Russell-Miller Milling Co. records, 1892-1957
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Russell-Miller Milling Co. (Minneapolis, Minn.)
- Title
- Russell-Miller Milling Co. records
- Dates
- 1892-1957 (inclusive)18921957
- Quantity
- 0.55 cubic feet (2 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 00372
- Summary
- The Russell-Miller Milling Company was a flour milling company on the banks of the Sheyenne River in Valley City, North Dakota. Collection contains corrspondence, newsletters, pamphlets, speeches, blueprints, photographs of the mill and personnel, and other miscellaneous materials about the company.
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
The Russell-Miller Milling Company was a flour milling company on the banks of the Sheyenne River in Valley City, North Dakota. Established in 1882 by John Russell and Arthur Miller, it was best known for its Occident brand of flour. The company expanded throughout North Dakota and Montana, and in 1908 moved its headquarters to Minneapolis, Minnesota. By 1957, it was the 4th largest flour milling business in the United States.
Content Description
The collection includes newsletters; pamphlets, primarily about the company's Occident brand of flour; speeches; blueprints; photographs of the mill and personnel; and other miscellaneous materials.
The business correspondence is primarily memos between Minneapolis and the mills in Grand Forks and Valley City, North Dakota concerning wheat and flour shipping weights and billing. Also included are letters pertaining to the construction of a fire door arch and fire sprinkler system; replies to a layman's questions about wheat and flour; and a report about the quality of several wheat varieties. Contracts for the construction of a steam engine, boilers, and fire sprinkler system, and for a land grant and railroad track addition are also included. The financial records contain a sample of payroll records; a summary of assets and liabilities of the Diamond Milling Company; and supply requisitions and purchases for the Valley City and Grand Forks, North Dakota, mills.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Restrictions on Use
Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in CollectionsThe American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.
Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Related Materials
There are no known other archival collections created by the Russell-Miller Milling Co. at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
The Russell-Miller Milling Company records were given to the American Heritage Center on May 28, 1957, by M.A. Lea, Controller and Treasurer of the Russell-Miller Milling Company. Small additions of photographs and a newsletter were made on August 7, 1957 and August 14, 1957. In Janaury 2024, Barbara Furstenberg donated further material to the collection.
Processing Note
The collection was processed by Elaine Heim in January 1994. The finding aid was encoded by D. Claudia Thompson in November 2020. The collection was updated by Brittany Heye in January 2026.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Description: Business Correspondence - Minneapolis, MinnesotaDates: 1910-1923Container: Box 1, Folder 1
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Description: Business Correspondence - Grand Forks, North DakotaDates: 1811-1917Container: Box 1, Folder 2
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Description: Business Correspondence - Valley City, North DakotaDates: 1899-1916Container: Box 1, Folder 3
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Description: Contracts - Grand Forks, North DakotaDates: 1892-1907Container: Box 1, Folder 4
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Description: Contracts - Valley City, North DakotaDates: 1913-1918Container: Box 1, Folder 5
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Description: Financial Records - Grand Forks, North DakotaDates: 1910-1911Container: Box 1, Folder 6
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Description: Financial Records - Valley City, North DakotaDates: 1896-1919Container: Box 1, Folder 7
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Description: Financial Records - MiscellaneousDates: 1901-1919Container: Box 1, Folder 8
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Description: Photocopies from Folders 1,2, and 6Dates: 1912-1922Container: Box 1, Folder 9
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Description: Notes on a Speech by H.S. Helm of 1928Dates: 1947Container: Box 1, Folder 10
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Description: Newsletter PublicationsDates: 1917-1957Container: Box 1, Folder 11
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Description: Pamphlets and Printed MaterialDates: 1906-1952Container: Box 1, Folder 12
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Description: ReprintsDates: 1917-1929Container: Box 1, Folder 13
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Description: Photographs - Valley City, North Dakota, mill and personnelDates: circa 1913Container: Box 1, Folder 14
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Description: Booklet - "The Photo-Method for Party Baking" by Virginia RobertsDates: 1947Container: Box 1, Folder 15
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Description: Blueprints of chimney and boiler proposals and sketch of one of the millsDates: circa 1911-1913Container: Box Oversize
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Feed industry -- Minnesota -- Minneapolis.
- Feed industry -- North Dakota -- Grand Forks.
- Feed industry -- North Dakota -- Valley City.
- Flour industry -- Minnesota -- Minneapolis.
- Flour industry -- North Dakota -- Grand Forks.
- Flour industry -- North Dakota -- Valley City.
- Grain -- Milling -- Minnesota -- Minneapolis.
- Grain -- Milling -- North Dakota -- Grand Forks.
- Grain -- Milling -- North Dakota -- Valley City.
Form or Genre Terms
- Blueprints.
- Photographs.
