Gertrude Buckhous & Family – Pioneer Librarian
Gertrude Buckhous and Buckhouse Family – Missoula, Montana
To Montana by Boat to Fort Benton – By Ox Team to Missoula
Henry Buckhouse Sr. died 3/13/1891.
The remains of Henry Buckhouse, the pioneer, took place this afternoon. The remains were followed to the grave by an imposing procession. The internment was in the Catholic cemetery.
The notice above appeared in The Missoula Weekly Gazette on March 25, 1891.
Died – At his home near Missoula, Mont., March 18, at 3 o’clock in the morning, of a complication of diseases, Henry Buckhouse, aged 58 years. Deceased had been ill for several months. He is well known in Missoula county and throughout the state as one of the sturdy and pioneer settlers, a man who had a large circle of friends and acquaintances. The funeral services will take place from the late residence Friday morning at 11 o’clock.
The above short obituary appeared in the Missoula Weekly Gazette on March 25, 1891.
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Mary E. Buckhous died May 8, 1922.
Elizabeth Buckhous Dies at Family Home
Mrs. Elizabeth Buchhous, a pioneer resident of the Missoula valley, died at 6:30 yesterday afternoon at the family residence, death resulting from apoplexy. Mrs. Buckhous was widely known throughout western Montana. The body is at the Lucy – Stucky undertaking place pending funeral arrangements. She was 78 years of age.
The above notice appeared in The Daily Missoulian on May 09, 1922
Mrs. Mary E. Buckhous.
The funeral of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Buckhous, who died here Monday, will be held at St. Anthony’s church at 11 o’clock this morning, and interment will be made in St. Mary’s cemetery. The body is at the Lucy undertaking place. Mrs. Buckhous was a resident of Missoula for 54 years. She was a native of Germany, born July 13, 1844. In 1868, her family left the Illinois home and came up the Missouri river by boat to Fort Benton, from where they came to Missoula, and here they camped upon the banks of the Bitter Root river, where they have since made their home. Mr. Buckhous died 33 years ago.
The surviving children are Miss Gertrude, librarian at the State University, John, Henry, Frank, Donald, of Missoula; Joseph and George of St. Ignatius, and Mrs. Fannie Lehy of Spokane.
The above obituary appeared in The Daily Missoulian on May 10, 1922.
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Gertrude Buckhous died May 18, 1931
Gertrude Buckhous, State University Librarian, Is Taken Suddenly By Death
One of Pioneer Members of Educational Staff at Missoula Institution, Native of Garden City.
Fostered Many Beneficial Laws
Took Charge of Library in 1902, When It Contained Only 11,000 Volumes. Tribute Paid to Her Work
Miss Gertrude Buckhous, librarian and professor of library economics at the State University, died suddenly at a local hospital Monday afternoon. Miss Buckhous had been identified with the State University almost continuously since it was opened in the old Willard school building in September, 1895, when she entered as a preparatory student.
Following her graduation in 1900 she spent two years studying at the Universities of Illinois and Wisconsin and returned here as librarian in 1902, and has since been connected with it. She was one of the early graduates.
Prominent Figure
Miss Buckhous has always been prominently identified with education, and especially in library work. She was active in promotion of libraries in Montana, served as chairman of the Montana library commission and formerly was president of the state library association.
Miss Buckhous was a native of Missoula, born south of the city, of pioneer parentage. She received her education here.
Her death Monday afternoon was unexpected. She had been in ill health for a year and had been partially absent from her work since September. She submitted to a major operation Monday morning, and apparently was getting along well until she suffered a relapse in the early afternoon and passed away about 4 o’clock.
Continuous Service.
With the exception of the two years spent in the Illinois and Wisconsin universities, where she studied library science, and the years she spent on sabbatical leave at Columbia university, where she received her master of arts degree, she was constantly connected with the University since it was opened. She had visited practically all of the important libraries in the United States, England, France and Italy and built up the University here to one of the best University libraries in the Northwest.
When she took charge of the library here it was a small one of 11,000 volumes and 6,000 pamphlets and when it was housed in one of the rooms of the University hall. She built it up to a great library of 110,000 volumes and 40,000 pamphlets, which are now housed in the Library building, largest on the University campus.
Regret Expressed.
Dr. C. H. Clapp, president of the University, in expressing regret over the death of Miss Buckhous, said, “She will be greatly missed on the campus, where she had been so long. All of us feel her loss intensely and have a deep sense of gratitude for her faithful and industrious service.”
Miss Buckhous is survived by six brothers, John of Arlee, Henry, Frank and Donald of Missoula and Joseph and George of St. Ignatius.
The body is at the Marsh & Powell undertaking place. Funeral arrangements have not been made.
Miss Buckhous’ Work Is Praised Highly
By Dr. M. J. Elrod.
In the passing of Miss Gertrude Buckhous the state and the University have suffered a great loss. She was a woman of sterling character, great perseverance and energy, and had many warm friends who will sincerely mourn her departure.
Work Will Never Die
The life and work of Gertrude Buckhous will never die. As long as there are libraries in Montana, as long as there are rural places hungering for knowledge from books, as long as the library of the State University of Montana continues to function, just so long will her name be linked with the intellectual work of this community and this state. Born among the rugged hills of the state she loved so well, and which she never wished to leave, reared in this community which she has lovingly called home, educated in the preparatory school and University with which she labored during her mature years, she has set a shining example for other young women who may be passing through troublesome years.
It was her pleasant smile, agreeable disposition, persistent energy and indomitable will to which must be added a clear and active brain, that enabled Miss Buckhous to accomplish the wonderful results which have been her life work.
A little girl, spending her days on the banks of the lovely Bitter Root river, with the mountains and great fields of wild flowers for an inspiration; then a school girl, fond of books, and fond of play; a college student, delving into the mysteries of living things and reveling in the wonders of nature; a graduate, pushing on to further study of books, library buildings and libraries; a traveler, visiting many of the big libraries of he own country, then to Europe, where other and older libraries gave new inspiration and new ideas; an organizer, planning and helping to make laws for establishing libraries and distributing books to the shut-ins and those persons living in the great open spaces; a librarian with many assistants handling tens of thousands of volumes, and planning for a building which is the pride of the campus; a woman of high ideals, fine personality, close friendships, and love for the good and the beautiful, such, in brief, is the story of her life. She was a woman of action and lives on in the great work which she has accomplished.
Developed Library.
The life of Miss Buckhous and the growth of the University library are very closely interwoven. She developed with the library and the library was developed largely by her. Following her graduation from the University in 1900, this being the third class, consisting of seven members, Miss Buckhous spent a year at the Illinois State Library school. The following year, 1902, she spent the summer with the Wisconsin State Library committee, studying public documents. She was chosen librarian at the State University, then called the University of Montana, in 1902, by President Oscar Craig, just after the books of the library had been catalogued by John F. Davis, librarian at Butte. Later, in 1921, she spent a year at Columbia, when she received her degree of Master of Arts.
From the time of her first appointment as librarian, to the time of her death, a period of twenty-nine years, her life was devoted to the development of the library at the University, first in the Main building, then in the new library, now the Law school building, and finally in the present Library building. In 1911 she organized a course in library economy, which has been continued to the present time. She thus became a teacher, as well as librarian, extending her influence.
Planned County Law.
In 1915, Miss Buckhous planned and sponsored the Montana County Library Law, which provided for the establishment of county libraries. Since then a dozen counties have taken advantage of the law and have provided for county libraries.
Two years ago, in 1929, largely through her organized plan, the state legislature passed a law providing for the Montana Library Extension commission. The object is to provide library facilities for communities reached by no other agency. The legislature of 1931 made no appropriation for the work of the commission, of which Miss Buckhous was chairman and secretary, but there are great possibilities in the plan, when suitable appropriation is made. These two measures show the vision of Miss Buckhous of the future library work in the state, and her lifelong service with the University is summed up in the well organized library of which she was so long in charge.
During her summer vacations and with sabbatical leave, she visited many large libraries in this country. One year was given to Europe. She not only made a study of library buildings, but also of libraries. She knew the best modes of housing, cataloguing and caring for books, as exemplified in the large libraries in the country. At the time of her death she was a member of the committee on publications of the American Library association.
Miss Winifred Feighner, who has been associated with Miss Buckhous in library work at the University for many years, pays tribute to her as follows:
“Miss Buckhous was always deeply interested in any matter pertaining to the welfare of the University. Though quiet and reserved in manner, she was a person of charm, with a keen mind and a kindly outlook on life.
“Through the years of our association she was always deeply interested in the personal problems of the members of her staff, and ever willing to aid when difficulties were encountered. Her friendliness and comforting encouragement were traits to be relied upon and her passing has left a place which can not be filled.
“Her interest in her work and her knowledge of library matters was consistently intensive. She was well known in the library world and questions from all over the United States pertaining to various problems, were constantly coming to her office.”
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on May 19, 1931.
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Buckhous Rites Will Be Thursday
Dr. J. N. Maclean of Helen Will Officiate At Services.
Funeral services for Miss Gertrude Buckhous will be held at the Marsh & Powell chapel at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon. Dr. J. N. Maclean of Helena, former pastor of the Presbyterian church here, will conduct the service.
Burial will be in Missoula cemetery. The pallbearers will be members of the faculty of the State University, Professor R. A. Coleman, Professor Freeman Daughters, Dr. M. J. Elrod, Dr. Paul C. Phillips, Dr. J. P. Rowe and Professor F. C. Scheuch.
Miss Buckhous, librarian and professor of library economics at the State University, died at a local hospital Monday. Miss Buckhous had been identified with the University for more than 36 years. She was a native of the Missoula district, born south of the city.
The above obituary notice appeared in The Daily Missoulian on May 20. 1931.
John Buckhouse died October 6, 1940.
John Buckhouse Old Resident of District Passes
Came to State by Steamboat in 1868 and to Missoula by Ox Team
John Buckhouse, 78, and resident of the Western Montana district for 72 years, died at a local hospital Sunday. Mr. Buckhouse was a member of an old Montana family. He was born near Springfield, Ill., July 12, 1862.
His father came to Montana about 1864 and took up a homestead near the old town of Hell Gate, which he later relinquished and took up a homestead near the old Buckhouse bridge, about five miles south of Missoula on the present Bitter Root road. John came with his mother to Montana in the summer of 1868, making the trip up the Missouri river by steamboat to Fort Benton. There Henry Buckhouse met his wife and young son, John, then six years old. The trip from Fort Benton to Missoula was made by ox team. Mr. Buckhouse was a member of the Society of Montana Pioneers.
Mr. Buckhouse was married June 2, 1913, to Lyde Schall, then a teacher in the Missoula county schools. In 1919 they moved to the Jocko valley, where their home is near Arlee.
Mr. Buckhouse is survived by his widow and four brothers, George Buckhouse, St. Ignatius; Henry Buckhouse, Stevensville; and Frank and Don Buckhouse of the Orchard Homes district.
The body is at the Lucy chapel. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.
The above obituary appeared in The Daily Missoulian on October 7, 1940.
Henry Buckhouse (Jr.) Died 8/14/1941
Henry Buckhouse West Montana Pioneer, Is Dead
Henry Buckhouse, 72, member of the pioneer Buckhouse family and born on the historical Buckhouse homestead about five miles south of the city on the Bitter Root river, died Tuesday night at a local hospital as a result of an extended illness.
He grew up with Western Montana and spent practically his entire life farming the area taken by his pioneer parents as a homestead in 1868 near the old Buckhouse bridge site and in Miller creek.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock at the Marsh & Powell funeral home with the Odd Fellows lodge in charge. Burial will be in Missoula cemetery.
Mr. Buckhouse was born April 17, 1869, to Henry and Elizabeth Buckhouse. His father came as a pioneer to the West in 1864, the year Montana was made a territory, and settled on a homestead near the old town of Hell Gate, later leaving this to settle on the site south of Missoula.
Traveled by Ox Team
His mother with her son, the late John Buckhouse who died here last October, came from Illinois to join her husband on the farm in 1868, coming to Fort Benton by steamboat and from there to Missoula by ox team.
In 1937, he moved to the farm of his son, Henry O. Buckhouse, in the Bitter Root valley near Stevensville, and had lived there until last fall when taken ill.
He was one of the oldest members of the local Odd Fellows lodge, having occupied most of the lodge positions. He was a jewel pin member which requires a membership of 35 years.
A sister, the late Gertrude Buckhouse, who died here in May, 1931, was associated with the State University almost continuously to that time from its opening in the old Willard school building in September, 1895. She was librarian and professor of library economics at the time of her death. She graduated in 1900 with a class of seven students.
Survivors Live Here.
Surviving, besides the son, who was in Yellowstone park at the time of his father’s death, is his widow, three daughters, Elizabeth, Julia and Jane, all of Missoula, four step-children, Mrs. Arthur Templeton of Stevensville, and Mrs. Abe Derringer, Mrs. Forrest Davis and Raymond Bond, all of Missoula, and three brothers, Frank and Donald of Missoula and George of St. Ignatius.
The above obituary appeared in The Daily Missoulian on August 14, 1941.
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Joseph Buckhouse Dies April 20, 1940.
Widely known Native Passes at St. Ignatius
Joseph Buckhouse, One of First U. Graduates, Dies Suddenly.
St. Ignatius, April 21. – Joseph Buckhouse, 60, St. Ignatius postmaster, native of Missoula and one of the first graduates of the State Univesity, died here suddenly late Saturday.
With members of his family he had been in attendance at the St. Ignatius high school junior prom at Post Creek, five miles north of here, when he suffered a heart attack. Mr. Buckhouse died while being rushed to the hospital here.
Mr. Buckhouse had been a resident of St. Ignatius for 28 years, and had served the community as postmaster for six years.
Funeral services will take place Tuesday at the Methodist church, and burial will be in the family plot in Missoula cemetery.
Mrs. Buckhouse died in 1939. Mr. Buckhouse is survived by two sons and a daughter. The sons are Jack Buckhouse, connected with the Forest Service at Philipsburg, and Joseph Buckhouse and Helen Buckhouse, St. Ignatius high school students.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on April 22, 1940.
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Frank Buckhouse died September 18, 1946.
Buckhouse Dies; Keller Mass Today
Frank Buckhouse, 71, member of a pioneer family, after whom the Buckhouse bridge south of the city on the Bitter Root highway was named, died Wednesday at a local hospital, the second victim of a locomotive-truck collision Monday at a Milltown crossing. He never became conscious following the accident.
Requiem high mass for Mrs. Ernest Keller, instantly killed, will be at 9:15 Thursday morning at St. Francis Xavier church, with Father J. A. Hermens serving as celebrant. Burial is to be in St. Mary’s cemetery. Rosary for Mrs. Keller was recited Wednesday night at the church. Arrangements are in charge of Stucky’s mortuary.
Pallbearers for Mrs. Keller will be John A. Treece, Henry Roseth, Clyde Penney, Leonard Barger, Ralph Richter and Frank Miller.
The funeral of Mr. Buckhouse has been set for 1:30 Friday afternoon at the Lucy chapel. Burial is to be in Maplewood cemetery at Stevensville.
Mr. Buckhouse was born April 4, 1875, on the Buckhouse ranch near the bridge south of here. He was reared in the Missoula locality and was a farmer most of his life in this district. During the period between 1902 and 1907 he farmed near Stevensville. Leaving Stevensville he went to Spokane where he ran a second-hand store until 1910 when he returned here and fired briefly for the Northern Pacific railway and for the Montana Power company steam plant near the Higgins avenue bridge.
Mr. Keller, 80, who was the driver of the truck which figured in the collision with the Northern Pacific eastbound No. 2 train, shortly after the first section left the station here, is given a chance to recover by physicians who are attending him at the Thornton hospital. Despite his advanced age and a severe hip fracture, he has shown definite progress, his doctors said Wednesday.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on September 19, 1946.
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F. Buckhouse Funeral At 1:30 Today
The funeral of Frank Buckhouse, fatally injured in a locomotive-truck crash Monday at a Milltown crossing, will be at 1:30 Friday afternoon at the Lucy chapel and burial is to be in Maplewood cemetery at Stevensville. The 71 year-old Missoula native died Wednesday at a local hospital.
Rev. W. H. Bessire is to officiate at the final rites. Pallbearers will be Charles McCauley, Harry Maclay, Dan Maloney, Dimpy Pickens and Henry Rehder.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on September 20, 1946.
George Buckhouse Died March 20, 1949
Buckhouse Funeral Rites Held
St. Ignatius – Funeral services for George W. Buckhouse were conducted at the Masonic temple Monday afternoon with Flathead Lodge No. 112 AF &AM and Rev. Thomas W. Bennett, Missoula, conducting services.
Burial was in the family plot in Missoula cemetery. Pallbearers were Roy Beckwith, W. G. Montjoy, A. J. Riggart, Jess Simpkins, Jr., and Albert Thompson, all of St. Ignatius, and Ira H. Lee, Missoula.
Mr. Buckhouse, native of Missoula, operated a meat market here for 42 years. His is survived by his widow, a daughter, brother and two grandsons.
The Fearon mortuary here had charge of the funeral arrangements.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on March 22, 1949.
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Donald Buckhouse died January 26, 1961.
D. J. Buckhouse Is Dead at 75
Donald J. Buckhouse, 75, 435 N. 3rd. St. W., died Thursday morning in a local hospital.
Mr. Buckhouse was born March 31, 1885, in Missoula. He was the eleventh son of Henry and Elizabeth Buckhouse, Missoula pioneers who came to the area by covered wagon in the mid-1800s.
He was a stationary engineer.
He was a member of the Eagles Lodge and St. Francis Xavier Parish.
Survivors include the widow, Ethel; one son, William, of Portland, Ore.; three daughters, Mrs. Mabel Thorpe of Power, Ore., and Mrs. Jessie White and Mrs. Irene Boil, both of Oregon City, Ore.; several grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Rosary will be recited at 8 p. m. Sunday in St Francis Xavier Church. Requiem high mass will be celebrated in the church 10 a.m. Monday with the Rev. Gerald O. McDonald, S.J., celebrant. Burial will be in Missoula Cemetery under the direction of Geraghty Mortuary.
The above obituary appeared in The Daily Missoulian on January 27, 1961.
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Mary Francis “Fannie” Buckhouse Coburn Leahy died May 30, 1930
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