Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Grass Valley French Ditch Company Records, 1908-1934
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Grass Valley French Ditch Company
- Title
- Grass Valley French Ditch Company Records
- Dates
- 1908-1934 (inclusive)19081934
- Quantity
- 0.25 linear feet
- Collection Number
- Mss 467 (collection)
- Summary
- The Grass Valley French Ditch Company operated irrigation systems around Grass Valley and Frenchtown, Montana. The collection consists of correspondence and financial records from the company and personal papers of Joseph Dussault, a member of the Company and area resident.
- 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
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Grass Valley French Ditch Company was organized on November 22, 1901, in Frenchtown, Montana. The first meeting was held at the schoolhouse in Grass Valley. The original organizers included: John E. Cyr, Alex Jette, Joseph Dussault, Joseph Bouchard, and Gaspard Deschamps. Dussault was elected treasurer, Cyr was elected secretary, and Bouchard, vice president. The purpose of their organization was to create a dam, headgate, and ditch to the junction of the upper and lower Frenchtown Ditch.
Over the years, the Grass Valley French Ditch Company made a number of improvements to the ditch, including new equipment and improved methods for moss control. In 1976, the Grass Valley French Ditch Company was still owned and operated by its members.
Joseph Dussault was a member of the Grass Valley French Ditch Company for 20 years. He was born in Canada in October 1854. He came to the United States in 1873. He was interested in mining and owned property in Butte, Montana. He became a naturalized citizen in 1880 while living in Butte. Around 1894, Dussault moved to Grass Valley, Montana, where he obtained land from his father-in-law, Frank Premont.
Dussault married Mary Premont in Butte, Montana, on October 7, 1887. The couple had eight children: Henry, Arthur, George, Adelard, Edward, Mrs. Clara LaCasse and Mrs. Berthe Pinsonneault, and Mrs. Louise Lavioe. Dussault died on September 22, 1925 after a long bout with cancer. He is buried at the Frenchtown Cemetery.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection primarily contains financial records and correspondence from the Grass Valley French Ditch Company from 1908 to 1934. The collection also contains personal materials from Joseph Dussault, including letters, postcards, and religious items, many of which are in French, from 1908 to 1921
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 not transferred to The University of Montana.
Preferred Citation
[Name of document or photograph number], Grass Valley French Ditch Company Records, 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: Joseph Dussault, 0.1 linear feet, 1908-1921
Series II: Correspondence, 0.1 linear feet, 1917-1929
Series III: Financial Records, 0.1 linear feet, 1914-1934
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Joseph Dussault, 1908-1921Return to Top
The series contains personal materials related to Joseph Dussault. The series includes postcards and letters, many written in French, from Dussault's mother and sisters. The series contains numerous printed materials in French, including Catholic calendars and prayers, and memorial cards for Dussault from the Church of St. John the Baptist in Frenchtown, Montana.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | Personal |
1908-1921 |
Series II: Correspondence , 1917-1929Return to Top
The series contains incoming business correspondence from the Grass Valley French Ditch Company. The letters concern stocks, timber lands, and business promotions.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/2 | Correspondence |
1917-1929 |
Series III: Financial Records , 1914-1934Return to Top
The series contains financial records from the Grass Valley French Ditch Company, including receipts for livestock purchases, taxes, etc. It also includes checks and deposit slips from several Missoula banks, and a one volume ledger for the company from 1920 to 1925.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/3 | Financial Records |
1915-1934 |
1/4 | Financial Records, Checks,
Deposit Slips |
1914-1933 |
1/5 | Ledger |
1920-1925 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Canadian Americans--Montana--Frenchtown
- French Americans--Montana--Frenchtown
- Irrigation canals and flumes--Montana--Grass Valley
Corporate Names
- Grass Valley French Ditch (Mont.)
Form or Genre Terms
- Business records--Montana
- Personal papers--Montana
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Dussault, Joseph, 1854-1925