0-1-13-10-5 John Gilbert Plymale was born on
May 17th, 1878 in Yellowtown (now Thivener), Ohio. His early years of schooling were
at the Yellowtown school. Later, he attended one year at the Gallia Academy at
Gallipolis. At the age of ten, he bought his first two
calves and broke them for the cart and for plowing. He also worked in his father and
Uncle's (0-1-13-10 Hugh II and 0-1-13-7 Junius) store and flower mill
when young. He worked the oxen and mules, hauling coal for the engine used at
the mill when there wasn't enough water to run it by water power.
In 1899 when he was 20, he decided to move west because of ill health.
He left Easter Sunday, April 3 for Canton, Montana, and arrived on April 7.
From 1899 to 1904 he worked for Harvey Keene, Jeff Doggett and Ed
Anglen.
In 1904, he bought his first place, the 320 acre McGonial ranch and his
brother 0-1-13-10-6 Hugh
Curtis, moved from Ohio and stayed with him. In 1906 or 1907, he began buying
cattle for $12-50 per head.
On April 10, 1910 he married Olive Keene, and his brother 0-1-13-10-6 Hugh Curtis,
married Olive's sister, Myrtle Keene.
In 1912, he took up a homestead, and 0-1-13-7-7 Glen Plymale and Bill
Parker built his house in the hills. In 1917, he purchased the 750 acre Richardson
and Roberts ranch. In 1920, he bought his first sheep and ran as many as 3,000
head at one time until 1952 when he disposed of them. He has said that it was sheep
that he made his money on. In 1954, he turned the ranch over to his four sons.
At one time, he owned 28 sections (17,920 acres) of land.
In 1957 they built a new home on the Roberts track. The following
year his wife Olive Keene died, six days before his 80th. birthday.
He died September 27, 1966.
