Ronstadt family collection, 1802-1993 (bulk 1880-1960)

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Ronstadt family collection, 1802-1993 (bulk 1880-1960)

MS 407


Collection Summary
Creator:	Ronstadt family
Creator:	Ronstadt, Edward F., 1916-
Creator:	Ronstadt, Federico Jose Maria
Collection Name:	Ronstadt family collection,
Inclusive Dates:	1802-1993
Bulk Dates:	(bulk 1880-1960)
Physical Description:	24.7 Linear Feet
Abstract:	The Ronstadt family collection contains family papers and material relating to the F. Ronstadt Co. hardware store.
Collection Number:	MS 407
Language:	Materials are in English and Spanish
Repository:	University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections University of Arizona PO Box 210055 Tucson, AZ 85721-0055 Phone: 520-621-6423 Fax: 520-621-9733 URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/ E-Mail: LBRY-askspcoll@email.arizona.edu

Biographical Note

A prominent pioneer family of Tucson, AZ; the Ronstadts of Tucson originated with Frederick J.M. Ronstadt's arrival in Tucson from Mexico in 1882 to work as an apprentice in the Dalton and Vasquez Wagon Shop. In 1888 he opened his own shop, serving as a blacksmith and custom wagon maker. The business grew to include leather goods, and eventually automobiles, farm machinery, and hardware goods. The F. Ronstadt Co. remained in business as a hardware store in Tucson until the 1980s, carried on by Ronstadt's sons Edward and Gilbert Ronstadt.

Frederick J.M. Ronstadt was active in Tucson civic life, including the Elks, Rotary, and Knights of Columbus. He was an early member of the Tucson Pioneer Historical Society, now the Arizona Historical Society. The Ronstadts are also known for their contribution to the cultural growth of Tucson. Frederick Ronstadt founded the Club Filarmónico de Tucson in 1889, and that musical tradition was carried on by his daughter Luisa Espinel and granddaughter Linda Ronstadt.

Scope and Content Note

The Ronstadt family collection contains family papers and material relating to the F. Ronstadt Co. hardware store. The Family Papers are organized by individual/subject and include biographical information, correspondence, diaries, personal notebooks, and publications. The Business Records consist of primarily financial and administrative documents, including store credit applications, merchandise inventories and ledgers, and organizational history of the Tucson hardware store. Photographs contain family and business images.

Organization

The collection is divided into four series: Business Records, Family Papers, Photographs, and Oversize. The Business Records are divided into three subseries. The Family Papers are divided into fifteen subseries. The Photographs are divided into three subseries. Oversize is divided into three subseries. In many cases original folder titles were retained.

Restrictions

There are no restrictions on this collection.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Access Terms

Subject(s)

Mexican Americans -- Social life and customs -- Arizona -- Tucson

Administrative Information

Credit Line

Ronstadt family collection (MS 407). Special Collections, University of Arizona Libraries.

Processing History

Container List


Series 1: Business Records, 1895-1977 7 Linear Feet (approximately 3485 items).
	Scope and Contents
	The Business Records series is divided into three subseries.
	Finance (1935-1949) contains financial records from the F. Ronstadt Co. It is comprised of mostly store credit applications.
	Organizational History (1895-1940) is comprised of various documents related to the incorporation and administration of the company, as well as marketing and advertising material.
	Inventories (1971-1977) are large bound volumes of store merchandise inventories from the Ronstadt hardware store.


	Subseries: Finance, 1935-1949
box	folder
1	1	Corporate reorganization, 1935-1936
1	2-4	Credit applications A, 1935-1949
1	5-8	Credit applications B, 1935-1949
1	9-12	Credit applications C, 1935-1949
1	13-15	Credit applications D, 1935-1949
1	16	Credit applications E, 1935-1949
1	17-18	Credit applications F, 1935-1949
1	19-21	Credit applications G, 1935-1949
1	22-25	Credit applications H, 1935-1949
1	26	Credit applications I, 1935-1949
1	27	Credit applications J, 1935-1949
box	folder
2	1-2	Credit applications K, 1935-1949
2	3-6	Credit applications L, 1935-1949
2	7	Credit applications Mc, 1935-1949
2	8-12	Credit applications M, 1935-1949
2	13-14	Credit applications N, 1935-1949
2	15	Credit applications O, 1935-1949
2	16-18	Credit applications P, 1935-1949
2	19	Credit applications Q, 1935-1949
2	20-22	Credit applications R, 1935-1949
2	23-28	Credit applications S, 1935-1949
2	29-32	Credit applications T, 1935-1949
box	folder
3	1	Credit applications U, 1935-1949
3	2	Credit applications V, 1935-1949
3	3-7	Credit applications W, 1935-1949
3	8	Credit applications XYZ, 1935-1949
3	9	General, 1903-1928

	Subseries: Organizational History, 1895-1940
box	folder
3	10	Articles of Incorporation, 1898-1899
3	11	Factbook, 1913
3	12	Marketing and advertising material, 1895-1940

	Subseries: Inventories, 1971-1977
box	folder
3	13	"M", 1971
3	14	"H" pp. 1-582, 1971
3	15	"H" pp. 583-705, 1971
3	16	Hardware pp. 1-489, 1972
box	folder
4	1	Sporting goods pp. 490-556, 1972
4	2	Housewares pp. 557-671, 1972
4	3	Machinery, 1972
4	4	Machinery, 1973
4	5	Hardware- housewares, 1973
4	6	Parts, 1974
box	folder
5	1	Hardware, housewares, sporting goods, paint, 1974
5	2	Machine pumps, plastic pipe, 1974
5	3	Hardware, housewares, sporting goods pp1-562, 1975
5	4	Pump, ind. machinery, farm machinery, plastic pipe pp. 1-32, parts pp. 1-335, 1975
5	5	Parts, pump, ind. & farm machinery, plastic pipe pp. 1-374 , 1976
box	folder
6	1	Hardware, sporting goods, paint, housewares, pp. 1-612, 1976
6	2	Machinery pp. 1-337, pp. 1-31, 1977
6	3	Hardware pp. 1-628, 1977


Series 2: Family papers, 1802-1993 4.2 Linear Feet (approximately 5000 items).

	Subseries: Dalton, Henry, 1802-1958
		Scope and Contents
		Grandfather of Lupe Dalton Ronstadt. Includes biographical information and a list of his descendants.

box	folder
6	4		Biography and family history, 1802-1958

	Subseries: Dominguez, Martin, 1936-1951
		Scope and Contents
		First husband of Alicia Ronstadt. They were married in Spain in the 1920s, but later divorced. For a time, Dominguez was trapped in Cuba attempting to return to the United States from Spain, as is reflected in his correspondence.

box	folder
6	5		Correspondence, 1936-1951

	Subseries: Lewis, Louise Dalton, 1952
		Scope and Contents
		Sister of Lupe Dalton Ronstadt. Interview by Edward Ronstadt about her life experiences.

box	folder
6	6		Interview, 1952

	Subseries: Milich, Miodrag, 1949-1958
		Scope and Contents
		Husband of Alicia Ronstadt, who fled to the United States as a refugee from Eastern Europe in the 1950s. His papers include documents legalizing his entry and stay in the US.

box	folder
6	7		Official documents, 1949-1958

	Subseries: Real Estate, 1892-1963
		Scope and Contents
		Documents relating to specific property owned by the Ronstadt family, and real estate investments and companies they were involved in.

box	folder
6	8		Arizona- Mexico Land co, 1903-1926
6	9		Las Delicias well, 1930-1938
6	10		Insurance title abstract, 1892-1931
6	11		Ranch properties, 1935-1963

	Subseries: Ronstadt, Alfred, 1940
		Scope and Contents
		Son of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt. Includes biographical information.

box	folder
6	12		Biographical File, 1940

	Subseries: Ronstadt, Alicia, 1901-1979
		Scope and Contents
		Daughter of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt. Primarily includes correspondence, with material related to her careers as an art dealer and Spanish teacher, and personal mementos.

box	folder
6	13		Address cards,
6	14		Autograph book- To Colette, 1923-1925
6	15		Autograph book- To Alicia (1 of 2), 1954
box	folder
7	1		Autograph book- To Alicia (2 of 2), 1944-1951
7	2		Biographical file, 1937-1968
7	3		Business transactions, 1932-1934
7	4-5		Collected postcards, 1938-1955
7	6		Collected pamphlets,
7	7		Correspondence A-B, 1947-1972
7	8		Correspondence C, 1937-1967
7	9		Correspondence D-F, 1948-1972
7	10		Correspondence G-J, 1936-1975
7	11		Correspondence K-O, 1929-1976
7	12		Correspondence P-Y, 1938-1977
7	13		Correspondence- death of Laudelino Moreno, 1969
7	14		Correspondence- death of Luisa, 1963
7	15-17		Correspondence- postcards, 1925-1975
7	18		Correspondence- Relaciones book, 1966-1971
7	19		Correspondence- Ronstadt family, 1936-1979
7	20		Correspondence- to siblings, 1927-1937
7	21		Education materials, 1942-1965
7	22		Programs, 1946-1963
7	23		Religious mementos, 1901-1979
7	24		Spanish report,
7	25		Stamps and postmarks,

	Subseries: Ronstadt, Edward, 1933-1976
		Scope and Contents
		Son of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt who succeeded his father in the family business. Primarily includes his research on the subject of his family and the Tucson area. Contains correspondence, speeches, and publications.

box	folder
7	26		Biographical file, 1976
7	27		Correspondence- research,
7	28		Family history,
7	29		Publications, 1933-1975
7	30		Spanish history research,
7	31		Speech file, 1964

	Subseries: Ronstadt family, 1901-1981
		Scope and Contents
		Includes general biographical information about the history of the family as a whole, as well as key individuals.

box	folder
7	32		Biographical file, 1901-1981

	Subseries: Ronstadt, Frederick A, 1855-1883
		Scope and Contents
		Father of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt. Born and raised in Germany, he immigrated to Mexico where he married and raised a family. Contains biographical information and correspondence.

box	folder
7	33		Biographical file, 1855-1883
7	34		Correspondence, 1866-1881

	Subseries: Ronstadt II, Frederick A, 1917-1941
		Scope and Contents
		Son of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt. Includes correspondence and documents related to his business interests in Spain.

box	folder
7	35-36		Correspondence, 1917-1942
7	37		Correspondence- Hills Bros. coffee, 1940
7	38		Official document, 1927
7	39		Spanish business receipts, 1932-1939

	Subseries: Ronstadt, Frederick J.M, 1879-1993
		Scope and Contents
		Papers comprise the bulk of this subseries, primarily consisting of correspondence, private ledgers, and drafts of his memoir Borderman.

box	folder
7	40		Address book, 1927
7	41		Awards and certificates, 1883-1944
7	42		Biographical file, 1888-1971
7	43-47		Borderman draft,
box	folder
8	1-2		Borderman draft,
8	3-4		Borderman proof, 1993
8	5		Carriage Builders Technical School papers, 1901-1903
8	6		Correspondence- A, 1938-1952
8	7		Correspondence- B, 1937-1952
8	8		Correspondence- C, 1938-1953
8	9		Correspondence- D, 1936-1953
8	10		Correspondence- E-F, 1888-1953
8	11		Correspondence- G, 1889-1953
8	12-13		Correspondence- H, 1931-1953
8	14		Correspondence- I-K, 1933-1952
8	15		Correspondence- L, 1932-1950
8	16		Correspondence- M, 1892-1951
8	17		Correspondence- N-P, 1938-1952
8	18		Correspondence- R, 1886-1950
8	19		Correspondence- S, 1938-1952
8	20		Correspondence- T, 1932-1950
8	21		Correspondence- U-V, 1931-1946
8	22		Correspondence- W, 1938-1948
8	23		Correspondence- Z, 1935-1950
8	24		Correspondence, Redondo family, 1900-1922
8	25		Correspondence, Ronstadt, Alfred, 1938-1951
8	26		Correspondence, Ronstadt, Alicia, 1937-1953
8	27		Correspondence, Levin, Emily Ronstadt, 1902
8	28		Correspondence, Ronstadt, Frederick A, 1883-1888
8	29-31		Correspondence, Ronstadt II, Frederick A, 1937-1947
8	32		Correspondence, Ronstadt Jr., Frederick A, 1938-1969
8	33		Correspondence, Ronstadt, Gilbert and Ruthmary, 1944-1945
8	34		Correspondence, Ronstadt, Laura, 1938-1953
8	35		Correspondence, Ronstadt, Luisa, 1921-1952
8	36		Correspondence, Ronstadt, Lupe Dalton, 1903
8	37		Correspondence, Ronstadt, Margarita Redondo, 1882-1901
8	38		Correspondence, Ronstadt, William, 1937-1953
8	39		Date book- honeymoon, 1904
8	40		Family histories- Dalton,
8	41		Family histories- Levin, 1834-1902
8	42		Family histories- Redondo, 1852-1921
8	43		Family histories- Ronstadt, 1882-1980
8	44		Memorandum notebook, 1920
8	45		Musical interest, 1890-1940
box	folder
9	1		Notebooks, general, 1941-1952
9	2		Notebook, personal, 1886-1888
9	3		Official documents, 1897-1919
9	4		Private accounts book #1, 1900-1920
9	5		Private ledger #2, 1918-1929
9	6		Private ledger #3, 1921-1934
9	7		Richardson- Zepeda matter, 1915-1950
9	8		Sketchbook- wagons, 1883
9	9		Speeches and talks, 1884-1953
9	10		Store customer notebook, 1900-1912
9	11		Things I remember, 1952
9	12		Tucson history, 1879-1955

	Subseries: Ronstadt, Luisa, 1908-1961
		Scope and Contents
		Daughter of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt, also known as Luisa Espinel. Includes material related to her profession, as well as diaries and mementos from her school years.

box	folder
9	13		Biographical file, 1918-1935
9	14		Casa de Adobe, 1954-1956
9	15		Diary excerpts, 1912-1918
9	16		Diary- retreat notes,
9	17		Diary- school days, 1908-1911
9	18		Conversational Spanish class notes,
9	19		Correspondence- professional development, 1928-1961
9	20		Correspondence- scrapbook, 1927-1935
9	21		Cantos de Mi Padre note,
9	22		Lucy Cobb Institute programs, 1923-1925
9	23		Mementos, 1910-1912
9	24		Mount Carmel Academy reunion, 1961
9	25		Professional research materials, 1934-1957
9	26		The Promise, translation,
9	27		Publications and press releases, 1931-1945
9	28-30		Recital programs, 1916-1959
9	31		Recital programs- other artists, 1931-1954
9	32		Sheet Music- original compositions and arrangements, 1939-1961

	Subseries: Ronstadt, Lupe Dalton, 1921-1972
		Scope and Contents
		Second wife of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt and mother of sons Alfred, Edward, Gilbert, and William. Includes correspondence and publications.

box	folder
9	33		Correspondence, 1921-1972
9	34		Publications, 1937

	Subseries: Zepeda, Jesus Maria, 1862-1939
		Scope and Contents
		Brother-in-law of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt . Includes biographical information.

box	folder
9	35		Biographical File, 1862-1939


Series 3: Photographs, 1870-1979 1 Linear Feet (approximately 1000 items).
	Scope and Contents
	The Photographs series is divided into three subseries:
	Business (1887-1950) consists of photos of various store locations and merchandise sold. Including store interiors and exteriors, catalog goods, and employees.
	Family (1870-1979) primarily consists of photos of family and friends of the Ronstadt family including candid and professional images, in group and individual settings. Contains original daguerreotype and tintype images. Also includes, images of interests related to the Ronstadt family, such as their real estate holdings, special events, and publications.
	General (1894-1977) includes images of the American Southwest, Northern Mexico and the Baja Peninsula, and of United States Troops stationed on the US-Mexico border.


	Subseries: Business, 1887-1950
box	folder
10	1	Automobiles, 1918-1920
10	2-3	Catalog images- saddles and chaps, 1913
10	4	F. Ronstadt Co. employees, 1900-1916
10	5-8	F. Ronstadt Co. store interiors, 1901-1928
10	9-10	F. Ronstadt Co. store exteriors, 1887-1950
10	11-14	Wagons, 1912
10	15	Wagons scrapbook,

	Subseries: Family, 1870-1979
box	folder
10	16	Booklet- Daltons, Ronstadts, Smiths, 1904
10	17	Colette album loose photos, 1948
10	18	Dalton family, 1878-1890
10	19	Early family photos, 1864-1904
10	20	Newspaper article and photos, 1976
10	21-23	Party, 1954
10	24	Real estate, 1903-1920
10	25	Redondo, Jose Maria, 1890-1899
10	26	Ronstadt, Alfred, Edward, Gilbert, and William, 1927-1972
10	27	Ronstadt, Alicia, 1900-1966
10	28	Ronstadt, Alfred, 1928
10	29	Ronstadt, Edward and family, 1919-1979
10	30	Ronstadt, Frederick A, 1870-1879
10	31	Ronstadt, Frederick J.M. and family, 1920-1943
10	32	Ronstadt, Frederick J.M, 1873-1950
10	33	Ronstadt, Gilbert and family, 1922-1952
10	34	Ronstadt, Luisa, 1911-1955
10	35	Ronstadt, Lupe Dalton, 1895-1938
10	36	Smith, Harold and Marguerite Ronstadt, 1905-1928
10	37	Vasquez family, 1870-1879

	Subseries: General, 1894-1977
box	folder
10	38	Arizona- Mexico buildings, 1894-1977
10	39	Baja, California,
10	40	Miscellaneous places,
10	41	Tucson, Arizona, 1908-1972
10	42	United States troops on the border, 1922-1932


Series 4: Oversize, 1894-1958 1 Linear Feet (approximately 1000 items).
	Scope and Contents
	The Oversize series is divided into three subseries.
	Business (1894-1958) contains mostly large ledger and minute books from both the store and the administrative bodies of the company. Includes financial and organizational records.
	Family (1927-1932) is comprised of material relating to Edward Ronstadt's research into former family property and connections in California, and scrapbooks of newspaper clippings for performer Luisa (Espinel) Ronstadt.
	Photographs (1904-1952) contains images of the store exterior in the early twentieth century and catalog images of wagons for sale. Family photos include large professional portraits of Frederick JM Ronstadt, and his niece Marguerite, and an album compiled by family friend Colette.


	Business Records, 1894-1958
box	folder
11	1	Board of Directors minute book, 1904-1930
box	folder
12	1	Check register book, 1950-1955
12	2	Check register- salary records, 1956-1958
box	folder
13	1	Stock certificate book, 1921-1930
box	folder
14	1	Stockholders minute book, 1930-1935
box	folder
15	1	Sales totals register, 1907-1935
15	2	Statements of loss and gain, 1913
15	3	Store credit ledger, 1894-1898
box	folder
16	1	Ronstadt, Edward, family history- California ranchos,
box	folder
17	1	Ronstadt, Luisa, scrapbook- newspaper clippings, 1931-1932
17	2	Ronstadt, Luisa, scrapbook- newspaper clippings and programs, 1927-1932

	Subseries: photographs, 1904-1952
box	folder
18	1	Business records, store exterior, 1904
18	2	Business records, wagons,
18	3	Family Papers, Ronstadt, Frederick J.M, 1952
18	4	Family papers, Ronstadt, Marguerite (Smith), 1924
18	5	Family apers, Scrapbook- photos from Colette, 1948