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==Background==

==Background==

Ecton was born in [[rural]] Weldon in Decatur County in southern [[Iowa]], to Aaron Smith Ecton (1863-1937) and the former Mary Delphia McVay (1868-1953).<ref name=Tribune /> In 1907, he moved with his family to Gallatin County, Montana.<ref name=ectonpapers>Kim Allen Scott,  “Historical Note.” Zales N. Ecton Papers, 1947-1953, Montana State University, Special Collections and Archival Informatics, 2009.</ref> Ecton attended public schools and enrolled at Montana State University (then College) in Bozeman in Gallatin County. When the country entered [[World War I]], Ecton volunteered for training in the Student Army Training Corps.<ref name=sna>Ecton, Zales N. (Zales Nelson), 1898-1961 - Maybe-Same - Social Networks and Archival Context (snaccooperative.org), accessed July 30, 2021.</ref>

Ecton was born in [[rural]] Weldon in Decatur County in southern [[Iowa]], to Aaron Smith Ecton (1863-1937) and the former Mary Delphia McVay (1868-1953).<ref name=Tribune /> In 1907, he moved with his family to Gallatin County, Montana.<ref name=ectonpapers>Kim Allen Scott,  “Historical Note.” Zales N. Ecton Papers, 1947-1953, Montana State University, Special Collections and Archival Informatics, 2009.</ref> Ecton attended public schools and enrolled at Montana State University (then College) in Bozeman in Gallatin County. When the country entered [[World War I]], Ecton volunteered for training in the Student Army Training Corps.<ref name=sna>Ecton, Zales N. (Zales Nelson), 1898-1961 - Maybe-Same - Social Networks and Archival Context (snaccooperative.org), accessed July 30, 2021.</ref>

After the war. je He attended the [[University of Chicago]] law school, but it is unclear if he graduated from law school. He did not engage in the practice law.<ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=e000037|title=Ecton, Zales Nelson|publisher=''The Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress - Retro Member|accessdate=July 30, 2021}}<ref> but in 1921 became a grain [[farmer]] and a [[livestock]] rancher near Amsterdam in Gallatin County.<ref name={{cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=43829|title=Zales N. Ecton

 

After the war, Ecton attended the [[University of Chicago]] law school, but it is unclear if he graduated from law school. He did not engage in the practice law.<ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=e000037|title=Ecton, Zales Nelson|publisher=''The Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress - Retro Member|accessdate=July 30, 2021}}<ref> but in 1921 became a grain [[farmer]] and a [[livestock]] rancher near Amsterdam in Gallatin County.<ref name={{cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=43829|title=Zales N. Ecton

publisher=Our Campaigns|access date=July 30, 2021}}</ref>

publisher=Our Campaigns|access date=July 30, 2021}}</ref>

While in the Senate, Ecton was assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. He also served on the Post Office and Public Lands committees.<ref name=sna/>

While in the Senate, Ecton was assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. He also served on the Post Office and Public Lands committees.<ref name=sna/>

 

==Later years==

==Later years==

Ecton resumed his ranching operation until his death in Bozeman a month before his 63rd birthday. He, his wife, and parents are interred there at Sunset Hills Cemetery. His son is buried in [[Idaho]].<ref>Zales Nelson Ecton (1898-1961) - Find A Grave Memorial, accessed July 31, 2021.</ref> Ecton was the first popularly elected Republican senator for Montana since adoption of the [[17th Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]]. A second Republican, [[Conrad Burns]], was not elected to the Senate from Montana until 1988. He served from 1989 to 2007, having been defeated in his bid for a fourth term by the Democrat organic farmer and State Senate President  [[Jon Tester]].

Ecton resumed his ranching operation until his death in Bozeman a month before his 63rd birthday. He, his wife, and parents are interred there at Sunset Hills Cemetery. His son is buried in [[Idaho]].<ref>Zales Nelson Ecton (1898-1961) - Find A Grave Memorial, accessed July 31, 2021.</ref> Ecton was the first popularly elected Republican senator for Montana since adoption of the [[17th Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]]. A second Republican, [[Conrad Burns]], was not elected to the Senate from Montana until 1988. He served from 1989 to 2007, having been defeated in his bid for a fourth term by the Democrat organic farmer and State Senate President  [[Jon Tester]].