Louis Janin Papers, 1859-1914, bulk 1859-1894

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Summary

Creators:
Janin, Louis, 1837-1914.
Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of American mining engineer Louis Janin (1837-1914), chiefly consisting of correspondence, primarily from the Concepcion Mining & Milling Co. for the years 1887 through 1889, and 47 notebooks and pocket diaries kept by Janin between 1859 and 1889 containing financial accounts and mining survey notes and experimental data.
Extent:
Approximately 162 pieces in 3 boxes.
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the papers of American mining engineer Louis Janin (1837-1914), chiefly consisting of correspondence, primarily from the Concepcion Mining & Milling Co. for the years 1887 through 1889, and 47 notebooks and pocket diaries kept by Janin between 1859 and 1889 containing financial accounts, addresses, memoranda, experimental data, and rough notes for mining surveys. The collection also includes two letterbooks containing press copies of Janin's business and personal correspondence between 1878 and 1894, and several property appraisals authored by Janin in the 1870s.

Subject matter includes: Freiberg Mining Academy (1859-1860), mining and milling techniques, mining operations in the trans-Mississippi West (1861-1889), in Japan (1872-1873) and in Mexico (1876-1879, 1880, 1887-1889), Louis Janin's business and financial affairs, Janin family matters including Santa Ynez (Calif.) ranch

Items of special interest include: three school notebooks from Janin's attendance at the Freiberg Mining Academy (1859-1860) (Box 1, notebooks 1-3); notebooks from his consulting work in Japan (1872-1873)(Box 2, notebooks 19-21) and in Mexico (1876-1879, 1880) (Box 3, notebooks 30, 40); notebooks containing testimony given in a mining debris suit (1878) and Bulwer v. Standard (1889) (Box 3, notebooks 31 and 47); and correspondence between Janin and the Concepcion Mining and Milling Co. concerning company finances and field operations in Mexico (1887-1889) (Box 1, folder 1 and letterbook 2).

Biographical / historical:

Mining engineer Louis Janin (Nov. 7, 1837-March 6, 1914), one of three sons in a New Orleans family who followed the profession of mining engineer, figured prominently in Western mining for nearly sixty years. Educated at Yale and then at the Freiberg Mining Academy, Janin began his career out West in 1861, shortly after his return from Europe. He made his first mark on the profession in the early 1860s on the Comstock Lode, where he applied his scientific training to improving the extraction of silver from formerly-discarded tailings. In subsequent years, first in the employ of others and later in his own practice, he obtained experience on mining fields all over the Far West. Having established a considerable reputation as a consulting engineer for accuracy and discriminating judgment, Janin acquired a growing list of clients including investors in Mexican properties and, in 1873, the Japanese government. His many skills and the breadth of his experience particularly attracted litigants in mining suits, who regularly employed Janin to ascertain the facts of the matter or provide corroborative testimony. Although afflicted in later life with a variety of ailments, Janin carried on with his work for some years and attained the profound respect of his peers. The three sons of his marriage to Elizabeth Marshall, Louis, Jr., Eugene, and Charles, chose their father's profession, carrying on the distinguished family name with their own careers.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mrs. Elliot Evans, September 24, 1984.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in three boxes Box 1: Correspondence, documents, letterbooks, and notebooks 1-9 Box 2: Notebooks 10-24 Box 3: Notebooks 25-47

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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