Homesteading on the Dry Fork of the Marias River

About the Book

Homesteading on the Dry Fork of the Marias River chronicles the family histories of Montana homesteaders Vivian and LaVern Keil. Their story, which spans from the 1700s to today, is quintessentially American. Their ancestors immigrated to the United States in search of a better life—to claim their own small piece of the American Dream. They came from Russia and Switzerland, drawn by promises of “land for the taking” for those willing to make the perilous trek. Their journeys eventually brought the families to the rugged frontiers of northern Montana, where they put down roots as homesteaders. They experienced hardship, triumph, and adventure as they attempted to tame the rugged land. Through the sacrifices, endurance, ironclad work ethic, and endless courage of pioneers like them, the American West was conquered and settled. Technology and farming practices have changed throughout the years, but the spirit of adventure endures, as Vivian and Lavern continue to farm and ranch the same precious land to this day. Meticulously researched through sources both oral and written, Homesteading on the Dry Fork of the Marias River serves as a lasting testament to the pioneering spirit of America.

About the Author

Vivan Venetz Keil and her husband, LaVern, live in Conrad, Montana. They still operate their ranch above the dry fork of the Marias River.