The Kaiser Homestead that became the Bowen Ranch

Another ranch located on the west slope of Kaiser Hill that looked out over the Ross’ Fork of Rock Creek valley and the 3-H ranch was the original Kaiser homestead founded prior to 1895 as research revealed “Herman Kaiser has gone to the Kaiser ranch on upper Rock Creek to remain for some time”( The Mail January 17, 1895). 

Kenneth Smith an Anaconda Dairy owner bought the homestead from Kaiser about 1897 with the dream of becoming a cattle baron in an area as good as the “Big Hole.” Smith believed that the B., A. & P. Railroad was going to be built from Anaconda to Hamilton right past the ranch in the next couple of years and that would mean he could ship beef directly from the ranch. When Smith’s dream became a bust he sold the Kaiser homestead to Dave Bowen. 

D.T. Bowen and Mrs. Dora Hoyt were married in Helena on April 27, 1898 and returned to Philipsburg the next day. Dora brought to this marriage four children: Basil, Jessie, Martha and Milo Hoyt. In February 2, 1900 Mrs. D.T. (Dora) Bowen had what was referred to as a hospital and was involved in providing care to the county poor. The County Commissioners awarded her the contract to provide care and requested a bond of $800.00 be filed before the contract was in effect. At this same time Dr. Wm. Ray was awarded the contract for supplying medical attendance and had to file a $1,500.00 bond. 

During the same year, I found articles that sometimes referred to D.T. and sometimes T.D. as being in town from the Ross’ Fork Ranch leading me to deduce the ranch was bought during 1900. In 1908 under the Court proceedings on March 6 was listed “David Bowen vs. Amelia Bowen notice of intention to move for a new trial.” But I am unable to find any follow-up to this matter. Then on September 25, 1914 was: “Emelia A. Bowen vs. David T. Bowen and Thomas Gravenitis; to quiet title to real estate. Cause was heard before Judge Patterson, Judge Winston being disqualified. Plaintiff failing to appear, defendants put in proof and the court ordered that judgment be entered in their favor. As discussed previously, Bowen also had a long running civil case with J.A. Naef. 

Dora’s son Basil Hoyt died from injuries at the Anaconda Round House on October 21, 1906, at the age of twenty-two years. During the night shift an engine and other cars came lose crashing into each other killing one man and Basil died a few hours later. He had worked at the Round House since spring. His funeral was held at the Bowen home on the south side of Philipsburg, confirming they continued a residence in town, while operating the ranch. 

Assessed taxes for the year 1927 were $259.10 for D.T. Bowen according to The Mail, January 1,1928 but the assets are not listed. 

Dora born December 23, 1850 in Pennsylvania died just short of her eighty-first birthday on November 12, 1931 in Philipsburg. She married Emory B. Hoyt prior to 1882 as that was the year Milo was born. They moved to Anaconda in 1886 then to Rumsey in 1881. Mr. Hoyt died in Rumsey in 1895. Dora and David Bowen were married in 1898 then took up residence at the Kaiser homestead ranch in 1900. Her funeral was held at son-in-law Chauncey Kennedy’s home in Philipsburg on November 14, 1931.

David, born in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1859 was a freighter in the Dakota Territories before he moved to Philipsburg and operated the Hoffman Hotel in 1888. A reference in 1925 stated Dave Bowen and his brother Jack Bowen built the Hoffman House by the Northern Pacific Depot in 1861. (the Depot was built in 1887). The article goes on to state they completed the building about the time the N.P. Branch came from Drummond to Philipsburg. Dave died in a local business November 1, 1941 after suffering a heart attack at the age of eighty-two years. 

Dora’s daughter Martha Hoyt married young Ed Rodda from Rock Creek in 1912. Her son Milo Hoyt born January 10, 1882 in Pennsylvania moved with his parents to Anaconda when he was four years old, then Rumsey five years later. He worked for the Forest Service for years and then returned to ranching. I remember him living in the bunk house at the Kennedy Ranch. Milo retired in 1945 and died after a long illness at the Granite County Medical Center on June 5, 1952. 

Daughter Jessie married Chauncey Kennedy on January 8, 1908. He was an employee of the Walker Commercial Company of Philipsburg. To be continued in the Kennedy Ranch article.