James Madison Wight

OSBORN, WIGHT

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 12/10/2008 at 18:24:25

JAMES MADISON WIGHT

The descendant of a race of pioneers and himself a pioneer, James M. Wight has experienced all the phases of life and has exhibited all the salient characteristics of an early settler in a new country, and has contributed his due share to its growth and development. He was born in Hancock county, Ind., April 12, 1840, the son of Theodore and Elizabeth (Osborn) Wight, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. The paternal ancestors were originally from Scotland and settled in the United States in early times.

They took a prominent part in the war of 1812, and the family has ever been connected in a leading way with the stirring events of American history. In 1831 the grandfather of Mr. Wight removed from Kentucky to Indiana, where he was a pioneer, and in 1842 removed to Illinois, at that time on the western frontier. In 1864 he made another move into the wilderness, settling in Madison county, Iowa, where he passed the rest of his life engaged in farming and where he died.

In 1855 Mr. Wight's father removed to Iowa and took up a homestead on which he engaged in farming, and after a career of usefulness and credit died. There was a family of seven children, only two of whom were living at the time of his demise.

Mr. Wight passed his boyhood days in Illinois and Iowa, remaining at home with his parents until 1860. He then engaged in farming and freighting on his own account, continuing in that neighbor hood until 1865, after whfch he removed to Madison county, Iowa, and remained until 1884.

He was married August 13, 1863, to Miss Mary Ettien, a native of Dauphin county, Pa., a daughter of John Ettien, of Lancaster, Pa., whose ancestors came from France. Mr. Ettien left a family of nine children, all of whom are enjoying excellent health. In 1884 Mr. Wight came to Montana and settled in Fergus county, where he remained until 1898, engaged in farming and stockraising.

In 1898 he sold his property and bought his present ranch, located five miles northeast of Gebo. It is all irrigated and under cultivation, yielding good crops of wheat, oats and corn. He has a good herd of shorthorn cattle and a large number of Poland China hogs. Elbow creek runs through his place giving him a sufficient supply of water. The place is well sheltered from storms and is improved with substantial modern buildings and well made fences.

Mr. Wight has taken a deep interest in local affairs. He has been a school director for many years and has given his best mental powers and much of his time to educational matters in the county. He is a progressive, wide awake citizen, whose influence has been potential for good in the community where he lives, and is well esteemed by all classes of its citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Wight are the parents of thirteen children, all living: Harry, Fred, Ralph, Philip, Edd, Margaret, Dick, Burt, Elizabeth, Dicie, Jennie, Judith and William.

Mrs. Wight was a sister of Aunt Mandy (Amanda) Phillips and Jim and Bill Ettien of Pig Eye, Mt.

The thirteen children listed above are:

Harry William Wight, born November 18, 1864, Madison Co. Iowa, and lived on a farm near Moore, Mt.

Fred E. Wight, born July 2, 1866, Madison Co. Iowa, married Anna Dora Hamm and bought Indian allotment land at Rockvale, Mt. and spent the rest of his life there.

Ralph Wight, born April 19, 1868, Madison Co. Iowa and spent most of his life around Utica, Mt., as an expert horseman, working for others, breaking horses, etc.

Phillip Wight, born December 2, 1869, Madison Co. Iowa, moved to Arkansas to farm and later Edd's family stayed on the place to sell it after Phillip's death.

Edd Carl Wight, born June 1, 1871, Madison Co. Iowa and spent most of his life around the Utica, Mt. area.

Maggie Wight, born June 7, 1873, Madison Co. Iowa, married Charles Hawson and they moved to the state of Washington.

Dick O. Wight, b. Jan. 13, 1874, Madison Co. Ia. lived in the Utica Mt. area until 1929 when they moved to Idaho.

Burt Wight, born Oct. 6, 1876, Madison Co. Iowa, bought Indian allotment land near Hardin, Mt. and lived the rest of his life there.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Wight, born September 24, 1878, Madison Co. Iowa, married John Spencer (Jack) Tuggle and they lived at Fromberg, Mt. and then bought Indian allotment land at Pryor, Mt. where they lived the rest of their lives.

Dicie Wight, born January 17, 1880, married Charles H. Burger and they moved to Calif.

Jennie May Wight, born Feb. 6, 1881, Madison Co. Iowa, married John Olas Higham and they ranched at Belfry, Mt.

Judith Wight, born May 13, 1885, Madison Co. Iowa, married George William Duffield and they moved to Higbee, Missouri, his home state.

William Wight, born June 9, 1887, Madison Co. Iowa, lived in Calif with his parents and then moved to Oregon.
Taken from the book, "Progressive Men of The State of Montana," W. Bowen & Co.
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In the fall of 1884 James and his family, consisting of his wife, Mary Ann and their eleven children traveled by covered wagon from Winterset, Madison County, Iowa, to Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana. The trip started in about April of 1884 and ended in about August. There was only one pony among the eleven children, so the older children walked most of the way. They were met in Billings, by Jim Ettein and then traveled on to the Judith Basin area, still by covered wagon.

They settled in the Antelope Creek area of Montana, which was in Fergus County at that time. The family lived most of the first year in a tent while building their house. James and his family went into the business of raising beef cattle and they also milked dairy cows. The nearest market was in Billings, Montana. They made the trip twice a year by wagon, bringing home the supplies needed for the next six months. There was a school somewhat near their home which the children attended that was taught by John Dover and later they attended school at Old Philbrook.

James promised each of his seven sons 21 head of stock on the condition that they were to stay home and help him until becoming of age. At that time they would be free to leave. Dick was the only one to take him up on his offer.

In the late 1890's Matt and his family moved to Carbon County, Montana. Matt was on the school board of District 33, Paradise Valley School from 1900 - 1902, which is in the Rockvale area of Carbon County.

James passed away in 1915 and is buried at the Rockvale, Cemetery, Rockvale, Montana.
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Excerpts taken from recollections written by Mrs. Dick Wight (Helen), and Tom Wight, provided by Roberta Pullen of the Lewistown Genealogy Society.