Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 5

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 5

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Dr. Andrus received his early education in the public schools of Ontario, and he was engaged in teaching for four years, proving capable and suc- cessful. Fond of outdoor life and athletic sports, Dr. Andrus became specially skilled in the "Amer- ican national game," and in 1883 began playing professionally as a member of the Indianapolis team. In 1884 he played with St. Louis and Min- neapolis; in 1885 and 1886 with the Hamilton, Ont., team, in the International league. In 1887 he was with the Portland, Me., team, the next year again with Hamilton, in 1889 and 1890 with Buf- falo, in 1891 with Manchester, N. H., and in 1892 with Kansas City in the Western league. While thus engaged the Doctor was assigned to second base, shortstop or right field. During this period of labor he was saving his salary and accumulating the funds which he used in pursuing his studies in the medical department of Trinity College, at Tor- onto, Can., he attending school winters and play- ing ball during the regular base ball seasons. In 1893 he was duly graduated from Trinity, receiv- ing the degree of M. D. The same year of his graduation he came to Montana, and for eight months was associated in practice with Dr. Henry Chappel, of Billings. He then came to Miles City, in October, of the same year, and established a large and successful practice. He is recognized as a well-read and skillful physician and surgeon,

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

who possesses the essential qualities and dispo- sition requisite for successful practice. Frater- nally Dr. Andrus is a member of the lodge, chapter and commandery of the York Rite of Freemasonry ; of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of the Maccabees and the American Order of Protection. In 1899 he was grand medical ex- aminer of the grand lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Montana, and socially he is identified with the Miles City Club.

The Doctor has been an active factor in local af- fairs in the Republican party. In 1897 he was elected to represent the First ward on the board of aldermen of Miles City. He served one term, and in 1899 was elected mayor of the city, giving so efficient and economical an administration of municipal affairs as to be elected without opposition to a second term of office in 1901. He takes deep interest in the advancement and prosperity of his city, county and state, and his popularity demonstrates public opinion as to his character. He still indulges his love of outdoor sports, and usually makes a fishing trip to Canada each summer, thus renewing vigor for the ar- duous work of his profession. On the 20th of November, 1895, Dr. Andrus married Miss Corma Ireland, who was born in Illinois and reared in Montana, the daughter of Allan Ireland, a former resident of Miles City, who is now dead. One child, Edson Andrus, born November 28, 1899, brightens their home.

OSHUA ARMITAGE .- Identified with a line of industrial enterprise which has important bearing upon the material prosperity and the ad- vancement of any community, that of deal- ing in real estate, and recognized as one of the sterling pioneers of Montana, Mr. Armitage is a well known citizen of Butte. He is a native of "merrie old England," born in Yorkshire on August 19, 1838, the son of Isaac and Ann Armitage, representatives of staunch old English lineage. Of their five children Joshua was the third in order of birth. Isaac Armitage for a number of years conducted blacksmithing and later he operated coal mines in Yorkshire. In 1841 he emigrated to the United States, passing one year in Pittsburg, Pa., and then going to Galena, Ill., which was his home until his death, and his wife also died there.

He also did much good work in the Primitive Methodist church, in which he was a local preacher.

Joshua Armitage was reared in Illinois, receiv- ing education from the public schools and learning blacksmithing from his father, and they were asso- ciated in the manufacturing of wagons. In 1860, when his father determined to join the throng making its way across the plains to the supposed goldfields at Pike's Peak, Joshua, then a young man of twenty-two years, accompanied him to Colorado. They located at Mountain City, and engaged in the manufacturing and repairing of mining tools and implements. The father event- ually returned to Illinois, but from that early date the son has been identified with the west. He was successful as a mining blacksmith, continuing it until the summer of 1863, when he took a clerkship in a wholesale grocery at Denver, retaining this until fall, when he made the trip across the plains to Virginia City, Mont., and by this gained the title of being one of the pioneers of this state. He was accompanied by his family, and he engaged in the grocery and hardware business in Virginia City until the spring of 1867, when he went to the Salmon river mining district, and in the fall of 1867 he located in Helena, where he conducted blacksmithing for three years.

In 1864 he was a member of the noted vigilance committee of Virginia City, and upon coming to Helena he become chief of the vigilantes there and was in command of them in 1874 when the notor- ious desperadoes, Lecompte and Wilson, were hung for their many crimes. In 1870 Mr. Armitage was a stationary engineer in connection with deep dig- gings for placer-mining operations at Helena, and in the winter of 1870-71 he diversified his labors by teaching a singing school in Helena, then a mere mining camp. The following spring he was ap- pointed Indian agent at the Blackfoot agency, under the presidential administration of Gen. Grant, and served with signal efficiency until the fall of 1872, when he returned to Helena and was engaged in the grocery business until 1875. In 1879 he became identified with the cattle industry near Fort Logan, Meagher county, but sold his interests in this line in 1881 and returned to Helena. In 1882 he was engaged in mining at Wickes, Jefferson county, and in 1885 was chosen police magistrate in Helena, retaining this position until 1887, when he turned his attention to the real

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

estate business which he conducted successfully in the same city until the spring of 1891, when he dis- posed of his business, then one of very consider- able magnitude. Mr, Armitage then devoted him- self to gospel temperance work until the fall of 1892, when he located in Tacoma, Wash., for six months, when he went to his sons' ranch and assisted them in establishing a cattle business.

In 1899 Mr. Armitage established a real estate business in Butte, associating himself with C. S. Jackson, as Jackson & Armitage. They have here built up a large business, their operations extending into all parts of the state, and upon their books are always represented most desirable investments. Their fair and honorable methods of business has gained for them a marked prestige, and their oper- ations are steadily increasing in importance. Mr. Armitage is interested in the Centennial Toledo mine, in Madison county, which promises to be a most valuable property. In politics he gives alle- giance to the Republican party, and it will be seen that he has always taken an active interest in insuring good government. He is an active church and temperance worker, and his zealous efforts have been fruitful of good results. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, and is an elder of the church in Butte. In Illinois, in 1857, Mr. Ar- mitage was united in marriage with Miss Martha Argent, who was born in that state, the daughter of Daniel Argent, one of the pioneers of Illinois and an active participant in the Blackhawk war. Mrs. Armitage was a successful teacher before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Armitage have had nine children, seven are living, and are well estab- lished in life and all save one are ranchers. Jesse A. is identified with mining in California. William A. and J. S. have cattle ranches in the Big Hole basin, Charles H., Rommel J. and George C. have cattle ranches on the Madison river.

JOHN T. ATHEY, of Great Falls, Mont., is clerk of the district court of the Eighth judicial district. Though born in Maryland on February 14, 1843, since 1866 his life has been passed in the West and he has had a varied and active experience ._ His parents, natives of Maryland, both died when he was but three years old. His home following this sad event was for many years in Allegany county, Md., his birthplace, and here he attended

the neighboring schools, and learned the trade of a tanner and currier, which he followed until the breaking out of the Civil war in 1861. He then cnlisted in the Sixth West Virginia Infantry and served four years in some of the most arduous and exciting campaigns of the war, having re-enlisted in 1863 in the same company and regiment. His service was mainly in West Virginia, where he was on detached service in the commissary department. He was mustered out as a second lieutenant. But his military service did not end with the Civil war. In 1866 he came to Fort Riley, Kan., and joined the Seventh United States Cavalry, in which he served four years fighting Indians in Texas and the Indian Territory, and later he was made commissary ser- geant.

In 1870 Mr. Athey began surveying in southern Kansas in the counties of Cowley and Sumner. He then entered the surveyor-general's office, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., under C. W. Babcock, and re- mained there and in the chief engineer's office until 1874. He was then appointed post trader at Fort Sully, Dak., continuing in this position until 1877. He then removed to Sioux City, and was there two years, until 1879, when he joined the force under Tom Cummings, in the collector of customs' office at Fort Benton. The same year he went to Fort Walsh, Northwest Territory, with T. C. Power & Bro., to take charge of their business. The year 1880 brought Mr. Athey into close relations with the late Col. C. A. Broadwater, for Col. Broadwater was then post trader at Fort Maginnis, and Mr. Athey was bookkeeper of the post until 1884. He then came to Sun river and took charge of a stock of goods for the Montana National Bank and in 1890 he was at Armington, in Cascade county, for Col. Broadwater.

In Armington Mr. Athey remained for six years in the faithful and efficient discharge of his duties and in 1896 he was elected clerk of the district court of the Eighth judicial district and was re-elected in 1900. Mr. Athey was married in Kansas in 1872 to Miss Katy D. Clark, a native of Pennsylvania. Two children are in their home, Harry R. and Lula B. Mr. Athey is a Lincoln Republican, having voted for the martyred president in 1864. He is promi- nently identified with the Great Falls lodge, chap- ter and commandery of the Masonic fraternity. This is the story of a busy life. It has been re- served for few men to fill so ample a space in the history of their country. It is a pleasure to note that at all times Mr. Athey has risen to the duties

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

which have been his to perform and has overcome all obstacles. In both civil and military life he has satisfactorily accomplished the tasks assigned him. In Great Falls and throughout the state he numbers a host of warm personal friends.

HE, CASCADE BANK, of Great Falls, Mont., was established April 24, 1889, incorporated under the laws of Montana, and among its corpora- tors were: S. E. Atkinson, Peter Larson, Jacob Switzer, Judge William Chumesaro, John J. Ellis and F. P. Atkinson. The original capital stock was $40,000, since increased to $75,000. The first officers were S. E. Atkinson, president ; F. P. Atkinson, cashier ; W. W. Miller, assistant cashier ; Jacob Switzer, vice-president. Up to the present time these officers have been continued and, with the exception of Vice-President Switzer, they are now successfully operating the bank.

In number of years of continuous business the Cascade Bank is today the oldest banking insti- tution in Cascade county. It was one of the few banks of Montana that successfully weathered the disastrous financial storm of 1893 and 1894. The resources of the bank on January 1, 1900, were as follows :

RESOURCES.

Loans and discounts, $294,368.79; furniture and fixtures, $2,348.55; real estate, $6,033,18; county and city warrants, $30,027.58. Reserve-U. S. Bonds, $112,866.25; from other banks, $69,277.99; cash in vault, $53,142.65. Total, $568,064.99.

LIABILITIES.

Capital stock, $75,000.00; surplus, $15,000.00; undivided profits, less taxes and expenses, $9,- 364.33 ; demand deposits, $363,590.62 ; time depos- its, $105,110.04. Total, $568,064.99.

The unqualified success of the Cascade Bank has been in the main largely due to the careful and judicious management of its officers. Each of them is thoroughly versed in his business and each of their financial careers has been such as to gain the confidence, not only of the local com- munity but of the business men throughout the state.

Since 1878 S. E. Atkinson, president of the bank, has been identified with Montana banking institu- tions. He was born in the town of Carrollton,

Ohio, on November 17, 1848, and traces his ances- tors in this country back to Stephen Atkinson, an Englishman, who emigrated to the colonies before the Revolution, and was a manufacturer of woolen goods in Maryland. His son, Isaac Atkinson, removed to Pennsylvania and thence to Ohio, where he was a pioneer settler of Carroll county. He too was a manufacturer of woolen goods and served one term in the Ohio legislature. Isaac's son, Robert J. Atkinson, was born in western Pennsylvania. He became a prominent member of the Ohio bar, and served as third auditor of the U. S. treasury under the administration of Presi- dents Pierce, Buchanan and Lincoln. He married Miss Matilda Jackson, who bore him three sons and three daughters, all now living. His son, S. E. Atkinson, received his education in Ohio and at Columbian College, Washington, D. C., from which he was graduated in June, 1871. The same year he entered a law school, but the death of his father prevented him from completing the course of study and the following six years he was em- ployed as assistant secretary of the Jefferson Fire Insurance Co., of Steubenville, Ohio. In 1878, on receipt of a telegram from his uncle, Gov. B. F. Potts (further mention of whom will be found in this volume), he came to Helena, Mont., and ac- cepted a position in the old First National Bank of that city. Here he remained five years and upon the organization of the Montana National Bank of Helena he became its assistant cashier and for eight years ably discharged the duties of that posi- tion. In company with his brother, F. P. Atkin- son, he came to Great Falls in 1889. The organi- zation of the Cascade Bank soon followed, of which he was chosen president and he is still serv- ing in that capacity. He continued his residence in Helena, however, until 1891. Since that period he has been a citizen of Great Falls and was hon- ored by Gov. J. K. Toole, who appointed him quartermaster general on his staff in May, 1901.

Mr. F. P. Atkinson, cashier of the Cascade Bank, is one of the best known banking men in Montana. Like his brother, he is a native of Ohio, born at Carrollton, on July 24, 1855. He completed his education at Columbian College, Washington, D. C., then passed some years in the oil regions of western Pennsylvania, operating in that section until 1887 when he came to Great Falls and took a position in the First National Bank and later be- came assistant cashier for two years. Since that period he has been with the Cascade Bank. Both

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

of the brothers Atkinson are interested in sheep and mining in Cascade and adjoining counties, also in real estate in Great Falls. Their business opera- tions have brought them in contact with many leading men of Montana and by all who know them they are highly esteemed and deservedly honored.

T THE ROYAL MILLING COMPANY of Great Falls has the largest flouring plant in the state. It was organized in 1892 with a capital stock of $100,000. The president is James A. Bell, of Minneapolis, Minn .; vice-president, Wil- liam H. Dunwoody; secretary and treasurer, Charles J. Martin, of Minneapolis. The general manager of this extensive plant is William M. Atkinson, also of Minneapolis. In 1892 the mill was erected with a capacity of 300 barrels, which las since been increased to 400. In the manufac- ture of flour they use Montana and Dakota wheat, the product finding a ready sale in Montana, Wash- ington and California. Mr. Atkinson is a native of Chicago, Ill. He was, however, reared and edu- cated in Minneapolis. In 1882 he entered the em- ployment of the Washburn-Crosby Milling Com- pany as office boy. Thence he followed, step by step, along the line of steady, promotion, until he arrived at the position of head salesman in 1892. He was then advanced to his present position of general manager of the Royal Milling Company. This company now employs fifteen men. It is erect- ing a two-story warehouse and with its collateral equipments the institution embraces an altogether superior plant, and the mill now supplies all the home trade. The company belongs to the National Millers' Association, and has branch warehouses at Butte, Helena and Anaconda, and a large elevator and mill at Kalispell. The establishment is supplied with all modern improvements, rollers, bolters, etc. It can be pronounced one of the most successful business enterprises in Montana, and it is entirely just to say that this is owing very largely to the superior ability and sagacious business methods of Mr. Atkinson.

JOSEPH C. AULD .- On the picturesque sea coast of Maine lived John Auld, of lineage tracing back to many generations in Scotland, who was born in Boothby Harbor, which con-

tinued his place of abode. There he grew to maturity, and took as wife Miss Mary A. Holton, a native of the same maritime village. There they were living in 1856, when was born to them, on Sep- tember 16, a son, Joseph C. Auld. That son is now one of the worthy honored citizens of Helena. John And was a sea captain and later a .lighthouse keeper on the Maine coast. The family was early established in the district of Maine, and records existing show that the great-grandfather of Joseph C. Auld did yeoman service in the Continental army of the Revolution. By reason of this Joseph C. Auld is entitled to and retains membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.

Joseph C. Auld passed his youth on the coast of Maine, receiving such educational advantages as were afforded by the public schools. He early assumed personal responsibility, energy and am- bition being attributes of his nature. In 1872 he went to Boston and was connected with mercan- tile business until 1878, when he traveled to Iowa, where he was engaged in agriculture until 1881, when he came to Montana, settling at Glendive before the completion of the Northern Pacific Rail- road to that place. He engaged in ranching and cattle raising for two years, then was' connected with the mercantile house of Douglas & Mead, of Glendive. In 1886 he was elected county treasurer of Dawson county, and was twice re- elected, serving six years in this responsible office. In 1887 he purchased a drug store in Glendive and continued the business while retaining the office of county treasurer. In 1892 Mr. Auld 'sold his store, and was identified with stock raising for four years.

He was elected to represent his county in the Fourth general assembly of the legislature in 1895, and had the still more marked distinction of being elected to the state senate in 1886, a position which he resigned to accept a place on the U. S. mineral land commission, his jurisdiction being the Boze- man district. In 1897 he was transferred to the Helena district until the fall of 1900, when he resigned the office. Mr. Auld then engaged in and continues in the coal business in the capital city, where he also has his residence, and has built up a very satisfactory trade, and he is considered as one of the reliable and progressive business men of Helena. He still owns property in Bozeman, his former home. On August 20, 1885, Mr. Auld was united in marriage to Miss Lillian A. Chapin,

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

who was born in Louisville, Ky., the daughter of J. L. Chapin, a native of the old Bay state, who served in a Massachusetts regiment during the Civil war.

'DWARD AXTELL, an up-to-date stock-

E grower and rancher of Gallatin county, has by skill, industry and business ability demon- strated nearly every form of the agricultural possi- bilities of Montana. In doing this he has brought to bear superior intelligence, and his pronounced success is amply deserved and fully appreciated by his fellow citizens. In addition to his valuable ranch near Belgrade he owns a fine residence in Bozeman, and here the family dwells a portion of the year to afford the children the educational facilities of that city. Mr. Axtell was born at St. Catherine, Ontario, Can., on October 5, 1857, the son of William and Catherine (Phelan) Axtell. The father and paternal grandfather, Benjamin Ax- tell, were natives of Vermont, while his mother was born in Ireland. While a young man William Ax- tell removed from Vermont to Ontario, where he remained seven years, going thence to Illinois, where he passed ten years, and after a few years' residence in Iowa, came to Montana, in 1883, and located in Gallatin county.

The school days of Edward Axtell were passed in Iowa and Illinois, and he remained with his father's family until 1878, when he engaged in farming on his own account in Iowa for five years. He then removed to Montana, coming on the first railroad train that passed over the divide at Boze- man. Locating in Gallatin county, he first rented land, then secured a homestead, and now has a fine property of 700 acres, half of which is under irriga- tion, on which he harvests bounteous crops of wheat, oats, barley and hay. His stock includes large numbers of shorthorn cattle, Norman horses and Poland China hogs. He has one of the finest farms in the county, with everything up-to-date, in- cluding a handsome residence and ample barns and cuthouses. The result of his labors should be a stimulus to aspiring young farmers, for he arrived in Montana only a comparatively short time ago, possessed of little besides a sound physique and an abundance of push and energy, yet to-day he is one of the best types of the successful Gallatin valley farmer, possessing influence, a high integrity and being widely respected. On November 22, 1880, Mr. Axtell married with Miss Rosana Bolton, who

was born in Iowa, February 3, 1859, a daughter of Abram and Nancy ( Lindville) Bolton, both natives of Virginia. They have seven children, Willard, Iva. Grace, Elbert, Elma, Kathleen and Lloyd. Fraternally Mr. Axtell belongs to the Woodmen of the World.

F RANK B. AXTELL .- One of the able and popular young business men of Butte is Mr. Axtell, who was elected to represent Silver Bow county in the Seventh legislative assembly of Montana. He was born in Troy, Bradford county, Pa., on December 2, 1863, the son of Dr. Allen F. and Julia (Fitch) Axtell, natives respectively of Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Dr. Axtell was reared in Michigan, where he received his early education, thereafter completing a course of study in the medical institute of the college of Geneva, N. Y. In 1854 he engaged in the active practice of his profession at Troy, Pa., and continued here until his death. His wife died in 1897. Her grand- father came from France to America with Gen. Lafayette and rendered valiant service in the Amer- ican Revolution.

Frank B. Axtell was the second in a family of eleven children, of whom ten are now living. After prosecuting his studies in the high school he learned telegraphy in Troy, and thereafter wasiden- tified with railroading in various capacities in Pennsylvania for twelve years. He made several trips to the West, and in 1890 became local agent of the Great Northern Railroad at Basin, Jefferson county, Mont., retaining his incumbency until 1894, when he entered the employ of the Basin & Bay State Mining Company, taking charge of their outside work. In the fall of 1897 Mr. Axtell came to Butte, and was employed by the Montana Ore Purchasing Company, with whose interests he has since been identified, except when he was in service in the legislature.

In his political adherency Mr. Axtell has ever been arrayed in support of the Republican party, yet he has been in close sympathy with the cause of labor and has done much to promote its interests. Silver Bow county being essentially an industrial section, he was made the candidate of the Labor party for representative in the lower house of the legislature in 1900 and was elected by a gratifying majority. Upon the assembling of the legislative body he was made chairman of the library commit- tee, was assigned to membership on the printing

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 5

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