Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 88

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 88

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John Adami attended school until he was fourteen years old, when he was apprenticed to a blacksmith, and in his three years' service became an expert workman. In 1873 Mr. Adami determined to seek his fortunes in America, and, soon after landing in New York city, he started for Montana, his desti-

in Helena, which city has practically been his home since that time. Here he found employment at his trade and was paid $75 a month. Through the confinement incident to his trade his health failed and he went to work in the brickyards of Nicholas Kessler, where he remained for three years, start- ing in as a laborer and being advanced to the po- sition of foreman, in which capacity he was working at the time of severing his connection with brick- making. From 1878 he worked at blacksmithing with good success for several years. In 1881 Mr. Adami took the position of foreman in the stone quarry owned by his brothers, Henry and Jacob. While in this occupation, in 1883, he received an injury to one of his eyes and went to Germany to consult the renowned oculists of his native land. They found that he had entirely lost the sight of the eye and advised him not to submit to an opera- tion as it could not restore his sight and might cause the other eye to become affected through sympathy. Accepting their advice he returned home, but was later, on March 10, 1898, compelled to have the eye removed. For eighteen months about this period he was in company with his brother Jacob in the liquor trade. He then engaged in stone contracting and quarrying with Jacob, and also took separate contracts. From that time, in connection with his brothers or alone, he has done much in sewer work, excavating and the like, and has been financially prosperous. He had the con- tract for excavating and furnishing stone for the A. M. Holter block, the Federal building and many other prominent edifices, and had a large contract on the Sixth Avenue sewer. He is careful and conscientious in meeting the terms of every agree- ment, and has gained the confidence and high esteem of all with whom he has had dealings. In 1889 Mr. Adami purchased a ranch on Little Blackfoot creek and engaged in farming and stockraising for two years, when he rented his ranch until he dis- posed of it in 1900. Mr. Adami is interested in quartz mines at Silver as one of a company. The mines are now being worked by parties who have them under bond and lease for $10,000. He also has valuable interests in placer mines at Dry Cot-

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tonwood creek, near Deer Lodge, where the Mon- tana sapphires are found in considerable quantities in connection with gold. Mr. Adami is an alert and progressive business man, and socially a genial and companionable man.

He gives allegiance to the Republican party and fraternally belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Woodmen of the World. On October 26, 1878, Mr. Adami and Miss Catherine Adwell were married. She was born in Germany, the daughter of Leonard and Mary Adwell, both of whom were born in Germany. Her father was long an officer of the German government in the revenue service on a government railway. Reaching the legal age he was retired with a pension which he still lives to enjoy. He and his wife were members of the Catholic church. Of their four children two are deceased, Catherine and George; while Margaret and Elizabeth are still living. Mrs. Catherine Adami, who died February 10, 1881, was the mother of two children, Maggie, who died on November 20, 1880, and John. Mr. Adami was united in marriage with his first wife's sister, Margaret Adwell, on August 4, 1884. Of this union there are seven children : Leonard J., deceased ; Margaret E., Lil- lian D., Alice M., Clara E., Albert C. and Catherine M. A. Mr. and Mrs. Adami are members of the German Lutheran church.

JOHN MURPHY .- A life of consecutive in- dustry and unwavering devotion to duty has been that of this sterling pioneer of Montana, and that he merits representation in this work is an unmistakable fact. He has made his own way in the world, has ever been dominated by integrity of purpose, and has ever shown indomitable courage and self-reliance. He is today recognized as one of the honored citizens of Fergus county, where he has maintained his home for many years.

Mr. Murphy is a native of Ogdensburg, which lies on the St. Lawrence river, in St. Lawrence county, N. Y. He was born on the 27th of April, 1836, the son of Antoine and Bridget Murphy, both of whom were Catholics and born in Ireland. They emigrated to America in early life, locating in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where the father engaged in farming. He finally removed to Canada, where he passed the residue of his life. The mother of our subject died three days after he was born. His father remarried and lived to a

venerable age. This worthy couple had two chil- dren : Patrick, who died in 1892, and John, the subject of this sketch. At the age of twelve years we find him employed on a farm receiving $7.00 a month and board for his services. From that time he has unaided bravely faced the problem of life under all conditions. Three years later he se- cured a position as porter on a steamboat on the St. Lawrence river and the Great Lakes, and here his wages were $9.00 a month, with board. He was industrious and faithful and won successive ad- vancement until he became a full-fledged sailor, receiving $25 a month. He followed a seafaring life on various waters for five years, and then de- termined to try the west. At Atchison, Kan., in 1864, he secured his outfit, and started across the plains for Montana in Roscoe Stebbins' freight train, driving three yoke of oxen. There were twenty-two men in the party and the journey to Salt Lake City requiring three months and seven days. Though they were not attacked by Indians, parties both preceding and following them were not so fortunate, and Mr. Murphy assisted in bury- ing emigrants who had been killed by the Indians. Arriving in Alder gulch on the 15th of Septem- ber, 1864, he at once found employment in the placer mines, receiving $7.50 per day. He also purchased a claim on Rogers' bar, from which he realized good returns and continued mining in that locality for eighteen months. He then followed the stampede toward the new gold diggings on Sun river, proceeding as far as Diamond City, where he stopped and went to mining and received $II a day in the mines. In July, 1866, he went to Helena and mined in that vicinity for six years, meeting with varying success. In 1872 Mr. Mur- phy went to John Day river, in Oregon, and pros- pected, with but little success, for two years. He passed the winter of 1869 on Puget Sound, and in the spring started for Cedar creek, proceeding as far as the old city of Walla Walla, where he en- gaged in ranch work. He soon purchased a team of mules and engaged in freighting, but discon- tinued operations in 1874 and went to Nevada, where he was engaged in the same business for two seasons. Again he returned to Helena, where he disposed of his team and was engaged in min- ing until 1879, when he came to Fergus county and took up a pre-emption claim of 160 acres. A part of this he laid out into lots and plotted as a village, to which he gave the name of Utica. He later took 11p homestead and desert claims. His

John Murphy

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home he retains in Utica, and has a ranch on Sage creek, six miles northwest of Utica. Here Mr. Murphy is successfully engaged in the raising of cattle and horses.

The old attraction of mining drew Mr. Murphy to Alaska after the discovery of gold in that terri- tory, and for two and a half years he passed his time in that wonderful country, mostly engaged in prospecting. He secured several promising claims in Alaska, which he still retains. One of them he named "Last Chance" after the old Helena work- ings. Mr. Murphy has been identified with the Democratic party for a long term of years, is a man of sterling integrity, is well known as an "old- timer" and is held in high esteem. He has never married.

M ATHEW M. ADAMS .- In comfort after many hardships, at peace after many dangers, in affluence after many business disasters, Mr. Mathew M. Adams, of Cleveland, Mont., one of the hardiest and bravest of the pioneers of the state, now realizes that there is even on this side of the grave a haven where the storms of life break not or are felt only in the gentlest undulations of the mirroring waters. This haven is a serene and hale old age. The tired traveler has abandoned the dusty, crowded and jostling highway of life for one of its shadiest and most quiet by-lanes. He has run his race of toil; his day's work is accomplished, and he has come to tranquility. and unharassed enjoys the splendors of the sunset, the milder glories of the late evening. For forty years Mr. Adams was engaged in the boldest and most trying pioneer life, and now, having passed his three score and ten, he is resting peacefully on his ranch, surround- ed by his family, honored by the respect and esteem of his neighbors, and calmly looking back over a career which is one of those that have made the present state of development in Montana possible.

He was born in Garrard county, Ky., September 10, 1830, the son of Elijah and Frances (Taten) Adams. His paternal grandfather, Luke Adams, removed with his family from Virginia to the wilds of Kentucky before the Revolutionary war. Later he removed to Missouri, where he died. Mr. Adams' father was the eldest of the children of Luke Adams, and was born and was also married in Virginia, where he achieved success as a farmer. Subsequently he made his home in Franklin county, Ky. His family consisted of ten sons and four

daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch was the ninth son. He was reared on the homestead, receiving from the primitive schools of the neigh- borhood such education as they were able to fur- nish. At the age of sixteen he began business as a stagedriver, which he followed until 1852, when he went to Salt Lake and found employment in a sawmill. The next year he journeyed by a freight train overland to California and began placer min- ing. This business he continued in Nevada and elsewhere from time to time, varying it with trad- ing with the Indians and other occupations, going from place to place where he saw favorable open- ings. In 1858 he went to Victoria, B. C., and up Fraser river on a prospecting tour, going as far as Fort Gates. In the spring of 1863 he purchased a pack-train of forty horses and sixty mules whichi, in the fall of the year, he loaded and started for Virginia City, Mont. The trip was fraught with great hardship and disaster. When he was sixteen days in the Bitter Root mountains snow fell in a single night to the depth of four feet on the level, and drifted to enormous heights in places. It was impossible to go forward on his journey, and as his stock of feed was exhausted and the cold was terrible, his horses and mules starved and froze to death, entailing on him a loss of thousands of dollars. The food of his party was also soon ex- hausted, and Mr. Adams was compelled to walk eighty miles to get a meagre new supply ; one man of the party died from exposure. Being financially ruined by this loss, he was compelled to start life again with nothing. He went to Fort Owen and secured employment for a few months in a sawmill. He then returned to the mountains to collect to- gether his abandoned outfit ; and being obliged to cross the river, he built a raft for the purpose and loaded his goods thereon. He was again unfortu- nate; his raft upset and his entire stock was lost in the river, even his clothing being swept away. Undaunted by this new disaster, he walked to the nearest town in his underclothing and secured em- ployment as a teamster. In 1865 he removed to Last Chance and began working in the mines. Later he was occupied in freighting from Bitter Root to the mines until 1869, when he opened a store at Bitter Root. After conducting the mer- cantile business for two years with varying suc- cess he located at Fort Benton and engaged in team- ing. From there he went to Fort Pierce and was employed in carrying the mails from Fort Benton to the mounted police at Cypress Hills. After this

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he spent some time in furnishing wood to the steam- boats on the river ; and in 1888 took up his residence on the ranch which he now occupies, at Cleveland, Mont., and where he has been successful as a cat- tlegrower. In 1877 he was married to Miss Emma Baer. They have seven children, four boys and three girls. Politically Mr. Adams takes an active interest in affairs, but has never been an aspirant for office.

F FREDERICK L. ALBRITTON, M. D .- The future of a state lies with its sons, those who in the flush and enthusiasm of young manhood go forth to overthrow difficulties and achieve victories in new fields of endeavor. Nothing can daunt their courage, and no temporary defeat can prevent them from renewing again and again the struggle which is sure to result in victory at last. A type of the young professional man which stands for the best there is in the life of the new state of Montana is Dr. Frederick L. Albritton, of the city of Kalis- pell. Beyond question, he is one of the most promi- nent young physicians in the state. A Kentuckian by birth, born on February 26, 1876, at Concord, Ky., and having the warmth and sunshine of the South in his veins, he was reared and educated in the North. In June, 1893, he was graduated from the Fremont, Ohio, public schools, and then at- tended Kenyon Military Academy at Gambier, Ohio, for two years. In the fall of 1895, he entered the Toledo Medical College, one of the leading medical schools in this country, and was graduated therefrom on April 6, 1898. Upon the declaration of war with Spain, the young physician yielded to the call of patriotism, and, on April 25, 1898, en- listed as a private in the hospital corps of the Sixth Ohio Infantry. He was determined to serve his country, and, if possible, to have the benefit of ex- perience in the field. On June 12 following, he was promoted to first lieutenant and assistant surgeon of his regiment, and placed in charge of the surgical ward of the second division hospital of the First Army Corps. In July, owing to his excellent record, he received another promotion and was placed in command of the ambulance company of this army corps, serving in that position until December of that year, when he resigned from the service.

After leaving the army, Dr. Albritton establish- ed himself in the practice of his profession, in Butte City, Mont. His father, the well-known pulpit ora- tor, the Rev. Dr. Albritton, was then residing in

that city, and occupied the pulpit of the Mountain View Episcopal church. The senior Dr. Albritton is widely known as one of the most eloquent men of the Methodist persuasion, his services as an orator being in great demand, whether on secular or religious occasions. The subject of this sketch practiced his profession successfully in Butte City for about two years, during which time he pursued a post-graduate course at the famous New York City Post-graduate School and Hospital. Following this he removed his office to the beautiful and thriving city of Kalispell, where he has since practiced his profession with unusual success. He stands high in his profession, and is regarded as one of the most promising young physicians and surgeons of the state. He is a close student, an indefatigable work- er, in love with his great profession, and thorough- ly abreast of all that is modern and advanced in its literature and practice. His membership in the following medical societies indicates his exceptional professional standing: Silver Bow Medical Asso- ciation of Butte City, Mont .; Montana State Medi- cal Society, Rocky Mountain Inter-State Medical Society, American Medical Society and the Neuro- logical Society of America.

E DMUND ALEFELD .- It is delightful to come in touch with one who traces his genealogy to the romantic and chivalrous eras of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and to feel through con- nected intercourse with him all the momentous events that marked those centuries and made the brave actors therein worthy examples for the com- ing races. Thus one feels when with Mr. Edmund Alefeld, otherwise Leopdringhousen, who comes of a long line of belted knights, honored statesmen and courtly scholars who held in their grasp the fate of a nation and have left this scion of an ancient race an ancestral heritage of which he is justly proud. He was born on November 15, 1827, in Seligenstadt, Germany, a son of Dr. Christopher and Josephina (Spuy) Alefeld, his father being then a government physician. Before the eleventh cen- tury his forefathers resided in Southern Germany, but thence removed to Schleswig-Holstein, peopling the surrounding country with their descendants, who generally distinguished the various branches of the family by the name of the manors they occupied. In 1630 his direct ancestor, Jacques Alefeld von Leopdringhousen, went to Harburg, in Germany,

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and, being incapacitated for warlike activity, en- gaged in civil pursuits, his descendants becoming prominent scholars, priests, clergymen and soldiers.

Edmund Alefeld, our subject, was educated at the gymnasium at Darmstadt and in the universties of Siessen and Heidelberg, making a specialty of forestry. Being implicated in the rebellion of 1848, he came to the United States and in this country taught German among the Pennsylvania Dutch un- til 1855, when he engaged in farming in Missouri. He soon became connected with the American Fur Company, going to Fort Benton and the Yellow- stone, long before Montana became famous for its gold deposits. In 1856 he was a teamster in the Twenty-first Regiment, going with it to Utah and back again when the Civil war broke out, and, al- though not one of the rank and file, he was ac- tively engaged in several bloody battles. As soon as gold was discovered in Montana he returned to the west and interested himself in prospecting in Idaho, Montana and California until 1889, when he paid a visit to his native land. On first coming to this country he was an ardent Democrat, but the Civil war converted him into a zealous Republican, which he has ever since remained, at one time re- ceiving the office of justice of the peace from that party. He has never married. Cultivated in the philosophy of modern Germany, uniting with that the love of feudal times and combining with these the spirit of American liberty and liberality, Mr. Alefeld holds a unique place among the founders of our state and one that has unrivalled charm for those who know him.

at Washington, Ind., was born in 1827. The mother, also a native of Alfordsville, Ind., was born in 1846 and died in 1882. Mr. Allen, of Choteau, having acquired an excellent educa- tion in the public schools and the normal school at Mitchell, Ind., became a successful teach- er in the state during the winters of 1884 and 1885. The attractions of the rapidly unfolding west brought him in 1886 to Townsend, Mont. He taught school there one year and the succeeding year in Helena, then became a clerk in a store in Helena, where he remained until 1890, when with Z. T. Burton he came to Choteau and or- ganized the Montana Land & Water Company, To accomplish their proposed work they located and purchased 7,000 acres of land on what is now the Burton bench, lying a few miles east of the city of Choteau. From the eastern states they brought a colony of ambitious and progressive people who settled on this land and began a rapid work of improvement. The success of this im- provement depended upon the immense irrigat- ing plant constructed by the Land & Water Com- pany, which consists of a main canal eight miles in length, having lateral ditches of a total length of forty miles. The abundant water thus supplied is used in irrigating the original 7,000 acres and 3,000 acres more that is leased by the company. Through this ample provision of water the Bur- ton bench is rapidly becoming one of the garden spots of Montana, strongly reminding one of the thickly populated farming districts of the middle states with their pleasing rural life.

From its organization Mr. Allen has efficiently occupied the position of secretary and general manager of the Montana Land & Water Com- pany. He is an excellent business man, ener- getic, prompt and upright, and has won and holds the confidence of the people. In local and political movements he is an influential worker in line with the Republican party.

U ULYSSES G. ALLEN .- Working along separ- ate lines in different parts of Montana are a number of enterprising and energetic men whose efforts are directed toward improving the natural advantages offered by its industrial conditions. Next to mining ranks in importance the raising of cattle, sheep and horses, and the successful prosecution of this industry can only be accom- plished through the medium of irrigation. Num- bered among the most active and intelligent of M OTHER AMADEUS .- While the zeal and enthusiasm of the Catholic church, as ex- hibited by its priests and bishops, colonized Can- ada and the great northwest of the United States, carrying the light of the Gospel into every sec- tion and corner of our land, the same spirit of cause, on the part of its several orders of sister- the creators of practical irrigating systems is Ulys- ses G. Allen, of Choteau, Teton county, one of the prominent and respected residents of the city. He was born at Alfordsville, Ind., on July 23, 1865, the son of Andrew J. and Frances (Buzan) { earnestness and self-sacrificing devotion in the Allen. The father, now a retired farmer residing

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hood and its other good women, have filled the land with the benefactions of charity and the light and grace of intellectual culture. And no branch of its wonderful and ceaseless activity surpasses the Ursuline Sisters in either extent or value of usefulness. This order of Christian sisterhood was the earliest of all the orders connected with the church distinctively known as a teaching or- ganization. It began early the good work it is do- ing, has carried it on steadily and vigorously, and has amplified its usefulness and raised its stand- ard with accelerating force. The order now num- bers fully 14,000 members, and is engaged in its mighty contest with ignorance and sin under al- most every sky and in all latitudes.

The order in Montana is among the most force- ful, enterprising and valuable of the educational resources of the state, having three large acad- emies in active operation, with an extensive and appreciative body of students and patrons. It appears to be in excellent health, full of life and vigor, and animated with the loftiest spirit of de- votion to its chosen field of labor. While the entire body is alert, diligent and confidently cour- ageous, its inspiration and quickening spirit largely comes from its head and directing mind, Mother Amadeus, the Superior of the order, who is a woman of the most exalted character, possessing a rare genius for affairs, executive ability of a high order and the refinement that springs from real loftiness of soul.

Mother Amadeus was born at Akron, Ohio, and acquired her education in the Ursuline Convent on Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, in that state. After completing her course of instruction and train- ing she immediately entered the convent of the Ursuline Sisters at Toledo, and was soon placed in charge of the institution as the Superior. In January, 1884, she came to Montana, and took charge of the order in this part of the country, its first convent being located at Miles City. From there operations were begun and conducted at Tongue river and among the Crows, Flatheads and other Indian tribes. At Mount Angela, located at St. Peter's in Cascade county, there is a large and flourishing school under the supervision of the order, and here the Mother Superior has her home. There is also an academy in vigorous working order at Anaconda and one at Miles City, with good prospects for a large school at each place. The amount of good done by these institutions and the extent of their benefits to those

who are so fortunate as to be among their stu- dents is almost incalculable. Mother Amadeus is a sister of Judge Dunn, of Ohio, one of the distinguished lawyers of that state, the light of whose professional learning has shone on other communities than his own, he having served as chief justice of Arizona for ten years or longer, and dignified and adorned every walk of life.

DOLPH AMAN, of Raymond, Teton county,

Mont., recognized as one of the prosperous and enterprising residents in the Gansman coulee, is an Austrian, born at Goefis on January 10, 1863. His father, now living in South America, was long a prosperous manufacturer of embroidery at Goefis. His mother, Barbara (Ospelt) Aman, was born in Lichtenstein, Austria, and died at Monte- video, Uraguay, in 1894. Adolph Aman acquired an excellent education in the Goefis schools, divid- ing his time by working industriously in his father's factory. On his arrival in the United States in 1890, he came directly to Helena, Mont., where he remained eight years, engaged in quartz mining. In this fluctuating industry he was not very suc- cessful, and in 1898 he secured homestead and desert claims on the Gansman coulee, in the Ray- mond district, to which he has added by purchase 160 acres adjoining him, making him the owner of 460 acres of land.

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Progressive men of the state of Montana, pt 2, Part 88

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