Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 5

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 5

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By his enterprise and diligence and his business qualifications, Mr. Buck has accumulated valuable property in Stevensville and elsewhere and other holdings of great value. His home is one of the most attractive in the town, and his interest in the welfare of Bitter Root valley is unsurpassed among its people. He has manifested this in every wor- thy way, especially in the development of the edu- cational and mercantile forces of the community .. He is now deeply concerned in the new training school at Stevensville, to which he has rendered valuable service on its building committee and made liberal contributions of time, money and other substantial aid. In politics Mr. Buck is a stanch Republican, active in his party, but seeking no honors or emoluments. He is at present (1901) worshipful master of the Masonic lodge at Stevensville and a past noble grand in the order of Odd Fellows, of which he has been a member for twenty-five years and in which he has served as representative to the grand lodge several times. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. On September 12, 1883, he was married at Missoula, to Miss Rose V. Knapp, a graduate of Albion (Mich.) College, a lady of scholastic attainments and high culture. After her graduation she came to Missoula and gave to the community the benefit of her scholarship and ability as a teacher until she was married. They have one son, Charles Amos, now fourteen years old.

When the dark cloud of the Nez Perces war lowered upon the land and human life and public

and private interests were threatened by savage fury, he was among the first to offer his services in quelling the uprising and was engaged in the most active part of the ensuing struggle. After the war he wrote and published in the Hamilton Bitter Root Times in the issue of August 18, 1899, a vivid account of one of the most thrilling inci- dents of the war, entitled "The Battle of Big Hole," which has been widely read and highly com- mended. From whatever viewpoint it is examined Mr. Buck's career is inspiring. His success in business, his persistency in effort, his intelligent direction of public sentiment, his stimulating public spirit and his happy domestic life are alike engaging themes of contemplation and useful examples.

H ENRY BUCK .- Among the substantial and enterprising citizens of Bitter Root valley to whom that section owes its advanced development and enlightened, progressive spirit, none stands higher than Henry Buck, of Stevensville. He is one of the well-known Buck brothers, whose busi- ness capacity, breadth of view and fine public spirit have made them extensively known in this portion of the northwest, one of whom, Amos, has extended notice elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Buck was born near Bellevue, in Sandusky county, Ohio, on August 13, 1846, the youngest of the thirteen children of George and Susan (Shell) Buck, natives of Pennsylvania, who after tarrying awhile in Ohio after their marriage, removed to Monroe, Mich., where Henry received his educa- tion in the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1866, and a year later from Albion Com- mercial College. He taught school for two years in Michigan, then came to Montana, making the trip on the steamer Nile up the Missouri river to Fort Benton, thence going to Lincoln gulch where he was for two years mining, going from there to Cedar creek with his brothers, and following the same pursuit for another year. In 1871 he bought a ranch near Florence in Bitter Root valley, and, stocking it with cattle, was here two years en- gaged in the independent occupations of farming and stockraising. He then returned to Cedar creek where he and his brothers had extensive and profitable mining interests. In the fall of 1875 he returned to the ranch and in the spring bought a general store at Stevensville in company with his brothers, Amos and Frederick, and this was con- ducted under the firm name of Buck Brothers.

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Later he and Fred bought out Amos and con- tinued the business as F. & H. Buck. On January 31, 1890, Fred died, but the same name was con- tinued until a nephew, Charles Buck, now (1901) treasurer of the county, purchased the interest of Fred's widow, and the firm has since been known as H. Buck & Co. In 1894, Mr. Buck started a fruit orchard of forty acres in which he planted apple trees mostly, but mingled with them some other varieties of fruit. This enterprise is begin- ning to yield handsome returns and promises to be one of the profitable institutions of the county. He is also interested in mining at the Whippoorwill and Last Chance mines. Mr. Buck has been successful in business and is public spirited enough to invest a liberal portion of the results in such public im- provements as tend to elevate the community. He has been a generous contributor to the training school now in course of erection at Stevensville, and serves as treasurer of the institution. In fact he is never backward in aiding any worthy enter- prise. In politics he is an unwavering Republican, always interested in the success of his party, and doing his share toward that end. In 1896 he ran for representative, but although getting a handsome vote was unable to overcome the adverse majority. He is a member of the Masonic order. He was married on April 2, 1878, to Miss Clara E. Elliott, of Hamilton. They were the parents of three chil- dren, Carrie Belle, deceased; Fred S. and Clarence H. His wife died March 28, 1897. On April 5, 1900, he contracted a second marriage. The bride was Miss Nellie B. Haynes, daughter of William N. Haynes, a prominent farmer near Miles City.

LI LOYD CANNON, one of the prosperous min- ers of Broadwater county, was born at Loving- ton, Moultrie county, Ill., on December 14, 1861, the son of W. H. and Jane (Williams) Cannon, natives of Delaware and Ohio. They were married in Lovington, Ill., where W. H. Cannon was a car- penter and builder. In their family were six sons and one daughter. W. H. Cannon was the son of Stephen Cannon, a native of Delaware, who mar- ried a Miss Wright, of Maryland. His father was nominated for governor of Delaware, but died the day before the election. In 1877 he removed to Buffalo, Kan., still followed his former business and

also purchased farms, which he worked for him. The maternal grandfather of Lloyd Cannon was John Williams, a native of Ohio. He married a Miss Hopkins, whose father took active part in the Revolution, and served at Fort Du Quesne, now Pittsburg, Pa. The paternal grandfather, Stephen Cannon, was a judge for many years in Illinois, and in 1876, at the age of seventy years, he was elected to the legislature by his personal popularity, over- coming a normally victorious opposition.

Lloyd Cannon received his education in the public schools of Kansas, and removed to Montana in 1881. He located first at Glendale, Beaverhead county, where he profitably engaged in mining for five years, and then took charge of a smelter for Gasert & Reading, at Coke City. After this hie removed to Wickes, and was employed at the smelting and reduction works for eighteen months, and then made a three-months unprofitable pros- pecting trip to the head of Wise river, near the Idaho line. He then located at Empire, in Lewis and Clarke county, and was employed as prospector for another year, where he began mining on his own account at Grand Butte, Lewis and Clarke county. Here he wrought industriously and suc- cessfully for seven years, selling out at a good profit. Going to Winston he purchased the mine known as "Stolen Sweets," which he is still oper- ating with good success.

On April 13, 1883, Mr. Cannon was married to Miss Mary Bell Hardesty, of Iowa, a daughter of James Hardesty, a native of Missouri. As a young man he had come to Montana, settling at Bannack in 1864, and is now living at Colfax, Wash. Mrs. Cannon died on July 20, 1890, leaving one child, Gertrude, who resides with her grandfather at Colfax. Mr. Cannon's twin brother, Floyd, arrived in Glendale, Mont., in 1880, but after a short stay he was compelled to return on account of sickness. In 1885, he returned and joined his brother. They have since kept together, and he is an equal owner with Lloyd in the mining property in Lewis and Clarke county, which he superintends. Another brother, Jesse M., came to Montana in 1894, and he is an equal partner in the "Stolen Sweets" prop- erty. Jesse M. Cannon married Miss Julia Bran- non. Lloyd Cannon is a Democrat. He was elect- ed in 1900 to the state legislature, and served with ability and distinction during his official career. He is a man of sterling character and sound busi- ness judgment, numbering a host of friends.

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A LBERT BUDAS .- Among the sterling young men of foreign birth who have become identi- fied with the industrial life of Montana and have attained success through honest and earnest en- deavor, is the subject of this review, one of the rep- resentative business men of the thriving little city of Red Lodge, Carbon county, where he conducts a flourishing general merchandising business. Mr. Budas is a native of the city of Tornea, Swe- den, where he was born on May 24, 1866, being one of the two sons of Henry and Eva (Rickkala) Budas, the former of whom was born in Tornea and the latter in Finland. The father was the. owner of a flouring mill, and both he and his wife passed their entire lives in the fair Norseland, be- ing folk of sterling character. The subject of this review was reared in his native city, in whose schools he received his early educational discipline. After leaving "school he was variously employed until 1887, when he severed the ties which bound him to home and native land and set forth to seek his fortunes in America. From New York city he made his way to Minnesota, where he tarried about six months and then came to Montana, locating in Butte, where he was employed in the mining in- dustry until 1890, coming thence to Red Lodge and engaging in the liquor business for three months. He then turned his attention to general merchandise, opening a small establishment which lie conducted for some time, eventually selling the business to the firm of Yeagan Talmage Mer- cantile Company, in whose employ he remained for three years. He then resumed business in the mercantile line, associating himself with Messrs. Flager and Wright in the organization of the Car- born Mercantile Company, with which he was iden- tified about eighteen months, when he disposed of his interests and inaugurated his present enter- prise, one of the most important in the city. He las erected a handsome and commodious brick block of two stories, the same being eligibly lo- cated on Main street. The ground floor is de- voted to the accommodation of his large and select stock of general merchandise; his trade is of a large and representative character, owing in great measure to his personal popularity and scrupulous care in catering to the wants of his customers. The upper story of the building is utilized as lodge rooms for various civic and fraternal organiza- tions. In political matters the support of Mr. Budas is given to the Republican party ; he has rendered effective service as a member of the

board of aldermen of Red Lodge and as one of the zealous members of the board of school trustees. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World.

On July 20, 1893, Mr. Budas was united in mar- riage to Miss Katie Rouan, who was born in Penn- sylvania, the daughter of James Rouan, who came to Montana in 1892 and here passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Budas have one daughter, Evangeline, born February 6, 1897.

E PPA H. BUTCHER .- Employed in the profit- able business of general ranching, in the Wolf creek district of Lewis and Clarke county, Mont .. is Eppa H. Butcher. The gradual accumulations of years fraught with patient toil and industry have resulted in one of the finest and most con- veniently located ranches in the valley. His suc- cess is as pronounced as it is richly deserved. He was born in Farquier county, Va., on Septem- ber 25, 1848. He is the son of Martin O. and Judith A. Butcher, both natives of Virginia. In 1855 the family removed to Missouri and engaged in farming and stockraising, but fortune seemed to frown upon their most laudable efforts. They were members of the Baptist church, devout and consistent Christians, and politically Mr. Butcher was a Democrat. He died on July 10, 1883, and was followed by his wife in May, 1899, at the age of eighty-four. Up to the age of thirteen Eppa H. Butcher attended the common schools, so his education was limited. But he was a youth of intelligence and made the most of his opportuni- ties. From his school days he engaged in farm work for his parents at which he continued until 1872, with a few years devoted to clerking in dry goods and druggist lines.

In the spring of 1877 he rented a farm on which he confesses that he made enough the first year to pay the rent, and the second year put by suf- ficient to pay the rent and stock up for three years ahead. He now had a fund on hand that enabled him to take a little leisure, and with it he made a trip to Montana in March, 1880. He located at Craig and worked at farm and stock work, re- ceiving from $35 to $55 per month and board. After a year's service Mr. Butcher rented a ranch and worked it one year quite successfully and then

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took up a squatter's claim nine miles northwest of Wolf creek, improved it somewhat and disposed of it for $250. He then returned to Craig, re-rented the place he had formerly occupied and remained there two years, when he removed to his present ranch, which consists of homestead and desert claims of 200 acres, to which he has added 1,280 acres of railroad land. His land is mostly grazing land, but he raises two and one-half tons of hay to the acre, and makes a specialty of raising horses and cattle. On November 29, 1876, Mr. Butcher was married to Miss Georgia A. Dixon, a native of Hart county, Ky. She is the daughter of Christo- pher M. and Sallie S. Dixon, both natives of Ken- tucky. The father, who devoted his time to farm- ing and teaching, was a Democrat, and held the positions of assessor, deputy sheriff, sheriff and constable. He was also a member of the Baptist church, a Master and a Royal Arch Mason. He passed from life November 23, 1892, and his widow resides with her daughters in Montana, having come here in 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Eppa H. Butcher have three children, Robert B., Mary E. and Logan D. The parents are both members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Butcher is a Demo- crat.

TILLIAM A. CALDWELL is numbered among the prosperous and progressive farm- ers and stockgrowers of Gallatin county, where he is held in high esteem by reason of his sterling character and those well directed efforts that have brought him a due measure of success. He is essentially a self-made man, has had the ability to take advantage of the opportunities of life, and has ever had a distinctive appreciation of the dignity of honest toil, since through thise medium has he wrought out his own success. Back to that cradle of much of our national history, the Old Dominion, must we turn in tracing the genealogy of the sub- ject of this review, since we find that his parents, Audley P. and Catherine (Peters) Caldwell, were both born in the state of Virginia, whence they re- moved to Rhea county, Tenn., where William A. was born November 25, 1859. His father died in that county when our subject was ten years of age; the mother died in Montana in the year 1895. In the family were five children, all of whom are liv- ing save one daughter. William A. Caldwell was reared on a farm, and secured such educational ad- vantages as were afforded in the district schools

in the vicinity of his home. At the age of twenty years, in 1879, he came to Montana, locating at Bozeman, where he found employment in a brick yard. He soon after turned his attention to farm- ing in Gallatin county, renting a place in the vicinity of his present ranch and there continuing operations for a period of two years. He then purchased a tract of 240 acres, paying for the same with money which he had saved through industry and economy, and later purchased an additional tract of equal area. At the expiration of fourteen years he dis- posed of the property and purchased another farm of 320 acres in the same locality which he held for two years, but disposed of to advantage and bought his present fine ranch of 320 acres, to which he has added 265 acres. This fine estate is located seven miles northwest of Bozeman, and two and a half miles southeast of Belgrade, his postoffice and shipping point. He has secured excellent results from the cultivation of his fertile land, has made the best of permanent improvements, including a commodious and attractive residence, and is now preparing to devote more particular attention to the raising of high grade live stock. When he arrived in Montana Mr. Caldwell had only $25, and that was soon expended for board; and in view of this fact the success which has attended his efforts is all the more gratifying, while none can doubt his courage, self-reliance and indomitable energy, since only through such means could he have ac- complished such results.

In politics he gives his allegiance to the Demo- cratic party, and his first presidential vote was cast for Grover Cleveland, in 1892-this representing the first presidential election after Montana had been admitted to the Union. In Gallatin county, on the 4th of March, 1885, Mr. Caldwell was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Harold, and of this union five children were born, one of whom, Cor- nelia, died at the age of three years; those living are : Kieth, James Paul, Nellie and Beulah.

D UNCAN CAMERON, one of the prosperous farmers and leading citizens of Cascade coun- ty, resides on a valuable and well-equipped ranch near Evans postoffice, and twelve miles from Stockett. He was born at West Bay, Cape Breton, Canada, January 4, 1833. He is the son of of Dugald and Christie (McCray) Cameron. The mother was a daughter of Duncan and Christie

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

McCray, natives of Scotland, who, coming to Nova Scotia, there took up timber land at the head of West bay, where they developed a fine farm and amassed wealth. Mrs. McCray died at West Bay in 1880, her husband surviving her until 1887. Duncan Cameron was reared on the wild coast of Cape Breton, and until he was twelve years old engaged in a variety of employments, attending the winter schools and farming in the summers. In 1845 he drove a team for a very wealthy man named Cameron (no relation) for a year, and then shipped on the schooner Violet, owned by Capt. Grant. For nine months he followed the sea, and returned home, remaining there until 1849. Then purchasing a team he worked profitably for three years, until 1852, on St. Peter's canal, Cape Bre- ton. He then again returned to his home and worked on his father's farm until 1854. At that time his father gave him 150 acres of land, and this was the nucleus of his fortune.

In 1855 Mr. Cameron married Miss Maggie McLaughlin, daughter of Donald and Kate Mc- Langhlin, of West Bay, Cape Breton. To them were born nine children. Katie and Dugald Hen- ry died at West Bay and Daniel and Kittie Chris- tina died at Evans. The survivors are Anna L. (Mrs. Daniel Durand), Alexander S., Dugald H. and Stella M. Soon after his marriage Mr. Cameron became a stage driver, carrying the mails for two steamers plying between West Bay and Fort Hawksbury, making two trips a week. This he did at his own risk for thirteen years. The steam- er Napkin, Capt. Beattie, connected with the steamer St. Lawrence, running from Sidney to West Bay, Cape Breton, in charge of Capt. Cam- eron. From 1868 he was again farming until July, 1882, when he came to Bismarck, N. D., and there farmed profitably for seven years. In 1889 he re- moved to Montana, and located at his present home, twelve miles from Stockett and twenty-five miles from Great Falls. He now possesses 720 acres in his handsome ranch, 300 of which are un- der cultivation. He raises superior stock and magnificent crops without irrigation, and he ustal- ly winters 140 head of cattle and about twenty horses. Mr. Cameron has ever manifested indus- try, good business judgment and the highest in- tegrity. His life in Montana has been one of al- most continuous prosperity, but, being a man of strong character and determination he would have won success in any favorable location. He is highly esteemed and the family are leaders in social

circles. For over twenty years he and his wife have been members of the Presbyterian church, holding their present connection with the church at Great Falls. Their active aid is given, however, to any evangelical Protestant church. Mr. Cam- eron was "made a Mason" at Port Hawksbury, Cape Breton, in 1858, and still retains his member- ship in the lodge where he was initiated, passed and raised.

DOBERT R. LYTLE .- The pastoral industry in Montana is one of magnificent scope and importance and shows steady increase with the passing of the years, the great flocks being found on a thousand hills, valleys and ranges. Among those conspicuously and extensively identified with sheepgrowing in Choteau county is Mr. Rob- ert R. Lytle, who there has a fine ranch property. He also has a pleasant residence in Great Falls, Cascade county. Mr. Lytle was born in Indiana county, Pa., on October 23, 1848, the son of Alex- ander and Mary W. (Smith) Lytle. The father, a tanner by trade, was born in Pennsylvania in 1818. In 1857 he removed to Washington county, Iowa, where he engaged in agriculture until his death in 1888. His widow survived him until January 30, 1901, her death then occurring at Great Falls at the home of her son Robert.

Robert R. Lytle received his education at public schools and the academy at Washington, Iowa, and assisted in the work of the homestead farm until the death of his father. In the fall of 1888 he came to Montana, locating near Augusta, in the Sun river valley, where he was engaged in sheep- raising for a year. He then associated himself with Louis Marsh in the sheep business, on the Marias river, near Fort Conrad, where he re- mained about two years. In the spring of 1893 he established himself in his present location, in the Pend d'Oreille coulee in Choteau county, his ranch being located twenty-five miles east of Pon- dera station. Here he took up government land, and to this has since added by purchase until his landed estate now comprises 1,560 acres. He also has access to and utilizes a great area of open or free range. He devotes his attention especially to the raising of improved grades of sheep, and he usually has from 5,000 to 6,000 head. He has been successful, as he deserves to be, as he has given thought, executive ability and correct busi- ness methods to his occupation. Mr. Lytle has a

Robert R Latte

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

fine residence property in the city of Great Falls, located in the south division of the city, and here he and his family live during the winters, the sum- mer seasons usually being passed on the ranch. In politics Mr. Lytle is a stalwart Republican, and he has been an active and a public-spirited and progressive citizen.

At Washington, Iowa, in 1876, Mr. Lytle was united in marriage with Miss Belle Gordon, who was born near Cedarville, Ohio, March 27, 1851, and they have two sons-James Elmer and Robert Clarence. Mrs. Gordon descends from Scotch line- age, domiciled in Ohio and Iowa for several gener- ations. She is a woman of ability, and was for many years a prominent and successful teacher.

PATRICK CARNEY, well and favorably known in political and business circles in Montana, is a resident of Waterloo, Madison county. He was born in County Westmeath, Ireland, on March 11, 1851, the son of John and Anna (Kelly) Car- ney, both natives of the same county in Ireland. In 1863 the father, John Carney, came to the United States, locating in Pennsylvania, and then in Boston, Mass. He remained until 1897, when he removed to Montana. Patrick Carney lived in Boston until he was seventeen years of age, re- ceiving his education in the excellent public schools of that city, and in 1868, while still a youth, he made the adventurous journey across the plains of Montana and to Alder gulch, his first location. He soon removed to Jefferson valley, where he en- gaged in placer mining for several years in con- nection with farming.

He remained here achieving considerable suc- cess in a diversity of pursuits until 1873, when he went to Madison county and a few months later to Butte, where he continued six years, engaged in mining and the mason's trade. In 1879 he re- moved to his present location, taking land under the homestead act, and engaging in farming and stockraising. On March 12, 1876, Mr. Carney was united in marriage to Arminda E. Butt, a native of Jackson county, Mo., who came to Mon- tana with her parents, Jonas and Loanna (Gist) Butt, in 1864, the family being among the pioneers of the state. Mrs. Carney died on June 23, 1895. She was the mother of five children who survive her, their names being, Lillian May, now the wife of Walter Brooks; Rose Anna, Thomas Edwin, John Wilson and Ella Elizabeth. On October 2,

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 5

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