Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame announces 2017 inductions
Share
Tweet
PRESS RELEASE
Recently the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center (MCHF & WHC) announced the tenth class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. The inductees were chosen from a field of candidates nominated by the general public. Inductees are honored for their notable contributions to the history and culture of Montana.
"Our volunteer trustees around Montana vote on nominations that come from the district in which they reside," said Jeff Bolstad, MCHF & WHC President. "It gives the local communities a strong voice in who will represent them in the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame exists to honor those who have made an impact in their part of the state and represent Montana's authentic heritage for future generations."
The MCHF & WHC board of directors has designated 12 trustee districts across the state from which up to 20 trustees may be appointed. Nomination criteria established by the board for the Class of 2017 inductions allowed the election of up to one Living Inductee and two Legacy Inductees from each of the 12 districts.
The 2017 inductees into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame are: District 4 (Blaine, Chouteau, Hill, & Liberty Counties): Living Award – Nicholas Bernard "Nick" Faber, Chinook. Legacy Award – John & Fay (Vercruyssen) Stuker, Chinook, and Ed & Orah (Young) Massie, Great Falls (formerly of Chouteau County
This week we recognize Nicholas Bernard "Nick" Faber. Next week we will honor Blaine Counties other nominees, John & Fay (Vercruyssen) Stuker.
YEAR OF NOMINATION: 2017
DISTRICT OF NOMINATION: 4
Nicholas Bernard "Nick" Faber was born August 1, 1937, to Leonard and Rose (Redwing) Faber in Havre, Montana. He grew up in the Bear Paw Mountains south of Havre originally at the Hays Place and then on Sucker Creek. He went to school at the Faber School and then on to what now is Beaver Creek Park, riding behind his sister, Lorna, to school each day.
Nick grew up cowboying with his cousins, learning how to work cattle and break horses. He also spent time trapping and hunting. As he got older excitement included trailing the cattle to shipping in Havre, finding stock to practice their bronc skills on, or driving fast cars and attending the country dances.
He met Patricia Greytak from North Havre and it was heard from a local farmer, that they just couldn't compete against those "South Country Cowboys". They married January 28, 1957, and had three children, Russell, Julie, and Karene. Nick and Pat purchased "No. 1" over by Lloyd and they spent the winter getting the place in order so that they could move in while grandma watched the kids. This did not include indoor plumbing at first.
In 1968, Nick bought the Kuhr Place in Cleveland and moved his family over there. Banking was different in those days and according to Pat, he primarily got the loan because the lender knew he was hardworking and would pay him back. He continued to expand, purchasing land and trading when he could. He was involved in the Warrick Rodeo and picked up there, but building his ranch became his primary focus. He was one the of the first ranchers in the Bear Paws to try the new black cattle, Angus, in a dominant Hereford area. Nick had the luck of having some great horses that he kept over the years. "Cook" and others are overlooking the ranch in a place of honor now.
When Nick wasn't feeding with his team, working cattle, rucking or cutting hay, his other joy was running his Cat. Bucked brush, a new high road or an opened-up gravel pit were proof that he was playing with his toy.
In the 1990s Nick bought the Cleveland Bar and soon brought home some freezing Corrientes from the Mexican Border in January. The next summer those same animals brought the community together in a newly built arena. The Cleveland Arena was the site of several roping's and the Cleveland Ranch Rodeo for years. Nick is a great supporter of these events donating cattle and equipment.
Nick continues to raise Angus cows at the Cleveland ranch, still riding-a big bay now-working hard to continually improving the genetics of his herd, growing hay and silage, and feeding cows. The neighbors comment that Nick "loves to feed his cows" and they sometimes set their haying and feeding schedules around him.
Those who know Nick know that he never sits still and he is constantly thinking of the next project to get done to improve his ranch and the quality of his cows. He will be forever blazing new trails with the heart of an original cowboy.
