Government and Politics

Abstract Albert Adair was employed in the Montana State Liquor Store No. 1 in Helena (1935-1941); served as an inspector for the Montana State Fire Marshall (1954-1957); was an insurance examiner for the National Board of Insurance Commissioners; and was elected a public service commissioner. Hugh Rogers Adair was employed as the Helena city attorney; and served as lieutenant governor under Roy Ayers (1937-1941); and as chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court. (1947-1957). Both brothers were...

Abstract Tim Babcock was governor of Montana from 1962 until 1969, an active member in the Republican Party up until his death in 2015, owner of Babcock Trucking Inc., co-owner of the Colonial Hotel, and a mining consultant. This collection consists of records (1961-1969) from Babcock's two terms including Vietnam condolence letters to Montana families, speeches, press releases, six large scrapbooks created by his staff with assistance from his wife, Betty, records of Babcock's administrative...

Abstract Edward W. Beattie (1847-1914) and his brother George D. Beattie (1857-1915) moved to Helena, Montana Territory, following the death of their brother, Alexander Beattie, in 1884, to manage their brother's estate. They invested widely in mining, ranching, and real estate, including the Rosebud Land and Improvement Company and the Silver Bow Park Addition. In 1913 their property was transferred to the Beattie Company, incorporated by A.L. Smith, Carl Rasch, and Milton S. Gunn. The Company...

Abstract The papers of Walter Cooper, a prominent Bozeman pioneer, consist of correspondence (1901, 1913, 1924) including letters by Nancy Russell discussing illustrations for A Most Desperate Situation; a typescript of a diary (1881) kept by Cooper during the West Gallatin Pacific Exploring Expedition; financial records (1904-1911) regarding lead ore shipping; a speech (1907) given by Cooper to the Gallatin County Pioneer regarding W.W. Alderson); writings (1910) including handwritten and typescript...

Abstract Henry Elling was a banker in Virginia City, Montana, with extensive mercantile, mining, and ranching interests. Collection consists primarily of incoming correspondence (1864-1881). There is one outgoing letterpress book (1892), general ledgers (1873-1901), journals (1873-1901), miscellaneous financial records (1872-1880), and a property abstract volume (circa 1890). There are subgroups for Elling, Knight, and Company; Montanian Publishing Company; Silver Spring Grist Mill; William Elling;...

Abstract John E. Erickson was the Governor of Montana from 1924 until 1933, and a U.S. Senator from 1933 to 1934. Collection (1883-1958) consists of correspondence, speeches, subject files, scrapbooks, clippings, photographs, and miscellaneous mementos. Topics discussed include various campaigns and elections, the Democratic Party, Helena local history, the opening of Yellowstone National Park, the Custer Battlefield anniversary, Norwegian-Americans, and Mrs. Burton K. Wheeler. [Photographs and...

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J. Hugo Aronson was governor of Montana (1953-1961) and served in Montana House of Representatives (1938-1944) and the Montana State Senate (1944-1952). The bulk of the collection consists of campaign/political materials, correspondence, speeches, press releases, subject files, reports, and scrapbooks concerning his two terms as governor. The collection also contains J. Hugo Aronson’s business and personal papers including financial documents, correspondence and subject material.

Abstract Arnold Jacobsen opened the Baby Bunting Shop in Butte, Montana, in 1935. By 1947 he and his wife Lois Jacobsen had seven stores in three states. In 1951 they sold the stores and opened the Win-a-Kee resort on Whitefish Lake. Jacobsen served as a delegate to the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention and was a member of the Flathead County Park Board. Papers (1949-1984) include materials on his service in the constitutional convention and on the park board. Also included is outgoing...

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Thomas Larson operated a sheep ranch near Choteau, Montana, and served in the Montana legislature. Collection (1912-1948) includes correspondence, financial records, legal documents, speeches, and subject files.