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Reese and Reed - Pioneers of Bozeman and Gallatin Montana
Brigham Reed. resident of Salesville, was born in Middlesex Co., Mass., on the 6th of April, 1835, and is a son of Luke and Martha Reed, natives of New England. Four generations were born on the same place. The fifth generation back was John Reed, who came from England. Brigham Reed was the fourth child and third son. He left New England in November, 1844, and located with his parents in Susquehanna Co., Penn. About the first of November, 1858, he went to New York City in charge of the packing and shipping in a large watch factory employing about six hundred workmen. In October, 1859, he went to Texas and engaged in the sheep trade, remaining till April, 1861, when the war broke out and he was obliged to leave that country. He traveled through the States to Iowa, and located in Burlington; engaged as traveling salesman for three years, after which he was in mercantile business for himself for two years, in Muscatine Co., Iowa. He was married on the 6th of December, 1865, to Angelina Leverich, daughter of Ira and Jane Leverich. May 10, 1866, they started with an ox team to cross the plains to Montana via Old Bozeman River. They termed this their wedding trip, and a very romantic one it proved to be. They experienced some trouble with the Indians, eight men being killed in one day. They journeyed on till September 2 of the same year, when they arrived in Bozeman and located a dairy ranch two miles south of town, the first exclusive dairy business in the Territory. For about nine years he was engaged in dairying, farming and raising Shorthorn cattle and Hambletonian horses. In 1869 he removed from Bozeman to his present ranch of 240 acres on West Gallatin. It is one of the best hay ranches in the valley He has a rare-course two thirds of a mile long, on which he trains his stock, breaks colts, etc. Has also a hennery forty feet long, and keeps about 100 hens. From June till the middle of October he sold $200 worth of eggs. He brought six chickens across the plains when they were selling for $2.50 each. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have one daughter, Edna L., born on the present home December 6, 1874. Mr. Reed was an active Granger. In 1875 he was elected to the legislature on the Independent ticket.
G. W. Reese, one of the pioneers of the Upper Yellowstone, was born in the State of Ohio, and when ten years of age, or in 1856, came to Illinois. From Illinois he went to Kansas, and in 1859 to Pike's Peak. In 1861 he joined the volunteers, and served in the army for three years and two months, participating in eleven battles. After being mustered out in 1865, he crossed the plains and came to Helena, M. T. During the war with the Nez Perces Indians he was guide to General Howard, and has been in numerous Indian fights. He has also hunted extensively, and had some thrilling adventures with bears. Mr. Reese has traveled through all the territories and other portions of the country, having crossed the plains fifteen times. Since 1874 he has resided on the Upper Yellowstone, a short distance below what is now known as Cinnabar City.
John J. Reese, P. O. Bozeman, was born in Wales October 22, 1841. He is a son of John E. Reese, a farmer, now residing in Gallatin County. John J. is self-educated and came to America with his folks in 1856, and in 1863 came to Montana, locating in Bannack, and working at mining. In the fall of 1863 he went to Alder Gulch, and followed mining until 1866, when he moved to the Gallatin valley and located his present home. In the year 1867 he raised his first crop. In 1808 he married Polly Ann Andres, the daughter of Seth Andres, a basket maker in Missouri. Their union was blessed with three children—John D., born November 9,1869; Mary, August 29, 1872: Emma J., February 20, 1875. Mr. Reese owns 240 acres of farming land. He belongs to the Vigilantes, Knights of Honor and Knights of Pythias, and was a Granger.
Thomas Reese, Reese Creek, was born September 11, 1843, in South Wales. He commenced the battle of life as a miner when about 8 years of age, doing such work as falls to boys in large collieries until able to perform regular mine work. In 1856 he emigrated to America with his father, and, after stopping for a time in the mines in Pennsylvania, crossed the plains for Montana in the spring of 1863, and worked in the mines in Bannack, Alder Gulch and Silver Bow until 1865. He abandoned the mines "flat broke," came to the Reese Creek settlement and during the summer of 1866 worked on his father's farm. In 1867 he located his present farm and cultivated 15 acres; the second year cultivated 38 acres and began to prosper. In 1872 his cultivation had increased to 105 acres. In 1870 Mr. Reese was united in matrimony with Miss Mary Jane Green, daughter of James and Margaret Green. They have four children living, as follows: Oliver Lee, born December 3,1871: Melissa, born April 26, 1873 - died June 13, 1873. Joseph Alma, born June 25, 1874; Arthur, born July 17, 1877; Thomas Lester, born August 28, 1882. Mr. Reese in 1882 harvested 4,050 bushels of oats from 95 acres. He has a fine growth of currants, gooseberries and kindred fruits, about 20 apple and cherry trees: has 20 head of good mares and about the same number of cattle, mostly dairy cows. His land is now (1883) worth $30 per acre.
Gomer Reese, Resident of Bozeman, was born in Pennsylvania, February 18, 1855. He is a son of John E. Reese, a farmer. Gomer came to Montana with his father in 1863, and was educated in the public schools of Gallatin valley. In 1875 he married Miss C. M. Moor, daughter of A. B. Moor, a stock raiser in Gallatin valley. Their children are: Mary, Evan, Autie, Ambro and Zitte. Mr. Reese follows stock-raising and farming.
Sources: History of Montana 1739-1885