Name/Title
Conrad, Thomas: Reminiscence, 1867-1880Entry/Object ID
AM2015.22.25Scope and Content
Conrad, Thomas: Reminiscence, 1867-1880. Handwritten copy in composition notebook of Diary of Thomas Conrad, an early St. Joseph merchant. The original diary is at the Montana State Historical Society. Page 1 of the diary is dated at St. Joseph, Mo., March, 1867.
Conrad was born in 1821 in PA and essentially orphaned at age 11, and on his own by age 13. He recounts his life experiences trying to make a way in life and educate himself from age 13. He was variously a farmhand, a store clerk, blacksmith helper, a peddler, schoolteacher.
In 1844, he relocated to the Platte Purchase and opened a blacksmith shop in Savannah, MO which expanded to include construction of wagons and buggies. In 1847 he accompanied a group of 15 Indians on a exhibition tour of the mid-eastern states. In 1848, he was teacher at Savannah with more than 100 students.
In 1849, he & his brother went to the California gold fields where he panned and rocked for gold with Mr. Wm Blackman for 1 year.
His return trip via the Isthmus of Panama was eventful. Back in Missouri, in 1852 he opened a general merchandise business in Savannah in partnership as Clark & Conrad. They moved the business to St. Joseph in 1858, adding A.C. Craig to the partnership.
The business was successful until the Civil War ensued, requiring his partner to ship their stock to Denver to dispose of at a profit. During the war years, Conrad was unemployed or employed as a bookkeeper. In 1864, Clark & Conrad entered into business in the area of the Montana Gold Fields, discovered in 1863, selling tinware, tools, queensware, etc. First they operated in Virginia City and later removed to Last Chance Gulch (Helena). Conrad's family remained in St. Joseph. Eventually his broad enterprise was named Clark, Conrad, & Curtin.
The diary describes his political views before, during and after the Civil War. He describes his opinion of the various political parties and Abraham Lincoln. He was disenfranchised after the war due to the Radical Republicans before again being allowed to vote.
The diary is appended by his son who describes Thomas Conrad from the family viewpoint.
Handwritten note attached to diary:
"Diary of Thomas Conrad begun in 1867
This is a copy, made from the original, and done by several of Thomas Conrad's grandchildren. The first 23 pages, I know, were written by my Mother, Mary Conrad (Fitten) because she said so. F.C.S. 1974"Collection
Conrad-PhilipsLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
ReminiscenceNomenclature Sub-Class
Literary WorksNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsSearch Terms
Genealogy, Conrad Family, Conrad, Thomas, California Gold Rush, Savannah, Missouri, Conrad & Clarke, Clarke, Conrad, & Curtin, Civil War in St. Joseph, Politics, St. Joseph Merchants, Montana Gold RushRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Thomas Conrad
