Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 90

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 90

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

James Travis was united in marriage in England to Miss Elizabeth Holland, likewise a native of Somersetshire, who continued his devoted com- panion and helpmeet until her death, which oc- curred on June 8, 1893. They had five children, James, born in Somersetshire, England, now en- gaged in the raising of live stock and a resident of Cascade; Mary Ann, born in England, now the wife of M. Morrow, of Fort Benton, Mont .; Thomas, born in Wales in 1863, is a stationary engineer and an expert mechanic. He constructed the ore reduction mills at the Old Amber and the Diamond Hill mines. On June 1, 1899, he was appointed chief of police of Helena, and is ren- dering particularly efficient service in that import- 'ant office, a position he still holds. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and fra- ternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. In 1887, in Helena; he was married to Miss Lydia Perry, a native of England, and they have one daughter, Elizabeth Maria; Sarah Travis, the next of the children of James Travis, is the wife of David Morrow, of Fort Benton, while Samuel, who is engaged in business in Helena, married Miss Nora Supples, of Minneapolis, Minn., and has one child, Mary Ann.

ILLIAM TREACY, M. D .- There is no line of human endeavor which demands of its votaries a more scrupulous preliminary training and discipline, or requires a heart and mind more

459

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

deeply in touch with determinate sympathy, than that of the medical practitioner. He who would essay the healing art must be endowed with a broad spirit of humanitarianism and must hold himself and his talents in constant readiness and willingness to succor those in affliction. The noble profession has in Helena a worthy and able representative in the person of Dr. Treacy, who is recognized as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of the state and who has won precedence by his high professional talents and geniai per- sonality. The Doctor is of stanch old Irish line- age, and was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on December 3, 1856, the son of John and Caroline (Weir) Treacy, natives of Ireland and Canada. His father, an architect and surveyor, and a graduate of the famed University of Dub- lin, emigrated to America in 1850, becoming a resident of Canada, where he survived his wife and still maintains his home.

Dr. William Treacy, of Helena, was reared and educated in Canada, completing his more purely literary education in Toronto University. In 1882 he made his advent in Montana, locating for a time at Three Forks. Prior to this, however, he had graduated in 1877 from Rush Medical Col- lege, of Chicago, one of the leading medical schools of the Union. While in Chicago he was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad to give medical attention to its employes, and the year of 1885 he passed in the Cook county hospital, gain- ing valuable experience in clinical work and more strongly reinforcing himself in medical knowledge. In 1886 he came to Helena, where he has since been engaged in the active practice of his profes- sion, save for intervals in which he has taken post-graduate courses in New York and Chicago. The Doctor is thoroughly en rapport with his profession and stands in the front rank as exem- plifying the modern sciences of medicine and sur- gery.

It is scarcely necessary to say that a gratifying success has attended his efforts, for his zeal and ability renders this a natural sequence. He is not only a member of the state and county medical societies, but is identified with the American Med- ical Association, and is also president of the state board of health, the most notable health organiza- tion of the United States. He also holds member- ship in the American Association of Railway Sur- geons, to which he is entitled as local surgeon for the Northern Pacific Railroad. His profes-

sional precedence has been farther indicated by his service on the United States board of pension examiners and as surgeon for Fort Harrison for eighteen months. The Doctor is a Republican, and fraternally is identified with various social organizations. His marriage to Miss Isa Lear was solemnized in 1883, Mrs. Treacy being a na- tive of Indiana. They have three children, John L., Louise and Fred, and the family home has a fine atmosphere of culture and refinement.

S AMUEL H. TRELOAR .- Of all the arts music is the most ennobling, for it appeals to those of cultivated intellectuality, and also touches the hearts of the most ignorant and lowly. Thus we must consider the musical advancement of any community as highly important, and so we enter record of Mr. Treloar, one who has done much to advance the musical interests of Butte, where he has brought to a high standard of excellence a most unique musical organization. He is a thor- ough musician in both theory and technical skill.

Samuel Henry Treloar, the organizer, instructor and director of the celebrated Boston and Mon- tana Band, of Butte, was born in Cornwall, Eng- land, on July 28, 1866, the son of Thomas and Grace (Richards) Treloar, both of whom were born in England. The father, a miner in Cornwall, came to the United States in 1885, and engaged in mining in Dakota until 1887, when he came to Montana and entered the employ of the Boston & Montana Mining Company, in Butte, where he is now living retired. The mother of Prof. Tre- loar was likewise a native of Cornwall. Her death occurred in Durham, England, in 1876. From her he inherits his artistic tendencies, as she was a most accomplished musician, having distinction as a vocalist. Of her six children Prof. Treloar was the second. He completed what is equivalent to a high school course in the north of England. after which he was a clerk in the office of a coal mining company, and became a mine operative. He began the study of music with his talented mother, and from early youth joined in musical competitions. He became an expert as a 'cellist, playing the violoncello in orchestra for three years. He next mastered the French horn and cornet for choir purposes, and studied the theory and literature of music and its composition. He was for three years leader of a large choir in England.

400

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

He was a member of the Barcarole Society for eight years, and playcd in grand opera orchestras and was assistant on several occasions. In the fall of 1884 Prof. Treloar came to America, lo- cating in the Black Hills district of South Da- kota, and during his residence in that state he was leader of three different bands, and here, in 1885, he was captain of a military company formed to subdue the insubordinate Indians. In July, 1886, he went to Leadville, Colo., as a contractor in mines, yet continuing his practice on the cornet. He was finally induced to become leader of the Leadville silver cornet band, for which position there were many applicants and he was director of this organization for eleven months, bringing it to a high proficiency. In July, 1887, he came to Butte, Mont., to become the solo cornetist of the old Alice band. In September the Alice mine was closed, and he then secured a position with the Boston & Montana Mining Company, and on December 22 he organized the B. & M. band, entirely of employes of the mining company. He was in the employ of this company until May, 1897, still continuing as leader of the band. Since that time he has devoted his attention to leasing mining properties, bonding them and selling his interests to eastern capitalists, his thorough knowl- edge of the business enabling him to do this profitably and effectively.

The B. & M. band has attained a high reputa- tion and its services have been in great demand. Its first notable engagement was at a Republican state convention of Montana. A leading musician from California, who was in attendance there, gave unqualified praise to the band and its leader. The members of the band are all employees of the B. & M. Mining Company, and all have been drilled and taught by Prof. Treloar, individually and in ensemble work. The stipulations govern- ing membership are that each player must be a citizen of the United States, a miner, and not given to intemperance. For many years the band was under the patronage of the B. & M. Company, but it now stands on its own merits and respon- sibility. In 1895 Prof. Treloar organized and per- sonally instructed and drilled an amateur opera com- pany, taking those entirely unskilled and by his able work bringing the interpretation up to a marked musical and dramatic excellence. The opera, which was technically of the "light" order, was presented in Butte, Helena and Great Falls, and met with enthusiastic reception and unequivocal

success. In 1895 the band was in the competitive tournament in Salt Lake City, and secured sec- ond prize from a very large number of com- petitors. In 1896, under the patronage of Sena- tor W. A. Clark, the band was present at the Democratic national convention in Chicago, and met with a hearty reception. It also was present at the national convention, in Kansas City, in 1900, and there received the position of honor with the Order of Elks, and gave evening concerts during their stay in that city. The band returned via Lincoln, Neb., and had the pleasure of sere- nading the Democratic presidential candidate, Wil- liam J. Bryan. Under the direction and manage- ment of Prof. Treloar the B. & M. band made $14,250 in its season of 1900, and its gross earn- ings from organization have reached $60,000. Prof. Treloar is a member of the Musicians' Mu- tual Protective Union and the National League of Musicians, in the latter of which he is identified with the Butte Local No. 39. He was president of this for three years. He is officer of the fifth district of the national league, having twelve of the western states under his jurisdiction. As there are only five districts in the United States, the five representatives have the general control of the league's affairs in the Union. He attended the national convention of this organization, at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1895, and has been an execu- tive officer since. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He married in 1890, in Butte, Miss Lemmah Foltz, who was born in Eureka, Utah. Of their two children, one survives, Ruby.

C HRISTOPHER TURNER, M. D .- One of the representative members of the medical profession in Montana, coming from distinguished Irish lineage, of Anglo-Norman extraction in the agnatic line, Dr. Christopher Turner was born in Dromaneen Castle, Mallow, County Cork, Ire- land, on Christmas day, 1865, the son of John and Margaret (O'Sullivan) Turner. . The place of his nativity is one of the most picturesque historical landmarks of the Emerald Isle. Drom- aneen Castle has been associated intimately with many interesting scenes and events in the annals of Irish history. It was the seat of the princes of Munster during the time of the Irish confisca- tions, and changed ownership four times within

461

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

one century. The original Norman forebears of the Doctor came from Normandy with William the Conqueror, later generations becoming landed proprietors in the Emerald Isle. In the maternal line he descends from the O'Sullivan, prince of Cas- tletown-Bere, one of whose descendants in a collateral line was a Miss O'Sullivan, who be- came the mother of Mareschal McMahon, ci-de- vant president of the French republic. The par- ents of the Doctor are deceased.

Christopher Turner attended the parochial schools and the collegiate preparatory schools in Mallow, and when about sixteen years of age matriculated in St. Coleman's College, in Fer- moy, Munster county, and was therefrom, gradu- ated upon the completion of a two years' course. Adopting the medical profession as his vocation he entered the medical department of famous old Queen's College, of Cork, where he pursued a technical course of five years' duration, was grad- uated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, then continuing his studies and investigations in the noted hospitals of Dublin, Edinburgh and Great Britain. He has ever held as the ultimate professional knowledge which he desires nothing other than the maximum of subjective attain- ment in both theory and practice, and his re- searches and analyses have been unremitting and directed with great discrimination.

He was engaged in practice in various cities of England, Scotland and Ireland, and, in Decem- ber, 1898, came to America, eventually proceed- ing to Chicago, where he took a post-graduate course in hospital and other clinical work. In March, 1899, he came to Montana and located in Butte, where he has been since successfully en- gaged in his profession, having attained marked prestige among his confreres and a representative class of patrons. As private physician to the late Marcus Daly, Dr. Turner made a trip to Europe in 1900. Before going abroad he visited the na- tional capital at the time when the senate was considering the question of seating Senator Clark. While in Germany he gave special attention to the most approved treatments for diseases of the heart at the famous watering place, Bad-Mannheim. Later he visited the important hospitals of Paris and also the exposition in that city, whence he proceeded to London and there gave careful in- vestigation of the hospital work and methods of that great medical center, after which he accom- panied Mr. Daly on his return to the United

States, and returning to Butte, resumed his pri- vate practice, which he has since continued. He is a member of the Silver Bow Medical Society. The Doctor is very popular in professional and social circles, commanding the respect and es- teem of those with whom he comes in contact in the various relations of life.

C `OL. OSCAR VAN TASSELL, one of the prominent mining experts of the state, is a highly esteemed resident of Bozeman, Gallatin county. He was born in Westchester county, N. Y., December 13, 1835, the son of Jacob and Augusta (Rich) Van Tassell. The father was a farmer, born near Ellensville, N. Y., and was drowned in Putnam county, under circumstances exhibiting great presence of mind in the face of deadly peril. Mr. Van Tassell was on his way to visit a daughter and broke through the ice over a deep pool of water. After ineffectual efforts, seeing there was no hope of saving his life, he deliberately removed his mittens and threw them out onto the ice in order that they might be recog- nized and afford his family a clue to his fate. He was sixty-five years of age. The mother also died in New York, at the age of eighty-eight years. To them were born ten children, of whom the Colonel and three others are yet living. One brother, John J. Van Tassell, was a member of the New York Heavy Artillery during the war of the Rebellion. He died of wounds received while gallantly fighting the enemy at the battle of the Wilderness.

The paternal great-grandfather came from Hol- land to Westchester county, N. Y., and his son, Stephen Van Tassell, grandfather of Oscar, served seven years as a soldier during the Revolution, passed the remainder of his life in agricultural pur- suits, and died at the age of ninety-six years.

The early life of Col. Oscar Van Tassell was passed in Westchester county. He is practically a self-educated man, his early and only educa- tion having been acquired in the district schools in the vicinity of his place of nativity. But the practical experiences of a well-spent and profit- able life have greatly served to overcome the dis- advantages of his early school days. During the summer months he worked on the farm up to the time he was sixteen years of age, and then learned the trade of a miller. At the age of nineteen

zut

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

he removed to Du Page county, Ill., and two years later journeyed through Moline, Rock Island, Dixon and other places, finally locating tempor- arily at Grand Detour. Here in 1861, he raised a company for service in the Civil war, and was made captain of Company F, Thirty-fourth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was as- signed to the Department of the Cumberland, and for four years saw active service in the field in the many campaigns which followed and fur- nished history with many important events. He was constantly on duty except when he was in the hospital at Louisville, Ky., having been seri- ously wounded at the battle of Stone River, and did not recover until July, 1863. Col. Van Tassell was in every battle and skirmish in which his regi- ment was engaged, and won a most brilliant mili- tary record on many a hard fought field. He was promoted from grade to grade, and was colonel commanding his regiment at the time of its dis- charge. Col. Van Tassell returned to Du Page county, Ill., where he continued to reside for several years. He removed to Parkersburg, and later to Mason City, Iowa, where he followed his trade of a miller. In 1882 he came to Boze- man, where he has since continued to reside. The first two or three years he engaged in the milling business, and he then became heavily interested in mining. Since that period he has confined his attention chiefly to the latter industry, and is re- ferred to and known as one of the leading mining experts in the state.

On November 30, 1865, Col. Van Tassell was united in marriage to Miss Emily Moore, of Na- perville, Ill. She lost her parents while yet a babe, and was reared and educated as an adopted child. She is a noble, loving wife and mother. To them have been born three children, viz: Edith, now Mrs. James Vaughn, who has two children; Jos- ephine, now Mrs. George Van Fleet, and Charles, at home on the farm. He is a graduate of the State Agricultural College at Bozeman, and is unmarried. Col. Van Tassell cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860. Up to 1896 he re- mained in the Republican ranks, when he joined the Free Silver Republican party and voted for William Jennings Bryan for president. He is a charter member and one of the organizers of William English Post No. 10, G. A. R., of Boze- man, and has filled nearly all the offices. Mrs. Van Tassell is an active and leading member of the Woman's Relief Corps, connected with William

English Post. Fraternally Col. Van Tassell is a Mason, having been initiated into the order many years before coming west. The family at- tend the Presbyterian church, and are highly es- teemed in the best circles of Bozeman's society.

H IRAM TYREE, B. A .- The public school system of Montana has attained high reputa- tion for advanced methods and efficiency, resulting from the engagement of educators of high intel- lectual attainments and executive talent. Among those who are contributing materially to the pres- tige of this most important work is Prof. Tyree, of Dillon, the present superintendent of the pub- lic schools of that city and principal of the free high school of Beaverhead county. He is a recog- nized force in the educational work of the state and is peculiarly deserving of mention in this connection as one of Montana's progressive men.

Hiram Tyree is a native of Virginia, where was cradled so much of our national history, and was born in Fairview, Scott county, May 6, 1861. His father, James Tyree, was born in the city of Lynchburg, Va., educated in the schools of his native state and was a farmer by occupation. He was a supporter of the Union cause during the war of the Rebellion, though not an active partic- ipant in the struggle. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church, in which he was an elder. The original American ancestors of the family came hither from Scotland during the colonial epoch. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary Young, likewise was born in Virginia, but of sterling English lineage. She became the mother of eleven children, of whom Prof. Tyree was the tenth in order of birth, and one of the seven who are living at the present time. Hiram Tyree received his early educational discipline in the public schools of his native state and there- after entered the academy at Rye Cove, rounding it out with a course at Milligan College, Milli- gan, Tenn., graduating with the class of 1880, and receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, returned to his home and engaged in teaching. He was thus engaged until 1882, when he was elected president of Wautauga Academy, at Wautauga, Tenn., a position he retained for a period of two years, going thence to the Black Hills of South Dakota, becoming principal of the schools of Rockford, and also identified with the live stock

463

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

business in that section. In 1890 he accepted a position in the schools of Wasco, Sherman coun- ty, Ore., and shortly afterward was elected super- intendent of public schools of that county. In 1893 he accepted the office of school superintend- ent at Albany, Linn county, that state, remaining for a period of five years, within which time he was elected one of the superintendents of the State Teachers' Association, and otherwise made prominent in educational work in Oregon. In 1898 Prof. Tyree became superintendent of pub- lic schools at LaGrande, Union county, Ore., serving one year. In 1899 he came to Montana, locating at Dillon, where he had accepted the position he now holds. He has rendered efficient service, and done much to systematize and perfect the work of the various departments of school work, bringing to bear an executive talent which has had marked influence in insuring efficiency in all branches of the curriculum, both in the high school of the county and in the lower grades, while his genial personality has won the affection of pupils and the high esteem of the people of the city and county. He is a member of the National Educational Association and also the Montana State Educational Association. Fraternaly he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Woodmen of the World, and with Dillon Lodge No. 30, A. F. & A. M. His political support is given to the Democratic party, but he is not actively interested in political affairs. He and his family are members of the Christian (or Disciples) church.

On September 9, 1879, Prof. Tyree was united in marriage to Miss Orpha Wilson, who was born in Tennessee, where their marriage was solem- mized, and of this union five children have been born : Joseph E., a graduate of Albany College, at Albany, Ore., and also of the University of Oregon, is now a teacher of German and sciences in the Beaverhead county high school and being a a talented musician is leader of the boys' high school band; the other children are pupils in the public schools of Dillon, their names in order of birth being as follows: Bessie Marie, Bertha E., Ethel Elizabeth and Belle Alice.

R EV. VICTOR J. VAN DEN BROECK .- Within the pages of this compilation will be found personal mention of the greater proportion of the priests who are rendering effective service

in Montana as co-workers in the diocese of Hel- ena, under the revered Right Reverend Bishop John B. Brondel, of whom a fine portrait appears in this work. The Catholic church played an im- portant part in forwarding the march of civiliza- tion in Montana in the early days, its noble mission- aries being the avant-courrieres in the great north- west ; and it is gratifying to note that in the suc- cessive years the influence of the church has not waned and that its work has kept pace with the development of the state and the spiritual needs of its people. Among the devoted and zealous workers in the church is Father van den Broeck, now priest in charge of St. Rose of Lima church, in the thriving little city of Dillon, and it is with pleasure that we enter a brief record of his ca- reer. The bishop of this diocese was born in Belgium, and that thoroughly Catholic little king- dom also figures as the place of Father van den Broeck's nativity, since he was there ushered into the world October 16, 1863, being the third in or- der of birth of the eight children born to John and Adeline (Crame) van den Broeck, both natives of Belgium.

Father van den Broeck received his early educa- tional training in the public schools, graduated in 1876, entering the diocesan college at Mechlin, and in connection with his other studies completed a three-years' special course in art. He later en- tered the theological school, known as the Amer- ican College, in the city of Louvain, where he gave particular attention to the study of modern languages, particularly the English. He grad- uated and was ordained to the priesthood June 24, 1887. He started at once to the United States, Helena, Mont., being his destination, and upon arriving was made assistant priest at the cathe- dral of the Sacred Hearts. In September, 1888, Father van den Broeck was sent to Butte, where he was assistant priest of St. Patrick's church until September, 1891, when the bishop instructed him to go to Miles City and take charge of the parish there. At that time the parish embraced Dawson and Custer counties. In 1895 he urged Pierre Wibaux, a prominent citizen and church- man of Wibaux, Dawson county, to make a spe- cial contribution for the church. This overture resulted in Father van den Broeck's receiving a let- ter of credit for $4,000 and a gift of land upon which to erect a church edifice in Wibaux. Our subject gave his personal attention to the build- ing of the church. In 1896 the church in Miles

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 1, Part 90

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