Samuel K. Webster.

A resident of the state of Montana for more than a quarter of a century, during which time he has been prominently identified' with the cattle and sheep industry, Samuel K. Webster, of Newlon, Custer county, comes of an old and prominent New England family. He was born at Unity, Waldo county, Maine, March 13, 1866, and is a son of Charles M. and Ann M. (Kelley) Webster. His grandparents, David and Martha Webster, were both natives of Maine, the former being a prominent Whig and serving as selectman and in numerous township offices, while his business was that of an agriculturist.

Charles M. Webster was born in the town of Freedom, Waldo county, Maine, in 1836, and spent his boyhood days under the parental roof. Although given but few educational advantages, he early in life displayed traits of energy and industry, securing employment in the shipyards of the Maine coast during the summer months, while his winters were spent in clerking in stores at Bath. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Fourth Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry, with which organization he served three years, participating in all the engagements in which it took part and securing an honorable discharge at the close of hostilities. At the battle of Bull Run his horse fell upon him, inflicting injuries from which he never fully recovered. He was popular and a valued comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic. In political matters he was a stanch and active Republican and served as. a member of the township school board for several years. During middle life Mr. Webster engaged in carpenter work and farming, and in 1882 left the east and came to Meagher county, Montana, where he followed carpentering, contracting and building, and erected the Glendenning Hotel and store at Martinsdale. In the summer of 1883 he went to White Sulphur Springs, where he also followed contracting", but eventually returned to his native state, where his last years were spent in contracting and farming, and there his death occurred July 2, 191 1. A man of exceeding kindness of heart, he was ever ready to assist those who had not been as fortunate as he, and the extent of his charities probably will never be known, while his high moral character and strict temperance served as an example worthy of emulation by the youth of his locality, and he was esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He married Ann M. Kelley, a native of Unity, Waldo county, Maine, who survives him and makes her home at Redlands, California, and they had three children : Alice, who was the wife of Wellington Knight and died in 1888 at Newburg, Maine ; Samuel K. ; and Elizabeth, who was the wife of Edward Rand, and died in 1907, in Waldo county, Maine.

 

Samuel K. Webster secured his education in the public schools of his native state, and until he reached his majority made his home with his parents. In the spring of 1887 he came to Meagher county, Montana, locating on the banks of the Musselshell river, where he first worked on a sheep ranch. Later he engaged in business on his own account, and also acted as superintendent for Ralph Berry, who did a large sheep exporting business. In this connection, Mr. Webster made a trip to Liverpool, England, with a consignment of stock, and was also in charge of the business at different points in Montana, Wisconsin, Illinois and North Dakota. Mr. Webster later became manager for W. E. Harris, in Custer county, where he subsequently formed a partnership with J. L. Wilson, in sheep and cattle raising, under the firm name of Wilson & Webster, but after a period of successful operating the firm dissolved, Mr. Wilson taking the sheep and Mr. Webster the cattle. In 191 1 Mr. Webster sold his ranch and cattle and located in Dawson county, where he carries on farming on the United States irrigation lands. This property, located about thirty five miles from Glendive, is the site of the new Northern Pacific Railroad station, established in the fall of 1912, the building of which so advanced land values in this section. Mr. Webster is a far-seeing business man of exceptional ability. Possessing a gift of recognizing opportunities, the courage to grasp them and the ability to carry his ventures through to a successful conclusion, he has been identified with transactions of an extensive nature, and is known all over this section as one of the leading representatives of the ranching industry. Politically he is a Republican, but has never cared to hold public office, although he has done his duty as a public-spirited citizen by serving three years as a member of the school board in Custer county. Fraternally, he is connected with Star of the West Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Unity, Maine.

 

On December 13, 1896, Mr. Webster was married to Miss Lorna Edna Lovering, who was born in Miles City, Montana, daughter of Frank and Sylvia (Godfrey ) Lovering, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Minnesota. Mr. Lovering died in December, 1910, but his widow survives him and makes her home in Dawson county. Four children were born to them : Charles, Lenora, Lorna, Edna and George I. Mr. Lovering came to Montana in 1880, locating in Custer county near the present site of Miles City. Coming up the Missouri river by boat, he was engaged in hunting buffaloes for their hides, but subsequently removed to Dawson county, on the Yellowstone river, where he took up government land and engaged in farming. For two years he was also engaged in fruit culture in the Wenatchee valley, of Washington, but then returned to his homestead, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a stanch Republican in political matters, served as a member of the school board for many years, and was one of the organizers of the Newland school. Mr. and Mrs. Webster have four children: Charles M., Cecil L. Daniel W. and Alice Edna.

[Source: "The History of Montana" by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, Volume 3, 1913 - Submitted by Friends for Free Genealogy]