Derek Corder, Archivist
Oscar Mueller Family Papers
Montana Historical Society
This summer I was honored
to receive the Mueller Family Internship. Generous funding from the Mueller
Family allowed me to travel to Montana from Bellingham Washington to process
the Oscar Mueller Family Papers. I have enjoyed learning of this family’s
fascinating history. The collection includes the records of Oscar’s immediate
and extended family which demonstrate their deep connection to Montana’s
history and committed service to the communities in which they lived.
Oscar Otto Mueller was
born March 29, 1877 on a farm near Van Meter, Iowa. After earning his law degree,
he relocated to Lewistown, Montana in 1908 where he filled the position of
assistant county attorney in 1909 and 1910. Then, in 1917, he was appointed
city attorney.
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| Oscar Mueller Lot 38 B7 F3 |
He was elected mayor of
the City of Lewistown and served one term from 1929 to 1931. As the mayor, he
had to deal with the challenge of enforcing Prohibition. One of his actions was
to bring charges of bootlegging against the Chief of Police himself. Oscar was
dedicated to upholding the rule of law and honorably serving his constituents.
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| Oscar Mueller Lot 38 B6 F26 |
On June 9, 1915 he married
Josephine Cook of White Sulphur Springs, the daughter of the Montana Pioneer
Charles W. Cook. Cook was one of the first stockmen of the state and a member
of the Cook-Folsom-Peterson party of 1869 that made the first exploration of
the Yellowstone Park region. Josephine shared Oscar’s passion for service and
family. She was also fond of writing poetry.
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| Josephine Cook Lot 38 B1 F16 |
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| Charles Cook Lot 38 B6 F16 |
Oscar and Josephine had
three children, Charles, Glenn, and George. Charles died in infancy in 1917.
Glenn and George both served in the army during WWII.
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| Glenn and George Mueller (Lot 38 B10 F11 and Lot 38 B1 F1) |
After the war, Glenn
worked for the Forest Service while George went to work for the US Weather Bureau.
While their work took them from their home state of Montana at first, they
both, eventually, made their way back. Like their father, they took pride in
serving their communities as leaders.
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| Glenn Mueller Lot 38 B10 F11 |
In addition to his work as
an attorney, Oscar was an active amateur historian. He was interested in
Central Montana history and contributed many historical articles to local
newspapers including the Great Falls Tribune. The first issue of the Montana
Magazine of History included his work “The Central Montana Vigilante Raids of
1884”. He, along with his son, George, contributed many written and material
donations to the Montana Historical Society in Helena. Additionally, he was an
amateur archaeologist and paleontologist. In honor of his work, three new
species were named for him.
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| Oscar Mueller (right) and friend (Lot 38 B1 F1) |
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| Native American Pictographs Lot 38 B27 F23 |
Oscar continued his
passion for service both as an attorney and civic leader until his death on
January 3, 1964.
The collection contains
rich correspondence between family and members of the community. The
correspondence also includes Oscar and George’s communication with various
Montana publishing, educational, and government institutions. Their research
materials and publications provides a detailed look into Montana history.
This collection, along
with the extensive collection of photographs (processed by fellow intern Deanna
Leiser), will be available for research soon. I want to thank the Mueller
family for sponsoring this internship and allowing me this rare opportunity to
devote an entire summer to a truly special collection.
