Joseph Bates Madden

Joe Madden Sr. Funeral Aug. 1

Joe Madden, 78, of Jackson, father of Joe Madden Jr. of Lusk, died July 28. Funeral services were conducted August 1 at the Bensen's Mortuary Chapel of Jackson.

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

He homesteaded in Goshen County, Wyo., in 1915, entering the army in May of 1918 during World War I and 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 were the parents of two children, Joseph Bates Jr. and Margaret Ellen (Peggy). Mrs. Madden died in 1934.

During his early days in Wyoming he 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 ranches and among these was C.B. Erwins' where he was instructed in the organization of Frontier Days.

In 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.

He married June Seaton Taylor of Jackson on November 5, 1945, and lived the remainder of his life in Jackson. He was known as an outfitter and guide for big game hunters. Being interested in wild life and the out-of-doors, he spent hours photographing wild life in its natural environment. He traveled south during the winter where he showed these films and promoted the Jackson Hole country, sharing the beauty of this area of the old west which was so much a part of him.

He was the first local resident to be employed in the debugging 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.

He saw the west pass through a number of phases. Living to him meant more than mere accomplishment; he preferred actually experiencing life day by day.

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

Survivors include his widow June, his children, Joe Madden Jr., Margaret Caldwell of Alameda, Calif.; Donald Taylor of Wells, Nev.; Clay O. Taylor of Jackson; one sister, Allena Bennett of Mt. Sterling, Iowa; and 11 grandchildren.

A sister Jessie Parrish died previously.

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