John Edward Chilberg papers, 1864-1953

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Chilberg, John Edward, b. 1867
Title
John Edward Chilberg papers
Dates
1864-1953 (inclusive)
Quantity
3.2 cubic feet (7 boxes, 1 oversize folder, 1 vertical file, and portion of one microfilm reel)
Collection Number
0166
Summary
Reminiscences and clippings of a businessman and civic leader
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

John Edward "Ed" Chilberg (1867-1954) was a prominent Seattle merchant, investor, and banker best known for his leadership in organizing the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.

Chilberg was born in Wapello County, Iowa on January 19, 1867, to Swedish immigrants Nelson and Matilda Chilberg. He moved to Seattle when he was five years old, where his father started a grocery business. His uncle, Andrew Chilberg, was already a prominent figure in Seattle and president of the Scandinavian-American Bank, who later became the vice-consul of Sweden and Norway in 1879.

Chilberg was briefly enrolled in the Territorial University of Washington and worked as a traveling salesman before following his father and uncle’s footsteps in the sales, grocery, and mining industries. J.E. Chilberg and Company dealt in a variety of goods, including crockery, glassware, flour, feed and grain.

He lost many of his businesses in The Great Seattle Fire of 1889, but seized the opportunities that arose from the ashes of the recuperating city. That same year he married Anna Mary Rinehart of Seattle and later fathered two sons, Hugh Rinehart Chilberg and Carl Edward Chilberg. He moved to Alaska and turned his attention to steamships, becoming master of the Transit and operating the Monarch and the Sovereign. He also had interests in the Pioneer Mining Company and Miners & Merchants Banks of Nome and Ketchikan. Upon returning to Seattle, he worked his way to become vice-president of Seattle’s Scandinavian-American Bank and president of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Chilberg invested in Seattle’s culture, believing it to be as important as infrastructure. He was one of 20 local investors who collectively donated $50,000 to help support Edward S. Curtis produce his well-known work “The North American Indian.”

Chilberg was also involved in several high-profile real estate developments. In 1903, Chilberg, Jafet Lindenberg, and others led Seattle's Scandinavian-American Bank to purchase the southeast corner of 2nd Avenue and Cherry Street with the intention of constructing a new bank building but were persuaded by J.C. Marmaduke to construct something more ambitious. The Alaska Building was finished in 1904, and until 1910 was Seattle tallest “skyscraper” at 15 stories. In 1906 Chilberg and Marmaduke purchased the northeast corner of Stewart Street and 2nd Avenue for $200,000 to construct the New Washington Hotel, later the Josephinum. President Theodore Roosevelt was the New Washington’s first guest, and many more would follow, as the hotel was built in anticipation of the crowds coming to the World’s Fair in 1909.

The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition was Chilberg’s most outstanding contribution to the Pacific Northwest. After being first proposed by Godfrey Chealander in 1905, the Seattle Chamber of Commerce unanimously decided that Seattle should host the fair and Chilberg would serve as president. Prominent Seattle figures such as R.A. Ballinger, Edmond Meany, and W.H. Perry also made significant contributions. The initial idea was to honor Seattle’s impact on the Yukon Gold Rush but expanded to celebrate the entire Pacific Rim, extending invitations to British Columbia, Canada, Japan, California, Oregon, the Philippines, and China. The AYPE opened in June 1909 and saw 3.7 million visitors before closing four months later. It would transform Seattle from a port city narrowly associated with the Klondike Gold Rush to a city representative of cultural and social modernism.

Sources: Historylink, Pacific Coast Architecture Database

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Reminiscences, clippings, report on the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, other papers documenting Chilberg's involvement with the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, various business endeavors, correspondence, photographs, reminiscences, and ephemera. This collection also includes writings, scrapbooks, and ephemera relating to William V. Rinehart (Chilberg's father-in-law), Anna Mary Chilberg (wife), and Ann Inez Devlin (daughter-in-law). Included are photos from travel to Guatemala.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 2 accessions.

  • Accession No. 0166-001, John Edward Chilberg papers, 1889-1939
  • Accession No. 0166-002, John Edward Chilberg papers, 1864-1953

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 0166-001: John Edward Chilberg papers, 1889-1939Return to Top

1 vertical file; portion of one microfilm reel (negative only)

Scope and Content: Reminiscences, clippings; ca. 1889, 1910, 1912, 1924, 1939. Titles Include: Steamboating on the Yukon River in 1899, Business with Puget Sound and Central America, 1892-1897; Wreck of the Colima, June 27, 1895; From Manzanillo to San Salvador and 'Back Home'. Also includes Report on the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, 1909.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Bibliographic Source: Gift of Mabel Chilberg, 1961-05-10. Report on Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition transferred from the Glover photograph collection in Northwest Collection, 1969.

General Notes: Merger of 0166-001 and 1148-001

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Accession
VF 248 0166-001
The Organization and Management of the Business of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg
1953
VF 248 0166-001
Steamboating on the Yukon River in 1899
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg
undated
VF 248 0166-001
Business with Puget Sound and Central America Established and Developed by J.E. Chilberg, 1892 to 1897
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg
undated
VF 248 0166-001
The Wreck of the S.S. Colima June 27, 1895: How the Vessel Sank in the Southern Storm
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg "of the disaster written by the survivor to his wife in This City"
undated
VF 248 0166-001
From Manzanillo to San Salvador and Back Home
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg
undated
VF 248 0166-001
Obituary
Scope and Content: Typewritten copy of erroneous obituary written by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
1895
VF 248 0166-001
The Alaska Building, Seattle
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg
undated
VF 248 0166-001
Clippings
approximately 1909-1939
VF 248 0166-001
Ephemera
Scope and Content: High school commencement program, menu for 50th anniversary of The Times
1889-1911
VF 248 0166-001
List of Chilberg's accomplishments, club memberships
Scope and Content: Accompanied by letter from Mrs. J.E. Chilberg
1960
N8 0166-001
Microfilm Reel (negative)
1 microfilm reel
Scope and Content: Scanned copies of Chilberg's reminiscences "Steamboating on the Yukon River," "Business with Puget Sound and Central America," "The Wreck of the S.S. Colima," "From Manzanillo to San Salvador," "The Alaska Building"
approximately 1979

Accession No. 0166-002: John Edward Chilberg papers, 1864-1953Return to Top

3.2 cubic feet (7 boxes and 1 oversize folder)

Scope and Content: Papers documenting Chilberg's involvement with the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, various business endeavors, correspondence, photographs, reminiscences, and ephemera. This collection also includes writings, scrapbooks, and ephemera relating to William V. Rinehart (Chilberg's father-in-law), Anna Mary Chilberg (wife), and Ann Inez Devlin (daughter-in-law). Included are photos from travel to Guatemala.

Arrangement: Arranged in 7 series.
  • Series 1, Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
  • Series 2, Business files
  • Series 3, Personal files
  • Series 4, William V. Rinehart
  • Series 5, Anna Mary (Rinehart) Chilberg
  • Series 6, Ann Inez Devlin
  • Series 7, Miscellaneous

Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.

Restrictions on Use: Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.

Acquisition Info: Collection was purchased from Matthew J. Landers, who acquired materials from Chilberg estate sale, October 2022.

Container(s) Description Dates
Series 1: Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
Box/Folder Accession
1/1 0166-002
Financial statements and budget balances
1909-1910
1/2 0166-002
Groundbreaking Day
4 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Photographs of J.E. Chilberg, the crowds, Chilberg's speech, a commemorative ribbon
1909
1/3 0166-002
AYPE programs
Scope and Content: 2 special edition issues of The Argus, publicity materials, AYPE directory
1909
1/4 0166-002
Honorary Days at Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
5 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Miss Columbia of Labrador, 2 photos from New York Day, a group photo on Minnesota Day, dedication of statue on Seward Day
1909
1/5 0166-002
President Taft at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
10 photographic prints, 1 negative
Scope and Content: Photographs of Taft's visit, negative of a congratulatory telegram, clipping
1909
1/6 0166-002
Awards presented to John Edward Chilberg
2 slides
Scope and Content: Speech from Japanese consulate, slides of gifts, photograph of trophy, congratulatory letter from A.J. Anderson
1909
1/7 0166-002
AYPE ephemera
Scope and Content: Menu for officers' dinner, AYPE passes and tickets, invitations
1909
1/8 0166-002
"Copy of Conover's cogitations, subjects: The Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition and the University of Washington when A.J. Anderson was president, succeeded by L.J. Powell in 1882"
undated
folder:oversize
OS Folder 1 0166-002
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition diploma presented to J.E. Chilberg
1909
Series 2: Business files
Box/Folder Accession
1/9 0166-002
Financial proposals
undated
2/1 0166-002
Letter of introduction with President Barrios of Guatemala
18793
2/2 0166-002
Central America travel
5 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Photos, notebook, clippings
1895-1897
2/3 0166-002
Theodore Roosevelt
1 photographic print
Scope and Content: Photo, clipping, souvenir pin
1901
2/4 0166-002
The Pacific Mason
Scope and Content: Bound copies of Masonic publications
1885-1886
1/10 0166-002
Ship sale documents and ephemera
2 photographic prints
1916, 1920
2/5 0166-002
Pins and Ribbons
Scope and Content: Washington Bankers Association, National Chamber, Seattle Washington Delegate, Young Men's Republican Club
1915-1918
2/6 0166-002
Mining Shares
Scope and Content: Atascadero Mining Company, Gold Ore Mining Company
1932, 1934
2/7 0166-002
Large group photographs
2 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Mining company workers?
undated
Box
3 0166-002
Group photograph at forest/camp site
1 photographic print
undated
Box/Folder
2/8 0166-002
"These Tremendous Years 1912-1937: Flashes from the History of a Quarter Century of Business Achievement"
1937
2/9 0166-002
Clippings
1883-1929
2/10 0166-002
Seattle Illustrated
Scope and Content: Publications published under the auspices of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce
1890
Box
3 0166-002
Seattle Chamber of Commerce Business Men's Excursion to Inland Empire
22 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Scrapbook of business trip to Stevensen, Washington State Penitentiary, Kennewick, Pullman, Walla Walla, Yakima
September 22-27, 1908
Series 3: Personal files
Box/Folder Accession
2/11 0166-002
Correspondence
approximately 1890-1953
2/12 0166-002
Correspondence--Ann and Hugh Chilberg
1916
1/11 0166-002
Photographic prints of J.E. Chilberg
9 photographic prints
approximately 1880-1900
2/13 0166-002
Tintypes
2 tintypes
Scope and Content: 2 framed tintypes of unknown young children
approximately 1860
2/14 0166-002
Hugh Rinehart Chilberg
5 photographic prints
Scope and Content: 5 cabinet cards of Hugh Chilberg taken at Curtis and Guptill studio
1897-1899
2/15 0166-002
Chilberg family photographs
54 photographic prints, 2 tintypes
Scope and Content: Unlabeled photographs, 2 tintypes of Mr. and Mrs. Chilberg in San Francisco, Mabel Chilberg (J.E. Chilberg's sister)
approximately 1890-1920s
2/16 0166-002
Photographs of airplanes and automobiles
30 photographic prints
approximately 1911-1914
2/17 0166-002
Negatives
19 negatives, 2 photographic prints
Scope and Content: 3 x 4" negatives depicting daily family life
approximately 1940s
Box
4 0166-002
Guatemala photo album
Scope and Content: Hundreds of photographs of rural and urban life in Guatemala; some featured locations: Antigua, Chinautla, San Salvador, San Antonia, Guada Viejo, Ciudad Vieja, Mixco, Las Duenas; one photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Chilberg aboard the Transit
1895
5 0166-002
Guatemala photo album
Scope and Content: Hundreds of photographs of rural and urban life in Guatemala; some featured locations: Acapulco, San Jose de Guat, Escuintla, Palin, Guati; photos of the freighter Transit
undated
Box/Folder
2/21 0166-002
"Mother" Francesca Xavier Cabrini
Scope and Content: Correspondence, clippings, biography of Mother Cabrini
1916-1946
2/22 0166-002
Charles A. Kinnear
Scope and Content: Correspondence, Mrs. Kinnear's travel diary; correspondence includes reminiscences of Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
1919-1952
2/23 0166-002
Ephemera
Scope and Content: Postcards, handwritten notes, calling cards, Seattle Public High School commencement programs, embossed notebook
undated
Series 4: William V. Rinehart
Box/Folder Accession
1/12 0166-002
Large mounted photographs of William V. Rinehart
approximately 1914
2/18 0166-002
William V. Rinehart--correspondence with wife, Oregon territory
1864
2/19 0166-002
William V. Rinehart and William V. Rinehart Jr.
2 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Obituary, photos, biography, memoriam, embossed copy of Seattle Chamber of Commerce publication "The Lake Washington Canal and the Commerce of the Pacific"
approximately 1864-1941
2/20 0166-002
Group photograph in front of Seattle National Bank Block building
1 photographic print
Scope and Content: Mounted group photo; Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart in second row
1896
Series 5: Anna Mary (Rinehart) Chilberg
Box Accession
3 0166-002
Scrapbook
Scope and Content: Unbound scrapbook pages contain clippings, photographs, correspondence, ephemera
approximately 1895-1925
Box/Folder
2/32 0166-002
Travel Diary
1911
Series 6: Ann Inez Devlin
Box Accession
6 0166-002
Photo album
Scope and Content: Photos feature a trip to Europe, including the Tyrolean Alps
approximately 1910-1920
6 0166-002
Loose photographs
approximately 200 photographic prints
Scope and Content: More photographs of Europe trip, James A. Haywise in Civil War uniform, Willie Keiaper
approximately 1864-1920
6 0166-002
Ephemera
Scope and Content: Advertising cards, prayer cards from Italy, correspondence, illustrations by Ann Inez Devlin, memoriam card for Charles J. Devlin
1909, undated
Series 7: Miscellaneous
Box/Folder Accession
2/24 0166-002
Sam Barlow letter to granddaughter "Jennie" and Oregon Trail ephemera
1864, 1993
2/25 0166-002
Publicity photos of child actor Jon Provost
2 photographic prints
1956-1957
2/26 0166-002
Photographs of Valeska Suratt
2 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Related by marriage?
approximately 1920s
2/27 0166-002
Wilton McCoy print of Jenny Lake
Scope and Content: Autographed
undated
2/28 0166-002
Captain Roald Amundsen
1 photographic print
Scope and Content: Photo, clipping, National Geographic Magazine, ode
1908
1/13 0166-002
Prospectus and Outline of Edward Curtis's The North American Indian
1907
2/29 0166-002
Miscellaneous publications
Scope and Content: Handbook of the National Society of the DAR, Stoke Poges Church, Description of the Regalia of Scotland, Penn and Jordans. Chester, reprints from The Business History Review
approximately 1911-1961
2/30 0166-002
Edmond Meany publications
Scope and Content: Class of 1912 dedication, "Two Studies in the History of the Pacific Northwest," The Washington Historical Quarterly
1911, 1912
2/31 0166-002
Miscellaneous Oregon publications
Scope and Content: Pacific Northwest Quarterly, 42nd Reunion of the Oregon Pioneer Association, Oregon Historical Society, Peter Skene Ogden: Fur Trader Oregon: Prize of Discovery, Exploration and Settlement
approximately 1898-1944
1/14 0166-002
Short story manuscripts
Scope and Content: Titles: "The Homestead" by Rusticus and "The Mask of Gold"
1855
1/15 0166-002
Lineage paperwork
Scope and Content: Rufus Sylvester?
undated
1/16 0166-002
Scrapbook of fine art reproductions
Scope and Content: "Esquimo" Nome, Alaska, photograph taken by B.B. Dobbs
undated
Box
3 0166-002
"Puget Sound and her Snow Capped Mountains"
Scope and Content: Oversized booklet of Washington scenery reproductions
1915
7 0166-002
Oversize photographic print of "Happy Jack"
1 photographic print
1903
7 0166-002
Oversize photo of Inuit woman with two children
1 photographic print
approximately 1900-1910

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

  • Alaska
  • Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (1909 : Seattle, Wash.)
  • Colima (ship)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Chilberg, John Edward, b. 1867 (creator)