Henry Whitcomb Holley Collection: Finding Aid mssHolley

Finding aid prepared by Gina C Giang, May 14, 2013.
The Huntington Library
© 2013
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org

Note

Finding aid last updated on February 20, 2024 by Kahlee Leingang.


Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
Title: Henry Whitcomb Holley Collection
Identifier/Call Number: mssHolley
Physical Description: 4 Linear Feet (in 4 cartons) (36 items in 1 envelope and 26 volumes )
Date (inclusive): 1847-1896
Abstract: This collection chiefly contains letterpress books of correspondence mainly related to the professional life of Minnesota railroad employee, land developer, and poet Henry Whitcomb Holley (1828-1897), including real estate transactions, mining claims, railroad construction/development, business enterprises, and his literary career on the side.
Language of Material: English.

Access

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Publication Rights

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]. Henry Whitcomb Holley Collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Provenance

Purchased from Grahame Hardy, July 1953.

Processing Information

1. There are many pages that have been cut or removed from the volumes.
2. Many of the volumes, particularly the poetry volumes, contain loose materials.
3. There is an index in each letterpress book with a listing of the recipients.
4. The subject index does not exhaust every instance where the subject is mentioned, particularly within the letterpress books.

Biographical Note

Henry Whitcomb Holley (1828-1897) was born in Pierrepont Manor, New York, May 5, 1828, the son of David and Betsey (Randall) Holley. He graduated from Norwich University, Vermont, in 1849. From 1849-1856, he was a contracting engineer for railroads in Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Holley came to Minnesota in 1856 and settled in Chatfield. He was editor of the Chatfield Republican (1856-1861); a state senator (1859-1861); and receiver of the U.S. Land Office at Winnebago City (1861-1869). He began his engineering career with the Southern Minnesota Railroad in 1865, became chief engineer of construction, and was also the company's general manager and superintendent.
Other interests of Holley included: the Root River State Bank, of which he was one of the organizers, and land and real estate in Faribault County. Holley was also one of the organizers of the Root River State Bank and was in land and real estate in Faribault County. He also published a number of volumes of poetry.
Holley married Eliza Jane Christie in 1855. The children born to the couple were Maud, Kate, Elizabeth, Mabel, and Henry. Holley died in Everett, Washington, in 1897.

Scope and Content

This collection contains 26 volumes and 10 items of correspondence. The letterpress books, which are extremely fragile, mainly comprises correspondence relating to Henry Whitcomb Holley's professional work concerning real estate transactions, mining claims, railroad construction/development, business enterprises, and his literary career on the side. Correspondence mainly concerns letters to his wife, Eliza Christie Holley, and letters from his friend, William Windom.

Arrangement

The volumes are arranged by type then chronologically. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically.

Indexing: Subject Entries

Alcohol Law and legislation – United States.
  1. Subject in Ogle, J.C. 1 letter to E.J. Holley, A.L.S. (6 p.), (1887, Aug. 2), Owatonna (Minn.). HM 79993.
American literature – 19th century – Anecdotes, facetiae, satire, etc.
  1. Subject in Poems: written for The Politicians, 2nd Edition: [draft], [undated]. HM 79981.
American newspapers – Sections, columns, etc.
  1. Subject in Scrapbooks: Columns, poems, etc. written for the Superior Times (1896). HM 79984.
Business enterprises.
  1. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1892, Mar. 19 – 1892, Nov. 29), Spokane (Wa.). HM 79969.
  2. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1893, July 6 – 1894, Aug. 29), (Wa.). HM 79970.
Mining claims.
  1. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1892, Mar. 19 – 1892, Nov. 29), Spokane (Wa.). HM 79969.
  2. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1895, Mar. 25 – 1896, Feb. 22), Everett (Wa.). HM 79972.
Political satire, American – 19th century.
  1. Subject in Scrapbooks: Columns, poems, etc. written for the Superior Times (1896). HM 79984.
Politics and culture – United States – Periodicals.
  1. Subject in Scrapbooks: Columns, poems, etc. written for the Superior Times (1896). HM 79984.
Politics and Literature – United States – History – 19th century.
  1. Subject in Scrapbooks: Letters, poems, and clippings (1881 – 1886). HM 79983.
  2. Subject in Scrapbooks: Columns, poems, etc. written for the Superior Times (1896). HM 79984.
Prohibitionists – United States.
  1. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1889, Feb 27 – 1890, June 30). HM 79966.
  2. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1891, Aug. 8 – 1891, Nov. 1), Winnebago City (Minn.). Note: Letter book begins on August 8, 1891. HM 79967.
Railroads – Design and construction.
  1. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1889, Feb 27 – 1890, June 30). HM 79966.
  2. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1892, Mar. 19 – 1892, Nov. 29), Spokane (Wa.). HM 79969.
Railroads – Mexico – Planning.
  1. Subject in Scrapbooks: Letters, poems, and clippings, (1881 – 1886). HM 79983.
Real estate development.
  1. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1891, Oct. 6 – 1892, Mar. 14). Note: First part of the letter book contains poems and essays. HM 79968.
  2. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1892, Mar. 19 – 1892, Nov. 29), Spokane (Wa.). HM 79969.
  3. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1893, July 6 – 1894, Aug. 29), (Wa.). HM 79970.
Real estate transactions.
  1. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1893, July 6 – 1894, Aug. 29), (Wa.). HM 79970.
  2. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1894, Feb. 23 – 1894, Aug. 29), Everett (Wa.). HM 79971.
Satires – United States – 19th century.
  1. Subject in Scrapbooks: Columns, poems, etc. written for the Superior Times (1896). HM 79984.
Temperance – United States
  1. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1889, Feb 27 – 1890, June 30). HM 79965.
  2. Subject in Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1891, Oct. 6– 1892, Mar. 14). Note: First part of the letter book contains poems and essays. HM 79968.
  3. Subject in Ogle, J.C. 1 letter to E.J. Holley, A.L.S. (6 p.), (1887, Aug. 2), Owatonna (Minn.). HM 79993.
United States – Politics and government – Caricatures and cartoons.
  1. Subject in Poems: written for The Politicians, 2nd Edition: [draft]. HM 79981.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Alcohol Law and legislation -- United States
American literature -- 19th century -- Anecdotes, facetiae, satire, etc.
American newspapers -- Sections, columns, etc.
Business enterprises
Land titles -- Minnesota
Mining claims
Political satire, American -- 19th century
Politics and culture -- United States -- Periodicals
Politics and literature -- United States -- 19th century
Prohibitionists -- United States
Railroads -- Design and construction
Railroads -- Mexico -- Planning
Railroad land grants -- Minnesota
Real property -- Minnesota
Real estate development
Real estate transactions
Satires -- United States -- 19th century
Sections, columns, etc. American newspapers -- Wisconsin
Temperance -- United States
Delavan (Wis.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.
Marias Pass (Mont.) -- Description and travel
Minnesota -- Politics and government
Minnesota -- Social conditions
United States -- Politics and government -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Winnebago City (Minn.)
Correspondence -- United States -- 19th century
Letterpress copybooks -- United States -- 19th century
Poems -- United States -- 19th century
Scrapbooks -- United States -- 19th century

 

Letterpress Books

Box 2

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1874, May 25 – 1875, Dec. 22), Winnebago City (Minn.). HM 79959

Box 1

Cameron, Holley and Rossiter to A-Z (1881) and Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1881-1892). HM 79960

Box 1

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1883, Apr. 18 – 1884, Dec. 20), Winnebago City (Minn.). HM 79961

Box 1

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1885, Feb. 28 – 1886, Sep. 4), Winnebago City (Minn.). HM 79962

Box 1

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1886, Sep. 4 – 1888, Dec. 31), Winnebago City (Minn.). HM 79963

Box 3

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1889, Feb 27 – 1890, June 30). HM 79964

Box 2

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1890, June 30 – 1891, Aug. 7), Winnebago City (Minn.). HM 79965

Box 2

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1891, Aug. 8 – 1891, Nov. 1), Winnebago City (Minn.). Note: Letter book begins on August 8, 1891. HM 79966

Box 2

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1891, Oct. 6 – 1892, Mar. 14). Note: First part of the letter book contains poems and essays. HM 79967

Box 2

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1892, Mar. 19 – 1892, Nov. 29), Spokane (Wa.). HM 79968

Box 2

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1893, July 6 – 1894, Aug. 29), (Wa.). HM 79969

Box 3

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1894, Feb. 23 – 1894, Aug. 29), Everett (Wa.). HM 79970

Box 1

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 to A-Z (1895, Mar. 25 – 1896, Feb. 22), Everett (Wa.). HM 79971

 

Poems

Box 4

Poems: Accounts, etc. (1847-1851). HM 79972

Box 4

Poems: Clippings, etc. (1847-1869). HM 79973

Box 4

Poems: written for the Dollar Newspaper (1848). HM 79974

Box 3

Poems: (1858 - ). HM 79975

Box 4

Poems: For my wife… (1875 - ). HM 79976

Box 4

Poems: (1883 – 1886). HM 79977

Box 3

Poems: (1893). HM 79978

Box 4

Poems: written for A Mental Harem [undated]. HM 79979

Box 4

Poems: Ovid… [undated]. HM 79980

Box 4

Poems: written for The Politicians, 2nPurd Edition: [draft], [undated]. HM 79981

 

Scrapbooks

Box 3

Letters to Eliza Christie Holley (1852-1855). HM 79982

Box 4

Letters, poems, and clippings (1881 – 1886). HM 79983

Box 4

Columns, poems, etc. written for the Superior Times (1896). HM 79984

 

Correspondence and Manuscripts

Box 1

Dieudonné, Florence Carpenter, 1850- 1 letter to "Dear Friends," A.L.S. (2 p.), [after 1850], Bridgehampton (N.Y.). HM 79985

Box 1

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 1 letter to Eliza Christie Holley, A.L.S. (4 p.), (1856, Mar. 27), Indianapolis (Ind.). HM 79986

Box 1

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 1 letter to Eliza Christie Holley, A.L.S. (4 p.), (1856, Apr. 5), Frankfort (Ind.). HM 79987

Box 1

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 1 letter to Eliza Christie Holley, A.L.S. (1 p.), (1856, Apr. 8), Frankfort (Ind.). HM 79988

Box 1

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 1 letter to Eliza Christie Holley, A.L.S. (2 p.), (1860, Mar. 2). HM 79989

Box 1

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 1 letter to Eliza Christie Holley, A.L.S. (6 p.), (1866, July 15), La Crosse (Wis.). HM 79990

Box 1

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897 1 letter to Eliza Christie Holley, A.L.S. (4 p.), (1868, Dec. 6), La Crosse (Wis.). HM 79991

Box 1

Holley, H. W. (Henry Whitcomb), 1828-1897. Lorena: [poem], A.MS. (3 p.), [before 1898]. With envelope addressed to Eliza Christie Holley. HM 79992

Box 1

Ogle, J.C. 1 letter to E.J. Holley, A.L.S. (6 p.), (1887, Aug. 2), Owatonna (Minn.). HM 79993

Box 1

Wilson, [Andrew] C. 1 letter to "Dear Friends," A.L.S. (4 p.), (1855, June 18), Calhoun County (Ill.). HM 79994