Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Guide to the Richard Montgomery Webster Papers
1847-1953
Cage 447
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
- Creator
- Webster, Richard Montgomery, 1869-1953
- Title
- Richard Montgomery Webster Papers
- ID
- Cage 447
- Date [inclusive]
- 1847-1953
- Extent
- 1 Linear feet of shelf space, 2 Boxes
- Language
- Collection materials are in English.
- Abstract
- Correspondence, newspaper clippings, financial papers, photographs, and genealogical materials, of Judge Richard M. Webster, primarily related to the Webster and Landram families.
Preferred Citation
[Item description]
Richard Montgomery Webster Papers, 1847-1953 (Cage 447)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Biography/History
Richard Montgomery Webster was born in Leesburg, Kentucky, on August 30, 1869. He graduated from the National University Law School in Washington, D. C. with a L.L.B. and from George Washington University, Washington, D. C., with an L.L.M. In 1902 he was appointed law clerk to the Post Office Department. He rapidly advanced to the position of Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Post Office Department.
Webster came to Spokane in 1904. In addition to his private law practice, he served as an instructor at Gonzaga University Law School. In 1917 he was elected superior court judge for Spokane, a position he held throughout the remainder of his career. During the years following 1919 until his retirement in 1948, his greatest efforts were devoted to juvenile court work.
Webster's brother, John Stanley Webster, arrived two years later in 1906 and became a prominent judicial and political figure in Spokane.
Webster was married to Florence Knode of Fairmont, Minnesota, in August 1908. Their three children included a daughter Virginia Garrard (Holmes), and two sons, John Landram and Thomas Richard. On March 14, 1953, Judge Webster passed away at the age of eighty-three years.
Scope and Content
Dating from 1847 through 1953, the bulk of the papers of Judge Richard M. Webster consists of correspondence between Webster and family members or legal associates. Newspaper clippings also comprise a substantial part of the papers. His family background is detailed in the family history folder and also the Landram family folder. The material which predates Webster's birth (pre-1869) is contained in the family history file and the Landram family folder; this material consists of marriage licenses, birth certificates, and some financial records for the period 1847 through 1869. Although the papers contain some legal and financial documents, the records are incomplete. The papers also contain several photographs of family members which are undated. The bulk of the material dates from the post-1900 period with an emphasis in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.
Arrangement
The papers of Judge Richard M. Webster are arranged in a single alphabetical subject series.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections © 2022
https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc/
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open and available for research use.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Acquisition Information
The papers of Richard Montgomery Webster (1869-1953) were donated by Marilyn W. Ring to Washington State University Libraries in August 1978 (MS 78-34).
Related Materials
Related Material
John Stanley Webster Papers, 1901-1963(Cage 459)
Names and Subjects
Family Name(s)
- Webster family
- Landram family
Personal Name(s)
Subject(s) :
- Webster, Richard Montgomery, 1869-1953 -- Archives
Subject(s)
- Judges -- Washington (State) -- Archives
- Home and Family
- Civil Procedures and Courts
- Washington (State)
Detailed Description of Collection
| box | folder | |||
|
Baby Book 1909 1 item |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Bible 1876 1 item |
1 | 2 | ||
|
Certificates 1902-1924 3 items |
1 | 3 | ||
|
Correspondence 1894-1953 175 items |
1 | 4-8 | ||
|
Family History 1867-1927 20 items |
1 | 9 | ||
|
Financial Records 1892-1938 24 items |
1 | 10-11 | ||
|
Landram Family 1847-1908 8 items |
2 | 12 | ||
|
Legal Papers 1897-1937 48 items |
2 | 13-14 | ||
|
Memorabilia 1900-1947 20 items |
2 | 15 | ||
|
Military 1927-1947 12 items |
2 | 16 | ||
|
Newspaper Clippings 1905-1951 40 items |
2 | 17-20 | ||
|
Newspaper Clippings: Webster 1908-1948 70 items |
2 | 21-22 | ||
|
Photos 1908-1952 11 items |
2 | 23 | ||
|
Scrap Book 1902-1928 35 items |
2 | 24 | ||
|
Washington Trust Company Ledger 1926 1 item |
2 | 25 | ||