Christie, David B., 1848-1920

David B. Christie was born in Watertown, Wis., in 1848 of Scottish immigrants who came to the U.S. about 1847. David was the fourth of four children of James and Eliza Reid Christie. On 4 July 1870 David married Mary Emma Stratten also of Watertown. While living in Wisconsin and Minnesota, Emma gave birth to seven children, with their first child dying within two years. David Christie suffered from asthma, and for this reason came west to Montana Territory beginning in 1883 to explore the possibility of relocating himself and his family. For three consecutive summers David work for the Godwin Ranch near Cherry Creek in Madison County, while exploring Montana to find a place to homestead. In 1885, David found land in Bridger Canyon, about twelve miles from Bozeman, where he built a home and moved his family. Once settled in Bridger Canyon, farming, dairying, and stock raising maintained the Christie homestead, and Emma gave birth to three more children. Five of his sons also homesteaded within the region. David Christie remained at his Bridger Canyon homestead until his death in 1920, with Emma dying the following year.

From the description of Family letters, 1883-1920. (Montana State University Bozeman Library). WorldCat record id: 70960257

David Bertie Christie was born on September 6, 1848, in Clyman Township, Dodge County, Wisconsin, the youngest son of James C. and Eliza (Reid) Christie. He spent his childhood on his father's farm in Wisconsin and attended country schools. When his older brothers, William and Thomas, enlisted to fight in the Civil War, it was left to David and his brother, Alexander, to help their father on the farm. After William and Thomas returned from the Civil War, the four brothers went to Minnesota to look for suitable land for farms. In 1868 David, with his father, James, settled in Rapidan Township, Blue Earth County, Minnesota. They resided there until 1886 when David, for health reasons, moved to Bridger Canyon, near Bozeman, Montana. While living in Minnesota, David served as treasurer of the local school district.

On July 4, 1870, David married Mary Emma Stratton. She was born March 15, 1854 in Wisconsin, the daughter of James Stratton. David and Emma had ten children; their first child, James, died when he was two years old. David B. Christie died on July 20, 1920, and Emma Christie died on March 16, 1921. They are buried in Bozeman, Montana.

From the guide to the David B. Christie and family correspondence., 1871-1933., (Minnesota Historical Society)