The Girl from Montana characters

Elizabeth

Also known as Bessie, Bess

A resourceful, innocent young woman raised in the Montana wilderness who travels east to seek education and family. She is independent, compassionate, deeply religious, and determined to protect herself.

George Trescott Benedict

A young, city-bred man from Pennsylvania who becomes lost while hunting and travels with Elizabeth. He is honest, weary, educated, emotionally wounded by an unrequited love, and protective toward Elizabeth.

Mrs Brady

Elizabeth's maternal grandmother, a hardworking Philadelphia washerwoman who is practical, outspoken, and strongly concerned with financial survival and social respectability.

Lizzie

Elizabeth's cousin and Grandmother Brady's other granddaughter. She works hard, loves fashionable clothing and sweets, and is sometimes jealous of Elizabeth's wealth and attention.

Aunt Nan

Also known as Nan

Elizabeth's aunt and Lizzie's mother, a practical, hardworking woman who helps support the family and discourages Elizabeth from pursuing school instead of earning money.

John Bailey

Also known as pa, father

Elizabeth's father and Mrs. Brady's son-in-law. He came from a wealthier, socially elevated family but is portrayed as a drunken, unreliable man whom Elizabeth's mother nevertheless chose and married.