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Lester S. Willson Family Papers, 1861-1922

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Willson, Lester S. (Lester Sebastian), 1839-1922
Title
Lester S. Willson Family Papers
Dates
1861-1922
Quantity
.2 linear feet
Collection Number
Collection 1407, MtBC, us (collection)
Summary
The Lester S. Willson Family Papers consist of letters written by Lester and Davis Willson during the Civil War while both men were with the army; letters written by Lester and Davis during their first years in Bozeman; letters written by Eugene and Fred from Bozeman to their parents who were away; Civil War military documents pertaining to the 60th New York Volunteer Infantry and Lester S. Willson; student papers of Fred and Eugene; scrapbook materials and newspaper clippings; photographs of the Willsons, the Tuller and Rich Cash Store, and the Willson home in Bozeman.
Repository
Montana State University Library, Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections
Montana State University-Bozeman Library
Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
P.O. Box 173320
Bozeman, MT
59717-3320
Telephone: 4069944242
Fax: 4069942851
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities
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Biographical Note

Lester S. Willson was born in Canton, New York on June 15, 1839. His parents, Ambrose and Julia Willson had at least two other sons, Davis and George. Lester enlisted as a private in the 60th New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and spent the early months guarding the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in Maryland. By 1865 Willson had gained the rank of colonel of his regiment, and at the war's end he was brevetted a brigadier general. He administered the Soldier's Home in Albany, New York following the war and in 1867 moved to Montana Territory to join his brother Davis in the mercantile business at Bozeman. Willson entered into a partnership with Tuller and Rich at Bozeman, eventually replacing both men to become a sole proprietor. He also served in the state legislature and with the state militia. He married in 1869 Emma D. Weeks and the couple had three children; George (who died as an infant), Lester Eugene, and Fred Fielding. Both Fred and Eugene attended Bozeman schools, and Fred eventually became a prominent local architect. Eugene died in 1893 at the age of 14. Lester S. Willson continued to operate his business until his death on January 26, 1919.

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Content Description

The Lester S. Willson family papers consist of letters written by Lester and Davis Willson during the Civil War while both men were with the army; letters written by Lester and Davis during their first years in Bozeman; letters written by Eugene and Fred from Bozeman to their parents who were away; Civil War military documents pertaining to the 60th New York Volunteer Infantry and Lester S. Willson; student papers of Fred and Eugene; scrapbook materials and newspaper clippings; photographs of the Willsons, the Tuller and Rich Cash Store, and the Willson home in Bozeman. The papers have been arranged in five series.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Series 1 Correspondence, 1861-1922

Series 2 Civil War military documents, 1863-1865

Series 3 School papers, 1890-1893

Series 4 Scrapbook material, 1893-1911

Series 5 Photographs, 1865-1910

Acquisition Information

Family papers, military documents, and photographs created or collected by members of the Lester S. Willson family of Bozeman, Montana, were donated to Special Collections in 1968 by Merrill G. Burlingame. Additional materials were donated by Burlingame in 1974. The papers incorporate those originally recorded under accession number 846.

Processing Note

This collection was processed 2009 March 16

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • General stores-Montana-Bozeman-Photographs
  • Soldiers-United States-Correspondence

Personal Names

  • Willson, Davis, 1841-1915-Correspondence

Corporate Names

  • Tuller and Rich Cash Store (Bozeman, Mont.)-Photographs
  • United States-Army-New York Infantry Regiment, 60th (1861-1865)

Family Names

  • Willson family-Homes and haunts-Montana-Bozeman-Photographs
  • Wilson family

Geographical Names

  • Bozeman (Mont.)-Buildings, structures, etc. -Photographs
  • United States-History-Civil War, 1861-1865-Personal narratives

Form or Genre Terms

  • Family papers-Montana-Bozeman
  • Photographs-Montana-Bozeman

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Willson, Fred Fielding, 1877-1956 (creator)
    • Willson, Lester Eugene, d. 1893 (creator)

    Family Names

    • Willson family (creator)

Kim Allen Scott, 2009
February 9, 2017

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

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