Wellington, J. W. (Joseph W.)

A native of Harlowtown, Mont., Joseph W. "Duke" Wellington was the son of Mr. and Mrs. LeClaire Wellington. He received his degree in agricultural education from Montana State University in 1929. He was the quarterback for the Bobcat football team for three years as well as being a member of the track team. From 1930 to 1936, Wellington taught vocational education and coached at Smith-Hughes. The following two years he worked on the family ranch in Harlowtown. He returned to education from 1938 to 1939 teaching vocational agriculture and coaching at Broadwater County High School in Townsend, Mont. He married Mabel Morton in 1932, and they had one daughter, Barbara. In 1940, he began his thirty-two year career in the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the agricultural instructor at Stewart Indian School at Carson City, Nev. He then became the supervisor of livestock and farming for the BIA for seventeen western states before becoming the superintendent of the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy reservations in 1947. While at Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy, Wellington emphasized strong public relations and the utilization of a natural resources program and developed a range fencing program. He moved to North Dakota seven years later and was the superintendent of the Standing Rock reservation at Fort Yates, N.D.. After recovering from a heart attack in 1956, he became the superintendent of the Indian School at Wahpeton, N.D., where he stayed until he retired in 1972.

From the description of J.W. "Duke" Wellington papers, 1876-1974. (Montana State University Bozeman Library). WorldCat record id: 71054836

A native of Harlotown, Montana, Joseph W. "Duke" Wellington was the son of Mr. and Mrs. LeClaire Wellington. Duke received his degree in agricultural education from Montana State University in 1929. He was the quarterback for the Bobcat football team for three years as well as being a member of the track team. From 1930 to 1936, Wellington taught vocational education and coached at Smith-Hughes. The following two years he worked on the family ranch in Harlotown. He returned to education from 1938 to 1939 teaching vocational agriculture and coaching at Broadwater County High School in Townsend, Montana. He married Mabel Morton in 1932, and they had one daughter, Barbara. In 1940, he began his 32 career in the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the agricultural instructor at Stewart Indian School at Carson City, Nevada. He then became the supervisor of livestock and farming for the BIA for 17 western states before becoming the superintendent of the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy reservations in 1947. While at Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy, Wellington emphasized strong public relations and the utilization of a natural resources program and developed a range fencing program. He moved to North Dakota seven years later and was the superintendent of the Standing Rock reservation at Fort Yates, North Dakota. After recovering from a heart attack in 1956, he became the superintendent of the Indian School at Wahpeton, North Dakota, where he stayed until he retired in 1972. In addition to his work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Wellington was active in community affairs. He was the chairman of the United Fund, president of the Red River Bowling Association, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Elks, and various Masonic bodies including the Shrine. An avid golfer, he was director of the Bois de Sioux Golf Club. He was interested in youth activities and was a Boy Scout Committeeman as well as the director of Red River Council for Educational Television. He was a lover of Montana history and collected Indian artifacts and materials.

From the guide to the J.W. "Duke" Wellington Papers, 1876-1974, (Montana State University-Bozeman Library, Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections)

Montana native and Bureau of Indian Affairs official.

Born in Harlotown, Mont., J.W. "Duke" Wellington received a degree in agricultural education from Montana State University in 1929. In 1932 Wellington went to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as an agricultural instructor at the Stewart Indian School in Carson City, Nev., and later became BIA supervisor of livestock and farming for seventeen western states. In 1947, Wellington was appointed superintendent of the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy reservatons, where he remained until 1954. He then served as superintendent at the Standing Rock Reservation at Fort Yates, N.D. until 1956 when he suffered a heart attack. Afterwards Wellington was superintendent of the Indian School at Wahpeton, N.D., a position from which he retired in 1972.

From the description of J.W. "Duke" Wellington slide collection, [ca. 1950]-1975. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 50104349