Alma Coffin was born near Rockville, Indiana on Christmas Day of 1854. She was the second of seven children born to Edwin and Mary (Poulson) Coffin. She grew up in Indiana and later, the family farm near South Bend, Minnesota. She and her sisters followed after their father to the silver mining country of Montana Territory. She kept a journal and in later years compiled a manuscript that tells of her journey and later experiences.


Obituary:

PIONEER OF BEAVERHEAD DIES FRIDAY

Mrs. James Kirkpatrick Is Summoned by

Lingering Illness at Her Home.

Mrs. Alma C. Kirkpatrick, esteemed pioneer matron of Beaverhead county and wife of James Kirkpatrick, passed away at her ranch home in the Frying pan basin Friday afternoon, following a lingering illness. Though it had been known that her condition was critical, news of her death was a shock to her many friends in this community, where she had made her home for over half a century.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick was born in Rockville, Ind., Dec. 25, 1854, and came to the Beaverhead valley with two sisters 53 years ago, before Dillon was founded. When the city was established, she became a teacher in one of the first schools.

In 1881 she was married to James Kirkpatrick, a pioneer of the county who was postmaster at the stage station of Edgerton, two miles south of the present site of Dillon. Mr. Kirkpatrick became the first postmaster at Dillon.

Later they located on the ranch in the Frying Pan basin where they had resided ever since.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick took an active interest in community and social activities and endeared herself to all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, a sister, Mrs. Harley Thompson of Billings and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church with the Rev. J.A. Meeks officiating. Interment was made in Mountain View cemetery.