J.B. Houston Papers: Finding Aid mssHM 68473-68482

Melissa Haley
The Huntington Library
September 2022
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org


Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
Title: J.B. Houston papers
Creator: Houston, J.B.
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 68473-68482
Physical Description: 1.29 Linear Feet (1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1881-1899
Abstract: Collection contains manuscripts, agreements, and correspondence, mostly related to J.B. Houston, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and the Southern Pacific Company.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

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

Conditions Governing Use

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]. J.B. Houston papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Helen Mangold, June 1968.

Biographical / Historical

J.B. (James) Houston served as vice president and president of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains manuscripts, agreements, and correspondence, most of which are related to J.B. (James) Houston, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and the Southern Pacific Company. Items include an agreement between Collis Huntington, Sidney Dillon, Russell Sage, and J.B. Houston regarding the buying and selling of Pacific Mail Steamship Company stock; extracts from the minutes of a board meeting; and two statements regarding Thomas Reddington, J.W. Throckmorton, Joseph E. Johnston, railroad legislation, and the Congressional Committee on Pacific Railroads. Other authors include Senator Roscoe Conkling, Ulysses S. Grant (autograph letter signed to Mrs. J.B. Houston, 1884 October 25, HM 68476), and William T. Sherman. Also included are two letters to J.B. Houston's daughter (her first name unknown) from soldiers, one stationed in Cuba and involved in the Spanish-American War, the other participating in the South African War. The collection also includes poems and clippings.

Processing Information

This finding aid was created in 2022 by Melissa Haley as part of the American Presidential Papers Project with enhanced description of the presidential material present. The items had been assembled physically and arranged by Huntington Library former staff in the mid-20th century.

Related Materials

Fred E. Foster collection, mssHM 80571-80574 
Pacific Mail Steamship Company collection, mssPacific mail steamship co 

Arrangement

Collection is arranged chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Railroad law
South African War, 1899-1902
Spanish-American War, 1898
Cuba -- History -- 1895-
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century
Minutes (administrative records) -- United States -- 19th century
Dillon, Sidney, 1812-1892
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Huntington, Collis Potter, 1821-1900
Johnston, Joseph E. (Joseph Eggleston), 1807-1891
Sage, Russell, 1816-1906
Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
Throckmorton, J. W. (James Webb), 1825-1894
Pacific Mail Steamship Company
Southern Pacific Company

Box 1

J.B. Houston papers 1881-1899