Thomas Grigg was born on Prince Edward Island, Canada on February 11, 1861. He attended school and studied medicine under his father on Prince Edward Island before studying at the University of Pennsylvania, where he specialized in eye, ear, nose, throat, and chest disorders. He graduated with high honors in 1887.
Grigg arrived in Butte in 1892, one of the earliest specialists in Montana. In addition to his medical practices, he developed an interest in mining and invested extensively in oil and mining properties. In 1915, Grigg helped form the Alberta Beaverhead Gas and Oil Company. His interests also extended into politics. In 1910, he was elected as alderman for Butte's Sixth Ward, an office he held for two terms. He died in 1932.
The materials in the Thomas A. Grigg papers primarily concern Grigg's mining and oil investements, which were in Silver Bow County, and his medical practice, which was in Butte, Montana. The materials include correspondence, tax documents, oil and mining leases, licenses related to his medical practice, court documents related to Grigg's dispensation of intoxicating liquors, records kept by Grigg documenting his practice of medicine, and ephemera and photographs. This collection also includes correspondence to Grigg's daughter, Joanna McCready, that includes a letter from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). The collection also includes a file of notes related to the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and its projects in Butte.
The Thomas A. Grigg papers are organized into 6 series:
Series I: Correspondence, 1901-1939, 0.1 linear feet
Series II: Financial records, 1894-1936, 0.1 linear feet
Series III: Legal records, 1891-1931, 0.1 linear feet
Series IV: Professional papers, 1917-1932, 0.1 linear feet
Series V: Ephemera, circa 1910-1937, undated, 2 folders
Series VI: Photographs, 1931 and undated, 1 folder
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.
[Name of document or photograph number], Thomas A. Grigg Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
Materials in the Thomas A. Grigg papers were acquired from Ray Howe of the World Museum of Mining (Butte, Montana) on December 3, 1968.
The materials in the Thomas A. Grigg papers were found in an order differing from the original guide, which was probably produced in the early 1970s, suggesting that the collection may have been reprocessed. This collection was reprocessed again in 2009 when the correspondence of Joanna McCready was separated out from the correspondence of her father, Thomas Grigg, and her notes were retitled "Joanna McCready notes" from its original title "W.P.A,." so as to make it clear that these notes are evidence of McCready's inovlvment in the Works Progess Administration, not Grigg's. Lastly, a series of miscellany was divided up to create a series of ephemera and a series of professional papers.
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 is primarily organized by subject and includes correspondence regarding Grigg's oil and mining leases, his taxes, and his medical practice, with a particular focus on his practice during prohibition. This series also contains correspondence to Joanna McCready, Grigg's daughter.
This series includes tax records for United States federal taxes, Montana state taxes, and Chelan County (Wash.) taxes. Also includes records related to Grigg's mining investments and his medical practice.
This series contains documents relating to Grigg's oil and mining investments, his medical practice, and his personal property. Specifically, this series includes oil and mining leases, official accusations leveled against Grigg as a businessman and doctor, permits allowing Grigg to prescribe alcohol, and lisences related to Grigg's medical practice.
This series includes Grigg's journals and logs tracking his treatment of patients, including a log tracking his prescription of intoxicating liquors and records of services and expenses.
Materials in this series include materials related to various clubs and activities in which Grigg participated, as well as notes taken by Joanna McCready for her work for the Works Progress Administration (WPA).