Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 78

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 78

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In 1887 Mr. Roe, with, others, apprehended and secured the conviction of one of the worst "cattle rustlers" or thieves, in the county-Joe Jaggers-and after his release from the penitentiary

in 1893 he attacked Mr. Roe, striking him on the head with a chair, the result being the formation of a blood clot on the brain. It was believed that Mr. Roe could not live, but was taken to Chicago, where his skull was trephined and the clot suc- cessfully removed. It is gratifying to note that he is now as hale and strong as he had been before the murderous assault.

On the Ist of January, 1878, Mr. Roe was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Shineberger, a native of Philadelphia,Pa., who came to Montana to visit her brother, Joseph Shineberger, one of the in- fluential and extensive cattlegrowers of Beaver- lead county, and here she met and married Mr. Roe. They have one son, Edward B., who received a thorough business education and who was a member of the executive corps of the State Bank of Dillon until his health became impaired. He is now assisting his uncle, John Shineberger, in the management of his large cattle interests.

C `HARLES C. RUEGER .- Prepared for superior professional service by a thorough technical education and endowed by nature with strong in- tellectual powers, excellent judgment and the genius of application, Charles C. Rueger, superintendent of the Lexington mining properties at Butte, has reached prominence in business through legitimate channels of honest effort and good equipment, and not through accidental aid or adventitious circum- stances.

He was born in Switzerland, December 9, 1844. the son of John and Anna E. (Wartenweiler) Rueger, natives of Switzerland. The father emigrated in 1847, and became a pioneer of Cali- fornia in 1849; he died in 1901. The mother is still living. The son, Charles, was eleven years old when he settled in California, and soon after entered the Collegiate Institute at Benicia, from which he graduated in 1862. He then entered the chemical laboratory and assay office of Dr. Gideon E. Moore, in San Francisco, for a course of special training. In 1865 he removed to Virginia City: Nev., also passed some time in the gold mining districts of California for the purpose of thoroughly familiarizing himself with mining and milling as carried on in the United States. He then went to Europe and pursued a course of study and practice in mining engineering and metallurgy at the mining academies of Freiberg, Clausthal and Berlin.

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He gave four years to such studies, after which he traveled seven months, examining mines and technical works, familiarizing himself with European methods of mining and ore treatment. Returning to the United States he followed his profession in California, Nevada, Colorado and Utah. In 1884 he came to Montana in the employ of the Anaconda Company, and for more than two years was superintendent of the . concentrators belonging to and operated by that company. He was for a short time thereafter in Colorado, and then came to Butte, where, since 1887, he has had charge of the Lexington mining properties as superintendent and general manager. As an expert in his profession he has been identified with several of the prominent mining cases litigated in the northwest.

He was united in marriage in 1871 with Miss Fanny Scheitlin, a native of Switzerland. They have two children, Charles E. and Emma L.

SANFORD RUFFNER .- Born in Jessamine county, Ky., on April 8, 1834, and one of the nine children of Samuel Ruffner, a Pennsylvania soldier of the war of 1812, who afterwards located in the Blue Grass state and lived there until 1849, then removed to Missouri where he made his home for the rest of his life, passing away in 1869. Leaving home when he was twenty-six and for two years oscillating between the middle west and the far northwest, crossing the plains several times, some of his trips being stormy and troubled passages, Sanford Ruffner brought to his perma- nent new home near Bozeman, a physical organism developed by healthful exercise, mental faculties broadened by experience and sharpened by vigilance in contest with savage nature and still more savage men. In his rural home in Kentucky he began his education in private schools, finishing it in his second rural home in Missouri in the public schools, going from the schoolroom form to the carpenter's bench and giving a full apprenticeship to the acquisition of his trade. He worked at carpentry in Independence, Mo., until the spring of 1860, when he started for Colorado with an ox team. He stopped the first season in California gulch, the present site of Leadville; prospecting, and went to Denver in 1861. He returned to Missouri in the fall, and in the spring started toward the Pacific coast, Carson City, Nev., being his destination.

He again went overland by ox-team and had trouble all along the line. The train was a large one, having at least a hundred wagons and a due complement of men. It moved with military discipline and guards and kept a continual look- out. Capt. Anderson, later of Deer Lodge county, Mont., was the commander, but in spite of the utmost vigilance and care one man was killed and many wounded, as they were engaged in almost nightly skirmishes with the Indians. Nor were they comforted by the frequent appearance of outfits that had gone before them in ruins, with the wagons burned, the contents stolen and the emigrants mur- dered. When they reached the Platte river they de- cided to come to Montana instead of Nevada, and took a route via the Landis cutoff, intending to lo- cate on Salmon river, but, receiving unfavorable re- ports of that locality, they changed their course to Deer Lodge, where they arrived in September, 1862. Mr. Ruffner stayed a month there and went to Bannack where he wintered, working at mining and then at his trade until the fall of 1863, when he outfitted and went to Salt Lake City for provisions, which he brought back and sold at good profit. He continued this business until the fall of 1864, when he located on the ranch he now occupies on Bozeman creek, about two miles and a half from Bozeman.

Mr. Ruffner was married on October 28, 1868, to Miss Sarah J. Switzler, of Salt Lake, a daughter of James L. Switzler, a native of Missouri. They have five children : Olla M., now Mrs. Harry Brown, of Sacramento, Cal .; Charles Q., living at home; Lester, at Big Timber; Stella M. and Leila, both of school age and at home. Mr. Ruffner's home is one of the finest in location and equipment in the whole Gallatin valley, and contains about 600 acres, peacefully slumbering in a beautiful vale along Bozeman creek, with a pleasing alternation of hillside and meadow. His residence is a two- story brick house of good proportions, well built and conveniently arranged. The barns, sheds, gran- aries and other outhouses are ample, both in number and capacity, to house his valuable flocks and herds and the enormous crops of wheat, oats, barley and hay. Mr. Ruffner is one of Gallatin county's most respected citizens. He has rendered excellent ser- vice to the people as school trustee for many years and has had an active influence for good in every public enterprise. In 1898 he was president of the Association of Pioneers of Montana, in whose af- fairs he has always taken active interest.

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F RED S. SANDEN-one of the active working members in the lower house of the Seventh gen- eral assembly of the legislature of Montana, render- ing effective service, and who is recognized as one of the progressive business men of the capital city, where he is manager of the well known clothing house of Anderson Brothers Company-claims the far Northland as the place of his nativity, having been born in the thriving seaport city of Goteborg, in western Sweden, on November 14, 1863. His father, Swan S. Sanden, was a native of the same laen, being a farmer and miller by occupation and a man of influence in his community. He served for several years as a member of the elective jury of his district, and died at the age of seventy-eight years, honored by all who knew him. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Christina Anderson, likewise a native of the laen of Goteborg, and is still living at her old home. Fred S. Sanden received excellent educational advantages in his youth, at- tending the public schools in the vicinity of his home and finally the high school of Goteborg, where he graduated as a member of the class of 1878. He came to America in 1879 to join his brother, who had preceded him by several years. He first lo- cated at Wausau, Wis., where he attended school in order to familiarize himself with the language of the country. After leaving school he secured em- ployment in a department store at Wausau, his ob- ject being to learn the clothing business. He re- mained there two years, but in 1885 came to Hel- ena, Mont., and for two years was associated with his brother, who was a contractor. Mr. Sanden then entered the employ of Mr. Harris, a clothing merchant, and remained with him four years. In 1892 he removed to Wenatchee, Wash., where he engaged in business on his own responsibility, dis- posing of his interests at the expiration of eight months and returning to Helena, where he assumed a position in the extensive clothing house of the Anderson Brothers Company, with whom he has since remained, having been promoted to the posi- tion of manager in 1897. He is a capable and enter- prising business man, is distinctly popular and has spared no effort to forward interests of the business over which he has charge in the capacity noted.

In 1894 Mr. Sanden was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Patterson, who was born in Lawrence, Kan., her father being an extensive farmer and cat- tlegrower. Mr. and Mrs. Sanden have two chil- dren : Eugene, born April 10, 1895, and Florence Helena, born June 29, 1900.

Fraternally our subject is identified with Mon- tana Lodge No. 1, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs, and also holds membership in the grand lodge of the order of the state. He is also a member of Garnet Camp No. 105, W. W. In 1888 Mr. Sanden became a member of Battery A, Montana National Guard, enlisting as a private and being appointed sergeant about six months la- ter. At the expiration of three years he was made second lieutenant, and upon the resignation of Capt. Craig our subject was chosen as his successor, re- taining the captaincy about three years and resign- ing the same at the time of his removal to the state of Washington. Gov. Toole issued his discharge, which was one of the most commendable ever given in connection with the National Guard in the state. While a member of Battery A, Mr. Sanden attended three of the state encampments of the National Guards.

In politics our subject is a stalwart supporter of the Populist party, having been an active worker in its ranks. In the fall of 1900 he was the success- ful fusion nominee for representative in the legisla- ture from Lewis and Clarke county. In the session of the Seventh assembly he introduced the impor- tant bill requiring a constitutional amendment, known as house bill No. 8, this being the first meas- ure of this character to receive the necessary two- thirds vote that had ever passed the house of rep- resentatives. Mr. Sanden worked indefatigably in support of the measure, both upon the floor of the house and by personal overtures to members of both houses, but the bill failed to receive a two-thirds majority of the senate, there being twelve votes in favor and eleven in opposition. He also introduced in the house the joint memorial requesting an ap- propriation for the improvement of the irrigating systems in the state, and was made chairman of the committee on state boards and officers. He was also a member of the committees on internal improve- ments and on corporations other than municipal, and was recognized as one of the valuable working members of the house. It is safe to say that he is destined for further political honors in the gift of the people of the state.

W ILLIAM H. RUCKER .- Left an orphan by the death of his father when he was nine years old and that of his mother when he was ten, life presented to Mr. Rucker no primrose path of

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dalliance. With him it has been the order of the day to work and hustle from early youth and to make his own way in the world, not looking for the smiles of fortune until he could win them by arduous effort and meritorious, self-reliant service. And this he has done. He was born November 30, 1864, in Newton county, Mo., whither his father, Newton Rucker, had come from Kentucky, and where he died in 1873. His widow, whose maiden name was Mary Akin, was born in Berry county, Mo., and died at her home in Newton county, in that state, aged thirty-six.

William H. Rucker received education in the dis- trict schools, and when he was seventeen years old went to Vernon, in western Texas, where he was employed from 1881 to 1886 on the stock ranch of Stephen Worsham. In the fall of 1886 he left Texas, and, making his way to Pierre, S. D., passed the winter there. In the spring of 1887 he went to Camp Crook and engaged with the Hash- knife Cattle Company, remaining in its service until 1888. He then took up his residence at Wibaux, then called Mingusville, and went to work on the stock ranches of Pierre Wibaux, with whom he remained until 1889, since which time he has been conducting a retail liquor business in the town of Wibaux, with good financial success. In politics Mr. Rucker is an ardent Democrat, and always bears his portion of the party burden although never seeking any of its favors for him- self. He was married at Wibaux November 25, 1891, to Miss Lizzie Williams, a native of Ireland. They have two children, William Henry, aged seven, and John Edward, aged six.

Mr. Rucker has been a hard-working, industrious man, living a frugal, correct and useful life. What- ever he has acquired is the result of his own thrift, energy and business capacity. He is one of the men who, in making money, do not so fall in love with it as to forget their duty to their fellow men. In all matters pertaining to the welfare of the people he takes a deep interest, and is one of the first to assist in promoting any good enterprise. In con- sequence of this disposition and his genial manner, together with his general worth and usefulness, he is well esteemed.

M ORRIS SANDS .- In noting the salient points in the career of Mr. Sands, one of the repre- sentative and successful business men of Helena, largely identified with enterprises of wide scope and

importance, there can not fail to be an attending in- centive for the emulation of his career of signal ability and honor. Mr. Sands is the managing partner in the Sands Brothers Company, one of the most extensive dry goods establishments in the state and one that has the distinction of being the oldest exclusive house of the sort in Montana ; and is also secretary and treasurer of the Sands Cattle & Land Company, representing extensive and important in- dustrial enterprise. His career has been one of con- secutive application and unquestioned integrity, and he stands prominent among the progressive men of the state.

Morris Sands is a native of the quaint and pic- turesque little city of Kalisch, Poland, where he was born on December 29, 1852. His father, Marcus Sands, was born in the same old city, and was there engaged in mercantile pursuits for many years, later turning his attention to speculating in grain. He received an academic education and was a man of great force of character and keen business ability. He married Miss Celia Goldman, a na- tive of Germany, and became the parents of thirteen children, the subject of this review being the tenth in order of birth. Morris Sands secured his preliminary education in the public schools of his native town, later attended college, supple- mented by further school work after coming to America. He was but thirteen years of age when he left his native land and came to the United States, whither his brothers had preceded him. He remained one year in New York city, and in 1867 went to Denver, Colo., where his brothers were established in business. He there attended school for three years and then became identified with his brothers in their business enterprise. His brothers, Abraham and Julius, established a mercantile business at Bannack, Mont., as early as 1867, which was transferred later to Helena, where Julius Sands was located in 1870, at which time Morris came to the then territory. He was con- nected with the Helena establishment until 1876, when he became associated in establishing the firm of Strausburger & Co., at Bozeman, personally contributing the funds for the opening of the busi- ness at that place. At the expiration of three years he sold his interest to his partner, and in 1880 acquired a partnership interest in the firm of Sands Brothers, in Helena, having previously been in active charge of the establishment. Since be- coming a member of the firm he has maintained the control and management of the enterprise, now

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advanced to a foremost position among the retail mercantile houses of the state, his associate in the business being his brother Julius, who retains his residence in New York city that the best of ad- vantages are secured in the matter of purchasing goods. The stock is at all times select and com- prehensive, and the establishment is one of the most popular in the capital city. The Sands Cattle and Land Company, of which our subject is secre- tary and treasurer, is an incorporated concern, whose stock is owned entirely by members of the family. It has extensive ranch properties in Teton county, where particular attention has been given to the raising of cattle, sheep and horses, the stock in the latter line having been practically closed out in 1900, when the horses were sold to the gov- ernment for use in the Philippines. The enter- prise is now confined to the growing of cattle and sheep. Mr. Sands has also been concerned in the development of mining interests in the districts about Helena, and owns stock in valuable prop- erties at the present time.

In politics Mr. Sands gives his support to the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to devote his time to business interests and demands that would suffer by any inattention. Fraternally he is identified with King Solomon Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. M., in which he has passed the various chairs, with the Ancient Order United Workmen, and is a member of the Montana Club. His chief pleasure, however, is found in the precincts of his home, where a gra- cious hospitality is ever in evidence. He is a member of Temple Emanu-El, being president of its board of trustees in 1898, and still a member thereof, taking a deep interest in the work of the synagogue. He is a man of sterling character and is highly esteemed in business circles. In the city of Butte, on January 16, 1882, Mr. Sands was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Jacobs, who was born in Mississippi, whence she came to Montana with her parents while an infant. They have no children.

C APT. LOUIS P. SANDERS .- As a native of Montana, as the son of one of her most distin- guished pioneer citizens, as one who served with signal gallantry and honor in the late Spanish- American war, and as one of the able young members of the bar of Montana, this brilliant young man deserves recognition in this work.

Louis Peck Sanders was born in Helena, Mont., on October 23, 1870, the son of Col. Wilbur Fisk and Harriet Peck (Fenn) Sanders. (See sketch elsewhere in this work.) The Captain was graduated from the Helena high school as a member of the class of 1886. He then en- tered the famous Phillips Exeter Academy, at Exeter, N. H., one of the new world's leading preparatory schools, whose foundation dates back to 1781, and there Mr. Sanders was graduated in 1889. Matriculating in Harvard University he completed its classical course of four years and was duly graduated therefrom with the class of 1893, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He returned to his native city, and en- tered the law office of Sanders & Sanders, the senior member of which was his father, and, here, under the effective direction implied, con- tinued his study of the law until June, 1896, when he was admitted to practice in all the courts of the state, and later was admitted to the fed- eral courts. He then became a member of the firm of Sanders & Sanders, and continued in legal practice in Helena until May, 1898.

Capt. Sanders, on the first call for volunteers for the Spanish-American war promptly tendered his services, and on May 7, 1898, was mustered in as first lieutenant and battalion adjutant of the First Montana United States Volunteers, this regiment being the first in the Union to be mus- tered into service. Soon afterward the regiment proceeded to San Francisco, Cal., and went into camp at the Presidio. On June 16 Capt. Sanders was relieved from duty with his regiment and assigned to the staff of Brig .- Gen. H. G. · Otis, and, thus associated, he sailed for the Philippine Islands on July 23, on the transport Rio Jane- iro, and the troops landed at Cavite August 23. Capt. Sanders served on the staff of Gen. Otis as aide-de-camp until September 16, when he re- quested to be relieved from this duty. His re- quest was granted, he rejoined his regiment and served with it until November 23, when he was assigned to duty on the staff of Maj .- Gen. E. S. Otis, commanding the Eighth Army Corps and the military governor of the Philippines. Capt. Sanders was promoted to the captaincy of Company B on January 29, 1899, but con- tinned on the staff of Gen. Otis until August 23, when he was relieved and ordered to report to the commanding officer of the First Montana Infantry, U. S. V. The same afternoon the regi-

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ment boarded the United States transport Val- encia and set sail for San Francisco, where they arrived in due time and were mustered out of service October 17, 1899.

After thus rendering effective and loyal service to his country, Capt. Sanders resumed his inter- rupted legal work. He returned to his home in Helena, and a month later opened a law office in Butte as the local representative of the firm of Sanders & Sanders. Here he secured his quota of the important legal business. Politically Capt. San- ders gives unwavering allegiance to the Republi- can party, but he has not sought public office, realizing that the law is a jealous mistress and demands a singleness of purpose and an undi- vided attention if the maximum of success is to be attained. On April 18, 1900, was solemnized the marriage of Capt. Sanders and Miss Helen Knapp Fitzgerald, who was born in Mississippi, the daughter of Gen. William Francis Fitzgerald, who was a major in the Confederate army during the Civil war and who later was attorney-gen- eral of California. He was but fifteen years old when he entered the Confederate service. Some- what of a romance attaches the marriage of Capt. Sanders; for the young soldier formed the ac- quaintance of Miss Fitzgerald in California, while en route to the Philippines. The young couple occupies a prominent position in the social ac- tivities of Butte, where they enjoy distinctive popularity.

W ILLIAM I. BAKER, one of the prominent . and successful sheep raisers of Montana, is a resident of Great Falls. He was born in Hen- dricks county, Ind., on March 18, 1855. He is the son of James M. and Mary J. (Nolan) Baker, natives of Kentucky. The father, a farmer, re- moved to Indiana in 1855 where he passed a long life engaged in agricultural pursuits, and died in 1890, his wife surviving, who died in 1875. Of their ten children, three sons now live in Montana.

William I. Baker was reared in Indiana and there he received education in the public schools. In 1881 he came to Montana and soon after his arrival associated himself with the Dearborn Sheep Company, on the south fork of the Sun river, remaining with that company thirteen months. He was subsequently employed by George A. Wells and later he became his partner, remaining in this connection until 1887, when he began business for

himself on Otter creek with 2,000 head of sheep. Here he continued until 1899, when his flocks had increased to 7,000 sheep and his realty to 3,000 acres of land. A convenient abstract of Mr. Baker's is given in the statement that he arrived in Helena with $500 in money and a sick wife, and when he sold out his ranch he received $35,000.

In 1880 Mr. Baker was married in Indiana to Miss Nannie Pennington, a native of that state. They have one daughter, Maude F., and since 1899 their home has been in Great Falls. The political affiliations of Mr. Baker are with the Re- publican party, and in 1896 he was a nominee for the office of county commissioner, but was defeated by a small majority. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. Wherever Mr. Baker is known, and his circle of acquaintances is a wide one throughout the state, he is highly esteemed. In him the people recognize a man who has made his way in the state of his early adoption solely by those sterling qualities of character which have conquered the great west, and made it the abiding place of peace and prosperity.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 78

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