Archives West Finding Aid
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John E. Burton papers, 1853-1917
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Burton, John E. (John Edgar), 1847-1930.
- Title
- John E. Burton papers
- Dates
- 1853-1917 (inclusive)18531917
1879-1917 (bulk)18791917 - Quantity
- 2.70 cubic feet (6 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 03085
- Summary
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Burton, a Lake Geneva, Wisconsin businessman and mining financier, was originally from New York. He came to Lake Geneva in 1870, and after teaching school and running a newspaper, began investing in various businesses and industry. Working from his office in Milwaukee, Burton invested heavily in mining. In 1885 he started iron and copper mining operations in the Gogebic Range in northern Wisconsin and Michigan. He was also involved in gold and crystal mining in California, silver mining in Colorado and Mexico, and tin mining in Alaska.
Burton's businesses made him a millionaire. His hobby was collecting Abraham Lincoln books, manuscripts, and memorabilia, of which he amassed a huge collection. In the late 1890s Burton's mining businesses failed. He eventually lost his fortune and was forced to sell his collection of Lincolniana.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Collection contains personal and business materials relating to Burton's mining interests including records of some of the mining companies which were involved. Personal materials include letters to his wife, Lucretia D.; diaries (1885, 1890 photocopy, 1890-1891, 1904, 1907 transcript) concerning crystal mining in California and trips to Alaska, Siberia, Mexico and Cuba; and a few materials relating to his Lincolniana collection.
Burton's business materials include correspondence including a letterbook, ledgers, reports, a scrapbook of 1890s newspaper clippings on silver and gold, maps of the Gogebic Range and glass plate negatives of the Cisco Mine in the Gogebic Range. There are a minute book, a journal and a ledger of the Star Tunnel and Mining Company, which conducted mining in the Gogebic Range. There are also a letterbook and minutes of the Madonna Mining and Development Company (later Monarch Madonna Mining Company) and the Old Sea Level Gold Mining and Dredging Company; minutes of the United States Alaskan Tin Mining Company; and an account book of the Tontine Iron Mining Company. The collection also includes letters (1853-1889) apparently collected by Burton from miners at gold camps at Railroad Flat in California, mainly concerning Phyletus Lewis and his family.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Related Materials
Related MaterialsThere are no known other archival collections created by John E. Burton at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationLocation of Originals
Location of OriginalsThe donor retains possession of the original 1890 and 1907 diaries which are photocopied and transcribed, respectively in this collection.
Processing Note
Processing InformationDetailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Subordinate Component # 1Return to Top
The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list.
| Description |
|---|
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Business failures.
- Copper mines and mining -- Michigan.
- Copper mines and mining -- Wisconsin.
- Gold mines and mining -- California.
- Iron mines and mining -- Michigan.
- Iron mines and mining -- Wisconsin.
- Silver mines and mining -- Colorado.
- Silver mines and mining -- Mexico.
- Tin mines and mining -- Alaska.
- Voyages and travels.
