William Reed Bullard was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1837. After graduating from Harvard Medical School in 1860, he set up a medical practice in Indianapolis. At the start of the Civil War he served as a medical examiner of recruits for the Union Army. The following year he took charge of the hospital for Confederate prisoners at Fort Donelson. Dr. Bullard's work during the war and for the two succeeding years impaired his health. He moved west to Montana Territory in 1867 and got a job as an assayer for a mining company. His health somewhat improved and he returned to Indianapolis in 1868 to resume his practice. In 1870, Dr. Bullard returned to Helena, Montana, to take up a permanent residence. He immediately took an active role in the community, serving as a pension examiner, member of the Helena Board of Health, and trustee of the city library. In 1872, Dr. Bullard married Mary N. Gilman, daughter of pioneer Jefferson County Treasurer John C. Gilman. In December 1873, they had a twin son and daughter, John Gilman Bullard and Clara Gertrude Bullard. Dr. William Reed Bullard died February 16, 1890, in Helena.
The collection consists primarily of biographical material on Bullard, his wife, and his father-in-law John C. Gilman. Included are obituaries, marriage and baptismal certificates, two letters, and a listing of babies delivered by Dr. Bullard (1866-1887).
This collection is arranged into four series: Biographical Materials (1870-1920); General Correspondence (1866); Miscellaneous Correspondence (1867); and Miscellany (1866-1887).
Collection open for research.
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. The Library & Archives does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. Helena, Montana.
Acquisition information available upon request.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Montana Historical Society Archives catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search under these terms.
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection