John Franklin Case
Silver Bow Co.
History of Montana, Sanders, 1913

One can scarcely think of the northwest and the Pacific 
coast states without there entering the mind also a vision 
of rich metals and ores, and especially gold, silver and 
copper.  And among the mining centers of the country none 
stands out with more prominence than does Butte where 
exists such untold wealth of precious metals.  Some of 
the most prominent and influential citizens of the 
community are the managers of the various mines and 
in this list the name of John Franklin Case, 
superintendent of the Elm Orlu mine, belong well to 
the head.

Mr. Case has all his life been in close touch with 
mining matters, has lived in some of the richest 
producing centers of the country and through his 
own efforts has attained his present enviable 
position in the ranks of those actively engaged 
in pursuing the mining industry.  His father Isaac 
Case, who was a native of Rockland, Maine went to 
California in 1852, making the long tedious trip 
by the Isthmus route and was for a number of years 
engaged in placer mining operations in that state.  
Later he removed to Nevada where for many years 
he was a freighter and was at Virginia City 
during the great excitement over the discovery 
of the great gold mines there.  He died at 
Austin Nevada, in 1882 at the age of fifty two.

Mr. Case was born in Indian Valley, Yuba County, 
California, October 10, 1859, the third member of 
a family of six children.  He was left motherless 
at the age of seven years and in the Golden State 
his mother who was born at Belfast Maine lies 
buried.  When he was ten years old the family moved 
to Austin Nevada and an incident which helps Mr. 
Case to remember his age at that time being his 
employment by a party of surveyors enabling him to 
earn the first dollar he ever received in wages.  
He worked in the silver mills at Austin for a couple 
of yeas after reaching the age of his majority, but 
secured employment in the mines and has ever since 
been identified with the industry.

Twenty years ago Mr. Case was employed in a minor 
capacity at what is now known as the Elm Orlu Mine, 
then a silver property, but during the past five 
years, he has been superintendent of this mine, 
during which time the entire new equipment has 
been installed.  This is now a copper and zinc 
mine.

It was on June 16, 1886 that he first became a 
citizen of Butte and since that date he has been 
continuously connected with mining interests here, 
achieving his present influential position as a 
result of his fine executive ability, personal 
integrity and keen business talent.  He is a 
man of independent thought and action, a non-partisan 
in political matters and is always ready to give the 
weight of his influence to furthering the best 
interests of the city in a social and civic way.  
In social circles he is a leader and fraternally he 
is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, having 
been a member of that lodge for nearly thirty years.

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