Marion Hope Rusk was born on May 20, 1914 in Missoula, Montana to James and Marion Case Rusk. Her father worked as a lumber foreman at Polley Lumber Company from 1910 to 1922 before starting the Missoula Hardware and Plumbing Company. She had two older brothers, James (Jim) and David Rusk. On July 17, 1936 Marion Rusk married Jack Dunn, son of John E. and Edith Dunn. Marion’s father-in-law, John E. Dunn, was a charter member of Missoula’s carpenter union and photographed many of Missoula’s historic buildings.
In addition to photos and correspondence from her parents and childhood, Marion Dunn also collected photos from her husband’s family and from her sister-in-law, Beatrice Henry Rusk. Beatrice was the daughter of Clement, an engineer for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, and Mary Henry. She married Marion’s brother David Rusk in 1950.
Marion was an alumna of the University of Montana and worked as a secretary. She remained married to Jack Dunn until his death in 1962. Their son, David Dunn, served and died in Vietnam in 1969. Marion Rusk Dunn died on October 26, 2003.
The Marion Rusk Dunn Family Photographs and Papers contain photos, postcards, drawings, and other memorabilia related to the Rusk, Dunn, and Henry families from the early 1900s. Born into the Rusk family, Marion was related by marriage to the Dunns and the Henrys and maintained the collection until her death. Many of the photos depict social life and leisure activities in Missoula, Montana at the turn of the century.
The Rusk family is the focus of Series I, which primarily contains family photos, albums, and correspondence.
The Dunn family is the focus of Series II, which primarily contains John E. Dunn’s photos of Missoula, Montana and the surrounding area. Some correspondence is also included.
The French Canadian Henry family is the focus of Series III, which contains family photos.
The collection is arranged in three series:
Series I: Rusk Family Photographs and Papers, 1900-1929, 1.5 linear feet
Series II: Dunn Family Photographs and Papers, 1898-1930s, 0.6 linear feet
Series III: Henry Family Photographs, 1913-1930s, 1.4 linear feet
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.
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. The University of Montana holds non-exclusive copyright to some materials in this collection.
Marion Rusk Dunn Family Photographs and Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
Items in this collection were held by Jennifer Rusk until she donated them to the University of Montana in 2012.
This collection was donated by Jennifer Rusk in November of 2012.
Items within each series were organized chronologically. Materials were arranged into series based on family connection. Captions were transcribed when available.
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections also holds the John E. Dunn Photographs, Mss 361.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Series I contains Rusk family photos, albums, and postcard correspondence between Marion Case Rusk and her sister, Lillian Case. Artwork by Marion Case Rusk and Lillian Case is also included.
Items within this series are organized chronologically.
Albert James Rusk, Clara Minena (in portrait), James A. Rusk, Sarah Rusk Hanson, Chase Rusk, Clara Rusk Denton, Hettie Rusk Bolstad
In photo albums
Marion Case Rusk's sister; Marion Rusk Dunn's aunt
Second couple unidentified
Individual photos unidentified
David (7 years), James (5.5 years), Marion (3.5 years)
Portrait of "Paxon"
Series II contains John E. Dunn’s photos of family, friends, and places in Missoula, Montana and Ohio. Highlights include parade and picnic scenes from downtown Missoula and Rattlesnake Creek. A few Rollin H. McKay photos are present. The series also features postcard correspondence sent to John and Edith Dunn. Some of the same photos are present in the John E. Dunn Photographs collection (Mss 361).
Items within this series are organized chronologically.
Primarily contains images of Chicago architecture
Edith, Bessie and John (Bud)
Jack Dunn fourth from left
Rollin H. McKay photo
Rollin H. McKay photo
Rollin H. McKay photo; boys are demonstrating CPR techniques
Corner of University and Gerald avenues
C. Coskry, Ida Dunn, Big Hank, and Jim Dunn out front
"Some of the crates I helped make; myself and Big Hank in the picture"
Series III contains photos of the Henry family’s house on West Pine Street in Missoula, Mary Henry and her daughters, Clement Henry at work, and a photo of a church in Quebec, Canada, where Clement Henry was born.
Items within this series are organized chronologically.
From Clement Henry's sister Maggie; caption in French
718 West Pine Street; Mary Henry, Marie Alice, Evelyn, and Beatrice
718 West Pine Street
Marion Steam Shovel Company, Model Number 28; man and boy seated in a Missoula County truck; Clement Henry (center) standing at the back of the shovel car