7 Apr 1875 – 14 Aug 1964
Wife of James Hiram Guild
Mary Molvena Lehman was born April 7, 1875 in Joliet, Illinois. She was the daughter of John Frederick Lellman and Jessie Janet Stewart. Their family moved to Glade, Kansas and from there to Hilliard, Wyoming in 1889 where they ran a hotel for several years. Moving from Hilliard to Evanston, they ran the Rocky Mountain and later the Marx Hotels. She married Joseph C. Rowley on October 14, 1895 at Coalvllle, Utah. Joe Rowley was a cowboy working on ranches near Piedmont and Evanston, Wyoming. During his time in the service of Whitney, they lived on the Rock and Dee, and Old Home Ranches. They had one son Robert J. Rowley. While Joe was Foreman for Whitney he died of appendicitis.
On January 5, 1903 Mary Molvena Lellman remarried James Hiram Guild of Piedmont, Wyoming. They lived on the CG Ranch located at Piedmont, Wyoming. She lived there until June 1943 when she suffered a severe stroke. James Hiram Guild passed on June 12, 1922 after suffering a stroke.
James and Mary had four children:
Charles Frederick Guild
Margaret Mae Guild, Hackman
James Hiram Guild, Jr.
Ruth Ellen Guild, Morris
James Hiram Guild Jr. died December 1, 1911 at the age of 4, he died of scarlet fever on the ranch near Piedmont, where the family was living.
During Mary Molvena’s 40 years on the ranch she was a very efficient wife, mother, and ranch neighbor. She could always find time and a way to feed a large number of hungry cowboys or
anyone passing by, she could always give anyone in need help or tend to the sick. Generous and kind to the poor and needy, in every way she did her part to be a good wife, mother and neighbor. She
loved children and for years she was a part time mother to some niece or nephew. Their appreciation has often been shown her during her declining years.
After the death of her husband, James Hiram Guild, in 1922 she and her son Charles, operated the ranch until she was stricken by a stroke. During these years there was a very severe depression and
money financial worries were climaxed by a severe drought in 1934 at which time the ranch assets could not pay off the liabilities. For years she unselfishly worked and deprived herself of almost everything, doing all she could to manage a home and help pay the bills. Her reward seems to be just suffering. However, she has received the very best of care her daughters could give her. She has lacked nothing.
History written by Charles F. Guild
Evanston City Cemetery, Evanston, Wyoming next to her first husband’s grave.
Grave Marker of her first husband, Joseph C. Rowley.
