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John H. Ming papers, 1852-1895

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Ming, John H., 1831-1887
Title
John H. Ming papers
Dates
1852-1895 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
MC 63 (collection)
Summary
John H. Ming (1831-1887) was a Helena, Montana Territory, rancher and theater owner. Collection includes family correspondence (1859-1887); financial records (1852-1887); legal documents (1852-1895); subject files about Ming's Opera House and the Park Ditch Company; and subgroup for Katherine Cole Ming. [Ming's papers include papers of his Estate.]
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

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.
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Biographical Note

John H. Ming was born on February 6, 1831, in Lynchburg, Virginia, of Dutch descent. At age nine he moved with his parents to St. Louis, Missouri. After several years as a store clerk, he left for California in 1851 to work in the mines. Seven years later John Ming travelled to Denver, Colorado, and opened a grocery store. He left Colorado in 1863 and moved to Virginia City, Montana, and entered into the mercantile business. Five years later he settled in Helena and opened a bookstore in partnership with C.K. Wells. Ming expanded his investments to include ranching, mining, and real estate, and in 1875, he sold his interest in the bookstore to Wells. In 1868, Ming married Katherine L. Cole, a native of Ohio. They had two sons, John H. and James L. Ming. John H. Ming served as Montana's territorial treasurer in 1866, by appointment of Acting Governor Thomas Francis Meagher. He was a director of the First National Bank in Helena and also served as a city alderman. Ming was a Democrat and a member of the Odd Fellows and Masonic societies. He also belonged to the Episcopal Church. A notable achievement was his construction of the first opera theater in Helena, Ming's Opera House. John H. Ming died on December 27, 1887, at the age of 56.

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Content Description

The papers include Ming family correspondence and letters that deal with ranching, including letters from Granville Stuart and James Fergus. There are also legal documents and items relative to John Ming's various investments. There is a small subgroup for Katherine Cole Ming.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society 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 Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged by subgroup and series.

Location of Collection

4:4-1

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection

  • John H. Ming

    • Biographical Material

    • Incoming Correspondence

      • Description: John H. and James L. Ming
        Dates: 1880-1886
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 2
        Location: John H. Ming / Incoming Correspondence
      • Description: Miscellaneous (correspondents include H.L. Boon, Clarence J. Clarke, C.L. Dahler, James Fergus, Hobart Ford, Agnes Jones, Cole Kuhlman, James M. Ming, W.C. Ming, S.G. Ramsey, W.T. Roath, Joe E. Robertson, Granville Stuart, J.F. Taylor, E.W. Toole, Leslie E. Wood)
        Dates: 1859-1887
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 3
        Location: John H. Ming / Incoming Correspondence

    • Outgoing Correspondence

    • Miscellaneous Correspondence

      • Description: Letters neither to nor from John H. Ming (includes letters of recommendations for Ming)
        Dates: 1859-1880
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 8
        Location: John H. Ming / Miscellaneous Correspondence

    • Court Papers

      • Description: Sheriff's certificate; summons
        Dates: 1869, 1877
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 9
        Location: John H. Ming / Court Papers

    • Financial Records

      • Description: Accounts with Charles K. Wells
        Dates: 1876-1878
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 10
        Location: John H. Ming / Financial Records
      • Description: Memorandum and account books [4 volumes]
        Dates: 1852-1855, 1887
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 11
        Location: John H. Ming / Financial Records
      • Description: Receipts; lists of notes; statements; bills; etc.
        Dates: 1853-1885
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 12
        Location: John H. Ming / Financial Records
      • Description: Stock certificates: Sophia Lode Mining Company
        Dates: 1886-1887
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 13
        Location: John H. Ming / Financial Records

    • Legal Documents

      • Description: Abstracts of titles
        Dates: 1881-1884
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 14
        Location: John H. Ming / Legal Documents
      • Description: Certified audit of Territorial Auditor
        Dates: 1869
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 15
        Location: John H. Ming / Legal Documents
      • Description: Deeds
        Dates: 1852-1894
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 16-18
        Location: John H. Ming / Legal Documents
      • Description: Filing certificates for mining claims
        Dates: 1864-1866
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 1
        Location: John H. Ming / Legal Documents
      • Description: J.H. Ming Company articles of co-partnership; agreement with Charles K. Wells
        Dates: 1873-1875
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 2
        Location: John H. Ming / Legal Documents
      • Description: John H. Ming Estate
        Dates: 1890-1895, undated
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 3
        Location: John H. Ming / Legal Documents
      • Description: Water rights
        Dates: 1882-1887
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 4
        Location: John H. Ming / Legal Documents
      • Description: Miscellaneous (includes bills of sale, contracts, agreements, mortgage, lease, patents, etc.)
        Dates: 1852-1895
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 5
        Location: John H. Ming / Legal Documents

    • Subject Files

    • Miscellany

      • Description: Horses and brands
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 8
        Location: John H. Ming / Miscellany
      • Description: Invitations; announcements; passes; programs; etc.
        Dates: 1869-1888, undated
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 9
        Location: John H. Ming / Miscellany
      • Description: List of mining properties owned by John H. Ming
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 10
        Location: John H. Ming / Miscellany
      • Description: Miscellaneous
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 11
        Location: John H. Ming / Miscellany

    • Clippings

      • Description: Miscellaneous
        Dates: 1867-1882, undated
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 12
        Location: John H. Ming / Clippings

  • Katherine Cole Ming

    • Incoming Correspondence

      • Description: John H. Ming, Jr. and James L. Ming [sons]
        Dates: 1880-1887
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 13-16
        Location: Katherine Cole Ming / Incoming Correspondence
      • Description: Miscellaneous (correspondents include Kate L. Clark, Ida Cole, Virnie Cole, Jeanette Cole, James Dobbin, Clara King, John O. Ming, Toole and Wallace, Charles D. Curtis)
        Dates: 1870-1894
        Container: Box/Folder 2 / 17
        Location: Katherine Cole Ming / Incoming Correspondence

    • Legal Documents

    • Clippings

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Ditches--Montana
  • Horse industry
  • Ranches--Canada
  • Theater--Montana

Personal Names

  • Ming, John H., 1831-1887 (creator)

Geographical Names

  • Virginia City (Mont.)--Commerce--General mercantile trade

Finding aid prepared by MHS staff
2004

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

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