Jesse J. Bird History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894 May be copied for non-profit purposes. USGENWEB Montana Archives Jesse J. Bird, one of Montana's worthy pioneers, is engaged in ranching eight miles northwest of Virginia City. Mr. Bird was born in Patrick County Virginia June 2, 1831, son of Benjamin and Lucy (Gradey) Bird, both natives of the Old Dominion. Benjamin Bird was a soldier in the War of 1812. He died many years ago, leaving a widow and five children. All the latter are still living The mother reached the advanced age of ninety-five years and passed away in 1893. Jesse J. is their oldest child. He remained in his native state until his nineteenth year. Then he went toIllinois and worked for wages and remained there until 1864, when he crossed the plains to Montana, coming direct to Virginia City. Gold had been discovered there a year before and it was then a busy mining camp. He at once secured employment, helped to put in the water works and for this received $100 per month. After that he engaged in mining and spent five years there. Then he prospected a year. Next we find him settled on a ranch half a mile below his present farm. In 1873 after having worked this place three years he sold out and took up his abode where he now resides. Here he owns 130 acres of fine land. In 1878 Mr. Bird married Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan, a native of Canada. Their only child died in infancy and in 1885 Mrs. Bird was called to her last home. Mr. Bird's aged mother lived with him up to the time of her death, since which his sister Ann has been his housekeeper. USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format forprofit, nor for commercial presentation by any other organization. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express writtenpermission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist.