John Sockerson
Jefferson County
History of Montana, Sanders, 1913

John Sockerson of Basin, has been identified with this 
region for a quarter of a century.  A native of Sweden 
he was born near Stockholm on the 13th of December 1860 
and was reared and received his education in that country.  
In 1880 when he was twenty, he immigrated to America, and at 
Manistee Michigan found employment in the lumber camps.  
During the next four years his industry found favor with 
his employers, the Lewis Sands Lumber Company, which 
company in 1884 sent him up into the northwest to take 
charge of their saw mill and lumber camp on the line of 
the Canadian Pacific Railway at Maple Creek.  This 
responsible place he filled for three years and in 1887 
deciding to see and explore the northwestern country.  
Buying a team of mules, with wagon and outfit, he drove 
across country to Fort Assiniboine, and thence to Helena, 
Montana where he arrived after a month's journeying.  At 
Helena he engaged in the teaming and transfer business 
and did very well at it for a year or so.  He then sold 
out and moving to Elk Park engaged in the wholesale wood 
business which he continued four years.  It was then 
that Mr. Sockerson removed to Basin where he has since 
been one of the leading citizens and business men.  
Within a year after his arrival he erected the first 
brick business block in town.  He is now one of the 
large owners of property both in the city and county 
and also has substantial investments in productive 
mining property.