Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 150

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 150

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JĮ ILDA A. POTTS .- The subject of this review is a prosperous farmer and stockraiser of Cas- cade county, owning a well improved ranch of 401 acres in Ming coulee, near Evans. His interests have been identified with those of the northwest for a score of years, and he is thoroughly imbued with that progressive spirit which has ever pro- moted the advancement and material prosperity of this section of the Union. Mr. Potts was born on December 22, 1860, at Iconium, Appanoose county, Iowa, the son of Benjamin and Luranna

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Potts, natives of Virginia, whence they migrated to Iowa, where the father was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until 1861. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in an Iowa regiment, with which he went to the front, sacrificing his life on the field of battle; his death occurring at the untimely age of twenty-five years. His widow did not long survive him, and was. but twenty-seven years of age at the time of her death. Both were members of the Methodist church.

Hilda A. Potts was enabled to pursue his studies in the public schools of Iowa until he had reached the age of sixteen, when he secured work on a farm and was thus employed until the spring of 1880, when he came to Fort Benton, Mont., and thence proceeded to Highwood, Choteau county, where he took up a squatter's claim of 160 acres, which he improved and there engaged in the rais- ing of cattle until the spring of 1885, when he sold his claim for $625. In the meantime the Indian insurrection, known as Riel's rebellion, broke out along on the Canadian border and, in company with others, our subject went to that section, but by the time they arrived at their des- tination at Calgary, the rebellion was so nearly over that their services were not needed. He thereafter secured work in a sawmill near Calgary, where he remained until the spring of 1886, when he went to work for Carl Price on a ranch near Marias river, and thence, in 1888, he came to his present ranch near Evans, Cascade county, his original property being a pre-emption claim of 181 acres. He made excellent improvements on the property, placed seventy-five acres under cul- tivation and engaged successfully in the raising of cattle. In 1896 he took up a homestead claim of 180 acres, and in November, 1899, added to his landed estate a desert claim of sixty acres. Of his ranch, 150 acres may be placed under a high state of cultivation. At the present time (1901) he has a herd of 150 cattle and is conduct- ing operations with vigor and ability. His political support is given to the Republican party; frater- nally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen.

G EORGE RASMUSSEN is another of the sons of the far Norseland who has taken advantage `of the opportunities for attaining success by indi- vidual effort in the development of the resources of Montana ; and is today held in high estimation as a worthy and progressive young farmer and

stockgrower of Choteau county. He is a native of Denmark, where he was born January 8, 1864, the son of Rasmus and Carrie Rasmussen. He was reared on the paternal farmstead and received his education in the public schools of his native land. At the age of twenty years he went to Greenland and for five years was employed in the mines, after which he came to the United States and settled in Minnesota, where he was employed at farm work for three years. Being industrious and economical, he secured sufficient funds to purchase a carload of cattle, which he shipped to Chinook, Mont., and the following spring pur- chased in the immediate vicinity a ranch of 160 acres, where he remained until the spring of 1893, when he purchased his present place, located in the Milk river valley about five miles east of Chin- ook, his postoffice address. Here he is engaged in the raising of cattle and horses with excellent success, being upright and honorable in all his deal- ings and indefatigable in his industry. He has made good improvements on his ranch, has a nice home, and is well deserving of a representation in this volume.

D R. WILBER I. POWER .- The subject of this brief review, whose useful life has been of so much benefit to the people of the community he has served, is essentially a self-made man. He was born at Farmington, Mich., September 17, 1860. His parents, Thomas H. and Lydia (Stock- well) Power, were also natives of Michigan. They have seven sons, of whom the Doctor was the fourth. His educational advantages were very limited, owing to the size and circumstances of the family ; and besides a few weeks attendance at the public schools during the winter months for about three years, he obtained nothing in this line except what he worked out for himself-teaching school for a time and with the money earned working his way through higher grades until he was able to take a full academic course at the Michigan Agricultural College at Lansing, where he was graduated in 1885, teaching and selling books dur- ing the vacations to defray expenses. After his graduation he taught one year at Waterford. In 1886 he entered Detroit Medical College, was grad- uated in 1889, spent a year as house surgeon in St. Mary's Hospital, Detroit, and then came to Montana, locating at Granite. For two years after his arrival he was assistant to Dr. Sligh, physician

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for the Bi-Metallic Company, in charge of the company's hospital. From Granite he removed to Philipsburg in January, 1892, and has since been engaged in active practice in that vicinity.

In politics the Doctor was a Republican until the silver issue divided the party, when he affili- ated with the silver wing. In 1898 he was nomin- ated by that element for the state senate, but was defeated at the election. He has been a zealous member of the Masonic order during the last six years, and at this writing (1901) is high priest of the Royal Arch Chapter. He is also a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Foresters, the Woodmen of the World, and is medical examiner for both organizations. Dr. Power was married January 27, 1892, to Miss Mary Williams Treveille, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Treveille, the marriage being solemnized at Granite. His wife died April 5, 1897, and on September 12, 1898, he contracted a second marriage, the bride on that occasion being Mrs. Marietta Sewell, of Paola, Kan. In addition to his large and lucrative prac- tice, the Doctor has various mining interests, and other enterprises of value. He owns a fine home and other real estate in Philipsburg, and has prop- erty elsewhere. Everywhere in the circle of his acquaintance he stands high in public confidence.

G EORGE REINIG .- In company with his brothers, William and Frank Reinig, George Reinig is in control of one of the most extensive and best watered ranches in the Wolf Creek dis- trict of Lewis and Clarke county. He was born in Tama county, Iowa, on April 28, 1873, and the his- tory of his ancestry will be found in the sketch of William Reinig on other pages -of this work. Having attended the public schools in his vicinity until he was twelve years old George began the life of a farmer and continued to follow it on the homestead until he reached the age of twenty, mater- ially assisting his parents. He then rented forty acres of land and began business on his own ac- count. In partnership with his brother-in-law, Antony Metz, he rented 200 acres of land, which they worked one year, but unsuccessfully. He then purchased a steam threshing machine with which he made considerable money during four seasons. In 1898 he came to Montana, and his first employment in the territory was as a clerk for his uncle, Frank Reinig, at Helena. He here received

$40 per month, and continued with his uncle two years and then went to Wolf creek, where, with his brother William, he opened up a general store, but the enterprise was only continued six months. He then assumed charge of the extensive ranch upon which he is now located, and the profits are equally divided between himself and brothers. The ranch comprises 3,430 acres, and is irrigated by a ditch carrying 500 inches of water five miles, one- half mile of which is through solid rock. The total cost of this valuable improvement was $2,500. Mr. Reinig secured his interest in this property in 1899. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and a Democrat.

PLES M. PRICE is a typical son of the plains, one whose early life was the free and untram- meled existence known only on the great western ranges ; and while deprived of many advantages, he waxed strong in mind and body, has made for himself a place in the world, gaining his lessons under the tuition of that most valuable of teach- ers, experience. Mr. Price is well informed and commands respect and esteem through sterling integrity and unflagging industry. Such men make good citizens, and Montana is fortunate in having many of that stamp in her social makeup.

Mr. Price was born in the Red river district of northern Texas, October 22, 1863, and was reared in the Panhandle country of the Lone Star state. The exigencies of the time during his early youth demanded ceaseless toil and endeavor in- stead of attending school, and when sixteen years of age he went to the Indian territory, and for five years was engaged in riding the range in the em- ploy of Thomas Wilson, a leading cattleman, and for two years was similarly engaged with Arquin and Calvin Suggs, engaged in the cattle business in old Mexico. In 1886 Mr. Price returned to Texas, became identified with agricultural pursuits until 1887, and then came to Dawson county, Mont., entering the employ of the N N Cattle Company as a herder for five years. Having ac- cumulated some cattle of his own, in the fall of 1894 he located a ranch on Beaver creek, Valley county, four miles west of the village of Hinsdale, and now he has a fine landed estate of 1,000 acres, with access to ample free grazing in the same district, devoting his time to the raising of cat- tle and horses, gradually enlarging his operations

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as judgment and experience dictates, but keeping his affairs well in hand at all times. In politics Mr. Price pins his faith to the Democratic party and its principles, and takes an active part in for- warding its cause in a local way. Fraternally he is a member of Northern Light Lodge No. 33, K. of P., at Glasgow, and enjoys the confidence and good will of all who know him.

At Chinook, Choteau county, June 22, 1897, Mr. Price was united in marriage to Miss Cora May Galvin, who was born at Necedah, Juncau county, Wis., a daughter of George W. Galvin (deceased.) Mr. and Mrs. Price have a pleasant home, to which their two interesting little daugh- ters, Teresa and Earline, lend cheer and brightness.

A RTHUR G. RICH has had an interesting and varied career. He was born in McHenry county, Ill., in 1865, the son of Caleb and Artalissa (Hines) Rich, natives of New York state, who re- moved to McHenry county, Ill., in 1844. Arthur attended the public schools of his native county until he was fourteen years old. His mother died on December 23, 1878. In July, 1880, the family removed to Bozeman, Mont., where he continued his studies for another year. The next year the family removed to old Coulson, a mile and a half east of where Billings now stands, it not then being in existence. There his father conducted a hotel until the spring of 1882, at which time they all went to Canyon creek and kept a stage station for the Gilmour & Salisbury Stage Com- pany until August; removed thence to Young's Point, three miles west of Park City, and kept a horse relay station for the same company.

In the fall of 1882 our subject left home and re- turned to Illinois, attending school there until March, 1883. Returning to Montana he worked on his father's ranch until the spring of 1889, the last two and a half years being in partnership with his father. In 1889 the partnership was dissolved, the property divided, and our subject took his share over to the Crow reservation, where he ranged his cattle and dealt in stock until the spring of 1892. He then took a squatter's claim of 160 acres, built a house and stables, but sold out in 1895 to G. W. Storer and removed to Clark's Fork, where he lived on a rented farm two years. After living on another rented farm two and a half miles east of Park City for a year, and spend-

ing the next two on McFarland Brothers' ranch nearer the city, in the spring of 1900 he purchased the ranch which he now owns and occupies, lo- cated three miles east of Park City and consisting originally of 300 acres, but since increased by subsequent purchase to 410. The tract is all fenced and under irrigation. He has 120 acres in alfalfa, which produces three good crops a year. He also has a fine orchard of apple, peach, plum, cherry and other trees, all in good bearing order and yielding large crops of superior fruit. He is engag- ed to some extent in stockraising, having 120 cattle, about fifty sheep and eight or ten horses.

Mr. Rich was married in 1892 to Miss Nellie E. Wright, a daughter of M. E. Wright, a farmer of Elgin, Kane county, Ill. They have only one child living, a son named Leslie, who attends school in the district. Fraternally Mr. Rich is identified with the Knights of the Maccabees, be- ing an active member of Rimrock Tent No. 37, of Park City. In politics he is a Republican, with an earnest and abiding interest in the success of his party, but is not an office seeker. His farm is well improved with comfortable and commodious buildings, and is one of the desirable homes of the neighborhood.

FREDERICK A. PROSSER .- The name borne by the subject of this brief review has for a number of years been prominently identified with the agricultural and stockgrowing industries of the state, and elsewhere in this volume will be found reference to his parents and other members of the family. Frederick A. Prosser is a native of Dresden, Yates county, N. Y., where he was born on June 29, 1853, the third of the four sons and one daughter born to David and Margaret Prosser. now residents of Helena. His early life was passed in his native town, where he received his educa- tional discipline in the public schools and after- ward prepared for the duties of life by learning the trade of a blacksmith, becoming an expert workman. In 1880 Mr. Prosser came to Montana and secured employment on the ranch of Black Brothers, and also from his brother, John R. Pross- er. In 1882 he settled on a ranch in Prickly Pear valley, near Helena, made excellent improvements thereon and engaged successfully in farming and dairying. In 1889 he purchased cattle and located on his present home ranch of 160 acres in the im-

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mediate vicinity of Chinook, Choteau county, where he has since been conspicuously identified with the stockgrowing interests of the county, and well known as one of the progressive ranch- men of this section. He has made the best of improvements on his ranch, and raises 100 head of cattle each year. For four years he conducted a meat business with his cattlegrowing.

Politically Mr. Prosser is a stanch Democrat, is well informed on matters of public concern and takes an active interest in local politics. In 1892 he was the candidate of his party for county com- missioner ; and in 1896 as representative to the lower house of the legislature; but as Choteau county is strongly Republican he was defeated with the rest of the party ticket in each instance. He has maintained a very lively interest in the cause of popular education, and has served for eight years as a member of the board of school trustees in his county, rendering effective service in that capacity. Fraternally he is identified with Bear Paw Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Chinook, and with Chinook Lodge, A. O. U. W. On September 20, 1884, Mr. Prosser was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Healey, daughter of John Healey, of Chicago. They have three children : Carrie W., Agnes M. and Albert M. (twins).

F RANK REINIG is another of the three broth- ers who have made so successful a showing in the cattle business in the Wolf creek district of Lewis and Clarke county. On November 18, 1861, he was born in Tama county, Iowa, the son of Jacob and Eliza Reinig. A record of the an- cestry will be found in the sketch of William Reinig in another portion of "The Progressive Men of Montana." Frank received his education in the public schools in the vicinity of the place of his nativity. He attended school during the winters, and in the summer months he materially contrib- uted to the assistance of his parents. When he arrived at the age of twenty-one he rented a farm of eighty acres in Iowa, upon which he remained six years, engaged in the raising of grain and fine stock for market. He then purchased eighty acres for $1,600, and later sold the property for $3,040. In 1897 he came to Montana, located homestead and desert claims in the Wolf Creek district, and added thereto until he soon had a fine ranch of 1,450 acres of land. With the 135 head of stock

on the place the entire property had cost him $8,000. It is situated sixteen miles north of Wolf creek. On January 27, 1883, Mr. Reinig was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Jackson, a native of Tama county, Iowa. She is the daughter of William and Mary Jackson, the father a native of North Carolina and the mother of Pennsylvania. They were members of the Methodist church ; polit- ically he is a Democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Reinig have been born five children, William A., Roy L., Alma, Bessie and Harry. The parents are attend- ants on the Methodist church. The political affili- ations of Mr. Reinig are Democratic.

OHN R. PROSSER is one of the sterling citi- zens and representative stockgrowers of Cho- teau county, and his progressive methods have been such as to secure for him a marked success in his business enterprises. He was born in Dresden, Yates county, N. Y., on August 22, 1848, the eldest son of David and Margaret (Youngs) Prosser. Our subject's early life was passed on the farm of his maternal grandfather, in Yates county, N. Y., and his educational training was secured in the public schools of the place and period. At the age of eighteen years he started out in life on his own responsibility; and that he has wrought well is evident from the success which is his and the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him. He was variously employed until he at- tained the age of twenty-three years, when he re- moved to Michigan, where he found profitable em- ployment with the lumbering and salt industries of the Peninsular state. At the expiration of three years he returned to New York state and secured appointment as attendant in the state insane asy- lum in Seneca county, where he remained two years. In 1878 Mr. Prosser cast in his lot with Montana ; and in the spring of the following year associated himself with his brother H. A. in the purchase of the Jones ranch of 177 acres, located in Prickly Pear valley, Lewis and Clarke county. To this they subsequently added eighty acres, and there engaged in the raising of cattle. After a time his brother sold his interest in the prop- erty to their mother, with whom our subject was afterward associated in conducting the business for a period of fifteen years. In 1893 Mr. Prosser came to the Milk river valley and in the following year engaged in raising horses, his ranch of 160

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acres being located one and one-fourth miles from the village of Chinook. He has made a marked success of his venture in this locality; has a half interest in 120 acres seven miles from Chinook, and also owns real estate in Helena. He main- tains a deep interest in all that concerns the devel- opment and material progress of this section of the state; is at the present time treasurer of the Ex- tension Ditch Company, and one of the stock- holders and directors of the Matheson North Fork Ditch Company. Politically Mr. Prosser gives his support to the principles and policies of the Democratic party ; fraternally he is a member of Chinook Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Bear Paw Lodge, I. O. O. F.

M ATTHEW RICHARDSON is one of the suc- cessful and enterprising men of Cascade county, residing at Belt, who is at present heavily interested in ranching and in coal mining. He has had much experience in the west and has witnessed the ebb and flow of fortune with a courageous heart. He has lived to achieve success and is pre- eminently a selfmade man. Matthew Richardson was born in County Durham, England, on May 23, 1858. His parents were William and Mary Rich- ardson, natives of England. The father was en- gaged in farming and also in the livery business, and both the parents were members of the Epis- copal church. William Richardson died in 1889 and his wife in 1894. Matthew received the educa- tion of the common schools, and when fourteen he was apprenticed to a machinist, and was learning the trade for three years, receiving very low wages. He then engaged in railroading, as brakeman at first, and then as a locomotive fireman.

In 1878 he came to the United States, locating at Belleville, Ill., for six months, thence going to Litchfield and the Clyde coal mines, where he sunk a shaft for Yorkes Bros., which took eight months' time to complete. He then worked at coal mining for wages at Grape creek, and three months later he went to Braceville, also in Illinois, where he mined for one year. At Dubuque, Iowa, he took charge of an engine in the George Richardson shoe factory for five months. His next field was at Louisville, Colo., where he was in charge of the pumps in the Union Pacific Railroad's mines, his wages being $95 per month for four years. Re- moving then to the Montezuma valley, Colo., he

engaged in farming and horseraising. Fortune frowned, the enterprise was unsuccessful, and Mr. Richardson then became a bartender at Coal creek, Colo., during the winter. In the spring he went to Rico and was successfully employed in contracting and shaft-sinking. Eighteen months later he was in Montana, located on Big Hole, and unprofitably engaged in quartz mining. He then went to work in the Cumberland mines at Castle for $3.50 a day, continuing here four months, and the next three months he prospected with poor success. Going to Horr, on the Yellowstone tiver, Mr. Richardson mined coal for five months and purchased a saloon which he conducted a year and a half.

Coming to Belt, Mr. Richardson here established a successful hotel business which he still continues to own and conduct. In 1897 he took up a home- stead claim of 160 acres two miles east of Belt, which he has greatly improved and where he has a fine herd of cattle. To this has been added a coal claim of 160 acres, of which Mr. Richardson owns a half interest, the price paid to the government having been $3,200. His partner is H. G. Miller of Kalispell. The mine is quite productive and is increasing in value. On October 21, 1892, Mr. Richardson was married to Miss Elizabeth Sharp, a native of Will county, Ill., daughter of Daniel and Margaret Sharp. They were born in Scotland, and emigrated to the United States in early days. Her father was a miner, and came to Castle, Mont., in 1880, where he made his permanent home. He is now retired from business, and politically he is a Populist. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Richardson, died in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have a daughter, Hazel.

H ENRY C. REYNOLDS, one of the prosperous farmers and stockgrowers of Choteau county, Mont., is a native of the city of Galesburg, Knox county, Ill., where he was born on December 8, 1861, the son of Edward B. and Mary (Gose) Rey- nolds, both of whom were born in Mumsfordville, Ky., in the vicinity of which place the father was reared on a farm. In 18.12 he removed to Knox county, Ill., where he purchased a quarter section of land which he improved and placed under a high state of cultivation, being one of the pioneers of the county. He continued to reside on his farm until 1899, when he retired from active pursuits, taking up his residence in a pleasant home in the

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city of Galesburg. In politics he is a stanch Re- publican, and has served as a member of the board of county commissioners and other local offices. Edward B. and Mary Reynolds became the par- ents of five sons and three daughters, the subject of this sketch being the sixth in order of birth.

Henry C. Reynolds was reared on the old home- stead farm in Illinois, receiving his preliminary education in the public schools, and then became a student at Abigdon College, in his native county, and later completed a commercial course in Eureka College, at Eureka, Ill. He came west in 1881, and for about two years was engaged in various pursuits in Idaho and Montana. In 1883 he went to Stevensville, Ravalli county, Mont., in which vicinity he operated a ranch, growing cattle, and was also employed for a time as sawyer in a lum -. ber mill. In 1889 Mr. Reynolds came to Chinook, Choteau county, where he engaged in mercantile business, conducting the enterprise until 1897, when he located on his present ranch of 320 acres in Milk river valley, four miles east of Chinook. Here he has made excellent improvements of a per- manent order, and has been very successful in the raising of cattle and horses and in general farming, being recognized as one of the progressive and up-to-date ranchmen of this favored section of the state. He is one of the stockholders of the Extension Ditch Company, incorporated in 1898, and is secretary of the same.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 150

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