Another visit to Montana 2010 – A visit with Cousins! Part I

In 2010 my husband’s niece was getting married in Bozeman.  She had been living there training to be a doctor. She met a nice young man who was a policeman for the city.  They had planned their wedding at the Woodlands which was southwest of the town.

We decided to fly to Billings, rent a car and drive to Miles City and visit with Bertha again. This time my husband would get to meet her and see the ranch near Jordan.

From Billings we head east to Pompey’s Pillar National Monument. When you are in Montana you have to stop at the Lewis and Clark historical sites along the way.

http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/lewisandclark/pom.htm

Wm Clark signing at Pompey’s Pillar, MT

Pompey’s Pillar, MT

A little bit about our visit to this historic site from my 2010 travel journal:

We watched the little movie they had in the center and then walked around looking at the displays and getting a lesson on Lewis and Clark’s trip to the Pacific Ocean. Wm. Clark had stopped at Pompey’s Pillar on his way back and he carved his name in the rock.  It is now preserved as the only real physical evidence that he had passed this way.  In the Visitor Center were maps and little bios of the two men and what they each brought to the project.  I have seen the History or Discovery TV channel presentations on this journey and there is very little evidence of the trip.  Apparently Clark named the rock Pompey’s Pillar after Sacajawea’s Son.  It was his pet name for the child.

We walked up to the signature by way of wooden stairs and a walkway and then to the top of the rock to see the view.  It was steep but I was glad I did it.  The Yellowstone River meandered to the north of us but it was shrouded in trees.  

The walkway around Pompey’s Pillar – look closely and find the person standing and go to the right.

My hubby wanted to check out a bridge that looked like a train bridge with no tracks.  So we went down the road a bit. I could see that there was no real highway but I spotted what looked like the best entrance and got lucky.  It was gravel road with a fishing access to the river.  The bridge was blocked off and went nowhere.  Apparently the old metal bridge was abandoned.  A highway was built next to it that was relatively new with a new bridge. 

Iron Bridge & Yellowstone River

Back out on the highway we continued on H-94 to Miles City.  The road was pretty straight and not too challenging. The scenery was ever-changing as we drove along, with buttes and mounds. Some fields were plowed and cultivated.  I tried taking photos out the window of the car as we speed along so I apologize for any fuzziness. 

Montana Roadside views

Montana roadside

Montana countryside

The Yellowstone River again

We arrived in Miles City about 5 pm.

My cousin was not home so I called her cell phone and she was about 10 minutes way.  The air was pleasant so we waited. The grasshoppers were jumping around as we walked in the grass by her house.  The home was further north in the city than I remembered. She soon drove up in a large van that was dusty and dirty, typical of Montana.  She climbed out and we greeted each other warmly with a hug.  Her hair was no longer curly but looked pulled back.   I introduced her to my hubby. She introduced her little dog “Lady,” of four years.  Apparently Bear had died.  It made me sad.  I liked that little dog. 

The next day we headed up to Jordan and the ranch.  We were going to meet up with Bertha’s niece Gloria who was in the area fossil hunting.  I wanted them to get together.  This time I sat next to Bertha on the passenger side as she drove so I could hear her talk about the history of the area.

As we drove along to Jordan my cousin told us about the people who had lived there. The first ranch was the Moore family 5 miles out who moved into an old school-house at first.  There were the Rooney’s by Rock Springs. She mentioned McDonald’s. They lived there Sept-Nov over two years on the Belinkey Ranch and worked for Giddon Bickel brother to her brother-in-law. 

A view from the ranch

She called the different land formations “buttes” and mentioned that there were lots of snakes in them.  One was specifically called Snake Butte. She mentioned the creek’s along the way Upper and Lower Sand Creek, Dry Creek. Deadman’s Road where several dead men had been found, but it was not known what happened to them and how they died.  As we sped past the little towns she would mention the Post office.  Angela was not very big and had two buildings but it was considered a town.  There is Cohagen another town.  She pointed out the Sheepherder monument that had been put on top of one butte. 

On the way to Jordan as the car is moving….

Clouds threatening

On the way to Jordan, a little reflection off the car windows.

The land changed every five miles or more into something different.  As you leave Miles City you climb up a hill over the Yellowstone River bridge.  It travels passed the airport which is on the top of the hill over to the left as you go north to Jordan. Garfield county was carved out of several counties of which Dawson is the main one.  She told us that Garfield County was the biggest in the state and the least populated. 

She pointed out the community centers in the towns and the schools that were now all abandoned. She had walked five miles to school, to and from, in all kinds of weather as a child.  Rock Springs is were she held her wedding dance in one of the halls.

The highway signs counted down the miles to Jordan which made it easy to get a feel for our travel time.  I only saw one antelope by a fence that morning. There were lots of cattle out on the land, lots of fields that you could see where wheat was being cultivated and lots of different bales of hay and some were straw. My cousin explained that you could mix hay with straw to feed the cattle. Cattle can dig in the snow about six inches but any more than that and they have to be fed.  She mentioned that land could only handle some cattle or it would be overgrazed and it did affect the value of the land.  If the land was left alone it would come back in a year. 

While we waited to caught up with my cousin’s niece, we had a little tour of Jordan. Our goal was the Hilltop Cafe in Jordan for lunch and visiting.

The Courthouse in Jordan

We toured the town of Jordan. The courthouse was in red brick. Apparently there was a fire in 1997 and it almost took the records but a great many were stored off site so that helped a lot.  

We met up with the son who was at a table in the Hilltop Cafe. He was dressed in a T-shirt, flannel shirt, cowboy hat and seated.  He was a bit soiled in his clothing. I immediately went over and gave him a hug and greeted him.  He had claimed a big table and it would prove to be a good move on his part.  We all ordered coffee and I explained to waitress that we were expecting others so we would wait a while before we ordered. The son was trying to do the haying on the ranch but the rain was causing a slow down. 

Just as we started to order, the others arrived at the Hilltop and I was able recognize my cousin by her smile from a photo she had sent me.  Their trailer as having trouble so her husband was going to have to get that fixed.  We all went around and introduced each other and I hugged Gloria.  Note:  The Hilltop Cafe is on Facebook.

They were in Jordan searching for fossils.  They talked about the fossil hunting and what they were finding. I guess they removed them from the rock and then prepare them for sale?  They are trying to find a complete animal like a T-Rex.  They have found many bones – teeth, frog fossils etc.  

After lunch which we all went our various ways.  I went with my cousins in the van. We piled into the van with Lady and off we went to the ranch.  It is 20 miles from Jordan. As you come to the ranch you can see it and the road comes up past the corrals.  It was very muddy from the rain and there were big potholes filled with water that made the van slide around a little.  

My two cousins chatted away as we drove up the road. They talked about the schools, where there had been family picnics.  I talked about my research and trying to find out more about the Spracklin family in England.  Both cousins are into genealogy and the niece was working on the other side of the family lines that married into the Spracklins like the Heiss, Kibbee and more.  She had a book about the Kibbee family with her and shared that with us.  It was called the Kibbe Genealogical Note.

The ranch was as I remembered it minus a few buildings that had been burned down.  Amos’s homestead we toured but it is not safe and it will have to be destroyed.  It was a hard thing to do but necessary for it was falling down and not safe.  It was built in the late 1800’s and Amos had added the kitchen, porch and later the living room.  

The view from the Ranch

Our visit to the ranch was short and we returned to Miles City that evening.  This gave us time to do a little exploring of our own and I wanted to go back to the Range Rider Museum and take a good look.

The Range Rider Museum was opening at 10 am so about 10:30 we head out.  It was getting a little dark and raining some. We started in the gun collection and I studied the Winchester rifle and a Colt 45 which were supposedly the guns that might have killed my great-grandfather George A. Barclay.  So I tried some more photos but the glare from the overhead lights was too much.

Colt pistol

 I returned to the main room and wandered about.  I went into the hallway and studied the faces in the great hall which are the inductees who are along the wall.  I took some pictures. 

The Gathering Hall, Range Rider Museum

Black and White photo boards of the Indians

I then went into the other part where I saw the Indian photos all in b&w of the Indian squaws, along with the Indian Chiefs and others. There was information about Fort Keogh, the rancher photos in the way back area, a whole area about brands of the ranchers, tools, a town scene of Mill Town and other dioramas. I went through the flip boards in the middle island that I missed the last time and there is a lot on bronco riding and rodeo in them as well as in the museum, articles about the Range Rider museum history. There was a saddles display and other cowboy items on display.  They did have book on the History of Custer County on the case.

We headed outside and saw the inside of another building with a wall devoted to the nurses of Holy Rosary up to about 1960. Hats and boots of various people, some ethnic families, ads of a saddle making shop. The last building housed old carriages and large pieces of equipment and furniture. 

Outbuildings at the Range Rider Museum

I talked with Bob Bartholmess the director and asked a few questions. He said that the brands are assigned and you pay $100 then renewed every 10 years.  If a person dies their brand is only continued if the descendants renew it.  If not then it is reassigned. 

I told you there are different Barb wire configurations

Brands

To become a member of the Hall in the back you need to be deceased, have family write a biography which is then reveal at an induction ceremony in June.  I am told you pay $300 in addition.  You have to be born before 1915 to get into it. I asked him how someone could get the information about the inductees and he said that they call him and he will give it a try.  It might take a while but they might be able to find something.  So it does take some time to dig into their files.  All inductees are in a book in the corner of the great hall.  http://www.rangeridersmuseum.com/

I wanted to get a tour of Miles City so we headed out to drive around and see the area.

Custer County Courthouse

The Park

The Olive Hotel

We parked the car and tried walking in the downtown area of Miles City but the storm cloud was brewing and it started to rain as we headed for the Olive Hotel.  We went into the lobby and looked around. We asked if there was any rooms we could view but were told no. We then walked down to the Montana Bar and it was very beautiful inside with a dark wooden bar and booths.  The sky opened up at that time and just poured.  So we hung around hopefully waiting till it gave up but it was persistent, this cut short my tour.  The Montana Bar is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montanabarmcmt/

I had not realized that the Yellowstone River passed through Miles City, so we went in search of it.  My hubby really liked the Art Center in Miles City so we went to see that as well.

Miles City’s version of the Yellowstone River

We decided to try for the sandbar further up on the other side of the bridge that crossed the Yellowstone. There was a narrow dirt road with ruts that we eased the car onto and we managed to get down onto the rocky sandbar and I was relieved for you can get suck.  There were others with their cars parked on the sandbar.  It had a lot of rocks in it.  We walked over to the Yellowstone River and enjoyed the view.  The water was warm to the touch but it was shallow there at the shoreline.

The Art Center and how it looked when we were there.  http://wtrworks.org/  Apparently they have fixed it up from the photo that is on the website.  It was very nice inside so don’t let this photo discourage you.

WaterWorks Art Museum in Miles City

The time had come to say goodbye to my cousin and we did that after breakfast. It was time to head west to Bozeman for the wedding.  It had been good to see my cousin again and as usual visiting with her is an adventure.

The Yellowstone River:  It does start in the Absaroka Range (Longmire fans note the reference). When I travel I like to follow the rivers.   http://www.britannica.com/place/Yellowstone-River

A map of the rivers of Montana – http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/states/montana/montana-river-map.html

NOTE:  Well I messed up and published part II before part I.  So if you get a little confused just look for the Roman numerals and read in order I and then II and it will make sense.

The Family of Amos and Iva Heiss Spracklin….

Amos Earl Spracklin was a son of Reed and Julia Siler Spracklin.  He was born on the 28th of August, 1899 in Greenfield Twp., Calhoun Co., Iowa.

Amos Spracklin in 1919

He died on the 12th of December, 1983 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana. He is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City Montana.

Amos & Iva’s Tombstone, Custer Co. Cemetery in Miles City

Amos married Iva Myrtle Heiss on the 26th of July, 1924 in Miles City, Montana.

Kafroth & Mary C. Heiss

Iva was born in Baldwin, Burleigh Co., North Dakota. She was the daughter of Kafroth Rodney Heiss, Jr. who was born 31 May, 1858 in Erie, Erie Co., Pennsylvania and died 6 December, 1928 in Warms Springs, Deer Lodge, Montana.  Her mother was Mary Katherine Unzen born 14 February, 1879 in Minnesota and died 20 June, 1973 in Miles City, Montana. She was the daughter of Joseph Unzen and Elizabeth Morris.

Joseph Unzen and Elizabeth are buried in the Saint Leo Cemetery in Yellow Medicine Co., Minnesota. Find A Grave has a photo of their tombstones and a memorial with links.  It is possible from the Find A Grave information that Joseph’s father was Nicholas Unzen born 2 August, 1788 in Germany and died 18 February, 1872 in Le Sueur Co., Minnesota.

Mary K. Heiss is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City with her son Rodney. Find A Grave has a tombstone photo and memorial for both.  There are other Heiss buried there but the relationships are not clarified.

Kafroth’s father was Kafroth Rodney Heiss Sr. who died 12 August, 1858 in Fairview (probably a township), Erie Co., Pennsylvania. The mother was Mary Ann Long born in Fairview, Erie Co., Pennsylvania.  There is a memorial at Find A Grave for a Kafroth Heiss with no information and no tombstone.  There are other Heiss buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Erie County, Pennsylvania.

We find the family of Kafroth and Mary Heiss living in Wason Flats, Garfield County, Montana in the 1920 U.S. Census. The name is under Kafront R. Heiss. He is 71 years of age in this census. Wason Flats is east of Cohagen in Garfield County, Montana.

Source:  1920 U.S. Federal Census, Wason Flats, Garfield Co., Montana, School Dist#33, SD#2, ED#123, Sht #5B, enumerated on 21 February, 1920 by J. Budd Kaus. 

Line 76, Farm, 114, 114, Heis, Kafront R., Head, 1, 0, F, M, W, 71, M, all able to read and write, several in school, born Pennsylvania, parents born in Pennsylvania, yes, farmer, general farm, 110.

Heiss, Mary wife, F, 2, 41, M, born Minnesota, parents born in West Prussia

Heiss, Rose, daughter, F, W, 18, S, born Washington

Heiss, Arthur, son, M, W, 15, S, born Minnesota, maid, housework

Heiss, Iva, daughter, F, W, 13, S, born North Dakota, 

Heiss, Elizabeth daughter, F, W, 11, S, born North Dakota

Heiss, Roddy son, M, W, 9, S, born North Dakota

Heiss, Joseph son, M, W, 5, S, born North Dakota

Heis, Deloris, daughter, F, W, 2, S, born Montana

According to my information Kafroth and Mary had about nine children, including Iva:  Bob, Joe, Art, Rose, Delores, Ann, Rodney died 1961, Iva Myrtle and Elizabeth Susanna 1908 to 2001 who married Harley Grover Spracklin.

So I went back to 1910 and find Kafroth and Mary K. Heiss living in North Dakota.

Source: 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Menoken Twp., Burleigh, North Dakota, SD#2, ED#35, Sht#1A, enumerated on 18 April, 1910 by Ole Sather.

Line 1, 1, 1, Heiss, K. Head, M, W, 53, Married 12 years, born in PA, parents born in PA, English, Farmer

Heiss, Mary K. wife, F, W, 31, Married 12 years, 5 born 5 living, born Minnesota, parents born Germany, English, house farm

Heiss, Annie Mary, daughter, F, W, 10, S, born Washington

Hessi, Rosy Elmirel, daughter, F, W, 8, S, born Washington

Heiss, Arthur Floyd, Son, M,W, 5, S, born Minnesota

Heiss, Iva Mary, daughter, F, W, 3, S, born North Dakota

Heiss, Elizabeth Susanna, daughter, F, W, 1, S, born North Dakota

We have added a couple more children for Kafroth and Mary K. Heiss to the family group.  I am not finding them in the 1900 U.S. Census but it looks like they were in Washington State at that time.

Here are is another photo of Amos and Iva’s homestead, which is now owned by a daughter.

Amos’ Homestead near Jordan, 2003. It is probably torn down by now it was going to ruin and was dangerous.

In 1930 Amos is living near his father Reed and mother Julia.

Amos and Iva Spracklin and one of their girls, probably Margaret

Source:  Reed Spracklin Family and Amos Spracklin Families, 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Sheldon Twp., Garfield Co., Montana, School Distr #41., Garfield Co., Montana SD2, ED 122, Sh#5a, Mar 22, 1930, #T625-971.

Line 3, 2, 2, Spracklin, Amos. E, Head, yes, M, W, 30, m, 24, No, yes, born Iowa, father born Iowa, mother, born Nebraska, yes, Farm, laborer, Farm, 2. 
Spracklin, Iva, M, Wife – H, F, W, 30, M, 24, no, yes, born Iowa, father born Iowa and mother Minnesota. 
Spracklin, Margaret R, daughter, F, W, 3, S, no, born Montana
Spracklin, Alice, M, daughter, F, W, 1, S, no, born Montana

Line 7, 3, 3, Spracklin, Reed, A. Head, yes, M,W,, 61, M, 39, no, yes, born Iowa, father born Ohio, mother born Indiana, Farmer, farm, 3.
Spracklin, Julia A, wife-H, F, W, 51, M, 29, No, yes, born Nebraska, father Indiana, mother Iowa
Spracklin, Roy, Son, M,W, 16 S, yes, yes, born Iowa
Spracklin, Everett, R, son, M, W, 19, S, no, yes, born Iowa
Spracklin, Forest, E, son, M, W. 12, S, yes, yes, born Montana
Spracklin, Clara L., daughter, F, W, 10 S, yes, yes, born Montana

Amos and Iva are residing in the Sawtell area of Garfield Co., Montana in 1940.

Source: Amos E. Spracklin Family, 1940 U.S. Federal Census, Sawtell (School District), Garfield Co., Montana, SD #3, ED 17-25, Sht# 1A, Enumerated April 24, 1940 by Donald M. Zimmerman. 

Line 6, 2, R, 4, yes, Spracklin, Amos L., Head, M, W, 40 , M, No, 44, born Iowa, all same house, farmer,, farm.
Spracklin, Iva, wife, F, W, 34, M, No 8, North Dakota. Spracklin, Margaret, daughter, F, W, 13, S, yes, 6, Montana, Spracklin, Alice, daughter, F, W, 11, S, yes, 5, Montana, Spracklin, Betty, daughter, F,W, 9, S, yes, 4, Montana, Spracklin, Bertha, daughter, F, W, 7, S, yes, 2, Montana, Spracklin, Dorothy, daughter, F, W, S, Montana, Spracklin, Helen, daughter, F, W, S, Montana.  

Amos and Iva in 1967 at Thanksgiving

Iva Heiss Spracklin passed away on November 24, 1969.

Mrs. Iva Myrtle Spracklin, 63, wife of Amos E. Spracklin, former Jordan area rancher, died Monday, November 24 at her home in Hamilton. Funeral services for Mrs. Iva Spracklin were held, Friday afternoon in the Chapel of Stevenson, Miles City Funeral Home with the Rev. Leland Rubesh of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Music was under the direction of Mrs. Marian Pinkham. Mrs. Spracklin was born in Baldwin, N.D. on October 16, 1906, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. Heiss. As a young girl she moved with her family to the Cohagen area where they homesteaded. She received her schooling in Miles City. She was married to Amos E. Spracklin on July 26, 1924 at Miles City and following their marriage they moved to the Jordan area where they farmed and ranched. They retired from the ranch in 1964 when they moved to Hamilton and have made their home there since. Surviving are her husband of Hamilton and six daughters. Mrs. M. Roberts of Hamilton, Mrs. F. Bickel of Rock Springs, Mrs. D. Cole of Miles City, Mrs. B. Roufley of Jordan and Mrs. D. Euell of Bozeman and Mrs. Fishell of White Sulphur Springs. Also surviving are her mother Mrs. Mary K. Heiss of Miles City, and three brothers, Bob Heiss of Garden Grove, Calif., Joe Heiss serving in the U.S. Army and Art Heiss of Miles City; four sisters, Rose Pembrook of Lewiston, Idaho, Delores Rogers of Roundup, Ann Larson of Lewiston, Idaho, and Elizabeth Spracklin of Miles City; 25 grandchildren and seven great grand children. She was preceded in death by one brother, Rodney Heiss in 1962 and one daughter, Mary Ann Spracklin in 1923 near Jordan. Pall bearers were: Martin Derenburgen, Donald Weeding, James Rogers, Waldo Bentley, George Spracklin, Roy Spracklin, Thomas Billings, Pete Ronning and Bob Phipps. Burial was in the family plot in the Sunset Memorial Gardens in Miles City.”  Note: There were issues with the water table at Sunset and so the casket was moved to the Custer County Cemetery next to her husband Amos in Miles City, MT.

Amos lived fourteen more years beyond his wife and passed away on 12 December, 1983 at the age of 84 years old.

Obituary for Amos Earl Sprackin
“Amos Earl Spracklin, 84, longtime rancher of the Jordan area, died Monday at the Garfield County Hospital in Jordan of a long illness. He was born Aug. 28, 1899 in Calhoun Co., Iowa the son of Reed Spracklin and Julia Siler. Mr. Spracklin came to Montana with his parents in 1915 when he was a young man. They homesteaded on Lone Tree Creek, 19 miles west of Jordan. On July 26, 1924, he married Iva Myrtle Heiss at Miles City. They continued to ranch west of Jordan until 1964 when they moved to Hamilton. In 1974 he moved to Mill Iron where he lived until 1978 when he entered the rest home at Jordan where he lived until his death. Survivors included six daughters, Mrs. Clint (Margaret) Vial of Portland, Oregon; Mrs. James Roufley of Brusett, Mrs. Ferdinand  Bickel of Mill Iron, Mrs. Delbert ole of Alzada, Mrs. Jesse Euell of Bozeman and Mrs. Jacob Fowler of Hamilton; three brothers Clifford of Hamilton, LeRoy of Roundup, and Forest of Washington; one sister, Clara Monger of Lewistown; 27 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Iva on Nov. 24, 1969 at Hamilton. Funeral services will be held Friday, 2 p.m., in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Rev. Leslie Payne of the First Christian Church will officiate. Burial will be in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery.”  source unknown, probably Miles City newspaper. 

Amos and Iva had the following children:

Amos and Iva’s Girls

1.  Mary Anna Spracklin, born 14 August, 1925 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana and died on the 15th of September 1925.  My understanding is that Mary is buried on the homestead property.
2. Margaret Rosailie Spracklin was born 18 October, 1926 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana and died 22 December, 2012, in Jordan. Margaret married about five times 1) Daniel L. Ward on 5 April, 1945 in Miles City. They divorced in 1961. Daniel was born 1911 and died 1963. 2) She married Alexander Kline on 17 November, 1961 in Roundup, Montana and they later divorced.  He was born about 1916. 3) The next was Ira Clayton Lewis on 1 February, 1964 in Vancouver, Washington. 4) Henry C. Roberts on and Margaret married on 20 December, 1967. Henry was born about 1906 and died 1966.  5) She married Clinton F. Vial on 5 April, 1974 in Vancouver. Clinton was born 1907 and died 1983 in Washington.  Margaret had several children from her first marriage. She is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan, Montana. Find A Grave has a nice memorial for her but no tombstone photo at this time.
3. Alice May Spracklin was born on 9 December, 1928 in Brusett, Garfield Co., Montana and she died on the 28th of January, 2015 in Billings, Montana. She is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City, Montana. Alice married a Ferdinand Herbert Bickel on 7 October, 1945 in Miles City. He died on 2 January, 1998 in Ekalaka, Carter Co., Montana. He is also buried in the Custer County Cemetery. Find A Grave has tombstone photos a memorial and links for this couple. Ferdinand and Alice had several children and a long married life together. Alice was married briefly before to a C. Yungk but it was annulled.
4. Betty Jean Spracklin was born 23 October, 1930 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana. Betty died on the 10th of February, 2013 in Miles City from a heart attack. Betty was married twice. She first married to a Henry Francis Stocker on 3 June, 1948 in Miles City and had several children with this man.  They divorced in 1960 and she remarried to a Donald Delbert Cole on 21 March, 1961 in Glendive, Dawson Co., Montana. Donald was born on 18 September, 1925 in Terry, Montana and died 7 April, 2000 in Miles City. Betty is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Find A Grave has a memorial for her but does not have a tombstone photo at this time.

Betty Spracklin Cole

5.  Bertha Evelyn Spracklin born 27 July, 1932 in Jordan, Montana. Bertha was married on 18 September 1948 in Miles City to James Everetts Roufley.  They had four children together one son and three daughters. Update: Dec 1, 2023, I learned that Bertha died on January 28, 2022 and was buried in the Custer Co. Cemetery next to her husband Jim.

James was born 17 August, 1918 in Stanton, Mercer Co., North Dakota.

James with brother Harold

James fought in World War II in the Battle of the Bulge.

James Roufley after basic training Fort Ord.

He died on 12 July, 1991 and is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City.

James Roufley’s Tombstone, Custer Co. Cemetery

James’ parents were James Franklin Roufley who died 2 February, 1972 and Ethel May Percy born 21 November, 1893 and died 21 September, 1978 in Miles City.  Ethel is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. James had a brother name Roy who died in 9 September, 1981 in Yellowstone Co., Montana.  Update: 12/4/2019 – A close descendant has informed me that Roy was not a brother to James but rather the grandson of Harold Roufley a brother (1916-1979). Other siblings were Margaret (1921-1984), Lloyd (1923-2002) and Dorothy (1928-1991).

Bertha and James settled on the land that was formerly Amos and Iva’s homestead.

6.  Dorothy Josephine Spracklin was born 1 January, 1935 in Garfield Co., Montana. She married twice first to a Jesse Bernard Euel on 21 Mary, 1951 and later to a Mr. Tucker.  Dorothy was living in Bozeman at the time of her mother and father’s deaths.

7.  Helen Marlys Spracklin was born on 23 June 1937 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana and died 6 April, 2014 in Spokane, Washington.

Helen Spracklin Fowler

Helen married three times.  The first was in April of 1955 she married a Leon W. Seniba. They later divorced in 1961.  Another marriage was to a Mr. Fishel.  She later married a Jacob E. Fowler born 8 March, 1934 and died 3 July 1981 in Miles City. Jacob and Helen had about seven children together.

Both Helen and her husband are buried in the Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton, Ravalli County, Montana. Jacob has a tombstone picture and memorial at Find A Grave.

If you would like more information about any of these individuals, just leave a comment and I will be happy to contact you.  As always please double check the information presented above.

Reed and Julia Spracklin’s Children…

Julia and Reed Spracklin had nine children, two of their children died young: Jimmy and Willie. Seven of their children were born in Iowa and the last two where born in Montana. Forest was born in March of 1917 so this tells you about when they made the final move to Montana from Iowa.

Reed and Julia Spracklin and family.

1.  James Franklin Spracklin was born 24 September, 1898 in Calhoun Co., Iowa and died on 4 October, 1899 in Cedar Twp. Calhoun Co., Iowa. James or rather Jimmy is buried in the Cedar Township Cemetery in Calhoun Co., Iowa. There is a picture of his tombstone at Find A Grave. The tombstone has the day of birth the 26th of September and the death April 10, 1899.  It does state that his parents are R.A. and J.A. Spracklin.

Source:  Calhoun County, Iowa Cemeteries pg. 3, 19, Cedar Twp. Cemetery, Published by the Iowa Genealogical Society, Des Moines, Iowa Spracklin, Son of R.A. & J.A. Died April 10, 1899 6 mo. 16 day. Willie son of R. & J. 1901-1902

2. Amos Earl Spracklin was born 28 August, 1899 in Greenfield Twp., Calhoun Co., Iowa and died on 12 December, 1983 in Jordan, Garfield County, Montana. Amos would marry Iva Myrtle Heiss (1906-1969) and have seven children – all girls.  Both Amos and Iva are buried in the Miles City Cemetery, in Montana.  There will be more about this couple in the next post.

3. William Laurence Spracklin was born 7 May, 1901 and died 18 March, 1902 in Cedar Twp., Calhoun Co., Iowa. Willie is also buried in the Cedar Township Cemetery near Rinard, Calhoun Co., Iowa.  Find A Grave has a picture of his tombstone.

4. Oliver Martin Spracklin was born 9 February, 1903 in Calhoun Co., Iowa and died 18 July, 1934 at Ft. Peck Dam in Montana.  According to his father’s obit he was killed at Fort Peck but I cannot find any obituary for Oliver to tell me what happened.  UPDATE: 4/22/2016 A reader was kind to share with me the following obituary for Oliver:

The Jordan Tribune, 26 July 1934, page 1

Oliver Spracklin, age 31, met a horrible death at 2 o’clock last Saturday afternoon, a short time after he had started on a new job at Fort Peck Dam. While attending to his duties as oiler of a long conveyor belt connected with one of the tunnels his hand or clothing was caught in the coupling and his body dragged about 50 feet on the belt until it became wedged under a roller. No one else was present when the accident happened, and until the body became clogged in such a manner as to stop the machinery, workers in the vicinity were not aware of what had happened. Harley Spracklin, a brother of the deceased, happened to be in the vicinity of the dam shortly after the accident, but exact details could not immediately be ascertained. In fact, Harley had started on his return to Jordan and did not know that it was his brother who was the accident victim until he reached Haxby. The body was then being brought to Jordan. The supposition is that Oliver’s hand or the bib overalls he wore at the time caught on one of the belt hooks which dragged him across the 32-inch belt and to his death. Funeral services attended by a large number of people were held at the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. W. W. Landis officiating.

Oliver Spracklin was born in Calhoun Co., Iowa, Feb. 9, 1903. In 1914 he came to Garfield County where he has since resided. He is survived by his wife and one son, Chester, his father and mother and five brothers and one sister.

The sympathy of the community is extended to the bereaved wife and relatives.

He married Edna Louise Hollenbeck on 14 March, 1930 in Butte Creek, Garfield County, Montana.  However, the marriage license reads Williams for her last name.

Source:  Marriage Record, State of Montana, County of Garfield, Oliver Spracklin, white, age 27, born Calhoun Co., Summers, Iowa, father Reed A. Spracklin, mother Julia Ann Siler, white. Edna Williams, white, residence Butte Creek, Mont. father William Williams and mother Carrie Boughton, Oliver Spracklin 14 March 1930, Guy L. Scott, clerk, H.L. Davis Deputy. She was 19 years, born at Miles City in Custer Co., Montana. Married 14, March 1939, Oliver Spracklin to Edna Williams, witnesses were Mrs. Carrier Williams and A. E. Spracklin. Chas, C. Kite, JP.

They had 1 child together named Chester.

In 1930 Oliver and Edna were living in School District 51, Garfield, Montana.

Source:  Oliver M. Spracklin Family, 1930 U.S. Federal Census, School District 51, Garfield Co., Montana, ED# 17-48, SD#7, Sht#1-B, enumerated 16 April 1930, by Vern Parish. 

Line 98, 24, 25, Spracklin Oliver M, Head, O, $1000, yes, M, W, 27, M, 27, no, yes, born Iowa, father born Iowa, mother born Iowa, yes, farmer, farm, yes, no, 25. 

Spracklin, Edna L, wife, F, W, 18, m, 18, yes, yes, born Montana, father born Nebraska, mother born Montana, yes, none. 

Oliver’s gravestone in Jordan, Pioneer Cemetery

Edna remarried to a Clifford Godfred Hawkinson on 4 January, 1936 in Jordan. He died 25 July 1945 and she may have married a John Adams, Jr. Something happened and she married again to Jerome Henry Saylor on 10 March, 1950 in Hardin, Big Horn Co., Montana.

In 1940 Edna was living with Clifford and Chester and more children in Minnesota.

Source: Clifford G. Hawkinson, 1940 U.S. Federal Census, Harris Village, Chisago, Minnesota, SD#3, ED#13-9, Sht#6A, enumerated on 15 April 1940 by Robert G. Smith. 

Line 8, 115, R, 5, No, Hawkinson, Clifford, M, W, 38, M, No 8, born Minnesota, R, Garfield, Montana, yes, no, no, yes, 26, laborer, farm, PW, 32, 240, No, 66. 

Hawkinson, Edna, Wife, F, W, 28, M, no, 8, born Montana, R, Garfield, Montana, no, no, no, H, o, o, no. 

Hawkinson, Caroline, daughter, F, W, 4, S, no, o, born Montana

Hawkinson, Arthur, Son, M, W, 2, S, no, o, born Wisconsin, 

Hawkinson, Dorothy, daughter, M, W, 3/12, S, no, o, born Montana

Spracklin, Chester, step-son, M, W, 9, S, no, o, born Montana, Garfield, Montana

Edna’s parents have been given as Virgil A. Hollenbeck and Carrie Ellen Broughton yet the marriage record above says William Williams and Carrie Boughton as well as her obit below. Apparently a bit more research is needed regarding the life of Edna and clarifying some of the events.

Edna was born 7 July, 1911 in Jordan, Dawson Co. (Garfield), Montana and died 1 December, 1960 in Jordan. She is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan, Montana. Find A Grave has a picture of her tombstone.

Death and Services – Mrs. Jerome Saylor
Mrs. Jerome (Edna) Saylor, 40 of Brusett died at a Miles City hospital Thursday morning. She had been admitted on Nov. 14. Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Presbyterian church in Jordan with burial in the Pioneer Cemetery the Rev. Archie McPhall will officiate. Graves Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Saylor was born at Jordan and had spent all of her life in the Jordan and Brusett communities. She attended Snow Creek Schools and was married to Jerome Saylor in 1950. Mrs. Saylor was a member of the Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her husband; her parents, William and Carrie Williams; the following sons and daughters; Chester Spracklin of Garden Valley, Idaho, Frances Hawkinson of Jordan, Arthur F. Hawkinson of St. Paul, Minn. Mrs. Charles (Caroline) Schweers of San Antonio, Texas, and Mrs. Harlan (Dorothy) Krinkle, Minneapolis; and five grandchildren. Also surviving are the following brothers and sisters: Joe and James Williams of Jordan; John Williams of Tacoma, WA.; Mrs. Morris. Source: Miles City Daily Star, Friday, Dec. 2, 1960 pg 2.

Obituary – Hawkinson Rites to held Saturday at 2 pm at Jordan, Announced. Funeral services for the late Clifford G. Hawkinson of the Jordan community will be held on Saturday tomorrow afternoon from the Presbyterian church at Jordan, commencing at 2p.m. The Rev. William G. Johnson, minister of the congregation will officiate at the final rites and have charge of the committal services in the Jordan Cemetery where burial will be made. The late Mr. Hawkinson met death by drowning on Wednesday in Snow Creek, an arm of Fort Peck Lake.  Source: Miles City Daily Star July 25, 1945, pg. 8.

5. Harley Grover Spracklin was born 12 February, 1906 in Dayton Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa. He died 2 July, 1964 in Garfield Co., Montana.  He is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan.

Harley’s tombstone in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan, MT.

He married Elizabeth Susanna Heiss on 16 February, 1925 and they had six children.

Elizabeth was a sister to Iva, wife of brother Amos. Elizabeth was born 26 September, 1908 in Bismarck, Burleigh, North Dakota and died in 2001. Elizabeth is buried in the Maplewood Cemetery in Stevensville, Ravelli, Montana. Find A Grave as a picture of her tombstone.

Source: Harley Grover Spracklin Family, 1930 U.S. Federal Census, School Dist. No. 1, Garfield, Montana, ED#17-1, SD#7, Sht#7-B, enumerated 30 April, 1930 by Thomas L, Harvey.

Line 51, 172, 172, Spracklin, Harley, Head, R, 12, No, M, W, 24, M, 19, no, yes, born Iowa, father born Iowa, mother born Nebraska, Tractor service man, retail farm [mchy], employed yes, vet no

Spracklin, Elizabeth, wife-H, F, W, 21, M, 16, no, yes, born North Dakota, father born PA, mother born Minnesota

Spracklin William, son, M, W, 3 10/12, S, no, born Montana

Spracklin, Robert, son, 1 10/12, S, no, born Montana

Spracklin, Ruth, daughter, 2/12, S, no, born Montana

Spracklin, Rose, daughter, 2/12, S, no born Montana

Note:  Harley and Elizabeth may have two more children: Donald D. and Ronald K.

Harley had an unfortunate end to his life.  He was killed in an auto accident.

Harley Grover Spracklin killed in auto accident.

A transcript of the article above:  Accident: Jordan Man 114th Highway Fatality:
A one-car roll-over five miles north of Cohagan about mid-day Thursday took the life of Jordan mechanic and house mover Harley Grover Spracklin 58. Spracklin was traveling about 60 MPH according to investigating patrolman E.H. Metzenburg when his vehicle went off the east side of the road and traveled for about 350 feet. The car went back on the roadway, traveled for another 120 feet and went into the west barrow pit and rolled another 130 feet. Spracklin who apparently was killed instantly, was thrown from the vehicle, which rolled over him, about half-way through the last roll. The car was traveling toward the Garfield County seat and was on a straight and level stretch of road when the mishap occurred. — Photo by Mitzenberg. (Miles City Star Friday-Sunday, July 3-5, 1964. There is also a picture of the destroyed car on its head.)

Spracklin Killed in car mishap – Miles City Star
Harley Grover Spracklin, 58 of Jordan was killed Thursday afternoon in a one-car accident (shown above) five miles north of Cohagan on Highway 22. According to the Montana Highway Patrolman Ernie Metzenberg, the car was heading toward Jordan when it went off…..same as above article….Mr. Spracklin was born in Calhoun County, Iowa, Feb. 12, 1906 and moved to the Jordan area with his parents in 1914. He attended schools in Garfield County and was married Feb. 16, 1925 in Miles City to Elizabeth Heiss. He was engaged in construction and mechanical work. Surviving are his widow, Elizabeth; four sons, William of Glendive, Robert and Donald of Montclair, Calif., and Keith, who is serving with the U.S. Navy; twin daughter Mrs. Ruth Slabbekorn, Montclair, Calif. and Mrs. Rose Gehlen, Anchorage, Alaska; four brothers, Leroy and Amos of Jordan, Clifford of Forsyth and Forrest of Washington State; one sister Mrs. Clara Derenberger of Cohagen, and 13 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held in the Presbyterian Church in Jordan, the time to be announced after relatives are contacted. Graves Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

From the Miles City Star Tuesday, July 7, 1964, Buried 6 July 1964
Harley G. Spracklin – Funeral services for Harley Grover Spracklin of Jordan where held Monday afternoon from the Presbyterian Church in Jordan with the Rev. John B. Fitz of Miles City officiating. Verna Schmidt and Tudy Newland san duets with Mrs. Laura Patterson as organist. Mr. Spracklin was killed Thursday afternoon in a one-car accident five miles north of Cohagen. Surviving are his widow, Elizabeth; four sons….Glendive….etc. same as above article. Active pallbearers were Pete Ritter, Phil Fellman, Fred Hinther, Marvin Haliberg, Floyd Osborn, and Thomas Graham. Honorary pallbearers were Jack lee and Ray Schillreff. Burial was in the family lot in the Pioneer Cemetery at Jordan. The Graves Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. 

Elizabeth Suzanne Spracklin
Elizabeth Suzanne Spracklin 92, of Stevensville, died at her home on Sunday, May 6, 2001. She was born in Bismark, N.D., on Sept. 26, 1908, to Kafer and Mary (Yunger) Heiss. She married Harley Spracklin in 1925. He preceded her in death in 1964, as did two sons Robert in 1986 and Donald in 1995 and one great great grandchild. Elizabeth moved to Stevensville in 1989. She had worked as a cook many years and at one time owned her own restaurant in Jordan. Survivors include two sons, William (Rita) Spracklin of Glendive and Keith (Irene) Spracklin of Denver City, Texas; two daughters, Ruth (Bill) Maynard of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. and Rose (Gene) Gehlen of Stevensville. Also surviving is a brother Art Heiss, 22 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 8 at 2 p.m. at Community Baptist Church in Stevensville with Pastor Earl Hargis officiating. Burial will follow at the Maplewood Cemetery. The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.  Source: Ravalli Republic, Monday, May 7, 2001 and the Missoulian, Monday May 7, 2001 B3.

6. Clifford Ray Spracklin was born 6 January, 1911 in Dayton Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa and died 23 January, 1986 in Hamilton, Ravalli Co., Montana.

He married Viola Christine Rose (Long) on 10 November, 1936 in Jordan, Montana and they had four children together. She had been married about three times before and brought several children to the marriage.  Adam T. Hieb married April 2, 1918 in Miles City, one child Adam T. Heib. Albert Jack Long, married 6 December, 1920 in Miles City two children: Marie and Warren. A possible Hugo O. Bougaty was another marriage, no children?

Source: Marriage License, State of Montana, County of Garfield, Clifford Spracklin, white, residing Jordan, Montana, age 25, born in Desmoine I, not previously married, father Reed Spracklin mother Julia A. Silver. To Viola Long, white, residing Jordan, MT, age is 34 years, born Lakeville, Iowa, father is George F. Rose, mother Heneriatta Rudolph, 10 November 1936, Geo. H. Heatherington, Clerk of the District Court. 

Viola was born on 23 August, 1902 in Lakeville, St. Joseph, Indiana and she died on 28 June, 1977.  Her parents were George F. Rose and Henrietta Rudolph.  I believe that Clifford’s name was confused in the 1930 census and was written as Everett R.

Brothers Amos, Clif, Oliver and Harley

Source: 1940 U.S. Federal Census, Clifford Spracklin Family, School Dist. #34, Sartwell, Garfield, Montana, SD#5, ED#17-25, enumerated 24, April, 1940, Sht#1.

Line 31, 6, R, 5, yes, Spracklin, Clifford, Head, M, W, 29, M, No, 8, born Iowa, same house, 48, farmer, farmer, farm, OA, 52, 0, yes, 6. 

Spracklin, Viola, wife, F, W, 25, M, No, 5, born Illinois, no, no, no, no, H, o, o, no.

Spracklin, Clifford, Jr. Son, M, W, 6, S, yes, o, born Montana

Clifford Joe Spracklin

Spracklin, Mabel, Daughter, F, W, 1, S, No, born Montana

Spracklin, Marcella, daughter, F, W, 10/12, S, no, born Montana

Clifford is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan, Montana:

Clifford’s Tombstone in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan.

7. Leroy Dare Spracklin was born 8 December, 1913 in Dayton Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa and died 9 September, 1994 in Miles City, Custer Co., Iowa.

He married Elizabeth Jane Cooper on 16 January, 1942 in South Mills, Camden Co., North Carolina.  They had one son Stewart O. born in Massachusetts.  Elizabeth was born about 1922 in Plainsville, Massachusetts and was the daughter of H.W. Cooper and Caroline.

He later remarried to a Lorraine Dolly Normandy.

Leroy was in the Navy from 1938 about 1947.  He muster in on 31 Mar 1939, BB-41, Mississippi, also 30 June, 31 Aug, 30 Sep, 31 Dec., Naval Receiving.

Leroy’s tombstone in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City, MT.

Leroy’s Obituary and remembrance

8. Forest Irvin Spracklin was born 21 March, 1917 in Jordan, Dawson Co., Montana. He died 28 November, 1988 in Tacoma, Pierce Co., Washington.

Obituary for Forest I. Spracklin
Forest I. Spracklin, 71, of Puyallup, died November 29, 1988. Mr. Spracklin was a resident of Puyallup since 1960. He was a retired accountant at the Rainier State School in Buckley (State Mental School). Survivors: sons, Charlie, Tacoma, Jerry, Larry and James Spracklin, Puyallup, August Grein, Anaheim, CA, Leroy Grein, Kent, daughter, Lorraine Canham, Arizona, one brother and one sister in Missouri; numerous grand and great-grandchildren. Memorials to the Tacoma Masonic Lodge. Funeral services Monday 2pm, Hill Funeral Home Chapel, Interment, Woodbine Cemetery. Tacoma. Source: The Morning News Tribune. (Dec. 1, 1988 B-4).

He married a Josephine Alma L. Schultze 17 September, 1942 in Spokane, Washington.  They had four children.  She had been previously married to an Albert Grein (1901 to 1978) and brought several children to the marriage. Josephine was born 19 September, 1912 in Kalispell, Montana and died 20 August, 1982 in Puyallup. Find A Grave has memorials and a photo of their tombstone at the Woodbine Cemetery, Puyallup, Pierce Co., Washington.

9. Clara Ellen Spracklin was born 28 March, 1919 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana and she died in 2006.

Clara Ellen Spracklin

She married Martin A. Derenburger on 23 December, 1934 in Jordan, Montana.  Martin was born 25 November, 1910 in Sugar Creek, Jackson Co., Missouri and died 25 December, 1972. Clara is buried in the Calvery Cemetery in Miles City.  They had four children together.  She remarried about 1977 in Miles City to Stanley Monger born about 1918 and died 3 June, 1989.

From the location of births and dates of birth you can see that Reed and Julia started in Calhoun Co., Iowa, moved to Dayton Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa and then to Jordan, Montana.

The research on Reed Spracklin and his family is a little of my own and a great deal of my cousins who descend from this family. They have kindly shared their findings with me and pictures as well.  I had the opportunity of meeting them in 2003 and then again in 2010 when I visited Miles City, Montana, it was quite the reunion in a Jordan, Montana restaurant.  Of course, as always, more research can be done on the above families.  If you are interested in any of these families please feel free to leave a comment and I will get in touch with you, I do have more information about each family to share.