31 Facts About Nelson Story

Nelson Story built the first Story Mansion on Main Street in Bozeman in 1880 and later built today's Story Mansion at the corner of Willson and College for his son, T Byron Story in 1910.

Nelson Story made his way west to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Territory to hire on as a bullwhacker with a freighting outfit.

In 1863, Nelson Story left Colorado with pack mules and ox teams and headed for Montana territory.

Nelson Story learned of a gold field that he felt had not been fully worked near Alder Gulch and began working it.

Nelson Story used this stake to finance the first cattle drive from Texas to Montana.

Later, as a merchant operating in the Bannack and Virginia City, Montana, Nelson Story participated in the vigilante committees that ultimately hanged 21 criminals, including Henry Plummer.

In 1866, Nelson Story traveled to Texas and spent $10,000 for 1000 head of Longhorn cattle.

Nelson Story refused to pay, and instead routed his cattle through Indian Territory on a circuitous route toward Fort Leavenworth.

Nelson Story decided to try for Montana and its lucrative market of gold miners in Virginia City, Montana, and became part of the first ever cattle drive on the Bozeman Trail.

Nelson Story pointed his herd north for the long drive.

Nelson Story ignored the order, evaded the Army, and continued the drive into Montana, encountering and fighting Sioux warriors along the way.

Nelson Story established a thriving cattle herd, and for at least two years he shrewdly bought and sold cattle to hungry miners for up to ten times the Texas price.

Some credit Nelson Story with naming the now famous Paradise Valley for its grand scenery and abundant wildlife.

Nelson Story settled his family in Bozeman where he used his business sense and cattle fortune to engage in banking, mercantile, and grain businesses.

Martin, Broox Martin, and Edwin Lewis, Nelson Story helped capitalize one of the first banks in the county, the Gallatin Valley National Bank.

In 1882, Nelson Story opened the Nelson Story Flour Mill at the mouth of Bridger Creek.

Nelson Story was a charter member of the Society of Montana Pioneers and society Vice President for Gallatin County in 1886.

Nelson Story and his wife Ellen had a son, Walter Perry Nelson Story, who was born in Bozeman, Montana, on December 18,1882.

Nelson Story left there in 1902 and graduated from Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York in 1903.

Nelson Story returned to Bozeman to work with his father until 1905, when he went back to Los Angeles.

Nelson Story then helped his father develop more business in Los Angeles, including building the Walter P Story Building, which had twelve stories and was completed on April 1,1910.

The elder Nelson Story then retired and move back to Bozeman but died in Los Angeles on March 10,1926.

Nelson Story wasn't promoted to major general for another 11 years.

Nelson Story entered federal military service in March 1941 and took command of the 40th Infantry Division.

Nelson Story was relieved of command in September 1941, and retired from active list in July 1942.

Nelson and Ellen Story had seven children, four of whom survived to adulthood.

Thomas Byron Nelson Story became a prominent Bozeman merchant and lived in the new Nelson Story Mansion on College St and Willson Ave.

Walter P Story became a prominent Los Angeles businessman and decorated major general in the California National Guard.

Nelson Story donated 160 acres of land in 1893 for an agricultural college that became Montana State University.

In 2008, Nelson Story was inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame as a founding, Legacy member.

Nelson and Ellen Story are buried in Sunset Hills Cemetery, Bozeman, Montana along with several of their children.