Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 119

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 119

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E DWARD A. LEWIS .- As the days fall rap- idly into the abyss of time, there remain to us few of those who may be absolutely designated as pioneers of Montana, and thus it becomes in- cumbent that their exploits of the early days be properly perpetuated before death sets its seal upon their mortal lips. Among those whose minds bear in an indissoluble chain the memory of the days when Montana was on the absolute fron- tier of civilization and continuing along the lines of government and prosperity attending the open- ing of the twentieth century is Mr. Lewis, who came here nearly a half century ago and was an active participant in many of the stirring events which make up the pioneer annals of the state.

Mr. Lewis is a native of Cambria county, Pa., where he was born on the 18th of May, 1837, being

the son of Alma and Lydia Lewis, natives respect- ively of New York and Pennsylvania, and both be- ing members of the Dunkard church. They were the parents of eight children, and the father passed away in 1872 and the mother in 1885. Alma Lewis was an active supporter of the Whig party during the days of its ascendancy and his principal voca- tion was that of a farmer, though he for a time operated a sawmill on the Conemaugh river, in which connection he met with three severe finan- cial losses. He eventually removed to Iowa where he devoted the remainder of his life to farm- ing. In the state last mentioned, Edward A. Lewis, the honored subject of this sketch, received his early educational training in the common schools, growing up under the invigorating dis- cipline of the farm, and beginning to assist his father in the cultivation of the homestead at the early age of nine years. He remained at the pa- rental home until the year 1854, when he secured work on a steamboat plying on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, his first employment in the line being as deck-sweeper, from which position he was promoted to that of regular deck hand at the ex- piration of two years. In 1857, he came up the Missouri by steamboat to Fort Benton, Mont., the boat transporting a portion of the provisions which the government supplied to the Indians, in accord- ance with the treaty which was effected by Gov. Stevens in 1854. From May 8th to September 22d, Mr. Lewis assisted in the work of taking the Mackinaw boat to the Yellowstone river, and re- turning overland he again reached Fort Benton on Christmas day of the same year. He there de- voted his time to cutting wood for fuel and also to trading in the interests of the government post.

In the spring of 1858 Mr. Lewis packed robes and other skins into bales which he loaded upon the boats and transferred to the mouth of the Yel- lowstone river, where the same were reloaded and shipped to the St. Louis fur market. Thereafter, until 1863, he passed summer seasons in trapping beaver and otter and in both his hunting and trap- ping operations he met with excellent success. In 1864 he took up a squatter's claim at Mitchells, Lewis and Clarke county, where he remained one winter and then moved on to Silver City, where he closed out stocks of merchandise for Robert Lemon and Tutt & Donal. In the winter of 1867 he went to Teton, now Choteau county, where he hunted and trapped wolves, being successful in his various expeditions. In the spring of 1868 he en-

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gaged in herding horses in the Sun river valley, passing the winter at the then abandoned Catholic mission of Ulm. The following spring he re- moved to the St. Peter's mission district, where he took up pre-emption claims of 160 acres, his present home, to which he added subsequently a tree claim of eighty acres. Here he has since de- voted his attention to the raising of cattle, and his success in the line has been such as to place him among the representative men of this line of business in Cascade county. Politically Mr. Lewis gives an unwavering support to the Democratic party and its principles, and he is highly honored in the com- munity as a venerable and worthy pioneer. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church.

In the early days of his residence in Montana, Mr. Lewis took unto himself a wife in the person of Sycowastacapa, an Indian girl, a native of Mon- tana, and daughter of the Piegan chief, Meek-i-ap- py, known to the whites as Cut-Hand. Mrs. Lewis was granted 320 acres of land in the Indian allotment from the United States government, and of this tract eighty acres are available for cultiva- tion. To our subject and wife eight children were born, of whom only two are living, Isabel (Mrs. John P. Taber), and Mary (Mrs. Peter Douglas).

L EWIS FAMILY .- The brothers and subjects of the following biographical mention are well- known and highly esteemed citizens of Choteatı county, Mont., and their present prosperity and af- fluence are highly deserved. Their enterprise in the development of their respective properties has been marked with unqualified success in every particular, and as influential citizens they are among the most prominent in the county.

Samuel Lewis, the grandfather, was a native of Fayette county, Pa., and settled first in Tompkins county, N. Y., where he followed the trade of a carpenter. In the early day of Chicago he removed to that city, where he remained many years, and where he built a large portion of the original me- tropolis that was subsequently destroyed by fire in 1871. He died in the city in whose development he had been an important factor.

His son, Eli T. Lewis, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., where he thoroughly learned the trade of a carpenter and accompanied his father to Chicago and worked with him in various enter- prises. Later he studied medicine, settled in Min-

nesota and successfully practiced his profession. Mr. Lewis was twice married, his first wife being Miss Jane Riffenburg, and his second Miss Mary Judd. In 1867 he went to Columbus, Texas, where he remained in the practice of his profession until 1877, when he removed to Nebraska and located on a homestead of 160 acres. Leaving his family on this property he returned to Texas and resumed his practice until his death, which occurred at Hawkley in 1879.

Clinton L., the son of Eli T. Lewis by his first marriage, was born at Waseca, Waseca county, Minn., May 23, 1863. He was reared and educated in the states of Texas and Nebraska. Subsequently he found employment on the Nebraska farms. Here he remained until 1889, when he came to Mon- tana and settled on People's creek, among the Bear Paw mountains, in Choteau county, where he con- tinued to reside until 1893. In that year he re- moved to his present ranch of 640 acres, which is. handsomely improved with all modern conveniences, including substantial house, outbuildings, barns and corrals. A large portion of this property is fenced and he is engaged, successfully, in growing cattle and general farming. Politically he has always been active in the Republican party and has served several terms as school trustee. In 1887 he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza, daughter of John Freel, of Butte county, S. D. To them have been born six children : Howard, deceased; Clinton L., Robert T., Frank A., Percy I. and Grace N.

Elmer T. Lewis, a son of Dr. E. T. Lewis, by his first marriage, was born in Waseca, Waseca county, Minn., July 6, 1861. His youth was passed at Columbus, Tex., where he was reared and edu- cated in the district and high schools of that state. At the age of seventeen years he was engaged in the cattle business as an employe, and when he was eighteen years old he began to learn the carpenter's trade. Subsequently he located at Custer, S. D., securing a pre-emption claim of 160 acres and en- gaged in farming, principally, supplementing this work by contracting and building. In 1893 Mr. Lewis removed to New Castle, Wyo., where he continued in the business of contracting and aided materially in the development of that portion of the country. Later he removed to Roseland, Neb., con- tinued several years in the same line of business, and in 1896 he came to Montana and selected his present ranch of 320 acres among the Bear Paw mountains. The entire property is fenced and sup- plied with substantial, commodious buildings and

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other conveniences. Cattle, general farming and contracting are the principal sources of his revenue. In 1893 he was united in marriage to Miss Clara, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Strich) Burch- ard, of Wisconsin. They have four children : Eli, Stella, Laura and Charles. Politically his affiliations are with the Democratic party.

JOHN LEPLEY .- The name borne by our sub- ject was originally spelled Lepple, and it was manifestly for the purpose of retaining in English the original German pronunciation that the present orthography was adopted. He was born March 2, 1836, in the town of Biberach, Oberamt Heil- bronn, Wurtemberg, Germany, the son of Michael and Katharina (Christ) Lapple, and one of a fam- ily of seven children. In the public schools of the Fatherland he received his education, limited in scope, but serving as a foundation for the great fund of information and knowledge which came to him through personal application and contact with the practical affairs of life. At the age of sixteen years, in 1852, the lad severed the ties which bound him to home and native land and set forth for the New World, where he was determined to win for himself a place and a success worthy the name. The obstacles that confronted the young stranger in a strange land, unfamiliar with its language and customs, may be imagined, but Mr. Lepley was made of stern stuff and his courage did not waver, though he met with many vicissitudes. Upon his arrival he first settled in the state of New York, but subsequently removed to Freeport, Ill., where he was variously employed, and then drifted south, remained until the outbreak of the Rebellion, and then started across the plains to Pike's Peak, Colo., where he tarried until about 1863. He then made his way to Montana and engaged in placer min- ing at Bannack, and later was among the pioneer miners in Last Chance gulch, now Helena, and en- gaged in mining until 1872, when he located in Prickly Pear valley and engaged in the raising of cattle until the centennial year, 1876. That year he located on a ranch of 2,000 acres twenty-five miles southeast of Fort Benton, now known as the Shon- kin ranch, being patented at the time of his taking possession. Here he kept a drove of from 2,000 to 3,000 head of cattle, and was known as one of the leading stockgrowers of the state, accumulating a fine property. He had valuable real-estate interests

in the city of Great Falls, was a director in the First National Bank of that place and also of the Stock- man's National Bank, of Fort Benton, while he continued his identification with the mining in- dustry, having stock interests in various mining properties in Idaho and Montana.

In politics Mr. Lepley gave his support to the Democracy, was a liberal contributor to the work of the Protestant Episcopal church at Fort Benton, and ever ready to lend his aid in the furthering of any good cause. He was a man of many friends, held a high position in the community, and was honored for his inflexible integrity of character and his usefulness as a man among men. Mr. Lepley died on January 20, 1900, and his remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa. The record of such a life offers both lesson and incentive, and this memoir is entered as a slight tribute to the man, the citizen, the true friend.

CHARLES LEPLEY .- The subject of this re- view is a nephew of the late John Lepley, whose memoir immediately precedes this, and as one of the representative and influential business men and stockgrowers of Choteau county is a worthy suc- cessor of his uncle, one of the honored pioneers of Montana. Charles Lepley was born in Winne- bago county, Ill., January 21, 1861, the son of Charles and Caroline Lepley. When he was four years of age his parents removed to and settled in Dubuque county, Iowa, where the. father was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. Our subject re- ceived his educational training in the public schools of that state, being reared under the sturdy and in- vigorating discipline of the parental homestead. In 1881, at the age of twenty years, he came to Fort Benton, Mont., and entered the employ of his uncle, John Lepley, whose ranch was located thirty miles southeast of the city. After a time he became manager of his uncle's ranch and business, retain- ing this position until his death, when the property was devised to the nephew by will. He has since continued the raising of cattle on an extensive scale, and his success has been in accordance with his indefatigable efforts and straightforward busi- ness methods. He has made his influence felt on the industrial activities of Choteau county, and is recog- nized as one of the representative men of this sec- tion of the state in both business and political cir-

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cles, and is honored for his absolute integrity in all the relations of life.

Politically Mr. Lepley gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, taking an active interest in the promotion of its cause in a local way, and having ever in mind the furthering of the best interests of the public. He is a stockholder in the Stockman's National Bank, of Fort Benton, and is a member of its directorate. On January 15, 1894, Mr. Lepley was united in marriage to Miss Mary Tisdale, daughter of Sidney G. and Mary (Alexander) Tis- dale, of East Middlebury, Vt., and this union has been graced by the birth of one son, Master Jolin Tisdale Lepley, who was born February 24, 1900.

ITTHE STATE LIBRARY .- The origin of this great storehouse of priceless treasures was an act of the legislative assembly in session at Vir- ginia City, the capital, and approved on February 2, 1865, incorporating the "Historical Society of Montana." To this society was confided the trust of collecting information concerning the early his- tory of Montana. In the discharge of this trust it sought to gather such information as books would afford, and to acquire from the adventurers and early pioneers whatever of interest their memories had preserved. A meeting of the corporators was held in Virginia City February 25, 1865, where a temporary organization was effected and commit- tees appointed on permanent organization and con- stitution and bylaws. On March 25, 1866, a per- manent organization was completed by the elec- tion of Col. Wilbur F. Sanders as president, Gran- ville Stuart as secretary and treasurer, Chief Just- ice Hez. L. Hosmer as historian and these direc- tors : Hon. Hez. L. Hosmer, Col. W. F. Sanders, Malcolm Clark, Chris. P. Higgins and Walter W. DeLacy. These officials served the organization with zeal and fidelity, and under their management it grew and flourished. On January 9, 1874, at Helena (where they were removed when it became the capital), nearly all of the books and manu- scripts were burned, but its officers and members at once set to work to replace what had been lost and to gather new material. In this they succeeded wonderfully, and the library is now very rich in lo- cal historical works and in general and miscel- laneous books and material. By a legislative act approved March 4, 1891, after the admission of Montana as a state, provision was made for chang-

ing the historical society into a state institution on specified terms and conditions, which. were readily accepted by its officers and members. The library then became the child of the state and it has been given tender care. By an act approved March 9, 1893, the miscellaneous division of the state library was made a part of the library of the historical so- ciety, and in this way the society came into pos- session of a large and valuable collection of public documents of the United States and of many states and territories ; and since then many similar docu- ments have been received.

The state library now consists of two parts-the historical and miscellaneous department and the law department-each having a separate board of trustees. The historical and miscellaneous de- partment numbers 40,000 titles and contains a large number of manuscripts and diaries, for the most part original matter and of inestimable value, as they furnish the records of the settlement and early history of the state as written by actual par- ticipants in the events recorded. It has also numer- ous pamphlets and volumes of the newspapers of the state, bound and in sheets. It has also a high- ly interesting and rapidly expanding collection of the flora, fauna, metals and minerals of Montana and many relics of the tragedies and thrilling and romantic occurrences in its early history. The society has published three volumes, which are neatly and substantially bound in cloth and are valuable collections of pioneer history. The law department is very complete and satisfactory, con- taining about 10,000 volumes.

The historical and miscellaneous department is in charge of Mrs. Laura E. Howey, secretary and librarian, who brought to her labor a high order of natural ability, enriched and systematized by special training in library work, first under Mel- ville Dewey, of Albany, N. Y., a great specialist in this line, and later through a course of study at the Madison (Wis.) Library School. She has also had a wide and valuable experience in various kinds of intellectual work. She was born at Cadiz, Ohio, of Maryland and Pennsylvania ancestors who were among the first settlers of that portion of Ohio, locating there in 1802. Her father's people were from New York and Connecticut. John C. Spencer, one of her great uncles, was a member of President Tyler's cabinet, and in her childhood and youth she was an intimate associate of the chil- dren of Hon. John A. Bingham, so long prominent and potential in the public life of Ohio. Her edu-

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cation was thorough. She was graduated from the high school at Cadiz, and later from Beaver College, Pa., and after leaving school taught music to classes and in public schools, academies and seminaries of high degrees of excellence. She was also an instructor at Beaver College imme- diately subsequent to her graduation and again after her marriage. In 1879 she came to Mon- tana and assisted her husband in organizing insti- tutes, lecturing on music and educational topics in every portion of the state. In 1883 she was elected president of the W. C. T. U. for Montana, holding this high office until 1890. In this position she was very active in securing the enactment of the law compelling the scientific teaching of tem- perance in the public schools, lecturing all over the state in its behalf. In 1892 she was a delegate from the national organization to the international congress held at Philadelphia in the interest of uni- versal liberty. In 1891 she was made a member of the national board of the woman's department at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, and was made secretary of the department and had full charge of the Montana state organization. In company with the late Mrs. Clara L. McAdow she traversed this state, lecturing and laboring for this department. They organized Columbian clubs in every county, and the results of their labors came in rich fruitage. The ladies of Montana secured seven medals for their exhibits at the exposition, one for lace and one for their botanical collection, in which they had 800 specimens on exhibition. From 1894 to 1899 she taught school in Montana. In the "capital year" she made a vigorous canvass of the state in the interest of Helena as the capital city and was very helpful in winning the fight. On December 1, 1898, she assumed the duties of her present position and has been assiduous, indefatig- able, intelligent and courteous in their perform- ance, winning high encomiums.

The law department is in charge of Miss M. Lou Guthrie, a native of Pennsylvania, who removed in childhood to Emmitsburg, Md., where her young life was darkened by the deep shadow of the Civil war. In the Gettysburg campaign that section of Maryland was wasted by both armies and Emmits- burg was burned. In the fire Miss Guthrie's home was destroyed with all its contents, leaving the family without even necessary clothing; and as it could never be determined by which army the fire was kindled, no compensation could be obtained from the Federal government. Miss Guthrie was

educated at Prof. Thomas's Academy at Taney- town, Md., then a noted school, at whose founts of learning many persons quaffed who were after- ward distinguished. After her graduation she had a strong desire to come west, and ten years after her father's death she acompanied an uncle to Davenport, Iowa, and from there came to Mon- tana in 1871. Soon after her arrival she was ap- pointed librarian of the Helena city library. She passed seven years in the position, a difficult one, as the books were scattered everywhere over the town. In 1883 this library was united with the territorial, miscellaneous and historical library, and she cared for the dual library for six years. She was then transferred to her present position, and has seen her charge expand from 400 to 10,000 vol- umes. Her first appointments here came from the governor, but from the time a board of trustees was .created for the library she has held office by election of the board. She is faithful, diligent, knowing, exceedingly obliging and very popular, Her long service stands high to her credit and her good traits have endeared her to the people.

D C. LEECH .- A fact that augurs well for the still further development of the resources of Montana is that so many young men of progressive ideas and sterling character have become identified with her industrial life. We here enter brief rec- ord concerning D. C. Leech, one of the enterprising and successful young farmers and stockgrowers of Teton county. He was born at Afton, Union county, Iowa, on February 27, 1873, the son of Thomas and Mary (Cooper) Leech, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania. They took up their abode in Union county, Iowa, in the early days, and there the father was engaged in agriculture for many years. He and his wife are now residents of the town of Afton, Iowa, where he is living re- tired from active business.

D. C. Leech attended the public schools of his native town, and then took a course of study in the noted commercial college at Valparaiso, Ind. In 1893, when twenty years of age, he came to Mon- tana, joining his brother, E. E. Leech, who was engaged in ranching near Dupuyer, to whom indi- vidual reference is made on other pages of this work. He was employed on his brother's ranch for six years, and in the meanwhile took up gov- ernment land on the Dry Forks of the Marias river,

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filing homestead desert claims. In the fall of 1899 he disposed of this property and the next year purchased a ranch of 320 acres on Sheep creek in the same county. Here he was engaged in farming and sheepgrowing, usually running about 5,000 head of sheep, and showing marked discrimination in his methods and in the selection of his stock. In 1901 he sold his interests on Sheep creek and located seventeen miles north of Cut Bank, Teton county, where the same methods are producing fine results. In politics Mr. Leech supports the Re- publican party and its principles, while fraternally he is a member of Dupuyer Lodge No. 48, A. O. U. W. At Chariton, Iowa, on February 21, 1900, Mr. Leech was united in marriage to Miss Willa Dorsey, who was born in that place on July 8, 1879, the daughter of William S. Dorsey, a promi- nent member of the bar of Iowa.

W ILLIAM LILLARD .--- In one of the richest portions of the Black Leaf valley, Teton county, Mont., lies the 880-acre ranch of Mr. Lill- ard, who has resided many years in the country, and long before it was a state, and who has per- sonally experienced the vicissitudes and pleasures of pioneer life. He was born in Tennessee on Janu- ary 31, 1840, his father, Benjamin Lillard, being a farmer who removed from his native state of Vir- ginia to Tennessee at an early day, residing there until his death. The mother, Evelena (Landon) Lillard, was also a native of Virginia, and her death also occurred in Tennessee. William Lillard at- tended the public schools of his native state until he was nineteen, and in 1862, he enlisted in the First Tennessee Federal Infantry, served one year, then removed to Illinois where he found employment on the O. & M. Railroad, first as train clerk and later in repairs on the road. In March, 1865, Mr. Lill- ard went to St. Joseph, Mo., from which point he made the long journey across the plains with a wagon train belonging to James Kinkade, pay- ing his way by serving as a driver for an ox team. Starting in May they arrived at Salt Lake City in September, and the following winter Mr. Lillard herded cattle at Brown's Hole, on the Green river.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 119

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