The Lyon Family of the Lower Valley

 

The Lyon family moved to Flint Creek valley from Utah on July 8, 1872. Mrs. E.F. (Smith) Lyon was believed to be the first white woman to make her home in the Drummond area. Mrs. Lyon was born in Rhode Island on March 11, 1854 and immigrated to Corrine, Utah as a young girl. After marrying Mr. Lyon they came to Montana. Mr. Lyon died in 1885 and I have been unable to find an obituary for him. When Mr. Lyon died Mrs. Lyon was left with the care of three small children. The May 21, 1896 Mail stated: “ Mrs. E.F. Lyon has completed her elegant new residences just below town and is now moving into the same.” Mrs. Lyon died at her home in Drummond after a lingering illness during the last week of February, 1920. Her reputation as a ranch manager was widely known and treated as one of the community legends. Survivors were: Son’s George of Anaconda and William of Drummond. Their son Arthur had died the year before in Missoula and his widow was still residing there. A brother and sister, Ed and Kate Smith of Evanston, Wyoming arrived to attend her funeral, held Sunday February 28th with internment at the Valley Cemetery. The Rev. T.H. Barker of Missoula officiated at the graveside service. 

The December 18, 1925 Mail announced that Drummond was a busy city on Wednesday with many folks coming from all parts of the valley to attend the Lyon sale. 

George Lyon died April 23, 1973 at the age of 90 in the Deer Lodge hospital. He was born January 9, 1883 in Drummond and attended the local schools. He married Ethel Perro on October 12, 1908 in Missoula. At that time the couple planned on living in Missoula. His occupations included operating the contracting business in Spokane, working at the rock quarry at Milltown and for several years operating the family ranch at Drummond. George retired several years before his death. George was preceded in death by his wife Ethel (Perro) on February 23, 1962. Survivors were his daughter Kathryn L. Smead of Drummond. The funeral was under the direction of Beck Funeral Home in Deer Lodge with Rev. Ray Estes officiating. George was buried in the Valley cemetery. 

Of interest is that the elder Lyon family (Arthur, Ella and William) are listed in the cemetery files as Lyon. Young George and his wife Ethel are listed as Lyons. I have failed to find any relationship between the Lyon family of Ross’ Fork of Rock Creek and the Lower Valley family. 

Charles R. Fortune resided on the Lyon ranch for 40 years and died at the age of 68, October 5, 1937 at Galen, from Consumption. Born in 1868, he came to Montana in 1894 from Salem, Missouri and lived first in Philipsburg and then moved to Drummond. He was buried in the valley cemetery and no other history is known about Mr. Fortune.