Kevin married Jeanette Evelyn Garthofner. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY: http://hopperstad.dyndns.org/genealogy/hopperstad/fam01066.html

BIOGRAPHY: http://www.rootsweb.com/~mtfergus/homestead/wrr01.htm
COWHAND PORTRAYS THE OLD WEST
The following write-up was published in the Idaho Statesman in 1975--Ben Garthofner has been creating and selling western art since 1928. Each piece tells a true story of the old west and is 100 percent authentic.
"We often said ,'All you need on the Missouri River is a shot gun and a fish hook," says Ben Garthofner. "I saw the West from the freight wagon days to this modern age when men walk the moon." Now retired and living with his wife at 1019 Laredo Circle (Arizona), the former Montana rancher and self taught artist recalls his boyhood in the Missouri River "breaks" in Montana south of the town of Malta. "....a land without roads, except for old cow trails," he says. "My father made one trip to Malta a year for supplies. It meant taking the wagon apart and taking it to the north side (of the river) in a rowboat. The horses swam. "Our houses were cottonwood logs with dirt roofs and sometimes dirt floors. We raised lots of the finest beef and had lots of wild game and birds. "There really were no laws to worry about in those days. We used hoop nets and throw-lines to catch our catfish, sturgeon and pike. When we were visited by the sheriff or a game warden, they ate the same food as us, some being illegal and they knew it. "I never had a hunting or fishing license until I was past 40 years old. It was a free and easy country and although we worked hard, endured long, cold winters and went without luxuries....we would not have traded places with John D. Rockefeller. "I saw the last of the old time steam boats go up and down the Missouri from Mandan, ND, to Ft. Benton, Montana. There was the "Mandan" a boat to remove snags from the river, and a freight boat, the "Gros Ventre." "What we did in everyday life and what I saw on real trail drives on real roundups gave me background and knowledge to do a little art. I do believe I am one of the few now doing this sort of work who knows what things of the Old West should look like."
[Not only was Ben an artist he was a poet as well. The following was written by him in 1986.]
WHEN I TAKE MY LAST LONG RIDE
When I take my last long ride Up over that well worn trail, Let me ride a horse I've known, One that will not fail. Please don't cry or feel too bad, It's me who'll shed the tears. Because it's leaving you, who's been so dear Through all these many years. Dying isn't hard at all Excepting in one way; It's so hard to leave you dear ones, But we'll meet another day. So long, I love you all my dears, Take care, God bless you every one, I'11 meet you all in Shadowland When earthly days are done.
Ben Garthofner - 1986 (Ben passed away in the fall of 1988.)

BIOGRAPHY: THE ROCK CREEK RANCH AND THE STAN GAR FAMILY information by Ben Garthofner and Kathie Fink
When the Government bought the Al Dewar place under the Fort Peck project Ben Garthofner leased it from the Government for $600 per year. It included two river bottoms. Ben moved onto it in April of 1937. In the fall of 1938 Ben's brother, Stan, went into partnership with him. They got a disease, called bangs, in their cattle in 1940 and had to sell them all. Ben left for three years while Stan stayed on. In 1943 Ben sold out to Stan and bought a ranch on the Judith River. After Stan took over the ranch he turned it into a very productive alfalfa seed operation. With the building of the north-south highway and the Fred Robinson Bridge, the area opened up and the raising of hay became more profitable as it could be easily shipped out to a wide market. Stan originally came from the Brussett area where at one time he was a print setter for a newspaper. He married Alice Orr Kurtz in February of 1942 at Fort Benton. She was raised in Rosebud County along the Tongue River. She had a daughter, Connie Kurtz, from a previous marriage. Stan and Alice had eight children: Dale, Jerry, Kathie, Linda, Lucille, Jim, Eilein and Dave who were raised and educated through the 8th grade at the Rock Creek School on the ranch. They attended high school in Roy. In the early 1960's the name Garthofner was shortened to Gar. Stan said he was tired of people asking him how to spell it all the time, so he had it legally changed. He was instrumental in the formation of the Square Butte Grazing District in southern Phillips County. He sold the government lease about 1973 and bought a ranch at Three Forks. He retired about 1974. He and Alice moved into Roy. Stan passed away on Thanksgiving morning of 1975 and Alice just a little over two years later, on March 18, 1978. The Gar Children: Connie married Everett Campbell. Dale and Jerry both passed away suddenly from heart attacks when Dale was 30 and Jerry only 24. Both were big, husky, handsome and healthy-looking young men and their deaths were a shock. Kathie is married to Bob Fink and lives on the ranch north of Roy. She has one son, Brian. Linda (Hansen) is a teacher and resides in Missoula. Lucille lives at Dodson with her husband, Jim Newby, and their son, Mark, and her daughter, Carrie Smith. Lucille's two older sons, Gary Robert and Earl Smith, live in Roy. Jim married Vicki Grabinski of Lewistown. They have two daughters, Tara and Tami. Jim was a bull rider for several years and was fairly well known on the Montana rodeo circuit. Eilein married Dick Cox. They live near Lewistown where they own the D C Guide and Outfitters. They have two sons, Jason and Cody. Dave is married to Shannon Myers. They live in Roy and have a daughter, Stacey. He is the mine superintendent for the construction company at the mines in Zortman, a job his dad would have loved. Stan was a miner at heart. He worked at the mines in Zortman in the early 40's and also had mining claims in Idaho. He and his friend, Lloyd LaFond, would take some time off each summer, and go panning for gold, something they both loved to do.

Ben married Margaret Amelia Hopperstad on 12 May 1941 in Seattle, King County, Washington, USA. Margaret (daughter of Joseph Hopperstad and Hilda Angeline Anderson) was born on 9 Jul 1918 in Enderlin, Ransom County, North Dakota, USA; died on 17 Feb 1999 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY:
http://hopperstad.dyndns.org/genealogy/hopperstad/fam01066.html

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY:
Thurs., 8 Dec. 1898, Elkader Register, Clayton, p8, c3: James Grothheafner, "Jim River", who was a private in the 52nd Iowa, is spending a few days here with his sister, Mrs. Wm. Hochhaus.

DEATH:
Montana Death Index, 1907-1953
Name: James C. Garthofner Gender: M Age: 72 Death Date: 5-Aug-1945 Index Number: LC 2081

James married Alice M. Playford on 14 Oct 1902 in Chinook, Chouteau County, Montana, USA. Alice was born in 0Dec 1879 in Nebraska, USA; died on 5 Apr 1940 in Blackfoot, Glacier County, Montana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

DEATH:
Name: ANTONE GARTHOFNER Gender: M Age: 4 Death Date: 27-Aug-1908 Index Number: 14-0219

DEATH:
Montana Death Index, 1907-1953
Name: ALICE B GARTHAFNER Gender: F Age: 60 Death Date: 5-Apr-1940 Index Number: MC 2609

Notes:

MILITARY:
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record about Joseph Hopperstad
Name: Joseph Hopperstad
City: Not Stated
County: Ransom
State: North Dakota
Birth Date: 14 Jan 1881
Race: White
Roll: 1819452
DraftBoard: 0

Joseph married Hilda Angeline Anderson on 22 Dec 1909 in Ransom County, North Dakota, USA. Hilda was born on 24 Feb 1879 in Orleans, Winnebago County, Iowa, USA; died on 20 Jun 1920 in Enderlin, Ransom County, North Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]