MADDEN, Joe Bates: Died

MADDEN, PIERSON, MORGAN, SEATON, TAYLOR, CALDWELL, BENNETT, PARISH, DAVIS, IVY, BREWER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/5/2017 at 11:00:40

JOE MADDEN

Memorial services for Joe Madden, 78, who died Monday, July 28, were held Friday morning, August 1 at Benson's Mortuary Chapel at Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Joe Bates Madden was born April 11, 1891 at Mt. Sterling, Van Buren County, Iowa. He was the son of Thomas Harvey and Sarah Ellen Madden. He attended Kirksville Normal School in Kirksville, Mo. and later taught in the rural schools in Iowa. He was also a sales representative for the International Life Insurance Company.

He homesteaded in Goshen County, Wyoming, in 1915 and went into the Army in May, 1918 during World War I, serving with the 48th Engineers. While serving during the war he was a motorcycle messenger for General Pershing.

On Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918 he married Nancy Pierson Morgan of North Carolina who was a Red Cross worker in Paris, France. They had two children, Joseph Bates Madden, Jr. and Margaret Ellen (Peggy). Mrs. Madden died in 1934.

During his early days in Wyoming, Joe made friends with the Indians and rounded up wild horses which he broke by riding them to Nebraska where they were sold. He worked on many different cattle ranches, one of which was C.B. Erwins' where he was instructed in the organization of Frontier Days.

During the 1930's in the vicinity of Torrington, he helped construct roads and irrigation canals with fresnos and 4-ups. These roads are now oiled and the canals are still in use today.

On Nov. 5, 1945, he was married to June Seaton Taylor of Jackson. He lived the remainder of his life in this area. He was known far and wide as an outfitter and guide for big game hunters.

He was always interested in wildlife and the out-of-doors and spent hours and days on end photographing wildlife in its natural environment.

During the winters he traveled to the south where he showed these films and promoted the Jackson Hole Country sharing the beauty of this are of the old west which was so much a part of him.

He was the first local resident to be employed in the de-bugging project for preservation of the national forest.

He assisted in the organization of the "Cache Creek Posse" and worked with this group for nine years.

During his lifetime Joe saw the west pass through a number of phases. To him living meant more than mere accomplishment; he preferred actually experiencing life day by day. He always respected others way of life, feeling their personal lives were their own. He was a man of strong convictions and the courage to stick by them.

He is survived by his wife June, his children, Joe Madden Jr. of Lusk, Wyoming, Margaret Caldwell of Alameda, Calif., Donald Taylor, Wells, Nev., and Clay O. Taylor of Jackson and 11 grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Allena Bennett of Mt. Sterling, Iowa. Another sister, Jessie Parish preceded him in death.

He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Torrington, the American Legion, Order of the Elks and the Christian Church.

Out of town relatives and friends attending the services included Joe Madden Jr. and family of Lusk, Mrs. Margaret Caldwell of Alameda, Calif., Mrs. Theresa Davis of Wickenburg, Ariz., Mrs. William F. Ivy of Broomfield, Colo., and Mr. and Mrs. W.N. Brewer of Ft. Worth, Texas.

His ashes were spread over Sheep Mountain in Wyoming near Jackson and a plaque is to be placed thereon.

**Handwritten: Reg. 4 Sept. 1969

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book J, Page 54, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA