P a g e 7 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r Nolan Brothers. Interior View of Sax and McCue’s The history of no firm in Livingston is more closely linked with the development of the mining industry of Park county than that of the Nolan Brothers, whom it may be said are the pioneers in the introduction of modern mining machinery. J. F. Nolan, the senior member, is one of Illinois’ sons, born at Elgin, July 24, 1852. When four years old the family removed to a farm. In 1874 he set up a hardware establishment at Emmettsburg, Iowa, with a branch store at Ruthven and another at Esterville, while at the same time he owned and operated a manufacturing establishment of farm machinery at Tama, Iowa. Some time in the early ’90’s he made a prospecting tour through the Rocky Mountain states in the interest of a suitable location, finally deciding on Livingston, Montana, at which place he permanently established himself in the spring of 1892. Mr. Nolan was married in 1875 to Miss Maggie Martin of Madison, Wisconsin. Their family consists of five girls and one boy. P. J. Nolan, the junior member of the firm, was born in Palo Alto county, Iowa, March, 1858. His boyhood was passed on a farm until some time in 1879, when he made a trip to the Black Hills. In 1882 he returned to Ruthven, Iowa, and engaged in the mercantile business with his cousin, P. V. Nolan, Harry McCue Golden Gate Yellowstone Park. until the election of the latter to public service, after which time the former continued its sole proprietor until 1892. During Mr. Nolan's life at Ruthven he served four years as postmaster; was director of the Iowa Savings Bank, and was also honored as one of that city's public officers. He was married to Miss Josie Martin in 1882, who was principal of the Emmettsburg, Iowa, schools. Their family consists of three sons and two daughters. In the spring of ’92 he joined his elder brother at Livingston, and after building their present store put in a complete stock of general hardware, consisting of tin and wooden ware, stoves and sporting goods, fishing tackle, guns, ammunition and traps. They also make a specialty of farm machinery of every description, including buggies, wagons, mowers, binders, plows, harrows, seeders, drills, hayloaders, hay-stackers, wagon covers, and tents of every size and description. -Read More in Next Month’s Issue! Accessed via: https:// chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ J.F. Nolan
8 Publizr Home