Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-12-31
MOSES KAUFMAN.
PIONEER, DIES
GREAT FALLS MERCHANT START
ED IN BUSINESS AT FORT
BENTON IN 1880
On First Trip to Montana He Came
Up Missouri River From Bismarck,
N. d. on Boat RED Cloud" Which
Required 20 Days for Voyage.

Death recently ended the career
of Moses Kaufman, Montana piO-
neer and early day resident of
Great Falls who for more than
half a century had participated I'm
an important way in the building
of that community. He died at the
family home following an illness
Of several weeks.
In 1880, at the age Of "a, Kaufman
first located in Montana, when he
established a mercantile business In
the then frontier river town Of Fort
Benton. Seven years later he located
In Great Falls and had lived there
continuously since then.
Kaufman was born In Germany
Jan. 6, 1856, and at the age Of IA came
to the United States with a sister,
locating in New York. The brother and
sister made their home with relatives
and the youth found employment with
tan uncle. who was in the clothing busi-
ness. Later he was in business for him
self In New York.
Responding to an urge to shape his
career in the new country of the far
west, he closed his affairs in New York
in 1880 and came to Fort Benton. From
Bismarck. N. D.. he was a passenger
on the Red Cloud" one Of the river
boats which piled the upper Missouri
in that period. Twenty-Five days were
required to make the trip from Bis
marck to Fort Benton.
Starts In Fort Benton
Kaufman entered business in Fort
Benton by leasing warehouse, which
he divided into three rooms. Two of
the rooms he rented and in the other
he opened a candy store. Within a
few months he was offered a 81 800
profit If he would sell his business and
he promptly accepted.
After disposing of the Fort Benton
business he returned to New York, en-
tered the clothing business and re-
manned three years. On March IS, 1882,
he was married 10 Miss Celia Nathan,
a sister of the late A. Nathan, whose
family also have long been residents
Of Great Falls. Mrs. Kaufman also
was a native of Germany and Kauf-
man knew her as a child.
In 1885 kaufman again came to
Montana, this time accompanied by
his wife. From New York they made
the trip to Helena by rail, the North
ern Pacific having built across the
state since Kaufman had gone east,
but from Helena to Fort Benton they
rode in one Of the old overland stages.
At Fort Benton he became aSsOci-
ated with his brother-inlaw. A. Ma
than. Later on the partnership con-
Quoted a store in Butte. In 1887 Kauf-
man moved to Great Falls, where at
first the former association was con-
tinued.
Seven years later, in 1894 Kaufman
entered business for himself, and his
store, one of the widely known busi-
ness houses Of Great Falls, now is
conducted under his name. 1
Early Day Hardships
At Fort Benton and during their
first years in Great Falls the Kauf-
mans experienced many of the real |
tiles of pioneer life During their first |
year in Fort Benton after their return |
from New York. Montana had its his |
toric cold winter of 1867, when hun |
dreds of stockmen we're confronted /
With ruin as a result Of livestock loss
IS. The Kaufmans' first home in Fort |
Benton was a log cabin, similar to |
hose In which the greater portion Of /
he population lived.
Until recently Kaufman was actively 4
connected with his business and main
aimed his numerous contacts with
friends about the city. Always an ac-
i've, energetic figure, kaufman had a
vide circle Of acquaintance whose