Leland H. Schoonover Papers

Leland H. Schoonover Papers, 1945-1979

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Schoonover, Leland H., 1909-1979
Title: Leland H. Schoonover Papers
Dates: 1945-1979 (inclusive)
19451979
Quantity: 9 linear feet, (18 boxes)
Collection Number: Mss 129
Summary: Schoonover was a Polson, Montana, school teacher and Montana state legislator who was very active in the local and state education community and state and regional conservation efforts. The collection documents his time in the Montana legislature and his involvement in teachers' organizations and the conservation movement.
Repository: University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions: Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.
Languages: English
Sponsor: Funding for creating this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Leland H. "Schoonie" Schoonover was born in Phillipsburg, Montana, on June 16, 1909, the son of James and Charlotte Schoonover. He graduated from Thompson Falls High School in 1925 and went on to receive a bachelor's degree in education from Western Montana College in 1937 and began teaching. In 1955, he earned a master's degree in education from the University of Montana--Missoula.

In 1947, after his World War II service, he began teaching in the Polson, Montana, school system, where he spent the rest of his career. In 1960, he became one of the first teachers granted leave to serve in the Montana state legislature. He was elected senator from Lake County as a Democrat and served in the 1961 and 1963 sessions. He was later elected to two terms in the Montana House of Representatives, where he served on the Montana Legislative Council, Subcommittee on Pesticides.

An active conservationist, he was treasurer and president of the Montana Wildlife Federation and served two terms as president of the Pacific Northwest Conservation Council. In 1966, Governor Tim Babcock awarded him the Conservationist of the year award. He was also one of the directors of the Blue Bay Resort on Flathead Lake, owner and manager of the ENVECO consulting service (which provided land development and public relations services), president of the Lake County Citizens Committee, chairman of the Lake County Conservation District, chair of the Lake County Democratic Committee, secretary of the Lower Flathead Teachers' Welfare Association, part of the Montana Citizens Committee on Education, a two-term member of the Polson City Council, chair of the Senior Citizens of Polson, and a member of the board of directors for the State Schoolmasters Association.

He was married to Marion Dorothy Daughterty in 1933. He died of cancer in June 1979.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains Schoonover's biographical information and diaries; correspondence; speeches and writings, subject files, documentation of his many community, state, regional, and business activities. The collection documents his time in the Montana legislature and his involvement in teachers' organizations and the conservation movement. Education organizations documented in the collection include the Lower Flathead Teachers' Welfare Association, Montana Citizens Committee on Education, and State Schoolmasters Association. Conservation organizations in the collection include the Lake County Citizens Committee and the Lake County Conservation District. Records from the ENVECO consulting service document development efforts around Flathead Lake and Polson at this time.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Leland H. Schoonover Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in seven series:

Series I: Biographical, 1 folder, 1947-1977

Series II: Diaries, 7 folders, 1972-1979

Series III: Correspondence, 5.0 linear feet, 1945-1978

Series IV: Speeches and Writings, 1.5 linear feet, 1955-1978

Series V: Subjects, 0.25 linear feet, undated

Series VI: Political and Community Activities, 1.5 linear feet, 1947-1978

Series VII: ENVECO, 0.5 linear feet, 1972-1974

Custodial History

The papers were in the custody of the Schooonover family until donation to the Archives.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Mrs. Leland Schoonover and family, 1979

Processing Note

The collection was first processed about 1980. In 2004, the collection was re-described.

Separated Materials

During original processing, the following books were separated from the collection:

Rules of the Montana Legislative Assembly, 1971.

The Voting Records of the 39th Legislative Assembly, 1965.

A Guide to Montana's 42nd Legislative Assembly, 1971.

1971 Montana House bills.

1969 Montana House bills.

Williams, C. Herb & Neubrech, Walt. Indian Treaties American Nightmare, 1977.

U.S. Corps of Engineers, Fish Production Measures Libby Dam Project, Kootenai River, Montana, 1976.

Montana Dept. of Agriculture, Report on Examination, 1971.

Burnett, James H. Hybrid Bison Cross, 1976?

An Examination of Pop Agie Wild Area, Wyoming, undated.

Plan of Development for Jefferson-Whitehall Unit, Missouri River Basin Project, 1966.

Proposed Standards for Accreditation of Monatna Schools, Office of the State Superintendant of Public Instruction, 1971.

Montana Highway Commission, Tentative Construction Program, 1971-1975.

Proceeding and Recommendations of the 1969 Governor's Conference on Mined-Land Reclamation and Montana Mining Law, 1970.

Campbell, John P. A Legislative and Financial History of the Montana School Foundation Program, undated.

Montana State University. Proceedings Symposium on Agriculturally Related Pollution, 1970.

Montana Democratic Party. Platform, 1970.

Official Souvenir Book of Polson's Territorial Centennail Celebration, 1964.

Ebenstein, William. The Nazi State, 1944.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I: Biographical, 1947-1977Return to Top

1 folder

This series contains biographical information about Schoonover, and includes self-reporting biographical statements for his political activities and some correspondence with the Veteran's Administration.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/1		1947-1977

Series II: Diaries, 1972-1979Return to Top

7 folders

This series contains Schoonover's personal diaries/appointment calendars. These document daily personal and professional events, including meetings, activities, and some comments on the weather.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/2		1972-1973
1/3		January 27, 1972 - September 29, 1972
1/4		Cotober 2, 1972 - August 14, 1973
1/5		January 1, 1974 - 1978
1/6		January 5, 1977 - March 18, 1977
1/7		January 10, 1978 - August 28, 1978
1/8		January 3, 1978 - February 20, 1979

Series III: Correspondence, 1945-1978Return to Top

5 linear feet

This series contains Schoonover's professional correspondence. Most of the series deals with either his involvement with teachers' organizations in Montana, his term in the Montana legislature, and his involvement with conservation-oriented groups. Much of the correspondence concerns insurance claims for the Lower Flathead Teachers' Welfare Association. Legislative correspondence is mostly from constituents and focuses on his involvement with the Montana Legislative Council, Subcommittee on Pesticides. There are few or no personal letters in the series.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/9		January - September, 1945
1/10		January - December, 1946
1/11		January - February, 1947
1/12		March, 1947
1/13		April - December, 1947
1/14		January - March., 1948
1/15		April - June, 1948
1/16		July - December, 1948
2/1		1949
2/2		January - July, 1950
2/3		August -September, 1950
2/4		October -December, 1950
2/5		January - May, 1951
2/6		June - December, 1951
2/7		January - February, 1952
2/8		March - May, 1952
2/9		June - August, 1952
2/10		Sebetermber - December, 1952
2/11		January - June, 1953
2/12		July - September, 1953
2/13		October - December, 1953
2/14		January - March, 1954
2/15		April - June, 1954
2/16		July -December, 1954
2/17		1955
2/18		1956
2/19		January - February, 1957
2/20		March - December, 1957
3/1		1958
3/2		1959
3/3		January - October, 1960
3/4		November, 1960
3/5		December, 1960
3/6		January 2 - January 25, 1961
3/7		January 26 - January 31, 1961
3/8		February 1 - Febrary 8, 1961
3/9		February 9 - February 14, 1961
3/10		February 15 - February 19, 1961
3/11		February 20 - February 28, 1961
3/12		March, 1961
3/13		April, 1961
3/14		May - June, 1961
3/15		July - August, 1961
3/16		September - October, 1961
3/17		November - December, 1961
4/1		January - February, 1962
4/2		March, 1962
4/3		April, 1962
4/4		May - June, 1962
4/5		July, 1962
4/6		August, 1962
4/7		September, 1962
4/8		October, 1962
4/9		November, 1962
4/10		December, 1962
4/11		undated
5/1		January 1 - January 16, 1963
5/2		January 17 - January 24, 1963
5/3		January 25 - January 31, 1963
5/4		February 1 - February 11, 1963
5/5		Febrary 12 - February 18, 1963
5/6		February 19 - Febraury 21, 1963
5/7		February 22 - February 27, 1963
5/8		March 1 - March 9, 1963
5/9		March 10 - March 23, 1963
5/10		March 24 - March 30, 1963
5/11		April 1 - April 9, 1963
5/12		April 10 - April 16, 1963
5/13		April 17 - April 28, 1963
5/14		May, 1963
6/1		June, 1963
6/2		July 1 - July 18, 1963
6/3		July 20 - July 31, 1963
6/4		August, 1963
6/5		September, 1963
6/6		October, 1963
6/7		November, 1963
6/8		Debember 1963
6/9		January, 1964
6/10		February 3 - February 15, 1964
6/11		February 16 - February 29, 1964
7/1		March, 1964
7/2		April, 1964
7/3		May, 1964
7/4		June, 1964
7/5		July, 1964
7/6		August, 1964
7/7		September, 1964
7/8		October, 1964
7/9		November, 1964
7/10		December, 1964
7/11		January - February, 1965
7/12		March, 1965
7/13		April, 1965
7/14		May - June, 1965
8/1		July - August, 1965
8/2		Sebetmber - November, 1965
8/3		December, 1965 and undated
8/4		January - February, 1966
8/5		March, 1966
8/6		April, 1966
8/7		May, 1966
8/8		June, 1966
8/9		July - August, 1966
8/10		September - October, 1966
8/11		November - December, 1966 and undated
8/12		January - February, 1967
8/13		March, 1967
8/14		April, 1967
8/15		May - September, 1967
8/16		October - December, 1967 and undated
9/1		January, 1968
9/2		February - March, 1968
9/3		April - May, 1968
9/4		June - July, 1968
9/5		August - September, 1968
9/6		October - November, 1968
9/7		December, 1968
9/8		January, 1969
9/9		February, 1969
9/10		March - April, 1969
9/11		May - August, 1969
9/12		September - December, 1969
9/13		January - Feburary, 1970
9/14		March - April, 1970
9/15		May - July, 1970
10/1		August - October, 1970
10/2		November, 1970
10/3		December, 1970
10/4		January, 1971
10/5		February, 1971
10/6		March 1 - March 11, 1971
10/7		March 12 - March 31, 1971
10/8		April, 1971
10/9		May - December, 1971
10/10		January - February, 1972
10/11		March, 1972
10/12		April - June, 1972
10/13		July - September, 1972
10/14		October - November, 1972
10/15		Debember, 1972
11/1		January - February, 1973
11/2		March - April, 1973
11/3		May - June, 1973
11/4		July - August, 1973
11/5		September - October, 1973
11/6		November - December, 1973
11/7		January - September, 1974
11/8		October - December, 1974
11/9		January - June, 1975
11/10		July - December, 1975
11/11		January - March, 1976
11/12		April - May, 1976
11/13		June - September, 1976
11/14		October - December, 1976
11/15		January - March, 1977
11/16		April - July, 1977
11/17		August - December, 1977
11/18		Januarly - November, 1978
11/19		udated
11/20		undated
11/21		undated

Series IV: Speeches and Writings, ca. 1955-1978Return to Top

1.5 linear feet

The first item in the series is Schoonover's master's thesis, A Study of the Educational, Cultural, and Social Values of the Pageant-Drama in Montana, which he completed in 1955. This thesis focused in large part on Bert Hansen's pageants done as part of the Montana Study. The remainder of the series consists of Schoonover's speeches, delivered on a number of occasions, mostly for local and Montana organizations.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
12/1	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/2	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/3	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/4	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/5	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/6	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/7	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/8	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/9	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/10	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/11	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/12	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/13	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/14	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/15	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
12/16	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
13/1	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
13/2	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
13/3	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
13/4	Masters Thesis and Research	circa 1955
13/5	Miscellaneous speeches	undated
13/6	Miscellaneous speeches	undated
13/7	Speaches by others	undated
13/8	Polson DeMolay	undated
13/9	Education	1960
13/10	Conservation	1960
13/11	Federal Water Pollution Control Board	January 20, 1961
13/12	Federal Water Pollution Contral Board	September 20, 1961
13/13	St. Ignatius Achievement	May 11, 1962
13/14	Ronan Lions Club	May 15, 1962
13/15	Troy graduation	May 22, 1962
13/16	"The Day After Tomorrow," Masons	February 22, 1963
13/17	Democratic Party	1963
13/18	Montana Wildlife Federation	January 9, 1964
13/19	Commencement, Ronan High School	May 25, 1964
13/20	"12 Keys to Recreational Development in Western Montana"	October 14, 1964
13/21	Kootenai Hall dedication	1964
13/22	National Honor Society	1964
13/23	Conservation	1964
13/24	"How Green Are Those Mountains?" Washington State Sports Council	1965
14/1	"Our Water Problems"	February 15, 1966
14/2	Graduation Speech at Thompson Falls	May 23, 1966
14/3	Water User Conference	August 25, 1966
14/4	"Asleep in the Deep"	October, 1966
14/5	Statement to the United States Corps of Engineers	1966
14/6	Polson Rotary Club	January 13, 1970
14/7	Montana Association of Sanitarians	October 13, 1970
14/8	Toastmaster	1970
14/9	Joplin Commencement	1971
14/10	Montana Wildlife Federation	April 29, 1972
14/11	Arlee Commencement	May 22, 1972
14/12	Montana Wildlife Federation	1972
14/13	"Extermination of Eternity," Kiwanis Club	January 10, 1973
14/14	Polson Conservation Day	February 13, 1973
14/15	Feast of Holy St. John's Dinner	January 26, 1974
14/16	"From Here to . . . The Energy Crisis," Montana Wildlife Federation	April 27, 1974
14/17	"Western Sunset," Lake County Planning Board	December 11, 1974
14/18	Rotary Club	March, 1977
14/19	"Democracy or Hypocrisy," Pacific Northwest Conservation Council	April 2, 1977
14/20	Joint Coordination meeting	August 10, 1977
14/21	Testimony, Yellowstone River Hearing	1977
14/22	Memorial Day	May 28, 1978
14/23	Newspaper column	undated
14/24	News releases	undated
14/25	Quotations	undated
14/26	Miscellaneous	undated

Series V: Subjects, UndatedReturn to Top

0.25 linear feet

This series consists of files on subjects of interest to Schoonover. Subjects range from basketball officiating to air pollution and pesticides.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
14/27	Air Pollution Control	undated
14/28	Basketball Officiating	1947 - 1957
14/29	Bison Range	undated
14/30	Knowles Dam	undated
14/31	Lake County Celebration	undated
14/32	Miller-Platt-Duford Subdivision	undated
14/33	Pesticides	1970 - 1973
14/34	Rocky Mountain Plans	1974
15/1	School Foundation Program	undated
15/2	School Foundation Program	undated

Series VI: Political and Community Activities, 1947-1978Return to Top

1.5 linear feet

This series contains materials that represent Schoonover's many political, community, conservation, education and business activities. Political interests are represented by the Schoonover for Representative Club, Lake County Democratic Central Committee, and Montana Legislative Council, Subcommittee on Pesticides materials. His continuing interest in education is shown in the State Schoolmasters Association and Montana Citizens Committee on Education materials; he was also secretary of the Lower Flathead Teachers' Welfare Association, which provided teachers with insurance.

The largest group of materials represent his conservation interests. These include materials from the Lake County Citizens Committee, Lake County Conservation District, and Montana Wildlife Federation. Materials from the Pacific Northwest Conservation Council document his service to this organization for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Lastly, materials for the Senior Citizens of Polson document his later efforts on behalf of seniors in his community.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
15/3	Schoonover for Representative Club	1970
16/1	Blue Bay Resort, correspondence	1965
16/2	Blue Bay Resort, financial	1965
16/3	Blue Bay Resort, minutes	1965
16/4	Lake County Citizens Committee	1948 and undated
16/5	Lake County Conservation District, correspondence	1968-1975
16/6	Lake County Conservation District, minutes	1974-1978
16/7	Lake County Conservation District, general	undated
16/8	Lake County Democratic Central Committee	1967-1968
16/9	Lower Flathead Teachers' Welfare Association, correspondence	1950
16/10	Lower Flathead Teachers' Welfare Association, correspondence	1951
16/11	Lower Flathead Teachers' Welfare Association, correspondence	1952-1953
16/12	Lower Flathead Teachers' Welfare Association, correspondence	1950-1952
16/13	Montana Citizens Committee on Education	1948
17/1	Montana Wildlife Federation, financial	1962-1976
17/2	Montana Wildlife Federation, minutes	1956-1977
17/3	Montana Wildlife Federation, organization	undated
17/4	Montana Wildlife Federation, reports	1960-1962
17/5	Montana Wildlife Federation, general	1956-1977
17/6	Pacific Northwest Conservation Council, minutes	1959-1962
17/7	Pacific Northwest Conservation Council, minutes	1963-1964
17/8	Pacific Northwest Conservation Council, minutes	1965-1970
17/9	Pacific Northwest Conservation Council, minutes	1975-1977
18/1	Polson City Council, minutes	1954-1964
18/2	Polson City Council, minutes	1974-1976
18/3	Senior Citizens of Polson	1973-1974
18/4	State Schoolmasters Association, minutes	1947-1948
18/5	State Schoolmasters Association, organization	1947-1948
18/6	Montana Legislative Council, Subcommittee on Pesticides	1969-1970

Series VII: ENVECO, 1972-1974Return to Top

0.5 linear feet

Schoonover was owner and manager of ENVECO, which provided land development and public relations services in the Polson area. The Flathead Reservation Area Development Council (FRADC) was one of ENVECO's clients.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
18/7	Financial	1972-1974
18/8	Flathead Reservation Area Development Council (FRADC), Minutes	1972-1973
18/9	Flathead Reservation Area Development Council (FRADC)General	1972
18/10	Flathead Reservation Area Development Council (FRADC)General	1973

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Conservation of natural resources--Montana--Lake County--Societies, etc.
Education and state--Montana
Education--Montana--Societies, etc.
Real estate development--Montana--Flathead Lake
Real estate development--Montana--Polson
Teachers' unions--Montana

Corporate Names

ENVECO (Mont.)
Lake County Citizens Committee (Lake County, Mont.)
Lake County Conservation District (Lake County, Mont.)
Lower Flathead Teachers' Welfare Association
Montana Citizens' Committee
Montana. Legislative Assembly. House of Representatives
Montana. Legislative Assembly. Senate
State Schoolmasters Association (Mont.)
University of Montana--Missoula--Alumni and alumnae

Geographical Names

Montana--Politics and government--20th century

Form or Genre Terms

Diaries--Montana
Speeches, addresses, etc., American--Montana

Occupations

Conservationists--Montana
Educators--Montana
Legislators--Montana

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