Francis Lyman Worden Papers, 1852-1940

This series contains typescripts of a letter from Francis L. Worden to an uncle and other documents presenting biographical information on the Worden family in Missoula. Among these documents are Francis L. Worden's commission as Missoula Post Master, an 1878 stage coach ticket, an invitation to Cina Worden's wedding, documents from Francis L. Worden's involvement with the Universalist congregation of Troy N.Y., newspaper clippings, a Missoula City Historical office report on the house Francis L. Worden built on Pine Street, and short biographical descriptions of the Worden family and descendents. This last sequence includes correspondence from Horace B. Worden encouraging his nieces and nephews to participate in documenting the contemporary generations of Worden family descendents as a contribution to Missoula's 75th anniversary celebrations.

This series contains correspondence records collected and generated by members of the Worden family, particularly Francis L. Worden. Correspondents include some of the most prominent political figures and business operations in the Pacific Northwest.

This series contains financial and legal documents generated by the Worden and Company. Materials include family insurance records, a limited sequence of business records from Francis L. Worden's activities prior to arriving in western Montana, location notices and personal contracts for financial investments outside of Worden and Company operations, and estate records for both C.P. Higgins and Francis L. Worden--including court records resulting from a challenge to Worden's will. These records provide insights into Worden family assets and relations.

This series contains a mix of professionally printed materials and handwritten documents. Materials detail some of the Worden family's social and business associates as well as reflecting their personal interests in Montana's political process and cultural history.

This series contains five volumes of outgoing correspondence from Worden and Company personnel to clients, suppliers, other mercantile operators, and political leaders. These materials provide insights into Worden and Company business practices, organizational structures, and operational adjustments in response to changing economic conditions, particularly the opening of Eddy, Hammond and Company's Front Street (Missoula, Montana) store in 1877.

This series contains legal documents generated by Worden and Company and related business ventures of Francis L. Worden and C.P. Higgins. Materials include the Missoula Load mining claim submitted by C.P. Higgins and other seminal Missoula businessmen, an extensive file of property indentures and real estate claims acquired by Worden and Company, and a sequence of stock representation proxy statements and power of attorney declarations--including several transferring business decision authority from Worden family members to Francis L. Worden's son, Frank L. Worden.

This series contains financial records generated by Worden and Company, Missoula, Montana, and direct subsidiaries of this business. The series includes 16 subseries of bound volumes ranging from general ledgers to daily transaction registers, from store inventories to federal requisition registers. The series also includes business insurance records, receipts issued by both Montana Territorial and State officials for supply requisitions, notes from store clients authorizing representatives to charge supplies on account, and Worden family stock certificates issued by the Murphy-Worden Mercantile Company--the direct successor to the Francis L. Worden and C.P. Higgins partnership. Subseries 2 includes a day book (volume 6A) that contains the first entries for the Worden and Company store at Hell Gate, Montana. These records detail the daily operational practices and long-term financial developments of Missoula's first general merchandiser.

This series contains financial records generated by Alex Dow, a businessman affiliated with the Worden family.

This series contains financial records generated by Arthur H. Ross, a businessman affiliated with the Worden family.

This series contains an account ledger generated by G.A. Baker, a general merchandiser who sold his business to the Worden family in 1876.

This series contains a general ledger generated by William G. Cooke and Company, a business affiliated with the Worden family.

This series contains an inventory record generated by Murphy-Greenough and Company, a grocery store successor to Worden and Company at the mercantile's original location.

This series contains an account ledger generated by Dilassus and Rice, a general store affiliated with the Worden family.

This series contains one bound volume of financial records from an unidentified business affiliated with the Worden Family. The business was a general merchandising operation and was likely located within an American Indian reservation in the Pacific Northwest.