Patrick J. Brophy papers, 1897-1922
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Brophy, P. J. (Patrick J.), 1855-1928
- Title
- Patrick J. Brophy papers
- Dates
- 1897-1922 (inclusive)18971922
- Quantity
- 4 linear feet
- Collection Number
- MC 6
- Summary
- Patrick Brophy was a Butte, Montana, Wholesale and retails grocery dealer, with interests in mining development. The collection (1897-1922) consists primarily of letterpress volumes of outgoing correspondence and a stock certificate book. Brophy's letters discuss both his personal interests and investments, and those of his firm, P.J. Brophy and Co.
- Repository
-
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov - Access Restrictions
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Collection open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Biographical Note
Patrick J. Brophy was born in County Carlow, Ireland, on August 5, 1855, to Thomas and Johanna Walsh Brophy. One of nine children, he graduated from high school and became an apprentice in the mercantile business in Ireland, before coming to the United States in 1877 at the age of 22. Brophy first went to Chicago, and later moved to Evanston, Wyoming, where he worked for the firm of Beckwith, Quinn and Company for several years. He moved to Butte, Montana, in 1881. With George H. Casey as his partner, he operated a grocery store until 1888, when he formed his own company, dealing in both retail and wholesale groceries. He retired from active management of the grocery business in 1906, but continued to serve as president of the newly formed Brophy Grocery Company. Brophy had a strong interest in mining and pursued it more actively after his retirement. He was a member of the Butte school board, the Knights of Columbus, and the Butte Businessmen's Association. Brophy was also active in the Irish-American League. Brophy married Margaret D'Arcy of Joliet, Illinois, on January 24, 1893. Three children were born of their marriage: Thomas D'Arcy, John A., and Patrick, Jr. In 1902, Margaret D'Arcy Brophy died. Brophy later married Mary E. Ryan, a native of Butte. P.J. Brophy died December 11, 1928, in Butte.
Content Description
The twenty letterpress volumes of outgoing correspondence (1897-1922) contained in this collection are primarily concerned with the everyday transactions of Brophy's grocery business. In addition, the volumes contain personal letters, including one thanking F. Augustus Heinze for a contribution to the Irish-American League and several dealing with Brophy's efforts to establish a Thomas Meagher Memorial Fund. There are also letters describing conditions in Butte, and others discussing Brophy's mining claims as well as a stock certificate book for the Brophy Grocery.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
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.
Preferred Citation
item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. Helena, Montana.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into three series: Outgoing Correspondence (1897-1921); Incoming Correspondence (1897-1918); and Financial Records (1902-1922).
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection
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Outgoing Correspondence
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: October 1897-March 1898Container: Box/Folder 1 / 1
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: March-November 1898Container: Box/Folder 1 / 2
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: November 1898- May 1899Container: Box/Folder 2 / 1
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: May-November 1899Container: Box/Folder 2 / 2
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: November 1899- June 1900Container: Box/Folder 3 / 1
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: June 1900- January 1901Container: Box/Folder 3 / 2
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: January-July 1901Container: Box/Folder 4 / 1
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: July 1901- January 1902Container: Box/Folder 4 / 2
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: January-August 1902Container: Box/Folder 5 / 1
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: August 1902- April 1903Container: Box/Folder 5 / 2
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: April 1903- February 1904Container: Box/Folder 6 / 1
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: February-November 1904Container: Box/Folder 6 / 2
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: November 1904- November 1905Container: Box/Folder 7 / 1
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: November 1905- October 1906Container: Box/Folder 7 / 2
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: October 1906- October 1908Container: Box/Folder 8 / 1
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: October 1908- March 1910Container: Box/Folder 8 / 2
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: March 1910- April 1913Container: Box/Folder 8 / 3
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: April 1913- August 1915Container: Box/Folder 9 / 1
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: August 1915- July 1917Container: Box/Folder 9 / 2
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Description: Letterpress volume (includes index)Dates: July 1917- August 1921Container: Box/Folder 9 / 3
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Description: MiscellaneousDates: 1908-1917Container: Box/Folder 9 / 4
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Incoming Correspondence
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Description: MiscellaneousDates: 1899-1918Container: Box/Folder 9 / 5
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Financial Records
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Description: MiscellaneousDates: 1902-1906Container: Box/Folder 9 / 6
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Description: Stock Certificate BookDates: 1906-1922Container: Box/Folder 10 / 1
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Grocery trade--Montana
- Irish Americans--Montana
- Mines and mineral resources--Montana--Lincoln County
- School boards--Montana
- Wholesale trade--Montana
Personal Names
- Brophy, P. J. (Patrick J.), 1855-1928 (crator)
Geographical Names
- Butte (Mont.)--Commerce
- Butte (Mont.)--Social Life and Customs
