Charles Hancock

HANCOCK, HUFSCHMIDT, PIEDALUE

Posted By: Shary Ferrall (email)
Date: 5/29/2005 at 00:14:30

Charles Hancock
In every progressive community in the country are found men who have worked their way from modest beginnings to leadership in the professions, in business life and in public affairs, and in the controlling of the veins and arteries of the traffic and exchanges of the country. Montana, as a young and growing state, has its full share of self-made men, and at Lewistown one who has advanced himself to a recognized position of preference in the drug and jewelry trade is Charles Hancock, owner of the establishement known as Hancock's Drug and Jewelry Store.

Mr. Hancock was born at Lansing, Allamakee County, Iowa, June 6, 1886, a son of Fremont Walter and Tillie (Hufschmidt) Hancock, both natives of the same locality and both still living, the former at the age of sixty-three and the latter aged sixty-five years. Fremont W. Hancock was engaged in the jewelry business at Lansing, Iowa, until 1893, in which year he removed to Bozeman, Montana, where he has since been employed by H.A. Pease & Company as a watchmaker. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a democrat in his political adherence.

Charles Hancock, the second of three children, was educated in the public graded and high schools of Bozeman, Montana, and at the age of eighteen years started to learn the jewelry business with H.A. Pease & Company. After spending about ten years with that concern he came to Lewistown, Montana, where he engaged in the drug and jewelry business in partnership with J.. Kelley, under the firm style of Kelley & Hancock. This association continued until 1916, in which year Mr. Hancock purchased his partner's interest, and since that time the business has been conducted under his sole proprietorship, as Hancock's Drug and Jewelry Store. The establishement, located at No. 318 West Main Street, is largely patronized, and under Mr. Hancock's capable management has become one of Lewistown's prosperous business places. Its proprietor bears the best of reputations in business circles as a man of sound and unswerving integrity, and his genial and courteous personality has succeeded in winning for him many friendships among his customers.

Mr. Hancock was married January 26, 1910, to Miss Alice Piedalue, who was born at Frenchtown, Missoula County, Montana, a daughter of Dr. Joseph Piedalue, a well-known practicing physician and surgeon of Bozeman. Mrs. Hancock was the eldest of five children. Mr. Hancock is fraternally affiliated with Lewistown Lodge No. 456, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and also holds membership in the Judith Club. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and like other progressive and constructive business men shares in worthy movements for the general welfare. He is a republican, but has not taken an active part in political affairs.

-source: Montana, Its Story and Biography; A History of Aboriginal and Territorial Montana and Three Decades of Statehood. Chicago and New York: The American Historical Society, 1921; Vol. 2; pg 150

-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall