Old Missoula

“Tom Tuna Tom died at a local hospital yesterday morning, following an aggravated case of rheumatism from which he had suffered since October and from which he failed to recover. He had been a domestic in the home of G. A. Wolf and J. H. T. Ryman since July, 1910. The body is at the Lucy undertaking place and funeral arrangements will be made after word is received from relatives on the coast.”

 The above obituary appeared in The Daily Missoulian on January 2, 1925.

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 Tom Tuna Tom probably knew more about Missoula than he cared to. He worked for two of the most influential men in Missoula’s history. Gustavus Wolf and James H. T. Ryman were among the founders of Western Montana National Bank in Missoula. Tom Tuna Tom was likely a member of Missoula’s early Chinese community which has recently prompted a great deal of historical interest.

 Of the two wealthy pioneers, G. A. Wolf, born in Germany, arrived in Montana first, placer mining in Virginia City in 1864 and then went to Beartown and Elk Creek (Blackfoot) in 1867. He was a Missoula County treasurer in 1878. He entered into a partnership with Ryman in 1885, selling insurance. The Western Montana National Bank was organized in 1889. Wolf and Ryman were two of the original 5 board of directors of that bank. Wolf became president of the Western Montana National Bank from 1900 until it was sold in 1919.

J. H. T. Ryman was the opposite of the unassuming Wolf, in that he flourished in Missoula’s social spotlight. Born in Pennsylvania, he arrived in Missoula in 1879, when he became the principal of Missoula’s public schools, despite having no college degree. He resigned that position after two years and then began his banking career at the Montana National bank, which later became the First National Bank. After a short time there, he entered the insurance business. He again entered the education field in 1884 when he was elected county superintendent of schools, but held that position for only two years. He helped found the Western Montana National Bank with Wolf in 1889. Wolf eventually became president of the bank, while Ryman was cashier.

The two gentlemen lived together in a small home (136 W. Broadway) at the corner of Cedar (Broadway) and Stevens (Ryman) streets for 40 years. They were widely respected and known for their generosity. A member of the local board of the University of Montana, Ryman wielded a powerful influence in the school’s affairs; sometimes embroiling himself in controversial topics, yet emerging with his reputation intact. He was appointed to the state board of education by his friend, Governor Dixon, in 1923. Upon his death, the wealthy Ryman willed generous gifts to Dixon’s children and other relatives, but Ryman’s estate willed the largest gift to Miss Mary Stewart, a former dean of women at the University of Montana. She was locally prominent for her speaking ability and organizational skills.

Mary Stewart’s striking photograph, tall and slim, with “finely chiseled” features and a stylish wide brimmed sombrero, was featured on the front page of The Daily Missoulian on June 29, 1926.[1] She lived in Washington D. C. at the time, and was involved in women’s issues and the feminist movement. Miss Stewart became famous nationally for her short poem “Club Collect” which was recited by women’s organizations throughout the whole country. Written in 1904, her inspirational poem is still recited by many organizations. Mary Stewart was born in 1876 and died in 1943.

 Gustavus Wolf obit- Missoulian – 10/22/1928

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 J. H. T. Ryman obit – Missoulian – 6/2/1926

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 Western Montana National Bank history – Missoulian – 3/19/1939

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