Oscar O. Mueller Research Collection : Central Montana History
Scope and Contents
This collection consists two subgroups, Research Materials and James Fergus Family. The Research Materials subgroups consists of both primary and secondary research materials on the history of central Montana, including Oscar Mueller's correspondence, writings, research notes, and subject files on the Judith Basin. Included also are writings by Mueller's son George D. Mueller, his wife Josephine Cook Mueller, and by W.E. "Limestone" Wilson. The James Fergus Family subgroup includes James Fergus family materials collected by Oscar Mueller during his research.
Dates
- Creation: 1864-1965
Creator
- Mueller, Oscar O., 1877-1964 (Person)
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
Oscar 0. Mueller was born March 29, 1877, near Van Meter, Iowa. In 1903 he graduated from the Iowa Normal School, and soon afterwards became principal of schools at Staceyville, Iowa. He remained in that position for two years and then entered the University of Iowa Law School. In 1908, shortly after graduation, Mueller moved to Lewistown, Montana. The following year he was hired as Fergus County Assistant Attorney. Mueller filled this post until 1910. He also served Lewistown as both mayor and city attorney. Oscar Mueller was an amateur archaeologist and historian. He conducted fossil studies in central Montana, which resulted in having two species of prehistoric plants named after him. He also researched and wrote articles on the history of the Judith Basin area, publishing his work in Montana The Magazine of Western History, the Great Falls Tribune, and the Lewistown Daily News. Oscar 0. Mueller was active in the Masons, the Lewistown Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club. In 1915 he married Josephine Cook. They had two sons. Oscar Mueller died on January 3, 1964, at age 86.
Extent
.5 linear feet
Abstract
Oscar Mueller (1877-1964) was a Lewistown, Montana, attorney and amateur historian. Collection consists of primary and secondary research materials on Central Montana history, including papers of James Fergus, concerning ranching; and Mueller's correspondence, writings, research notes, and subject files on the Judith Basin.
Arrangement
Arranged by subgroups and series.
Physical Location
5:6-2
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquisition information available upon request
Separated Materials
Photographs separated to Photo Archives. See inventory below for more information.
- Title
- Guide to the Oscar O. Mueller Research Collection : Central Montana History 1864-1965
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by MHS staff
- Date
- 2004
- 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