Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 45

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 45

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surveyor of Lewis and Clarke county in 1900, and years of maturity. In 1874 he immigrated to he was elected by a satisfactory majority. In 1887 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hinsdale and Miss Frances Crandall, who was born in Louisiana, her parents being na- tives of New York. Her father, Lee Crandall, was a politician of national reputation, and editor and publisher of the National View, issued at the national capital in the interests of the free silver cause. In politics Mr. Hinsdale supports Demo- cratic principles, and in religion he holds to Chris- tian Science, being an earnest and devoted worker in the cause and the "first reader" of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Helena.

JOSEPH J. HINDSON is distinctively one of the representative business men of Helena, being a member of the important mercantile corpora- tion of Steele, Hindson & Co., wholesale commis- sion merchants and dealers in agricultural imple- ments, located on North Main street, Helena. The business dates its inception back to 1890, and was incorporated two years later with William Steele as president and Mr. Hindson as secretary and treas- urer. The concern has well equipped and eligibly located storage and warerooms, where hay, grain, flour, feed, etc., are handled, and where is main- tained the local agency of the Studebaker wagons, carriages and buggies, Oliver chilled plows, Plano harvesting machines, as. well as other standard lines of implements. The death of Mr. Steele oc- curred in 1896, since which time the management of the enterprise has been assumed entirely by Mr. Hindson, the interests of his deceased friend and partner being still retained in the business.

Mr. Hindson was born in Liverpool, England, April 19, 1850, the son of Joseph and Hannah (Jameson) Hindson, the former a native of West- moreland county and the latter of Cumberland county, England. The father was a representative of the wholesale grain trade in Liverpool, where he did a large commission business, Joseph J. early becoming identified with the enterprise and thoroughly familiarizing himself with all its details-an experience that has been of incalculable value to him in the conduct of his present thriving business, so closely allied in character. His educa- tional discipline was received in private schools in his native city, where excellent advantages were afforded, and he remained there until he reached

America, first settling in Canada, where he pur- chased a farm and was engaged in agricultural pur- suits for five years. In April, 1880, he came to Helena, Mont., where he devoted his attention to various business occupations for a term of years, being for a full decade associated as bookkeeper and confidential clerk with the well known firm of San- ford & Evans. In 1890 the present business was established, and the success which has attended it has been due in a great measure to the unflagging industry, executive ability and thorough knowledge which Mr. Hindson has applied to it, and which have made it rank among the most important in the state in its line, its annual transactions reaching a large aggregate by reason of the progressive and honorable methods which have been invariably followed.

Politically Mr. Hindson renders stanch allegiance to the Republican party ; in religious faith he is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church, holding membership in St. Peter's church in Helena, and being also a trustee of the hospital maintained by the parish. He has long been a zealous exemplar of the noble fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, in the various bodies of which he has held distinguished preferment, having served as worshipful master of his lodge and as a member of the grand lodge; in symbolic Masonry, as grand high priest of the state; in the chapter as deputy grand commander of the state; in Templar Masonry, as recorder of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, the most exclusive order of Masonry, the total membership in Montana being only eleven. Both he and Mrs. Hindson are mem- bers of the Order of the Eastern Star, Mr. Hindson being past patron and Mrs. Hindson past grand inatron therein. His present affiliations with the subordinate bodies of the fraternity are with Morning Star Lodge No. 5, A. F. & A. M .; Helena Chapter No. 2, R. A. M .; Helena Council No. 9, R. & S. M .; and Helena Commandery No. 2, K. T. He is also identified with the social adjunct of Masonry, the Mystic Shrine, having crossed the sands of the desert and been crowned a Noble in Algeria Temple, at Helena, which body he served as potentate in 1900.

In 1875 Mr. Hindson was happily married to Miss Amelia Banford, the daughter of Robert Banford, of Middleton, England. They have one surviving child, Isabel, who is the wife of J. P. Marks, of Townsend, Mont.

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The business career of Mr. Hindson has been eminently successful in Helena, for he has brought to its development excellent judgment and broad, progressive views. In the municipal prosperity of his home city he takes a lively interest, and has won, both as business man and citizen, the esteem, confi- dence and cordial regard of his friends, neighbors and acquaintances everywhere.

LION. SIMEON S. HOBSON. - In the upper house of the legislature of Montana the inter- ests of Fergus county have been most ably repre- sented by Senator S. S. Hobson, one of the most honored citizens of that county. He was born in Buxton, York county, Me., on April 29, 1839, a son of Enoch and Nancy (Strout) Hobson. Enoch Hobson was a farmer who passed his entire life in York county. His father was also born in Maine and the family is of old Massachusetts stock, prominent in Maine when it was a district. The paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Hobson was a valiant soldier in the Continental army of the Revolution, who, with three of his sons, participated in the ever memorable battle of Bunker Hill. After the Revolutionary struggle had ended he made his permanent home in York county, Me. Three of his sons and three daughters attained maturity, and three are now living. One brother of the Senator, Frank A. Hobson, came to Montana in 1881, and was associated with him in the stock business until his death on January 8, 1901. He was a man of noble character, and in his death Fergus county lost a valued and honored citizen. He had ably served in the Maine legislature and was a worthy scion of the stock from which he sprang. The Fergus County Argus, in an appropriate obituary, voiced the sentiment of all who knew him in these well- chosen words: "Frank Hobson was a man whose friends were legion. His modest, unassuming manhood, his kindly, charitable nature and sterling integrity had won for him a host of friends in Fergus county who keenly feel his loss."

Hon. Simeon S. Hobson was reared to maturity in his native county, and was educated in its public schools and in the academy at Limerick, Me., from which he was graduated with the class of 1858. After leaving school he assumed the practical duties of life; initiating his business career in a general store in his native state, where he continued his residence until 1865, when he came to Iowa,

located in Davenport, and was successfully engaged in the dry goods business there until 1880, when he came to Montana and the Judith basin. Here he was one of the pioneers of stockraising. A build- ing erected by him was the first in the county to have a shingle roof. He has had marked success and owns a ranch of five thousand acres in the loveliest and most fertile section of the Judith basin, and here fine herds of cattle, sheep and horses are ranging. His agricultural operations are car- ried on in an extensive and scientific manner and the enterprise has been successful from the time it was inaugurated.

Mr. Hobson was one of the organizers of the Fergus County Bank at Lewistown, and has been its president from incorporation. He was one of the first to make investment in the development of the sapphire mines of Montana, having provided the necessary equipment and funds which enabled Jacob Hoover to pursue the prospecting which resulted in the discovery of the mines from which are taken these beautiful Montana gems. The Senator is now vice-president of the New Mine sapphire syndicate, and also has other interests in the sapphire mines of the Judith basin. Fraternally he is identified with the ancient craft body of Freemasonry, holding membership in Lewistown Lodge No. 37, A. F. & A. M., at Lewistown. In 1860 he wedded Miss Addie H. Bickford, also a native of Maine, who died eighteen months after marriage.

Mr. Hobson has ever been an able exponent of Republican principles and a powerful factor in their success. He was a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1889, and assisted in framing the constitution under which Montana was admitted as a state of the Union. In 1898 he was elected to represent Fergus county in the state senate, and is still incumbent of this dignified and responsible office in which he has proved himself a true con- servator of the best interests of his constituency and the state. He is an active working member of the senate, one whose- course is guided by mature wisdom and integrity. But above and beyond all these characteristics, Senator Hobson has attained and maintained the eminent position he occupies in the regards of the people of Fergus county, and of a large circle of leading people of this and other states, by the plain, unassuming nature which causes him to pleasantly meet and greet rich and poor alike and by the fatherly interest he has manifested in the welfare of so many of its citizens.

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Without noise or parade, quietly and unostenta- tiously, his aid is given to deserving causes every- where, and his left hand never is informed of what his right hand has done, while his friends, and they are legion, are bound to him as by hooks of steel.

JOSEPH H. M. HOFFMAN .- There is always satisfaction in noting the progress of a young man who sums up the responsibilities of life and determines to make for himself an honorable place in the world. In biographical history it is quite essential that the progress and status of the younger generation of representative families in the various fields of industrial activity should have place along with those of the pioneers and founders of the commonwealth. The process of develop- ment is cumulative in character, and each genera- tion contributes its quota toward the advancement of material prosperity. The subject of this review is one of the active and successful young farm- ers and stockgrowers of Gallatin county, where he has practically passed his entire life.

Mr. Hoffman is a native of Madison county, Mo., where he was born January 17, 1873, the son of Joseph S. Hoffman, reference to whom is made on another page of this work. He accompanied his parents on the long and weary overland trip to Montana, the journey requiring four months. The Indians followed the party on many occasions, but were outwardly friendly, their ap- parent desire being to secure possession of the emigrants' horses. As our subject was a mere child he entered the Indian camps with impunity, and on no occasion was he mistreated in any way. The family settled in Gallatin valley, coming by way of Dillon in order to avoid the Nez Perce and Crow Indians, who were then at war. The family located on a ranch in the valley in the year 1881. and in this locality our subject received his educa- tional training in the public schools. He remained on the home farm until 1898, having had charge of the same for the two years preceding, and then effected the purchase of the Monforton ranch, and has since devoted his attention to farming and stockgrowing. His estate comprises about 600 acres, the greater portion of which requires no irrigation, being sufficiently watered through natural resources. Here he secures large crops, giving his attention to diversified farming. He raises excellent grades of shorthorn cattle and

English draft horses, and in every department of his ranching operations shows excellent judgment and discrimination, proving himself unmistakably one of the most progressive young men in this section of the state. His ranch is located five miles northwest of Belgrade, his postoffice address. In politics Mr. Hoffman renders allegiance to the Democratic party and its principles.

The domestic chapter in the life history of Mr. Hoffman dates from May 20, 1896, when he was united in marriage to Miss Mamie Wright, who was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Joseph Wright, one of the pioneers of Montana. She is a sister of Mrs. Thomas Gibson, and in a sketch of Mr. Gibson, to be found elsewhere in this vol- ume, appears fuller data concerning her family. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have two daughters and one son : Annie Mary, Eliza Elizabeth and Joseph S., Jr.

JOSEPH S. HOFFMAN .- Belonging to the class which make up the productive and developing element of a community, Joseph S. Hoffman, of Belgrade, and his excellent wife have done their part toward the advancement of their section, and have displayed in a conspicuous manner the best traits of American citizenship.

Mr. Hoffman was born in southeastern Missouri December 14, 1841. His parents were Jacob and Margaret (Ryan) Hoffman, natives of North Carolina, where their respective families had lived for generations. The father removed to Missouri when a young man, and remained seven years. He then returned to his native state, and after residing there some years he married and settled in Mis- souri, making it his home until 1882, when he joined his son in Montana, dying five years later at the age of eighty-seven. The mother died October 8, 1899, aged ninety years, leaving more than 200 descendants, many of whom were great-great-grand- children.

Joseph S. Hoffman spent his school days in his native state, remained on the homestead with his parents until 1863, and then engaged in farming on his own account. On the day before Christmas in that year he was married to Miss Lavina Stevens, of Madison county, Mo., a daughter of William and Lavina (Bailley) Stevens, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of North Carolina. Mr. Stevens' family were early pioneers in Kentucky, and also among the early settlers in Madison

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county, Mo. They are the parents of three sons, two of whom, Columbus and William, are deceased ; the third, Morgan, married Miss Ann Wright, and is now engaged in ranching. A more extended review of his life will be found elsewhere in this work.

In 1880 Mr. Hoffman, deciding to seek the more promising opportunities offered in the northwest, came to Montana, making the trip with a wagon train, being four months and one day en route. The Indians hovered around the train much of the time, but as it was a large one feared to make an attack and no positive trouble from them was ex- perienced. He came direct to Gallatin valley and purchased the Frank Weaver ranch, to which he has added by subsequent purchases until he now has some 600 acres, all of which that needs it being under irrigation. Here he has since made his home, improving his property, making it most desirable in attractiveness and comfort as well as in productiveness, and fully up to the high stan- dard of valley homes. It produces excellent crops of wheat and oats, and an abundant yield of hay and always has a good sized herd of stock, prefer- ring shorthorns.

ILLIAM ENNIS .- Among those who were founders and builders of the great state of Montana, particular reference should be made to Mr. Ennis, for he was one of the honored pioneers of Madison county, and he contributed in large measure to the development and material prosperity of the beautiful Madison valley, and was among its earliest settlers. He led an eminently active and busy life and attained a position of high distinction in the community. He was the founder of the vil- lage of Ennis, which was named in his honor, and he was highly honored by its residents. But, sad to relate, he was assassinated by one whom he had never injured and who was led to the dastardly act from passion resulting from reports of absolute falsity. Such a close to such a life is lamentable in the extreme. William Ennis was born in County Down, Ireland, on March 17, 1828, the son of John and Mary (Stewart) Ennis, both of whom passed their lives in the Emerald Isle. At the age of four- teen years William Ennis came to the United States and located in Holyoke, Mass., where he attended school for a time and removed to Detroit, where he made his home with an uncle. In that

city he entered the railroad machine shops and learned the trade, and he was thereafter for years identified with railroading. He was promoted to the position of conductor of a gravel train, and was soon made conductor of passenger trains, and going to Chicago, he was there made roadmaster on the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad, in which connec- tion he had charge of the erection of bridges and other important work. Closing his railroading life in 1858, he came to Kansas, where he was living at the time of the gold excitement in Colorado. With that keen business sagacity typical of his entire ca- reer, he now discerned a profitable opening, and engaged in freighting from Kansas to Colorado and other far western states. He also freighted between New Mexico and Colorado and from Omaha to Colorado, then known as Jefferson territory. He became the owner of a ranch near Central City, Colo., where he also conducted a general store.

In 1863 Mr. Ennis came to Montana, and on the 13th of August located on a ranch in Madison county, on which the present village of Ennis is situated. He was one of the first three to make a permanent location in the Madison valley, and he raised large crops of hay, for which he received from $100 to $125 per ton in Virginia City. In 1879 he built a store at Ennis and engaged in gen- eral merchandising. In 1881 he erected a com- modious residence on his ranch, hauling the ma- terial from Franklin, Idaho. His first home here was in a shack without windows and whose roof was made of dirt. He was the first in the Madison valley to put a shingle roof on a house and he also had the first brick chimney. When he erected his residence, in 1881, it was generally conceded to be the finest country house in the state. In the early days, while freighting, Mr. Ennis had many excit- ing experiences and encountered many dangers. He was for some time engaged in freighting be- tween Fort Benton and Helena, disposing of this business in 1874. At the time of his death his various ranch properties showed an aggregate area of more than 2,000 acres, and he was extensively engaged in farming and stock growing, enterprises now ably carried on by his only son. As a stalwart Democrat Mr. Ennis was an active worker in the county and was prominent in the state. In 1876 he was a candidate for representative of Madison county in the territorial legislature and was de- feated by only two votes. Fraternally he was an honored member of the Masonic order, affiliating with Montana Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M., at

William Emis

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Virginia City. In 1873, when Mr. Ennis and his family made a trip through the Yellowstone Na- tional Park, his were the first white children who visited this "wonderland."

On June 18, 1898, Mr. Ennis was standing in front of the Madison House in Virginia City in con- versation with L. S. Briggs, when Martin Peel, a pioneer of the Madison valley and a neighbor of Mr. Ennis, approached and shot Mr. Ennis in the left side, he having been entirely 'ınaware of Peel's proximity. Peel was led to commit the fearful crime by believing the false statement that Mr. Ennis had made derogatory remarks concerning him and his character. There was not the slightest foundation for this statement, and the crime. was committed without actual provocation. A good citizen and honored pioneer was thus sacrificed by untoward fate, and the community was inexpres- sibly shocked. Mr. Ennis did not long survive his wound, his death occurring on July 4, 1898. On August 5, 1861, Mr. Ennis was united in marriage to Miss Katharine Shriver, who was born in Colum- biana county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Rachel (Summer) Shriver, natives of Maryland, whence, at the age of ten years, the former accom- panied his parents to Ohio. He eventually took up his residence in Carroll county, Ohio, where he lived long. His death occurred in Indiana at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Ennis were the parents of two children, who, with their wid- owed mother, survive the father. Jennie W. is the wife of Charles W. Chowning, who is in business at Ennis ; and William J., who was educated at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, resides on a part of the old homestead and has charge of the estate. He is a progressive young business man. paying particular attention to stock raising on an extensive scale.

H ON. THOMAS S. HOGAN .- It is signally consistent that the vigorous young state of Montana should summon to her official positions of trust and responsibility men imbued with the same comparative youth and vitality. Mr. Hogan, ex-secretary of state, is a young man of forceful individuality and executive ability, and his services redounded to his credit and to the welfare of the commonwealth. Mr. Hogan is a native of Chip- pewa county, Wis., born near the city of Chippewa 15

Falls, on December 23, 1869, the son of John and Bridget (Ahren) Hogan, natives of the Emerald Isle and representatives of stanch old Irish stock. They emigrated from Tipperary county to the United States about the year 1850, their marriage having been solemnized after their respective fam- ilies had located in America. John Hogan was for a time a resident of the city of Boston, whence he removed to Ohio and followed his trade of stone- mason. His marriage to Miss Ahern was cele- brated in the old Buckeye state, and about 1860 he removed with his family to Wisconsin, being one of the first settlers in Chippewa county. They were compelled to walk a distance of ninety- eight miles to reach their new home, located in what was practically a wilderness. By vigorous and unremitting effort Mr. Hogan cleared and put under effective cultivation a farm, and with his wife are now honored pioneers of the city of Chip- pewa Falls. They are the parents of nine children, of whom Thomas S. Hogan is the only resident of Montana. In his native county Thomas S. Hogan was reared to years of maturity, receiving his educa- tional training in the public schools of Chippewa Falls, graduating from the high school at the age of sixteen years. Thereafter he put his acquire- ments to practical test by successfully engaging in teaching for a period of three years. In 1889 he went to the state of Washington, where he tarried for several months, but two years later he came to Montana and was identified with the mining indus- try for one year at Butte. In 1892 he removed to Anaconda, where he was employed for four years in the smelter. In 1896, as the candidate of the Populist party, Mr. Hogan was elected to the office of secretary of state, having been a prominent and effective party worker, and unwavering in his al- legiance from the time of attaining his legal ma- jority. In 1894 he was a candidate from Deer Lodge county for representative in the lower house of the legislature, but was defeated by a majority of only sixteen votes after a vigorous canvass dur- ing the campaign. Fraternally Mr. Hogan is a prominent member of the Knights of Labor, hav- ing been district master workman of the state. Since retiring from the office of secretary of state he has devoted his attention to the practice of law and mining interests in the state of Idaho. In 1894 Mr. Hogan was united in marriage to Miss Kath- leen Donovan, who was born in Chippewa county, Wis. They are the parents of four children : Ralph J., Emmett V., Mary T. and T. Fritz.

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G 'EORGE D. HOLLECKER .- In sunny France the paternal ancestors of Mr. Hollecker lived and throve for generations, and from them he inherits much of the vivacity and versatility of his disposition, his quickness of apprehension, his readiness in action, and his breadth and grasp of mind. In that country his father, Donat Hollecker, was born in 1835. Coming to the United States when a young man, he took up his residence at Ottawa, Ill. He was a soldier in the Mexican war and followed the gallant Taylor until he was super- seded by Gen. Scott, and then went with him into the very capital of Mexico. After the war he returned to his home at Ottawa and was a mer- chant there until the time of his death in 1898. His widow, whose maiden name was Annie Blust, and who is still living at Ottawa, was born in Phila- delphia, Pa., in 1843.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 45

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