Archives West Finding Aid

John Maley was born in Portland, Maine in February of 1854. He married Frances Josephine McCloskey, who was born in Ireland, on November 27, 1875 in Portland. The couple lived in Saint Paul, Minnesota. On October 18, 1875, John and Frances Maley welcomed their first child, Margaret Ann. Their second child, Susie Isabella, was born on December 5, 1879. Katherine Maria was born on December 17, 1880 and Frances Jean Maley was born on January 24, 1884. On January 12, 1885, Frances Josephine Maley gave birth to twin girls, May Josephine and Agnes Dora, who both died in March of that same year. Leonora Maley was born in March of 1886. She died ten years later. Mary Josephine, the Maley's eighth daughter, was born on March 15, 1887 but died in July at four months old.

Sometime in the mid to late 1880s the Maley family moved from their home in Saint Paul to Missoula, Montana. John Maley made a modest living as a plaster. He was a member of Division 1 Ancient Order of the Hibernians and the Bricklayers, Masons, and Plasters International Labor Union. On October 10, 1901, Maley left his home and did not return. After a week, his body was recovered from the north bank of the Missoula (Clark Fork) River. The coroner suspected foul play; the circumstances of his death continue to be a mystery. In 1925, Frances Josephine passed away.

Margaret Ann married Charles Donovan in January 1900. Charles worked as a business man in the Missoula and Hamilton areas. Donovan died on December 10, 1945. Margaret died on August 28, 1948.

Sue Maley graduated from Missoula Public School in 1894. She never married. She died on April 26, 1966.

Katherine, the Maley's third daughter, married Leon Gutman a manager at Mike's Trading Store in Spokane, Washington. Katherine lived in Spokane for about twenty five years. She died on April 11, 1946. Her husband, Leon Gutman died in January 1968.

Frances Maley attended Sacred Heart Academy before entering the University of Montana from 1896 to 1902. During her years at the University, she assisted Morton J. Elrod with his research for his Butterflies of Montana book. Frances graduated in 1902 with a degree in teaching. She taught in Hamilton from 1902 till 1906. She then returned to Missoula and taught at Roosevelt School for thirty-six years. Frances retired after forty-three years of teaching. She ran for Missoula County Superintendent in 1950. Frances never married and lived with her sister, Sue, for most of her life. She was a member of American Association of University Women, American Red Cross, Clarkia Literary Society, Montana Education Association, Montana State Teachers Association, National Education Association, Retired Teachers Association, Saint Ann Society, and Saint Anthony Alter Society. She died on October 13, 1974.