Peter and Georgia Orham lived in the Cascade County area in the 1920’s. Peter was born in Norway January 8, 1885. Georgia was born in Indiana October 5, 1904. Peter immigrated to the United States when he was 18 years old. Georgia moved to Montana to homestead with her family as a little girl. Peter and Georgia were married in 1926. Ranching became their occupation. They made their home in the Raynesford-Geyser area, retiring from ranching in 1942.
There were eight children born to them, only four lived to adulthood. As our records indicate, many families suffered similar sorrows in the 1920’s through the 1930’s. There were childhood illnesses, premature births, ranching accidents, and other causes of death for children. This was also a time of economic hardship in the Great Falls area. For Peter and Georgia, the sorrow of death hit them four times in eight years. Three of their children survived less than a year. One died from a short illness at age 12.
One of the unique things about this family’s story is their obvious care for their children, even after they were interred in Highland Cemetery. In November of 1929, Marjorie, their third child, died at birth. She was laid to rest in our “Potter’s Field” in the Old Highland section. In 1935, Dorothy, their fifth child, was also laid to rest in the same section. Again, in 1937, the Orhams used the “Potter’s Field” for their sixth child, Wesley. He also died at birth. Then in 1941, their 12-year-old, Peter, died. He didn’t share the same burial section as his three siblings. Instead, he was buried in the newer section of Highland Cemetery, and the family moved all three of the siblings from the “Potter’s Field” grounds to be buried with their brother. To this day, there is a marker with all four of their names on it to show where they are together.
By Renee Phillips: March 4, 2026 – Great Falls, Mt
Author: Staff
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