Ezra Burrell papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0642

Staff Only

Summary

Collection contains personal correspondence of Ezra Burrell, of Montpelier, Idaho, including information on family matters and his involvement with the state's Republican Party. Also includes business correspondence, receipts, journals and other materials related to the Burrell and Thiel Hardware and Farm Machinery Company, founded by Burrell in 1912.

Dates

Creation: 1908 - 1934

Creator

Burrell, Ezra A., 1867-1930 (Person)

Biographical Note

Ezra A. Burrell was born in Carmi, Illinois on November 3, 1867. He attended public schools and taught school in Illinois until 1890 when he dediced to move to Idaho.

After working in Blackfoot, St. Anthony, and Idaho Falls, Burrell settled in Monpelier in 1904. There he was one of the controlling organizers and owners of the First National Bank of Montpelier until 1911, when he sold his banking interests.

In February 1912, he organized and began mananging the Burrell & Thiel Hardware and Farm Machinery Company. In 1923, the company changed to the Thiel and Olsen Bros Hardware and Implement Dealers.

Burrell was very active in teh Republican party and in local and state government. He served as Lieutenant Governor for Idaho from 1907-1909. He had close ties to inluential Republican politicans such as William E. Borah and D. W. Davis. He was also active in Idaho's lodges.

Burrell moved to Los Angeles, CA, later in his life. He died on June 5, 1930 and buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Extent

11.5 Cubic Feet (11 record boxes, 1 small document box, 1 oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is divided into two parts. The first part (Boxes 1 and 13) contains family and personal correspondence relating to his involvement with Idaho Masonry, personal business dealings, and Illinois and Idaho family matters. There is also an extensive collection of political correspondence between Ezra Burrell, the Republican State Committee and important individual Idaho Republican politicians of the early 20th century. The second part (Boxes 2-12, with boxes 4-12 unsorted) contains business matters pertaining to the Burrell and Thiel Hardware and Farm Machinery Company (ca. 1913-1923) and its successor Thiel and Olsen Bros Hardware and Implement Dealers (ca. 1923-1934).