MTGMss038.xml Guide to the Arthur Trenerry Papers 1899-1969 Trenerry (Arthur) Papers Finding aid prepared by Jodi Allison-Bunnell and Jack Rowan (2004) Funding for creating this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula © 2004
The University of Montana—Missoula Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu
Finding aid encoded by Jodi Allison-Bunnell (2004) and ArchProteus (2006) Finding aid written in English Finding aid based on DACS Describing Archives: a Content Standard University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
The University of Montana—Missoula Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu
Mss 038 Trenerry, Arthur, 1881-1962 Arthur Trenerry Papers 1899-1969 19.0 linear feet 14 boxes, 51 oversize volumes, and 2 reel of microfilm This collection contains correspondence, financial, legal, organizational, photographic, and architectural records generated and collected by the Billings Brewing Company as well as personal records reflecting Arthur Trenerry's involvement with Billings, Montana, civic organizations. Materials are in English Biographical Note

Arthur Trenerry was born in Wales in 1881 and emigrated to Butte, Montana, with his parents in the late nineteenth century. He worked as a bookkeeper, then became manager of the Billings Brewing Company plant in Butte. He held the same position at the Billings plant from 1908 to 1915, when he became president of the Billings Brewing Company.

The Billings Brewing Company was founded in 1900 in Butte by Henry Mueller, Louis Best, and Philip Grein, and constructed a state-of-the-art brewery in Billings. The brewery marketed beer from the Wyoming border north to Lewistown, Montana, and from Livingston, Montana, east to the North Dakota border. It owned and operated several bars in Billings, as well as the Gage Hotel.

Trenerry enjoyed success as president until the Prohibition movement strengthened in the late 1910s, with strong anti-German sentiment fueling the movement in Montana. Prohibition went into effect in Montana in 1918. The brewery had to dispose of hundreds of gallons of beer and closed several bars that it owned in 1919.

The company changed its name to the Advance Manufacturing Company and produced Tip Top soda in the bottling house. Trenerry operated an insurance business and managed the brewery's properties. 1920s prosperity helped erase the considerable debts, and former bars were used as hardware stores, cafes, and other businesses including a brothel. He served two terms as mayor of Billings, in 1927 and 1929.

After repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Trenerry was determined to resume the brewing business. The brewery and its equipment needed many costly repairs. But in the meantime, legal and economic forces had given large East Coast-based corporations a distinct advantage, and small breweries could no longer compete. Sales of Old Fashion Beer, the brewery's signature product, were disappointing. Trenerry continued to sell beer to dealers who were seriously delinquent in their payments. World War II brought restrictions on necessary materials--metals, paper, and grain--and business declined further, only to take a leap after 1942. Throughout this period, Trenerry assured stockholders that business was fine, and continued to pay dividends. In 1948, sales fell again as corporate breweries built new plants throughout the nation, and by 1950, the loss for the year was more than $59,000. In the 1951 stockholder's meeting, Trenerry was demoted and replaced as president. The brewery introduced a new beer, Tap Beer, and no longer produced Old Fashion Beer. Still, it was unable to survive, and closed as a brewery later that year. The company continued its real estate business. Trenerry was bitter about the closure, and fought the new board of directors. He retained considerable stock in the company, which became profitable by returning to real estate.

Trenerry served as secretary-treasurer of the Montana state Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, served on the Billings Athletic Commission, and was secretary of the Billings Rod and Gun Club. He died in Billings in 1962 at the age of eighty-one.

This collection contains correspondence, financial, legal, organizational, photographic, and architectural records generated and collected by the Billings Brewing Company as well as personal records reflecting Arthur Trenerry's involvement with Billings, Montana civic organizations. Collection materials document procedures and finances within the brewing company; professional relationships with product distributors, industry representatives, other regional breweries, suppliers, elected officials, and government regulators; and the internal operations of several Billings civic groups during the first half of the 20th Century. These records provide insights into rural Montana brewing businesses preceding and following the Prohibition era, the Great Depression, World War II, and the dramatic economic and cultural transformation of the American west in the 1950s and 1960s. Additionally, collection materials document the early 20th century landscape of downtown Billings and civic group activities during the Great Depression and World War II.

The collection is arranged in three subgroups and sixteen series:

Subgroup 1: Billings Brewing Company

Series I: Correspondence

Series II: Clippings

Series III: Financial Records

Series IV: Legal Documents

Series V: Organization

Series VI: Printed Material

Series VII: Shoshone Bottling Works

Series VIII: Photographs

Subgroup 2: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (Montana)

Series IX: Correspondence

Series X: Clippings

Series XI: Financial and Legal

Series XII: Minutes

Series XIII: Reports

Series XIV: Printed Material

Subgroup 3: Other Community Interests

Series XV: Billings Athletic Commission

Series XVI: Billings Rod and Gun Club

Some portions of the financial records are available only on microfilm.

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], Arthur Trenerry Papers, Archives and Special Collections, The University of Montana-Missoula.

The board of directors of the Billings Brewing Company approved the gift of Trenerry's papers in 1969.

Gift of F. B. Slade, 1969.

The specific actions of the original processors was not documented. The collection was originally numbered LC 38 and named the Billings Brewing Company Papers. During 2004 reprocessing, the collection was re-numbered Mss 038, re-named the Arthur Trenerry Papers, distinct series were applied to collection materials, items were reorganized for consistent identification and access, and the full collection was extensively re-described.

David F. Slade. History of the Billings Brewing Company. MA Thesis, University of Montana, 1971

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.

Advance Manufacturing Company Billings Athletic Commission (Billings, Mont.) Billings Brewing Company Billings Rod and Gun Club (Billings, Mont.) Elks (Fraternal order) Billings (Mont.)--Economic conditions--20th century Billings (Mont.)--History Billings (Mont.)--Social life and customs Montana--Economic conditions--20th century Athletics--Montana -- Billings Breweries--Montana -- Billings Brewing industry--Montana --Billings Clubs--Montana -- Billings Community life--Montana --Billings Friendly societies -- Montana Hunting and fishing clubs --Montana--Billings Prohibition -- Montana Real estate business -- Montana--Billings Welsh Americans--Montana --Billings Business records -- Montana--Billings Montana Business, Industry, and Labor City and Town Life Sports and Recreation Businessmen--Montana --Billings Civic leaders--Montana --Billings Subgroup 1 Billings Brewing Company 1899-1969 4.25 linear feet, 51 oversize volumes, and 2 reels of microfilm

This subgroup contains correspondence, financial, legal, organizational, photographic, and architectural records generated and collected by the Billings Brewing Company preceding and following the Prohibition era, the Great Depression, World War II, and the dramatic economic and cultural transformation of the American west in the 1950s and 1960s.

 Series I Correspondence 1917-1952 2.25 linear feet

This series contains incoming, outgoing, and internal correspondence records regarding Billings Brewing Company operations including exchanges with clients, product distributors, industry representatives, other regional breweries, suppliers, elected officials, and government regulators.

 1/1 A-Z 1917 1/2 A-Z 1924 1/3 A-Z 1925 1/4 A-Z 1933 1/5 A-Z 1934 1/6 Mueller, Harry J. 1935 1/7 Tuchscherer, Arthur J. 1935 1/8 A-Z 1935 1/9 Mueller, Harry J. 1936 1/10 A-Z 1936 1/11 A-Z 1937 1/12 A-Z 1938 1/13 A 1939 1/14 B 1939 1/15 C 1939 1/16 D 1939 1/17 E 1939 1/18 F 1939 1/19 Gallatin Brewing Company 1939 1/20 Great Falls Brewing Company 1939 1/21 G 1939 1/22 H 1939 1/23 I 1939 1/24 J 1939 1/25 Kessler Brewing Company 1939 1/26 K 1939 1/27 L 1939 1/28 Missoula Brewing Company 1939 1/29 M 1939 2/1 N 1939 2/2 O 1939 2/3 P 1939 2/4 Q 1939 2/5 R 1939 2/6 S 1939 2/7 T 1939 2/8 U 1939 2/9 V 1939 2/10 W 1939 2/11 Y 1939 2/12 Unidentified 1939 2/13 A 1940 2/14 B 1940 2/15 C 1940 2/16 D 1940 2/17 E 1940 2/18 Ford, Sam C. 1940 2/19 F 1940 2/20 G 1940 2/21 Harwood, Ben 1940 2/22 H 1940 2/23 J 1940 2/24 K 1940 3/1 L 1940 3/2 Montana Implement and Hardware Association 1940 3/3 M 1940 3/4 N 1940 3/5 O 1940 3/6 P 1940 3/7 R 1940 3/8 S 1940 3/9 Tuchscherer, Arthur J. 1940 3/10 T 1940 3/11 U 1940 3/12 Volk Brewery 1940 3/13 V 1940 3/14 W 1940 3/15 Y 1940 3/16 Z 1940 3/17 Unidentified 1940 3/18 A 1941 3/19 B 1941 3/20 C 1941 4/1 D 1941 4/2 E 1941 4/3 F 1941 4/4 Great Falls Brewing Company 1941 4/5 G 1941 4/6 H 1941 4/7 J 1941 4/8 Kessler Brewing Company 1941 4/9 K 1941 4/10 L 1941 4/11 M 1941 4/12 N 1941 4/13 O 1941 4/14 P 1941 4/15 R 1941 4/16 S 1941 4/17 Tuchscherer, Arthur J. 1941 4/18 T 1941 4/19 U 1941 4/20 W 1941 4/21 Y 1941 4/22 Unidentified 1941 5/1 A-Z 1942 5/2 Unidentified 1942 5/3 A-Z 1943 5/4 Unidentified 1943 5/5 A-Z 1944 5/6 A-Z 1945 5/7 A-Z 1946 5/8 A-Z 1947 5/9 A-Z 1948 5/10 A-Z 1949 5/11 A-Z 1950 5/12 A-Z 1951 5/13 A-Z 1952 5/14 undated 5/15 Interoffice Company Correspondence 1939 5/16 Interoffice Company Correspondence 1940 Series II Clippings undated 1 folder

This series contains one folder of undated newspaper clippings regarding the Billings Brewing Company.

 5/17 Clippings, undated Series III Financial Records 1899-1968 1.25 linear feet, 48 oversize volumes, and 2 reels of microfilm

This series contains operating statements, auditor's reports, payroll records, daily transaction journals, account tracking volumes, sales records, expense reports, and brewery production reports generated by the Billings Brewing Company. These materials constitute an extensive record of regional brewery operations and markets in a rural state before and after the Prohibition era.

 5/18 Detached Records 1905 5/19 Operating Statements 1912 5/20 Operating Statements 1914 5/21 Operating Statements 1915 5/22 Operating Statements 1916 5/23 Operating Statements 1918 5/24 Operating Statements 1919 5/25 Operating Statements 1920 #1 Operating Statements 1921 5/26 Detached Records 1921 #1 Operating Statements 1922 #1 Operating Statements 1923 #1 Operating Statements 1924 #1 Operating Statements 1925 #1 Operating Statements 1926 #1 Operating Statements 1927 #1 Operating Statements 1928 #1 Operating Statements 1929 #1 Operating Statements 1930 #2 Auditor's Report 1933 5/27 Detached Records 1933 5/28 Operating Statements 1934 5/29 Detached Records 1934 #2 Auditor's Report 1935 5/30 Operating Statements 1935 5/31 Detached Records 1935 #2 Auditor's Report 1936 6/1 Detached Records 1936 #2 Auditor's Report 1937 6/2 Detached Records 1937 #2 Auditor's Report 1938 6/3 Operating Statements 1938 6/4 Detached Records 1938 #2 Auditor's Report 1939 6/5 Operating Statements 1939 6/6 Detached Records 1939 #2 Auditor's Report 1940 6/7 Operating Statements 1940 6/8 Detached Records 1940 #2 Auditor's Report 1941 6/9 Operating Statements 1941 6/10 Detached Records 1941 #2 Auditor's Report 1942 6/11 Operating Statements 1942 6/12 Detached Records 1942 #2 Auditor's Report 1943 #2 Auditor's Report 1944 #2 Auditor's Report 1945 #2 Auditor's Report 1946 #2 Auditor's Report 1947 #2 Auditor's Report 1948 #2 Auditor's Report 1949 #2 Auditor's Report 1950 6/13 Detached Records 1950 #2 Auditor's Report 1951 #2 Auditor's Report 1952 #2 Auditor's Report 1953 #2 Auditor's Report 1954 #2 Auditor's Report 1956 #2 Auditor's Report 1957 #2 Auditor's Report 1958 #2 Auditor's Report 1959 #2 Auditor's Report 1961 #2 Auditor's Report 1962 #2 Auditor's Report 1963 #2 Auditor's Report 1964 #2 Auditor's Report 1965 #2 Auditor's Report 1966 #2 Auditor's Report 1967 #2 Auditor's Report 1968 6/14 Specifications for Gage Hotel and Construction Reports 1917 and 1944 6/15 Payroll Records 1940 6/16 Payroll Records 1940-1941 7/1 Payroll Records 1941 7/2 Payroll Records 1941-1942 7/3 Payroll Records 1942 7/4 Payroll Records 1942-1944 7/5 Payroll Records 1944 7/6 Payroll Records 1944 1 Journal 1899-1900 1 Ledger 1900 2 Journal 1902-1905 3 Journal 1905-1909 4 Journal 1909-1912 5 Journal, Closing entries only 1921-1932 6 General Ledger 1901-1902 7 General Ledger 1902-1908 8 General Ledger 1908-1910 9 General Ledger 1910-1912 10 General Ledger 1912-1913 11 General Ledger 1914 12 General Ledger 1933-1935 13 General Ledger 1948-1952 14 Accounts Receivable Ledger 1900-1902 15 Accounts Receivable Ledger 1902-1905 16 Accounts Receivable Ledger (with Index) 1905-1909 17 Accounts Receivable Ledger 1909-1912 18 Accounts Receivable Ledger 1911-1913 19 Accounts Receivable Ledger 1913-1918 20 Accounts Receivable Ledger 1933-1934 21 Sales Journal 1899-1901 22 Sales Journal 1902-1906 23 Sales Journal 1906-1909 24 Sales Journal 1909-1912 25 Sales Journal 1912-1916 26 Sales Journal 1929-1942 27 Cash Journal 1902-1906 28 Cash Journal 1906-1910 29 Cash Journal 1910-1912 30 Cash Journal 1912-1916 31 Cash Journal 1916-1926 OS15/32 Cash Journal 1934-1937 OS15/33 Cash Journal 1943-1946 34 Expense Ledger 1915-1933 35 Check Register 1914-1932 OS15/36 Brewers' Record of Fermented Liquors Made 1914-1916 OS15/37 Brewers' Record of Fermented Liquors Made 1916-1918 OS15/38 Brewers' Record of Fermented Liquors Made 1918-1919 and June 1933 OS15/39 Record of Brewers Material Purchased 1916-1919 OS15/40 Record of Brewers Material Purchased 1933-1935 OS15/41 Brewer Record 1916-1917 OS15/42 Brewer Record 1917-1918 OS16/43 Brewer Record 1918-1918 OS16/44 Brewer Record 1933-1935 OS16/45 Brewer Record 1935-1936 OS16/46 Brewer Record 1936-1937 OS16/47 Brewer Record 1937-1938 OS16/48 Brewer Record 1938-1939 Series IV Legal Documents 1912-1952 0.25 linear feet

This series contains legal documents related to Billings Brewing Company operations. Materials predominantly consist of court and federal agency affidavits generated by government regulatory oversight, tax adjustment claims, and property descriptions.

 8/1 1912, 1925, 1931 8/2 1935 8/3 1938 8/4 1939 8/5 1940 8/6 1941 8/7 1942 8/8 1947 8/9 1948 8/10 1949 8/11 1950 8/12 1951 8/13 1952 Series V Organization 1900-1969 2 folders, 1 oversize volume, and 1 partial reel of microfilm

This series contains Board of Directors' meeting minutes generated by the Billings Brewing Company that provide extensive documentation of the workings of the company.

 8/14 Minutes 1941 8/15 Minutes 1951 #2 Minutes 1930-1969 OS16/49 Minutes 1900 OS15 Blueprints and Floor Plans for Brewery and Related Buildings undated Series VI Printed Material 1917-1951 0.5 linear feet

This series contains bottle labels generated by the Billings Brewing Company, journals and pamphlets from various brewing industry organizations, and pamphlets/minutes generated by Billings' City commissions that were of interest to Arthur Trenerry.

 8/17 Certificates of Label Approval 1944-1951 and undated 8/18 Labels undated 8/19 Brewing Industry Publications 1937 8/20 Brewing Industry Publications 1939 and undated 8/21 Brewing Industry Publications 1939 9/1 Brewing Industry Publications 1942-1943 9/2 Personal Interests 1917-1941 9/3 City of Billings, Committee Reports 1940-1941 Series VII Shoshone Bottling Works 1910-1915 2 oversize volumes

This series contains two financial volumes generated by Shoshone Bottling Works. The closing entry of the 1910 journal notes the Billings Brewing Company's purchase of the previously independent operation.

 50 Journal 1910 OS16/51 General and Accounts Receivable Ledger 1912-1915 Series VIII Photographs circa 1905-1940 11 items

This series contains eleven photographs of Billings Brewing Company buildings and departments from the first half of the 20th Century. These images document the growth of Billings Brewing Company operations and changes in downtown Billings neighborhoods.

 xx 70-0011 Billings Brewing Company Buildings, Billings, Montana circa 1910-1919 xx 70-0057 Bottling Department, Billings, Montana circa 1905 xx 70-0058 View of Montana Avenue, Billings, Montana, Billings Brewing Company and Northern Pacific Railroad Depot visible circa 1910 xx 70-0059 Billings Brewing Company Buildings, Billings, Montana circa 1910 xx 70-0060 Group of Men Gambling undated xx 70-0061 Interior of the Whiskey Gulch Saloon, unknown location undated xx 70-0062 Billings Brewing Company Sign, Billings, Montana 1940 xx 70-0063 Billings Brewing Company Buildings, Billings, Montana circa 1905 xx 70-0064 Bottling Department, Billings, Montana circa 1918 xx 81-0026 Billings Brewing Company Buildings, Billings, Montana circa 1915 xx 81-0027 Billings Brewing Company Buildings, Billings, Montana circa 1906 Subgroup 2 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (Montana) 1919-1950 2.0 linear feet

This subgroup contains correspondence, clippings, financial, legal, organizational, and printed materials from the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Montana. Most of the materials in this subgroup date to the 1940s when Arthur Trenerry served as an officer for the fraternal organization. Materials are predominantly linked to Trenerry's involvement with the Billings, Montana Elks chapter but also reflects his efforts as a state-wide leader.

 Series IX Correspondence 1940-1950 0.75 linear feet

This series contains Arthur Trenerry's correspondence files as a member and officer of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Materials include incoming and outgoing letters and detail both local and statewide organizational efforts.

 10/1 1940 10/2 1941 10/3 1942 10/4 1943 10/5 1944 10/6 1945 10/7 1946 10/8 1947 11/1 1948 11/2 1949 11/3 1950 Series X Clippings 1944-1948 1 folder

This series contains a small number of newspaper clippings regarding Montana activities of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

 11/4 1944-1948 Series XI Financial and Legal 1919-1946 3 folders

This series contains cash books, receipt books, and a detached legal document generated by the Billings Chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

 11/5 Cash Book 1919-1936 11/6 Receipt Books 1934-1946 11/7 Legal Document undated Series XII Minutes 1942-1950 0.5 linear feet

This series contains meeting minutes for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks' Billings Chapter and annual Montana conventions.

 11/8 1942 11/9 1943 12/1 1944 12/2 1945 12/3 1946 12/4 1947 12/5 1948 12/6 1950 Series XIII Reports 1941-1950 0.5 linear feet

This series contains financial and narrative reports generated for annual Montana conventions of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

 12/7 Convention 1941 12/8 Convention 1942 12/9 Convention 1943 12/10 Convention 1944 12/11 Convention 1945 12/12 Convention 1946 12/13 Convention 1947 13/1 Convention 1948 13/2 Convention 1949 13/3 Convention 1950 Series XIV Printed Material 1936-1950 0.25 linear feet

This series contains Billings Chapter delegate certificates, schloarship program entries, and general publications produced by both the Billings Chapter and the statewide organization.

 13/4 Delegate Certificates 1943 13/5 Delegate Certificates 1944 13/6 Delegate Certificates 1945 13/7 Delegate Certificates 1946 13/8 Delegate Certificates 1947 13/9 Delegate Certificates 1948 13/10 Scholarship Entries 1944-1945 13/11 General Publications 1936-1950 Subgroup 3 Other Community Interests 1935-1945 0.5 linear feet

This subgroup contains correspondence, financial, legal, and organizational records from several Billings, Montana civic organizations with which Arthur Trenerry was involved. These materials reflect Arthur Trenerry's diverse personal and professional interests.

Series XV Billings Athletic Commission 1938-1942 0.25 linear feet

This series contains correspondence and financial records generated by the Billings Athletic Commission (Montana). The Billings Athletic Commission managed the Billings Mustangs (Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds), sponsored public athletic events (such as rodeos), and managed several Billings-area public athletic facilities. Correspondence records document how the Commission and the Major League organization attempted to continue minor league baseball operations during World War II.

 13/12 General Correspondence 1941-1942 14/1 Financial Records 1938-1942 Series XVI Billings Rod and Gun Club 1935-1945 0.25 linear feet

This series contains correspondence, clippings, financial, legal, and organizational records generated by the Billings Rod and Gun Club.

 14/2 General Correspondence 1935, 1941-1945 14/3 Clippings 1938-1943 14/4 Financial Records 1941-1943 14/5 Legal Documents undated 14/6 Minutes 1941-1945 14/7 Membership Lists, Publications, and Issue Notifications 1941-1945