Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 42

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 42

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).

John D. Richards secured his educational dis- cipline in the public schols, and on July 29, 1842, in Philadelphia, he enlisted in the United States navy, and was in continuous service until No- vember, 1848, both on the United States frigate "Cyane" and on others. His first cruise was through the Carribean sea, thence around Cape Horn to Honolulu, and thence to San Fran- cisco, San Diego and Monterey, Cal., then a part of Mexico. At Monterey his ship was added to the fleet under Admiral Sloat and assigned to duty in the Mexican war, throughout which conflict Mr. Richards was thus in active service, for which the federal government now accords him a pension. He participated in the ceremony of raising the American flag over California at Monterey, on July 7, 1846, and also at the semi-centennial of that historic event, held in Monterey, in July, 1896, where he and three other survivors were pres- ent, being shown distinctive honors and stand- ing forth as the most picturesque figures in the inci- dental ceremonials. In November, 1848, Mr. Rich- ards received an honorable discharge from the navy at San Francisco. Soon thereafter was inaugur- ated in California the ever memorable gold excite- ment of 1849, and Mr. Richards was on the spot and participated in the thrilling and tumultuous life of that epoch, making and losing several for- tunes, and having a varied and interesting ex- perience.

As of the Mexican war, so it is true of the argo- nauts of 1849 that there are few now left to tell the tale, and history may gain much by recording the reminiscences of the survivors. In 1858 Mr. Rich- ards went to British Columbia, and engaged in prospecting in that section and in what are now the coast states of the northwest until 1866, when he came to Montana, and thus gained title to being one of the pioneers of this state, where he has ever since maintained his home. He was engaged in prospecting and mining in the early days, when Montana was on the very frontier of civilization,

John & Richards

I209

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

and with this industry he has since been identified, owning now several promising prospects and having been the discoverer of the mines near Clinton, Mis- soula county. In 1882 Mr. Richards located on the ranch of 310 acres on the beautiful Camas prairie, three miles southeast of Potomac, which he recently sold to Jolın Beaton. Here he made excellent improvements, devoting his ranch to general agriculture and also raising livestock of excellent grade. No man is held in higher esteem, and he is honored as a veteran and a pioneer. Politically he gives his support to the Republican party, his first presidential vote being cast for John C. Fremont, in 1856, and he retains membership in the California Veterans' Association. In 1889 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Richards to Miss Mary P. Monteray, who was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, the daughter of Paul and Ma- thilde (LeBris) Monteray, both coming of distin- guished Franch lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have no children, but their pleasant home is an hos- pitable rendezvous for their large circle of friends.

CHARLES J. PRUETT, one of the most suc- cessful pioneer miners of Montana, is at present a resident of Whitehall, Jefferson county. He was born in Hancock county, Ill., on April 13, 1861, a son of Nicholas and Ingaben (Smith) Pruett. His father was a native of Tennessee and the mother of West Virginia. His paternal grandfather was Constant Pruett, who had moved to Schuyler county, Ill., in 1840, there engaging in farming. Nicholas Pruett learned the carpenter's trade when a young man and removed to Colchester, Mc- Donough county, Ill., and after a year went to Schuyler county, purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which he continued for years, making two trips to Montana, however, during this time, the first being in 1863, when he came overland to Alder gulch, where the first sen- sational gold strike had been made. Here he en- gaged in ranching, but after eighteen months re- turned to Illinois. The second journey to Mon- tana was made in 1870, and again for a short period he followed ranching, and again he went back to Illinois where he remained until 1881. Returning to Montana he made this state his home until his death in 1888.

Charles J. Pruett passed his early days in Schuy- ler county and here he received his education in

the public schools. At the age of thirteen he re- moved to Charleston, Iowa, where he remained four years engaged in farming. His next location was in Kansas, where he remained two and a half years, when he came to Montana, locating at Sheri- dan in September, 1881. He remained there over winter and then removed to Boulder river and engaged in ranching. But in 1893 he sold out his stock, and in 1894 disposed of the ranch. Mr ._ Pruett then turned his undivided attention to min- ing which he has since followed with eminent success. He located the rich mine, "Mayflower," in Madison county, and associating himself with two partners in Butte, they worked the property from 1895 until 1896 and sold it to William A. Clark, for $150,000, who is still operating it.

Up to the time Mr. Pruett located the "May- flower," he had spent many years in almost unre- munerative prospecting, but since that time several million dollars worth of ore has been taken from that mine.

In November, 1896, Mr. Pruett was married to Miss Annie E. Bray, a native of Missouri, who came to Montana at the age of three years. They have one child, Ira E.

From 1896 Mr. Pruett has passed his time pros- pecting with varying success and has also invested in real estate, among other properties, purchasing the Whitehall hotel. He is a man of strong force of character and of indefatigable will power and energy, a representative and typical miner. Throughout the state, as well as in the community in which he resides, he is highly respected.

M RS. ALICE J. PROUETT .- In a work of en- during value, purporting to contain the story of the trials and triumphs of the progressive men of a commonwealth, the sturdy, heroic and self-re- liant women who have borne the part of men in the combat, must of necessity have full and hon- orable mention. Among them none is more worthy of mention than Mrs. Alice J. Prouett, of Fergus county. She is a native of Lafayette county, Wis., where her life began November 28, 1852. Her parents were William and Mary H. Edge, the former a native of England and the latter of Ireland. They came to America in early life and located in Wisconsin, where the father was a suc- cessful farmer and stockraiser, an ardent and in- fluential Democrat and a zealous member of the Protestant Episcopal church, the mother being a

I210

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Catholic. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Prouette was the fifth. The mother's death occurred July 16, 1875, and the father's Janu- ary 7, 1881.

Mrs. Prouett received such preliminary educa- tion as the common schools of her neighborhood were able to furnish. Her chief source of mental development, however, has been her active and varied life, and her continuously vigorous contact with the world. At the age of nineteen she was married to William Dickson, who was born in her native county, the son of parents who had come there from Indiana. Their early married life was devoted to merchandising, and the later years to farming. By Mr. Dickson's early death his widow was left with three children, William S., Mary N. and Pearl E.

On January 25, 1883, our subject contracted a second marriage, on this occasion with John Oats, a native of England, who emigrated to California in 1863, and followed mining as an occupation. He built the Masculine tunnel at Marysville, Mont., the work occupying two years. On account of failing health he retired from active work, and died January 27, 1890. In politics he was an ar- dent Republican, and in fraternal relations a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

For the third time this good woman became a bride on the 10th day of August, 1891, her third husband being Frank Prouett, who was born in Iowa, the son of a prosperous blacksmith who had been a gallant drummer-boy in the Civil war, and was during his mature life a stanch Republican. His mother was also a native of Iowa. Both were members of the Methodist church. The father died in 1868, and the mother, who was the second white woman to reside in the Judith valley, in 1897.

In 1885 Mrs. Oats, now Prouett, took up ranch- ing in a business on her own account and has con- tinued to follow it ever since. Her tract of land now comprises 1,400 acres, and yields abundant harvests of hay and all kinds of grain. She has 480 acres under cultivation, and in addition to her farming, she raises large numbers of fine cattle. It is but just to say that her ranch is managed with the utmost skill and made as profitable as any of equal productiveness. She is a resolute, re- sourceful and energetic woman, widely known and highly esteemed for her sterling qualities of head and heart. She is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.

Mr. Prouett is a Republican in politics and in fraternal circles a Knight of Pythias. He is largely engaged in freighting, and finds the business profit- able and agreeable. He is a man of excellent qualifications for his work, and exhibits the ele- ments of good citizenship.

JOSEPH C. PUTMAN .- The life of Mr. Put- man began on January 22, 1855, at Dearborn, Mich. He is the eldest child of Garret C. and Lydia A. (Pardee) Putman, both natives of New York, who removed to Michigan in their early married life. Mr. Putman attended the public schools of his native town until he reached the age of thirteen, and from that time until he was twenty he was under treatment for his eyes. In 1875 he came to Montana and located on a ranch three miles south of Corvallis, where he remained with his uncle until he died in 1882. He was the adminis- trator of the estate and as soon as he had closed these duties, in 1885, he removed to his own ranch a mile and a half west of Hamilton, where he has since been living. In the fall of 1883 his brother. Horace M. Putman, who was born at Dearborn, Mich., on June 9, 1859, joined him in Montana, took a pre-emption claim of 160 acres adjoining the ranch and entered into partnership with him. They have since been working together, doing a general ranching business, raising horses and cattle. Their 320 acres are well located, highly improved and skillfully cultivated, rewarding their labors with abundant products of superior quality. The Putman brothers are independent voters with Democratic leanings, and take an earnest and intelligent interest in local affairs. Each has been clerk of the school district, thus has contributed essentially to the ad- vancement of education. They are citizens of a high type and are universally esteemed and appre- ciated. Montana numbers not on her roll of useful and progressive men any who are more entitled to a high regard than these two brothers.

A C. QUAINTANCE .- We here present a strikingly accurate picture of the struggles of early pioneers in ranching in Montana in the story of one of the most successful of them, A. C. Quain- tance, of Boulder valley, Jefferson county, who is also a valued member of the Masonic fraternity.

I211

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

He is the son of Jesse Quaintance, born in Craw- ford county, Ohio, on March 23, 1838. At the age of twenty-five years the allurements of the great west became too strong to resist, and in the fall of 1863 he removed to Colorado. His first business venture in that new and partially explored country shows the condition of the land and its modes of transportation, for it was dealing in feed. In the year he was here he acquired much experience in western methods, but less financial emolument. He next went to Omaha with a freighting outfit. Then again he came west, peddling along the road, going first to Denver, thence to Salt Lake City and on to Virginia City, Nev.

In the fall of 1866 he was in Last Chance gulch, and from here journeyed to Boulder valley, where his pilgrimage came to a close. He had acquired some money during his "tour of the continent" and had saved it. In company with Olaf Nelson he purchased some land and they began ranch life to- gether. For a brief period there was promise of a good crop. Then came the grasshoppers, and after they had passed by nothing lay before the young farmers but barren fields. Their crop had been harvested and eaten and nothing was left to them but the land. Yes, there was something more, for Mr. Quaintance owed $1,300 to his partner. He had four wagons, these he traded for cattle, drove them to Boulder, sold them, paid his debts and had something left. In the spring of 1868 he formed a partnership with "Two Dot" Wilson. Purchas- ing a dry goods outfit they started for Salt Lake City, expecting to trade the goods for cattle, but at Francklyn, Utah, they encountered hard luck .. However, they traded some of the goods for sheep, but the outlook was bad and although "Two Dot" had considerable money he relinquished the enter- prise. But Mr. Quaintance did not give up. The harder the blows of adversity the more he exerted himself, for he was then in the prime of life. He says : "I soon organized a sale, a cross between an auction and a fakir's sale, and offered my goods at so much, taking sheep in payment. Within two hours my entire stock was sold, I simply taking the names of purchasers or exchangers as I delivered the goods. All were honest and brought me the stipulated number of sheep with the exception of one man, Chadwick, who owed me twenty-five sheep." After an altercation it was agreed to leave the matter to a board of arbitration. The arbitra- tors decided in favor of Mr. Quaintance, who, in return for their just action, presented one of them

with a new pair of boots. He now had 500 sheep and started with them for Cash valley. It became necessary to pack the sheep across the swollen mountain rivers and the whole journey was a most. laborious one, so much so that at Bear Lake valley he offered the entire band of 500 sheep at fifty cents a head and found no buyers. After many wearying vicissitudes he reached Bannack, Mont., where he sold 300 sheep for $5 a head. The remaining 200 he disposed of in Boulder and re-commenced farm- ing, adding stockraising to this enterprise.

By 1875 he had become the owner of a large herd of cattle, which that fall he moved to Mussel- shell creek, where he continued grazing cattle for nine years and yearly growing wealthier. During this period he also engaged in butchering, freight- ing and dealing in real estate. He purchased the Boulder Hot Springs, built a convenient hotel and greatly improved the place. He now owns valuable properties in various parts of Montana, particularly in Helena, Boulder and Basin. In 1871 Mr. Quaintance was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Tindell, a native of Illinois. They had two chil- dren : William, who died when eight years old, and Gussie, now Mrs. Dickson, residing in Helena. Mrs. Quaintance died in 1875, and in the spring of 1879 Mr. Quaintance married Miss Alice Tindell, a near relative of his first wife. They have four children, Roy, Bessie, A. C. and William McKin- ley, named after the late president of the United States. The story of Mr. Quaintance's life tells of success won against great odds and apparently in- surmountable obstacles. It is the story of pluck, energy and of superior business ability. He com- mands the respect of all who know him, and they are many throughout the state in which he has won his way to wealth and social prominence.

J ACOB L. RAPSTAD is one of the progressive and successful farmers and stockgrowers of Montana, and the advancement he has made shows what is possible of accomplishment in this state on the part of one who has the energy to take ad- vantage of the opportunities presented. He is a man of sterling integrity and has the confidence and esteem of all who know him. Mr. Rapstad is a native of Stavanger, Norway, where he was born on March 11, 1860, being one of the nine children of Larace and Anna (Torson) Rapstad, who passed their entire lives in Norway, where the father has followed the vocation of farming.

I212

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Jacob L. Rapstad received his education in the public schools and assisted in the cultivation of the old homestead until 1883, when he immigrated to America, landed in New York and went to Lake Park, Becker county, Minn., where he remained a short time, and later located in Norman county, where he remained two and one-half years. In March, 1886, he came to Montana and first en- gaged in sheep herding. At the expiration of fif- teen months he had accumulated sufficient funds to buy a band of sheep, and he thereafter devoted his attention to raising this line of stock. After two years in various localities he finally purchased nearly 3,000 acres of land on Big Timber creek, which he sold in 1896 and then purchased his pres- ent place, which was known as the Dunham ranch, now called Viking Springs stock ranch, the same being located about two and a half miles from the city of Big Timber. The tract comprises 1,000 acres, while he leases a section of school land, the entire tract being in one body. He is now putting in three miles of irrigating ditch from Big Timber creek, which when completed will carry 1,600 inches of water; 600 inches to be used by others, the remainder will supply sufficient water for Mr. Rapstad's entire ranch, although he has two other ditches which are now utilized quite effectively. At one time Mr. Rapstad had 13,000 sheep, but at the present time has only 8,000. He has erected a fine modern residence on his ranch, with excellent stables and other necessary outbuildings, the place being one of the most valuable and at- tractive in the country.

In politics he supports the Republican party. In 1892 Mr. Rapstad visited his native land, going thither in December, and in January he was there united in marriage to Miss Anna Maulin, daughter of James Maulin, of Stavanger, Norway. They are the parents of five children : Lewis and Annie, twins: Agnes Bessie, Jennie Josephine, Amanda and Agnes, deceased.

G OMER REESE has been a resident of Mon- tana since his boyhood, and can well recall the scenes and incidents which characterized life on the Montana frontier in the early 'sixties. His father was a pioneer and early settler of influence in Gal- latin county, where he engaged in farming and stockgrowing, Reese creek having been named in his honor. Gomer Reese was born in Pittston, Pa.,

February 18, 1857, the son of John E. and Mary (Davis) Reese. John E. Reese was born in Wales, in June, 1818, and immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1856. In 1860 he started west, making the trip and coming to Montana by the way of Utah, ar- riving in Bannack, Mont., in the year 1863, ac- companied by his family. That year he located in Alder gulch, the present site of Virginia City, then one of the greatest mining camps in the world, re- maining until the following fall, when he located a farm on what is now Reese creek, fifteen miles north of the present city of Bozeman. He devoted his attention to general farming and stockraising until his death, which occurred March 21, 1900, having attained the partriarchal age of eighty-two years. He was a stationary engineer by profession, and to that and to coal mining he devoted his atten- tion until locating his farm in Gallatin county. His wife was born in Wales April 20, 18II, and her death occurred at the old homestead in Gallatin county, November 15, 1898. They were both of sterling character and kindly nature, and none were held in deeper affection and esteem.

Gomer Reese was educated at private schools in Bozeman, and continued his studies until reach- ing the age of seventeen, but continued to assist in the work of the parental homestead until twenty- one. In 1878 he took up a claim of 160 acres, lo- cated on Reese creek, two miles distant from his father's ranch. He proved upon this property, sold the same in 1882 and went to South Dakota, where he purchased and operated a wheat farm until 1885, when he sold out and returned to Gallatin county. He then purchased a tract of 320 acres, on Reese creek, about fifteen miles north of Bozeman, his present postoffice address. Here Mr. Reese has one of the finest farms to be found in this beau- tiful, fertile and prolific valley, improvements being among the best of this section. His crops are chiefly wheat and hay, for which there is always a ready market, and the yield of wheat often reaches an average of fifty-eight bushels to the acre. He also raises live stock, but not extensively. Mr. Reese is thoroughly public-spirited, and ever ready to lend his influence to any undertaking or legiti- mate project which will further the material pros- perity and advancement of this section. His politi- cal support is given to the Republican party, in whose cause he is an active worker. Fraternally he holds membership in the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Woodmen of America, and Bozeman Castle of the Order of American Yeomen.

L'alm & Puse

1213

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

On December 20, 1875, Mr. Reese was united in marriage in Gallatin county, to Miss Chloe M. Moore, who was born in Payson, Utah, November 9, 1859, the daughter of Amos B. Moore, at one time an extensive farmer and stockman of Gallatin county and a member of the territorial legislature of Montana, in 1875, as a representative of the Democ- racy. He is now a resident of Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Reese are the parents of six children : Evan W., born December 26, 1877; Ida A., December 8, 1879 ; Clara V., January 4, 1881 ; Pleasant, April 29, 1884; Percival E., October 10, 1887, and Vernie B., July 5, 1896.

T THE AMERICAN BREWING AND MALT- ING COMPANY, of Great Falls, was or- ganized in March, 1895, and incorporated under the laws of Montana by E. A. Reichel, H. N. Grin- wald and Joseph Horn. Work on the building was commenced immediately, and the large plant was completed and thoroughly equipped in December, 1895, and in 1896 the bottling plant was erected. The buildings and entire equipment now represent a total cost of $150,000, and everything is of mod- ern design and up-to-date. The plant is located on a ten-acre plat of ground on Sun river, west side, Great Falls. The capacity is 150 barrels a day, and further additions are demanded for the increasing business. The officers are E. A. Reichel, president ; W. F. Sengbush, vice-president, and H. W. Grun- waldt, secretary and treasurer. L. W. Larsen, an expert on brews, is the brewmaster. He is a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, and has traveled extensively throughout Europe. Soon after his ar- rival in the United States he received the degree of M. A. B., from the brewing association of Chicago.

President Edward A. Reichel was born in She- boygan, Wis., on September II, 1867. He resided in Milwaukee after he was six years of age and was educated in the public schools and the Spencerian Business College. In 1885, at the age of eighteen, he began traveling in the hardware line for Frank- furth, Harden & Co., and remained with them three years. Then he changed his base of opera- tions, and went on the road for a tinware manu- facturing house, Gender & Pascheke, in whose service he remained for six years and for whom he was manager for one year, having charge of the sales department, and becoming a stockholder. He

sold out his interest in 1895, and came to Great Falls, Mont., as one of the promoters of the Ameri- can Brewing and Malting Company, of which he was elected president in 1896, since retaining that responsible position. His father, William Reichel, born in Berlin, Germany, in 1813, and when nineteen years of age came to the United States, and was in the mines of California several years and also in the wholesale liquor business in San Francisco, with the firm of Taylor & Co. In 1870 he removed from San Francisco to Milwaukee, Wis., where he organized the lumber firm of Reichel, Schmidt & Co. He died in Milwaukee in August, 1873, and his wife, Augusta (Farrow) Reichel, a native of Alsace-Loraine, survives him and is still living in Milwaukee. A brother of Edward A. Reichel, William Reichel, is secretary of the Northwestern Lumberman's Association and the Devere & Schlaegel Lumber Company, of Milwaukee. Edward A. Reichel himself is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a man of sound business judg- ment and high integrity and is unmarried. He has won the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances.

J AMES RAW .- This active and progressive ranchman, who has made his own way in the world, unassisted by fortune's favors or the help of friends, is a native of Highland, Wis., where his life began February 6, 1855. He was the third of ten children born to John and Catherine Raw, na- tives of Yorkshire, England, who emigrated to the United States in 1840, locating first at Dubuque, Iowa, and later in Wisconsin. The father fol- lowed mining and farming for a livelihood there, but brought his family to Montana in May, 1882, and made his home at Helena. After some time spent at that city, he removed to the Philbrook neighborhood, in the Judith basin, and devoted his energies to ranching and stockraising, at which he was moderately successful. In politics he was a Republican, and in fraternal relations belonged to the Masonic order. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church. The death of the wife occurred July 23, 1885, and that of Mr. Raw April 7, 1899.

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 42

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