William Thomas Stodden
Written by Patricia Harrison Armstrong

William Thomas Stodden was born in Cornwall, England to Roger and Catherine Stodden. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1885 where he lived in Meaderville working as a miner. He married Mary Ann (Annie) Jenkins also of Meaderville who immigrated from England in 1888. They were married July 20, 1889 in Centerville, MT.

They had the following children: William Thomas. Jr., Flora, Lesley, Alba Montana, Percy, Doris, Cecil, Winfield and Wilbur.

A Republican Mayor of Butte, MT from 1919 - 1921. He donated the land for Stodden Park to be used for recreation for children and the park is now named after him.

In April, 1979 the family of William Thomas Stodden was awarded The Govenor's Citation for Meritorious Service to the State of Montana.

Annie died in 1915. William remarried April 4, 1918 to Hattie H. Bowden in Seattle, King Co. Washington. They returned to live in Butte. He is found on the 1920 census listed as Mayor of Butte. Hattie and William later divorced.

In 1940, William, widowed, is 72 years old and living with his daughter Doris Stodden Reeser and her family. They are ranching in Tuscan, Sanders Co. Montana.

Willliam died in March 8,1945 in Thompson Falls, Sanders Co. Montana. He was returned to Butte where he was buried with his first wife Annie.