From the Bridger Times, 31 March 1927
WILLIAM H. STEELE
ANSWERS LAST CALL
Dies in Red Lodge Last Wednesday -
Was Pioneer of This Part of The State.
William H. Steele, age 76 and one of the pioneers of this part of Montana, died in Red Lodge, Wednesday. Mr. Steele had been ill for some time and a short time ago went to Red Lodge.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. C.E. Fenton, Friday afternoon at the M.E. Church and interment was made in the Bowler cemetery, where other members of the family are buried.
Realizing that his health was failing, Mr. Steele prepared a brief statement regarding his life but left no records of the early day events that he participated in this part of the state.
He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, Aug. 25th, 1851 and went to Iowa with his parents while very young and lived there until Dec. 12th 1883. He came to Montana in the Indian service at Crow Agency 44 years ago. He worked as a carpenter there for three years, then was promoted to boss farmer and after 11 years service was sent to Pryor Agency as a farmer- in- charge for three years. After leaving the Indian service, he worked at the carpenter trade mostly in Carbon County. The surviving relatives are the eldest daughter, Mrs. C.E. Rothwell at Columbus, Mont., and the youngest son, Earnest Steele, of Canada. A brother resides at Libby, and several grandchildren, among whom are Mrs. B.P. Loyning of Warren, Madeline and Helen Steele of Bridger, Goldia Bent of Minden, Neb., and Bud Bent of Thermopolis, Wyo. For many years Mr. Steele made his home at the Bert Bent ranch at Warren.
_________________________________________________
Also, according to death certificate his birthdate is 25 Aug 1851. Note the date on the stone!
The death certificate has his place of birth as Iowa, and his middle initial as S.
There is no parent information on the certificate.
Homestead PatentHomestead Patent 2
