Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1888-09-04
Communicated
Obi u1ry

Ou bN AHtuNN
minutes past one o'clock Mr.. Joseph
Leighton, a well known citizen Of this
city. quietly and rainlessly bresthed
his last, after an illess of some years
duration. A record of his life during
the past fifteen years would recount
much of the commercial growth and
development of this portion OF the
country. g. he WIS intimately ideuti-
fled with enterprises Of pith and mo-
ment, leading here to many and ma
terlal i'm prOyements. His death may
be said without affectation TO be n loss
to our community and will be sincerely
mourned by many friends
Ar. Leighton was born in Ottumwa,
Iowa, February /, ls4S, and was there
fore in his iorty-first year at the time
OF his death. He received his prelim-
mary education at the place Of his
birth aud attended afterward acollege
ut st. Louis conducted by u Catholic
brotherhood. His tastes for CONNER
cial pursuits early induced him to EN-
bark in business and in 1864 We find
him on the Platte river clerking for
his brother, Mr.. A. c. Leighton, but
the latter fearing that his best inter-
ests were not conserved by keeping
him in u country infested with In
dians, be consented to embark In busi-
ness on his own account Ia Ottumwa,
Iowa. There he remained until $50,
when an opportunity occurred which
enabled him to enlarge his sphere Of
opei ations and he went TO the Sweet
waser country to engage in grocery
and mining business. Here Joseph
and his brother James conducted q
business for one year. After this
joseph wentto salt Lake City and re-
mailed short time, going thence to
Fort Fetterman. where his elder
brother gave him an interest in bis
store. In 1872 be first came into this
part of the country, purchasing an in
teIest in the post traders establish
ment at Fort Buford. There he re-
NAMED associated with his brother
until 1876, when Mr.. A. C. Leighton
retired from the business and Mr.. w.
Il. Jordan TODD his place, since which
time the extensive business operations
of Leighton d Jordan are well Known
to many. Mr.. Leighton was also in :
terested in business projects 1T Fort
Peck, Woody Mountain, Poplar River,
Fort Meade, Fort Keogh and this city,
either on bis own account or In part
nership with Mr.. Jordan. In 1851
Mr.. Leighton incorporated the Mer-
chants and Drovers'bsnk in MilesCity,
which afterward was merged into the
First National bank. The business
operations of this firm rsmitird In
many aud important directions, in
clud no the building and purchase OF
steamboats,, the introduction Of thor
oughbred and graded stock into the
Tongue river valley, the purchase OF
large blocks Of real estate and erection
OF many frame and brick buildings in
Miles City. In 1878, when derelict
congress failed to make the necessary
appropriations for the pay OF the army,
this firm did not hesitate TO apply
their means to the accommodation oi
officers and men In most liberal man.
ner. In looking over his extensiveinter.
e-ts II WAS frequently necessary for Mr.
Leighton to take long overland jour
neys in open conveyapces In the
depth OF winter, and although Of ro.
bust build and untiring energy be
overtaxei his powers on many such
occasions and contracted an obstinate
bronchial affection. This, although
much relieved by visit to Florida
occasionally annoyed him after his re-
turn to Montana, and about two years
ago assumed an aspect 30 serious that
he sought relief in southern California.
Happily, there his health was much
improved and he ventured TO return
to this, the home Of his soho'ee. a
couple OF months ago. Here he gained
considerably In weight and strength
aud much Of his ola time energy re-
turned, and he engaged In the man
agement Of his business affairs with
nm ayidity which could not have been
otherwise than injurious TO him.
Suddenly, about two weeks ago, he
was attacked with partial paralysis,
accompanied with impairment OF the