Sarah Bickford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sarah Bickford
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Sarah Bickford
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| Born | December 25, 1856 Jonesboro, Tennessee or possibly North Carolina, US
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| Died | July 19, 1931 |
| Other names | Sarah Gammon, Sarah Brown |
| Occupation | Utility owner |
| Known for | First woman in Montana and probably the first African-American woman in the United States to own a utility company |
Sarah Gammon Brown Bickford (born December 25, 1856 – died July 19, 1931) was an amazing woman. She was born into slavery in the United States. Later, she traveled to Montana, where gold had been discovered.
Sarah became the owner of the Virginia City Water Company. This made her the first woman in Montana to own a utility company. She was also likely the first African-American woman in the entire United States to do so. In 2012, Montana honored her by adding her to the Gallery of Outstanding Montanans.
Early Life
Sarah Bickford's early life is a bit of a mystery. We know she was born into slavery. Some records say she was born in North Carolina. Other historians believe she was born in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Her mother was owned by a man named John Blair III.
John Blair III was a politician and businessman. He made a lot of money during the 1849 California Gold Rush. He also owned a hotel in Knoxville. Sarah, sometimes called Sallie, probably worked there in 1860.
After Blair died in 1863, Sarah was separated from her family. She later shared that her parents were sold during the American Civil War. She never saw them again after that time.
After the Civil War ended, Sarah went to live with her aunt and uncle. Her aunt was Nancy Gammon, and her uncle was Isaac Gammon. They lived in Knoxville. Isaac Gammon later became the first African-American alderman in Knoxville. An alderman is a local government official. Sarah took their last name and became Sarah Gammon.
Life in Virginia City
In 1871, Sarah Gammon decided to move to Montana Territory. This was a new area in the western United States. She worked as a nanny for John Luttrell Murphy to pay for her trip.
She arrived in Virginia City, a town famous for its gold rush. Virginia City was also the capital of the Montana Territory back then. Sarah first worked as a chambermaid at the Madison Hotel. A chambermaid cleans rooms in a hotel.
In 1872, she married a miner named John Brown. They had three children together. Sadly, their two sons died from a sickness called diphtheria. In 1880, Sarah and John decided to get a divorce. Sarah received full care of their daughter, Eva, who was seven years old.
After her marriage ended, Sarah Gammon Brown started her own business. She opened the New City Bakery and Restaurant. She often advertised her business in the local newspaper, the Madisonian. Her advertisement said she offered "board by the day or week." This meant people could stay and eat meals there. She also sold "fresh bread, cake, pies and confectionery."
Sadly, Sarah's daughter, Eva, passed away at age 11 in 1882. A year later, Sarah Brown married Stephen Eben Bickford. He was a white miner and farmer. At that time, it was allowed for people of different races to marry in Montana. A law against interracial marriage was passed later in 1909.
Stephen Bickford died in 1890. He left Sarah with four children and part ownership of the Virginia City Waterworks. The Waterworks was a company that provided water to the town. Sarah became very involved in the business. She even took a business class by mail to learn more.
In 1890, Sarah bought the rest of the Waterworks company. This made her the only owner! She also bought a building for her office. This building was known as the "Hangman's Building." Sarah Bickford was a very hands-on owner. She visited every customer herself and collected the bills. She was a respected member of her community until she passed away on July 19, 1931.
