Hello everyone,

My name is Kyle Varnell and I need some help in locating some information on my families history of which Miles City is a major part of.

Bolth my Grandmother's and her husband's,my Grandfathers' familes settled in the Miles City area and lived there for a major portion of their lives. My Grandfather's father had what I would call a ranch that was on the outskirts of town near the Yellowstone River.

My Grandmother has said the there was a hotel her family had in Miles City called, I believe, the Brath Hotel or Motel. I am unsure if she's mistaken in this of if this place actually existed.

Bolth of them attended CUSTER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, however it was at different times. My Grandfather graduated on May 26 1927 and played on the championship football team of 1926. I know this because of the little silver charm football that says on the front "HOTEL MILLIGAN TROPHY" and on the back it reads "E. MONTANA CHAMPS C.C.H.S. 1926" My grandmother graduated in 1933.

My grandfather's name is JOHN GEORGE BEELER Jr. and his parents were JOHN GEORGE BEELER Sr. and JESSIE JULIAN BEELER. My grandmother's name at that time was MONICA PAULINE BRATH and her parents were ANNA LOUISE GOTZ BRATH and JOESEPH ALBERT BRATH. My grandmother also had two sisters that attended CCHS as well. There names were PAULINE ANNA BRATH & MAREE ELIZABETH BRATH.

I am very very grateful for any information that anyone can provide to me or knows what direction to point me in. Please feel free to either post replies here or e-mail me with any information you might have.

Sincerly,

Kyle L. Varnell

Hi Kyle,
My mother graduated from Custer County High School in 1931.
I looked in her yearbook and there is a picture of Monica Brath in the senior section.
What are you hoping to find about your family? Have you done any census work?
I have done alot of research in Eastern Montana. I still have questions I've not found answers to.
Roberta Campbell

Hi Roberta,

I'm actually looking for anything that anyone might have actually. I haven't tried the census yet as I'm pretty much just getting started out here. I have written to CCHS and they managed to find and make a copy of my grandfathers class records but other than that I don't have a whole lot. I know my uncle has Monica's Jr class "Branding Iron" yearbook but that's the only one we have with any of them in a yearbook.

If at all possible I would love to perhaps get a copy of the pages in which she is mentioned and her senior class photo. I'd be willing to send you some money to cover the cost of making copies and a SASE to mail it to me if this is at all possible.

Thanks again for the info Roberta.

Kyle

Hi Kyle,
I would be happy to have a copy of the page made for you. She was very pretty. I will try and have the page enlarged.
The genealogy society there in Miles City have old City Directories. They might be able to give you some insight about the Brath Motel. The City Directories that they have searched for me was the 1912 and 1914. There might be one earlier than that. I am not sure of you time frame.
I don't have a scanner so I would need to send this by snail mail. You can post your address here or send it via e-mail.
Roberta

I remember the Brath Hotel - it was located on 9th Street about 3 or 4 blocks North of Main Street. During the mid 1940's it was used as one room apartments - my mother, sister and brother rented one room in 1944 in order for my siblings to attend High School as we lived in the country.
I wish you luck in finding more about your ancestors.
Betty O'Brien

Hello Everyone,

I was also wondering if anybody has heard of a place called "ELGIN PARK". I have a copy of my grandfathers high school transcripts and it says that his parents place of residence is someplace called ELGIN PARK. My uncle thinks that this might be the place where my grandfather's ranch was.

Thanks to all who've helped me out so far. It means alot.

Kyle Varnell

There is an Elgin Park Addition to Miles City and I'm pretty sure it's East of Hiway 59 just before you cross the Yellowstone River bridge heading North. I don't know how familiar you are with Miles City, but streets such as Tatro, Truscott, Wells, Schmalse, Alice,etc. would be in that area if I'm right. The Brath Hotel building is still standing and looking mighty good on the 300 block of No. 9th. St. It was converted into bigger apartments than what Betty O. was talking about quite a few years back and from all appearances has been well kept. There are still some Beelers left around M.C.. Have you been in contact with them? Good luck in your search.
Pete

Hey Roberta, the package arrived in the mail on Friday and this is the first time I've had free to be able to thank you for them. They were really wonderful and something my family (my mom & her brother specificaly) hadn't seen before. The class picture of Polly was very nice and I zeroed in on her instantly as she looks exactly like Monica in terms of hairstyle & the way they pose in photos. I just need to write to CC District High School and see if they have and records of them and their other sister Maree.
Once again Roberta thank you for all of the copies.

Kyle Varnell

I am planning on stopping in Miles City to do some family history research when I go back to Chicago for my cousins graduation and I would like to know a couple of things.

About how much time do you think I sould "Budget" to do some searching in Miles City? I'm thinking about staying for about two weeks or so. Is this going to be a good ammount of time to spend or should it be longer or shorter?

Also does the city have a tourist/travelers guide that I can request from them? I'd need hotel, meals/resturant listings among other things.

Thanks for the info.

Kyle

Kyle,

The Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce has a Web site that you might want to take a look at:

www.mcchamber.com

The main page has an email address and phone number for contacting the Chamber for more information. If you look under the "Recreation" page there is a list of a few of the lodging choices.

I hope you enjoy your visit.

- Dave