Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 152

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 152

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First church and the Warren Methodist church on the West Side. He was one of the founders and first president of the Great Falls Protestant Hospi- tal, and, in 1896, while pastor at Kalispell, he built the parsonage at that place, and organized the first county fair in connection with the church ladies' society. During the two subsequent years he was superintendent of the North Montana missions, with headquarters at Great Falls. Since 1899 he has been stationed at Browning, Teton county, as superintendent of the Piegan Indian mission. Since its inception he has been one of the trustees of the Montana Wesleyan University and generally iden- tified with the development of Methodism in this portion of the great west. In the successful ac- complishment of his arduous work this worthy clergyman has thoroughly demonstrated that he is a man of great force of character and indomitable perseverance and industry, and throughout the state he numbers a wide circle of appreciative friends.

JOHN C. H. RHODE claims Germany as his na- tive land, but he is now one of the successful agriculturalists of Lewis and Clarke county, and has been a resident of Montana for more than a quarter of a century and is one of its worthy pio- neers. He was born in Bremen, Germany, a city lying on the Weser river and notable in German history. The date of his birth was December 19, 1859, and his parents were Herman D. and Char- lotte Rhode, who both passed their lives in Ger- many, where the former was a successful agricul- turalist. They were members of the Lutheran church, and became the parents of seven children, of whom six are now living : Jolin C. H., Elizabeth. Mary, Dickinson, William and Augusta. The father died in June, 1885.

John C. H. Rhode, after attending school until he was fourteen, entered a harness shop as an ap- prentice and there continued for three years and became an expert artisan. When seventeen he came to America, located in New York city, and there devoted his attention to his trade until 1873. when he came to Helena, Mont., then a bustling little mining town, and was variously employed for a short time and until he leased of Henry Miller a ranch located on Spokane creek in the Little Prickly Pear valley, fourteen miles northeast of Helena. He operated this ranch on shares until 1890, when he purchased the property, which comprises 420

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acres and is one of the well-improved and valuable ranches of Lewis and Clarke county. Mr. Rhode has been signally prospered, having been energetic, progressive and straightforward and taking ad- vantage of the opportunities offered in this line of industrial enterprise. He raises large crops of hay and vegetables, for which he finds a ready market, and also has a high grade of cattle and makes a specialty of manufacturing butter.

Mr. Rhode is a stalwart supporter of the Demo- cratic party, and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On Oc- tober 19, 1899, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rhode to Miss Clara Bailey, a native of the province of Quebec, Canada, and daughter of Stephen and Mary H. Bailey. Her father, a farını- er, died on December 12, 1889. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church and had many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Rhode are numbered among the popular residents of the county.

CHARLES RHEINHARDT is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., born on December 14, 1841. His parents were Elias and Rebecca (Dalzell) Rheinhardt, the father a native of Baltimore, Md., born in 1812, while the mother was born in Phila- delphia in 1829. The father was engaged in the leather harness business in Philadelphia for many years, and died there in 1865. The mother died in New York city in 1889. Their son Charles was educated in the public schools of Phildelphia, and then began business life as a clerk and salesman in a drygoods store. He was next a salesman in a clothing establishment, and later conducted a foreign fruit trade for about nine years. In 1870 he went to New York and worked for two years in a drygoods store, and passed the next two in the same employment in Boston. He then was a year at Middlebury, Vt., as manager for Reed & Son, drygoods merchants. Returning to New York city in 1875 he was there a drygoods sales- man until 1879. In 1880 he came to Montana, settling at Miles City, and for two years engaged in freighting, but in 1882 he removed to the Rose- bud valley, and for nine years thereafter was em- ployed on the stock ranch of Robinson & Carpenter. In 1901 he took up a ranch of 160 acres on the Rosebud river, forty-five miles from the Northern Pacific Railroad, where he has since conducted stockraising and farming. In politics he is an active and zealous Republican.

H JERBERT H. ROBERTS .- Coming to Mon- tana in his early manhood, supported and en- couraged by the loyal, energetic and resolute wife whom he had but recently married, and passing his subsequent years within the state in active and well directed efforts to further her advancement while promoting his own, Herbert H. Roberts has proven himself to be one of the progressive men of the state. He was born in La Crosse county, Wis., on July 2, 1869, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Babcock) Roberts, natives of Maine and Wisconsin. His grandfather, Moses Roberts, was a native of Maine, and his grandfather Babcock came from the north of Ireland. His father re- moved to Wisconsin in early life, making his home in La Crosse county, where he engaged in farming and raising stock, and where he still resides, hav- ing retired from active work some years ago. Her- bert H. Roberts remained on the homestead until 1892, when he came to Montana, and locating at Bridger, passed three years there in farming, then sold his interests and took up his residence on his · present ranch, which is six miles east of Joliet, where he has since been engaged in the stock business. His ranch is a desirable property, well improved and highly cultivated, and returns for his labor the legitimate fruit of the intelligence, skill and en- terprise he has exhibited. On December 31, 1891, he married with Miss Sarah Hobbs, of Wisconsin, one of the three Hobbs sisters who have all con- tributed to the growth of Montana and are ex- amples of thrift and diligence, one being the wife of William Barclay, another the wife of James Barclay, and all sisters of John G. Hobbs, who are mentioned at length in other parts of this work. Mrs. Roberts is bearing her part in the burden of rearing the family and providing for their future comfort with cheerfulness and energy, and is add- ing to the social life of the community the influence of her strong and pleasing personality. They have two children, Albert and Ray.

JAMES H. ROBERTS, prominent throughout eastern and central Montana as a successful and enterprising rancher and general business man, is popularly known as "Missouri Jim." He was one of the earliest settlers of Cleveland, Choteau county ; has for a number of years been postmaster of the place and is, financially, most comfortably provided for and.a self-made man. He was born in Randolph county, Mo., April 13, 1837, the son of

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William A. and Martha J. (Baker) Roberts. The paternal grandfather, Silas Roberts, was a native of Missouri, his ancestors having come from Wales to the United States in the early Colonial days. The father of our subject, William A. Roberts, is a farmer, and at present resides in Chinook.

On his father's homestead, in Missouri, James H. Roberts was reared, and educated in the neigh- boring public schools. Soon after attaining his majority he went to Illinois, engaged in farm work and remained there until March, 1881, when he came to Montana. Here he entered the employ of the Cattle Association, in the Judith basin, and with them continued two years. He then associated himself with Pruiett & Phelps, cattlegrowers, and for a period of ten years was their general man- ager. It was in 1893 that he located in what is now known as Cleveland, where he secured a home- stead claim, eighty acres of desert land and leased 400 acres more, all of which is completely and sub- stantially fenced. Mr. Roberts is also proprietor of another ranch seven miles from Chinook. In the town of Cleveland he established a store and hotel, was appointed postmaster, and succeeded in having it named after ex-President Grover Cleve- land. In 1900 he resigned the position of post- master. His two valuable ranches are devoted to the growing of cattle and horses.

In 1884 Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Sophia J., daughter of John Daniothy, of Helena. They have three children : John J., Julia and Alice G. As will be noted by his choice of a name for the town of Cleveland, the political affiliations of Mr. Roberts are with the Democratic party.

W M. H. ROBINSON, of Boulder, came to Montana in 1888 with an accurate knowledge of many of its conditions of life acquired in nearly fifteen years experience as a range rider and herds- man on the plains of Texas and' as a miner in New Mexico and Arizona. He was born at Cle- burne, Tex., on January 16, 1859, the second child of William A. and Emeline (Cason) Robinson, natives of Georgia who came to Texas in early life. His father was a farmer and stockraiser, and was also engaged in the meat business, and his grandfather, Jesse Cason, was also a stockman.

Mr. Robinson, after attending school regularly until he was fifteen years old, yielded to a longing for the wild, outdoor life of the plains, and be- came a range rider for large stockmen in his native state, and reveled in the work for a time. He

then rode on the trail from Texas to Kansas for three years, and in 1881 became the superinten- dent and manager of the range and of the large herds of cattle in Texas, belonging to the Fraser Bros., of Chicago. After serving eighteen months in Texas, he removed their cattle to Oklahoma, and, severing his connection with the firm, engaged in mining for nearly five years at Georgetown, in New Mexico. After this he passed a few months mining in Arizona, and then located at Silver City, New Mexico, to do contract work in the mines. In 1888 he removed to Montana, settling at Granite mountain, and working on a timber gang for nearly two years. From there he went to the Black Pine mine, in Deer Lodge county, and after being shift boss here under David Valentine for six months, assumed charge of the mine as foreman, managing it until the silver crash of 1893 stopped its operation. Then in partnership with F. W. Shuman, he took hold of the Sunrise Mining & Milling Company; but eighteen months later sold his interest and moved to Helena, where he remained about seven years, mining in various places and doing such other work as opportunity offered or inclination directed. He spent the win- ter of 1895-96 in California; and in 1897 he and Erb Gunn together operated the C. & D. mine at Elkhorn successfully throughout the year. He next formed a partnership with George H. Hill and began operations in the Queen mine, which have since continued. They have shipped a great deal of excellent ore from this mine and are still shipping it at good profits.

Mr. Robinson is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which he takes great in- terest. He was married on June 13, 1892, at Philipsburg, Mont., to Miss Anna Taylor, a na- tive of England, whose father is a machine sales- man for large companies, and traveling all over the world. She died of heart disease in 1899, at Port- land, Ore., whither she had gone to benefit her health, leaving three children, Lucy, Alfred and Lawrence. They are at present in Boulder under the care of Mrs. D. Merrill. Mr. Robinson is yet in the prime of life, with good health and abund- ance of ambition and energy. The foot of time has rested lightly on him, notwithstanding the exposure and hardships of his life on the ranch and in the mines, or perhaps because of them. He has amassed a financial competence and won the good will and esteem of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance ; but he has no idea of ceasing his labors so long as there is a demand for them.

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A DOLPH ROENSCH is one of the substantial and progressive business men of the village of Sun River, Cascade county, where he conducts a successful livery business. The interesting subject of this sketch has done valiant service as a member of the regular army of the United States, has gained a high reputation as an Indian scout, and has had many exciting experiences on the frontier.

Mr. Roensch is a native of Saxony, Germany, where he was born on the 28th of April, 1839, a representative of the sterling old families of that province, where his parents, Carl and Caroline Roensch, were born. There the father conducted a weaving factory until the time of his death, which occurred in 1866. In the excellent public schools of his native land the subject of this review re- ceived a good education, and in 1854 he secured a position as bookkeeper in a flouringmill and gen- eral store, later being promoted to the position of assistant manager of the business. In the year 1868 he emigrated to America, visiting for a time in New York city, after which he went to Chicago, the western metropolis, where he was employed for several months, after which he made a tour through the south. In 1869, at Baton Rouge, La., he en- listed in the Nineteenth United States Infantry, and later was transferred to the Indian Territory, serving his full term of five years, and receiving his honorable discharge, being mustered out with the rank of sergeant, which office he held. Return- ing to Louisiana, he located in New Orleans, where he secured a position on the police force. In 1875 Mr. Roensch enlisted in the Third Infan- try, with which he served on the scenes of the riots in the eastern and southern states, the forces being concentrated at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Later he was sent to Corinne, Utah, whence the regiment marched to Helena, Mont., and thence proceeded to Fort Assinniboine, and from there came to Fort Shaw, Cascade county, in 1878. Here he served the bal- ance of his term as sergeant of the mounted in- fantry, and was discharged October 21, 1880, with "excellent" character and his discharge papers are endorsed by Capt. J. Ford Kent, commanding Fort Shaw, "one of the most zealous, efficient and honest men I have ever had in my command." He passed ten years of his life as an Indian scout, and having shown intrepid courage and military prowess on many occasions. After resigning from the service, whose arduous work had impaired his health, Mr. Roensch was placed in charge as custodian of Fort Shaw, where he remained until the present Indian

school was established there in 1892, when he re- moved to Sun River, where he has since been es- tablished in the livery business. In politics he has given an unwavering support to the Republican party, and has been an active worker in its cause, having been for a number of years a member of the central committee of his party in Cascade county.

In 1892 Mr. Roensch was united in marriage to Miss Kate Hase, who was born in Ireland, her par- ents having died when she was a small child, so that she was unable to keep any record concernng them. She herself was summoned into eternal rest on the 16th of October, 1896.

JOHN B. ROBERTSON, who is one of the suc- cessful and progressive young ranchmen of Cas- cade county, his place of location being about thirty miles southeast of the village of Cascade, is a native son of the state of Montana, of which his father is a pioneer. Our subject was born at York, Meagher county, this state, on the 21st of Sep- tember, 1874, being the son of Oscar A. and Rose Robertson, natives respectively of Virginia and Missouri, from which latter state they removed to Montana in 1864, the father engaging in ranching and mining, with a fair degree of success. He is now located on Deep creek, Cascade county, where he devotes his attention to farming and cattlegrow- ing. The mother of our subject passed away in 1877, having been a devoted member of the Catho- lic church, in whose faith she died. John B. Rob- ertson received a common-school education, but in his boyhood began to assume the practical duties of life, assisting his father in his work at the age of fourteen years, and thereafter continuing to de- vote his attention to work in the line of ranching and mining, also assisting in cattle round-ups.

On the 29th of October, 1896, Mr. Robertson was united in marriage to Miss Bessie I. Millegan, a daughter of Reuben and Mary Millegan, the former of whom was born in the state of New York and the latter in Ohio. They came to Mon- tana in 1880, and here Mr. Millegan was engaged in ranching and hotel-keeping until 1882, when he located on his present ranch (now operated by our subject), and the postoffice being named Mille- gan in his honor. Mr. and Mrs. Millegan retired from the ranch when their son-in-law assumed charge, and they now make their home in the capi- tal city of the state. Mr. Millegan is a stanch

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Republican in politics, and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.

John B. Robertson, the immediate subject of this review, in 1897 leased Mr. Millegan's ranch of 420 acres for a term of five years, and here he has been successful in his operations, raising cat- tle on a quite extensive scale, and also devoting some attention to agriculture. In politics he gives his support of the Democratic party, keeping well informed on the questions of the day. He and his wife have one child, Joseph D., born in 1890.

BYRON B. ROGERS, one of the successful farmers and stockgrowers of Teton county, has achieved success through his own efforts. He was born in St. Joseph county, Ind., on April 26, 1856. He is the son of Isaac and Chloah (Van Wicklin) Rogers, the former of whom died at Neosho, Mo., in 1862 when Byron was a lad; the mother was born in Canada and her death occurred in 1882 at Greenwood, Wis. Byron B. Rogers had early educational training in the public schools of Indiana and Illinois, which was supplemented by a course of study in the Englehorn Business College at Helena, Mont. From his thirteenth year he has been dependent upon his own resources, having then begun working on farms in McHenry county, Ill., and continuing to be thus engaged until 1876, when he came to the Black Hills of South Dakota. In that section he was engaged in the bakery busi- ness until 1882, when he removed to. Miles City, Mont., where he continued baking for six months.

In the fall of 1882 he secured a pre-emption claim of 160 acres near Jamestown, N. D., and applied himself to farming until 1884, when he came to Livingston, Mont., and learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked for three years in the employ of the Northern Pacific. In 1887 he removed to Helena, where he worked as a carpenter until 1893. In that year he came to Teton county, and rented land on the Burton bench for three years, when he secured a desert claim of 160 acres, later purchas- ing an adjoining tract of equal area, so that he now has a fine ranch of 320 acres, well improved and under effective cultivation. He devotes his at- tention to farming and stockraising, securing ex- cellent crops and having cattle of excellent grade. He is progressive in his methods and is held in high esteem. Mr. Rogers takes no active part in political affairs, maintaining an independent at- titude, and giving his support to men and measures, rather than to follow party dictation.

JOHN J. ROHRBAUGH .- Although a genera- tion has passed since the Civil war and only a small number is left of the mighty army that there battled for freedom, several of that patriotic band, who are yet active business men and interested in all that pertains to the prosperity of the country, are still with us. John J. Rohrbaugh, of Helena, Mont., is a strong reminder of that struggle. He was born in York county, Pa., on April 6, 1841. When a child of six years he went to live with his grandfather, John Emig, where he attended the public schools and helped on the farm until he was fourteen years old. He served an apprenticeship as millwright from 1856 to 1858, but not being satisfied with his education attended the York county academy for several terms, taught school in the winters of 1860 and 1861, and the following spring was a clerk in a general store. In the fall of 1862, when the air was permeated with patriotic devotion, he caught the spirit and enlisted in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. While suffering from malaria he was detailed for service in the ad- jutant-general's office at Washington, D. C., and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. In the fall of 1865 he went to St. Louis, Mo., and 011 May 16, 1866, he again enlisted in the United States army at Lawrence, Kan., and served three years, when he was discharged as sergeant of Com- pany I, Second United States Cavalry.

In 1869 he came to Montana and finally located in Jefferson county, where he taught in the public schools until 1878 and was superintendent of pub- lic schools of that county for four years. On May 7, 1878, he established a stage line from Helena to Wickes, Mont., conducting it profitably until the railroad was completed here in 1884, when the route was abandoned. In the spring of 1885 he became chief clerk of the Grand Central Hotel, which position he held until 1890, when he helped to organize the Merchants Hotel Company, and became one of its managers, resigning this position in 1891. In 1892 he opened the Grandon Hotel and was its proprietor until the fall of 1893. In the spring of 1896 he erected his present place of business where he is doing well as a grocer.

Mr. Rohrbaugh is of American lineage for sev- eral generations, his father and mother, Daniel and Katherine (Emig) Rohrbaugh, being natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a well-to-do black- smith and also interested in railroading. He voted the Democratic ticket and the family belonged to the Lutheran church. To Daniel Rohrbaugh and his wife were born eleven children. The father

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died in 1868, the mother in February, 1899. J. J. Rohrbaugh has always been interested in politics. He voted the Democratic ticket until 1892, but since has been a strong supporter of the Repub- lican party. He was nominated for sheriff in 1887 and again in 1889, but was defeated at both elec- tions. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, as a pastmaster of Helena Lodge No. 3, and be- longs to the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Grand Army of the Re- public and the Union Veteran Legion. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is act- ively interested in every organization with which lie is connected, and, being versatile and obliging, is always in demand. He is ready at any time to lend his assistance to a worthy project.

B APTISTE RONDIN, one of Teton county's old time and esteemed residents, is not only a Montanian by birth, but his father, Charles Rondin, was one of the earliest pioneers in the territory. He was among the first of pioneer explorers to ascend the Missouri river, and this he accomplished in a small rowboat, pulling its oars all the way from St. Louis to Fort Benton. He remained at Fort Benton for the greater portion of his remain- ing life, dying there in 1886. His wife, Eliza, an Indian woman and a native of Montana, also died at Fort Benton in 1880. Baptiste Rondin attended the Fort Benton public schools until he was seven- teen years old. Later for a number of years he was employed on stock ranches and ranges, and for three years was connected with the Tingley Freighting Company. Until 1887 he herded cattle on the Jesse Taylor ranch, and then came to the Blackfoot reservation in Teton county, purchased land on Flatiron creek from John Galbraith (a sketch of whom appears elsewhere), and developed a horse and cattle ranch. At Robare, in May, 1888, Mr. Rondin was married to Mary, an Indian, and became the step-father of two children, Richard and Samuel. By this marriage he has five children : Louise, Mary, Nancy, Isabel and Philip.

FRANK W. ROSSBERG, superintendent of the Peck-Montana concentrator of Helena, is a resident of the capital city. He was born on Sep- tember 14, 1850, in Manitowoc county, Wis. His

parents were natives of Germany who came to the United States in 1847, settled in Wisconsin, where they lived the rest of their lives. Mr. Rossberg was educated in the public schools of his native county until he was sixteen, when he went to the copper mines of northern Michigan and was em- ployed for five years by the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company. In the year 1888 Mr. Rossberg joined the Anaconda Mining Company, at Anacon- da, Mont., as master mechanic. In 1889 he removed to Butte and erected a concentrator for Senator William A. Clark. He then made a journey to the Black Hills in the interest of San Francisco parties, and erected there a large steam stamp mill for handling their ores. Nine months later he returned to Butte, and was again employed by Sen. W. A. Clark. Afterward he engaged with the Pony Min- ing Company, of Madison county, to erect a con- centrator, was in its employ nine months, but the concentrator was not completed owing to lack of ore. The mechanical abilities of Mr. Rossberg had by that time obtained wide recognition and were in great demand. He was engaged to erect a plant for the Boston & Montana Mining Company in Great Falls, and he remained there until the works were completed, and since 1893 he has had entire charge of the mines and plants of this company.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 152

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