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Bond Family Papers, 1886-1975

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Bond Family
Title
Bond Family Papers
Dates
1886-1975 (inclusive)
Quantity
15.0 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 209 (collection)
Summary
The Bond family owned the Dillon Implement Company in Dillon, Montana; it was a store with supplies for farming and ranching. The collection consists of financial records, correspondence, family records and photographs generated by the Dillon Implement Co., Bond Grocery, and the Bond Family from 1886-1975.
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 encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

The Dillon Implement Company was founded October 24, 1886, by Charles Reeder and O. E. Morse. Charles Phillips took over the business from his brother in 1910. When Phillips died in 1936, ownership of the Dillon Implement Co. was transferred to his grandson Phillip Bond, son of Hester and Eugene Bond. The Company, managed by Bert Megquier, was held in trust for Phillip until his return from World War II in 1946. Upon Phillip's return from the War, Eugene Bond sold his family business, Bond Grocery. Eugene Bond had assumed management of the grocery at the death of his father in 1920, despite holding a dentist's license and practice. After the sale of the grocery, Eugene joined Phillip at Dillon Implement.

The Dillon Implement Company was controlled by the Bond family until its sale in 1974. In that year, it was purchased by Joe Morstein and Jim Flynn who upon taking ownership, changed the name to D. I. Hardware.

The firm began as a machinery outlet and grain brokerage. The Dillon Implement Co.'s marketing region included the Ennis area, reached to Butte, and Bozeman, and extended into Idaho. During its early years, it also provided service to several mining towns that are no longer in existence. The Dillon Implement Co.'s. business ventures included selling farm machinery, wagons, harnesses, saddles, buying and selling feed grains and hay, as well as hardware and real estate. The Dillon Implement Co. also provided financing and mortgages for those who required aid in purchasing real estate and equipment. Eventually they expanded into the buggy and equipment repair business, which required the stocking of hardware for repairs. The store became an outlet for everything from rifles and horseshoes, to clocks and fabrics. Thirteen apartment rentals above the store also provided diversity to the company's business ventures. Part of the original Dillon Implement Co. building was rented out to the Forest Service and later in the 1940s to Safeway.

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Content Description

The collection consists of material generated by the Dillon Implement Co., Bond Grocery, and the Bond Family from 1886-1975. This collection includes financial records, correspondence, family records and photographs. The information in this collection presents an overview of Dillon as a growing rural community and illustrates the growth of a small family owned business in rural Montana.

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Use of the Collection

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], Bond Family Papers, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections, The University of Montana--Missoula.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is divided into six series:

Series I: Dillon Implement Company Financial, 8.0 linear feet, 1911-1975

Series II: Dillon Implement Company Legal, 1.0 linear foot, 1887-1971

Series III: Dillon Implement Company Stocks, 1.0 linear foot, 1886-1971

Series IV: Bond Grocery, 1 linear foot, undated

Series V: Bond Family Papers, 2.0 linear feet, 1929-1968

Series VI: Photographs, 1.0 linear foot, undated

Custodial History

The materials in this collection remained on the premises of the Dillon Implement Company until donation to the K. Ross Toole Archives.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Eldo Raph, 1986

Processing Note

The actions of the original processors are unknown. In 1998, the collection was extensively rearranged and re-described. Documents originally relegated to miscellaneous files were moved to specific series.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Agricultural machinery industry--Montana--Dillon
  • Business ventures--Montana--Dillon
  • Family-owned business enterprises--Montana--Dillon
  • Grain trade--Montana--Dillon
  • Grocery trade--Montana--Dillon
  • Hardware trade--Montana -- Dillon
  • Real estate business--Montana--Dillon
  • Retail trade--Montana--Dillon

Family Names

  • Bond family

Geographical Names

  • Dillon (Mont.)--Commerce

Form or Genre Terms

  • Business records--Montana--Dillon
  • Family papers--Montana--Dillon
  • Financial records--Montana--Dillon
  • Photographs--Montana--Dillon

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names

    • Bond Grocery Company (Dillon, Mont.)
    • Dillon Implement Company

Finding aid prepared by Lyn Miller
1998

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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