Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 72

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 72

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JOHN A. JAMISON .- The adventurous lives of the early pioneers of this country is truly the basis of an oft-told tale, but the hardy character, resourceful mind and vigorous self-reliance which they engendered in the citizenship that has made America the wonder of the world cannot be too highly commended or too frequently recalled, for therein lie the lesson and the incitement to endeavor in others which make up the real value of history. Among those who are worthy of high regard in this respect, and whose life record proves the flexibility of the human character and its superiority to cir- cumstances and difficulties of every kind, is John A. Jamison, the subject of this brief review. He is one of the esteemed and influential ranchmen of the Bitter Root country, and his home, the result of his own industry and thrift, is one of the most ad- mired and desirable in his section of the state.

Mr. Jamison was born July 13, 1839, at Paynes- ville, Mo., the son of Adam and Nancy (Sherwood) Jamison, both natives of North Carolina, who emi- grated to Missouri, where they were married, and later removed to Grant county, Wis. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth. He was educated in the public schools of Beetown, Wis., and re- mained at home until he was twenty-one years old, assisting in supporting the family. The schooling he got was only what was available during a few months in each year. After he attained his majority he followed mining and farming until he was twenty-five, when he came across the plains to Mon- tana, locating at Alder gulch, where he engaged in mining for three or four months, and then went to Jefferson valley. He continued farming there from 1866 to 1875, then went to Butte for several months, finding but a few log cabins scattered

through the wild and forbidding country where stands the great city of the present day. In July, 1876, he made a trip to the Black Hills and mined there for a short time, then made a visit to his old home in Wisconsin, where he remained more than three years engaged in farming. At the end of that time he returned to Butte, and spent the next year in mining. He then, removed to the Bitter Root country and took up a homestead about three miles northeast of Florence, where he has resided ever since. His ranch consists of 320 acres of fine land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, . improved with good buildings and equipped with every appliance for the best and most productive handling of its capabilities.

When Mr. Jamison took charge of this property his sole possessions were a saw, an ax and $50 in money. From this meager germ has grown the spreading oak of his present prosperity and the firm hold he has on the regard of his fellow citizens, whom he has served in close attention to their in- terests in public matters. He has been school dis- trict clerk for the last twelve years, and is always at the front in reference to advanced ideas involving the welfare of the community.

In politics Mr. Jamison has always been a Demo- crat, but in the last presidential election voted for McKinley, and is proud of having done so. In re- ligious belief Mr. Jamison affiliates with the Method- ist Episcopal church South, and in fraternal circles is identified with the Independent Order of Good Templars. In this organization he has been very active and has a position of commanding influence, being regarded as one of the best and most effective temperance workers in his county. He was mar- ried March 30, 1863, to Miss Martha Moore, daughter of John and Mary Moore, residents of Leclaire, Scott county, Iowa. To this union one child was born, Albert Jackson, who died at the age of seven years. Mrs. Jamison's death occurred on June 19, 1870. On October 10, 1876, Mr. Jamison was married a second time, the bride on this oc- casion being Miss Mary Jack, daughter of James and Sarah Jack, of Sheridan, Texas.

EDWARD G. HOLLIDAY .- The subject of this sketch enjoys the distinction of being one of the first white persons born in the present state of Montana, his life having begun at Canyon Ferry, Meagher county, November 20, 1866. His parents having been James M.and Susan ( Hightower) Hol-

1368

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

liday, the former a native of Virginia and the lat- ter of Missouri, then a true pioneer state.

Mr. Holliday began his education in the public schools of Canyon Ferry and completed it in those of White Sulphur Springs, removing to the Mus- selshell valley in the fall of 1880 for that purpose. After leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it for about , five years, and then engaged in the sawmill business for some six years, on the Musselshell at Spring creek, at which he was moderately successful. Selling out the mill- ing outfit and business, he again went to con- tracting and building, and continued at it until 1895, when he located on the ranch which he now occupies and gave his attention to farming and stockraising. He now produces numbers of fine Hereford cattle and good crops of grain and hay on the 640 acres of land which he controls. His location is an ideal one for the purpose, it being at the junction of the Flagstaff and the Musselshell, thus affording an abundance of water and also at- tractive scenery. His buildings and all the appurtenances of his ranch proclaim him as an en- terprising and progressive man, and his standing in the community is that of a leading citizen.

Mr. Holliday was married in January, 1895, to Miss Tracie Tintinger, daughter of Nicholas Tint- inger, a prosperous ranchman on the Big Timber, who came to America from France when he was a young man. The subject and his wife have three children : Frank N., Clarice and William. They have a very pleasant home, and enjoy the confi- cence and esteem of all who know them.

JOHN McGINNESS was born in Ottawa, in the province of Ontario, Canada. October 4, 1843. At the age of twenty he came to the state of New York, where he lived for four years. In 1873 he returned to his home in Canada, where he re- mained until sometime in 1876. The following year he came to the Black Hills and settled in Dead- wood, where he was admitted to the bar in 1878 and where he practiced law until 1882, when he came to Montana. After traveling about the state for some time, he located in Billings, where he found many of his former friends from the Black Hills, and here he remained until his death. He was elected the first probate judge of the now county of Yellowstone in 1863. He was again elected to the same office in 1886, and died holding the office during this term, for, though he was re-

elected for another term, he did not live to enter upon its duties, dying at his home December 5, 1888, after a brief illness.

In March, 1884, the Judge married a lady of Minneapolis, Miss Emma Depew, with whom he had become acquainted while she was visiting friends in Billings. At the time of his death his family consisted of his wife and two sons, Edward J. and Mark, aged three and two years respectively.

The subject was an enthusiastic Mason and was a member of Aldemar Commandery of Billings; his funeral was conducted under Masonic auspices, at the Episcopal church, and was one of the most largely attended ever held in Yellowstone county. His life-like portrait is the only one which adorns the wall of Masonic hall as a past master of the lodge. He was devotedly attached to his family. As a lawyer, he was painstaking and true to the interests of his client ; it mattered little on which side of a case he might be employed, whether for the plaintiff or the defendant, he was always more ready to compromise than to go into court and try the case, or as he would say, "What's the use, where's the sense of fighting over this; let's settle it." He probably settled more cases out of court than he ever tried. He couldn't find it in his heart to prosecute a criminal, he was too tender-hearted for that, but if he was engaged to defend one he was apt to intercede with the prosecutor in the most engaging way not to be too hard on his well- meaning client, and the culprit always felt sure that he had in the person of his lawyer from be- ginning to the end of his legal difficulties a warm personal friend. He was a most genial, jovial, companionable man, with a bright, cheery smile and a good word for everybody; in short, it could truthfully be said of him, as of but few of us, at the time of his death he was the friend of everybody and everybody was his friend.

A LFRED K. KIMMERLY was born at On- tario, Canada, December 25, 1844. As a child he attended the common school, but when quite young engaged to do ranch work in order to as- sist his parents. When he was sixteen years old he learned the shoemaker's trade and remained at that industry until 1873, when he came to Mon- tana. For the first two years he followed min- ing as wage earner, but abandoned that occupation and went to Oregon, where he purchased some sheep in partnership with his brother, Allan, and

1369

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Mr. Miller. At the end of two years Mr. Miller withdrew his interest from the company. In 1881 our subject took up a homestead in the Little Blackfoot Ophir district on Dog creek. In 1882 the brothers dissolved partnership and since that time Mr. Kimmerly has continued the business independently, raising stock, but chiefly cattle and sheep. Hay is also extensively raised on his ranch, which has assumed the vast proportions of 5,310 acres, 460 acres being under good cultivation.

On January 12, 1880, Mr. Kimmerly was mar- ried to Miss Sarah E. Merkle, of Ontario, Can- ada, daughter of Charles and Hannah Merkle, also a native of that country. Mr. Merkle had a comfortable home and was fairly well to do; he and his wife were members of the Methodist church and both have passed into eternity.

Mr. Kimmerly is of Canadian origin, his father and mother, Andrew and Hannah Kimmerly, be- ing natives of Canada. The father, by his indus- try and perseverance, was successful as a laborer. The family were members of the Methodist church, and in politics the father was an adherent of the conservative party. They were the parents of twelve children, two of whom have died, and the parents have also passed away. The surviving children are, Garret, William, Margaret, Debbie, Katherine, Mary, Benson, Lucretia, Allan and Alfred K. To Mr. Kimmerly and his wife have been born six children; three died, two in infancy, and Nellie G. The surviving children are Lottie E., Willett I. and Walter R. The family are members of the Methodist church, and in politics Mr. Kimmerly votes the Republican ticket. He expresses himself as being pleased with his success in this county and is a warm advocate of the state of Montana.

J AMES M. HOLLIDAY .- The subject of this sketch is the scion of a distinguished old Vir- ginia family whose history is coincident with that of the state itself, its progenitor on American soil hav- ing been one of the cavaliers who came over with Raleigh, or soon afterward. He was Richard Hol- liday, a north of Ireland gentleman, who was in the civil service of the British government at the be- ginning of the American Revolution. He sided with the colonists and Washington offered him a commission in the colonial army, but as it was not equal in rank with his former position, he declined it. His son, William J. Holliday (the father of our

subject), with his wife, Nancy (Gillis) Holliday, also a native of Virginia, and his young family, re- moved to Missouri in 1834, locating in Shelby coun- ty, and giving his attention to the cultivation of the soil. He had six children, James being the third.

James M. Holliday spent his school days in Shel- by county, Mo., and remained on the homestead un- til 1864. In that year he came to Montana, making the trip overland by means of an ox team and for- tunately escaping all serious trouble with the In- dians. He reached Virginia City July 10, 1864, and after spending a year there located at Canyon Ferry, where he continued to reside for the next sixteen years, engaged in mining, with but indifferent suc- cess. In 1865 his family joined him in the new ter- ritory, making the trip across the plains and having considerable trouble with the hostile red men, who killed one of the party and took his scalp. In 1880 Mr. Holliday removed to his present residence at Delpine, near the head of the Musselshell, and be- gan extensive operations in stockraising, having 680 acres of land and usually more than 400 head of stock. The land has been skillfullly cultivated and yields annually excellent crops of cereals and hay, and is well improved with good buildings and other necessary appliances.

Mr. Holliday was married in February, 1847, to Miss Susan Hightower, a native of Missouri, of prominent Kentucky ancestry. They have five chil- dren living and one dead. The living offspring are David Adolphus, a successful rancher at Delpine, who married Miss Flora Rannie; Edward G., of whom extended mention is made in another part of this work, and Charles M., Maggie and Sanford M., all still living on the homestead. In the community Mr. Holliday stands high in the esteem of all classes of citizens, his influence in matters of public enter- prise being forceful and healthy, his contributions to the social life being generous and elevating, and his example and counsel in business being valuable and much appreciated. He is essentially one of the builders of his section of the state and his services in this regard have been both generous and val- table.

JOHN LAFAYETTE HUMBLE .- The roman- tic and picturesque story of the pioneers of America never loses its interest. Oft-told tale as it is, it holds its charm for every kind of reader or listener, for it has all the elements of thrilling nar- rative, embodying as it does the loftiest ideals of

1370

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

courage, fortitude and self-sacrificing devotion 10 duty. Among the men of brain and brawn who have made Montana great by reason of their achieve- ments and the productive forces they have set in motion, John L. Humble, the subject of this sketch, is entitled to a high regard. He was born No- vember 9, 1847, in Smith county, Tenn., where his parents, Michael and Elizabeth Humble, were born and reared. They had ten children, of whom our subject was the sixth. When he was but three years old the family removed to Springfield, Mo., and there he attended the public schools until he was eighteen, afterward working with his father on the farm until he was twenty-one. At that age he engaged in farming on his own account for two years in Missouri, and in 1870 came to Montana, locating on what was then an Indian reservation four miles north of Corvallis. When the reserva- tion was thrown open to the public he pre-empted 160 acres and bought additions from time to time as he prospered, until he now has 640 acres in one body, and some 2,000 in all in the Bitter Root valley.

From the date of his settlement in the territory Mr. Humble has been an extensive dealer in sheep, cattle and horses, always having on his land consid- erable numbers of them and keeping up the quality of the breeds with great care. In 1888 he sold 2,200 sheep in one bunch, and since that time has given his attention for the most part to the rearing of horses and cattle, and has at present (1901) 500 head of fine cattle, 100 range horses and more than forty horses of superior breed. His home is one of the most beautiful and desirable in the valley. The ranch is improved with buildings of excellent qual- ity, conveniently arranged and tastefully bestowed about the place, the residence being modern and up-to-date in every particular.

In political affiliations Mr. Humble is a Republi- can, and while he feels a deep and abiding interest in the success of his party, he does not seek its of- fices or emoluments for himself. He was married in January, 1877, to Miss Matilda C. Wilkinson, daughter of Jackson and Matilda Wilkinson, of Greene county, Mo., where the ceremony was per- formed. Throughout the valley Mr. and Mrs. Humble are well known and highly esteemed. They are among the leaders of their section in busi- ness thrift and prosperity, give trend and inspira- tion to social life, and are to be found with an in- telligent and productive interest in every good en1- terprise for the benefit of the community in which they reside.

JOHN C. JOHNSTON, M. D .- A good physi- cian, even though impelled by no higher motive in his work than the hope of its pecuniary rewards, is an almoner of large bounties to the community and his benefactions can not be measured in fiscal values. When to the element of business thrift he adds the inspiration born of a sense of duty to his suffering fellow creatures, no man can compute the volume of good which flows from him in his actual accomplishments, his potential example and his im- pressive personality. Among the number of dili- gent and faithful practitioners of medicine in Mon- tana who thus unite the elements of successful work in their profession, none stands higher, or more deservedly high, than Dr. John Clarke Johnston, of Butte, whether he be considered in the light of what he has done in his chosen line of duty, or on account of the charming and graceful personality which has made him a social favorite of wide celeb- rity. The people of Butte have had the benefit of his intelligent and conscientious labors for nearly a quarter of a century, he having located among them in 1878 after completing his professional prep- aration at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., and practicing for three years in his native town of Connellsville, in that great old common- wealth. He was born December 1, 1850, a descend- ant of Alexander Johnston, of County Antrin1, Ireland, who emigrated to the United States in 1783, just as that new-born republic rose to her place among the nations of the world. He was married to Miss Mary Clarke, a native of the same county, and to this union were born five sons and three daughters. The parents lived to a ripe old age, the mother dying at the age of eighty-four and the father at that of ninety-five.

One of the sons, Joseph Johnston, married Miss Florinda Maguire in 1848. He was a prominent merchant and banker at Connellsville, highly re- spected throughout that section of the state, and illustrated in his life the best elements of American citizenship. The mother was descended from one of the best families in western Maryland and was a lady of superior social and domestic qualities. They had eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom five are living and exemplify in their daily lives the lessons which they learned at the paternal fireside. The mother died in 1879; the father is still living.

Dr. Johnston, the subject of this sketch, is one of the five sons of Joseph Johnston and a brother of Alexander J. Johnston, cashier of Clark's bank

1370

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

in Butte. He was reared and educated in his native town, supplementing its educational facilities with a course at the State University of Ohio. He began the study of medicine in 1870, under the instruction of Dr. W. Lindley, of Connellsville, a scholarly and wise physician and a cultivated gentleman of the old school. In September he entered the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, a school renowned throughout the world for the completeness of its equipment, the excellence of its faculty and the thoroughness of its training. From this institution he was graduated in the class of 1875. He began practicing in his native town, but after three years turned his face towards the sunset, and removed to Butte, Mont., in 1878. He was cordially welcomed as a desirable addition to the city's corps of sci- entists, and has proven by his course and the su- perior quality of his work that the judgment which made him welcome was not at fault. In his new home he was soon firmly established in a good prac- tice and has ever since grown in popular esteem and influence in professional, political and social cir- cles. He is a member of the Fayette County Medi- cal Society of Pennsylvania, and of a number of western organizations of the same kind. His genial and unassuming manner makes him a favor- ite wherever he goes and the sterling qualities of head and heart. which characterize him increase and intensify on further acquaintance the pleasing impressions made by first contact with him.

H ENRY C. KEITH was born in the province of New Brunswick, January 9, 1863, son of Lewis and Rebecca (Blakney) Keith. He was reared on his father's farm, gaining the benefit of a country school education, until he was sixteen years old, when he took a three-months business course at a commercial college at St. John, N. B. He then commenced clerking in J. S. Trites & Co.'s general store at Sussex, remained there eighteen months, then attended commercial college for three months, and subsequently took a clerkship in the store of W. T. Mills & Co., at Upper Corners, Sussex, N. B. This was a branch store of Geo. H. White & Co., and after a time was discontinued and Mr. Keith returned to Lower Sussex to clerk in their store, where he continued until the spring of 1887, when he came to Missoula, Mont., arriv- ing there in April. From there he soon went to Stevensville, to take charge of the mercantile in- terests of the Missoula Mercantile Company at

that point. He was later sent to open a branch store at Victor and was there for eighteen months, when, returning to Missoula, he became the treas- urer of the company. In 1890 the Missoula Mer- cantile Company bought the large business estab- lishment of T. J. Demers at Demersville on the Flathead river, and Mr. Keith was placed in charge. At that time a historian wrote: "The unparalleled success of the Missoula Mercantile Company (their business for the last year amounting to nearly $2,000,000) illustrates what capital and push can accomplish. This firmi is a close corpo- ration, with headquarters at Missoula, and branch establishments placed in the best agricultural val- ley of western Montana. Their extraordinary fa- cilities have had much to do in assisting and in- creasing their exceedingly large business. In less than three years the Demersville store has built up. a larger and more extensive trade than any other in all Montana. Under the management of Mr. H. C. Keith, this branch institution promises to outgrow the parent house ere a decade passes away. Mr. Keith is a young gentleman well and thoroughly drilled in business, of recognized busi- ness sagacity and probity and large capabilities. He controls the entire business of the various Flat- head concerns owned by the firm of which he is as- sistant treasurer." This store was removed to Kal- ispell in 1893, and Mr. Keith has retained the full management. He employed but one clerk at Dem- ersville at first, but soon increased the corps, at one time employing thirty men. On moving to Kal- ispell Mr. Keith first confined the business to hard- ware and implements, with a staff of three clerks. In 1898 they built a grain elevator with a capacity of 40,000 bushels, run by a gasoline engine of twelve horsepower. Groceries were added in March, and the corps of assistants then numbered fifteen. The rapidly increasing business has continued until now twenty-six employes are kept busy. The trade of this store extends along the line of the Great Northern from Bonner's Ferry on the west to Havre on the east, a distance of 370 miles, north to the international boundary, and northwest to Tobacco plains, ninety miles. Extensive shipments are also made to Butte. They now have in Kalispell, beside their extensive mercantile house and the elevator, two large iron warehouses, one, 50x150 feet in size, for implements, the other being 60x100 feet in size, for the storage of groceries. This house is doing by far the largest business in western Montana, if not in the state.

1372

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

Mr. Keith is a Republican in politics, and a Bap- tist in religion. He belongs to Kalispell Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M .. and was made a Knight of Pyth- ias in Laurel Lodge No. 1I, at Missoula in 1889. He married, in August, 1894, Miss Mary Hunt, an adopted daughter of David Hunt, of Avoca, Iowa. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa. Their four sur- viving children are Harry, Homer, Robert and Helen. Entirely without pretense, Mr. Keith ap- pears to make a success of whatever he undertakes. Under a quiet and unassuming exterior he pos- sesses an unbending resolution, great physical and mental activity, and a personal courage that knows no fear or failure. His good nature and cheerful disposition are leading traits in his character, while he is always ready to lend a helping hand to worthy private or public enterprises or benefactions.

HARLES R. KELLER .- Among the prosper- C ous and progressive farmers and stockgrowers of Choteau county is numbered the subject of this review, and he is deserving of honorable mention in this work as one of those who are prominently identified with the industrial life of the state and who has attained success as the beneficial result of industry and well-directed effort.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 72

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