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Francis C. Deimling
Montana Pioneer

Reid Gardiner, Editor

Francis Christopher Deimling was born Upon the death of Gov. Meagher,
in 1836 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He Green Clay Smith became Governor;
attended common schools and entered the Gov. Smith formed the First Regiment of
University of Pennsylvania, graduating Montana Volunteers and appointed Col.
with a Bachelor of Law degree in 1858. Deimling as Chief of Staff .

F. C. Deimling enlisted in the U.S. In 1868, Frank was admitted to the
Reserve Corps of the Missouri Infantry Montana Bar. In 1871 he became a
on May 8, 1861. On August 15, 1861, he member of the Montana Territorial
was discharged, and on the same day, Council. F. C. Deimling served as the
August 15, 1861, he enlisted as 1st Lt. and Secretary to Governor Potts 1870-1883.
Adjutant in the 10th Missouri Infantry
Regiment located at Pacifi c, Missouri. F. C. Deimling served as Postmaster of
He was advanced to the rank of Major Virginia City 1872-1876. He was also a
on October 3, 1862. On June 11, 1863, he Notary Public 1880-1887. Frank and his
became a Colonel, and in April of 1864, he became wife Mary also owned a Book and Stationery store in
Commander of the 10th Regiment of the Missouri Virginia City.
Infantry. His Command the 10th Regiment saw action
at Chattanooga in October and November of 1863 Francis C. Deimling died on January 2, 1887, at
and at Second Battle of Corinth and in the siege of the age of 51 years, and was buried in Virginia City
Vicksburg. He mustered out of service on August 24, Cemetery.
1864, at St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1864, Colonel Frank Deimling led a contingent
of soldiers over the Northern Overland Route (Mullan
Military Road) to Virginia City, Montana Territory.
Frank settled at Alder Gulch and later in Virginia City.
Governor Th omas Meagher established the Montana
Militia and appointed Colonel Deimling as Chief of
Staff .

In 1865, Brother F. C. Deimling became a member
of Virginia City Lodge No. 43, which became
Virginia City Lodge No. 1 in 1866. Brother Deimling
was present at the meeting January 24, 1866 for the
formation of the Grand Lodge of Montana. Brother
Deimling was elected Junior Warden of Virginia City
No. 1 in 1866, and served as Worshipful Master of
Virginia City Lodge No.1 for 1869-1870. In 1871, he
served as Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of
AF&AM of Montana.

In 1866, Francis Deimling and Mary Lovell were
united in married by the Rev. Hugh Duncan. Th e
Deimlings had two children James and William, both
born in Virginia City, Montana Territory. Brother
Hugh Duncan became Grand Master in 1883.

Montana Freemason Page 16 March/April 2021 Volume 97 No. 2