Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Edgar Samuel Paxson Commemorative Badge Collection, 1902-1920
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Paxson, E. S., 1852-1919
- Title
- Edgar Samuel Paxson Commemorative Badge Collection
- Dates
- 1902-1920 (inclusive)19021920
- Quantity
- 16 items
- Collection Number
- Mss 758
- Summary
- E. S. Pasxon's commemorative badges for annual meetings of groups including Montana Pioneers, USWV (United Spanish War Veterans), IOOF (International Order of Odd Fellows), BPOE (Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks), and M.S.S.A. (Montana State Sportsman's Association), as well as army artillery insignia pins, a Butte badge, an artist's palette-shaped pin, and a Cape Cod Pageant badge.
- 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
Edgar Samuel Paxson was born to a Quaker family in East Hamburg, New York, in 1852. His father, William Hamilton Paxson, had a carriage-building business. After attending the Friends' Institute school, Edgar entered his father's business, painting carriages and signs. In 1874 he married Laura Johnson, and the following year he set out for the West. Paxson worked for a stagecoach company, as a guide, and at other frontier jobs. In 1878 he brought his family to Deer Lodge, Montana, where he painted signs and scenery for theatrical backdrops. In 1881 they moved to Butte, where Paxson continued painting scenery but also established a studio and produced easel paintings of historical subjects and portraits of Indians. He is best known for the painting he titled "Custer's Last Fight."
In May 1898, Paxson's work was interrupted when he was mustered into the Army and sent to the Philippines for active service during the Spanish-American War. He returned home after a year.
Paxson exhibited paintings at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis in 1904, and the Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland in 1905, as well as other venues outside Montana. He moved to Missoula, Montana, in 1906. In 1911 he was commissioned to paint six scenes of Montana history for the Senate chambers at the Montana Capitol in Helena. The following year, he was commissioned to execute eight paintings for the Missoula County Courthouse. Edgar Paxson died November 9, 1919.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection consists of E. S. Pasxon's commemorative badges for annual meetings of groups including Montana Pioneers, USWV(United Spanish War Veterans), IOOF (International Order of Odd Fellows), BPOE (Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks), and M.S.S.A. (Montana State Sportsman's Association), as well as army artillery insignia pins, a Butte badge, an artist's palette-shaped pin, and a Cape Cod Pageant badge.
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.
Preferred Citation
[Name of document or photograph number], Edgar Samuel Paxson Commemorative Badge Collection, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Each badge with a fastener was fastened to a folder for organization and preservation. The badges without fasteners were placed in envelopes.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | Three badges with ribbons commemorating reunions of the USWV(United Spanish War Veterans) | 1914-1915 |
Microfilm | ||
1/1 | One badge with ribbon commemorating a Montana Pioneers annual meeting in Deer Lodge, Montana | 1912 |
1/2 | One badge with hanging attachment commemorating a Butte, Montana, July 4th celebration | 1912 |
1/2 | One badge with ribbon and hanging star commemorating an IOOF (International Order of Odd Fellows) meeting in Missoula, Montana | 1912 |
1/2 | One badge commemorating the Hellgate 333 BPOE (Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) at an annual meeting in Portland, Oregon | 1912 |
1/2 | One badge with ribbon and hanging attachment commemorating a tournament of the Montana State Sportsmen's Association in Anaconda, Montana | 1902 |
1/2 | One badge attachment hanging on ribbon commemorating a Montana Pioneers annual meeting in Missoula, Montana | 1922 |
1/2 | One badge celebrating Butte | undated |
1/3 | Three army artillery collar insignia | undated |
1/4 | One badge with ribbon commemorating a Montana Pioneers meeting in Deer Lodge, Montana | 1912 |
1/5 | One badge with ribbon commemorating a M.S.S.A. (Montana State Sportsman's Association) meeting in Deer Lodge, Montana | 1916 |
1/5 | Artist's palette-shaped pin inscribed with "E.S. Paxson," back pin missing | undated |
1/5 | One badge commemorating the Pageant of Cape Cod with leather strap attached | undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Pageants--Massachusetts--Cape Cod
Corporate Names
- Elks (Fraternal order)
- Independent Order of Odd Fellows
- Montana State Sportsman's Association
- Society of Montana Pioneers
- United Spanish War Veterans
Form or Genre Terms
- Badges