Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 10

Author: Bowen, A.W., & Co., firm, publishers, Chicago
Publication date: [19-?]
Publisher: Chicago : A. W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1092

USA > Montana > Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2 > Part 10

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).

After an academic course at Union Hall Acad- emy at Jamaica on Long Island, and from 1870 to 1881 he was a clerk in a dry goods store. He was then appointed vice consul to Bogota, South America, holding the position about a year, and later the consul, W. W. Randall, and Mr. Crosby were partners in a street railway franchise in Bogota. Mr. Crosby went to New York, placed the franchise on a secure foundation and then made three visits to Europe, placing the stock of the company in London, Berlin, Paris and St. Petersburg. While in South America Messrs. Crosby and Randall purchased from an old anti- quarian a unique collection of Indian curios, which he had spent twenty years in gathering. It con- sisted of images wrought in gold, silver and cop- per, and a large number of copper medallions, coins and other articles, which had long been hidden from the sight of man. They first took this collection for sale to the New York museum, thence to Berlin, Vienna and Paris, but in all of these cities the prospective purchasers desired to make a selection therefrom, and this the owners would not permit. Finally they sold the entire col- lection in London to Sir John Lubbock, a trus- tee of the British museum, to which institution he presented the collection, for which he paid $40,000.

Mr. Crosby came to Helena in the spring of 1886 and soon went to Great Falls. At Big or Lower Falls he located a tract of land, which he sold a year and a half later and, returning to Great Falls, he accepted the appointment of deputy county clerk and recorder. He served a year with fidelity and accuracy, and was elected on the Re- publican ticket to the same office in 1889. Mr.

1039

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Crosby served two terms as clerk and recorder, one term of two and one of three years, retiring from office in 1895. Having served during one session as enrolling clerk in the Montana legis- lature, in 1896 he was made deputy assessor of Cascade county. In the fall of 1896 he was ap- pointed deputy county treasurer, under A. E. Dick- erman, in which position he remained one year. In 1897 the county commissioners detailed him to make an abstract of the Neihart and Barker terri- tory, just then added to Cascade county, and in 1898 he was appointed assistant postmaster under H. O. Chowen. Numerous investments have been made by him in city property in Great Falls, and all have proved valuable. At Great Falls, on Oc- tober 28, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Howard Crosby and Miss Elizabeth E. Trusty, the daughter of Joseph S. M. Trusty, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. They have one child, Howard, born July 22, 1894. Mr. Crosby is a prominent mem- ber of several social clubs, is secretary and treas- urer of the Electric City Club, and a member of the United Workmen. In business and official af- fairs he is quick, decided and energetic, but withal pleasant and courteous, with a personal magnetism which has won him hosts of friends.

D UDLEY CROWTHER, who is a popular young business man of the city of Great Falls, where he holds the important position of court stenographer for the district court, has been very successful in his profession, in which he has continuously held positions of responsibility since coming to the United States. He was born in England, at Manor House, East Clandon, Surrey, on February 21, 1869, the son of William and Alice Catherine (Dawson) Crowther, represent- atives of fine old English families. William Crow- ther was born near London, in 1839, and re- ceived his education in King's College, Lon- don, after which he completed a two-years course in the same institution in theoretical farming. His next work was to apply his theories by serving an apprenticeship of five years in practical farming, after which he devoted his attention for several years to the management of the Manor farm at East Clandon. He is now a resident of the par- ish of Long Ditton, Surrey, England. His father, who also bore the name of William, was a resident of County Surrey. He was the owner of large

properties there and in London. His wife was a native of Yorkshire, where she was born in 1838, the daughter of John Dawson, a prominent physi- cian and surgeon.

Dudley Crowther received his education in a boarding school in London and in 1884, when fif- teen, he came to the United States, locating at To- peka, Kan., where he was for two years in the em- ploy of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, after which he went to St. Paul, Minn., and was there for two years as stenographer for George B. Harris, the local manager of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. For the next two years Mr. Crowther was chief clerk for A. L. Mohler, then assistant general manager, and afterwards general manager, of the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad, which later was absorbed by the Great Northern. From 1890 to 1892 he was identified with the traffic depart- ment of the Great Northern, under P. P. Shelby, at St. Paul, in each of these incumbencies acting as stenographer, a profession in which he is a recognized expert, and is entirely self-educated.

In 1892 Mr. Crowther visited his old home in England, returning to the United States in August and locating in Great Falls, where for about two weeks he was in the employ of the Great North- ern Railroad, after which he engaged with the Great Falls Townsite Company, with which he re- mained until 1896, in the meanwhile doing short- hand work and acting as secretary for the Great Falls board of trade. When Judge J. B. Leslie was elected to preside on the bench of the district court in 1896, he appointed Mr. Crowther to the office of court stenographer, in which capacity he has since continued to serve to the satisfaction of all concerned. In politics he is a stanch advocate of the Democratic party, and is vice-president of the Young Men's Democratic club of Great Falls. He is deservedly popular in the social circles of the city and is held in high esteem by all who know hìm.

CHARLES M. CRUTCHFIELD .- As a mcin- ber of the bar of Montana who holds distinctive professional prestige and marked honor as a public- spirited citizen, Charles M. Crutchfield is well worthy of mention. He comes of distinguished southern stock, his ancestors on either side having come to America in the early Colonial epoch and taking up their residence in the

1040

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

"Old Dominion" state, thus gaining place among the "first families," both in a literary way and in patrician lineage. He is himself a son of the beautiful old city of Richmond, Va., having been there born on June 19, 1863, one of the twelve children of George and Virginia (Denoon) Crutch- field, both of whom were likewise Virginians.

Charles M. Crutchfield, the eldest of the children, after early educational discipline in the Richmond schools, attended the famous Washington and Lee University at Lexington, where he first completed an academic course and then entered the law de- partment, from which he was graduated with the class of 1886, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. After practicing his profession for a few months in Richmond, Mr. Crutchfield determined to cast his fortunes with the ambitious young terri- tory of Montana. Upon his arrival in the territory in May, 1887, he located in Phillipsburg, then in Deer Lodge, now Granite county, where he was in active practice until 1889, when he removed to Missoula and entered into a professional alliance with Col. T. C. Marshall, this association obtaining until 1892, when Mr. Crutchfield was retained as attorney for the late Marcus Daly and the Ana- conda Mining Company, representing some of the most important financial and industrial enterprises in the state. Under the reorganization of the An- aconda Mining Company Mr. Crutchfield has con- tinued to be its attorney, being now retained hy this great corporation, and giving much attention to its affairs, while he also retains a representative clientage in a very successful general practice. Mr. Crutchfield took up his residence in the attractive city of Hamilton, Ravalli county, in the fall of 1895, and this is still his home. He is known as a thoroughly well equipped lawyer, strong advocate and safe counsellor.

In politics Mr. Crutchfield has given a strong al- legiance to the Democratic party and has been an effective worker in its cause. While he was a res- ident of Deer Lodge county Mr. Crutchfield was elected to the lower house of the First general assembly of the legislature of the state of Montana and continued as a member during the Second assembly. From Ravalli county he was chosen as a representative in the Sixth general assembly, in which he was chairman of the judiciary committee of the house and a member of other important com- mittees. He is a man of individuality and high at- tainments, and his labors in the legislative halls were intelligent, timely and efficient, and he ever

gave his aid and influence to the causes which met his approval as tending to conserve the best inter- ests of the state and its people. Mr. Crutchfield's religious faith is that of the Protestant Episcopal church, of which he is a communicant, and frater- nally he is identified with the Masonic order and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He en- joys unmistakable popularity in both professional and social circles, and is one of the thoroughly rep- resentative young members of the bar of the state. He has finely equipped offices and a comprehensive and valuable library. At Warrington, Fauquier county, Va., on January 11, 1893, Mr. Crutchfield was united in marriage to Miss Lena R Payne, daughter of Inman H. and Mary (Massic) Payne, both of old and influential Virginia families. Mr. and Mrs. Crutchfield became the parents of five children, of whom three are living, Inman Payne, Charles Manson and Mary Hardin.

KENNETH McLEAN. One of the sterling Scotsmen of Montana, who has attained pres- tige both in industrial activities and public affairs, is Kenneth McLean, the present state senator from Custer county and one of the prominent citi- zens of Miles City. He was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, on the 25th of December, 1949, and is a scion of a long line of sturdy and virile Scottish forbears. His father, Alexander McLean, still re- sides in Scotland, where he is engaged in stock- raising. His wife, formerly Miss Margaret Mc- Kay, also a native of Scotland, died in 1873, leav- ing four children, of whom Kenneth was the sec- ond.

After leaving school, Kenneth assisted his father 011 the old homestead until 1881, when he came to the United States, locating in Nebraska, where he took charge of the farm of an important stock- growing company. Remaining in that state until 1883, he came to Montana and located on O'Fal- lon creek, Custer county, where he now has a fine ranch of 23,000 acres. He also owns a ranch of 680 acres in Yellowstone valley, nine miles east of Miles City, which is well improved and largely under irrigation. He first gave his attention to the raising of sheep, but latterly has gone into the raising of high-grade horses and cattle. He has a large herd of cattle on the range and makes a specialty of breeding Hambletonian horses. He has been very successful in his efforts, which are

Hunitt que Lean

1041

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

the result of a practical experience extending from his youth, when he was identified with the same industry at the parental home.

Politically Mr. McLean has ever been a Republi- can. He has taken active interest in public af- fairs and his capability to hold office found def- inite recognition in the fall of 1900, when he was nominated by the Republicans of Custer county for state senator. He was accorded a gratifying support and was elected by a majority of 280. He was an active working member of the senate during the general assembly following his elec- tion, and served on a number of important com- mittees, including that on agriculture and public lands, on highways and bridges and on stock- growing. Mr. McLean showed himself well- equipped for the office and fully justified the en- dorsement he received at the polls. In his fra- ternal relations he is identified with the Free- masons of Miles City, and with Miles City lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

On the 28th of April, 1886, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McLean to Miss Anna Mckenzie, who was born in Minnesota, the daughter of John G. - and Rose (McFarland) Mckenzie, both of whom were born in Scotland, the latter dying when Mrs. McLean was a child. Her father now resides with his daughter in Miles City. Mr. and Mrs. McLean became the parents of four children, one of whom, Kenneth Miles, died at the age of three years. The survivors are Margaret Rose, Ina Mabel and Wallace Bruce. In 1900 Mr. Mc- Lean purchased a residence of fine architectural design in Miles City and here the family has their home, doing well their part in the social activ- ities of the city.

D AVALA CULBERSON, one of the most suc- cessful coal miners and operators in the state, resides at Sand Coulee, Cascade county. He was born in St. Augustine, Fla., on December 5, 1843, the son of John Culberson. Our subject re- ceived his education in the schools of St. Augustine and of Wheeling, Va., before the state of West Virginia was formed. In 1858, when he was but fourteen years of age, he began to learn en- gineering on a river boat, the Swallow, on which he made four trips from Pittsburg to Cincinnati. 66

changing then to the Jacob Strader, plying between Cincinnati and St. Louis, remaining a year on this craft. and was then employed as an engineer on the City of Louisiana, a steamer running between St. Louis and Keokuk, Iowa, but after three months' service he returned to Georgia.

Here he was quietly and industriously pursuing vocations of peace until the breaking out of the Civil war. when he was impressed into the Confederate service early in 1861. He remained with the Con- federate army until June 18, 1863, when he was at Winchester, Va., when a large Federal command surrendered to "Stonewall" Jackson. He there left the Confederate service and went to Columbus, Ohio, and thence to Burlington. Iowa. On July 4, 1863, he visited Hyde Park, and went to Oska- loosa, Iowa, there taking passage on a stage for Council Bluffs, then crossed the Missouri in a boat to Omaha, and made a long overland journey to . Denver, Colo. From Denver he drifted to Pueblo, N. M., but soon returned to Denver, where he learned of the gold excitement at Alder gulch. Mont. Mr. Culberson started for Alder gulch, but the train he was with was snowbound at Cripple Creek, and also delayed by trouble with the Indians. Their supplies gave out, and the party proceeded on foot to their destination, where he succeeded in making a fair living, but he later went to Last Chance gulch, where he arrived in March, 1865.

After working a short time at placer mining, he examined Diamond City and Confederate gulch. He purchased a claim, joined in the stampede for Cave gulch in 1866, and here he mined for seven years and made some money, and in the spring of 1881 came to Sand Coulee with Samuel Deal1. His assets were one horse, a chest of tools and $50 in cash. At Belt he worked for John K. Castner as a wheelwright for one year, and then was in charge of the erection of the bridge across Lower Belt creek. Following this labor he turned his attention to prospecting for coal, in which he has been eminently successful. After twelve months of assiduous prospecting he made some discoveries and in 1882 and 1883 he opened and operated a mine which is valued at $25,000. He is deserving of great credit for his persistence in prospecting for coal when the outlook was far from being encour- aging. Following a life of travel and adventure lie has lived to realize by his own efforts the full prosperity of which he had dreamed in early youth.

1042

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

F RANK CYR .- One of the pharmacists of this day who is really in love with his profession is Frank Cyr, and he refuses to subordinate its claims to any other line, not even to those ordinarily allied with it, he being a druggist first and dealer in toilet and other articles afterward. He is a native of Grant Isle, Me., where he was born on August 2, 1873, the third of the nine children of Alexis and Julia (Sirys) Cyr, also natives of the Pine Tree state, where the father was a prosper- ous farmer. Mr. Cyr attended the public schools until he was fourteen, then passed a year at Van Buren College, and was regularly entered at Mar- anacook College for a full academic course, and from which he was graduated in 1891. After- ward he worked on his father's farm for a year. At the end of that time he came directly to the great Treasure state in 1892, and, locating at · Missoula, began an apprenticeship at the drug business with George Freisheimer, proprietor of the City drug store.

After being five years in his employ and three in that of the Missoula Drug Company, he joined W. A. Simons in a partnership at Stevensville, in March, 1901, where they have a drug store that would be a credit to any city, and is one of the finest in this section. It is beautifully finished, well stocked and thoroughly equipped. But its distinctive features are the excellent quality of its goods and the superior character of its prescrip- tion work. None but the purest and freshest drugs are used and they are compounded with the ut- most care and skill. In fraternal relations Mr. Cyr is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He was married in Butte, on November 24, 1898, to Miss Maud Martin, daughter of James and Ozita Martin, who are conducting a productive farm near Missoula. They have a little daughter, May.

'HRISTOPHER C. DAVID .- The subject of C this review has been identified with the in- dustrial life of Montana for nearly a quarter of a century, is one of the representative citizens of Fergus county and has attained success in con- nection with the agricultural and stockgrowing interests of the state. His homestead ranch is lo- cated nine miles southwest of Utica, and here he has a finely improved and valuable place, while his is the distinction of having erected the first ranch house in the county.

Mr. David is a native of Richland county, Ill., where he was born on the 29th of March, 1842, the son of Isaac F. and Celia David, the former of whom were born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Georgia. They were pioneers of Illinois and in 1846 they removed as pioneers to Wisconsin, then a territory, where they developed a fine farm. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and lived lives of usefulness and honor and died in the fullness of years. Of their eight children three have passed away, Reason R., Mc- Clure and Lester, the survivors being: Dr. Jos- eph, Christopher C., Frank A., Dr. Oscar F. and Mary J.

Christopher C. David had excellent educational advantages in the graded schools of Wisconsin and in the academy at Platteville, that. state, where he was a student for two years. He early aided in the operations of the farm, but he had not yet attained his majority when the Civil war occurred, and in 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company B, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was elected first lieutenant of his company, but feeling that he was too young and too unskilled to proper- ly discharge the duties of the office he did not ac- cept the preferment. He was, however, made head clerk in the mustering office of the department of Kentucky, while he served for three years, a part of the time at Gen. Pope's headquarters. At the close of the war Mr. David received an hon- orable discharge and returned to Wisconsin, where he conducted farming for two years. He then engaged in quite successful merchandising and mining in that state for ten years, though the closing of the mines caused him financial loss.

In 1878 Mr. David came to Montana, and for one year served as clerk at Fort Belknap, under Maj. Lincoln. In 1879 he joined the Yogo stampede, owing to the discovery of gold in this section Here Mr. David secured mining claims, and also became the owner of a one-eighth inter- est in the old Barker mines, at Barker. Finally he took up homestead and timber claims at his pres- ent home, nine miles southwest of Utica, and to this tract he has added until he owns an estate of 1,280 acres, while he leases an equal amount of land. Here he engaged in raising cattle quite ex- tensively until 1891, when he turned his atten- tion to sheepgrowing, and became one of the lead- ing sheep men of this section. He disposed of this stock in the fall of 1900. He is now devoting his attention to sheep, horses, cattle and general

1043

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

agriculture. He was the first man to plow ground in Fergus county for the purpose of cultivation, and thus he may be properly termed the father of agriculture in this section. The political sup- port of Mr. David is actively given to the Demo- cratic party. He is an Odd Fellow, and with his wife adheres to the faith of the Methodist Epis- copal church.

On the 21st of September, 1865, Mr. David was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Ellsworth, who was born in New York, as were also .her parents, John and Eliza Ellsworth, who emigrated thence to Wisconsin in 1844 and where they are still residents, the father being a farmer by occu- pation. They have eight children, namely : Henry, Amanda, John, Reuben, Eliza, Elmer, Mary and Rachel. John and Eliza David became the par- ents of six children, of whom Ada and Christopher J. are deceased, while those surviving are Edith, Eliza, Isaac F. and Della.

H ENRY B. DAVIS .- Now incumbent of the important office of chairman of the board of county commissioners of Powell county, which was created by enactment of the last legislative assembly of the state, Mr. Davis has been in many ways intimately identified with the offcial and industrial functions that have advanced the progress and material prosperity of Montana. He is one of the representative citizens of Deer Lodge the county seat of Powell county, and is known as a man of business acumen and executive talent. . He was born in Wayne county, Ky., on August 16, 1855, the son of Thomas and Emaline (Hul- laker) Davis, both of whom were Kentuckians by birth. In the agnatic line the genealogy traces to stanch Welsh derivation, the original American ancestors having emigrated to Virginia in the early Colonial epoch, and two brothers of the paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Davis did val- iant service in the Continental army of the Revo- lution. The mother of Mr. Davis was of German lineage, and from records extant the genealogy is traced to ancestors who have been for genera- tions established in the quaint old city of Frank- fort-on-the-Main. Thomas Davis was a farmer, who in 1857 brought his family from Kentucky to Putnam county, Mo., where he still maintains his home at Unionville, retired from active busi- ness. His devoted wife remains with him in the

close companionship which has been cemented and glorified by the long years of their wedded life.

Henry B. Davis was about two years of age at the removal to Missouri, and there his early edu- cation was received, while he was reared to the sturdy life of the farm. He completed a course in the Unionville high school, after which he at- tended the Missouri State University at Columbia, where he was graduated with the class of 1879. He had prepared himself for civil engineering by technical study and practical work while at college, and he was soon engaged with a party of engineers in locating railroad lines in Iowa and Missouri. In the spring of 1881 he entered the employ of the Northern Pacific as assistant engineer in the locating and construction of the Rocky Mountain division of that railroad, and was thus engaged until the completion of the division in 1883. He had charge of the construction of the portion of the line between the Mullan tunnel and Helena, including the Iron Ridge tunnel, under the gen- eral supervision of Col. Dodge, the chief engi- neer. This was one of the most difficult sections of the entire road to construct, and the responsible work entrusted to Mr. Davis stands in distinctive evidence of his ability as an engineer and of the confidence reposed in him as an executive. After the completion of his contract with the Northern Pacific Mr. Davis became interested in the sheep business in Deer Lodge county, in which enter- . prise he associated himself with Charles H. Will- iams, under the firm name of Davis & Williams, and this relationship has ever since obtained, hav- ing been mutually pleasant and profitable. Mr. Davis then took up his residence in the village of Deer Lodge, where he has since made his home. In 1884 he received his first government con- tract for the surveying of public lands, being then appointed United States deputy surveyor, his work being the surveying of portions of the public do- main in the northern part of Montana. He has since been called upon to do more or less work in this line each summer, and has rendered very efficient service. In 1885 he was appointed county surveyor of Deer Lodge county, and was later elected to that office, serving consecutively in that capacity for about thirteen years. In 1891 he was elected mayor of the city of Deer Lodge, serving one term and giving a most careful and discrim- inating administration.

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 2, Part 10

Author: Bowen, A.W., & Co., firm, publishers, Chicago Publication date: [19-?] Publisher: Chicago : A. W. Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 1092

Author: Bowen, A.W., & Co., firm, publishers, Chicago
Publication date: [19-?]
Publisher: Chicago : A. W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1092