Railsback Family Correspondence, 1909-1923

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Railsback Family
Title
Railsback Family Correspondence
Dates
1909-1923 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.0 linear foot
Collection Number
Mss 627
Summary
This collection contains early correspondence between members of the Railsback family of Montana, the personal correspondence of Edna Railsback, and miscellaneous papers, clippings, and notes from 1909-1923.
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

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

The Railsbacks were an early ranching family from Billings, Montana. Edmund O. and Lucy Railsback were the parents of Jesse and Edna Railsback. Edmund was a former stockman who died in 1946 at the estimated age of 86. He resided in Billings from the 1890s until 1941. He spent the last 5 years of his life at the Masonic home in Helena. He had been active in Masonic lodges throughout most of his life. His wife, Lucy Railsback, an early school teacher in the Billings schools, died in 1926. Their daughter, Jessie Railsback, was a student at the University of Montana and a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She was a sophomore in 1914, when the majority of her letters were written. Edna lived in Billings during the years of this collection and also spent time in Illinois.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains early correspondence between members of the Railsback family, the personal correspondence of Edna Railsback, and miscellaneous papers, clippings, and notes from 1909-1923. Jessie Railsback’s letters home offer insight into early student life at the University of Montana, including dorm life and sorority membership. Correspondence to Edna Railsback from various friends and family covered general topics such as daily happenings or recent news

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

Letters from Jessie Railsback to family are most often addressed to Mrs. Edmund O. Railsback but some are addressed to Miss Edna Railsback, who apparently was living at home at the time. Most letters begin with “To Folks,” therefore they are all placed in the same category.

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 status unknown.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Railsback Family Correspondence, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is divided into three series:

Series I: Correspondence between Railsback family members, 1910-1914

Series II: Correspondence to Edna Railsback, 1909-1913

Series III: Miscellaneous, 1911-1923

Custodial History

Materials were held by Bard G. Middleton until he donated the papers in 2005

Acquisition Information

Gift of Bard G. Middleton, 2005

Processing Note

The processor organized the letters by recipient and chronology.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Correspondence between Railsback family members, 1910-1914Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
To Mrs. Edmund O. Railsback, from Jessie Railsback,
 August 11, 1910-January 28, 1914
1/2
To Mrs. Edmund O. Railsback, from Jessie Railsback,
January 29, 1914-February 13, 1914
1/3
To Mrs. Edmund O. Railsback, from Jessie Railsback,
 February 17, 1914-March 8, 1914
1/4
To Mrs. Edmund O. Railsback, from Jessie Railsback,
March 15, 1914-April 2, 1914
1/5
To Mrs. Edmund O. Railsback, from Jessie Railsback,
 April 4, 1914-May 2, 1914
1/6
To Mrs. Edmund O. Railsback, from Jessie Railsback,
May 6, 1914-May 27, 1914
1/7
To Mrs. Edmund O. Railsback, from Jessie Railsback,
 n.d.
1/8
To Mrs. Edmund O. Railsback, from Edna Railsback,
September 30, 1913-October 14, 1913 and undated
1/9
To Edna Railsback, from Mrs. Edmund O. Railsback,
March 19, 1914
1/10
To Jessie Railsback, from Edna Railsback,
October 19, 1911-October 7, 1913
1/11
To Edna Railsback, from Mrs. J.B. Smith
 1910-1911
1/12
To Edna Railsback, from Cousin Olive
 1911-1912

Series II:  Correspondence to Edna Railsback, 1909-1913Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/13
To Edna Railsback, from Annie Frank
 1910-1911
1/14
To Edna Railsback, from Fred
 1910-1911
1/15
To Edna Railsback, from Fred
 1911-1912
2/1
To Edna Railsback, from Edna Hoskins
 1909-1911
2/2
To Edna Railsback, from Edna Hoskins
 1911-1912
2/3
To Edna Railsback, from Brainard Mears
 1909-1910
2/4
To Edna Railsback, from Phyllis
 1910-1912
2/5
To Edna Railsback, from "Shorty"
 1909
2/6
To Edna Railsback, from Sic
 1910-1911
2/7
To Edna Railsback, from Hubert M. Turner
 1910-1912
2/8
To Edna Railsback, from Lillian W.
 1910-1912
2/9
To Edna Railsback, Miscellaneous
 May 18, 1906-November 13, 1910
2/10
To Edna Railsback, Miscellaneous
 December 19, 1910-May 27, 1911
2/11
To Edna Railsback, Miscellaneous
 August 24, 1911-May 1, 1912
2/12
To Edna Railsback, Miscellaneous
 June 19, 1912-June 10, 1913

Series III:  Miscellaneous, 1911-1923Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/13
Miscellaneous letters
 1911-1913
2/14
Miscellaneous papers, clipping, poem
 undated
2/15
Miscellaneous school notes
 undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Greek letter societies--Montana--Missoula
  • Women college students--Montana--Missoula--Correspondence

Personal Names

  • Railsback, Edmund, 1859-1946--Correspondence
  • Railsback, Edna L., b. 1888--Correspondence
  • Railsback, Jessie A., b.1884--Correspondence
  • Railsback, Lucy S., 1860-1926--Correspondence

Corporate Names

  • Kappa Kappa Gamma
  • State University of Montana (Missoula)--Students--Correspondence

Family Names

  • Railsback family

Form or Genre Terms

  • Family papers--Montana--Billings

Finding aid prepared by Robin Bick
2006

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