Ross, Mollie O'Keeffe, 1866-1919

Mary O'Keeffe Ross, daughter of Cornelius "Baron" O'Keeffe and Annie Lester O'Keeffe, was born in Missoula County, Mont., on 26 Nov. 1866. Mary's parents, who were among the first white settlers in the Missoula area, were natives of Ireland. Known as one of the most colorful citizens of early Missoula, Cornelius O'Keeffe came to the region as a member of the Mullan Expedition of 1859. O'Keeffe married Annie Lester in 1865. O'Keeffe liked the Missoula area so well that in 1879 he set up a farm in O'Keeffe's canyon, two miles south of the Evaro Hill. O'Keeffe brought the first threshing machine, reaper, and mower to the area, but was better known for his role in politics. He was the first probate judge in Missoula County, served as the County Commissioner for twelve years, and was elected to two terms in the Territorial Legislature. Mary O'Keeffe married Kenneth F. Ross, a businessman who came to Montana in 1883. She died on 19 May 1

Mary O’Keeffe Ross, daughter of Cornelius “Baron” O’Keeffe and Annie Lester O’Keeffe, was born in Missoula County, Montana, on November 26, 1866. Mary’s parents, who were among the first white settlers in the Missoula area, were natives of Ireland. Known as one of the most colorful citizens of early Missoula, Cornelius O’Keeffe came to the region as a member of the Mullan Expedition of 1859. O’Keeffe married Annie Lester in 1865. O’Keeffe liked the Missoula area so well, in 1879 he set up a farm in O’Keeffe’s canyon two miles south of the Evaro Hill. O’Keeffe brought the first threshing machine, reaper, and mower to the area, but was better known for his role in politics. He was the first probate judge in Missoula County, served as the County Commissioner for twelve years, and was elected to two terms in the Territorial Legislature.

Mary O’Keeffe married Kenneth F. Ross, a businessman who came to Montana in 1883. They had one child, Marjorie Lee. Mary O’Keeffe died May 19, 1919.