Christensen (Christian T.) Papers, 1862-1906

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Summary

Title:
Christian T. Christensen papers
Dates:
1862-1906
Creators:
Christensen, Christian T. (Christian Thomsen), 1832-1905
Abstract:
A collection of material related to Christian T. Christensen, Danish born American businessman.
Extent:
4.17 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Christian T. Christensen papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of personal correspondence of Christian T. Christensen, chiefly letters addressed to him. Included are letters received by Christensen on the occasion of his retirement from the Army in June 1865, a few official communications and personal letters received by Christensen during his war service, and a telegram from James T. Holtzclaw negotiating the surrender of Mobile, Alabama (April 1865). The post-war correspondence includes letters from Eunice Ward Beecher and Henry Ward Beecher, Lyman Abbott, William Tecumseh Sherman, and others, chiefly concerning his charity work and Civil War experience. Also included are Christensen's military commissions and other documents, an address entitled "Women's influence" that Christensen delivered at the Working Women's Club on November 10, 1887, and a letter soliciting donations for the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute signed by Booker T. Washington (1904).

Biographical / historical:

Christian Thomsen Christensen (1832-1905) was a Danish born American businessman, soldier, and philanthropist. In 1861, he joined the 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers and in November 1861 was commissioned Captain of Company I. In September 1863 he was transferred to the service in the War Department under General Edward Canby and in May 1864, became assistant Adjutant General of the Military Division of West Mississippi. Brevetted Brigadier General in March 1865, he tendered his resignation and was honorably discharged in July 1865. After the war he served as manager and president of various banks, including Nevada Bank (1877 to 1879), Drexel, Morgan and Co. (1880 to 1890), and Brooklyn Trust Co. (1890 to 1900). He was also deacon and chairman of the Church Work Committee in Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, President of the Scandinavian Society of New York and was on the boards of Young Women's Association of Brooklyn, Association for Improving Condition of the Poor, and other charitable and learned associations.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mrs. Dagmar N. Myers, October 1984.
Processing information:

Processed by Harriet McLoone in approximately 1990; in September 2024, Gayle M. Richardson created the finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Gayle M. Richardson
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-10-01 15:34:44 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Christian T. Christensen papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

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