Sec. A Page 33 Missoulian Centennial Greenough Active in Rail, Mining Circles of Area
Greenough Active in Rail, Mining Circles of Area
Thomas L. Greenough, who figured prominently in early railroad and mining interests in Missoula, was born in Iowa in 1851.
Trained as a stone mason, he was well prepared for mountainous railroad work. He was responsible for the Pasco cut-off on the Northern Pacific Railroad which extended to Lewiston, Idaho, and across the main range of the Rocky Mountains to connect to the main line at Missoula.
Greenough mined in New Mexico and Colorado and spent four years in the Black Hills, during which he was engaged in contract work running cross-cut tunnels and sinking shafts.
In 1882 and 1883, when the Northern Pacific Railway was being built through Montana, he supplied ties for the line. He settled here in 1882, and became a builder of the Union Block. He also was one of the operators of the Morning Mine in the Coeur d’Alenes. Greenough Park, across Vine street from the old Greenough mansion, was a gift to the city of Missoula from Greenough.
A Republican, Greenough was elected from Missoula County to the first and second legislatures of Montana.
His wife was Tennie Epperson who came from Tennessee. The Greenoughs were parents of three boys and three girls.