Sedan Residents from A - Z Sedan Residents:
As of May 2000 there were approximately 70 year round residents of Sedan. However in earlier times Sedan seems to have had many more full time residents. Some of those people brought their families and worked only a short time while others remained. Allan Woosley is the oldest living native of Sedan and he and his family are still ranching today. His grandfather, Josh Woosley was one of the first homesteaders to Sedan as noted below.
Many of the names listed below were taken from the 1912 Gallatin County Ownership Map, stories written by Warren Reichman, Sedan school records, and from interviews conducted by past and present residents. There are evidently many more names which could be added to this list as there were over 200 school children listed during the 73 year history of the operation of Sedan School.
Any families who have stories to share or a more detailed history please contact me with a maximum of one page and I will add it! Thanks...
Families are listed alphabetically in most cases unless there are several family members noted then they are listed alphabetically after the father's name. Where multiple spellings were found for some families they have been left until correct spelling verified.
Fred E. Ainger (name also seen spelled Anger and Enger)- A bachelor and forest ranger whose name was really Reynolds. He left home at 14 after having an argument with his father and changed his name vowing to have nothing to do with him. As noted in "Tracks Volume II," this information describes Fred "Enger" and the ranger station, "One station is located on land owned by Pearl D'Ewart, twenty miles southwest of Wilsall at the base of the Bridgers. This ranger station, built in the 1920s, served as the district forest station. "Fred Enger kept all the books pertaining to the Bridger Mountains at this station, and this was the only station where a ranger lived year round. Most were used only in the summer time."
Fred E. Ainger, as noted in Grace Bates book, said to have been "a ranger in the Gallatin Forest from 1906 to 1950." Fred Ainger built Ainger Lake and the dam for Frazier Lake with help from the CCC. He built a cabin near Frazier Lake and also lived on what is now known as the Beckner Place. After he retired as a forest ranger, he bought a ranch in the Sedan area and ranched here under the assumed name until his death. See Sedanmisc.html for more information on location of Ainger and Frazier Lakes.
Gordon Acorn - Worked for Robinsons
John C. & Annie Alexander - Listed on 1913 School Census Report for Sedan. Child: Bernall 16 yrs
Ray Alexander - He and his father homesteaded and ranched here.
Roy W. Alexander - Went to war in the World War I. According to an Abstract that Suzanne (Hunter) Walker has, "In March 1920, The United States of America deeded the land to Roy W. Alexander, a single man of Wilsall, Montana. "To secure Homesteads to Actual Settlers of the Public Domain," and the acts supplemental thereto claim of Roy W. Alexander, has been "established and duly consummated, in conformity to law." By the President: Woodrow Wilson.
"In April of 1920 Roy W. Alexander transferred the land to a John A. Sorrell of Wilsall, Montana." This information was taken from the Abstract of the land which is now owned by Suzanne (Hunter) Walker.
Allen (sp?) Family - Owned land south of Flathead Pass and across Flathead Creek. Alta Woosley recalls that Mr. Allen was a Park County Commissioner who owned the land but did not live on it. She said they are not related to the Don & Yates Allen families noted below.
Don Allen Family - Children David, Barry, Lloyd & Steve, all boys attended Sedan School. Don worked for M.D. Armstrong and lived on the place which is now Butch Waddell's. They also lived on the Robert Jones Place. Don and Yates were brothers.
Yates Allen Family - Children Barbara, Linda, Anita, Edith, Leslie & Sharon. All the girls attended Sedan School except Sharon. This Allen family lived in the old Wendall Francis Place across from the Woosley's roping barn. Yates and his brother Don worked for M.D. Armstrong.
F.E. Allison - 1912 Ownership map. F.E.'s wife was a sister to Liza Lamson and Mrs. Foreman.
Frank Allison - Homesteaded here, raised purebred guernsey cattle, sold ranch and moved to WA.
Frank E. & Ada Allison - Listed on the Gallatin County School Census Reports for Sedan District #38 from 1909 - 1914. Children: Earl W., Adelle A. and Arthur.
Mark Anderson - Long time friend and employee of the Butch Waddell family.
M.D. (Merlin) & Edna Mae (Pepperlin) Armstrong - Armstrong bought the place from Jorgenson; the first site occupied by Josh & Josie Woosley; now Butch Waddell's Place. M.D. was Sedan School clerk 1957-58 and/or possibly 1964-1965. Children; Melvin, Olin, & Cindy attended Sedan School. Armstrongs moved to Billings.
Norm & Elinor Amundson - Were musicians for some of the Cheese Factory dances; Elinor played the piano, Norm the drums.
Louis Authier - Buried in Sedan Cemetery.
Louis Bailey Family - Children were enrolled in Sedan School during the 1930s and 1930s. Francis was one of the children. He lived across the road from Joe Whitman.
Alex & Marie Baker - Moved to Sedan in 1966. Alex worked for the Armstrong Ranch and later the Wayne Landis Ranch. Marie taught at the Sedan School for the 1966-67 and 1967-68 school years until the school closed in the spring of 1968. The Bakers moved to Clyde Park where she taught and he worked for the Double U Ranch.
Angel Baker - Married a Keys girl, homesteaded here and ranched. He had an outfit for commercial grain grinding and wood sawing. He and his wife raised several children.
Angeles & Myrtle Baker - Listed on School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38 in 1909 and 1910. Children listed were John H. and Silvia.
Marie Baker - Last Sedan School teacher from 1966-1968. She was not from the area.
Miss Barber - Teacher at Sedan School during 1935/1936 school term.
Barnard Family - Barnard's lived in the first home built on the Petterson land. It was near where Tim & Anita now lived and burned to the ground. Anita has found pieces of beautiful china when tilling her garden, though Mrs. Barnard was blind. The second home they built is what was the smaller house on their property across from the cemetery. The Kelly family lived in the home after Barnards did.
S.D. Barrows - 1912 Ownership Map
Barto - Ran sheep in Green Canyon Country
Herb Bates - Drove school bus up here for over 36 years starting in 1948. He was remembered by former resident, Kay Seitz, as having been, "A kind man, kept order but liked kids. He'd do anything for us. He pulled out pickup out of a sawdust pile one night in Wilsall with one of his Case tractors. Shirley Robinson, Jerry Olson, John Hebnes and I drove my dad's pickup on this sawdust pile after a pep rally and sunk in...He pulled it out, didn't say a word to my folks. Dad wondered for a long time why sawdust fell out of everything whenever they did something underneath the truck. Herb was a good friend to us all...he was a big part of our lives...it was a sad day when he passed away."
Baty - Marvin attended Sedan School.
Mary Bautch - Taught at Sedan School and then later on the Rocky Boy Reservation. She is deceased.
Gordon & Bev (Landis) Baver - Bev is the daughter of Wayne & Verna Lu Landis. She attended Sedan and Wilsall Schools. Children Chad and Nathan attended Shields Valley Schools.
R.A. Baxter - 1912 Ownership Map
Bernard (pronounced Burnerd) & Harriet (James) (Geordge) Beckner - Harriet was also known as Hattie also Benita. Beckner was a miner from Butte and was said to have been a very nice man. Benita and Bernard came to Sedan and bought land near Flathead Pass. Hattie was remembered as an excellent gardener and was actually able to grow watermelon up Flathead Pass. They would drive their team down from their place to Chriskes', where they kept their car.
Benita had 3 children with Chester Geordge prior to marrying Bernard Beckner. Her children were James, Nord, and Dan Geordge and all 3 attended Sedan School along with Virginia Geordge who was Chester's daughter from a previous marriage to Elizabeth.
Fritz Becker - Originally from Wilsall. Ran bands of horses on open range north of Sedan. Was said to have had "really good horses."
Earl Ralph & Ivy Bessie (Walker) Beebe - Earl and Ivy moved to Wilsall from Ryegate in 1931 due to many years of draught and bad storms. They later moved to Sedan from Wilsall in 1938 to land owned by Brebriech. Brebriech originally built the house the Beebe's lived in on this land for Bob Christie. Earl Beebe milked cows and ranched while he lived on that land until he died in 1948. A baby boy and a baby girl passed away. Their 14 other children were: Alice, Charles "Chuck," Earl "Birdell," Beulah, Ellen, Evelyn, Inez, Lester, Art, Joye, Geneva, Margaret Jo "Midge," Violet & Ivy "Wave." The Beebe children who attended Sedan School were: Art, Beulah, Charles, Geneva, Inez, Ivy, Lester and Margaret Jo.
Alice married Kermit Inabnit - Their children were Inez, Iris, & Ted. Both parents and all three children attended Sedan School.
Beulah Beebe was married to William Boegli (of Sedan) who was killed in service. She later married Floyd Christie - also from Sedan.
Charles graduated from Wilsall High School (Home of the Longhorns) in 1950.
Evelyn married Reed Palmer and they had 3 children: William "Billy," James Reed "Jim," and Harriet. Evelyn later married Lyle Reichman and they had children Patsy Jean and Raymond Earl. All of the children attended Sedan School.
Geneva "Gen" Lucille Beebe was born May 29, 1925 in Ryegate, Montana. Geneva married Arthur Wallace "Wally" Christie (brother of Floyd Christie) on January 15, 1944.
Joye Beebe married Roy Waddell whose family also lived in Sedan.
F.E. Benedict - 1912 Ownership Map
Bill Berhow - Rented the Clark Place in the early 1980s, trained border collies
Bill & Lucille (Williams) Bishop - They lived north of the Woosley Cemetery. The Williams were the previous owners of the Henry Woosley Place.
Bill Blair - Homesteaded and ranched in this community.
E.G. Blair - 1912 Ownership Map
M.B. Blair - 1912 Ownership MapLawrence Harold Blattie & Grace (Lamson) Blattie - Lawrence was born September 22, 1909 in Titonka, Iowa the son of Alfred and Katherine (Spieck) Blattie. Alfred came to America from Switzerland; Katherine was from Ohio. The Blattie family lived in Minnesota until Katherine's death when Lawrence was 12 years old. He then lived with several families in the area.
Grace's family owned the current Fastje place, where she was born. Her parents came to Montana around 1901. The first house Grace and her parents lived in here in Sedan was made of cottonwood logs and was used for 40 years.
Lawrence moved to Sedan in 1928 at the age of 17 with Ralph Spring, Lawrence worked at the Cheese Factory where he and Ralph Spring were some of the first cheesemakers. Lawrence worked on farms in Ballantine and in Sedan where he met Grace. They were married December 12, 1933 in Livingston.
Grace & Lawrence's families lived just a few miles from each other in Iowa and they have always wondered if that had anything to do with their getting married. Grace's father, Phelan "Phil" Leroy Lamson was from a small town in Iowa and her mother, Alisa Ann "Liza" Cook, came from Bleneme, Ontario, Canada.
Grace and Lawrence bought the DeFields Place, (north side of Flathead Creek Road) when they were married and farmed together until 1966. There were two houses and an old barn on the place. The barn was built around 1912-1916 and is a large two story building. The upper story was used for storing hay and the ground level has numerous stalls. Blattie's first lived in what they referred to as the blue house and later moved to the pink house, on the east side of the lane, which burned down in July of 2003 when it got hit by lightning. Lawrence had already moved to Columbus by the time it burned down. Helen Chriske recalled that one of the Blattie homes and Joye Waddell's home having come from Nye the same year.
Two of Blattie children are buried in the Sedan Cemetery and were listed in Josie Woosley's Bible as "Blattie Babies." Caroline Ellen died as an infant. Son Walter Phelan "Phil," died at age 3. Phil was a middle child who had "something wrong with his liver." Helen Chriske recalled that one of the Rexroat boys was helping Grace when Phil died in 1945. Their son Harold attended Sedan School where Lawrence was a clerk from 1944 - 1947. Harold became County Commissioner of Molt, Montana.
Both Grace and Lawrence worked in Yellowstone National Park; Lawrence worked at Old Faithful and retired in 1985.
Grace lived in the Sedan area all her life and died in March 14, 1989.
The Sedan Woman's Club published a cookbook and reads, "Grace Blattie was an ingredient of this Sedan Community. She passed away in the spring of 1989, just short of her 80th birthday. Her "flavor" remains and blends with the rest. We dedicate this book in memory of Grace,...and to all who have made up our Sedan Community: past, present, and future."
Lawrence died October 23, 2002 in Columbus, Montana and is buried in Wilsall Cemetery.
Howard & Afton Bloxham - Worked for Hod Sanders (Clover Club Potato Chips) who owned land in Sedan but never lived here. Bloxhams lived at the Mark Cowan Place after Marty & Virginia Swandal sold
Walter & Louise (Schaeppi) Boegli - Walter was employed at The Cheese Factory. He arrived in the U.S. from Switzerland. They came to Sedan in 1921. Their children were Paul, Donald, Elinor, and Willy. All four attended Sedan School. Walter & Louise spoke Swiss at home with the children until they began school and when they began speaking English.
Donald Ralph Boegli - Was born in Sedan on August 18, 1916 and attended Sedan School. Donald's parents, Walter and Louise, moved here from Switzerland. Donald was recruited as a "listening post" and was stationed on the Aleutian Islands in Alaska during the war, since he spoke German, Swiss, and English. Don worked for Allen & Alta Woosley for many years. He died August 18, 1993.
Elinor Boegli - Daughter of Walter & Louise. Student at Sedan School in the mid 30s. Married Wallace McHenry of Meyersburg in 1941.
Paul Boegli - Son of Walter & Louise. Student at Sedan School in the mid 30s.
William "Willy" & Beulah (Beebe) Boegli - William was the brother of Donald, Paul and Elinor and the son of Walter & Louise. He was killed in World War II. Beulah later married Floyd Christie.
Frank Bohart - Ranched here for several years. He was the first man to have a store at Sedan. He lived on the land that is now owned by the Robinsons.
Richard F. & Effie M. Bohart - Listed on 1912 Gallatin County Ownership Map, Listed on the Gallatin County School Census Reports for Sedan #38 from 1911 -1914. Richard & Effie sold land to the Sedan School Board of Trustees District #38 in 1921, so they could build a larger school. Children: Seth 14 yrs., Marjory 10 yrs., Paul 8 yrs., and Richard. Seth was born September 25, 1899. He was a classmate of Henry Woosley and later became a lawyer.
Herman Bolte - Student at Sedan School in the mid 30s.
Bob Boreing - Has worked on several local ranches, lives in the yellow house on the Isbell Place.
Art Bowen - Rode cattle freight train to Chicago with Warren Reichman when they were in high school.
James W. & Lucrita Bowen - The most famous freighter of the Shields during the early 1900s, better known as the "Cayuse Kid". The Cayuse Kid sold his horses to George Shelhamer and moved from the Shields when the railroad came. J.W. Bowen listed on the 1912 Ownership Map. James & Lucrita are listed on 1909 & 1910 Gallatin County School Census Reports for Sedan #38 with children; Inez A. (or Ineza) and Lester F. Bowen. Ed Kaiser was said to have married Mrs. Bowen after his first wife died.
George Breibach - Owned the local bank, had controlling interest of The Sedan Cheese Factory, and owned a large dairy farm. He also owned a bank in Wilsall, now the Bank Bar. Was said to have foreclosed on "everybody" (local ranchers) in 1930s. Hellesmark was a co-owner of The Cheese Factory. Breibach also owned the land Charley and Frances Robinson purchased in 1953 as their current ranch.
Tom Broadway - Old British soldier, trapper, hunter, rancher, and bachelor, who lived to be 93. His land joined the Maddox land and is south of Allen and Alta Woosley's Place. He owned a section south of Green Canyon by Battle Ridge.
L.G. Brown - 1912 Ownership Map - had a sawmill that was in operation for a short time.
Netta Brown - Attended first term new Sedan School 1901/1902
Brown's Sawmill - Believed to have been on Brackett Creek. Two Terry Brothers later married two Brown girls and worked at the sawmill which later became known as the the Terry Sawmill.
Mrs. Bryson - Grades 5-8 teacher at Sedan School in October 1935.
Burns Family - Lived on the land which was formerly known as the Clark Place and which later became the site of the Sedan Methodist Church. Children attended Sedan School during the 1920s and 1930s. The children are Bob, Harold, Clarence "Bud," Henry, Ruth, Dorothy, Wes, and Bruce. These kids either walked to school or used the buggy. Bob married a woman from Butte named Lil. He was considered quite eccentric by the locals.
Burns - Alta Woosley believes this is not same Burns Family who lived on the Clark Place (above).
Roy Waddell tells two stories about incidents occurring at the Burns Place in earlier years as noted in "Tracks Volume I," "There was a guy living there who always used gas and kerosene lamps which he hung from the ceiling. One night this guy heard a shot. As quick as he could, he blew out all his lamps, grabbed his rifle, and took cover behind the stove. He sat there all night waiting for the people to come back shooting again. They never did but he went down to the Waddells where he stayed the rest of the winter. Roy said they found the next spring that a live bullet had rolled off the top window pane onto a lamp and the heat had set it off..."Another incident happened there after the Burns were gone. A man name John Gezee got shot through the nose, but he never knew who did it. He was the last person to live there."
Old man Burns was a "Raleighman" (or traveling salesman) in Clyde Park - he went out of business and started farming in Sedan. He then moved near Woosley Cemetery. Burns sold half the west half of section 17 to Virgil Isbell; Woosley's bought the east half of section 17. They still have a portion of land there.
Dave Burrows - was an Englishman who would not give prospecting for gold at the above mentioned mine. He did, however, live in the mountains for years. Area residents wondered how he lived in the mountains, because apparently no one in Sedan was aware of him ever striking gold. Some say he stole cattle for a living. He was 80 years in 1932 and had been in the area a "mighty long time." It was stated by Kay Seitz that, "You can't say that Sedan didn't have at least one loyal prospector."
Bush Quarter - Tom Hunter owned the Bush Place which is located on the east side of the county road approximately 3 miles from Sedan heading toward Bozeman. According to Suzanne (Hunter) Walker, "The Bush Quarter Section is the SE 1/4 Section 16 Township 2 North Range 7 E of m.m. This quarter section was part of the school land that John E. Bush purchased. The abstract does not show a purchase date but does show where his estate paid the land off in August 1937.
"Mr. Bush's Will was included in the Abstract. He was 68 years old in 1929, at the time the Will was written. He left $5.00 to his daughter who lived in Oregon, and all the rest of his estate and property to his brother's children, who resided in Pennsylvania. Mr. Bush passed away July 16, 1937.
"In April of 1945, Thomas Hunter of Clyde Park, Montana purchased the land from Mr. Bush's Estate. The taxes were $7.88. Tom drove his cattle from Cottonwood Creek (North of Clyde Park) every spring to the Bush Quarter in a two day drive. He pastured them for a couple of weeks there and then moved them up to the high pasture (known as the Gibson Section and the Lane Quarter). In the fall, cows and calves were gathered from the high pasture and brought back down to the Bush Quarter. From there they were driven back to the home place on Cottonwood Creek.
This land was transferred to Betty, Tom's wife and later inherited by their daughter Suzanne in 1995. See Hunter family information below on Suzanne's recollection of these cattle drives.
Kevin & Jeanie Butler - Lived at John Swenson's Place in the old Vennes home for a while. Kevin worked for the Wilderness Treatment Center. Children Brandon & Aaron
William Buzard - Sedan School's first teacher 1895
Frank "Slim" & Nola Cady - Ranched the old Shelhamer Place
G.S. "Carp" Carpenter - Owned the Johnson Place at one time which is where Lyle & Tara Swandal lived on the Park & Gallatin County border before moving to the Tacke Place.
Jim Carr - His family lived near the teacherage.
Raymond & Ruby Carr - They lived on the farm that Kirk Koch owned and had two boys; Dayle and Loyd who lived in the area for about 5 years. When Raymond's mother Mary Carr passed away, Raymond's 10 year old sister Margaret Carr came to Sedan to live with them in 1929 or 1930. Raymond nor Ruby attended Sedan School, but Margaret did for a few months while she was living with them. Raymond had an auction soon after that and moved to California.
Margaret Carr - Was was raised on the Shields River and moved to Sedan in 1929 or 1930 to live with her brother's Raymond's family after her mother passed away. She attended Sedan School for a few months when she was 10 until her brother moved to California. Margaret returned to Sedan in 1947 with her husband Tuck Tuttle and daughter Jeanie where Tuck ran the ranch for M.D. Armstrong until 1952. They left and moved to Big Timber and on to Billings in 1957.
Carrol - Two brothers who lived beyond the Ranger Station west of Sedan. One of the brothers was described as "An old timer who searched for gold in the area for years." Carrol Creek in Sedan, is probably named for one or both of these brothers. See Sedanmisc.html for more information
Florence Case - Sedan School teacher 1957 -1962.
Pat Casey - Buried in Sedan Cemetery.
Ed Chaple - Indians took off toward his place after Battle Ridge encounter as noted above describing how Battle Ridge got its name.
J. I. Chase Threshing Machine Co. - 1912 Ownership Map
C. Sarah Chaffer - 1912 Ownership Map
Guy Chriske - Was born in Sedan, attended Sedan School and now ranches along Flathead Creek.
Helen Montana (Short) & Ernest Chriske - Helen was born October 4, 1917 in White Sulphur Springs to John Dixon and Ida Marguerite (Fuller) Short. She attended Butte Creek School near her home north of White Sulphur Springs. Ernest and Helen met in White Sulphur Springs when she was working for Ed and Susan Pierce. They married in 1938 and ranched in White Sulphur Springs until they settled in Sedan on Flathead Creek in 1944.
Ernest and Helen bought their land from Charlie Smith. H.R. Reichman owned the land before Smith. It is on the Chriske property that the East Flathead School used to be located. Ernest served as a trustee during the later years of Sedan School, including 1951 - 1963 as all of their children attended Sedan School. Helen was a member of the Sedan Community Club where she served as treasurer for many years. Their children are: Elviera (Chriske) Cotter, Theresa (Chriske) Fries, Alta (Chriske) Bell, Marla (Chriske) Carlson, Karen (Chriske) and Guy Chriske. Ernest died December 22, 1963. Karen passed away in 1965. Helen died January 21, 2005 in Sedan at the home of her son Guy.
Alta (Chriske) Bell fondly recalls the Cheese Factory dances and how the kids would play until they fell asleep on the piles of coats laying around during the dances. She also remembers coming to school at times in snowstorms on a sleigh and team.
Daisy D. Chrisman - Came to Montana from Kansas in 1897 to visit 4 aunts in Bozeman. She stayed and attended Montana State College and began teaching at Sedan School. It was noted that, "Some of the students were almost as old as she was and some were larger." Daisy roomed with the Cashus M. Clay Morrison family. She married their son, Bill on March 21, 1900 in Billings, Montana. In 1901 they moved to a ranch 8 miles east of Wilsall. In February of 1903 Daisy gave birth to twins, a boy George Everett Morrison and a girl, who was born dead.
Christie Family: Alexander "Sandy," Dave, Donald, William, James, George, Rob, Emma (Curdy) Christie, and Eliza (Camp) Christie.
Alexander "Sandy"(A.S.) & Christina Christie - Trustee 1929/1930 school term.
Children: Roy and Ruth. They lived in a small house on Butch Waddell's Place in the late 20s and early 30s. The small house has burned. Ruth married Laurel Inabnit
Rob & Orpha Christie - Orpha was Rob's first wife. Rob & Orpha came to Sedan from California in 1930 or '31. They lived across from Joe Whitman's Place and later moved to where Beebes lived. Their children were Vern, Kenneth, Glen, Marvin, Juanita (Christie) Hedrick, Eunice (Christie) Behm. and Helen, who died as a young girl. When Orpha died Rob later married her sister, Edith Montgomery. See below.Rob Christie & Edith (Montgomery) (Covey) Christie - Edith was the second wife of Rob Christie and the sister of his first wife, Orpha. Rob married Edith when Orpha died and left him with many children. Since their family was so large and Mr. Christie milked cows for The Cheese Factory Brebriech built a small house for the Christie family in 1933 or 1934 as the first residents on the Beebe Place.
Rob & Edith had one son named Bob Christie, who attended Sedan School in the mid 40s. Edith had a daughter named Patti (Covey) Wozney. Rob and Edith later lived in the old teacherage in 1948 or 1949. Rob & Edith moved to California from Sedan.
Following Rob's death and after returning to Sedan Edith was a housekeeper for the Wendell Francis family when his wife, Juanita, died in an automobile accident.
James & Pearl (Berryhill) Christie - James was born October 1887 and raised in Bridger Canyon. James and Pearl were married January 1, 1912 in his parents' home. Their children were; Floyd born January 8, 1913 in Clyde Park, Agnes born in 1914 died as a baby, Myda born October 22, 1915 in Clyde Park; Leona born December 30, 1917 in the family home at Brackett Creek, Edith (Christie) Wood born March 1, 1920 in California, Lester born July 1922 at the family home in Brackett Creek and Arthur Wallace "Wally" born in the old Shelhamer Place in July of 1924.
All children but Agnes attended Sedan School. The Christie's lived in several places in Sedan several years apart as well as in California when Edith was born. James and Pearl ranched in Brackett Creek until 1922 when they moved to Sedan. The Christies lived northeast of the Sedan School in Gallatin County (near the county line). They farmed there and raised chickens and sold cream and eggs at the creamery in Wilsall.
Floyd Christie married Beulah Beebe of Sedan, Wallace Christie married Geneva "Gen" Beebe of Sedan, and Lester Christie married Ila Siefert. Myda (Christie) Inabnit and Leona (Christie) Koch lived in Sedan for years and raised their families here. Pearl died in Bozeman in February of 1965 and James died in Livingston in March of 1968.
William S. Christie - Owned Cheese Factory building and was father of Ina (Christie) Denton who taught at Sedan School. Ina and her family lived with William during the time she was teaching in Sedan.
Vance Church - Was a "cowpuncher" and bachelor who lived in Sedan area near the ranger station on land now owned by Pearl D'Ewart. He homesteaded the area on the other side of where Duey and Sarah Nollmeyer now live along Carrol Creek.
Charley Clark - Homesteaded in the community and lived here for several years. He raised a fine family.
Frank J. & Nancy Clark - Listed on Gallatin County School Census Report for Sedan district 38 from 1909 - 1914. Children: Floyd born 1893. and Gladys born 1896. Frank donated land on which the Sedan Methodist Church was built in 1898. His remaining land around the church was sold to Inabnits and then to Tim Petterson. Frank served as a trustee for the Sedan Methodist Church and was also a trustee for the first school term of Sedan School.
Fred B. Colburn - Listed as a child of Frederick W. & Carrie F. Pascoe on the Gallatin County School Census Report for Sedan #38 in 1909 and 1910. Carrie and Fred. B. Colburn are listed on the 1911 and 1912 Gallatin County School Census Reports for District #66 (East Flathead/Pass View School). Her husband is noted as deceased at that time and she is noted as having a son (or being a guardian for) Fred B. Colburn. It is possible that Fred B. Colburn took the name Pasco and is the same person locals later describe as bachelor Fred Pasco.
Brenda Riley Cole
Joe Cole - Shot off end of John Geasy's nose and killed Dave Humphry.
Addie Kimpton Conrad - Emma Coulter's niece, who inherited the Coulter place when William shot himself, after his wife was killed in a car accident. Addie then leased this land to Ray Isbell in 1932 and sold it to him in 1947.
Conrad - Homesteaded here, married a niece of Coulter, was a fine rancher who died a young man.
Maude Cook - Sedan School teacher during the 1897/98 school term
Dewey & Alice Cooper - Dewey was a logger while they lived in Sedan. They had several children some of them attended Sedan School. Bobby, Brad, Diane, and Wayne attended Sedan School. Wayne died of spinal meningitis while attending school. Verna Lu Landis took Wayne to the hospital in Bozeman where he died. Battle Ridge was impassable during that time, so she had to take him through Livingston (where they refused to treat him) and on to Bozeman. Other children were Lori and Billy Scott.
Sybil Corrigan - Sybil was Roberta (Spencer) Fastje's sister and Anita (Inabnit) Petterson's 6th grade teacher at Sedan School. Anita recalls Sybil taught for a portion of 1946. It was a tough winter and Sybil walked from Fastje's to teach. Mr. Wilson replaced her mid-year, perhaps prior to the Christmas program.
William D. & Emma Coulter - Bought land from John W. Van Doren on December 12, 1899 for $2,000. June 13, 1901, John bought more land which is currently the Isbell ranch. On May 11, 1911, he bought more land. He and Emma ran cattle, horses, and sheep. Emma was blind and died one day when Mr. Coulter tipped their Model T car over. He mourned her death and later killed himself on October 10, 1923. Addie Kimpton Conrad, Emma's niece, inherited the land who leased it to Ray Isbell.
Mark & Florence Cowan - Great-grandfather to Thomas James Francis. Ranched in this community for several years. Daughter: Juanita (Cowen) Frances.W.C. Culkin - Ownership map 1912
Ben & Alice Ann Culver - Settled in Sedan at an early date, their child, Benny Culver, attended the first term of Sedan School. Mrs. Culver is buried in Sedan Cemetery.
Bill & Sydney "Pearl" (Gwaltney) D'Ewart - Bill's father was Senator Wesley D'Ewart. Pearl's father ranched and worked for the county, she grew up in a family of 9. Bill and Pearl married in 1937 and raised cattle together on over 9,000 acres of ranchland. They first started out with dairy cows selling milk to Yellowstone National Park then switched to commercial beef cattle in 1950.
Pearl's Children; Richard Frank "Dickie" died in a tractor accident when he was 12 years old, and Eleanor Lee, their adopted daughter spent time on the family ranch in Sedan. Eleanor Lee's children are Christen, Frank, and Tricia.
Pearl is featured on the September page in the "Ranch Women of Park County 2003-04" Calendar sponsored by the Alliance Development Corporation of Park County.
Pearl still owns land in Sedan; former Vance Church Place and land where Ainger Ranger Station stands.
Dall - Homesteaded here.
Bill Daugherty Family - Children Jack and Tom attended school at Sedan during the 1920s and 1930s. It is believed that son, Bill Jr. was probably too old to have attended Sedan School. There was also a daughter names Beulah who attended Sedan School. They lived on what is now known as "the Ross Kime Place" prior to Ross Kime.
Beulah Daugherty - Attended Sedan School -Married Russell Eagler of Clyde Park.
Bill Daugherty Jr. - Children Woodrow and Willetta attended Sedan School and were in the same grade as Warren Reichman.
Jack & Alythe Daugherty - Lived in a cabin which is now a cow camp owned by Tim and Anita Petterson. It is said that between 1945-1950, he was found with his head cut off supposedly by a chain saw. However, this story has not been proven since it was thought that chain saws were not yet manufactured at that time. Later the story was amended to state that he moved to Washington and lost his head in a logging accident.
Tom Daugherty - Bachelor who lived in Sedan area.
J.T.Davidson - Listed on 1912 Ownership Map. He was a dentist. Sold land to Inabnits.
William A. Davidson - Listed on the 1910 School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38. Children; Anna E., Nannie P., and Josephine. William is then listed on the 1911 and 1912 School Census Reports of Gallatin County for Sedan District #66 as divorced with the 3 children.
Harry Davis - Listed on the 1913 Sedan School Census Report of Gallatin County as the adopted son of Denver & Marion Kannegaard.
M.S. Dawes - Listed on the 1912 Ownership Map of Gallatin County.
Dave Dearman - Lives on the Ross Kime Place.
Orville J. & Louise M. DeFields - He homesteaded here. They had a big dairy barn, ran Holstein cattle, and Orville played the violin at dances at the Cheese factory. Their land was bought by Lawrence and Grace Blattie who bought the place when they were married. Children George H. & Lucille G. attended Sedan School. The DeFields family is listed on the Gallatin County School Census Reports as residing in District #38 in 1909 with children George (born 1908) and Arthur (born 1895). In years 1910, 1911 and 1914 only George is listed. In 1912 George and Lucille (born that year) are listed with their parents as residing in Sedan District #65.
Ina (Christie) Denton - Sedan School teacher - finished out the 1947/1948 school term in the primary grades for Eva Lachenmaier who was on maternity leave. Ina's daughter Eva Lee attended Sedan School while Ina was teaching there. Ina's father is William S. Christie who owned the Cheese Factory building while Ina was teaching in Sedan. Ina and her family lived with Ina's father during the time she taught at Sedan.
Christian "Chris" & Mary (Woosley) Dobler - (Pronounced Doe-blur) Chris was born August 18, 1932. He never lived in Sedan. Chris graduated from MSU and worked for NASA. He died February 26, 1997 and is buried in Woosley Cemetery. Mary is Allen Woosley's sister.
George Donnell - Lived in Sedan, moved a house from Fraser Lake to where Ole Swandal's Place was
Mike & Peg DuHoux -Worked for the Wilderness Treatment Center.
John W. Duncan - Was a guy who worked for Allen who is buried in Woosley Cemetery. His grave is marked with the only wooden headstone in the cemetery. See Cemeteries for photo of the marker.
George Dunn - Owned land Nollmeyers bought on what is now Seitz Road West.
Larry Easterbrook - Attended Sedan School
Harley & Hazel Ellison - They lived in the old home on Tim and Petterson's place on Bridger Canyon Road. Larry and Adair were they children and both attended Sedan School.
Johnnie Emhoff - Family settled in Sedan at an early date, and his children attended first term of the second building of the Sedan School (1901/1902). One child was named Johnnie Emhoff.
Fred Enger - Believed to be Fred Ainger as noted above.
M. P. Evans - 1912 Ownership Map
Nathaniel P. & Sarah Evans - Listed on 1909 and 1910 Gallatin County School Census Reports for Sedan #38 with children Edwin W. and Ruth A. Ruth is again listed in 1911 and 1913, not Edwin.
Arthur E. "Art"& Roberta Margaret "Bert" (Spencer) Fastje - Art was born December 13, 1911 in Havre, Montana to parents Henry and Catherine Fastje and two brothers; Barney and William. Art received his education in the Havre area and worked for a time on a sheep ranch in Melville.
Roberta was born on the family ranch in Cleveland, Montana, (Blaine County) south of Chinook on May 18, 1915. She was the eldest daughter of parents Robert and Margaret (Griffin) Spencer. Roberta spent her early life on a ranch in the Bearpaw Mountains where she attended a local one-room school for eight years. Roberta graduated from Chinook High School in 1934 and attended Northern Montana College at Havre where she earned a teaching certificate in 1936.
Art & Roberta were married on May 18, 1936 in Havre, MT. Roberta taught grade school in country schools in Blaine and Hill Counties. Two children born in Havre; Myrna in 1941 and Robert in 1943.
Before moving to the Faw Ranch in Sedan, Art went to Alaska and worked on a dairy for a short time while investigating the possibility of moving there.
Art and Roberta, along with Art's brother, Barney bought the the Faw Ranch on Flathead Creek in 1946 Art, Barney and father Henry raised sheep and a few head of cattle. Art later bought out his brother and father's shares of the ranch operation. Art helped the U.S. Forest Service watch for fires in the area and he was the local TV repairman for the Shields Valley for many years. Art also played the saxophone by ear at dances above the Cheese Factory in Sedan and in Wilsall and Havre.
Roberta taught at Sedan School during the 1951/1952 school year and was a clerk from 1953-1957. Art was a trustee of Sedan School for several years.
Robert & Myrna Arden both attended Sedan School and went to high school in Wilsall.
Art died October 3, 1997 at his home in Sedan. Roberta died March 6, 2006 at Gallatin Rest Home in Bozeman. Art and Roberta are buried in the Wilsall Cemetery.
Barney Fastje - Bachelor brother of Art and son of Henry Fastje. Tim Petterson told of how he remembers Barney Fastje stumbling across a letter at the Pasco Place (which is now the corner of Fastje and Flathead Creek Roads. Lester "Shorty" Faw bought the old Inabnit
Store and moved it to the old Pasco Place). The letter was from a family member of either Faw or Pasco who had survived the Titanic.Kay Seitz, who was a neighbor of the Fastje's had this to say about Barney and Henry: "Barney lived in Sedan for as long as I can remember. He lived on the upper Fastje place with his dad. They took care of the sheep and they had an authentic sheep herder's wagon and everything. Mr. Fastje, (Barney's dad - Henry) was a wonderful old gentlemen, who was quiet and never said much.) He was always kind to all of us kids and we all loved him.
Barney was a bachelor. He was good looking, fun and always good to all of us youngsters in the community. He loved the dances at the Old Cheese Factory and would dance every dance, and even dance with 'us kids' now and then. He always bought whatever we were selling at school and always had a kind word for us.
He was probably the best story teller I've ever heard. He would often stop at our house on a winter evening and visit. He could entertain us with stories for hours on end. They were always so exciting and full of action.
Barney was always there to help whenever help was needed. He put shoes on our horses so we could ride them to school, he helped with branding and anything else that was needed.
As the years went by he eye sight failed and he couldn't see very well. Barney still drove on the country roads, but not on the major ones. He always had his dog in the back of his truck and went slowly.
He was diagnosed with cancer in the late 1970's and was in a nursing home in Billings, Montana for a time before he passed away. His funeral and burial were in Havre, Montana.
Barney was a good guy. The kind you could depend on, a wonderful friend and the kind of man that this world needs a lot more of."
Henry Fastje - Father of Art and Barney.Myrna Fastje - Daughter of Art and Roberta
Robert & Bonnie (Graham) Fastje - Bonnie and Robert were married in 1965 in Livingston and are now ranching along Flathead Creek. Their daughter was born in 1969 and son Justin in 1972.
Lester "Shorty" & Alberta Faw - Bought the old Inabnit Store building and moved it to the old Pasco Place which is now at the corner of Fastje and Flathead Creek Roads. He moved the building to make it into a house, but it was never finished and Barney Fastje later used it as a lambing shed. Tim Petterson told of how he remembers Barney Fastje stumbling across a letter found (some time after Shorty vacated the building) which described how a family member of either Faw or Pasco had survived the Titanic. Children were Ellis, Sharon, Roger, Donna, and Bob. Ellis attended Sedan School then Faws left the area.
Ferguson Brothers - Sons of John Ferguson, ranched here several years, sold out, moved to Hardin, MT.
J.F. Ferguson - Trustee at Sedan School 1898/1899 term
John Ferguson - Homesteaded here and raised a large family. He was a "bull whacker," helped freight into Virginia City in the sixties, ranched, and ran stock.
John Fisher - 1912 Ownership Map
Jim Flathers - bachelor who lived back in the hills. Reichmans were his nearest neighbor - See "The Valley of Unmarried Men" by Warren N. Reichman.
M. Fleming -1912 Ownership Map
Harry Flowers - Homesteaded here and served in World War I.
Rev. W.G. Forbir/Forbis - Present when cornerstone laid for Sedan methodist Church March 9, 1898.
Sam Foreman - Sam and his wife were Canadians, who homesteaded and ranched in this area. They lived 1/2 mile below the Webber place at the south end of Elkhorn Ridge about one mile north of Chriskes'. Mrs. Foreman was a sister of Liza Lamson and Mrs. F.E. Allison.
John H. & Martha Foster - Listed on the 1910 Gallatin County School Census Report for District #38. Children; Alice, Anna, and Dolfus.
Ed Fox - Brother to Harry. - Homesteaded here, was a musician, handyman, and good carpenter.
H.J. Fox - 1912 Ownership Map
Harry Fox - A rancher in the Sedan area, who had an outstanding life as a young man. He used to ride a high wheeled bicycle in a circus, but he got in a wreck and got hurt. After that he became a circus clown. He was also a fine auctioneer and raised fine horses.
Clarence & Jessie (Guffey) Francis - The Francis family Migrated to Montana from Missouri in the early 1900s and settled at a ranch west of Wilsall. Clarence attended Sedan School in the 1920s and 19303. They had 3 boys Claude, Clyde, & Wendell. Claude & Clyde were twins. All three boys attended Sedan School.
Claude & Edith (Sumner) Francis - Lived at Wendall Francis's Place across from what is now Woosley's roping barn. Both of their children; Charlene and Claudie, attended Sedan School. Claude's second wife was believed to be a woman named Betty.
James & Elsie Francis - Bought their place in Sedan in 1910. Sent children to Sedan School during the 1920s and 1930s. Parents of Clarence Francis.
James Wendell & Juanita (Cowan) Francis - Lived across from what is now Woosley's roping barn. James was the son of Clarence Francis and Jessie (Guffey) Francis, Born in Green Castle, Missouri in 1915. James and Juanita were married in 1936. Their son (Thomas) James attended Sedan School during the 1920s and 1930s. They also had a daughter named Nancy who attended Sedan School.
Wendell, as he was also known, served as a trustee for Sedan School in the 1940s and early 1950s. Juanita used to play piano for dances above the Cheese Factory and at the Sedan School. Art Fastje played the sax. Florence and Mark Cowan were Juanita's parents. Later Wendell and Juanita moved to Juanita's folks' place (at the county line) and then a daughter Sandy was born. Juanita died in a car accident. Edith (Mrs. Rob) Christie was the housekeeper and babysat Sandy.
Lyle Woosley recalls as a young boy attending a card party one night with his parents at Juanita Francis' home. Knowing these card parties tended to go late into the night and the kids would fall asleep before they were over, Lyle asked Juanita where he'd be sleeping. They could, Juanita replied, "Hang him on a nail somewhere." Lyle said he didn't sleep that night as they weren't hanging him on a nail!
Thomas James "Jim" Francis & Bonnie (O'Hair) Francis - Thomas James was born to Wendell and Juanita Francis in Livingston. He was raised on the family ranch acquired in Sedan in 1910. Thomas James attended grade school in Sedan (approximately 1/4 of mile from his home) and graduated from high school in Wilsall in 1959. Jim worked for his dad on both his father's (Wendell) and grandfather's ( Clarence) land. He remembers stacking loose hay and using a team of horses to feed. Jim and Bonnie had known each other since they were both about 12 years old and were married in 1964. They moved to the ranch at Sedan and raised sheep. Thomas James is the grandson of Mark and Florence Cowan.
James L. & Mary Francis - Listed on the 1909 - 1911 Gallatin County School Census Reports for District #38. Child; William
Dan & Judi (Woosley) Fraser - Judi is the daughter of Allen and Alta Woosley. Frasers near the Woosley's roping barn. Children Jodi and Wylie. Jodi is credited with with having come up with the nickname "Gump," for her grandfather, Allen, for which he was known by many.
Frazier Lake - Built by the CCC Boys in the 1940s. See Sedanmisc.html for more information on location of Ainger Lake, Frazier Lake and creeks in the Sedan area.
Marty & Julie Freeman - Lived on John Swenson's Ranch which was the old Vennes Place and later moved to the Fastje Ranch where Marty works. Children McKenzie and Colton.
Leonard "Smokey" Frikke - Was a caretaker for the Gays and I Am Third ranch. He also worked for Charlie Robinson for many years.
Arnold P. & Bess Gambell - Listed on the 1911 Gallatin County School Census Report for School District #66 with child Ambros H.
Percy & Bessie Gamble - Listed on the 1910 Gallatin County School Census Report for District #38 with child Herman. Perhaps same family listed above and below and child's name is Ambros Herman.
Pierce Gamble - Homesteaded and ranched in the Sedan area for several years. He sold his ranch, moved to Wilsall country and farmed for several years He later moved to Bozeman.
Henry Gay - Came to Sedan from Silicone Valley, California and put up the money to purchase the Seitz Place. Henry and sisters Greta and Carolyn started the "I Am Third Ranch and the Trinity Bridger Cattle Company. Their place later became the King of Hearts Ranch.
Greta (pronounced Greet a) married Robert C. Mathis, a four start general. They are the Mathis family who started Eagle Mount. Carolyn's husband Burl Winchester raised Angus cattle and bought a reputation cattle herd for the place. Burl's brother, Dwight Winchester managed the place and lived in the house that Greg and Pat Seitz built north of Flathead Creek Road West now Tim and Cindy Zupan's house. "Smokey" Leonard Frikke was a hired man for Gays and lived in the earth home on the King of Hearts Ranch where Dewey and Linda Zupan live.
At some point Gays' cattle were found to have a genetic defect (recessive gene) which affected the entire herd and caused the demise of the operation. Burl and Carolyn lived on their place known as Winchester Angus west of Bozeman. They have both passed away.
John Gezee, Geasie, Geasy - Freighter, rancher, and for several years was a road supervisor in Sedan. He was also a bachelor, who had the end of his nose shot off by Joe Cole.
Chester David "C.D." Geordge (pronounced Gorge) - Chester was born in Nephi, Utah on October 4, 1875. He met Elizabeth Edwards in England while with "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show." They were married in Utah about 1896. They had 3 children; Ellis (born in 1899), Eva, and Virginia. Elizabeth died at John Day, Oregon between 1913 and 1916.
Chester joined "Montana Ann's Wild West Show" and while in Pennsylvania he met and married Harriet "Benita" James. Chester & Harriet also known as "Hattie" had 3 children; James (born in Livingston), Nord (born in Beaver, UT on March 9, 1921) and Dan Kent (born in Sedan).
Chester and Hattie ranched north of the Fastje ranch up on the Daughtery Place (what is now the cow camp of Tim and Anita Petterson on Petterson Road) in the 20s for several years. James, Nord, and Dan all attended Sedan School in the 1920s and 1930s.
Chester & Hattie divorced, she moved to Butte and eventually married Bernard (pronounced Bur nerd) Beckner who was a miner from Butte and was said to have been a very nice man. She and Beckner came to Sedan and lived near Flathead Pass. Chester remained a bachelor after Hattie left.
Dan Geordge - Son of Chester and Hattie Geordge and a student at Sedan School in the mid 30s
Ellis Geordge - Son of Chester & Elizabeth Geordge. Owned the Sedan Store near the school after Joe Webber did.
Eva Geordge - Daughter of Chester & Elizabeth Geordge
James Geordge - Son of Chester and Hattie Geordge and a student at Sedan School
Nord Geordge - Nord was a son of Chester and Hattie Geordge and a student at Sedan School. He graduated from Wilsall High School in 1939. Nord died February 21, 2006 in Salmon, Idaho.
Virginia Geordge - Daughter of Chester & Elizabeth Geordge. Student at Sedan School after her father remarried (Hattie). Virginia married a man named Chippendale.
Clarence & Bertha George - Listed on School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38 in 1910, child Dorethy
Mr. Gerard/Girard/Jerard - He homesteaded here and died on his homestead. He is buried in Sedan Cemetery. A black man took care of him and got the ranch when he died. It went by the name of the "Nigger's Place" for years.
Mr. & Mrs. Gerrard - Traded their place in Sedan for Jack & Beulah McKeown's home in Billings in October 1935. McKeown's later sold to Alfred & Ethel Wilson. This was a log home at the foothills of the Bridgers and five miles northwest of Sedan School.
Gibson Section - This section of land changed hands many times. It is not known if Mr. Gibson ever resided in Sedan or if anyone ever lived on his section of land. The following is the deed chain as submitted by Carol (Hunter) Woosley for Section 13, 3N 6E: US gov to Northern Pacific Railroad (NP RR); NP RR to Erve G. Blair, etal; Blair to Blair-Penwell Ranch Co.; Blair-Penwell Ranch to Walter C. Thompson, Sheriff, Gallatin Co.; to Clara N. Albertson,; Clara N. Albertson; to Guy and Gilbert Gibson; Guy Gibson to Gilbert R. Gibson; Gilbert R Gibson to Thomas R. Hunter. It was then passed on to Nancy E. Hunter when Tom Hunter died, and to Mary and Carol (Hunter) when their mother, Nancy died.
John F. & Cassie Gillian - Listed on the 1913 and 1914 Gallatin County School Census Reports for Sedan #38 with child; Dee (male).Hurley Godwin - A bachelor in the community who was well liked. He came to the valley from Missouri. He became the Sedan School wagon driver sometime during the 1920s He worked for various ranchers in the area, he knew everybody and they knew him. When he died he was mourned by a host of friends but no relatives. See "The Valley of Unmarried Men" by Warren N. Reichman.
Arthur E. & May Gravell - Listed on 1911 School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38, child Marilin.
Arthur Ray & Birdine Irene (George) Gray - Arthur Ray was born 11/13/1905 in Cuba, Kansas. Birdine was born 9/10/1919 in Musselshell, Montana. Ray and Birdine met at a county dance and were married in 1934 and lived in Roundup. Ray worked at a sawmill until Birdine and Charles Riggs inherited the ranch in Sedan behind Joye Waddell's place near Vennes's. (Charles was Birdine's stepbrother through her mother Birdine's mother Velma Birtha Reighard-George-Riggs's marriage to Charles Riggs.
Ray and Birdine's children were: Larry (12/24/1935 - died as an infant in the hospital where he was born ) Terry Lowell (10/13/1937, Roundup, MT), Patrick Wayne (5/16/1941, Roundup, MT), Mary Yvonne "Vonnie" Gray-Durkin-Gray (later married a Durkin and then another Gray) born 6/1/1943, Roundup, MT, and Doris Gail "Corki" Gray Leite Wilson, 12/5/1946, Roundup, MT.
All the Gray children n attended Sedan School through 8th grade (with the exception of Larry). Birdine also attended Sedan School through the 8th grade. The Gray children raised sheep, pigs, and dairy cows. The Grays grew wheat which they sold in town along with wool, and cream. Birdine used to bake maple sticks and bear claws. Beverly Landis and Corki Gray were friends. Bev says she remembers stopping at Velma's house on the way home from school (Velma lived near the Sedan School in a home which at one time became the Sedan Store). Pat graduated from Wilsall High School in 1958.
The Gray family moved to Grants Pass, Oregon where Ray died June 11, 1970 and Birdine died in 1974. Pat died in Grants Pass in 2004.
Green Canyon - Located southeast of the Pergande Place. This canyon was named after the Green family who resided there and was the site of many local community baseball games. The Hunter family also lived in Green Canyon.
Green Family - Family who resided southeast of the Pergande Place and whom Green Canyon is named after which was the site of many local community baseball games as recounted by Butch Waddell and Russell Robinson.
Neil E. Grimes - Buried in the Woosley Cemetery. His wife was Alta (Gwaltney) Woosley's sister Pat. He lived in Washington.
Dick Guernsey - Homesteaded here, sold his homestead and left the country.Walter J. "Brownie" & Anne A. (Prevetz) Gwaltney - Brownie was born June 21, 1923 in Wilsall the son of Artie C. and Emma L. (Dietz) Gwaltney. He attended Wilsall School where he spent his early life. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1941 during World World II where he served on the repair ship USS Regal in the South Pacific. He worked as a welder repairing war-damaged ships of the American fleet. When he was discharged in 1947 he returned to Wilsall where he worked as a ranch hand. Brownie was an accomplished horseman and participated in many area rodeos.
October 1, 1949 Brownie and Anne married in Livingston where they lived for a short time before moving to Helena where Brownie worked as a welder, blacksmith and draftsman for 18 years. Brownie also served as a deputy sheriff for Jefferson County and then as a guard in the Federal Reserve Bank in Helena.
After retiring they came to the Sedan where Brownie used to work as a boy. Brownie was the brother of Alta (Gwaltney) Woosley, Sydney "Pearl" (Gwaltney) D'Ewart , Robert D. "Bob" Gwaltney, Glenna, Pat (Gwaltney) Grimes, and brother, Artie C. who died at age 16 of rheumatic fever. Brownie died June 28, 2006 at Diamond K Lodge in Livingston and was buried in the Wilsall Cemetery.
John S. "Pegleg" & Mary V. Haley - Lived in Sedan on Section 7. His place was known as the "Sacajawea Ranch," and was later owned by the Venneses and the Nollmeyers. Listed on the1913 and 1914 Gallatin County School Census Report for Sedan #38. Children: Mary 7 years, Caroline 5 years, and John 4 years.The 3-sided log home was built in 1917 using logs from what is now Pearl D'Ewart's Place. It was said to have been the first home in the area with indoor plumbing?? There was a huge barn on the place that looked as though it was large enough to winter cattle in. Haley is said to have gone broke and lost the place in 1919.
Miss Sallie Hamlett - Sedan School teacher in the early 60s.
Blake Hammer - Homesteaded here, but spent most of his life in the Big Hole country.
Jack Hammer - Homesteaded and ranched for several years. Jack had been a government messenger for several years, and a policeman in Butte for a time.
Ben Hamelton - An early settler, who sold his ranch to John Hopkins.
Dave & Nancy Hancock - Worked for "I Am Third" ranch, had 3 children
Mrs. Hare - Sedan School teacher 1964/1965.
Eunice, Mark & Pauline Hargis - Students at Sedan School
Doc & Orris Harris - Owned the land north of the Johnson Place, where Lyle & Tara Swandal lived. They had 7 children. He was a doctor in Livingston. He and his family came here only in the summers.
Mrs. Zillian Hawthorne - Sedan School teacher 1950/1951. Her son was named Lester and was believed to have been a student at Sedan School. Helen Chriske recalled Mrs. Hawthorne as having been from Ringling.
Wilbur "Bill" & Olive Maxine (McHenry) Heiser - Olive attended Sedan School. Bill worked around on the ranches of Sedan for a time and they later moved to Oregon and Washington.
Sevilla Helfrich - Listed in Gallatin County School Census Report for Sedan. Husband deceased, Child Paul B. 8 years old.
John Selmer Hellesmark - Born July 15, 1891, in Moi, Norway. Last owner of The Cheese Factory. He also had the Farmer's Creamery in Livingston and a contract to provide milk to Yellowstone National Park; he picked milk up in Sedan sometime between 1928 and 1936. He died on July 25, 1963.
LaVetta Hembroff - Sedan School teacher first term 1929/1930 school year.
Asa Porter Henness - Buried in Sedan Cemetery. Headstone reads: "1870-1954. Asa was married to Ruth and then Helen.
Helen Henness - Buried in Sedan Cemetery. Headstone reads: "May 11, 1880-June 6, 1969"
Ruth P. Henness - Buried in Sedan Cemetery. Headstone reads: "April 25, 1880-October 29, 1910"
Henness Baby - Buried in Sedan Cemetery.
Merle Henry - Owned the Landis Place that the Lester Miller family lived in near the Sedan Store and School. Had a daughter named Marilyn. He sold it in 1949 which forced the Miller family to move.
Mrs. Sol P. Heron - She was a sister of the Myers brothers and came here from Missouri on a wagon with the late Mrs. Bill Officer. More information noted about her above on how Battle Ridge got its name.
Chuck & Frances (Jones ) Hewitt - Frances' family is the Jones family that Jones's Corner is named after. Chuck and Frances lived on the Jones Place across the creek and west of her parents. She was a local housewife with teaching certificate who conceded to teach school only until another teacher could be hired during World War II years. She taught from 9/14/42 - 10/43 and also taught during the 1950/1951 term along with Mrs. Erma Willes. Chuck was the Sedan mail carrier after Ike Sanders retired in 1954.
Gladys Holgate - Was a teacher in Sedan and lived in a shack with her brother Dean where Pergandes lived. Dean attended Sedan School. Gladys married Jack Inabnit.
Bob & Val Hood - Lived at Jones's Place and worked for Armstrong.
Charles Hooper - His baby is listed as buried in Sedan Cemetery.
Fannie Hooper - Homesteaded in this community and rancher here for several years. He sold his ranch and went into the well drilling business. He drilled most of the wells in this area.
Joe Hoozier - Adrian Inabnit may know more about him.
John Hopkins - 1912 Ownership Map - He bought his land from Ben Hamelton and ran cattle. He was a trustee for the 1910/1911 school year.
Bob & Lisa Hosfield - Lived in the old Koch Place near the Sedan School. They have a son names Royal Tyrell. Bob and Lisa are now divorced.
Dave Humphry - He was a homesteader, rancher, and freighter. He had several teams and freighted merchandise to Castle, Montana. He was shot by Joe Cole and is buried in Sedan Cemetery.
Thomas S. & Gladys Humphery - Listed on School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38 in 1909, all children listed with last name Maybill; Francis J., Millie or Nellie, Alford E., Nelson O., Lewis B., and Alice . In the1910 all children but Francis were listed. In 1911 the report lists husband deceased, Humphery family in District #66 with children Nelson, Lewis, and Mable.
Guy & Mary (Francis) Hunter - Lived in Green Canyon. Listed on the School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38 in 1914. Their children were Allen, Alice, Everett, Lula, Nina, Ruth, and Tom. The only children listed on the above named Census Report in 1914 were Lula, Nina, Alice, Ruth, and Thomas. Mary had a brother named Oscar who was listed as residing in the household at the time of the report. Guy and Thomas Royal were brothers.
Everett & Evelyn (Lane) Hunter - Mrs. Hunter was formerly Miss Lane the Sedan School teacher of Grades 1-4 teacher supposedly in October of 1935 (see conflicting information below). Everett was the son of Guy and Mary (Francis) Hunter. In a poem that was written about him at the time he passed away his family refers to him being born on the Green Canyon Ranch near Sedan. And further in the poem they say that:
"Henry Woosley's ranch was near the Sedan school. There a young gal named Evelyn Lane, Taught the golden Rule. Everett and Evelyn soon married, And decided to settle down, They left the Flathead Creek area, And, moved to town."
Everett was the brother of Nina (Hunter) Woosley.
According to Evelyn's obituary she graduated from Western Montana College at Dillon in 1937 with a degree in education. She taught in the Big Horn, Gallatin and Park Counties for a short time. However it does not list the schools she taught in.
Everett and Evelyn were married in 1937 at St Anthony, Idaho. It is not known how long Evelyn taught at Sedan but Everett and Evelyn kept their marriage a secret for awhile because she was not suppose to be married and teach. According to their daughter Sherry (Hunter) Davis.
Thomas Royal "Tom" & Nancy Elizabeth "Betty" (McHenry) Hunter - Had seven brothers and two sisters that lived (one died as a baby); Betty married Thomas Royal "Tom" Hunter who was Nina (Hunter) Woosley's brother. Both Betty and Tom are buried in the Woosley Cemetery. Tom owned the Bush Place which is located on the east side of the county road approximately 3 miles from Sedan heading toward Bozeman. They also owned land above Petterson's Cow Camp bordering Guy Chriske's Place. Their children were Carol Viola, Mary Ethel, Margery Ruth, Thomas David, and Suzanne. Both Tom & Betty lived in Sedan as children but did not live here after they were married. Tom lived with his sister Nina in Sedan along with his brother Everett. They were married in Bozeman and lived in the Spring dale area on Charlie Francis's Place until they moved to their ranch on Cottonwood Creek in 1937. That is where they lived until they died. Tom died on the ranch and Betty died in Livingston. Betty attended Sedan School.Tom Hunter purchased the Bush Quarter Section (16 Township 2 N Range & E of m.m) in 1945. See Bush Quarter above for more information on Mr. Bush.
Suzanne (Hunter) Walker submitted the following information about her father's "High Quarter" as he referred to it, which he purchased in 1947. "It is the SW Quarter of Section 12 in the Township 3 N Range, 7 E m.p.m. It was part of his summer pasture for his cows and he always enjoyed taking a day to go up and salt cows or ride." See Lane Quarter below for more information on earlier owners of this land dating back to 1920 and having been "established and duly consummated, in conformity to law" for Roy W. Alexander by Woodrow Wilson.
Suzanne (Hunter) Walker recalled cattle drives of Tom Hunter's to and from the home place at Cottonwood Creek north of Clyde Park to the the Bush Quarter and then the Lane Quarter northwest of Sedan, "Dad never had too many problems getting "cowboys" (if that is what you might call some of us!) especially after the grandkids got old enough to sit a horse. What a deal for those grandkids!-you got to ride a horse for two days, heels calves on drag till your arm about dropped off, camp out overnight, swap lies and curse like a mule skinner cause Grandpa couldn't hear too well (but grandma could, so if she was bringing the pick up along behind--you needed to watch your mouth)."
"The first day would put the drive to just above Wilsall where it stopped for the night up the road from the old dump. At first light the next morning the cows were headed on up the road, for the night up the road from the old dump. At first light the next morning the cows were headed on up the road, then headed out across what was known as the Tacke place (Battle Ridge Ranch) then across Armstrong's (now Waddells) and into the back side of the Bush Place. Breakfast that morning might have been Spam slapped on a piece of bread if Grandma had gone home the night before instead of staying in camp and Grandpa was "cooking". (Not the grand kids' favorite meal for sure). When the cows finally got to the Bush Place, someone was usually waiting with the pick up, horse trailer, and LUNCH! Always a welcome sight for those saddle sore, weary kids. They have some great stories and wonderful memories of moving cows to Sedan with Grandpa!!"
Myron Huntsman - Worked in the area as a teenager
Hyers - Lived across from Joye Waddell's place - Made dandelion wine, which was sold to Warren Reichman as a child.
Adrian & Betty (Cowan) Inabnit - Lived at teacherage & later at the Nollmeyer house. Adrian Inabnit was hired to haul mail to and from Sedan on a pack horse as the weather was bad in 1948 and 1949.
Anita Inabnit - Anita (Inabnit) Petterson's memories of Sedan: "I have very few early memories of Sedan, seeing as how I was born in 1935 and left for the Gallatin Valley some 3 or 4 years later. One memory though was in the old store/gas station across from the school. I remember climbing up on a chair to pound on the ivory keys to Dad's cash register. Next thing I knew I was told quite firmly to "get down from there!" One other memory also involved my misbehavior at a Sedan Club meeting being held at Grace Blattie's (where the men, as well as the ladies, came for the day and a noon meal was served). The dishes were done and the Club members were busy at their meeting in the living room and I proceeded to climb up onto the kitchen table where Grace had placed her beautiful white cake. Yes, I got into it with both hands! Grace was a gracious hostess though, she laughed as she called, "You little monkey!" Mom was horrified! "
"My early school years were in the Gallatin Valley at different schools and we returned to Sedan in 1946. I was in the 5th grade here at Sedan School and Mrs. Lulu Weber was the teacher for all 8 grades. There was no monkeying around in her classroom! I finished the 8th grade here and enjoyed the country school and the camaraderie of my school chums. We lived in the old Clark Place, only 2 miles from school, and in the spring and fall my 2 brothers and I would walk or run, as the case may be, to school. In the winter we had a spoiled old saddle horse to ride (they get very wise to kids and he was a bit hard to catch on cold mornings). His other trick was to walk just as close to the barbed wire fence as he could, so as to catch our Levis on the barbs and pull us off!"
"Graduating 8th grade, I went 4 years to high school in Wilsall. The following year Tim Petterson and I were married and in due time we had a family of 3 daughters and a son. We've made our home here in the Sedan area for some 46 years now, and personally, I wouldn't trade this place with its scenes of the Bridger and Crazy mountains for all the rice in China."
"I'm rather proud to say both my parents, Wesley and Myda, my brothers Adrian and Damond, myself, my little sister Linda, and our 2 older daughters Patricia and Victoria all attended Sedan School. I think we could all agree it was a more peaceful, easier time to be a kid going to school back then. The recesses were filled with good, old-fashioned fun such as baseball on the south side of the school (no windows), winter games such as Fox & Goose in the snow, or sliding down Koch's hill with our Flexible Flier sleds...clear past Miller's house (now Landis's) on to the county road! Could you beat that for fun?"
Ardyce Josephine Inabnit - Born March 5, 1914. She attended both Pass View and Sedan Schools. Ardyce died June 26, 1998.
Damond & Maryellen (Gibson) Inabnit - Lived on Nollmeyer Place while working with Wes Inabnit.
Henry Laurel (known as "Laurel" or "H.L.") & Ruth V. (Christie) Inabnit - Their children are; Elden, Leslie (son), John, Burton, Barbara, and Charlotte. Elden was the only child of Laurel & Ruth's to attend Sedan School (first grade). Laurel is the son of John & Rebecca Inabnit. Laurel built this house on skids on land that was owned by the Davidsons. He did this thinking he would later move the house but never did. This is the house that is now owned by Helen Chriske.
Elden Inabnit had this to say of Sedan, "I have mixed emotions when I reflect back to Sedan. Some emotions of joy, sorrow, frustration, and disappointment. Most of all I recall the strength borne out by my family, be it Grandpa or Grandma, aunts, uncles, Mom, or Dad. Tough pioneers in a tough time. My Dad, H.L. Inabnit, built a cabin on the north side of Flathead Creek above Sedan (currently Helen Chriske's home) prior to his marriage to Ruth V. Christie. This cabin still stands and was my first home. Having been born in Livingston on January 26, 1933, which was said to have been the coldest day in Livingston prior to record keeping (-72 degrees), my parents started home to Sedan with a new baby. At Wilsall they called the old home place and asked if someone might come with a team of horses to meet them and assist them to their home. My mother still marvels at the wisdom of that trip. It was extremely cold and windy with deep drifting snow. My Uncle Wesley met my folks at the old Lamson Place with a sturdy team and the front bunk of a sled upon which he was riding to help pull the car home."
"We all made it through that first winter quite uneventfully. A short time later my folks moved to Denver where my father enrolled at the Denver Bible School. Upon completion of school, about four years later, we returned to Sedan and lived in a small house across the street from the present school house. Dad had no job, the car broke an axle in the front yard and my folks had $1.50 to their names. To settle in this cabin they had taken furnishings from an old abandoned saw mill camp on Brackett Creek. We always had heat, clothing, and food in our modest little home. I have no idea how and where my dad got wood, how he repaired the car, nor what we ate, but I never remember going hungry. My dad was an extremely bright and talented man, who could fix almost anything and he loved to hunt and fish."
"I went to first grade at the Sedan School. My mother read many books to me and we worked on Christmas decorations for months. We made trinkets, paper cut-outs, strung popcorn, and on and on. To this very day my mom (nearly 90) is still cheerfully helping others and doing the few special things she enjoys with her friends; like playing board games, having coffee out, eating a hamburger and a milk shake on Saturdays and going off to church on Sunday."
"Christmas finally came that December in 1939 and to this day I can remember it well. Of course, it was snowing, blowing, windy, and cold. My Uncle Wesley and Aunt Myda came to our house with their three kids; Adrian, Anita, and Damond, all riding in a load of hay on a sled drawn by a team. For a present they brought a sack of potatoes. We kids all had a great time playing. My parents gave me a pocket knife for Christmas and I cherished if for years. By today's standards it was a nothing knife, but in Sedan in 1939, it was a treasure. To this day, Christmas is a hard time of the year for me. This current generation is so spoiled and mostly by us that had so little.
I still remember the "Old Home Place" above Sedan and can see Grandma standing on the porch and her white apron blowing in the wind. She was such a small witty lady and Grandpa John was such a big, gruff old guy. To me, they were two complete opposites, yet they got along great and raised a great family. There was no question I was afraid to ask Grandma...And the stories and history she could tell and the books she read. I didn't need to read "War of the Copper Kings," because Grandma told me all about it. I followed World War II with Grandma by means of radio and maps with the fronts outlined with colored pencils.
Grandpa didn't say much but his big rough hand on your head or a big rough hug said volumes. He was a gentle giant to me. I spent hours riding with him in the buggy with one of his favorite horses running along out front. Many are the days that I hunted with his single shot 22 and the one bullet he would give me. Never two bullets, only one. The story is told of Grandpa hearing of a family that lived up in Sixteen Mile country and they were totally out of food. Grandpa loaded up a couple of bags of potatoes and a half of a hog and took it up to the family. The husband was so taken with emotion that he left the cabin, leaving the wife and children to show appreciation. They were extremely grateful."
"Later, as a grade-schooler, I would come to Sedan to visit my cousins and stay with Uncle Wes and Aunt Myda. Even after I was married we returned to Sedan and visited Wes and Myda and we picnicked at Fairy Lake. Sedan is never far from mind and with advanced age it seems to come even nearer."
"Now, as I reflect on Sedan, with white hair and many notches in my belt, I marvel at those people, the scenery, the elevation, the weather, the droughts, the early snows, the depressed crop prices, the bank failures, the excessive purchase prices, the frustrations, the taxes, the few good years. To work so hard and to have so little to show for it is depressing...But what lessons can I draw upon from having lived in Sedan? How about the unrelenting perseverance of those old-timers, the courage to forge ahead against endless odds, the ability to smile through each and every day rather than complain or become bitter, the thankfulness for health and the few good things of life, the compassion toward family and neighbors, the frugality of a saved ball of cotton string and the unwavering faith their God. Grandma's favorite hymn was "Trust and Obey" and she gave me ample opportunity to learn the words as she read or sang that song. I can sill quote the five verses and the chorus."
"Before they dig my final resting place and start throwing dirt in my face, I would like to go back to Sedan with a grandson or two and watch the sun go down from the knoll above the "Old Home Place." The Bridgers and the Crazy Mountains are impressive and I know they won't be as I remembered them, but my grandsons need to hear about depression days, hard times, hand to mouth, spring boxes, black dirt under your fingernails, buggy rides, deep snow, and strong people. They just need to hear it from their old grandfather."
Joe & Fern Inabnit - Joe was a cousin of John Riley Inabnit. Their only son was Kermit and he attended Sedan School.
John "Dade" Riley & Rebecca (Radford) Inabnit - John was born November 28, 1874 in Somerset, Kentucky. Rebecca was born October 24, 1869 in Fond de Lac, Wisconsin. Her parents were Henry Radford and Josephine Woodruff. John & Rebecca were married in December of 1900, homesteaded,, and started their family in Anceny (west of Bozeman). They came to Sedan around December 1912 or January of 1913. John "had a fine threshing machine" which he owned with Phil Lamson.
Rebecca was a former school teacher at Chestnut and Lower Bridger Schools, so it was thought that she may have organized a school in their home for their three oldest sons - Wade, Lloyd and John. All five of the boys; Wade P., Lloyd, and John Radford "Jack", Laurel, and Wesley. attended East Flathead School later known as Pass View School District #66. Ardyce (Inabnit) Ford, who was the only girl was born four or five years after the boys, also attended Pass View School but only for first and second grades during the years of 1920-1922. Ardyce and Wesley were the only children from this family to attend Sedan School. See Other Sedan Area Schools for more information on Pass View school.
Wesley attended Pass View School from first grade through 7th and then Sedan School during 8th grade (1921-22). Wesley went to Bozeman High School for one or two years. He boarded at the Bob Todd farm by Gallatin Gateway and helped milk cows for his keep.
Inabnits bought some land from Davidsons along Flathead Creek and John taught Sunday School at the Methodist Church on the old Inabnit Place in the early 1920s. Adrian recalls John & Rebecca's home having been heated using a carbide pit. He remembers seeing a pit which was built partially under the home. When water was added to this it created steam and was piped into the home.
John died on June 10, 1942 and Rebecca died January 31, 1963. Both were buried at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman, Montana. John Riley and Rebecca were Anita Petterson's grandparents.
John Radford "Jack" & Gladys (Holgate) Inabnit - Jack was a son of John and Rebecca. Gladys was a teacher at Sedan School. She and her brother, Dean lived in a shack where the Pergandes lived. It is thought that Jack and Gladys left the area after they got married.
Kermit & Alice (Beebe) Inabnit - Their children were Inez, Iris, & Ted. Both parents and all three children attended Sedan School.
Lloyd Inabnit - Son of John & Rebecca - married Grace Hoadley.
Wade P. & Frances (Orth) Inabnit: John Riley & Rebecca's son. Francis taught at East Flathead School in 1924 and 1925. At that time she was known as Miss Orth. She later taught at Sedan School in 1928/29 and 1929/30 and was then married to Wade. Frances died in 1936.
Wesley & Myda (Christie) Inabnit - Myda was born on October 22, 1915 in Clyde Park and passed away on January 8, 2000. She attended grade school at Sedan and high school in Wilsall. She married Wes on June 17, 1933. Wes and Myda moved to Gallatin Valley through the World War II years and then moved back to Sedan where they bought the Old Clark place which they operated for 18 years until moving back to Bozeman in 1965. Wes served as a trustee of Sedan School for the 1950/51 school year, and Myda was the clerk from 1958-60. Their children are: Adrian 1934, Anita (Inabnit) Petterson 1935, Damond 1937, Linda (Inabnit) Walton 1950 - all attended Sedan School. Adrian married Betty Cowan, Anita married Tim Petterson, and Linda married Steve Walton.
Wesley ran the Inabnit Store (& gas station) and was a "Raleighman." However, the store was only in operation about 1 1/2 years (1936 & 1937) due to the fact that most of his customers paid him in IOUs. Shorty Faw later moved the store to what is now near the corner of Fastje and Flathead Creek Roads. Wesley moved to Livingston to work at the flour mill and later moved back to the Inabnit Place on Flathead Creek in 1938.
Laurel & Wesley bought a sawmill in 1929 from Austin Swandal who lived on the Shields River. They set it up on Sandy (known as Alexander) Christie's place, which is now owned by Butch Waddell. They sawed in the fall and winter and farmed the rest of the year. The mill was used on the Burns Place where they sawed out logs for Laurel & Wesley's houses which were set up along Flathead Creek. They also sawed the logs for the Inabnit Store. They ran the sawmill off and on from 1929 - 1955/56. Laurel took it and set it up at Dry Creek in Gallatin County in 1939/40 and used it there for 3 or 4 years. It was then stored in a potato storage cellar until 1946. The sawmill was first powered by steam and later converted to gas.
Ray & Cora Virginia (Carr) Isbell - Ray was born October 29, 1892 in Pleasantville, Indiana. He was born as a twin, but his twin brother died at 6 months of age. Ray came to Park County in 1914, from Decatur, Illinois, in a freight train full of shorthorn cattle belonging to Bill Carr (Ray's father-in-law). The reason he came to Montana was, to marry Cora. He was told by Cora's father Bill, that if he wanted to marry his daughter, that he had to move to Montana, because she was moving with the family. When Cora arrived she was said to be the prettiest girl in the valley.
Ray and Cora were married in Livingston in April 1918. Shortly after their wedding, Ray left to go in to the Army in Fort Lewis, Washington. While Ray was in the service Cora had a daughter named Mary. Cora sent Ray a letter saying they would meet him in Illinois when he was discharged, but he didn't get the letter in time. So Ray came home to Wilsall only to have to turn around and go back to Illinois to meet up with his family.
In April of 1922 Ray and Cora had twins; a girl Cora Fae (goes by Fae) and William Ray, but William Ray died shortly after birth. They moved from "Horse Camp" to "Sheep Camp" where Ray did all the haying and Coral did all of the cooking. This camp was owned by Austin Swandal. After the sheep camp they moved to Meyersberg which is located between Sedan and Wilsall. Their son Virgil was born in January of 1925 in one of the two hospitals in Wilsall, presently the home of Ed and Jane Wilson. While at Meyersberg Virgil was in first grade and was said to be the only one in the class, so he spent the year playing in the sand box according to "Tracks Volume II."
While living in Meyersberg, also according to "Tracks Volume II," Cora lost her wedding ring while throwing out some dish water. However according to "History of Park County, Montana," she lost the ring while feeding the sheep some hay at the Donnell Place. In 1954, 29 years later, The Donnell boys found Cora's ring while playing in the dirt on what is now Dan Lander's Place (where his son Herb lives now). The ring was engraved inside with "To CC from RI" (To Cora from Ray - 1918). One of the boys' mother's recognized the names and returned it to her.
During the depression (1933) Ray had to give up the place where they lived and rented another further up the creek, starting over with just the bare necessities. Ray did different things to get back on his feet again including taking Flathead Creek kids into Wilsall for school. In December of 1933 their last child, Joan, was born at the Robinson Hospital in Livingston. In 1935 Virgil got his first 4-H steer which created Ray's interest in 4-H and purebred Hereford cattle. He was a 4-H leader for 34 years and helped form the Wilsall Wranglers 4-H Club. Ray and Virgil worked together on a registered Hereford herd. Virgil bought the ranch from his father in 1962 and was recently honored for his accomplishments (1999).
Ray and Cora's ranch is on land earlier purchased by John W. Van Doren (December 15, 1894) and William D. Coulter (June 13, 1901). Ray leased the ranch in 1932 from Addie Kimpton Conrad who inherited it in 1923 at the age of 38. Ray later purchased the land from Addie in 1947.
In 1960 Ray and Cora bought a home in Wilsall and retired from ranching. Ray helped at Bates Implement putting machinery together and painted pictures for his grandchildren in his spare time. He was active in Odd Fellow and Masonic Lodges. In 1968 Ray and Cora celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Ray died in April of 1969 and Cora died in 1984.
Virgil & Gerry Lu (Olsen) Isbell - Virgil was born January 6, 1925 in Wilsall the third child of Ray and Cora Virginia (Carr) Isbell. He grew up on the family ranch and attended Meyersberg country school through the fifth grade. He rode Shirley, his Welsh pony, to school until Meyersberg was the first country school to consolidate with Wilsall. From 6th grade on Virgil attended Wilsall schools.
Virgil became involved with 4-H when he was 10 years old receiving many awards and a trip to the Chicago International Livestock Show. 1938 Virgil bought his first registered Hereford heifer and he and his father continued to build their herd.
In 1945 Virgil entered the U.S. Navy and served with the Sea-bees in the South Pacific during World War II.
Gerry Lu was born "a city girl in Livingston" who, "just about hadn't been off the cement when she married," as noted on the May page she is featured on in the "Ranch Women of Park County 2003-04" Calendar sponsored by the Alliance Development Corporation of Park County.
She and Virgil married April 3, 1949 in Livingston and ranching was completely new to Gerry Lu. In the calendar it states, " She had to do without some of the modern conveniences that she had grown accustomed to in town. The house they lived in did not have a septic system or electricity so she learned to cook on a wood strove, and being located so far from Livingston meant she could only make it back once a week, if that. Laughing, she remembers making Virgil escort her to the outhouse in the middle of the night so she wouldn't have to worry about running into any wild animals!"
Their children are: Loren, Wade, Shelley, and Garth. All the Isbell children attended school in Wilsall as the Isbells live in Park County just past the Sedan/Gallatin County line.
Gerry Lu said their house was haunted by previous owner Emma Coulter. The original home of the Coulters burned and when Isbells were doing some remodeling on their home they found a little alligator purse with a silver dollar in it. Isbells decided Emma was looking for her purse, because once they found the purse all the banging quit. Gerry Lu still has the purse. Coulters are buried in Livingston Cemetery.
Through the years Virgil built one of the premier registered Hereford herds in Montana selling seed stock to ranchers to many other states as well as Brazil, Canada and Mexico. He was honored for showing cattle at the Montana Winter Fair for 50 consecutive years, named Montana Hereford Man of the Year in 1983 and inducted into the Park County Ranchers Hall of Fame in 1999.
Virgil died at his home in Wilsall on April 16, 2006. A quote from his obituary reads, "Now when I'm dead and gone, and you hang my old worn tack, I want you to remember, I never sold my saddle or harness and I never bred 'em black."
Wade & Sue Isbell - Ranched with father Virgil, moved to ND, children, Camri, Blake, and Jerid.
Miss Jenson - Was Anita (Inabit) Petterson's Sedan School 8th grade teacher 1948/1949.
Andrew & Annie Johnson - Listed on School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38 in 1909, 1910 children Raymond T. and Elmer. Andrew Johnson & Anna were later known as (Polson) Kannegaard. See Kannegaard information below - Kannegaards accepted the name Johnson when they arrived in the United States from Denmark in 1881.
Denver Johnson - Attended first term new Sedan School 1901/1902.
Herb & Thelma Johnson - They ranched in Sedan from the early 1950s to the late1970s at what was known as the Johnson Place, which is where Lyle & Tara Swandal lived on the Park & Gallatin County border. Children were Charley and Cindy. The children did not attend Sedan School.
Miss Johnson - Mildred Kurk recalled her having taught at Sedan.
Chester Jones - Lived on the road which was the original road to Fairy Lake.
Floyd Jones - Homesteaded here and worked as a ranch hand. He served in World War I. He homesteaded in Skunk Basin and worked a great deal in sawmills.
L.M. Jones - Settled here in an early day and is noted on the 1912 Ownership map of Gallatin Valley.
Lawernce A. & Katherine J. Jones - Listed on School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #66 in 1911, child Verdia (?) L. Female.
May E. Jones - Sedan School teacher during the 1929/1930 school year.
R.F. & Ora M. Jones - Listed on the 1913 School Census Report for Sedan. Child: Chester D.
Robert & Virginia Jones - This is the family for which Jones's Corner is named (formerly known as Korde Corner). They lived 1/2 mile north of Jones's Corner. Children; Dorothy, Frances, Florence, Dwayne Bob, and Bud.
Roy Jones's girl - Buried in Sedan Cemetery.
Jorgenson - Sold land to Armstrongs, who in turn sold to Butch Waddell.
David Jorgenson - Student at Sedan School in the mid 30s.
Ellen Jorgenson - Attended Sedan School
Ralph Jorgenson - Came to Sedan from The Big Hole.
Russell R. "Russ" & Wanda (Landis) Julian - Russell was born on May 26, 1916 near Chadbourne, Montana the son of Robert & Georgia Julian. Russell was raised on Horse Creek and attended school in Clyde Park. Russell's siblings are Betty and Bonnie (Julian) Pinkerton and foster brother, Robert.
On March 22, 1939 Russ married Wanda who was Wayne Landis's sister and had daughters Roberta Jean, Debra and Donna. They rented the Carpenter Place on what was known as Johnson Road just over the Park County border. They retired from ranching in 1975 and moved to Livingston.
Russ was one of the founders of the Wilsall Rodeo Association. "His greatest love in life was his horses, blue heeler dogs, ranching and working cattle," according to his obituary. He also loved to dance and visit with his many friends and was a devoted family man. Russell died May 17, 2003 at his daughter Donna's home in Livingston.
Bill Kaiser - Homesteaded in this neighborhood. He ran sheep for years then sold the sheep and went into purebred Holsteins. He did a great deal of work to get the Meyersburg canal dug.
Ed Kaiser - Homesteaded, ran cattle, and had a steam plow outfit for years. He raised a large family and also had the post office in Meyersburg for years. He lived where Art & Kari (Swandal) Wiltgen lived. This was known as the "Halfway House" as the mail for Sedan came here from Livingston. It was said that Ed Kaiser married Mrs. Lucrita Bowen after his first wife died.
Henry Kaiser - Homesteaded and was believed to have sold his ranch to Coulter.
W.J. Kaiser - Noted on the 1912 Ownership Map of Gallatin County.
Andrew Johnson & Anna (Polson) Kannegaard - Andrew was born April 11, 1864. Came to the United States as immigrants from Denmark in 1881. They could not speak English, so upon entry to the United States they were named Johnson. They used the name, Johnson, for several years until adult children did some research and discovered the real family name. They came to Montana in 1888.The Kinnegards homesteaded on Elk Ridge and ran cattle and horses for years. They had four sons; Clark, Denver, Raymond, and Elmore (Elmer) and an adopted son by the name of Harry Davis.
Andrew & Annie Johnson are Listed on School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38 in 1909 & 1910; children Raymond T. and Elmer. Gallatin County School Census Records for 1912 lists this family in the #65 Sunnyside School District; Raymond A. 19 yrs and Elmore T. age 17.
Clark Kannegaard - Homesteaded in this community, but he lost his ranch and went to Idaho to work as a miner, where raised his family and is buried.
Denver Kannegaard - Had an adopted daughter named Helen Kannegaard. She attended Sedan School. Denver moved to Oregon and lived there most of his life.
Denver & Marion Kannegaard - Listed on the 1913 Gallatin County Sedan School Census Report with an adopted son Harry Davis.
Elmer Kannegaard - Homesteaded here and ranched for several years. He sold his ranch, moved to Bozeman, and worked at MSU for years. He and his wife raised one son named Linsley who attended Sedan School.
Raymond & Dolly Kannegaard - In 1914 Ray drove an exceptionally large grain tank which held 9000 pounds of wheat. Ray also served as rodeo announcer during the Sedan rodeos staged at the Woosley Place in the 1920s. Bill and Becky Landis' Place stands now where the rodeo corrals once did. Raymond Kannegaard was described by Edgar Rexroat former Sedan resident as "the last of the old time cowboys."
Lyle Woosley recalls Raymond Kannegaard having told him he had stolen a bunch of horses from Ringling. The same horses were then stolen from Kannegaard by Jack Daugherty. Raymond was quoted as having said, "That goes to show you, there's no damn honor among thieves!"
Kannegaards raised four girls; Shirley Kannegaard, Jane (Kannegaard) Wilson & Dolly Jo (Kannegaard) Brogan. Shirley attended Sedan School. In 1951 sold ranch to be near Wilsall School .
Ray was first married to Sadie, who died in 1918 flu epidemic. Ray & Sadie had a daughter named Cleo.
Elmore Kannegard - Son of Andrew & Anna Kannegard.
Kelly Family - Homesteaded here at a very early date and had the first place of worship in this area. It was thought they were Mormons. The Bernard family owned this place next and it is now owned by Tim & Anita Petterson.
Arthur Kennedy - Attended first term new Sedan School 1901/1902
Boon & Bert Kennedy - Homesteaders
L.N. Kennedy - A family who settled in Sedan at an early date.
Lew Kennedy - An early homesteader, who ran horses by the hundreds.
Lewis N. Kennedy - Children attended first term Sedan School - Trustee 1897/98, first term new Sedan School also served 1900-1903 terms.
L.W. Kennedy - A family who settled in Sedan at an early date. Children attended first term Sedan School and he served as a Sedan School trustee during the 1898/1899 and 1900-1903 terms.
Fred & Mary M. Keyes - Homesteaded and ranched here for several years. Mary's name is listed on the Gallatin County Ownership Map of 1912. They had several girls, who all married. Gallatin County School Census Records for 1909 - 1911 for Sedan District #38 area list this family with 2 girls at that time; Millie E. born 1893 and Pearl born 1896. Fred left Sedan and moved to Anacortes, Washington.
Ross Kime - Bachelor who served in WWII during the invasion of Pearl Harbor where he received many medals. When he was drafted for the war it is said he told them he couldn't go, because he had a "hen setting who would hatch in two weeks." He was given a medical discharge due to bad health as noted by Warren N. Reichman in a paper he wrote about some of Sedan's bachelors entitled, "The Valley of Unmarried Men." Ross lived on what is now Dave Dearman's Place on Flathead Creek Road East. Verna Lu Landis found Ross dead in his home. He was from Pennsylvania and had no family here.
Kincaid Family - Children Veda, Velva, and Harley attended Sedan School during the 1920s and 1930s. Not known if son Charles attended Sedan School.
Ed W. Kirk - Listed on the 1912 Ownership Map of Gallatin County.
F. Kolble - Listed on the 1912 Ownership Map of Gallatin County.
Kirk & Leona (Christie) Koch - (pronounced Cook) - Kirk came to Montana from Kansas in 1917 and lived east of the Crazies and never went back to Kansas. Leona was born at the family place in Brackett Creek. Kirk moved to Sedan in 1930. Kirk and Leona were married in August of 1934.
They moved to Sedan from Park County in 1943 and moved to the place west of the school in 1944 with three children; Lois, Jim, & Betty. Dela and Kenneth were born in Sedan. All of the children attended Sedan School: Lois (Koch) Riggs, Jim, Betty (Koch) Ryan, Dela (Koch) Rider, and Kenneth. Leona, who was born in the area, also attended Sedan School.
The family dairy farmed and ranched until the place sold in 1970 when they moved to Oregon for a couple of years and later settled in Manhattan, Montana. Ken and Jim never married anyone from the Sedan area. Lois's husband, was from out of state and not related to Mike Riggs of Sedan. Betty and Dela's husbands are from out of state as well.
Oscar & Marie (Taylor) Koch - Oscar and Kirk were brothers. Oscar and Marie moved to Sedan from Kansas in 1948. Oscar bought the Cheese Factory after it closed in 1936 and this is where they lived in 1948. They lived in the basement of the Cheese Factory and rented out the upstairs for dances for $10.00 to various organizations. Their children are Margaret and Jane. Jane and Margaret did not attend Sedan School, but Jane's husband Mike Riggs did. Kochs moved to Bozeman in 1950. Margaret did not marry anyone from Sedan area.
Herman Korde (Pronounced Kordey) - Herman was a bachelor who homesteaded where Allen and Alta Woosley's home is. He ran Holstein cattle and some fine horses. What is now known as Jones' Corner, was first called Korde's Corner after Herman. Bachelors Tom Broadway and Fred Pasco lived there on the place after Allen's father Henry owned it.
Kirk & Leona (Christie) Koch - (pronounced Cook) - Kirk came to Montana from Kansas in 1917 and lived east of the Crazies working on different ranches. Kirk never went back to Kansas after his marriage to Leona in August of 1934. They moved to Sedan from Park County in 1943. They moved to the place west of the school in 1944 with three children; Lois, Jim, & Betty. Dela and Kenneth were born in Sedan, but of the children attended Sedan School: Lois (Koch) Riggs, Jim, Betty (Koch) Ryan, Dela (Koch) Rider, and Kenneth. Leona, who was born in Sedan, also attended Sedan School. The family dairy farmed and ranched until the place sold in 1970 when they moved to Oregon for a couple of years and later settled in Manhattan.
Ken and Jim never married anyone from the Sedan area. Lois's husband, was not related to Mike Riggs of Sedan. Betty and Dela's husbands are from out of state.Oscar & Marie (Taylor) Koch - (pronounced Cook) Oscar and Kirk were brothers. Oscar and Marie moved to Sedan from Kansas in 1948. Oscar bought the Cheese Factory after it closed in 1936 and this is where they lived. Their children are Margaret and Jane. Jane did not attend Sedan School, but her husband Mike Riggs did. Kochs moved to Bozeman in 1950. Margaret did not marry anyone from Sedan area.
Herman Korde (Pronounced Kordey) - Herman was a bachelor who homesteaded at what is now Allen & Alta Woosley's Place. This area, now known as Jones' Corner by some, was named Korde's Corner after Herman. He was also a homesteader who ran Holstein cattle and some fine horses. Bachelors Tom Broadway and Fred Pasco live on the place after Allen Woosley's father bought it.
August & Mary Kunge - Listed on School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38 in 1914, children Mable, John E. and Earnest A.
Arthur James Kurk- Born May 15, 1927 in Bozeman, Montana. He married Erma Hoell, had two children and they reside east of Bozeman as of September 1997.
Arthur "Skip" & Emma (Maddox) Kurk - Arthur was born June 20, 1885 in Missouri. Emma was born in Sedan March 6, 1892 of early homesteaders John C. Maddox and Sarah Ellen (Woosley)Maddox. She was the granddaughter of James and Martha (Pratt) Woosley also early homesteaders. Arthur and Emma were Married December 4, 1910. The Kurks ranched in this area for several years. They lived at Little Muddy Creek and had seven children; Margaret (1913), Lester (1915), Myrtle (1918), Mildred (1920), Lavina (1923), Arthur James (1927), and Harold Lee (1930), so Arthur requested that the "Sunshine School" or "Sunnyside School" his children attended be moved closer to his home. It was moved about two miles closer. Margaret, Lester, Myrtle, and Mildred attended Sedan School. Lavina and James lived in Sedan but were not of school age when the family moved to Bozeman in March 1928. Harold Lee was born later in Bozeman. The Arthur Kurk family moved from the homestead to what was known to them as the "Barnard Place" before moving to Bozeman in March of 1928. John died November 11, 1966 and Emma died May 13, 1985.
Ed "Dick" Kurk - Brother of Arthur "Skip" and Fred. Homesteaded in Sedan area. He married late in life to Edna Saunders. Ed is deceased.
Fred Kurk - Brother of Arthur "Skip" and Ed. Homesteaded at Sedan and married a widow Mae Urquart who had a daughter. After Mae's death Fred remarried and lived in Coos Bay, Oregon.
Harold Lee Kurk - Born in Bozeman January 4, 1930. He married Barbara Jenni and had three sons. They later divorced and he married Laura Lees and had two sons. Harold died February 24, 1995 in Thermopolis, Wyoming.
Lavina Barbara & John R. Kurk - Lavina traveled here from Missouri to homestead with her sons; Arthur (Skip), Fred, and Ed, after John passed away.
Lavina Ellen Kurk - Born May 8, 1923 at the homestead in Sedan. She married Vaughn Chadbourne. They had one child and reside in Bozeman, Montana as of September 1997.
Lester Joseph Kurk - Born February 13, 1915 the son of Skip and Emma Kurk. He was a student at Sedan School. Lester was a tail gunner in a B-17 during WWII which was shot down over Germany and, he was taken prisoner for nearly two years. Lester received recognition at Malstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana for P.O.W.s and M.I.A.s. Upon returning home to Bozeman Lester farmed and remained a bachelor until his death December 16, 1995.
Margaret Jane Kurk - born March 31, 1913 to Arthur and Emma Kurk. She married Dale Williams and they lived in Belgrade. Margaret died November 26, 1996.
Mildred Elizabeth - Born in a log cabin with a sod roof on June 26, 1920 at the homestead in Sedan. She married Jesse Ward and they had six children. Jesse is deceased and Mildred lives in Willow Creek, Montana as of September 1997.
Myrtle Helen Kurk - Born in Wilsall May 9, 1918. Married William McLaughlin. They had five children. He is deceased and she lives in Bozeman, Montana as of September 1997.
Mary Kurtz - Sedan School teacher - September 1951 - January 1952
Ella Mae Kurtz - Student at Sedan School
Eva (Erickson) Lachenmaier - Born June 29, 1910 in Foley, Minnesota and moved to Ryegate, Montana as an infant. She graduated from Ryegate High School as valedictorian. She had a degree in nursing and later became a Sedan primary grade teacher from August 1947- April of 1948.
She and her children Sonja, Ralph, and Irene moved to Sedan during that school year while her husband stayed behind at the Flaming Arrow ranch. Eva stated she was immediately accepted for the position "as teachers were in short supply in that post war era and no one seemed worried about my lack of experience or temporary license." Her reason for seeking the job was to enroll her own two. They bought the Flaming Arrow Ranch near Bridger Bowl in 1946 and found the roads to the Upper Bridger School were impassable during the winter months.
Sonja and Ralph Lachenmaier were in Eva's class that year in the first and second grades. Eva wrote "my experience with teaching was delightful. Rural children are fine students and the parents were so cooperative. There were fifteen students in the first four grades...I was pleased with the scores on the national achievement tests...We averaged better than the national scores when the year ended."
The teacherage was already occupied by Mr. Wilson and his family. (Mr. Wilson's wife "took in" Eva's pre-school daughter, Irene.) The school board rented the old Beebe place (which was about three quarters of a mile east of the school) for Eva. She and the children used to walk to school during the "beautiful autumn weather."
On Friday nights Mr. Lachenmaier would come for his family and they would spend the weekend at the Flaming Arrow. This worked well until Halloween when they went to the ranch for the weekend. It started to snow and a trip over Battle Ridge in a new Jeep found them pushing snow up to the windshield. Since the only way back to Sedan was the 88 mile journey through Bozeman, Livingston, and Wilsall the snow brought an end to weekends at the Flaming Arrow. Eva's husband joined them in Sedan as soon as he was able to close up the ranch. The winter of 1947 was severe and it was April before they were able to go back to the Flaming Arrow.
Eva has fond memories of the Sedan community and its people. Her school term was cut short when she gave birth to their fourth child Janis mid-April and Ina Denton finished the school year for her. Click Sedan School History to read more about Eva Lachenmaier's Sedan School experience.
E.A. Lamson - Listed on the 1912 Ownership Map of Gallatin County.
Phelan "Phil" Leroy Lamson & Alisa Ann "Liza" (Cook) Lamson - Grace Blattie's parents who moved to the Montana area around 1901 and worked in Yellowstone National Park. He was a rancher in Sedan who previously owned the Fastje Place. He and a neighbor, John Inabnit, had a "fine threshing machine." Liza, Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Foreman were sisters. Lamsons were said to have had goats and turned them loose on all the brush around their place and the goats killed it off. Lamsons are listed on School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38 in 1910 and District #66 in 1911 and 1912. Phelan L. Lamson is listed as the clerk on both of those reports.
Bill & Becky Landis -Bill attended Sedan School and is still ranching in Sedan with his parents. Their children are KayCee and C.J.
C. J. & Lindsey Landis - C.J. Shields Valley School teacher. Children, Kristian & Shaylee.
Wayne & Verna Lu (Gjerde) Landis - Wayne was born July 12, 1924 in Wilsall, the son of Ray and Kathryn (Liek) Landis. He attended school in Clyde Park. In July of 1943 he entered the U.S. army and served in the South Pacific. Following his discharge he returned to the Shields Valley.
Verna Lu was born to parents John and Hattie Gjerde at Powder Basin, Montana. The Gjerde Place, where Verna Lu grew up, was in Meagher County,15 miles north of Wilsall next to Highway 89 on the Meagher and Park County lines. Verna Lu started to work sheep at the age of 6 and they summered their sheep on Flathead Pass. She remembers riding from Potter Basin to Flathead Pass and only going through one gate. When Verna Lu's father passed away in 1936 her mother took over the ranch and became a terrific role model for Verna Lu and her brothers as Hattie was said to have learned quickly and did a good job. Eventually the family moved to a little house in Ringling which was about 7 miles from where Hattie would be working on the ranch. In the "Ranch Women of Park County" (calendar noted below) the home is described, "One winter it was so cold that the nails inside the house had frost on them, and the water in the tea kettle on top of the stove froze." Verna Lu went to school in Ringling, White Sulphur Springs and Wilsall. She lived on Horse Creek Road when she went to Wilsall School.
Wayne's grandfather, Frank built and operated the Landis Hotel in Wilsall and later turned it over to his on Ray (Wayne's father). The hotel was torn down in 1937. Wayne's other grandfather, Grandfather Liek had a bar in Wilsall about the same time as the Landis Hotel was in operation.
Wayne and Verna Lu were married January 11, 1948 and ranched on her family's land in Potter Basin before moving to Sedan in 1950 where they purchased their own land. They raised sheep in Sedan until they had ongoing problems with coyotes then they switched to raising commercial cattle. Their children Beverly (Landis) Baker and Bill were right by Verna Lu's side doing everything she did. In the calendar noted above it reads, "These were the days before daycare, when no one knew what a babysitter was. If it was time for calving, the kids went along." The Landis children attended Sedan School and Wayne served as a trustee during the later years of its operation.
Verna Lu told of the time she remembered the battery falling out of her father's truck as he was driving it on the swampy area of the road near Jones's Corner. The battery shook loose due to the mud and washboard roads before they were paved.
Verna Lu recalled the Quake Lake earthquake in 1959 when the earth "rolled from west to east" through Sedan. Verna Lu said they had sheep camped out on Flathead Pass with a herder and went to check on them afterward. She said the sheep were bedded down prior to the earthquake and then just got up an moved to another spot afterwards and never ran off.
Wayne was an active rancher until died on July 25, 2001 at the age of 77. He was buried in Wilsall Cemetery with military honors.
In 2003 Verna Lu was honored as Outstanding Senior Farmer/Rancher of the Year at the Gallatin Valley Agriculture Appreciation Banquet on March 7. In the March 6, 2003 article in the High Country Independent Press when Verna Lu was interviewed for her award it states that "In 1993, she traveled to Washington D.C. to try to save her water rights and those of her neighbors. The Forest Service had traded out seven sections of the northern Bridger Mountains to be heavily logged." Landis explained in the Press, "That is our water shed up there." The article goes on to state, "Though her actions in Washington did not initially stop the land trade, she did convince the Forest Service to have a hydrologist analyze the water quality. The hydrologist's findings agreed with Landis' assessment of the logging's impact on the local water supply, she said. Ultimately, the land went back to government ownership." The article also mentioned, "Her views on the land are stated clearly on her truck's bumper, where a sticker reads, "Ranchers - the First Environmentalists."
Landis was nominated by neighbor Myrt Woosley who was quoted in the above article as having this to say about Verna Lu, "She is as comfortable on a horse, a tractor, or at the barn as she is all dressed up supporting our community, our county, or our state. (She) is a truly remarkable lady, a very knowledgeable rancher, and an honest, strong citizen with great values."
Verna Lu is featured on the January page of the "Ranch Women of Park County 2003-04" Calendar sponsored by the Alliance Development Corporation of Park County.
Verna Lu and her son Bill still ranch in Sedan.
Ms. Evelyn Lane - Grades 1-4 teacher at Sedan School in October 1935 of First through fourth grades. She later became Mrs. Everett Hunter.
Jack & Marie Lane - Lived on section 16, now owned by Brogans
Lane Quarter - This is land referred to as the "High Quarter" by Tom Hunter. It is the SW Quarter of Section 12 in the Township 3 N Range, 6 E m.p.m. According to the abstract as noted by Suzanne (Hunter) Walker: "In March 1920, The United States of America deeded the land to Roy W. Alexander, a single man of Wilsall, Montana. "To secure Homesteads to Actual Settlers of the Public Domain," and the acts supplemental thereto claim of Roy W. Alexander, has been "established and duly consummated, in conformity to law." By the President: Woodrow Wilson."
In April 1920 Roy W. Alexander transferred the land to John A. Sorrell of Wilsall, MT. In June of 1926, John A. Sorrell transferred the land to Sarah A. Sorrell of Wilsall. In January of 1940 Sarah A. and John A. Sorrell transferred the land to Lee F. Lane of Wilsall, MT. Sorrell's address at the time was Nampa, ID.
"In June of 1945, Lee F. and Marie Lane transferred to Wendall and Juanita Francis and Mark Cowan. Taxes for the year 1946 were $5.68. In March of 1947 Wendall and Juanita Francis and Mark and Florence Cowan transferred the land to Thomas R. Hunter of Clyde Park, Montana. In 1993, the deed was transferred to Nancy E. "Betty" Hunter from the estate of Thomas R. Hunter. Suzanne (Hunter) Walker inherited the land from Betty in 1995."
This land became known as Tom Hunter's summer cow pasture. See Hunter family information above.
LaRue - He killed Mr. Miller in Miller's home with a piece of stove wood.
Paul & Mary Larson - Listed on School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #66 in 1911 and 1912 with children Charlie, William and Mary M. Paul and Mary were listed on the School Census Report as residing in Sedan District #38 in 1914 with child Charles A.
Thomas A. & Mable Lauderbeck - Listed on 1911 School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38, child Ray Lenord. Mable Lauderbeck was listed at age 20, residing with Lenord and Nellie Tripplett on the School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38 in 1909.
B.B. Law - Listed on the 1912 Ownership Map of Gallatin County.
Henry H. & Alta M. Leffingwell - Listed on School Census Report of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38 in 1914, children Irene H., Samuel M., Eugene H., Erma A. and Myron. They apparently had two other children, Virgil and George, who were not listed on the report.
Wally Lester - Was a student at Sedan School in the mid 30s.
Len Lewis - Early settler, had horses by the hundreds, sold ranch, lost all his money in the Castle Mines.
Halgrim Lien - Was born in Norway and came to Big Timber in 1929. He ranched in the Sedan area during the 1940s. Survived by his wife Borghild at the time of his death. He Halgrim died November 28, 1997 in Devil's Lake, North Dakota.
Larry & Cindy (Zupan) Lippon - Own what is known as the King of Hearts Ranch on Flathead Creek Road West. This ranch used to be the Seitz Ranch, Wilderness Treatment Center, Trinity Bridger Cattle Company, and I AM Third Ranch. Daughter Lucy. Cindy's brothers Tim and Dewey run the ranch.
Wiley James & Mary Edith (Woosley) Lockhart - Mary was the first child of Josh & Josie Woosley born September 1, 1888 in Sedan. She attended the first term of the new Sedan School in 1901/1902. Wylie and Mary were married on January 1, 1911 in Sedan. They homesteaded and ranched where Robert Fastje ranches now near the Chriskes' Place - nothing is left. Mary & Wylie had five children: Harold born October 1, 1911 died October 11, 1911 buried in Sedan Cemetery listed as "Lockhart's baby" in Josie Woosley's bible of persons buried in the Sedan Cemetery, Raymond married Mary, Glenn married Jo Warner, Hazel married Carl Fletcher, Mildred married Ralph Ramsey.
Mary is the aunt of Allen Woosley. Wylie and Mary later moved to Bozeman. Mary died January 20, 1960 in Upland (San Bernadino County), California and is buried in Bozeman at Sunset Hills Cemetery on January 25, 1960.
Richard "Scott" & Susan (Ostlind) Lohmuller - Own the old Clark Place and Sedan Methodist Church property on Flathead Creek at mile marker 28. Children Hannah, Luke, and Mariah. Susan was one of the many Sedan residents who was on the Sedan Community Club Cookbook Committee and who was instrumental in gathering recipes, photos and information for the Sedan, Montana Community Cookbook Collections and Recollections 2001.
Frank & Elaine Long - Live on old Warren Reichman Place
MacSelone ? - Homesteaded here and was a find country fiddler.
Fredrick J. (F.J.) Maddox - Listed on the 1912 Ownership Map of Gallatin County. He homesteaded here as a single man, never married. Alta & Allen Woosley still have his homestead south of their place.
Harrison Maddox - Attended the first term of the new Sedan School in 1901/1902, Sam Maddox's grandson. Josie was present during his birth. His mother, Ellen, was in labor so long the baby was blue when born and delivered before the doctor arrived. Josie nursed him as her own as Ellen did not have the milk to do so. Harrison suffered from a nervous affliction which was called Saint Vitus Dance by the family (diagnosis today might be cerebral palsy), as noted in "Woosley Family Histories."
John Calhoun (J.C.) & Sarah Ellen "Ellen" (Woosley) Maddox - He was a son of Samuel and Mary Ann and homesteaded in this area. John is listed on the 1912 Ownership Map of Gallatin County and was a trustee at Sedan school during the second school term (1896/1897). Their children were Emma (born March 6, 1892) & Harrison (born November 26, 1889). John and Ellen and children were listed on the 1909 and 1910 School Census Reports of Gallatin County for Sedan District #38. Annie E. (born July 17, 1909) and Josie M. are also listed (possibly incorrectly recorded by school clerk). They are also listed on the 1912 report.
Josephine Maddox - She was born March 18, 1866, to Samuel Maddox and Mary Ann Ellis (Poage) Maddox in St. Joseph, Missouri. She married Joshua Young "Josh" Woosley March 23, 1887 in Livingston (Montana Territory by Reverend J.W. Kelly. Josephine was known as "Josie" and suggested the name "Sedan" shortly after she arrived here in 1885 after the county seat of where the Maddox family