Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 54

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 54

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In political affiliation Mr. Tillison is a Republi- can, and takes an active part in the local campaigns. He was married at Fort Custer, 1897, to Miss En- ma Harris, a native of Trabing, Wyo., and they have two young children, Harold and Carl.

JOHN F. TEBAY is numbered among the rep- J resentative men and stockgrowers of Jefferson county, where he has an excellent ranch, equipped with the best of improvements, and he is known and honored as one of the worthy pioneers of Montana, where he has attained marked success. Mr. Tebay came of stanch old English lineage, being himself a native of Oswego, Ill., born on October 9, 1840, the son of William and Mary (Furthergole) Tebay, both of them natives of England, whence they came to America, their marriage being solemnized in Bristol, Kendall county, Ill. Their three sons and three daughters are all living. The father located in Kendall county, Ill., where he owned and operated a farm. He was also engaged in mercan- tile pursuits in Chicago at an early day, having a

store on Dearborn street just across the river on the north side. He died in 1849 in Chicago, and was buried in what is now Lincoln park. His wife died in 1884 in Montgomery, Ill. They were folk of sterling character and held in high esteem.

John F. Tebay received his education in the public schools of Oswego and assisted his father in his business enterprises until April 10, 1864, when he started for Montana, making the overland trip with a horse team. Upon reaching Fort Kearney, Neb., he had to wait about a fortnight, until enough teams arrived to make a train, and insuring protec- tion from the Indians. When seventy-five wagons arrived, the train was formed and started for Salt Lake City, where it arrived without any trouble, though trains ahead and behind were attacked by Indians. From the Mormon city they came to Montana. Mr. Tebay arrived in Virginia City on September 10, 1864, and soon removed to Jeffer- son island, in Jefferson county, where he took up pre-emption and homestead claims, now a part of his present ranch property, which now comprises 1,600 acres. Mr. Tebay had made a trip to Pike's Peak, Colo., in 1859, remaining there about three months in unsuccessful operations, and then re- turned to Illinois. When he started his ranch on Jefferson island Mr. Tebay devoted attention to dairying, receiving $3.00 a pound for his butter during the first winter, the price then dropped to $1.50, where it remained for four or five years, and then it dropped to $1.00 and he abandoned dairying and engaged extensively in cattle raising. From 1875 until 1880 he pastured a large band of cattle on the Musselshell river, when he had 1,400 head, and sold all of them.

In the fall of 1867 Mr. Tebay made a trip to the east, going by steamboat on the Missouri from Fort Benton, and returning in the spring with sixteen horses and a load of freight. He has since con- tinued extensively in stockgrowing, usually winter- ing from 500 to 1,000 head of cattle and from 300 to 500 horses. His ranch is one of the best in the county, and the homestead is a fine brick residence of two stories, while the other buildings on the place indicate the progressive methods of the owner. He also owns a ranch of 320 acres near Whitehall, in which village he has valuable real estate, including two large brick business buildings and a number of dwellings. He is also the owner of valuable farm property in Franklin county, Iowa, while his realty holdings still further include prop- erty in the city of Helena and in the town of

John . Jebay

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Montgomery, Ill. On August 5, 1880, Mr. Tebay was united in marriage to Miss Alice Hager, born in Kendall county, Ill., one of the two daughters of Joseph and Lucina (Young) Hager, both natives of New York. They have three children : James Boyd, Kate and Clare.

JOHN N. TOLMAN, of Carbon county, Mont., is a fine representative of the prominent stock- growers of this section of the state, and the suc- cess which has crowned his efforts is but addi- tional evidence of what is possible to those who systematically follow some chosen line of indus- try. Mr. Tolman is a native of the East Indies, probably the only representative of that distant clime in Montana. He was born in the district of Assam, February 5, 1861, the son of Rev. Cyrus and Mary (Bronson) Tolman, the former a native of New York and the latter of Philadelphia, Pa. The paternal grandfather of our subject was A. Judson Tolman, also born in New York, of which state the ancestors figured as pioneers, the original representatives having located in America in the Colonial epoch, emigrating from England, being direct descendants from the Tudors. The father of our subject is a venerated clergyman of the Bap- tist church, and his life has been devoted to the cause of the divine Master and in the uplifting of humanity. He passed a number of years as a missionary in the East Indies under the aus- pices of the American Baptist Missionary Society, and his labors were zealous and fruitful. He re- turned to the United States in the year 1864, and for a short interval was located in the city of New York, whence he removed to Chicago, continu- ing in the service of the society. With his de- voted and cherished wife he still retains his home in the western metropolis, having reached the advanced age of seventy-six years. Of their six children our subject was the second in order of birth.

John N. Tolman received his preliminary educa- tion under the immediate supervision of his parents while in India, and afterward entered the prepara- tory department of the University of Chicago, round- ing out his education by a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College, of Chicago. In 1879 Mr. Tolman started for the west. His first location was in Winfield, Kan., where he remained about one year, after which he went to Oregon

and for a few months was employed by the Dil- worth Cattle Company, organized under the laws of Kansas, Mr. Tolman becoming associated with the enterprise at the time of the formation of the company. Leaving Oregon the employes of the company trailed a large band of cattle through to Gallatin valley, Mont., where they passed the winter, and in the spring drove the stock through to the Crow Indian reservation, locating in what is now Carbon county. Mr. Tolman continued in the employ of the company, and was its man- ager until 1896, when the company discontinued operations. Mr. Tolman then engaged in the stockraising business upon his own responsibility, taking up a tract of land in Carbon county and devoting his attention to the raising of cattle and horses. In 1899 he added sheep to his opera- tions, and his efforts have been crowned with gratifying success. He has done much to ad- vance the stock interests of this section of the state, and is considered one of the leading repre- sentatives of the industry in this district. He controls 4,000 acres of land, and has at times as many as 1,000 head of cattle, Hereford and short- horn types being his favorites, while he runs an average of 10,000 head of sheep and about 500 head of horses. In each branch of his business he devotes special care to the breeding of the best types, including some of the noted Brilliant stock of purebred Percheron stallions and mares, and some of the best known prize winning pure- bred shorthorns and Herefords, males and females, and his success has been the result of steady appli- cation and scrupulous care. A considerable por- tion of his fine ranch property is under effective irrigation, and from the tracts so improved are secured large annual yields of hay. In placing his stock on the eastern markets Mr. Tolman us- ually accompanies the shipments, and thus keeps well informed as to conditions and is enabled to handle his products to the best advantage. He is president of the Clark's Fork Stock Association, a member of the state board of stock commis- sioners, and vice-president of the Red Lodge State Bank. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party ; fraternally he is a pop- ular member of Beartooth Lodge No. 534, B. P. O. E., at Red Lodge, and Star in the West Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is well known in Carbon county and no man is more highly esteemed.

On July 11, 1890, Mr. Tolman was united in marriage to Miss Eva Armstrong, who was born

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in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of Gen. A. J. Armstrong, who made his home in the old Keystone state until his death, in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Tolman are the parents of one daughter -Mary. The attractive family home is located twelve miles south of Red Lodge, and the ranch is one of the best in this section.

BENJAMIN TOWNSLEY, one of the most successful stockmen and ranchers of Broad- water county, is a resident of Townsend. He was born at Lachine, Canada, on January 20, 1840. His parents, Peter and Jane (Elliott) Townsley, were natives of County Antrim, Ireland, where they were married. In 1825 they came to the United States and settled near Lachine, P. Q., Canada, and followed farming. They had three daughters and six sons. In 1853 the family removed to Wiscon- sin, but remained only a year, all then returning to Canada, excepting Benjamin Townsley, who remained and engaged in railroading until 1859, when he went to Hannibal, Mo., and became sec- tion foreman on the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad, having charge of the first section out from Han- nibal. Here he remained a year, then exchanged sections, going to Clarence, Shelby county, Mo.

In the spring of 1862, having heard of gold dis- coveries in the west, Mr. Townsley at once started for Salmon river, Mont., where he arrived on August 22d of that year, making the dangerous journey by ox teams. They went by Council Bluffs and Lander's cutoff, on to the last crossing of Green river. The day before they arrived twenty wagons had crossed in safety, but twenty miles before they reached the river the train was attacked by Indians, and a lively skirmish en- sued, in which one of their number was killed. The Indians also took off several of their horses. The next night guards were stationed fifty yards apart around their outspanned teams and wagons. About II o'clock in the evening the savages fired a volley into the corral, which was promptly re- turned, no fatalities ensued, and finally the Indians withdrew. Twenty-five miles from where this at- tack occurred they passed three deserted wagons. One was loaded with liquor, another badly burned, while nearby was a solitary grave, probably con- taining the body of one of the emigrants. The horses had been taken by the savages. The re- mainder of their journey was uninterrupted by Indians. Having arrived at Deer Lodge, Mont.,

Mr. Townsley engaged in profitable mining, but within two months he joined the great stampede to Bannack, and in the fall went to Salt Lake City for provisions. On his return trip he was snowed in and compelled to remain during that winter. Shortly after reaching Bannack on his return in the spring of 1863, he went to Gallatin, sojourned a few months and then went to prospecting. Learning of the strike at Alder gulch he immedi- ately removed thither, and did fairly well at min- ing. In the fall of 1864 Mr. Townsley secured two claims at Confederate gulch which at that time was developing richly, but they proved to be worthless.

Undismayed by his ill fortune he proceeded to Last Chance gulch and remained there until the spring of 1865, going thence to Confederate gulch, where he passed the summer and in the fall went to Gallatin, changing his occupation to farming and ranching, in which he has since been very successful. Later he removed to Crow creek, then in Jefferson, now in Broadwater county, where he secured a valuable ranch and has since resided, and finding profit and prosperity in raising cattle and horses, and standing secure in the regards of a large circle of personal friends. On April 6, 1866, Mr. Townsley married with Miss Lovira Parker, of VanBuren, Iowa. The ceremony was performed at Gallatin, where Miss Parker had taken up her residence with her mother in 1865. Of their eight children seven are living, Ella, now Mrs. J. W. Sherlock; Emma, now Mrs. J. C. Ross, living on Deep creek ; Hester Elizabeth, now Mrs. George G. Webb, whose husband is a prominent rancher on Crow creek; Mattie, Walter B., Mabel and Minnie. Joseph, a most promising youth, died at the age of nineteen years. Mr. Townsley has always affiliated with the Democratic party, in whose councils he stands high, and in whose campaigns he has ever wielded influence. He was appointed county commissioner for Jefferson county, and served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff A. M. East- erly. Fraternally he is a Mason and a member of the order of United Workmen.

M ARTIN THORNTON .- Born in the moun- tains of Vermont, near the beautiful city of Montpelier, December 12, 1867; the subject of this sketch is no stranger to the ruggedness of a country like Montana and the conditions of life

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which obtain in such a land. His parents are Henry and Alice (Millard) Thornton, the former a native of New York state, where he was born in 1841, and the latter of New Hampshire, where her life began in 1843. They are now residents of Riceville, Mitchell county, Iowa, where the father is successfully engaged in dealing in horses.

Mr. Thornton was educated at the district schools of Mitchell county, Iowa, and took a spe- cial course of business training at La Crosse, Wis. When he was eighteen years of age, he went to Minneapolis, Minn., where he became connected with the Fletcher brothers, who have extensive stock interests in Custer county, Mont., and sale stables at Minneapolis. He remained in their em- ploy in that city from 1885 to the fall of 1894, and then came to Montana as manager of one of their ranches, which he had charge of for two years. From 1896 to 1898 he was engaged in the wholesale liquor business at Forsyth, and in the year last named bought a half interest in the American hotel, with W. R. Crimmins as a part- ner. Mr. Crimmins died in January, 1899, and his interest in the hotel was purchased by Joseph E. Choisser, and for the next two years the hotel was conducted by the firm of Thornton & Choisser, who 'at the same time conducted a meat market. In May, 1901, they sold out both enterprises and took the agency for the Anhauser-Busch Brewing Company, of St. Louis.

In political affiliation Mr. Thornton is a Re- publican, and always takes an active part in the campaigns of his party, giving it both counsel and substantial aid. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, in both of which orders he is active and influential. He was married at Forsyth, in 1896, to Miss Caro- line Walthers, a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born in 1871. They have three children : Millard, Ralph and Rodgers. In all his busi- ness ventures Mr. Thornton has been successful; in social relations he is well esteemned and has a host of friends; and in all matters affecting the welfare of the community he has shown himself to be deeply interested and potential for good.

W "LLIAM M. TRACY is one of the honored pioneers of Montana, a man who has at- tained success in temporal affairs through his own efforts and who is identified with the annals of

Gallatin county and the city of Bozeman. Mr. Tracy, well known and highly honored throughout this section of the state, was born in the city of Ithaca, N. Y., on May 3, 1838, the son of Daniel L. and Martha (Duncan) Tracy, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in New London, Conn. Daniel L. Tracy was a harness and saddle- maker by trade, to which he devoted his entire business life, his death occurring in New York at the age of fifty-eight years, and his wife there passed away at the age of forty-seven. They were the parents of three children. The maternal grandfather was Capt. Henry Duncan, who was born in Stockholm, Sweden, whence he emigrated when a young man, locating in New London, Conn., from which point he followed a seafaring life, serving for thirty years as captain of a vessel. He finally abandoned the sea and located on a farm, where he died at the age of seventy-five years. He married Elizabeth Hold, who passed her entire life in Connecticut.

William H. Tracy left home at the age of nine- teen, having received only such educational ad- vantages as were afforded in the primitive schools ; but upon this foundation he has reared an effective superstructure through his contact with men and participation in the active affairs of life. He has thus become thoroughly appreciative of the value of education, and is giving to his children the best of opportunities. Upon leaving his home Mr. Tracy came westward, living for a time in Illinois, whence, in the spring of 1859, he went to Denver, Colo., and while there was a member of the state guards, under Gov. Gilpin. He came to Montana, and in 1863 aided in laying out the old town of Gallatin City. When the discovery of gold was made in Alder gulch, now Virginia City, Mr. Tracy dropped everything to join in the mad rush to the new gold fields, where he engaged in mining. In 1864 he returned to Gallatin county, which has long been his home ; turned the first furrow on a farm in the county, and has since been prominently con- cerned in the development of the agricultural and stock-growing industries of this section. In the winter of 1864-5 he settled on three forty-acre tracts in what is now the city of Bozeman, and as soon as the government survey was made pre- empted it, and has since handled real estate, deal- ing only in his own properties. The appreciation in value of local realty has largely contributed to his prosperity. He has platted three additions to the city of Bozeman, and still owns his valuable

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ranch, which he operates though residing in the city. In the 'seventies he engaged in the manu- facture of brick ; and for three years was engaged in freighting, while for more than twelve years he conducted a general merchandise store in Boze- man. When a young man he learned the machin- ist trade, and his skill in this line proved of much value to him when good mechanics were in de- mand on the frontier.

In politics Mr. Tracy gives his support to the Democratic party, his first presidential vote having been cast for Stephen A. Douglas. When the city of Bozeman was incorporated he was made a member of its first board of aldermen, but has never desired public office, his private interests and enterprises having at all times demanded his un- divided attention. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and with William English Post No. 10, G. A. R. ; and is also a prominent member of the Gallatin County Pioneer Society. In 1869 Mr. Tracy returned to Freeport, Ill., was there united in marriage to Miss Sarah Bessey, who was born in Pecatonica. They became the parents of six children, three of whom survive, namely: Al- bert, Frank S. and Edna B., all of whom still abide beneath the parental roof. The family attended the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Tracy is a devoted member. She is a woman of gracious refinement and utmost kindliness, and has been to her husband a devoted companion and helpmeet during all the long years of their wedded life, retaining the esteem and affection of a wide circle of friends.

JOHN TRESCH .- The great English writer, Dr. Johnson, once spoke as follows in regard to biography in general: "The accounts of parallel circumstances and kindred images to which we readily conform our minds are, above all other writings, to be found in the lives of particular per- sons; and therefore no species of writing seems more worthy of cultivation than biography." Es- pecially is this a pleasure when we come to chronicle the. events and characteristics of such a useful and cheerful life as has been that of the subject of this review, one of the honored pioneers of the state, and now numbered among the prosperous farmers and stockgrowers of. Fergus county.

Mr. Tresch claims the fair land of Switzerland as the place of his nativity and he was born on the 8th of May, 1837, being the son of Henry and

Catherine Tresch, who were likewise born in Swit- zerland, where they passed their entire lives, both having been devoted members of the Catholic church, in whose faith they reared their children, the surviving members of the family being as fol- lows: Zacharias, now known as John, and the one of whom we write, Joseph, Sophia, Catherine and Helen. The father died in 1878, his widow surviv- ing until 1887. He had devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits and was a man of sterling integrity, holding the esteem of all who knew him. Of the children only John is now living in the United States.

John Tresch, the immediate subject of this re- view, had but limited educational advantages in his youth, having attended the common schools of his native land until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he resigned his studies in order to con- tribute his quota toward carrying on the work of the homestead farm, where he remained until he had reached the age of eighteen, when, in 1855, he emigrated to America, locating at New Orleans, La., where he was variously employed until the time of the Civil war. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the Confederate army, serving for nearly a year, when he went to St. Louis, Mo., when he secured work on one of the Mississippi river steam- boats and thereafter continued to be identified with this line of enterprise until 1866, when he came on one of the Missouri river steamboats to Montana, disembarked at Fort Benton in 1866 and from thence coming to Helena, where he then turned his attention to placer mining in Last Chance gulch, and later prospected and mined in various sections of the state, continuing operations until 1881, when he came to his present ranch, which is located two miles west of the village of Cottonwood. Fergus county. Here he took up a homestead and pre- emption claim, and to the same he has since added until he now has a fine ranch property of 1,200 acres, of which 200 acres are available for cultivation, yielding large annual crops of hay and grain. His chief resource, however. is in the rais- ing of high-grade cattle, in which line he conducts operations upon a quite extensive scale, having the best of facilities and having made good improve- ments on his ranch, which gives evidence of pros- perity and careful management. Mr. Tresch is public-spirited and enterprising and commands the confidence and esteem of the community, while to him has come a fair measure of success, a legiti- mate reward for his years of earnest toil and en-

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deavor. His political allegiance is given to the Re- publican party, while both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church, in which they were reared. Mrs. Tresch came to this coun- try in 1880, joining her uncle, John Danoith, in Helena.

In October, 1880, Mr. Tresch was united in marriage to Miss Mary Danoith, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Julius and Hilda Danioth, both likewise born in Germany where they are now living. The father is a shoemaker by trade and vo- cation, and both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. To them nine children were born, and of the number two are now deceased : Heroni- mus and Ralph. Those living are Mary, Henry, Julius, Annie, Felix, Sophia and Ralph (2d). Mr. and Mrs. Tresch became the parents of seven chil- dren and all are living except Annie, who died at the age of eight years. The others are here named in order of birth: Catherine, John, Walter, Sarah, Julius and Mary.

EORGE W. TRASK .- One of the best judges

G' of live stock in the state and prominently identified with the great industry pertaining thereto, Mr. Trask is one of the representative men of Fer- gus county, where he has a finely improved ranch of 720 acres, located twenty-two miles south of Utica. Mr. Trask is a native of New Hampshire, having been born at Alton, Belknap county, on the 27th of September, 1855, the son of William ånd Lydia Trask, both of whom were born in Nova Scotia, whence they removed to New Hampshire in their early married life. The father was engaged in successful business as a tanner and currier in Nova Scotia, and engaged in farming at Alton in New Hampshire. In 1890 he removed to Fair- haven, Wash., where he lived retired until his deathı, which occurred on the 16th of February, 1891. He was a stanch Republican and in religion was a Baptist, of which church his wife also was a mem- ber. She is now residing at Billings, Mont. Of their eight children all are living save Amos W. and Margaret ; the names of the others are Eliza- beth, George W., Ella S., Willard F., Annie W. and Sarah S.

George W. Trask attended the public schools of his native state, and when seventeen found employ- ment in a bakery, continuing at this work for five years. Thereafter he was a farmer in his native

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 54

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