Samuel Thomas Hauser
| Samuel Thomas Hauser | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 7th Governor of Montana Territory | |
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In office July 14, 1885 – February 7, 1887 |
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| Nominated by | Grover Cleveland |
| Preceded by | B. Platt Carpenter |
| Succeeded by | Preston Leslie |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 10, 1833 Falmouth, Kentucky |
| Died | November 10, 1914 (aged 81) Helena, Montana |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Ellen Farrar |
Samuel Thomas Hauser (January 10, 1833 – November 10, 1914) was an American industrialist and banker who was active in the development of Montana Territory. In addition to his many business interests, he was appointed the 7th Governor of the Montana Territory, serving from 1885 to 1887.
Hauser was born to Samuel Thomas and Mary Ann (Kennett) Hauser in Falmouth, Kentucky on January 10, 1833. His early education occurred locally at the Chittenden School while both his father, a judge and lawyer, and a cousin who had graduated from Yale University, oversaw his later education.
At the age of 19, Hauser went to work for the Kentucky Central Railroad. He then moved to Missouri in 1854, where he worked as a civil engineer for the railroads. He began as an assistant engineer for the Missouri Pacific and Northern Pacific railways and worked his way up to become chief engineer on the Lexington to Sedalia branch.
Hauser married Ellen Farrar of St. Louis in 1871. The marriage produced two children: Ellen and Samuel Thomas Jr.
In early 1862, Hauser left his position with the railroads for Fort Benton, Montana from where he spent several months prospecting before arriving at the mines in Bannack later in the year. The next year his prospecting efforts took him down the Yellowstone River. His efforts proved successful and within a few years he owned six silver mines. He also built coal mines and several silver smelters, including Montana Territory's first smelter in Argenta.
In addition to his mining interests, Hauser developed a number of other business activities. In 1865 he joined with Nathaniel P. Langford to establish a bank in Virginia City. The next year, Hauser founded the First National Bank of Helena. He later opened banks in Fort Benton, Butte, and Missoula. Hauser oversaw the build-out of the Utah and Northern Railway within Montana Territory, and also acquired a large real estate portfolio in support of his mining and ranching interests.
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