Dudley C. Bass, a Montana pioneer of 1864 and one of the proprietors of Pine Grove Fruit Farm in the Bitter Root Valley, two miles northwest of the town of Stevensville, was born in Clarendon Springs, Vermont, August 10, 1842. His ancestors were among the early settlers of Vermont and New York and his father, William B. Bass, was born in the latter State in 1811.  He married Miss Ruth Childs, a native of Vermont. After marriage they resided thirteen years in Glens Falls, New York, in 1855 removed to Chicago and in 1858 to Jefferson City, Missouri where Mrs. Bass died, in 1861, leaving three sons and one daughter.  In 1871 the father came to Montana to reside with his son Dudley C., where he was afterward engaged in the wood business for several years and his death occurred March 24,1893 at the age of eighty-two years.

      Dudley C. was the third child in order of birth, was thirteen years of age when he removed with is father to the West and was raised in Chicago and Jefferson City, Missouri. After attaining his majority he became interested with his brother William E., in the hotel business, first at Sedalia and later in Clinton. In 1864 they crossed the plains with mule teams to Alder Gulch Montana where they mined for a time but, not meeting with success, decided to turn their attention to agricultural pursuits.  They then located on their present farm, where they first engaged in raising hay, grain and vegetables and for which they found a ready sale at paying prices in the mining camps. The brothers were prosperous in all their undertakings, and from time to time added to their land until they now have 800 acres, which contains a good frame residence and all necessary buildings. The place is beautifully situated at the side of the Bitter Root Mountains, is surrounded by fine groves of pine from which the farm derived its' name, and the dwelling is not only embowered with a natural grove, but also by trees of their own planting.

      The Bass Brothers were among the first to discover that their section was adapted to fruit raising and to that branch of industry they are now giving their almost entire attention.

      The Bass brothers married the daughters of L.S. and Eva Emmett, of Windsor Missouri.  W.E. Bass was married in 1862 to Miss Jennie and in 1874; D.C. Bass was united in marriage with her sister, Miss Etta.  To the latter union has been born one son, Lee E.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   History of Montana, 1898