Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 25

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 25

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Hugh S. Lewis began his education in the pub- lic schools at Floyd, N. Y., and finished it at the Holland Patent Academy in that state. In 1881 he removed to Rockford, Ill., where he worked on a farm one summer, going from there to Fort Snelling, Minn., in 1882, and there spending fifteen months as a purchasing messenger for the quar- termaster's department. In July he located near Hathaway, Mont., taking up a squatter's claim, and owing to his improvements harvested a quantity of hay. In September he went to Boze- man, where he bought his first sheep and trailed them back to his ranch the same fall. In 1886 he sold his claim and moved his sheep to Howard, Mont. His first winter at this place was the mild one of 1886-7 and although he had neither hay nor sheds he came through the winter with the nominal loss of ten per cent. In 1888 he pre- empted a claim on Reservation creek, where he now has a fine ranch of 12,000 acres devoted to sheep. His specialty is a superior grade of Delaine Merino sheep, and for the past twelve years he has devoted himself to the production of rams for the use of woolgrowers in this and ad- joining states, having on the ranch regularly from 3,000 to 5,000 sheep. In politics Mr. Lewis is a Republican, but not an active worker. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Jones at Rome, N. Y., in 1888. She was born in that state and died at their Montana ranch in May, 1899, leaving four interesting daughters, Gladine, Gladys, Elizabeth and Mary. Mr. Lewis was " married again in 1901, at Minneapolis, Minn., to Miss Anna B. Anderson, who was born in that city in 1871.

B RUCE LEVERICH .- Of thrifty, sturdy and enterprising Holland ancestry, whose good qualities have been perpetuated in him, the subject of this review is one of the progressive and repre-

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sentative citizens of Carbon county, Mont., where his home is a model of beauty and good taste, with complete equipment and every consideration for the comfort of its inmates. In fact he has one of the best improved places in the county. Mr. Leverich was born in Cedar county, Iowa., March 4, 1848, a son of Ira and Jane (Morgan) Leverich, the former a native of New York and the latter of West Virginia. The paternal grandfather, James Leverich, emigrated from Holland in Colonial times and settled in New York state, from which the father of Bruce Leverich removed with his family to Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, finally making a per- manent home in Iowa, where he engaged in farm- ing. On the outbreak of hostilities he entered the service of his country as a soldier in the Black Hawk war. He also took an active interest in pub- lic affairs, and was the choice of his party for vari- ous political offices.

Bruce Leverich spent his school days in Iowa, remaining on the homestead until 1868, when he went to Cass county, Mo., and engaged in farm- ing. In 1872 he came to Montana and spent two years in Gallatin county. At the end of that time he returned to Missouri, and remained until 1882. L'pon his return to Montana, he located about five miles south of Bozeman, and there remained until 1893, carrying on a profitable business in farming, dairying, etc. In 1893 he sold out and located be- low Red Lodge, but after a year removed to the ranch which is now his home, two miles above Joliet, where he has since been engaged in farming and stockraising with excellent results. All his land is under irrigation and it yields fine crops of grain and hay. He has planted a large orchard, and some of the trees are in good bearing order. The small fruits are also yielding excellent returns.

Mr. Leverich was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Hinote, a native of Indiana, on January 30, 1877. She was the daughter of Asa and Linda (Abel) Hinote, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Virginia. Mrs. Leverich's grand- father, Philip Hinote, was born and reared in Scot- land, but came to America as a young man and set- tled in Tennessee. The grandfather, Philip Hinote, was a gallant soldier in the Revolution, serving seven years, and Mrs. Leverich has a number of buckles and other relics of his service. She and Mr. Leverich have four children : Frank E., Ray- mond, Bertha and William Edgar. Fraternally our subject is a member of the Fraternal Union of America.

M ARTIN H. LUTHER .- No name is perhaps more prominently associated with the prog- ress and substantial upbuilding of the city of Great Falls than that of Mr. Luther. He is a worthy representative of the sons of the German fatherland, which has contributed in so large a measure to the worthy and progressive citizenship of our national commonwealth, and was born in Selchow, Posen, Germany, on October 23, 1857. His father, Gottfried Luther, was born in the same town in 1807, where his death occurred in 1883. He was a farmer and descended from old German stock. His wife bore the maiden name of Albertine Karkuschki, and was born at Minettensruh, in Brandenburg, Germany, in 1837, and died in Sel- chow in 1875. Her marriage to Mr. Luther was solemnized at that place in 1856.

Martin H. Luther, at the early age of fourteen years, laid aside his text books to learn the trade of brick mason, at which he worked in his home town for about two years and in 1875 he emigrated to America. He located in Wisconsin, spending one year in Baraboo and three years at Wausau, whence he came to Fargo, N. D., in 1879, where until 1888 he was engaged in farming and working at his trade. He, however, made a prospecting tour through the mining districts of Washington and Idaho, and in 1888 located in Great Falls, where he erected the row of brick buildings on the west side of Second street, extending from First avenue north one-half block to the alley. This property still remains in his possession. In 1891 Mr. Luther erected the first brick building in Neihart, a fine block 50x60 feet in dimensions, which he sold to L. S. McClure in the fall of 1900.

From August 16, 1900, to February 12, 1901, Mr. Luther was engaged in the erection of an elegant brick block on First avenue and Fourth street in Great Falls. This building is known as Luther's Hall, and is modern in every respect, being 50x150 feet in dimensions and with two stories and base- ment. It is one of the largest and most substantial buildings in the business section of the city and a credit alike to Great Falls and to its builder. The ground floor is utilized for commercial purposes, while the entire upper story is a magnificent hall or auditorium, supplying a long recognized want in the city. During his residence in Great Falls Mr. Luther has been engaged in merchandising, and has had extensive operations in real estate and in mining property. He is far-sighted and discriminating in his methods, and his success has been attained by

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worthy means, his absolute integrity of purpose being recognized by all.

In politics he gives his support to the Democratic party, but the demands placed upon his time by his business interests have prevented his active partici- pation in politics. On April 7, 1892, in Bozeman, Mr. Luther was united in matrimony to Miss Amelia Welke, daughter of August Welke, a farmer and blacksmith of Selchow, Germany. Their children are, with dates of birth, Louisa Hettie, January 12, 1893, Erna Emilia, January 28, 1895, Gretchen Henrietta, October 27, 1896, Ella Marie, August 21, 1898, and Herman Martin, October 19, 1900.

H ON. THOMAS H. CARTER .- The subject of this sketch was the last delegate from the ter- ritory, the first representative in congress from the state and the first person elected to serve a full term in the senate of the United States from Montana. In reviewing the life of this remarkable man from his early youth, one cannot be otherwise than profoundly impressed with the power and strength of his mind amid those innumerable ob- stacles and early environments which to many would have proved an unsurmountable barrier. Emerging by degrees from obscurity, each step in his upward career brought him more and more into notice, until he at last reached an exalted stand in the estimation of his fellow citi- zens. A man of action, a forceful and effective director of opinion, a statesman of proved ability and a lawyer of high prestige, it can properly be said that much of his grand achievements sprang from his untiring application and indomitable cour- age. This is true of all successful men, as by no other means can great results be obtained in any sphere of endeavor.

Hon. Thomas H. Carter, ex-United States sena- tor for the state of Montana, was born in Scioto county, Ohio, October 30, 1854. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois in 1865, in which state he received his early educational train- ing in the public schools. He grew up under the sturdy discipline of the farm, and his initial in- dividual efforts were made in connection with the great basic art of agriculture. After working on the farm for a time he engaged in railroad work and later taught school. But a man of so marked individuality was not dilatory in formulating def- inite plans for his future life work, and thus it was

that Mr. Carter determined to prepare himself for that profession which, more than any other, has touched the public life and welfare of the na- tion. At Burlington, Iowa, he began the study of law and so persistently applied himself that he soon became eligible for admission to the bar. He began the practice of his profession in Burling- ton, and his distinctive abilities soon gained him recognition.

The year 1882 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Car- ter in the city of Helena, which has since con- tinued to be his home. Upon arriving in Hel- ena Senator Carter at once entered upon the prac- tice of law, soon securing a representative client- age and making for himself a place among the leaders of the bar which has ever lent dignity and honor to Montana. Eventually he associated himself with John B. Clayberg, and the firm of Carter & Clayberg obtained and for many years held prestige as one of the foremost legal alli- ances in the state, controlling a business of wide scope and importance. When Mr. Carter was elected to congress, Judge N. W. McConnnell be- came associated with the firm. Deeply interested in all that concerned the welfare of the state, Mr. Carter was soon drawn into the field of politics, wherein he has won distinguished honors and has, in turn, honored the state which called upon him to serve in positions of trust and responsibility. He was promptly accorded and has steadily main- tained the leadership of the Republican party in Montana. In 1888 he was nominated by his party as candidate for delegate in congress, this being the year prior to the admission of the territory to the sisterhood of states. The campaign was one of the most notable in the annals of Montana's political history. Theretofore the territory had elected only one Republican delegate to congress, and the victory achieved by the subject of this re- view was consequently all the more distinctive. His opponent was Hon. W. A. Clark, of Butte, whom he defeated by a majority of 5,126 votes after a vigorous and exciting campaign. Mon- tana was admitted to statehood the following year and this extinguished the office of territorial dele- gate; but in the first state Republican conven- tion Mr. Carter was unanimously made the stan- dard bearer of his party, on this occasion as the candidate for full congressional honors. At the ensuing election he defeated the Democratic can- didate, Hon. Martin Macginnis, by a majority of 1,648, thus winning the distinction of having been

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the last territorial delegate and the first to rep- resent the new state in the national house of rep- resentatives. Of his work in this connection an- other publication has spoken as follows: "Mr. Carter gained a national reputation in the Fifty- first congress by his indefatigable work upon the floor of the house, and by those qualities of lead- ership which became manifest from the moment he entered the sphere of political action. His tire- less efforts and his able appeals to the committees of the house in behalf of the various interests of his state soon gave him a foremost place among the men who command the respect and confidence of that body." His executive ability was so clearly recognized that he was chosen secretary of the Republican congressional committee during the campaign of 1890, and, while engaged in the duties of this office, the Republican party of Montana assembled in convention at Butte and for the third time nominated Mr. Carter as their candidate for congress. This was done against his advice and contrary to his wishes. His work on the con- gressional committee detained him in Washing- ton until near election time, when he returned to his district to assume, for the third time in two years, the brunt of political conflict. The Demo- cratic party had in the meantime nominated Hon. W. W. Dixon, of Butte, as Mr. Carter's opponent. The absence of the Republican candidate left the field to Mr. Dixon and his aggressive supporter, Hon. Marcus Daly, with the result that Mr. Car- ter was defeated by something less than 300 votes.

Upon the expiration of his term in congress, in the spring of 1891, President Harrison appointed Mr. Carter commissioner of the general land of- fice in Washington, and he ably discharged the duties of this important trust until July 1, 1892, when he resigned to assume the arduous work of another office to which he had been chosen, that of chairman of the Republican national commit- tee, holding that important position for a period of four years, and being succeeded by Hon. Marcus A. Hanna, of Ohio. His efforts in that exacting position are now a matter of history, and it is acknowledged that he held the various political forces well in hand, marshaling the same with pre- cision and directing every movement and maneuver with consummate skill, thereby adding fresh laurels to his fame as a public man. At the close of the campaign of 1892 Mr. Carter re- turned to Helena and resumed the active practice of his profession : but the people of the state had 71

too profound a recognition of his signal eligibil- ity and talents to permit him to remain long in private life, and in 1895 he was urged by his ad- mirers as candidate for the senate of the United States. The ensuing campaign was a spirited one and political enthusiasm ran high in Mon- tana, but the result was favorable to Mr. Carter, the honor accorded him being a fitting crown to his brilliant career as representative of the in- terests of his state. In the senate Mr. Carter assumed a position of no less relative importance than he had in the house. He was an active work- ing member, as a matter of course, for Senator Carter is a man of action. During his senatorial term he served on a number of the most import- ant committees, among which may be noted, the committees on census (of which he was chairman), military affairs, postoffices and post roads, public lands, territories, forest reservations and protec- tion of game, and appropriations. Aside from these there were others of scarcely less importance. His brilliant and long sustained efforts in opposi- tion to the passage of the river and harbor bill at the close of the Fifty-sixth congress will ever be remembered in the annals of our political his- tory. It is an undoubted fact that the defeat of this extravagant measure was due to him. It is un- ' necessary to recapitulate the forceful and cogent arguments which he brought to bear, for the same are a matter of record and are duly exploited in the public press of the nation, gaining to him the endorsement of a great majority of the people of the country, irrespective of political affiliations, and stamping him as one of the zealous advo- cates of a true economy in the administration of public affairs. The contest was a notable one and Senator Carter scored, without fear or favor, a measure that was fostered by corporate greed and represented an unwise expenditure of public funds. His term in the senate expired on March 4, 1901, but not yet was he permitted to return to the quiet duties of private life, for in that year President Mckinley on his own motion appointed him commissioner of the St. Louis Exposition, and upon the assembling of the board of com- missioners he was chosen president and is now giving his attention to the duties involved.

A summing up of the career of Senator Carter has concisely been given in the following words : "His rise as a lawyer and as a public character has been phenomenal. He was achieving marked suc- cess in his profession when called to the field of

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politics in 1888, and from that time onward his par- ticipation in state and national affairs has devel- oped in him a high order of statecraft and gained for him a reputation as a writer, orator and leader of party organization and sentiment such as is rarely given to men in so brief an experience in public affairs. He is fertile in expedient and meets every contingency with a full measure of equality. His originality, condensation and force of expression ; his active, aggressive and sanguine temperament ; his powers of physical endurance ; his tact, sagacity and judgment and his cordial and unaffected intercourse with men are the in- strumental factors of his success in public life ; while as a lawyer he is in the forefront of his profession."

In 1886 Mr. Carter was married to Miss Ellen L. Galen, daughter of Hugh and Matilda Galen. Mrs. Carter is possessed of musical and literary talent and is a social favorite. Of this union two sons have been born, John G., born in January, 1891, and Hugh, born in August, 1892.

JOHN C. LEHSOU is one of the enterprising and successful farmers and fruit growers of the beautiful Missoula valley, and also merits con- sideration as one of the pioneers of the state, with whose industrial activities he has been identified for a long term of years. He is a native of Hol- stein, Germany, born on April 3, 1840, the son of Henry and Magdalena (Ehlers) Lehsou, who were born and passed their entire lives in Hol- stein, the father devoting his attention to farm- ing. Of their three sons and three daughters, John C. is the only child in the United States. He was reared on the parental homestead, receiving his education in the excellent public schools of his na- tive land, where he was an agriculturist until his twenty-fifth year, when he started for the United States, where he arrived in May, 1865. He lo- cated at Davenport, Iowa, for nine months, then passed three months in Omaha, after which he went to Nebraska City, and entered the employ of Messrs. Owens & Fry as a driver of freighting outfits, and for them drove an ox team to the Bit- ter Root valley of Montana. The party came by the Bozeman cutoff, and they had trouble with Sioux Indians in Dakota, losing three men and all of their thirteen horses. They finally arrived at Fort Owens, bringing their loads of groceries and

mining tools. Upon arriving in this state Mr. Lehsou took up a ranch at the mouth of Bear Mouth canyon and opened a stage station which he conducted for eighteen months, after which he turned his attention to mining, but was unsuccess- ful. He then continued mining at Burton until 1892, here meeting success.

Mr. Lehsou came to Missoula county in 1892, and established himself on his present ranch, pur- chasing 320 acres of fine farming land, which he has improved and developed into a model ranch, the land being fertile and all available for cultiva- tion. He has also devoted special attention to the raising of fruits of excellent varieties, hav- ing set out fine orchards, fully realizing the great values to be ultimately derived from this branch of ranch industry. While a resident of Beartown, Granite county, Mr. Lehsou was for four years postmaster at that office. In politics he gives his al- legiance to the Republican party, and fraternally has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1875. Mr. Lehsou still retains an interest in placer mines in Bear gulch, and is one of the principal stockholders in the Western Mon- tana National Bank, of Missoula, of which institu- tion he has been vice-president since the annual meeting of the stockholders in 1900. He is a man of business and executive ability and his connection with this monetary institution can not fail to advance its interests and its prestige. On January 18, 1873, Mr. Lehsou was united in marriage to Miss Dora Rusch, who like himself was born in Holstein, Germany, and is the daughter of Drees and Cath- erine M. (Vohr) Rusch, who passed their lives in Germany, three of their daughters and one son be- coming residents of the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Lehsou have two sons, Henry W. and Emil C. The latter resides in the city of Missoula, and Henry W. is foreman in a quartzmill at Garnet.

FERDINAND LEIMBACH .- A product of the sturdy yeomanry of Germany, the subject of this sketch has exhibited in his career and business success all the reliable and productive qualities for which his race is distinguished. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on March 19, 1873, the son of Frederick and Elisa (Merker) Leimbach, both na- tives of Germany, who were married, however, in Philadelphia, where the father was in business. About 1877 the father removed to Colorado, locat-

Frank Lewis

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ing in Denver, where he remained for a year, when he removed to Salt Lake City, Utalı. In that city he spent two years in business, but being burned out with heavy loss, he afterwards came to Mon- tana, and locating at Butte, engaged in the hotel business, in which he is still engaged. His family consists of four children now living, another which blessed the union having died some years ago.

Ferdinand, our immediate subject, spent his school days in Butte, and remained with his father for some years after leaving school. He became a cigar maker and also learned house painting, but worked at neither craft as he preferred freighting, and min- ing, spending two years in the Butte copper mines. Feeling an intense longing for an outdoor life, he removed to Carbon county and located on his present ranch on Rocky Fork, near Carbonado, and began a profitable business in stockraising. Later' he conducted a sawmill in addition to his ranch- ing, being joined in both enterprises by his brother Ernest, in 1896. In 1899 he was married to Miss Mabel Chapman, a native of Wyoming, and two years later he and his brother dissolved partner- ship, dividing the stock they had on hand, Mr. Leimbach retaining his former ranch and his brother locating on one he had taken up. In his cattle operations our subject makes a specialty of Herefords and shorthorns, and has been successful in the rearing of both breeds. His tendency is to cut out of his herds everything but absolute thoroughbreds, and he is making good progress to- ward this consummation. His ranch is well irri- gated, and improved with excellent buildings, fences and other appliances. He has on it a fine residence and a large stone barn. He is progressive and up to the times in business, public-spirited and liberal in his views touching matters of interest to the community, and genial and companionable so- cially-one of the representative men of this sec- tion, and held in the highest esteem wherever he is known.

FRANK LIPPERT is one of the most enterpris- ing and wide awake stockmen in Broadwater county, Mont. He was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, on March 4, 1853. His parents were John and Mary (Wilkes) Lippert, natives of Germany, who first settled in this country near Buffalo, N. Y., and later removed to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, within nine miles of Cleveland, where the father engaged in farming. Young Lippert received his

education in the excellent schools in the vi- cinity of Cleveland and, in June, 1871, accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Norton, now living near Town- send, started for Montana by the Union Pacific Railway to Ogden, Utah, and thence 400 miles across country by wagon train. The trip was pleasant and was accomplished in safety, as the Indians were then peaceable. The party came direct to Missouri valley, and at once engaged in the profitable business of ranching. In 1879 and 1880 Mr. Lippert carried on freighting from Dillon to Helena and Fort Benton.

On November 23, 1882, Mr. Lippert was mar- ried to Miss Rose Young, of York, Dane county, Wis., who was born on April 16, 1861. She was the daughter of Abel Young, of Oxford, England, who, after making several trips across the Atlantic, and one cruise in the Pacific on which he visited Australia, located in Wisconsin and engaged in farming and eventually removed to Missouri valley. John Lippert having died in 1870, his son Frank came to Missouri valley and there made his home. He took up his present homestead in 1881, and has since made it his residence. It is well equipped with all conveniences for the business of cattle raising, and is in a most eligible location. Fraternally he is a member of the United Workmen. To Mr. and Mrs. Lippert have been born three children, Etta Marie, Mabel, Dean and William Pierce.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 25

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