Manuscripts Collection

Business Records

Businesses have played a major role in the settlement, growth and development of Minnesota. They have helped to define the direction of Minnesota's economy, employed its citizens, and provided goods and services both at home and internationally. They have shaped the state's environment and contributed to the quality of life enjoyed by Minnesotans.

The importance of commercial and financial institutions in the history of the state has been recognized by the Minnesota Historical Society since its inception, when its founders began preserving the records of Minnesota businesses. The effort continues today as the society works with businesses and business organizations to preserve and interpret their history. The society holds one of the two largest sets of business records in the nation.

The Society's holdings on Minnesota business reflect the diversity of the economic history of the state. Some of the oldest collections at the Society record the conduct of business in the territory that was to become the state. For instance, a 17th-century fur trade contract complements the many journals kept by Great Lakes fur traders in pre-territorial decades. Such documents contrast sharply with the thousands of cubic feet of corporate records of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways, which are among the largest corporate archives in the nation.

In between these extremes, the Historical Society has every size and type of business archives. Industries represented in the collections include transportation, shipbuilding, farming, agribusiness, manufacturing, meat packing, professional sports, construction, banking, lumbering, retailing, food service, utilities, real estate, public relations, milling (flour, paper and textile), mining, and many more.

This selected list of business-related collections is chosen from the records of corporations; organizations and trade associations; and the personal papers of individual business people.

Corporate Records

• 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing). Records, 1902-95
• Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Inc., Minneapolis. Records, 1882-1982.
• Adams Family Mining Co. Records, 1850-1970.
• American Crystal Sugar Co., Moorhead, MN. (sugar beet processor) Records, 1883-1979.
• American Immigration Co., Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Records, 1907-41.
• Ann River Land Co., Stillwater. Records, 1875-1933.
• Askov Publishing Co., Inc., Askov, MN. Records, 1915-81.
• Bemis Company. (manufacturing) Records, 1866-1978.
• Bovey-deLaittre Lumber Co., Minneapolis. Records, 1870-1911.
• Bowman Lumber Co. Records, 1874-1961.
• Braman, Don, & Associates, Minneapolis. (public relations firm) Records, 1941-82.
• Breen Stone and Marble Co., Kasota. (quarrier, manufacturers and dealers in cut stone) Letterpress Books, 1917-19.
• Bronson and Folsom Towing Co., Stillwater. Records, 1870-1916.
• Brown-Blodgett Co., St. Paul. (printing) Records, ca. 1881-1945.
• Calamity J. Contracting, Inc., Minneapolis. (women's cooperative building contractors) Records, 1970-82.
• Campbell, J. C. Co., Duluth. (lumber) Records, 1887-1960.
• Chester-Kent, Inc., St. Paul. (patent medicines) Records, 1903-71.
• Children's Hospital, St. Paul. Records, 1922-84.
• Chisago County Mutual Telephone Co. Records, 1906-58.
• Cloquet Cooperative Society. (general merchandise) Records, 1930-78.
• Cokato Elevator Co. Records, 1893-1919.
• Conwed Corporation, St. Paul. Records, 1921-89.
• Coops, Inc. of St. Paul. (grocery stores) Records, 1938-69.
• Curtis Hotel Co., Minneapolis. Records, 1896-1980.
• Davis, Kellogg & Severance, (law firm), St. Paul. Records, 1900-25.
• Davidson Co., St. Paul. (real estate and land management) Records, 1870-1977.
• Dispatch-Pioneer Press, 1862-1948.
• Donaldson's, L. S., Inc. (department store) Records, 1897-1922.
• Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway Co. Records, 1874-1984.
• Ecolab, Inc. Records, 1940-94 .
• Farmers' Union Central Exchange (CENEX). Records, 1894-1989.
• First Bank Duluth. Records, 1905-46.
• First Midwest Corporation. (venture capital) Records, 1958-90.
• First State Bank of Bowlus. Stock Certificates, 1907-11.
• Foley Brothers, Inc., St. Paul. (construction) Records, 1887-1961.
• Gerber Industries. (milling) Records, 1901-91.
• Gene Sylvestre Associates. (public relations) Records, 1969-87.
• Graco, Inc. (fluid handling equipment) Records, 1926-92.
• Grain Belt Breweries, Inc., Minneapolis. Records, 1890-1976.
• Great Northern Railway Co. Records, 1854-1970.
• Harkin Store, West Newton. (general store) Records, ca. 1853-1965.
• Hennepin Savings and Loan Association. Records, 1895-1957.
• Hersey, Staples and Co., Stillwater. (lumber) Records, 1831-1934.
• Home Coop Club, Nashwauk. (lumber) Records, 1909-1966.
• Homeseekers Land Co., Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Papers, 1895-1940.
• Honeywell, Inc., Minneapolis. Records, 1890-1980.
• International Multifoods Corporation. Records, 1861-1992.
• Janney, Semple Hill Co., Minneapolis. (wholesale hardware) Records, 1866-1951 .
• Jefferson Transportation Co. Records, 1883-1996.
• Knox Lumber Co. Records, 1941-95.
• Laird, Norton Co., Winona. (lumber) Records, 1855-1958.
• Lindsay Brothers Co., Minneapolis. (implement distributor) Records, ca. 1880s-1980s.
• Lindstrom Creamery Assoc. Records, 1895-1975.
• Longyear, E. J., Co., Minneapolis. (mining exploration and drilling) Records, 1885-1949.
• MacAloon, Lloyd M., and Associates, Minneapolis. (labor relations) Records, 1933-79.
• Mankato Brick & Tile Co. Records, 1892-1984.
• McAuley, J. A., Meat Market. Records, 1855-1939.
• McLeod County Publishing Co. Records, 1918-43.
• Mesaba Iron Co., Duluth. Records, 1882-1906.
• Midland Cooperative. Records, 1917-82.
• Minneapolis Grain Exchange. Records, 1888-1985.
• Minneapolis-Moline, Minneapolis. (tractor and truck manufacturer) Records, 1836, ca. 1890s-1970s.
• Minnesota Gas Co., Minnegasco. Records, 1870-1980.
• Minnesota Kicks, Inc. (professional soccer) Records, 1975-81.
• Minnesota Transfer Railway Co., St. Paul. Records, 1882-1983.
• Minnesota Twins. Scrapbooks, 1937-81.
• Munsingwear, Inc., Minneapolis. Records, 1887-1987.
• North Country Anvil, Inc. (publishing) Records, 1969-90 .
• North Country Co-op. (grocery) Records, 1972-86.
• North Star Woolen Mill Company, Minneapolis. Papers, 1869-1929.
• Northern Pacific Railway Co. Records, 1861-1970.
• Northern States Power Co. Accounting records of predecessor companies, 1856-1928.
• Northrup King Co., Minneapolis. Records, ca. 1884-1980s.
• Northwest Airlines, Inc. Records, 1920s-80s.
• Northwest Bancorporation, Minneapolis. Records of member banks, 1888-1985.
• Noyes Bros. and Cutler, St. Paul. (drug co.) Records, 1868-1919.
• Oliver Iron Mining Co., Duluth. Records, 1901-30.
• Olson Motor Co. (auto dealer) Records, 1926-41.
• Park Cooperative Oil Association. (service station) Records, 1933-72.
• Peavey Company, Minneapolis. (grain milling) Records, 1870-1984.
• Potlatch Corporation. Records of Northern Minnesota Lumber Cos., 1880-1967.
• Powers Department Store. Records, 1886-1953.
• Red Wing Iron Works. Records, 1872-1956.
• Red Wing Potteries, Inc. Records, 1948-78.
• Reid Ray Films, Inc. (film production) Records, 1918-72.
• Republic Airlines, Inc. Records, 1940-86.
• Richards Treat, Inc., Minneapolis. (cafeteria) Records, 1837-1983.
• Ripley Memorial Foundation. Records, 1887-1997.
• Rochester Silo Company. Records, 1970-85.
• Root River State Bank. Records, 1856-1966.
• Rose Bros. Fur Co., St. Paul. Records, 1855-1955.
• St. Anthony Falls Bank, Minneapolis. Records, 1891-1966.
• St. Paul Foundry Co. Records, 1883-1948, 1963.
• St. Paul Union Depot Co., St. Paul. Records, 1879-1982.
• St. Paul Union Stockyards Co. Records, 1886-1982.
• Salisbury Company. (bed and bedding manufacturer) Records, 1878-1983.
• Schoch Grocery Co., St. Paul. Records, 1853-1944.
• Schuneman's, Inc., St. Paul. (retail store) Records, 1864-1962.
• Shaw-Enochs Tractor Co., Stillwater. (tractor manufacturer) Records, ca. 1918-42.
• Soo Line Railroad Co. Records, 1855-1990.
• Split Infinitive, Inc., St. Paul. (advertising and public relations) Records, 1970-82.
• Stacey Telephone Co. Records, 1909-60.
• Strauss Skates, Inc. (skate manufacturer) Records, 1875-1986.
• Twin City Hardwood Lumber Co. Records, 1909-81.
• United Power Association, Elk River. Records, ca. 1955-76.
• Upper Mississippi Barge Line Co. Records, 1919-37.
• Virginia and Rainy Lake Co. (lumber, land) Records, ca. 1905-65.
• Walker, Judd, & Veazie, Marine Mills. (lumber and general store) Accounts, 1849-1926.
• West Lake Gallery. (art dealer) Records, 1964-86.
• Weyerhaeuser Companies. Records, 1860-1961.
• Winton Lumber Co., Minneapolis. Records, 1894-1962.
• Yoerg Brewing Co., St. Paul. Records, 1858-1953.

Trade Association Records

• Better Business Bureau of Minneapolis. Records 1912-25.
• Excelsior Fruit Growers Association, St. Paul. Records, 1900-69.
• Insurance Federation of Minnesota. Records, 1914-88.
• Minneapolis Retailers Association. Records, 1902-66.
• Minnesota Association of Commerce and Industry. Records, 1908-88.
• Minnesota Association of Cooperatives, St. Paul. Records, 1944-89.
• Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Executives. Records, 1926-77.
• Minnesota Dairy Promotion Council. Records, 1894, 1920-83.
• Minnesota Millers State Association. Minute Book and Articles, 1876-87, 1942.
• Minnesota World Trade Association Records, 1951-84.
• Northern Pine Manufacturers Association, Minneapolis. Records, 1890-1960.
• St. Paul Fire Insurance Patrol. Records, 1893-1943, 1965-67.
• Twin City Milk Producers Association, St. Paul. Records, 1906-57.

Personal Papers

• Adams, Elmer Ellsworth, (banking, publishing) Papers, 1860-1951.
• Ames, Charles W. and Mary Lesley, & Family. (West Publishing Company) Papers, 1880s-1980.
• Andersen, Elmer L. (H. B. Fuller, newspaper publishing) Papers, 1907-48.
• Bailly, Alexis. (fur trade) Papers, 1821-98.
• Bell, James Ford. (General Mills) Papers, 1916-60.
• Berger, Benjamin N. (theaters, restaurants, professional sports) Papers, 1921-88.
• Benitt, William A., & Family. (farming) Papers, 1930-66.
• Bill, Fred A., & Family. (steamboats) Papers, 1793-1957.
• Boss, William. (specialty manufacturing company) Family and Business Papers, 1856-1990.
• Brackett, George. (milling, construction) Papers, 1858-1920.
• Brittin, Lewis H. (Northwest Airlines) Papers, 1913-53.
• Brown, Garfield W. (law) Papers, 1906-67.
• Bullis, Harry A. (General Mills) Papers, 1898-1965.
• Clark, Charles H., & Family. (hardware) Papers, 1807-1964.
• Clark, Edwin. (flour milling) Papers, 1855-1923.
• Davis, Edward W. (mining) Papers, 1883-1973.
• Davis, Ken and Barbara Jo. (barbecue sauce and other food products) Papers, 1957-93.
• Deubener, Walter Henry. (inventor of paper shopping bag) Papers, 1899-1972.
• Dunn, Roy E. (resort) Papers, 1886-1985.
• Dunwoody, William Hood. (Washburn-Crosby) Papers, 1837-1915.
• Easton, Jason Clark. (banking, agriculture, real estate) Papers, 1849-1941.
• Folsom, William H. C. (lumbering, real estate) Papers, 1836-1950s.
• Gamble, Bertin C. (retail sales) Papers, 1894-1985.
• Gilbert, Cass. (architecture) Papers, 1882-1934.
• Godfrey, Ard, & Family. (lumber mill) Papers, 1839-1945.
• Gray, Thomas. (drugs, real estate) Papers, 1857-1930.
• Gross, Nicholas. (mortician), Papers, 1860-1947.
• Harris, Samuel A., & Family. (banking) Papers, 1846-1945.
• Hauge, Gabriel S. (banking) Papers, 1929-81.
• Hayes, Moses P. (foundry) Papers, 1859-88.
• Heck, Peter. (blacksmith)Papers, 1879-88.
• Heerman, Edward E. (steamboat) Records, 1857-85.
• Howard, Oscar. (industrial catering, Meals on Wheels, cafeteria) Papers, 1945-90.
• Irvine, Thomas, & Family. (lumbering) Papers 1899-1940.
• Jones, Frederick M. (Thermo-King) Papers, 1910-60s.
• King, Allen S. (NSP) Papers, 1915-79.
• Kittson, Norman. (fur trading) Papers, 1849-89.
• Koll, Mathias. (real estate) Papers, 1880-1971.
• Kratoska, George. (tourism) Papers, 1937-86.
• Kuhn, Eugene. (milling) Papers, 1919-76.
• Larpenteur, Auguste Louis, & Family. (fur trading) Papers, 1792-1861.
• LeDuc, William G., & Family. (flour milling, ferry company) Papers, 1760-1980.
• Lewis, Russell K. (cooperatives, Group Health) Papers, 1925-66.
• Lorentzsen, Norman M. (Northern Pacific Railway) Papers, 1936-82.
• Mayer, Andrew & Family. (farming) Papers, 1940-62.
• MacMahon, William H. (industrial relations) Papers, 1920-55.
• Meighen, Thomas J., & Family. (general store, banking, real estate) Papers, 1830s-1980s.
• Menk, Louis W. (Northern Pacific Railway) Papers, 1953-81.
• Menzel, Bruno, & Family. Papers, 1881-1940.
• Murphy, Kingsley H., & Family. (publishing, communication) Papers, 1886-1986.
• Musser, John. (lumbering, paper milling) Papers, 1936-91.
• Neils, Henry J. (Flour City Ornamental Iron Co., Alumacraft, Champion Motors, J. Neils Lumber Co.) Papers, 1911-88.
• Newcomb, Paul. (motorcycle dealerships) Papers, 1909-87.
• Patton, George, & Family. (dry goods, real estate) Papers, 1839-1968.
• Paulucci, Jeno Francis. (packaged food) Scrapbooks, 1939-86.
• Phillips, Jay. (beverage wholesaler) Papers, 1920-92.
• Pillsbury, John S. Papers, 1833-1934.
• Powell, Ransom J. (law, lumbering) Papers, 1896-1938.
• Pratschner, Louis. (blacksmith) Ledgers, 1886-1908.
• Scott, Louis N., & Family. (theater manager and owner) Papers, 1882-1943.
• Smith, J. Russell, & Family. (real estate) Papers, 1860-1955.
• Sommer, Clifford C. (banking) Papers, 1928-80.
• Steele, Franklin. (lumbering, real estate) Papers, 1839-88.
• Thatcher, M. W. (Farmers Union Grain Terminal Association) Papers, 1923-77.
• Tozer, David, Co., Stillwater. (lumbering and related businesses) Papers, 1857-1930.
• Walker, T. B., & Family. (lumber, real estate) Papers, 1860-1951.
• Wefald, Magnus. (legal, farming) Papers, 1877-1989.
• Weyerhaeuser Family. Papers, 1860-1961
• Wheeler, Rush Benjamin. (law, real estate, loans, insurance) Papers, 1875-1966.
• Willius, Ferdinand, & Family. (banking) Papers, 1814-1956.
• Winton, David J. (lumbering) Papers, 1923-73.
• Wright, Charles J., & Family. (real estate and farm lands) Papers, 1859-1954.