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Charles N. Kessler papers

 File — Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS 6003

Scope and Contents note

Includes a series of papers that discuss the adventures of early Montanans. The papers tell stories such as unsuccessful searches for gold on the Porcupine River, encounters with extreme weather conditions, interactions with Indians and the settling of Yellowstone.

Also included in the collection is an 84 page checklist for items in the Kessler Library.

Dates

  • 1863-1919

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use note

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Charles N. Kessler papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Charles Nickolas Kessler (1874-1957) collected and maintained a personal library and artifact collection of Montana history.

Charles Nickolas Kessler was born on 7 July 1874 in Montana to Nickolas Kessler and Louisa Ebert. In 1891 he began working at his father’s Montana brewery. He later attended a Chicago school where he was involved in the pioneering of scientific brewing methods. He graduated from the school in 1895 after which he returned to Montana and assumed the presidency of the brewery. He was an officer and founding member of the United States Brewers Association and was actively involved in the anti-prohibition movement.

Charles N. Kessler also collected and maintained a rather large personal library and artifact collection of Montana history because of his love for the area. In 1905 he married Sarah Hewett. The family lived in Helena, Montana until 1923 when they moved to Los Angeles where Charles worked as an insurance salesman. In 1933 they returned to Helena for a time to reopen the brewery, although they maintained their home in California simultaneously. Charles N. Kessler died in Los Angeles on 25 October 1957.

Extent

1 folder (0.10 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Series of papers on Montanans and Yellowstone, 1863-1919.

Custodial History note

Donated in 1995.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Donated; 1995.

Appraisal note

Utah and the American West, (Collection development policy of 19th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts, August 2007).

Processing Information note

Processed; Meghan Mathews; 20 November 2007.

Title
Register of Charles N. Kessler papers
Status
Completed
Author
Meghan Mathews and Karen Glenn, student processors and John Murphy, curator
Date
2009
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States