Simeon D Lillie, brother to my Great-grandmother, Melissa Jane Lillie Raeburn.

Simeon D Lillie was born in Lyndon Township, Washtenaw County in 1859 shortly after his parents Thomas and Anna Lillie settled there from Potter County, Pennsylvania. While growing up the family moved to Springport, Jackson county then on to Grand Traverse County.

Simeon continued to live in Grand Traverse County as an adult and farmed on 40 acres of land in section 8 of Blair Township, Grand Traverse County around his Youker relatives and mother Anna. By the time he was about 50 years in age and after his siblings had all moved on and his mother died, he moved on to Montana, first settling in Miles City c 1912. He was employed in carpentry work at that time. His brother John G Lillie was closest to him at that time geographically being in Alberta, Canada. While living in Miles City Simeon was engaged in the community socially. He engaged in various social engagements on committees etc. The locals all apparently knew him as he made the local about town breveties often. 

 Simeon applied for a Homestead in Powderville, Montana on May 16, 1916 and made his claim final after 3 years and finalized by 1920. He was witness to his neighbors claims when finalized. This is where he made his home from 1916 to the date of his death in 1941. He was the last of his siblings, and he had no wife or children. 

 Several years ago I obtained his death record. While it was tragic how he died and that he died all alone, I did not think much more of it because I thought Miles City was where he lived and died. 

Until recently….when I found out he lived in Powderville, Montana some 61+ miles southeast of Miles City.

What was he doing in Miles City on Friday January 17th 1941, 61+ miles away from his home at 82 years old? The recorded high temperature for the day was 17 degrees and the low was 8 degrees. How did he get there? Did he drive? He couldn’t have walked it could he? 

 I proceeded to do a name search in Newspapers . com. Nothing much turned up but that he died in a fire in a shack off Main Street in Miles City. I got so many hits with his name but nothing more and then…...... I searched the local paper, page.... by page for January 18th. And there it was -the answer to that question…why was he there. If you suspect something and are doing a name search and nothing comes up….you might want to go a bit further. I am not sure why this story did not turn up with a name search. He still owned his homestead in Powderville, Montana and it was auctioned off after he died. His burial location is unknown. 

Simeon D Lillie, I hope you found your family in the great beyond. To all of us….lets try to not abandon the elderly completely, ok.