J. B. Speer Papers, 1891-1957

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Speer, J. B. (James Beryl), 1883-1957
Title
J. B. Speer Papers
Dates
1891-1957 (inclusive)
Quantity
15.5 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 625
Summary
This collection contains personal and business papers from J. B. Speer’s time as a student as well as his time as Registrar, Business Manager and Controller at The University of Montana.
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

Historical NoteReturn to Top

James Beryl Speer was born in Branch County Michigan, in 1883. After finishing high school, he attended a private business college until 1905. That year he moved to Montana to attend Montana State University now known as The University of Montana-Missoula and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1908. While Speer was a student he worked as an assistant to multiple university presidents. University President Oscar J. Craig’s last official act as president was to write a recommendation for Speer. In 1909, he was appointed Acting Registrar and then served as Registrar from 1910-1912. He then left Montana to continue his education.

Speer attended Stanford University Law School from 1912-1913. He transferred to University of Michigan Law School in 1914 and received his LL.B. in 1916. Speer returned to The University of Montana-Missoula in 1918 to again serve as Registrar. In 1920, he was named Business Manager and in 1945, he was named Controller. Speer was also a professor in the School of Business Administration between 1927 and 1940. He served as controller until his retirement in 1953. Speer died in 1957.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains personal and business papers from J. B. Speer’s time as a student and employee at The University of Montana. This collection is divided into four series. Series I, General Records contains general records from his extended service at The University of Montana. This series is organized alphabetically.

Series II, Correspondence, contains business and personal correspondence and is organized alphabetically by correspondent.

Series III, Writings and Speeches, contains writings and speeches by Speer on various university-related topics. This series is organized alphabetically.

Series IV, Scrapbooks and Photographs, contains two scrapbooks, one postcard book and twelve photographs. The first scrapbook contains memorabilia such as programs, letters, invitations, dance cards and photos, from 1891-1912. The second scrapbook contains newspaper clippings from 1938-1953. The postcard book contains used and unused postcards. The twelve photographs dated between circa 1898-1945.

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 status is unknown.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], J. B. Speer 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: General Records, 10.0 linear feet, 1908-1956

Series II: Correspondence, 1.25 linear feet, 1903-1957

Series III: Writings and Speeches, 1.75 linear feet, 1919-1956

Series IV: Scrapbooks and Photographs, 2.5 linear feet, 1891-1953

Custodial History

The collection was held by Lucille Speer until she donated it to the Archives in 1978.

Acquisition Information

This collection was a gift of Lucille Speer in 1978.

Processing Note

The processor left correspondence with materials in Series I and III in its original order.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  General Records, 1908-1956Return to Top

10.0 linear feet
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Accounting, affidavits and certification
 1929-1949
1/2
Accounting, budget procedures
 1940-1953
1/3
Centralization of state and university accounting
 1926-1949 and undated
1/4
Accounting classification systems from other universities
 1917-1924
1/5
Accounting, correspondence and reports
 1921-1927 and undated
1/6
Accounting, National Committee on Preparation of Manual on College and University Business Administration
 1942-1949
1/7
Accounting, reports and correspondence
 1920-1953
1/8
Accounting, students
 1933-1951
1/9
Accounting, visit and consultation by G. VanDyke
 1948-1953
2/1
Alumni
 1954 and undated
2/2
Alumni Association, Endowment Fund
 1945-1955 and undated
2/3
Alumni Association
 1908-1910
2/4
American Association of University Professors
 1942-1956 and undated
2/5
Archives
 1945 and undated
2/6
Archives, correspondence with other Universities
 1938-1948
2/7
Archives Committee
 1945 and undated
2/8
Association of University and College Business Officers meeting
 1924
2/9
Association of University and College Business Officers convention
 1938
2/10
Audits of Students and Auxiliary Organizations
 1927-1949 and undated
2/11
Badgley, E. Kirk and R. H. Jesse, notes
 1949-1953 and undated
2/12
Blank forms
 undated
3/1
Budgets
 1948-1952
3/2
Budgets
 1948-1952
3/3
Budget Business Office and Registrar’s Office
 1936-1940
3/4
Budget control, reports and data
 1950-1951
3/5
Budget control, reports and data
 1950-1951
4/1
Budget, reports and correspondence
 1944-1949
4/2
Budget requests, correspondence and notes
 1949-1952 and undated
4/3
Burroughs Adding Machine Company, correspondence
 1950-1952
4/4
Business Office comparative costs
 1917-1940
4/5
Business Office, correspondence
 1947-1951
4/6
Business Office forms
 1925-1926
4/7
Business Office, history and responsibilities
 1951-1952
4/8
Business Office, institutes
 1953-1955
4/9
Business Office, memos
 1917-1944
4/10
Business Officer, reports
 1940-1950
4/11
Business Officers, meeting of University System business officers
 1951-1952
5/1
Carnegie Corporation, correspondence
 1932-1933
5/2
Cashier’s manual
 1939-1949 and undated
5/3
Chancellor and Executive Secretary
 1933-1949
5/4
Chancellor’s Office, forms
 1925 and undated
5/5
Clerical division
 1917-1946
5/6
Clerical equipment, forms and correspondence
 1947-1949
5/7
Clerical and Non-Academic Staff
 1936-1948
5/8
Clerical and Non-Academic Staff
 1936-1948
6/1
Clippings
 1915 and undated
6/2
Clippings
 1939
6/3
Clippings
 1944-1952
6/4
Commencement programs and manuals
 1942-1955
6/5
Commission on Higher Education
 1944-1951
6/6
Conference on Accounting Records and Financial Reports
 1937
6/7
Copyright and mimeographing authorization
 1940-1942
6/8
Controller’s Office, correspondence
 1935-1950
6/9
Education and Academic Freedom
 1950-1955 and undated
7/1
Efficiency proposals
 1928-1933
7/2
Executive Council, meeting minutes
 1933-1946
7/3
Faculty Committees
 1943-1953 and undated
7/4
Faculty Committees
 1943-1953 and undated
7/5
Faculty, correspondence, meeting minutes and miscellaneous
 1938-1954
7/6
Faculty, correspondence, meeting minutes and miscellaneous
 1944-1948
8/1
Faculty and Committee meeting minute excerpts
 1941
8/2
Faculty meeting minutes
 1939-1942
8/3
Faculty meeting minutes
 1937-1938
8/4
Faculty meeting minutes
 1939-1941
8/5
Faculty meeting minutes
 1941-1944
8/6
Faculty meeting minutes
 1944-1945
8/7
Faculty meeting minutes
 1950-1953
8/8
Faculty, rates and salary schedules
 1936-1946
8/9
Faculty and University organizations, publication and correspondence
 1930-1935
9/1
Fees, literature and correspondence
 1928-1938
9/2
Fees, literature and correspondence
 1931-1938
9/3
Fees, correspondence, articles and clippings
 1935-1936
9/4
Fieldhouse clippings
 1953-1954 and undated
9/5
Financial reports and communication to University Presidents
 1919-1920
9/6
Financial reports, correspondence
 1928-1949
9/7
Financial reports and audits
 1937-1949
9/8
Financial reports and audits
 1949-1950
10/1
Financial reports
 1950-1951
10/2
Financial reports
 1952-1953
10/3
Fiscal control, general administration
 1921-1953
10/4
Fiscal control, functions of the Controller
 1931-1940 and undated
10/5
Fiscal control, forms, requests, and report
 1947-1952
10/6
Fraternities and Sororities, finance
 1928-1931
10/7
Fraternities at other institutions, correspondence and reports
 1928-1937
11/1
Fraternities, financial audits, correspondence and papers
 1929-1949
11/2
Fraternities, financial audits
 1929-1933
11/3
Fraternities, fiscal control
 1934-1939
11/4
Fraternity accounting, correspondence and reports
 1934-1949
11/5
Forms
 1920-1928 and undated
11/6
Functions of Staff, Instructors’ Handbook
 1917-1929
11/7
Grading System
 1934-1950
11/8
Griffenhagen and Associates
 1941-1943
11/9
Group healthcare
 1939-1947 and undated
11/10
Healthcare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield
 1947-1949
12/1
Health Service, correspondence and reports
 1942-1949
12/2
Health Service, correspondence and reports
 1936-1943
12/3
History of Universities
 1943-1955 and undated
12/4
Historical Societies, correspondence and newsletters
 1953-1956
12/5
Homecoming, building programs and freshman orientation
 1935-1953
12/6
Homecoming memorabilia
 1954-1955
12/7
Housing, residence halls and family housing
 1932-1951
12/8
Income sales and service reports
 1948-1949
12/9
Information for prospective students
 1940-1944
12/10
Inventories
 1947-1952
12/11
Keys and Locks
 1947
12/12
Leadership, executive and educational
 undated
13/1
Library
 1924-1934
13/2
Little Hoover Commission and Task Force on Accounting
 1951-1953
13/3
Local Executive Board, meeting minutes
 1936-1941
13/4
Local Executive Board, meeting minutes and agendas
 1942-1943
13/5
Local Executive Board, meeting minutes and agendas
 1943-1944
13/6
Local Executive Board, meeting minutes and agendas
 1943-1945
14/1
Local Executive Board, meeting minutes and agendas
 1943-1953
14/2
Local Executive Board
 1945-1948
14/3
Local Executive Board, meeting minutes and agendas
 1946-1947
14/4
Local Executive Board, meeting minutes and agendas
 1946-1947
14/5
Local Executive Board, meeting minutes and agendas
 1947-1948
14/6
Local Executive Board, meeting minutes and agendas
 1948
14/7
Local Executive Board, meeting minutes and agendas
 1951-1953
15/1
Machine accounting
 1942-1949
15/2
Management philosophy, correspondence
 1953
15/3
Management, top education
 1954
15/4
Merrill, A. S., paper "The Tale of the Street"
 undated
15/5
Montana Universities and Colleges, correspondence
 1936-1952
15/6
Organization of State Universities
 1928-1931
15/7
Other institutions, Stanford University
 1938-1953 and undated
15/8
Other institutions, University of Idaho, correspondence
 1942-1953
15/9
Other institutions, Lloyd Morey, University of Illinois
 1924-1943
15/10
Other institutions, Lloyd Morey, University of Illinois
 1928-1954 and undated
15/11
Other institutions, University of Michigan, alumni
 1952
15/12
Other institutions, University of Wyoming, survey
 1925-1926
15/13
Other institutions, University of Wyoming, correspondence
 1943-1955
15/14
Other institutions, visits, notes and correspondence
 1920-1924
15/15
Payroll procedures at other institutions
 1927-1950
15/16
Payroll procedures, correspondence
 1948-1951
15/17
Permanent Record Cards
 1942
16/1
Personnel and payroll policies, correspondence
 1945-1952
16/2
Personnel policy creation including vacation leave
 1938-1950
16/3
Personnel policy development, correspondence
 1926-1953
16/4
Personnel forms and staff functions report
 1940-1941 and undated
16/5
Non-academic personnel, recommendations and raises
 1929-1951
16/6
Non-academic personnel, recommendations and raises
 1929-1951
17/1
Phillips, Paul C.
 1938-1953
17/2
Phone and information exchange
 1922-1951
17/3
Physical plant, Space Committee, budgets and correspondence
 1939-1952
17/4
Physical Plant and Residence Hall forms
 1925-1926
17/5
Planning Committee, meeting minutes
 1944-1949
17/6
Planning space, storage, and inventories
 1938-1948
17/7
Professors and education, correspondence and clippings
 1931-1933
17/8
Publications
 1931-1956
17/9
Purchasing division, memos, correspondence and clippings
 1926-1951
17/10
Purchasing procedure
 1949-1952
18/1
Record of reports
 undated
18/2
Registrar’s Office
 1920-1933 and undated
18/3
Registrar’s Office, admissions
 1923-1941
18/4
Registrar’s Office
 1926-1936
18/5
Registrar’s Office, reports to University Presidents
 1930-1942
18/6
Registrar’s Office, forms
 1940-1941
18/7
Registration information for students
 undated
18/8
Registration procedures and forms
 undated
18/9
Report by Controller
 1952
18/10
Residence Halls and rates, correspondence
 1927-1948
18/11
Retirement, correspondence and reports
 1938-1953 and undated
19/1
Retirement, policy and development
 1939-1953 and undated
19/2
Retirement, policy
 1943-1950 and undated
19/3
Retirement and staff insurance
 1950-1951
19/4
School of Religion
 1944-1953
19/5
Sigma Nu
 1908-1954
19/6
Sly, Dr. John F., speech
 1952
19/7
Space and Planning committees
 1949-1950
19/8
Stuber, Harry N., report on personnel
 1926
19/9
Svenson, Arthur Lee, "A Survey of Student Traditions of the State University of Montana"
 1935-1945
20/1
Staff, job descriptions
 1916-1940
20/2
Part-time staff, rates and salary schedules
 1936-1944 and undated
20/3
Staff questionnaire
 1933
20/4
State Accountants
 1922-1938
20/5
State Controller, correspondence and clippings
 1951-1952
20/6
Stella Duncan Memorial Fund, correspondence
 1945-1955
20/7
Stella Duncan Memorial Fund, correspondence and general
 1953-1957
20/8
Stella Duncan Memorial Fund, correspondence and meeting minutes
 1955-1957
20/9
Stella Duncan Memorial Fund, correspondence and records
 1955-1957
21/1
Storeroom supply inventories and correspondence
 1926-1940
21/2
Student building fee
 1935-1946
21/3
Student employment, recommendations from Missoula High School
 1927-1941
21/4
Student fees
 1940-1948
21/5
Student loans
 1933
21/6
Student loans
 1933-1949
21/7
Student organizations, accounting
 1917-1950
21/8
Student personnel
 1932-1933
21/9
Student registration and employment
 1930-1942
21/10
Student reserve fund
 1937-1942
21/11
Taskforce on accounting and budgeting, correspondence and reports
 1951-1952
21/12
Taylor, Frederick W.
 undated
21/13
Tenure
 1937-1946
21/14
University funding, clippings
 1954-1955
22/1
University income cash procedure, reports and forms
 1938 and undated
22/2
University, miscellaneous, articles and correspondence
 1936-1942
22/3
University, miscellaneous reports
 1911-1913
22/4
University Land Acquisitions, correspondence and reports
 1934-1954
22/5
University organization charts
 undated
22/6
University Presidents, correspondence
 1925-1953
22/7
University Presidents, correspondence
 1936-1940
23/1
Clapp, C.H., University President
 1939
23/2
Craig, Oscar, University President
 1949
23/3
Duniway, Charles A., University President
 1908-1954
23/4
McCain, James A., University President
 1945-1952
23/5
McFarland, Carl, University President
 1950-1956
23/6
Melby, Ernest O., University President
 1941-1953
23/7
Melby, Ernest O., University President
 1953
23/8
Simmons, George F., University President
 1936-1940
23/9
Sisson, Edward O., University President
 1919 and undated
23/10
Sisson, Edward O., University President
 1921-1954
23/11
Sisson, Edward O., University President
 1949-1954
23/12
Sisson, Edward O., University President
 1950
23/13
University Policies, Committees, correspondence and reports
 1932-1950
23/14
University Policies, correspondence
 1934-1952 and undated
23/15
Work progress calendar, forms
 1938-1944

Series II:  Correspondence, 1903-1957 Return to Top

1.25 linear feet
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
24/1
Allan, Nevin
 1953
24/2
Armsby, Lucille
 1931-1941 and undated
24/3
Bailey, Edwin J.
 1950-1951
24/4
Bates, Robert C.
 1950-1953
24/5
Bozorth, Inez V.
 1920-1948
24/6
Bunge, Lou E.
 1954
24/7
Cain, Harvey J.
 1953
24/8
Cain, Harvey J.
 1955-1956
24/9
Craig, Homer T
 1953-1956
24/10
Cowley, W. H., Journal of Higher Education
 1933-1946
24/11
Gudger, Genevieve Walsh, personal correspondence
 1949-1956
24/12
Hansen, Mary
 1912-1913
24/13
Jameson, William J.
 1923-1955
24/14
Jameson, William J. and Jack Corette
 1953-1955
24/15
King, Walter
 1953-1954
25/1
Leaphart, Charles W.
 1954-1956
25/2
Line, Robert C.
 1909-1926
25/3
Lorwin, Lewis
 1953-1954
25/4
Marble, Everett Giles "Miggs"
 1943-1954
25/5
Mills, Gail A.
 1948-1952
25/6
Moore, Josiah J., M.D.
 1940-1951
25/7
Notti, Robert W.
 1941-1954
25/8
O’Rourke, Arthur, correspondence and promissory notes
 1903-1953 and undated
25/9
Publishers
 1932-1934
25/10
Publication of paper,
 1947
25/11
Robinson, Robert H. "Ty"
 1953-1957
25/12
Shepard, George R.
 1920-1944
25/13
Sibley, Robert
 1942-1943
25/14
Smith, Ralph W.
 1932-1954
25/15
Thomas, J. R.
 1953-1954
26/1
Watkins, Gordon S. and Anita
 1937-1953
26/2
Wilson, Douglas N.
 1941-1953
26/3
Wilson, Roy O.
 1926-1953
26/4
Correspondence
 1907-1954
26/5
Correspondence and clippings
 1928-1956 and undated
26/6
Correspondence
 1938
26/7
Correspondence
 1946-1954
26/8
Correspondence
 1949
26/9
Correspondence
 1953-1955
26/10
Correspondence
 1955-1956
26/11
Personal correspondence
 1908-1911 and undated
26/12
Personal correspondence
 1908-1912
26/13
Personal correspondence to his brother Owen D. Speer
 1953-1954

Series III:  Writings and Speeches, 1919-1956 Return to Top

1.75 linear feet
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
27/1
Articles by Speer, articles and correspondence
 1920-1941
27/2
Publications and correspondence
 1925-1943
27/3
Publications relating to University Accounting and Financial Reports
 1933-1937
27/4
"A Bird’s-Eye View of the Organization of One University," papers
 1933
27/5
Speech at Ludvig Browman’s retirement
 circa 1953
27/6
"Budget Making," speech
 1932-1938
27/7
"College Fraternities and Their Money Matters," paper
 1932
27/8
"College Fraternities and Their Money Matters," correspondence
 1932-1955
27/9
"Coordinating the Business Office and Registrar’s Office"
 1931-1932
27/10
"Coordinating the Business Office and Registrar’s Office"
 1931-1933
27/11
"The Development of the Functional Organization of the University"
1933
28/1
Educational conference speech, notes and correspondence
 1941 and undated
28/2
Fiscal Control of the University
 undated
28/3
Fiscal Control, paper and correspondence
 1943-1955
28/4
"Functional File Classification"
 1930-1956
28/5
"Functional File Classification"
 1940
28/6
"Functional Organization of the University"
 1933-1934
29/1
"Functional Organization of the University," paper
 1933-1934
29/2
"Functional Organization of the University," paper
 1934
29/3
"Functional Organization of the University," research materials
 1941-1943
29/4
"High Schools Courses and Their Relation to Higher Education," paper
 1923
29/5
"How the Other Half Goes to College," handwritten draft
 undated
29/6
"The Individualistic Professor," paper and correspondence
 1934-1935
29/7
"Know the Truth through Accounting," correspondence
 1951-1955
29/8
"Know the Truth through Accounting"
1952-1954
29/9
"Know the Truth through Accounting"
 1952-1955
30/1
"Know the Truth through Accounting,"
 1953
30/2
"Know the Truth through Accounting," drafts and correspondence
 1953
30/3
"Know the Truth through Accounting," published copies
 1955
30/4
"Land for the Campus,"
 1955-1956 and undated
30/5
"Land for the Campus," drafts with handwritten notes
 1924-1953
30/6
"The Legal Setting of State Supported Institutions of Higher Learning," correspondence
 1940-1945
30/7
"Managing Federal Emergency Relief Administration Student Work,"
1934
30/8
"The Montana Chancellor System," research
 1919-1933
30/9
"A Registrar Repents," correspondence
 1932-1955
30/10
"Who’s Who of Montana State University," research compiled by Speer
 1929-1930

Series IV:  Scrapbooks and Photographs, 1891-1953 Return to Top

2.5 linear feet
Container(s) Description Dates
Box
31
Scrapbook from Speer's student life
 1891-1912
32
Newspaper clippings scrapbook
 1938-1953 and undated
Box/Folder
33/1
Postcards
 undated
33/2
Postcard scrapbook
 undated
34/1
625(IV)1 Football team,
[circa 1905]
34/1
625(IV)2 View of oval and campus from Southwest,
 [circa 1903]
34/1
625(IV)3 View of Science Hall and Women’s Hall,
 [circa 1903]
34/2
625(IV)4 Main Hall and Science Hall,
 [circa 1898-1903]
34/2
625(IV)5 Christmas card featuring Main Hall in winter
 undated
34/3
625(IV)6 Card featuring Main Hall in winter,
[circa 1935-1945]
34/3
625(IV)7 Main Hall,
 [circa 1940]
34/4
625(IV)8 Edward. O. Sisson, signed photograph,
 [circa 1920]
34/4
625(IV)9 Christmas card featuring photo of Edward O. and Nellie S. Sisson
 1935
34/5
625(IV)10 First University Presidents house unidentified man and woman possibly President’s Simmons and wife
 undated
34/6
625(IV)11 Unidentified High School Girls basketball team
 1903-1904
34/7
625(IV)12 Speer, third from left, with five unidentified individuals standing next to Main Hall
 undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Corporate Names

  • Montana State University (Missoula)--Finance
  • State University of Montana (Missoula)--Faculty
  • University of Montana (Missoula, Mont.)--Students

Occupations

  • College registrars--Montana--Missoula
  • College students--Montana--Missoula

Finding aid prepared by Ann Sullivan
2006

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

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West