Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Biographical Note
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- Thomas Couch Estate
- Couch Family Ranch
- Deep Creek Ranch
- Goodman Coulee Ranch
- Estee (ST) Ranch
- Sun River Ranch
- Arvon Block
- Brelan Horse Company
- Fred Couch Ranch
- Couch Brothers Company
- Couch Investment Company
- Thomas Couch and J.H. Vivian
- Great Falls Automatic Telephone Company
- Montana Engineering Company
- Montana Independent Telephone Company
- Montana Telephone Company
- Stanton & Couch Ranch
- Names and Subjects
Thomas Couch Family Papers, 1889-1929
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Couch, Thomas, 1843-1902
- Title
- Thomas Couch Family Papers
- Dates
- 1889-1929 (inclusive)18891929
- Quantity
- 3.0 linear feet
- Collection Number
- Mss 222 (collection)
- Summary
- Thomas Couch was a Butte, Montana, miner and Great Falls, Montana, rancher. This collection includes financial records (1899-1914) and legal documents (1880-1929) from the Thomas Couch Estate, and the financial records (1909-1914) from the ranches his family owned.
- 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
Thomas Couch was born in Cornwall, England on December 29, 1843. He left England for the copper district of Lake Superior in the U.S. when he was 20 years old and soon thereafter continued onto California where he worked in the gold fields. He became prominent in mining circles of California, Utah and Nevada before moving to Butte, Montana, in 1883. In 1896 he resigned from the Boston and Montana Mining Co, and devoted more of his time to his ranching activities near Great Falls, Montana. Couch also owned the Brelan Horse Company, which raised stallions. He had bought the Robert Vaughn properties in 1898 and raised cattle and horses until his death on February 5, 1902. His sons carried on his agricultural enterprises, and several subdivisions and corporations were established to carry on the businesses. Those companies were Couch Brothers Company, Couch Investment Company, Couch & Vivian, Great Falls Automatic Telephone Company, Montana Engineering Company, Montana Independent Telephone Company, Montana Telephone Company, and Stanton & Couch.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection includes financial records (1899-1914) and legal documents (1880-1929) from the Thomas Couch Estate, and the financial records (1909-1914) from the ranches his family owned. The ranches are Deep Creek Ranch, Goodman Coulee Ranch, Estee (ST) Ranch, Sun River Ranch, Arvon Block and the Fred Couch Ranch. Couch also owned the Brelan Horse Company, which raised stallions. The financial records and pedigree ledger are included.
The second part of the collection began when the estate was terminated on June 30, 1909. Several subdivisions and corporations were established to carry on the businesses. Those companies were Couch Brothers Company, Couch Investment Company, Couch & Vivian, Great Falls Automatic Telephone Company, Montana Engineering Company, Montana Independent Telephone Company, Montana Telephone Company, and Stanton & Couch.
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], Thomas Couch Family 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 seventeen series:
Series I: Thomas Couch Estate, 0.5 linear feet, 1889-1929
Series II: Couch Family Ranch, 7 folders, 1902-1909
Series III: Deep Creek Ranch, 2 folders, 1909-1914
Series IV: Goodman Coulee Ranch, 2 folders, 1909-1914
Series V: Estee (ST) Ranch, 0.5 linear feet, 1907-1913
Series VI: Sun River Ranch, 3 folders, 1902-1914
Series VII: Arvon Block, 1 folder, 1912
Series VIII: Brelan Horse Company, 0.25 linear feet, 1890-1910
Series IX: Fred Couch Ranch, 1 folder, 1906-1907
Series X: Couch Brothers Company, 1.0 linear feet, 1909-1918
Series XI: Couch Investment Company, 9 folders, 1909-1914
Series XII: Thomas Couch and J.H. Vivian, 1 folder, 1914-1915
Series XIII: Great Falls Automatic Telephone Company, 5 folders, 1910-1913
Series XIV: Montana Engineering Company, 2 folders, 1910-1912
Series XV: Montana Independent Telephone Company, 1 folder, 1911
Series XVI: Montana Telephone Company, 1 folder, 1910-1911
Series XVII: Stanton & Couch Ranch, 1 folder, 1907-1914
Acquisition Information
This collection was purchased from Carmen D. Valentino Rare Books and Manuscripts, date unknown.
Processing Note
This collection was reorganized and re-described in 1997. During original processing folder materials were organized by originating business operation and bound volumes were physically separated from other collection materials. During reprocessing materials from each business operation were assigned a distinct series number and bound volumes were reintegrated into the series structure.
Related Materials
The Cascade County Historical Society in Great Falls, Montana, holds 8 linear feet of Couch family materials.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Thomas Couch Estate , 1889-1929Return to Top
This series includes financial records, consisting of documents from 1889 and 1902, bank account statements from 1905 to 1908, statements from 1907 to 1909, and trial balances from 1902 to 1909. Legal documents relating to the Thomas Couch estate and family members are also in the series. A journal and ledger book are included.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | Financial Records |
1889, 1902 |
| 1/2 | Financial Records, Bank Accounts
|
1905-1908 |
| 1/3 | Financial Records, Statements
|
1907-1909 |
| 1/4 | Financial Records, Trial Balance
|
1902 |
| 1/5 | Financial Records, Trial Balance
|
1905 |
| 1/6 | Financial Records, Trial Balance
|
1906 |
| 1/7 | Financial Records, Trial Balance
|
1907 |
| 1/8 | Financial Records, Trial Balance
|
1908 |
| 1/9 | Financial Records, Trial Balance
|
1909 |
| 1/10 | Legal Documents |
1880-1889 |
| 1/11 | Legal Documents |
1890-1899 |
| 1/12 | Legal Documents |
1900 |
| 1/13 | Legal Documents |
1902-1904 |
| 1/14 | Legal Documents |
1905-1906 |
| 1/15 | Legal Documents |
1907-1909 |
| 1/16 | Legal Documents |
1910 |
| 1/17 | Legal Documents |
1911-1912 |
| 1/18 | Legal Documents |
1913 |
| 1/19 | Legal Documents |
1915-1916 |
| 1/20 | Legal Documents |
1920-1929 |
| box-volume | ||
| 1/1 | Journal, Cash Account
Includes Couch Brothers Company
|
1907-1909 |
| 2/2 | Ledger |
1907-1909 |
Series II: Couch Family Ranch , 1902-1909Return to Top
This series includes Couch Family Ranch financial records from 1902 to 1909, and profit and loss records from 1907 to 1909.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2/1 | Financial records |
1902-1903 |
| 2/2 | Financial records |
1905 |
| 2/3 | Financial records |
1906 |
| 2/4 | Financial records |
1907 |
| 2/5 | Financial records |
1908 |
| 2/6 | Financial records |
1909 |
| 2/7 | Profit and Loss |
1907-1909 |
Series III: Deep Creek Ranch , 1909-1914Return to Top
This series includes Deep Creek Ranch financial records from 1909 to 1914 and payroll records from 1910.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2/8 | Payroll |
1910 |
| 2/9 | Financial Records |
1909-1914 |
Series IV: Goodman Coulee Ranch , 1909-1914Return to Top
This series includes Goodman Coulee Ranch financial records from 1909 to 1914 and payroll records of 1909.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2/10 | Payroll |
1910 |
| 2/11 | Financial Records |
1909-1914 |
Series V: Estee (ST) Ranch , 1907-1913Return to Top
This series includes Estee (ST) Ranch financial records from 1907 to 1913, payroll records from 1907 to 1911, a journal, and a ledger book.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2/12 | Payroll |
1907-1911 |
| 2/13 | Financial Records |
1907-1913 |
| box-volume | ||
| 3/7 | Journal |
1907-1912 |
| 3/8 | Ledger |
1907-1912 |
Series VI: Sun River Ranch , 1902-1914Return to Top
This series includes Sun River Ranch financial records from 1902 and 1909 to 1914, a map, and payroll records from 1907 to 1911.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/1 | Payroll |
1907-1911 |
| 3/2 | Map |
undated |
| 3/3 | Financial Records |
1902, 1909-1914 |
Series VII: Arvon Block , 1912Return to Top
This series consists of Arvon Block financial records of 1912.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/4 | Financial Records |
1912 |
Series VIII: Brelan Horse Company , 1890-1910Return to Top
This series includes Brelan Horse Company financial records from 1909 to 1910 and a ledger book of pedigrees of stock.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/5 | Financial Records |
1909-1910 |
| box-volume | ||
| 3/9 | Ledger, Pedigrees of stock
|
1890-1909 |
Series IX: Fred Couch Ranch , 1906-1907Return to Top
This series consists of Fred Couch Ranch financial records from 1906 to 1907.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/6 | Financial Records |
1906-1907 |
Series X: Couch Brothers Company , 1909-1918Return to Top
This series includes a Couch Brothers Company annual report (1910), profit and loss statements from 1909 to 1913, and trial balances from 1909 to 1914. The series also contains two journals and two ledger books.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 4/1 | Annual Report |
1910 |
| 4/2 | Profit and Loss |
1909-1913 |
| 4/3 | Trial Balance |
1909 (July-December) |
| 4/4 | Trial Balance |
1910 |
| 4/5 | Trial Balance |
1911 |
| 4/6 | Trial Balance |
1912 |
| 4/7 | Trial Balance |
1913 |
| 4/8 | Trial Balance |
1914 |
| box-volume | ||
| 4/3 | Journal, Cash Account
|
July, 1909-1912 |
| 5/4 | Ledger |
July, 1909-1912 |
| 5/5 | Journal, Cash Account
|
1912-1918 |
| 5/6 | Ledger |
1912-1918 |
Series XI: Couch Investment Company , 1909-1914Return to Top
The series includes a Couch Investment Company inventory from 1909 to 1911, payroll records of 1910, profit and loss from 1909 to 1913 and trial balance from 1909 to 1914.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 6/1 | Inventory |
1909-1911 |
| 6/2 | Payroll |
1910 |
| 6/3 | Profit and Loss |
1909-1913 |
| 6/4 | Trial Balance |
1909 |
| 6/5 | Trial Balance |
1910 |
| 6/6 | Trial Balance |
1911 |
| 6/7 | Trial Balance |
1912 |
| 6/8 | Trial Balance |
1913 |
| 6/9 | Trial Balance |
1914 |
Series XII: Thomas Couch and J.H. Vivian , 1914-1915Return to Top
The series consists of financial records from Thomas Couch and J.H. Vivian's joint ventures between 1914 and 1915.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 6/10 | Financial Records |
1914-1915 |
Series XIII: Great Falls Automatic Telephone Company , 1910-1913Return to Top
This series includes Great Falls Automatic Telephone Company financial records from 1910 to 1912, general correspondence from 1911 to 1913, and lists of stockholders.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 6/11 | Financial Records |
1910 |
| 6/12 | Financial Records |
1911 |
| 6/13 | Financial Records |
1912 |
| 6/14 | General Correspondence
|
1911-1913 |
| 6/15 | List of stockholders |
1911 |
Series XIV: Montana Engineering Company , 1910-1912Return to Top
This series includes Montana Engineering Company financial records from 1910 to 1912 and minutes of 1911.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 6/16 | Financial Records |
1910-1912 |
| 6/17 | Minutes |
1911 |
Series XV: Montana Independent Telephone Company , 1911Return to Top
The series consists of Montana Independent Telephone Company financial records of 1911.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 6/18 | Financial Records |
1911 |
Series XVI: Montana Telephone Company , 1910-1911Return to Top
The series consists of Montana Telephone Company financial records from 1910 to 1911.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 6/19 | Financial Records |
1910-1911 |
Series XVII: Stanton & Couch Ranch , 1907-1914Return to Top
The series consists of Stanton and Couch financial records from 1907 to 1914.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 6/20 | Financial Records |
1907-1914 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Buildings--Montana--Great Falls
- Construction industry--Montana--Great Falls
- Cornish--Montana
- Horses--Breeding--Montana
- Ranches--Montana
- Ranching--Montana
- Telephone companies--Montana
- Telephone companies--Montana--Great Falls
- Telephone companies--Montana--Stevensville
Personal Names
- Couch, Thomas, 1843-1902--Estate
Corporate Names
- Arvon Block (Great Falls, Mont.)
Family Names
- Couch family
Geographical Names
- Couch Family Ranch (Mont.)
- Deep Creek Ranch (Mont.)
- Estee Ranch (Mont.)
- Fred Couch Ranch (Mont.)
- Goodman Coulee Ranch (Mont.)
- Stanton & Couch Ranch
- Sun River Ranch (Mont.)
Form or Genre Terms
- Business records--Montana
- Estate records--Montana
- Family papers--Montana
Occupations
- Businessmen--Montana
- Horse breeders--Montana
- Ranchers--Montana
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Brelan Horse Company
- Couch & Vivian
- Couch Brothers Company (Great Falls, Mont.)
- Couch Investment Company
- Great Falls Automatic Telephone Company
- Montana Engineering Company
- Montana Independent Telephone Company
- Montana Telephone Company (Stevensville, Mont.)
Finding aid prepared by Jannie Prawitz
1997
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
