Henry M. Parchen records

Henry M. Parchen records, 1906-1927

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Parchen, H. M., (Henry M.), b. 1839.
Title: Henry M. Parchen records
Dates: 1906-1927 (inclusive)
19061927
Quantity: 6 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number: MC 334
Summary: Henry M. Parchen was involved in a wide variety of business in Helena, Montana. Collection includes personal papers, and records of the Parchen Drug Company, the Helena Cab Company, the Helena Motor Company, the Lakeview Land and Boating Company, and the Montana Phonograph Company.
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 is 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

Henry M. Parchen was born in Prussia on June 13, 1839, the youngest of four children of George and Mary Parchen. When Henry was nine, the family emigrated to the United States, first settling near Buffalo, New York. After attending business college in Buffalo, Henry moved first to Indiana in 1857 and then to Ohio in 1858. In 1862 he moved to Colorado, where he was a bookkeeper for a hotel in Denver, and then managed a hotel in Central City. Parchen traveled to Virginia City, Montana, in 1864. After working there briefly as a bookkeeper for Erfurt, Busch and Company, he opened a drug store in Helena with partners Dr. Wernigk and Louis Keysser. Parchen’s drug business gradually expanded, operating under the name Parchen and Painter, and then as H. M. Parchen and Company. He opened branch stores in several other towns. In 1893 the business was formally incorporated as the Parchen Drug Company.

In addition to his drug store business, Parchen invested widely in a variety of enterprises including the Helena Gas Company, the Electric Light and Street Railway Company, and numerous mines, smelters, ranches, and real estate. He also was connected with the Helena Cab Company, the Helena Motor Company, the Lakeview Land and Boating Company, and the Montana Phonograph Company, all of which are represented in this collection.

Henry M. Parchen was also active in politics. He served in the territorial legislature in 1881, and was elected three times as a Lewis and Clark County commissioner.

In 1872 he married Emma D’Acheul. The couple had four children: Adele, Henry G., Albert D. and Ruehling A. Henry G. was active in many of his father’s enterprises. Henry M. Parchen died October 6, 1925.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Records of the Parchen Drug Company are intermixed with personal records of Henry M. Parchen. Records include general correspondence (1917-1926) with family and with business associates; and financial records (1906-1922) including scattered bills and invoices, a cash book, a customer trial balance book, a journal, and ledgers.

Records of the Helena Cab Company consist of financial records (1910-1917), including a daybook, general ledgers, an inventory, a journal, and tax assessments; and organizational records (1910-1917), consisting of articles of incorporation, bylaws, and minutes.

Records of the Helena Motor Company consist of general correspondence (1917-1921) with automobile manufacturers, parts suppliers, and customers; and financial records (1917-1920) including a cash sales book, a general ledger, inventory sheets, invoices and statements from suppliers, a journal, and a voucher register.

Records of the Lakeview Land and Boating Company consist of minor correspondence (1906-1923); financial records (1906-1919), including account statements, a cash book, financial statements, and tax statements; organizational records (1906-1919) including constitution and bylaws, a minute book, and a stock transfer book.

Records of the Montana Phonograph Company consist of general correspondence (1921-1922, 1926-1927) primarily with businesses ordering Edison phonograph recordings; financial records (1910-1922) including cash books, journals, ledgers, and trial balance books.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The Montana Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

[item description and date]. Name of Collection. Collection Number. [box and folder number]. Montana Historical Society Research Center. Archives. Helena, Montana.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection is divided into five subgroups: Parchen Drug Company, Helena Cab Company, Helena Motor Company, Lakeview Land and Boat Company, and Montana Phonograph Company.

Location of Collection

16:1-5

Location of Collection

150:3-7 (Volumes)

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request.

Processing Note

Processed in 2007

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Parchen Drug Company , 1906-1926Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
	General Correspondence
Box/Folder
1 / 1	A-B (correspondents include Albany Chemical Company, American Thermos Bottle Company, C. H. Armitage, Automobile Club of Southern California, Bozeman-Norris Telephone Company, J. E. Bradley, Broadwater Hotel Company, D. B. Butterfield)	1921-1923
1 / 2	C-F (correspondents include Caird Engineering Works, California Packing Corporation, Carr Insurance and Realty Company, Chicago Spectacle House, Druggists Indemnity Exchange, Ernst and Ernst, First National Bank of Geraldine, Flathead Commercial Company, J. B. Ford Company)	1920-1922
1 / 3	G-J (correspondents include Gateway Drug Company; Great Northern Railway Company; W. A. Gregg Company; Margaret Hagan; Charles Harris; Helena Lodge #3 A. F. and A. M.; A. M. Holter Hardware Company; Hotel Virginia, Long Beach, Calif., includes brochures; John Hugel; S. V. Justus)	1917-1926
1 / 4	K-L (correspondents include Jacob Klein;, Mary A. Levings; Lewis and Clark County Trades and Labor Council; Liggett's International Limited, enclosing financial statement; G. D. Linn)	1921-1922
1 / 5	M (correspondents include McGinness Pharmacy, Memmen Company, Lillian G. Miller MD, Montana Deaconess School, Montana Phonograph Company, Montana Taxpayers' Association, Montana Wesleyan College)	1920-1926
1 / 6	N-O (correspondents include National City Company, National Orange Company, J. Porter Nelson, Northern Montana Association of Credit Men, Northwestern Druggist,)	1921-1922
1 / 7	Parchen family; Parchen Drug Company (correspondents include Parchen Drug Company, Henry M. Parchen, Henry G. Parchen, Adele Parchen)	1921-1922
1 / 8	P-R (correspondents include Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, Pony Drug Company, Mrs. F. H. Ray, J. G. Reinhard, Charles G. Reynolds, Bernard Rice's Sons, L. A. Robinson)	1921-1926
1 / 9	S-V (correspondents include J. D. Scanlan, Stanley Scearce, F. P. Shoemaker, Society of Montana Pioneers, J. H. Spray, E. R. Squibb and Sons, Stewart-Warner Speedometer Corporation, Success Magazine, Union Bank and Trust Company, U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Vanadium Chemical Company)	1918-1922
1 / 10	W-Y, unidentified (correspondents include Waldo Lake Irrigation and Power Company, James A. Wayne re Alameda Mining Company, Wells and Richardson Company, Western Foundry and Machine Works, Wilsall Pharmacy, World's Work , Jesse Yenne)	1918-1922
	Outgoing Correspondence
Box/Folder
1 / 11	Bound carbon copies	1917-1918
	Financial Records
Box/Folder
1 / 12-13	Bills and invoices: A-Z	1921-1922
Volume
1	Cash book	1915-1919
2	Customer trial balance book	1909
Box/Folder
1 / 14	Journal, personal	1906-1920
Volume
3	Ledger, General	1910-1921
4	Ledger, national suppliers	1910-1921
5-6	Ledger, Petty: A-Z	1910-1921
Box/Folder
1 / 15	Miscellaneous	1921-1922, undated
	Legal Documents
Box/Folder
1 / 16	Certificate of redemption of property sold for city taxes	1922
	Subject Files
Box/Folder
1 / 17	Bourbon Mining Company	1922
1 / 18	Montana Royalty (includes well production graph, list of stockholders)	1921
1 / 19	Southern California Edison Company investment	1921-1922
	Miscellany
Box/Folder
1 / 20	Fraternal, social, and professional memberships	1921-1922
1 / 21	State Boiler Inspector's certificate	1922

Helena Cab Company , 1912-1913Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
	General Correspondence
Box/Folder
2 / 1	Chronological	1917-1918
	Financial Records
Volume
7	Cash book and check register	1912-1913
Box/Folder
7	Daybook	1916-1917
2 / 3	Financial statements	1904-1915
2 / 4-5	General ledgers	1910-1916
2 / 6	Inventory	1915
2 / 7	Journal	1910-1917
2 / 8	Tax assessment	1913
	Organizational Records
Box/Folder
2 / 9	Bylaws	1913-1914
2 / 10	Record book (includes articles of incorporation, minutes, and some financial statements)	1903-1917

Helena Motor Company , 1917-1921Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
	General Correspondence
Box/Folder
3 / 1	A (correspondents include Aderholdt Manufacturing Company, Ajax Rubber Company, E. J. Alt, American bosch Magneto Company, American Photo Slide Company, Earle F. Angell)	1919-1920
3 / 2	B (correspondents include Bearings Service Company, Beneke and Krope Manufacturing Company, Bertram Motor Supply Company, Arthur C. Brown, E. H. Bunting, Butana Motor Company, Elmer Butzbach)	1919-1920
3 / 3-4	Chandler Motor Car Company	1919-1921
3 / 5	Cleveland Automobile Company	1919-1921
3 / 6	C (correspondents include Chandler and Cleveland Motor Car Company, Lewistown; Chanslor-Lyon Top Company; J. W. Chowning; Cleveland Motor Car Company, Butte; Collins Land Company)	1919-1921
3 / 7	Dodge Brothers Motor Cars	1917-1920
3 / 8	D (correspondents include Deem and Johnson, Leo Dupee, Elgin Motor Car Corp., Elling State Bank, Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, R. J. Flood)	1917-1920
3 / 9	B. F. Goodrich Rubber Company	1919-1920
3 / 10	G (correspondents include M. E. Gates, Gilfillan Brothers Smelting and Refining Company)	1917-1920
3 / 11	John Hugel	1920
3 / 12	H-K (correspondents include A. G. Hahn, Harold A. Hanson, Heavilin and Nicol, C. E. Hickenbotten, Johnson and Kleis, A. H. W. Krueger)	1919-1920
3 / 13	Longfellow Motor Sales Company	1919-1920
3 / 14	L (correspondents include Lance Manufacturing Company, Henry Lingshire, Don Longpre, Jack Lovings)	1919-1921
3 / 15-16	Master Trucks Inc.	1919-1921
3 / 17	Miller Rubber Company	1919-1920
3 / 18	M (correspondents include Marshall-Wells Company, Conway McAtee, McCullough-Turner Company, Michelin Tire Company, Oscar Milot, Montana Cadillac Company, Montana State Fair and Exposition, Montana Vulcanizing Company, Motorlife Manufacturing Company, Mountaineer Welders Supply Company, Mutual Oil Company)	1917-1921
3 / 19	N-P (correspondents include J. Porter Nelson, Northwestern Auto Supply Company, O. K. Transfer Company, Tom Penny Motor Company, T. C. Power Motor Car Company, Prentice Automobile Company, Prest-O-Lite Company)	1917-1921
3 / 20	R-S (correspondents include George L. Ramsey, Republic Motor Truck Company, Ruby Valley Vulcanizing Works, Silver Bow Motor Car Company, F. B. Stearns Company, Stewart-Warner Speedometer Corp.)	1917-1921
3 / 21	Chalmer Thomas	1921
3 / 22	T-Y (correspondents include Townsend Garage and Implement Company, P. J. Valiton, White and Bagley Company, White Company, Yankee Polish Company)	1917-1921
	Court Papers
Box/Folder
4 / 1	Garnishments	1919-1920
	Financial Records
Volume
8	Cash sales book	1917
Box/Folder
4 / 2	Daybook	1917
4 / 3	General ledger	1917-1919
4 / 4	Inventory	1919
4 / 5-7	Invoices and statements: Chandler Motor Car Company	1919-1920
4 / 8	Invoices and statements: Dodge Brothers	1917-1920
4 / 9	Invoices and statements: Master Trucks Inc.	1918-1920
4 / 10	Invoices and statements: A-W	1919
Volume
9	Journal	1917-1920
Box/Folder
4 / 11	Ledger balance	1919
Volume
10	Tire sales and inventory	1917
11	Voucher distribution	1917-1919
	Legal Documents
Box/Folder
3 / 12	Affidavit	1921
	Miscellany
Box/Folder
3 / 13	Parts list	1920, undated
3 / 14	Stock returned to Chandler Motor Car Company	1920
3 / 15	Miscellaneous (includes ads, price lists, etc.)	1919, undated

Lakeview Land and Boating Company , 1906-1923Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
	General Correspondence
Box/Folder
5 / 1	Chronological (correspondents include A. M. Holter, M. H. Geary, R. A. Harlow, Prickly Peak Hunt Club, August Pieper, Frank A. Teeples, Warren H. Lewis, C. G. Stubbs, John W. Pace, William Muth, H. M. Parchen, O. H. Munger, U. S. Internal Revenue Service)	1906-1923
	Financial Records
Box/Folder
5 / 2	Account statements: William Muth, T. C. Power	1906-1913
5 / 3	Bills and receipts	1906-1921
5 / 4	Cash book	1906-1913
5 / 5	Financial statements	1906-1911
5 / 6	Tax statements and returns	1913-1919
	Legal Documents
Box/Folder
5 / 7	Deeds and leases for land on Hauser Lake	1905-1917, undated
	Organizational Records
Box/Folder
5 / 8	Constitution and bylaws	undated
5 / 9	Minute book	1906-1919
5 / 10	Stock transfer journal and ledger	1906-1911
5 / 11	Miscellaneous (includes meeting notices, list of stockholders)	1906-1921

Montana Phonograph Company , 1910-1927Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
	General Correspondence
Box/Folder
6 / 1	B-W (correspondents include Bauer and Black, Thomas A. Edison Inc., Great Falls Phonograph Company, F. S. Martin, Retail Merchants Association of Montana, Wilsall Pharmacy)	1921-1922
6 / 2	G-I (correspondents include Lewis W. Geary, General Phonograph Corp., Mrs. H. L. Hamlett, Mrs. W. J. Hayes, George Hendra, Mrs. L. Hotan, H. W. Hultberg, Huxton Drug Company, Isdell Mercantile Company)	1926-1927
6 / 3	J-K (correspondents include C. A. Jermey, J. H. Johanns, A. H. Johnson, B. A. Johnson and Company, O. A. Johnson [Absorkee Drug Company], F. C. Kent Company, Kershaw's, and Paul Knaak)	1926
6 / 4	R. L. Jones Music Company	1926
6 / 5	George N. Latus	1926-1927
6 / 6	Lehman's Music Store	1926
6 / 7	John A. Longmaid (re possible purchase of the business)	1927
6 / 8	L (correspondents include Lawler Drug Company, Blanche L. Lee, Levander and Overby, C. M. Lindamood Music Company, Lindsay Helena, Line Drug Company, Anna Lynch, Mr. J. J. Lynch)	1926-1927
6 / 9	M (correspondents include Mahan's, Mansfield and Rambo, F. C. Martin, C. A. Matthews, Gabriel Merenz, Modern Pharmacy, Mary E. Murphy)	1926-1927
6 / 10	N (correspondents include New York Bazaar, R. T. Newland, Newport Drug Company, Northern Montana Association of Credit Men, Novelty Shop, Mrs. Joe Nugent)	1926-1927
6 / 11	Orvis Music Company (includes letters re proposal to sell business)	1926-1927
6 / 12	O (correspondents include O. H. Olson, Opheim Drug Company, Orton Brothers Music House, V. L. Osterholm, Owl Drug)	1926-1927
6 / 13	P (correspondents include Lou Parchen, Charles H. Patterson, J. R. Pavlicek, Thomas Pfohl, Plaza Music Company, Plentywood Drug, Pondera Drug Company, Potlatch Mercantile Company, C. D. Powell, Power Mercantile Company, Mrs. P. A. Printz, Proudfit Sporting Goods Company, Prudential Insurance Company, Pugliano Grocery Company)	1926
6 / 14	Red Cross Pharmacy (Kalispell, Mont., and Kendrick, Idaho)	1926
6 / 15	J. G. Reinhard	1926-1927
6 / 16	Walter P. Rowe	1926-1927
6 / 17	R (correspondents include H. E. Rakeman, Red Lodge Drug Company, Retail Merchants Association of Montana, L. S. Rich, Richard Drug Company, Roundup Drug Company)	1926
6 / 18	J. P. Stagg Hardware and Housefurnisher	1926
6 / 19	S (correspondents include Sande Drug Company, Martha Scheir, Albert Schlichting, George F. Schroeder, Scobey Drug Company, Mrs. C. H. Sherman, Sidney Drug Store, H. K. Sisson, Mrs. L. M. Somerville, Starbuck Drug Company, Strand's Jewelry Store, Symphonic Sales Corp.)	1926
6 / 20	Troy Drug Company	1926
6 / 21	T (correspondents include J. N. Talbott Drugs, Tanner and Best Company, Thielen Furniture Company, Tull and Gibbs)	1926
6 / 22	V (correspondents include Valier Mercantile Company, Valier Trading Company, Voss Brothers)	1926-1927
7 / 1	Wallace Piano Company	1926
7 / 2	J. F. Williams, Druggist	1926
7 / 3	W (correspondents include Wallace and Wier, Ward Thompson Paper Company, Lee Warren Drugs, Welch's Drug Store, K. H. Wood, Woodcock's City Drug)	1926
7 / 4	Y (correspondents include Yellowstone Pharmacy, Aili E. Yhnen)	1926-1927
	Court Papers
Box/Folder
7 / 5	Butte Phonograph Company bankruptcy, Ingel and Elsa Watterud bankruptcy	1926
	Financial Records
Box/Folder
7 / 6	Bills and invoices: A-S	1921-1922
7 / 7-9	Cash books	1910-1920
7 / 10-12	Day books	1920-1923
8 / 1	Inventory	1915-1917
8 / 2-3	Journals	1910-1918
9 / 1-2	Ledgers	1910-1918
10 / 1-2	Ledgers	1911-1917
10 / 3	Order book	1924-1925
10 / 4-5	Trial balance books	1911-1921
	Organizational Records
Box/Folder
10 / 6	Certificate of Co-partnership (from newspaper)	1921
	Miscellany
Box/Folder
10 / 7	Ads for Edison products	1917, 1926
10 / 8	List of Edison phonograph dealers in Montana	1916
10 / 9	Order cards for Edison records (in numerical order, includes brief description of songs, performers, or type of music)	1926

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