Bio
Matt Crowley, born in 1875 in southern Minnesota, became a significant figure in North Dakota’s ranching history. In 1887, his Irish-born parents moved the family to Dakota Territory, bringing registered Herefords to begin a ranching venture. Despite only having four years of formal education, Crowley worked with his father until 1910, when he started his own ranch in Mercer County. He expanded his holdings by purchasing land from departing homesteaders and converting it back to grasslands for grazing.
Crowley built his early ranch house from sod, and through cattle boarding and innovation, including drilling artesian wells, he grew his operation. In 1914, he married Pauline Shoemaker, building a modern home with running water and electricity. Together, they raised three daughters.
Crowley was a well-known horse trader, especially with “Badlands Bill” McCarty, and supplied horses for local rodeos. His contributions extended beyond ranching; in 1933, he donated land for the Crowley Flint Quarry State Park. He was involved in the Western North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, the North Dakota Farm Bureau, and the American National Cattlemen. In 1937, he was honored by North Dakota Agricultural College, and he also served as a County Commissioner and state legislator.
In 1955, Matt Crowley passed away, leaving behind a legacy of ranching and community leadership.
