Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- True, Cyrus, 1822-1905
- Abstract:
- Letters and documents received by Cyrus True, of Searsport, Maine, documenting his attempts to speculate in land in the late 19th century.
- Extent:
- 0.83 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
- Language:
- Materials are in English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item]. Cyrus True papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Letters and business records addressed to Cyrus True from several land agents, regarding information on investments and potential investments for farmland primarily in Iowa, with a small amount related to Minnesota and California. Correspondents include Edward Simonton, a real estate and financial agent in St. Paul, Minnesota; the Creston Loan and Trust Company of Creston, Iowa; the State Bank of Hull in Hull, Iowa; and True's nephew Andrew M. Ross, writing from California. Ross's letters provide observations on California's popularity, as he mentions the state's rapid population expansion. Letters contain information on land values, interest rates, mortgage details, farm economics, bank procedures, state business laws, estate matters, business taxes, and other subjects. The correspondents also incidentally report on crop patterns, local politics, the particulars of working with women in business matters, and more. There are also a few documents and letters sent to True from other banks and companies involved in farm loans and other business matters.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Cyrus True was born in 1822 in Prospect, Maine, one of four children of Jane True and sea captain Miles Fowler. He retained his mother's name after his parents separated and worked as a justice of the peace in Searsport, Maine. True died in Searsport in 1905.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchased from McBride Rare Books, January 2023.
- Processing information:
-
Processed at the time of accessioning by Kelly Kress in March 2023.
- Arrangement:
-
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Land speculation -- California
Land speculation -- Iowa
Land speculation -- Minnesota
Business letters -- United States -- 19th century
Business records -- United States -- 19th century - Names:
- True, Cyrus, 1822-1905
- Places:
- California -- History -- 19th century
Iowa -- History -- 19th century
Minnesota -- History -- 19th century
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]. Cyrus True papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108, US
- Contact:
- (626) 405-2191