Catalog
File — Box: 1, Folder: 9
Scope and Contents
From the Collection:
The John Monson Papers includes financial and advertising information relating to the Monson Trunk Company, as well as the reminiscences of Mr. and Mrs. Monson. There are four series in the collection: Memoirs, Finances, Advertising, and Subject Files.
The Memoirs Series includes the reminiscences of John and Mattie Monson and son, James Lloyd Monson. John’s is a typed document (18 leaves) discussing his leaving his Wisconsin home at age fifteen circa 1868, working around the United States and coming to Fargo in 1882. It was compiled by Beatrice Fuller Buxton in 1987. Mattie’s is a photocopy of a handwritten letter regarding her side of the family, coming to Fargo and the establishment of the local Christian Church, part of the Disciples of Christ church body. The James Lloyd Monson reminiscence (13 leaves) was compiled by his daughter Jean Prentiss in 2006 based upon comments he provided over his lifetime. The typed document discusses his education including graduating from Fargo College, teaching, military service in World War I, and home life.
The Finances Series includes ledgers and receipts concerning the business. The ledgers run from 19061976, while the receipts are from 1897 and 1904.
The Advertising Series includes primarily catalogues. Two of the catalogues are not dated, but appear to be circa 1905. One was issued by Monson Trunk Factory. The other catalog is not identified but consists of photographic prints of various styles of trunks that are mounted on canvass sheets. The others are from the 1970s, issued by Monson’s Luggage. There are also a small number of advertisements, most of which appeared in schedules, including for Northern Pacific Railroad and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (1886). Another is for the L-C Trunk Co. of Fargo that features a shoe trunk.
The Subject Files Series consists of a leather-bound Boy Scout Manual from 1928. Mr. Monson, or someone at his business, did the leather work of the binding. The front cover has an etching of a boy scout, while the back says “Troop 17 Fargo.” The Leigh J. Monson file contains two items that belonged
to him. A World War II letter he received from a Captain Arthur Salway, and a 1907 copy of The Theatre, a publication of the Fargo Opera House, with ticket stubs affixed to it.
Dates
- 1897-1976
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Extent
From the Collection: 0.4 Linear Feet (0.4 linear feet)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu