Near Wolf Creek in Lewis and Clark County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Shrewd Businessman, Caring Neighbor

Henry Sieben

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 24, 2026

1. Shrewd Businessman, Caring Neighbor Marker

Captions: (lower background) Ewes and lambs graze on a portion of the Sieben Ranch, near Adel and Cascade, Montana, in August 1925. This part of the original Sieben Ranch is now owned and managed by descendants of Margaret Sieben Hibbard.; (center) Henry Sieben managed his ranch holdings from his family home in Helena, which still stands at 520 Harrison Avenue (left). He personally supervised its construction in 1898.; (middle right) Several years before his death in 1837. Henry Sieben introduced a lamb to granddaughter, Jean, whose son, John, runs the Sieben Ranch today.

Inscription. Henry Sieben never owned a pair of cowboy boots. He was known for wearing suits and low-cut shoes, even when working at the ranch. In his later years, he led a life unlike that of most ranchers, headquartering in Helena and wintering in California. Sieben started with nothing but built one of Montana's largest livestock companies. He was widely respected for his business savvy and philanthropic good works.
Five years old when he came to America from Germany- and orphaned by the age of 12, Sieben was drawn here by news of gold strikes. He arrived with his brothers in 1864, when he was 17, on a wagon train led by legendary explorer John Bozeman. At first, Sieben and his brothers freighted supplies from Fort Benton to mining camps around Virginia City. By the time he acquired his first land holdings in this area, in 1897, he had been in the sheep business for more than 20 years and his reputation as of the state's most successful ranchers was well established. Steadily, be bought smaller Hilger Valley ranches, often hiring their previous owners.
Henry Sieben co-founded the Montana Woolgrowers Association, and his wife,

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Alberta, started Montana's first orphanage, in Helena.. They funded the orphanage for 25 years. When Sieben died, half of his ranch went to his daughter Margaret Sieben Hibbard, whose descendants operate it still (Sieben Livestock, near Cascade). The other half of the ranch - 100 square miles - went to his other daughters Bernice Sieben Sheriff, whose grandson and great-grandson manage the Sieben Ranch today.

Erected by Montana State University, Bozeman; Department of the Interior; Montana Stock Growers Association .

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 46° 49.183′ N, 111° 59.821′ W. Marker is near Wolf Creek, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It can be reached from Gates of the Mountains Road near Interstate 15. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wolf Creek MT 59648, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Montana, in Gold West Country and in Greater Helena.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 24, 2026

2. Shrewd Businessman, Caring Neighbor Marker

Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Welcome to Gates of the Mountains (here, next to this marker); Explorers, Prospectors & Ranchers (here, next to this marker); Innovative Pioneer, Lasting Legacies (a few steps from this marker); Gates of the Mountains (approx. 2.3 miles away); Gates of the Mountain (approx. 5.7 miles away); Silver City Cemetery (approx. 10½ miles away); A Perfect Defile (approx. 10.6 miles away); The Montana Central Railroad (approx. 10.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wolf Creek.

Henry Sieben image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sieben Livestock, circa unknown

3. Henry Sieben

Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 17, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.