Bio
Mortimer Hewlett Lott, born on December 25, 1827, in Lottsville, Pennsylvania, was an influential early settler and rancher in Twin Bridges, Montana. He moved westward with his brother, John T. Lott, after farming in Kansas and mining gold in Colorado. In 1862, they arrived in Montana, coinciding with a local gold discovery, which led them to mine in Bannack and later operate a store in Virginia City.
In 1865, Mortimer Lott and his brother established a ranch and co-founded the town of Twin Bridges, Montana, after receiving a charter for the Montana bridge and ferry company. They constructed the two bridges over the Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers, which gave the town its name.
Lott was a member of the Montana Vigilantes, a secret organization formed to combat crime and outlaws in the region. His civic contributions were extensive; he served as Probate Judge for the Territory of Montana, Justice of the Peace, County Commissioner, and first mayor of Twin Bridges. Lott was also involved in education, serving on the Twin Bridges school board, and he was president of the Montana Society of Pioneers.
Mortimer Lott’s legacy is marked by his role in building Twin Bridges and his active participation in the early governance and justice system of Montana. He passed away on October 4, 1920, leaving a significant impact on the region’s development.
