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Augustus Wedsworth, benefactor of
Cascade, was born Oct. 1, 1842 in Dupage County, Ill., the son of Elijah and
Sarah Wedsworth, natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively.
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Wedsworth had very little
education as it was necessary he assist his father on the family ranch. He took
his first job when he was 9 years old and was paid $3 per month plus his board
and room.
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In 1862 he enlisted in Company F
of the 100th Illinois Infantry and served for three years. In 1866 he came to
Montana where his first job was tending the stock of Oliver and House’s stage
line between Helena and Virgina City. He later was employed by the same firm in
the Blackfoot country.
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In 1875 he moved to what is now
Cascade County and engaged in the dairy business at Lepley Creek (the former NS
ranch) selling dairy products to the Army. He was very successful and in 1881
took up a homestead and later purchased several ranches in the Chesnut Valley.
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In 1910 he disposed of his
farming interests and moved to Cascade where he resided until his death Jan. 15,
1915. At the time of his death he was president of the Cascade Milling &
Elevator Co., a director of the First State Bank and vice president of the
Cascade Mercantile Co.
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After his death it was found that
he had willed the bulk of his estate to the city of Cascade for the purpose of
erecting a library and gymnasium. Wedsworth Hall was used for many years by the
young people of Cascade as a basketball court as well as recreation hall and
theatre. Since the building of the school gym, it is not used for basketball but
is used by local people as a recreation center.
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