William Wiseham Terrett, born on July 23, 1847, in Washington, DC, became the primary provider for his family at age 14 following his Confederate officer father’s death during the Civil War. In 1869, he married Priscilla Gantt Richards, and the couple moved to Chariton County, Missouri, where they raised eight children while Terrett developed a successful cattle farm.
In 1881, Terrett established the JO Ranch in Montana’s Tongue River Valley, acquiring the land from a squatter for $300. The ranch was initially part of the Chariton Montana Cattle Company, with Terrett and his brother A.H. Terrett among the principal stockholders. While his brother managed the range operations, Terrett managed cattle purchases, leveraging his expertise as a successful livestock feeder in Missouri. Despite the harsh winter of 1886-87 and the Panic of 1893, the JO Ranch remained profitable, making it one of the few ranches to survive those challenges.
In 1896, Terrett purchased the ranch holdings and expanded his operations by acquiring the A Bar A brand and additional cattle. He became known for improving cattle quality in the area, eventually building one of the finest registered Hereford herds in Montana. Terrett was respected for his high standards and expertise, while his wife, Priscilla, was known for her devout faith, dedication to family, and generosity.
Terrett passed away on June 9, 1922, followed by Priscilla on October 1, 1929. The ranch remains in continuous operation, managed by five generations of the Terrett family over its 127-year history.
