George E. Harrod came to Montana in 1909 from Illinois. He married Margaret Rice of Moore in 1910. Harrod was a store owner in Fergus for many years and after he moved to Lewistown he was in the garage business for several years.
  The Harrod's moved to San Diego in 1950. He died in Augustofl967.
  The Harrod's had a son Lee (of Polson) and a daughter, Mrs. W. J. (Lillian) Hecht of San Diego.

  Perry J. Irish was born in Kansas on October 16, 1871. Eliza Ann Deffinbaugh was born on February 22, 1872 in Kansas. They were married in the year of 1893. They had six children: Perry J. Jr.; Glen E.; Gladys (Kalal-Folda); Bob; Nora (Barber) and Babe.
  P.J. was a horse trader, stockman and was under sheriff of Fergus County at one time. Perry J. passed away in June of 1960 and Eliza in July of 1922. Both are buried in Lewistown.
  Robert Irish was born in Lewistown in 1903. He married Ruth H. White in 1926. They ranched in the Fergus area until he passed away in 1968. Ruth still lives on the ranch.
  Gladys was married to Ed Kalal. She is the mother of Joan Kalal (Jakes), Perry and Dick Kalal. After Ed and Gladys divorced she married Stan Folda.
  At the age of 89 she is living in a Lewistown nursing home.
  Nora and Babe Irish both moved away from the area.

  P.J. Irish, my grandfather, brought his family by covered wagon from Beloit, Kansas, to Montana in 1896, to Beaver Creek. My father, Glen Irish Sr., was one year old at the time and my Uncle Perry Irish was two years old. They lived on different ranches in and around the Lewistown area until the 1920's. In 1917 my Dad, Uncle Perry, their sister, Gladys Irish and cousin, Bill Irish, took out homesteads in the Dovetail area.
  My dad left the homestead and went into the Army during World War I where he served with the U.S. Cavalry. When he returned from the Army the Irish 
^{P. 168} family moved to California for a few years in the early 1920's, and then they moved to Washington.
  My grandfather, P.J. Irish, moved back to Montana and he and my Uncle Bob Irish bought the Kaaro Ranch in 1939 and lived there until the time of their deaths.
  Dad married my mother, Lois Noonan in September of 1925. I was born in California in 1928; my sister, Frances, was born in 1930 and my brother, Jim, in 1933, both in Washington. We had a dairy farm in Washington and moved back to Montana in the middle 40's and settled at Fergus, Montana. My parents owned and operated the Fergus store for a few years and then moved back onto a ranch where they lived until the time of their deaths. Dad passed away in April of 1971 at the age of 75 and Mom died in 1973 at the age of 69.
  My family and I live at Fergus where we are in the ranching business on my late Uncle Bob Irish's ranch. I am married to Esther (Wright) and we had five children. All attended school in Roy and graduated from RHS. Our oldest daughter, Dorlene, passed away at the age of 24 in August of 1978. Our other children are: Doug, born in June of 1956; Christine born in November of 1959; Robert born in September of 1961 and Gary born in November of 1962. I also have two older children, Richard born in 1946 and Glenda born in 1948.
  My brother, Jim Irish, lives in Lewistown where he is in the real estate business. He married Esther's sister, Harriette. They have four children: Susan, Judy, James and Joey.
  My sister, Frances Irish Conwell, and her husband live in California where they are retired.

  Perry Jr. was born in Beloit on August 5, 1894. He married Patience Eldridge in 1916. They leased the Joe LeClair river bottom from McNultys and there Perry lived until he was 90 years old. Perry remained active all his life and worked until he left the ranch. Perry's was the last active ranch operation within the boundries of the CMR Range. When he left an era came to the end.
  Perry and Patience had four children: David J. (Red), Lois (Sullivan), Patricia (Gleason) and Jean (Norskog-Schmidt).
  Patience passed away in 1973.
  David never married. Except for time spent in the service during WWII he remained on the ranch with his dad. David passed away suddenly, during his sleep, on December 28, 1984 at the age of 66.
  Perry then left the ranch and went to live with a daughter. He passed away a few months later in 1985.
  Perry, Patience and David are all buried at Beaver Creek.

  Dorm Jackson was born on May 9, 1883 in Muir City in the Gallatin Valley. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Robert George Jackson. A little over a year later, on July 3, 1884, the eve of the historical shooting of Rattlesnake Jake, the Jackson's arrived in Lewistown.
  He was a member of Fergus County High School's first graduating class -- May 24, 1901.
  Dorm became a neighbor of Richard "Humpy" King in May of 1904 when he moved 567 head of cattle and a string of good horses onto the range between the mouth of Fargo Coulee on Armells Creek and the mouth of
  Armells.
  He fenced in a saddle horse pasture of about 500 acres; the first built within a radius of 50 miles. Roy was-as yet-undreamed of. 
  In March 1914 he married Julia Clifton in Leslie, Michigan.  They ranched east of Lewistown for many years and raised a family of three daughters and a son: Julia (Snyder), Roberta "Bobbie" (Monroe), Minon Jackson and Dorman Jackson Jr.
  Jackson composed ballad type poetry and often would recite poetry at gatherings. He also liked to write. He through many changes in his lifetime; from traveling in a covered wagon to the time when a man walked on the moon.
  His daughter, Julia lives on her ranch east of Lewistown. It is part of the original Jackson place.
  Roberta "Bobbie" married Dan Monroe from the Winifred area. Their children are Christine and Bud. The family is very well known on the rodeo circuit. Christine "Butch" was a top barrel racer and Bud one of the top saddle bronc riders in the PRCA; he won the National Championship in 1986. Butch's husband, J. C. Bonine is also a National Saddle Bronc Champion.
  Dorman Jr. Married Kay Yuill of Fergus in December of 1956.  They took over operation of the Yuill and raised their family and lived there until moving to Lewistown in the mid 1980's. Dorm was a school board member, at Fergus and at Roy for many years.
  Their children remain and now operate the ranch.  John, Bonita and David Jackson all received their education in the area and graduated from Roy High School. ^{P. 169}

  Dorman Jackson Sr. wrote that, "When this century was in it's infancy, there were few white women in the area. At one time there were just three marriageable girls between the mouth of the Musselshell River and Claggett at the mouth of the Judith River. They were, 19 year old Sadie King, 18 year old Ida Marcotte, and 17 year old Hattie Moore."
  Sadie King was the daughter of Richard "Humpy" King and Lucy Louise King. Dorm wrote the poem to Sadie as a special tribute.

  John E. Kaaro had a part in the ranching and farm development of Fergus County for many years, and he and Mrs. Kaaro were very intelligent and progressive members of the Fergus community, playing a helpful and public spirited part in the schools and church life of that interesting locality.
  Mr. Kaaro was born near Tondjhem, Norway on June 16, 1871, a son of Evan and Isabel Kaaro. He had two younger sisters, Mattie and Ella.
  The family migrated to the United States in 1881, settling in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  John was ten years of age when he came to America. He had attended school in Norway and soon after the family located in Minneapolis he went to work. His first employment was unloading brick from box cars at fifty cents a day. He and a number of other boys worked under a rather savage boss, who carried a black snake whip to stimulate those who lagged in their work. After that he did other things and eventually became an employee of the General Electric Company in Minneapolis and was with that corporation ten years, resigning as city salesman to come to Montana.
  While in Minneapolis he enlisted for service in the Spanish-American War, with the Minnesota National Guard.
  Mr. Kaaro was injured while in service, spent a time in a hospital and was invalided home just before the end of the war, remaining in San Francisco until his regiment returned. He was mustered out with the regiment in Minneapolis.
  While living and working in Minneapolis, John married Miss Ellen Romunstad on December 25, 1899. Mrs. Kaaro was a sister of Odin J. Romunstad. She was born in Wisconsin and was raised and educated there. The Kaaros had one son, James, who was born in 1917, whom they adopted.
  In August, 1908, Kaaro entered a homestead in Fergus county and in February, 1909 he established his permanent home there. He and John J. Romundstad were partners. Mr. Kaaro's first investment after coming to Montana was a team of horses, which cost $450 and which could and did break up fifty acres of sod, and in 1910, harvested his first crop of wheat and oats.
  Their plan originally was to carry on diversified farming, planting some wheat, barley, oats and attempting to grow alfalfa. The hay problem was partially solved when it was discovered that the wild oats, considered a scourge and a pest at first, was the best hay maker except for alfalfa. Altogether they had 120 acres broken by the plow, sufficient to supply crop needs. Mr. and Mrs. Kaaro, in 1909, started a livestock enterprise with a single cow and calf. The offspring of these amounted to quite a few head of cattle. Along about the same time Mrs. Romunstad presented them with seven lambs, which was all the milk their single cow could provide for. From this they developed their ^{P. 170} band of sheep.
  The couple were active members of the Fergus Community Club, which was organized in 1916. They also helped organize the first Lutheran Church of Roy. Mr. Kaaro served several years as precinct committeeman of the Republican party, and during the World War was registrar of his home locality and volunteered for active service, but was rejected on account of physical defects. He was made a Mason in Lewistown Lodge No. 37 in 1916 and was a member of Meyersick Camp No. 15 of the U.S. Spanish War Veterans at Lewistown. An ardent sportsman, he was the chief originator of the Roy Rod and Gun Club, and through this organization and personally had promoted measures for the preserving of the wild game of the state. He was one of those who succeeded in securing the shipping in of a carload of elk, twenty-nine head, turned loose in the Judith Mountains. Mr. Kaaro was the first postmaster of Fergus after the office was moved to the railroad from the Fergus Ranch, where Mrs. Romundstad had charge of it.
  John Kaaro passed away in 1942 at Fergus.
  Mr. Kaaro was also a writer of much talent. Though he only had a third grade formal education he was well read and won all the spelling bees, "against teachers and everyone else", when he lived at Fergus. During the 30's, in addition to writing articles for a national war veterans paper, he also wrote a column for the 

Lewistown Democrat News.
  The following story, written by him, appeared in a March 1937 issue.

  The old timers will understand the above caption, but some of the youngsters, especially if they are city reared, may not. So I'11 endeavor to give you the formula.
  To be a successful "rider" requires a technique of a high order; first, you must select your victims with care. Three good things are absolutely essential; good eats, a good warm bed, and congenial people.
  Your approach must be subtle and suave lest you flush your prey before you get a shot at them. Try and make it appear that you are really showing them a favor by your having them on your list. Never must there be a suspicion of mendicancy. After you have established yourself and like the place, stay as long as it is safe.
  Watch for storm signals. When the lady of the house kicks the cat, when the lord and master, usually a placid, even-tempered gentleman, starts an unseemingly, senseless bickering with his equally placid, gentle wife at the breakfast table, undue slamming of doors, etc., it is time for you to say, "Well folks, I'11 have to leave you today as I promised to visit Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I cannot disappoint them and my time is quite limited, as I have to be back in town on the 20th to attend to some important business matters. I want to thank you for your hospitality and a very pleasant visit."
  This, in Rider's parlance, is known as the "judicious exit." It paves the way for a comeback. Who knows?

  Jimmy Kaaro was born 21 June 1917 at Great Falls, Montana. He was raised by John and Ellen Kaaro on their ranch west of Fergus, Montana and began to practice roping at an early age. As his interests in trick roping developed, he spent many long hours practicing in the upstairs of the ranch home. With his determination, he became one of the most skillful trick ropers in the nation. His great interest in horses and animals added to his success.
  He was educated in local schools and Fergus County High School at Lewistown, Montana.
  In 1939 Kaaro enlisted in the Cavalry and served almost six years in the service during the World War II. After his discharge, he joined a Wild West Show in Georgia.
  Jim and Betty Moyer were married 27 December 1942 at St. Paul, Minnesota. Two daughters were born to them: Bonnie Sandman Messier and Debbie Rich BeLanger.
  He was a trick rider-roper for Cole Brothers Circus and King Brothers Circus, traveling all over the United States and Canada with them for eight years, training animals and successfully broke and trained a zebra, which is almost an impossibility.
  In 1965, he performed his trick and fancy roping act on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show".
  Jim trained several horses for his roping act, but the one that proved most to his liking, was a two-year old white colt with a few black spots on his hind-quarters that was in a bunch of wild horses that came from the Arrow Creek breaks and Jim bought him when he came through the horse sale at the Lewistown Auction.
  Kaaro was one of nine trick ropers of the world to be selected to rope at the only World's Championship Trick Roping Contest ever held and sponsored by the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. ^{P. 171}
  Jim became a unique performer, along with his speaking ability and keen sense of humor, which rivaled Will Rogers in his presentations. He was named to the Cowboy Hall of Fame, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the Circus Hall of Fame at Sarasota, Florida.
  After coming back to Montana to live in 1953, he was under-sheriff for ten years during Fergus County Sheriff George Stephens tenure and was selected by the Board of Commissioners to fill the unexpired term of two years, when George Stephens resigned due to ill health. Kaaro became Superintendent of the Montana Center for the Aged, after being sheriff. Betty and Jim were divorced in 1973.
  He opened the "Bits and Spurs" shop combined with an art gallery in the Great Falls Federal Savings and Loan building at Fifth and Main in Lewistown. His popularity as a professional speaker and trick and fancy rope acts were escalating.
  Jim married Shirley Egger Hansen, a native of Roy and Lewistown.
  He was featured in articles in the Western Horseman, Amusement Business, The Grit and Ford Times as well as publicized by many newspapers throughout the country.
  He worked last with the Montana Department of Labor at Helena, as a wage investigator. He had just retired at the age of 62 and was entertaining at the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association's Convention when he was stricken by a fatal heart attack, 30 June 1979. In his honor, the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers established the Jimmy Kaaro Award, which is to be given to the student with the highest academic grade for each session at the Law Enforcement Academy in Bozeman.
  Jimmy had planned to continue his speaking, roping and horse acts according to brochures he had printed to advertise for these engagements.
  Fergus County is especially proud to claim Jim as one of it's best known citizens and native son.
  He was a member of the American Legion, National Sheriffs Association and a life-time member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA).

  John and Ruth Kahler came to Montana in 1919 from Warrensburg, Missouri.
  Their first home, located four miles west of Fergus, was purchased from William Culver. Mr. Culver moved to Lewistown and opened the Culver Studio. The ranch was known as the Sunny Slope Ranch.
  John and Ruth and two sons, Wilbur was 8 years old and Henry was 5 years old when they arrived in Montana. Both boys attended the Fergus school, riding horseback to and from school. After grade school at Fergus, they attended high school in Roy. Wilbur passed away in 1930. He was a senior at the time of his death, which came as a result of complications of diabetes. Henry continued high school in Roy, graduating in 1933. After the death of Wilbur, Henry lived with the William Marsh family, while attending school.
  The Kahlers, John and Ruth, continued to farm, although they moved a mile east of their original home site. They continued to live there until Mr. Kahler's death in March, 1952. Ruth stayed on at the farm, but later moved to Lewistown where she kept house for Mrs. Fred Colver and later helped at the Melchert home.
  The Yaeger boys, James, Larry and Charles, bought the ranch but many of the buildings still stand.
  Mr. and Mrs. Kahler were very active in the Fergus community, Mrs. Kahler often a soloist at the Fergus church services.
  Henry Kahler married Alice Lane in 1936.
  Ruth Kahler moved to Great Falls, Montana in 1968. For a time she maintained an apartment at Soroptomist Village. She passed away in June 1978 at the age of 94 years plus. At the time of her death she was residing in a personal care center.
^{P. 172}

  Henry Kahler and I, Alice Lane, were married in 1936. After our marriage we worked for Laura and Jack Baucke, who lived on the Missouri River. Jack threshed alfalfa seed and also had a truck garden and sold produce in Lewistown. After the threshing was completed we moved back to Fergus and built the little house which later became the home of John and Ruth.
  In 1937 our son, John, was born. In the spring of 1938 we moved to Roy and lived one and a half miles east of Roy on my fathers ranch. We were there until August, then Henry was offered a part time job as manager of the Fergus Elevator owned by Montana Elevator Company. He managed the elevator through harvest time and we also farmed the land which was known as the Fletcher place. While at Fergus we lived on the Patton place, since the elevator house was used as a teacherage.
  Henry decided to work full time as an elevator manager so in March 1941 we were transferred to Straw, Montana. We were there 10 years During that time Henry not only managed the elevator but took care of the Farmer's Oil Co. and served on the school board as clerk. I became postmaster in 1944 and held that job until 1951 when we left. We also had a small grocery store in conjunction with the post office.
  Our son finished grade school in Straw and we moved then, in 1951, to Pendroy, Montana; Henry being transferred there by Montana Elevator Co. We sold our grocery inventory and a Mrs. Wetzel became postmaster at Straw.
  John attended high school at Choteau, Montana, graduating from there in 1955. John was married in Choteau, June 1958 and then moved to Great Falls.
  Henry and I had been transferred to Great Falls in January 1956. Henry managed the Montana Elevator here. In 1960 the feed plant was built and Henry managed it along with the elevator. He retired in 1980 after 42 years with Con Agra and Montana Flour Mills.
  We have lived in our present home since 1959. Our son and his daughter live across the street. His wife passed away in 1985.

  George Knutson came from Norway to the United States in the early teens. He did some professional wrestling in Canada and Montana in his early years in this country.
  George and Pauline Rindal were married in 1914, in Lewistown. They lived at the Berquost Boarding House after their marriage. Later they moved into a small cabin up Spring Creek, when George got a job in a coal mine near there. They had no furniture and used apple boxes for chairs. 
  When they moved to the Fergus area they lived on the Chris Austed (Mero Siroky) place for a time before buying a place southeast of Fergus. They were among the earliest ones to have running water in their house, since they had a very good spring above the house, and piped it to the house with gravity flow. They had a large, well-built barn for milking many cows they had.
  About 1927 they moved to Lewistown and ran the Standard Rooms for a few years, then moved back to the ranch in 1931. While they were on the ranch, they lived close to Pauline's brother, Louie Rindal. 
  Children remember that Pauline would usually bring them a birthday cake on their birthdays. She also made lots of the traditional Norwegian goodies: lefse, krumkae, sandbakkelse and rosettes. George and Pauline had no children of their own.
  They retired in 1948 and moved back to Lewistown where they had an apartment house for awhile.
  George was reputedly one of the most active boot-leggers in the county during Prohibition. 

• Evert Harrell on June 18th, 1988 at the 75th Jubilee Celebration of Roy, just a month and a half before his 100th birthday on Aug. 7th.
• John E. and Ellen Kaaro
• Jimmy Kaaro
• The Kahlers, Wilbur, Ruth, Henry and John Sr. in front of the house soon after they arrived in Montana in 1919.
• John, Alice and Henry Kahler, 1954 at Pendroy, Montana.
• In the back row from left to right are: George Knutson and Lars (Louie) Rindal. Front row: a friend of Paulines, Pauline Rindal Knutson and Anton Rindal.