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John C. Provost Papers 1895-1973 (bulk 1895-1931)

MSS-103


Overview of the Collection

Creator: Provost, John C., 1867-1931
Title: John C. Provost Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1895-1973
Bulk Dates: 1895-1931
Quantity: 3 Boxes (1.75 Linear Feet)
Abstract:The John C. Provost Papers contain correspondence, reports, minutes, certificates, news clippings, financial records, ephemeral publications, and memorabilia ranging in date from 1895 to 1973. The bulk of the material dates from 1895 to 1931 and either records the results of mining operations or describes the organization of a labor union.
Identification: MSS-103
Language: Material in English
Repository: Arizona State University Library. Greater Arizona Collection
P.O. Box 871006
Tempe, AZ 85287-1006
Phone: (480) 965-4932
E-Mail: archives@asu.edu
Questions? Ask An Archivist!

Biographical Note

John C. Provost, mining engineer and labor leader, was born to Eugene and Mary D. (Millette) Provost in Jefferson, Wisconsin on June 28, 1867. He moved to Arizona from Cripple Creek, Colorado in the early 20th century. Provost claimed, leased, and managed mining operations in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. He was prominent in labor organization and in 1912 became both the founder and first president of the Arizona Federation of Labor. Provost once stood as the Socialist Party candidate for Governor of Colorado but split with the Party on his return to Arizona. As a representative of the Labor Party, he served one term as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives and its Labor Committee, and subsequently officiated as that body's Sergeant-at-Arms.

Provost married Nettie May Poling (1872-1945) on September 22, 1902 in Colorado and the couple had three children: John C. "Jack", Maxine (Provost) Brubaker, and Arizona Millette (Provost) Jacobs. John C. Provost died of heart disease on September 17, 1931 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Scope and Content Note

The John C. Provost Papers contain correspondence, reports, minutes, certificates, news clippings, financial records, ephemeral publications, and memorabilia ranging in date from 1895 to 1973. The bulk of the material dates from 1895 to 1931 and either records the results of mining operations or describes the organization of a labor union. Box 2, folder 13 (1912) houses the proceedings of the Arizona Federation of Labor organizational convention. Box 2, folder 10 (1902) contains a brief greeting from fellow labor organizer Eugene V. Debs.

Arrangement

This collection consists of three boxes.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

To view this collection, make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or calling (480) 965-4932. Appointments in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138) on the Tempe campus are available Monday through Friday. Check the ASU Library Hours page for current availability.

Copyright

Arizona State University does not own the copyright to this collection. We recognize that it is incumbent upon the researcher to procure permission to publish information from this collection from the owner of the copyright.

Access Terms

Personal Name(s)
Brubaker, Edwin M. (Edwin Martin), 1897-1945.
Debs, Eugene V. (Eugene Victor), 1855-1926.
Provost, John C., 1867-1931.

Corporate Name(s)
American Federation of Labor.
Arizona State Federation of Labor.
Pueblo Smelting and Refining Company.

Subject(s)
Labor leaders -- Arizona.
Labor unions -- Arizona.
Mineral industries -- Arizona.
Mining engineers -- Arizona.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], John C. Provost Papers, MSS-103, Arizona State University Library.

Provenance

The John C. Provost Papers were received from Mrs. Beverly Doss in 1991 (ACC# 1991-00502).

Container List

BoxFolder
11 Denver Property Tax Receipts, 1921-1930
12 Phoenix Property Tax Receipts, 1910, 1927
13 Notebook, Undated
14 Assay Report, 1911
15 Engineer's Report - Statehood Group of Claims, Undated
16 Pueblo Smelting and Refining Co. Statements, 1895-1896
17 Equipment Receipt, 1896
18 Note Payable, 1905
19 Property Tax Article, 1961
110 List of Vouchers Returned by the Bi-Metallic Bank, 1896
111 Letter of Introduction, 1929
112 Real Property Tax Statements, 1899-1949
113 Rent Receipts, 1896-1898
114 Insurance Receipts and Liebel Note, 1898-1931
115 Edwin M. Brubaker Employment History, 1917-1931
116 Portland Cement Company Correspondence, 1908
117 Poling Family Correspondence, 1957-1970
118 Mine Claims, 1953-1954
119/OV2 Thelma Lode Mine Lease, 1896
120 Stock Certificates, 1896-1920
121 Bi-Metallic Bank, 1898-1903
122 Washington, D.C, Trip Notebook, 1904
123/OV2 Jefferson Mine Payroll, 1896 February 29
124 Yavapai County Assessment Record, 1966
125 Furniture Receipt, 1896
126 W. R. Freeman, 1929
127 Miscellaneous Receipts and Vouchers, 1896-1932
128 News Clippings, 1931, Undated
129 Germania Place Real Estate Deed, 1919
130 Monarch Claims Assay Reports, Undated
131 Report on Statehood Group of Claims, Undated
132/OV2 Chattel Mortgage, 1905
133 Ritual of the Western Labor Union, 1901
134 Assay Record, Undated
135 Notebook, 1907
136 American Federation of Labor, 1901-1931
137 Labor Party Audit Report, 1910
138 Chicago Trip Report, Undated
BoxFolder
21 Letter to the Arizona Federation of Labor, 1912
22 Report on Statehood Group of Claims, 1910
23 Bi-Metallic Bank Checkbook #3, 1896
24 United States History Comic Book, 1955
25 News Clippings, 1928-1933, Undated
26 Bank Account Passbooks, 1902-1931
27 Ephemera, 1926-1973, Undated
28 Socialist Party Membership Card, 1901
29 Pacific Co-Operative League, Inc. Certificate of Loan Capital, 1920
210 Eugene V. Debs Letter, 1902
211 Miscellaneous Papers
212 Labor Party Declaration, 1910
213 Proceedings of the State Federation of Labor, 1912
BoxFolder
31 Memorabilia, 1887, 1903, Undated