Archives West Finding Aid

Frederick Gamer, a pioneer of the state and at one time one of its wealthiest citizens, was born in Germany December 30, 1844. His father, Karl (Charles) Gamer, immigrated with his wife and nine children to the United States in 1861 and purchased a farm in Illinois. Fred came to Chicago in 1861 when he was 17 years old, where he became a clerk in a shoe store. In 1866 Fred Gamer moved to Denver and started working for J. P. Fink and Co., who owned shoe stores in Denver and Helena. Gamer moved to Helena in 1868, shortly afterward buying the Fink business.

Gamer Shoe Company, owned and operated by Frederick Gamer, opened its door in Last Chance Gulch (Helena) in 1868. The store was one of the first of its kind. In 1869 Gamer opened a branch store in Deer Lodge, followed later with stores in Anaconda and Butte. The business continued to prosper and in 1882 Mr. Gamer built the Gamer Block at 17 South Main Street, Helena. Although initially very successful, Gamer suffered business reverses and eventually had to take a job in Anaconda as a weigh-master at the smelter.

Fred Gamer married Miss Emma M. Fink on April 9, 1872. They had four sons, Milton A., Charles W., John F., and Walter, and two daughters, Ada, and Sarah. Gamer was a charter member of the Methodist church organization in Helena. He was one of the founders of the Montana Wesleyan University, and for many years was treasurer of that institution. He served the people of Helena in the city council and on the school board. On January 21, 1911 Mr. Gamer was instantly killed when struck by an Anaconda street car while attempting to cross the street.

In 1947, William “Bill” R. Miles Jr., Fred Gamer’s grandson, bought the store in Butte from the estate of Fred Gamer’s Sr.’s sons. From the one store in 1947, Bill enlarged the company with the purchases of Carlson’s, Gaber’s, and Naturalizer stores.

In May 1906, Mr. J. Fred Gamer and Mrs. Sophie Gamer founded the Gamer Confectionery, in Butte, which soon became famous for its candies. They disposed of their interest in the confectionery in 1944.