Register of the Van Buskirk Family Collection, 1892-1985

Processed by Don Walker; machine-readable finding aid created by Don Walker

San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum

11793 North Micke Grove Road

Lodi, CA 95241

Phone: (209) 463-4119

Fax: (209) 369-2178

Email: dwalker@uop.edu

URL: http://www.sanjoaquinhistory.org/

Register of the Van Buskirk Family Collection, 1892-1985

Collection number: Ms18

San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum

Lodi, California

Contact Information

San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95241
Phone: (209) 463-4119
Fax: (209) 369-2178
Email: dwalker@uop.edu
URL: http://www.sanjoaquinhistory.org/

Processed by:: Don Walker
Date Completed:: 1998
Encoded by:: Don Walker

Descriptive Summary

Title: Van Buskirk Family Collection,

Date (inclusive): 1892-1985

Collection number: Ms18

Creator:

Extent: 1.5 linear ft.

Repository: San Joaquin County Museum.

Lodi, CA 95241

Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research by appointment only.

Publication Rights

The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary property.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Van Buskirk Family Collection, Ms18, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum.

Access Points

personal name

Van Buskirk, Charles Lever (1845-1920)

Van Buskirk, Angela Crocker

Van Buskirk, Charles R.

Van Buskirk, Erle Lever

Van Buskirk family

corporate name

Mokelumne River Manufacturing Company (Lodi, Calif.)

San Joaquin County Women's Christian Temperance Union

Lodi Political Study Club

Lodi Anti-Saloon League

Lodi Loyal Temperance Legion

Fraternal Order of Eagles - Awards

subject

Businessmen - California - Lodi

Temperance - California - Societies, etc.

Parks - California - Stockton

Agriculture - California - Lodi

Japanese Americans - California - Lodi

Church and social problems - California - Lodi

Congregational churches - California - Lodi

geographic name

Lodi (Calif.) - Social life and customs

San Joaquin County (Calif.) - History - Sources

Biography

Lodi businessman, Charles Lever Van Buskirk (1845-1920), came to California in 1893. He and his brother, George, bought extensive timber lands in Calaveras and Amador counties with the intention of entering the lumber business. At the same time Charles Van Buskirk also acquired numerous corner lots in the city of Lodi, on which he erected the Lodi Opera House, the Van Buskirk Building, the Telephone Building, the Sentinel Building and the School Street Garage. He was also instrumental in obtaining for Lodi its first public library. Van Buskirk's civic-mindedness extended, as local historian George Tinkham writes, "[into] all matters pertaining to schools, charitable organizations, the paving of streets, building of churches and other institutions of public benefit." His was also a temperance advocate who worked to see Lodi free of saloons. Before he came to California, Van Buskirk married Angie B. Crocker, who shared his involvement in the temperance movement and was later President of the local Women's Christian Temperance Union (1914-1915). The Van Buskirks were also active members of the Lodi Congregational Church. They had two sons: Charles R., a Lodi vineyardist; and, Erle Lever, also of Lodi, manufacturer of the Van Pump. Charles R. gave park lands to both Lodi and Stockton (1950s).

Scope and Content

The Van Buskirk Family Collection consists of family business papers and biographical materials, including a ranch ledger of C.R. Van Buskirk (c1910), as well as records of various Lodi (Calif.) religious and temperance organizations to which diverse family members belonged (1895-1919). The collection also contains a file relating to the gift of land by Charles R. Van Buskirk to the City of Stockton for use as a park (1957-1976) and other clippings relating to his donation.of park land to Lodi and to his receipt of an award by the Fraternal Order of Eagles (1957).

BOX 1: VAN BUSKIRK COLLECTION

1.1.1: VAN BUSKIRK FAMILY PAPERS---MOKELUMNE RIVER MANUFACTURING CO. [this corporation was bought up by C.L. Van Buskirk in 1894]

a-Articles of incorporation

b-By-Laws

c-Minutes, 1892-1893

1.1.2: VAN BUSKIRK FAMILY PAPERS---MISC. DEEDS, MORTGAGES & LEASES, 1904-1942

a-Abstract of Title to Lodi Opera House, 1904

b-Mortgage: E. Oppenheim & H. E. Kleinsorge to CLVanB, 1905

c-Deed [to lower floor of Opera House]: CLVanB to F.O. Hale, 1915

d-Lease: CLVanB to M. Newfield & Sons, 1917

e-Lease [various lots]: Van Buskirk Family to M. Newfield & Sons, 1925

f-Crop Mortgage: Van Buskirk sons to Bank of America, 1941

g-Lease: CRVanB to W.J. Comartin, 1942

1.1.3: VAN BUSKIRK FAMILY PAPERS---TOKAY CARNIVAL PRIZE RIBBON, 1907

1.1.4: VAN BUSKIRK FAMILY PAPERS---"CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S GREETINGS PRESENTED BY MRS. C.L. VAN BUSKIRK, CHRISTMAS 1910"

1.1.5: VAN BUSKIRK FAMILY PAPERS---PROPERTY TAX RECEIPTS, 1901-1919

a-San Joaquin County, 1901-1918 [Mrs. C.L. Van Buskirk]

b-Lodi City, 1907-1919 [Mrs. C.L. Van Buskirk]

1.1.6: VAN BUSKIRK FAMILY PAPERS---ACCOUNT BOOK, 1910 [entries suggest that this might be a ledger of Charles R. Van Buskirk, vineyardist; several Japanese surnames appear among the accounts recorded here]

1.1.7: VAN BUSKIRK FAMILY PAPERS---VAN BUSKIRK PARK FILE, 1949-1974 [Charles R. Van Buskirk owned land along French Camp Slough just south of Stockton; he gave this property to the City of Stockton for a public park (1957)]

a-Stockton City Manager to City Council, 7-29-49 [announces Van Buskirk offer of land]

b-Deed of land for park to City of Stockton, 11-5-56

c-Stockton City Council Resolution recognizes deed of land to City, 2-4-57

d-A.J. Bart Dentoni to CRVanB, 3-19-59 [thank you for land]

e-John R. McAulay to CRVanB, 4-8-59 [congratulations for gift of land]

f-Mr. & Mrs. CRVanB to John Dominick, 9-6-59 [thanks for Park plans]

g-Mr. & Mrs. CRVanB to Stockton City Council, 9-6-59 [thanks for City Council Resolution recognizing gift of land]

h-Mr. & Mrs. CRVanB to Bart Dentoni, Chmn Parks & Rec Comm., 9-6-59 [thank you letter]

i-Emil Seifert, Dir. Parks & Rec. to CRVanB, 5-24-60 [invitation to lst Recreation Recognition Dinner]

j-Thos. E. Marnoch, Mayor to CRVanB, 2-27-61 [thanks for land]

k-Emil Seifert, Dir. Parks & Rec. to CRVanB, 5-3-61 [invitation to 2nd Recreation Recognition Dinner]

l-James H. Evans, Pres. Natl. Recreation Assn. to CRVanB, 6-1-61 [letter of appreciation for donation & services; incl. note that this was requested by locals]

m-Emil Seifert, Dir. Parks & Rec. to CRVanB, 7-21-61 [reports watering of walnuts on Van Buskirk Park land]

n-4th Annual Recreation Recognition Dinner, 6-25-63 [program]

o-Emil Seifert, Dir. Pareks & Rec. to CRVanB, 11-23-65 [reports plans for golf course at Van Buskirk Park]; also undated reply

p-Wm. Scott, Chmn. Recreation Recognition Dinner to CRVanB, 5-4-67; CRVanB to Emil Seifert, 5-21-67; Emil Seifert to CRVanB, 5-2-67 [corresp. re invitation to Recreation Recognition Dinner]

q-Emil Seifert, Dir. Parks & Rec. to C.R. Van Buskirk, 4-19-74 [thanks for attendance at groundbreaking ceremonies of Van Buskirk Park]

r-Do., 11-29-74 [thanks for attendance at dedication cermonies of Van Buskirk Community Center in Park]

s-Grant Deed to City of Stockton for portion of Moss Tract for storm drain pumping plant, n.d.

1.1.8: VAN BUSKIRK FAMILY PAPERS---"DESCENDANTS of LEVI VAN BUSKIRK & SUSAN TOWLE...," 1985

1.2.1: LODI CIVIC ORGANIZATION RECORDS---LODI LOYAL TEMPERANCE LEGION MINUTES, 1896-1899 [records of children's auxiliary of the WCTU]

1.2.2: LODI CIVIC ORGANIZATION RECORDS---LODI ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE CONSTITUTION & MEMBERSHIP ROLLS, 1899

1.2.3: LODI CIVIC ORGANIZATION RECORDS---YOUNG MEN'S BARACA BIBLE CLASS OF LODI [organized at Lodi lst Congregational Church (1906); both Van Buskirk sons belonged to this forty-member organization]

a-Clippings [2 articles from The Messenger, publ. by lst Christian Church, Stockton]

b-Minutebook, 1906-07; 1910 ["Baraca Birthday Programme" (1909) laid in]

1.2.4: LODI CIVIC ORGANIZATION RECORDS---LODI HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 1909 SCRAPBOOK [contains clippings & photographs of graduation & reunions; owned by class member, Erle Lever Van Buskirk]

1.2.5: LODI CIVIC ORGANIZATION RECORDS---LODI POLITICAL STUDY CLUB MINUTES, 1911-1912 [a women's organization; Mrs. Van Buskirk's name does not appear in these records]

1.2.6: LODI CIVIC ORGANIZATION RECORDS---SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION [Mrs. Van Buskirk was President in 1914-1915]

a-Minutes, 1914-1917

b-Directory & Handbook, 1924