Silas Bradford Gray was born on July 8, 1856 near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In 1880 Silas accompanied his oldest brother on a trip to Jefferson City, Montana, and from there to Judith Basin, Montana. Between 1881 and 1889, Gray lived in Chicago, Illinois; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; and Grand Island, Nebraska. Silas Gray returned to Helena, Montana, in 1889 and worked for the Helena Light Company. By 1896 he was a foreman for the Golden Sceptre Gold Mining Company. Following this job in 1897, he worked for the telephone company in Great Falls, Montana, then operated the stagecoach stop in Lewistown, Montana, until the arrival of the railroad in 1900. At this time, Gray moved to Helena and took a job at the Helena Light and Railway Company. He was appointed the city electrician in 1912 and maintained this position for nineteen years. In addition to his work, Gray served as the President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, No. 16 and on the Helena city council. Gray married Hattie Coon on December 25, 1883 in Hall County, Nebraska. After their divorce, Gray married Theresa Becker in Livingston, Montana, with whom he had an adopted daughter. They were married until her death in 1901. He then married Edna Warner in 1906 and had one son, Eugene F. Gray, and two daughters, Vivian Ryan and Helen Gunderson. Gray died in Helena on March 3, 1940. He is buried in Forestvale Cemetery in Helena, Montana.
This collection (1935-1939) consists of Silas Bradford Gray’s personal reminiscence as a settler in Montana. This collection contains the original handwritten version of his personal reminiscence, as well as revised and edited versions. Gray reflects on many experiences, including the journey from Nebraska to Helena, Montana, driving cattle in and around Judith Basin, Montana, hunting buffalo and other wild game, interactions with Indigenous people and graves, encounters with Charles Russell, Granville Stuart, and George "Big Nose George" Parrott, and his meandering career path and daily life as a settler in the late 19th century. The collection contains one photograph of his rifle, which was displayed with his personal collection of artifacts in Helena as part of the 1939 Diamond Jubilee celebration.
Collection open for research.
Researchers must use the collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. The Library & Archives does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives, Helena, Montana.
Acquisition information available upon request.
Tip-in was processed into collection in 2026.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Montana Historical Society Research Center catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search under these terms.