William F. Patterson papers
Scope and Contents
This collection (1909-1911) is primarily composed of correspondence from representatives of Stone-Ordean-Wells Company to William F. Patterson, with some outgoing correspondence from Patterson. Early correspondence from 1909 is mainly addressed to Charles F. Langevin, a traveling salesman for Stone-Ordean-Wells. Many of the letters include copies of letters from other companies, usually regarding the shipping of assorted goods. Companies and persons mentioned include Arnold Bros., W. B. Jordan and Sons Co., Reeder Mercantile Company, Brophy and Henry, O. B. Lovely, Golden Grain Bicsuit Co., Slayton Mercantile Co., Channellene Oil and Mfg Co., Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Co., A. J. Kanne, F. M. Wall Co., Manierre-Yoe Co., Robinson and Seelye, Marmarth Mercantile Co., and many more. A majority of the correspondence pertains to the shipping of assorted grocery goods, price listing, stock levels, purchase orders, invoices, customers, and other business matters. Also included are some miscellaneous financial documents.
Dates
- Creation: 1909-1911
Language of Materials
English.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. 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.
Historical Note
William Francis Patterson was born on July 13, 1879, in or near Pottsville, Pennsylvania to Frank S. and Jemima (sometimes spelled Jemmina, Jemina, or Jamima) Patterson (née Robertson). Some time after 1900, Patterson moved to Sheridan, Wyoming and in 1904 he married Adelaide Gertrude Schubert. In 1905, the couple had their first child, Alma A. Patterson.
By the autumn of 1909, the family relocated to Miles City, Montana, where William F. Patterson worked for Stone-Ordean-Wells Co., a Duluth, Minnesota based wholesale grocer, orginallly founded in 1872 by William R. Stone. Patterson replaced Charles F. Langevin as the region's traveling salesman representative in November, 1909. His starting salary with the company was $100 per month. Patterson worked as a salesman for this company from 1909 until at least late 1911. William and Adelaide had a second child, William James Patterson, in February 1915. By 1918, Patterson moved to Musselshell, Montana where he worked for the Handel Trading Company. By 1920, the family moved back to Sheridan, Wyoming, where Patterson worked as a clerk in the grocery industry. He died on July 12, 1926, and was buried in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.
Extent
0.3 linear ft
Abstract
This collection (1909-1911) is composed primarily of correspondence from the wholesale grocer, Stone-Ordean-Wells Co., to their Montana-based sales representative, William F. Patterson. The correspondence mainly discusses the shipping of assorted goods, purchase orders, stock levels, receipts/invoices of goods, customers, and other business matters. Also included are some miscellaneous financial records.
Arrangement
Arranged into two series: General Correspondence and Financial.
General Correspondence is arranged chronologically, with prominent persons and companies listed at the folder level. The names of people and companies listed are either direct correspondents and/or their name/company is mentioned.
If you are searching for a specific person or organization, please use the keyword search function [Macs: Press Command and 'F'] [PC/Windows: Press Ctrl and 'F']
Physical Location
W15:-4-6
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquisition information available upon request.
- Title
- Guide to the William F. Patterson Papers1909-1911
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Lindsey Mick
- Date
- 22 April 2025
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latn
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
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