Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 16

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 16

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).

F "RANK FOSTER .- The subject of this brief review is a native of Appanoose county, Iowa, where he was born on October 13, 1859, the son of Z. D. and Emily (Young) Foster, the former born in Indiana and the latter in Kentucky. They were the parents of six sons and four daughters. Z. D. Foster removed from Indiana to Iowa, where he married and remained until 1859, prof- itably engaged in farming and operating a saw- mill. In the spring of 1863 he started for Mon- tana, but did not arrive at Alder gulch until May I, 1864, having wintered at Bitter creek, Wyo. On his arrival in Montana he engaged in teaming for a year, and in 1885 removed to the Jefferson val- ley, and taking up land there, went to ranching and also engaged in the sawmill business, his chief interests, however, being at this time in Oklahoma.

Frank Foster, our immediate subject, grew up in Jefferson county, attending the public schools there and remaining with the family until 1883 : then at the age of twenty-four, he took up and pur- chased property, where he is now located, and at once entered upon an extensive and profitable ranching and stockraising business, which he is still conducting wth gratifying results. He was

1071

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

married on September 7, 1884, to Miss Sarah M. Dodge, of South Boulder, a native of Madison county, and daughter of B. F. Dodge. She died on March 31, 1898, leaving three children, namely : Ollie M., Carl F. and Althea M. Mr. Foster married again on March 14, 1901, his wife being formerly Miss Clara Gilbert, daughter of H. S. Gilbert, of Virginia City, Mont. Her parents came to Virginia City in 1863, where Mrs. Gil- bert was born, educated and attained womanhood. They have a pleasant home on their well im- proved and highly cultivated ranch, and make it one of pleasing hospitality to their numerous friends. In political relations Mr. Foster is a Re- publican, but is not an active party worker or an office-seeker. He has, however, served his people in the office of road supervisor, a position which his excellent judgment is very useful and highly appreciated. In fraternal relations he is allied with the Masons, its adjunct, the Eastern Star, and the United Workmen.

OHN J. FRANK .- The career of this gentle- man has been varied and eventful, and even a cursory review of the same will be interesting. He served in the German army during the war be- tween Austria and Prussia, and on coming to America his excellent tactical knowledge led him to a position of prominence in the regular army of the United States, in which he served with honor and distinction. Mr. Frank is today numbered among the representative citizens of Carbon county, where he has a fine ranch property and serves the county as a member of the board of commissioners. A native of Baden, Germany, John J. Frank was born on October 6, 1846, be- ing one of the children of John J. and Emma Mary (Schneider) Frank, natives of Baden. The father . of our subject immigrated to America in 1849, at the time of the revolution in his native land, and located in New York city, finally re- moving to Philadelphia, where he passed the re- mainder of his life devoting his attention prin- cipally to mercantile pursuits. His widow survived him many years, her death occurring in Baden, Germany, in the year 1875. John J. Frank, Jr., the immediate subject of this sketch, remained in Germany with his mother and sister, and there se- cured his educational training in the excellent schools of the empire, after which he learned the

trade of cabinet making. His military service had its inception when he was twenty-one years of age, and as a member of the First Grenadiers, under Col. Dagenfelt, he served during the Prus- sian-Austrian war of 1866, and was an active par- ticipant in the memorable battle of Schoffensburg, and a number of other important engagements. After the war he started for America, landing at Castle Garden, N. Y., March 7, 1867, a stranger in a strange land and with a very slight knowledge of the English language. He worked at his trade in New York for a period of six months, and was similarly engaged in the city of Philadelphia for two years. Mr. Frank then enlisted in the United States army, being sent to Camp Supulpa, I. T., and assigned to the Thirteenth United States In- fantry, under Col. Delanze Flogt Jones, his com- pany being under command of Capt. R. P. Use, now serving in the Philippines. Mr. Frank re- mained in the army for a period of five years, with- in which time he participated in numerous skir- mishes with the Indians. He was located at Fort Dodge, Fort Hayes and Fort Wallace, Kan., and at New Orleans, whence he went up the Red river, and received his honorable discharge at Coushetta, La. After his discharge Mr. Frank went to Parsons, Kan., and turned his attention to his trade, being employed for eighteen months, removing thence to Armstrong, where he was employed in the shops of the Kansas Pacific Railroad. He then joined the stampede to Colorado, locating at Brecken- ridge, Summit county, occasionally working at his trade and engaged in mining operations for two years, meeting with fair success. He then moved to Frisco, where he remained until 1886, and en- gaged in mining and carpentering. He then started for Montana, arriving in Helena on the Fourth of July in the year mentioned, and soon afterward he began mining at German bar, on Ten Mile creek, passing the remainder of the summer in prospecting, but meeting with little success. He then went to Marysville, where he continued min- ing and trading for eighteen months, passing the following two years at Castle, where his mining prospects were excellent until the shutting down of the smelter. In 1892 he came to Carbon county and located his present ranch, which now com- prices 160 acres located at Fishtail, his postoffice address. He has recently turned his attention to the raising of cattle, and such is his discrimination and business ability that it is practically certain that he will become one of the leading representa-

1072

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

tives of this great industry in this section of the state. That Mr. Frank commands the unequivocal confidence and esteem of the community is evident from the position which he holds as a member of the board of county commissioners, to which office he was elected in 1901. While residing at Frisco, Colo., he served as city marshal, and also held the office of road supervisor for four years.

His political faith is that maintained by the Re- publican party. It may be noted that when Mr. Frank entered the United States army his knowl- edge of English was yet very limited, but within a year he was made corporal, while nine months later he was advanced to first sergeant, this pro- motion being a recognition of his ability and fidelity. On May 14, 1901, Mr. Frank was united in marriage to Mrs. Ella Jones, who was born in Warren county, Ill., a daughter of William and Deborah Howard, who both lived to the ad- vanced age of ninety-four years and were na- tives of England.

JOHN LARSON .- Holding preferment as one of the county commissioners of Lewis and Clarke county, and honored as one of the sterling pioneers of Montana, Mr. Larson represents that sturdy element which gained to Montana her early prestige : conserving her industries and resources through individual interposition and effort and witnessing her development and her progress to a position of importance among the great sister- hood of states. Mr. Larson is a native of Den- mark, where he was born on June 14, 1839, be- ing the son of Hans Larson, who passed his entire life in Denmark, as did also his wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Christison. John Larson grew to maturity in his native land, receiving his education in the public schools, and serving in the national army from 1861 to 1863, being a member of the king's bodyguard. In October, 1863, at the age of twenty-four years, lie sev- ered home ties and came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, on the first of November, proceeding at once to Chicago and thence to Racine, Wis., where he found some of his coun- trymen engaged in the coopering business. He was there employed until April, 1864, when he associated himself with four other Danes in the purchasing of an ox team and supplies and start- ing on the long overland trip to Idaho, They

crossed the state of Iowa to Omaha, thence across the North Platte river and by way of the Boze- man cutoff. There were sixty-three wagons in the train on crossing the Big Horn and Yellowstone rivers. The train ahead was attacked by Indians and many of the party were killed, and the com- pany of which Mr. Larson was a member gave burial to three of the unfortunates whose bodies had been left where they fell, their companions having fled before the ruthless savages, unable to perform the last sad rites. Mr. Larson stopped a week where the city of Livingston is now located and thence started on a prospecting trip up the Yellowstone to Emigrant gulch. Thence he con- tinued his way to Virginia City, where he arrived August 9, 1864, and there found employment in the placer mines at $8.00 per day, payment being made in gold dust. On the 3d of November he and his companions started with their team for Silver Bow, erected a cabin near what is now Butte and took up a mining claim, and during the winter Mr. Larson secured contracts for the building of a number of houses in Silver Bow. In March, 1865, he went to Ophir gulch, to which locality there was at that time a typical stam- pede; but as the results did not justify the rush to the new diggings he reurned to Silver Bow, but soon afterward joined a stampede to Ger- man gulch, where better success attended his ef- forts. He here opened a good mine, which he operated until the spring of 1869, when he made his way to Carpenter bar, near Blackfoot City. Meeting with poor success he continued on to Little Blackfoot, purchased mining grounds and built a ditch, but gold not panning out in paying quantities he took up a ranch, to which he ap- plied the name of Sweetland station, located on the stage road between Helena and Deer Lodge. He continued to reside on this ranch nearly ten years, until April, 1879, and then went to the Penob- scot mine, near Marysville, Lewis and Clarke county, where he engaged in teaming. This has since been Mr. Larson's home and base of oper- ations. In 1881 the mine was closed down, and since that time he has been engaged in team- ing for the Bald Butte and Drum Lummon mines with good success. On Christmas eve, 1886, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Kate Con- stance, who was born in Hastings, Minn., her par- ents being natives of Alsace, France, whence they emigrated, coming to the United States when young, the father engaging in the baking busi-

John Larson

1073

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

ness. Mrs. Larson had come to Helena to visit an uncle, and here her marriage was solemnized. The children of this union are three in number: John H., born in November, 1887; Annie, in Feb- ruary, 1889; and George, in February, 1891, all students in the public schools at the present time. The family attend the services of the Protestant Episcopal church.

Politically Mr. Larson is recognized as a stal- wart Republican, and on the ticket of his party in 1896 was elected a member of the board of county commissioners of Lewis and Clarke county for a term of four years, serving with signal abil- ity and discrimination, his term expiring in No- vember, 1901. Fraternally Mr. Larson is identified with Silver Creek Lodge No. 19, A. O. U. W., of Marysville, having passed all the chairs in the same; with Marysville Lodge No. 24, I. O. O. F .; and with Evergreen Lodge No. 16, K. of P .; while in the time-honored order of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons his affiliations are with Ot- tawa Lodge No. 51. He is also a prominent member of the Montana Pioneer Society, in whose organization he was instrumental. He is still in- terested in quartz mining operations, being presi- dent of the Marion Mining Company, at Marys- ville, a very productive property. Mr. Larson has ever been known as a man of inflexible integrity, being upright in all his relations with his fellow- men and holding uniform confidence and respect, in the county and state which have been the scene of his long and earnest endeavors.

W ESLEY P. FRANKLIN, of Sweet Grass county, is a native of Owen county, Ind., where he was born March 15, 1837. His parents were John and Mary (Puett) Franklin, both of whom were born in North Carolina. The father was one of the early settlers of Indiana. In 1850 he removed to McLean county, Ill., where he re- sided until his death in 1857. Wesley received a common school education and assisted his father on the farm. When his father died he began farm- ing and raising stock on his own account. In 1886 he came to Montana by way of the Northern Pa- cific Railroad, and located near Big Timber, where he first took up a squatter's claim on Fish creek, about thirty miles from the town. There he en- gaged in the sheep business in company with his son, Herschel P., who had come to the state be- 68

fore him and had managed the business since 1881. They remained on Fish creek until the fall of 1886, then moved to their present ranch, which was known at that time as the Puett ranch. In 1889 they purchased the ranch, which comprised 480 acres. To this they have added by purchase, home- stead, pre-emption and desert claims until they have 9,330 acres, of which about one-third is under ef- fective irrigation, and all is well fenced. In 1899 they sold all their sheep and since then have dealt only in cattle, wintering on an average of 500 head, the Galloway being their favorite breed. They also do an extensive business in buying and shipping cattle.

On March 23, 1858, Mr. Franklin was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Puett, a native of In- diana. They are the parents of four children, Es- tella, Herschel P., Lillian and Daisy. In politics Mr. Franklin is a Democrat, but not an active par- tisan, and has never sought or held an office of any kind. He is a member of the Christian church, and is held in high esteem as a man wherever he is known.

JOHN H. FREESER .- Born of parents who emigrated from Germany to the United States a few days after their marriage, locating in St. Charles county, Mo., where their four daughters and one son were born, John H. Freeser, their youngest child, was born on January 9, 1843. Five years later his father, a prosperous farmer and stonemason, died, but under his mother's care he was educated in the common schools. Remaining at home until he was fourteen, he went to St. Louis, where he was a clerk and a salesman in a hardware store for seven years. In 1864 he made the trip overland to Montana with William H. Logeman, of St. Louis. They had one team of six mules and one of four, and the wagons were loaded with merchandise. They joined a train of thirty- four wagons belonging to Effort, Bush & Hanover, encountered no hostile Indians, and reached Vır- ginia City on July 14, 1864, being nearly four months on the way. Mr. Freeser engaged in mer- chandising at Central City for a year, but gave too much credit, and, in the spring of 1865, he went to German gulch and spent the next six months in mining. He had an interest in three claims, and after running a drain ditch up to the claims he began stripping ground. But as the work paid him only $2.50 a day for each man and he paid $6.00

1074

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

to each as wages, he threw it up and went to Salt Lake, where, in the spring of 1866, he bought sev- eral bull teams and began freighting to Montana.

Finding the business profitable and not unpleas- ant, he continued in it until 1870, when he located on the Missouri, thirty miles from Helena, and en- gaged in stock raising. In 1874 lie removed to the Musselshell and took up his present property, one mile east of Two Dot, where he has 4,000 acres of land. On this and the range at the mouth of the Musselshell he keeps about 2,000 head of cattle, mostly shorthorns. Mr. Freeser was mar- ried in February, 1878, to Miss Lizzie F. Fink, a native of Chicago, and a daughter of Frederick Fink, who has made Chicago his home for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Freeser have six children, Wil- liam H., James A. G., Minnie, Marie, Laura and Adelia, and to give his children the best educational advantages they have a residence in Helena. In public affairs Mr. Freeser has taken an active inter- est. He has been school trustee and school clerk and was the choice of his party for sheriff, but de- clined the nomination. In fraternal relations he be- longs to the Masonic order and to the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen. He is a gentleman of ex- cellent standing and an enterprising and progres- sive business man. He is broad minded and far see- ing in public matters and in many and diversified directions his abilityand his power of deftly weaving discordant elements into harmonious relations has caused his judgments and opinions in public, pri- vate and social relations to be accepted. He is one of the best types of the social and hospitable Mon- tanian and his generosity is as broad as her wide plains.

M ATTHEW FURNELL .- One of the worthy pioneers of Montana, and here attaining marked success through his own efforts, and gain- ing the respect and esteem of all by his life of rectitude and well directed effort, Matthew Fur- nell was born near Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 1842, and was left an orphan when a mere child. His sister, the only other child of his parents, is now a resident of northern Michigan. Mr. Furnell had nothing but his sturdy courage and self-reli- ance to rely upon in life after he was twelve years old and he has used them well, overcoming seem- ingly insurmountable obstacles and making for himself an honored place.

As a young man Mr. Furnell found employment

for some time in New York city, after which he was located in Michigan until 1882, when he came to Montana and engaged in mining at Vir- ginia City and later near Helena. He finally located in Cascade county, in the Sun river val- ley, securing a tract of valuable land and engag- ing in the raising of cattle, to which he thereafter devoted his entire attention until death released him from his labors on May 7, 1896. Mr. Fur- nell had marked ability in the conduct of his busi- ness affairs, and success came as a symmetrical re- sult. His was an unassuming life, but one con- secrated to goodly ends, so that he held the con- fidence and esteem of all. Mr. Furnell was twice married, his last union having been solemnized in 1882, when he was united to Miss Della Peak, who was born near Florence, Mich., and who sur- vives her honored husband, as do also their three children, George Ray, Albert M. and Florence M. Mrs. Furnell now maintains her home in the city of Great Falls, in the schools of which city her children are receiving their educational dis- cipline.

L EE FREUDENSTEIN .- Called upon at the early age of fifty-seven, just when he was ready to enjoy the rest and comfort his busy and adventurous life had earned, to surrender his trust at the behest of the Great Disposer, Lee Freudenstein, the subject of this review, cannot be said to have completed his life work; but what he accomplished was greater in volume and better in quality than the results of many lives of more protracted length and wider opportunity.

He was born at Munster, Westphalia, Germany, October 27, 1842, and was educated at the ele- mentary and high schools of that locality. At the age of eighteen he made a vist to America, spend- ing a year in Canada, but returned to Germany and enlisted in the army. After one year's service he was made secretary to the general, and in that capacity served two years longer. At the end of his military term he spent two years in the hard- ware business in partnership with his brother. In 1866 he again came to America, locating at Clin- ton, Ill., and engaged in the clothing business with his brother for a time. From there he went to Yankton, S. D., and kept a restaurant for eight years. Returning to Chicago he opened a large grocery business which he conducted successfully until he determined in 1882 to come to Montana.

1075

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

On his arrival in the state he began operations in mining, having fallen heir to a valuable property, the Germania mine, left him by an uncle who died just previous to his coming to Butte, which he operated trom 1886 to 1892, when it was closed on account of the fall in silver. At that time he began working other properties which he owned, and some of which he had leased in addition. In 1893 he took a trip to Europe for the benefit of his health, returning to Butte in 1895 and remain- ing there until his death, which occurred in 1899. Since that sad event his widow has looked after the properties and conducted their interests with skill and vigor.

Mr. Freudenstein was married February 13, 1879, to Miss Christina Reckermann, a native of Germany. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, all but one of whom are still living. They are Louis A., Robert P., Rosa M., Joseph, Charles, Henry and Clarence; the one deceased was a son named George. In fraternal relations Mr. Freuden- stein was identified with the Kriegerverein and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party, but was not an active partisan. Mrs. Freudenstein, without any special preparation or previous knowledge of the business, had thrust upon her the care of extensive and valuable mining interests and other business affairs, in addition to the duties of her household and the rearing of her large family. She has met the requirements of her trying situ- ation in a masterly manner, and has not suffered anything to lose value under her management. She is an esteemed member of the United Moderns, and in the community where she lives enjoys the confidence and regard of all who have the pleas- ure of knowing her.

OSEPH GALLAGHER .- A native of Modoc county, Cal., where he was born May 12, 1875, and having passed his entire life so far in the far west, Mr. Gallagher is thoroughly identified with this section of our country. His parents were Edward M. and Margaret R. Gallagher, the former born on the ocean voyage to America, and the latter in Pennsylvania. In 1866 they went to California, where the father was a carpenter and wheelwright. He was also a soldier in the Civil war, and in the war against the Modoc In- dians. In 1883 Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher removed

to New Pine creek, Lake county, Ore., but soon returned to California, where the father died De- cember 4, 1895. He was an ardent Republican and a devout member of the Catholic church, while the mother was a Baptist in religious faith. Of their thirteen children twelve are now alive.

Joseph Gallagher was the fifth of the children of his father's family, received a very limited edu- cation, as he was obliged to assist his parents from the age of eight.years, and when he was thir- teen hired out at a compensation of $1.00 per day. For four years he worked for this high allow- ance for boys and then received an increase to $2.00 per day. Soon after this he engaged in sheep shearing for six seasons, in the meantime do- ing something in ranch work. In 1898 he came to Montana, and a year later took up a home- stead claim three miles northeast of Philbrook. Here he is ranching and sheepraising. He also raises fine crops of hay and oats. In political relations he is a Republican and fraternally is allied with the Knights of Pythias. On November 21, 1898, Mr. Gallagher married Miss Pearl E. Dickson, a native of Solano county, Cal., and daughter of William S. and Alice Dickson, natives of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher are the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy, and the other, William J., is living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher are members of the Episcopal church.

F "RANK GALLAGHER was one of those who came to Montana in the early pioneer days, when this section was on the very frontier of civilization, and thus he left his native land, where the annals of history extend over many centuries, to not only make for himself a home and an honorable reputation in the new world, but also to identify himself with one of the most undevel- oped sections of it. He lived to witness the won- derful transformation of Montana, and took dis- tinctive pride in watching the various transition stages which eventuated in the admission of Mon- tana to statehood, with the facilities and improve- ments of a high civilization. Mr. Gallagher was one of the alert and progressive farmers and stock- growers of Powell county at the time of his death, and his life had been one of such honor and integ- rity that his loss was deeply felt in the community. Frank Gallagher was a native of the Emerald

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 16

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