Wilsall Cowmen - November 1917

Ed Swandahl, Homer Mather, Austin Swandalh, and Billie Waning

I think this group of men are quite dashing in their own ways!

The back of the photo was titled "Wilsall Cowmen", and according to additional information on the reverse side, it was taken in November of 1917 in Chicago, IL.  I would image that our Great-grandfather, Billie Waning, and the three other men, had come by train with their cattle to take them to Chicago and to market.  Based on their dress, they had a bit of time to "cut up the rug" while in the Big Windy City!  It looks like a celebration, so perhaps they got a good price for their stock!   

In the 1910 census Austin Swandel is a 20 year old hired hand living in Little Elk School District in Meagher County, MT. By the 1920 census he lived in School District 21 in Park County as a stock farmer.  He was married to Ella, had become a naturalized citizen (Norwegian) and had a daughter Gladys.

In the 1920 census, Homer Mather is 34 years old farmer.  He was born in Iowa and is married to Clarabell, with two young girls, Mary and Doris and living in Horse Creek, in Park County.

In the 1920 census, Edward Swandal is single and 22 years old.  He is from Norway and had not yet become a citizen.  He was listed as a stock farmer living in School District 21 in Park County, MT.