Granville Stuart – Montana Pioneer Hero
Granville Stuart, a name synonymous with the taming and development of Montana, stands as a towering figure in the state’s history. More than just a frontiersman, he embodied the spirit of the American West as a miner, a significant landowner, the leader of a controversial vigilante group, an author, and a prominent civic figure. His multifaceted life earned him the enduring title of a Montana pioneer hero, a testament to his significant contributions to the territory’s formative years.
Born on August 27, 1834, near Clarksburg, in what is now West Virginia, Granville Stuart’s early life was rooted in the burgeoning American frontier. His parents, Robert and Nancy Currence Stuart, instilled in him a sense of adventure and resilience that would later define his life. In 1838, the Stuart family migrated westward to Muscatine County, Iowa, a region still deeply connected to the natural world and its indigenous inhabitants. Growing up in Iowa, young Granville interacted with Native Americans, learning from their traditions and developing a respect for their way of life. He also received a basic education in a one-room schoolhouse, acquiring the fundamental skills that would serve him well in his future endeavors.
The allure of gold and the promise of fortune drew Granville’s father to California in 1849, during the peak of the Gold Rush. Two years later, driven by similar aspirations, Granville, along with his brothers James and Robert, followed in their father’s footsteps, embarking on a long and arduous journey to the Golden State. For several years, the Stuart brothers prospected for gold in California, gaining invaluable experience in the rugged landscape and the demanding world of mining. While their success in California was modest, this period forged a strong bond between the brothers and instilled in them a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by the American West.
In June 1857, Granville and James set their sights on returning to Iowa for a visit. However, their journey was interrupted by the Mormon War in Utah, which blocked their intended route. Undeterred, the brothers made a pivotal decision that would forever alter the course of their lives – they chose to travel north, venturing into the uncharted territory of Montana. This seemingly accidental detour would lead them to a discovery that would shape the future of the region.
Arriving in the Deer Lodge Valley, Granville and James began prospecting for gold. In 1858, they achieved a significant milestone, credited with making the first major gold strike in Gold Creek. This discovery marked a turning point in Montana’s history, attracting prospectors and settlers to the area. However, lacking adequate supplies and concerned about potential conflicts with Native American tribes, the Stuart brothers decided to leave Gold Creek temporarily. Four years later, they returned, and a small mining camp gradually developed at the mouth of the creek, a testament to their initial discovery. Today, that settlement continues to be known as Gold Creek, a lasting reminder of the Stuart brothers’ pioneering spirit.
For the next few years, the brothers continued their prospecting efforts along Gold Creek, supplementing their income by working as merchants. Their activities attracted attention, and they wrote to their brother Robert, who was then prospecting in Colorado, informing him of their discovery. Word of the gold strike quickly spread, drawing scores of prospectors from Colorado and other surrounding territories to Montana, transforming the region into a bustling hub of activity. The influx of people led to the establishment of new settlements and the development of infrastructure, further solidifying Montana’s place on the map.
The year 1862 marked a significant personal milestone for Granville Stuart when he married a Snake Indian woman named Aubony, who later adopted the name Ellen. Their union resulted in nine children, reflecting the blending of cultures that characterized the early American West. Sadly, Ellen passed away in 1887. As the settlement of Gold Creek grew, Granville became increasingly involved in civic affairs. He was elected County Commissioner, while his brother James was elected Sheriff, demonstrating the trust and respect they had earned from the community.
Despite being credited with the first major gold find in Montana, the Stuart brothers never amassed great wealth from their mining ventures. By 1863, Granville had moved to Virginia City, another booming mining town, where he established a mercantile business. Meanwhile, James led expeditions into the Yellowstone region, searching for further gold deposits. These ventures illustrate the Stuart brothers’ relentless pursuit of opportunity and their willingness to explore the vast and often unforgiving wilderness.
In 1865, Granville sold his business in Virginia City and returned to Deer Lodge, where he once again established a mercantile and later added a lumberyard to his business portfolio. James remained in Deer Lodge until 1870 when he was appointed as a physician at the Fort Peck agency, serving the local Native American population. James remained at Fort Peck until his death from cancer on September 30, 1873. In the same year, Granville sold his merchant interests and returned to mining, hoping to finally strike it rich. However, once again, his mining efforts proved unsuccessful. By 1876, he was working as a bookkeeper for Samuel T. Hauser’s First National Bank in Helena, demonstrating his adaptability and his willingness to take on diverse roles.
Three years later, in 1879, Granville Stuart partnered with Samuel Hauser and mining millionaires Andrew J. and Erwin Davis to form the Hauser, Davis, Stuart Cattle Company, also known as the DHS Ranch. Stuart assumed the role of general manager, a position he held until the spring of 1887. Under his leadership, the DHS Ranch became a major player in the Montana cattle industry, contributing significantly to the territory’s economic development. While managing the cattle company, Granville Stuart organized the Montana Stock Growers Association in 1884 and became its first president, highlighting his commitment to promoting the interests of ranchers and cattlemen in the region.
During this era, cattle rustling was rampant in Montana, posing a serious threat to the livelihood of ranchers. To combat this lawlessness, Granville Stuart reportedly organized a group of vigilantes in 1884, which became known as Stuart’s Stranglers. This controversial group took matters into their own hands, dispensing swift and often brutal justice to those suspected of cattle rustling. While the actions of Stuart’s Stranglers were undoubtedly controversial, they reflected the prevailing sense of frustration and the lack of effective law enforcement in the territory. The Montana Vigilantes were also active around this time, but it remains unclear whether Stuart was directly involved with the original vigilante group, although their activities likely influenced his decision to form Stuart’s Stranglers.
Under Granville Stuart’s leadership, the DHS Cattle Company flourished, becoming an extremely profitable organization worth more than a million dollars by 1885. However, in 1887, he left the cattle business, although he remained the president of the Board of Stock Commissioners until 1891. With his sights set on politics, Granville Stuart became a state land agent in 1891, responsible for managing 600,000 acres of land granted to Montana by the federal government for school purposes. In the same year, he remarried a woman named Isabel Allis Brown, embarking on a new chapter in his personal life.
In 1894, Granville Stuart was appointed as the U.S. ambassador to Uruguay and Paraguay, a prestigious position he held until 1898. This appointment reflected his diplomatic skills and his standing as a respected figure on the national stage. In his final years, he served as librarian of the Butte Public Library, demonstrating his commitment to education and literacy. Throughout his life, Granville Stuart was deeply involved in the preservation of Montana history, serving as the first secretary of the Montana Historical Society and as its president from 1890 to 1895. He was also the president of the Society of Montana Pioneers in 1886-87, further highlighting his dedication to honoring the legacy of those who shaped the state.
In his later years, Granville Stuart dedicated himself to documenting the history of Montana Territory (1864 – 1889), but he passed away before completing the project. He died on October 2, 1918, in Missoula, Montana, leaving behind a legacy of significant contributions to the state. The vast majority of his work was published posthumously under the title Forty Years on the Frontier in 1925, providing valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of life in the early American West.
As a lasting tribute to his remarkable life, Granville Stuart is often referred to as "Mr. Montana," a fitting title that acknowledges his profound impact on the state’s development. His life story is inextricably linked to the history of Montana, reflecting the challenges, opportunities, and transformations that shaped the fledgling territory into the state it is today. The story of Granville Stuart is Montana’s story.