RAVALLI COUNTY OBITUARIES
St - Sy
JOSEPH STANFORD
February 5, 1890 - April 25, 1963
Joe Stanford Claimed by Death; Rites Were Saturday
Funeral services were Saturday at Dowling Chapel for Joe
Stanford, 73, who died April 15. He had left home at 7 a.m. saying he would
look at a ditch near the Geo. Hieronymus place 1 mile north of town. He parked
his car just off the hiway and was inside the Hieronymus fence lying on the
ditch bank when grandson Wayne Stanford, 14, found the body just before 8:00.
Joe had suffered a heart attack three years ago, a stroke two years ago Easter
and another stroke this Easter. He had kept active however.
Rev. Edwin Dover officiated at the rites and interment
was in Corvallis cemetery. Pallbearers were Roy Tillman, Emil LaChambre, Sam
Taber, Asa Yerian, Floyd McCormick, and George Wickham. Odd Fellow lodge rites
honored him at graveside. He was a past noble grand of the local IOOF and
a member of the Encampment and Cantons.
Joe A. Stanford was born February 5, 1890 in Oberlin, Ohio,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stanford. He married Martha Leming on February 5,
1916 at Niagara Falls and they returned to the Bitter Root the year.
Surviving beside the widow are twin sons, Tom and Frank,
and three grandchildren.
The Western News, May 1, 1964, page 1
MARGARET TAYLOR STANFORD
August 5, 1888 - December 16, 1963
Margaret Stanford Taken By Death This Morning At Daly Hospital
Mrs. Joe Stanford, 74, of Hamilton, died at Daly hospital
this morning. Margaret Taylor was born on August 5, 1888 in Pennsylvania.
She married Joe Stanford February 5, 1912 at Niagara Falls, NY and they came
to the Bitter Root that year. They farmed in the Hamilton area and about 21
years ago moved to the West Fork district where he ran a star route from Darby
to Alta. They moved back to Hamilton in 1961.
Mrs. Stanford was a school teacher about 20 years, obtaining
her teaching education at Erie, PA, the city of her birth.
Surviving are twin sons, Thomas and Frank of Hamilton,
and four grandchildren. Interment will be in the family plot in Corvallis
cemetery beside the grave of Mr. Stanford who died May 1, 1963.
Western News, December 16, 1963, page 1
HENRY STANGELAND
Sad News Received
News of the death of Henry Stangeland, brother of Mrs.
Clarence Applebury, reached here Monday from Finley, North Dakota, which
had been the home of the Stangelands since moving from Corvallis. Death was
due to tuberculosis from which the young man had suffered for several months
though bedfast only a few days. He was 28 years of age. While residing in
the valley, the deceased made many friends who are grieved to learn of his
death. Mrs. Applebury, but a few days ago, returned from a visit to her people,
and will not return to Finley at this time.
Ravalli Republican, Friday, May 19, 1916
GEORGE FRANKLIN STEVENS
March 22, 1865 - May 29, 1925
Death of G.F. Stevens
Had Been a Resident of Corvallis and Hamilton for more Than Quarter of a Century
George Franklin Stevens died at his home on South Eighth
Street May 29 after a long illness of cancer. He was a patient sufferer, realizing
that he had not long to live. He was 60 years of age, being born at Newton,
Indiana, March 22, 1865. When a small child, he moved to Knox City, Missouri,
with his parents. When about 19 years old, he went to California, returning
to Knox City in 1894. He came to Corvallis in 1897 and ten years later was
married to Bertha Bones of Woodside. To this union six children were born,
two dying in infancy.
Deceased is survived by a widow, two sons, George and Gordon,
two daughters, Annie and Nina, two sisters, Mrs. Annie Collins of Knox City,
Missouri, and Mrs. Homer Yancey of Lewistown, Missouri; and two brothers,
Lafe Stevens of Durham, Calif, and Ivan Stevens, whose whereabouts is unknown.
The funeral was held by Rev. L. E. Obert the following
Sunday at the Christian Church and interment was in the Corvallis Cemetery.
Ravalli Republican, June 12, 1925, page 1
DANIEL STEWART
Colorful Lunberjack character Dies at Age of 84 at Missoula; In Bitter Root
Many Years
Hamilton old-timers were reminded of the thrills that came
with early day logging operations in the upper Bitter Root Valley when they
learned of the death at Missoula last week of Daniel Stewart, 84-year old
Canadian lumberjack. For many years, Stewart was known here as "Danny, the
Cougar." He was a logger in the Bitter Root when the drive down river was
the only means of getting timbers to the mill that was operated by the Anaconda
Copper Minding Company in Hamilton. Known for his prowess with a canthook
and axe, Danny early established himself as a colorful character of the woods.
His death followed a brief illness. Stewart worked for the Kendalls and the
Harpers in their lumber camps of the '90's and he was considered an expert
river man and teamster.
Ravalli Republican, May 11, 1939
MARY CARLYLE STEWART
February 28, 1915 - December 1, 1933
Young Girl Dead
Mary C. Stewart Fatally Injured in Fall
Native of Hamilton Laid to Rest in Riverview Cemetery Yesterday Afternoon
Injuries received when she fell from her horse Thanksgiving
day proved fatal to Mary Carlyle Stewart, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
E.K. Stewart. She died Friday evening shortly before 8 o’clock without having
regained consciousness. A skull fracture was incurred by the girl when she
was thrown to the ground as the result of a broken saddle strap while riding
with her sister, Miss Annie Jean Stewart, near the family home about noon.
Mary had returned to Hamilton the previous day from her
studies at the state university in Missoula to spend the holiday at her home.
She was a freshman at the institution and a member of the 1933 graduating
class of the Hamilton High School. Born in Hamilton February 38, 1915, her
entire life had been spent in this community except for the few weeks spent
at the university. Always of a sunny temperament, she was a favorite among
the younger members of the community and her death brought a shadow such
as Hamilton has not experienced for many months.
Members of her family are the parents and sister and her
brother, E.K. Stewart Jr, all of whom were with her when the end came. Her
grandmother, Mrs. A.W. Barrere, who had been visiting at her former home
in Ohio since last summer, returned Tuesday, called by the death. Mrs. R.H.
Daniels is an aunt.
Hundreds gathered yesterday afternoon to pay their last
respects to the young girl’s memory. Services were conducted at the Presbyterian
church by Rev. J.C. Irwin and Rev. C.R. Miller, assisted by Rev. H.C. Stark
of Kalispell, former pastor of the Presbyterian church here. The pallbearers
were Paul and Charles Pagenkopf, Ross Erickson, Victor Miller,james Geiman,
Dick Hogue, Woodburn Brown, and Jack Davis. Interment was in Riverview cemetery.
Several classmates of the dad girl came from the University at Missoula to
attend the services. The body lay in state at the Dowling funeral home for
the three days prior to the funeral and many friends who had known the deceased
from babyhood viewed the remains during that time. Death occurred at the
Daly hospital.
Ravalli Republican, December 7, 1933
LOUIS STONE
Too Much Booze; Rancher is Suffocated
Stevensville, December 24 - Louis Stone came to town yesterday from the Otto
Behn ranch on Three Mile to celebrate Christmas; today his body is at the
Dowling undertaking parlors. Stone suffocted in his room at Hotel Stevensville
this morning when the bedding caught fire from a cigarette. Stone, a Norwegian,
aged about 40 years, was drinking heavily last night and purchased freely
of cigarettes. It is thought that in smoking, the man let the bed clothes
catch fire. When the locked door was forced about 6:30 this morning, his lifeless
body ws taken from the room. The burned bedding was taken out and although
the room was charred from the smoke and the body was in no way burned, County
Coroner G.A. Gordon was called from Hamilton and after an examination decided
that an inquest would be unneccessary. The door of the room was a tight-fitting
one and but little smoke escaped into the halls until the door was opened.
Stone has been employed on the Behn ranch for three years. No funeral arrangements
have been made as of noon today.
The Western News, December 28, 1916
NELLIE MARIE CUMMINGS STOUT
January 27, 1916 - May 17, 1939
Nellie Marie Stout died at the home of her mother, Mrs.
Louis Buck, on New York avenue yesterday morning following a three-months
illness. Born at Ravalli on January 27, 1916, the young woman was past 23
years of age. She was the former wife of Lester Stout, and three sons, Freddy,
William, and Donald, survive. The mother and step-father, the brothers, William
Cummings of Stockton, California, Edward and Harvey Cummings and Fay Buck
of Hamilton, and the sisters, Mrs. Carol Bauer of Hamilton and Mrs. William
Schroedle of Los Angeles, California are the family members.
Mrs. Stout had spent most of her life in this community
and she attended the Hamilton schools. She was a granddaughter of the late
Mr. and Mrs. G.S. Lord, who settled in the Medicine Springs area in the early
1880's. The body is at the Dowling Funeral Home pending arrangements.
Ravalli Republican, May 18, 1939
CATHERINE STRANGE
January 16, 1878 - July 28, 1889
DIED - STRANGE - At the residence of her son, William Strange, about 7 miles
south of Stevensville, on Sunday Morning, July 28th, 1889 at 3 o'clock, Mrs.
Catherine Strange, aged 91 years, 6 months, and 11 days.
Mrs. Strange was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, January
16th, 1798; removed to Missouri in 1855, thence to the territory of Kansas
in 1850, living in that territory until 1864. In the spring of that year she
removed to Oregon, remaining there 18 months. She then came to Montana and
settled in the Bitter Root valley, Missoula county in 1866, where she lived
with her children up to the time of her death.
Deceased leaves four children, two boys and two girls,
one daughter living in Kansas, the other three children and a goodly number
of grandchildren being present to follow her remains to their last resting
place. The funeral services were held at the house of her son, William Strange,
at 11 o'clock a.m. on Monday of the present week, Rev. T.W. Flowers officiating,
after which her mortal remains were taken to the Stevensville cemetery for
interment.
Five years ago Mrs. Strange received the ordinance of Baptism
and was received in full fellowship into the M.E. church, by Rev. Wilder
Nutting, and from that time until her death lived a consistent christian."
"In the death of Mrs. William Strange, Ravalli County and
Bitter Root Valley loses one of its noble pioneers. She went as a bride to
the farm in Etna where her life was spent. She passed through the terrors
of the Nez Perce Indian invasion, and endured the privations of a new, remote
and sparsely settled country with patience and cheerfulness. Her influence
was a power for good. She trained her two children with loving faithfulness
and her life was graciously spared to see them develop into promising usefulness.
For months she has been a great and patient sufferer, but her trust was in
God, and she was prepared for the glories awaiting the faithful. To her husband
who has lost the companion of nearly a quarter of a century, we offer our
heartfelt sympathy,. May the son and daughter thus deprived of a mother's
loving care and wise counsel cherish her memory and emulate her many virtues.
Stevensville Register. Elizabeth died 22 September, 1899."
Contributed by Georgiann Dayton
Stevensville, Mt. MapleWood Cemetery, tombstone, reads " Catherine Strange
died July 28.1889 aged 91 years.
ELIZABETH WOOD STRANGE
May 19, 1852 - December 20, 1935
Mrs. G.B. Strange, resident of the Etna District, died
suddenly in California, Friday of last week, December 20, 1935. The news came
as a shock to many friends of Mrs. Strange. It was known that Mrs. Strange
had not been in the best of health for some time but when she and her husband
left here some two weeks ago for a vacation in California she was thought
to be in fair health. Mrs. Strange became ill enroute to California. Mrs.
Norris Nichols left for California last week to be with her mother. She became
worse and passed away Friday. Funeral services were held at the farm home,
South of town, Thursday and interment in Victor Cemetery. Mrs. Strange was
a member of the Christian Science Church & there burial rites were held.
Mrs. Strange spent most of her time here in the valley. She was born May 19,
1852 at Springfield, Missouri. Before her marriage, her home was at Florence
& her two brothers Zell & Victor Morris & a sister Allice Rankin,
still live there. Since she & Mr. Strange were married they have lived
in the Etna District and theirs is one of the highly respected families in
the valley.
Contributed by Georgiann Dayton
ELIZABETH DELILAH "LIZZIE" WOOD STRANGE
Mary 19, 1852 - September 22, 1899
In the death of Mrs. William Strange (Elizabeth Delilah
Wood), Ravalli County and the Bitter Root Valley loses one of its noble pioneers.
She went as a bride to the farm in Etna where he life was spent. She passed
through the terrors of the Nez Perce Indian invasion, and endured the privations
of a new, remote, and sparsely settled country with patience and cheerfulness.
Her influence was a power for good. She trained her two children with loving
faithfulness and her life was graciously spared to see them develop into promising
usefulness.
For months, she has been a great and patient sufferer,
but her trust in God, and she was prepared for the glories awaiting the faithful.
To her husband, who has lost the companion of nearly a quarter of a century,
we offer our heartfelt sympathy. May the son and daughter, thus deprived of
a mother's loving care and wise counsel, cherish her memory and emulate her
many virtues.
Elizabeth Delilah Wood was born to Lydia Tabor and Meredith
Wood in Springfield, Missouri, Webster County. She was the eighth child born
to the. When she was just 6 years old, her father died, and 15 when her mother
died. She then lived with her older brother, John Franklin Wood. In 1874,
with her brothers, John F., William J., and Joshua Taylor Wood and their families,
she came to the Bitter Root Valley. She met and married William Allen Strange
in 1876. They homesteaded at the corner of the East Side Highway and Lazy
Lane, 1/2 mile south of Casey's Store. William's mother, Kitty, came to live
with them there. Two children were born to the union, Gibbon Benton and Elsa
Alice Strange. Kitty died in 1889 and in 1894, William built the family a
new home now occupied by Millie and Casey Keiffer, just west of the old homestead.
Elizabeth died an untimely death at the age of 47 years of stomach cancer.
The Stevensville Register, September 23, 1899
Contributed by Georgiann Dayton
ELSA ALICE STRANGE
February 18, 1881 - December 11, 1971
One of the Bitter Root's eldest native daughters, Elsa
A. Magni, responded to the call of death, Saturday, December 11th in Seattle
where she had resided in recent years with her daughter, Beth Gannon.
She had attained the rich age of 90 years, having been
born February 18, 1881 in the Etna district east of Victor, the daughter of
the late William Allen and Elizabeth Wood Strange.
Funeral services were held early this afternoon at the
Dowling chapel with Father C. Arthur Latta officiating. Thereafter, burial
was made in Corvallis cemetery beside the grave of her late husband, Carl
Magni, who passed away December 7, 1948. Pallbearers were Ben Nichols, Bill
Strange, Wayne Dayton, William Reimer, Clare Conroy, and Harry Stevenson.
Elsa Strange grew to womanhood in the district east of
Victor attending school at Etna and Willow Creek. She was really one of the
early inhabitants of the valley and was widely known and highly respected.
She was married to Oscar Manis, November 14, 1906. The couple lived in Stevensville,
Missoula, and Lewistown. In the later community, he operated an International
Harvester business. The couple became parents of two children, W.E. Manis
and Beth Manis. Mr. Manis passed away July 15, 1913.
In Corvallis on December 18, 1918, she was married to Carl
Magni, a painting and decorating contractor. The couple resided in Hamilton
for many years until his death. She continued to make her home in Hamilton
until 1956 when she moved to Seattle. Mrs. Magni had for several years been
in failing health prior to her passing.
She was an active member of the St. Paul's Episcopal church
in Hamilton and was a member of Leona chapter No. 31 OES.
The survivors are her children, Beth Gannon, who came here
from Seattle for the last rite, and the son, W. Gene Manis. His home is in
Miami, Florida, but he is presently on an assignment in the Orient. Other
survivors are Mrs. Norris (Virginia) Nichols, a niece, and Morris Strange,
a nephew. There are also three grandsons, Will, Steve, and Andy Manis. Steve
was here for the funeral. He is a student at the University of Montana at
Missoula. Besides the family, Mrs. Magni possessed numerous friends among
the older residents of the Bitter Root.
The Western News, December 14, 1971
"Beth told me that when Aunt Elsa died, she called out "Gib, Gib." He had
come for her. The brother that always took care of her. I was napping in my
bedroom the afternoon she died. My grandfather, Gib, came to me in my dreams
and was quite insistent that I get up out of the bed and get busy. I felt
like he wanted me to work on my genealogy and to get up and get busy with
it. It was fitting that he visited me and Aunt Elsa at the same time."
Contributed by Georgiann Dayton
GIBBON BENTON STRANGE
June 5, 1877 - February 9, 1953
Gibbon Benton Strange, a lifetime resident of this locality,
passed away February 9, 1953 at Marcus Daly hospital in Hamilton, Montana.
He had been in declining health for some time.
Mr. Strange wa a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Strange, early
pioneers who came to the valley in 1866. He was born on July 5, 1877 on the
original Strange homestead near Victor Crossing, the place now known as the
Sam Weigan ranch.
Mr. Strange's boyhood was spent in that locality and he
received his early schooling at the Etna school. When he was an infant, six
weeks old, alarm spread throughout the valley that the Nez Perce Indians were
on the warpath and coming through the valley. His parents fled with him for
refuge in Old Fort Owen, where they remained until the Indians had passed
through and until after the Big Hole Battle. Mr. Strange was named for two
prominent Big Hole Battle generals, General Gibbons and General Benton (Gibbons
yes, but Benton was after his grandmother Wood's place of birth).
In 1906, Mr. Strange went to San Francisco where he attended
business college. He returned to the valley and engaged, with his father,
in farming and that is the vocation he followed throughout his life. He was
a hard worker, a careful manager, and employed progressive practices. He became
one of the most successful farmers in the Bitter Root. He retired from the
farm some 10 years ago and had since lived here in Stevensville.
As a citizen, Mr. Strange was highly respected by everyone
who knew him. He was always active in public affairs and took great interest
in politics. He was a Republican and was chosen to represent Ravalli County
in the state legislature on different occasions. He served as a representative
in 1923 and 1925, and again in 1933, and a special session in 1934. He was
a Mason of long standing and belonged to Victor Lodge No. 43, A.F. & A.M.
He was also a member of the Bitter Root Fifty Year Club.
Mr. Strange was married in 1908 to Jessie Littel. There
were two children by this marriage. She died in 1935. In 1941, Mr. Strange
was married to Ruby Beavers, who is still living here. Other relatives living
are a son, Morris and a daughter, Mrs. Norris (Virginia) Nichols of this place,
and five grandchildren. They are Gib, Ben, and Karyl Nichols and Georgiann
and Bill Strange. A sister, Mrs. Elsa Magni lives in Hamilton and there is
a nephew, Gene Mannis, of Costa Rica and a niece, Beth Gannon, of Seattle,
Washington.
The funeral services for Mr. Strange were held at the Whitesitt
Chapel here at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Reverent A.L. Swarens was in charge
of the chapel service and the Victor Masonic Lodge was in charge of the burial
at the Victor Cemetery. The pallbearers, whom Mr. Strange had already selected
were: Earl Redding, Bert Parker, Harry Mittower, Carl Dayton, H.D. Gidenonse,
and Steve Bosckis.
The Western News, February 12, 1953
Contributed by Georgiann Dayton
JESSIE ETHEL MORRIS STRANGE
March 21, 1881 - December 20, 1935
Mrs. G.B. (Jessie Ethel Morris) Strange, resident of the
Etna district, died suddenly in California, Friday of last week. The news
came as a shock to many friends of Mrs. Strange. It was known that Mrs. Strange
had not been in the best of health for some time, but, when she and her husband
left here some two weeks ago for a vacation in California, she was thought
to be in fair health. Mrs. Strange became ill enroute to California. Mrs.
Norris Nichols left for California last week to be with her mother. She became
worse and passed away Friday, December 20, 1935.
Funeral services were held at the farm home, south of town,
Thursday and interment in Victor cemetery. Mrs. Strange was a member of the
Christian Science Church and their burial rites were held. Mrs. Strange spent
most of her time here in the valley. Before her marriage, her home was at
Florence. Her two brothers, Zell and Victor Morris, and a sister, Allice
Rankin, still live here. Since She and Mr. Strange were married, they have
lived in the Etna district and theirs is one of the highly respected families
in the valley.
Ravalli Republican, December 26, 1935
CATHERINE "KITTY" ROBARDS STRANGE
January 16, 1799 - July 28, 1899
Catherine "Kitty" Robards Strange, aged 91 years, 6 months,
11 days, died Sunday morning, July 28th, 1899, at the residence of her son,
William Strange, about 7 miles south of Stevensville.
Mrs. Strange was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, January
16th, 1798; removed to Missouri in 1855, thence to the territory of Kansas
in 1850, living in that territory until 1864. In the spring of that year,
she removed to Oregon, remaining there 18 months. She then came to Montana
and settled in the Bitter Root Valley, Missoula county in 1866, where she
lived with her children up to the time of her death.
Deceased leaves four children, two boys and two girls,
one daughter living in Kansas, the other three children and a goodly number
of grandchildren being present to follow her remains to their last resting
place. The funeral services were held at the house of her son, William Strange,
at 11 o'clock a.m. on Monday of the present week, Rev. T.W. Flowers officiating,
after which her mortal remains were taken to the Stevensville cemetery for
interment.
Five years ago, Mrs. Strange received the ordinance of
Baptism and was received in full fellowship into the M.E. Church, by Rev.
Wilder Nutting, and from that time until her death lived a consistent Christian.
Contributed by Georgiann Dayton
MORRIS ALLEN STRANGE
January 7, 1910 - October 15, 1973
One of the better farmers and stockmen of the Bitter Root,
and a man who performed his civic responsibilities seriously and competently,
Morris Allen Strange was born on the large Strange ranch about five miles
south of Stevensville (Cramer Ranch) about five miles south of Stevensville,
January 7, 1910. Upon the fields of that ranch, which he gave solicitous care
for many years, he breathed his last sometime Monday afternoon, October 15,
1973.
He had gone into the fields about 11 a.m. with his activity
unknown to the family, to haul fence posts and place them in line for later
setting. When he failed to be found about the ranch home, a search was instituted
and he was found where he had died, probably from a heart attack, upon the
soil he loved.
Probably, had he been given a choice of where to die, it
would have been in such activity, or along some fishing stream or mountain
trail that pleased him, because he was ever a lover of nature in all of its
facets. The loss of so good a farmer and stockman, a business man of such
acumen, will be long felt by his family, business associates, and the community.
Morris was reared on the family farm, attended school at
Etna and Stevensville, graduated from Stevensville High School after which
he majored in agriculture at Montana State University in Bozeman. He devoted
his life, until semiretirement, to caring for the ranch which, being one of
the superior pieces of ground in the valley, yielded to his administration
of knowledge of best agricultural practices. But, he was not content with
success in farming and stock growing. He also served his community for many
years as a trustee of the Stevensville school district, and his county as
one of the board members, also for many years, of the Ravalli County Fair.
In March, 1962, he was elected a director of the Citizens State Bank, a post
held at the time of his death. He was a member of the Masonic lodge at Victor,
of the Algeria Shrine at Helena, and of the Hamilton Elks lodge.
He is buried in the Victor Cemetery north west of Victor,
about 1/3 of the way down the hillside from his parents, Gib and Jessie Strange.
His tombstone has the Hereford cow and a sheaf of wheat on it.
The Western News, Hamilton, Montana, October 18, 1973
Contributed by Georgiann Dayton
WILLIAM ALLEN STRANGE
September 15, 1844 - July 22, 1934
William Allen Strange, one of the Bitter Root Valley's
pioneers, died Sunday, July 22, 1934, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Carl
E. Magni, at Hamilton, after a period of declining health which extended back
about a year. Mr. Strange was almost 90 years old at the time of his death.
Had he lived to his next birthday, in September, he would have reached the
age of 90.
He was born in Kentucky in 1844, and lived in Kansas and
Missouri where his parents went when he was a lad. He came to the valley in
1864 and lived for many years a few miles south of town. For the past several
years, he had made his home with his daughter in Hamilton.
Beside Mrs. Magni, there is one son, Gibbon Benton Strange,
now representative for Ravalli County in the state legislature. He resides
on a ranch near Bell Crossing, south of Stevensville.
The funeral services were held at Hamilton on Tuesday and
interment was made at the Maplewood Cemetery at Stevensville. The funeral
was attended by a large number of old time acquaintances of the deceased.
The Republican, July 26, 1934
William Strange, one of the Bitter Root's best-known pioneers,
and for 68 years a resident of the valley, died here Sunday at the home of
his daughter, Mrs. Carl E. Magni. Although he was nearly 90 years of age,
Mr. Strange was in good health until a few days preceding his death.
A large number of friends and relatives attended last rites
held in his memory from the Dowling chapel Tuesday afternoon. Rev. Charles
R. Miller of the Presbyterian Church officiated at the services and pallbearers
were S.J. Barclay, M.L. Chaffin, Alex Chaffin, Bob Nicol, J.D. St. John,
and Fred Van Blaricom. Interment was made in Maplewood Cemetery in Stevensville.
William Strange was born in Washington County, Kentucky,
on September 15, 1844. At the age of 11, he moved with his parents to Missouri,
where the family remained for a year. When he was 19 years of age, he left
Brown County, Kansas with his parents, and after a long arduous trip by wagon
train of over five months, they finally arrived in Polk County, Oregon, October
1, 1864. Two years later the family moved to the Bitter Root.
The town of Stevensville, the first permanent white settlement
in this territory, had just been established. Near this historic town, William
Strange took up a homestead, where he resided for most of the active years
of his life. He saw the Bitter Root emerge from a region thinly populated
with Indians and white to the most productive region in the entire state of
Montana.
July 9, 1876, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Wood. Two
children were born to them, Gibbon Benton Strange of Stevensville, former
representative in the state legislature for a number of terms, and Mrs. Carl
Magni of Hamilton. Also surviving him are four grandchildren, Eugene and Beth
Manis of Hamilton, and Morris and Virginia Strange of Stevensville. For the
past 21 years, Mr. Strange has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Magni,
who has lived in Hamilton for the past 17 years.
Northwest Tribune, July 26, 1934
Contributed by Georgiann Dayton
MAUD M. STUFFEL
Resolutions of Condolence
Adopted Wednesday, November 16th, by Leona Chapter No 31, Order of the Eastern
Star
Whereas, the Sublime Architect of the universe has seen fit to remove from
this earthly home our beloved sister, Maud M. Stuffel, in the springtime of
youth when life is most alluring and the coming years most full of promise;
and
Whereas, her sudden calling home has taken from us a loyal, trusted and earnest
member, has robbed a happy home of a devoted wife and loving mother, and the
community of one of its most lovable members; now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the sympathy of the members of this order be tendered to the
stricken family; that the charter be draped in black in honor and memory of
the departed; that a copy of these resolutions be spread upon our records
and that they be forwarded to the bereaved relatives and furnished to the
local press.
Emily Harris, Jennie Hanson, Emil Magni
The Ravalli Republican, Friday, November 13, 1904