Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 79

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 79

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Mr. Neill was particularly well equipped to take a prominent place in the business, social and poli- tical life of the embryonic commonwealth. His father was a student of affairs, and from him he gained an invaluable knowledge of the resources and conditions obtaining in the northwest. It was not long after his arrival in Helena that Mr. Neill took an active part in the Democratic politics of the territory. When President Cleveland was elected a second time, in recognition of the act- ive part Mr. Neill had taken in campaigns he was appointed surveyor-general of the state, re- taining this incumbency until a change in the national administration and giving a vigorous and effective management of the affairs of this import- ant office, which is the only political position Mr. Neill has held during his residence in the state. As a vigorous, aggressive political leader of his party Mr. Neill has made a reputation which tran- scends the limits of Montana. Early in the fight for political control of the state he recognized the fact that the party must have at the state capital a good paper to fight its battles. For years the Helena Independent had been the Democratic organ at the state capital and the Republicans ap- preciated the fact that with its influences on their side they could continue to control the political destinies of Montana. For more than a year Mr. Neill tried to convince the Democratic leaders that

it was most important that the Democracy retain control of the Independent, but his views met with slight endorsement. Finally he was enabled to enlist the cooperation of capital, from a pure- ly business standpoint, and forthwith effected the purchase of the paper, thus preventing the Re- publicans from securing the same. The correct- ness of his judgment in thus saving the Independ- ent to the Democracy was patent within a year, and he was looked to whenever aggressive action was necessary. In 1899 came the senatorial con- test so memorable in the annals of the state, that in which Messrs. William A. Clark and Marcus Daly were arrayed against each other, and as the organ of the Democratic party in the state the Independent played a most important part in winning the victory for Mr. Clark, who was the choice of the majority of the party.

In the turbulent convention of the Democratic party held at Butte shortly afterward, for the pur- pose of choosing delegates to the national con- vention, Mr. Neill took an aggressive stand against the minority faction, and was finally chosen chair- man of the state committee after the minority chairman of the state central committee had been deposed, and thus the organization of the party in Montana was kept in the hands of the men who represented the great majority of the party. Ow- ing to the stand thus taken by Mr. Neill the ma- jority won another victory at the national conven- tion in Kansas City, and most consistently was Mr. Neill accorded the distinction of being made the Montana member of the national Democratic committee. It was largely through the efforts of Mr. Neill and the Independent that the fusion of the Democrats and Populists was effected in the first state convention after he had obtained control of the paper, resulting in the election of Robert B. Smith to the gubernatorial office. Mr. Neill also took the leading part in the state con- vention of 1900, where, in the midst of strenuously discordant elements, his facility in leadership and in meeting unexpected political exigencies was brought into high relief, and it was due to his efforts in a large degree that the majority of the party was brought enthusiastically in line in sup- port of Governor Toole, now the incumbent of the chief executive office of the state. In the same convention Mr. Neill also took a prominent part in effecting the nomination of George M. Hays, the present secretary of state.

One other incident in the state convention of

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1900 will show how nearly dominant Mr. Neill was in that body. There was almost as much in- terest taken in the nomination of a candidate for associate justice of the supreme court as there was in that for governor. Mr. Neill realized that be- fore the whole people of the state the strongest candidate would be a man who had no business relations with the great mining companies of the west side. Judge George R. Milburn was the choice of his county, Custer, which is Republi- can in its political complexion, and Mr. Neill realized that if the nomination came from that county, with the feeling in favor of the Helena candidate, a prominent and able lawyer, the east- ern Montana man would have little chance. Once more he rose to the situation, secured the privilege of nominating a candidate from one of the coun- ties that preceded Custer on the roll call, thus Judge Milburn was placed in nomination by a Democratic county and was successful at the polls.

In the conduct of the Independent under the ownership of Mr. Neill the best interests of the state have always been kept in view. Its democ- rracy is unswerving and its policy that which will best advance the interests of all the people of the state, and also in harmony with the principles enunciated by the great fathers of the party.

On the 7th of November, 1883, Mr. Neill was united in marriage to Miss Margaret G. Evans, of Newark, Del., and in the same year they came to Helena, which has ever since been their home. They have one son, George G. E. Neill.

JOHN O'BRIEN, one of the heroic soldiers of the Civil war, who has borne long years of suf- fering as the result of his patriotic service, is now an estimable resident of Flathead valley, an hon- ored and representative farmer. He was born in County Linn, Ireland, January 6, 1846. His par- ents, Thomas and Margaret (Kerwin) O'Brien, emigrated in 1847 to America and made their home in Chicago. Ten years later they became pioneers and permanent settlers of Wisconsin, locating at Salem, eighteen miles west of Kenosha. The child- hood and youth of Mr. O'Brien was that of the farmers' sons of that period, plenty of hard work being done and limited opportunities afforded for schooling. His parents, however, instilled into his mind their clear conceptions of industry, integrity and devotion to duty which have been and are so

prominently shown in Mr. O'Brien's everyday life.

In 1861 the country called for its sons to resist an embattled foe, and among the vigorous youths to respond was the O'Brien lad of but fifteen years. He was strong and robust, and on October 8, 1861, he was mustered as a private in Company E, First Wisconsin Infantry, rendezvousing at Camp Scott, Milwaukee. The regiment soon went to Louis- ville, Ky., and began its notable history at Green river and Mumfordsville, Ky. The regiment was a fighting one and was in battle after battle, our subject being always with his command and always active in duty. At the hotly-contested battle of Perryville, which, by a strange coincidence, was on the first anniversary of his enlistment, October 8, 1862, while the regiment was supporting the Fifth Kentucky Battery, he was so badly wounded in the neck and head by a charge of musket-ball and buckshot, as to be left on the field uncon- scious and reported as killed. Twenty-four hours later, however, he was found alive by the soldiers detailed to bury the dead and was taken to the field hospital. One side of his head was badly torn to pieces and his eye and half his face badly dis- törted, his recovery being exceedingly slow. After a month passed in the field hospital he was sent 10 Louisville, and was an inmate of the General Hos- pital No. 8 until discharged, February 22, 1863. Returning to Wisconsin, he was for months unfitted for labor, but slowly strength and health came back. He then went to Little Rock, Ark., and took con- tracts from the United States government for grad- ing on the Little Rock & Duvalls Bluff Railroad. Four months later he went down the Missisippi to continue as contractor under the government, and had reached Warm Springs at the time when Gen- eral Steele was repulsed on his famous raid, and after the defeat returned to Wisconsin.

In September, 1866, Mr. O'Brien came to Helena. In 1867 he passed some months in mining at the Salmon river mines and was preparing to return to Virginia City when the Sioux outbreak of that year occurred. He immediately enlisted in the Montana state militia at Salmon river. They were sent to Helena, but the war was over when they arrived and they were mustered out of service. Our sub- ject then engaged in placer mining at Thompson's gulch, east of Diamond City, but at the end of three months was driven out by the Indians and returned to Helena. He soon went on a prospect- ing trip to Lincoln gulch in the Blackfoot country, and from there proceeded to Cable, where he went

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to work in the mines. His next mining proposition was placer mining in the Last Chance gulch be- low Taylor & Thompson's claim. For eighteen months after this he was in Mexico, where he traveled extensively, but found nothing that suited him. He came back to Montana, passed one year in Butte, and for three years took up claims and worked in the mines in Beaverhead county, five months more being passed in the Coeur d'Alene mines. The Bull river country seemed to be wait- ing for him, so he started on a prospecting tour, panning as usual from time to time as he journeyed. His route led him up the Flathead river and when he reached the land he now owns, then an open tract of government land lying on the banks of the Flathead river, he was struck by its fertility and great natural beauty and reasoned thus to him- self: "John, you are searching for wealth and I believe you have found it," so he tarried to look for it and he has found it in satisfactory measure. He pre-empted 160 acres, the southeast quarter of section six, town twenty-nine north of range twenty west, and homesteaded 160 acres more, the southwest quarter of section five, in the same township. This has since been his home and his judgment and industry is developing him a splendid home. The massive pines growing on the prop- erty are estimated to have a value of from $9,000 to $10,000. He has 165 acres of extremely fertile land under cultivation and an orchard of 350 thrifty fruit trees.

Mr. O'Brien is a reader of good books and an original strong thinker, especially in economic and reform lines. He is decidedly independent in his political views, caring little about party names and much about the principles to be supported. Flat- head valley has no better citizen.

AMES J. O'MARR .- The reputation sustained J

by the subject of this review is one which clearly defines his position as one of the essentially pro- gressive and representative business men of Meagher county, and as one who maintains the strongest hold on the respect and confidence of the community. He is a native of the beautiful Forest City of Ohio, having been born in Cleve- land on the 13th of January, 1859. His par- ents were Matthew and Sophia (Campbell) O'Marr, natives respectively of County Tipperary, Ireland, and the city of Glasgow, Scotland, so that it may

be seen that the subject of this review is of that sterling Scotch-Irish stock which has played so important a part in the annals of American his- tory. Matthew O'Marr emigrated to America in the 'forties, first locating in the dominion of Canada, and thence removing to the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio, where he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred on the 7th of December, 1872. There also his wife passed away January 13, 1897. They had four sons and three daughters, of whom three sons and three daughters are living at the present time. The father devoted the major portion of his life to agri- cultural pursuits.

James J. O'Marr, to whom this sketch is dedi- cated, received his educational training in the pub- lic schools of Cleveland, the homestead being near that city, and thereafter he continued to operate the old home farm until 1882, having been the youngest son and his brothers having other- wise engaged in business upon their own respon- sibility. In the year mentioned he removed to Akron, Ohio, where he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law and was engaged in the stone and marble business for one year. Then selling his interests, in the spring of 1885 Mr. O'Marr started for Montana, and upon his arrival in White Sulphur Springs he was given charge of Leonard Lewis's grain ranch, retaining this posi- - tion five years. He thereafter continued in the employ of Mr. Lewis and was identified with the wood business, having a camp near Butte, where he passed one winter, the output of fire wood for the season being 13,000 cords. He returned to the ranch, of which he had charge another season, and at the expiration of that time purchased an interest in a livery business in White Sulphur Springs, being thereafter associated with this en- terprise for two years in partnership with B. R. Sherman. He then disposed of his interests, hav- ing been elected sheriff of Meagher county, and in this office he served two years, proving an able executive. Upon quitting the office he purchased the provision business of his brother John and conducted the same until 1896, when he withdrew to take up official duties once more, having been elected county assessor. After an incumbency of two years he opened a meat market in White Sulphur Springs and has ever since been here engaged in the meat and provision trade, having a finely equipped establishment and catering to a large and representative patronage. He is the

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owner of valuable realty in and near his home city, including his store and a fine residence prop- erty, and being half owner of fifty town lots in a most eligible location, while just outside the city limits he owns sixty acres of land, utilizing the same in connection with his market business. He has still other interests of importance, being a part owner of the hotel in the new and thriving town of Copperopolis, in which he also owns an interest in the meat market which is there con- ducted under the firm name of O'Marr & Co., the same controlling the business in that line in that section of the county.

In politics Mr. O'Marr gives a zealous support to the Democratic party, and through the same he has gained official preferment, as has been noted in two instances. He also served several terms as a member of the board of aldermen of White Sulphur Springs and in 1900 he was elected to the chief executive office of the muni- cipal government, giving a thoroughly business- like and careful administration as mayor of the city. He was one of the chief promoters of the fine water system which has been here installed and is honored as a public-spirited citizen and as a man whose integrity of purpose is ever beyond cavil. Fraternally he holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

On the 22d of September, 1882, Mr. O'Marr was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Fuchs, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of John Fuchs. The latter was born in Germany, whence he emigrated to America, being for many years one of the successful contractors and builders of Ohio, where his death occurred. Our subject and his estimable wife have two children, Louis J., who is attending school in Minneapolis, where he is preparing himself for the profession of the law, being a young man of marked talent and attractive personality, and Grace May, who is a graduate of the high school of her home city and a favorite in its social circles.

JOHN O'ROURKE .- In the early pioneer epoch the subject of this review came to Montana, and here he has not only been familiar with the transition stages which have marked the devel- opment of a frontier territory into one of the pop- ulous and progressive commonwealths of the Union, but through his own efforts he has worked

his way from a small beginning until he oc- cupies a position as one of the representative citi- zens and prominent business men of Butte. His executive ability, far-sighted discrimination and in- defatigable efforts have won for him a pronounced success in connection with industrial and com- mercial activities, while he has so lived as to gain and retain the confidence and esteem of his fel- low men. The record of such a life is most consist- ently given place in a compilation of this nature.

Mr. O'Rourke is a native of the Emerald Isle, having been born in County Kerry, one of the most picturesque sections of Ireland, in the month of December, 1845. He is the son of Cornelius and Mary (Shea) O'Rourke, both of whom were representatives of stanch old Irish stock, the father having been a fisherman by occupa- tion prior to his emigration to America, which oc- curred in the early 'fifties. The subject of this review was an only child, and he was only seven years of age when he came to the United States, in 1852, in company with his mother, who at that time joined her husband, who had made the voy- age to America a number of months previously. They located in Ashtabula, Ohio, whence they later removed to Madison, that state, where our subject was enabled to attend the public schools in a somewhat desultory way, but the alert mentality characteristic of his race has been such as to cause him to gain by absorption and by the as- sociations of a peculiarly active and useful busi- ness career that fund of knowledge which effect- ually supplements the somewhat meager educa- tional discipline of his early youth. After leaving home he was for a time employed at Columbus, Ky., and was ever ready to turn his attention to any honest work that came to hand. In 1864, when nineteen years of age, he started out on the long trip across the plains to Montana. He started from Kentucky with six mules and one horse, the remainder of the transporting equippage utilized being the old-time wagons which were brought into the trains which dragged their slow length across the weary stretches of plain and over the moun- tain passes. On the North Platte river he fell in with a train of 300 wagons which were equipped for the trip to Montana, and the party of which Mr. O'Rourke was a member came through by way of the Bridger cutoff and Julesburg, this be- ing the second party to make the trip by the Bridger route. Three months' time was consumed by our subject in completing the trip, and he made

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Virginia City his destination, remaining there until the Ist of January, 1865, when he came to what is now Silver Bow county, where he was located until the following spring, when he was employed by Judge Stapleton, in Helena. Flour at that time commanded $1.25 per pound, and the supply was soon exhausted even at that price, the miners and other settlers being then compelled to subsist en- tirely on meat products. From Helena Mr. O'Rourke went to the Blackfoot district, where he engaged in placer mining, being one of the most extensive operators in that line in Deer Lodge county, there being placer diggings in that county which are named in his honor. He remained in that section until 1877, hav- ing been successful in his operations, but in the year mentioned he located in the city of Butte, where he engaged in the wholesale liquor business, with which line of enterprise he was successfully identified for a period of ten years. Disposing of his interests in that line, he engaged in the boot and shoe business, to which he has since continued to devote his attention, having a finely equipped store and a stock of the most select and complete order, the enterprise being one of the important mercantile industries of the city and the establishment commanding a representative pat- ronage. Mr. O'Rourke is also interested in mining enterprises in Butte and vicinity and is recognized as one of the substantial and influential business men of the state, his capitalistic investments be- ing of wide scope. He owns a valuable ranch of 880 acres in California, the same being devoted to the raising of fruit, cereals and horses. In poli- tics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, and fraternally is identified with the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen. He has never been an aspirant for public office, but has at all times main- tained a lively interest in all that concerns the welfare of the city and state and is known as a progressive and broad-guaged business man and valuable citizen. He is the architect of his own fortune, and is eminently entitled, as are many others of Montana's leading citizens, to the proud American title of "self-made man," a title that is too often misapplied.

In 1884 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. O'Rourke to Miss Mary E. Nason, who was born in Omaha, Neb., whence she accompanied her father, Richard Nason, on his removal to Virginia City, Mont., in 1864. He is still a resident of Montana, being numbered among the sterling

pioneers of the state. The mother of Mrs. O'Rourke bore the maiden name of Mary Howard and she is now living at Laurin, Mont. To our subject and his wife five children have been born and all are now attending the public schools of Butte, their names, in order of birth, being as follows. Howard, Edward, Marie, Bertha and Richard.

AUGUSTUS WEDSWORTH. - When one works out his own scheme of success and at- tains a position of independence without fortuitous aid or extraneous influence, it is certain that due praise and credit should not be denied him. Such is true in the case of Mr. Wedsworth, who has made his own way in the world from early child- hood, and who is now one of the leading stock- raisers of Cascade county, his home ranch being located in Chestnut valley, three miles northeast of Cascade. It was also his privilege to render to his country a valiant service in the Civil war.

Augustus Wedsworth was born on October I, 1842, in Dupage county, Ill., the son of Elijah and Sarah Wedsworth, natives of Pennsylvania and New York. The father, a farmer, died in 1880, and the mother now resides in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hepsy Flanders, now of Faribault, Minn. She is a member of the Methodist church, as was her husband. Very meagre educational advantages came to Mr. Wedsworth as a boy, it being necessary that he contribute to his own sup- port at an early age. He began work on a farm at the age of nine years, being thus denied many of the pleasures and advantages of the farmer's boy of today. His first wages reached the notable aggregate of $3 per month, but he soon made his value felt as he increased in years and physical strength, and he continued farm work until 1862, when he enlisted for service in Company F, One- hundredth Illinois Infantry, with which he served three years in the heroic and historic Army of the Cumberland and until the close of the war.

In 1866 Mr. Wedsworth came to Montana, where his first business was attending to the stock of Oliver & House's stage line between Virginia City and Helena at Mountain station, forty-five miles from Helena. His employers soon changed their route to the Blackfoot country and Mr. Weds- worth accompanied them and passed the winter in their employ. He purchased a team and engaged in freighting from Helena to mining camps, after

Augustus, Wedsworth

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PROGRESSIVE MEN OF MONTANA.

which he took up mining for a time. In 1875 he engaged in the dairy business at Lepley creek, continuing the enterprise four years and realizing a profit of $3,500. In 1879 he located at his pres- ent residence in Chestnut valley, where he began operations in cattleraising, starting with about six- ty head. In 1881 he took up a homestead claim of 140 acres, since that time he has purchased 1,000 acres, and now owns several ranches. He has been very successful in his cattle business, which is established on a firm foundation and insures him a cumulative profit. In politics Mr. Wedsworth is a supporter of the Republican party, and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. Socially he stands high in a wide range of acquaintance, and he is rightfully considered one of the solid and substantial men of Chestnut valley.

D AVID PENWELL .- As a native son of the state of Montana and as a type of that sterling class of young business men who have contributed so materially to the advancement of the state, we are pleased to make definite mention in this con- nection of Mr. Penwell, who is now deputy clerk and recorder of Meagher county and who is also identified with important industrial interests in this section of the state, maintaining his home in the pleasant little city of White Sulphur Springs. Mr. Penwell was born in Diamond City, Meagher county, Mont., on the 4th of July, 1871, being a son of Oscar and Annie (Lewis) Penwell, the latter of whom was born in Iowa, the daughter of George S. Lewis; she is now the wife of John O. Hussey, of White Sulphur Springs. In regard to the gene- alogy of the Penwells, we refer at this juncture to the sketch of Merritt W. Penwell, appearing on another page of this volume, said gentleman being an uncle of the subject of this review.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 79

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