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Asa L. Duncan Papers, 1886-1933

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Duncan, Asa L. (Asa Leland), 1857-1937
Title
Asa L. Duncan Papers
Dates
1886-1933 (inclusive)
Quantity
14.75 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 149 (collection)
Summary
Asa Duncan was an early settler and attorney in Missoula, Montana. The collection contains Asa Duncan's professional and personal correspondence, financial records, and State Statistical Agent correspondence when Duncan held the position. The collection also contains Missoula school district information including a 1909 school census record, and legal documents from Duncan's law firms.
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.
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Biographical Note

Asa L. Duncan was born in Hale Ford, Virginia, on September 10, 1857, to William E. and Sarah E. Duncan. Upon graduating from high school in 1876, Duncan taught public school for the next three years. In 1880, he entered the Virginia Military Institute, and graduated in 1883 with the rank of Captain. He taught at the Institute for two years and then decided to attend law school at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. In 1886, Duncan was admitted into the Virginia Bar Association. After studying law for a short time in Virginia, he moved to Missoula, Montana, in 1892. He practiced with Charles M. Crutchfield in Missoula until 1896 when he was elected Missoula County Attorney.

In 1898, Duncan was commissioned by the governor of Montana to serve as Captain of Company L., 1st Montana Infantry, W.S.V. during the Spanish-American War. He served in the Philippines until 1899, and in that same year was promoted to the rank of Major. In 1900, he was appointed Inspector General of the Montana National Guard.

On July 16, 1900, Duncan married Gertrude Hathaway. During that same year, he also returned to his law practice in Missoula. In 1912, he was elected to the judgeship for the Fourth Judicial District, holding that position until his retirement in 1937. Duncan died on July 9, 1937.

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Content Description

The collection contains Asa Duncan's professional and personal correspondence from 1895 to 1925, financial records, including account information and checkbook ledgers, from 1886 to 1933, and State Statistical Agent correspondence when Duncan held the position from 1911 to 1913. The collection also contains Missoula school district information including a 1909 school census record, and legal documents from Duncan's law firms from 1896 to 1927.

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Use of the Collection

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], Asa L. Duncan Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is divided into five series:

Series I: General Correspondence, 11 linear feet, 1895-1925

Series II: Financial Records, 3 linear feet, 1886-1933

Series III: State Statistical Agent Correspondence, 1 folder, 1911-1913

Series IV: Missoula School District, 2 folders, 1903 and 1909

Series V: Legal Documents, 0.75 linear feet, 1896-1927

Custodial History

Materials in this collection were held by several individuals under varying conditions until donation to the K. Ross Toole Archives.

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated to the archives in five increments. Nina Duncan donated three portions in 1980, 1990, and 1992; Mrs. Dennis Tate donated a portion in 1980; and Tracy O'Reilly donated the last increment in 1993.

Processing Note

The actions of the original processors are unknown. In 1998, all materials were combined from five separate collections (LC 147, LC 173, LC 180, and SC 233) into one integrated collection.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Agriculture--Montana--Statistics
  • Practice of law--Montana--Missoula
  • School census--Montana--Missoula
  • Schools--Montana--Missoula

Corporate Names

  • Montana. Dept. of Agriculture. State Statistical Agent

Form or Genre Terms

  • Personal papers--Montana--Missoula

Occupations

  • Government statisticians--Montana
  • Judges--Montana--Missoula
  • Lawyers--Montana--Missoula

Finding aid prepared by Jannie Prawitz
1998

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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