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Last updated: 20, November 2007ms

Progressive Men of Montana, 1902 (pages 637 and 638)

STEPHEN J GAINAN No state in the Union can boast of a more heroic band of pioneers than this vigorous and prosperous young commonwealth. Mr. Gainan is not only numbered in this brave company, but he has also followed the stars and stripes on many a southern battlefield. He was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., on December 15, 1834, and is of stanch old Celtic stock. His father, James Gainan, was born in County Limerick, Ireland. When a young man he emigrated to America, locating in Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in farming until his death, and there died also his devoted wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Burke, and who was likewise born in Ireland. They had seven children, of whom six are living, Mr. Gainan being the fouth of them in order of birth. Stephen J. Gainan was reared on the farm, and his education was given in the public schools. He remained at his father's home until he was twenty years old, when he was apprenticed to a stone cutter. In 1858 he removed to Chicago, Ill., and worked at his trade for four months in the then embryo city. From Chicago he went to Iowa and there worked at his trade. Mr. Gainan enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth Iowa Vollunteer Infantry, in 1864, and soon proceeded to the front. He was in Sherman's march through Georgia to the sea, participating in many spirited engagements and remaining in active service until victory crowned the Union arms. He was mustered out in June, 1865, at Davenport, Iowa, and remained in Iowa until May, 1866, when he set forth for Montana, then a portion of Idaho.

He was a member of the "Pilgrim outfit," which came with teams and mules and horses and he stood guard often on the long weary trip, which was made by way of the Bozeman cutoff, and the party was farried across the Yellowstone river by Capt. Bozeman himself. Mr. Gainan immediately secured employment at his trade on his arrival at Helena and received $7.00 a day for his services in laying stone. He remained in Helena only a short time, then went to Virginia City and began to work, "stripping" for placer mines in Alder gulch, the great mining camp. He later helped to build the first stone quartz mill built in Montana, and then erected a stone warehouse for Tootle, Leach & Co., and the building is still standing. He then built a stone mill at Summit and later erected one in Spring gulch. The following winter Mr. Gainan was employed in the mine, and in April, 1867, he joined the stampede to the Salmon river country, in Idaho. He purchased a wagon and two yoke of oxen, transported a party of miners to the new diggings, and then returned to Virginia City and as a stone layer helped in the erection of the Masonic building. Later he was employed on other substantial buildings, including a fireproof warehouse for John Creighton, a pioneer business man of Montana and now an influential citizen of Omaha. He also worked on the government arsenal at Virginia City, and in the winter cut wood in the forests of this locality. The highest wages he received at his trade in Montana was $8.00 per day and board. In the spring of 1869 Mr. Gainan purchased placer mines in Brown's gulch, and has worked in them for more than a quater of a century, and still retains their ownership. In 1875 he purchased a ranch of 160 acres, nine miles west of Virginia City, and here he resides and is successfully engaged in the raising of hay and live stock. Mr. Gainan has ever been a stalwart Republican, while fraternally he holds membership in Frank Blair Post No. 6, G.A.R., at Virginia City. On January 13, 1863, Mr. Gainan was united in marriage to Miss Ellen McKernen, who was born in Ireland and accompanied him to Montana. She died June 4, 1899, after a life of noble womanhood, leaving many friends to mourn her departure. Mr. and Mrs. Gainan had four sons and two daughters, Edward J., Stephen J., Elizabeth, Joseph, deceased, Luella, Leo and Fay.

1903 Biographies
WASHINGTON GALLAND was born June 20, 1827, near Nauvoo, Illinois. He grew to manhood among the half-breed Indian and early pioneers of the Mississippi valley, hunting, fishing and boating. He was a pupil of Berryman Jennings who taught the first school in Iowa in a rude log cabin. He acquired a good education in later years and in 1856 entered the law office of Rankin and Miller and was admitted to practice in 1859. In 1863 he was elected to the Legislature from Lee County where he had settled. When but nineteen years of age he enlisted with a Missouri cavalry regiment in the Mexican War, serving until its close. When the Civil War began Mr. Galland raised a company for the Sixth Iowa Infantry of which he was commissioned captain. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Shiloh and was released after seven months. He has been a prominent member of the Pioneer Lawmakers' Association, to which he has contributed valuable papers.

JOHN A. GARRETT, a native of Carlisle, Sullivan County, Indiana, was born on the 15th of November, 1824. He was a graduate of Hanover College and of the Indiana University. During the War with Mexico he enlisted a a private in the Fourth Indiana Infantry and was in the army of General Scott which captured the City of Mexico. In the fall of 1857 Mr. Garrett came to Iowa stopping for a time in Des Moines and at Leon. In 1859 he became a resident of Newton in Jasper County where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. When the Civil War began he enlisted in the military service; in August, 1861, he recruited a company which was incorporated with the Tenth Iowa Infantry of which he was appointed captain. He took part in several engagements, where he distinguished himself and in August, 1862, was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-second Iowa Infantry. Soon after he was commissioned colonel of the Fortieth Infantry and commanded that regiment in the campaign against Little Rock and in the Battle of Jenkin's Ferry, remaining in command to the close of the war.

CONDUCE H. GATCH was born near Milford, Ohio, July 25, 1825. He grew to manhood on his father's farm attending the common schools during winters and laboring on the farm through the working season. After becoming of age he took a regular course in Augusta College, Kentucky, and then studied law at Xenia, Ohio, where he was admitted to the bar. He settled at Kenton where he was chosen prosecuting attorney and later member of the State Senate. Mr. Gatch was a delegate to the first National Republican Convention which nominated General John C. Fremont for President. At the beginning of the Rebellion Mr. Gatch raised a company for the Thirty-third Ohio Infantry of which he was commissioned captain. He participated in several battles and was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. He removed to Iowa in 1866, entering upon the practice of law. In 1885 he was elected to the Iowa Senate, where he served eight years. He was the author of many important laws among which was the one founding the Historical Department of Iowa and a general law promoting the organization of public libraries in towns and cities. He was the author of a history of the Des Moines River Land Grant and the legislation and litigation following, published in the Annals of Iowa. He died at his home on the 1st of July, 1897.

JAMES L. GEDDES was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the 19th of March, 1827. He graduated at the British Military Academy at Calcutta, India, and served in the British army for seven years. He was awarded a medal for gallant service. In 1857 he settled on a farm in Benton County, Iowa. In August, 1861, he raised a company of volunteers for the Eighth Iowa Infantry of which he was chosen captain. When the regiment was organized he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel and in February, 1862 was promoted to colonel. At the Battle of Shiloh Colonel Geddes greatly distinguished himself and his regiment was handled with skill that won the admiration and warm commendation of the commanding General. In the Mobil campaign Colonel Geddes commanded a brigade and won additional honors in the battle which resulted in the capture of the Spanish Fort. He was promoted to Brigadier-General. In 1870 General Geddes was chosen cashier and steward of the State Agricultural College and in 1871 he was appointed professor of Military Tactics and Engineering and a few years later became vice-president of the college and treasurer of the institution. He was an exceedingly valuable officer of the college but was removed by a majority of a board of the trustees unfriendly to him, from the positions he had long filled with marked ability. His removal aroused a storm of indignation among the students, his associates on the faculty and the people of the State generally which soon resulted in his restoration to a number of the positions from which he had been displaced.

JAMES I. GILBERT was born in Kentucky in 1824 and removed to Iowa in 1852, making his home at Lansing, Allamakee County, where he was a commission merchant when the Civil War began. In August, 1862, he was appointed colonel of the Twenty-seventh Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry, He distinguished himself in the capture of Fort De Russey on the Red River, leading his regiment in a most gallant charge which captured the works. After the Battle of Nashville he was promoted to Brigadier-General for distinguished services and before the close of the war was brevetted Major-General.

CHARLES G. GILMAN was a native of the State of Maine, where he was born on the 22d of February, 1833. He attended an academy at Winterport where he prepared for college and entered the sophomore class of what is now Colby University and studied medicine with his father who was an eminent physician. In 1857 he came to Iowa, stopping at Dubuque, where he became largely engaged in the wholesale lumber trade. When the Civil War began he was active in raising four companies for the service, cooperating with his friend, Francis J. Herron, who became one of the most brilliant officers from Iowa as the war progressed. In 1858, when the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad was pushing its line westward, Mr. Gilman established the town of Earlville by erecting twenty-eight buildings for residences and business. During the years 1860-61 he built elevators at Monticello. Marion and Cedar Falls, besides buying water power and erecting flouring mills. In 1864 he wrote articles for the newspapers urging the improvement of the rapids in the Mississippi River at Davenport and Keokuk, in which he had the cooperation of the St. Louis Times, then conducted by Stilson Hutchins, the Chicago Journal, then edited by Frank Gilbert, both formerly Iowa editors, the Dubuque, Davenport, Burlington and Keokuk papers. This movement resulted in the holding of conventions which brought about action of Congress making appropriations for the work that was finally accomplished. In 1866 Mr. Gilman made the first soundings of the Mississippi River at Dubuque for the railroad bridge which was later built. In 1867 he organized a company for the construction of a railroad from Ackley via Eldora to Marahalltown, which finally resulted in the building of the Central Railroad of Iowa, the first north and south line in the State. From 1867 to 1872 Mr. Gilman devoted his energies to this enterprise as president and superintendent of the construction company.

JOSIAH GIVEN was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of August, 1828. He obtained his education in the district schools. When the War with Mexico began he enlisted as a drummer and a few months later became a private soldier in the Fourth Ohio Infantry and served to the close of the war. Upon returning home he began the study of law with J. R. Barcroft and an older brother at Millersburg. He was admitted to the bar in 1850 and the following year was chosen Prosecuting Attorney. Later he was admitted into partnership with J. R. Barcroft and at the beginning of the War of the Rebellion, raised a company of which he was chosen captain and entered the service in the Twenty-fourth Ohio Infantry. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the regiment and in 1863 was appointed colonel of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry. After the war he was elected postmaster of the National House of Representatives, serving two years. In May, 1868, he removed to Iowa, settling in Des Moines where he resumed the practice of law. In January, 1972, he became District Attorney of the Fifth District, serving three years. At the close of his term he entered into partnership with with J. R. Barcroft in the practice of his profession. In November, 1886, he was elected judge of the Seventh Judicial District, serving until March 12, 1889, when he was appointed judge of the Supreme Court by Governor Larrabee to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge J. R. Reed. He was twice reelected, serving as Associate Judge and Chief Justice until December 31, 1901. Judge Given has always been a popular public speaker at soldiers' gatherings and has long been a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a Democrat in early life but became a Republican upon the organization of that party.

SAMUEL L. GLASGOW was born in Adams County, Ohio, on the 17th of September, 1838. He was educated at South Salem Academy and in the fall of 1853 came to Iowa and first located at Oskaloosa where he was admitted to the bar in 1858. He soon after removed to Corydon where he opened a law office. In July, 1861, he assisted in raising Company I, of the Fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was chosen first lieutenant. In 1862 he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-third Regiment. Upon the death of Colonel Kinsman he was promoted to the command of the regiment, making an excellent officer and before the close of the war attained the rank of brevet Brigadier-General. Upon his return home he was elected on the Republican ticket Representative in the Eleventh General Assembly. In 1867 he was appointed United States Consul to Havre, France, where he remained several years. In 1872 he was sent to Glasgow, Scotland, as United States Consul.

GEORGE L. GODFREY was born on the 4th of November, 1833, in Orleans County, Vermont. In the fall of 1855, he came to Iowa, stopping at Dubuque, where he engaged in school teaching, and in 1859 took up his permanent residence in Des Moines. He began his law studies with Judge C. C. Cole and was admitted to the bar just before the War of the Rebellion began. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, of the famous Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry and in December was promoted to second lieutenant and in June, 1862, became first lieutenant and adjutant of the regiment. He served with distinction in the great battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and marching to Corinth with Grant's army he bore a conspicuous part in the two days' desperate battle in that famous town, having two horses shot under him. When the First Alabama Cavalry was organized from Union men Captain Godfrey was commissioned major, in 1863, and was soon after promoted to lieutenant-colonel. In this regiment he served with distinction in Sherman's famous march to the sea. At the close of the war he was mustered out with his regiment at Huntsville, Alabama. Before his return to Iowa Colonel Godfrey was elected a member of the House of the Eleventh General Assembly on the Republican ticket. In the spring of 1866 he completed his law course at the State University at iowa City and began the practice of his profession. He served as city solicitor and assistant United States District Attorney for several years. In 1876 he was one of the presidential electors chosen by the Republicans. In 1870 he was appointed receiver of the United States Land Office at Des Moines. In 1882, upon the creation of the Utah Commission, Colonel Godfrey was appointed a member. The object of the Commission was the suppression of polygamy in the Territory. The Commission consisted of five members appointed by the President, was non-partisan and had supervision of all elections. The membership was changed from time to time, with the exception of Colonel Godfrey who served during three administrations and was for four years president of the Commission. When the Commission was established to superintend the erection of monuments on the battle-field of Shiloh, Governor Shaw appointed Colonel Godfrey one of the members. In 1903 he was appointed surveyor of the port of Des Moines.

HARVEY GRAHAM was born in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1827 and came to Iowa many years before the War of the Rebellion. He was a mill-wright by trade and lived at Iowa City. In the spring of 1861 he was chosen first lieutenant of Company B of the First iowa Infantry and was in command of the company at the Battle of Wilson's Creek where he was wounded. Upon the organization of the Twenty-second Iowa Infantry he was appointed major of the regiment and soon after was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In May, 1864, he became colonel and took command of the regiment, serving with gallantry in Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. He remained in the service to the close of the war.

JOSEPH R. GORRELL was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, May 6, 1835. He attended medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania and at Buffalo, New York, where he graduated in 1859. The doctor was a surgeon in the One Hundred Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteers in the Civil War, and later held the same position in the Thirtieth Regiment. In 1865, Dr. Gorrell came to Iowa, locating at Newton where he resumed the practice of medicine. In 1892 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Minneapolis and was a warm supporter of Blaine for President. In 1893, Dr. Gorrell was elected to the State Senate on the Republican ticket and served in the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth General Assemblies. He was a radical advocate of free silver in the presidential campaign of 1896, and upon the expiration of his first term in the Senate, was nominated by the opposition to the Republican party and elected to a second term.

"History of Davenport and Scott County"
Vol. II by Harry E. Downer
S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
1910 Chicago.

George A. Gould

Surnames: Gould, Read, Glaspell, Reed, Davies.

Held in uniform affection and esteem by those who knew him best and indeed by all those with whom he comes in contact is George A. Gould, president of the Gould Construction Company, one of those thriving industries which contribute in large measure to Davenport's prosperity and standing among cities of its size. He was born August 7, 1854, and comes of fine New England stock, among his ancestors being the usual quota of patriots. His parents were Isaac C. and Betsy R. (Read) Gould. His maternal grandfather, Benjamin Read, was a soldier in the Revolution and a captain in the war of 1812. He lived to witness the war of the Rebellion and its outcome and died in 1865 at the age of ninety-two years at Heath, Massachusetts. The father, Isaac Gould, was a mechanic and had a family of five sons and a daughter. He decided to come west, as he expressed it, "to give the boys a chance in life." Before he could get his family to Iowa, where he had preceded them, he was taken ill and lived only about six months after they finally arrived. Mr. Gould's only sister also died about one year after the death of the father being at the time of her demise about twelve years of age. Diverse fortunes befell the brothers, all those who were old enough enlisting in the Civil war. Joseph R. had been admitted to the bar and was already practicing in Rochester when the Rebellion broke out. He raised a company in Cedar county and was made first lieutenant in the Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry. He served most of his time as quartermaster until 1863, when he was promoted to a captaincy and only four days after his promotion was killed in the valley of the Shenandoah. He left a wife and one son, Herbert, who died at the age of two years. Benjamin Gould, the second brother, enlisted at the first call from the state of New York and served as a private. Later he reenlisted and served until peace was declared, doing light duty. His wife was Sarah Glaspell, Isaac C., the third brother, also offered his life to the cause of freedom, enlisting as a private in the Eleventh Iowa Infantry, in which he served three years. Upon his reenlistment he became lieutenant in charge of colored troops and served until the close of the war. Franklin T., the fourth brother, emulated the example of the others and at the age of fifteen years ran away from home to enlist. He was admitted to the Second Iowa Cavalry and served during the entire war, having reenlisted. He married the widow of his eldest brother and resided in Davenport to the time of his death. Had the subject of the sketch been more than seven years of age when the first guns were fired at Fort Sumter, he would doubtless have been found in the thickest of the fray, but destiny had ordained otherwise. He is the last surviving member of the family, his mother having died at the age of eighty-three years. George A. Gould received his education in the public schools and found his first employment in the building department of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway. After giving efficient service there for a number of years he became superintendent of bridges and buildings, his promotion coming as a natural sequence to his prowess. In 1904 he brought into play his dormant talents as an organizer and the Gould Construction Company came into being. This enterprise has enjoyed the most abundant success, doing work of superior excellence and employing many people. Mr. Gould was married December 27, 1876, to Miss Emma Smith, and two children were born to the union. The elder, Augustus G., is vice president of the Gould Construction Company. After finishing in the public schools, he entered the Davenport Business College, taking a course in the engineering department. He is now very familiar with that subject, having been for a time associated with the Rock Island Railway and the Delaware & Lackawanna Railway. He married miss Jennie Reed and they have one child, Elizabeth. Mr. Gould's daughter, Grace E., is the wife of Orville Davies and resides in Kirksville, Missouri, her husband being a traveling salesman. They have two children, John and George. Mr. and Mrs. Gould have a delightful home at 1039 Arlington avenue. Mr. Gould belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has taken all the degrees. He is also a member of the Commercial Club and has various other affiliations. Many things have contributed to the success which he now enjoys, his determination, his poise and sound judgment, his upright life, his gift for making friends and his championship of just measures.

JAMES O. GOWER was born at Abbott, in the State of Maine, on the 30th of May, 1834. In 1839 he came with his father to Iowa City which became his home. He was educated at Knox College, Illinois, and at the Kentucky Military Institute. He then engaged in the banking business with his father at Iowa City. In June, 1861, he enlisted Company F for the First Iowa Cavalry and received a commission as captain. In September he was promoted to major of the Second Battalion and on the 26th of August, 1862, he became colonel of the regiment. During the latter part of his military services Colonel Gower was in command of a brigade. He was an able and accomplished officer.

CHARLES T. GRANGER was born in Monroe County, new York, on the 9th of October, 1835. His parents removed to Waukegan, Illinois, while he was a child, where he received his education. He was reared on a farm and as he reached manhood decided to study law. In 1854 he came to Iowa stopping in Allamakee County where he pursued his law studies, teaching school winters. In 1860 he was admitted to the bar and entered upon practice in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell County. In August, 1862, he was elected captain of Company K, of the Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years. He was in the battles of Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Nashville and Mobile, doing excellent service. Upon retiring from the army he located at Waukon, Allamakee County. He was elected District Attorney in 1869, serving four years, when he was elected judge of the Circuit Court and served in that position until January, 1887, when he was chosen judge of the District Court, serving until January, 1889. He was elevated to the position of judge of the Supreme Court, and was Chief Justice in 1894 and 1895 and Associate Judge until January, 1901. In 1874 he was the Republican candidate for Congress in the Third District but failed of election. Judge Garnger has been a Republican since the organization of that party.
HENRY J. GRANNIS (from the book, University Recruits, by D W Reed)
1st Lieutenant Company C, was a native of Indiana, born in 1841. He was one of the original members of the "University Recruits" and enlisted in U.S. service September 15, 1861. He was elected 5th Sergeant and "Color Bearer" of the company by the ladies of the University upon presenting a flag to the company and upon organization of the regiment when his company became Color Company. Grannis was designated as Regimental Color Bearer which position he held "through the war." He carried the colors of the regiment at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh and was taken prisoner on that field, remaining prisoner until October. On the reorganization of the regiment he resumed his old position and carried the flag on every march in every campaign and during every battle in which the regiment was engaged from enlistment to muster out; a record we venture to say made by no other Color Bearer in the service. In several engagements the colors were riddled in his hands. On one occasion every guard was killed or wounded, yet strange to say Grannis never received a scratch nor suffered the flag to go from his hands. That it was always at the front and carried with the greatest gallantry every official report from the regiment testifies for every one of them makes special mention of "Our Gallant Color Bearer."

EDWARD A. GUILBERT was born at Waukegan, Illinois, June 12, 1827. He studied medicine, taking up his residence in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1857, where he became one of the foremost homeopathic practitioners in the State. At the beginning of the Civil War he was appointed Surgeon of the Board of Enrollment of the Third District. In 1864 he recruited a company which was incorporated into the Forty-sixth Iowa Volunteers. Dr. Guilbert was especially prominent as a Mason, in which order he served in all of the high offices. For several years he edited and published a magazine called The Evergreen which was devoted to the interests of the Masonic fraternity. In 1872 he was nominated by the Liberal Republicans and Democrats for Secretary of State but was defeated. He was for many years a member of the State Board of Health and at one time its president, the first homeopathist to hold that position. He was a prominent and influential member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His death occurred at Dubuque on the 4th of March, 1900.