Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 80

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 80

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David Penwell was sent to Salt Lake City when a boy and there secured his early educational dis- cipline, later supplementing the same by a course of study in an academic institution at Racine, Wis. He finally returned to Montana and became a resi- dent of White Sulphur Springs, and here, in 1898, he received the appointment as deputy clerk and recorder of Meagher county, in which position he has since continued to render most able and satis- factory service. He has also been for some time interested in the stockgrowing business, and in 1901, became associated with James L. Johnston 89

and others in the organization of the Johnston- Penwell Live Stock Company, whose ranch prop- erty is most eligibly located seven miles west of White Sulphur Springs, Mr. Johnston being the active manager of the enterprise. The company controls about 10,000 acres of land, and will engage in the raising of cattle and sheep on a very exten- sive scale. The interested principals are men of marked business ability, are reinforced by ample capital and will soon take a prominent position among those who stand as leading representatives of the great livestock industry in this state. Mr. Penwell commands the respect of the people of this county, where he has practically passed his en- tire life, and is known as a young man of high prin- ciples and marked business acumen, while his friends are in number as his acquaintances. Politi- cally he exercises his franchise in support of the Republican party, taking an active interest in public affairs of a local nature and in all else that concerns the general welfare of the state of his nativity.

On the 6th of June, 1900, Mr. Penwell was united in marriage to Miss Edna E. Waterman, who was born in Kansas, being the daughter of Max Water- man, now a representative member of the bar of Montana, maintaining his residence in White Sul- phur Springs.

W ILLIAM W. PARROTT, of the mercantile firm of Parrott & Mead, Shelby, Teton county, is recognized as one of the ablest and most influential citizens of the place, and holds a high position in the estimation of his business and social associates, a position to which he is justly entitled as a gentleman of culture and refinement. He is a New Englander, descended from one of the old Colonial families, and was born in Boston, Mass., October 28, 1860. His father, William J. Parrott, was a native of Gloucester, Mass., born in 1810, and died in Boston in 1867. He was of English ancestry and by profession a civil engineer. His wife, the mother of our subject, S. M. (Reed) Parrott, was also of English descent, born at Mil- ton, Mass., in 1832. She passed away in Boston in 1887, closing a life of domestic virtues.

The native city of the one whose name intro- duces this article has long been noted for its su- perior educational advantages, and it was in the graded and high schools of Boston that he laid the foundation of an excellent business educa-

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tion, graduating in 1877. Two years subsequently, in 1879, Mr. Parrott went to Ness county, Kan., where he found employment on ranches and in a store until June, 1881, when he came to Helena, Mont. During the succeeding few months he ac- companied a government surveying party and was engaged in the prosecution of that work. In the spring of 1882 he located in the Judith basin, Fergus county, where for the following nine years he was in the sheep business extensively. From Judith basin Mr. Parrott removed to Spring creek, in the Little Rockies, and here he continued the sheep enterprise on a still more extended scale from 1891 to 1898. In the autumn of the latter year he disposed of his interests in the ranch and stock and went to Shelby, Teton county, where he formed a partnership with John E. Meade, under the firm name of Parrott & Meade. In the spring of 1899 he erected a large and conven- iently arranged store building and here they have since conducted a general merchandise business. For many years Mr. Meade, the partner of our subject, was general manager of the Trafton store, at Malta.

At Great Falls, in March, 1900, Mr. Parrott was united in marriage to Miss Margaret O'Hare, a native of Newry, County Down, Ireland, born March, 1872. His political affiliations are with the Republican party and he is an influential worker in the ranks. Fraternally he is a member of Shelby Lodge No. 75, A. O. U. W.

C A. PEPLOW & CO .- This enterprising firm conducted the largest flouring mill in Flathead county and its business ranks with the leading mill- ing circles of western Montana. Their mill is the pioneer mill of this section and was built by a Mr. Thomas in the spring of 1894. He had no intention of running it, erecting it solely to obtain the boun- ties offered for the construction of a mill. He se- cured as much of the offered money as he could. get and then left the valley with the mill unfin- ished. Moffett & Thompson, of Indianapolis, Ind., then bought the property and completed and oper- ated the mill. Their successors were Moffett, Tinkle & Co., and then L. Tinkle & Co., which firm was in business until the last of November, 1899, when the sale was accomplished to C. A. Peplow & Co., who in turn sold the property to the Royal Mills Company, of Great Falls, on September 3, 1901, for

$100,000. The senior partner of this house has been in personal charge of the establishment from the first and this sketch of him is an essential feature of the history of the business. He not only thoroughly learned the milling trade, but learned it of his father, Edward Peplow, who in turn had learned it of his father, also Edward Peplow, who was long an expert English miller. The Pep- lows have also been long identified with milling on this continent. The senior Edward Peplow was well versed in the art and mastery of milling when he came to Canada from England in 1837 and permanently established himself in a suc- cessful business in Keene, Ontario. His son, Ed- ward, in due time became a miller at Port Hope and Petersborough, Ontario, and made a life work of the business. He was one of those thorough old-time men who were never satisfied unless every- thing was done in the best way and done with strict integrity. Under his personal care and instruction Charles E. Peplow "served his term" at the trade and became fully competent to take charge of any department of the milling business. He received his education at the schools of Port Hope and Petersborough, and when sixteen years old came west and passed a year at Manitoba. Returning east as far as Milwaukee, Wis., he became a draughtsman in the office of Edward P. Ellis & Co., milling engineers and contractors. In this capacity he remained until 1888, when he came to Missoula, Mont., and soon formed a connection with his present partners and others in the Big Blackfoot Milling Company, doing an extensive. business at Bonner, Mont., in the manufacture of lumber and flour. The offices were first at Missoula, but as the business rapidly increased they were re- moved to Bonner, where the operations of the company, with its 300 employes, built up a small village. This plant and business was sold in 1899 to the Amalgamated Copper Company. W. H. Hammond, George W. Fenwick and C. A. Peplow, members of the old company at Bonner, then formed the firm of C. A. Peplow & Co., and changed their business activities to Kalispell. They purchased a plant at this place consisting of a steam flouring mill, having a capacity of from 125 to 150 barrels daily, and a large grain elevator. The elevator was soon burned, but was rebuilt on a larger scale with large warehouses. In 1901 a brick and stone warehouse, 66x70 feet in size, was built adjoining the mill on the west side. For several months of the year the mill runs night and

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day. The firm does a general shipping business, sending its products all over Montana and to the Pacific coast. Their operations and trade are in- creasing commensurately with the growth of the valley and, speaking very conservatively, they do an annual business of $300,000. Mr. Peplow sold his business in Kalispell in 1901, and in October of that year moved to Seattle, Wash., where, during 1902, he built a large flouring mill, on the tide flats, known as the Hammond Milling Company.

Mr. Peplow is an Episcopal in religion and a Republican in politics. In Masonry he is affiliated with Temple Lodge No. 49, F. & A. M., at Bonner, Mont., and joined the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Hell Gate Lodge No. 49 at Missoula. His marriage to Miss Eva Hoffman, of Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, occurred in 1893.

In business and social circles Mr. Peplow has an assured rank and numbers many strong friends in his circle of acquaintances.

M ARSHALL D. PLATNER is a native of Iowa, born in Cedar county, on December 23, 1840. When a child he received such instructions as the common schools afforded, and while still quite young assisted his father on the farm, continuing to do so until he was twenty-two years old. He had plenty of pluck and courage and determined to start out and make a name for himself. He considered Iowa a poor country for achievements and thought the west open to greater possibilities. Traveling in those days was risky and uncertain, at a period when there were no railroads and when there was constant danger to life of man and beast ; all that did not deter him, however, for, having made up his mind, he journeyed on horseback from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Denver, Colo., where he secured employment running a stationary en- gine. After a year he abandoned that and came to Montana. In 1863 he located at Bannack City, but hearing of the gold excitement at Virginia City he moved on there and worked at placer mining, first as a wage-earner, and later took up claims for himself. After giving two years to this industry he engaged in quartz mining, with fair success. In 1880 he was elected sheriff of Madison county by the Democratic party and held the office for four years. In the meantime he purchased a ranch in Granite gulch where he raised stock until 1887, when he again "pulled stakes" and came to

the Elliston district, in the interest of Peters & Bright Lumber Company, and in 1889 he located at Elliston, his present home. He is proprietor of the Elliston hotel, but devotes the greater part of his time to gardening, cattle and horseraising.

Mr. Platner was elected justice of the peace in 1889 and resigned the position in 1892. He was again elected in 1896, but did not qualify, and in 1898 was again called to the same office, which he still holds. He also served as school trustee for a period of seven years. He is recognized as a man of sterling qualities, entitled to the respect and confidence of his fellowmen. He is a staunch Dem- ocrat and is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

On July 3, 1876, Mr. Platner was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Crogan, born in Steuben county, N. Y., the daughter of Robert and Mary (Tickner) Crogan, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of New York state. Mr. Crogan and his wife moved to Wisconsin in early days and became successful farmers. They were parents of three children, Rosilla, Sarah and Robert. The parents have passed into eternal life, the mother on December 28, 1879, and the father on April 7, 1889, both having been honored citizens.

Our subject, Marshall D. Platner, is the son of American parents, Ira and Mary E. (Barrager) Platner. The father was a native of the state of New York and the mother of Michigan, but both moved to Iowa when it was still a territory. The father was prosperous, both as a speculator and farmer. In early life he sup- ported the old-line Whigs, but later united with the Democratic party, was elected sheriff of Potta- wattamie county, Iowa, and served one term. Five children were born to their union, of whom three have passed into eternity, namely, Erin A., Atha S. and Fremont. Two children, Edna and Marshall D., survive the parents, who have passed away. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, Edna A., Frank, Ira, Dexter and one who passed away in infancy.

H JON. CHARLES W. POMEROY .- Among the active, progressive and eminently popular citizens of Montana who have ably filled prominent official positions must be mentioned Hon. Charles W. Pomeroy, of Kalispell, one of Flathead county's leading personages. He was born in Jackson

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county, Kan., near Holton, on June 2, 1866, son of J. F. and Martha J. (Blake) Pomeroy. J. F. Pomeroy, a descendant of New England revolu- tionary stock, is one of the historical characters of Kansas, one of the early pioneers who helped to form that great free state amid opposition almost unparalleled in the history of the Union. Born on December 18, 1832, near Northampton, Mass., he early went to Bureau county, Ill., and from there, in company with Peter Bryant, a nephew of Wil- liam Cullen Bryant, and Chester F. Dee, now of Brooklyn, Iowa, started with an ox team for Pike's Peak at the time of the gold excitement. Meeting many returning from that place who gave dis- couraging accounts of the prospect there, they abandoned their original plan, turned south into Kansas and located on adjoining farms near Holton. Mr. Pomeroy was active in political, civil and edu- cational affairs, was one of the founders and for years president of the board of trustees of Camp- bell University at Holton, and was conspicuous in local events. He was one of the Republican mem- bers of the Kansas state legislature of 1893 that was locked out of the capitol by the order of the Populist governor, and he aided in breaking through the guard and forcing the locks to gain admit- tance to the legislative chambers where they were besieged by the governor's troops for three days. After years of successful farming, Mr. Pomeroy retired from agriculture in 1893 and made his home in Holton, served as mayor of the city and is now one of its valued residents. His first wife, Martha J. (Blake) Holton, died in January, 1872. aged twenty-eight years, leaving two children, of whom Charles W. is the only one now living. By his second marriage, to Miss Isabel Clark, a native of Putnam county, Ind., he leaves these children : Frank C., of Holton, Kan .; Horace G., now stenog- rapher in Judge Pomeroy's office in Kalispell; Alice, a teacher in the Kalispell public schools ; Clara Belle, Harriet and John A., of Holton, Kan. Mrs. Martha J. Pomeroy was born in Putnam county, Ind., in November. 1843, a daughter of William J. and Nancy (Young) Blake. Mr. Blake was a native of South Carolina who came a child with his parents to Indiana in its early pioneer days. The Blakes settled in Carolina before the Revo- lution and Mrs. Pomeroy's ancestors, Elder and Young, were dwellers in Virginia in early Colonial days. Representatives of all these families were soldiers of the Revolution and war of 1812. A romantic touch is given to the martial sternness

when we state that Judge Pomeroy's great-great- grandfather Young, while serving as a ranger in the war of 1812, first met his future wife, Miss Elder, at the rude fort that stood on the present site of Brownsville, Ind.

It was under such influences and amid such en- vironments that Charles W. Pomeroy attained man- hood, acquiring strong physical power by active and continued labor on the farm in summer and attending the winter terms of the creditable country school. In 1883 he entered Campbell University as a student and was duly graduated therefrom in 1887 with the degree of A. B. After graduating he engaged for one year in teaching, then visited Denver and the state of Colorado with a view of possible settlement. He returned to Kansas, how- ever, but with his mind still firmer fixed on the west as his future home. Engaging in the study of law in the office of Hon. I. T. Price, of Holton, he soon entered the State Law School at Lawrence, Kas., and also continued the reading of law with Hon. D. W. Henley, of that place. A strong friend- ship arose between Mr. Henley and the young stu- dent. In. the spring of 1889 Mr. Henley decided to remove west and induced Mr. Pomeroy to ac- company him, and the young lawyer was admitted to the courts of Kansas in June, 1889, at Holton. In pursuance of their business plans, Mr. Henley and Mr. Pomeroy came to Great Falls, Mont. By the most trivial of circumstances here they sepa- rated, Mr. Henley to locate in Spokane, Wash., where he became a leader in legal and financial circles, and Mr. Pomeroy to open a law office in Great Falls, which he did in July, 1889. Here the ability of Mr. Pomeroy soon attracted valuable clientage which was faithfully served until his legal knowledge and acknowledged fitness for the place made him the appointee of Gov. Rickards as judge of the newly created Eleventh judicial district of the state of Montana formed by the legislature from the counties of Flathead and Teton. Commissioned in March, 1895, he served with acceptability in this high office until January 4, 1897. He ran for re-election as an independent candidate, and after a close and exciting cam- paign was defeated by eleven votes by Hon. D. F. Smith, the present able incumbent of the office. His appointment as judge caused his removal to Kalispell, where he is now in legal practice as a member of the firm of Foot & Pomeroy, his partner being the first lawyer to open an office in the young city. Besides a large individual clientage,

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they are the attorneys of the First National Bank of Kalispell, the Northwestern Lumber Company, the Big Fork Electric Light and Power Company and other large business interests.

Judge Pomeroy was made a Mason on July 6, 1889, in Holton Lodge No. 42, Holton, Kan., and the same evening was on his way to Montana. He successively filled the chairs of Cascade Lodge No. 34 at Great Falls, and has attended every session of the grand lodge except one since he came into this state, and in 1895 was elected junior grand warden of the grand lodge of Montana. In 1896 he was chosen senior grand warden, in 1897 deputy grand master and in 1898 grand master. While filling this important office it became his pleasur- able duty to lay the corner stone of the new state capitol at Helena on July 4, 1899, which was done with all the dignity and impressiveness due to this combination of speculative and operative Masonry. He was the second of his name to be grand master in Montana. There has never been a re-election to this office in this state, and one term closed his grand mastership, but from that time he has been a member of the committee on jurisprudence of the grand lodge. He now holds membership with Kalispell Lodge No. 42, and in 1893 was elected grand patron of the grand chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, of Montana. He was one of the charter members of Kalispell Chapter No. 13, R. A. M., and has been its high priest for two terms of office. He belongs also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Judge Pomeroy is prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, which he joined while a student at the university. He has held various offices in this connection and was the alter- nate lay delegate of Montana in the general con- ference of his church, held at Omaha, Neb., in 1892. With his active temperament and his devotion to the Republican party he has devoted time and la- bor to the upholding of its institutions. He has been a delegate to numerous conventions, and served acceptably as secretary of the Cascade county central committee while a resident of Great Falls.

On June 18, 1889, Judge Pomeroy was united in marriage with Miss Estella Granger, the only daughter of H. S. and Mary (Sanford) Granger, of Phillipsburg, Kan. Both the Sanfords and Grangers are of Revolutionary stock, coming to

the Western Reserve of Ohio from Connecticut. In Ohio they were neighbors of the Garfields and Mrs. Granger was a schoolmate of President Gar- field at Hiram College, of which he was later the president. H. S. Granger is prominent in politics and business in Kansas, has ably served in the state senate and is now president of the First National Bank of Phillipsburg, that state. The children of Judge and Mrs. Pomeroy are Mabel, born April 1, 1890, died July 8, 1900; Velma Mary, born July 31, 1891; Alice, born February 28, 1895.

Judge Pomeroy and wife stand in the highest class of the cultured citizens of Montana, and their influence is strongly felt in all that makes for the betterment of the community, the advancement of its educational standing and the improvement of its people. The good works they have inaugurated and aided will long endure.

W ILLIAM H. POORMAN, one of the mem- bers of the bar of Montana who has gained high standing by his ability, integrity and loyal devotion to his country, was born near Muncie, Ind., November 3, 1858, son of Jacob W. and Elizabeth (Babb) Poorman. On his father's side he de- scends from German ancestry, domiciled, however, in New England in early Colonial days as residents of Massachusetts. On the mother's side he comes of sturdy English stock. The name Babb is Saxon, and probably existed in England before the advent of William the Conqueror. Jacob N. Poorman was born in Pennsylvania in 1821, married in In- diana, and when W. H. was a child the family removed to Union township, Vernon county, Wis., to become pioneer settlers of that new country. Here they met all the difficulties attending the work of making a home without other capital than their willing hands, but were useful citizens, active in promoting the best interests of the young com- munity where they passed the remainder of their days. The father died in 1891, aged seventy, the mother in 1883, aged sixty-five. Of their family of thirteen children, seven of whom are now living, only W. H. and Jacob L. Poorman are residents of Montana. Labor on the home farm, where the needs of the family demanded all the time of every child able to work, filled the early youthful days of the children and the only educa- tional advantages William received until he was of age was brief attendances at the winter terms of the district schools. These were eagerly grasped,

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however, and supplemented by such reading as he could do at home at intervals. By these means, when he was twenty-one he successfully passed an examination for a third-grade teacher's certificate, and from that time for some years devoted his summers to work on the farm. Determined to win an education, he attended Hillsborough and Viroqua high schools, and was graduated from the latter, commencing the study of law in the office of Dutcher & Bancroft, Richland Center. After one year he entered the law department of the Wisconsin State University at Madison, gradu- ating in 1888. After finishing his studies there, he returned to Richland Center for a brief period and in 1889 came to Livingston, Mont., where he began practice. He had been admitted to practice in the state and United States courts at Madison immediately after closing his studies at the univer- sity, and was admitted to practice in the supreme court of Montana in July, 1889, and to the United States district and circuit courts at Helena in 1900. He was in practice in Livingston from 1889 to April, 1901, when he removed to Kalispell. He has remained here ever since, except the time of absence from the state on military service. He was twice elected city attorney of Livingston and was holding his second term at the breaking out of the Spanish-American war. Imbued with patriotic ardor he resigned this office to aid in recruiting Company C of the First Montana Regiment, which was mustered into service at Helena on May 9, 1898. Mr. Poorman was commissioned second lieutenant of Company C and left Montana on May 25, 1898, with his regiment en route for San Francisco, Cal., where they joined the Philippine expedition. This reached Manila August 23, 1898, and from that time until October 17, 1899, when the regiment was mustered out of service, Lieuten- ant Poorman was in constant service. He was with his company at all times except when detailed for special duty, which often was for positions of grave responsibility. Among these he served as passenger inspector of Manila, in which he had to meet and examine all incoming vessels to that port. He also served as judge advocate and as superin- tendent of all military prisons of the province of Cavite. In all these positions, which required ex- ecutive ability of a high order, Lieutenant Poorman gave satisfaction and won the approval of his su- perior officers. He was first lieutenant at the mus- ter-out, and returned to Montana with the regiment and resumed his law practice at Livingston. He

was soon placed in nomination as the Republican candidate for judge of the Sixth judicial district of Montana, and made a splendid run, coming within about 100 votes of election in a strongly Democratic district. Mr. Poorman belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, holding membership in Lima Lodge No. 257, I. O. O. F., of Lima, Wis., and in Livingston Lodge No. 32, F. & A. M., of Livingston, Mont.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 80

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