Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 14

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 14

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).

1060

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

ple of that name are descended, and with this fam- ily has been intermingled that of the royal Stuarts. So the Ferguses of Fergus county, Mont., are of a lineage proud enough to satisfy any aristocrat. Centuries make changes in conditions of families, and Andrew Fergus of Lanarkshire was not an aristocrat, but a plain, unassuming Scotch farmer, of strict probity and a devout and stanch adher- ent of the Presbyterian church, standing high in the esteem of his neighbors. Many of his immedi- ate paternal ancestors held the office of bailiff. His son, William, was thoroughly and practically in- structed in mixed farming and had good educa- tional advantages in the parish schools of Chapel- ton, Glasford parish. He remained in the neigh- borhood of his birthplace until 1879, and by his industry and frugality, and the assistance of his father, acquired sufficient means to lease a few acres and commence farming for himself in 1862. On June 16th of that year he entered into wedded life with a young lassie whom he had known from childhood, Miss Helen Hamilton, daughter of Will- iam and Agnes (Pate) Hamilton, whose people had been farmers in that locality as far back as tradition could carry them. The young couple began life with courage and hope. For twenty years they wrought earnestly and well. The high rents of farms were hard to meet when crop fail- ures or bad luck came to the tenant, and labor as they might and plan as they would, independ- ence was always out of their reach. Finally, as a means of releasing himself from the coils of a crushing system of rental, Mr. Fergus took the bankruptcy court as the choice of two evils, re- linquishing all hope of a longer life in Scotland and accepted the invitation of his brother James to join him in Montana. The years had brought to them nine children, and the family of eleven sailed from Glasgow for America, on the ship Prussia, April 1, 1882, arriving at Boston after a pleasant voyage of seventeen days. They journeyed direct to Bismarck by rail, and then by boat on the Mis- souri to Claggett, now Judith Landing. It must have been a strange as well as a pleasant sensa- tion to be there welcomed by a brother who had left Scotland a few days after the birth of William, and whom they had never before seen. Accom- panying James Fergus to his ranch on Armell's creek, it was not long before the location of the present family residence on Box Elder was secured by purchasing the improvements of Nelse Stre- ver, a squatter, who accepted a nominal consider-

ation for his rights, and a new farm life was com- menced. Mr. Fergus and his five sons worked in harmony and were prospered. Today the firm of Wm. Fergus & Sons has control of 10,000 acres of land on Box Elder, Dog and Armell's creeks, which are stocked with 19,000 sheep, 300 horses and 500 cattle, and make up a ranch which ranks as one of the largest and most productive in the county. This exemplifies the reward Montana gives to the work of sturdy manhood and untir- ing industry conducted on systematic and method- ical lines. Mr. Fergus was ably seconded in his plans and labors by his efficient and practical wife, who, after gladdening his home for thirty years, was called away by death on January II, 1892. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fergus were members of the Presbyterian church from early childhood, and they reared their family in the fear of the Lord. Religious services are now conducted at regular intervals at the residence, which was erected in 1899, and is the finest home in this section of the state as well as one of the largest.

In political fields Mr. Fergus is thoughtful and patriotic, looking for the welfare of the whole country ; generally, however, finding his conclu- sions in harmony with the Republican party. He has kept a diary all of his mature years, and is methodical and exact in all the affairs of life. He has a good command of language, and can always give sound reasons for his opinions and support them by solid argument. He preserves all the tra- ditions of Scotch hospitality, which have not de- teriorated by his residence in the west. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Fergus are: Andrew, Ag- nes P., now Mrs. N. L. Landru; Christine H., now Mrs. David Hilger ; William H., who married Amelia Weidman ; Robert B. and James P., twins : Alexander H., deceased; Ellen H. and Margaret A. E., now Mrs. John B. Rauch. Success such as William Fergus has attained comes not from mere luck ; it is due to a combination of trained and skilled mental and physical powers, coupled with natural and climatic opportunities such as Mon- tana has afforded as a fair field for their activity, and is brought about in accordance with natural laws.

A NOCH D. FERGUSON .- Of the pioneers of Montana who made the memorable expedition into the Yellowstone National Park in 1874, there are few survivors; but it is known that one of the

1061

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

number, Enoch Douglass Ferguson, is now one of the honored citizens of Bozeman. He is a native of Spring City, Tenn., born March 1, 1844, a son of Samuel B. and Sarah . Butler (Wassom) Fer- guson, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Tennessee. Samuel B. Ferguson was a child when his parents removed to Tennessee in 1818. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolution, serv- ing under Generals Perry and Newton. Mr. Enoch Ferguson has a Spanish coin on which is stamped the name of George Washington. Such coins were current during the Revolution, and the one referred to has been in the family from that memorable period, his grandfather having presented it to Enoch in his boyhood. Samuel B. Ferguson was an extensive planter in Tennessee, where he died in 1886. He had four sons and two daughters, the four sons still living.

Enoch D. Ferguson passed his youth in his na- tive state, remaining on the old homestead planta- tion until 1861, when he enlisted in the First Ten- nessee (Confederate) Cavalry, under Col. Carter. He was mustered in at Knoxville, and his first active service was at Mill Spring, Ky., where Gen. Zollicoffer was killed; he also took part in the battle at Stone river, Tenn., and in many of the terrible battles of the Civil war. He was taken ill and was captured by the Federals, but was parole 1. Returning home he resumed his studies, and two years later removed to Indiana, attended school one year and passed the next in teaching. He left Indiana in April, 1869, for Montana, and at St. Louis took a steamer for Fort Benton, arriving eighty-three days later.

Mr. Ferguson soon took up a tract of land in Gallatin valley, a portion of the extensive ranch property now owned by him, and was the first to settle in this section. To his original claim he has added by purchase until he has an estate of 640 acres, all under irrigation and of great fertility, and acknowledged to be one of the best of this highly favored valley. The ranch lies two miles west of Bozeman, where he makes his home, and on it he raises large crops of hay and oats, while he keeps about seventy-five head of high-grade shorthorn cattle. Mr. Ferguson also owns a beau- tiful modern residence in Bozeman which has been his home for a number of years. In 1874 he, with three others, located the Rocky Ford coal mine, Mr. Ferguson holding a quarter interest which lie disposed of in 1884. He also located the Trail

Creek coal mine, in which he still retains an inter- est. As a sterling Democrat he has been called to offices of responsibility. In 1877-8 he was county assessor; in 1893 he was a member of the city council, and has been a school trustee for a num- ber of terms. Fraternally he is a Mason, and has reached the master's degree.

On June 10, 1880, Mr. Ferguson wedded Miss Betty Ferguson, born in Tennessee, the daughter of Mack Ferguson, a pioneer of Gallatin valley. Mrs. Ferguson died after eight years of happy married life, and on September 17, 1890, Mr. Fer- guson consummated a marriage with Miss Brunet- ta Lewis, a native of Kentucky and daughter of John S. Lewis. Their two children are Veda and Enoch Douglass, Jr.

Reverting to the Yellowstone expedition of 1874, we will say that Mr. Ferguson was one of the party of 150 men which essayed the explora- tion of that wonderful section of our national do- main. The company was organized by J. V. Bo- gert and Charles Rich, under command of Frank Grounds and Eli Way, the object being to search for gold, rumors being rife of rich deposits known only to the Indians. They went down the Yellow- stone to the mouth of the Porcupine river, crossed over to the Little Horn, having daily fights with the Indians. One man, named Yates, was killed about three miles above the place where Gen. Custer with his command were massacred. The party returned by Fort Smith, and Mr. Fer- guson then made a prospecting tour, arriving in Alder gulch in July, and coming down the Madison river to Meadow creek. While the men were get- ting the horses ready to start Mr. Ferguson picked up an old gun to take a shot at some ducks. The gun exploded, resulting in the loss of his left hand.

W M. FERGUS, one of the most enterprising and progressive men of Montana, is· a resi- dent of Whitehall, Jefferson county, where he has built up an extensive and constantly increasing business. He was born in Port Huron, Mich., on May 7, 1864, a son of James and Ann (Connolly) Fergus, both natives of Ireland. James Fergus came from Ireland to the United States with his father's family in 1842. They located at Port Hu- ron and engaged in farming until 1882, when they moved west to Jamestown, now in North Dakota, where Mr. Fergus continued farming until his death in 1893.

1062

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

The boyhood and youth of W. M. Fergus was passed at Port Huron, and here he received an excellent common school education. After partic- ipating in the family's movement to Jamestown, he entered into mercantile life by becoming a clerk. In this business he remained five years, gaining a wide experience and fitting himself thoroughly for the duties of merchandising. He arrived in Butte, Mont., on December 17, 1889, and at once secured a position as clerk, remain- ing in that city until March 9, 1892, when he removed to Whitehall, his present residence. Soon after his arrival in Whitehall he bought the mer- cantile business of W. W. McCall, and continued in trade until October 25, 1895, when he organized the Jefferson Valley Trading Company, becoming its general manager. In July, 1896, he purchased the stock and good will of the W. B. Gaffney Company, and removed the company's stock to the more pretentious quarters he had thus acquired, reserving the former store as a warehouse.

The company has one of the most complete es- tablishments in Montana, fitted with all modern im- provements and every facility for conducting its large, extensive and profitable trade. Mr. Fer- gus was married on November 12, 1894, to Miss Julia C. Kellogg, of Kalamazoo, Mich. She is the daughter of Albert S. and Jane M. (Balchi) Kellogg, of that city. They have had three chil- dren, Marion G., Francis, deceased, and Gertrude. As a conscientious Democrat Mr. Fergus takes an active interest in all the campaigns, and is an in- fluential worker in the cause. In 1896 he was elected county commissioner of Jefferson county, and has served as chairman of the board. In 1900 he was re-clected to the same position. Frater- nally he is a Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, having passed all the chairs in this order, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

G EORGE P. FINCH .- In all sections of the great west will be found men who have won success through their own efforts. Among this number we must count Mr. Finch, for he started out without influential friends or financial re- sources, and from boyhood has bravely faced the battle of life. That success should come to such a man is in justice due, for the untrained lad who overcomes obstacles by sheer persistency and in- defatigable industry certainly deserves such re-

ward. Mr. Finch has passed practically his entire life in the west, and his experiences on the plains and in the mountains have been exciting and varied.

A native of DeKalb county, Ill., Mr. Finch was born on the 28th of January, 1863, the son of Martin and Phoebe Finch, who were born in the same state, where their respective parents were pio- neers, the father being identified with the milling and brick-manufacturing industries, and both he and his wife consistent members of the Methodist church. Of their five children two are deceased, Della and Lizzie, the others being Hugh, Bert and George P. The father of Mr. Finch died in 1872 and his mother in April, 1895. George P. re- ceived very limited school advantages, and is self- educated. When only seven years old he began to work for his board on a ranch in Nebraska, where the family then resided, and he was but ten years old at the time of his father's death. Re- maining in Nebraska until 1877, he went to New Mexico, where he found employment as a cattle herder with the Prairie Cattle Company until 1879, when he turned his attention to hauling logs with oxen in the Ratoon mountains. In July, 1880, Mr. Finch removed to Fort Dodge, Kan., where he en- gaged in freighting to Texas, being thus employed until 1882, when he devoted six months of time to the trailing of cattle from Kansas to the Powder river in Montana. Then he went to the Black Hills and drove mule teams for the Northwestern Stage & Transportation Company, receiving $40 a month for his services. In August, 1883, he en- gaged with George Baldwin in the same line of work, and had the distinction of making the first trip of 200 miles from Deadwood to the Little Mis- souri. He continued to be a stage driver until the summer of 1885, having gone to Junction City, Mont., from which point he made trips through to Wyoming. Coming again to Montana, he en- gaged as night herder in the employ of "Arkansas John," who also had the contract for putting up hay for the government post at Fort Custer. Finally the Indians caused so much trouble in their efforts to steal the mules that Mr. Finch gave up herding and became a blacksmith at Fort Custer until the spring of 1886, when he drove logs at Boulder. In July, 1886, he became wagon boss for the large freighting firm of Gurney & Woods, of Big Timber, and held this position until 1887. In the very severe winter of 1886 Mr. Finch was twenty-eight days in making a trip from Fort

1063

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Benton to Stanford, being detained by the un- usually heavy snow. Thereafter he was variously employed until 1890, but in the meanwhile he had taken up pre-emption and tree claims on Trout creek, Fergus county, and engaged in raising cat- tle and horses. This enterprise he continued un- til 1893, and also continued his freighting business on his own responsibility. In 1897 he disposed of his ranch and cattle, and outfitted fourteen pack mules and acted as guide for a party of railroad of- ficials through the Big Horn, Big Elk and the Black canyon. He later engaged in handling grain and hay at the Crow Indian agency. In 1898 he returned to Fergus county and purchased a valu- able ranch property, which now includes 800 acres of land. He purchased in the same year 300 head of horses, and has since been successfully engaged in the raising of horses. His ranch is located two miles south of Garneill, his postoffice address. In politics Mr. Finch is a stalwart Democrat and fra- ternally he holds membership in the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America.

On the 22d of February, 1898, Mr. Finch took unto himself a wife, in the person of Miss Mollie Lewis, who was born in Missouri, the fifth in order of birth of the five children of Henry and Mary (Price) Lewis, who were born in Illinois, and be- came early settlers in Nebraska, where Mr. Lewis has devoted his attention to agriculture. His first wife died when Mrs. Finch was a year old. He remarried and both himself and wife are residing in Saunders county, Neb., and are parents of five children.

B ARTHOLOMEW S. FITZPATRICK, the present justice of the peace and police magis- trate of Neihart, Cascade county, is one who has led an eventful and adventurous life in many states and territories, including Montana, of which latter he may be classed as one of the earliest pioneers. It has been his fortune to witness the hostile In- dian at his worst, to follow his trail of ruin, mur- der and devastation, and to participate in one of the most important Indian battles in trans-Missis- sippi history. He was born in Ireland, December 26, 1842, the son of Bartholomew and Mary Fitz- patrick. The father was a successful farmer and both parents were devout members of the Catholic church. In 1860 the father passed from earth and was followed by the wife and mother in 1896. They are survived by seven children, viz .: Barthol-

omew, Michael, John, Thomas, Edmund W., Sa- bina and Katherine.

In the public schools of his neighborhood Bar- tholomew S. Fitzpatrick obtained the elements of a rather limited education, and he remained with his parents until 1860, when he came to the United States. The initial part of his location in this country was at Kankakee, Ill., where he engaged in general farm work for a wage of $8.00 per month and board. One year from that period he removed to Green Bay, Wis., where for three years he busied himself in the lumber regions, working for $30 per month. Going to St. Louis, Mo., in 1864, our subject joined a United States expedition which was leaving for the Big Horn river, Mont., via the Platte route. The eventful days succeeding each other during this journey would provide material for an interesting chapter in a romance. Encounters with hostile Indians began soon after the party passed Julesburg, and they became of al- most daily occurrence. Chief Red Cloud and his fierce band of Sioux warriors continually harassed the expedition, and it reached Fort Phil Kearney shortly after the terrible massacre which took place on that scene. Here they found many dead bodies and other indications of a prolonged and desper- ate struggle. During the spring of 1867 Mr. Fitzpatrick joined the John Greene ex- pedition which moved to the Big Horn river, and thence to Fort Phil Kearney, being fiercely at- tacked by savages, but they were repulsed with great loss. Indian camps were located all around them, and the soldiers, who were compelled to carry wood six miles, were placed in continual danger from hostile scouting parties. On their re- turn to the post Mr. Fitzpatrick for the command reported the situation to the post commander, who, with 100 men, armed with needle guns, marched to the protection of the parties who were engaged in getting timber for the government. This lit- tie band was attacked in force by the Indians, numbering some 10,000 warriors. But owing to the efficacy of the rapid fire needle guns they were held at bay, or, practically repulsed until the arrival of artillery, when 1,100 Indians were killed. Lieut. Jennes and fifteen United States soldiers lost their lives in this encounter. It was amid similar san- guinary scenes that our subject passed two and a half years. He then moved to Cheyenne, Wyo., and thence to Colorado, where for the succeeding five years he was engaged in gold and silver mining with fair success. On his return to Chicago he

1064

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

was employed two years in the flour and feed busi- ness, and then went to Missouri. He afterward prepared to move into the mining regions of Mex- ico via New Orleans, but learning of the rebellion in that country he remained in Louisiana, and for two years was engaged in building and contracting on the canals and levees. In this line of business our subject was eminently successful, and made considerable money ; but owing to the outbreak of the yellow fever epidemic of 1878 he returned to St. Louis, thence to Sioux City, Iowa, and from that point by way of the Missouri river to Fort Benton, Mont. He arrived in the spring of 1879, and the following winter he joined the Yogo gold stampede to the Bearpaw mountains, but the mil- itary force prevented them from prospecting to any great extent. During a period of eight months he was in the service of the government, following which he went to Barker, Cascade county, and did some prospecting among the Little Belt mountains. In this he was successful; but shortly afterward he located at the place now called Nei- hart, and for twenty years he has continued pros- pecting and mining.

Throughout Cascade county Mr. Fitzpatrick is highly esteemed as one of its most enterprising, public-spirited citizens. Politically his affiliations are with the Democratic party. He was elected justice of the peace at Neihart in the early days, but resigned the office after a year's service. In the fall of 1900 he was placed in nomination for the same office as an independent candidate, and re- ceived more votes than were cast for all of his four competitors, a handsome tribute to his worth and ability. He was later appointed city judge of Neihart by the city council, and he has held both offices since January 7, 1901.

NDREW S. LOHMAN .- In the respect that A is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unpropitious environ- ments, there is an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character that cannot only endure such a test, but also gain new strengthı through the discipline. The man who gains title to the distinction of having been the architect of his own fortunes is the one who can see and utilize the opportunities that surround his path, holding no obstacle as insuperable and ever pressing for- ward to the goal of success. Among the success-

ful business men of Montana is the subject of this review, who has shown an invincible spirit and attained prosperity through honorable and worthy means. He started out in life when a boy of but thirteen years, his chief equipment being a modest education, but relying upon his own powers to dare and to do. He stands today as one of the representative stockgrowers and business men of Choteau county and a valued citizen of Chinook, where he took up his abode when the village con- tained but three or four buildings. Throughout his business career he has had an able co-adjutor in his wife, who has been to him a true com- panion and helpmeet. Mrs. Lohman has shown rare judgment and fine business ability, and her counsel has ever been held in the highest regard by her husband, who maintains that she has been an important factor in making his career the success- ful one which it has proved. Mr. Lohman stands today as the oldest resident merchant of Chinook, and in the progress and substantial prosperity of the town he has shown a deep and abiding inter- est, contributing in every possible way to the advancement of its interests, and commands the confidence and high regard of the people of the village and vicinity. Mr. Lohman was born in Shullsburg, Lafayette county, Wis., on December 7, 1857, the son of Andrew and Mary (Conway ) Lohman. His father was born in Hanover, Ger- many, whence he emigrated in 1842, locating in Wisconsin, where he was identified with the lead- mining industry until 1850. That year he joined the throng of gold seekers wending their way to California, and there located in Grass valley, where he built the second cabin and followed placer min- ing for three years. He then returned to Wiscon- sin and purchased a farm of 160 acres in the vicin- ity of Shullsburg, where he maintained his home until 1873, removing thence to Lyons, Iowa, and there purchased a farm. He is now living re- tired in the village mentioned, his wife having passed away in 1872. In politics he supports the Democratic party, and in religion is a member of the Catholic church.

Andrew S. Lohman, the subject of this review, 'was one of a family of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, being the third son. He was reared under the discipline of the home farm, where he remained until the age of thirteen, at- tending the primitive schools in a desultory way, as his services were early demanded in connection with the work of the farm, but supplementing his

ALLohman

1065

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

meagre education in later years by attending night schools, personal study and reading, and knowl- edge which comes through practical association with men and affairs. In 1870 he left home and went to northern Wisconsin, where he found em- ployment in the lumber camps for two years. He then went to Central City, Colo., worked in the quartz mills and mines until 1879, then removed to Leadville, and worked at mining until the fol- lowing spring, when he went to Aspen, Colo., and thence to the San Juan country, still following mining as a vocation. In the fall of 1880 he lo- cated at Durango, and there erected the first cabin on the site of what is now the flourishing city of 15,000 population. Here he engaged in the manu- facture of brick until winter, when he started for Mexico on a prospecting tour, later locating in New Mexico, and engaging in railroad work for a time. He then returned to the San Juan coun- try, where he was employed in operating the hoisting engine at the Palmetto mine. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Lohman came to Butte, Mont., and was employed as hoisting engineer at the Modoc mines. The following spring he made the trip to Alaska, for the purpose of prospecting, and while there assisted in the erection of the first quartz mill established in that territory. In the fall he returned to Butte and engaged in operating the hoisting engine at the Lexington mines. He also opened a notion store and conducted the en- terprise for a number of years. In 1890 he became a resident of Chinook, engaging in the mercan- tile business, conducting a general store for nearly a decade, when he leased his store and ware- houses, sold his stock of goods and retired from the business, which he had developed into one of wide scope and importance. In 1900 he erected the Lohman block, a substantial brick structure of modern design and equipment, the lower floor being utilized for stores and the upper for resi- dence and office purposes. Mr. Lohman is ex- tensively engaged in the growing of sheep, owning four well improved ranches in the immediate vicin- ity of Chinook, having an aggregate area of 1,700 acres.

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 14

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