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Christian Kenck Family papers, 1869-1895

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Kenck, Christian, 1835-1914
Title
Christian Kenck Family papers
Dates
1869-1895 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
MC 97 (collection)
Summary
Christian Kenck (1835-1914), a native of Germany, arrived in Helena, Montana Territory, in 1866 and operated a restaurant, the Magnolia Hotel, a saloon, a stone quarry, and four ranches. His son Joseph N. Kenck (1862-1943) was a bookkeeper at the Second National Bank of Helena; Helena city alderman; and Lewis and Clark County public administrator. Papers (1852, 1969-1895) of Christian and Joseph Kenck include incoming correspondence, financial records, legal documents, and miscellany. There is also a boarding house ledger (1880-1890), and small subgroups for Rose Kenck and Walter C. Kenck.
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Collection open for research.

Languages
English, German
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Biographical Note

Christian Kenck was born February 27, 1835, at Philipsburg, Baden, Germany. He attended school and served an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's bench before leaving for the U.S. at the age of 14. There he worked at his trade in various places including New York, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Leavenworth and Doniphan, Kansas. In 1862, Kenck journeyed further west and came into the Helena, Montana Territory, area in 1866. He successfully operated a restaurant in Helena and a boarding house in Washington Gulch near Avon. In 1872, he bought the Magnolia Hotel in Helena and managed it for ten years. His expanding business interests included a saloon, stone quarry, stock sales, and four ranches. He was involved in several partnerships including Flick and Kenck, Hummel and Kenck, and Kenck and Ernst. Kenck belonged to the Masonic order, Odd Fellows, and the A.O.U.W. He served as Alderman of Helena's third ward from 1881 to 1882. Christian married Theresa Odenwald of Philipsburg, Baden, Germany, on March 10, 1859, in Doniphan, Kansas. They had four children: Joseph N., Amelia C., Anna, and Rose. Christian Kenck died in Lewis and Clark County on July 29, 1914 Joseph N. Kenck was born in Doniphan, Kansas, February 27, 1862. He spent his early years in Diamond and Washington Gulches, and Helena. After completing his education, he traveled in the East and South, returning to Helena in 1885. He accepted a position as bookkeeper in the Second National Bank. He was elected alderman from the seventh ward in 1893 and also appointed public administrator of Lewis and Clark County. He married Agnes Kaiser July 29, 1886. They had three sons and a daughter. Joseph N. Kenck died in Hamilton, Montana, on July 14, 1943.

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Content Description

This collection consists of materials for Christian and Joseph Kenck including incoming correspondence, financial records, legal documents, and miscellany. The majority of the materials dates from 1869 to 1895, but included is one item dated August 31, 1852. The collection also contains a boarding house ledger (1880-1890). There are additional subgroups for Rose Kenck and Walter C. Kenck.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged by subgroup and series. Some material housed in Manuscript Volumes. See inventory below for more information.

Location of Collection

5:6-6

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request

Separated Materials

Photos transferred to Photo archives, printed materials transferred to Library. See inventory below for more information.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection

Finding aid prepared by MHS staff
2004

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

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