Archives West Finding Aid

Wilbur Fisk Sanders was born May 2, 1834, at Leon, New York, the son of a farmer. He received his basic education in local public schools, and in 1854, he moved to Akron, Ohio, to begin the pursuit of a legal career. He joined the law firm of his uncle, Sidney Edgerton, and studied there until his admittance to the Ohio Bar in 1856. Sanders practiced law in Ohio until the outbreak of the Civil War. He volunteered for military service, aided in the formation of Ohio volunteer units, and served as a staff officer until poor health forced his resignation in August 1862. Sanders accompanied his uncle to Bannack, Idaho Territory, where Edgerton was to serve as territorial chief justice. Sanders chose to remain in the gold mining region, practicing law. During the vigilante period, Sanders served as a prosecuting attorney for the trial that produced the first vigilante execution, and he supported the movement thereafter. Sanders was active as a Republican politician. He served four terms in the territorial house (1872-1879), and was four times the unsuccessful Republican candidate for territorial delegate (1864, 1867, 1880, 1886). He was chosen one of Montana's first senators in 1890, after a disputed election. He served the short term (1890-1893), but failed to be re-elected in 1892, after another legislative dispute. Sanders' law practice, begun in Bannack, was continued as he moved to Virginia City and Helena. Sanders served many years as regional counsel for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Wilbur Fisk Sanders died in Helena, July 7, 1905.