View XML QR Code

Helen Clawson Wells papers, 1814-1995

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Wells, Helen Clawson, 1890-
Title
Helen Clawson Wells papers
Dates
1814-1995 (inclusive)
Quantity
8 linear feet
Collection Number
Ms0257
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
Return to Top

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.

Return to Top

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.

Return to Top

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

Initial Citation: Helen Clawson Wells papers, MS 0257, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott. Salt Lake City, Utah.

Following Citations: MS 0257.

Return to Top

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.

Separated Materials

Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0090).

Related Materials

See the original register, located in the Special Collections reading room, for biographies of Clara Morris Clawson and Selden Irwin Clawson.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Family Papers

    • Description: Brigham Young

      Will and codicil.

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

      Biography and house floor plan.

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

      Will, estate inventory, and property listing.

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

      Genealogy and biographical papers.

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

      LDS Church service ordinations and correspondence.

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

      Nauvoo Legion Service appointment documents.

      Container: Box 1, Folder 8
      Location: Family Papers
    • Description: Hiram Bradley Clawson, Family Organizations
      Dates: 1903-1968
      Container: Box 1, Folder 9
      Location: Family Papers
    • 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
      Location: Family Papers
    • Description: Senden and Clara Clawson

      Genealogy, obituaries, and property transfers.

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

      Certificates, family stories, and correspondence.

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

      Family and personal correspondence, cards, and other items.

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

      Estate settlement and will.

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

      Invitation and family record.

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

      Oil and gas leases, business materials, and correspondence.

      Dates: 1927-1948
      Container: Box 2, Folder 13-14
      Location: Family Papers
    • Description: Miscellaeous
      Container: Box 2, Folder 15
      Location: Family Papers

  • Selden Clawson, Patents and Inventions

  • Organizations

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

      Correspondence and miscellaneous.

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

      Statement, correspondence, poem, program.

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

      Assistance materials and correspondence.

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

      Correspondence, statements, bulletins, news releases, programs.

      Dates: 1964-1968
      Container: Box 4, Folder 8-9
      Location: Organizations
    • Description: Thomas C. Adams, "The Tourist and Great Salt Lake"

      Pamphlet.

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

      Report and name list.

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

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

      Dates: 1964-1969
      Container: Box 4, Folder 13-16
      Location: Organizations

  • Utah Garden Clubs

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

      Constitution, programs, correspondence, booklet.

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

      Yearbooks and programs.

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

      Organization instructions.

      Container: Box 5, Folder 5
      Location: Utah Garden Clubs
    • Description: Neighborhood Garden Club
      Dates: 1938-1978
      Container: Box 5, Folder 6-11
      Location: Utah Garden Clubs

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

      Correspondence and land sketch.

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

      Constitution, news release, financial report, membership list.

      Container: Box 9, Folder 11
      Location: State Arboretum of Utah

  • Trees and Landscaping

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

      Correspondence and nomination lists.

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

  • Biographical and General Materials

    Biographical materials related to the Clawson-Wells family.

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

      Documents relating to: Neighborhood Garden Club, State Arboreteum of Utah Society, Utah State Historical Society, Shade Tree Commission of Utah, Community Memorial Chapel Foundation, Devraux House Committee, Utah Heritage Foundation, City Creek Canyon/Memorial Grove, USDA Nursery, and Nathaniel V. Jones Family Organization.

      Dates: 1922-1987
      Container: Box 14-15
      Location: Biographical and General Materials
    • Description: Correspondence
      Dates: 1833-1990
      Container: Box 16
      Location: Biographical and General Materials

  • Seldon Clawson

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

  • General Materials

    • Description: Miscellaneous Papers

      Boxes contain documents regarding titles, court papers, military services, journals, Mormon sacrement services, Brigham Young, and the University of Utah. Various financial records and newspaper clippings are also included.

      Dates: 1890-1995
      Container: Box 18-19
      Location: General Materials
    • Description: Plates and Etchings

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

      Container: Box 20
      Location: General Materials

Finding aid created by Nancy V. Young and Sadie J. Kadlec
1981 (last modified: 2009 and 2019)

CC0

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West