James Deering
Lewis and Clark County
History of Montana, 1913

James Deering, descended from Irish ancestry and the youngest 
of six children, was born at Hancock, Houghton County, Michigan, 
January 29, 1876.  During the early years of his life he 
attended the public schools at Calumet, Michigan and at 
the age of eleven years came to Montana and first resided 
at Marysville with his parents and later became a resident 
of Helena.  He attended the public school at Marysville and 
business colleges at Helena until 1893-94, during which year 
he was a student of All Hallows College, a popular Catholic 
institution of Salt Lake City, Utah.  He was graduated in 
the commercial course of this institution and upon obtaining 
his degree returned to Helena and entered a law office as a 
clerk and stenographer, which position he held for four 
years, during which time he read law.  Thereafter he 
entered the government service as chief clerk of the 
United States land office at Helena, where he remained 
until August 1, 1902 when he was transferred to the 
United States land office at Great Falls.  He remained 
in the government service until June 1, 1904 when he 
resigned to accept the management of the office of the 
Collins Land Company at Helena, which position he still 
holds.  He is one of the most prominent land attorneys 
of the state, being admitted to practice before the 
local land offices and also the land department at 
Washington D.C.  Mr. Deering is also president of the 
Collins Realty Company, which company deals extensively 
in lands throughout the state.  He is also secretary 
and treasurer of the Brady-Collins Sheep Company and 
vice-president of the Marysville Gold Mining Company, 
which latter company is the owner of extensive mining 
property in the Marysville district and he also 
personally owns other mining property in that district.

James Deering is the son of Maurice Deering, who was born 
in Ireland in 1842 and departed this life at Great Falls, 
Montana on October 3, 1903.  The elder Mr. Deering was 
employed as a stationary engineer by the Drum Lumon Mining 
Company at Marysville for eighteen years.  Before 
immigrating to this country he married Bridget Duffy 
at Dublin Ireland and of this union six children were 
born two of whom now survive: Annie and James.  Mr. 
Deering's mother and sister still reside at Marysville.  
During the early days in California Mr. Deering Sr. 
was employed as a stationary engineer by the Bodie 
Mining Company and came to Montana in 1883.

James Deering was married June 30, 1904 to Miss Mabel 
Cochran, who prior to her marriage was a teacher in the 
public schools at Great Falls.  Mr. and Mrs. Deering 
have no children.  They reside at 710 Harrison Avenue, Helena.