Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
John S. Mendenhall Papers, 1857-1885
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Mendenhall, John S., b. 1835
- Title
- John S. Mendenhall Papers
- Dates
- 1857-188518571885
- Quantity
- 1 folder
- Collection Number
- Collection 925, MtBC, us (collection)
- Summary
- The John S. Mendenhall Papers consist of letters, account statements, receipts, and other business papers collected by or pertaining to Mendenhall or his various merchandising operations. The subjects include: family news; social and business conditions in territorial Utah and Montana; Montana territorial politics. Places mentioned include Virginia City, Bannack, Gallatin City, and Bozeman, Montana. Letter writers include Dr. Achilles Lamme, Mary Susan Mendenhall, and Charles Ohle.
- Repository
-
Montana State University Library, Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections
Montana State University-Bozeman Library
Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
P.O. Box 173320
Bozeman, MT
59717-3320
Telephone: 4069944242
Fax: 4069942851
- Access Restrictions
-
This collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
John S. Mendenhall (1835-1896) was an early pioneer merchant of Bozeman, Montana. Born in Vevay, Indiana on October 18, 1835, Mendenhall travelled west to Levenworth Kansas in 1855 where he found work as a packer for the firm of Gilbert and Gerrish. Accompanying the firm to Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, Mendenhall worked as a clerk until 1857. During the next few years he engaged in a variety of merchandising occupations in the territory before moving to Fort Lemhi, Idaho in 1862. Mendenhall actively joined the rush to the gold country in present-day Montana, both as a prospector and merchant. He eventually settled in Bozeman, opening a general store in partnership with Dr. Achilles Lamme which he operated until his death on February 2, 1896. He married Mrs. Mary Susan Smith, widow of Major Robert Henry Smith, CSA, in 1870.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The John S. Mendenhall papers consist of letters, account statements, receipts, and other business papers collected by or pertaining to Mendenhall or his various merchandising operations. Letters include those written by friends, family, and business associates in California, Missouri, Utah, Indiana, and Montana. The subjects include: family news; social and business conditions in territorial Utah and Montana; Montana territorial politics. Places mentioned include Virginia City, Bannack, Gallatin City, and Bozeman, Montana. Letter writers include Dr. Achilles Lamme, Mary Susan Mendenhall, and Charles Ohle. The papers have been individually described in the following inventory and placed in chronological order. Unless otherwise indicated all letters are addressed to John S. Mendenhall, who is sometimes referred to as "Jack" by his associates.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Papers, 1857-1858Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/1
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: William T. Ray (New York, New York)
Advice and comments about shared experiences in Salt Lake City in the merchandising
business.
|
November 17, 1857 | |
2: George C. Eggleston (Richmond, Virginia)
Social life and friends.
|
June 13, 1858 | |
3: James Linforth (San Francisco, California)
Description of working conditions in stores in San Francisco and general lawlessness
both there and in Salt Lake.
|
November 24, 1858 | |
4: Andrew S. Kerr (St. Joseph, Missouri)
Heavy traffic West started especially to Pikes Peak.
|
December 16, 1858 | |
5: S.A. Gilbert (Weston, Missouri)
Personal and social affairs including girl friends.
|
December 30, 1858 |
Papers, 1859Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/2
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: Richard H. Hopkins (St. Louis, Missouri)
He tells of his trip East from California by the Panama route.
|
February 7, 1859 | |
2: D.H. Beck (Centerville, California)
He inquires about conditions in Utah, urging JSM to move to California.
|
February 17, 1859 | |
3: Livingston, Kinaeade and Company (Salt Lake City, Utah
Territory)
Business letter about payroll.
|
April 6, 1859 | |
4: S.A. Gilbert (Weston, Missouri)
Personal letter about people at home.
|
April 7, 1859 | |
5: "Charley" [Charles Ohle?] (Salt Lake City, Utah
Territory)
Business letter.
|
June 23, 1859 |
Papers, 1860Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/3
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: Richard H. Hopkins (St. Louis, Missouri)
Discusses the election of Lincoln and economic conditions in the West. Comments about
old friends.
|
January 3, 1860 | |
2: Humbolt Dragoon Expedition, account statement with
Livingston, Bell and Company
List of supplies totaling $2,737.
|
June 1860 | |
3: George W. Weidler (Salt Lake City, Utah
Territory)
Messages from his own office, liquor business, discussed.
|
July 21, 1860 | |
4: George W. Weidler (Salt Lake City, Utah
Territory) |
August 1, 1860 | |
5: J.M. Singleton (Camp Floyd, Utah
Territory)
Business instructions for the sutler.
|
August 19, 1860 | |
6: Livingston, Bell and Company (Camp Floyd, Utah
Territory)
Instructions to come in with the command.
|
August 28, 1860 | |
7: George W. Weidler (Salt Lake City, Utah
Territory)
Confidential changes in Livingston, Belle and Company.
|
August 21, 1860 | |
8: Ira N. Malin (Vevay, Indiana)
Answer to request to sell his property. (This cousin of JSM addresses the letter to
Salt Lake.)
|
September 1, 1860 | |
9: Ira N. Malin (Vevay, Indiana)
Reports terrible business conditions on the eve of recession. Cannot sell John's
house at a fair price.
|
December 2, 1860 |
Papers, 1861Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/4
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: P.W. McAdow (Weston, Missouri)
(First page missing.) Comments on political crisis and about friends.
|
circa January 1861 | |
2: A.J. Genn (Grasshopper Falls, Kansas)
Request for information about mutual friends around Salt Lake. The writer was married
and settled down.
|
February 3, 1861 | |
3: James Malin (Omaha, Nebraska)
He is leaving his business trading on the river to marry and settle down.
|
June 9, 1861 |
Papers, 1862Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/5
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: Charles Ohle (Salt Lake City, Utah
Territory)
Business letter about bill collection.
|
February 14, 1862 | |
2: Will P. Wright (Madison, Wisconsin)
Describes family and friends, as well as economic conditions and Lincoln's growing
popularity.
|
March 11, 1862 | |
3: Unknown (Carson City, Nevada)
Economic conditions and advice to stay in Utah (last page missing).
|
March 17, 1862 |
Papers, 1863Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/6
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: Receipt from Fred H. Burr for 31 oxen to be herded by
the Big Hole Ranch Company |
January 16, 1863 | |
2: "Sargent" (Gallatin, Montana) to Fred H.
Burr
Request for delivery of a horse.
|
February 23, 1863 | |
3: H.H. Lyon (Bannack, Montana) to Fred H.
Burr
Request for delivery of a horse.
|
March 19, 1863 | |
4: Receipt from E. C. Stickney acknowledging arrival of 8
oxen at Big Hole Ranch Company |
March 24, 1863 | |
5: Reciept from Fred H. Burr for $50 received from E. C.
Stickney |
April 2, 1863 | |
6: Reciept from E. C. Stickney for 4 head of cattle
received from Mendenhall and Company |
April 2, 1863 | |
7: E.C. Stickney (Bannack, Montana) to Burr and
Messinger
Instructions to deliver 1 yoke oxen to Ault and Jordan.
|
April 8, 1863 | |
8: Ledger account statement from Granville Stuart of
Husted and Stuart
Goods purchased by Mendenhall.
|
April 24, 1863 | |
9: Bill of sale from O. Farlin to John Mendenhall for 4
mules and a freight wagon |
October 12, 1863 |
Papers, 1864Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/7
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: P.W. McAdow
Request to pay S.B. House $45.
|
February 13, 1864 | |
2: Charles Ohle (New York, New York)
Reports on excitement about the Idaho mines. Predicts a great future for the Gallatin
where JSM settled and encourages him to acquire and hold Montana property especially
at Bannack and Highland Gulch. Comments about the mail service and war casualties
among his friends. Speaks of discussing Henry Plumer with his relatives and trying to
be tactful.
|
March 24, 1864 | |
3: Receipt from William H. Whitehall for $199.91 for the
account of John M. Wesley |
April 21, 1864 | |
4: Assay value report by O.H. Conger for ore of Charles
Ohle |
November 7, 1864 | |
5: Ledger account statement from Vaughn and
Parham |
December 1864 ; 1865 |
Papers, 1865Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/8
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: Request to pay Vaughn and Parham $38 signed by P.W.
McAdow and John B. Foster |
||
2: Ledger account statement from J.J. Roe and Company in
Virginia City |
March 30, 1865 | |
3: M. Alkinsin (Fort Benton, Montana
Territory)
At Ft. Benton. He was set afoot in Indian country by the Blackfeet and worked his way
back to Ft. Benton.
|
April 12, 1865 | |
4: James G. Smith (Virginia City, Montana
Territory)
He is asked to be Democratic candidate for county recorder and to get the Democratic
vote out.
|
August 9, 1865 | |
5: Ledger account statement from J.J. Roe and Company,
Virginia City, Montana Territory |
August 31, 1865 | |
6: Appointment as notary public signed by Thomas Francis
Meagher
At Virginia City, Montana Territory.
|
October 18, 1865 | |
7: David H. Hopkins (Virginia City, Montana
Territory)
Cover letter for the appointment above.
|
October 18, 1865 | |
8: Ledger account statement from J.J. Roe |
November 18, 1865 | |
9: Ledger account statement from J.J. Roe |
December 30, 1865 |
Papers, 1866Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/9
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: Ledger account statement from McCormick, Ohle and
Company of Virginia City, Montana Territory |
January 10, 1866 | |
2: Charles E. Smith (Bozeman, Montana
Territory) |
January 24, 1866 | |
3: McCormick, Ohle and Company (Virginia City, Montana
Territory)
Receipt for money and acknowledgement of an order.
|
January 31, 1866 | |
4: Tax receipt for Gallatin County |
February 6, 1866 | |
5: Charles Ohle of (Virginia City, Montana
Territory)
Business letter about merchandise and cattle sent to JSM.
|
February 23, 1866 | |
6: Wm. Wright, County Clerk (Gallatin City, Montana
Territory)
Duties of county clerks.
|
June 5, 1866 | |
7: Charles Ohle (Virginia City, Montana
Territory)
Business slow, smoking tobacco expensive.
|
June 5, 1866 | |
8: Ledger account statement from McCormick, Ohle and
Company, Virginia City, Montana Territory |
June 26, 1866 | |
9: Wm. M. Buchanan (Reynold's City, Elk
Creek)
He wants to locate his brother who went to the Yellowstone on a stampede.
|
October 11, 1866 | |
10: Charles Ohle (Virginia City, Montana
Territory)
List merchandise sent out.
|
October 22, 1866 | |
11: Quit claim for a mine from James Dewey
Filed in Gallatin County.
|
December 20, 1867 |
Papers, 1868-1869Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/10
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: Augustus Wright (Hallsville, Missouri) to Mrs. Sue
Smith
Warm personal letter.
|
January 10, 1868 | |
2: Farm contract between H.K. Coleman, D. Shively and
B.F. Bisel
Notarized by JSM.
|
February 29, 1868 | |
3: R.H. Hopkins (Salt Lake City, Utah
Territory)
The writer tried farming, didn't succeed, then went back into merchandising.
|
March 25, 1868 | |
4: J.R. Campbell (Gallatin City, Montana
Territory)
Ask employment for George Ross. He also asks his friend to support the Democrats.
|
July 14, 1869 | |
5: J.R. Royce, Sr. (Helena, Montana
Territory)
Shipped furniture and Lodge Jewels.
|
November 8, 1869 |
Papers, 1870-1872Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/11
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: James D. Malin (St. Louis, Missouri)
Personal letter from an old friend. Inquiries about spring trade outlook.
|
February 3, 1870 | |
2: Unknown (Helena, Montana Territory)
Incomplete business letters about the insurance business.
|
May 22, 1870 | |
3: James D. Malin (St. Louis, Missouri)
Business conditions excellent. Invitation to visit.
|
September 18, 1872 | |
4: H.G. Ryan (Chicago, Illinois)
Request to locate Maj. Wm. Graham.
|
October 13, 1872 |
Papers, 1873-1878Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/12
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: George D. Thomas (Gallatin City, Montana
Territory)
Request to handle a shipment of flour.
|
December 15, 1873 | |
2: Achilles Lamme (Jeffersonville,
[Missouri])
Reports on a buying trip on his river steam boat. Business was with JSM and N.
Story.
|
April 3, 1876 | |
3: Achilles Lamme (Chicago, Illinois)
Status of trade with the troops in the Yellowstone. Met Benteen and Terry.
|
March 20, 1877 | |
4: Achilles Lamme (Ft. Benton, Montana
Territory)
Had to change his plan to ship up the Yellowstone because of low water. Difficult
situation because freight wagon might have gone the wrong way.
|
May 22, 1877 | |
5: Sue Mendenhall (Bozeman, Montana
Territory)
She urges her husband who is camping out on the Yellowstone guarding merchandise to
come home soon .
|
June 23, 1878 | |
6: Sue Mendenhall (Bozeman, Montana
Territory)
She is still urging her husband to be careful of Indians and get home soon.
|
June 30, 1878 |
Papers, 1879-1885, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/13
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
1: Achilles Lamme (St. Louis, Missouri)
Tells of his wife's social life and his plans for trading goods off the
steamboat.
|
April 19, 1879 | |
2: Achilles Lamme (San Francisco, California)
Personal reactions to California. Attempt to settle a claim for goods thrown off the
"Queen Pacific." Enclosure about the claim dated December 21. 1885.
|
December 22, 1885 | |
3: J.M. Singleton
Request to forward official papers.
|
June 20 | |
4: Invitation to a cotillion at the home of James B.
Campbell in Gallatin City
cost $8.00
|
February 22 | |
5: Ledger account statement from Root and
Davis |
||
6: JSM goods sold H. Conner |
||
7: Shively, Bissel and Coleman - amount put into the
business |
Loose envelopes and engraving of John S. MendenhallReturn to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/14
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Businessmen-Montana
Personal Names
- Lamme, Achilles-Correspondence
- Mendenhall, Mary Susan-Correspondence
- Ohle, Charles-Correspondence
Geographical Names
- Bannack (Mont.)
- Bozeman (Mont.)
- California
- Gallatin City (Mont.)
- Indiana
- Missouri
- Montana-Economic conditions-19th century
- Montana-Politics and government-19th century
- Montana-Social conditions-19th century
- Utah-Economic conditions-19th century
- Utah-Social conditions-19th century
- Virginia City (Mont.)
Form or Genre Terms
- Business records-Montana
- Family papers-Montana