Callister Family Papers, 1836-1965

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Callister family
Title
Callister Family Papers
Dates
1836-1965 (inclusive)
Quantity
9 boxes, (6 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 335
Summary
This collection contains correspondence, diaries, and other materials from the Callister family, dating from 1840 to 1965.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. was born on May 1, 1881, in Fillmore, Utah, the son of Thomas Clark Callister, Sr. and Alice Melissa McBride Callister. Clark, as he was called, had deep family roots in the community; his grandfather was one of the first Mormon bishops in Fillmore, and his father, who also served as bishop, worked as the county clerk, recorder, probate judge, and county superintendent for the schools of Millard County. In 1903 Clark graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Utah Agricultural College in Logan and accepted a job with the United States Reclamation Service before returning to Fillmore in 1906. There Clark married Millie Peterson and worked for several irrigation companies in Millard County, including the Sevier River Land and Water Company. He spearheaded the organization of the Pahvant irrigation district in 1917, which was responsible for the irrigation of thirty thousand acres in the vicinity of Fillmore and Holden.

In 1903 the Western Union Telegraph Company decided to discontinue service over the Deseret telegraph line, which served much of southern Utah including Millard and Juab Counties. Clark, with the help of his father, purchased the line and continued operating it, often at a loss in an effort to maintain telegraph communication in these areas. He served as manager of the company, the Millard County Telegraph and Telephone Company, as well as the manager and director of the People's Telephone Company. Clark also served two terms as the mayor of Fillmore from 1917 to 1920. Among his accomplishments were the construction of the town's first sidewalks, the installation of its first electric light system, and expansion of its water works. A resident of Fillmore for almost all of his life, Clark died there on August 31, 1967.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains papers pertaining to the Craig Callister family, dating from 1840 to 1965. The majority of this collection are papers from Thomas Clark Callister, Jr., though papers relating to other family members, such as Noble Peterson, Millie Peterson, and William Kropfli also appear. Materials from Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. include journals, items relating to the Millard County Telegraph and Telephone Company, and correspondence from his time as mayor of Fillmore, Utah. Papers from other relatives include journals, correspondence, financial records, and other personal documents. The last box in this collection contains a number of postcards, certificates, and letters written in other languages, mainly German. The documents appear to be connected to William Kropfli's ancestors.

The materials in boxes 1a through 1e were added to the collection in 2013. They mostly contain incoming and outgoing correspondence related to the Callister family, particularly Thomas Clark Jr., Millie Peterson Callister, and their children and relatives. In addition to the information these cards contain about the Callister family and their life in Millard County, they also provide excellent examples of early 20th century greeting cards. There are also several miscellaneous documents including several items related to local Millard County events, descriptions of home decorating in 1912, and movie advertisements for In Old Kentucky (1919), Dinty (1920), and Too Much Speed (1921). The last box holds several account books and diaries of T. Clark Callister, Jr. dating from 1909 to 1956. The correspondence is organized by recipient or sender, then date, when possible, and by holiday otherwise. The diaries are housed chronologically.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Callister Family Papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: Callister Family Papers USU_COLL MSS 335, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations:USU_COLL MSS 335, USUSCA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged by subject matter.

Processing Note

Processed in August of 2008

Acquisition Information

The original donation, which consisted of boxes 1 through 4, was given to USU Special Collections and Archives by Craig Callister in 1987. Boxes 1a through 1e were donated by Mattie Robison Callister Abrams Weber in 1999 and added to the collection in 2013.

Related Materials

Sevier River Land and Water Company Papers COLL MSS 334

West Side Telephone Company Stock Ledger, 1912—1918 (Bd Ms 50).

People's Telephone Company Stock Ledger (two volumes), 1911—1930 (Bd Ms 51).

Bibliography

Source:
Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. In History of Utah Since Statehood, v. 4 , edited by Noble Warrum, 574-576. Chicago: The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1919.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Materials relating to Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. and the Callister Family, 1908-1958Return to Top

6 boxes (box 1 through 1e inclusive)
Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. biographical notes
undated
1 2
Fillmore city business, Thomas Clark Callister, Jr., Mayor
1917-1918
1 3
Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. journal
1939
1 4
Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. Forest Service Journal
1907 January-1908 March
1 5
Thomas Clark Callister, Jr. Forest Service Journal
1908 April-October
1 6
"Elements of Drawing" by Thomas Clark Callister, Jr., Brigham Young Academy
undated
1 7
Millard County High School Graduation Program
1931
1 8
Papers concerning the enlargement of the Delta-Melville Diversion Dam
1958
1 9
Deposit notices, Commercial Bank of Utah
1956
1 10
Ed Watson v. Deseret Irrigation Company, Abraham Irrigation Company, Mellville Irrigation Company, Piute Reservoir Irrigation Company, Central Utah Water Company, and Delta Canal Company
undated
1 11
Telephone technician notes
undated
1 12
"1929 Data", author unknown
1929
1 13
Telephone bill, Millard County Telegraph and Telephone Company to Texaco Service
undated
1a 1
Incoming cards to Mr. and Mrs. T. Clark Callister Jr.
1904-1928
1a 2
Incoming cards to Mr. and Mrs. T. Clark Callister Jr.
December 1930-December 21 1931
1a 3
Incoming cards to Mr. and Mrs. T. Clark Callister Jr.
1931 December 22-December 25
1a 4
Incoming cards to Mr. and Mrs. T. Clark Callister Jr.
1934 December-1936
1a 5
Incoming cards to Mr. T. Clark Callister Jr.,
1906-1931
1a 6
Incoming cards to Mr. T. Clark Callister Jr.,
undated
1a 7
Incoming cards to Mrs. Millie Peterson Callister (wife of T. Clark Jr.)
1903-1936
1a 8
Incoming cards to Mrs. Millie Peterson Callister (wife of T. Clark Jr.)
undated
1b 1
Incoming cards to Edith Callister (daughter)
1908-1921
1b 2
Incoming cards to Edith Callister (daughter)
undated
1b 3
Incoming cards to Leland Callister
1907
1b 4
Incoming cards to Rulon Callister
undated
1b 5
Incoming cards to Duane Callister
1926-1931
1b 6
Incoming cards to Duane Callister
undated
1b 7
Incoming cards to Grant Callister
undated
1b 8
Incoming cards to Laura Callister (sister of T. Clark Jr.)
1910
1b 9
Incoming cards to Laura Callister (sister of T. Clark Jr.)
undated
1b 10
Incoming card to Lanola Callister (sister of T. Clark Jr.)
1910
1b 11
Incoming cards and letters to Adelaide Peterson (mother of Millie Callister)
1933-1943
1b 12
Incoming cards to Adelaide Peterson (mother of Millie Callister)
undated
1b 13
Incoming cards to Mr. A Peterson
1913
1b 14
Incoming postcard to Noble Peterson
1915
1b 15
Incoming Christmas cards (likely to Callisters), signed
1930
1c 1
Incoming Christmas cards (likely to Callisters), signed
1930
1c 2
Incoming Christmas cards (likely to Callisters), signed
1930
1c 3
Incoming cards for holidays (Valentine’s, Father’s Day, Birthdays), signed
undated
1c 4
Outgoing cards from T. Clark Jr. and Millie Callister
undated
1c 5
Outgoing cards from Rulon and Merlene Callister (wife)
undated
1c 6
Outgoing cards from Grant Callister
undated
1c 7
Outgoing cards from Duane and Edith (Stevens) Callister
undated
1c 8
Outgoing card from Adelaide Peterson
1911
1c 9
Blank Christmas cards
1920-1930
1c 10
Blank Christmas cards
1920-1930
1c 11
Blank Valentine's Day cards
undated
1c 12
Unsigned Mother's Day card from Filmore Ward Sunday School
1940
1d 1
Birthday postcards (blank)
1910
1d 2
Well wishes postcards (blank)
1910
1d 3
Traveler’s postcards (people and places, blank)
1910
1d 4
New Year’s postcards (blank)
1910
1d 5
Valentine’s postcards (blank)
1905
1d 6
Easter postcards (blank)
1910
1d 7
Thanksgiving postcards (blank)
1910
1d 8
Christmas postcards (blank)
1912
1d 9
Fillmore Sunday School benefit entertainment program
undated
1d 10
Colored Sketch of home decoration
1912
1d 11
Entertainment advertisements
1919-1921
1d 12
Annual announcement of the Millard County High School
1927-1928
1d 13
Dance card for second annual Gold and Green Ball, Fillmore 1st Ward
1928
1d 14
Miscellaneous: obituary of Adelaide Peterson, Scipio graduation ribbon, T. Clark Callister Jr. Engineer and Land Surveyor certificate
undated
1d 15
Peice of art, Millie Peterson
1902
1d 16
Photograph of two unknown people
undated
1e 1
T. Clark Callister Jr. cash book and letters
1936-1946
1e 2
T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books
1905-1912
1e 3
T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books
1913-1916
1e 4
T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books
1937-1938
1e 5
T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books
1940-1943
1e 6
T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books
1945-1947
1e 7
T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books
1948-1950
1e 8
T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books
1951-1953
1e 9
T. Clark Callister Jr. diaries and account books
1954-1956
1e 10
T. Clark Callister Jr. account book
1926
1e 11
Roslyn Ann Callister, childhood diary (coloring book)
undated

Materials relating to Noble Peterson, Millie Peterson, William Kropfli, and others, 1891-1916Return to Top

(21 folders)
Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 1
Noble Peterson 8th grade report card
undated
2 2
Noble Peterson graduation program, Leland Stanford Junior University
1916
2 3
Noble Peterson deacon ordination certificate
1908
2 4
"The Land Policy of Thomas Hart Benton" by Noble Peterson
undated
2 5
Notes from Noble Peterson's study of Thomas Hart Benton's land policy
undated
2 6
Andrew Peterson checks and balance sheets, Deseret National Bank
1893-1894
2 7
Millie Peterson theology class notes, Brigham Young Academy
1902
2 8
William Kropfli tithing certificates
1924-1933
2 9
Warranty and bill of sale for Holstein dairy cow, William Kropfli
undated
2 10
William Kropfli expense ledger
1928-1933
2 11
List of subscribers to Ismael, a newsletter by Albert Kropfli
undated
2 12
Albert Kropfli, sealing of children to parents
undated
2 13
Roy Dawn Rauger Forest Service Journal
1907 April-October
2 14
Biography of Ann Hopkins by Sarah Cathrine Hopkins Thatcher
undated
2 15
William J. Hopkins Patriarchal Blessing
1904 February 5
2 16
Book of Remembrance of Sarah Thomas Hopkins and son William Thomas Hopkins
undated
2 17
"A Brief History of David R. Roberts and His Family, also of His Brothers, Daniel, John, and their Families" by Robert D. Roberts
undated
2 18
Promissory Note for land sale between Moroni Jessop and Heber Shaffer
undated
2 19
Missionary Call – Norah Tyler to North Idaho Falls
1946
2 20
Correspondence
undated
1: Millie Callister to Walker Bank and Trust Company
1949 November 15
2: Utah Poultry Producers Cooperative Association to "Stockholder"
1931 November 28
3: Hyrum S. Hulse to "Whom it may concern"
1894 May 16
4: John P. Cardon to Hannah H. Kropfli
1906 November 10
5: Albert Kropli to President Benjamin Harrison
1891 August 8
6: O.L. Pruden, Assistant Secretary to President Harrison, to Albert Kropfli
1891 August 18
7: J.M. Shaffer to Weber Shaffer
1941 September 22
8: D.R. Roberts to "Cousin Caddie"
1936 August 12
9: Walton A. Roberts to "Sister"
1925 October 31
10: Committee Logan River Water Users Association to "Gentlemen"
1931 March 26
2 21
Postcards
undated

Oversized items, 1840-1965Return to Top

(3 items)
Container(s) Description Dates
Box
3
Item 1: Millard County Telegraph and Telephone Company payroll register
1963-1965
3
Item 2: Scrapbook
1916-1932
3
Item 3: Certificate for Edward Samuel Kropfli, Republic of Bern
Purpose unknown
1840

Foreign language documents, 1836-1868Return to Top

(11 folders)
Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
4 1
Skudsmaalsbog for Andreas Nielsen, probably from Denmark
1867-1868
4 2
Postcard to Edward Samuel Kropfli, Republic of Bern
1840
4 3
Certificate from the President of the Residency office of Bern, possibly a declaration of citizenship for Edward Kropfli
1855 July 13
4 4
Document written by a “public writer” (Carl Graa)
1889
4 5
Postcard to Edward Samuel Kropfli, Republic of Bern
1840
4 6
Certificate from a public writing company concerning Karoline Kropfli, probably EdwardÂ’s wife
1881 January 8
4 7
Certificate mentioning Edward Samuel Kropfli, Republic of Bern
1836
4 8
Letter addressed to Edward Samuel Kropfli, Republic of Bern
1841 June 12
4 9
Official postcard, Republic of Bern
1840 November 14
4 10
Official postcard, Republic of Bern
1836
4 11
Document written in Latin
1836 November 3

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Callister, Millie Adelaide Peterson, 1886-1980.
  • Callister, Thomas Clark, 1852-1928.
  • Callister, Thomas Clark, 1881-1967.
  • Kropfli, William, 1907-1993.
  • Peterson, Noble, 1895-1977.

Corporate Names

  • Millard County Telegraph & Telephone Company--History--Sources.
  • People's Telephone Company (Oak City, Utah)--History--Sources.
  • Sevier River Land and Water Company--History--Sources.

Family Names

  • Callister family.

Geographical Names

  • Fillmore (Utah)--History--Sources.
  • Juab County (Utah)--History--Sources.
  • Millard County (Utah)--History--Sources.