William J. Brennen, b. 1860, Watertown, NY > 1862, CO > WA > 1889, MT - Bio
A biography and picture of Willilam J. Brennen, lawyer and public leader, is included in "Montana, Its Story and Biography", Vol 2.
William J. was born, 1860, in Watertown, New York, to William J. and Mary A. (Porter) Brennen. In 1862, the family moved to Colorado. William J., Jr., was educated in Colorado schools and graduated from Washington University at St. Louis in 1880. He immediately located to Seattle, WA, where he worked in the legal department of the Northern Pacific Railway. In 1889, he began private practice in Helena, MT, and in 1891 moved to Flathead County, MT. 1904 to 1908, W.J. represented his district in the State Senate. President McKinley appointed him first superintendent of Forest Reserve. He was personal friends with President McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.
At Helena, MT, he married Miss Martha J. Allison, born at Eugene, OR. One son: Jasper Allison Brennen, b. 1889, who became a successful farmer and stock grower in Flathead County.
I am not related.