Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 54

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 54

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

The mother of our subject, Melissa (Biggs) Lindley, was born in Indiana and is now living with one of her children at Hastings, Neb., at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. She is the mother of five children. Following the death of his father, Joseph M. continued to reside at home until he was sixteen years of age. In 1857 he joined a party en route to Minnesota for the purpose of taking up farming land. He first located near Northfield, Minn., where he remained until the spring of 1858, when he went to Jacksonville, Ill., and entered the college at that place, graduating in 1860. The president of that institution was a brother of that eminent comedian of the American stage, the late Sol Smith Russell, of Minne- apolis, Minn. In his earlier days Mr. Lind- ley enjoyed but brief terms at the few district schools in his neighborhood, and the supplement- ary education received at the college at Jackson- ville was practically his stock in trade, so far as educational privileges are concerned. In 1860 he made a visit to his old home in Indiana, after- ward he went to Atchison, Kan., and thence to Colorado, but returned to Kansas. Owing to the severe drought at that period he abandoned agri- cultural pursuits and passed the winter of 1860-1 at Atchison. In the spring of the latter year he entered the state service, the governor having made a call for troops to protect the frontier from depredations by the "border ruffians" and the gathering Confederate forces, and in May, 1861, he was mustered into Company K, First Kansas Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Lindley had previously served on the frontier, against the Indians, but was not regularly enlisted until the above date. The name of the captain of his company was George C. Fairchild. The regiment was at once ordered to the front and joined the troops at Wil- son's Creek under command of Gen. Lyon, on July 7, 1861. The command followed Gen. Price down to the Arkansas line, and then fell back to Springfield, Mo., where Gen. Lyon participated in his last battle. During the terrific engagement at Wilson's Creek Mr. Lindley received a bullet which, to this day, the physicians have been unable to extract. While in the hospital at Springfield, Mo., he was practically discharged, being unable to perform further duty, and was then sent to the hospital at St. Louis, where he remained a month. Returning to Kansas he was employed as a "wagon boss" on a line of freight wagons. His division was from Nebraska City, Neb., to Denver, Colo.,

via Omaha, and from Denver on to Salt Lake City. Subsequently he made two trips from Salt Lake to Virginia City, Mont., and in the winter of 1862 returned to Salt Lake City, and engaged in the cattle business. He then secured passage by stage for California, going as far south in that state as Los Angeles, returning as a freighter with merchandise by the southern route to Virginia City. The experience of Mr. Lindley as a frontier pioneer and plainsman, in point of danger, hardships and excitement, is seldom equalled in the annals of early western life. It was in 1864 that Mr. Lindley returned to Virginia City, Mont. Shortly after his arrival in the territory he came to Gal- latin valley, where he engaged in farming and freighting between Fort Benton and Helena. In 1865 he abandoned this enterprise and settled on a farm, where he continued to reside until 1871. He then engaged in the cattle business, selling out, however, in 1882. Removing to Bozeman, Galla- tin county, Mr. Lindley began loaning money, and also opened a store for the disposal of farm imple- ments, which was continued for two years, when he disposed of the business and engaged in real estate, insurance and loan business, and general pension agent, which variety of vocations he still profitably conducts.

On January 1, 1882, Mr. Lindley was married to the widow of Capt. H. C. Miles. She was born near Vernon, Ind., and her father was the step- father of Mr. Lindley. Politically Mr. Lindley is a Democrat, and his initial vote was cast for Grover Cleveland for president of the United States. He is a charter member and was among the organizers of the . William English Post No. 10, G. A. R., of Bozeman, named in honor of Will- iam English, an old schoolmate of Mr. Lindley's and adjutant of the One Hundred and First Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. Adjt. English was killed at the battle of "Big Hole", during the frontier war with the Indians. His remains were carried back to Jacksonville, 111., and buried at his old home. Mr. Lindley is junior vice-commander of the department of Montana, G. A. R., and senior past commander of his home post in Boze- man. He was also prominent in the formation of that noble society, Pioneers of Gallatin County, Mont. Of this society Mr. Lindley is president, elected in 1899. In 1896-7-8 he served as it secre- tary. Too high praise cannot be accorded Mr. Lindley for the unselfish and willing aid he has given this organization, a noble monument for

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posterity. Mr. Lindley was a member of the first city council of Bozeman. Practically he was the first president of the Chronicle Publishing Company, of Bozeman. He is a man who has won his way in the world, almost unaided, and is highly es- teemed by the community in which he resides and for which he has done so much.

UDGE JOHN LINDSAY .- This prominent J

jurist, one of the most eminent members of the Montana bar, is at present a leading and success- ful attorney in Butte, this state. He was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, September 23, 1864, the son of William and Agnes (Brown) Lindsay, who belonged to old conservative families of Scotland. They emigrated to the United States in 1878, lo- cating in Burlington, Iowa, where they at present reside, and where Mr. Lindsay is engaged in busi- ness. John Lindsay attended the best schools of Scotland and acquired familiarity with both the French and German languages. On his arrival in this country he attended the Burlington (Iowa) College, and after his studies were ended entered the law office of Judge P. Henry Smyth, of that city. Three years later Mr. Lindsay entered the office of Ball & Huston, and served both as clerk and stenographer. His intense desire for a rounded out and full education in all lines caused him also to devote his evenings to study at a com- mercial college. With the technical knowledge thus acquired he was fitted for practical business life, and, in 1887, he became a stenographer in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railway, at St. Paul, Minn. He remained in the office of the gen- eral traffic manager for three years. During that time he attended the law class of the University of Minnesota.

Judge Lindsay first came to Montana in 1890, locating at Anaconda, where his ability and quali- fications gave him the post of private secretary to the late Marcus Daly. He, however, in the fall of that year, returned to Minneapolis and com- pleted the law course at the university, and, in June, 1891, was graduated therefrom with the degree of B. A. Securing an admittance to prac- tice before the supreme court of Minnesota, the young lawyer at once returned to Montana, and made his home at Butte. Later he was associated for one year in legal practice with C. P. Drennen. From this time on success came rapidly. His tire-

less application, his extensive knowledge of law and his winning personal ways were all so many aids to a prominent position. Above and beyond these was his integrity. His best services were always given to his clients and every aid provided by the law for them was brought out for their ser- vice. His power was soon recognized. He be- came the attorney for the Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railway on right of way through the coun- ty of Silver Bow, and other valuable clientage came to him. He continued to practice alone until his elec- tion to the bench of the second judicial district. In this dignified office he served four years.

The platform adopted by the Independent Dem- ocrats of Silver Bow county in their convention in September, 1900, contained a plank indorsing the administration of the Democratic officials of Sil- ver Bow county, and referred especially to the commendable record of Judge Lindsay, denomi- nating his administration "a land mark in the judi- cial history of the county." Ou his retirement from the bench in January, 1901, the press of the county and state, irrespective of party, paid him many well-deserved compliments. The bar of Sil- ver Bow county passed very complimentary reso- lutions, which were presented to the Judge at a banquet in his honor shortly after his retirement. Without doubt he "made a record" for expediting business, for cleaning the calendar and for prompt and rapid ruling. Politically the affiliations of Judge Lindsay have always been with the Demo- cratic party, and he takes a lively interest in its campaigns. He was once a candidate for county attorney of Silver Bow county on the Democratic ticket, but met defeat at the polls. Judge Lindsay is well and favorably known throughout Montana. His abilities are of a high order and are recognized as such. His life has in all ways been a most suc- cessful one, politically, socially and financially. In 1886 he was united in marriage to Miss Cora Lee, of Burlington, Iowa. They have three chil- dren, Ruth, William H. and Marion.

P ERRY LINNEY, of Bozeman, Gallatin coun- ty, one of the highly esteemed and influential ranchers of that productive portion of the state, was born in Grundy county, Mo., on November 22, 1845. His parents, Thomas and Julia Ann (Crockett) Linney, were natives of Kentucky, the father removing thence with his family to Mis-

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souri, where he engaged successfully in the prac- tice of law and also owned valuable farming land on which he resided until his death in 1883. Perry Linney, one of a family of two sons and six daughters, secured an excellent business educa- tion in the public schools of Grundy county, and was matriculated in a college, when the coming of the Civil war materially changed his plans. After several changes in his condition in 1863 he en- listed in Col. William's regiment of the Confeder- ate service, under Gen. Leonidas Price, and re- mained in the army until peace was declared, par- ticipating in the active and fighting service for which Gen. Price's forces were distinguished. In June, 1865, the General surrendered at Shreveport, La., and Mr. Linney returned to his old home in Missouri, subsequently locating in Carroll county, where was his home until 1880.

In 1880 he came to Montana, his journey up the Missouri occupying fifty-seven days. From Fort Benton he drove immediately to the Gallatin val- ley, Gallatin county, where he engaged in farm- ing and also followed the occupation of a carpen- ter. It was in 1881 that Mr. Linney secured a homestead near his present location, a few miles from Bozeman, but within a short period he dis- posed of this property and purchased an adjoin- ing tract, which he also sold in 1900. At present Mr. Linney has 160 acres of excellent and thor- oughly irrigated land in a most favorable loca- tion, upon which he bountifully raises all kinds of crops, oats and barley being the principal ones. In November, 1872, Mr. Linney was married to Miss Louisa Ellidge, of Illinois, a daughter of Will- iam Ellidge. Of their four children Everett is deceased and the survivors are Charles E., a resi- dent of Bozeman; Frank and Lola. The fraternal relations of Mr. Linney are with the Odd Fel- lows, and in the community he is highly esteemed.

EORGE W. LISCOM .- One of the sturdy pioneers of the great northwest and one whose career has not been lacking in thrilling ex- periences, both at sea and on the western frontier, is George W. Liscom. He is today numbered among the active and progressive stockgrowers of Custer county, and was born in Racine county, Wis., on May 4, 1844, the eldest of the three children of Martin and Elizabeth (See) Liscom, the former of whom was born in Vermont, a representative of an

old New England family, and the latter in Virginia, where her ancestors early settled. Martin Liscom emigrated to Wisconsin about 1840, one of its pio- neers, and he was both a miner and a mechanic and both he and his wife died in Wisconsin. Their three children are George W., Stella and Frank.

Taught in the public schools of his native state, Mr. Liscom early went to Aurora, Ill., where he served a three years' apprenticeship in a machine- shop, becoming an expert artisan. Thoroughly qualified both by inclination and practice for work of mechanical order, he secured a position as fire- man on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, and was employed in this capacity until 1861, when he enlisted, one of the very earliest recruits, in Company B, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, for a term of thirty days. He was in St. Louis, Mo., when he heard the news of the firing against the ramparts of old Fort Sumter. After the expi- ration of his service he returned to Wisconsin, re- rained a short time and started across the plains to Montana. He and Book Smith were in com- pany, and they were equipped with ox teams, wag- ons and the essential provisions. They came up the Platte river, had a little trouble with the Indians and at last reached Fort Owen, near Missoula, hav- ing been six months and three days on the road. Mr. Liscom here disposed of his outfit and went to work for Maj. Owen on the buildings of the cantonment and post, and four months later he continued his journey to Portland, Ore., where he secured employment on the steamer Brother Jonathan, which had a donkey engine, as its en- gineer. He served in this capacity until January, 1863, when the ship was sunk, with 616 persons on board. The disaster was a frightful one, as only thirteen escaped, Mr. Liscom being one of the num- ber. He swam three miles, reaching the shore when utterly exhausted. Returning to Portland, he re- mained there for a time and then started for Mon- tana. Here he located in the Bitter Root valley, where he engaged in stockfarming, raising horses and cattle, while he also devoted considerable at- tention to mining on Gold creek and in the vicinity of Helena, while later he became a stage driver, in which employment he had a number of thrilling ex- periences, his coach being held up by the road agents on several occasions. On one occasion he was conveying a party of thirteen men equipped with shotguns, whom four bandits held up the stage and secured a large amount of booty, one of the men on the stage being so frightened that he be-

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came temporarily insane. He later became a resi- dent of the city of Walla Walla, Wash., where he made his home for many years. Mr. Liscom con- tinued stage driving until 1874, when he went on the stampede to the Black Hills. There he re- mained two years, engaged in the livery business, and then sold his interests in that locality and went to Sidney county, Neb., where he devoted his atten- tion to the cattle business until 1879, when he re- turned to Montana and located on his present ranch in Custer county, where he now has a landed estate of 2,296 acres, with improvements of the best, including a substantial and commodious ranch home. Brandenberg is his postoffice address. Here Mr. Liscom is engaged in raising highgrade horses and cattle upon an extensive scale, and in cattle operations are of much importance, and through his well directed efforts much has been done to advance the horse industry in the state. He has ever been a stanch Democrat, and he is a valued, honored and enthusiastic member of the Montana Pioneer Association. In 1864 Mr. Liscom wedded Miss Martha Boyd, a native of Kentucky, and she died in 1889, leaving no children. On May IO, 1891, he was married to Miss Myrt Gierhart, who was born in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Liscom are en- joying their life on the ranch in the improvement of which their time is happily passed.

A LBERT I. LOEB, of the law firm of Nolan & Loeb, Helena, a young attorney of brilliant at- tainments, is a Montanian by nativity, having been born in Helena January 22, 1872. He is the son of Bernhard and Jeannette (Kander) Loeb, both na- tives of Germany. Albert I. Loeb is the younger of two sons (Mr. B. K. Loeb, of Helena, being the elder). He received his early education in the public schools of Helena, studying law in the law office of Toole & Wallace, and then entered that su- perior scholastic institution, the University of Mich- igan, at Ann Arbor. From there he was graduated from the law department in 1892 with the degree of LL. B., and he was at once admitted to prac- tice in the United States courts, and also in the state courts of Montana.

In 1899 Mr. Loeb was appointed assistant at- torney-general for Montana, and he is now asso- ciated with Hon. C. B. Nolan in the practice of law at Helena. He was a member of the Fifth legis- lative assembly (1897) of Montana, and was elected

speaker pro tem. of that body. It was while a member of this session that Mr. Loeb introduced the present amendment to the state constitution relative to justices of the supreme court, which was thereafter adopted by the people, and hence he enjoys the distinction of having suggested the first amendment to our constitution that was rati- fied by the people. Fraternally Mr. Loeb is a Mason and a member of the Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks, of the Woodmen of the World and of the Knights of Pythias, and was the first president of the society of Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers. Socially he is highly esteemed in the community in which he was born, and in which he has so admirably succeeded in his pro- fession. He possesses sterling qualities, and is re- garded as a safe, conservative and conscientious attorney.

JONATHAN G. LOBB, M. D .- In the impor- tant professional field in which the practice of medicine and surgery is involved Montana has been signally favored in having enlisted able and skillful disciples of Aesculapius, and among them is numbered Dr. Jonathan George Lobb, of Butte. He is a native of Canada, born in Mariposa town- ship, Little Britain, on August 2, 1866, the son of John and Lucy (Brown) Lobb, natives of Cornwall, England, who accompanied their parents to Can- ada in early youth, John Lobb having made the trip in a sailing vessel when a lad of twelve years. He eventually operated a chair factory at Darling- ton, Canada, where he died in 1880, his wife hav- ing passed away in 1867, when her son Jonathan was but one year old.

Dr. Lobb received the advantages afforded by the excellent public schools, completing a course of study in the high school at Bowmanville, On- tario, Canada. In 1888 he entered a factory in Toronto and learned the carriage trimmer's trade, removing to Syracuse, N. Y., in 1889, and there working at his trade for four years. He had early determined to enter a broader sphere of endeavor. and his leisure moments were given to a careful and well-directed study of medicine. In 1893 he matriculated in the celebrated Rush Medical Col- lege, of Chicago, and after its very thorough course of technical study and practical clinical work, he was graduated with the class of 1897, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. From Chicago he removed to Stanley, Chippewa county, Wis., where

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he began medical practice, remaining there until October, when he came to Montana and located in Butte, where he has since been in general prac- tice, associated with Dr. George H. Wells. His matural predilection for his profession and his signally thorough preparation have made him an able physician and surgeon. His genial presence and abiding sympathy have done much to advance his reputation. He is a member of the Rocky Mountain Inter-State Medical Association, in whose affairs he maintains a deep interest. Fra- ternally the Doctor is identified with Damon Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, and in politics he main- tains an independent attitude.

H ON. NEWTON W. McCONNELL, chief jus- tice of Montana under appointment from President Cleveland in 1887, is a distinguished member of the Montana bar, and one of the most highly esteemed residents of Helena. He was born in Marshall county, Tenn., of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather, Manuel McConnell, was born at Port Tobacco, Md., from whence he removed to South Carolina. A farmer and a devout Presby- terian, he served with distinction in the colonial army during the Revolution, participating in the battles of Cowpens and King's Mountain, and in numerous lesser engagements. He was married in South Carolina to Miss Armstrong, and with her removed to Tennessee in 1805, where he died in Marshall county in 1843. They were parents of three sons and five daughters. Their second son, Jeremiah, father of Judge McConnell, was born in Georgia in 1798 and was taken when a child of seven years by his parents to their new home in the wild woods of the unsettled Tennessee country. Here he received an elementary education in such schools as the primitive civilization of the state afforded. He married Miss Annabel Martin, a native of North Carolina. One of the earliest set- tlers in the south was her father, an Irish gentleman, and her ancestors, both paternal and maternal, were patriotic participants in the war of the Revolution. Jeremiah McConnell and his wife lived long lives in Marshall county, Tenn., where they reared their seven children and where the father, a man of a stu- dious, retiring disposition and exemplary habits, died at the age of seventy-four, and the mother at the age of eighty-four. They were leading mem- bers of the local Presbyterian church.

Newton W. McConnell was the third child of

his parents, and received his earlier education at the academies of Pleasant Grove and Lewisburg and at Anderson College. He then entered Alle- gheny College at Meadville, Pa., and from that celebrated school he was duly graduated, and then taught school and soon became principal of Girard (Pa.) Academy for two years. The next two years he was principal of the Hartsville (Tenn.) Female College. Mr. McConnell early decided upon the law as his future profession and while at Harts- ville he began the study of elementary law works, which he continued assiduously, thoroughly grounding himself in the fundamental principles of law, and it was in Hartsville that he began legal practice, and here he continued winning reputation and prosperity until 1887. In 1872 he was elected to represent the Ninth senatorial district in the state senate, and served on the committee on public schools. He here championed a bill which gave Tennessee its present liberal public school system, one of the best in the Union. To this measure, which gave negro children the privileges accorded to those of white parentage, there was strong op- position. Race prejudice was rife and a great deal of eloquence was displayed in the objections to the measure. But Mr. McConnell stood firmly by his principles, and never wavered until the bill became a law. In 1874 Mr. McConnell was a candidate for congress before the Democratic convention of the Fourth congressional district of Tennessee. The convention adopted the two-thirds rule, and after 200 ballots, in one of which he came within one- sixth of a vote of the nomination, he withdrew in favor of the Hon. S. M. Fite, judge of the Fifth judicial district, who was nominated. Mr. Mc- Connell was then appointed by Gov. Porter to fill, until the next election, the vacancy on the bench caused by the nomination of Mr. Fite, and he was chosen without opposition to fill the unexpired term, which he did with credit to himself and to the bench. As a candidate for re-election, he was again successful after an exciting campaign. He remained on the bench until the fall of 1886, and during his term of office the University of Nash- ville conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. Without solicitation on the part of Judge McCon- nell, in 1887. he was appointed chief justice of Montana. In December, 1888, he tendered his resig- nation of this high office, but his successor did not take the position until March, 1889. Relieved from official duties he again entered the legal field in com- pany with Senator Thomas A. Carter, of Helena,

A. W. Ml ouv

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and Hon. J. B. Clayberg, in the firm of McConnell, Carter & Clayberg. This subsequently became McConnell & Clayberg, and later McConnell, Clay- berg & Gunn. It is now McConnell & McConnell, Odell W. McConnell being the junior member. (See his sketch on another page of this work.) The firm was organized in April, 1896.

On February 26, 1856, Newton W. McConnell was married to Miss Nannie Elizabeth McCall, of Pennsylvania, a daughter of Samuel McCall. Mrs. McConnell died August 19, 1901. She was remark- able for her unselfish devotion to the good of others. She was universally beloved and never had an enemy. Their three children are as fol- lows : Frank Winston, Odell Whitfield and Annie Eloise. While a resident of Tennessee Judge McConnell served successively as deputy grand master, grand orator and grand master of the Masonic order of that state, and is a Presbyterian, having been a member of that church since he was seventeen years old. It is almost needless to say that he has been a lifelong Democrat, untiring in his efforts for the success of his party, in whose councils he is a most influential factor. The history of Montana presents no abler or more distinguished jurist than Judge McConnell. His arrival in the state was followed rapidly by his advancement in his profession, a progress that has seen no back- ward steps and which has established him in a most enviable position. He was ever an alert, fear- less and brilliant advocate, devoted to the cause of his client, and eloquent in his pleas. Many of the most important cases before the courts when he was in practice have been entrusted to his care, and his opponents have always found him armed at every point with facts, figures, authorities and the ablest presentations of the fundamental principles of law. Aside from his profound legal erudition Judge McConnell is possessed of a wide range of general knowledge, which always strongly fortifies and buttresses the legal attainments of our most successful practitioners. In civil as well as in pro- fessional life he is ever a broad-minded, liberal and progressive gentleman, revered as much for his kindliness of disposition and admirable qualities of head and heart as for his superior legal and foren- sic ability.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 54

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