gar- vey, the former of whom is deceased, while the mother is now a resident of Missoula. Mr. and Mrs. Conlon have four children, Anna M., Thomas P., Mary F. and James M.

H ON. JOHN T. MURPHY .- The men of force and capacity, who take strong hold of the rugged conditions of life and mold them into successful and useful careers, are entitled to all honor among their fellows, not only for the individ- ual triumphs they win, but for the fruitful poten- cies awakened and inspired by their examples. Among this class Hon. John T. Murphy, of Helena, holds high rank. His useful life began on Febru- ary 26, 1842, in Platte county, Mo., whither his parents, William S. and Amelia (Tyler) Murphy, had migrated from their native Pennsylvania. Mr. Murphy passed his school days on the farm of his father, assisting in its labors until he reached the age of seventeen, when the force of his charac- ter and his independence of disposition induced him to start out in the battle of life for himself. Accord- ingly, in 1859, he removed to Colorado, and there secured employment as a clerk. The next year he went to Nevada City in that state and engaged in general merchandising on his own account, contin- uing for a year and a half. He then sold out and began operations in the wagon transportation busi- ness, which he continued until 1864, when he came to Virginia City, Mont., with a wagon train of merchandise, carefully selected to meet the de- mands of the mining population, then almost the only dwellers in this part of the country. After dis- posing of this stock he went to Nebraska City, Neb., and in the following spring loaded a wagon train with merchandise and shipped goods by

steamer on the Missouri river. He brought all this stock to Helena, Mont., and on July 1, 1865, opened a store in that city. Trade was active, prices were good and his enterprise proved to be very profit- able. As his trade and capital increased he estab- lished branch stores in various places and carried on an extensive and successful mercantile business until 1890, when he sold his store in Helena. He also early engaged in the stock industry, and has expanded his operations in this line until he has become one of the leading stockmen of his section of the state, devoting his attention principally to cattle and sheep. In 1890 he became one of the or- ganizers of the Helena National Bank and was elected its president. He was also one of the or- ganizers and directors of the Montana Savings Bank. Upon the death of Col. C .. A. Broadwater, president of the Montana National Bank, the fit- ness of Mr. Murphy to manage the affairs of that great financial institution were so manifest that he was chosen to fill the vacancy, and during his tenure of the position rendered efficient and highly appre- ciated service.

In 1871 Mr. Murphy was, united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth T. Morton, a native of Clay county, Mo., and the daughter of William Morton. They have four children, all natives of Montana : William M., Francis D., Addie M. and John T., Jr. On August 9, 1897, Mrs. Murphy passed over to the activities that know no weariness. In politics Mr. Murphy is a Democrat, but has never taken an active part in party affairs. He performs with fidel- ity the duties of citizenship involved in the suffrage, but has no desire for the emoluments or honors of political office. His business and domestic affairs fill the measure of his ambitions, and to these he gives his undivided attention. His business record is highly honorable to him; and his success, which has been great, has been fully deserved, as is also the high position he holds in the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen.

S AMUEL H. CONROW .- Clearly defined pur- pose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will bring a fair measure if not great success ; and in following the career of one who has reached the goal of his ambition, the observer can often learn much of the incentive and inspiration which lies beneath. The qualities which have made Mr. Conrow one of the prominent and suc-

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cessful farmers and business men of Gallatin coun- ty have brought him the uniform esteem of his fellow men, his career having been one of well di- rected energy, strong determination and honor- able methods.

Samuel Hilliard Conrow was born in Burlington county, N. J., on March 14, 1847, being the son of Mark and Keziah (Hilliard) Conrow. For the genealogical history of the family we refer the reader to the sketch of our subject's brother, Sen- ator John Conrow, of Park county, elsewhere in this volume. In the public schools of his native state Mr. Conrow received his educational discip- line, and there engaged in farming until 1873, when his health became impaired and he deter- mined to come to Montana, where his brother John had previously located. He made the journey by railroad as far as Corinne, Utah, and thence overland to Montana, being fully restored to health while enroute. He remained a short time with his brother at North Boulder, came to Gallatin valley and located on Reese creek, where he en- gaged in farming for three years, when he came to his present location, known as Valley View, taking up his residence in 1877. He has about 2,000 acres, in addition to 240 acres of bottom land located four miles north of Belgrade. A considerable portion of this property is worked under lease, and is well supplied with effective irrigation facilities, insuring excellent crops. He raises spring and fall grains on the bench lands, about six hundred acres, and fine yields of Montana wheat unexcelled in qual- ity are secured, a line of production that is given precedence, the industry being conducted on an extensive scale. The beautiful homestead is most eligible and picturesquely situated, commanding a fine view of the valley, the village of Belgrade being plainly visible, twelve miles distant. Among the excellent improvements which Mr. Conrow has made is a commodious residence of attractive archi- tectural design, with excellent buildings essential to the proper carrying on the work of the great farmstead. For a number of years the family has resided in Bozeman during the winter months, thus affording his children exceptional advantages in the public schools and State Agricultural College. Mr. Conrow and family are actively concerned in the social activities of Bozeman and Gallatin valley, and stand high in popular esteem. and friendship. In politics Mr. Conrow gives his sup- port to the Democratic party and the principles for which it stands. Fraternally he is identified with

the Knights of Pythias and maintains a lively in- terest in its work. He is a gentleman of fine men- tal equipment and executive ability, and his success is the result of energies well applied. He is known as public spirited, and an active promoter of enterprises and undertakings which make for the progress and prosperity of the county and state.

On Christmas day, 1867, Mr. Conrow was united in marriage to Miss Anna Caroline Gaskill, who was born in Burlington county, N. J., the daughter of Francis and Tomson (Poinsett) Gas- kill, and of this union fourteen children have been born, namely : Anna May, who became the wife of Wilford L. Brainard, died in 1892, leaving four children ; Lussetta is the wife of David Anderson, of Butte; Althea is the wife of George Miller, of Gallatin county ; Vincent married Miss Jenetta Lang, and is a successful rancher of this county ; and Valter, Carruth, Zena, Ada, Mabel, Frank, Lena, John H., Samuel D. and Dora, who still abide beneath the parental roof.

R )ANSOME COOPER, one of the leading at- torneys of Great Falls, and a leading and rep- resentative citizen of Cascade county, has been a resident of the city since 1890. Shortly after his arrival hie associated himself in the practice of law with Judge Pigott, and the firm was continued until 1894. Mr. Cooper was born in Shiawassee county, Mich., on May 12, 1856, Andrew H. Cooper, his father, removing from his native state, New York, to Michigan in the same year. He was a miller and farmer, and passed the remainder of his life and died in Michigan. The mother was Sarah (Mc- Gilvery) Cooper, also a native of New York. Of their six sons, three have located in Montana. Passing through the public schools at Howell, Ran- some Cooper was matriculated in the Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor, in 1874. He entered the literary department, and remained two years, and began teaching at Port Austin, Mich., in 1876, continuing this educational work three years.

During that time he studied law with Hon. Hor- ace G. Snover, for two terms a congressman from Michigan, and with his law partner, Richard Win- sor. Mr. Cooper was admitted to practice from their office in 1879, and for the next ten years he continued in the practice of his profession at Reed City, Mich. He was during this time six years

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prosecuting attorney for Osceola county and at- torney for the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. In 1890 Mr. Cooper located in Great Falls, Mont. Since the dissolution of the partnership with Judge Pigott, as mentioned, he has been alone. In 1892 Mr. Cooper received the nomination for attorney general from the Republican party, with which he holds fellowship, but declined to make the race. He is now in the enjoyment of an excellent law practice, and is affiliated with the Masonic fra- ternity. Mr. Cooper was married in Michigan, on December 31, 1878, to Miss Lillian Colgrove, a native of Pennsylvania. Their four children are Matthew H., Ransome, Jr:, Irving and Edith Belle.

EORGE W. COOK .- In the business and

G J public life of Fergus county and Lewistown no man holds a position of more prominence than this gentleman. His popularity is unmistakable, and he has been the incumbent of various posi- tions of marked public trust and responsibility.

Mr. Cook was born in Franklin county, N. Y., on the 30th of August, 1853, the son of Chauncey and Lucretia J. (Hobbs) Cook, natives respectively of Vermont and New York. The father located in New York in his early manhood, and there as a farmer passed the residue of his life. He was a son of Joseph Cook, a representative of one of the prominent old families of Vermont. He also passed the later years of his life in New York. Of the chil- dren of Chauncey Cook, three sons and two daugh- ters lived to attain years of maturity, the subject of this sketch being the only member of the family to locate in Montana. George W. Cook attained maturity under the wholesome and invigorating influences of the old homestead farm, and when fifteen became a student at the high school at Vergennes, Vt., and afterwards in Barre Academy, at Barre, Vt., where he completed the academical course. He then was successfully engaged in teaching in the public schools of Vermont for four years, and there continued to make his home until 1880, when he came to Montana, making the trip from Sioux City by boat up the Missouri river to Fort Benton. His first employment in Montana was on one of the extensive sheep ranches of the firm of Gans & Klein, of Helena, and later he was for two years a clerk in the store of Judge Gaddis, at Fort Logan. Mr. Cook then associated himself with William Parberry in the

sheep business, on Dog creek, Fergus county, and there continued operations until 1893. In 1890, however, he took up his residence in Lewistown, his present home, having received the appointment as receiver of the United States land office there. He served as receiver for four years. In 1895 Mr. Cook was elected treasurer of Fergus county, and his tenure of this office extended until 1899, his administration of the financial affairs gaining him uniform commendation, without reference to political lines. In 1898 the firm of Cook & Hilger was organized, and Mr. Cook has since been associated with Mr. David Hilger. They conduct a most successful business in Lewistown as real estate, live stock and insurance agents and bro- kers and land attorneys. In 1890, with George J .. Bach, Mr. Cook purchased the Judith Basin flour- ing mill, and owns one-half interest in it. In 1899 he was a prime factor in the organization of the Citizens' Electric Company, and was its first presi- dent, serving one year. Mr. Cook at present is chief executive of the municipal government of Lewistown. He was elected mayor of the city in 1900, and was elected his own successor in May, 1901.

Mr. Cook has never been deflected from his alle- giance to the Republican party. He has been an active worker, has been prominent in both state central committee and that of his county, and has the distinction of being twice chairman of the county committee. Fraternally Mr. Cook is iden- tified with the Masonic order, in which he has passed the capitular degrees, and also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World.

On the 27th of October, 1874, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Emma H. Orvis, who was born in Vermont, as were also her parents, Lorenzo and Mary Orvis. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have two sons and seven daughters: Lizzie, Lilian E., Chauncey L., Fannie S., William H., Mary L., Ruth P., Vernen and Carro C.

A NDREW L. CORBLY, of Springhill, Gallatin county, one of Montana's earliest pioneers and now a distinguished citizen of progressive views and indomitable enterprise, is prominently and favorably known. One of a family of two sons and four daughters, he was born in Wood county, W. Va., on November 15, 1842. His father, Will-

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iam L. Corbly, was also a native of that state, as was his grandfather, Andrew L. Corbly, while his mother, Elizabeth (Ingham) Corbly, was born in Greenbriar county, W. Va. In 1849 when Mr. Cor- bly was seven years of age, William L. Corbly re- moved, with his family, to Iowa, where, with the ex- ception of trips to Montana and Oregon, he after- wards resided, engaged in farming. Upon the Iowa farm Andrew L. Corbly was reared and in the district schools received his education. Short- ly after attaining his majority, in 1864, he awakened to the possibilities of the slowly unfolding north- west and inspired with a worthy ambition to bet- ter his worldly prospects, or at least to examine the advantages of a mineral territory, he came to Montana.

He was accompanied by his father and they made the journey from Omaha by North Platte river and Lander's cutoff. Near Sherman they fell in with three Brown brothers, from Missouri, and the party came through without encountering serious difficulties. On July 17, 1864, the Corblys arrived at Virginia City, where they remained until Octo- ber 24, thence going to Silver Bow and thence to Missoula, where they outfitted for the winter. They had been engaged in unflattering prospecting and at Flint creek they were joined by three other men and continued prospecting with indifferent success. In March, 1865, Mr. Corbly returned to Virginia City, and for two months unsuccessfully prosecuted mining in that locality. He then went to Last Chance gulch, where he remained until October 8, 1869, meeting with fair degree of success. Com- ing to the Gallatin valley the following summer he was exceedingly pleased with the country and here he secured the land upon which he now resides and which he has developed into one of the best and most productive farming properties in the county.

The married life of Mr. Corbly dates from Decem- ber 4, 1808, when he was united to Miss Virnick Rudolph, of Nebraska, daughter of Philip Rudolph, a native of France. He came to Montana in 1864, and is now a farmer on land adjoining Mr. Cor- bly's. Three of the six children in the family, Clara I., Andrew L. and Charles Phillips, are de- ceased; William A., Alice E. and Louis M. sur- vive. The home residence is in a beautiful loca- tion at the foothills of the mountains in the east end of the Gallatin valley, the entire farm being thoroughly irrigated, and here Mr. Corbly raises luxuriant crops, wheat, oats and apples being the chief productions. In his orchard there are 400

fruit-bearing trees. His favorite stock are Clyde horses and shorthorn cattle. Corbly canyon is the source of water supply for irrigation and Corbly creek meanders through the farm. Mr. Corbly served in the territorial legislature of 1880, and has for several years been a member of the high school board of Gallatin county, taking an active interest in all educational matters.

C 'RAIG CORNELL .- Recognized as one of the representative stockgrowers and business men of Beaverhead county, and honored as one of the sterling pioneers of the state, Mr. Cornell merits definite consideration in this work, which has to do with the progressive men of Montana. He is a native of the good old Hoosier state, having been born in Porter county, Ind., January 8, 1839. His father, Isaac Cornell, was born in Allegheny coun- ty, Pa., where he was reared and educated, re- moved thence to Ohio, and from that state to In- diana, about the year 1835, being one of the pio- neer farmers of Porter county and one of its influen- tial citizens. He was an active participant in the war of 1812, and it is worthy of note that his son, the subject of this review, purchased a portion of his present estate with scrip which his father received from the government in payment for his services in the war mentioned. The Cornell family has been identified with the annals of American history from the early colonial epoch, and the records show that the paternal grandfather of our subject did yeoman service as a soldier in the Continental ser- vice during the war of the Revolution. The orig- inal American ancestors came hither from Scot- land, with whose history the name has been prom- inently identified for many generations. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Priscilla Morgan, who was born in West Virginia, her father having been the owner of a plantation in Preston county, the founders of the family having come from Wales and established themselves in the Old Dominion at an early day. Her father removed to Wayne county, Ohio, becoming a pioneer of that state, and there was solemnized her marriage to Isaac Cornell. They became the parents of eleven children, the subject of this review being the tenth in order of birth and one of the four who yet sur- vive. The parents died in Indiana, where they had maintained their home for several years.

Craig Cornell is indebted to the public schools

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of his native state for the educational advantages which were his in youth, and his was the lot of the average farmer lad of the place and period, as he assisted in the work of the farm during the summer months and conned his lessons in the district school during the winters. He remained on the old home- stead until April 17, 1864, and then set forth on a long and weary overland journey, the completion of which gave him title to being one of the pioneers of Montana. He proceeded from Indiana to Grinnell, Iowa, the terminus of the Rock Island railroad, where he secured his outfit which had been shipped from Chicago, for the trip across the plains. He left Grinnell the latter part of April, the equipment being four wagons drawn by teams of four mules each, with seventeen men in the party. On reaching the Platte river the company separated, one portion making the trip from that point by way of Bozeman pass, while Mr. Cornell's party came on via Lander's cutoff. They were not molested by the Indians, and our subject arrived in Bannack on the 20th of July. He worked in the mines and in cutting timber until 1866, when he located on a ranch, a portion of which is the present town site of the city of Dillon. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising until 1871, when he removed to his present ranch, situated one mile south of Dillon, the county seat of Beaverhead county. He now owns a tract of 1,420 acres, and holds leases of contiguous tracts, making the ag- gregate area of land under his control 3,120 acres. He gives special attention to the raising of sheep and Norman horses and is one of the progressive and enterprising ranchers of the county, and stands as one of the prosperous and influential citizens of this section of the state. His ranch is a model one, having the best of permanent improvements, including a fine brick residence of modern archi- tectural design and equipments, having been erect- ed by him in 1896. In politics Mr. Cornell is un- wavering in his allegiance to the Democratic party, though he maintains a distinctive public-spirited attitude, ever ready to lend his aid and influence in support of all projects for the advancement of local interests, and has always refused to permit his name to be brought forward in connection with political office. Fraternally he is identified with the time-honored institution of Freemasonry, be- ing a member of Dillon Lodge No. 30, A. F. & A. M.

On November 16, 1871, Mr. Cornell was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Keller, who was born in

Ohio, the daughter of John Keller, a native of Maryland, whence he removed to Ohio in 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Cornell became the parents of four children : Roscoe, a graduate of the Michigan School of Mines, at Houghton, is now a mining engineer ; Estella is the wife of George Murray, a successful rancher of Beaverhead county ; Viola, who is at the parental home ; and Myron, who was born in 1885 and died in 1893.

W T ALTER S. CORWIN .- This early pioneer of the west, now resident at Utica, in Fergus county, was born in Jackson county, Iowa, Octo- ber 25, 1836, a son of Bartholomew and Maria (Kilborn) Corwin, natives of New Jersey and Maine, who after long time residents in Canada emigrated to the United States in July, 1838, and located in Iowa, where the father followed farm- ing as an occupation. He was a Republican in politics and a Universalist in religion. The mother died in 1838, when her son Walter was but two years old. The father lived until 1899. Four children survive them-Joseph, Walter S., Anna and Dennis. Walter spent his early days in his native county, working between terms of school to earn the money wherewith to purchase his books and clothing and pay for his board. This he did until he was twelve years old, and then "hired out" to a farmer for $13 a month, continuing with him until 1856. At that time he removed to Kansas, rented a farm for himself, and two years in succes- sion secured the contract to furnish hay for the gov- ernment at Fort Riley. In 1859 he took up his resi- dence in Central City, Col., where he prospected and mined for two years with moderate success. In 1861 the Civil war induced him to return to Kansas where he enlisted as a.private soldier in the Federal army and after service through the entire war he was honorably discharged with the rank of first ser- geant. He returned to Iowa for a few months and in the spring of 1886 made the overland trip with six ox teams to Montana, starting at Omaha, and landing at Virginia City three months later. On the way the train had several encounters with hos- tile Indians who were then stealing all the horses and mules they could. Mr. Corwin arrived safely at Helena and from there went to Blackfoot, pros- pecting until the midsummer of 1867, with little success. Returning to Helena he purchased the interest of Marion Benevento, his father's partner

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 23

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