Green River Valley Cowbelles/Cattlewomen



2007 Centennial RanchesCompiled by DeeAnn PriceThe Green River Valley Cattle Women want to honor the Green River Valley Ranch families that have lived on the same land for 100 years or more. Noble RanchThe Noble Ranch, located near Cora, Wyoming, is owned and run by Richard R. Noble and daughter, Tina Nelson.The ranchland was acquired through the Homestead Act of 1820 and additional acreage was added to the ranch as time progressed. James M. and Pauline Rahm Noble settled on the land in 1896 and brought up four children. They raised hay, cattle, sheep, and horses. James and neighbor, Abner Luman, brought the first Black Angus bulls to the area. The ranch passed to their son, Carroll R. and his wife Christina, parents to Richard Noble. This ranch is home to the historic remains of the original site of the old town of Cora, Wyoming. At one time it was situated along the migration route of the Shoshoni Indians. Nipwater, Chief Washakie’s grandson, would sometimes stop at the homestead and rest and feed his families and their horses. The barn built by James Noble is still in use and the family continues to raise hay, cattle and horses.Lozier’s Box “R” RanchThe Box “R” Ranch, owned by Irvin (Irv) L. Lozier is located near Cora, Wyoming. The property was homesteaded in the summer of 1898 by Irvin M. Lozier and the deed from the U.S. Government was recorded on June 11, 1900. The ranch passed to Walt Lozier, son of Irvin M. and father to the present owner. The first house on the ranch burned in 1989 but the original homestead cabin is still being used today as a black smith’s shop. The property now serves as a guest ranch and the Lozier family raises beef, cattle and horses.Murdock Land and LivestockThe Murdock Land and Livestock ranch is along Highway 351 near Big Piney, Wyoming. In 1883, Stanley G. Murdock came from Heber City, Utah to work for Rod Thornton. He homesteaded ranchland in 1897, broke horses and raised Hereford Cattle. Stan and his wife Mary are parents to the next owner, Joseph W. Murdock. Joe and his wife Jeane, passed the ranch to their sons, Martin J. Murdock and William F. Murdock, the present day owners. The original home that belonged to Mary Murdock is still in use though it has been remodeled. Some of the other old buildings are located on the property including a granary. The Murdock families have a cow/ calf operation and raise both Hereford and Angus cattle.Jensen RanchThe Jensen Ranch is located near Boulder, Wyoming. James and Mary Jensen acquired the homestead in 1903. They raised hay and cattle to make a living. The land was passed on to their son, Brandt and wife Josephine Jensen. They were parents to Donald Jensen and wife Marilyn, the present day owners. Donald and Marilyn along with their son, Jerry, run the ranch.The original house is still part of the property and the Jensen family continues to raise hay and cattle.Gilligan Ranch The original owner of the Gilligan Ranch near Boulder, Wyoming, was John Gilligan, a doctor with the Union Pacific Railroad. He married Martha Campbell, the first white woman born in Green River, Wyoming. In 1897 they started buying the ranch in Boulder. It passed to their son George Gilligan and wife Ada. George ran the ranch until his death in 1963, and the property passed to their only child Pat. She and her husband, Ted Smyth, and their children run the place now with tenant, Brad Bousman.The original house, barn, blacksmith shop and half a dozen other buildings are still located on the property. They are all beautiful log buildings with dovetailed corners and unique features such as handmade wooden hinges and cupboard doors made from wooden coffee crates. There are also horse drawn mowers, racks, and a grader hay wagon. Hay, sheep, cattle, horses have been raised over the years. Today, hay is the major crop.Dan H. Budd and Sons, Inc.The Budd Ranch near Big Piney, Wyoming, was originally owned by outlaw, Charlie Griggs. “Mr. Griggs was invited to a hanging,” Dan S. Budd commented, “but he declined the invitation and sold out.” Daniel B. Budd became the new owner in 1897 and more land was added through the Homestead Act and desert claims. Some private property was also purchased. Daniel Budd gave the ranch to his grandson, C.P. (Charlie) Budd as a wedding present. C.P. Budd and wife Stella passed the ranch on to their son, Dan H. Budd and wife Ada who passed it to their sons, Dan S. and David S. Budd, today’s owners.The original ranch was called Stanley and had a school house on the west side of property. C.P. and Stella Budd first lived in a small log cabin where they operated a post office and grocery dry goods store. In 1904 their first real home was built, a house that eventually became the present day home of Dan S. and Barbara Budd. Many of the old outbuildings still exist. Hay and cattle have been the main source of income for over 110 years.Hill & Hill RanchThe Hill & Hill Ranch is located near Big Piney, Wyoming. John Wardell applied for desert land entry in 1900 and for the first water right in 1904. His homestead patent on the land was recorded in 1908. John Wardell passed the ranch to his son John H. Wardell and then it passed to John E. Wardell, uncle to Lance Hill, the present owner. Lance and Nila Hill own and run the ranch today raising wild hay and beef cattle.Budd RanchesBudd Ranches located near Big Piney, Wyoming was homesteaded in 1904 by John C. Budd. He and wife Lula passed the ranch to their son, Joe Budd and wife Ruth, grandparents to Nancy Budd and husband Gary Espenscheid, the present day owners. They share ownership with their sons, Brian and wife Annie, Chad and wife Gudrid.In 1905 a house was built and a barn soon after. This original barn is in good repair and still being used. Grass and cattle are the ranch’s major commodities. Nancy points out that the place has “always [been] a cattle ranch.” Gary and Nancy’s four grandchildren make up the fifth generation to live on the land.Murdock Cattle CompanyThe Murdock Cattle Company is in the New Fork Valley near Pinedale, Wyoming. Alex Bayers homesteaded the part of the land on which the original buildings were erected and Nels Jorgensen bought it from him in 1899. Nels and his wife Karen expanded the ranch, homesteading several more portions of land and then later adding other homesteads. When the ranch passed to their eldest son George, he also added on to the property. George Jorgensen was uncle to Stan Murdock, present owner of the ranch with wife, Madeleine and their son, Scott.Situated on the ranch is a two story house built in 1930 by a cousin, Barney Damgaard, George, James and Carl Jorgensen, and neighbor, Jim McLoughlin. After the barn was completed, dances were often held there including one to celebrate Stan and Madeleine’s wedding in 1973. Some of the guests at the wedding had actually attended the first barn dance. The barn is still being used and is in good conditionThe Murdocks raise both hay and beef cattle. Miller Land & LivestockThe Miller Land & Livestock ranch is near Big Piney, Wyoming where James and Mildred Mickelson acquired the land 1895. Their daughter, Mildred and husband Bob Miller were next to own the ranch and they expanded the property. Their son, Robert Miller and wife Tara are the owners of the ranch today. Robert and Tara’s sons, Will and Wes Miller are part owners. Says, Tara Miller, “[the ranch] has always been operated by family members [and] the sixth generation is now being born…” All the original buildings are still in place including a cabin built in 1878. This cabin, according to James’ daughter, Mildred, was home to the first men, (Liefer and Swan) to winter in Sublette County. It has been a cattle ranch and raised quality horses since 1985. Alsade LimitedThe Guio Family Ranch, Alsade Limited is located near Big Piney, Wyoming. The original part of the ranch was claimed in 1903 by Al Osterhout and Sadie Budd Osterhout under the Homestead Act. The mountain lands were purchased later from homesteaders, Fred Beck and Ralph Bugher. Al and Sadie passed the ranch to Josephine Osterhout Guio, mother to Ken Guio. Today the owners include Ken and Marj Guio, and their children, Cotton, Susan, Candon, and Tagg. An interesting feature of the ranch is that it holds territorial water rights on part of the home place. The Guio family raises beef cattle as their main source of income.Wardell RanchThe Wardell Ranch near Big Piney, Wyoming was homesteaded by Joe Hill in 1897 and 1898. Patents for the property were acquired in 1901 and 1906. The ranch passed to John and Jim Wardell, grandfather and uncle to Martin Wardell, next in line for the ranch. His son, Martin (Sprout) Wardell Jr. and Sprout’s son Robert (Ed) Wardell, share in the ownership today.Originally a few sheep were raised but it was primarily a horse ranch through the First World War. After 1930, cattle became the primary commodity. Today hay and cattle are the major products. The original house on the John Wardell homestead is in very liveable condition. The shop and granary are still standing.Alexander RanchThe Alexander Ranch is located near Cora,Wyoming was homesteaded by Kip Alexander’s great uncle, Frank Alexander in 1898. He proved up on 160 acres and raised native hay and cattle. Next to own the place was Nancy Alexander, Kip’s great grandmother. Then the ranch passed to his grandfather, W.J. Alexander, and then to his father, W.D. Alexander. Kip and Bonnie Alexander own the ranch today. The 160 acres homesteaded by Frank Alexander is still part of today’s operation. Kip notes that “there have been six generations of family members that have lived or worked on [the] premises.” The original cabin and bunkhouse are still on the ranch and part of the barn and corrals are still standing.The major crop presently is native hay.Frank Fear Cattle CompanyThe Frank Fear Cattle Company Ranch is located near Big Piney, Wyoming.Frank A. Fear applied for his homestead in November 18, 1897 and the patent on the land was recorded on July 13, 1904. Frank A. passed the ranch to his son, Clifton Fear Sr. and Clifton Sr. passed the ranch to his son, Clifton Fear Jr. Frank Fear II was next to own the ranch, son of Clifton Jr. and father to John Fear, co-owner of the ranch today.An interesting fact about this homestead is that the old Sears and Roebuck home is on the property. The family raises native hay and alfalfa and has a cow/calf operation.Cross Lazy Two Land & LivestockThe Cross Lazy Two, Land and Livestock Ranch near Big Piney, Wyoming was acquired by James Mickelson on June 23, 1902. He passed the ranch on to his son, James F. Mickelson. James F.’s daughter, Bette Mickelson and husband Robert V. Thompson became the next owners. Their son, Robert (Mike) Thompson shares the ownership of the ranch today with his son, Timothy and wife Jody while Robert Jon and Amanda Brook Thompson, “the next generation,” help run the ranch. Tim and Jody live on the original homestead which includes some additions. The family raises hay, has a cow/calf operation, and provides sport fishing opportunities.Charles C. and DeeAnn B. Price RanchThe Price ranch on the Green River was homesteaded by Alexander (Alex) Price. He filed on two 160 acre parcels of land November 18, 1899. He proved up on them April 4, 1904 and November 15, 1907. Originally Alex raised horses or gathered mustangs and broke them to sell. Later he raised beef cattle. After Alex married Mary Woods, he added more acreage to the original homestead land. They passed the ranch to their son, Clarence (Doug) Price, and his nephew, Charles Price and wife DeeAnn acquired the ranch from Doug.Alex Price’s old log homestead house and barn are still on the property. Today, Charles and DeeAnn run the operation and raise hay and cattleSommers RanchThe Sommers Ranch is located on the Green River and is a working cattle ranch. Brothers, Pearl and Albert (Prof) Sommers, great uncle and grandfather to the present owners, didn’t homestead until 1907 but had cattle grazing on the Upper Green range as early as 1904. After Prof died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1928, his wife, May McAlister Sommers kept the ranch going and raised 4 children through the Depression Era. The ranch passed to their son, Albert (Bud) Sommers and wife Verla, and then to their son and daughter, Albert and Jonita Sommers, today’s owners.The original ranch house was built from logs floated down the Upper Green. With the use of horses it was moved to the present location. There is also the original cow barn and granary and another homestead cabin now used to store tractors. The bridge across the Green River has been there since 1911. Conwell - Gildea RanchThe Conwell – Guildea Ranch is on the Merna Road near Daniel, Wyoming. This land was homesteaded in 1902 by Patrick and Martha Conwell and subsequently owned by their son Ralph E. Conwell. The ranch then went to Ralph’s daughter, Barbara Conwell, with husband, Vernon Gildea and their family, the present owners. Friends of the family, Dru and Lewis Roberts, help run the ranch.A large building, originally in a logging camp was disassembled, the parts numbered then transported and reassembled on the ranch. The original Merna Schoolhouse was moved from the home pasture to the main property.The family raises grass hay and pasture.“V” Cross Cattle Company (a.k.a. Herschler Ranch)The Herschler Ranch is situated on Fontenelle Creek near LaBarge. Jacob and Josephine Herschler homesteaded the land in 1886. Eventually they bought other small homesteads as well. The ranch passed to their son, Edgar F. (Ned) Herschler and wife Charlotte. Their son, Edgar J. (Ed) with wife Casey became the next owners. Ed Herschler was Wyoming’s only three term governor. The ranch passed to Ed and Casey’s children, James C. and Sue Herschler and Sue’s husband Jerry Hunt. Today Sue and Jerry Hunt and their sons, Ty and wife Kati, Will and wife Sara, and Colin own the ranch. Jerry and Sue’s grandchildren, Jordan, Chancy, and Jaymee are the sixth generation to live on the ranch.The original owner, Jacob Herschler raised sheep and he was upright and well respected. During a storm his stock drifted over the “deadline” into cattle country. Instead of killing the sheep, cattlemen fed them until Jacob could bring them home. When Sue Hunt’s grandparents, Ned and Charlotte ran the ranch they changed over to cattle, and the Hunts still raise cattle today.Sue and Jerry Hunt live in the same house that was built in 1886, although the original tiny four room cabin has been built on to. They still have the same barn in use while the little shop and bunkhouse have been turned into storage areas. There is also a granary that they use to store grain and salt for the cattle.Luman RanchThe Luman Ranch, located on the Green River, was purchased in 1903 by Abner Luman. Though he owned and operated several ranches, this ranch is the only one left still owned by his family. Abner raised beef cattle until around 1913 when he changed to a sheep operation. When the ranch passed to his son, Robert, the sheep were sold and the ranch was changed over to a beef cattle ranch around 1960. Robert Luman and wife Doris are parents to the present day owners, Roberta Luman Bacheller and Kathryn Luman Madro. Roberta’s son and Kathryn’s nephew, Charles (Chuck) Bacheller, runs the ranch and manages today’s haying and cow/calf operation.All the original buildings are gone now but many of the fence lines still have posts made from the logs of those old buildings. Robert Luman made a number of improvements, including a shearing shed in 1935, the main house in 1940, the barn in 1945, and a guest house, bunkhouse and shop in 1950.43 Centennial Families!Twenty six families have had land in the same family for a hundred years or more. Seventeen families have been here for a hundred years but not continuously on the same land.Of these, twenty Green River Valley Centennial ranches will be honored at the State Fair in 2007. Sponsoring this recognition will be Wyoming State Historical Preservation Office, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Wool Growers Association, and Wyoming Rural Electric Association. 2009 Centennial RanchesCompiled by Jonita SommersMilleg Ranch PartnershipThe Milleg Ranch Partnership near Big Piney, Wyoming has been in the same family since 1898. The first family member to homestead was Esdras Swan (great, great uncle) and Minnie Swan (great, great aunt.) John Curtis (great grandfather) became owner of the ranchland. George Milleg was the fourth generation to own the ranch. Next in line was Bill Milleg, Sr. Bill Milleg, Jr. and Sandra Milleg are on the ranch today with their son, Mark Milleg and daughter and her family, Marsha and Wayne Barlow. The eighth generation, which consists of Kaylee and Logan Barlow along with Adison Milleg, are helping with work on the ranch. The Swans were the first family to bring cattle to the Upper Green River Valley in 1877. The ranch has always raised beef cattle. One of Sublette County’s first race tracks for horse was on this ranch.Cora Valley Angus RanchCarroll David and Antonette Noble won the Cora Valley Angus Ranch today which has been in the family since 1896. David’s great grandparents, James M. and Pauline Rahm Noble, homesteaded the ranch. Carroll Richard and Christina Clementsen Noble took over this part of the ranch from James and Pauline. Carroll Lester “Mike” and Ruth Philips Noble were the next family members to have the ranch. Black Angus bulls were introduced on the ranch in 191 and there has been a continuous Black Angus cattle herd to the present. Original owner James Noble grew and sold in the store he built in Cora potatoes, turnips, rutabagas, and oats in the homesteading years.2010 Cenntenial RanchesCompiled by Jonita SommersRocking Chair RanchThe Rocking Chair Ranch on LaBarge Creek has been owned by the Chrisman family since 1908. James Chrisman bought the place from Mrs. Reel while he was running 35,000 head of sheep south of LaBarge which was free range at that time. The place was then owned by the Flying W Land and Livestock which was owned the Chrisman family. Pam Chrisman who has the Fish Creek Flying W Ranches, Inc. owns the place today. In 1939, Pam’s father, John Chrisman, and Fin Pedril built the red barn that is still used today.Pape Ranches Inc.The Pape Ranches Inc. on Forty Rod Flat has been in the Norman Pape family since 1905. Great Grandfather, Frederick Herman Pape and his wife Lena Johnson bought the first piece of land (160 acres) in the fall of 1904 for $18,000 from an old bachelor, Gib Balckwell, and it grew over the years to the present day 10,000+ acres. In 1917, Great Grandfather bought Great Gandmother Pape’s brother’s ranch and Norman’s parents moved into that cabin, which is where we live today. The original land had a one room cabin, a corral and a small stable. The new home was cabin about 24 feet square with a lean-to for storage. Most of the area at that time was covered with sagebrush and farmed and put into meadow. Lester, Norm’s father was a pioneer in raising hay. Sheep were also raised on the ranch for many years. Now after over 100years of time the ranch is still productive cattle ranch. The first generation is Frederick Herman and Lena Johnson Pape followed by Frederick Lester and Mary Hillier Pape. Norman Frederick and Barbara Bower Pape were the third generation. The fourth generation consists of Frederick W. and Michelle Schwartzkoph Pape, David W. and Naomi Wise (deceased) Pape along with Jane Pape and Chuck Potempa. The budding fifth generation consists of Logan, Sydney, Hadley, Mary Barbara, and Joseph Frederick Pape. There are still some old buildings that remind us of those who have gone before and the times they endured. As Norm’s son Fred said, “We’re only here for a short time. We’re just stewards of this land just like my great grandfather, my grandfather and my dad. They’ve all made a positive move to make this land better. The ranch has recently been honored to be recognized as Stewards of the Land by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, the Sand County Foundation and the NRCS as well as the National Cattlemen’s Association. These were sponsors along with Dow-Agri Science and Encana. It is our privilege to serve the cattle industry in this capacity.2014 Cenntenial RanchesCompiled by Jonita SommersThree Green River Valley Centennial Ranches will be honored by the Green River Valley Cattlewomen at the Green River Valley Cattlemen's Association banquet and at the State Fair in 2014. Sponsoring this recognition at State Fair will be Wyoming State Historical Preservation Office, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Wool Growers Association, and Wyoming Rural Electric Association. Thirty families in the Green River Valley have had the original homestead in the same family for a hundred years. Ten families have been here for a hundred years, but not continuously on the same land. The three Centennial Ranch families honored in 2014 are below:Campbell Cattle CompanyThe Campbell Cattle Co. in the Hoback Basin near Bondurant has been in the Campbell family since 1913. Grandfather Lorenzo "Lennie" Campbell homestead with his wife Rita. The original homestead cabin is still being lived in on the ranch by their granddaughter Kathryn Campbell. The cabin has been worked on by adding a foundation and other rooms along with running water and electricity. In the beginning, Campbells had milk cows and sent the cream by mail for an income. Today, the ranch raises Angus cattle. They still put their hay up in loose hay stacks. Lennie and Rita's son, Walden, along with his wife, Patricia, took the ranch over as the second generation. The third generation to own and operate the ranch are Kevin and Lennie Campbell. Heidi, Walden and Anna are the fourth generation to live on the ranch. Heidi's daughter is the fifth generation to be on the ranch.Ellen Richie and Sons RanchIn 1913, the Ellen Richie and Sons ranch was started by Everett "Ebb" Richie when he bought Bill Smith's relinquished homestead for $2000 on Muddy Creek east of Boulder which is known as the Muddy Place. In 1923, Ebb married Ellen Williams. During 1937, they bought what became the East Fork Place and it just happened to be the first place Ebb worked on when he came to the country in 1910. Richies raised Hereford cattle, a small band of sheep and Percheron work horses. Ebb died in 1955 and the ranch became the Ellen Richie and Sons Ranch. The sons, Jep and Norm, bought the Vible Place in 1957. Today, Norm and Jep along with Jep's children Eb, Carole and Lynne own the ranch. The fourth generation of children have been and are being raised on the ranch. When Jep's great grandchildren come to visit, there is a fifth generation on the ranch. At the Muddy Place, there is still an old bunkhouse and barn. The homestead cabin burned down. They are a Hereford cow/calf and yearling operation today.Thompson RanchMax, Jr. "Joe" and Dianne Boroff own the Thompson Ranch that has been in the family since it was homesteaded in 1914 on Horse Creek near Merna and west of Daniel. Harry Thompson homesteaded the ranch and lived there with his wife, Laura Richardson Thompson. Harry acquired several other homesteads over the years to complete the ranch. Harold and Olie Thompson, sons of Harry and Laura, owned the ranch next. The third generation on the ranch are Joe and Dianne. Joe's mother, Miriam Thompson Boroff, was a daughter of Harry and Laura. Joe and Dianne raised their two girls on the ranch and grandkids come to visit, so five generations have been on the ranch. Thompsons over the years ran sheep, dairy cows and beef cattle.2016 Centennial RanchesCompiled by Jonita SommersSix Green River Valley Centennial Ranches were honored by the Green River Valley Cattlewomen at the Green River Valley Cattlemen's Association banquet and at the Wyoming State Fair in 2016. Sponsoring this recognition at State Fair will be Wyoming State Historical Preservation Office, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Wool Growers Association, and Wyoming Rural Electric Association. Also, the state committee decided people who had received the 1990 Centennial Award may receive this centennial ranch award so V Cross Cattle Company (Sue Hunt) will receive the award at the State Fair. Thirty-six families in the Green River Valley have at least 160 acres of their ranch in the same family for a hundred years. Seven families have been here for a hundred years, but not continuously on the same land. The six Centennial Ranch families honored in 2016 are below:Bootjack RanchThe Bootjack Ranch north of Cora, Wyoming has been in the Noble family since 1902. John Rahm, a brother to Pauline Rahm Noble and a great uncle of Jim Noble, homesteaded the original piece of the ranch in 1902. Harry H. Rahm, John's son, became the owner in 1921. James T. Noble bought the ranch in 1960. In 2001, the name was changed to Noble Family Close, LLC. Jim and Margaret are ranching along with their children Mark, Annette, Tom and Zack. This ranch has been used for the past 114 years to grow wild hay, raise horses and cattle. At present, there is a log home that is being lived in that is approximately 90 years old.Briggs RanchKathryn and Floyd Briggs own the Briggs Ranch which is located on the west end of Ehman Lane south of Cora, Wyoming. The ranch has been in Kathryn's family since 1916 when her grandfather, Nels Jorgensen, bought it from Carl Benjamin Ehman, Jr. Nels Jorgensen gave this land to his son, James Jorgensen. Kathryn Jorgensen Briggs, James Jorgensen's daughter, and Floyd Briggs own the Ehman Place and have raised their four daughters there. The house is original. It started out as a cabin on Rock Creek belonging to the Dew family. Ehman moved it down to Ehman Lane, log by log, then reassembled it. One can still see the roman numerals used to put the logs back in order. The shop building was George Jorgensen's homestead cabin on 80 acres southeast of its present location. It has been used for the hired hands' bunkhouse and a shop. This ranch has raised hay, oats, barley and later alfalfa. The cattle herd was mainly commercial Hereford until the 1980s, then Black Angus-Hereford cross cattle were on the ranch. Briggs kept Hereford and black baldly heifers for replacement heifers and sold the yearlings every fall.Eastfork Livestock, Inc.Knute Jomen, a Norwegian immigrant, lived in the Eastfork area several years before the 1908 date of land acquisition, which is called the Upper Place and is owned by Joel Bousman's family, Jomen's grandchild and great grandchildren in 2016. Knute homesteaded south of the East Fork River, south of the present day ranch, receiving the patent in 1905, but no one in this family owns this property today. Knute was in business and officially owned a brand in 1901, which is owned by Joel Bousman. A sawmill was a feature of Knute Jomen's business along with cattle, horses and sheep.Knute Jomen's brother-in-law, Hans Olson, also a Norwegian immigrant, filed on a Territorial Water Right on the East Fork River in 1889. The land, tied to this water right, is today, part of their ranch. Knute became acquainted with the area because of his sister, Bertha (Mrs. Hans Olson.) Their ranch, the Olson Place, was an early post office/store/school. Knute bought their property in 1913, but the Olson Place was not in family ownership for a ten-year period, 1928-1938. During these years, the family owned only the Upper Place. Today, the Olson Place is the headquarters of Eastfork Livestock, Inc.Edith Jomen Jensen's father, Thomas King, homesteaded six miles on down the East Fork River. No one in the family owns this property today, but this facilitates the fact that Joel Bousman's grandchildren are the sixth generation in the community. There are a few old buildings left standing on the ranch. At the Upper Place, there is an Ice House, that was used to hang meat and store supplies. At the Olson Place, a calving shed still stands. The important unique features the Bousmans own today are old papers and documents, including a ledger from the Olson Store.The progression of ownership of the Upper Place is Knute Jomen-Joel's grandfather; to Edith Jomen Jensen, Margaret Jomen and Thomas Jomen-Joel's grandmother, mother and uncle; to East Fork Livestock Company owned by Gladwon Jensen, Edith Jomen Jensen and Thomas Jomen-Joel's grandmother and uncle; to Floyd E. Bousman and Margaret Jomen Bousman-Joel's father and mother; and to Eastfork Livestock, Inc. owned by Joel E. and Susan G. Bousman, James E. and Kristy E. Bousman and Cotton J. and Kari M. Bousman-Joel's family. They raise cattle and hay on the ranch.JF Ranch, Inc.William J. McGinnis III or Jay McGinnis along with his family own the JF Ranch, Inc. Their major crop is wild hay and cattle. The McGinnis family have owned this part of their ranch since 1916 when Jay's great grandfather, William J. McGinnis, purchased the property on Dry Piney Creek through the Rody Thornton Estate after Rody Thornton passed away in 1912. The only old building left standing is the barn. William J. McGinnis, Sr. was the next owner of the place, and next in line was William J. McGinnis, Jr. The ranch has been owned by four generations of McGinnises, and Jay's children are the fifth generation to work on the land.Mocroft RanchArthur Mocroft and his wife Effie Bowen Mocroft owned a ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska. One year, Arthur went to hunt in Yellowstone Park. (It was allowed then.) He liked that area of Wyoming, so he found a ranch to buy just south of Pinedale on the Newfork River and bought the ranch in 1912. He and his family moved to the present Pinedale ranch in 1913. He also bought the O Bar Y ranch in the Upper Green, but that ranch is no longer in the family. There is a Prairie Style Sears and Roebuck house on the ranch that is still lived in today. Cattle and hay are raised on the ranch, but in the early days sheep were raised instead of cattle. After Arthur and Effie Mocroft, Harley, Arthur and Effie's son, and Margaret Mocroft became the owners of the ranch. When Harley passed away the owner was just his wife, Margaret Mocroft. Today, Arthur and Effie's grandchildren and great grandchildren along with Harley and Margaret's children and grandchildren own the ranch. They are Sylvia and Roberto Sandoval, Harlene Moloney, Matthew Moloney and Sylvia Wagner.Mosquito Creek RanchThis ranch was originally known as Midway because it lays about half way between the Union Pacific railroad station at Opal and the little settlements of Merna and Cora. William John McGinnis and Mary Hawk McGinnis, who received a patent on this land in 1898, ran a roadhouse on the ranch after the stage lines that carried the visitors along this route persuaded Mary McGinnis to turn her home into an overnight stopping place for their accommodations. Mary H. McGinnis was the Midway postmistress for 25 years in the house. The original home, a two-story house built with logs hauled by teams from many miles away in the mountains at the head of Dry Piney Creek, still stands, but is unlivable. There is also a garage built around 1920 that is still used and is in good condition. The ranch became John and Mary's daughter, Miranda McGinnis Yose and her husband, Walter C. Yose's place. Their son, Walter C . Yose, Jr. was the third family owner of this ranch. Today, Walter's daughter, Susan Yose Hoffman along with her husband, Steve Hoffman, and their three boys, Darby, Dusty and Toby own and operate the ranch. Cattle, horses and wild hay are grown on this ranch. ................
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