Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 51

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 51

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The mother of our subject, Nelson Story, was Hannalı Gile. She was born in New Hampshire, and died in Meigs county, Ohio, aged fifty-four years. She was the mother of four children, three of whom are yet living. Her parents were Nelson and Hannah Gile, who lived and died in New Hampshire. The death of young Nelson's father was followed three years later by the passing from earth of his mother. Up to the age of sev- enteen he had been reared on a farm and enjoyed the advantages of the district schools of his im- mediate vicinity. He had entered the university with the determination to overcome the lack of proper schooling in early youth, and maintained himself by teaching school. At the time of his father's death his collegiate education was cut short. It had been prosecuted as far as the third term-the sophomore year. He desired to come west, and taught school to procure the means to gratify his ambition. The money thus earned was the foundation of his present colossal fortune. From that era until the dawn of the twentieth cen- tury he has been an active, energetic, earnest busi- ness man, a man of great executive ability and wonderful resources. His investments and ex- periences in business life have by no means been "cribbed, cabined or confined" to Montana ; they have extended over the western states and terri- tories and California. In earlier days, when there was a sniff of danger on the dusty trails or along the star-lit plains, he engaged in freighting from the Missouri river to the Rocky mountains. He interested himself in placer mining in Montana and other western territories, and operated various lines of mercantile business, from supply- ing the wants of rugged miners to the control and management of mammoth department stores. With milling, stockraising and agricultural pur- suits Mr. Story was early made familiar, and at different times he has been connected with banks. He was the principal owner and president of the Gallatin Valley National Bank, at Bozeman, Mont. In all of these various industries he has been emi- nently successful, as is attested by the princely for-

halben Story

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tune he has accumulated, being reported one of the wealthiest men in Montana. But the pathway of this splendid business career has by no means been a path of roses. To the natural excitement of business speculation has been added the spice of personal danger. His experiences embrace the fierce and sudden attack of the hostile savage in . style, finish and appointments the Bozeman home the darkness of the night, when the only reliance was upon the trusty Winchester or a Colt's navy. He has felt the nervous thrill and the torturing anxiety of the destitute placer miner, who sees at one turn of the shovel thousands of dollars in glit- tering gold unroll before his eyes-a rich reward for long and patient toil. In the early days when civil law was in abeyance, Nelson Story witnessed the results of the rude justice of the Vigilantes, or citizens' committees, which sternly executed the penalty for barbarous crimes committed by san- guinary desperadoes, and seen these malefactors arrested, tried and executed within three hours from the commission of their last crimes. To Mr. Story the crude period of pioneer life-the log cabin on the open plain exposed to the sudden descent of painted savages, laborious days in the gulches and the want of proper food or medical attendance-are all familiar episodes in his career. In later years he witnessed the kaleidoscopic changes that merged the scenes of early western life into the refinements of cultivated society, the steady habits of the solid banker keeping meas- ured step with his commercial compatriot in Chi- Among his many friends, with whom he has dwelt and mingled for the past quarter of a cen- tury, Mr. Story is highly esteemed. All classes, from the humble laborer, the hard-working ser- vant girl, the aristocratic capitalist, the trained and scholastic professional man, the wily politician, all turn to him as their friend and counselor. He meets each with the same cordiality, warm-hearted- ness and open generosity. Since 1885 Mr. Story has rebuilt his fine, large mill. In 1892 he sold 13,000 head of cattle, and was given three years in which to deliver them ; one of the largest trans- actions in live stock recorded in the history of northwest ranching. It was about this period that Mr. Story retired from the active details of his business, although still enterprising and energetic. cago and the farther east. Through all these changes of a strangely varied and romantic life, from the beardless boy on the banks of the Ohio to the mature and experienced business man of sixty years, his name stands for high character, sound judgment, an unquestioned fidelity to busi- ness and a conscientious devotion to whatever his hands should find to do. He is now in the ma- turity of a life rich with experience and rewarded with success. In his domestic life there is nothing left to be desired. His wife, formerly Ellen Trent, the choice of his early manhood, who bravely shared his perils and adversities and, when the clouds hung heaviest, by cheering words and an undaunted spirit would almost see the silver lining beyond, still lives to rejoice with him in the pros- Politically Mr. Story has been a life-long Re- publican, and for many years a member of the city council of Bozeman. His family attend the Epis- copal church, and his sons are leading members of society. Fraternally they are prominent in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. perity which crowned his efforts. To them have been born seven children, three of whom are de- ceased. Those living are: Rose, who is married and the mother of three sons and one daughter ; Nelson, Jr., married, with one son, Nelson III,

and one daughter; Thomas B., married, with one son and one daughter, and Walter P., single, now in Shattuck College, Faribault, Minn. All of the children are finely educated. Two palatial resi- dences are the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Story ; one in Bozeman, the other in Los Angeles, Cal. In

is modern and up-to-date in every particular. When first built it was the most elaborate resi- dence on the line of the Northern Pacific Railroad between St. Paul, Minn., and the Pacific ocean, a grand and imposing structure. The one at Los Angeles is noted for its beauty and elegant ap- pointments. The benevolence of Mr. Story is well known, and among his generous gifts are the grounds and several thousand dollars to the State Agricultural College, at Bozeman. He. has con- tributed many thousands of dollars to churches, schools and public and private enterprises ; has erected many business blocks, and has now in pro- cess of construction three elaborate and up-to-date blocks on the principal street of Bozeman, being the owner of numerous houses, lots, ranches, busi- ness blocks and dividend-paying properties. The first home of this man of affairs and action, this enterprising millionaire, was a log cabin with a dirt roof, in size about 14x16 feet. And yet we ' have his testimony to the effect that here many happy days were passed as well as numerous hard- ships incident to pioneer life in the new territory.

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JAMES E. STEVENS .- Prominently identified ton as foreman of the Benton Record. A few weeks later he became associated with Thomas Wright and one Williams in inaugurating the River Press at Fort Benton. Mr. Williams was soon succeeded in the firm by Jerry Collins, and in 1882 Collins and Stevens formed a stock com- with the newspaper press in Montana, known as a thorough and capable newspaper man, not "journalist," the bete noir of the practical man, Mr. Stevens has wielded no inconsiderable influ- ence in public affairs in Montana, and has been a distinctive factor in politics. He has been a . pany, with Mr. Stevens president and Mr. Collins resident of Montana for over a quarter of a cen- tury and merits consideration as one of her rep- resentative citizens, being now the editor and publisher of the Ravalli Republican, at Hamilton, Ravalli county, where he located in 1898, and also postmaster at Hamilton, having been appointed by President Roosevelt on the recommendation of the entire county committee and the leading business men. Mr. Stevens was born in Belle- ville, province of Ontario, Canada, on September 16, 1849, one of the five children of Dr. Francis A. and Isabel (Stobie) Stevens, the former a native of England and the latter of Scotland, her father, a colonel in the British army, being in command at Dover for many years. James E. Stevens, the fourth of the five children and one of the four yet living, received his early education in the public schools of Ontario, continuing his studies there until he was thirteen, when he became initiated into the "art preservative of all arts," an asso- ciation which of itself implies a liberal educa- tion, becoming an apprentice in the office of the Intelligencer, published at Belleville, Canada, and here gained his first experience in newspaper work under Sir Mackenzie Bowell, now ex-premier of Canada, and where he remained until 1867, when he entered the Kingston military school, practically completing the course and passing the examinations the same year. He was next em- ployed in Chicago as a job printer in the offices of the Chicago Journal and the well known firm of Rand, McNally & Co., until 1874, when he de- termined to cast in his lot with Montana,

Mr. Stevens made the trip by rail to Corinne, Utah, and thence by stage to Helena, then work- ing at placer mining in the summer seasons and in the winter of 1874 he had charge of the Boze- man Times, published by Bogart & Black, while the next three winters he was in charge of the job rooms of the Helena Herald. In the spring of 1877 Mr. Stevens went to Diamond City and had charge of the Rocky Mountain Husbandman until he resumed his position with the. Helena Herald in 1878, he retaining this incumbency un- til the spring of 1880, when he went to Fort Ben-

treasurer and manager, and the Press was changed from a weekly to a daily edition, and its political policy changed from independence to a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. In October, 1883, Mr. Stevens sold his interest to Mr. Har- ber, the present editor and manager. Mr. Stevens then went to Townsend and established the Trenchant, publishing it until 1886, when he dis- posed of it and edited the Missoula Times, while its publisher was in the legislature of 1887. He afterwards acquired an interest in the Missoula Item, became sole proprietor in 1889, and soon sold to the Missoula Daily Gazette, and was there- after the city editor of the Gazette until 1891, when the Republican state central committee sent him to Stevensville to manage the Western News during the campaign. When the Ravalli Repub- lican was founded at Stevensville Mr. Stevens be- came editor and manager, and gradually bought the other interests, becoming sole proprietor in November, 1896, thereafter continuing publica- tion at Stevensville until December, 1898, when he removed to Hamilton, where he purchased the Bitter Root Times, consolidating the papers and continuing as editor and publisher. He has a well equipped plant and an excellent supporting patronage. The paper is an able exponent of the Republican cause and wields unmistakable influ- ence, Mr. Stevens being one of Montana's veteran newspaper men, a vigorous and logical writer and thoroughly familiar with local conditions and needs, and it is a natural sequel that his publica- tion should stand in high favor as one of the leading papers of Montana.

Mr. Stevens has ever been a stalwart Republi- can, and in 1882 he was made temporary, and finally permanent, secretary of the territorial con- vention of the party, at Butte. He has always been active in the party cause. In 1884 he was nominated for member of the territorial legislature from Meagher county, but met with defeat through normal political conditions. Fraternally Mr. Stev- ens is one of the prominent members of the Knights of Pythias, having been chancellor commander of Crescent Lodge at Fort Benton as early as

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1882, representing the same at the institution of the grand lodge at Butte in 1885. He was the first chancellor commander of Crescent Lodge No. 37, of Stevensville. On February 4, 1886, at Townsend, Mont., Mr. Stevens was united in mar- riage to Miss Ida May Carpenter, daughter of Daniel D. Carpenter, one of the pioneers of the state, and sister of Mrs. George F. Cowan, of Boulder. She died in November of the same year, and on February 26, 1897, Mr. Stevens con- summated a second marriage, being then united to Miss Margaret F. Powers, of Missoula, a well known newspaper woman. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have two children, Donald, born on January 3, 1899, and Marjorie, born on April 17, 1901.

W S. STOCKING .- Just about the time when Washington's second term as president closed, and that great man was about to retire to the peace- ful shades of private life on the banks of the noble river which he loved so well and has made famous throughout the world, there was born in a little Dutch settlement in Pennsylvania a sturdy infant named Jared Stocking. He grew to manhood in his native county, learned the cabinetmaker's trade, worked at it faithfully for nearly a half century in Grand Rapids and Grand Traverse Bay, Mich., where he made his home in early manhood and where he had large factories, and then, at the opening of Civil war, closed his record at Chicago and was laid to rest. He had long before married Lucy Bigelow, a native of New York state, near Niagara Falls, who survived him thirty-three years and then also died in Chicago, at the age of ninety years. They were the parents of eleven children, one of whom, W. S. Stocking, is the subject of this narrative. He was born at Grand Rapids, Mich., March 15, 1837; at- tended the schools of his native county until he was fifteen years old, and then, beginning the bat- tle of life for himself, went to Grand Traverse and gave diligent attention to the lumber and sawmill business until 1860, when he went to California and for three years engaged in the lumber business in Yolo, Trinity and Humboldt counties. In 1862 he joined the stampede to the Salmon river mines, Ore- gon, but stopped at the John Day river, where his party discovered the John Day mines. The following year he went to Boise City, Idaho, and remained in that vicinity about a year; then, in 1866, he re- moved to Fort Benton and opened a meat market

and was proprietor of the Benton hotel for five years. In the spring of 1872 he located his pres- ent ranch on Teton river, five miles from Fort Ben- ton, which embraces 640 acres with an abundance of free range adjoining. Since locating there he has been engaged in general farming and raising horses and cattle. During the first three or four years of his residence there the country was still full of buffaloes and Indians, and both gave the struggling settlers a vast amount of trouble. Be- sides this ranch Mr. Stocking owns valuable prop- erty in Fort Benton, where he makes his home. He has a valuable and interesting relic in the form of a stove made at a blacksmith shop in the old fort in 1847, which is still in a good state of preserva- tion.

In politics Mr. Stocking has always been a Re- publican except that he has differed with his party in recent years on the silver question. He was one of the first county commissioners of Choteau county, being appointed by Gov. Morrow in 1867; and also a member of the first grand jury at Fort Benton, in the early 'seventies. He joined the Knights of Pythias at Fort Benton in 1884, and has taken an active interest in it ever since. He was married at Boise City, Idaho, in January, 1864, to Miss Margaret Henry, a native of Louisville, Ky., who still abides with him at their pleasant home. Theirs is one of the oldest families in the old fron- tier town. They have two children: John and Lulu, both living at home and helping to dispense the generous and graceful hospitality for which Mr. and Mrs. Stocking are noted. They are grow- ing old gracefully, and the foot of time falls lightly upon them because of their sunny and obliging dis- positions, and the goodness of heart towards all mankind, which is one of their striking characteris- tics and has won for them the affectionate regard of all who know them.

HIRAM HAYWARD STONE, who passed away April 4, 1899, in the fullness of years and high in the regard of his fellowmen, wandered widely from the home and the pursuits of his ancestors. He was born at Bridport, Vt., on December 8, 1819, the son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Hayward) Stone, natives of Vermont, and representatives of well known families prominent from early Colonial days. His father was a merchant and owned several sailing vessels on Lake Champlain. Mr. Stone was

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educated in the schools of his native town, finishing his academic course at the high school of Middle- bury. In 1844 he removed to Chicago and engaged in the warehouse and grain business until 1849, when he joined the stampede to California in com- pany with his brother and two others. They made the trip across the plains without incident worthy of note, leaving Chicago April 1, 1849, and arriving in California early in September. They immediately engaged in placer mining, but in a short time Mr. Stone received a sunstroke which resulted in serious illness, and as soon as he was able he returned east and passed a portion of the year 1850 in New York and the New England states. In September he re- turned to Chicago, where he remained until March, 1851, when he removed to Plainfield, Ill., and en- gaged in mercantile business. He was again obliged to quit on account of his health, and selling out his business he removed to Onarga, Ill., where he was employed as land examiner for the Illinois Central Railroad. He remained in the employ of the company until 1862, when he and his brother came to Montana, and after a short stay went on to Portland, Ore., but returned to Montana the next year, and engaged in mining at Alder gulch. In the autumn they removed to Gallatin county and passed the summer of 1868 in farming. That fall they went east and brought their families to Mon- tana. After passing three years in charge of a boarding house at Unionville Mr. Stone removed to Bozeman in 1871, where he died February 4, 1899. In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Stone and their two sons visited what is now the Yellowstone Park. They were among the first who went there shortly after its discovery and Mrs. Stone was the first white woman to make the trip to the geysers. There were no roads and the trip was made on horseback over fallen timber, through the beds of creeks and up one canyon with no trail of any kind to serve as a guide until nearly reaching the lower geyser, where they came into Hayden's trail, coming from another party which, a day or two before, had camped in the basin. In 1877 Mr. and Mrs. Stone went to the Crow agency, where he was employed as a carpen- ter and she as a matron. In August he took up a ranch on the Yellowstone, near Rouse's Point, and it was there that the Nez Perce Indians crossed the river, near their home, when being pursued by Gen. Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Stone were despoiled of everything they had by the redskins. Two men working about two miles below were killed, al- though Mr. Stone and Mr. Rouse had tried to reach

them and give warning, but had to take to the bushes for self-protection. The stage having just arrived the passengers were also in danger, but the entire party walked all night to reach a logging camp, and it was several days before they arrived at Bozeman.

In politics he was a Democrat, but never sought public office. He was married in 1846 to Miss Em- ma J. Baker, a native of Vermont, where she was born in 1824, the daughter of Elijalı Baker, born in that state in 1792, one of its representative farmers, a zealous Democrat, an ardent Freemason and highly esteemed citizen. His wife, Mary (Torrey) Baker, was also a native of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Stone were the parents of three children: Mary, now Mrs. W. L. Perkins, of Bozeman; Howard, who is in business as a coal merchant in Butte; and Chilon Ward, living in Judith Basin, near Cot- tonwood.

S TOW BROTHERS .- The senior member of this prominent firm of sheepraisers resides up- on an extensive ranch twenty-three miles north of Wolf creek, Lewis and Clarke county, the post- office address being Stearns. The partners have, by judicious management and careful attention to details, built up a most profitable business in this line of industry. Francis M. Stow, the elder brother, is a native of Hunt county, Tex., born January 19, 1862, the son of James and Winnie L. Stow. The father was a Missourian by birth and his wife a native of Georgia. In Missouri he was recognized as a successful farmer. Both parents were mem- bers of the Christian church. Fraternally the father was a master Mason. The wife and mother died December 29, 1882, and was followed by her hus- band September 10, 1889.

The somewhat limited education of Francis was received at the public schools in the vicinity of his birthplace, which he attended during the winter months. At the age of seventeen his school days terminated, but he continued to reside with his par- ents until he was twenty, when he assumed charge of his grandmother's (Elizabeth Stow) farm, and continued thereon for five years. In 1886 he came direct to Helena, Mont., where he secured employ- ment at the poor farm, receiving a monthly wage of $40. The succeeding year he followed the business of hauling wood, and later secured a contract to build fences for W. C. Gillett. At the end of two years profitable employment in this line Mr. Stow

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associated himself in partnership with C. D. Ben- nett, and the two leased 2,000 sheep from W. C. Gillett, which enterprise was profitably conducted for four years. At the termination of that period the partnership was dissolved, and our subject dis- post of his sheep interest to Mr. Gillett, and leased a band of 2,400 from the same party. The ven- ture was fairly successful, and he then, in company with his brother, George M. Stow, leased another flock, 1,500 in all, which they finally purchased, to- gether with 5,280 acres of land. This property is located twenty-three miles north of Wolf creek. and the brothers have added territory to the same sufficient to run it up to 5,920 acres, about 100 of which is under cultivation. They now have a band of 7,000 head of sheep, and are on the high road to prosperity.

Mr. Stow was united in marriage December II, 1900, to Miss Mary Ostle, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Harry and Elizabeth Ostle, natives of England. They first settled in Pennsylvania, where Mary Ostle was born, and where the father followed the business of a coal miner until he came to Montana in the spring of 1893, and is now en- gaged in the cattle business. Politically he is a supporter of the Democratic ticket. His son-in-law, Francis M. Stow, is a Republican.

George M. Stow, the brother and business part- ner, was born in Macon county, Mo., November 5, 1871. In early years he worked on neighboring farms, and for a period of seven years was in the employ of the American Sheep and Land Company. On November 5, 1895, he was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette Watrous, of Bates county, Mo., daughter of Ellie and Mary Watrous. Her father was a native of Connecticut and her mother of Vir- ginia. In religious conviction they were Latter Day Saints. In 1877 the father died. On September 29, 1897, Mrs. Watrous was severely injured in a run- away accident from the effects of which she died. To George M. Stow and his wife have been born one child, Mary L. Stow. While quite liberal in local politics Mr. Stow votes the national Republi- can ticket.

NEIL STEWART .- A Canadian by birth and training, but none the less a loyal and patri- otic citizen of his adopted country, interested in her welfare and active in the support of every good measure for her advancement, Mr. Stewart was born at Leskard, province of Ontario, September

4, 1856, the son of David and Margaret (McMillan) Stewart, natives of Scotland, the former born there in 1823, and accompanied his parents to Canada when a child; and the latter was born in 1828, and died in 1895. The father was a prosperous farmer and died at Bowmanville in 1896.

Our subject was educated at Bowmanville, attend- ing the public schools as he had opportunity. After leaving school he remained on the homestead until he reached the age of twenty-three years. In 1881 he came to Montana, locating at Newlon, Dawson county, and was engaged in farming and raising stock for thirteen years. In 1894 he sold out and bought 640 acres of railroad land on Stewart creek, twenty miles from Glendive, where he has since been engaged in farming and raising and dealing in cattle and horses. His ranch is well located and improved with good buildings and other necessary appliances, and what is under cultivation is in a high state of fertility, showing the effects of intelligent farming and skillful adaptation of means to ends.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 51

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