View XML QR Code

John T. Williams papers, 1870-1928

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Williams, John T.
Title
John T. Williams papers
Dates
1870-1928 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.15 cubic feet (3 boxes)
Collection Number
01261
Summary
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.

Additional Reference Guides
Additional Information

Finding aid available in repository.

Languages
English
Return to Top

Historical Note

Williams (d. 1914) was born in Hope, Indiana around 1857 and came to Wyoming in 1874. He was elected sheriff of Converse County, Wyoming in 1888 and served until 1908. From 1901-1907 he served in the Wyoming State Legislature for Converse County. Williams also operated the John T. Williams Sheep Company of Douglas, Wyoming, which he established around 1904. Williams was a long-time friend of cattle rancher William C. Irvine.

Irvine was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1852 and moved near Ogallala, Nebraska to work on a cattle ranch in 1873. Irvine established his own ranch near Fort Fetterman in Converse County, Wyoming in 1876 and sold his cattle in 1884 to return to Pennsylvania. In 1886 he returned to Wyoming to serve as general manager of the Ogallala Land and Cattle Company, which was headquartered at Ross, Wyoming, in Converse County. Irvine was an active member of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, serving as president from 1896-1911 and treasurer from 1912-1924. Irvine served in the Wyoming State Legislature from 1913-1915 and also served as state treasurer from 1903-1905. He died in 1924.

Return to Top

Content Description

Collection consists mainly of Williams' correspondence, much of it with William C. Irvine, discussing politics and cattle management. Collection includes correspondence from 1904-1910 (transcripts also available); a minute book for the John T. Williams Sheep Company (1904-1928); 5 1907 letters from his brother Alfred J. Williams while in Chile; correspondence and other items relating to his work as sheriff of Converse County (1890-1907) and the Running Dutchman Ditch (1907-1913) and other ranching activities (1896-1914); and miscellaneous other materials (1883-1908).

Collection also contains the transcript of an 1870 diary for William Irvine describing a wagon train trip in Oklahoma Territory and Kansas and the skirmishes between Indians and Buffalo Soldiers.

Return to Top

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.

Alternative Forms Available

Additional Physical Form Available

Photocopies available for holographic materials.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

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

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by John T. Williams at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

Processing Note

Processing Information

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List
  • Untitled

    The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container list)s to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Ditches -- Wyoming -- Converse County.
  • Indians -- North America -- Kansas.
  • Indians -- North America -- Oklahoma.
  • Migration, Internal -- Kansas.
  • Migration, Internal -- Oklahoma.
  • Ranches -- Wyoming -- Converse County.
  • Sheep ranches -- Wyoming -- Converse County.
  • Soldiers, Black -- Kansas.
  • Soldiers, Black -- Oklahoma.

Geographical Names

  • Chile -- History -- 1824-1920.
  • Converse County (Wyo.) -- History.
  • Kansas -- History.
  • Oklahoma -- History.
  • Wyoming -- History -- 1892-1918.
  • Wyoming -- History -- 1919-1945.
  • Wyoming -- History -- To 1889.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Business records.
  • Diaries.

Occupations

  • Ranchers.
  • Sheep ranchers.
  • Sheriffs.

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Irvine, William C.
    • Williams, Alfred J.

    Corporate Names

    • John T. Williams Sheep Company.
Loading...
Loading...