Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
A.J. Davidson and Company records, 1889-1897
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- A.J. Davidson Company (Butte, Mont.); A.J. Davidson Company (Helena, Mont.)
- Title
- A.J. Davidson and Company records
- Dates
- 1889-1897 (inclusive)18891897
- Quantity
- 2.5 linear feet
- Collection Number
- MC 305 (collection)
- Summary
- A.J. Davidson and Company was a Helena and Butte, Montana firm, dealing primarily in wagons, saddles, furs, and hay. This collection consists of business records (1889-1897), including sales books, ledgers, indexes to accounts, and a journal.
- Repository
-
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov - Access Restrictions
-
Collection open for research.
- 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
Absalem J. Davidson was born in Franklin County, Missouri, on August 13, 1843, the son of Samuel M. and America A. (Billups) Davidson. At the age of 20 he joined the gold rush to Idaho, arriving in Alder Gulch in November 1863. He cut timber and mined until 1865 when he moved to Helena and worked for a miners' supply store. In 1876 he opened a wagon and saddlery business in Helena. In December 1888 he incorporated the business as A.J. Davidson and Company, with a branch in Butte, managed by Napoleon B. Davidson, and minor branches in other towns. The business operated first on Last Chance Gulch and later on National Avenue. The business was sold at assignee's sale in August, 1897. For the next few years Davidson managed the Montana Hide Company, which had bought out his business. He was also involved in the Empire Cattle Company, was a partner in Porter-Davidson, a Helena real estate firm, and was vice president of the Merchants National Bank.
In addition to his business interests, Davidson was active in the Democratic Party, serving in the 1893 Legislature. He was a member of the state capitol building site commission and the State Board of World's Fair Managers. He was a founding member of the Helena Cemetery Association and served on the Helena Board of Trade.
Davidson married Sallie Davenport in 1874. They had three children: Olive, Elizabeth, and William. A.J. Davidson died on a business trip to Pocatello, Idaho, on October 24, 1909.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Collection consists exclusively of business records, including records for both the Butte store and the Helena store. Butte records include a cash book (1895-1897), a journal (1890-1897), a ledger (1895-1897) with index, and a sales journal (1896-1897). Helena records include a cash book (1895-1897) and a journal (1889-1897). In addition there is a "personal ledger" (1889-1897) which includes accounts all around the state and an index to an unidentified ledger.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.
Preferred Citation
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Arranged by series. Some material housed in Manuscript Volumes. See Location of Collection information above and inventory below for more information.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Financial RecordsReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Volume | ||
1 | Butte cash book |
1895-1897 |
2 | Butte journal |
1890-1897 |
3 | Butte ledger |
1895-1897 |
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | Butte ledger index |
1895-1897 |
Volume | ||
4 | Butte sales book |
1896-1897 |
5 | Helena cash book |
1895-1897 |
6 | Helena journal |
1889-1897 |
7 | Personal ledger (includes accounts from around the
state) |
1889-1897 |
Box/Folder | ||
1/2 | Personal ledger index |
1889-1897 |
1/3 | Index to unidentified ledger |
undated |
Organizational RecordsReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/4 | Articles of incorporation [photocopy] |
1888 |
MiscellanyReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/5 | Letterhead, advertisement of assignee's sale |
1897 and undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Saddlery--Montana--Butte
- Saddlery--Montana--Helena
- Wagons--Montana
Corporate Names
- A.J. Davidson and Company (creator)
Geographical Names
- Butte (Mont.)--Commerce
- Helena (Mont.)--Commerce