Obit: DOGGETT, Jefferson Davis--Montana Pioneer--Dies: 10 Mar 1938
Extracted from “The Helena Daily Independent”
Published at Helena, Montana
Friday, March 11, 1938
Page 1:
JEFF D. DOGGETT, FIRST WHITE MALE OF STATE, PASSES.
DEAN OF ALL PIONEERS IS TAKEN AFTER LONG ILLNESS.
The Treasure state lost her first native son yesterday with Jefferson (Jeff) Davis Doggett passed away at his home at Townsend [Broadwater County].
Of hardy pioneer stock, Jeff Doggett was born October 31, 1862 at Virginia City [Madison County]—the first white male born in the rugged territory that developed into Montana.
Throughout his life he typified true Montana pioneer spirit, serving his native state well in all phases of his successful career as husband, father, miner, rancher, legislator, banker and neighbor.
PARENTS COME IN 1863. In 1863 Moses Doggett, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and his young Ohioan bride left Kansas City, Mo., for what was then called the Territory of Idaho.
After a several-month journey by ox team, the young pioneer couple arrived at Virginia City in August.
Two months later Jefferson Doggett was born to the couple. It was typical of their natures that the pioneers should name their first-born after the famous Confederate president.
During Jeff’s first few months his father mined for gold in the Virginia City district, moving to the Missouri river valley near what is now Townsend the following spring.
While Jefferson Doggett was developing into a young man, his father continued placer gold mining operations and entered the sheep business. Jeff attended school at Centerville (now Townsend), seven miles south of the home ranch.
In 1884 Jeff joined the stampede to the Coeur d’Alene gold fields, placer mining in that district for the rest of the year.
RUNS PACK TRAIN. Still only 21 years old, he ran a pack train from Thompson Falls to Murray, Idaho, in 1885, returning that fall to enter the livestock business near White Sulphur Springs.
While operating the White Sulphur Springs property and helping his father make the name of Doggett famous for sheep raising in Montana, Jeff took a bride to share his future.
She was Amelia S. Schreiber, an Ohioan as was his mother, who brother, Adolphus Schreiber, owned a store and hotel in the then bustling Diamond City, northeast of Townsend.
The same year Jeff was married, 1896, his father passed away at the home ranch near Townsend.
EXTENSIVE HOLDINGS. Two years later, Jeff moved his ranch to Duck creek, 15 miles northeast of Townsend, where he carried on extensive sheep raising operations on his 7,000 acres. He also owned a 5,000-acre ranch at Fort Logan, another near Townsend, and a residence in Townsend.
In 1903 the couple’s only child, Howard J., was born at Townsend. Howard Doggett for the last several years has managed his and his father’s properties.
For many years Jeff Doggett was vice president and a director of the Townsend State Bank, regarded as one of the strongest financial institutions in the state.
WAS FOUNDER. He was one of the founders of the Montana Woolgrowers’ association, and for many years has been honorary president of the organization. He also was a directory of the Western Life Insurance company, formerly the Montana Life Insurance company.
A staunch warrior of the republican party, Jeff was elected by his neighbors to the Montana house of representatives in 1913. For years he served as chairman of the Townsend water board.
During the World was, Mr. Doggett played an important part in Broadwater county war activities, serving as chairman of the War Savings drives. Broadwater county repeatedly “went over the top” in the drives.
Jeff Doggett took an active part in all fraternal and social activities, as well as being among the foremost civic minded residents of the Townsend district.
MANY AFFILIATIONS. He was a member of Valley lodge No. 21, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Townsend; Helena Consistory, No. 3, Scottish Rite, in which he became a 32nd degree Mason, and Algeria temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Helena.
He was also a member of Helena lodge No. 193, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Montana club of Helena and the Townsend Commercial club.
A few years ago Mr. Doggett moved to his Townsend home, where he resided until his death. He was confined to his home for the last several months after suffering a series of strokes.
Mrs. Jeff Doggett, her son Howard Doggett and Mrs. Howard Doggett and twin sons, Jeff and William are the only immediate survivors.
Funeral services will be held at Townsend. Arrangements are pending.
“The Helena Daily Independent”
Published at Helena, Montana
Saturday, March 12, 1938
Page 6:
PIONEER IS CALLED. Funeral services for Jefferson Davis Doggett, Montana pioneer and the first while male child to be born in this state, who died Thursday night at his home in Townsend, will be held at 2 o’clock this afternoon at the Odd Fellows hall in Townsend.
The Rev. Alfred O. France, Episcopal minister of Townsend, will officiate and Valley lodge No. 21, A.F. & A.M., will conduct commitment rites at the Deep Creek cemetery where burial will be in the family plot.
Many Helena friends, including Masonic associates and a delegation from the Elks lodge of which he was a member of 30 years standing, will attend the services.
NOTE: This transcription is provided as a courtesy only; I am not related to, nor do I have any personal knowledge of, this Doggett family.