The Dillon Implement Company was founded October 24, 1886, by Charles Reeder and O. E. Morse. Charles Phillips took over the business from his brother in 1910. When Phillips died in 1936, ownership of the Dillon Implement Co. was transferred to his grandson Phillip Bond, son of Hester and Eugene Bond. The Company, managed by Bert Megquier, was held in trust for Phillip until his return from World War II in 1946. Upon Phillip's return from the War, Eugene Bond sold his family business, Bond Grocery. Eugene Bond had assumed management of the grocery at the death of his father in 1920, despite holding a dentist's license and practice. After the sale of the grocery, Eugene joined Phillip at Dillon Implement.
The Dillon Implement Company was controlled by the Bond family until its sale in 1974. In that year, it was purchased by Joe Morstein and Jim Flynn who upon taking ownership, changed the name to D. I. Hardware.
The firm began as a machinery outlet and grain brokerage. The Dillon Implement Co.'s marketing region included the Ennis area, reached to Butte, and Bozeman, and extended into Idaho. During its early years, it also provided service to several mining towns that are no longer in existence. The Dillon Implement Co.'s. business ventures included selling farm machinery, wagons, harnesses, saddles, buying and selling feed grains and hay, as well as hardware and real estate. The Dillon Implement Co. also provided financing and mortgages for those who required aid in purchasing real estate and equipment. Eventually they expanded into the buggy and equipment repair business, which required the stocking of hardware for repairs. The store became an outlet for everything from rifles and horseshoes, to clocks and fabrics. Thirteen apartment rentals above the store also provided diversity to the company's business ventures. Part of the original Dillon Implement Co. building was rented out to the Forest Service and later in the 1940s to Safeway.
The collection consists of material generated by the Dillon Implement Co., Bond Grocery, and the Bond Family from 1886-1975. This collection includes financial records, correspondence, family records and photographs. The information in this collection presents an overview of Dillon as a growing rural community and illustrates the growth of a small family owned business in rural Montana.
The collection is divided into six series:
Series I: Dillon Implement Company Financial, 8.0 linear feet, 1911-1975
Series II: Dillon Implement Company Legal, 1.0 linear foot, 1887-1971
Series III: Dillon Implement Company Stocks, 1.0 linear foot, 1886-1971
Series IV: Bond Grocery, 1 linear foot, undated
Series V: Bond Family Papers, 2.0 linear feet, 1929-1968
Series VI: Photographs, 1.0 linear foot, undated
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.
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.
[Name of document or photograph number], Bond Family Papers, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections, The University of Montana--Missoula.
The materials in this collection remained on the premises of the Dillon Implement Company until donation to the K. Ross Toole Archives.
Gift of Eldo Raph, 1986
The actions of the original processors are unknown. In 1998, the collection was extensively rearranged and re-described. Documents originally relegated to miscellaneous files were moved to specific series.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
This series includes corporate and state tax returns for Dillon Implement Company, including Statement of Income and assessment and adjustment information. Some oversize tax documentation from this section and was placed in a box at the end of the collection. Payroll records are also included with withholding information, as well as workman's compensation filings. Financial information also includes accounts payable and receivable, and information regarding collections and bad debts. Extensive cashbooks are also a part of this series.
The series is arranged chronologically.
The series contains legal information on land, livestock, and leases owned and maintained by the Dillon Implement Company. Insurance documentation for coverage of the holdings of the Company is also part of this series.
Series is arranged chronologically.
Included in this series are an undated stock journal and the original stock certificate receipts from the Implement Company as well as some unused certificates. Documentation regarding the assignment of stock shares are also included in this series.
Series is arranged chronologically.
The information in this series includes advertisements for Bond Grocery as well as accounts payable and receivable. Also included in this series is information on the history of the Bond family.
Series is arranged by alphabetically.
This part of the collection includes personal information on Charles Phillips, and Eugene and Phillip Bond. Incorporated in this series is correspondence from varied sources to each individual. Also provided is a collection of letters sent by Phillip to the Bond family while he was stationed overseas during World War II. Individual state and federal income tax returns are included for both Eugene and Phillip. The Last Will and Testament of Charles Phillips is another part of this series, granting Phillip Bond a majority share in the Dillon Implement Company. The series also contains a patient list from Eugene Bond's dental practice, and varied speeches given by him regarding the sale of War Bonds. Included with Phillip's correspondence are varied military postcards as well as his baby book and a dance card from a prom.
Series is arranged in three subseries, then chronologically.
The photographs in this series portray both the Bond Family and Dillon Implement Company. The Implement Company is shown during several time periods. The majority of photographs representing the Bond family portray Eugene Bond's days in dentistry school. However, there are photographs of war-damaged cities sent to the family by Phillip Bond from his time overseas. Contained in this series are photographs of Dillon Implement Company as well as many photos sent by Phillip Bond when he was stationed overseas in Manila.