Leroy Beveridge

History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894
USGENWEB Montana Archives
May be copied for non-profit purposes.
 
 
Leroy Bevridge, one of Helena's early settlers and one of her 
respected and enterprising citizens, 
dates his birth in Ohio, April 21, 1835. His ancestors were 
English. His father, Knobb Bevridge, a native 
of Virginia, removed to Ohio at an early day and in that state 
spent the rest of his life. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Ann Lamb, still survives him, being now in her 
seventy-eighth year. They had two children.
Leroy Bevridge spent the first seventeen years of his life on 
his father's farm, where he had the benefit of a 
public school education. In 1852 his adventurous spirit led him 
to seek his fortune in the far west. He made 
the journey by way of the isthmus of Panama, and upon his arrival 
in the Golden State engaged in mining in El 
Dorado County. For five years he was in the mines near Coloma, 
where gold was discovered by Marshall. He afterward 
mined on Granite Creek, where he made fair wages and saved some 
money. In 1862 he went to San Francisco from 
there by water to Portland Oregon and thence up the Columbia to 
the Dalles where he and two others purchased 
three horses, packed them with provisions and from there to the 
Oro Phino mines. In the fall he returned to 
Uniontown, California where he spent the winter. During the year 
1863 he was at Placerville, spent the following 
year at Carson City and Virginia City, returned to California 
and spent another winter there and in 1865 again 
went to Portland and thence to Idaho City. After this he mined 
for some time on Morris Creek where he received 
$6 per day for his work. In the spring of 1866 he returned to 
Coloma California, where he purchased 6,600 pounds 
of honey and from whence he shipped the same by way of San 
Francisco and Portland to The Dalles. He also had 
eleven cases of gum boots. These with the honey he packed to 
the gulches of Montana and sold them to the miners. 

Returning to Walla Walla by way of the Mullen route, he wintered 
there and in the spring of 1867 engaged in the 
same business adding to his stock meerschaum pipes and overalls. 
Upon his return to Helena that year he purchased 
an interest in a stage line and for seven years was engaged in 
staging carrying the mails from Helena to Confederate 
Gulch, now Diamond City.

After disposing of his mail route, Mr. Bevridge invested in 
Helena real estate on which he has from time to time 
erected buildings. His lot on Main Street on which he has built 
a double brick block, then cost him $480.00. 
This is one of the best locations in the city, he having declined 
$1200 per foot for it. 

October 1, 1868 Mr. Bevridge married Anna Siddle, a native of 
Wisconsin, who came to Helena in 1864. They have had 
seven children, all born in Helena, four having died in early 
childhood. They are Charles L, the oldest has recently 
returned from college and now has charge of his father's cattle 
ranch; Jennie, a graduate of Mills College, Oakland
 California is at home with her parents; and the Youngest 
Chester, is also at home.

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