Jesse Ross letters, 1909-1919

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Summary

Creators:
Ross, Jesse
Abstract:
Letters to Colorado tenant farmer Jesse Ross from landowner Edna B. Leorke, indicating the state of farming at the time; and a few letters from family.
Extent:
0.21 Linear Feet (1 half box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Jesse Ross letters, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of letters and documents belonging to Colorado tenant farmer Jesse Ross. Letters provide details about farming life in early twentieth-century Colorado, ranging from discussion of agricultural productivity and crop marketing to considerations of the opportunities in Colorado as the state's transportation infrastructure developed. Five letters from landowner Edna Leorke (Mrs. J.L. Lewis), illuminate Leorke's understanding of their business relationship as well as her knowledge of the land, the climate, and the market. Included is the original lease contract between the two, in which Ross agrees to lease eight acres located in Conejos County, Colorado. Four letters from family describe news and events elsewhere in Colorado and in Georgia, including construction of the Denver Northwestern and Pacific Railway Hill Route, also known as the Moffat Road, through Colorado; and news of family friends conscripted to serve overseas during World War I. Also included is a business contract with another landowner, and a small, unidentified tintype of a young man.

Biographical / historical:

Jesse A. Ross was a tenant farmer working in the Colorado Springs area of Colorado in the early 20th century.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from McBride Rare Books, March 2021.
Processing information:

Processed by Kelly Kress in March 2022.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

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]. Jesse Ross letters, 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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