Alderson, William W. (William White), 1831-1906

Bozeman, Mont. pioneer, Indian agent, editor of Avant courier, state legislator.

William W. Alderson (1831-1906) was a Bozeman, Montana pioneer newspaperman and Indian agent. Born in England, Alderson came to the United States with his parents and eventually settled in western Illinois near Galena. He married Francis W. Weatherly in 1854 and the couple moved to Montana in 1864 along with Alderson's brother, John. The Aldersons decided to settle in the Gallatin valley and became one of the founding families of the new town of Bozeman. In 1873, Alderson accepted a post as Indian agent at the Milk River agency for the Assiniboin Indians, a position he held until 1876. In 1877, he became the editor of the Bozeman Avant Courier, and in 1886 served a term in the Montana legislature. The Aldersons had nine children, Edward, Matthew, Elizabeth, May, Anna, Margaret, Charles, William, and George. Edward C. Alderson also kept a diary from 1875 through 1879, during which time he assisted his father at the Milk River agency.

William W. Alderson was a Bozeman, Mont., pioneer newspaperman and Indian agent. Born in England, Alderson came to the U.S. with his parents and eventually settled in western Illinois near Galena. He married Francis W. Weatherly in 1854 and the couple moved to Montana in 1864 along with Alderson's brother, John. The Aldersons decided to settle in the Gallatin Valley and became one of the founding families of the new town of Bozeman. In 1873, Alderson accepted a post as Indian agent at the Milk River agency for the Assiniboine Indians, a position he held until 1876. In 1877, he became the editor of the Bozeman Avant Courier, and in 1886 served a term in the Montana legislature. The Aldersons had nine children, Edward, Matthew, Elizabeth, May, Anna, Margaret, Charles, William, and George. Edward C. Alderson also kept a diary from 1875 through 1879, during which time he assisted his father at the Milk River agency.