KNIGHT, ALBERT BRUCE
Age 61

b. 2/23/1844 - Livingstone County, New York
d. 9/26/1904 - Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana

 


CO. E. 11th INDIANA INFANTRY


Mount Moriah Cemetery
Butte, Silver Bow Co., MT
Findagrave: Albert Bruce Knight
Block A2 Lot 71 Grave 2

Spouse
Maria Purport Knight
1846 - 1918

 

 

 

 

DEATH CAME 
AFTER FAITHFUL SERVICE

A. B. Knight Died Yesterday Morning, 
After Being in Poor Health for Many Months. 
Funeral Today.

   The death of Albert B. Knight occurred yesterday morning at two o’clock at the home of J. H. Harper, 235 West Copper street, after a long illness.  Mr. Knight had been in failing health for some time, and his death was in some ways not unexpected.  The funeral will be held at 2:30 o’clock this afternoon from the Baptist church.

   Albert Bruce Knight was born in Livingston county, New York, February 23, 1844.  In early boyhood he moved to Michigan, where he enjoyed advantages of the public schools and of the state university at Ann Arbor.  In 1861 he visited a brother in Indiana, where he enlisted in Colonel, (afterward general) Lew Wallace’s regiment.  He served through the war as a soldier, part of the time in Louisiana and during 1864 in the Nineteenth corps in the Shenandoah valley, under General Sheridan. At the close of the war Mr. Knight served his country as a United States railroad postal clerk.

   About the year 1871 he entered the United States signal service and established at Virginia City, Mont., the first signal station in the territory.

   He resigned this position and served one year with General Hayden on a United States geological survey. About the year 1875 he obtained an appointment as United States deputy mineral surveyor, in which capacity he acted up to the time of his death.  In 1881 Mr. Knight married Miss Maria Purmort and they made their home in Virginia City until 1885, when they moved to Butte, where they have since resided.

   In 1901 Mr. Knight was appointed professor of mining engineering in the state school of mines.  In April, 1902, he resigned his position on account of failing health.  He went to Sheridan, where he was employed as engineer by the Bismark & Nugget Gulch company in opening up its mines and constructing reduction works.  His health improved for a while, but the winter months of 1903 found him in failing health, which grew worse until the end came.

   Mr. Knight was a good, persevering and intelligent citizen, who always took a great interest in science and literature and gave his ability to the progress and welfare of the community in which he resided.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
9/27/1904

 

 

 

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KRANGLE, JOHN
Age 72

b. 1827 - Germany
d. 5/23/1899 - Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana


CO. I. 1ST KANSAS INFANTRY

Mount Moriah Cemetery
Butte, Silver Bow Co., MT
Findagrave: John Krangle
Block H Lot 133 Grave 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LEARY, MICHAEL L. "MIKE"
Age 63

b. Abt 1845 - Canada
d. 8/1/1908 - Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana


CO. A. 7th VERMONT INFANTRY

 

Mount Moriah Cemetery
Butte, Silver Bow Co., MT
Findagrave: Michael L. Leary
GAR Plot: Block F Row 3 Grave 4

 

 

 

MICHAEL LEARY CROSSES DIVIDE

CITY POUNDMASTER A VETERAN 
OF THE CIVIL WAR—SURVIVED 
BY ONE DAUGHTER

   Michael Leary, city poundmaster, died today after a brief illness.  The deceased had been a resident of this city for between 18 and 20 years and was a well-known miner.  He was 67 years of age.

   On the coming into office of the Corby administration, Mr. Leary was appointed poundmaster and he made a most efficient officer.  The deceased was born in Canada and came to this country early in life.  He served through the civil war in the federal army.  His wife died some years ago.  He is survived by one daughter, 15 years old.

   The body is at White & Krebs’ undertaking rooms.  The funeral arrangements have not yet been definitely decided.  The burial will take place under the auspices of Lincoln post of the Grand Army of the Republic.

The Butte Daily Post
Butte, Montana
8/1/1908

 

 

 

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LEWIS, EDWIN D.
Age 53

b. Abt 1840
d. 8/14/1893 - Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana


CO. D. 28th NEW YORK INFANTRY


Mount Moriah Cemetery
Butte, Silver Bow Co., MT
Findagrave: Edwin D. Lewis
GAR Plot: Block F Row 3 Grave 29



Spouse
Hattie L. Peck Lewis
1842 - 1896
Married 1/27/1876 - Holly, Michigan

 



   The body of Edwin D. Lewis, who died from heart disease in Horse Canyon on Sunday, is still lying at Sherman’s undertaking rooms.  The dead man’s wife telegraphed from East Saginaw, Mich., yesterday to hold the body until today when final instructions will be sent.

 The Anaconda Standard
 Anaconda, Montana
8/15/1893


   Edwin D. Lewis, the man who died of heart disease near the Columbia Gardens last Sunday, will be buried from Sherman’s undertaking rooms at 2 o’clock this afternoon, in accordance with instructions received from the deceased’s wife at East Saginaw, Mich.  The funeral will be under the auspices of the G. A. R., and interment will be made in the grounds of that organization.

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
8/ 18/1893


 


HE FELL BACK DEAD

The Strange Career of Edwin D. Lewis
Came to a Sudden End

DEATH IN AN OLD CABIN

He was Out With Two of His Friends—A Man Who Must Have Had a History Not Yet Written

    BUTTE, Aug. 13.—Edwin D. Lewis, a carpenter and general jack of all trades, who has been hanging around Butte for the past two or three years, died suddenly of heart trouble this afternoon in Horse canyon, a short distance beyond the Columbia Gardens.  On July 17, 1892, Lewis, who had been doing considerable prospecting around the hills in the vicinity of Butte, struck it comparatively rich at the head of Horse canyon and located the Stonewall Jackson claim.  He secured some very good samples from his property, many of them running as high as $40 in gold and 40 to 50 ounces in silver, but after working it for a time in a desultory sort of a way, his money gave out and he was compelled to close operations.  He recently undertook to get someone to “grub stake” him and he was just about to succeed when the end came.

   After considerable talk about the matter, Gus Freidhoffer and Harry Alfred agreed that they would grub stake Lewis together, if his property was as rich as represented by him.  They decided to visit the property together today and, at 10 o’clock this forenoon, all four of them started out from the Clarence hotel, where Harry and William Alfred boarded.  At the Columbia Gardens old man Alfred gave out and refused to go any farther.

   The others then proceeded and, after going about three-quarters of a mile farther, Lewis suddenly put his hands up to his chest and exclaimed: “I’ve got a pain in my heart but I guess I can walk it off, I’ve had these pains before and they always went away after walking a little way.”  He walked a few steps farther, but was finally compelled to sit down again and fainted.

   He revived and was able to reach an old cabin a few yards ahead, and there he laid down on an old mattress with a coat for a pillow.  Alfred and Freidhoffer finally suggested that they go on up and look at the property and then return and get him, but Lewis objected.  “You can’t find the place boys,” said he, “there are so many crooked trails.  I’ll be all right in a few minutes and then we’ll all go up together.”  The words were hardly out of his mouth when he fell back dead.

   Harry Alfred came into the city on a run and notified the coroner and an undertaker, and the body was removed to the coroner’s office, where an inquest was held this evening.  The men who started out with Lewis were the only witnesses examined and their story of their affair was in substance as given above.  A verdict of death from heart trouble was returned.

   There was evidently some kind of a romance in the unfortunate man’s life.  He was a big strong and rather handsome looking man, with heavy black hair and beard, and was apparently about 50 years of age.  Papers found on him show that his home was in East Saginaw, Mich., where his wife and family reside, and where he owned considerable property, including the house in which his family lives.  No letters from his wife or family were found, however, and it is said that he left home on account of trouble, although he would never tell what it was.  He left early in 1890 and went to the Pacific coast.  He came to Butte from Spokane and was always regarded here as a sort of worthless fellow.

   Two letters stating that Edwin D. Lewis was a reliable man and workman and a first-class citizen, and a man to be relied on in whatever position he was placed, were found in his pockets.  One dated March 1, 1890, was from W. B. Baum, the mayor of East Saginaw, and the other, which was written the day previous, bore the signature of John A. Kerns, colonel and A.D.C. on the staff of the governor of Michigan.  Lewis’ relatives have been telegraphed to, and no further arrangements will be made for his funeral until they are heard from.  

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
8/14/1893

 

 

 

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LIBBY, HIRAM SLEEPER
Age 73

b. 11/9/1840 - Mercer, Somerset  County, Maine
d. 3/27/1914 - Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota

 

 

Pictures by DaveVangsness

CO. B. 21st IOWA INFANTRY 

 

Lakewood Cemetery
Minneapolis, Hennepin Co, MN
Find-a-Grave: Hiram Sleeper Libby
Plot: Section 11 Lot 1018 Grave 1

 

 

Spouse
Alice Roberts Libby
Unknown - 1887
Married in 1867 - Forestville, Iowa

 

 

 


EARLY PIONEER OF BUTTE 
IS DEAD AT MINNEAPOLIS

   Word has just been received in Butte of the death in Minneapolis last week of Hiram S. Libby, who lived in Butte when there were only seven cabins here.  He remained in this part of the country many years and had lived in Minneapolis for 10 years or more.  He died at the home of his daughter, Kathlyn Libby Bird, of 3809 West Forty-third Street.  He was 74 years old.  He was in Iowa at the beginning of the civil war and served in Company B, Twenty-first Iowa infantry.  He served throughout the war, was captured at Houston, Texas, and served nine months in the Andersonville prison.  He was at the siege of Vicksburg, Spanish Fort, Mobile and Black River bridge.  Mr. Libby was a member of All Saints’ Episcopal church.  The Rev. J. S. Budlong conducted the services.  Mrs. Bird, a daughter and teacher in the Lake Harriet school, survives.

   Mr. Libby has been an invalid for seven years, the result of a stroke of apoplexy, Bright’s disease developing two weeks before his death.  He was a native of Maine, born of English parentage.

The Anaconda Standard,
Anaconda, Montana
4/5/1914

 

 

 

 

 

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LYONS, GREGORY M.
Age 58

b. Abt. 1841 - St. Catherine, Ontario, Canada
d. 12/25/1899 - Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana

Did not serve in the Civil War, but was recognized by the Grand Army, Lincoln Post #2, for his generous deed of comradeship to Veterans of the Civil War and the Spanish American War as noted in the articles herewith. Therefore, he is listed here among these men.

 


St. Patrick's Cemetery
Butte, Silver Bow Co., MT
Find-a-Grave: Gregory M. Lyons
Block 282 Lot 2


CAPT. LYONS DEAD

PASSING OF ONE OF BUTTE'S 
FAMOUS CHARACTERS

   After an illness of two days, Captain G.M. Lyons, one of the notable characters of Butte, died of pneumonia yesterday morning. The end came in his cabin on the Herperus lode claim, which was part and parcel of his career--an issue in many litigations and a cause of many personal encounters. His periodical desire to exercise the right of domain over the claim has resulted in thrilling community warfares, the most recent of which occurred a few weeks ago, when Captain Lyons once more undertook the eviction of settlers.

   The deceased was 59 years old and was born in Canada. He was a veteran scout in the United States service and, though not a member of the G.A.R., has performed many generous deeds of comradeship.

   Being a man of energy and eccentricity, and at time of violence, he must need enemies as well as friends. He came to Butte in 1877 and became a prospector and miner. His startling deeds are matters of local history, and his participation in the 4th of July riots of '94 is the longest to be remembered.

   He was not married and his property, of which his interests in the Hesperus and Miners Union lodes are the most valuable, will, it is said, go to his sister, Miss Josephine Lyon, of Washington, D.C. Captain Glover of the G.A.R. has taken charge of the funeral arrangements and the Grand Army and Spanish war veterans are requested to attend. 

The Butte Daily Post
Butte, Montana
12/26/1899

 


CAPTAIN LYONS DEAD

Quick Pneumonia Carried Off the Well Known Citizen

TWENTY-THREE YEARS A RESIDENT

Was a Man Whose Nature Was Marked by Strong Contradictions—There Were Two Sides to His Character—The Worst Side is the One He Chose to Parade Before the Public

 

   Butte lost another of its old-timers by death yesterday, the victim being Capt. Gregory M. Lyons, who died at his residence on the Hesperus lode about 4 o’clock in the morning.  The disease which terminated fatally was pneumonia, and it was only contracted last Thursday.  After he was compelled to take to his bed the captain was attended by the best physicians and nursed by the best nurses, but skill and tenderness were unavailing, and on Sunday night he concluded that the struggle was too much, and that death was inevitable. At that time he sent for a friend, and left with him written instructions as to the disposition of his worldly affairs, and soon after sank into a stupor, from which he never rallied.  

Deceased was a native of the province of St. Catherine, Canada, aged 59 years and unmarried.  He had been a resident of Butte since 1877, and prior to that time had been engaged as a military scout at Fort Walla Walla, and later as a trade in the Sound country at and about Seattle.  It is also stated that he was in the regular military service of the government, but was not, as many supposed, in the army during the war of the rebellion.  One of the soft spots in his nature, however, was his admiration and friendship for the veterans of that war, and Capt. J. B. Glover, ex-commander of Lincoln post, tells of several notable acts of kindness that he rendered the veteran.  In one instance he outfitted a comrade and paid his transportation to the Soldiers’ home in California; at another time he settled the board bill of a comrade who was sick in Butte, and gave him his fare to Oregon; at another time he took a Grand army man to his cabin and kept him for several weeks, and finally got him employment.  There were other cases, said Capt. Glover, but I do not recall them, though I do know that at any time he was called on to aid the Grand army Capt. Lyons was a contributor to the extent of his means.

   Since his arrival in Butte Capt. Lyons has been engaged in prospecting, leasing and mining, and at the time of his death owned interests in the Hesperus and Miners’ union lodes that are of value, besides other interests, the worth of which are at present


 

undetermined.  It is stated that he left whatever property he owned to his sister, Miss Josephine M. Lyons of Washington, D.C., who, as far as it is known was his only surviving relative.

   In speaking of him yesterday, a well-known citizen said that in the makeup of Capt. Lyons the contradictions of nature were clearly defined to a remarkable degree.  It seemed to be his aim or ambition to hide the better side of his disposition and conceal his good acts and to glory in speaking of events with which he was connected that were questionable. That he had good traits, said the gentleman, was known to all who were acquainted with him, but to the average citizen who only knew him by reputation his record was not such as to commend him to favor.  This did not in the least worry him.  He was defiant of criticism and utterly callous of public opinion.  To those who he counted as his friends he was true to the last degree; to those who he rated as enemies he was vindictive.

   Loud of speech, brusque of manner, he courted notoriety; opinionated and dogmatic, he was always read to find fault with those who did not agree with him and accept the estimate he placed upon himself, and that but few could consistently do.  He wore his failings in his sleeve, and had a habit of making himself believe that he was always in the right, a conclusion to which he found but few who were willing to subscribe.

   The older residents are familiar with some of the escapades of the captain that have passed into history, and which were rarely mentioned unless by himself.  Those of later date can readily recall the troubles he had in connection with the squatters on the Hesperus lode, his shotgun vigils to prevent the B. A. & P. railway from laying its track across the Miners’ union claim on the hill, and the part he took in the memorable Fourth of July, 1894 riots.  These all gave him notoriety that he was not averse to, but are half forgotten, and will only be called to mind by the announcement of his death and but few will refer to them in malice while in the shadow of the grave.

   Among those who appreciated the better part of his nature is Capt. Glover, and he feels that the services deceased rendered the old soldiers are deserving of recognition.  At the request of other friends, Capt. Glover has taken charge of the funeral arrangements, and he requests that members of the Grand army and also the veterans of the Spanish-American war attend the funeral in a body.  A call to this effect will be found in another column.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
12/26/1899

 

 

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MADDEN, JOHN
Age 47

b. Abt 1839 - Illinois
d.  6/3/1886 - Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana

 


SGT. MAJ. 32nd REG. ILLINOIS INFANTRY


Mount Moriah Cemetery
Butte, Silver Bow Co., MT
Findagrave: John Madden
Block A Lot 77 Grave 4

 

 


 

Obituary

   The dead body of John Madden, a lawyer, was yesterday morning found in his rooms in Dublin Gulch.  Mr. Madden had been a resident of Butte for about two years, and at one time held quite a prominent position at our bar.  Last fall he was a candidate for Probate Judge upon the Republican ticket of Silver Bow County.  The deceased was admitted to the bar in Chicago, where he read law in the office of Sidney Thomas, Esq., a leading lawyer of that city.  He was a man of excellent attainments and extensive reading and at once took a prominent position at the bar and a strong place in society.  He served four years in an Illinois regiment and was a moving spirit in Grand Army matters.  He was a man of kindly impulses and did many acts of mercy and charity, even in his years of poverty.  He was much beloved by those who knew him best and his comrades, who knew and appreciated his many good qualities of head and heart, will today lay him at rest with all the honors due a good and faithful soldier, tried by fire and found unflinching, in the Butte cemetery.  May his spirit be at rest.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
6/3/1886

 

 

THE LATE JOHN MADDEN

Resolutions of Lincoln Post, 
No. 2, G.A.R., Regarding His Death

   At a meeting of Lincoln Post, No. 2, Grand Army of the Republic, held last evening, and largely attended among other business the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

RESOLUTIONS.

HEADQUARTERS LINCOLN POST, NO. 2, }
DEPARTMENT OF MONTANA, G.A.R.,}
June 5, 1886}

   In the removal of our comrade by death, the late John Madden, we recognize the hand of Divine Providence, whose grand command we must all obey.  Lincoln Post has good cause to mourn the demise of one who, in the day of the Nation’s greatest trials, when the strong arm of the Government was taxed to its utmost, forgot all other callings and placed himself in van with the noble defenders of his country.  To him and all others who performed an honorable part in the great struggle for liberty, those who came after owe a debt of gratitude not easily paid; therefore, be it

   Resolved by the members of this Post at this our regular meeting, that we condemn in strong terms the uncalled for attack upon our late comrade, which appeared in the evening paper of this city, and be it further

   Resolved, That we heartily endorse the reply of Comrade Page, who properly resented the insult; and be it further

   Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be furnished the friends of the deceased, and every Post in the Territory of Montana and that they be published in the Butte DAILY MINER.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
6/9/1886

 

 

 

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