Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Frank L. Benepe Records, 1880-1893
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Benepe, Frank L., b. 1851
- Title
- Frank L. Benepe Records
- Dates
- 1880-189318801893
- Quantity
- 14.8 linear feet
- Collection Number
- Collection 630, MtBC, us (collection)
- Summary
- The Frank L. Benepe Records include business related documents and correspondence. Of particular interest are the papers regarding Benepe's business with the United States Geological Survey, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the United States army, including transactions with the post at Yellowstone National Park, Camp Sheridan.
- 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
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Frank L. Benepe came to Bozeman, Montana in 1877. After teaching for two years, he established the Benepe and Davidson Company in 1879. His first business venture, Benepe quickly became a primary supplier of agricultural implements and farm machinery for the entire region. By 1883, Benepe purchased John B. Davidson's interest in the business. The Bozeman Implement, Harness and Carriage Company was organized by Benepe in 1890. Two years later, the name was changed to Benepe-Owenhouse Company to reflect a partnership with E. J. Owenhouse. Other business interests included extensive grain operations throughout the Gallatin valley. By the end of the nineteenth century it is reported that Benepe bought and sold more grain than any other person in the county. His vast grain operations briefly included a controlling interest in the Belgrade Grain and Produce Company. Outside of his public business ventures, Benepe owned a large grain and stock ranch in Gallatin Valley and a stock farm in Bozeman where he raised Hereford cattle. Benepe served as mayor of Bozeman for two terms, served as a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and was the director of the Bozeman Silver Cornet Band throughout the late 1880s. In 1882 Benepe married Nettie Trent of Kansas. Together the couple had five children; Byron who died at 18 months, Frank L. Jr., Ellen E., Genevieve A., and Lucien.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection primarily includes business related documents and correspondence. Of particular interest are the papers regarding Benepe's business with the United States Geological Survey, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the United States army, including transactions with the post at Yellowstone National Park, Camp Sheridan. Throughout the years Benepe held various grain contracts and provided supplies to the before mentioned agencies.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Series 1 Correspondence, 1884-1891
Series 2 Legal Documents, 1885-1891
Series 3 Promotional Material, 1885-1890
Series 4 Government Documents, 1886-1891
Series 5 Financial Documents, 1880-1893
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series 1: Correspondence, 1884-1891Return to Top
This series is arranged in chronological order and primarily contains business correspondence. In this case, business correspondence denotes written orders for merchandise from any of the related Benepe businesses. Throughout the series invoices and receipts are occasionally found. These items are included in the series only when they pertain to a specific letter or order. Correspondence between Benepe and the government agencies can be found in Series 4.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | 1884 | |
1/2 | January-May 1885 | |
1/3 | June-July 1885 | |
1/4 | August-September 1885 | |
1/5 | October 1885 | |
1/6 | November 1885 | |
1/7 | December 1885 | |
2/1 | January-February 1886 | |
2/2 | March 1886 | |
2/3 | April-May 1886 | |
2/4 | June 1886 | |
2/5 | July 1886 | |
2/6 | August 1886 | |
2/7 | September 1886 | |
2/8 | October 1886 | |
2/9 | November 1886 | |
2/10 | December 1886 | |
3/1 | January 1887 | |
3/2 | February 1887 | |
3/3 | March 1887 | |
3/4 | April 1887 | |
3/5 | May 1887 | |
3/6 | June 1887 | |
3/7 | July 1887 | |
4/1 | August 1887 | |
4/2 | September 1887 | |
4/3 | October 1887 | |
4/4 | November 1887 | |
4/5 | December 1887 | |
5/1 | January 1888 | |
5/2 | February 1888 | |
5/3 | March 1888 | |
5/4 | April 1888 | |
5/5 | May 1888 | |
5/6 | June 1888 | |
6/1 | July 1888 | |
6/2 | August 1888 | |
6/3 | September 1888 | |
6/4 | October 1888 | |
7/1 | November 1888 | |
7/2 | December 1888 | |
7/3 | January 1889 | |
7/4 | February 1889 | |
8/1 | March 1889 | |
8/2 | April 1889 | |
8/3 | May 1889 | |
8/4 | June 1889 | |
9/1 | July 1889 | |
9/2 | August 1889 | |
9/3 | September 1889 | |
9/4 | October 1889 | |
9/5 | November 1889 | |
10/1 | December 1889 | |
10/2 | 1889 | |
10/3 | January 1890 | |
10/4 | February 1890 | |
10/5 | March 1890 | |
10/6 | April 1890 | |
10/7 | May 1890 | |
10/8 | June 1890 | |
10/9 | July-August 1890 | |
10/10 | September-October 1890 | |
10/11 | November-December 1890 | |
11/1 | 1891 | |
11/2 | January 1891 | |
11/3 | February 1891 | |
11/4 | March 1891 | |
11/5 | April 1891 | |
11/6 | May 1891 | |
11/7 | June 1891 | |
11/8 | July 1891 | |
11/9 | August 1891 | |
11/10 | September 1891 | |
11/11 | October 1891 | |
11/12 | November 1891 | |
11/13 | December 1891 | |
12/1 | Letter Press Book |
1887 |
12/2 | Letter Press Book, E. J. Owenhouse |
1888-1889 |
12/3 | Letter Press Book, Frank Benepe |
1888-1889 |
12/4 | Letter Press Book, Frank Benepe |
1887 |
Series 2: Legal Documents, 1885-1891Return to Top
This series contains insurance policies, city licenses, and other miscellaneous legal documents that include, but is not limited to, court papers and property deeds.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
13/1 | Legal Documents |
1885-1890 |
13/2 | Insurance Policies |
1889 |
13/3 | E. J. Owenhouse City Licenses |
1885-1891 |
Series 3: Promotional Material, 1885-1890Return to Top
Included are various advertisements and partial sale catalogs pertaining to merchandise sold through the various Benepe businesses. Also included in this series is a partial E. J. Owenhouse catalog of an unknown date. A complete version of this catalog is located in Special Collections at SF309.9.085.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
13/4 | Partial E. J. Owenhouse Catalog |
|
13/5 | Advertisements |
Series 4: Government Contracts, 1886-1891Return to Top
This series contains contracts, order requests and communications between the Benepe businesses and various government agencies. Included are the flour contract for the Blackfeet and Crow reservations (1886-1887), U.S. Geological Survey correspondence and merchandise requests, the Camp Sheridan (Yellowstone National Park) hay contract (1887-1888) and the 1886 Fort Ellis hay contract. The material of this series is arranged according to the specific agency or contract. For example, a folder may include the contract and all communications between Benepe and the government agents.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
14/1 | U.S. Geological Survey Correspondence |
1888-1891 |
14/2 | U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Flour Contract:
Blackfeet/Crow |
1886-1887 |
14/3 | Camp Sheridan (Wyoming) Hay Contract |
1887-1888 |
14/4 | Fort Ellis Hay Contract |
1886 |
Series 5: Financial Documents, 1880-1893Return to Top
Series 5 contains financial and business related documents. Included are invoices, receipts, day books, ledgers, scale record books, bank deposit books, store credit slips, and more. The boxes containing the title "Invoices/Receipts" reflect the original arrangement by Frank Benepe and all efforts were made to maintain his original order. Store charge slips do not have years attached to the dates and are filed accordingly. The series is arranged by document type.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
15/1 | Invoices/Receipts |
1880-1881 |
15/2 | Invoices/Receipts |
January-June 1882 |
15/3 | Invoices/Receipts |
July-December 1882 |
15/4 | Invoices/Receipts |
January-June 1883 |
15/5 | Invoices/Receipts |
July-December 1883 |
15/6 | Invoices/Receipts |
January-June 1884 |
15/7 | Invoices/Receipts |
July-December 1884 |
15/8 | Invoices/Receipts |
January-June 1885 |
15/9 | Invoices/Receipts |
July-December 1885 |
16/1 | Invoices/Receipts |
January 1886 |
16/2 | Invoices/Receipts |
February 1886 |
16/3 | Invoices/Receipts |
March 1886 |
16/4 | Invoices/Receipts |
April 1886 |
16/5 | Invoices/Receipts |
May 1886 |
16/6 | Invoices/Receipts |
June 1886 |
16/7 | Invoices/Receipts |
July 1886 |
16/8 | Invoices/Receipts |
August 1886 |
16/9 | Invoices/Receipts |
September 1886 |
16/10 | Invoices/Receipts |
October 1886 |
16/11 | Invoices/Receipts |
November 1886 |
16/12 | Invoices/Receipts |
December 1886 |
17/2 | Invoices/Receipts |
February 1887 |
17/3 | Invoices/Receipts |
March 1887 |
17/4 | Invoices/Receipts |
April 1887 |
17/5 | Invoices/Receipts |
May 1887 |
17/6 | Invoices/Receipts |
June 1887 |
17/7 | Invoices/Receipts |
July 1887 |
17/8 | Invoices/Receipts |
August 1887 |
17/9 | Invoices/Receipts |
September 1887 |
17/10 | Invoices/Receipts |
October 1887 |
17/11 | Invoices/Receipts |
November 1887 |
17/12 | Invoices/Receipts |
December 1887 |
18/1 | Invoices/Receipts |
January 1888 |
18/2 | Invoices/Receipts |
February 1888 |
18/3 | Invoices/Receipts |
March 1888 |
18/4 | Invoices/Receipts |
April 1888 |
18/5 | Invoices/Receipts |
May 1888 |
18/6 | Invoices/Receipts |
June 1888 |
18/7 | Invoices/Receipts |
July 1888 |
18/8 | Invoices/Receipts |
August 1888 |
18/9 | Invoices/Receipts |
September 1888 |
18/10 | Invoices/Receipts |
October 1888 |
18/11 | Invoices/Receipts |
November 1888 |
18/12 | Invoices/Receipts |
December 1888 |
19/1 | Invoices/Receipts |
January 1889 |
19/2 | Invoices/Receipts |
February 1889 |
19/3 | Invoices/Receipts |
March 1889 |
19/4 | Invoices/Receipts |
April 1889 |
19/5 | Invoices/Receipts |
May 1889 |
19/6 | Invoices/Receipts |
June 1889 |
19/7 | Invoices/Receipts |
July 1889 |
20/1 | Invoices/Receipts |
August 1889 |
20/2 | Invoices/Receipts |
September 1889 |
20/3 | Invoices/Receipts |
October 1889 |
20/4 | Invoices/Receipts |
November 1889 |
20/5 | Invoices/Receipts |
December 1889 |
20/6 | Invoices/Receipts |
January 1890 |
20/7 | Invoices/Receipts |
February 1890 |
20/8 | Invoices/Receipts |
March 1890 |
20/9 | Invoices/Receipts |
April 1890 |
20/10 | Invoices/Receipts |
May 1890 |
20/11 | Invoices/Receipts |
June 1890 |
20/12 | Invoices/Receipts |
July 1890 |
20/13 | Invoices/Receipts |
August-December 1890 |
21/1 | Invoices/Receipts |
January 1891 |
21/2 | Invoices/Receipts |
February 1891 |
21/3 | Invoices/Receipts |
March 1891 |
21/4 | Invoices/Receipts |
April 1891 |
21/5 | Invoices/Receipts |
May 1891 |
21/6 | Invoices/Receipts |
June 1891 |
21/7 | Invoices/Receipts |
July 1891 |
21/8 | Invoices/Receipts |
August 1891 |
21/9 | Invoices/Receipts |
September 1891 |
21/10 | Invoices/Receipts |
October 1891 |
21/11 | Invoices/Receipts |
November 1891 |
21/12 | Invoices/Receipts |
December 1891 |
21/13 | Invoices/Receipts |
1892-1893 |
21/14 | Invoices/Receipts |
undated |
22/1 | Store Charge Slips |
January |
22/2 | Store Charge Slips |
February |
22/3 | Store Charge Slips |
March |
22/4 | Store Charge Slips |
April |
22/5 | Store Charge Slips |
May |
22/6 | Store Charge Slips |
June |
22/7 | Store Charge Slips |
July |
22/8 | Store Charge Slips |
August |
22/9 | Store Charge Slips |
September-December |
23/1 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
March 7, 1887-November 1, 1889 |
23/2 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
January-June 1886 |
23/3 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
July-December 1886 |
23/4 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
January-June 1887 |
23/5 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
July-August 1887 |
23/6 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
September-October 1887 |
23/7 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
November-December 1887 |
23/8 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
January-June 1888 |
24/1 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
July-December 1888 |
24/2 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
January-July 1889 |
24/3 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
July-December 1889 |
24/4 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
1890 |
24/5 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
April-June 1891 |
24/6 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
July-December 1891 |
24/7 | Northern Pacific Shipping Receipts |
1892 |
25/1 | Bills of Lading |
1887 |
25/2 | Bills of Lading |
1888 |
25/3 | Bills of Lading |
1889 |
25/4 | Bills of Lading |
April 1892 |
25/5 | Bills of Lading |
May 1892 |
25/6 | Bills of Lading |
June 1892 |
25/7 | Bills of Lading |
July 1892 |
25/8 | Bills of Lading |
August 1892 |
25/9 | Bills of Lading |
September 1892 |
25/10 | Bills of Lading |
October 1892 |
25/11 | Bills of Lading |
November 1892 |
25/12 | Bills of Lading |
December 1892 |
25/13 | Bills of Lading |
January 1893 |
25/14 | Bills of Lading |
February 1893 |
25/15 | Bills of Lading |
March 1893 |
25/16 | Bills of Lading |
April 1893 |
26/1 | Canceled Checks |
1881 |
26/2 | Canceled Checks |
1882 |
26/3 | Canceled Checks |
1883 |
26/4 | Canceled Checks |
1884 |
26/5 | Canceled Checks |
February 1885 |
26/6 | Canceled Checks |
March 1885 |
26/7 | Canceled Checks |
May 1885 |
26/8 | Canceled Checks |
June 1885 |
26/9 | Canceled Checks |
July 1885 |
26/10 | Canceled Checks |
August 1885 |
26/11 | Canceled Checks |
September 1885 |
26/12 | Canceled Checks |
October 1885 |
26/13 | Canceled Checks |
November 1885 |
26/14 | Canceled Checks |
December 1885 |
27/1 | Canceled Checks |
January 1886 |
27/2 | Canceled Checks |
February 1886 |
27/3 | Canceled Checks |
March 1886 |
27/4 | Canceled Checks |
April 1886 |
27/5 | Canceled Checks |
May 1886 |
27/6 | Canceled Checks |
June 1886 |
27/7 | Canceled Checks |
July 1886 |
27/8 | Canceled Checks |
August 1886 |
27/9 | Canceled Checks |
September 1886 |
27/10 | Canceled Checks |
October 1886 |
27/11 | Canceled Checks |
November 1886 |
27/12 | Canceled Checks |
December 1886 |
27/13 | Canceled Checks |
January 1887 |
27/14 | Canceled Checks |
February 1887 |
27/15 | Canceled Checks |
March 1887 |
27/16 | Canceled Checks |
April 1887 |
27/17 | Canceled Checks |
June 1887 |
27/18 | Canceled Checks |
July 1887 |
28/1 | Canceled Checks |
August 1887 |
28/2 | Canceled Checks |
September 1887 |
28/3 | Canceled Checks |
October 1887 |
28/4 | Canceled Checks |
November 1887 |
28/5 | Canceled Checks |
December 1887 |
28/6 | Canceled Checks |
January 1888 |
28/7 | Canceled Checks |
February 1888 |
28/8 | Canceled Checks |
March 1888 |
28/9 | Canceled Checks |
April 1888 |
28/10 | Canceled Checks |
May 1888 |
28/11 | Canceled Checks |
June 1888 |
28/12 | Canceled Checks |
July 1888 |
28/13 | Canceled Checks |
August 1888 |
28/14 | Canceled Checks |
September 1888 |
28/15 | Canceled Checks |
October 1888 |
28/16 | Canceled Checks |
November 1888 |
29/1 | Check Stubs (Bound) |
March 1, 1884-March 18, 1885 |
29/2 | Check Stubs (Bound) |
March 30-November 11, 1885 |
29/3 | Check Stubs (Bound) |
May 6-June 19, 1886 |
29/4 | Check Stubs (Bound) |
December 22, 1886-March 14, 1887 |
29/5 | Check Stubs (Bound) |
May 5-September 17, 1887 |
29/6 | Check Stubs (Bound) |
September 19-November 26, 1887 |
29/7 | Check Stubs (Bound) |
November 26, 1887-January 26, 1888 |
29/8 | Check Stubs (Bound) |
January 27-May 11, 1888 |
30/1 | Check Stubs (Bound) |
May 11-August 10, 1888 |
30/2 | Check Stubs (Bound) |
August 11-November 14, 1888 |
30/3 | Check Stubs (Bound) |
September 3-December 30, 1890 |
30/4 | Bank Account Statement Books |
January 15, 1881-April 17, 1882 |
30/5 | Bank Account Statement Books |
April 27-December 1, 1883 |
30/6 | Bank Account Statement Books |
December 3, 1883-September 29, 1884 |
30/7 | Bank Account Statement Books |
October 1, 1885-September 1, 1886 |
30/8 | Bank Account Statement Books |
October 2, 1886-October 28, 1887 |
30/9 | Bank Account Statement Books |
November 1, 1887-August 30, 1888 |
31/1 | Scale Record Books |
July 5, 1882-November 20, 1882 |
31/2 | Scale Record Books |
November 22, 1882-January 30, 1883 |
31/3 | Scale Record Books |
January 30-May 17, 1883 |
31/4 | Scale Record Books |
September 21-November 22, 1883 |
31/5 | Scale Record Books |
November 23, 1883-March 6, 1884 |
31/6 | Scale Record Books |
March 10-August 2, 1884 |
31/7 | Scale Record Books |
August 4-December 13, 1884 |
31/8 | Scale Record Books |
December 15, 1884-June 9, 1885 |
31/9 | Scale Record Books |
June 12-September 30, 1885 |
31/10 | Scale Record Books |
October 1-December 31, 1885 |
32/1 | Scale Record Books |
January 1-March 3, 1886 |
32/2 | Scale Record Books |
November 11, 1885-January 27, 1886 |
32/3 | Scale Record Books |
January 27-May 6, 1886 |
32/4 | Scale Record Books |
May 6-August 7, 1886 |
32/5 | Scale Record Books |
August 9-October 1, 1886 |
32/6 | Scale Record Books |
October 1-November 23, 1886 |
32/7 | Scale Record Books |
January 10-September 22, 1887 |
32/8 | Scale Record Books |
November 23, 1886-March 3, 1887 |
32/9 | Scale Record Books |
March 4-September 1, 1887 |
32/10 | Scale Record Books |
September 2-October 7, 1887 |
32/11 | Scale Record Books |
October 27-November 8, 1887 |
33/1 | Scale Record Books |
November 8-November 23, 1887 |
33/2 | Scale Record Books |
November 23-December 17, 1987 |
33/3 | Scale Record Books |
September 22-December 15, 1887 |
33/4 | Scale Record Books |
December 17, 1887-January 18, 1888 |
33/5 | Scale Record Books |
December 15, 1887-May 21, 1888 |
33/6 | Scale Record Books |
January 19-May 23, 1888 |
33/7 | Scale Record Books |
May 22-September 22, 1888 |
33/8 | Scale Record Books |
May 23-October 9, 1888 |
33/9 | Scale Record Books |
September 22-November 8, 1888 |
33/10 | Scale Record Books |
October 9-November 8, 1888 |
34/1 | Scale Record Books |
November 7-December 31, 1888 |
34/2 | Scale Record Books |
November 8-December 12, 1888 |
34/3 | Scale Record Books |
December 31, 1888-February 23, 1889 |
34/4 | Scale Record Books |
December 12, 1888-March 3, 1889 |
34/5 | Scale Record Books |
February 23-May 13, 1889 |
34/6 | Scale Record Books |
March 4-August 5, 1889 |
34/7 | Scale Record Books |
May 13-August 15, 1889 |
34/8 | Scale Record Books |
August 6-October 10, 1889 |
34/9 | Scale Record Books |
August 5-October 10, 1889 |
35/1 | Scale Record Books |
October 10-November 25, 1889 |
35/2 | Scale Record Books |
November 25, 1889-January 25, 1890 |
35/3 | Scale Record Books |
January 25-May 12, 1890 |
35/4 | Scale Record Books |
May 12-August 1, 1890 |
35/5 | Scale Record Books |
August 1-October 17, 1890 |
35/6 | Scale Record Books |
October 17-November 15, 1890 |
35/7 | Scale Record Books |
November 15, 1890-February 6, 1891 |
36/1 | Deering and Company Papers/Contracts |
1884-1887 |
36/2 | Benepe Inventory/Trial Balance |
undated |
36/3 | Benepe Inventory/Trial Balance |
February 1887 |
36/4 | Benepe Inventory/Trial Balance |
March 1887 |
36/5 | Benepe Inventory/Trial Balance |
April 1887 |
36/6 | Benepe Balance Sheet |
January 1889 |
36/7 | Frost and Manderville Day Book, and Frank Benepe Day
Book |
1882-1883; 1887 |
37/1 | Day Book |
May-September 1886 |
37/2 | Day Book |
September 1887-January 1888 |
37/3 | Ledger |
1885-1887 |
37/4 | Benepe and Davidson Ledger |
1882-1883 |
38/1 | Cash Ledger |
October 1884-May 1885 |
38/2 | Cash Book |
1884-1886 |
38/3 | Elevator Ledger |
1891-1892 |
38/4 | Day Book |
October 1886-January 1887 |
38/5 | Day Book |
April 1885-October 1885 |
39/1 | Invoice/Receipt Book |
1883-1887 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Agricultural implement industry-Montana-Bozeman
- Businessmen-Montana-Bozeman
- Government contractors-Montana-Bozeman
- Grain trade-Montana-Bozeman
Corporate Names
- Geological Survey (U.S.)
- United States-Army-Supplies and stores
- United States-Bureau of Indian Affairs
Geographical Names
- Camp Sheridan (Wyo.)
- Yellowstone National Park
Form or Genre Terms
- Business records-Montana-Bozeman