Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Sam Pramenko Papers, 1895-1912
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Pramenko, Sam, d. 1912.
- Title
- Sam Pramenko Papers
- Dates
- 1895-1912 (inclusive)18951912
- Quantity
- 0.25 linear feet
- Collection Number
- Mss 279 (collection)
- Summary
- Sam Pramenko was a Serbian immigrant who lived in Anaconda, Montana, where he owned a grocery store. The collection contains business records and correspondence relating to the store.
- 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.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Sam Pramenko emigrated from Serbia in 1871 to join his brother in a grocery/saloon business in Hamilton, Nevada. The town was destroyed by fire, but the two brothers soon rebuilt their store in Eureka, Nevada. Sam sold out his share of the business in 1882 in order to relocate to the mining town of Butte, Montana. There he established a small restaurant. The following year he again sold his business and moved to nearby Anaconda, Montana, the site of the smelters for the Butte copper mines.
Sam opened a grocery store in Anaconda which quickly became successful. It specialized in fresh meats, oysters imported from the east, liquor, and cigars. Sam was an influential and well-respected member of the local community. For example, copper king Marcus Daly reportedly paid Sam Pramenko several thousands of dollars to sway votes during the capitol fight of 1894. A vote was taken to determine where the new state capitol would be located. Daly wanted it to be Anaconda, and needed the strong support of the townspeople. It was Sam's good nature and popularity, however, which eventually destroyed his business.
During the nine-month shutdown of the smelters in 1907-1908, Sam provided food to anyone requesting it on credit. With the community unable to repay what they borrowed during the Depression, Sam was forced out of business with a debt of over $100,000. Sam spent the last years of his life working in the smelters. One of Anaconda's early entrepreneurs died penniless in 1912.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains business records and general correspondence relating to Sam Pramenko's Anaconda, Montana, grocery store from 1895 to 1912. Included are business ledgers and a credit book used by Sam from 1895 to 1909. A letter written to Michael Pramenko, Sam's brother, is also part of this collection. A newspaper article from 1958 details Sam's life and contribution to the Anaconda community.
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], Sam Pramenko Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is divided into two series:
Series I: Business Records, 4 ledgers, 1895-1908
Series II: General Correspondence, 1 folder, 1912
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Business Records , 1895-1908Return to Top
This series contains a three business ledgers detailing Sam Pramenko's expenses and income. The first two large ledgers contain very detailed records of customer purchases and each have an index in the beginning which lists the ledger pages used for individual customers. This collection also contains a small credit book that Sam would have likely issued to his better customers. This series is arranged chronologically.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | Ledger |
1895-1907 |
| Box | ||
| OS1 | Ledger |
1904-1908 |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/2 | Ledger |
1905-1908 |
| 1/3 | Customer credit book |
undated |
Series II: General Correspondence , 1912Return to Top
This series contains a 1912 letter written to Sam Pramenko's brother, Michael, from a family friend. It discusses what might happen to the old store, which was rapidly deteriorating.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/4 | Letter |
1912 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Grocery trade--Montana--Anaconda
- Serbian Americans--Montana--Anaconda
Personal Names
- Pramenko, Michael--Correspondence
Form or Genre Terms
- Business records--Montana--Anaconda
Occupations
- Grocers--Montana--Anaconda
Finding aid prepared by Brendon
Cechovic
2000
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
