Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 135

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 135

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B KEARNS .- In the United States the railroad has ever figured as the advance guard of devel- opment, and among the magnificent enterprises of the Union there is none that perhaps equals in importance the railroading industry, with its vast ramifications and wonderful systemization. Mr. Kearns has long been identified with railroading, and is today one of the popular conductors of the northwest, having a wide acquaintanceship with the traveling public and holding the esteem of all who know him. He maintains his headquarters in Great . Lodge No. 356, in Great Falls.

Falls, being a passenger conductor on the Great Northern system. Mr. Kearns was born in Provi- dence, R. I., upon August 27, 1856. His father, James Kearns, was born in the Emerald Isle, as was also his wife, Helen (Drury) Kearns, and they came from Ireland to the United States in 1850, locating in Providence, where the father died in 1856, and the mother in 1891.

B. Kearns attended the public schools of his native city until he was about eight years of age, when he began working in the cotton factories and machine shops of Providence, continuing his edu- cational discipline by attending night schools, and following out this plan until he had attained the age of eighteen years, when he determined to fol- low railroading as a business. In 1876 he went to California, and from that year unto the present he has been identified with railroading in a practi- cally consecutive way, starting in as the incumbent of a minor position, and by fidelity and effective service working himself up to liis present responsi- ble position as a passenger conductor. From the centennial year until 1883 he was in the employ of various western railway companies-the Southern Pacific, Northern Pacific, Union Pacific, Canadian Pacific, Oregon Short Line, Oregon Improvement Company and the Great Northern. In 1883 Mr. Kearns came to Missoula, and was in the employ of the Northern Pacific for one year, then going to Yale, B. C., he was about three years in the employ of the Canadian Pacific, while the road was in construction.

In 1885 he purchased a hotel in the village of Yale, which for a year he conducted, proving a popular boniface. In 1887 he went to Minot, N. D., and here was with the Great Northern about six months, and for the ensuing two years he was in the employ of the Northern Pacific with head- quarters at Helena, his run being between that city and Livingston. He was in the service of this company and the Union Pacific until 1891, and

then until 1893 he was connected with the Oregon Improvement Company, running out of Seattle. In the summer of 1893 he came to Great Falls, and since that time has been a popular conductor on the Great Northern. His signal efficiency has secured for him the confidence of his superior of- ficers, while his genial nature and unvarying cour- tesy have gained him a marked popularity. He is identified with the Brotherhood of Railway Con- ductors, being a prominent member of Black Eagle

JOHN JONES .- There is scarcely anything in human history more interesting, more dramatic or more thrilling than the story of the pioneers of the United States, who advanced boldly into the wildernesss and commanded its untamed condi- tions to assume the semblance and substance of civilization, and yield up their treasures to the sustenance and use of man, and among the num- ber entitled to the most honorable mention in this connection is John Jones, who was born in Pennsylvania on April 10, 1817, the son of Joshua and Levina Jones. While he was yet a young boy he removed with his parents to near Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was educated in the public schools. On August 15, 1839, he married with Miss Ann Eliza Allen, of Kentucky, and they were the par- ents of five children, Wiliam B., Robert T, and Francis E., deceased, John S., who came to Mon- tana in 1863, and James G., now a resident of Helena. Mrs. Jones died on July 25, 1851, and Mr. Jones married again March 2, 1852, his second wife being Rebecca F. Hardesty, of Kentucky. Their children were Jacob H. and Edward W., residents of Prickly Pear valley, Sarah F., Emma L. and Thomas B., who died in Colorado, an infant that also died in that state, and Ina M., the only one of the family now living in Montana.

Mr. Jones came west in early life and was for a time judge of a miners' court in Colorado. After- ward he served his people in the legislature of 1869-70, and, being a gentleman of scholarly at- tainments, having been graduated at Hanover Col- lege, he took high rank in the body and secured recognition as one of its most capable and useful members. He was also engaged in mining about forty miles from Denver, and at this business was very successful. He conducted this also after he came to Montana, but was more successful as

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a farmer and stockraiser. In church affiliation he was originally a Baptist, but during the last years of his life he belonged to the M. E. church South. He was a representative man of the peo- ple, and was held in the highest esteem by all classes wherever he was known. No just claim upon his bounty ever went unnoticed, and no pub- lic enterprise ever appealed to him in vain. He was in all respects a progressive and public spir- ited man, and has left an enduring impress on the county and state.

CAPT. WILLIAM M. KELLEY, of Anaconda, one of the leading smelting men of western Montana, is a native of County Waterford, Ireland, having been born there on May 1, 1859, the son of Martin and Mary Kelley, both natives of Ireland. His father was a sturdy type of an Irish farmer who died at a great age in the county where all his life had been passed in 1900. The mother is still living, residing at the old home in Ireland. Capt. Kelley received his education at the well known national school located at Waterford in the land of his nativity. Upon the completion of his school life he left his old home and the scenes of his childhood, and sailed across the Atlantic to seek his fortune in the new world. When he came to America in 1878 he had no capital save his stout heart and strong hands and the memory of the blessing of his father and mother given when he left them for America. He had his way to make in the world and his fortune to achieve without aid from others. He soon secured employment in a carpet factory at Yonkers, N. Y., where he remained for about eighteen months, acquiring during that time a thorough knowledge of the business. His next employment was in the Otis Elevator Works in the same city. It has been his rule through life to do thoroughly and well everything that he undertook to do, and this has been one of the secrets of his remarkable success. Resigning his position in Yonkers in 1881 he accepted a more responsible one in a more congenial business with the Oxford Copper Com- pany, at Constable Hook, N. J. Here he re- mained until 1884, receiving steady promotion, and acquiring a scientific knowledge of the treat- ment and manufacture of copper, which has since given him a foremost place among the practical scientific men of the country.

In June, 1884, Capt. Kelley came to Butte, Mont., where he was at once appointed to the responsible position as foreman at thie smelter of the Parrott Silver and Copper Mining & Smelting Company, the leading smelting plant of that place. He remained with this company until 1889, when he resigned to accept a still more responsible position with the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, and moved his family to Ana- conda, where he has since resided. During the . past thirteen years Capt. Kelley has held relations of especial trust and responsibility with this com- pany, the largest mining company that has ever operated in Montana, receiving advancement from year to year, until he is now the assistant super- intendent of their large smelting plant known as the "New Works." This is one of the most re- sponsible positions of the company, and Capt. Kelley has direct charge and control of large num- bers of employes and skilled workmen. He is an authority on the management and operation of smelters, and is often called into consultation as an expert by the other officials of the company. His extended experience in the business, and his capable and intelligent judgment on all matters connected with the practical reduction of the cop- per ores, make his counsel and advice of great value. Few men in the western country stand higher in their profession than Capt. Kelley. He is practical in his methods, a strict disciplinarian, although kind in his treatment of his employes, and possessed of fine executive ability. As a man and a citizen, Capt. Kelley holds a high place. This was shown in 1899 by his election, against his expressed wishes, as a member of the city coun- cil of Anaconda. For two years he performed his duties as alderman from the Second ward with ability and a conscientious regard for the welfare of his constituents, and often to the neglect- and injury of his private interests. At the expiration of his term of office he declined a re-election. For several years he has served on the city board of education, and is now a member of that body. Politically Capt. Kelley gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, and in 1896 was elected a mem- ber of the Fifth legislative assembly from Deer Lodge county, serving one term. He declined to permit the use of his name for a second term.

For more than twenty-five years Capt. Kelley has taken a lively interest in the state militia of New Jersey and Montana. In 1890 he organized Company K, of the First Regiment of the Mon-

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tana National Guard, and served as a lieutenant and as the captain of the company for more than five years. Many of the members of the company saw active service in the Spanish-American war in the Philippines, and the brother of Capt. Kel- ley, Lieut. Miles Kelley, also went to the front and rendered meritorious service to his country. Incidentally it may be mentioned that four uncles of Capt. Kelley were Union soldiers of the Civil war. Capt. Kelley is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Mac- cabees. He is an enthusiastic member of these fraternal orders, and believes that they are power- ful agencies for good in the community. On every occasion he is foremost in works of charity and good fellowship, and no worthy cause appeals to him in vain. In the city of Anaconda his name is a synonym for all that is worthy, charitable and generous in citizenship. Numberless are his deeds of kindness to the unfortunate ; unknown to the world and unmentioned by him are many acts of helpfulness to others which have won for him the affection and regard of the whole community. In 1887, during his residence in Butte, Capt. Kel- ley was united in marriage with Miss Alice Dolan, a native of West Virginia. Of their six children, five are living, Mary, aged fourteen years; Mar- tin, aged ten; Joseph, aged eight; Lillian, four; and Jane, two years. One son, William, an ex- ceptionally bright child and a favorite of his father, died at Anaconda in 1901, aged about five years, and indicative of the high esteem in which Capt. Kelley and his family are held in their city home, it may be noted that the funeral of their lit- tle son was more largely attended than any other funeral ever conducted in Anaconda.

D ONALD BURTON GILLIES was born at Bruce Mines, Ontario, in the Dominion of Canada. His father and mother were both born in the Highlands of Scotland, coming to this coun- try fifty-five years ago. Donald was given a thor- ough high school education in the Lake Linden high school and then, through assistance received from his brother-in-law, John R. McDonald, and hard work on the part of his father he entered the Michigan Mining School, graduating therefrom in 1893 with the degree of E. M. During his college life he captured the scholarships, which aided him greatly in his financial affairs. After graduating 107

at the Michigan Mining School he came to Butte, Mont., to make his way in the world. Herman C. Bellinger, then the superintendent of the M. O. P. Smelter met Mr. Gillies and put him to work, at "pushing slag." The test was a successful one and Mr. Gillies was then rapidly advanced through the various departments of the smelter, assay office, draughting department, etc., and he credits much of his success to his training under Mr. Bellinger. Mr. Gillies held positions with the M. O. P. Com- pany, Parrott Silver & Copper Mining Company, and the Last River Mining Company of Idaho, and in 1895 he entered the employ of Hon. W. A. Clark as general superintendent of mines, which position he occupied until 1898, when he resigned and took the position of general superintendent of the Parrott Company's property in Butte.

To Mr. Gillies the great success of the Parrott Mines must be given, for he not only put this old property in a first-class condition but brought it from a non-dividend payer up to one that paid from $125,000 to $150,000 per month. He also opened up the Little Minah and Bellona mines and made them big producers after they had been abandoned by others. These properties were sold to the Amalgamated Company and Mr. Gillies re- mained in the employ of Mr. Farrel, who owned these properties, going to Utah and there taking charge of Mr. Farrel's interests, coming back to Butte in 1900. Mr. Gillies and M. L. MacDonald secured the McQueen placer claim and the 888 placer claim for Mr. Farrel. These properties lie east of the Butte district and embrace that terri- tory called "the flat." They had never been looked upon with any favor by the mining men of the Butte district, as it was claimed the veins did not cross Silver Bow creek. Two of the largest shafts in Butte were sunk by Mr. Gillies through 600 feet of quick sand to bedrock and then continued to the present depth of 900 feet, and this much can be said that the developments there are sufficient to warrant the owners to begin the construction of one of the most expensive smelters ever built. The finding of these large veins in this district means many years of additional life to the city of Butte, and in years to come, we predict that to Mr. Gillies and his associates will be given the greatest credit for having interested people who opened and de- veloped the equal of any property in Butte. Mr. Gillies was married in 1895 to Miss Bettie E. Boyce, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Boyce, and is the father of two children.

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CHARLES M. KELLY .- This young man of marked executive ability, is well and favorably known in this section of the state, and has passed the greater portion of his life in Montana, and was elected to his present position of clerk and recorder of Fergus county, Mont., in 1898 and re- elected in 1900. He was born in Morgan county, Ind., on July 27, 1868, the son of Oscar W. and Frances A. Kelly, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. Oscar W. Kelly was en- gaged in the raising of horses and cattle in Indi- ana until 1872 when he engaged in the real estate business in Indianapolis and also became a promi- nent contractor on public works, maintaining his residence there until 1880, when he came to Mon- tana, locating in Fort Benton, which was his home until July, 1885, when he came to Fergus county and located on a ranch seven miles east of Lewis- town, where he has since given his time and atten- tion to farming and stockraising, having a good property and being duly prospered. He gives his support to the Republican party and takes an active interest in public affairs of a local nature. During the Civil war he rendered valiant service as a member of the Twenty-sixth Indiana In- fantry, in which he enlisted as a private, being pro- moted to be captain of his company, and being mustered out as such. He holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has passed the ancient-craft degrees. By his mar- riage to Frances A. McMillan two children were born, George H., who is engaged in farming and stockraising at Lewistown, and Charles M. Oscar W. Kelly had been twice married, his first union having been with Miss M. M. Harding, a native of Indiana, who died, leaving two sons, James S., who came to Montana in 1879, locating first at Bozeman and thence removing to White Sulphur Springs and finally to Lewistown, being a painter by trade. He died in December, 1885, and Will- iam H., who came to Montana in 1880, was elected clerk and recorder of Fergus county, Mont., in 1886, and was for three times re-elected to that office. He is now living in Los Angeles, Cal. Charles M. Kelly received his educational training in the public schools of Indiana and Montana, and at the age of twelve years secured a position as messenger boy in Fort Benton, thus inaugurating his independent career. Thereafter he held a clerkship in a mercantile establishment in that city and later became associated with his father

in the conducting of his ranching enterprise. During the winters of 1889 and 1890 Mr. Kelly served as deputy in the office of the clerk and re- corder of Fergus county, and in 1890 he was ap- pointed deputy marshal, which office he held about one year. In April, 1891, in attempting to adjust a dispute concerning a water right, he was shot by one of the contending parties, and was inca- pacitated for work for several months. On June 15, 1892, he resumed his position as deputy clerk and recorder and served in this capacity until 1898, when he was elected to the office of clerk and recorder of Fergus county, entering upon the discharge of the duties of this position on January I, 1899. In politics he has ever been stanchly ar- rayed in support of the Republican party, and as a candidate on its ticket he was elected to his pres- ent office, in which he has given most discriminat- ing and effective service, having been re-elected in 1900. Mr. Kelly is a young man of distinct in- dividuality, genial 'nature and inflexible integrity of purpose, and he holds the confidence and esteem of the community in which he has passed so many years of his life.

W TILLIAM J. KERR, one of the enterprising miners, ranchers and general business men of Choteau county, resides at Chinook on the Great Northern Railway. He was born in Madi- son, Wis., on June 4, 1857, the son of Alexander and Mary Kerr. The father was a native of the north of Ireland and the mother of Scotland. In 1850 Alexander Kerr with his family crossed the Atlantic and settled not far from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He followed various occupations until 1855 when he removed to Wisconsin where he en- gaged in farming until his death. He is survived by his widow who now resides in Wisconsin. Throughout his earlier years William J. Kerr re- mained on his father's farm, working industriously during the summer season and diligently attend- ing the district schools in the winter months. In 1879, at the age of twenty-two years, he went to the Black Hills with a strong determination to henceforth make his own way in the world and ac- cumulate a fortune. For several years thereafter he was engaged in mining, farming and freighting, meeting with fair success in these varied enter- prises. In 1888 he came to Butte, Mont., where he remained one year, thence removing to his

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present valuable ranch in the Milk river valley, Choteau county. Here he encountered the favor- ing breezes of prosperity and in 1896 developed a coal mine of good quality, and the productive ca- pacity of this property is now over 1,000 tons per year. In April, 1899, Mr. Kerr was united in marriage to Miss Ella Paxton, a daughter of B. F. Paxton, of Butte. To them have been born two children, Sarah and William. The political affilia- tions of Mr. Kerr are with the Republican party, and he is now filling with satisfaction the office of road commissioner. He is a well-known and popular gentleman in the community.

H ERMAN KLINE .- Among the more promi- nent and successful of the younger genera- tion of the commercial men of Montana is Herman Kline, of Helena. He was born in Hungary, a native of the city of Temesvar, in March, 1858, and is the son of Leopold Kline, a respected citi- zen of his native city. He received his early edu- cation in Temesvar and completed his academical training in Vienna, the capital of Austria. Leav- ing school in early life to engage in business, he accepted a position in a large banking house in Vienna, where he remained for five years, and ac- quired an intimate knowledge of the banking busi- ness. In 1877, to have the benefit of the oppor- tunities offered under free institutions, he came to America, arriving in New York almost without means and with his way to make unassisted. He went to work at once in a small grocery, receiving $3 per week for six months, and saved enough to pay his way to the city of Denver, arriving there in the spring of 1878. Here he secured employ- ment as a clerk in a mercantile establishment until June, 1885. During this time, by the most rigid economy, he managed to put aside a considerable portion of his earnings, and came to Butte, where he established a cigar and tobacco business. He remained in Butte about seven months, and re- moved to Helena, where he secured a clerkship with a leading mercantile house, but soon ten- dered his resignation and engaged in a men's fur- nishing business, meeting with substantial suc- cess for some four months. At the end of that time, he disposed of his establishment at a hand- some profit, and embarked in buying and selling real estate. During the past twelve years, or since 1890, he has devoted his entire time to this

business, confining his operations to Helena, and has met with great success. He is now the owner of sixteen paying buildings, including one of the largest business blocks of the city, situated op- posite the new government building on Park and Sixth avenues, and is counted one of the solid busi- ness men and property owners of the capital city. He possesses unswerving integrity, is safe and conservative in his methods, seldom at fault in his judgment of property values or business oppor- tunities, and is one of the most respected and pro- gressive of the citizens of Helena. Fraternally, he is a member of the Order of Woodmen of the World and of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and takes an active interest in charitable and fraternal work. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party, having been prominent in its affairs in Helena. He served one term as a member of the city council, and made a most ca- pable and useful member of that body. In 1895 Mr. Kline was united in marriage with Miss Hulda Weinstein, of Helena, and the home which he maintains on Park avenue is one of the most pleasant of the city. When Mr. Kline first arrived in America he was unable to speak the English language, but he is now one of the most accom- plished linguists of the city, speaking French, Ger- man, Roumanian, Servian and English, as well as his native Hungarian.

J W. KERR, one of Teton county's well known and popular business men, resides on a splen- didly improved and profitable ranch near Choteau, the county seat. He was born in New York city, on February 2, 1869, and is still a young man, not having yet reached the prime of life. His father, Hawkins Kerr, is a native of New York, and is now living with his wife at Owen Sound, Canada, where he is engaged in merchandising. J. W. Kerr received his elementary education in the public schools of Owen Sound, which he left at the age of thirteen years, but subsequently prosecuted courses at business colleges at Winnipeg, Mani- toba, and Portland, Ore., after he had commenced to work for himself. From the age of thirteen until sixteen he was engaged in the butchering busi- ness in Owen Sound, and this he followed during the succeeding five years at Winnipeg. He then crossed over into the United States and traveled through the northwest and along the Pacific coast,

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and during 1890 he was located at Missoula, and in 1892 came to Choteau, Teton county, where he was employed on the Taylor & Flowerree stock ranch for two years, the following three years be- ing engaged in the butchering business in Choteau. In 1897 Mr. Kerr secured two claims, desert and homestead, comprising 320 acres, on the Burton bench, and here he has since success- fully carried on the enterprises of general farming and stockraising. At Choteau, in April, 1897, Mr. Kerr was united in marriage to Miss Jenette Schmidt, daughter of Jacob Schmidt, now a resi- dent of the Blackfoot reservation, and a Montana pioneer. Politically Mr. Kerr is a Democrat, and in 1900 he was the Democratic nominee for assessor, and was defeated by a very narrow ma- jority. He is quite popular, and recognized as a man of great intelligence and force of character.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 135

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