Lincoln Electric Cooperative (Eureka, Mont.)

Eureka, Mont., electric utility.

Lincoln Electric Cooperative, Inc. was incorporated in 1948 to bring affordable electricity to rural Eureka, Mont., and the surrounding area. It is publicly owned and operated. The cooperative purchased Rexford Power & Light, a private company, on 6 Mar. 1951 from owner W.V. Kuchen. The Rexford, Mont., company had been in operation since at least the 1920s. On 1 July 1952 Lincoln Electric exercised an option to buy the Tobacco River Power Co, whose president was H. McCullough. The Tobacco River Power Co. had provided electricity to the area since at least the 1930s. Joe Pitman was the manager of the coop during the early years. Lincoln Electric continues to provide the only power to the Tobacco Valley.