Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Battée, John M. Battee, John M.
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- .25 linear feet
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
John M. Battée Letters. History San Jose Research Library
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection comprises eighteen letters written by John Marion Battée, originally of Maryland, as he made his way to San Jose, California, in the mid-19th century.
- Biographical / historical:
-
John Marion Battée was born in Maryland on November 3, 1827. He came to California via Panama in the early 1850s, and married Clarissa McKean of Ohio. Battée took office as a Santa Clara County supervisor on March 7, 1870, and continued as a member and chairman of the board until March 4, 1878. During this time he championed the road to Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton. Battée was a grain farmer who owned large ranches in Santa Clara County as well as the Salinas Valley, and was one of the founders of the Farmers' Union in San Jose. In his later years he developed a prune orchard in Los Gatos. He died in San Jose on October 30, 1921.
- Acquisition information:
- The letters and the transcript were donated to the San Jose Historical Museum in 1991 by Elliot G. Baum, who also transcribed the letters. He was given the letters by Dore and Carolyn Battée of San Francisco, descendants of John Battée.
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Letters are available to researchers by appointment with the Curator of Library & Archives. A transcript of the letters is attached to this record.
- Terms of access:
-
Contact the Curator of Library & Archives regarding reproduction and publication.
- Preferred citation:
-
John M. Battée Letters. History San Jose Research Library
- Location of this collection:
-
1661 Senter RoadSan Jose, CA 95112, US
- Contact:
- (408) 287-2290