Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 68

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 68

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In 1892 Mr. Nye was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Anders, a native of Amsterdam, N. Y., where were also born her parents, John and Sophia Anders. Mr. and Mrs. Nye have one son, Edwin R., born on April 10, 1895, and one daugh- ter, Arelene, born on March 15, 1901.

In politics Mr. Nye exercises his franchise in support of the Republican party, and fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which he has taken the degree of honor. He is recognized as a reliable and straight- forward business man, and thus objective esteem and confidence are his portion.

W A. ORGAIN .- To the development of the great Treasure state of the northwest every clime and people have contributed thrifty, industri- ous, progressive men and women, and their record is being written in enduring phrase in the common- wealth they are erecting. Even the Lone Star state of Texas, with all her own wealth of undeveloped resources, has lent a hand to the building, and helped to give it strength and character. One of

the most valuable of her contributions is W. A. Or- gain, the leading merchant of Wibaux, one of the most esteemed citizens of Dawson county. He was born in Williamson county, Texas, March 17, 1860. His parents are J. H. and Margaret (McMordie) Orgain, the former a native of Tennessee who re- moved to Texas when young and engaged in mer- chandising at Salado, where he carried on a profit- able trade for years. He is now living retired at Temple, in his adopted state. The mother, a native of Tennessee, died in Texas in 1861, on the home- stead in Williamson county.

Mr. Orgain acquired his education in the dis- trict schools and Salado College, and in 1879 went to Cheyenne, Wyo. Here he remained about four years and went to Rapids City, S. D., and engaged in stockraising and dealing until 1890. He then came to Montana, locating at Wibaux, then Min- gusville, and in partnership with Frank Cannon he bought the general store of Fountain Brothers at that place. This partnership continued until 1896, at which time Mr. Orgain became sole owner and he has since conducted a thriving business alone. The original investment was about $3,000, but the business has greatly enlarged, and now covers a trade of nearly $50,000 a year, from an extensive range of productive and well populated territory. The store is prominently located on the main corner of the town, facing the railroad, is 24x85 feet in size, and shelters a general stock of magnitude and variety. Mr. Orgain is also the most considerable owner of real estate in Wibaux. In 1895 he bought of Mrs. Mary Nolon, the original owner of the ground, forty acres of townsite land. About sixty lots of this have been platted and many have been sold and the demand is continuing with a gratify- ing regularity. He is also president of the Dawson County Bank, established at Wibaux in 1901. J. B. Lawless is the vice-president and R. F. Smith cashier. The bank is a great convenience to the community.

In politics Mr. Orgain is a Democrat, but too deeply engrossed in business to give much atten- tion to party work. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as a member of Wibaux Lodge No. 67. He was mar- ried in 1893 to Miss Certious C. Wills, a daughter of S. M. Wills, a pioneer and leading stockraiser of the county, of whom extended notice appears 011 another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Orgain have two children, Arthur Bland and Kellogg Middler.

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NICHOLAS M. ERICKSON .- In this publica- tion will be found memoirs of many who have figured prominently in the business, public and so- cial life of the state of Montana, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well being of the com- monwealth and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Such men merit definite tributes of respect in a work of this nature, and in connection with the records of those who have con- tributed in a marked degree to the material pros- perity and industrial activities of Fergus county, Nicholas M. Erickson was known and honored as a sterling citizen. He was a native of Norway, having been born June 11, 1857, in the famous old fortified city of Bergen, founded in the eleventh century. He was the son of Sievert and Anna M. Erickson, who emigrated to the United States in 1863, settling in Chicago, Ill., where they passed the remainder of their lives, having been the parents of four sons and two daughters, of whom three sons yet survive.

Nicholas M. Erickson was a lad of six years when the family came to America, and he was reared and educated in Chicago, where he attended the public schools. In preparing for the active and practical duties of life he there learned telegraphy, becoming an expert operator and was employed for a number of years in this line at the Palmer House, the most noted hotel of the great Garden City. In 1880 or '81 Mr. Erickson came to Montana and en- tered the employ of Hon. Thomas C. Power, the well-known capitalist and business man of Helena, and he continued to be thus associated with Mr. Power for a long term of years, being under his employ first at Fort Benton, then in his store at the Indian agency at Poplar River, and at White Sul- phur Springs. The trip from Fort Benton to Pop- lar River was made after river traffic had closed. With no guide but the river, this distance, equal to half the length of the state, was accomplished in an open buggy. The old-time settler, Thomas Mor- gan, was his companion on this journey. Snow was upon the ground, and when obliged to drive out of view of the river the way was sometimes lost, and the travelers suffered much from cold and hunger before the settlement was finally reached.

In the spring of 1882 Sievert Erickson started westward from Chicago, hoping to make his future home with his son, then at White Sulphur Springs. During the journey he was a passenger on the Mis- souri river steamer Big Horn, and there on May 4, as a result of shock and cold caused by an accidental

fall overboard three days before, he died. His grave is at Mathew's woodyard, Dakota, forty miles below Fort Buford, and on the same side of the river, and here he awaits the resurrection.

In 1883 Nicholas M. Erickson removed to what is now Fergus county, and with Mr. Power, acquired the landed and other interests of F. A. Janeaux in the section Lewistown now occupies, Mr. Erickson obtaining a one-half interest in the company at that time for $5,000. He at once gave himself up to strong and persistent efforts to build a town there ; succeeded in establishing a hotel, some mer- cantile enterprises and a postoffice, himself accept- ing a commission as the first postmaster. He was also interested in building up a good school and thus brought together the forceful and productive elements which have resulted in the solid and per- manent establishment of the city of Lewistown, which made such progress in growth and develop- ment that when the county of Fergus was formed this place was selected as the county-seat. At the time of Mr. Erickson's death the capitalization and surplus of the Power Mercantile Company had reached the notable aggregate of more than $100,000; and in effecting this almost phenomenal expansion of the enterprise the executive ability and keen business acumen of Mr. Erickson constituted important factors. He was also a stockholder in the Montana Hardware Company of Lewistown, and in the Fergus County Bank. When the county- seat was established at Lewistown and the court house was built there the village became a pushing, ambitious and enterprising little city, of which he was unquestionably the founder. Along with other important improvements, he was instrumental in effecting the organization of the first electric light company in the town, and was its heaviest stock- holder. He took no active part in political affairs save to exercise his franchise, giving his allegiance to the Republican party.

He was devoted to his home and home life (not club life) was to him the ideal existence, and this he enjoyed to the fullest extent. He died in the very zenith of his useful manhood, passing away April 12, 1894, closing a life in which he had achieved unequivocal success through his own efforts. His death was caused by pneumonia contracted while on a business trip to Chicago, death overtaking him while on his way home, and at the Merchants' Ho- tel, St. Paul. He is buried in the family lot in Graceland cemetery, Chicago. In the same bury- ing ground lie his mother and other deceased mem-

n. M. Erickson

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bers of his family with the exception of the father before mentioned. On March 5, 1888, Mr. Erick- son was united in marriage with Miss Winifred Shipman, who was born in Vermont, the daughter of Clark Bigelow and Fannie Augusta Shipman, who some years ago took up their residence in Fer- gus county, Mont., where they are now residing, the father being successfully engaged in ranching and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have three children-Anna M., Gratia and Gertrude- who remain with their mother in their home in Lewistown. Mrs. Erickson is a graduate of the Randolph (Vermont) State Normal School, and has the historic distinction of being the first school mistress of Lewistown, teaching there in December, 1883, in the old schoolhouse now nearly opposite the new business block of the Citizens' Electric Light Company. She also taught the first school of Philbrook in 1882.

ANIEL G. O'SHEA .- It is only in America D that the distinctive title of "self-made" man can be secured, and it has been well earned and honorably borne by the gentleman whose name serves as a caption to this biographical sketch. Com- ing to Montana at the age of eighteen years, and entirely dependent upon his own exertions, it is grat- ifying to note the rapid advancment he has made through his industry, native talent and sterling at- tributes of character. His educational privileges were limited and no special advantages fitted him for the cares and responsibilities of life, but he was industrious, determined, ambitious and resolute, and these qualities have enabled him to overcome difficulties and obstacles and to attain the goal of well-merited success and won him the respect and commendation of all.

The fair Emerald Isle claims Mr. O'Shea as one of its native sons, since he was born in County Cork, Ireland, on February 6, 1863, being the son of Patrick O'Shea, who was born in the same county and has there passed his entire life. Our subject attended the schools of his native land as opportunity afforded, and when he had attained the age of eighteen years he severed the home ties and valiantly set forth to seek his fortunes in America. Arriving in the port of New York in 1881 he came to Montana and for a time devoted his attention to prospecting and mining, thereafter continuing to be variously employed until 1887, when he perma-

nently located in Carbon county, entering the employ of the Rocky Fork Coal Company in a minor ca- pacity. Earnest application and fidelity to duty soon gained him advancement, and he continued to be made the recipient of cumulative responsi- bilities. In 1893 he was chosen to fill the respon- sible position of paymaster and bookkeeper of the company, which he held until 1899, when he was ad- vanced to the office of resident manager, in which capacity he has continued to render most efficient and discriminating service. During his regime va- rious and extensive improvements have been made in the plant of the company, among which may be mentioned the erection and equipment of a large three-story building which is utilized for blacksmith, carpenter and machine shops and as a general store- house. The building is encased in galvanized iron and is of attractive architectural design ; at the time of this writing the company has in course of erec- tion a Luhrig washer, this being a German patent process designed for washing the smaller sizes of coal, and the plant being installed is guaranteed to wash 500 tons of coal in ten hours. The new build- ing demanded for the accommodation of this valu- able improvement is four stories in height and 77x 114 feet. Mr. O'Shea is president of the Rocky Fork Town & Electric Company, which owns the town site and the Hotel Spofford. He was one of the chief promoters of the Carbon County Bank, at Red Lodge, and was a director of the institution for some time after its organization. He has also erected a number of dwellings in the city, and is the owner of one of the finest brick business blocks, the ground floor and basement being occupied by the Carbon Mercantile Company, while the upper floor is arranged for office purposes. Our sub- ject's home is attractively located in Hauser avenue and is one of the finest residences in the city. From these facts it may be seen that Mr. O'Shea has shown a lively interest in the progress and material upbuilding of Red Lodge; and it may well be said that no more loyal, enthusiastic and public-spirited citizen can be found. Having the deepest respect for the dignity of honest toil, through which his own advancement has come, Mr. O'Shea recog- nizes true worth of character and is genial in his intercourse with all classes. Thus he has a warm place in the hearts of the people of Carbon county, and hosts of friends and well-wishers.

A stanch Democrat Mr. O'Shea has ever taken interest in public affairs and given his influence and aid to the party on all occasions, but invariably re-

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fused to permit his name in connection with politi- cal preferment. On one occasion, however, during his absence from the county, he was nominated for the state senate. In 1900 he had the distinction of being one of the three presidential electors of his party from Montana.

In June, 1901, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. O'Shea to Miss Eleanor Cavanagh, who was born in Ireland, being the daughter of Edward Cavanagh, who is now a resident of London, Eng- land.

TILLIAM C. ORR .- For more than a third of a century the honored subject of this memoir was identified with the industrial activities of Beav- erhead county, contributing to its material progress and prosperity to an extent equalled by few of his contemporaries. An extensive landowner and stock- grower of this section, he was an important factor in all industrial and commercial interests, and con- tributed largely to the advancement of the general welfare. Few lives furnish a more striking ex- ample of the wise application of sound principles and safe conservatism. The story of his success is short and simple, contains no exciting chapters, but is replete with qualities which assure prosperity. His private and business life, pregnant with interest and incentive-no matter how lacking in dramatic action-is the record of an honorable career, consis- tent with itself and its possibilities. Such lives de- mand perpetual memorial in publications of this nature, and we are gratified in being able to here present a review of the career of this honored pio- neer.

William C. Orr was born in County Down, Ire- land, April 11, 1829, the son of Matthew and Han- nah (Turney) Orr, both of stanch old Scottish line- age. The father was a manufacturer of potash in County Down, whence the family migrated to Amer- ica, in 1833, locating in Ohio, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives. William C., the immediate subject of this memoir, was the eighth in order of birth of the nine children, and his educational advantages were such as were af- forded in the public schools of the old Buckeye state, since he was but five years of age at the time of his parent's removal to the United States. He was eleven years of age when death deprived him of a father's care and guidance, hence he was early required to rely upon his own resources. At the age noted Mr. Orr went to Wheeling, W. Va., for

the purpose of becoming a carriagemaker, and at the age of fourteen went to Vicksburg, Miss., where he found employment at his trade. At the expiration of three years he purchased the wood- working department of the shop in which he had been employed, in 1853 purchased the blacksmith- ing department, and thus became sole proprietor of the establishment. He sold the business within the same year and started for the Pacific coast, be- coming one of the early pioneers of Shasta valley, in northern California. There he took up a ranch and engaged in farming and stock raising for a few years. He also devoted some attention to mining, but the labor proving too arduous he eventually abandoned all operations in this line.

In 1856 a partnership was effected with Philip H. Poindexter, who secured an interest in the ranching and stock enterprise established by Mr. Orr. The deep friendship and harmony which characterized their relationship is significantly evi- dent when we recur to the fact that they continued in partnership until the death of Mr. Orr, the alli- ance being thus inviolate and consecutive for al- most half a century. In the early days of their part- nership the firm of Poindexter & Orr purchased cattle and drove the same into California, where they had butcher shops in the various mining dis- tricts. In 1863 they began driving cattle through to Idaho City and other mining points in what are now the states of Idaho and Montana. In Octo- ber, 1865, Mr. Orr came to Bannack with a herd of beef cattle, and at this time the firm took a tract of choice land on the Blacktail creek. The following spring Mr. Orr returned to California for the bal- ance of the cattle and he and his partner located on the new ranch in Beaverhead county. On their trip to Montana they were obliged to pass around by way of Little Humboldt river, taking this some- what circuitous route in order to avoid the Indians, who were showing marked hostility and commit- ting many depredations. In the party were about fourteen men, and the Indians endeavored in every way to bring about a conflict. Preceding the party was a company of forty-one Chinese, and all save che were killed by the Indians, therefore danger beset the party in driving the cattle along the trail to their destination. At Fort McDermott they se- cured an escort of soldiers, who accompanied them as far as Fort Lyons. On the Humboldt river Mr. Orr narrowly escaped death from poisoning. Large numbers of the cattle died from poison of some order. Mr. Orr finally made an investigation by

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dissecting a Durham cow, and the insects so in- oculated his bare arm with the poisoned blood of the animal that his life was saved with difficulty. Inoculation by insects is now attracting much at- tention on the part of scientists, and the case of Mr. Orr is, one worthy of note.

The firm of Poindexter & Orr became the most extensive dealers in fine horses, cattle and sheep in this part of the state, while the area of their fine ranch property at the time of Mr. Orr's death ag- gregated 30,000 acres. They were among the first to bring cattle and sheep into Montana for breeding purposes. In addition to stockgrowing they also secured quantities of grain and hay. They made a specialty of raising highgrade shorthorn cattle, and were the first to introduce imported draft horses. Their stock ranch shows the finest types of Percheron, Norman and Clydesdale horses and French coach horses, the Clydesdale horses being imported direct from England. Through the ef- forts of this firm much has been done to advance the stockgrowing industry, and to raise the grade in the various lines. Mr. Orr was also associated with Mr. Poindexter in the ownership of a large herd of horses in Custer county, and the estate still re- tains the extensive interests accumulated through Mr. Orr's well-directed enterprise. At the time of his death the following reference was made to the operations of the firm, in connection with an obitu- ary notice in the Helena Record: "Coming here in the early days, they secured a quantity of the choice lands in this valley, selected principally on Blacktail creek, which comes into the Beaverhead from the east at Dillon. They made a specialty of of raising draft horses, and for many years supplied the major portion of the heavy horses raised in the state. In cattle as well as sheep they were success- ful, and they easily rank with the leaders of the stock industry of the state. Poindexter & Orr are the owners of the square and compass brand which is borne by thousands of horses and cattle in Mon- tana."

In his political proclivities Mr. Orr supported the Democratic party, but never took an active part in political affairs, nor consented to allow his name to be used in connection with political candidacy. Fraternally he was a consistent and loyal member of the Masonic order, taking a deep interest in its affairs and being identified with Dillon Lodge No. 30, A. F. & A. M .; Dillon Chapter No. 8, R. A. M .; St. Elmo Commandery No. 7, K. T .; also with the adjunct organizations, the Order of the Eastern

Star and the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

At Birmingham, Ohio, February 27, 1869, Mr. Orr was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Cun- nard, who was born in Guernsey county, that state, the daughter of Jonathan and Sinah (McGrew) Cunnard, among the honored pioneers of Ohio and natives of the state of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Orr survives her husband and maintains her home in the city of Dillon. By her marriage to Mr. Orr she became the mother of six sons, all of whom survive, their names, in order of birth, being as follows: Matthew, Ernest, William, Charles, Bert and John.

Mr. Orr was summoned into eternal rest May II, 1901, and the people of Beaverhead county, as well as the old-timers throughout the state, mani- fested deep regret upon receiving the tidings of his demise. He was unassuming and kindly, and his sterling character won uniform confidence and es- teem. His funeral was held from the Masonic temple in Dillon and was attended by friends from all parts of the county, many coming a distance of 100 miles to pay this final tribute of respect to their friend of many years.

JEFF. O'CONNELL .- We now touch briefly the record of the present incumbent of the important office of sheriff of Lewis and Clarke county and who has in this capacity rendered so effective and discriminating service as to gain to him the endorsement of all classes of citizens, without regard to political affiliations. Jeff. O'Connell is a native of Wright county, Minn., having been born at Waverly Mills, on June 3, 1861, the son of Jefferson and Anna (Hartnett) O'Connell, both of whom were born in the Emerald Isle, whence they were brought to the United States in early childhood and reared in New York city, where their marriage eventually was solemnized. Of their eleven children only one is deceased. In 1855 they removed to Minnesota, where the father engaged in farming, in which he is still occupied, and three of his sons are now residents of Montana.

Jeff. O'Connell, Jr., was reared in Minnesota, where his educational facilities were afforded in a primitive log school house. He duly profited by the opportunities that were his, and early be- came inured to the work of the farm, devoting his attention to agriculture in that state for some

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time after attaining mature years. In 1887 he went to New York, where for a time he was iden- tified with steamboating on the Hudson river, after which he retraced his way westward to north- ern Wisconsin, securing employment in the iron mines at Hurley. In 1890 he came to Helena, where he engaged with the Montana Central Rail- road for two years as a bridge carpenter. In 1892 he was appointed to membership on the police force of Helena under John Curtin, chief of the department, and in this branch of the city's service he was retained until the fall of 1900, when he was elected sheriff of the county, an office to which he was peculiarly eligible, both by reason of his police experience and his executive ability. He is an excellent judge of humanity and this gives him peculiar power in the controlling of the criminal class. He is giving an excellent adminis- tration of the affairs of his office, being worthy of the preferment which has thus come to him. In politics Mr. O'Connell has ever been unflagging in his support of the Democratic party and its principles, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, and of the Elks. In 1890 Mr. O'Connell was united in marriage to Miss Hannah McGuire, who was born on Prince Edward Island, in the gulf of St. Lawrence, and they are the parents of four children, Jeff. A., Nellie, Catherine and Margaret M.

G EORGE E. OYLER .- In the Old Dominion were born James and Mary (Pinkley) Oyler, who removed to Indiana and thence to Franklin county, Mo., where, on June 22, 1844, was born to them a son, receiving the name of George E. In the family were four other sons and four daughters, but it is of the one first mentioned that this article has to do, since he is numbered among the worthy pioneers of Montana, and now one of the progressive and prosperous farmers and stock- growers of Gallatin county. A man of unassum- ing character, he has quietly pursued the even tenor of his way. Typical American that he is, he served valiantly in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion, while on the western frontier he participated in many of the stirring events which marked that epoch. Personal modesty cannot absolve him from recognition in this work, where tribute is paid to many other sterling pioneers of the state.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 68

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