Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1863-1885, predominant 1879-1885 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
12.5 cm of textual records. -- 3 photographs
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Frank M. Crosby, 1855-?, was born and raised in Massachusetts, USA. In 1879 he travelled to Helena, Missoula, Butte, Deer Lodge and Bozeman, Montana where he worked as a piano tuner, before taking a job as salesman for Auerbach and Wells and Company in 1880. Shortly thereafter he moved to Fort Benton, Montana where he worked as a clerk for the Keinschmidt Brothers. In 1882 he came to Calgary, Alberta as an employee of I.G. Baker and Company and bought a ranch at Nose Creek. He formed his own lumber company in 1884 but due to financial difficulties was forced to sell out. In September 1884 he left Canada. He eventually returned to Massachusetts where he married and settled down.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Gift of Frederic S. Crosby, 1971-1972.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The fonds consists of personal correspondence pertaining to his life in Alberta and Montana, invoices and receipts from I.G. Baker and merchants in Calgary and Winnipeg, horse sale records, lumber company insurance policy, and account books pertaining to the ranch and lumber business. Includes a poem about pioneering in Alberta.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
The originals are restricted due to fragile condition. Photocopies are available for research purposes.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
The material is in English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of records.