Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 34

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 34

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ENOIL O. FOURNIER .- For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. Fournier has been a resi- dent of Montana, identified with its business and industrial life, and is today one of the influential and honored citizens of Beaverhead county, where he has extensive real estate and livestock inter- ests. He is also engaged in general merchandising at Jackson, and has valuable mining interests in this section of the state. His life has been one of consecutive industry ; his career in the west, while varied in character, has commanded the confidence and respect of his fellowmen by reason of his sterl- ing integrity of character.

Mr. Fournier is a native of Verchires county, Province of Quebec, Canada, where he was born on May 8, 1847, being the eighth of the ten chil- dren of Antoine and Idelaide (Lambert) Fournier, natives of Canada, where they passed their entire lives, the original American ancestors having set- tled in Canada more than two centuries ago, while in the paternal line our subject is of distinguished French lineage. He received his early education in the parochial schools of his native county, sup- plemented by a thorough course of study in Be- loeil College, at Beloeil, where ne remained seven years. After leaving school he engaged in general merchandising at St. Liboire, Canada, until 1870, when he went to California and engaged in the hotel business at Aukland. He then went to San Francisco and engaged in the bakery business for a short interval. In 1871 Mr. Fournier located in Virginia City, Nev., and worked in the famous Comstock mine, remaining until 1877. He was unsettled for several months, but finally organized a party with a train of ten wagons and started for the Black Hills. At Laramie City he left the train and came to Montana by way of Tongue and Yellowstone rivers. Reaching Fort Custer he con- tracted in the fall of 1877 to supply brick and other material for the post, realizing five hundred dollars therefrom. He then removed to Bozeman and for three years engaged in ranching and freighting in Gallatin county and later was similarly engaged in Silver Bow county for two and one-half years, com- ing thence to the Big Hole basin, in Beaverhead county, where he engaged in prospecting for two years. In 1884 he discovered the hot springs near where the town of Jackson now stands, and im- mediately located a ranch in this locality, even- tually securing a large tract of land. He later dis- posed of a considerable portion of his land, but still retains 640 acres, and also the ownership of the springs, whose waters have shown valuable reme-

164

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

dial qualities. He now conducts a general store in Jackson, having a large and well selected stock and controlling a trade which reaches throughout a wide territory tributary to the town. He is also ex- tensively engaged in the cattle business and in farming, and is also interested in gold and copper mines in the vicinity of Jackson. When he first came to the Big Hole basin elk and antelope often were found feeding among his herds of cattle, and he recalls that in 1886 a band of antelope came down to his ranch. Being on horseback at the time, he made an effort to corral them, but they were too wary to be taken captive. In his religious faith Mr. Fournier is a member of the Catholic church, in which he was reared.

On February 3, 1901, Mr. Fournier was united in marriage to Miss Antoinette Cartier, who was born in Canada, the daughter of Joseph Cartier, a representative of one of the old and prominent French families of the dominion. Our subject and his wife have a pleasant home in Jackson, and are held in the highest esteem in the community.

THOMAS J. FOWLER, a representative far- T

mer and cattlegrower of Gallatin county, Mont., who was elected county sheriff in the fall of 1900, is now discharging the duties of huis posi- tion with that ability and discretion which marks the thoughtful man of affairs, and assures the approval of the public. Mr. Fowler is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Noble county, Ohio, August 29, 1850, a son of Cherry Valley (born February 11, 1812) and Elizabeth (Bond) Fowler (born July 4, 1815). Cherry Valley Fowler secured his somewhat un- usual cognomen from having been born on the site of Cherry valley massacre in New York. He ac- companied his parents on their removal to Ohio, where they were numbered among the earliest pio- neer3, and where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1899, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. Elizabeth (Bond) Fowler, mother of Sheriff Fowler, was a native of Mary- land, and her death occurred in Ohio in August, 1896, at the age of eighty-one. Cherry Valley and Elizabeth Fowler were the parents of fifteen chil- dren, twelve of whom grew to maturity and ten of whom are living.

Thomas J. Fowler was reared on the parental homestead, early becoming inured to the sturdy

discipline of the farm, and securing his education in the public schools. He remained in Ohio until 1877, when he disposed of his farm and came to Montana. He recently purchased a fine ranch of 160 acres in Gallatin county, located five miles southwest of Bozeman. He is making excellent improvements on the ranch, which will be devoted to farming and stockraising upon a large scale.

In politics Mr. Fowler has ever given a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and has been an active worker in its cause, his first presidential vote having been cast for Gen. Grant. In the fall of 1900 he was nominated by the Republicans for sheriff of Gallatin county, was duly elected and inducted into office. Fraternally ne is a member of the Order of Yeomen; he and his family are mem- bers of the Christian church. On November 25, 1880, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage to Miss Mahala C. Mckinsey, who was born in Franklin county, Indiana, May 22, 1852, the daughter of George E. and Sarah (Wilson) McKinsey, natives of Indiana, of which state their parents were among the earliest pioneers. Mrs. Fowler's parents are now residents of Bozeman, Mont., Mr. McKinsey being one of the pioneers of Montana, having removed from Indiana to Omaha, Neb., in 1854, and in 1863 to Montana where he engaged in farming and mining until his retirement from active business life. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler are the parents of six children, namely : Rosa, Grace, Bertie, Bessie, Viola and Ernest.

JAMES D. FOX .- Numbered among the first permanent settlers in the Big Hole basin, Bea- verhead county, where he is extensively en- gaged in farming and stockraising, James D. Fox has definitely contributed to the industrial prog- ress of this section of the state. Janies Dwight Fox comes of stanch old New England stock, his ancestors in both the paternal and maternal lines having been identified therewith in early co- lonial days and for many generations concerned in the agricultural and business life of Massachusetts. Mr. Fox was born in Westfield, Mass., on April 13, 1829, the second of the seven children of Lu- cius and Persis (Sackett) Fox, natives of the old Bay state. Lucius Fox was a farmer and powder manufacturer for a number of years and was prom- inently identified with the state militia. His father, Jonathan Fox, born in Massachusetts, was also a

165

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

farmer. After securing his preliminary education in the common schools of Westfield he completed a · course of study in the academy. On leaving school he engaged in farm work, and thus continued until he attained the age of seventeen years, when he went to Boston for the purpose of learning the trade of manufacturing philosophical instruments, devoting his attention to this line for one year, after which he entered the establishment of his uncle, and learned the trade of watchmaking. In 1885 he went to New York city and secured work in an establishment in Maiden lane, and there re- mained until the panic of 1857, when he returned to Boston and worked at his trade until the follow- ing year. His next move was to the South, lo- cating in Montgomery, Ala., where he was em- ployed for a short interval and then went to Cam- den and was there employed at his trade for a year. His next change was in removing to Linden, Ala., where he opened a jewelry business, which he conducted until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Twenty-first Regiment of Alabama Volunteer Infantry and served until the capture of Mobile, when he took passage to New York. At the close of the war he returned to Ala- bama and again engaged in the jewelry business at Linden. He sold his interests in the south in the year 1872 and returned to New York city to ac- cept a position as traveling salesman for manufac- turing jewelers, and for the Springfield Watch Com- pany, being thus engaged until 1878 when he came to Montana and for a short time was employed at his trade in Helena. He thence removed to Butte, and in the fall of the same year engaged in the watchmaking and jewelry business. In 1885-6 he also conducted a grocery business. In the latter year he disposed of his interests in Butte and came to Big Hole basin and located on his present ranch, where he has since given his attention to the rais- ing of fine cattle and horses, while he secures from his ranch large annual yields of nay. He now con- trols 3,260 acres of land, has a good residence and made excellent improvements on his place, one of the best in this locality. In politics Mr. Fox gives an unwavering allegiance to the Republican party, and in 1892 he was appointed and is now post- master at Fox, which was named in his honor.

In the year 1865 Mr. Fox was united in marriage to Miss Olivia G. Thomas, who died in 1877, leav- ing three children: Walter P., who has a large ranch near that of his father, is married and has two children ; Eugene T. also owns a large ranch in

the' same locality, is married and the father of one child; and Emeline L. is the wife Chauncey R. Brown, a successful ranchman of the Big Hole basin, and has three children. On November 6, 1880, Mr. Fox consummated a second marriage, being then united to Miss Sarah E. Thomas, who was born in Winthrop, Me., and the daughter of Lloyd and Elizabeth (Benson) Thomas, representa- tives of old families of the Pine Tree state, where the Bensons were among the earliest settlers. Of this second marriage no children have been born.

[ AMES W. FREEMAN, city attorney of Great Falls Mont., is one of the brilliant young at- torneys of the state. He was born in Jones county, Wyo., on March 27, 1867. His parents are Richard and Mary (Aldrich) Freeman, both natives of Ohio. They removed to Iowa in the early 'fifties and engaged in farming. James W. Freeman re- .ceived excellent educational advantages in Ohio, whither his parents removed when he was seven years of age, they settling in Medina county. He was graduated from the Wellington, Ohio, high school, afterwards passing two years in the Univer- sity of Delaware, Ohio. Having taught school for two years he was matriculated in the law depart- ment of the Michigan University, in 1889, at Ann Arbor, graduating with honors in 1891, and in the same year he was admitted to practice before the supreme court of Ohio, and in that year also he be- gan the practice of his profession at Great Falls, Mont., and here he has remained since, meeting with constantly increasing success and being called to important official trusts.

Mr. Freeman was county attorney for four years from January 1, 1893, being re-elected in 1895. In May, 1900, he received the appointment as city at- torney, which position he held two years. In 1898 he was elected one of the school board.of Great Falls, and was chosen its chairman.

Mr. Freeman is an active and enthusiastic Re- publican. In behalf of the principles of that party he has, with signal ability. stumped both Cascade county and the state in several exciting cam- paigns. Fraternally he is a Mason, being a mem- ber of the lodge, chapter and commandery, while he is a noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a Knight of Pythias. On June 23, 1896, Mr. Free- man was united in marriage to Miss Mildred Betz, a native of Ohio. They have one son, Jean Paul.

166

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

G I to incorporate this memoir of an honored EORGE D. FRENCH .- It is a pleasant duty pioneer of Montana, and one whose life was of signal usefulness. A man of strong character, George D. French was ever true in all the rela- tions of life, and stood as a fine type of those sturdy frontiersmen who laid the foundations upon which has been reared the commonwealth of Montana.

Mr. French was of sterling English lineage, and was himself a native of the "tight little isle," where he was born in the year 1832. It is a mat- ter of regret that no definite data is to be had as to his genealogy or the details of his early life, and this condition but emphasizes the value of a pub- lication of this nature when its pages are scanned by succeeding generations. It could not have been other than a source of great satisfaction to Mr. French's family had a sketch of his life been pre- pared and published prior to his death, but under existing circumstances it is incumbent that as complete a memoir as possible be incorporated. Mr. French secured a common school education. in his native land, and there learned the trade of cabinetmaking. As a young man he immigrated to America, believing better opportunities were there presented for individual effort, located in New York city, and engaged in work at his trade. About the year 1848 he turned his steps west- ward, locating in Palmyra, Wis., where he en- gaged in the hotel business for a brief interval. Within the same year he started for the Pacific coast, having California in view as his destination, making the trip by way of Cape Horn. Upon reaching Central America he disembarked and there remained about a year, and then continued his voyage to California, arriving in 1850. His at- tention was given to mining for a period of two years, when he returned to New York, where his marriage was solemnized and whence he set forth with his bride on a wedding tour to England. They remained in England for a number of months, returned to New York, shortly after removed to Wisconsin, where Mr. French engaged in cabinet- making until 1863, when he disposed of his busi- ness and started with his family on the long and perilous overland trip to California. With cattle and horse teams he transported an outfit for a modest brewery, but upon reaching Lander's cut- off the party learned of the discovery of gold at Bannack, Mont., then a portion of Idaho. His dri- vers refused to proceed to California, insisting upon going to Bannack. Mr. French was thus com-

pelled to accede to their demands, and it was through this incident that he became numbered among the early pioneers of Montana. He ar- rived in Bannack September 23, 1863, and soon afterward opened a cabinet shop. In this connec- tion it is worthy of note that he was called upon to manufacture the coffins in which were buried Plummer, Ray and Stimson, the desperadoes hung by the vigilance committee ; also one for George Copley, who was shot by the Mexican road agents. In 1864 he purchased the Mannheim brewery, one of the first established in this section of the Union, which he conducted successfully for a number of years. An incident worthy of mention in this con- nection is that this brewery was the one in which the venerated Bishop Tuttle, of the Protestant Episcopal church, was wont to hold services in the early days, on the occasion of his visit to Ban- nack. The congregations assembled on the second floor and while the bishop was delivering a sermon on one occasion the floor suddenly settled to a very appreciable degree, and the dignified prelate forthwith rushed through a rear door to make his escape. He soon returned, however, making the statement that "self-preservation is the first law of nature," and proceeded with his sermon.

Mr. French continued to reside in the old city of Bannack until 1870, when he moved to Argenta, also located in Beaverhead county, and there opened a mercantile establishment, which he con- ducted until his death, which occurred in 1879. He was a man of unfaltering probity, honest and upright in all the relations of life, and to him was awarded a full measure of esteem and con- fidence, leaving to his children the priceless herit- age of a good name. Reference has already been made to his marriage, but it should be stated that the maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Hughes, a native of Bath, England, where she was reared to maturity, receiving an academic education. She entered into eternal life in the year 1900. Mr. and Mrs. French were the parents of nine children, of whom only three are now living, two having been drowned at Bannack January 5, 1866, by falling from a bridge into Beaverhead river. Of the sur- viving children we incorporate brief records, as following : Margaret, who was born December 25, 1855, is the wife of Alfred E. Graeter, engaged in mining in Argenta ; George W. French, porn Feb- ruary 10, 1859, at Palmyra, Jefferson county, Wis., accompanied his parents on their removal to Mon- tana, where he has practically passed his entire life,

167

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

and received his educational discipline in the public schools of the pioneer epoch. Though primitive in equipment, they were conducted by instructors of marked ability, and the training was well directed and effective in results. Mr. French left school at the age of seventeen years, became identified with the great mining industry, giving his attention to both placer and quartz mining, continuing in active operations until 1896, when he was elected county treasurer of Beaverhead county and made his abode in Dillon. He was chosen as his own suc- cessor in 1898, and thus was incumbent of this re- sponsible office for a period of four years, giving a most careful and discriminating administration of the financial affairs of the county and gaining un- qualified endorsement. At the expiration of his second term,in 1900, he was elected clerk of the dis- trict court. In politics, like his honored father, he is a stanch adherent to the Democratic party. Fra- ternally he is identified with the time-honored order of Freemasons, being a member of Dillon Lodge No. 30, A. F. & A. M. Mr. French is one of the progressive and successful business men of Beaverhead county, and has so lived and directed his efforts as to retain the esteem and confidence of the community that have known him from child- hood. He is the owner of several mining proper- ties of unmistakable value, being located on French creek, both placer and quartz mines, the latter be- ing the Goldfinch, Dolphin and Goldquartz proper- ties, all of which are bonded and showing up ex- tremely well as the work of development pro- ceeds. Mr. French also has a valuable stock ranch of about two thousand acres, located on Rattle- snake creek, and devotes special attention to the raising of high grade shorthorn cattle. In this enterprise he is associated with his brother Anthony, who was born in Bannack in 1868, and now has charge of the ranching business. A por- tion of this ranch property is the old Hadley place, which was the first taken up in the county and which was headquarters for the road agents in the early days.

I SIDORE D. FREUND, M. D .- Greater than in almost any other line of human endeavor is the responsibility that rests upon the physician. The issues of life and death are in his hands. The physician's power must be his own ; not by gift, by purchase or by influence can he gain it. If he would attain relative precedence it must come as

the result of superior skill, knowledge and ability, and these qualifications are possessed in a marked degree by Dr. Freund, who is numbered among the representative medical practitioners of Butte. He is the son of Isidore and Catherine Freund, rep- resentatives of old German families of Berlin, where he was born on September 14, 1846. The father, who became an eminent surgeon in the German schools, emigrated to America in 1855, locating in New York, and later removed to Michi- gan, where he practiced medicine and surgery until his heathı.

Isidore D. Freund, a mere child at the time of his father's emigration, after attendance at the high school at Port Huron, Mich., matriculated in the famous University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, entering the literary department in 1865, where he completed a two years' course. He then entered the medical department, completed the prescribed course and was graduated with the degree of M. D. in1 1872. Thus thoroughly prepared for his pro- fession, Dr. Freund located in the Marquette min- ing district of Michigan and entered upon a suc- cessful practice, being the official physician for various mining companies, and he also had charge of their hospital for that mining district. He was also surgeon to the different railroads of that sec- tion. He remained in the Lake Superior region from 1872 until 1893, when he came to Butte, Mont., and associated with Dr. T. J. Murry in the Murry and Freund Hospital, and he has also been very successful in general practice, both as a phy- sician and surgeon, controlling a large private practice.

While in practice in Michigan Dr. Freund took yearly post-graduate courses in New York city, and he has made frequent trips to the east for this purpose since residing in Butte. . He has con- tributed valuable articles to medical journals, and has read scholarly papers before various medical societies. He has devoted special attention to sur- gery, and is known as a most skillful and discrimi- nating operator. Dr. Freund is a member of the state board of medical examiners, appointed to this office by Gov. Toole. He holds membership in the American Medical, and the Rocky Mountain Inter- State Medical, and the Montana State Medical associations and the Silver Bow County Medical Society, and has been president of the last. While in politics the Doctor is a stanch Democrat, he has never sought official preferment. Fraternally he holds membership in these Masonic bodies at

168

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Marquette, Mich., Marquette Lodge No. 125, F. & A. M., Marquet Chapter No. 108, R. A. M., and Lake Superior Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar. In 1863 Dr. Freund went to the front as a surgeon of the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, al- though but fifteen years of age, and served until the close of the war, his regiment being a part of the Army of Virginia. After the war was over his regiment was sent to the west to guard stage lines, and the Doctor accompanied his comrades. When the regiment was mustered out of service he re- turned to Michigan and resumed his studies in the university.

At Port Huron, Mich., on October 7, 1870, Dr. Freund was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Spalding, a native of Michigan, the daughter of Jed. Spalding, an architect and builder. Of this union two sons have been born, Raynor Spalding and Jed. Burt, both medical graduates of the University of Michigan, and are now engaged in practice in Butte.

H UGH F. GALEN .- One of the founders and makers of Montana, whose death occurred May 30, 1899, at Los Angeles, Cal., his remains being buried in the city of Helena, Mont., where for a long time he had lived, Hugh F. Galen is at rest after arduous labors, in peace after many contests, in the place where he enjoyed in full measure the sincere regard, the high esteem, the full confidence of the community. Mr. Galen was born at the little town of Castle Derg, County Tyrone, Ireland, March 17, 1826. He remained in his native land at- tending school and working his way along until he was nineteen years of age. In 1845 he emigrated to the United States, locating at Bangor, Me., where he engaged in the log and lumber business for a year, when he removed to New Orleans and was occupied in merchandising for another year. In the spring of 1847, even before the discovery of gold in California, the Pacific coast wore to his awakened fancy a winning smile, and he began freighting to its distant regions, making a number of trips to Nevada and California; and later travel- ing by way of Salt Lake, Oregon and Washington, until he stopped near the site of the city of Seattle. There he sold his teams, built a saw mill, and en- gaged in lumbering and general trading until 1859, making in 1858 a short stay within the present lim- its of Montana during one of his trading trips, at which time he visited the town of Bannack.

In 1859 he again passed through a portion of Montana on his way from Utah to Washington. He did not, however, linger long, but took up his residence and engaged in business at The Dalles, Ore. The next year he returned to California, and from San Francisco went to Dallas, Ore., where he remained until 1861, trading with the Indians and conducting a hotel. In May, 1863, he removed to Salmon City, Idaho, where he did trading and con- ducted a hotel until the spring of 1866. That year he came to Montana to stay, and located at Helena, or rather Last Chance gulch, as it was then called. He began freighting between the gulch, Fort Ben- ton, and from Salt Lake. Afterwards, in 1869, he added to his other profitable enterprises a stage route between Bozeman and Helena. This he con- tinued until the completion of railroads in the ter- titory in 1884 took away its best patronage. But while it was in operation he carried the United States mails and troops, and conducted the whole business on a highly profitable basis. From 1884 to the time of his death he employed his capital and his energies in a number of well-paying industrial enterprises, being at one time president of the Cap- ital City Lighting Company and a director of the Montana National Bank-always driving with his characteristic energy and clearness of vision some profitable mercantile or productive undertaking which gave employment to others, kept the wheels of commercial activity in motion, and helped to build up and improve the community. In addition to his interests in Helena he owned a number of valuable ranches in Jefferson, Madison and Lewis and Clarke counties, on which he raised large crops and vast flocks of sheep down to 1882. Then he sold his sheep, numbering more than 10,000, and substituted other stock, and had in 1894 400 head of cattle and 900 horses.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 34

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