Matthew Eccles was born in England in about 1871 to Joseph and Eliza. He had an older brother, John, and a younger brother, Joseph. The family immigrated to the United States in 1880 or 1881. In 1886 he was living with his family at Gloster, Montana, about 24 miles northwest of Helena, but moved that year with his brother, John, who had filed a pre-emption for Flathead Reservation land. He attended the College of Montana in Deer Lodge from 1887 to 1888 and then returned to Flathead County where he farmed with his brother. His parents eventually came to live with him. At the time of the 1930 census he was living in Flathead County with his wife, Ellen, who was from Scotland; their date of marriage is not currently known. At the time of the 1940 census his brother, Joseph, is living with them. Ellen and Matthew Eccles did not have children. Matthew Eccles date and place of death is not currently known.
From the guide to the Matthew Eccles reminiscence and photograph, 1948, (University of Montana-Missoula Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)
