A Man From Montana: Memoirs of My Life in Western Montana

by Freeman A. Halverson, Richard L Hamilton (Editor), Esther A Hull (Editor)

Freeman A. Halverson, a son of Norwegian immigrants was born in Barron County, Wisconsin in 1889 near the town of Dallas. His mother died when he was barely a year old, and he was taken in and raised by close relatives. At the age of 21 years he, along with his cousin Fred, decided to see the world, so they trekked west on the Great Northern Railroad to a place called Kalispell, Montana. Having the youthful wide-eyed intentions of venturing to Alaska, the Far East or other far-off worldly places, the two young men, instead, ended up homesteading in Montana, where the territory was open range and dominated by Native Americans, large cattle ranches, mining, and forest logging operations. After a lifetime in the Little Bitter Root Valley of “Big Sky Country”, and retiring fifty years after arriving there, Freeman took pen in hand with a typewriter at his side, and wrote his memoirs. A Man From Montana is rich in the tales of adventure, fortitude and endurance which westward bound young men and women experienced during that time. Freeman and Fred started out life with absolutely nothing but a few dollars in their pockets and a spirit of adventure.

206 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2011

Reviews

[Chelsea Nesvig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was happy to have the opportunity to learn more about my family history by reading my great-grandfather's (mother's mother's father) account of his life after moving to Montana from Wisconsin at the age of 21. His life was hard at times but also full and so busy sounding, even by today's standards. I suppose that's what not having a tv or computer will do for time management and getting tasks done. A great read if you have any interest in homesteading history or western Montana.