Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Callister Family Papers, 1836-1965
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Callister family
- Title
- Callister Family Papers
- Dates
- 1836-1965 (inclusive)18361965
- Quantity
- 9 boxes, (6 linear feet)
- Collection Number
- UUS_COLL MSS 335
- Summary
- This collection contains correspondence, diaries, and other materials from the Callister family, dating from 1840 to 1965.
- Repository
-
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. was born on May 1, 1881, in Fillmore, Utah, the son of Thomas Clark Callister, Sr. and Alice Melissa McBride Callister. Clark, as he was called, had deep family roots in the community; his grandfather was one of the first Mormon bishops in Fillmore, and his father, who also served as bishop, worked as the county clerk, recorder, probate judge, and county superintendent for the schools of Millard County. In 1903 Clark graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Utah Agricultural College in Logan and accepted a job with the United States Reclamation Service before returning to Fillmore in 1906. There Clark married Millie Peterson and worked for several irrigation companies in Millard County, including the Sevier River Land and Water Company. He spearheaded the organization of the Pahvant irrigation district in 1917, which was responsible for the irrigation of thirty thousand acres in the vicinity of Fillmore and Holden.
In 1903 the Western Union Telegraph Company decided to discontinue service over the Deseret telegraph line, which served much of southern Utah including Millard and Juab Counties. Clark, with the help of his father, purchased the line and continued operating it, often at a loss in an effort to maintain telegraph communication in these areas. He served as manager of the company, the Millard County Telegraph and Telephone Company, as well as the manager and director of the People's Telephone Company. Clark also served two terms as the mayor of Fillmore from 1917 to 1920. Among his accomplishments were the construction of the town's first sidewalks, the installation of its first electric light system, and expansion of its water works. A resident of Fillmore for almost all of his life, Clark died there on August 31, 1967.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains papers pertaining to the Craig Callister family, dating from 1840 to 1965. The majority of this collection are papers from Thomas Clark Callister, Jr., though papers relating to other family members, such as Noble Peterson, Millie Peterson, and William Kropfli also appear. Materials from Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. include journals, items relating to the Millard County Telegraph and Telephone Company, and correspondence from his time as mayor of Fillmore, Utah. Papers from other relatives include journals, correspondence, financial records, and other personal documents. The last box in this collection contains a number of postcards, certificates, and letters written in other languages, mainly German. The documents appear to be connected to William Kropfli's ancestors.
The materials in boxes 1a through 1e were added to the collection in 2013. They mostly contain incoming and outgoing correspondence related to the Callister family, particularly Thomas Clark Jr., Millie Peterson Callister, and their children and relatives. In addition to the information these cards contain about the Callister family and their life in Millard County, they also provide excellent examples of early 20th century greeting cards. There are also several miscellaneous documents including several items related to local Millard County events, descriptions of home decorating in 1912, and movie advertisements for In Old Kentucky (1919), Dinty (1920), and Too Much Speed (1921). The last box holds several account books and diaries of T. Clark Callister, Jr. dating from 1909 to 1956. The correspondence is organized by recipient or sender, then date, when possible, and by holiday otherwise. The diaries are housed chronologically.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Callister Family Papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: Callister Family Papers USU_COLL MSS 335, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_COLL MSS 335, USUSCA.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Arranged by subject matter.
Processing Note
Processed in August of 2008
Acquisition Information
The original donation, which consisted of boxes 1 through 4, was given to USU Special Collections and Archives by Craig Callister in 1987. Boxes 1a through 1e were donated by Mattie Robison Callister Abrams Weber in 1999 and added to the collection in 2013.
Related Materials
Sevier River Land and Water Company Papers COLL MSS 334
West Side Telephone Company Stock Ledger, 1912—1918 (Bd Ms 50).
People's Telephone Company Stock Ledger (two volumes), 1911—1930 (Bd Ms 51).
Bibliography
Source:
Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. In History of Utah Since Statehood, v. 4 , edited by Noble Warrum, 574-576. Chicago: The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1919.Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Materials relating to Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. and the Callister Family, 1908-1958Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 1 | Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. biographical notes |
undated |
1 | 2 | Fillmore city business, Thomas Clark Callister, Jr., Mayor |
1917-1918 |
1 | 3 | Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. journal |
1939 |
1 | 4 | Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. Forest Service Journal |
1907 January-1908 March |
1 | 5 | Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. Forest Service Journal |
1908 April-October |
1 | 6 | "Elements of Drawing" by Thomas Clark Callister, Jr., Brigham Young Academy |
undated |
1 | 7 | Millard County High School Graduation Program |
1931 |
1 | 8 | Papers concerning the enlargement of the Delta-Melville Diversion Dam |
1958 |
1 | 9 | Deposit notices, Commercial Bank of Utah |
1956 |
1 | 10 | Ed Watson v. Deseret Irrigation Company, Abraham Irrigation Company, Mellville Irrigation Company, Piute Reservoir Irrigation Company, Central Utah Water Company, and Delta Canal Company |
undated |
1 | 11 | Telephone technician notes |
undated |
1 | 12 | "1929 Data", author unknown |
1929 |
1 | 13 | Telephone bill, Millard County Telegraph and Telephone Company to Texaco Service |
undated |
1a | 1 | Incoming cards to Mr. and Mrs. T. Clark Callister Jr. |
1904-1928 |
1a | 2 | Incoming cards to Mr. and Mrs. T. Clark Callister Jr. |
December 1930-December 21 1931 |
1a | 3 | Incoming cards to Mr. and Mrs. T. Clark Callister Jr. |
1931 December 22-December 25 |
1a | 4 | Incoming cards to Mr. and Mrs. T. Clark Callister Jr. |
1934 December-1936 |
1a | 5 | Incoming cards to Mr. T. Clark Callister Jr., |
1906-1931 |
1a | 6 | Incoming cards to Mr. T. Clark Callister Jr., |
undated |
1a | 7 | Incoming cards to Mrs. Millie Peterson Callister (wife of T. Clark Jr.) |
1903-1936 |
1a | 8 | Incoming cards to Mrs. Millie Peterson Callister (wife of T. Clark Jr.) |
undated |
1b | 1 | Incoming cards to Edith Callister (daughter) |
1908-1921 |
1b | 2 | Incoming cards to Edith Callister (daughter) |
undated |
1b | 3 | Incoming cards to Leland Callister |
1907 |
1b | 4 | Incoming cards to Rulon Callister |
undated |
1b | 5 | Incoming cards to Duane Callister |
1926-1931 |
1b | 6 | Incoming cards to Duane Callister |
undated |
1b | 7 | Incoming cards to Grant Callister |
undated |
1b | 8 | Incoming cards to Laura Callister (sister of T. Clark Jr.) |
1910 |
1b | 9 | Incoming cards to Laura Callister (sister of T. Clark Jr.) |
undated |
1b | 10 | Incoming card to Lanola Callister (sister of T. Clark Jr.) |
1910 |
1b | 11 | Incoming cards and letters to Adelaide Peterson (mother of Millie Callister) |
1933-1943 |
1b | 12 | Incoming cards to Adelaide Peterson (mother of Millie Callister) |
undated |
1b | 13 | Incoming cards to Mr. A Peterson |
1913 |
1b | 14 | Incoming postcard to Noble Peterson |
1915 |
1b | 15 | Incoming Christmas cards (likely to Callisters), signed |
1930 |
1c | 1 | Incoming Christmas cards (likely to Callisters), signed |
1930 |
1c | 2 | Incoming Christmas cards (likely to Callisters), signed |
1930 |
1c | 3 | Incoming cards for holidays (Valentine’s, Father’s Day, Birthdays), signed |
undated |
1c | 4 | Outgoing cards from T. Clark Jr. and Millie Callister |
undated |
1c | 5 | Outgoing cards from Rulon and Merlene Callister (wife) |
undated |
1c | 6 | Outgoing cards from Grant Callister |
undated |
1c | 7 | Outgoing cards from Duane and Edith (Stevens) Callister |
undated |
1c | 8 | Outgoing card from Adelaide Peterson |
1911 |
1c | 9 | Blank Christmas cards |
1920-1930 |
1c | 10 | Blank Christmas cards |
1920-1930 |
1c | 11 | Blank Valentine's Day cards |
undated |
1c | 12 | Unsigned Mother's Day card from Filmore Ward Sunday School |
1940 |
1d | 1 | Birthday postcards (blank) |
1910 |
1d | 2 | Well wishes postcards (blank) |
1910 |
1d | 3 | Traveler’s postcards (people and places, blank) |
1910 |
1d | 4 | New Year’s postcards (blank) |
1910 |
1d | 5 | Valentine’s postcards (blank) |
1905 |
1d | 6 | Easter postcards (blank) |
1910 |
1d | 7 | Thanksgiving postcards (blank) |
1910 |
1d | 8 | Christmas postcards (blank) |
1912 |
1d | 9 | Fillmore Sunday School benefit entertainment program |
undated |
1d | 10 | Colored Sketch of home decoration |
1912 |
1d | 11 | Entertainment advertisements |
1919-1921 |
1d | 12 | Annual announcement of the Millard County High School |
1927-1928 |
1d | 13 | Dance card for second annual Gold and Green Ball, Fillmore 1st Ward |
1928 |
1d | 14 | Miscellaneous: obituary of Adelaide Peterson, Scipio graduation ribbon, T. Clark Callister Jr. Engineer and Land Surveyor certificate |
undated |
1d | 15 | Peice of art, Millie Peterson |
1902 |
1d | 16 | Photograph of two unknown people |
undated |
1e | 1 | T. Clark Callister Jr. cash book and letters |
1936-1946 |
1e | 2 | T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books |
1905-1912 |
1e | 3 | T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books |
1913-1916 |
1e | 4 | T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books |
1937-1938 |
1e | 5 | T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books |
1940-1943 |
1e | 6 | T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books |
1945-1947 |
1e | 7 | T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books |
1948-1950 |
1e | 8 | T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books |
1951-1953 |
1e | 9 | T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books |
1954-1956 |
1e | 10 | T. Clark Callister Jr. account book |
1926 |
1e | 11 | Roslyn Ann Callister, childhood diary (coloring book) |
undated |
Materials relating to Noble Peterson, Millie Peterson, William Kropfli, and others, 1891-1916Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
2 | 1 | Noble Peterson 8th grade report card |
undated |
2 | 2 | Noble Peterson graduation program, Leland Stanford Junior University |
1916 |
2 | 3 | Noble Peterson deacon ordination certificate |
1908 |
2 | 4 | "The Land Policy of Thomas Hart Benton" by Noble Peterson |
undated |
2 | 5 | Notes from Noble Peterson's study of Thomas Hart Benton's land policy |
undated |
2 | 6 | Andrew Peterson checks and balance sheets, Deseret National Bank |
1893-1894 |
2 | 7 | Millie Peterson theology class notes, Brigham Young Academy |
1902 |
2 | 8 | William Kropfli tithing certificates |
1924-1933 |
2 | 9 | Warranty and bill of sale for Holstein dairy cow, William Kropfli |
undated |
2 | 10 | William Kropfli expense ledger |
1928-1933 |
2 | 11 | List of subscribers to Ismael, a newsletter by Albert Kropfli |
undated |
2 | 12 | Albert Kropfli, sealing of children to parents |
undated |
2 | 13 | Roy Dawn Rauger Forest Service Journal |
1907 April-October |
2 | 14 | Biography of Ann Hopkins by Sarah Cathrine Hopkins Thatcher |
undated |
2 | 15 | William J. Hopkins Patriarchal Blessing |
1904 February 5 |
2 | 16 | Book of Remembrance of Sarah Thomas Hopkins and son William Thomas Hopkins |
undated |
2 | 17 | "A Brief History of David R. Roberts and His Family, also of His Brothers, Daniel, John, and their Families" by Robert D. Roberts |
undated |
2 | 18 | Promissory Note for land sale between Moroni Jessop and Heber Shaffer |
undated |
2 | 19 | Missionary Call – Norah Tyler to North Idaho Falls |
1946 |
2 | 20 | Correspondence |
undated |
1: Millie Callister to Walker Bank and Trust Company |
1949 November 15 | ||
2: Utah Poultry Producers Cooperative Association to "Stockholder" |
1931 November 28 | ||
3: Hyrum S. Hulse to "Whom it may concern" |
1894 May 16 | ||
4: John P. Cardon to Hannah H. Kropfli |
1906 November 10 | ||
5: Albert Kropli to President Benjamin Harrison |
1891 August 8 | ||
6: O.L. Pruden, Assistant Secretary to President Harrison, to Albert Kropfli |
1891 August 18 | ||
7: J.M. Shaffer to Weber Shaffer |
1941 September 22 | ||
8: D.R. Roberts to "Cousin Caddie" |
1936 August 12 | ||
9: Walton A. Roberts to "Sister" |
1925 October 31 | ||
10: Committee Logan River Water Users Association to "Gentlemen" |
1931 March 26 | ||
2 | 21 | Postcards |
undated |
Oversized items, 1840-1965Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
3 | Item 1: Millard County Telegraph and Telephone Company payroll register |
1963-1965 |
3 | Item 2: Scrapbook |
1916-1932 |
3 | Item 3: Certificate for Edward Samuel Kropfli, Republic of Bern
Purpose unknown
|
1840 |
Foreign language documents, 1836-1868Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
4 | 1 | Skudsmaalsbog for Andreas Nielsen, probably from Denmark |
1867-1868 |
4 | 2 | Postcard to Edward Samuel Kropfli, Republic of Bern |
1840 |
4 | 3 | Certificate from the President of the Residency office of Bern, possibly a declaration of citizenship for Edward Kropfli |
1855 July 13 |
4 | 4 | Document written by a “public writer” (Carl Graa) |
1889 |
4 | 5 | Postcard to Edward Samuel Kropfli, Republic of Bern |
1840 |
4 | 6 | Certificate from a public writing company concerning Karoline Kropfli, probably EdwardÂ’s wife |
1881 January 8 |
4 | 7 | Certificate mentioning Edward Samuel Kropfli, Republic of Bern |
1836 |
4 | 8 | Letter addressed to Edward Samuel Kropfli, Republic of Bern |
1841 June 12 |
4 | 9 | Official postcard, Republic of Bern |
1840 November 14 |
4 | 10 | Official postcard, Republic of Bern |
1836 |
4 | 11 | Document written in Latin |
1836 November 3 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Personal Names
- Callister, Millie Adelaide Peterson, 1886-1980.
- Callister, Thomas Clark, 1852-1928.
- Callister, Thomas Clark, 1881-1967.
- Kropfli, William, 1907-1993.
- Peterson, Noble, 1895-1977.
Corporate Names
- Millard County Telegraph & Telephone Company--History--Sources.
- People's Telephone Company (Oak City, Utah)--History--Sources.
- Sevier River Land and Water Company--History--Sources.
Family Names
- Callister family.
Geographical Names
- Fillmore (Utah)--History--Sources.
- Juab County (Utah)--History--Sources.
- Millard County (Utah)--History--Sources.