Page 217 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 204

Cornelius Hedges is known in Montana as the “Father of
Education.” It is fitting that both the University of Montana and
Montana State University should memorialize him.

A residence hall at Montana State University located in Bozeman
is named after him. The twin high rises on campus are North and
South Hedges. They were built in 1964 and named after the “father
of education in Montana” Cornelius Hedges. There are also several
elementary schools in Montana named after him.

The University of Montana, School of Journalism located in
Missoula has been honoring Montana journalists and the state’s
newspaper men and women who have made an outstanding
contribution to the profession with the “Hall of Fame”. The Montana
Newspaper Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Montana Newspaper
Association and the School of Journalism.

Cornelius Hedges was inducted into the Hall of Fame on May
9, 1965.

Cornelius Hedges, described by a 19th century historian as:
“one of the ripest scholars and newspapermen” in Montana Territory.
He brought to the newly organized territory three college degrees -
two from Yale and a law degree from Harvard - a talent for writing
and a deep desire to become part of the unfolding history of the
northwestern frontier.

In December of 1889, three prominent Attorneys Cornelius
Hedges, Wilbur Fisk Sanders and John B. Clayberg demonstrated
their pioneering spirit again and an understanding of equality. The
three Attorneys assembled in Helena to conduct the Board of Bar
Examiners to examine Ella Knowles for the Montana Bar.

Judge Hedge’s diary entry sums up the feeling of the examiners:
Cornelius Hedges wrote:
“Examined Miss Knowles for admission to the Bar and was
surprised to find her so well read. She beat all that I have ever
examined.”564

Ella Knowles became the first woman lawyer in Montana, the
first women to run for a major political office as state Attorney
General, the first women to serve as Assistant State Attorney General
and represent a State before the State Supreme Court. She opened
her own law office in 1891.