Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 162

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 162

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CHARLES N. THOMAS, a resident of Browning, was born at Sherbrooke, Province of Quebec, Canada, on April 13, 1862. His father Daniel Thomas, was a native of Melbourn, Que- bec, and born about 1834. At the age of eighteen years he went to Australia where, for six years, he engaged in mining. On his return to Canada he prepared for the notary's profession by suitable legal study, and was a notary public and register at Sherbrook until his death in 1894. His wife, Leonora (Eadie) Thomas, was a native of Can- anda, and died in 1886. Charles N. Thomas was graduated from the schools of Woodstock, Vt., and from Sherbrooke Academy, receiving an ex- cellent education, which he has largely supple- mented by practical business experience. From the age of sixteen until he was eighteen he worked in the office of his father, and in 1880 joined the mounted police of Canada, serving five years. He then became a clerk in the Canadian Indian department for two years, and from 1887 until 1888 he officiated as clerk in the trading store of Fred Pace at Stand-off. In October 1889, Mr. Thomas came to the Piegan Indian

reservation as clerk of the Browning office of the agency, which position he has held at intervals during the past ten years, at all times giving the best of satisfaction. From 1891 until the spring of 1901 he handled stock on the South Branch of the Milk river, but has since retired from the busi- ness. He has a large circle of friends in Teton county. Mr. Thomas was married at Birch Creek in 1887, and has two children living, George, aged seven, and Nora, four years old.

D AVID R. THORNBER was born in Han- cock county, Ill., on July 20, 1849, the son of Henry and Lucy (Ellison) Thornber, natives re- spectively of Lancashire and Yorkshire, England. The father came to the United States in 1842. He was a shoemaker and weaver by trade, but after his arrival in America he located in Han- cock county, Ill., and purchased a farm of eighty acres, upon which he passed the residue of his life as a farmer and accumulating a fine property. Upon his death in 1887, he left a very appre- ciable fortune to his family. He married Lucy Ellison in 1844, and her death occurred in 1872. There seven children are: David R., Mary, the wife of Isaac Seigfried; John; Margaret, the wife of M. McCollum: William H .; James a physician of Fort Madison, Iowa; Amos, a physician in Han- cock county, Ill. Henry Thornber was originally a Whig, but upon the organization of the Repub- lican party he became one of its first supporters in his county, and was at all times deeply inter- ested in its affairs and success. He was reared as a Methodist and belonged to that church during a long life of honor and usefulness.

David R. Thornber was reared on the home- stead farm, and his early education was secured in the public schools, where he devoted himself assiduously to his studies, and became a popular teacher in his native county, meeting with marked success for a period of eight years. In 1879 he established at Keokuk, Iowa, where he founded the newspaper known as the People's Dollar in the interests of the Greenback party, of which he was publisher and editor. The paper was event- ually merged into the Constitution-Democrat. In 1882 Mr. Thornber platted and founded the town of Powellton, Hancock county, Ill., estab- lished the local postoffice at his own expense, and engaged in merchandising for seven years, within

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

which time the town had grown considerably. Mr. Thornber came to Montana in 1889, and located upon a ranch of 240 acres two miles east of the village of Chinook, Choteau county, and there engaged in the breeding of horses and cattle upon an extensive scale. In 1896 he removed to Chinook and opened the Thornber house, now the Montana house, a popular resort, which he conducted successfully for two years, when he re- tired from its management and returned to his ranch and its operations until 1900. In that year he practically retired from active life and returned to his pleasant home in Chinook, and management of his important real estate and financial interests.

Mr. Thornber supports the Republican party and has been an active worker in its local ranks, keeping well informed on the issues of the day. Fraternally he has been identified with the Ma- sonic order for over thirty years, retaining mem- bership in Chinook Lodge No. 50, A. F. & A. M. He is well known and highly esteemed, and the family have a prominent position in all social cir- cles. In 1871 Mr. Thornber was united in mar- riage to Miss Jennie Haigh, daughter of John Haigh, a prominent citizen of Hancock county, Ill., and to them five children have been born: Lucy; Mary, the wife of Charles Williams ; Phoebe, the wife of William Weaver; Maggie, wife of Harry Little; Rachel.

JOHN J. TOFTE .- Owning an excellent ranch of 240 acres near Houskin, Cascade county, Mont., Mr. Tofte has been successful in his farm- ing and stockraising operations and now enjoys a prominent position among the substantial ranch- men of the locality. Mr. Tofte was born in Nor- way on December 23, 1862, the son of John and Rebecca Tofte, natives of Norway, where the father was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1885, when he immigrated to America and located in Ossin, Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he en- gaged in farming. In 1890 he came to Great Falls and secured a homestead claim of 160 acres near Evans, where he engaged in farming and stockraising. His devoted wife died in 1894, at the age of fifty-eight years, and in 1898 he re- turned to Iowa, where he now makes his home with his son Andrew. The paternal grandpar- ents of John J. Tofte were Andrew and Lizzie Tofte, the former of whom died in Norway at the

venerable age of ninety years; the latter is still living in her native land. Our subject's mater- nal grandparents were John and Katherine Lar- sen, natives of Norway, whence they emigrated when well advanced in years, and located in Iowa, where the former' died at the age of seventy-six and the latter at the age of eighty-six.

John J. Tofte attended the public schools of his native land until 1876, after which he was em- ployed on a farm for two years, and then came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and was similarly em- ployed until 1882. He then went to Clark coun- ty, S. D., where he was employed on a farm until 1883, and later took up a pre-emption claim of 160 acres, which he cultivated until the fall of 1884, when he went to work for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company as a section man and in ditching. In 1889 he sold his claim and came to Great Falls, Mont., where he found employment in the construction of the water- works, and later was engaged with the Cascade Lime Company, which put in the tunnel to Ben- ton lake. In June of the same year he took up a portion of his present ranch, a homestead claim of 160 acres, of which he has now 125 acres under cultivation ; and in the fall of 1898 he purchased eighty acres of land from his father, the same be- ing contiguous to his homestead, and has since been engaged in the raising of cattle with excel- lent success. His ranch is located one mile from Houskin, and his property is valued at $4,000. He is energetic and industrious and is highly re- garded in the community. In his political pro- clivities he is allied with the Republican party.

ANGEL J. TOFTE .- Among the sturdy sons of the fair Northland who cast their lots with Montana and have here attained success through their well-directed efforts and their sterling integ- rity of purpose, is Mr. E. J. Tofte, one of the progressive young ranchmen of Cascade county. He was born in Norway January 18, 1868, the son of John and Rebecca Tofte, both of whom were born in the same distant land. For further news of this worthy couple see the sketch of John J. Tafte.

Engel J. Tofte attended the public schools of his native land until he attained the age of fifteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, where he found employment on a farm until the spring of 1889. He then came to

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Montana and was employed in a brickyard at Sand Coulee until 1892, when he took up a pre- emption claim of 160 acres in the vicinity of Houskin, Cascade county, and entered into part- nership with Carl Hansen in the live stock busi- ness, meeting with excellent success. He placed thirty-five acres of land under cultivation, and in 1898 purchased eighty acres of good land from his father for a consideration of $400. Here he has since devoted his attention to farming and the raising of stock, and his continued success is as- sured. In political matters Mr. Tofte is stanchly arrayed in support of the Republican party ; fra- ternally he holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America and the Scandinavian Brotherhood. His property is now held at a valuation of $4,500 and he is regarded as one of the enterprising young ranchmen of the county.

E DWARD M. TOMAN .- The possibilities for personal accomplishment and advancement in America have been thoroughly appreciated by the sturdy sons of the German fatherland, who have ever contributed to our best citizenship, and in exemplification of this we may well give atten- tion to the able and progressive young rancher and business man of Cascade county whose name initiates this review. Mr. Toman is a native of Senftenberg, Austria, where he was born on the IIth of November, 1874, being the son of Wesley and Agnes Toman, who were likewise born in the same place, where the former is a prominent busi- ness man, having devoted his attention to mer- chant tailoring from his early manhood. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church, and are highly esteemed in their native province, where they still reside. They became the parents of six children, three of whom survive.

Edward M. Totman received the best of educa- tional discipline in the excellent public schools of Austria, and supplemented this by attending busi- ness college and night schools in the city of Chi- cago. In 1891, at the age of seventeen years, he came to the United States, and eventually located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was variously employed until the summer of 1892, when he com- menced work at the painter's trade, which he con- tinued until the spring of the following year. He then removed to Otis, Ind., where he re- mained until 1895, when he decided to cast in his

lot with Montana, whither he came and located at Marysville, Lewis and Clarke county, and was there engaged in mining for one year, meeting with fair success. In 1896 he went to the gold fields of Alaska, where he engaged in mining for three years, his success being far better than that of the average seeker for the precious metal in that district. He realized a considerable profit from his efforts, and upon his return to Montana he remained in Helena for a short time, after which he made a four months' trip abroad, visit- ing his old home and many points of historic in- terest. He then returned once more to Montana and here effected the purchase of the E. D. Haste property, located fourteen miles northwest of the village of Cascade, Cascade county, and having an aggregate area of 3,039 acres. The ranch has been improved most effectively, and is now valued at $14,000, 800 acres being available for cultivation. Here Mr. Toman has since had his residence. He is engaged in the raising of cattle upon an ex- tensive scale, having gained position among the representative stockmen of this section of the state. In politics he is independent, giving his support to men and measures, rather than adhering to strict party lines.

On the 24th of January, 1899, Mr. Toman was married to Miss Gazella Podzensky, who was born in Austria, being the daughter of Wesley and Katherine Podzensky, both natives of that coun- try, where the father held the position of chief of police until his retirement from active duty. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. They became the parents of six children, of whom three are living. To Mr. and Mrs. Toman a son has been born, Edward W. Toman.

B ENJAMIN W. TOOLE, the custodian of the state capital, has been for many years promi- nent in the business and public life of the state. He is a brother of Gov. Joseph K. Toole and of Hon. E. Warren Toole, and is a native of Mis- souri, which has furnished so many of the fore- most men of Montana. He was born in 1840, the son of the late Hon. Edwin Toole and his wife, Lucy S. (Porter) Toole. He attained manhood in his native state and received his early academical training in its public schools. When he had attained to the age of twenty-four years, he resolved to seek his fortune in the territory of Montana, and

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

came overland to Last Chance gulch. Here he engaged in placer mining, in which he continued for a number of years with varying success. In 1887 he removed his residence to the county of Yellowstone, where he became a rancher and mer- chant, and was appointed as clerk of the dis- trict court of that county. He remained in this position for three years, serving most ac- ceptably to both the bar and the public. In 1892 he was appointed as a member of the board of county commissioners of Yellowstone county. He later engaged in mining and stockraising in that county, and also in merchandising as a mem- ber of the firm of Pauton & Toole, and he was for many years one of the enterprising and progres- sive business men of that section of the state. In April, 1878, Mr. Toole was united in marriage with Miss .Emma R. Woodworth, the daughter of William W. and Lucy (Stephens) Woodworth, the former a native of New York and the latter of Iowa. Of their four children, C. Walter, May, Lester E., and Nell, all are living except Lester, who died at the age of fifteen months. Frater- nally, Mr. Toole is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with the Knights of Pythias. He is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and is one of the trusted leaders of that political organization. During his residence in Yellowstone county, in addition to the positions heretofore mentioned, he served as an efficient alderman of the city of Billings. He was appointed to his present position in 1902.

JOHN L. TORKELSON is manager of the J Mission Peak Mining Company, whose val- uable properties are located in Choteau county, and whose operations are being carried on with the best of equipment and with an energy and dis- Grimination which augurs well for the future of the enterprise, for no better mining proposition is being carried through development in this sec- tion of the state. The manager, John L. Torkel- son, is a man of enterprise and keen business sagacity, and brought about the organization of the company, while his integrity of character gains and retains the confidence and esteem of his associates and all with whom he is thrown in con- tact in the various relations of life. Mr. Torkel- son is a native of Wisconsin, born at Nashotah Mission, Waukesha county, in August, 1848. 116

His native place is now a thriving little city and is bearing the shorter name of Nashotah. His father, Edwin Torkelson, was born in Norway in 1828, and in 1852 he emigrated to America, locat- ing in Wisconsin, where he devoted his active life to his trade as a carpenter and builder, his death occurring in Nashotah in 1891. The maiden name of his wife was Martha Christiansen, and she likewise was born in Norway, while she was called from earth in 1898 at the old home in Nasho- tah, where so many years of her life had been passed. Mr. Torkelson attended the public schools until he had attained the age of fourteen years, when he went to Milwaukee, and served a three years' apprenticeship to the millwright's trade, becom- ing a thoroughly skilled artisan.

After completing his apprenticeship Mr. Tor- kelson came to the west, and the ensuing two years were passed in Denver, Colo., and in the Black Hills, where he found employment at his trade. From the Black Hills he went to Pierre, S. D., and with that place as his headquarters he was in business as a millwright and builder for five years. In 1884 he visited Tacoma and other coast cities, and from 1885 until 1887 was located at Calgary, Northwest Territory. In the year last mentioned he came to Montana, locating at Fort Benton, where he remained until 1890, the next year locating in Kalispell, Flathead county, where the family still maintain their home. In the pre- ceding year he had come to Landusky, Choteau county, and, after making thorough investiga- tions, promoted the organization of the Mission Peak Mining Company for the development of properties in this section. the corporation being capitalized for $150,000 and controlling a group of seven claims, the majority of the stockholders of the company being residents of South Dakota.' Mr. Torkelson controls the entire business, and the work of development is to be carried on under the most favorable conditions. A fine ten-stamp mill was completed in the fall of 1901, and the mineral, which exists in apparently inexhaustible quantities, yields from $5.00 to $10 per ton. Our subject takes no active part in public affairs, his business interests demanding his entire time and attention. At Chamberlain, S. D., in 1883, Mr. Torkelson was united in marriage to Miss Isa- bella McCaig, who was born in Watertown, Wis., and they have nine children, Edmond, Helen, Mary, Vernon, Belle, Fred, Archie, Margaret and Winnifred.

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

F 'RANK TRAINOR .- One of the peculiarly characteristic products of American institu- tions, and one which is potential in its influence, is the rural press, which not only furnishes ex- pression but gives trend to public sentiment. It is an acknowledged home institution, and as such gets close to the hearts of the plain people, and speaks their thought, throbs with their pulse and is the ally and champion of their interests. Such an institution is the Philipsburg Call, owned and conducted by Frank Trainor, who has acquired through many avenues of instruction and a varied experience, special fitness for his present calling, as the progress and improvement of his paper abundantly demonstrates. He was born on Octo- ber 15, 1859, at Watertown, N. Y., the son and third of seven children of James and Mary (Haley) Trainor, also natives of New York. When nine years old he was sent to St. Dustan College on Prince Edward Island for four years, and in 1877 he went to Chicago, and there learned mechanical and electrical engineering, in which he was employed until 1883, then he engaged with the American Journal of Railway Appliances, a mechanical journal, as a traveling correspondent, employed to write up all the machine and loco- motive shops of the south. In 1885 he came to Montana, locating at Butte, where he followed electrical engineering until 1891, after which he spent four years as a reporter for the Inter-Moun- tain and six as its city editor. In September, 1901, he purchased of L. R. Hoss, its former pro- prietor and now private secretary to the Gov- ernor, the Citizens Call, of Philipsburg, changed its name to the Philipsburg Call, and at once be- gan to give it a larger life and more vigorous ac- tivity. In the short time during which he has had charge of the paper he has greatly improved it and increased its circulation. The change has necessitated an increase in the working force, but has wrought a corresponding pleasure in the satis- faction and appreciation of the patrons of the paper. Mr. Trainor has had previous experience in newspaper work, he having been correspond- ent of some of the leading dailies of the country, among them the New York World and the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, for which he has written many interesting stories. He has also had ex- tensive and valuable experience in the office work of the profession, as has been noted. So that he brought to his new field of operations a natural aptitude for the business and the training ac-

quired in actual work in all the details. The re- sult is what might have been expected-a healthy, vigilant, clean and strong family newspaper.

J OSEPH A. TREMBLAY, M. D .- In a com- parison of the relative value to mankind of the various professions and pursuits to which men de- vote their time and energies, it is widely recog- nized that none occupies a position of more im- portance than the medical profession. From the cradle to the grave human destiny is largely in the hands of the physician, not alone on account of the effect he may have upon the physical sys- tem, but also upon the mental and moral nature. In none of these essential qualifications is Dr. Tremblay lacking, and as a practicing physician and surgeon in the city of Missoula he has gained precedence by his knowledge, his skill and his honorable efforts in his chosen calling. He is a native of the city of Ambroise, near Montreal, Can- ada, born on March 1I, 1846, the son of Julian and Martin Tremblay, both natives of the Dominion of Canada, and of French descent. The Doctor completed his more purely literary training in the Sulpician College of Montreal, and in 1865 ma- triculated in the medical department of Victoria University, at Montreal, and was there graduated in the class of 1869, being thus thoroughly forti- fied for the activities of his profession. He be- gan medical practice in the vicinity of Boston, Mass., in 1869, and was there successful as a physician and surgeon for seventeen years.

In 1879 Dr. Tremblay came to Montana to visit friends in Missoula, and that the denouement of the visit was satisfactory is evident when we state that soon after his arrival he was united in mar- riage with Miss Catherine Nash, who then accom- panied him to the east. In 1866 he came again to Montana to permanently locate and established himself in a fine practice in Butte, where he re- mained until 1899, when he located in Missoula, where he has since followed a general practice and gained undeniable prestige, his support com- ing largely from representative citizens and a wide extent of country. He is physician to the hospital of the Sisters of Providence in Missoula, and the mother superior of the institution is his sister. In politics he gives support to the Demo- cratic party, and he and his family are devoted Catholics. The marriage of Dr. Tremblay to

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Miss Nash was solemnized in Missoula on No- vember 25, 1879, and of this union nine children have been born; six are living, their names being Mary, Matilda, Julian, Rufina, Ciria and Amedee.

R )OSCO V. TUCKER .- In Valley county there is no name more closely identified with the history of its growth and development than that borne by the subject of this review. He and his honored father had much to do with the industrial activities of this section of the state, the former having located the homestead on which the now thriving little village of Malta is laid out, and both are specially deserving of mention in this work.

Rosco V. Tucker is a native of the old Empire state, having been born in Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., April 22, 1854. His father, Elisha W. Tucker (deceased), was born at Brant, Erie county, Pa., November 24, 1830, and received his early educational training in the public schools of his native place. When eighteen years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1889, when he came to Montana and located a homestead in Valley county. Shortly after his arrival Mr. Tucker erected a log hotel, known as the Malta house, and this formed the nucleus of the town of Malta, and this entitled him to the distinction of being its founder, the village being located on a portion of his original homestead. He also built a livery and feed stable, and in numerous other ways gave evidence of his progressive spirit and confidence in the future new state. Eventually he purchased the general merchandise store of W. S. Collins, and in 1897 R. W. Garland was admitted to a partnership interest in the enterprise, and opera- tions were continued under the firm name of Tucker & Garland until 1898, when Mr. Tucker disposed of his interests to the Malta Mercantile Company in order that he might give his time and attention to the sheep business. This honored citi- zen, who had been so influential a factor in the busi- ness and industrial life of the county, passed away January 17, 1901, having attained the psalmist's span of three score years and ten, happily assured of the confidence and high regard of those with whom he came in contact in the various relations of life. He gave his support to the Republican party, and his religious faith was that of the Uni-

versalist church. In Chautauqua county, N. Y., in May, 1852, Mr. Tucker was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Lombard, who died on the old homestead in that county, in 1885, leaving two children to survive her.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 162

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