Albert L. Babcock History of Montana, 1898 U.S. Genweb Montana Archives Albert L. Babcock of Billings, Montana, stands in practical illustration of what pluck, perseverance and business ability can accomplish. Mr. Babcock was born on a farm near Albany, New York in 1851, son of William C. and Julia (Lawrence) Babcock. Several generations of his ancestors resided in New York. He grew to manhood in the State of Illinois, where he received a limited education in the Common schools. Thrown upon his own resources at the early age of fourteen, he began to do for himself and ere long developed rare business qualities. Believing that opportunities for success were greater in the growing towns on the frontier than in Illinois, in 1882 he came to Billings, Montana, in advance of the railroad, and engaged in the hardware and implement business. Subsequently he became a member of the Babcock-Miles Hardware and Implement Company, which firm continued to do business with marked success until 1892 when Mr. Babcock purchased the interest of Mr. Miles. The firm is now known as the Babcock Hardware Company, and besides the establishment at Billings branch houses are also maintained at Red Lodge and Castle, Montana. It was in 1885 that Mr. Babcock entered public life. That year he was appointed a member of the board of County Commissioners of Yellowstone County, was elected to the same office in 1886 and served in that capacity until 1889, being chairman of the board during the latter year. Being elected to the State Senate in 1889, he resigned his position as Commissioner. In 1892 he was elected to the Lower House of the General Assembly of the State. During his service in the Senate in 1890 he was one of the eight formidable Republicans that composed the "dead lock." He is the present Republican nominee for State Senator, having received the unanimous nomination for that position in September 1894. He served on the staff of Governor White, and Governor Toole and is now a member of Governor Rickards' staff, with the rank of Colonel. In Masonic circles Mr. Babcock gained marked distinction. He is a member of Ashlar Lodge, No. 29, A.F. and A.M., the chapter and commander of Billings and Algeria Tempe, of Helena. He was elected Eminent Grant Commander of Knights Templar of the State of Montana in October 1893. In connection with his business life, it should be further stated that he is president of the Yellowstone National Bank of Billings, vice president of the Billings Water and Electric Light Company and that he is concerned in various other business enterprises. Mr. Babcock was married in 1877 to Miss Nettie Packer, daughter of Rev. Packer, a prominent minister of the Christian Church at Peoria Illinois. They have one child, Lewis C. USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format forprofit, nor for commercial presentation by any other organization. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express writtenpermission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist.