Cascade Legends

Augustus Wedsworth

Augustus Wedsworth was born on October 1, 1842, in Dupage County, Ilinois, the son of Elijah and Sarah Wedsworth.  School was cut short when it became necessary for Augustus to help support his family at 9 years old by beginning work on a farm. His first wages reached $3 per month.

He continued farm work until 1862, when he enlisted for service in Company F, 100^TH Illinois Infantry. He then served three years in the Cumberland Army until the end of the war.

In 1866 Augustus came to Montana, where his first business was attending to the stock of Oliver & House’s stage fine between Virginia City and Helena at Mountain station, forty-five miles from Helena. Eventually, he purchased his own team and engaged in freighting from Helena to mining camps. In due course he took up mining for a short time.

In 1875 he engaged in the dairy business at Lepley Creek. In 1879 he moved to Chestnut valley, where he began cattle raising with about sixty head.

In 1881 he took up a homestead claim of 140 acres.  He eventually purchased more acres, and came to own several ranches. He was considered one of the solid and substantial men of Chestnut valley and one of the leading stock-raisers of Cascade County.

After his retirement Augustus gradually disposed of his ranch holdings and invested his money along industrial and commercial lines. At the time of his death, he was President of the Cascade Milling and Elevator Company; vice president of the Cascade Mercantile Company and director of First State Bank.

In January 1915 the will of Augustus Wedsworth provided for the establishment and maintenance of a public library in the Town of Cascade and erecting a gymnasium. A gymnasium was erected and has been used as a basketball court, theatre, and rec hall.

The first public library in Cascade was established as a project of the Work projects Administration in September 1936 and was opened in basement of Old Stockmen’s Bank Building. Due to Augustus’s insistence that the community needed a splendid library to foster education and reading, the library was provided permanent support in Augustus’ will.  In February of 1937 the Town’s library was moved to Wedsworth Hall.

The generosity of a man made an enormous impact on our community, leaving us richer and more inviting.