Frances Gertrude White was born on July 24, 1881 in Willow Creek, Montana, as the daughter of a merchant. In July of 1901 Gertrude married Walter White; two years later their son Lester Roland White was born. Four years after Lester's birth, Walter and Gertrude were divorced. In 1910 she lived with her son Lester in Bozeman, Montana where she worked as dressmaker out of her home. During 1914-1922 Gertrude was a nurse and a midwife. Ten years later, she began working at Goy Good Store as a sales lady. She passed away on April 26 1965 and was buried in the Meadowview Cemetery in Manhattan, Montana.
The Gertrude White papers, 1916-1917 includes original handwritten letters, envelopes, and billing statements for Mrs. Gertrude White. The three handwritten letters in this collection include: one from a Mrs. J.L. Guthrie stating that she was expected to go into labor between March 2nd and the 12th in 1917 and she wanted Mrs. Gertrude to come and help with the delivery. This letter was dated February 2, 1917 in Manhattan, Montana. Then the second letter is from Lester White to his mother, Gertrude. The letter is dated February 18,1917 in Helena, Montana. The letter describes Lester's daily activities while at the children’s home in Helena Montana. Then the third letter is from Roxana Beck, Principle of Montana Deaconess School during 1917. Written on February 28, the letter informs Gertrude how Lester was doing and provides her with a billing statement in regard to Lester. The collection also includes multiple billing statements ranging from a shoe store to a statement from the children's home Lester was residing at and envelopes that either correspond with the letters or billing statements or were just kept by Gertrude.
This collection is open for research.
Original letters, billing statements, and envelopes sent to, and kept by Mrs. Gertrude White of Bozeman, Montana, were donated by the Museum of the Rockies of Bozeman, Montana to Montana State University Library March 1985.
This collection was processed 2018 May 17
Sales receipt for Mrs. Walter White
Envelope
Letter to Gertrude White February 2, 1917
Envelope
Billing statement addressed to Gertrude White, 1916
Letter to Gertrude White February 18, 1917
Envelope
Billing Statement addressed to Gertrude White, 1917
Envelope
Billing statement addressed to Gertrude White, 1917
Letter to Gertrude White February 28, 1917