Charles L. Cowell Papers, 1907-1925

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Cowell, Charles L., 1858-1926
Title
Charles L. Cowell Papers
Dates
1907-1925 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.25 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 163 (collection)
Summary
Charles Cowell was an early Missoula, Montana, businessman. This collection consists of correspondence, much of which is to and from Joseph M. Dixon, financial records and architect's plans, all pertaining to the construction of the Montana Block in downtown Missoula.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

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.

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

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Born 16 April 1858 in Grant County, Wisconsin, Charles L. Cowell moved with his parents to Kansas in 1863. He was raised there on a farm and moved, along with William A. Simons, to Missoula, Montana, in 1887. Cowell and Simons were sometimes business associates, along with others such as Joseph M. Dixon. One such enterprise was the Garden City Bottling and Liquor Company, wholesale dealers of wine, liquor and cigars. Cowell was also one of the organizers of the Missoula Light Company, Missoula's first electric light company, located on the island west of the Higgins Avenue bridge in Missoula. Cowell and Dixon built and co-owned the Montana Block in downtown Missoula until Cowell turned over his part of the investment to Dixon, about a year prior to Cowell's death.

In September of 1915, Cowell married Gladys Roberts of Missoula. They had three daughters; Ann Gladys, Mary Jane and Catherine Virginia. Toward the end of his life he suffered from heart problems, which eventually took his life on 20 December 1926.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of correspondence, much of which is to and from Joseph M. Dixon, financial records and architect's plans, all pertaining to the construction of the Montana Block in downtown Missoula. It also contains a copy of Senate Bill number 18, 11 January 1909, which pertains to the creation of irrigation districts.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

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.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Charles L. Cowell Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is divided into four series:

Series I: Correspondence, 13, folders, 1907-1924

Series II: Financial Records, 1 folder, 1910-1915, 1925

Series III: Architect's Plans, 1 folder, 1909

Series IV: Senate Bill 18, 1 folder, 1909

Acquisition Information

Donor and donation date unknown.

Processing Note

The actions of the original processor are unknown. In 1998, the collection was re-described.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Correspondence , 1907-1924Return to Top

13 folders

This series contains correspondence, mostly between Cowell and Joseph Dixon, pertaining to the building of the Montana Block in downtown Missoula, Missoula. The correspondence in this series is arranged chronologically.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
1907
1/2
1908
1/3
1909
1/4
1910
1/5
1911
1/6
1912
1/7
1913
1/8
1914
1/9
1916
1/10
1921
1/11
1923
1/12
1924

Series II:  Financial Records , 1910-1915, 1925Return to Top

1 folder

This series contains information on the finances of the Garden City Bottling and Liquor Company and of Cowell and Dixon as regards the Montana Block in downtown Missoula, Missoula. The financial records are arranged chronologically.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/13
1910-1915, 1925

Series III:  Architect's Plans , 1909Return to Top

1 folder

This series consists of the plans for construction of the Montana Block in downtown Missoula, Missoula. The Architects were J.G. Link and C.S Haire. It consists of a written description of the building plans followed by a sheet of blueprints.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/14
Architectural plans and blueprints for the Montana Block
1909

Series IV:  Senate Bill 18 , 1909Return to Top

1 folder

This series consists of Senate Bill 18, 11 January 1909, which pertains to the creation of irrigation districts.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/15
Senate Bill 18
This Bill was introduced by Donlan and pertains to the creation of irrigation districts.
11 January 1909

Finding aid prepared by Bob Lovely
1998

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