Merk (George W.) Correspondence, 1876-1901

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Summary

Title:
George W. Merk Correspondence
Dates:
1876-1901
Creators:
Merk, George W.
Abstract:
Correspondence documenting the professional and personal life of George Merk, a German emigrant born in 1836 who worked in many capacities in Guerneville and the surrounding areas over the period of several decades.
Extent:
135 letters
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], George W. Merk Correspondence, D-763, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of California, Davis.

Background

Scope and content:

Written by Auger Down Books.

"Correspondence documenting the professional and personal life of George Merk, a German emigrant born in 1836 who worked in many capacities in Guerneville and the surrounding areas over the period of several decades documented here. The letters are written to George's brother Fred, and document the challenges of daily life as George works his way through several different professions.

His observations not only include discussing California life but also comparing his plight to that of family and friends who remained in Germany. Merk discusses the differences between Germany and America, and his surprise that German immigrants are willing to endure such poor conditions in America. 'Eastern fellows are delighted by mine offers throughout the Rocky Mountains, so they are getting very particular.' At one point he discusses a legal bullying situation, 'it sounds more in the shape of blackmail or extortion - and I don't see how they would push it on you a non-resident.' He seems interested in living rurally though complains of the impossibility of success in agriculture: 'I like this country outdoor life well enough, in fact would not live in a city… a mechanic or tradesman don't have to work as hard as hard as farmers.'

Merk has a particular interest in financing, business, and the difficulties of obtaining credit and operating as a merchant. He discusses interest rates, other fiscal policies of the San Francisco banks, and financial institutions in general, and discusses the difficulty of California's credit systems multiple times. He seems at times sympathetic to the plight of laborers, stating: 'saw a great many going into the hills, they were all poor people and will no doubt see a hard time.' He discusses a saloon that 'makes 100 a month in a log hut' in Deadwood. He discusses Chinese laborers and California in general, and offers a contradictory perspective on Chinese laborers: 'There is several drawbacks unfavorable in California, which keeps small capitalists and farmers away and that is the monopoly in the best lands in the state (Mexican land grants) and the Chinese cheap labor, but the latter have really been a benefit to the state in developing the lands and building R.R. if they could only keep any more from coming, it would be better.' At one point he applies for a patent for a steam cooker. Also includes a letter from Fred's daughter, which is the subject of several letters. Many of the later letters are written from Duncan Mills. 'No business is for sale where an owner makes more than his experience.'"

Biographical / historical:

George Merk was a German emigrant born in 1836 who worked in Guerneville and the surrounding areas as a miner, steam cooker, lumberman and general store owner, between 1874-1904. The letters are primarily written to George's brother Fred, and document the challenges of daily life as George works his way through several different professions. Also included are letters from his daughter, Mattie E. Merk, and niece, Henrietta Merk.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Auger Down Books, 2023.
Processing information:

Michelle Trujillo created this finding aid with information supplied by Auger Down Books.

Arrangement:

The files are arranged chronologically and grouped by year however folder titles are written as individual dates.

Physical location:
This collection is stored off-site at the Northern Regional Library Facility. Researchers should contact Archives and Special Collections to request collections in advance.
Physical facet:
180 pages total, two document cases
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Michelle Trujillo
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-11-04 11:53:05 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

All applicable copyrights for the collection are protected under chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code. Requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California as the owner of the physical items. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], George W. Merk Correspondence, D-763, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of California, Davis.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Davis, Special Collections, UC Davis Library
100 NW Quad
Davis, CA 95616-5292, US
Contact:
(530) 752-1621
speccoll@ucdavis.edu
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