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Hobson family papers, 1881-1920.
MVC096  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
  • Preferred Citation
  • Provenance/Source of Acquisition
  • Processing Information
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Scope and Contents
  • Organization and Arrangement
  • Related Materials

  • Contributing Institution: Museum of Ventura County
    Title: Hobson family papers
    Identifier/Call Number: MVC096
    Physical Description: .46 Cubic Feet (1 legal-sized document box)
    Date (inclusive): 1881-1920
    Abstract: These papers were created by one branch of the Hobson family, early settlers in what is now known as Ventura County. Abram Lincoln Hobson (1861 – 1929) owned land throughout southern California and was an owner of Hobson Brothers Packing Company and Hobson City Markets. He was also actively involved in the local community. The documents include both business and personal correspondence and papers relating to his land holdings and business interests.
    Physical Location: COLLECTION STORED ON-SITE: Stored at the MVC Research Library. Requests do not have to be made in advance, but researchers MUST make a research appointment on the Research Library website .
    Language of Material: English .

    Conditions Governing Access

    Open for research. Advance requests can be made to Research Library staff via email.

    Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

    Property rights to the physical object belong to the Museum of Ventura County. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the MVC.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], Hobson family papers, MVC096, Museum of Ventura County, Research Library, Ventura, California.

    Provenance/Source of Acquisition

    Mary Harrison; gift; undated.

    Processing Information

    Processed by Ali Phelps under the supervision of Hannah Rogers, 2024.
    Our collections are processed using MPLP methods so that we can prioritize access for users and identify potential priorities for more detailed processing. If while using our collections you think there is something that should be added or amended in the finding aid, we welcome your input. You can notify staff in the reading room or send us an email at library@venturamuseum.org. Be sure to include the collection number and name and the box number you were working with in your email.

    Biographical / Historical

    These records contain the papers of Helen Barnard Hobson (1861 – 1930), Abram Lincoln Hobson (1861 – 1929) and their daughter Grace Barnard Hobson (1892 – 1968). Abram was the son of William Dewey Hobson (1829 - 1915), an early settler in the area now called Ventura County. William is considered the "father of Ventura County" because he was selected to lobby Sacramento for the creation of the county in 1872 and built prominent buildings in Ventura, some of which are still standing. He also worked as a justice of the peace, briefly owned a local newspaper, and he wrote a history of Ventura County in 1876. Additionally, he started a butcher and livestock business in 1876 that his two sons, Abram and William Hobson Jr., eventually took over and that became Hobson Brothers Packing Company, which included Hobson City Markets located in Ventura and Oxnard. Blythe Ranch, along the Colorado River in Riverside County, was acquired by Hobson Bros. in 1905. The property was transferred to the newly formed Palo Verde Land and Water Company. Through this company, Abram was instrumental in developing the Palo Verde Valley and the establishment of Blythe, California. He belonged to several local fraternal organizations, served on the board of the Ventura County Fair, and developed Seacliff Oil Field.

    Scope and Contents

    These papers contain documents created by one branch of the Hobson family, including Helen Barnard Hobson (1861 – 1930), Abram Lincoln Hobson (1861 – 1929) and their daughter Grace Barnard Hobson (1892 – 1968). The Hobsons were early settlers in what is now called Ventura County, California. The documents include business correspondence and paperwork relating to Hobson Bros. Packing Company, Hobson City Markets, and the Palo Verde Land Company dating from 1915 to 1920. Additionally, there is personal correspondence, which includes both letters and postcards dating from 1881 to 1920.

    Organization and Arrangement

    Original order of materials has been maintained

    Related Materials

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Butchers
    Business enterprises -- California -- Ventura County
    Business records
    Correspondence
    Ranches -- California -- Ventura County
    Hobson Brothers Packing Company
    Hobson Brothers City Market
    Palo Verde Land and Water Company