Thomas Conrad papers
Scope and Contents
Papers. 1857-1899. .6 linear foot. The collection contains biographical and genealogical material, Thomas's letters to his family in Missouri (1857-1880), legal documents, financial records, and writings. In addition, there is a Mary Ivory Conrad Subgroup containing incoming correspondence from her brothers during the Civil War. Pioneer life in Montana Territory is detailed by Thomas Conrad's descriptions of Virginia City and Helena.
Dates
- Creation: 1857-1899
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
Collection open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.
Biographical / Historical
Thomas Conrad (1821-1880) and his partner, Albert G. ("China") Clarke, opened a general hardware and merchandise store in Virginia City, Idaho Territory, in July 1864. The store was stocked with merchandise the partners had brought with them from Missouri. Conrad may have served as mayor of Virginia City for a short time. Clarke was occupied with his cattle and mining interests, leaving Conrad responsible for the store. In February 1865, the firm of Clarke and Conrad moved to Helena, eventually becoming one of the leading mercantile concerns in the city. Successive changes in the partnership were reflected in the alterations in the firm's name: in 1869, it was known as Clarke, Conrad and Miller; shortly thereafter, the company was called Clarke, Conrad and Curtin. During Conrad's stay in Montana, his wife, Mary Ivory Conrad, and daughter, Martha (Mattie), remained in St. Joseph, Missouri, and Conrad himself returned there in 1876. During a brief visit back to Helena in May 1880, he became ill, returned to St. Joseph, and died there in September 1880 at the age of fifty-nine.
Extent
.6 linear feet
Abstract
Thomas Conrad was a pioneer Montana merchant. This collection (1857-1899) consists of biographical and genealogical materials; outgoing correspondence to his wife Mary Ivory Conrad; legal documents; limited financial records; and memorabilia. Also included is a subgroup of incoming correspondence to Mrs. Conrad from her brothers during the Civil War. Much of collection documents pioneer life and conditions in Virginia City, Montana Territory.
Arrangement
Arranged by subgroup and series
Physical Location
1:3-4
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquisition information available upon request
Separated Materials
Photographs separated to Photo Archives. Artifacts separated to Museum. See lists of separated material in collection.
- Title
- Guide to the Thomas Conrad papers 1857-1899
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by MHS Staff
- Date
- 2005
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard) 2nd Edition
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the Montana Historical Society, Research Center Archives Repository
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT 59620-1201 United States
406-444-2681
406-444-2696 (Fax)
mhslibrary@mt.gov