MTGMss132.xml Guide to the Harry W. Weston Papers 1884-1982 Weston (Harry W.) Papers Finding aid prepared by Jodi Allison-Bunnell Funding for creating this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula
Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu
© 2004 Finding aid encoded by Jodi Allison-Bunnell and Ann Sullivan 2004 Finding aid written in English. University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
The University of Montana—Missoula Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu
Mss 132 Weston, Harry W., 1895-1970 Harry W. Weston Papers 1884-1982 7.5 linear feet 11 boxes and 33 oversize volumes Harry Weston was a businessman in Missoula, Montana. His papers contain the records of his various businesses in Missoula and other towns in western Montana, as well as a few personal items, personal and business photographs, and some office equipment that was used in his businesses. Materials are in English Biographical Note

Harry W. Weston was born in Missoula, Montana, in 1895. His parents, Mary and John Weston, had come to Missoula from Sweden in 1893 and 1890 to join relatives. John Weston was a mechanic for the Northern Pacific Railway.

Harry graduated from Whittier Grade School in 1910, then worked at the Missoula Laundry. In 1912, he graduated from the Garden City Commercial College. In 1918, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served at Fort Missoula.

In December 1912, Weston started his first business, a wholesale jobbing business at 520 North Higgins Avenue in Missoula. He sold barrels of beef, salt, flour, pork and similar commodities. In 1913, he started a retail hardware business at 236 Madison; the business closed later that year. Harry then worked for C.H. Kiesling in his store, founded in 1908 in the Park Hotel building on Railroad Street. The store moved to 505 North Higgins Avenue in about 1914, and Weston became a partner in 1915, changing the name of the store to Kiesling & Weston Clothing Store. Later that year, Kiesling sold his share to Alfred Sterner, and the store's name became Weston & Sterner.

Weston & Sterner expanded the business and bought a building at 451 North Higgins, built for Henry L. Shapard in 1917. In 1919, the business name changed to Westerner's Inc.

Westerner's was a mainstay of Missoula's downtown from the 1930s through the 1960s and a prominent Montana business. The store sold clothing and outdoor products. Sales mirrored the occupations and interests of Missoula and surrounding communities, and customers included railroad, lumber, and forestry workers; ranchers; and business and professiona people. Customers sometimes put paychecks at the store for safekeeping until they could cash them, and they sometimes got loans from the store as well.

Weston built the business first by traveling to area lumber camps to sell and deliver merchandise and to take orders. During the 1920s through the 1940s, Weston established store outlets at Thompson Falls, Montana; Sandpoint, Idaho; and Anaconda, Montana. All of the stores eventually closed. Weston also operated many other stores in Missoula, including The Hub, Grant's Army Store, Bargain Store, Quinn's, and Nu-Way. He also operated Thrift Furniture in Ronan, Montana. Westerner's also operated as a wholesaler for many small stores in and around Montana.

He married Ella Maria Hemgren in Spokane, Washington, in 1919; she was born in 1894. Their first home was at 330 Main Street in Missoula. Later they built and lived in the Von Don Apartmets on West Spruce Street. Their son, Donald H., was born in 1927; another son died in infancy.

Harry Weston died in 1970. Ella Weston died in 1974.

The collection consists primarily of records relating to Weston's Missoula and western Montana businesses. Weston dealt with dry goods and clothing for both townspeople and rural residents who worked in the logging business, and the financial records reflect this. There are also records of small businesses in rural western Montana towns, for whom Weston was a wholesaler. The records of Westerner's and other Missoula-based businesses also demonstrate a changing business climate as Missoula grew in the early and mid twentieth century. Additionally, Weston owned a number of other business and residential properties in Missoula, and property abstracts and appraisals reflect the location, use, and value of these properties at different times. Photographs of the interior and exterior of his stores shows advertising and merchandising techniques over time.

As a lifelong Misoula resident, Weston's personal materials document changes in the city's landscape. Photographs document the appearance of the north end of downtown Missoula, as well as the Northside neighborhood.

The collection is arranged in six series:

Series I: Biographical, undated, 1 folder

Series II: Correspondence, 1923-1977, 5 folders

Series III: Financial, 1912-1982, 5 linear feet

Series IV: Legal, 1884-1981, 0.5 linear feet

Series V: Printed Materials, undated, 3 folders

Series VI: Photographs, 1908-1950s, 15 items

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to the University of Montana.

Harry W. Weston Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

The papers remained in the Weston family until donation to the Archives. Florence Weston Young apparently arranged the papers before donation.

Gift of Florence Weston Young, 1986.

The actions of the original processors are unknown. In 2004, the collection was re-described. Photographs formerly separated to the photograph collection were re-integrated into the collection.

In 2019, all four artifacts were removed from the collection and donated to the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. These items were dated circa 1920s or 1930s and included a Royal typwriter, Hedman Manufacturing Company checkwriter, Monroe calculating machine, and Mail-a-voice recorder.

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Kiesling & Weston Clothing Store (Missoula, Mont.) Westerner's Inc. Weston & Sterner (Missoula, Mont.) Missoula (Mont.)--Commerce Missoula (Mont.)--Photographs Clothing trade -- Montana Dry-goods -- Montana Real property--Montana -- Missoula Wholesale trade -- Montana Business records -- Montana--Missoula Personal papers--Montana --Missoula Photographs--Montana -- Missoula Montana Businessmen--Montana --Missoula Distributors (Commerce) --Montana--Missoula Landowners--Montana -- Missoula Series I Biographical Undated 1 folder

This series consists of a single folder of newspaper clippings about Harry Weston and his businesses, including a complete summary story published the year before Westerner's closed.

 1/1 Undated Series II Correspondence 1923-1977 5 folders

This series contains a mix of personal and business correspondence. Much of the correspondence was between Weston and various suppliers for his businesses.

1/2 1923-1949 1/3 1950-1954 1/4 1955 1/5 1956-1957 1/6 1958-1977 Series III Financial 1912-1982 5 linear feet

This series consists of financial records from Weston's many businesses in Missoula, Anaconda, and Ronan, Montana. The majority of the records are from Westerner's, with other records from Weston's early jobber business, Weston & Sterner, the Hub, Grant's Army Store, Nu-Way, Thrift Furniture, Westerner's Anaconda, and the Bargain Store. Other financial records document the value of the many properties owned by Weston and the Westerner's store inventory.

 1/7 Property appraisal 1937 1/8 Property appraisal 1982 1/9 Disbursements and receipts 1971-1973 1/10 Goods sold and orders taken 1945-1946 1/11 Annual report undated 2/1 Inventory 1934 2/2 Inventory 1946 1 Cash book, Westerner's 1932-1938 2 Cash book, Westerner's April-October, 1938 3 Cash book, Westerner's November, 1938-May, 1939 4 Cash book, Westerner's 1939 5 Cash book, Westerner's 1939-1940 6 Cash book, Westerner's 1940-1941 7 Cash book, Westerner's January-August, 1941 8 Cash book, Westerner's 1941-1942 9 Cash book, Westerner's March-October, 1942 10 Cash book, Westerner's 1942-1943 11 Cash book, Westerner's 1943-1944 12 Cash book, Westerner's February-December, 1944 13 Cash book, Westerner's 1944-1945 14 Cash book, Westerner's 1945-1946 15 Cash book, Westerner's 1946-1947 16 Cash book, Westerner's 1947-1948 17 Cash book, Westerner's 1948-1949 18 Cash book, Westerner's 1949-1950 19 Cash book, Westerner's 1950-1951 20 Cash book, Westerner's 1951-1952 21 Cash book, Westerner's 1952-1953 22 Cash book, Westerner's 1953-1954 23 Cash book, Westerner's 1954-1955 24 Cash book, Westerner's 1955-1956 25 Cash book, Westerner's 1956-1957 26 Cash book, Westerner's 1957-1958 27 Cash book, Westerner's 1958-1959 28 Cash book, Westerner's 1959-1960 29 Cash book, Westerner's 1960-1962 3/30 General journal, Weston's early jobber business 1912-1913 3/31 General ledger, Weston & Sterner 1916-1918 3/32 Stockholder's ledger [unknown buisness] 1925-1926 3/33 Property income and expense 1932 3/34 Property income and expense, Weston & Sterner 1931-1945 3/35 General ledger, Weston & Sterner 1923-1951 4/36 Inventory of paper supplies 1937 4/37 Journal, Hub, Grant's Army Store, Nu-Way 1936-1965 4/38 Disbursements, Grant's Army Store 1947-1947 39 Cash book, Hub and Grant's Army Store 1938-1956 4/40 Income and expense ledger, Hub 1955-1956 4/41 Income and expense ledger, Hub 1956-1957 4/42 Income and expense ledger, Hub 1956-1959 5/43 General ledger, Thrift Furniture 1950-1951 5/44 Sales journal, Bargain Store 1949-1950 5/45 Cash book, Hub, Nu-Way, Weston & Sterner 1953 5/46 Cash book, Weston & Sterner 1946-1965 6/47 Charge sales book, Westerner's 1947-1948 6/48 Charge sales book, Westerner's 1948-1950 6/49 Charge sales book, Hub 1950-1958 6/50 Charge sales book, Westerner's 1951-1953 6/51 Charge sales book, Westerner's 1953-1955 7/52 Charge sales book, Westerner's 1955-1956 7/53 General ledger, Weston & Sterner 1953-1968 7/54 General ledger, Westerner's 1959-1970 7/55 Rent receipts 1964-1969 7/56 Rent receipts 1960-1973 8/57 Ledger, Thrift Furniture 1948-1949 8/58 Ledger, Thrift Furniture 1949-1950 8/59 Wholesale orders 1950-1951 8/60 Trial balance book, Westerner's, Westerner's Anaconda, Hub, Grant's Army Store 1942-1947 8/61 Trial balance book, Westerner's, Westerner's Anaconda, Hub 1927-1941 8/62 Trial balance book, Westerner's, Hub, Grant's Army Store 1941-1951 9/63-80 Check registers, Westerner's 1930-1946 10/81-95 Check registers, Westerner's 1946-1981 10/96 Check register, Westerner's Anaconda 1940-1944 11/97 Check register, Weston & Sterner 1929-1934 11/98-100 Check register, Westerner's 1975-1981 101 Payroll ledger 1937-1940 11/102 Record of good received 1937-1939 103 Stock book, Westerner's 1971 104 Stock book, Weston & Sterner undated Series IV Legal 1884-1981 0.5 linear feet

This series mostly consists of abstracts for properties in Missoula later owned by Weston. A 1971 deed passes responsibility for his father's affairs to Donald H. Weston, and materials from 1981 document the liquidation of the Westerner's store.

2/3 Abstract, U.S. to Saron Blain to California Hide & Wood Depot to Bissinger & Company 1930 2/4 Abstract, U.S. to Christopher P. Higgins to William Dillingham 1889 2/5 Abstract, U.S. to Christopher P. Higgins to O.J. Englund to Henry L. Shapard 1929 2/6 Abstract, U.S. to Christopher P. Higgins to Independent City Market 1924 2/7 Abstract, Christopher P. Higgins to Montana Catholic Mission to Weston, Sterner & Company Undated 2/8 Abstract, Christopher P. Higgins to Northern Pacific Railway to Edward Schilling 1889 2/9 Abstract, U.S. to Christopher P. Higgins to Schilling & Nink 1900 2/10 Abstract, U.S. to Christopher P. Higgins to Schilling to Vadner Undated 2/11 Abstract, Northern Pacific Railway to Keith, Schully & McLeod 1884 2/12 Abstract, A.J. Urlin to Barnard Langenhahn 1947 2/13 Agreement, H.G. Johnson, L.M. Heppler, Weston 1944 2/14 Agreement of partnership, Weston & Lake 1962 2/15 Bill of sale, Victor property 1971 2/16 Corporation deed, Montana Catholic Mission to Western, Sterner & Company 1939 2/17 Deed of executor, Donald H. Weston for Harry Weston 1971 2/18 Indenture, Bissinger & Company and Weston 1930 2/19 Lease, Carpenter Paper Company 1952 2/20 Lease, Northern Pacific Railroad warehouse 1940 2/21 Lease, State Hardware Company 1960-1970 2/22 Licenses Undated 2/23 Liquidation of Westerner's 1981 2/24 Mortgage deed, Gibson Undated 2/25 Mortgage deed, Prudential Insurance Company Undated 2/26 Promissory note, Weston & Silver 1932 2/27 Trade name registration, Westerner's 1975 2/28 Warranty deed, Henry L. and May Shapard to American Bank & Trust 1920 Series V Printed Materials Undated 3 folders

This series contains a variety of printed materials that relate to Weston's Missoula businesses. The file of souvenirs contains a 1939 Westerner's catalog and an early advertisement for Levi's jeans.

 2/29 Stationery samples, various businesses Undated 2/30 Survey for Westerner's store building, Missoula, Montana Richard Hale Undated 2/31 Souvenirs 1939 and undated Series VI Photographs 1908-1950s 15 photographs

This series contains a mix of personal and business-oriented photographs. Personal items include portraits of Weston's classes at Whittier School and Garden City Business College, the Weston's wedding portrait, and a view of the Northside neighborhood from Waterworks Hill. Business images include several of the Westerner's store and of other businesses, including Kiesling's store, the Thompson Falls Mercantile, and several images of Woody Street in Missoula.

87-0007 Perhaps the forerunner of Harry's store [C.H. Kiesling's store, 505 North Higgins Avenue] undated 87-0008 Garden City Business College [class on steps of building, including Weston] 1912 87-0009 Westerner's widow display, Ella Weston on right undated 87-0010 Weston & Sterner store ca. 1930s 87-0011 Harry and Ella Weston, wedding portrait 1919 87-0012 Whittier School, class on steps, including Weston 1908 87-0013 Missoula, view from Waterworks Hill including Northside neighborhood ca. 1890 87-0014 Weston & Sterner store interior 1916 87-0015 Harry Weston's store in Thompson Falls [Montana, Thompson Falls Mercantile Co.] At this time he also had a store one block north of present store (Missoula) ca. 1920 87-0016 Old Quigley [Montana] stage ca. 1900 87-0017 Whittier School, class on steps ca. 1910 87-0018 Westerner's parade float in Missoula, Montana ca. 1950 87-0019 Harry Weston, portrait 1961 87-0020 Woody Street, east side including Rex Bar, Quinn & Griffen Wholesale Meats, Missoula, Montana 1937 87-0021 Woody Street, east side including Quinn & Griffen Wholesale Meats, Independent Grocery, Hart's Shoe Shop, Missoula, Montana 1937 87-0054 Jack Munro, Northern Pacific Railway conductor, working in office undated