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Helen Clawson Wells papers, 1814-1995

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Wells, Helen Clawson, 1890-1987
Title
Helen Clawson Wells papers
Dates
1814-1995 (inclusive)
Quantity
8 linear feet, (23 boxes)
Collection Number
MS 0257
Summary
The Helen Clawson Wells papers (1814-1995) contain organizational papers and records of the Salt Lake City Shade Tree Commission, Utah Association of Shade Tree Commission, and the State Arboretum of Utah. Also present are materials from inventor Selden Clawson and a limited amount of information on Brigham Young, Mary Ann Angell Young, and Hiram and Alice Young Clawson. Helen Wells Clawson was a civic worker in Salt Lake City devoted to the cultivation and propagation of trees.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Helen Clawson Wells was born on 27 December 1890 in Salt Lake City to Selden Irwin and Clara Morris Clawson. She received her degree in kindergarten education from the University of Utah and taught for two years prior to her marriage to W. Seymour Wells in 1915. Because of her devotion to the cultivation of trees, she was often called the "tree lady of Utah." She was involved in many garden and tree organizations, as well as the Art Barn, the Astronomical Society, the Memory Park Committee, the Alta Club, the Symphony Guild, and others. She served as chairman of the National Arbor Day Observance Committee for Utah and aided in efforts to create the State Arboretum at the Unviersity of Utah campus. Helen Clawson Wells died in 1987.

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Content Description

The Helen Clawson Wells papers (1814-1995) contain organizational papers and records of the Salt Lake City Shade Tree Commission, Utah Association of Shade Tree Commission, and the State Arboretum of Utah. Also present are materials from inventor Selden Clawson and a limited amount of information on Brigham Young, Mary Ann Angell Young, and Hiram and Alice Young Clawson.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Donated by David Wells in 2008.

Processing Note

Processed by Nancy V. Young and Sadie J. Kadlec in 1981 and 2009.

Click here to read a statement on harmful language in library records.

Separated Materials

See also the Helen Clawson Wells photograph collection (P0090) in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

Related Materials

Forms part of the Aileen H. Clyde 20th Century Women's Legacy Archives.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Family Papers

    • Description: Brigham Young

      Will and codicil.

      Dates: 1873; 1875
      Container: Box 1, Folder 1
    • Description: Mary Ann Angell Young

      Biography and house floor plan.

      Container: Box 1, Folder 2
    • Description: Alice Young Clawson

      Will, estate inventory, and property listing.

      Container: Box 1, Folder 3
    • Description: Hiram Bradley Clawson

      Genealogy and biographical papers.

      Container: Box 1, Folder 4
    • Description: Hiram Bradley Clawson, Business Documents
      Container: Box 1, Folder 5
    • Description: Hiram Bradley Clawson, Government Service Materials
      Container: Box 1, Folder 6
    • Description: Hiram Bradley Clawson

      LDS Church service ordinations and correspondence.

      Container: Box 1, Folder 7
    • Description: Hiram Bradley Clawson

      Nauvoo Legion Service appointment documents.

      Container: Box 1, Folder 8
    • Description: Hiram Bradley Clawson, Family Organizations
      Dates: 1903-1968
      Container: Box 1, Folder 9
    • Description: Selden Irwin Clawson

      Polygamy revelation as related to Brigham Young by Joseph Smith as told to Selden by grandmother Mary Ann Angell. Also other recollections of Brigham Young.

      Container: Box 1, Folder 10-11
    • Description: Senden and Clara Clawson

      Genealogy, obituaries, and property transfers.

      Container: Box 2, Folder 1-2
    • Description: Selden Clawson

      Certificates, family stories, and correspondence.

      Container: Box 2, Folder 3-5
    • Description: Clara Clawson

      Family and personal correspondence, cards, and other items.

      Container: Box 2, Folder 6-8
    • Description: Selden and Clara Clawson

      Estate settlement and will.

      Dates: 1957
      Container: Box 2, Folder 9
    • Description: Morris Family Gathering

      Invitation and family record.

      Dates: 1901
      Container: Box 2, Folder 10
    • Description: Irwin Clawson, Correspondence
      Dates: 1927-1959
      Container: Box 2, Folder 11
    • Description: Julion "Duke" Clawson, Correspondence
      Dates: 1937-1950
      Container: Box 2, Folder 12
    • Description: W. Seymour Wells

      Oil and gas leases, business materials, and correspondence.

      Dates: 1927-1948
      Container: Box 2, Folder 13-14
    • Description: Miscellaeous
      Container: Box 2, Folder 15
    • Description: Personal correspondence
      Dates: 1929-1967, undated
      Container: Box 11, Folder 1-6
    • Description: "Christmas" by J. Clawson
      Dates: 1948
      Container: Box 11, Folder 7
    • Description: "Trees and Gardens of Europe"

      Outline of speech.

      Container: Box 11, Folder 8
    • Description: "Civic Beautification"
      Container: Box 11, Folder 9
    • Description: "The Child Who Plants is Seldom a Vandal"

      Arbor Day.

      Container: Box 11, Folder 10
    • Description: Miscellaneous poems
      Container: Box 11, Folder 11
    • Description: Abstract of title

      Part of lot 4, block 22, plat "F", Salt Lake City Survey.

      Dates: 1934
      Container: Box 18, Folder 1
    • Description: Daniel H. Wells: legal documents

      Related to Well's estate.

      Dates: 1908-1909
      Container: Box 18, Folder 2
    • Description: Selden Wells: military records
      Dates: 1924-1951
      Container: Box 18, Folder 3
    • Description: Selden Wells: notebook

      Related to botany.

      Dates: 1937-1938
      Container: Box 18, Folder 4
    • Description: Wells family: memorials and wills
      Dates: 1947-1987
      Container: Box 18, Folder 5
    • Description: Sacraments -- Latter Day Saint churches

      Primarily notes. Includes Plural marriage in America : a critical examination / by President Joseph Smith, 1903.

      Dates: 1903
      Container: Box 18, Folder 6
    • Description: University of Utah: miscellaneous

      Primarily printed materials. Includes programs and report cards.

      Dates: 1939-1984
      Container: Box 18, Folder 8
  • Selden Clawson, Patents and Inventions

  • Organizations

    • Description: War Mothers of America, Correspondence
      Dates: 1919
      Container: Box 4, Folder 1
    • Description: Service Star Legion
      Dates: 1921-1968
      Container: Box 4, Folder 2
    • Description: University of Utah, Emeritus Club History
      Container: Box 4, Folder 3
    • Description: Arbor Day Programs, Correspondence
      Dates: 1951-1971
      Container: Box 4, Folder 4
    • Description: Arbor Day National Observance Committee

      Correspondence and miscellaneous.

      Dates: 1958-1959
      Container: Box 4, Folder 5
    • Description: "Blue Star Highways"

      Statement, correspondence, poem, program.

      Dates: 1955-1976
      Container: Box 4, Folder 6
    • Description: Salt Lake Council of Women, Welfare Committee

      Assistance materials and correspondence.

      Dates: 1952-1953
      Container: Box 4, Folder 7
    • Description: Great Salt Lake Development

      Correspondence, statements, bulletins, news releases, programs.

      Dates: 1964-1965
      Container: Box 4, Folder 8
    • Description: Great Salt Lake Development

      Pamphlets.

      Dates: 1963-1965
      Container: Box 4A, Folder 9
    • Description: Thomas C. Adams, "The Tourist and Great Salt Lake"

      Pamphlet.

      Dates: 1965
      Container: Box 4A, Folder 10
    • Description: Antelope Island, Proposal for National Wildlife Refuge

      Report and name list.

      Container: Box 4A, Folder 11
    • Description: Ogden Bay Bird Refuge
      Container: Box 4A, Folder 12
    • Description: Saltair Restoration and Redevelopment

      Bulletins, correspondence, reports, minutes, poster, news clippings.

      Dates: 1964-1969
      Container: Box 4A, Folder 13-16
    • Description: National Arbor Day: correspondence
      Dates: 1939-1973
      Container: Box 12, Folder 8-10
    • Description: Flower Show School: miscellaneous

      Primarily course materials.

      Dates: 1950s
      Container: Box 12, Folder 12
    • Description: Women's Conservation Council of Utah: miscellaneous

      Includes printed materials; membership; and calendar.

      Dates: 1965
      Container: Box 12, Folder 15
    • Description: Historical preservation: miscellaneous

      Includes National Trust for Historic Preservation; and Utah State Historical Society materials.

      Dates: 1958-1983
      Container: Box 14, Folder 7
    • Description: Community Memorial Chapel

      Related to reconstruction of building formerly known as Eighteenth Ward Chapel. Includes Eighteenth Ward reunion booklet, 1953.

      Dates: 1953-1982
      Container: Box 14, Folder 11-12
    • Description: Community Memorial Chapel: correspondence
      Dates: 1973-1976
      Container: Box 14, Folder 13
    • Description: Deveraux House Committee

      Related to meetings.

      Dates: 1970, 1974
      Container: Box 14, Folder 14
    • Description: Utah Heritage Foundation

      Related to meetings.

      Dates: 1972-1973
      Container: Box 15, Folder 1-2
    • Description: Utah Heritage Foundation: correspondence
      Dates: 1967-1974
      Container: Box 15, Folder 3
    • Description: Utah Heritage Foundation: newsletters
      Dates: 1967-1976
      Container: Box 15, Folder 4
    • Description: Utah Heritage Foundation: miscellaneous

      Primarily printed materials.

      Dates: 1969-1976
      Container: Box 15, Folder 5
    • Description: Nathaniel V. Jones Family Organization

      Minutes.

      Container: Box 15, Folder 8
    • Description: Brigham Young Memorial Foundation: miscellaneous

      Primarily notes. Includes articles of incorporation.

      Dates: 1982
      Container: Box 18, Folder 7
  • Utah Garden Clubs

    • Description: Utah Garden Clubs, List
      Container: Box 5, Folder 1
    • Description: Utah Associated Garden Clubs

      Constitution, programs, correspondence, booklet.

      Dates: 1950-1976
      Container: Box 5, Folder 2-3
    • Description: Salt Lake Flower Garden Club

      Yearbooks and programs.

      Dates: 1923-1973
      Container: Box 5, Folder 4
    • Description: Junior Garden Clubs

      Organization instructions.

      Container: Box 5, Folder 5
    • Description: Neighborhood Garden Club
      Dates: 1938-1978
      Container: Box 5, Folder 6-11
    • Description: Utah Association Garden Clubs Arbor Day Tree Planting

      Includes other tributes to Wells.

      Dates: 1974
      Container: Box 11, Folder 12
    • Description: Utah Associated Garden Clubs, Inc.

      Bicentennial Flower Show and Utah State Flower Show "Festival of Heritage and Horizons" program.

      Dates: 1976
      Container: Box 12, Folder 13
    • Description: Utah Beautification Society: miscellaneous

      Includes correspondence; bylaws; printed materials; and press releases.

      Dates: 1957-1965
      Container: Box 12, Folder 14
    • Description: Utah Garden Reporter

      Official publication.

      Dates: 1960-1976
      Container: Box 12, Folder 16-21
    • Description: Neighborhood Garden Club and Utah Associated Garn Clubs

      Includes yearbooks; meeting materials; correspondence; and printed materials.

      Dates: 1961-1987
      Container: Box 14, Folder 1-2
  • Salt Lake City Shade Tree Commission

  • Utah Association of Shade Tree Commissions

  • National and International Shade Tree Conference, Western Chapter

  • State Arboretum of Utah

    • Description: History, Officers, and Activities
      Container: Box 9, Folder 1
    • Description: Constitution
      Container: Box 9, Folder 2
    • Description: Advisory Board Minutes
      Dates: 1963-1979
      Container: Box 9, Folder 3
    • Description: Correspondence
      Dates: 1960-1964
      Container: Box 9, Folder 4
    • Description: Budget
      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box 9, Folder 5
    • Description: Statement of Organization Function and Policies
      Dates: 1978
      Container: Box 9, Folder 6
    • Description: Annual Reports
      Dates: 1965-1977
      Container: Box 9, Folder 7
    • Description: Guide and List of Planted Trees
      Container: Box 9, Folder 8
    • Description: Memorials and Donations
      Container: Box 9, Folder 9
    • Description: Fort Douglas Annexation

      Correspondence and land sketch.

      Dates: 1965-1967
      Container: Box 9, Folder 10
    • Description: University of Utah Arboretum Guild

      Constitution, news release, financial report, membership list.

      Container: Box 9, Folder 11
    • Description: State Arboretum of Utah

      Primarily annual reports. Includes miscellaneous printed materials.

      Dates: 1965-1979
      Container: Box 14, Folder 3-4
    • Description: State Arboretum of Utah: correspondence
      Dates: 1974-19777
      Container: Box 14, Folder 5
    • Description: State Arboretum of Utah: miscellaneous

      Primarily printed materials.

      Container: Box 14, Folder 6
  • Trees and Landscaping

    • Description: Conservation Advocacy
      Dates: 1950s-1970s
      Container: Box 10, Folder 1
    • Description: Report and Booklets
      Container: Box 10, Folder 2
    • Description: Correspondence
      Dates: 1952-1972
      Container: Box 10, Folder 3
    • Description: Landscaping Miscellaneous
      Container: Box 10, Folder 4
    • Description: Utah Historical Trees

      Correspondence and nomination lists.

      Dates: 1960s-1970s
      Container: Box 10, Folder 5
    • Description: Tree Poetry
      Container: Box 10, Folder 6
    • Description: Recommended Trees and Plants for Utah
      Container: Box 10, Folder 7
    • Description: Wayne Thorne, "One Hundred Ten Years of Horticulture in Utah"
      Container: Box 10, Folder 8
    • Description: Utah Horticulture, News Clippings
      Dates: 1960s
      Container: Box 10, Folder 9
    • Description: Landscape architecture: miscellaneous

      Includes printed materials; Landscape Plants Proven for Provo, Salt Lake, and Ogden Areas compiled by D. E. Lofgren; and Leaves from a Gardener's Scrapbook by Emil Feulner.

      Container: Box 12, Folder 11
    • Description: City planning: news clippings

      Photocopies.

      Container: Box 12, Folder 22
    • Description: Gardening: news clippings

      Photocopies.

      Container: Box 12, Folder 23
    • Description: Downtown Salt Lake improvements: news clippings

      Photocopies.

      Container: Box 12, Folder 24
    • Description: Highway beautification: news clippings

      Photocopies.

      Container: Box 12, Folder 25
  • Biographical and General Materials

    Biographical materials related to the Clawson-Wells family.

    • Description: Brigham Young Granddaughters Association
      Dates: 1961-1972
      Container: Box 11, Folder 13
    • Description: Brigham Young Family Association
      Dates: 1938-1971
      Container: Box 11, Folder 14-15
    • Description: Hiram B. Clawson Family Association: correspondence
      Dates: 1921-1965
      Container: Box 11, Folder 16
    • Description: Hiram B. Clawson Family Association: minutes
      Dates: 1902-1925
      Container: Box 11, Folder 17-21
    • Description: Miscellaneous

      Includes notes; news clippings; and "Self" preservation tips from Mildred R. Johnson.

      Container: Box 11, Folder 25
    • Description: Address book

      Includes loose notes.

      Container: Box 11, Folder 26
    • Description: Well's Family Temple Ordinances and Genealogies
      Dates: 1814-1990
      Container: Box 13, Folder 1
    • Description: Well's Family Reunion Information and Decendant Lineage Charts
      Dates: 1977-1990
      Container: Box 13, Folder 2
    • Description: Well's Family Programs and Directories
      Dates: 1917-1954
      Container: Box 13, Folder 3
    • Description: Clawson Family Biographical Information
      Container: Box 13, Folder 4
    • Description: Clawson Family Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates
      Dates: 1885-1987
      Container: Box 13, Folder 5
    • Description: Clawson Family Reunion Attendence Log
      Dates: 1902
      Container: Box 13, Folder 6
    • Description: Miscellaneous Clawson Family Documents
      Container: Box 13, Folder 7
    • Description: City Creek Canyon

      Background information.

      Container: Box 15, Folder 6
    • Description: United States. Department of Agriculture

      Related to Arbor Day and nurseries.

      Dates: 1961-1964
      Container: Box 15, Folder 7
    • Description: Correspondence
      Dates: 1833-1990
      Container: Box 16
    • Description: News clippings: miscellaneous
      Dates: 1924-1984
      Container: Box 18, Folder 9
    • Description: Financial records: miscellaneous
      Dates: 1890-1980
      Container: Box 19, Folder 1-2
    • Description: Documents and papers: miscellaneous

      Includes correspondence; notes; printed materials; maps; excerpts; United States Department of Agriculture Desert crossroads; Symposium: Frege / Is Frege's concept of function valid? By Rulon Wells, 1963; Was Joseph Smith a polygamist by Elder Heman C. Smith / no. 26, 1899; America's First Department Store; The University Pen, Winter 1938; Auerbach Company celebrating seventy-five years of progress, 1939; and SUP news / Official publication of National Society, Sons of Utah Pioneers, Special Sugar House issue, volume 3, 1956 December.

      Dates: 1896-1995
      Container: Box 19, Folder 3-5
    • Description: Plates and Etchings

      Copper plate of Daniel H. Wells and ETching of "Our Old Corner Home".

      Container: Box 20
  • Seldon Clawson

    • Description: Correspondence

      Related to Seldon Clawson inventions, 1919-1929 [photocopies].

      Container: Box 11, Folder 22-23
    • Description: Seldon Clawson: miscellaneous materials

      Includes notes; and index.

      Dates: 1947-1948
      Container: Box 11, Folder 24
    • Description: Seldon Clawson Inventions and Patents
      Dates: 1906-1943
      Container: Box 17, Folder 1-2
    • Description: Seldon Clawson Invention and Patent Options and Agreements
      Dates: 1912-1925
      Container: Box 17, Folder 3
    • Description: Seldon Clawson Miscellaneous Invention and Patent Papers
      Dates: 1917-1941
      Container: Box 17, Folder 4-5
    • Description: Seldon Clawson Record Book
      Dates: 1914-1918
      Container: Box 17, Folder 6
    • Description: Seldon Clawson Metal Extraction Certificates
      Dates: 1913-1915
      Container: Box 17, Folder 7
    • Description: Seldon Clawson Metal Extraction Minute Book
      Dates: 1906-1912
      Container: Box 17, Folder 8

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Gardening--Utah--Societies, etc.--Archives
  • Inventions--20th century
  • Inventors--Utah--20th century--Archives
  • Latter Day Saint families--Utah--20th century--Archives
  • Shade trees--Utah
  • Tree planting--Utah--Salt Lake City
  • Trees in cities--Utah--Salt Lake City
  • Urban beautification--Utah
  • Veterans' families--Societies, etc.--Archives

Personal Names

  • Clawson, Clara, 1869-1959--Archives
  • Clawson, H. B. (Hiram B.)--Archives
  • Clawson, H. B. (Hiram B.)--Family--Archives
  • Clawson, Selden, 1863-1958--Archives
  • Wells, Helen Clawson, 1890-1987--Family--Archives
  • Young, Mary Ann Angell, 1803-1882--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Service Star Legion
  • State Arboretum of Utah--Records and correspondence

Geographical Names

  • Antelope Island (Utah)
  • Saltair Resort (Utah)--Archives

Form or Genre Terms

  • Annual reports
  • Biographies
  • Business correspondence
  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
  • Conference materials
  • Copper plates
  • Etchings (prints)
  • Family histories
  • Financial records
  • Minutes (Records)
  • Obituaries
  • Patents
  • Personal correspondence
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