Archives West Finding Aid

James P. Brennan came into this world on July 25, 1879 in Merrickville, Ontario, one of eleven children born to Edward and Joanna Branick Brennan. The Brennans later moved to North Dakota, were James received his education, graduating from the Bathgate High School in 1895. As a young man, James Brennan proved up on a homestead claim at Antler, North Dakota. He also filed on a claim near Dooley, Montana. And because he was a former Canadian citizen, Mr. Brennan filed a third claim in Manitoba in 1909. Neither of the latter claims were proved up on, however. James Brennan held various jobs in the years before coming to Montana, including work as a banker, salesman for farm implements, grain broker, real estate agent, and mayor of Antler, North Dakota. In 1923 Mr. Brennan moved his family to Savage, Montana, were he was employed as the president of the Farmer's and Merchant's State Bank. From 1928 to 1931 he served as a recruiter for the Lower Yellowstone Valley Association. His knowledge and work in agriculture earned him the honor of represented Governor John Bonner during the dedication of the Savage Pumping Project. A fierce defender of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal, James Brennan ran for and won a seat in the Montana House of Representatives in 1934 for Richland County. During his years of service, elected in 1935 and again in 1937, Mr. Brennan fought for the creation of a state bank, a Montana Highway Patrol, and the licensing of drivers. He later served the legislature as House Chief Clerk and Sergeant of Arms. In 1941 he began work for the Unemployment Compensation Commission as a Montana Employment Service Farm Placement Supervisor. His work included implementing the controversial use of Japanese internees as farm laborers. After retirement James Brennan became a real estate agent in Helena, and was elected President of the Helena Board of Realtors in 1964. Margaret and James Brennan were married on January 15, 1908 at the Antler Opera House. They had three children, Edward, Mary, and Patricia.

Margaret Belle Henderson (Brennan) was born April 8, 1883 at Pine City, Minnesota, the daughter of Thomas A. and Sarah Bergan Henderson, also one of eleven children. She spent her childhood in Minnesota. In 1905 or 1906 she moved to Antler, North Dakota, where she worked as a telephone operator until her marriage. Mrs. Brennan was affiliated with the Home Demonstration Clubs of Montana She served as president of the Sidney's Women's Club, and as District Chairman of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. She was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party in Montana, working with her husband on many campaigns. James P. Brennan died in March of 1964 in Helena. Following her husband's death, Margaret moved to Glendive. She passed away there on January 26, 1967.

Mary Brennan (Harstad) was born October 30, 1908, the eldest child of James and Margaret. She graduated from Savage High School in 1925. Mary attended the University of Montana, were she graduated with a B.A. in English, and then the University of North Dakota, where she earned her Masters Degree in 1935. Her career as a teacher and librarian extends from 1929 to 1973, when she retired. Over the years she worked in Richey, Sidney, and Glendive schools, and taught a children's literature course at Dawson Community College. She married Kenneth Harstad on August 21, 1935. They have three children, Patricia, Margot, and Katherine. She resided in Glendive.

Edward T. Brennan was born on April 26, 1910, in Antler, North Dakota. He moved with the family to Savage, Montana, in 1923 and graduated from the local high school in 1928. He had been active in sports, drama, and music. He attended the University of Montana and later the Teacher's College in Dickinson, North Dakota. He was employed as a bookkeeper in Sidney and Glendive and later with the Montana Highway Division in Glendive. He enlisted in the Army, February 8, 1941, and remained in the service until his retirement in August of 1963. He received the Good Conduct, American Defense, American and Asiatic-Pacific Camp, and Army of Occupation medals. After retirement Edward Brennan was employed as the Director of Civilian Defense for Dawson County. He had one daughter, Molly Brennan. Edward T. Brennan died on January 7, 1968, in Tuscon, Arizona.

Patricia Brennan (Taylor) was born May 12, 1917. She was six years old when her father took the position as bank president in Savage, Montana. Patricia graduated from the University of Montana School of Journalism in 1938. She gained employment with the Great Falls Tribune in 1939 and remained there until 1951. During her career she served as editor of the Montana Parade section of the paper and wrote many feature articles. In 1944 Patricia Brennan, along with several other news men and women from Great Falls, was invited to tour the northern supply route (Great Falls to Alaska) of the United States Air Transport Command. She submitted a series of nine stories to the Tribune based on her experiences during this trip. Patricia Brennan met Fred H. Taylor in Great Falls. They were married in 1951 and moved to Denver. They have one son, James Patrick Brennan Taylor. At the time this finding aid was originally created, Patricia Brennan Taylor was residing in Wichita, Kansas.