The Sidney herald., 1955-07-07
Walter KeunIrliis
County Pioneer
Laid To Rest

Walter D. Kemmis, early settler
and pioneer resident of the Lower
Yellowstone Valley, was born in
De Witt, Iowa January %, 1870.
the oldest of seven children born
to Thompson and Jan Elizabeth
Kemmis.
With his parents and brothers,
Walter came to Montana arriving
at Glendive February 25, 1884.
The next day they started on the
journey which brought them to
this part of the Lower Yellow
stone Valley, where they settled
on Lone Tree Creek.
Walters first employment was
in September 1884 when his faith
er engaged him to herd sheep
for Crompton, Norton and Peer
on Bonnie Peer Creek. Later he
worked with sheep shearing
crews. Along with his other farm
ing interests, he ran a threshing
machine in eastern Dawson coun-
ty during the 1905.
On October Is, 1894 he was
united in marriage with Hannah
E. Wills. To their union five
sons were born, four of whom
survive. Mrs. Kemmis died on
October 4, 1929 following a long
illness.
In 1881, Mr.. Kemmis married
Jennie Frettim. She passed away
April II, 1852.
Walter Kemmis was an active
leader in local, county and state
affairs. While reviewing his 9th
grade work in 1889, Montana Ter
ritory was admitted to the Union
as a state. He began a long career
In the Montana State Legislature
IN 1912 when he represented this
community which at that time
was still a part of Dawson county.
He was active in the creation and
organization of Richland county,
which took place in 1914, and
represented the county as senator
and representative at various
times. Many testify to the value
of his work in the legislative
body of our state.
MI. Kemmis had an active in
terest in and a concern for the
church. He Joined the Methodist
church in Glendive during the
winter of 189O-91. When the
Methodist church was organized
in Sidney he became a charter
member, transferring his member
ship here from the Glendive
church. In 1892 the Glendive
church granted him an Exhort-
er's License and in 1893 he was
granted a Local Preachers Lii
cense.' In 1893 he began to preach
IN a log school house and did so
every other Sunday until 1899
at which time he arranged for
the Methodist Conference to send
a pastor to look after the work
OF the church. In April, 1902 he
was ordained a Local Deacon at
the Methodist Conference meet
ing in Bozeman. For a time he
was pastor of the church at Park
City and while there led in
the erection of a church building.
was interested in the work
Of the church to the end and at
tended as often as able during
the past year.
Mr.. Kemmis was a member of
the Sons of the American Revo-
luton and of the Masonic order.
Death came after a long illness
June 20, 1855, bringing to a
close a long and useful life.
Funeral services were held
Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock
from the Methodist church with
Rev. Bartram officiating and bur
lal was in the Pioneer cemetery
southeast Of Sidney. During the
service Mrs. John Walburn sang.
Under His Wings" and mo
There" Mrs. r. d. Criger
was her accompanist. The Mason
&c graveSide service was conduct
ed by William Redgren. Pallbear-
were Curtis Ball, Les Williams,
Roy Collins, Dave Lewis, Russell
Mercer and Harry Clark.
Surviving are four sons, George.
Louis and Earl; a brother
John and a sister, Mrs. Phebe
Tolngs, several grandchildren
and great grandchildren.