Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1936-03-26
Fol KC YOU SHOULD
AOAAO KNOW
IN
SheridanC County

Plentywood resident since 1908 has the
honor and distinction of being the first
man elected to the State Senate from
Sheridan county. He has been identi-
fed prominently with Montana polit-
les and civic interests during his many
years here and has contributed in no
small degree to the substantial growth
and upbuilding of this region.
Frank G.. Fishbeck was born at Eu-
reka, Winnegabo county, Wisconsin
December 81, 1867 and he spent his
boyhood days in the timber country of
that state. He began his industrial ca
reer as a merchants clerk and a few
years later entered the retail lumber
business.
He was a young man when he left
his Wisconsin home for Chicago where
he spent twelve years in hotel and res
taurant businesses. From Chicago
young Fishbeck returned to Wisconsin.
and at Berlin in that state, he spent
four years as a leather manufacturer.
Mr.. Fishbeck's urge was to come
west. The first few months of his Mon
tana career were spent at Culbertson
in the meat business, a partner of his
brother-in-law Charles Jarvis. Six
months later-Nov. %, 1908, the veter-
an Sheridan county resident came to
Plentywood. He and Mr.. Jarvis pur-
chased the pioneer store of the town
from George E. Bolster. During almost
a year the new firm continued as the
only merchants of the then infant
town. The store was located in the old
townsite, along the banks of Box Ell
der creek.
With the coming of the railroad in
1910 the store was moved to the new
townsite, where Plentywood's business
district now stands.
Opportunities in the then newly OPP
ened territory did not find Frank Fish
beck tagging. Together with Mr.. Jarvis
he founded the Fishbeck-Jarvis Realty
company which at one time decided
lands to the amount of seven sections.
He farmed on a big scale and the or
iginal ranch is located twenty-five
miles west of Scobey.
With the realty business a marked
success, in 1912 he also engaged in the
electric light business. The company
served this city well and in 1925 he
sold the light plant to the Montana
Dakota Power company. Mr.. Fishbeck
also headed the Sheridan Electric
Construction company which erected
the first moving picture theatre here.
He also built the present Orpheum
theatre here.
Reared in the atmosphere Of an in
tensely republican home, Mr.. Fishbeck
has always been a staunch member of
Senator from Sheridan county, and
oo.. ,,rI4r ,ot Cnro.nr
Mcdowell. While serving at Helena he
was prominent in legislative circles
and was author of the Herd Law mea-
sure and the Seed and Threshermen's
Lien measure. His term expired in
1918 and he did not seek reelection.
Mr.. Fishbeck has enjoyed a wide
acquaintance not only in northeastern
Montana but throughout Montana, and
his unselfsh, friendly attitude has
made him hundreds of friends.
He accumulated considerable prop
erty throughout northeastern Montana
by hard work and conscientious effort.
Financially independent, his holdings
increased. He aided many to get a start
in life. In a series of reverses he lost
heavily. He always has faith in north
eastern Montana and has always had
the courage to stage a comeback. His
untiring efforts for others and his faith
in this section have won him priceless
admiration.
Hon. Frank G.. Fishbeck was mar.
ried to Miss Nellie Jarvis October 5,
1889. Three children were born to
them, all of whom have passed away.
The highly respected couple, now
well advanced in years, make their
home in Plentywood. Their spacious
home, built in 1914, is one of the city's
finest residences.
Mr.. Fishbeck, although retired from
active labors, continues to take a keen
interest in politics and social work. He
has served as city councilman, which
position he held until early this win
ter, resigning when he and Mrs. Fish
beck went to California to spend the
winter.
He is a 32nd degree Mason. At Hell
ena he is a member of the Consistory
and of the Shrine.