Yellowstone Genealogy Forum
Barry O’Leary – Cement Plant
Revised 20 June 2001c
Barry arrived in America from Ireland in 1917. He traveled to Billings and started working at the Billings Brewery. A year later he started his own business with assets of only a bicycle, a pick and a shovel. He dug sewers for business people in Billings. In 1922 he saw a need for a ready-mixed concrete, and built a small facility with his own hands. It was the first in Montana. In 1946 he rebuilt it with a 300 cubic yard bulk-batching machine. In 1952 it was moved to Laurel.
Barry started the Billings Sand & Gravel Co, and became half-owner in the Billings Construction Co. with W. D. Frederick as partner in 1946. Barry installed most of the Billings’ sewer and water lines. He also built two bridges, one near Custer, and one near Roberts.