WALLACE ULMER

From 'A History of Montana', Vol III, published 1957, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc.

WALLACE ULMER is president of Miles and Ulmer Company of Miles City, a thriving hardware, housewares and implement store with a branch at Hardin and another at Forsyth. The organization is the oldest retail house of its kind in eastern Montana, having been established in 1879. Mr. Ulmer's father, George Henry Ulmer, was its co-founder. In addition to his activities as merchant, the elder Mr. Ulmer was a sheep rancher from about the turn of the century. He married Flora Caroline Brown. Their son, Wallace Ulmer, was born at Miles City on July 6, 1896. He attended the local schools, graduating from Custer County High School, then entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1920. In the summer of that year, Mr. Ulmer entered the employ of Miles and Ulmer Company, and he became part owner and manager in 1929. In 1937 a branch store was established in Hardin, and in 1943 another Miles and Ulmer store was opened at Forsyth, Montana. Wallace Ulmer is the president of the corporation, as well as general manager of all of these stores. In 1922, he took over his father's sheep-growing interests. These were originally established about 1900. Since then, he has carried on this operation in partnership with his sister, Marion (Ulmer) Brown. They operate under the style of Ulmer Sheep Company. Mr. Ulmer served as a member of the board of trustees of the Montana Woolgrowers Association, later became its president, and has served on its executive committee as well. He has also been a member of the executive committee of the National Woolgrowers Association. After several years in the vice presidency, he was elected its president at the annual meeting at Salt Lake City, on December 9, 1954. He is a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, which he joined at the University of Pennsylvania, and also belongs to the lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the higher bodies of Freemasonry. He is also a member of the Miles City Club, and attends the Presbyterian Church. At Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on August 25, 1919, Wallace Ulmer married Ruth Marion Colgrove, daughter of Roma Edgar and Sarah Velden (Flinn) Colgrove. The couple reside at 1002 Pleasant Street.