Marie Kempton Phillips, who attended Loveland (Colorado) public schools and Western Normal College in Shenandoah, Iowa, was the daughter of businessman and cattle rancher James Berney Kempton (1843-1910) of Michigan, and Maria Emma Gerry (1851-1910). Maria Gerry's maternal grandfather was Chief Joseph Red Kettle of the Standing Rock Sioux nation; her paternal great-grandfather was Vice President Elbridge Thomas Gerry (1744-1814). Marie Kempton's siblings included: Berney Edmond Kempton (1870–1942), Henry Norman Kempton (1871–1934), Sarah Adelia Kempton (1873–1956), Sanford Smith Seokend Kempton (1875-1954), Asa Sterling Kempton (1877–1960), James Garfield Kempton (1879–1939), and Joseph Elbridge Gerry Kempton (1892–1955). Several Kempton children participated in Wild West shows, including touring in the early 1890s with Dr. Carver's show.
Primarily includes over 550 negatives as well as some photographic prints that document the Phillips and Kempton families; cattle ranching and farming; Ed Phillip's career as a Hollywood actor; and the Phillips family's involvement in Wild West Shows and similar events. Other materials relating to Marie include a diary (1904), school books and autograph books, as well as a some correspondence and ephemera.
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Over 550 nitrate and acetate negatives, available in digital form, mostly taken by Marie Kempton Phillips with a hand-held camera. Some of the more recent photographs may have been taken by her daughter, Jean. Photographs show life on a Montana cattle ranch, including novelty steer riding, rodeo scenes, branding, horse-breaking; and also document Wild West shows--one of the photographs relates to the Colonel Jim White Wild West Show--horse and rodeo contests, parades, and carnivals in which the Phillips family was involved. The Phillips and Kempton families and others--likely neighbors and friends--are also documented. There also appear to be a few photographs of Cuba.
Some of Marie's negatives may also be found in the Miscellaneous Photographs file group.
Negatives are restricted. Click the "View Images" button above to view digital surrogates.
Most likely taken by Marie Kempton Phillips, these include photographs of the Phillips family; a few of Ed Phillips in costume and on set; two of Ed and other cattle ranchers, including Frank Murphy; and a few photographs of others, some of which are identified, including one of Mrs. Lena Strong, known as "Bounding Fawn."
Some of Marie's photographic prints may also be found in the Miscellaneous Photographs file group.
Documents the period when Ed and Marie Phillips traveled back and forth from Montana to New York working various jobs at cattle ranches, farms, and race tracks, and performing in rodeo and horse-racing contests, and a Wild West show in Coney Island.
Items were also used and belonged to Marie's daughter, Jean.
Consists of brief notes from friends and family, including Western Normal College classmates.
Includes a letter from Marie and Ed written while on board the U.S.M.S. "St. Louis," describing the voyage to England with the cast of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (December 10, 1902).