Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 49

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 49

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inches, and through this supply Mr. Johnson se- cures ample irrigation for more than 500 acres. In the past our subject devoted his attention more particularly to the raising of wheat and oats, but eventually gave these cereals a secondary place and utilized a large acreage in the production of barley, often harvesting as high as 12,000 bushels in a single season, but the average yield is about 9,000 bushels. Mr. Johnson has land that is peculiarly fertile and productive, raising a superior grade of barley, equal to that secured in any sec- tion of the world, and his product commands the top-notch price. He is a man of fine business and executive ability, and has made a number of trips to the east in the interest of the barley producers of Gallatin valley. Owing to the depression of prices. on this staple product, through the influence of the combination or trust, Mr. Johnson and other prominent farmers in the valley are of late devoting more attention to the raising of flax and hay. His ranch has the best of improvements, including a well constructed and commodious dwelling with all necessary outbuildings, and is considered one of the most valuable in this favored section of the state. His political support is given to the Re- publican party, and while he ever maintains a deep interest in all that concerns the development and substantial prosperity of his county and state, he has never sought public office. Mr. Johnson's home is located six miles southwest of Belgrade, his postoffice address.

AMES H. JOHNSTON .- As one of the repre- J sentative young members of the bar of Mon- tana, and as incumbent of the office of county at- torney of Custer county, Mr. Johnston is well worthy of consideration here. He is a native of Illinois, where he was born on a farm in Carroll county, on February 16, 1869, the fourth of the nine chil- dren of Joseph and Harriet (Meyers) Johnston, the former of whom was born in Canada and the latter in Pennsylvania, where her ancestors located in Colonial days. Joseph Johnston was of Scottish lineage, his first American ancestor locating in Ver- mont. Some of the descendants settled in Canada, where Joseph Johnston was born. In 1848, in his early manhood, Joseph Johnston became one of the pioneers of Illinois and was a farmer there, later re- moving to Nebraska with his family, where they now reside. Of the nine children seven are now living.

James H. Johnston was reared in Nebraska, as farmers' sons are raised, attending school winters and working on the farm summers. From the age of sixteen until he was twenty he was a success- ful teacher. Then he matriculated in the Uni- versity of Nebraska, at Lincoln, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894 as a Bachelor of Arts. In the meantime he had prosecuted a course of study in the law department of the university, and in 1895 was admitted to the bar. In March, 1895, he came to Montana, and, locating in Billings, was associated with his brother, W. M. Johnston, in legal practice for four years, gaining reputation as an able attorney and counselor. In May, 1899, he came to Miles City, where he has since continued in a highly successful practice. At the election of November, 1900, he was the candidate of the Re- publican party for county attorney for Custer coun- ty, was successful at the polls and entered upon the duties of this office in January, 1901. He has shown marked ability in conducting cases for the county, especially in his conduct of criminal causes.

In a fraternal way Mr. Johnston is prominently identified wth the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, in which he is exalted ruler of his lodge; with the Knights of Pythias, in which he is chancellor commander, and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. While a resident of Billings Mr. John- ston was a meniber and sergeant of Troop M, of Grigsby's "Rough Riders." On July 11, 1900, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage with Miss Beatrix Matheson, who was born in the province of On- tario, Canada, the daughter of Judge Matheson and his wife, Rebecca Matheson, natives respec- tively of Scotland and Canada, and now residents of Billings, Mont.

E H. JOHNSON, of Miles City, was born in Arkansas in 1846, the son of J. H. and Ann (Newton) Johnson, both natives of Arkansas, and was the oldest of their six children. His father, then a prominent lawyer of Texas, joined the Con- federate army at the beginning of the Civil war, and after the war practiced his profession in Texas, whither he had removed in 1857, and where he died. Mr. Johnson, while yet a youth, joined the One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Texas Confeder- ate Volunteers under Col. Scott Andrus. The services of this command were all within the state, but not free from active engagements. Mr.

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Jolinson was mustered out in 1865, and in 1869 went to driving cattle on the trail from Texas to Aberdeen and Ellsworth, Kan., continuing at this for three years, and during the next two making Fort Randall his destination. In 1874 he began dealing in and raising cattle on his own account in Wyoming, which he continued until 1880. During these years he had considerable trouble with the Indians, four of his men being killed within six months time, and an entire herd of beef cattle was run off by them in the night. These he never recovered and was embarrassed by the loss, for in January, 1877, he had taken a contract to furnish beef to the butchers and dealers in the Black Hills and needed all the cattle available to him for his engagements. He lived in Denver part of 1880 and in Cheyenne the rest. In 1881, when he came to Montana, he located on Little Powder river and had cattle there. In 1885 he sold this ranch and took up his residence in Miles City, where he has since lived. He still has cattle on the north side of the Yellowstone, however, and since 1889 has been stock agent for the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Mr. Johnson is an unwaverng Democrat. He was elected to the lower house of the territorial legislature in 1884, and re-elected in 1886. In the sessions he gave evidence of superior capacity for public affairs, and rendered good service to his constituents. He was also the first mayor of Miles City. In fraternal relations he is identified with the Order of Elks, and socially with the Miles City Club. He was married in 1875 to Miss Fanny Davis, a native of Colorado. They have no chil- dren, but are social favorites and dispense a genuine and agreeable hospitality, which makes their home a popular resort. Mr. Johnson is a director in the State National Bank. He finds recreation from the sterner cares of business in hunting, and is quite an enthusiastic sportsman in this line. He has seen hundreds of buffaloes and killed scores.

D R. C. I. JONES, the pioneer dentist of Great Falls, of which place he is a highly respected and successful citizen, was born in Stamford, Fair- field county, Conn., on January 15, 1860, the son of Charles S. and Sarah (Briggs) Jones, both of whom were born in Connecticut. The father was an extensive manufacturer of shoes, retiring from active business in 1895, and both of the parents are still living. The paternal grandfather, Thaddeus

Jones, was a farmer and railroad contractor and passed his life in Connecticut and in New York city, where he died.

Dr. Charles I. Jones is the only living child of his father's family. He was reared through boyhood in Connecticut, and in the public schools of his na- tive town received his elementary education. After this he attended Columbia College, in New York city, and later began the study of dentistry in Con- necticut. To fully master the technical branches of his profession he attended the New York College of Dentistry. In 1883 he located in South Nor- walk, Conn., fully reinforced by mental equipment and by the latest mechanical appliances necessary to a successful accomplishment of his dental suc- cess, and entered upon the practice of his profes- sion. In 1890 he removed to Montana, locating at Great Falls, where he has since remained in the enjoyment of a most successful and lucrative busi- ness and a practice that is constantly increasing as his superior abilities are becoming recognized. In years of practice he is the oldest dentist in the city. Fraternally the Doctor is a member of the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks, being a charter mem- ber of the local lodge. In his profession Dr. Jones is still an earnest worker and enthusiastic student, and last summer he took a post-graduate course in dentistry. Throughout the state he is well known and in the community in which he resides he is highly esteemed.

JOSEPH JOHNSON, whose finely improved and valuable ranch is located near West Gallatin the remainder of his life, his death occurring in is recognized as one of the enterprising and thor- oughly reliable farmers of this section, and we are pleased to incorporate a review of how his success in life has been gained. Mr. Johnson was born in the southern part of Sweden, August 15, 1864, being one of the eight children of Tames Johnson, who immigrated with his family to America in 1870, settling in Johnson county, Kan., where he devoted his attention to farming for some thirteen years and then removed to Utah, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1895.

Joseph Johnson, the immediate subject of this review, received his educational discipline in the public schools of Kansas. He continued his resi- dence in that state and devoted his attention to

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farming until 1883 when he went to Texas, where he remained a short time and then proceeded to Colorado and engaged in stockraising until 1888, coming thence to Montana, where he pursued the same line of business on Elk creek. After two months he joined his brother Gustaf, in Gallatin valley, and was on the latter's ranch for a period of two years before homesteading his present ranch, located near West Gallatin river, his orig- inal entry being 160 acres, to which he has since added until he now has a fine place of 400 acres under most effective irrigation and well improved, the principal crop raised being large crops of bar- ley, wheat and oats. Our subject is thoroughly progressive, and always avails himself of the best machinery and other accessories which facilitate and advance the work of his farm. The farm build- ings are of substantial and attractive order, includ- ing a good residence, located on a natural building site, surrounded by beautiful trees and shrubbery. Mr. Johnson is honorable and straightforward in all his dealings, and retains the respect and confi- dence of the community. His supply of water for irrigating purposes is fully adequate to the demands of the farm. He has an interest in one ditch ten miles in length and carrying 3,600 inches, which affords a reliable source of supply during the sea- son when water is demanded. The land is of ex- cellent grade, being very prolific, as is shown in the fact that Mr. Johnson has raised as high as sev- enty-six bushels of barley to the acre, while the average is sixty bushels. He has thus raised an annual average of 10,000 bushels of grain.

M ATTHEW M. JOYCE .- Among the con- spicuous firms which lend honor to the bar of Montana is that of Joyce & Mulroney, of Mis- soula, the interested principals being young men of distinctive individuality and excellent professional ability. Mr. Joyce, a native of Fort Dodge, Iowa, was born on April 29, 1877, the son of Matthew and Ella (Healy) Joyce, natives of Ireland and Iowa, the father being of sterling Irish stock, and enjoying uniform confidence and respect. He was for many years a merchant in Iowa, where his death occurred. His widow is now living in Mis- soula. Matthew M. Joyce received his preliminary education in the schools of Fort Dodge, Iowa, a state in which the percentage of illiteracy is held as the smallest shown by any commonwealth in the

Union, completing a course in the high school, after which, from 1895 to 1897, he prosecuted his studies in the literary department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He then entered the law school of the university, completing his course in June, 1900. He was admitted to the bar in both Michigan and Iowa, practicing for a time in Iowa, and coming to Missoula in October, 1900. He was admitted to the Montana bar on motion, without preliminary examination, and thereupon associated himself with Mr. Mulroney. The firm is admitted to practice before the supreme court of the state, and, though in practice here for but a compara- tively short time, the foundation for an excellent business has been firmly established. Mr. Joyce is a young man of engaging personality, and both he and his partner are acquisitions to the social and business life of Missoula.

E "DWARD C. MULRONEY .- This gentleman is the junior member of the firm of Joyce & Mulroney, attorneys and counselors at law, Mis- soula, and in the preceding paragraphs has been given an outline of the career of the senior member. Mr. Mulroney proves a most able coadjutor to Mr. Joyce, and his professional ability has contributed a due quota toward the precedence of the firm. Mr. Mulroney, like his associate, is a native of the city of Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he was born in July, 1877, his father, long an Iowa merchant, being a native of Iowa and his mother of Ireland. E. C. Mulroney attended the public schools of Fort Dodge, there fitting himself for entrance as a stu- dent in Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, whence, in 1896, he went to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he matriculated in the literary department of the state university, the following year entering the law de- partment of the same institution, graduating as a member of the class of 1900. At the university was formulated the plan which resulted in the pres- ent alliance with Mr. Joyce, Mr. Mulroney, like his confrere, having been admitted to the bar of both Michigan and Montana.

J M. KEITH .- The men of nerve and enter- prise who conduct vast and fruitful industries in a community are fortunate if they have always available for their needs banking facilities ample

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in scope, responsive in action and adapted to spe- cific wants. Such facilities are furnished for the people of Missoula by the First National Bank, which has maintained, wherever it is known, an ex- alted reputation for financial soundness, prudent and skillful management, a spirit of liberal accom- modation and abundant resources for every re- quirement. It was chartered in 1873 as the Mis- soula National Bank with a capital stock of $50,- 000, increased in 1882 to $75,000, and subsequently to $100,000. Its first officers were C. P. Higgins, president ; D. J. Welch, vice-president, and Fred. Kennett, cashier. The directorate consisted of C. P. Higgins, D. J. Welch, A. G. England, F. L. Worden, J. P. Reinhard, Samuel T. Hauser and Hiram Knowles. In 1889 the institution was reor- ganized, the capital stock increased to $150,000, Mr. Hammond, Mr. Eddy and Mr. Bonner became interested, the name was changed to the present one and a new set of officials were elected, who were: president, A. B. Hammond; vice-president, A. G. England, and cashier J. M. Keith, the pres- ent incumbent and controlling spirit, under whose conservative yet liberal policy, skillful and careful management, and large and exact knowledge of financial matters it has prospered handsomely, now having a surplus of $50,000, undivided profits of $40,000, and deposits averaging $750,000.

Mr. Keith is a Canadian by nativity, born in the province of New Brunswick, on June 5, 1859. His parents are Lewis and Rebecca (Blakney) Keith, also natives of New Brunswick, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The father was a well-to-do farmer. They lived respected by all who knew them, and when they died in their native land they were laid to rest with many demonstrations of universal es- teem. Two of their sons are residents of Montana, H. C. Keith, who is in charge of the Missoula Mer- cantile Company's extensive mercantile business at Kalispell, and J. M. Keith, of Missoula. He was reared and educated in New Brunswick, and began life as a clerk in that country, being six years in service at the same place. In 1881 lie came to Montana, locating at Missoula, and entered the em- ploy of the Missoula Mercantile Company as a book- keeper. He remained with the company until 1888, with entire charge of its financial affairs and exhibit- ing such superior qualifications as a financier that when the reorganization of the bank was affected he was placed in charge of its management almost as a matter of course. He is also secretary of the South Missoula Land Company and vice-president

of the Missoula Real Estate Association, having large interests in these enterprises and contributing by wise counsel and energetic activity greatly to their success. In April, 1890, Mr. Keith was mar- ried to Miss Harriet A. Beckwith, of New Bruns- wick. In politics he is not active and has no strict party identity, but is always deeply interested in the welfare of his county, state and country. He be- longs to the Masonic fraternity, the Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. In all his business ventures he has been eminently successful and in social and civil life no man stands higher or is more universally esteemed.

W ILLIAM D. KELCH. - Born in Oneida county, N. Y., September 8, 1839, reared from the age of eleven to manhood in Genesee county, Mich., giving three years to the arduous ser- vice of the Union army during the Civil war, in which he saw many a hard fought battle, work- ing at his trade and seeking gold in California, and successfully farming in several places, William D. Kelch has had a varied and interesting experience in life. His parents were John and Betsey Kelch, both natives of Oneida county, N. Y., who removed to Michigan and Genesee county in 1850, when William was eleven years old. There the mother is still living, the father having died in 1862. Mr. Kelch's education was begun in the public schools of New York and finished in Michigan. At the early age of fifteen he joined the gold hunters of the Sacramento valley, Cal., where he was for two years prospecting and mining. But not finding the work or its results to his taste, he returned home and worked on his father's farm for the next three years. In 1858 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., served an apprenticeship of three years at the blacksmith's trade, then in 1862 enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry in Lapeer county, in that state. He served until the end of the war, being in the commands of Generals Thomas, Sherman and Rosecrans. He was honorably discharged at Marshall, Tenn., in 1865, and at once returned to Michigan, where he bought a farm, which he sold five years later and again went to the Sacramento valley, Cal., where he followed blacksmithing two years and again returned to Michigan.

Locating at Flint, in Genesee county, he re- mained there three years, and in 1883 went to Fort Buford, Dak., worked at his trade a year and the next was ranching on the Little Missouri. In 1885

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he located on his present place, adjoining the vil- lage of Sidney, first taking up 160 acres as a homestead, and four years later purchasing 640 acres of railroad land. These tracts make up one of the finest ranches in the Yellowstone valley, and keep Mr. Kelch well occupied. He is largely en- gaged in raising fine horses and cattle, and in di- versified farming, his land producing enormous crops of wheat, oats and other agricultural prod- ucts. In politics he is a Republican but not an active partisan. He was married first in 1868, in Genesee county, Mich., to Miss Ellen Stoddard, who died there in 1872, leaving one child, Delaskei, now thirty-two years of age. In 1881 he contracted a second marriage at Flint, Mich., this time with Miss Annie Taylor, a native of Williams, Ohio, who still abides with him. They are well esteemed in the community and have a host of cordial friends.

JOSEPH J. KELLEY .- "No man ever made an ill figure," says Dean Swift, "who understood his talents, or a good one who did not." Joseph J. Kelley, the subject of this review, seems to have found his proper vocation early in life, if one may judge by the success he has had and the special adaptation for it which he exhibits.

Mr. Kelley was born in County Wicklow, Ire- land, May 22, 1851, and came with his parents to Kingston, Canada, when he was three years old. There he received the educational advantages af- forded by the public schools, and in 1869, after the death of his parents, he came to the United States, settling in St. Louis, Mo. But young as he was, before leaving Canada he began his experience in the hotel business, a line of activity which he has followed successfully ever since, serving for many years as manager for different companies.

In 1892 he went to Great Falls, Mont., and took charge of the Park Hotel, which he conducted in connection with Hon. Paris Gibson until 1897, when he contracted for the management of the boarding houses and stores of the Boston & Mon- tana Smelter Company, and remained in charge of these until July, 1900, when he removed to Bozeman and became proprietor of the Bozeman House, in which he is still engaged.

In the different hostelries under his management where he has had to cater to the wants of men and provide for their physical comfort, Mr. Kelley has been eminently successful and displayed especial

aptitude for the business, winning high commenda- tion from all classes of his patrons, and keeping up . the tone of his business to a high standard. He was married June 9, 1884, to Miss Matilda B. Bliss, a daughter of M. W. Bliss, a well known pioneer of Ohio, a neighbor and intimate friend of Hon. Allen G. Thurman. The marriage occurred at Colum- bus, Ohio, and has resulted in the birth of three children : Marvel Bliss, who was born in 1885, now a student in the Bozeman high school, is the only cne living. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have hosts of friends wherever they are known.

J AMES KELLY .- The incumbent of the respon- sible office of city treasurer of Billings, James Kelly, is one of the old and honored citizens of the county, who is held in high esteem by all who know him. Mr. Kelly comes of stanch old Irish line- age, born in County Cavan, Ireland, on December 4, 1832, the son of John and Anna (Cullen) Kelly. His father was a farmer, as had been his ancestors for generations, and James was reared on the farm, with such educational advantages as were afforded by the public schools. At the age of twelve he came to America, disembarking in New York city and proceeding to Hollidaysburg, Pa., where he made his home with his aunt, Mrs. Michael McDermott, for three years, continuing his education at night schools. In 1847 he removed to Rock Island coun- ty, Ill., where he was identified with farming for nearly two years, and then went to Mississippi, where he worked on levees until 1861, with the ex- ception of 1856, when he attended school in Illi- nois. In 1861 he removed to Minnesota, purchased a farm, and there made his home for three years, after which he was for two years engaged in driv- ing cattle to Lake Superior. He next purchased a half interest in a transportation train of one hun- dred teams and for seven years freighted for the government. In 1871 he became a contractor with the government in the supplying of cattle, and this enterprise engaged his time until 1874, when he was in merchandising at Blakely, Scott county, Minn., where he remained seven years and in 1882 came to Montana and located in the old town of Coulson and there engaged in the stock business.

In 1884 he was appointed United States deputy marshal, holding this office until 1888, from which year until 1894 he was tyler at the Masonic temple in Billings, acting for all the Masonic bodies util-

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izing the building. In 1888 also Mr. Kelly was elected justice of the peace, being re-elected in 1896 and 1898 and thus serving until January 7, 1901. He is now engaged in fire and accident insurance, deals in real estate and conducts a collection agency. He is also a notary public, and is accorded a repre- sentative support, being well and favorably known to the people of the city and county. On April I, 1901, Mr. Kelly was elected city treasurer of Bil- lings, an office for which he was peculiarly eligible, and one in which he is giving an able admin- istration. In politics Mr. Kelly gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, and fraternally he is identified with these Masonic bodies : Ashlar Lodge No. 29, A. F. & A. M., Billings Chapter No. 6, R. A M., and Aldamar Commandery No. 5, K. T. He is also a member of Billings Star Lodge No. 4I, I. O. O. F. In April, 1858, Mr. Kelly was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Mulligan, who was born in New York, the daughter of Thomas Mulligan, a wheelwright by vocation. To them eight children have been born : Anna E., wife of G. A. Sunwall, of Minne- apolis, Minn .; John T., now in Alaska ; James, de- ceased; Mary, Emmett, Frank, Norbert D. and Dennis.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 49

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