Society of Montana Pioneers facts for kids
Officers, 1884
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| Successor | Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers |
|---|---|
| Formation | September 11, 1884 |
| Dissolved | August 25, 1962 |
The Society of Montana Pioneers was an organization created to celebrate and record the stories of early settlers in Montana. It was founded on September 11, 1884, in Helena, Montana. The main goal was to honor people who lived in the Montana area when it officially became the Montana Territory on May 26, 1864.
Later, in 1909, the rules for joining the society changed. People who had lived in the territory before December 31, 1868, could also become members. By 1899, the society had 1,536 active members. However, not everyone could join. People on military duty, those considered outlaws like Henry Plummer, or Native Americans were not eligible.
To keep the pioneer spirit alive, a junior group called The Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers was started on August 18, 1892. This group was for the children and grandchildren of the original pioneers.
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History of the Montana Pioneers Society
In the summer of 1884, many early settlers in Montana felt that the existing Montana Historical Society was too formal. They wanted a group that was more welcoming to everyone. So, they decided to create their own society.
They sent out a public message asking pioneers to gather and form an association. This message was shared widely to reach as many early settlers as possible. By September 1884, enough pioneers were interested. A meeting was set for September 10, 1884, at the Court House in Helena, Montana. Sixty-six pioneers from eleven different Montana counties signed the official notice for this meeting.
Local Pioneer Groups
Many members of the Society of Montana Pioneers lived in different counties. If a county had a lot of members, they often formed their own local groups. These local societies helped keep the pioneer history alive in their specific areas.
- Pioneers' Society of Beaverhead County (started 1887)
- Gallatin County Pioneer Society No. 1 (started November 23, 1893)
- Jefferson County Society of Pioneers of the State of Montana (started December 10, 1897)
- Lewis and Clarke County Society of Montana Pioneers (started 1897)
- Pioneer Society of Madison County (started 1888)
- The Teton County Society of Montana Pioneers (started January 23, 1895)
Leaders of the Society
The Society of Montana Pioneers had many different leaders over the years. These leaders helped guide the society and its efforts to preserve pioneer history. Here are some of the people who served as president:
- 1884: James Fergus
- 1885: Walter W. DeLacy
- 1886: Granville Stuart
- 1887: Frank H. Woody
- 1888: Wilbur F. Sanders
- 1889: Anton M. Holter
- 1890: William A. Clark
- 1891: Samuel Word
- 1892: Walter Cooper
- 1893: Walter Cooper
- 1894: John T. Conner
- 1895: Conrad Kohrs
- 1896: William L. Steele
- 1897: Nickolas Kessler
- 1898: Henry Elling
- 1899: Henry Elling
- 1900: Henry F. Edgar
- 1904: Cornelius Hedges
- 1913: Martin Maginnis
- 1919: William A. Clark
- 1925: Mary Valiton
- 1949: Mary Doane (wife of Gustavus Cheyney Doane)
- 1960-1961: Luman Allen
Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers
On August 18, 1892, the original Montana Pioneers decided to create a new group. This group was called The Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers. Its purpose was to make sure the stories and traditions of the early settlers would continue through their children and grandchildren.
Anyone who is a direct descendant of an original member of the Society of Montana Pioneers can join this group. The Sons and Daughters Society played a big part in getting land for the Veterans and Pioneer Memorial Building in Helena. This building is located at the state capitol. All the important records from both societies are kept there.
End of the Society
The Society of Montana Pioneers held its 78th and final annual meeting on August 24–25, 1962. This meeting took place in Butte, Montana. At that time, only eight original members of the society were still alive. They, along with The Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers, decided to officially close the original society.
Lumen W. Allen was the very last surviving member of the Society of Montana Pioneers. He passed away on February 19, 1970, in Butte, at the age of 102.
Images for kids
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Officers, 1884
