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Frank D. Brown family papers, 1865-1950

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Brown, Frank D. (Frank Dean), 1845-1931
Title
Frank D. Brown family papers
Dates
1865-1950 (inclusive)
Quantity
3.5 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 037
Summary
The Frank D. Brown Family Papers include Frank D. Brown's business correspondence, financial records, insurance company records, Society of Montana Pioneers records and correspondence, writings, photos, and memorabilia. It also includes a small amount of his son, James M. Brown's, personal correspondence and letters related to the Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers as well as Rutledge and Albertina Brown Parker's correspondence with Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers, and a few insurance and legal issues.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

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.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Known as Frank D. "Sandbar" Brown throughout his life in Montana, Brown was born John Francis Deane Brown in Nelson County, Virginia on November 24, 1845. In June 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served until his discharge in September 1862. He re-enlisted, this time in the marine service. Capture by the Union Army ended his military career in April 1863. Brown was paroled and transported to St. Louis where he booked passage on a steamer to Fort Union on the upper Missouri River and then on to Fort Benton in Montana Territory by December 1865. It was also about this time that Brown permanently dropped "John" from his name in response to an increasing distaste for the Union Army's marching song "John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the ground..."

In Montana Territory he worked as a fur trapper, scout and a placer miner. In 1873, A. J. Davis hired Brown, who then located the Lexington and other mines. In 1878, Brown moved to Philipsburg and worked for mining firms in the area. During the next forty years he managed and developed many of the well-known placer and quartz mines in the area. He was also owner and editor of the Philipsburg Mail and gained his nickname of "Sandbar" through the signing of many articles with that title.

Brown attended all Democratic party state conventions for over 40 years. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the major-general commanding the northwest division of the United Confederate Veterans for the states of Montana, the Dakotas, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington.

Brown was an active member of the Society of Montana Pioneers and in 1908 was elected as its historian, an office he held, except for one year, until his death in 1931. In 1923 he was also elected as secretary of the organization. Within the Society, he was instrumental in determining locations and erecting monuments marking significant historical events, including marking the path of the Mullan Road. A son, James M. Brown, and daughter, Albertina (Tina) Brown Parker, were active in the Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers.

Brown married Anna Elizabeth Lentz in Helena, Montana, on December 1873. They had eight children: Frances Dean, Anna, Edward Wilhelm, Amy Frances, Albertina Nettie, Minnie Madeline, Angus, and James A. Murray. Francis Dean, Anna, and Angus died before the age of three. Anna Lentz Brown died on October 6, 1914.

During his later years, Brown was a rancher and also worked in real estate and insurance. He died in Missoula, Montana, on January 16, 1931.

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Content Description

The Frank D. Brown Family Papers include Frank D. Brown's business correspondence, a few personal letters, financial records, insurance registers, Society of Montana Pioneers records and correspondence, his historical, fiction, and speech writings, photos, and memorabilia. Series II, James M. Brown, includes personal correspondence and letters related to the Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers. Series III, Rutledge and Albertina Brown Parker, includes correspondence with Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers, insurance and legal issues.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Frank D. Brown Family Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection has been divided into three series:

Series I: Frank D. Brown, 1865-1950, 3.3 linear feet

Subseries 1: Correspondence, 1892-1930, 1.2 linear feet

Subseries 2: Financial Records, Mining Reports, and Legal Documents, 1887-1924, 1.2 linear feet

Subseries 3: Society of Montana Pioneers, 0.2 linear feet, 1865-1931

Subseries 4: Speeches and Writings, 1898-1920, 0.2 linear feet

Subseries 5: Photographs, 1875-1932, 0.4 linear feet

Subseries 6: Miscellaneous, 1917-1950, 0.1 linear feet

Series II: James M. Brown, 1910-1935, 0.2 linear feet

Series III: Rutledge and Albertina Brown Parker, 1924-1948, 1 folder

Custodial History

The papers were held by the family until the time of the donation.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Virginia (Ginger) Brown, daughter of James M. Brown, 1969.

Processing Note

The existing processed order was generally maintained. Photos and miscellaneous materials were foldered separately and described, where possible, as individual items.

Related Materials

The Montana Historical Society holds the Society of Montana Pioneers and the Society of Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers Records. Other family members, Francis C. Brown and Margaret Cabell Brown Loughborough donated family papers to Georgetown University Library where they are held as the Loughborough Family Papers.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Finding aid prepared by Dale Johnson and Teresa Hamann
2009

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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