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F.W. Lafrentz papers, 1871-1955

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Lafrentz, F.W. (Ferdinand William), 1859-1954
Title
F.W. Lafrentz papers
Dates
1871-1955 (inclusive)
Quantity
4.00 cubic feet (9 boxes) + art
Collection Number
00763
Summary
Materials of an insurance executive, accountant, and philanthropist who was secretary for the Swan Land and Cattle Company in Wyoming before joining American Surety Company in New York.
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
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Historical Note

Ferdinand William Lafrentz (1859-1954) was born on the island of Fehmarn (then in Denmark) of German parents. He came to the United States at the age of fourteen to work in his uncle's store in Chicago. He studied accounting and later represented banking interests in the cattle industry of Wyoming and served as the secretary of the Swan Land and Cattle Company. In 1888, he was elected a member of the Wyoming Territorial Legislature and was responsible for introducing the resolution that led to Wyoming statehood. He became claim auditor for the American Surety Company in 1893 and, by 1912, was president of the company. In 1927, Lafrentz authored a book of cowboy poetry, titled "Cowboy Stuff", as a fund-raising project for Lincoln Memorial University in Tennesse.

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Content Description

The F.W. Lafrentz papers include personal correspondence in English and German; awards and degrees; biographical material including newspaper clippings, school notebooks, and sketchbooks; photographs, many depicting scenes of the Wyoming range cattle industry; as well as manuscripts, articles, and speeches written by Lafrentz. The collection also contains printed material reflecting Lafrentz's business ventures and charitable projects. Also included are photographs and the front page layout design for "Cowboy Stuff", Lafrentz's 1927 book of cowboy poetry.

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Use of the Collection

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.

Alternative Forms Available

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at http://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu:8180/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~161~161.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Ferdinand William Lafrentz at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

The collection was received from Arthur F. Lafrentz (son), in 1960 and from James Bryan (grandson) in 1983.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was re-processed by D. Claudia Thompson in October 2016.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Cattle trade -- Wyoming -- 19th century.
  • Cowboys -- Poetry.

Corporate Names

  • American Surety Company of New York.
  • Lincoln Memorial University.
  • Swan Land and Cattle Company.
  • Wyoming. Legislative Assembly.

Geographical Names

  • West (U.S.) -- Poetry.
  • Wyoming -- History -- To 1889.

Processed by D. Claudia Thompson
2013; 2016

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

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