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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, 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

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>{{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>

In 1921, Ecton married the former Vera B. Harris (1898-1980). The couple had two children, both deceased, Eloise and Zales Ecton, Jr. (1926-2006).<ref name=Tribune>“Former U.S. Senator Zales Ecton, 62, Dies,” ''Great Falls Tribune,'' March 4, 1961.</ref>

In 1921, Ecton married the former Vera B. Harris (1898-1980). The couple had two children, both deceased, Eloise and Zales Ecton, Jr. (1926-2006).<ref name=Tribune>“Former U.S. Senator Zales Ecton, 62, Dies,” ''Great Falls Tribune,'' March 4, 1961.</ref>