Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 71

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 71

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has a high reputation and commands a good price in every mart where it is offered for sale.

In politics Mr. Hauf trains with the Democratic party, but is rather independent, especially in local affairs, as he considers the general interest of the community paramount rather than the claims of any party. He was married in December, 1890, at Ala- mosa, Colo., to Miss Maggie Smith, and has five children, namely, Theresa, Jennie D., Arthur L., Rupert and John Delany. He is an enterprising and progressive man, whose example is an inspira- tion to the community and whose public services in behalf of every good canse are highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. In his business, in his rela- tions to the community in general and in social connections he is in every sense a representative and influential man.

H ON. WYLLYS A. HEDGES .- There are few gentlemen in Montana more widely and favorably known than he whose name serves as a caption to this biographical review. Wyllys A. Hedges was born in Independence, Iowa, July 3, 1857, the oldest son of Cornelius and Edna L. (Smith) Hedges. (For further details of Judge Hedges and wife see opening sketch in this vol- ume.) Coming to Montana with his parents when a young lad, during that period made notable by the stern hand of outraged justice in dealing with the "road agents" and outlaws, he well enjoys the dis- tinction of being one of her pioneers. His primary education was obtained in the public schools of Iowa and those of the pioneer period in Helena when she was only a primitive mining camp. He was taken east, however, to the home of his grandparents in Westfield, Mass., and there entered the high school, making excellent progress in his studies, and entered Yale College, in the class of 1880. Much to his regret, he was compelled to abandon his collegiate course and the professional life mapped out, on account of failing eyesight, superinduced by measles and aggravated by too persistent application to his studies in early years. Returning to his home in Montana, he formed a partnership with Russell B. Harrison, son of the late ex-president, L. A. Walker and others of the Helena assay office, and engaged in ranching and cattleraising on Sun river, at the present site of Great Falls. In December, 1880, he went 10 California, where he bought sheep in Colusa

county and drove them to Montana, locating ou Carless creek in 1881. Finding the spot well adapted for ranching, he has there remained. The little settlement now enjoys the name of Yale, and since 1887 has had mail facilities increased through a local postoffice.

Wyllys A. Hedges was married in 1884 to Ida S. Beach, of Southington, Conn., the old home of his mother. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges have been parents of four daughters, all deceased.

Notwithstanding the disability which prevented Mr. Hedges from following the natural bent of his inclinations, he has evidenced in his ranch life those manly qualities which bring him into close relations with the people with whom his lot was cast, and they readily saw those characteristics in him which every community seeks to find in some one who shall stand as a representative of their best in- terests. Hence it was but natural that he should be quickly recognized, and elected as the Republi- can representative to the lower house of the legis- lature in 1895, and later to the session of 1899. That session will ever be remembered by the people of Montana, and the name of Wyllys Hedges will pass into history as one of the faithful few of the Republican representatives who remained true to their party in the struggle for the United States senatorship between the Clark and Daly factions of the Democratic party. He was one of the heroic four out of sixteen who failed to surrender their principles under any condition. So clear and pure were the motives which governed him that he would not vote for Hon. Cornelius Hedges, his father, who was at one time the choice of his party, al- though greatly in the minority, until the earnest persuasions of his colleagues induced him so to do in order that the vote might be unanimous. It proved that Fergus county had the right man in the right place, and in 1900 he was again elected for the session of 1901. In his home county he evidences a lively interest in all measures tending to advance the general welfare, and his opinions are. of weight upon all questions. He is a member of the county school board and is ever active in all measures to promote the welfare of the public schools. Like the great mass of Montana's pro- gressive men, he is actively engaged in the raising of cattle and sheep, giving special attention to such breeds of the latter as produce the finest grades of wool. In matters of religion Mr. Hedges and wife are members of the Congregational church and are communicants with the church of Billings. They

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are well and favorably known throughout the county, while Mr. Hedges has also a large acquaint- ance throughout the state who hold him in the highest esteem. In his fraternal relations he is a member in good standing with the Masonic body. His pleasant home in Yale is ever the hospitable rendezvous of numerous friends and acquaintances, who regard him and his estimable wife as fine ex- amples of that citizenship which reflects honor upon the county and state.

OUIS HEITMAN is a native of the province of Hanover, Germany, having been born on the 14th of August, 1851, in the town of Celle, on the Aller, which becomes navigable at this point. His father, Ludolph Heitman, was born in the same city, and passed his entire life in Ger- many. where he was engaged in the lumber busi- ness. His death occurred in the year 1860. His wife, whose maiden name was Carolina Kasten, was likewise born in the province of Hanover, her death occurring in Leavenworth, Kan., in 1878.

In the schools of his native town Louis Heitman received his early educational discipline, and he continued at the parental home until 1869. work- ing as an apprentice in a mercantile establishment. In the year mentioned he started for America, determined to try his fortunes in a strange land. He arrived in New York on the 3rd of Septen- ber and continued his way westward, practically having no definite place in view as his destina- tion. He finally arrived in Helena, Mont., where he found his financial resources practically ex- hausted. He found employment in a local mer- chandise establishment, but returns were small and he held the position only three months, and then came to Meagher county, locating in Diamond City, where he passed a number of years. Here he first found employment in a clerical capacity, and a year later entered into a co-partnership with Charles Mayn, to whom individual reference is made on another page of this work. This association at Diamond City continued until 1874 and they were successfully engaged in the general merchandise business. In the year mentioned Mr. Heitman returned to Helena, where he continued to be as- sociated with Mr. Mayn in the mercantile busi- ness until 1877, when he disposed of his interests and removed to Fort Benton, where he was en- gaged in the same line of enterprise until 1882.

In that year he came to White Sulphur Springs, where he established a mercantile business under the firm name of Spencer, Mayn & Heitman. This partnership continued until the spring of 1900, a period of nearly twenty years, and then Mr. Hcit- man disposed of his interest in the mercantile busi- ness and has since devoted his entire attention to his stockraising and mining interests, and he is looked upon as one of the representative men of this section of the state. In politics he exercises his franchise in support of the Republican party, but. he has never been an aspirant for public of- fice, being essentially a business man.

On the 28th of October, 1880, Mr. Heitman was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Lepley, who was born in Iowa, being the daughter of Charles Lepley, one of the pioneer stockgrowers at Fort Benton. Of this union four daughters have been born : Leila, Helen, Grace and Corinne. Mr. Heit- man has had his family removed to the city of Boston, Mass., in order that his daughters may have the best of educational advantages, the eld- est daughter having previously attended St. Mary's school, at Knoxville, Ill.

C APT. J. ROLAND HILMAN, the efficient commandant of the State Soldiers' Home, at Columbia Falls, Mont., comes of distinguished fight- ing stock, his grandfather Hilman having been an officer in the Revolutionary war, and his father a first lieutenant in the war of 1812. Among the cherished souvenirs in Captain Hilman's posses- sion is a woolen quilt which was made by his grandmother, Katherine Dougherty. This was car- ried through the war of 1812 by Lieutenant John Hilman and through the Civil war by Captain Hilman. Lost with his entire kit of baggage in a rushing southern stream, it was saved by an In- diana soldier and after the lapse of months was restored to its owner.

The Captain's parents were John and Sophia (Dougherty) Hilman, both natives of Pennsylvania and descendants of early colonial emigrants from England and Ireland. At the time of the immi- gration into Ohio, in the first quarter of the nine- teenth century, Lieut. John Hilman and wife made their pioneer home in Ashland county, that state, as farmers. Here their son, J. Roland Hilman, was born on Christmas day, 1832, and here his life was passed on the farm until fifteen years had

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gone, when he availed himself of the educational advantages of the university at Hayesville, Ohio, where he was a diligent and progressive student. Before he finished the course of study, however, the golden glitter of California drew him to the Pacific coast. Leaving his Ohio home on May 10, 1851, and traveling by way of Nicaragua, he ar- rived at San Francisco June 24 of the same year. After engaging in lumbering for a year in part- nership with his brother, he bought and laid out the mining village of Ashland, Ore., at that time supposed to be in California. In 1859 the entire plant, for which he originally paid $20,000, with saw mill, planing mill and the various industries and dwellings that cluster around such a center, were destroyed by a fire started by a tramp. The property was uninsured and its destruction was a total loss to Mr. Hilman, who returned to Ohio. On June 4, 1861, he responded to the country's call for soldiers by enlisting in Company C, Forty- second Ohio Regiment, commanded by Colonel (later General and President) James A. Garfield. After an effective organization of the new troops at Camp Chase, wherein Mr. Hilman was elected second lieutenant of his company, the regiment be- gan its brilliant record of service by crossing into Kentucky and fighting with General Humphrey Marshall on the Big Sandy. From this time till the close of the war the history of his regiment is the history of Captain Hilman. He was never ill a day and never took a furlough, but was always with his regiment, participating in every march, skirmish and battle in which it was engaged. In all the operations of the Army of the Cumber- land. in the surrounding of Vicksburg and the bloody encounters previous to the capitulation of that city, and later in the Red River expedition, the Forty-second Ohio took a conspicuous part and its hattle roll numbers many of the hardest-fought contests of the war. It was the first regiment to cross the Mississippi below Vicksburg in placing the terrible coils of war around that doomed city, fighting twenty-four hours at Thompsons' hill to secure a footing, and was then engaged in daily . battle until Vicksburg was reached. The Captain, although in the front of the regiment, the post of the color company, was wounded but twice while in the service, once in the left leg at Thompson's hill and once in the side of the neck at Champion's hill, both bullet wounds. To write the full mili- tary history of Captain Hilman would be to write in detail the brilliant record of the regiment. Abler

pens than ours have done that extremely well and to their authoritative volumes we refer the reader. Suffice it to say here that he was captain of his company when it was mustered out of service at Haines' bluff, Mississippi, in 1864; but, instead of returning to Ohio with his comrades, he re- mained with the veterans at their request for four months longer and until all military operations ceased. One thing must be mentioned to make this a true record. The Captain has never used intoxi- cants or tobacco, and his sobriety was the means of placing him in many a confidential and respon- sible position during his military life, and never did the trust miscarry.

For some years after the war Captain Hilman engaged in a grocery and produce business at West Salem and prospered in it financially, but, loan- ing his money after the sale of the business while looking for a location, he unfortunately lost most of it. He came to Montana in 1880 to engage in stockraising, but instead devoted his attention to dairying, at Miles City for some time, and later for three years at Billings, where he was one of the founders of the town. In 1885 he made his home in Helena, where he followed various occupations until 1894. when he was appointed crier of the United States courts in Montana. He was dis- charging the duties of this position to the satis- faction of all concerned when the State Soldiers' Home was established at Columbia Falls, in the Flathead valley. He was selected as the proper person to have charge of that important institution. and was appointed commandant of the home by the board of managers. He entered upon the per- formance of his duties May 1, 1897, and is still in office, faithfully caring for the soldier boys.

Republican in politics Captain Hilman holds many of the old Whig principles advocated by his father and his grandfather, and is strongly Baptist in religious faith, being one of the deacons of the First Baptist church of Helena. He has been an Odd Fellow since 1854, and a Freemason since 1868, belonging to both lodge and chapter, and in both orders holds membership in Ohio.

In 1867 Captain Hilman was united in wedlock with Miss Mary J. Pancoast, daughter of Lincoln and Elizabeth ( Cook) Pancoast. She was also a native of Ohio and her death occurred in 1894. Their children are: Clifford, assistant assayer in the United States assay office in Helena, and Claudia, now Mrs. John W. Wade, also of Helena, Mr. Wade being a civil engineer.

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M ONTANA SOLDIERS' HOME .- This in- stitution, which the state has erected for the service of the soldiers, occupies 147 acres of beauti- ful and productive land on a charmingly picturesque plateau on the banks of Flathead river, two miles south of Columbia Falls in Flathead county. The land was given to the state as the site of the home by the citizens of Columbia Falls, and the state has erected on it two imposing brick structures suit- able for the intended purpose. The main build- ing is 80x40 feet in size, three stories high with basement, and has an L 40x50 feet in dimensions. The hospital is of cottage design and appearance. with beds for fifteen patients on the first floor. The home has accommodations for from 80 to 100 soldiers, and at present (1901) numbers sixty- five old veterans as its guests. The location is an admirable one, presenting to view miles of valley land stretching away to the south and west. The Flathead river turns in graceful curves from the very walls of the buildings to the north and south, while to the east and north the eternal mountains of the Kootenai range and the main range of the Rockies keep silent watch and ward over the institution nestling at their very feet. The Cabinet and Mission ranges appear far away in the distance, either sharp and well defined in the clear air, or soft and blue under a delicate veil of mist. Nowhere is there the appearance of an "institu- tion." It is, in looks and in fact, a pleasant hotel, heated by furnaces and equipped with all modern improvements, among which a library of several hundred volumes is an interesting feature. A large acreage of the land has already been devoted to crop culture, and in 1901 were here produced 468 bushels of wheat, forty tons of hay and all the kinds of vegetables that are raised in the valley. A fine or- chard of 400 fruit trees is not the least of the at- tractions of the place, while 250 North Carolina poplars line the long main avenue and are dis- tributed about the grounds, adding much to the natural beauty of the approach.

In this home (a home in the truest sense of the word) is Captain Hilman the leading spirit. Ten- der-hearted as a child and lenient as a loving par- ent, he has won a warm place in the hearts of the inmates. The comrades are of such character and intelligence that the strict regulations so com- mon in places of this kind are not so much in evi- (lence here, but when occasion arises the Captain is not wanting in the maintenance of proper dis- cipline.

DDIS M. HENRY .- Among the leading busi-

A ness men of the thriving and picturesquely lo- cated little city of White Sulphur Springs is Mr. Henry, who is president of the First National Bank of this place and who has gained prestige as an able business executive and representative citizen. Mr. Henry is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 28th of July, 1850, the son of William and Mary (Dwyer) Henry, both of whom were like- wise born in Ohio, representatives of prominent pioneer families of that section of the Union. The original American ancestors of the Henry family emigrated hither from the north of Ireland, while the paternal grandmother of our subject was of English lineage. William Henry was born in Mas- sillon, Ohio, and in that locality he became one of the pioneers in the development of the great coal industry, with which he was prominently identi- fied until his death, which was the result of au accident in the mines of which he had control. His widow survives him and at present is living with her son, William D., in Wahpeton, N. D.

Addis M. Henry, the immediate subject of this review, received his early educational discipline in the public schools of his native city, and in 1868 he entered the United States Military Academy, at West Point, as a cadet, being a classmate of Col- onel Allen, of the signal service department, and of a number of others who have made for them- selves places of distinction and honor in life. Mr. Henry was graduated in the academy in June, 1872, and was assigned to the Third Infantry, being sta- tioned at Fort Dodge, Kan., until 1874, when the regiment was ordered south and went into camp at Holly Springs, Miss. Later, owing to the White League riots, they were ordered to New Orleans, being stationed in various parts of the city dur- ing and after the riots. After suppressing the riot- ous element they made their headquarters at Jack- son Barracks, in that city, until the early part of 1876, when they were ordered to Mobile, Ala., and thence north, on account of the railroad strikes. They were for a time at Indianapolis, then went to Pittsburg and finally to Scranton, Pa., where they rendered most effective service in suppressing the riots of 1877. Shortly afterward the regiment was ordered to Montana, at the time of the memor- able conflict with Chief Joseph and his band of Nez Perce warriors, and it was stationed in Helena during the winter of 1877-78. In the following spring they were ordered north to select a new

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post, near the Canadian border, the result being the establishing of Fort Assinniboine. Mr. Henry was detailed as an engineering officer of the expe- dition and assigned the work of studying the topog- raphy of the country about the new military post and of preparing a map of the same after com- pleting his investigations. In the fall of 1878 he was ordered with his company to Fort Benton, being quartermaster and commissary, and there re- lieving Lieutenant Harden, who has since made an enviable record in the Philippines. Mr. Henry was stationed at Fort Benton until the summer of 1880, when he went east, on a leave of absence, returning to Montana in the spring of the follow- ing year and being assigned to duty at Fort Shaw. There he served as lieutenant of his company for one year, at the expiration of which period he resigned his commission and returned to Ohio, ex- pecting to remain in that section. So strong had become his love for the west, however, that he soon came again to Montana, turning his attention to mining and 'meeting with the varying success which usually attends inauguratory enterprises in this line. He first found his finances reduced to the lowest ebb, but finally secured a promising property, to which he held tenaciously for a period of ten years, investing in its development every dollar he could raise and finally "making good," since the property became a paying prospect. The claims are located at Neihart, and in his mining enterprise Mr. Henry there associated himself with R. G. White, county surveyor of Meagher county, and they continued in partnership, also opening an assay office at Neihart in June, 1884. In 1890 the proper development of the property was assured through the organization of the Florence Mining Company, of which our subject was made gen- eral manager, secretary and treasurer, in which capacities he has since continued to serve. The company have a valuable property in their mines at Neihart, and it is gratifying to note the success that has attended the work, since the same is the direct result of the energy, pertinacity and confidence of Mr. Henry, who clung to his proposition until its value was finally determined and the development assured. In 1884 Mr. Henry accepted a clerical position with the mercantile firm of Spencer, Mayn & Heitman, in White Sul- phur Springs, and continued in their employ ten years, during which time he devoted the major por- tion of his earnings to the development of the property at Neihart. In 1894 he resigned his po-

sition with the firm and opened a jewelry store in White Sulphur Springs. He still conducts this enterprise and it may be said without exaggeration that his establishment is one of the finest of the sort to be found in any town of comparative popu- lation in any section of the Union, both in its equipment and in the character of the stock handled. He handles all lines of jewelry, silverware, watches, clocks, etc., besides a most select line of high- grade china, cut glass and objects d'art. In 1894 Mr. Henry was elected one of the members of the directorate of the First National Bank of White Sulphur Springs, and the following year was ac- corded the distinction of being chosen president of this institution, of which he is still in tenure. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, and fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

On the 30th of October, 1882, at Fort Shaw, Mr. Henry was united in marriage to Miss Anna Moale. daughter of Colonel Edward Moale, of the Third United States Infantry, and of this union three children have been born: Addis V., Mary J. and Dorothy A.

RTHUR

A HERBERT .- From the counter to the counting room in ordinary mercantile life, seems like a long step or a big jump, but it has been taken by many a man of real capability and business acumen, such as the subject under consid- ation in this review. Mr. Herbert is a native of Warrick, province of Ontario, Canada. His par- ents, Robert and Sarah (Sparrow) Herbert, were natives of the Emerald Isle who emigrated to Canada early in their married life. They were the parents of eight children, our subject being the fifth. . He began his education at the elementary schools of his native town and finished at Strathroy high school. After leaving school he learned the trade of a machinist at London, Ontario, spending about five years at it there, then working at various places in Ohio and Michigan for two years. In 1888 he came to Montana and worked at his trade for a few months in Anaconda, after which he re- moved to the Bitter Root country and located at Victor, working for the Missoula Mercantile Com- pany as clerk until 1899. In that year he left the service of this company and engaged in a general mercantile business for himself, in partnership with A. W. De Veber under the firm name of De Veber & Herbert, at Florence, in which he is still occupied.

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The business has prospered and is constantly grow- ing in volume and character and in the mercantile world the firm has a high standing because of its progressive business methods, prompt settle- ments and general commercial spirit.

Mr. Herbert was deputy assessor under Robert Nelson in 1894-95. He has always been an active Republican and takes great interest in the success of his party. He belongs to the Masons, the Mod- ern Woodmen of America and the Maccabees. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian. He is very highly esteemed by all classes of people, and has the cordial regard of those who know him well.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 71

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