Northey, Harry T., 1911-2006

Harry T. Northey was born to Bessie Rickard Northey and John William Northey in Silver Bow, Montana on May 5, 1911. He attended elementary school in Philipsburg, moved to Missoula in 1923, and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1931. He married Dorcas Keach in 1936, with whom he raised four sons and a daughter-John, Tom, Dick, Harry and Betsy. Northey studied electrical engineering at vocational school, and after working assorted jobs, became office manager at Reely’s Van and Storage of Missoula. He founded his own moving company, Montana Transfer, with partner Lyle Heath in 1958. Northey continued to manage this business throughout his political career. Northey held several community positions, among which were Secretary for Little League Baseball of Missoula; President of the Active Club; member of the City Park Board and of the City Police and Civil Service Commission; President of Montana Transfer and Warehouseman’s Association; member of the Lions Club, Elks Club and PTA Council; member of the Chamber Commerce Education Committee; and Trustee for School District 1 from 1950 to 1962, three years of which he served as chairman.

As a Republican, Northey served terms in the Montana House of Representatives and Montana Senate from 1963 to 1974. Notable areas of legislative interest include air pollution control, predator protection, education, and the debate on a state sales tax. Although not re-elected to the Senate in 1974, Northey continued his community engagement throughout his retired years. He died in Missoula on June 10, 2006.

From the guide to the Harry T. Northey papers, 1929-1976, (University of Montana-Missoula Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)