Page 241 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 228

Solomon “Sol” Star, Solomon, came to Montana in 1865 where he
opened a store in Virginia City which he operated until 1872 when he
was appointed by President Grant to be Receiver of the Land Office at
Helena. While in Helena, he met Seth Bullock and the two started up
a hardware store, the two were business partners in both the Montana
Territory and Dakota Territory. While living in Montana, Star also
distinguished himself in public service as a Territorial Auditor and
Personal Secretary to the Governor. Star became a Master Mason in
Virginia City Lodge 43 (bacame Virginia City No. 1 with the formation
of the Grand Lodge of Montana.) Star transferred his membership
to Helena where he served as the first Worshipful Master of King
Solomon’s No. 9 in 1867, and again in 1868, 1869, 1870 and again in
1873. During 1867 he served as Grand Treasurer. He was elected Grand
Secretary serving in 1868 and 1869. He served as Deputy Grand
Master in 1871. In 1873 he was elected as Grand Master of Masons in
Montana.
Thomas Charles Power, in 1867 arrived at Fort Benton where he
opened a general mercantile firm. Power moved to Helena and became
active in the capital’s economic, political and social life. He maintained
several commercial firms, built and operated the American National
Bank, and speculated in real estate and regional mining companies.
He founded or invested in over ninety-five companies. He served as a
delegate to the 1884 Constitutional Convention, he was selected by the
divided First State Legislative Assembly as one of four senators, two
from each party, to fill Montana’s two seats in the nation’s upper house.
Power and the other Republican chosen, Wilbur Fisk Sanders.
Benjamin F. Stickney, Arrived in the Montana Territory in 1863. He
built a freighting business and then returned to ranching land near the
Missouri River just east of Craig, Montana. Later he engaged in sheep
raising, purchasing 2,498 acres of additional land and leasing some. A
member of the 1870 Washburn Party of Yellowstone explorers, serving
as the chief of commissary.. In 1872, Stickney obtained an interest in
the Craig ferry, and after 1875 he operated it alone. He also opened a
store in Craig in 1886 and ran it for 10 years.
Seth Bullock, In 1867, Bullock became a resident of Helena, Montana.
He was elected to the Territorial Senate, serving in 1871 and 1872. In
1873, he was elected sheriff of Lewis and Clark County, Montana. He
was a business partner with Sol Star both in the Montana Territory and
Dakota Territory. Bullock was a member of King Solomon’s Lodge
No.9, Helena MT.
David B. Carpenter, the Homestead Act of 1862 provided free land
to settlers who could claim and “prove-up” 160 acres of federal land.
The first homestead claim under the act in Montana was made by David
Carpenter near Helena in 1868.