John E. Ballaine papers, 1889-1940

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Ballaine, John E., 1868-1941
Title
John E. Ballaine papers
Dates
1889-1940 (inclusive)
Quantity
5.39 cubic feet (13 boxes) plus 28 microfiches (1 vertical file)
Collection Number
0498
Summary
Papers of a journalist, businessman, army officer, civic leader, and private secretary to John R. Rogers, Governor of Washington
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

Presume open to all users.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

John E. Ballaine (1868-1941), founder of the town of Seward, Alaska, and Alaska Central Railroad Company, was a journalist, businessman, army officer, civic leader, and private secretary to John R. Rogers, Governor of Washington. He was also associated with the Alaska Pulp, Paper, and Hardwood Company, Alaska Smelting and Development Company, and the Washington National Guard.

Ballaine came to Washington from Iowa with his parents. He attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, but did not graduate. He taught school, became a newspaper writer, and then worked as secretary to Governor Rogers and the Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard, 1897-1898. Ballaine served in the First Washington Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. In 1902, Ballaine founded the Alaska Central Railway Company and its construction branch, the Tanana Construction Company. In 1903, he officially founded Seward, Alaska. John Ballaine and his brother Frank operated the Ballaine Brothers Company, and Frank Ballaine took care of real estate transactions in Seward. Ballaine sold his controlling interest in the Alaska Central Railroad Company in 1905, and conflict in the Company resulted in Ballaine's leaving the company completely a few years later. Although his ownership of the Alaska Central Railroad Company had ceased, Ballaine remained fervently interested in Alaska and its development in subsequent years. Ballaine died in Seattle in 1941.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Consult the scope and content information for each of the accessions listed below.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 2 accessions.

  • Accession No. 0498-001, John E. Ballaine papers, circa 1889-1940
  • Accession No. 0498-002, John E. Ballaine papers, 1889-1940

Processing Note

Boxes 6 and 7 were removed from accession 0498-001 so that the publications could be individually cataloged. Legacy finding aid lists all publication removed. Folders 6/1 and 6/2 were added to the end of box 5 and have become 5/10 and 5/11, respectively.

Separated Materials

Material Described Separately:

Publications removed from boxes 6 and 7 of accession 0498-001 and cataloged individually. See inventory attached for information on the titles of materials removed.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 0498-001: John E. Ballaine papers, circa 1889-1940Return to Top

5.39 cubic feet (13 boxes)

Scope and Content: Correspondence and supporting files.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

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

Acquisition Info: Gift of Jerrold F. Ballaine and Sophronia B. Kalin, 10/20/1965.

Description
John E. Ballaine papers

Accession No. 0498-002: John E. Ballaine papers, 1889-1940Return to Top

1 vertical file (28 microfiches)

Scope and Content: Microfiche of selections from the John Ballaine papers, chosen by Mary Barry, Anchorage, AK.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

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

Acquisition Info: Received 3/1/1988.

Description
John E. Ballaine papers

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Ballaine, John E., 1868-1941--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Republican Party (Wash.)

Geographical Names

  • Alaska

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Ballaine, Anna F (creator)
    • Ballaine, Frank L (creator)
    • Brennan, Louis (creator)
    • Dill, Clarence C. (Clarence Cleveland), 1884-1978 (creator)
    • Fitzgerald, D. J (creator)
    • Jones, Wesley Livsey, 1863-1932 (creator)
    • Pinchot, Gifford, 1865-1946 (creator)
    • Poindexter, Miles, 1868-1946 (creator)
    • Thompson, Frank (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • Alaska Central Railway Company (creator)
    • Alaska Pulp, Paper and Hardwood Company (creator)
    • Alaska Smelting and Development Company (creator)
    • Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ) (creator)
    • United States. Department of the Interior (creator)
    • United States. War Department (creator)