Frank Bird Linderman
Encyclopedia
Frank Bird Linderman was a Montana writer, politician, Native American ally and ethnographer.
. He was the child of James Bird Linderman and Mary Ann Brannan Linderman. He attended schools in Ohio and Illinois, including Oberlin College
, before moving to Montana Territory in 1885 at the age of sixteen. Frank Linderman went to the shores of Flathead Lake
, there he learned Indian ways and lived as they lived. To know them better he mastered the sign language, a feat which gained him the name Sign-talker, or, sometimes Great Sign-talker.
From 1893 to 1897, he worked in Butte, Montana
, then moved to Brandon, Montana. Around 1900, he moved to Sheridan, Montana
, where he worked several jobs, as an assayer
, furniture salesman, and at a newspaper. He also lived in Sheridan
, Demersville (now Kalispell
), Helena
, and Butte
.
in 1903 and 1905. He served as Assistant Secretary of State from 1905-07, after moving to the new state capital of Helena in 1905.
Through his work, the Rocky Boys Indian Reservation was established by law in 1916.
Early life
Linderman was born in Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. He was the child of James Bird Linderman and Mary Ann Brannan Linderman. He attended schools in Ohio and Illinois, including Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
, before moving to Montana Territory in 1885 at the age of sixteen. Frank Linderman went to the shores of Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western part of the contiguous United States. With a surface area of between and , it is slightly larger than Lake Tahoe. The lake is a remnant of the ancient inland sea, Lake Missoula of the era of the last interglacial. Flathead Lake...
, there he learned Indian ways and lived as they lived. To know them better he mastered the sign language, a feat which gained him the name Sign-talker, or, sometimes Great Sign-talker.
From 1893 to 1897, he worked in Butte, Montana
Butte, Montana
Butte is a city in Montana and the county seat of Silver Bow County, United States. In 1977, the city and county governments consolidated to form the sole entity of Butte-Silver Bow. As of the 2010 census, Butte's population was 34,200...
, then moved to Brandon, Montana. Around 1900, he moved to Sheridan, Montana
Sheridan, Montana
Sheridan is a town in Madison County, Montana, United States named after the Civil War general Philip Sheridan. The population was 659 at the 2000 census. Sheridan is known as the "heart of the Ruby Valley." Seven majestic mountain ranges surround this beautiful community...
, where he worked several jobs, as an assayer
Assayer
An assayer is a person who tests ores and minerals and analyzes them to determine their composition and value. They may use spectrographic analysis, chemical solutions, and chemical or laboratory equipment, such as furnaces, beakers, graduates, pipettes, and crucibles.An assayer separates metals...
, furniture salesman, and at a newspaper. He also lived in Sheridan
Sheridan, Montana
Sheridan is a town in Madison County, Montana, United States named after the Civil War general Philip Sheridan. The population was 659 at the 2000 census. Sheridan is known as the "heart of the Ruby Valley." Seven majestic mountain ranges surround this beautiful community...
, Demersville (now Kalispell
Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell is a city in and the county seat of Flathead County, Montana, United States. The 2010 census put Kalispell's population at 19,927 up 5,704 over 2000. At 40.1% this is the largest percentage of growth of any incorporated city in Montana. Kalispell is the largest city and commercial center...
), Helena
Helena, Montana
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
, and Butte
Butte, Montana
Butte is a city in Montana and the county seat of Silver Bow County, United States. In 1977, the city and county governments consolidated to form the sole entity of Butte-Silver Bow. As of the 2010 census, Butte's population was 34,200...
.
Politics
Linderman served in the state Legislature as the representative from Madison County, MontanaMadison County, Montana
-National protected areas:*Beaverhead National Forest *Deerlodge National Forest *Gallatin National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,851 people, 2,956 households, and 1,921 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile...
in 1903 and 1905. He served as Assistant Secretary of State from 1905-07, after moving to the new state capital of Helena in 1905.
Through his work, the Rocky Boys Indian Reservation was established by law in 1916.
Works
- On a passing frontier (1920)
- Bunch-grass and Blue-joint (1921)
- Lige mounts, free trapper (1922)
- American: The Life Story of a Great Indian - Plenty-coups, Chief of the Crows (1930)
- Red mother (1932)
- Beyond law (1933)