Louis Janin Papers (Addenda), 1863-1895

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Summary

Creators:
Janin, Louis, 1837-1914.
Abstract:
This collection consists of 18 diaries kept between 1863 and 1895 by American mining engineer Louis Janin (1837-1914), which chiefly contain accounts of trip California, Nevada, Japan, and Mexico to survey mines.
Extent:
18 volumes in 2 boxes
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains 18 diaries of American mining engineer Louis Janin (1837-1914). The diaries contain descriptions of mines, notes of mine surveys, and accounts of trips to survey mines in California, Nevada, Japan, and Mexico. Five of the volumes deal with Janin's 1873 stay in Japan, and include details regarding the management of mines in Japan. The diaries also include some personal and family information.

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, May 18, 1987..
Arrangement:

The volumes are arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

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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