Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 24

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 24

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

in the "Garden Spot," a fertile piece of land in Grizzly gulch, and also engaged in burning lime, which he continued at good profits until 1870. His next venture was in prospecting at Rattlesnake gulch in the Green Horn vicinity, where he re- mained until 1871. . He then entered the employ- ment of E. H. Train, a photographer at Helena, to learn the business, at a salary of $100 a year and liis board. After a year of apprenticeship he and Train prospected, and soon purchased the Little Sampson lead on Ten Mile gulch, now known as Rimini. They met with no success, and in 1874 re- turned to photographing, visiting during the sum- mer the Yellowstone National Park, at that time in its wild state. In the meantime Mr. Corwin had rented the garden, and after his return from the park he resumed market gardening operations there, also conducted lime-burning on an extensive scale in partnership with Joseph O'Neill. In the fall of 1880 he sold the lime business to O'Neill, and the garden to the Bedrock Water Company, and, moving into the Judith valley, took up homestead, timber and pre-emption claims, all told 480 acres, and engaged in raising horses for fourteen years, when he disposed of both horses and ranch at a good profit, and opened up and developed the coal beds located ten miles northwest of Utica. This coal is of excellent quality, and the annual output is more than 700 tons, with an increasing demand and ready sale for all that can be mined.

Mr. Corwin as a stanch Republican takes great interest in political affairs, though in local matters he is not a partisan. He is a Knight of Pythias. He was married in 1885 to Miss Annie Edwards, a native of Scotland, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Edwards, who emigrated from that coun- try to America in 1888, locating in Judith Basin, Fergus county, Mont., where they engaged in ranching. Mr. and Mrs. Corwin's only child, a daughter named Elizabeth M., is now a young lady of fifteen years. Mrs. Corwin died May 29, 1889. She was a devout member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mr. Corwin also belongs.

0 SCAR J. CRAIG, A. M., PH. D .- Crowning the system of education in our vigorous young state is the University of Montana, created by an act of the state legislature, approved on February 17, 1893, the first section of the act providing that the university should be located in Missoula. The

university opened its doors for students in 1895, and its work has advanced in a most gratifying way under the efficient administration of Professor Craig, who was chosen as its president and is rec- ognized as a distinct force in the field of pedagog- ics. Professor Craig was born on April 18, 1846, in Madison, Jefferson county, Ind., the son of Miles W. and Mary S. (Feather) Craig, the former born in Highland county, Ohio, and the latter in Berks county, Pa. The father, a farmer, removed from Ohio to Indiana in 1826, becoming a pioneer of Jefferson county, where he passed a long and use- ful life. The paternal grandfather of Professor Craig was Walter Craig, a native of Wheeling, W. Va. As a surveyor in the employ of the federal government, he assisted in the original surveys of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. He mar- ried Miss Mary Stuart, a representative of an old and influential Virginia family. Walter Craig was supposed to have been killed by Indians in Wis- consin, the exact nature of his fate being veiled in obscurity. The family is of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion, and the original American ancestors came hither prior to the Revolution. The maternal grandparents of President Craig were of English descent, the grandfather having been born in London. Miles W. Craig enlisted in the Sixth Indiana Infantry in 1861 and was drowned while embarking on the Ohio river at Madison.

Oscar J. Craig, the sixth of the five sons and two daughters of his parents, attained mature life on the parental farmstead, receiving his early edu- cation in the public schools. In 1863 he enlisted in the First Indiana Heavy Artillery, being then but seventeen years of age, and his command was sent to the Department of the Gulf, where he partici- pated in the battles of Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Fort Balow, La., and was honorably discharged from service in 1865. Professor Craig then, in 1866, matriculated in Asbury University, at Greencastle, Ind., but before completing the prescribed course . engaged in teaching in Indiana and Illinois, event- ually returning to the university, where he gradu- ated in the class of 1881 with the degree of Bache- lor of Arts, his alına mater two years later confer- ring upon him the master's degree, while in 1887 the degree of Doctor of Philosophy was given him by Wooster (Ohio) University. In 1880 Profes- sor Craig was elected superintendent of the city schools at Sullivan, Ind., and at the expiration of three years service he was elected principal of the academic department of Purdue University, in

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Indiana, retaining this incumbency four years, af- ter which he was advanced to the chair of history and political science, which he held until 1895, when he was elected president of the newly-established University of Montana.

Professor Craig arrived at Missoula in July, 1895, and the outlook was not flattering, for nothing had been done toward the erection of the university buildings, while the work had scarcely been outlined. It was a herculean task to which he set himself, but his courage and confidence were ample. Vig- orous work and constant agitation of the needs of the university brought the desired results, and whatever the institution may come to be in the fu- ture, there will ever remain to the first president the most distinguished honors, for it was his to lay fast and solid its foundations. He gained the earnest co-operation of the official board, but his was the real labor, his the dominating influence. Un- der President Craig's administration and manage- ment the fine university buildings have been com- pleted and put into use, the requisite equipment has been installed, and upon him to a large extent has devolved the duty of selecting a faculty for the uni- versity, which opened its doors on September II, 1895. The president seeks no rest from his exact- ing labors, but is indefatigable in urging the claims of the university, leaving nothing undone that can possibly advance its worthy cause. At the opening of the university fifty students were enrolled, and the South Side school building of Missoula was used to provide the required ac- commodations, pending the erection of the build- ings.

In February, 1899, the university took possession of its own buildings, which are admirably fitted for the desired purposes, and are alike creditable to the state, the official board and the president. In the meantime the lands which had been donated for the site of the buildings by E. L. Bonner and Hon. Frank Higgins, had been fenced by the Mis- soula board of trade and a number of trees planted. On Arbor day, 1896, a large concourse, including secret and church societies, assembled and paid honor to the day and the institution by planting a large number of trees, which will lend perpetual grace to the campus. The legislature of 1897 gave authority to bond the income of the lands set aside for the support of the university to provide permanent buildings, and bonds were issued to the amount of $100,000, at six per cent. interest, bear- ing date of July 1, 1897. These bonds sold at a

premium, and two substantial and attractive build- ings, University Hall and Science Hall, have been erected and equipped. They were completed on February 18, 1899, and were turned over to the university with appropriate ceremonies, in the pres- ence of the legislature, which was present in a body. The members of the building committee were John R. Lattimer, Alfred Cave, George C. Higgins, J. K. Woods and E. A. Winstanly, on whose removal from the state H. C. Stoddard was appointed. This committee completed the build- ings and improved the grounds, saving seventy- four dollars after paying all indebtedness.

The university is now well-equipped for the suc- cess of its work, the members of the faculty having been chosen with careful discrimination, while the general administration remains with one who has clearly demonstrated his ability to cope with execu- tive problems. He has charge of the department of history and philosophy, but the demands upon his time are inexorable and exacting in the more purely executive capacity. President Craig is identified with the fraternal order of Freemasonry . and also with one of the college fraternities. In Kansas, on August 25, 1875, Dr. Craig married with Miss Narcissa E. Gasaway, a native of Indi- ana, and they have three children, Mary A., a grad- uate of Purdue University and now librarian of the Montana University ; William O., a member of the class of 1902 in the university, and Vincent W. S., a member of the preparatory class of the university.

JOHN COWAN, one of the best type of the rep- resentative citizens of Gallatin county, who is rapidly coming to the front as a successful ranch- man, is fully entitled to the respect and confidence which he receives. Originally the Cowans were Virginians, a prominent and aristocratic family, the paternal grandfather, Jackson Cowan, remov- ing from virginia to Pulaski county, Ky., where his son, also Jackson Cowan, was born, and where he resided until his death. The wife of Jackson Cowan, Jr., the mother of John Cowan, was a Miss Penelope Saunders, also a native of Pulaski county. The father of John Cowan also passed his life in Kentucky, where he was a farmer.

Born on December 22, 1851, the John Cowan, of Gallatin, remained with his parents until 1877, em- ployed on his father's and neighboring farms and attending the schools of his home. In 1877 he

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started on "a hazard of new fortunes" in the west. He came by railway to Corinne, Utah, bringing a carload of mules and, outfitted for freighting, thus continued on to Bozeman, where he arrived on June 21, 1877. Remaining occupied with the freighting business until fall he then sold out and located a homestead in the Gallatin valley, to which he has added land until he now has 400 acres, thor- oughly irrigated by a practical system. The im- provements on this property are of the most sub- stantial character and include a handsome resi- dence and suitable buildings for the care of stock. On November 28, 1882, Mr. Cowan was married to Miss Nannie J. Lee, a native of Pulaski county, Ky., a daughter of F. B. Lee, now a prominent stockgrower on Shield's river, Mont. To them have been born seven interesting children, Edward, Penelope, Thomas, Robert, Mark C., Nora and Hazel. Mr. Cowan is now serving as school trus- tee with every evidence of satisfaction to those whose interests are involved. His fraternal affili- ations are with the Woodmen of the World, of which he is a highly esteemed and influential member.

H JON. HERBERT L. CRAM .- The multiplicity of duties and opportunities and the close ar- ticulation with governmental affairs which Ameri- can citizenship entails, gives every man an interest in public matters, and a knowledge of them accord- ing to his capacity and desire. Each has his finger on the public pulse, for each is, in his measure, a part of the governing power. Hence when duty calls one to public office he is ready for its functions without special preparation, because his entire pre- vious life has been a general preparation. Hon. Herbert L. Cram, representative for Lewis and Clarke county in the Montana legislature, is not a legislator by profession or by training, yet he has exhibited the elements of safe guardianship for the public interests and diligent attention to the public needs, so far in his legislative term, and is filling his office capably, faithfully, and with an exalted sense of duty, as was to be inferred from his pre- vious record of business success and public useful- ness. Mr. Cram is a native of Gorham, Cumber- land county, Maine, where he was born November 3, 1858, and where his ancestors had lived for sev- eral generations. His parents were Otis and Harriet (Emery) Cram, of old Massachusetts stock. The father was both a stonemason and a carpen-

ter, but passed the greater portion of his life in the independent vocation of farming. He died in his native county in 1872, surviving by two years his faithful wife, who passed away in 1870. They had six sons and three daughters and three of the sons are now Montana residents in Lewis and Clarke county.

Attending the public schools near the home of his nativity, and acquiring a practical knowledge of New England farming, Herbert L. Cram passed the first eighteen years of his life. In June, 1877, when he was less than nineteen years old, he came to Montana anid located near Helena, where he has since followed ranching and given close and intel- ligent attention to public affairs in general and the best interests of his immediate section in particu- lar. His success in business has been steady, con- stant and ample, and his influence in the govern- ment of his community and in creating and direct- ing public sentiment has widened in scope and in- creased in power in direct proportion as the ex- cellence of his judgment, the breadth of his view, the loftiness of his aims and the integrity of his character have become known to his fellow citizens.

Mr. Cram owns a very valuable ranch in Prickly Pear valley, near Helena, consisting of 180 acres, in addition to over 500 acres of leased lands, on which he raises abundant crops of hay and superior grades of stock, consisting of about 150 head of cattle and horses. The property is improved with a fine residence of modern type, fitted up with con- sideration for the comfort of its inmates, equipped with every convenience known to modern house- keeping and adorned with every evidence of good taste. The barns, sheds and other outbuildings are in keeping with the dwelling; and all the appli- ances for ranch work are of the best. In political affiliations Mr. Cram is an ardent, active and very useful Democrat, rendering excellent service to his party whether bearing the flag or following it- never surrendering its principles. It is this faith- ful, continual and helpful devotion to its welfare, with his generally acknowledged manliness and fitness for representative duties, that made him the choice of the party for a member of the lower house of the state legislature and secured his elec- tion. He was chairman of the committee on state institutions, and a member of those on appropria- tion and irrigation. In fraternal relations he is identified with the United Workmen and the Order of Elks. On January 11, 1883, Mr. Cram was mar- ried to Miss Ina M. Jones, a native of Montana

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and daughter of John Jones, one of the most es- teemed pioneers of Lewis and Clarke county, a more extended notice of whom will be found else- where in this work. Mrs. Cram's cordial and gracious manner and usefulness in every good work are as much esteemed on the social side of life as Mr. Cram's keen vision and business acu- men are on the commercial. They have four children, Maud F., Cora B., Emma H. and Roy C., and their home is a center of genial and genuine hospitality. In the winter they reside in Helena to have the best educational advantages for the children. Mr. Cram is yet a comparatively young man and his past success, present prominence, manly vigor, well-directed energy and broad, strong hold on the confidence and esteem of his fellow- men bespeak for him more abundant financial tri- umphs, higher political honors and more extended public usefulness.

H ON. PARIS GIBSON, LL. D .- Public hon- ors of distinguished order have come to this distinguished gentleman, not the least being his election to represent Montana in the senate of the United States after the long and memorable con- test in the state legislature during its session of 1900-1901. But other prestige is his in connection with Montana history. He was the discoverer and practically the founder of the city of Great Falls. That he has had valuable and timely assistance is true, but the idea was born in his active brain, the design wrought out by him and the fruition achieved by his indefatigable energy and rare exec- utive power. To him the tests of time and experi- ence have been applied, and in many and widely differing ways he is shown as one of the most prominent citizens of Montana. To say this is sim- ply to reaffirm that which is uniformly admitted.

Paris Gibson was born at Brownfield, Oxford county, Me., on July 1, 1830, the son of Abel and Ann (Howard) Gibson, the former of Scotch and the latter of English lineage. As a soldier in the English army during the colonial French war, Tim- othy Gibson, the grandfather of Paris, came from England to the colonies, while the maternal grand- father, Joseph Howard, was a valiant soldier in the Continental line during the war of the Revolu- tion, in which extant records show that he partic- ipated in the battle of Saratoga and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. Abel Gibson was

born in New Hampshire and was a farmer and lum- berman by occupation. He died in his sixty-second year, having reared a family of seven children, and was long survived by his widow, who was a native of Maine and lived to be nearly ninety. Of the children three daughters and Hon. Paris Gibson are the only survivors.

Mr. Gibson had exceptional educational advan- tages and he was graduated from old Bowdoin Col- lege at Brunswick, Me., a member of the class of 1851. Some of the leaders of diplomacy, law and other spheres of thought who now occupy high places in the nation were then students of Bowdoin. We will only mention of the many mighty names those of Chief Justice Melville W. Fuller and United States Senator William P. Frye. (In 1901 his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of LL. D.) Shortly after his graduation Mr. Gibson was elected a representative from Oxford county to the legisla- ture of Maine, but upon the death of his father he returned to the old homestead and conducted it for a number of years, acquiring there the practical knowledge of farming which he has used so often and well in forwarding the interests of Montana. In 1858 Minneapolis, Minn., was an insignificant town of but a few hundred population, in fact the name was scarcely known, the place being popularly designated St. Anthony's Falls. But in that year Mr. Gibson located in that embryonic city, which was to be in the future the great flour emporium of the world. Here his sagacity and broad mental ken manifested themselves. In association with William G. Eastman he built the Cataract mill, the first flouring mill of that city, and subsequently he erected and operated the North Star woolen mills, which soon became noted for the superiority of their products. Then the panic of 1873 swept over the country, a besom of financial destruction to thousands. Business reverses fell heavily on Mr. Gibson, and in 1879 he came to Fort Benton, Mont., not discouraged and ready in a newer field to put forth every effort for the legitimate recoup- ing of his prostrated fortunes. Associated with Henry McDonald Mr. Gibson that year interested himself in the sheep business, the two being con- cerned in driving one of the first bands into north- ern Montana. Nor has Mr. Gibson since neglected this important industry. To promote the interests of the flockmaster and to advance the sheepgrow- ing industry in Montana no man has done more than has Mr. Gibson. From an infant industry he has seen it grow to be one of magnificent scope and

Paris Gifter

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importance in the resources and productive activi- ties of the state.

The great falls of the Missouri river first came under the observation of Senator Gibson in 1882. He immediately instituted a careful and extended examination of the resources of the surrounding country and became more and more impressed with the value and possibilities of the unlimited water- power, the inexhaustible measures of coal and the vast extent of agricultural and grazing lands of the surrounding portion of the state. He forthwith assumed the herculean task of converting these vast untouched virgin resources to the benefit of mankind, and also the additional labor of founding a city on the then unpeopled lands by these cata- racts of the Missouri. He laid his plans before the present railroad magnate, James J. Hill, in No- vember, 1884, and that executive genius readily consented to act as his coadjutor in the vast under- takings. To acquire townsite title and coal land was the work of two years. Thus, in a certain sense, the founding of the city dates back to 1884, though more technically it cannot be said to have had its definite inception until 1887. Then it was that the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Rail- road, now a portion of the Great Northern system, was completed to that point. Marvelous progress has been made by the city since that eventful pe- riod. Where at that time were only a few rude cabins and primitive business houses is now a mod- ern and attractive city of more than 15,000 popula- tion. With the exception of that of Niagara Falls it possesses the greatest water power in the United States. It has large smelters, refineries and flour- ing mills, a rapidly increasing population of desir- able citizens and the day is not far distant when Great Falls will be the leading industrial city of the northwest.

Since the town had origin, since it emerged from nothingness to industrial life and restless activity, Mr. Gibson has been intimately connected with its affairs and he well merits the title so often and proudly conferred upon him by its people, that of "father of Great Falls." He has engaged in real estate business, stockgrowing and mining. Of the public park system of Great Falls, unequaled in the northwest between St. Paul and Portland, Mr. Gibson is the promoter, sustainer and supervisor. To the general development of the coal, iron and agricultural interests in the Great Falls region he has devoted time and attention. The record made by Senator Gibson in his strenuous labors of 8

founding a city is one that has won to him the es- teem and confidence of all patriotic citizens of the place, and his efforts have not lacked appreciation throughout the entire state, as the general welfare of the state and the whole northwest are greatly promoted by all such worthy and legitimate enter- prises. Individually and collectively the people of Montana speak of him in terms of highest com- mendation.

Mr. Gibson has been connected with various fra- ternal organizations and is now an active member of the Elks. In religion he has ever been broad and liberal, a Universalist in belief. As there is no church of that faith in Great Falls he affiliates with the Unitarian Society.

On August 18, 1858, Mr. Gibson was united in marriage with Miss Valeria G. Sweat, daughter of Dr. Jesse P. and Eliza W. Sweat, who was born in Brownfield, Oxford county, Me., on November 30, 1839. Mrs. Gibson died at Great Falls, Mont., on August 19, 1900. The two sons of this union, Philip and Theodore, are residents of Great Falls.

Politically Senator Gibson has ever given an un- faltering allegiance to the Democratic party, and in this field, as elsewhere, has been shown the power of his forceful individuality. He was a member of the constitutional convention which in 1889 framed the present constitution of the state, and he was elected to represent his district in the first state senate, where he wielded the influence implied in his mature judgment and prominent experience in connection with affairs of great scope and impor- tance. He has been inflexibly arrayed in support of the consolidation of all the state institutions of higher learning into one, the University of Mon- tana, and, though the measure introduced by him was defeated, he still believes, as do many other prominent men of the state, that the dissipation of the educational forces through several channels is unwise economy, and that it has been demonstrated in other states of the northwest. The dignified office of United States senator was conferred upon Mr. Gibson as the result of the balloting in the state legislative assembly of 1900-1901, where it is a matter of record that a deadlock was maintained for many days, Mr. Gibson being elected on March 8, 1901, on the twenty-third ballot of that day and the sixty-sixth ballot of the session. This compli- ment was all the more pronounced when it is taken into consideration that he had not been an aspirant for the honor and that the forces rallied to his sup- port with marked enthusiasm and by his election

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ended one of the most memorable legislative con- tests in the history of the nation. In the hands of Senator Gibson the interests of the state are safely reposed so far as he is able to foster and protect them through the dignified office to which he has been called, and the distinction thus conferred upon him is one that is recognized as a just reward for his able and effective labors as one of the progres- sive and loyal citizens of Montana.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 24

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