Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 153

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 153

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The Peck-Montana Concentrator Company was organized in 1891, with these officers :. President, O. B. Peck ; vice-president, S, T. Hauser ; secretary, George H. Hill; manager, F. W. Rossberg, Mr. Peck is a resident of Chicago, Ill. Mr. Hill the sec- retary resides in Helena, as does Mr. Rossberg. The first works of the company were erected at Cor- bin, Mont., in 1893, but the machinery was not successful in its operation, and the mill ran only until 1894. It was not again operated until 1896, when Mr. Peck invented and constructed a new machine and replaced the old one. In 1898 the company erected a mill at Helena, having a capac- ity of 225 to 250 tons of ore per day. This is the most complete, and in point of latest improvements, the best concentrator in Montana, the machinery constructed in it being the only successful one of its kind that has ever been manufactured. Mr. Rossberg is a Republican in politics, but he has never sought political preferment, and fraternally he is a Mason and an Elk. As a mechanic of superior abilities and wide experience he has a well established reputation in mining circles reaching beyond the state. By his business associates and all with whom he has had dealings he is esteemed

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as a broad-minded, liberal and progressive man. In the mining industries of the state he has been of late years an important factor, and he has been eminently successful in his chosen life work.

In 1876 Mr. Rossberg married with Miss Cath- erine Gassman, a daughter of Nicholas Gassman, a pioneer of the mining districts of northern Michi- gan. Four children have come from this felicitous union, Flora, Emma, William N. and Frederick H. The sons are now attending Columbia Univer- sity in New York city. The family of Mr. Ross- berg stands in the front rank of Helena's worthy and valuable citizens. Quiet and unobtrusive, and possessed with a desire to aid in every undertaking calculated to benefit humanity, from their home radi- ates an atmosphere of kindness, courtesy and a delightful hospitality.

PETER L. RUNYAN .- This worthy gentleman has been a resident of Montana for more than twenty years, and has had friendly business re- lations with many men of the state. He is an extensive rancher and sheepman, and is clear-cut and "square" in all of his transactions. Mr. Runyan was born in Catawba, Clark county, Ohio, on De- cember 26, 1845. His parents were Hiram L. and Elizabeth Runyan, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Virginia. The father was a farmer, and in politics was a Republican. In religion both himself and wife were members of the Methodist church. His death occurred on No- vember 13, 1897, and that of his wife on August 24, 1852.

Peter L. Runyan, like other farmers' sons, worked on the farm from childhood, acquiring also a good common school education. On attaining his majority he took the home farm on shares and con- ducted it successfully until 1870, when he located in Urbana, Ohio, and engaged in the marble busi- ness with his cousin, J. W. Runyan. This venture was a failure and caused him a loss of several thousand dollars. In 1876 he located in Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand and also as a clerk in a general store. In 1878 he pur- chased a team, rented a tract of land in Iowa, raised some hogs and put in crops, which he arranged to have cared for, then came to Montana, going up the Missouri river to Fort Benton, arriving there in June, 1879. His first occupation here was shear- ing sheep, and then he engaged in herding sheep for

leading firms in this industry, and was thus em- ployed until 1882. He now went into business for himself at Ming coulee, where he improved the fine ranch now the property of W. J. Bickett. In 1883 he wintered sheep for Mullery & Cannon and until 1885 remained in the employ of that firm.

Mr. Runyan located on his present beautiful ranch, ten miles south of Cascade, in 1885. This ranch now comprises 2,900 acres, now in an ex- cellent condition, with 130 acres under effective cultivation. To afford pasturage for his large bands of sheep, he leases twenty-two sections of railroad land. At the present writing (1901) Mr. Runyan has on his range more than 10,000 sheep, and his cut of wool reached 70,000 pounds. Mr. Runyan has a partnership association with J. J. Ellis, of Great Falls. Their business has been most satisfactory, giving a good profit. In politics Mr. Runyan supports the Republican party, and keeps well informed on the questions of the day.

JOHN A. ROSS .- Five miles south of Stockett, in McGiffen coulee, Cascade county, is located the fine homestead ranch of the subject of this sketch, one of the representative stockgrowers and farmers of this section of the state. He was born in Nova Scotia, April 28, 1869, being the son of Peter and Katherine Ross, who were natives of Canada, where the former was a successful farmer and merchant. They were devoted members of the Catholic church, to whose support they contributed liberally. The father died in 1900, and the mother now resides with her son, William, in Canada.

John A. Ross received his educational discipline in the public schools of his native province, as- sisting his father in the work of the farm until 1882, when he became ambitious to learn the trade of blacksmithing, to which he devoted his attention until 1885, when he returned to the parental home- stead, believing that agriculture offered better op- portunities than did the trade mentioned. Finally determining to cast his lot with Montana he came west, first locating at Butte, on April 23, 1888, where he followed his trade for a time, and then removed to Neihart, remained a year, and then went to Great Falls, where he was employed in the smelter for a year. He then went to Meagher county and entered the employ of the Boston & Montana Timber Company, in which connection he continued until 1896, when he returned to Great

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Falls and was there engaged in work at his trade until 1896, when he took up his present home- stead claim of 160 acres, five miles south of Stock- ett. Here he has since been successfully engaged in farming and stockraising, eighty-five acres of his place being available for cultivation.

In politics Mr. Ross gives his support to the Democratic ticket. 'In 1893 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ross to Miss Mary Gilles, daugh- ter of Henry and Katie Gilles, natives of Luxem- burg, Germany, to whom more specific reference is made in the sketch of their son Henry, on another page of this work, the latter being one of the suc- cessful ranchers of Cascade county. To our sub- ject and his wife three children have been born : Katie, Mary J. and James. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are members of the Roman Catholic church.

C HARLES RUSSELL .- Among the capable and popular officials connected with the Northern Pacific Railroad is Mr. Russell, who is incumbent of the responsible position of superintendent of the Rocky Mountain division, with headquarters at Missoula. He is a native of Georgia, having been born in Fayette, in November, 1860, his parents having likewise been natives of that state, where they passed their entire lives. The father owned a plantation, and during the Civil war was captain in the Confederate. army. Charles Russell was reared and educated in Georgia, there completing his scholastic descipline in the state university. He here became identified with railroading in 1879, taking a position in the Atlanta offices of the Atlanta & Charlotte Railroad and remaining there for two years. He has worked his way step by step up the ladder, earning promotion by efficient and faith- ful service. He was next employed as a laborer on another railroad, devoting two years to work in this capacity, after which he was made foreman and eventually roadmaster. The last named incum- bency he retained two years, and then entered the employ of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & South- ern Railroad, serving as roadmaster for two years and thereafter for a similar period with the Denver & Rio Grande, in the same capacity. He then be- came an employe of the Northern Pacific, coming to Missoula in 1889, and assuming the position of roadmaster on the portion of the line between Hel- ena and Missoula. He was made superintendent of the Rocky Mountain division in December, 1897,

succeeding E. G. Pearson, and has charge of the line between Marysville and Rimini, the main line from Helena to Hope, the Montana Union division, from Butte to Garrison; the Philipsburg branch, the Bitter Root line and the Coeur d'Alene branch. He has done much to improve the lines under his supervision, and has gained and merits the confi- dence and esteem of his superior officers. He en- joys a marked popularity in the city of Missoula and is well known in other sections of the state.

JOHN H. RUHE, of Cleveland, Choteau county, is numbered among the most successful sheep- growers of the Bear Paw mountains, and he has for a large portion of his career made a specialty of this business. . He was born in Germany on September 18, 1863, and his parents were Michael and Susanne (Sticken) Ruhe, also natives of the fatherland, all through their lives engaged in farming in that country, where, in 1869, the father was called from earthly scenes, while the mother is still living in Germany. John H. Ruhe was reared on the farm of his father and received his education in the public schools. Ambitious to better his con- dition he came in 1877 to the United States at the age of twenty-four years. His first location was in Iowa, where he found employment on the farms of that state, and for two years he worked diligently and saved his money. It was in 1889 that he made his advent into Montana, settling first at Billings, where he secured work as a sheep herder, continu- ing in that neighborhood until 1891, in which year he went to the Bear Paw mountains of Choteau county, and, in connection with Mrs. Amelia Lang, who is an extensive sheepgrower, began his suc- cessful connection with that industry. The frater- nal associations of Mr. Ruhe are with the Free- masons, and politically he is a Republican.

FERDINAND C. ROOSEVELT is a leading and successful merchant of Armington, Cas- cade county, who has had a long and varied ex- perience in the west. He was born at Ypsilanti, Mich., on August 17, 1838, the son of Nelson and Sarah Roosevelt, both natives of Albany, N. Y. The father was a contractor and builder who for many years was employed by the Michigan Central Rail- road. He erected the first water works at Detroit,

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Mich., and was a man of high integrity and an old line Whig. Both of the parents were Metho- dists and passed away from earth in the early 'sev- enties. Ferdinand C. Roosevelt improved his early opportunities, received an excellent education, and has supported himself since his fifteenth year. His first business experience was that of a clerk in a mercantile house in Minnesota in 1856, and he conducted a hotel from 1857 to 1862.

He then removed to Oregon, where he passed some time prospecting, and later exhibited consider- able courage and fortitude in walking the 300 miles from Walla Walla to the Boise basin, where he followed mining with fair success until 1866, when he secured employment with the Wells-Fargo Ex- press Company at a salary of $150 a month. Mr. Roosevelt remained in that locality until 1867 when he opened up an office at Fort Benton, Mont., his salary being raised to $200 per month. In this business he remained until 1871, when he removed to Salt Lake City to become the general manager of the company's affairs. In 1873 he returned to Fort Benton and until 1881 was a bookkeeper for Wetzel & Weatherway. He then engaged in the furniture business and continued this prosperously until he met with a serious loss by fire in 1884. For the next six years he devoted his attention to ranch life, but in 1890 he came to Armington and opened a general store and by his genial ways and honest fairness has built up a valuable trade which he has continued successfully. Politically he is an active supporter of the Republican party and fraternally a Royal Arch Mason. On June 3, 1873, Mr. Roosevelt was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Ringo, a native of Richmond, Mo. Her father was also a merchant, and while her mother was a Baptist, her father affiliated with the Christian church, and both are now dead.

ADWARD CHANNING RUSSEL, was born at Southport, Conn., on July 6, 1856, ranking among the able members of the Montana bar, and is an oldtime resident of Helena, having located here twenty-two years ago. His parents were William C. and . Matilda (Howland) Russel. William C. Russel was a nephew of Dr. William Ellery Chan- ning, the eminent Unitarian divine, and one of his direct ancestors was William Ellery, the signer of the Declaration of Independence for Connecticut, and a judge in the colony. The ancestors of the 113

mother of Edward C. Russel trace direct descent from John Howland, of the first Mayflower land- ing. William C. Russel was a native of New York, educated at Columbia and Harvard Colleges. Fol- lowing his graduation he was professor of Roman and American history at the Antioch (Ohio) Col- lege he was also professor in the same chairs in Cor- nell University and vice-president of that institution from its foundation until 1832. Subsequently he was with Brown University of Providence, R. I. He died in New York on February 23, 1897.

Edward C. Russel has two brothers, one, How- land Russel, an architect in Milwaukee, Wis., and William C. Russel, city editor of the Philadelphia Record. Another brother was killed before Fort Wagner, near Charleston, S. C., during the Civil war. He was an officer in the Fifty-fourth Massa- chusetts Infantry, under Colonel Shaw. Edward Channing Russel was reared in New York city, and educated in the private schools of that metropo- lis and of Ithaca, N. Y. This education was con- tinued and enlarged at Cornell University, where he matriculated in 1874, but, on 'account of his health he went to southern California for a year, returning to Cornell in 1875, from which excellent scholastic institution he was graduated in 1879. He then passed one year in California to benefit his health, and came to Jefferson county, Mont., in 1879. For several years he there engaged in the cattle business, and in 1887 he removed to Helena and read law in the office of Chumasero & Mc- Cutcheon. In 1888 he was admitted to practice, and for one year was associated with R. G. Davies, since which time he has been alone. He still has considerable stock interests in the state and a valu- able ranch of 3,000 acres.

Politically he has always affiliated with the Re- publican party. In its campaigns he has done very effective work on the stump throughout the state. He has held for six years the office of United States commissioner by appointment, and for four years he has been secretary of the Montana Bar Asso- ciation. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. The ca- reer of Mr. Russel has been one to which he can not fail to revert with pride. Unaided and alone lie hewed his way to success amid the wilderness of a rugged territory just bursting into statehood. Socially and financially he has achieved a most en- viable position among the leading men of a com- monwealth abounding in strong personality and able types of the highest manhood.

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

RUDE BROTHERS .- Till H. and Ole Rude, who compose the firm of Rude Brothers, pros- perous ranchmen on the Yellowstone, opposite the town of Rosebud, are natives of Berum Wirk, Nor- way, where they were born, Till on March 16, 1867, and Ole in 1861. Their parents were Hans Christophsen and Mary (Jensen) Rude, also na- tives of Norway, the father an industrious black- smith, and where he died about 1875. His widow is still living on the old home. The brothers were reared and educated in their native town, and in 1882 Till came to the United States. He located at Eau Claire, Wis., and there worked in an iron foundry for fourteen months, having served an ap- prenticeship as a founder in the old country. In 1884 he came to Montana and went to work at Fort Maginnis, herding sheep for Oscar Stephens, which he followed for four years. Ole Rude, the younger brother, came to the United States in 1881, first making his home at Eau Claire, Wis., and for two years working at milling, a trade he had learned in Norway. In 1876 he removed to Fort Maginnis in Montana, and for a number of years was em- ployed on the sheep ranch of Oscar Stephens. In 1893 he and his brother Till formed a partnership for the purpose of conducting business on a ranch which had been located in 1881 by an older brother, Martin H. Rude. Till had taken up his residence on this ranch in 1888, and since 1893 the brothers have there lived together. This ranch consists of the original 160 acres, a rented railroad section and an extensive range, all devoted to the production of cattle, horses and hay. Its situation is a very de- sirable one, being on the north side of Yellowstone river, opposite the town of Rosebud, and its state of productiveness and adaptability for stockraising and hay is strong proof of the thrift and industry, as well as of the skill and intelligence of its pro- prietors and owners. In politics the Rude Brothers are Republicans. They are unmarried, but are highly esteemed as progressive and useful citizens, giving their due share of time and service to all matters of local interest.

OHN AND CONRAD SACK .- To no class of J her foreign born citizenship is America more indebted for the substantial character of her de- velopment than those of German origin. They are patient toilers in any field of action, showing dili- gence and unyielding perseverance. To this class

belong John and Conrad Sack, sons of German parents and born in the Fatherland, the former November 16, 1858, and the latter December 26, 1862. Their father was Leopold and their mother Margaret Sack, natives of Germany. The father · was a farmer in good circumstances and sent his sons to school until they were sixteen years old, when he put them to work on the farm. Both par- ents were zealous members of the Roman Catholic church. They died in the faith and were laid away in the consecrated ground of their home village Of their children are now living : Barthel, Rosina, Walburger, John, Anna Marie and Conrad. When John was twenty years old he left Germany, not desiring to enter the army as required by law. Three years later Conrad left home for the same reason. They afterward came to America, settled in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, and gave their at- tention for a time to coal mining. In 1883, how- ever, they concluded that there was no greater labor in mining for the precious metals, and the laborer's portion of the results was likely to be much larger ; hence they moved to Montana, landing at Fort Benton, where they secured employment on ranches near by until 1885; and then, abandoning the idea of working for somebody else, they found agree- able location for a permanent home, where they now reside, about thirty miles east of Belt, Cascade county. Each took up a homestead, and they have since added, by purchase and otherwise, a great deal of land and have now one of the finest stock ranches in eastern Montana. On this they have lived and prospered, gradually redeeming it from its wild condition to responsive productiveness, raising each year an increasing number of cattle, and grain and hay wherewith to feed them, per- forming with fidelity and cheerfulness every duty the interests of their property, their community and their adopted country have demanded. From 1892 to 1897 they varied their livestock operations hy raising considerable numbers of sheep. But, al- though they were fairly successful in the venture. they did not find it either agreeable enough or profitable enough to continue it longer. They are well pleased with their home; the government of the United States suits them, and the state of Mon- tana has their ardent faith and devotion. They are Republicans in politics, with an unyielding con- viction that the tenets, trend and administrative methods of the party are the best, just as in re- ligious belief they have unfailing faith in the teach- ings and practices of the Roman Catholic church.

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W ILLARD J. SALISBURY is one of the en- terprising young ranchmen of Cascade county, and here he has attained a due quota of success as the symmetrical result of his own ef- forts. He has depended upon his personal exer- tions for a livelihood from his boyhood, and has not been dismayed by the obstacles which he has found it necessary to overcome. Thus he may properly claim the proud American title of a self- made man. Mr. Salisbury was born at Smithville, N. Y., on the 12th of October, 1868, being the son of William H. and Anna E. Salisbury, both of whom were born in the old Empire state, where the father devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. His death occurred on the 19th of May, 1887, his widow surviving him until the 9th of February, 1892, when she too entered into eternal rest. Both were members of the 'Baptist church and were folk of sterling character.

Willard J. Salisbury had but limited educational advantages in his youth, attended the public schools at irregular intervals, and early beginning to ren- der his father assistance in the farm work, so con- tinuing to do between the ages of twelve and twenty. In the spring of 1888, the year after his father's death, he came to Montana, locating on his present ranch, near Millegan, Cascade county, where he secured 160 acres by homestead entry and an equal amount of desert land. To the area of his ranch he has since added by the purchase of 140 acres, seventy-five acres of the place being available for cultivation, while the remainder offers excellent pasturage for the cattle which Mr. Salisbury raises upon quite an extensive scale. In politics he gives an unqualified support to the Republican party, and in the community he is recognized as a reliable and progressive young business man.

On the 8th of November, 1892, Mr. Salisbury was married to Miss Hattie V. Race, who was born in the state of New York, as were also her parents, Wheaton J. and Anna B. Race, the former of whom is engaged in farming at Greene, Chenango county, N. Y. Mrs. Salisbury belongs to the Baptist church.

0 LIVER SANDOVAL, the present interpreter in the post-trader's store of J. H. Sherburne, at Browning, Teton county, is recognized as quite a prominent character throughout the district. He is a native Montanian, born at Fort Union in May, 1860, and his father, Isadore Sandoval, was

also a native of the territory, having first seen the light of day in 1831, at Fort Benton. The father of Isadore Sandoval, the grandfather of Oliver, was a Mexican and his wife was a Piegan Indian. Isadore Sandoval was long an interpreter for the United States government, the American Fur Com- pany, T. C. Power & Co., I. G. Baker & Co., and for the Piegan Indians at Choteau. He was a noted hunter, considered in his prime the best in the country. He died in 1883. His son, Oliver Sandoval, was reared by Malcolm Clark, whose tragical murder in 1869, by the Piegans, was the cause of the historic "Baker's battle" of 1870, and he was educated at his home by Miss Helen P. Clark and at the agency school at Choteau, which early instruction was later supplemented by self- tuition. Upon leaving school at the age of thirteen, he for several years assisted his father in his work as interpreter. From 1884 until 1897 he was the interpreter at the Blackfoot agency, under Majors Allen, Baldwin, Catlin, George Steele and Capt. Cook, and since that time he has been connected with the post-trader's store at Browning. At Pie- gan, in 1884, Mr. Sandoval was married to Mary Fast-Buffalo-Horse, daughter of Chief Fast-Buffalo- Horse of the Piegans. They have one living child, Johnnie, Joseph having died at the age of two years. Mr. Sandoval owns a fine ranch of 200 acres at Heart butte, Birch creek, on the reserva- tion. This is completely fenced and devoted to farming and the raising of cattle and horses. Mr. Sandoval can be considered in prosperous circum- stances and his merited success is owing to his per- severance and ability.

M ATT SALE .- Among the many young men who have won prosperity from the soil of Montana is Matt Sale. It is a story of a self-reliant boyhood and successful manhood. He was born at Luxemburg, Germany, March 11, 1861, the son of Nicholas and Maria Sale, both natives of Germany. The entire lifetime of his father was passed in the millwright business in which he accumulated a competence. The parents were both members of the Catholic church. In 1863 the mother died.

Young Matthew managed to obtain a fair educa- tion through the few schools in his immediate vicinity. But he was a resolute youth, and while between the ages of ten and eleven years he came to the United States and located at Minneapolis,

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 153

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