Intriguing Connections
There are several surprising connections between the first two marriages recorded in our county. Turns out, the ladies (Sarah Furnish & Eleanora Brannin) were cousins that escaped the Civil War in Missouri, traveling to Montana together in 1864. (Sarah's grandmother was a Brannin.) Read more about their harrowing journey on the trail west with a group of family members (here). As for the fellows, the Civil War forced one man to come to Montana while the other was lured by the gold rush. Wilson Redding, a confederate recruiting officer from Missouri, had been captured and imprisoned by the Union forces. Upon his release, his family urged Wilson to go west to avoid further troubles—he arrived in 1863. (More on Wilson below). George Keeler was also a military officer, serving during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). He then followed the gold from California to Oregon and finally to Montana in 1864. Both men dabbled in mining throughout their lives. All of these ladies and gentlemen initially settled in the fledgling Virginia City upon arrival. They would become inextricably linked to each other through marriage, family ties and Alhambra Hot Springs for the rest of their lives. (more below) RESEARCHER COMMENTS: The connections between the first two marriages in our county were unknown until research was conducted for this article. In the midst of trying to unravel everything, I was fortunate to connect with a descendant of the Brannin family, the keeper of their family history. My sincere appreciation for sharing so many rich family stories, allowing us to connect the dots. We also appreciate having permission to link to your family history blog! JLG (Board Trustee/Researcher) *Jefferson County was created in Montana Territory on Feb. 2, 1865, during the first Montana Territorial Legislature. In 1864, it was designated as a county in Idaho Territory. The county seat was located in Jefferson City in 1866, but the office was most often operated in Montana City aka Prickly Pear City.
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Redding & Furnish Wilson Redding (1839-1930) & Sarah Furnish (1848-1912)
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Keeler & Brannin George Keeler (1823-1891) & Eleanora Brannin (1843-1914)
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Journeys to Montana: Sarah & Wilson
Wilson Redding was one of nine children born to a prominent Missouri family, who were early settlers in the state. His father was a merchant, while his grandfather was a wealthy farmer and preacher.
When the Civil War began in 1861, Wilson joined the Confederate cause as a recruiting officer at the age of 22. (Some of his siblings and brothers-in-law fought for the Union.) Wilson's neighbor and close family friend was the renowned Confederate General Sterling Price. (Photos of his cousin were found in a Price family photo album, State Historical Society of Missouri.) Wilson was captured and imprisoned by Union forces. During this time, his father and other family members were highly scrutinized. Many were forced to sign an "Oath of Allegiance" to the Union--or move--or both. Following Wilson's release from the Union prison, his father urged him to go west to avoid further trouble. (Turns out this was a prudent plan, as many of Wilson's confederate-sympathizing family members and neighbors were killed after he left. Wilson's uncle was shot in the head---but survived. This uncle was the father of the cousin whose photos are in General Price's photo album.) In early 1863, Wilson joined a large contingent of Southerners departing for the west. He first took a steamer from St Joseph to Omaha. Then he signed on as a teamster with a Mormon wagon train to the Rockies. Enroute, he was briefly joined by Sidney Egerton and Wilbur Sanders. When Wilson arrived in Salt Lake, he secured his own buckboard wagon and headed north to Montana. After arriving in Bannack, Wilson bunked with his cousin Andy Gibson and William A. Clark. Shortly thereafter, he joined the throng to Virginia City and took a job for John Creighton as a clerk in his dry goods store. Wilson recalled witnessing the executions of many outlaws by the Vigilantees while he was there. He also began investing in mining claims in Jefferson County. |
Sarah Furnish also grew up in Missouri. Sarah's father passed away when she was young and she was raised by her mother Balsorah.
In 1864, Sarah left Missouri with her family, bound for Montana. Sarah was joined on the trip by her mother, Balsorah Stein, who had remarried and her her step-father (Dr. George Stein). Several of her cousins also joined the group---including first cousins Eleanora and Stanton Brannin. After enduring a 5-month ox train journey, Sarah, Eleanor and the rest of their family arrived at Virginia City in October of 1864. Wilson and Sarah moved to Helena in 1865 and Wilson began working for A. J. Oliver Express shortly afterwards. Wilson then opened the first grocery store in Helena, hauling lumber from Jefferson City for the building. In early 1866, Wilson purchased the Hot Springs Ranche (Alhambra) from Sylvanus Dustin. Wilson reminisced that he paid Dustin $3,000 in gold dust for the property and stage-stop. In May of that year, Sarah and Wilson were married at the ranch. The couple changed the name of the ranch to Alhambra Hot Springs. From a fledgling stage-stop, they established a renowned hotel and bath house, complete with meals and music. Balsorah and Dr. George Stein also lived at Alhambra Hot Springs, helping the couple run the hotel and resort. Although they leased out the property to various managers over the years, Sarah and Wilson resided at Alhambra for the rest of their lives. Alhambra Hot Springs Hotel served guests until 1959, when it was destroyed by a massive fire. Sarah's Trip to MT: (more here) Wilson's Reminiscences: (download pdf below)
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