McClellan family papers, 1885-1932

Overview of the Collection

Creator
McClellan family
Title
McClellan family papers
Dates
1885-1932 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.15 cubic feet (3 boxes)
Collection Number
00394
Summary
The collection primarily consists of Wyoming rancher and politician George B. McClellan’s correspondence and business and financial records. Also included are materials related to George’s brother Oscar and Oscar’s wife Ella.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

George B. McClellan, a Wyoming rancher and politician, was a cattle driver, miner, hunter, and meat contractor prior to settling permanently in Wyoming. In 1895, he entered into partnership with W.A. Richards to operate the Red Bank Ranch in Johnson (later Big Horn) County, Wyoming, an association which continued until Richards' death in 1912. McClellan was later treasurer and general manager of the Red Bank Cattle Company, Inc. He served in the Wyoming legislature as representative (1907) and later senator from Big Horn County (1909-1913), Big Horn, Hot Springs, and Washakie Counties (1915), and Washakie County (1931-1933).

McClellan's business associates included William A. Richards (1849-1912), governor of Wyoming (1895-1899) and later assistant commissioner (1899-1903) and commissioner (1903-1907) of the U.S. General Land Office, and M.L. Harris, a physician in Chicago, Illinois. Richards was President and Harris was secretary of the Red Bank Cattle Company, Inc. Oscar, George's brother, worked for the office of the U.S. surveyor general as a U.S. deputy surveyor. Oscar was married to Ella (Baird) McClellan. They had two sons and a daughter--George Howard, William Baird, and Margaret Chastain.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection primarily consists of materials related to George B. McClellan, including correspondence with McClellan’s business associates W.A. Richards and M.L. Harris and personal friend Judge Willis Van Devanter of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Also included are business and financial documents such as partnership agreements between McClellan and Richards, a certificate of incorporation from the state of Colorado for the Big Horn Ditch Company, and bills and receipts.

The collection also contains photocopies of materials related to Oscar McClellan and his family, including correspondence and documents related to Oscar’s work as a U.S. deputy surveyor for the office of the U.S. surveyor general.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Related Materials

Related Materials

As of the date of processing, there are no known other archival collections created by the McClellan family.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

The material was received from Mrs. Earl Holland (later ranch owner) in 1957 and from George B. McClellan in 2000.

Processing Note

Processing Information

Processed by Roger Simon, December 2017.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I. George B. McClellanReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Business and Financial
Includes a stockholder statement regarding the business of the Red Bank Cattle Company from William A. Richards, president of the company; two contracts between McClellan and Richards; a bill of sale for Richard’s purchase of range horses; a certificate of incorporation for the Big Horn Ditch Company; and the last page of a contract. Also includes bills, receipts, IOUs, checks, and tax assessments, as well as sheets of paper with handwritten notes and calculations.
 1885, 1895-1915, undated
Correspondence
Incoming
Box
1
1896-1907
2
1907-1916
2
1931-1932
2
Incomplete and Undated
Box
2
Invitations
 1902
2
Outgoing
 1905
Box
2
Assorted
Includes a circular advertising McClellan’s public-auction sale of horses; a certificate appointing McClellan as a delegate to the Wyoming Industrial Association’s fourth annual convention; an abstract of reports from the State Banks and Loan and Trust Companies; and two copies of a proposal to furnish horses.
 1904-1908, undated

Series I. Oscar McClellanReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
3
Business and Financial
Two documents regarding McClellan’s work as a U.S. deputy surveyor.
 1900
Correspondence
Box
3
Incoming
Includes two letters from the Department of the Interior not addressed to McClellan.
 1900-1908, undated
3
Outgoing
 1908

Series III. Ella (Baird) McClellanReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
3
Incoming Correspondence
 1901-1903, 1924-1930, undated

Series IV. GeneralReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
3
Photographs
One photo is identified as George B. McClellan.
 undated
3
Assorted
Includes a letter to H.B. Carpenter, who was a U.S. surveyor and friend to Oscar McClellan, and two reminiscences—one is titled “A Memory of Old-Time Wyoming,” and the other “tells the story of finding Governor Richards [sic] daughter.”
 1906, undated

Processed by Roger Simon
2017

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