Ecton, Zales N. (Zales Nelson), 1898-1961

Zales N. Ecton, born in Iowa April 1, 1898, moved to Montana at age nine. He received his public education in the local schools. After graduation, he attended Montana State College. When the country entered World War 1, Ecton volunteered for training in the Student Army Training Corps. After the war, Ecton completed his education at the University of Chicago Law School. Ecton entered politics in 1932, running for office as a State Representative from Gallatin County. He served in the Montana House of Representatives for four years and in the Montana Senate for ten years. From 1947-1953, Ecton was a U.S. Senator, the first Republican elected by popular vote in Montana. As a Senator, Ecton served on the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, the Committee on the United States Post Office and Civil Service, and the Committee on Public Lands. Ecton lost the 1952 election to Mike Mansfield. He returned to Montana and resided in Bozeman until his death in 1961.

State legislator and U.S. senator from Montana.

Ecton was born in Iowa in 1898 and moved to Montana at age nine. Educated in Montana and Chicago, he entered politics in 1932. He served in the Montana House for four years, then for ten years in the Montana Senate. From 1947-53 he served as a U.S. Senator from Montana.