Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Swineford, Alfred P.
- Extent:
- .2 linear feet (1 half-size document box)
- Language:
- English.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection contains a biographical sketch of Alfred P. Swineford, copies of correspondence from him to his daughter, Nelly Flower Stafford (Mrs. E. O. Stafford), a manuscript entitled "A Cruise of Ten Thousand Miles in Alaskan Waters," and a description of Ketchikan. The often lengthy letters describe in detail Swineford's impressions of Alaska and its inhabitants in the era immediately preceding the Gold Rush there.
The copies were given to the UCSB Libraries in 1974 by Mrs. June Main, a UCSB employee, married to one of the descendants of Nelly Flower Stafford. The original manuscripts were retained by the family.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The following information is drawn from a biographical sketch contained in the collection:
Alfred P. Swineford was born in Ashland, Ohio, on September 14, 1834. He learned the printer's trade as a young man, and worked at his trade for a number of years in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and with the Chicago Times. He moved to Marquette, Michigan in 1867 and established the Mining Journal, which he edited until 1884.
Swineford was active in politics, serving in the Michigan House of Representatives and also serving as Commissioner of Mineral Statistics for the state of Michigan. He was chosen as a Michigan delegate to the national Democratic conventions in 1872 and 1884, and was nominated for Lieutenant-Governor of Michigan.
In March 1885 Swineford was appointed Governor of Alaska by President Grover Cleveland. He arrived at his post in Sitka, Alaska in September 1885 and resigned the position in March 1889.
He later held other public offices and in 1898 wrote the book, Alaska, Its History, Climate and Natural Resources. He died in Juneau, Alaska, October 26, 1909.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of Mrs. June Main, 1974.
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
UC Santa Barbara LibrarySanta Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
- Contact:
- (805) 893-3062