John S. Mendenhall Papers, 1857-1885

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Mendenhall, John S., b. 1835
Title
John S. Mendenhall Papers
Dates
1857-1885
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

Acquisition Information

Letters and business papers collected by or pertaining to John S. Mendenhall were donated to Special Collections by Mrs. Leah Mendenhall through Dr. Merrill G. Burlingame in December, 1971.

Processing Note

This collection was processed 2009 February 27

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

Kim Allen Scott, 2009
November 21, 2016

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