Node, A Day in the Life - Pfister Node Ranch History (10/05/2025)

Opening remarks by JoAnn Wade:

Welcome to a Day in the Life at Node. We invited you here to celebrate America’s 250 years as a nation. Earlier this year the county commissioners appointed a committee to lead Niobrara county’s celebration of America’s history. The committee consists of Leslie Stewart, Sanda Johnson, Sheila Bolden, Richard Ladwig, Debbie Sturman, Morgan Nolan, Gary Bayne and myself (JoAnn Wade). Throughout the next year, we have many different experiences planned to showcase our Niobrara County History.

Pfister Node Ranch History by Ronda Pfister

Pfister Node Ranch Video History

John Pfister, son of Valentine and Hannah J. Pfister was born at Junction City, Kansas, February 2, 1857. Ella Josephine Arnold (also known as Ellen) was born at Kansas City, Mo. November 11, 1861. On May 22, 1879 they were married, and in 1884 made the brave decision to follow John’s father to Wyoming along with her brother Edward Arnold. They settled initially on a homestead nine miles west of Lusk, on the northern edge of the wooded hills. After a few years, however, the family found that the higher ground meant longer, harsher winters than the flatlands to the east. Seeking better conditions, they relocated again—this time settling on a homestead along the Niobrara River, next to a grassy meadow about three miles southwest of the Node Post Office in 1889. John and Ellen were blessed with 13 children: Margaret “Maggie” and her twin brother Valentine, Richard, Jane, John, Frances, William, Ella and her twin brother Vincent, Edwin, and Anna. Two infants sadly died at birth.

Life on the homestead was challenging. School for the children was held only three months each summer. Ellen fought hard to add another month to the school term, but many in the community opposed the

idea. Devoted to her family, Ellen created a warm home and filled its walls with pictures. She passed away on April 7, 1926, after suffering a stroke. Not long after her death, tragedy struck again when the family home burned down. The fire started when bath water being heated on the kitchen stove ignited the chimney. In the years that followed, John developed diabetes and eventually lost both legs. To help him maintain independence, the family outfitted a car with hand controls so he could drive. John passed away on June 13, 1939.

In 1919, John Jr. and his brother William (Bill) had purchased 10,000 head of Mexican steers. During the northward trail drive, a blizzard hit, killing the entire herd. Bill returned to the ranch and worked to help his

father keep the operation afloat during the difficult years of the agricultural depression. After Ellen’s death, daughters Ella and Anne used their mother’s life insurance payout to assist Bill in saving the ranch. Despite their efforts, the post–World War I influx of homesteaders and the continuing depression made times extremely hard.

In 1921, Ella purchased the Henry Gray homestead a few miles north of the family’s original land. She and her brother Bill partnered in operating the property. In the mid-1930s, Bill constructed the landmark big white barn, a structure large enough to shelter 500 head of cattle or 2,500 sheep during storms.

In 1937, Ella married Carl Dean. They had one son, Carl Jr., who tragically died young in 1950 of appendicitis. Carl Sr. had passed away in 1947, leaving Ella to manage on her own. She continued to operate the ranch, taking in cattle and personally riding out to check windmills daily until her death in 1963.

After Ella’s passing, her brother Edwin and his wife Martha purchased the property. The ranch was later passed to their children, and eventually to Jack Jr. and Ronda Pfister. Ronda went on to establish the Jack Pfister Ranch, Inc. with her three daughters, who continue to operate the ranch today.

Today, the landmark barn still stands as a testament to the family’s legacy, alongside remnants of the original home and outbuildings.

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