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Series: Part 1: Materials Organized in 1979Part 1 of the Joseph G. Lawton papers are primarily composed of family and business correspondence, with Joseph's diary and two ledgers of business expenses also included. The major portion consists of correspondence between Joseph and Ellen Lawton during periods when one or both were absent from home. These letters principally contain news of family activities, friends and acquaintances, and descriptions of area visited while traveling. Joseph's letters generally deal with his business trips, but do not usually reveal the exact nature or status of his business; rather they contain general items and news that would interest his family. Occasionally, Ellen's letters concern the operation of the family farm, or family finances, which were left in her charge when Joseph was away. The remaining Lawton family correspondence consists principally of letters from relatives, some of whom had business and financial dealings with Joseph. Others, in particular the letters written to Ellen, relate mainly personal and family news. A few folders contain letters strictly of a business nature from non-family members. From the Lawton correspondence as a whole, a picture of the early development and business enterprises in the Green Bay area can be obtained, as well as some information about business, financial and mining conditions in the Pottsville and Erie, Pennsylvania areas. Although the major portion of Lawton family letters dates from 1851 to 1880, correspondence between Ellen and Joseph is lacking for a number of years in the 1850's and 1870's, and for the latter part of the 1860's. The second and smaller portion of Part 1 contains the fragmentary correspondence of the Arndt and Delany families, 1833-1908, and a few Lawton family letters, which were not written to Joseph or Ellen Lawton. These letters relate news of personal and family interest.
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Box
1
Folder
1
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Subseries: Genealogical Notes
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Subseries: Correspondence
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Joseph G. Lawton, outgoing correspondence to
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Box
1
Folder
2
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Elizabeth E. Lawton, 1890-1892 : Concerning the settlement of her husband's estate and the disposition of household goods.
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Ellen V. Lawton : Recounting his travels and visits, accounts of business dealings, news of family and friends, describing his part in the Civil War; and farm activities during the periods of Ellen's absence on visits.
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Box
1
Folder
3-16
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1851, 1853, 1856, 1858-1865, 1871, 1873, 1876
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Box
2
Folder
1-3
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1879-1881
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Box
2
Folder
4
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Walter C. Lawton, 1890 : Concerning the settlement of his father's estate.
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Box
2
Folder
5
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Walter V. Lawton, 1864, 1877 : Regarding family and business news.
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Box
2
Folder
6
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William H. Mann, 1851 : Describing the land and buildings Joseph had chosen in Wisconsin for the family to purchase and occupy, telling of the prospects of the area for agriculture and general development. Also, Joseph mentioned his acceptance as a law student in Mr. Baird's office.
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Box
2
Folder
7
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John C. Neville, 1862 : Discussing development of the river area, and plans to build a bridge.
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Box
2
Folder
8
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George Selden, 1863, 1879 : Concerning construction of a factory in De Pere (1863) and his poor health and plans to sell his water power in De Pere, 1879.
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Box
2
Folder
9
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Letterbook, 1864 July-1865 January : Relating to supplies, machinery, labor and financing for an iron furnace, and to use of Joseph's lands along the Fox River. Included is a copy of a letter of November 25, 1864, to Horatio Seymour, Governor of New York. (Most of the letters have faded and are illegible.
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Box
2
Folder
10
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Letterbook, 1864 October-1866 January, 1875 August-1880 July : Relating to the establishment of an iron furnace in De Pere, financial arrangements, types of furnaces and ore, and problems in smelting. At this time, Lawton was vice-president of the De Pere and New York Iron Company. Letters in the second part of the book deal with the financial crises of the 1870's and water power rights on the Fox River. Correspondents included Charles A. Lawton; Henry Charles Carey; Philetus Sawyer, Oshkosh financier and U.S Senator; and Breese J. Stevens, Madison businessman and former Mayor.
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Joseph G. Lawton, incoming correspondence from
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Box
2
Folder
11
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Martha Mann Ash, 1872, 1875 : Regarding her shares of land, a boat and insurance money, and complaining of being neglected by her parents.
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Box
2
Folder
12
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Charles Lawton Bacon, 1855, 1857 : Recounting family and personal news, requesting money.
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Box
2
Folder
13
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Charles Warder Bacon, 1854, 1855, 1858 : Discussing his son, Charles L. Bacon and his prospects, the death of "our brother George" (George A. Lawton?), money, and in 1858, announcing the death of Joseph's father.
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Box
2
Folder
14
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Edward C. Baird, 1866 : Concerning business problems, in particular the sale of shares in the Pottsville, Pa. Luzerne Co. lands and mining operation.
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Box
2
Folder
15
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Eliza Carey Baird, 1866 : Concerning business and investments.
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Box
2
Folder
16
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Henry Carey Baird, 1851, 1855, 1861, 1873, 1881 : Discussing business and banking, and his attempts to put additional paper money into circulation. Also, he discusses Joseph's bank in Pennsylvania.
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Box
2
Folder
17
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Henry Samuel Baird, 1851, 1866, 1868, 1870 : Baird's letter of 1851 answers Joseph's questions about the possibility of beginning a legal practice in the Green Bay area, the prospects for a "practical farmer", the purchase of government lands, investment opportunities, the rights of married women, the healthfulness and diseases of Wisconsin, and the character of the lands in the area.
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Box
2
Folder
18
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Louisa A. Baird (Desnoyers Crane), 1857 : Discussing family and friends.
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Box
2
Folder
19
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Eliza Baird Baker, 1851 : Describing the area around Green Bay and its benefits, giving news of family and friends.
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Box
2
Folder
20
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James S. Baker, 1851 : Recounting the business prospects of the area, the character of the land for sale and the real estate business, and describing the geography.
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Box
2
Folder
21
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Maria Bawne, 1858 : Inviting Joseph to visit her family in New York City.
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Box
2
Folder
22
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Henry C. Carey, 1851-1856, 1865, 1869, 1878 : Concerning business, finances, mortgages, coal mining, and family news, and commenting on property in St. Clair, Pennsylvania and on Joseph's money problems (1851), politics (1852), and Ellen V. Lawton's Luzerne property (1853) .
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Box
2
Folder
23
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Frank Desnoyers, 1855 : Concerning banking problems in Green Bay.
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Box
2
Folder
24
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A.C. Dean, 1866-1867 : Regarding news of family and friends.
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Box
2
Folder
25
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Hippolyte A. Deraismes, 1879 : Discussing an experimental coal elevator.
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Box
2
Folder
26
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Jeremiah S. Dunham, 1876 : Concerning his De Pere flour mill and the lack of business; possibility of selling the mill and receiving a loan.
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Box
2
Folder
27
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William H.B. Gilbert, 1859, 1862 : About the construction of Joseph's house in De Pere, which Gilbert was evidently supervising. Family news.
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Box
3
Folder
1
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Augusta M. Baird Halberstadt, 1855 : Discussing family news.
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Box
3
Folder
2
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Dr. George Halberstadt, 1853, 1857 : In regard to an outbreak of smallpox and vaccinations, and also discusses a joint business venture involving bonds and mortgages.
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Box
3
Folder
3
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William A. Hammer, 1860 : Recounting his business prospects and family news.
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Box
3
Folder
4
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Alfred T. Lawton, 1850-1863 : Concerning general business and financial matters, coal and mining, the development of the Pottsville Pa. area, news of family and friends.
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Box
3
Folder
5
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Anna Maria Nichols Lawton, 1857-1861 : Telling of school, town and family news, and later, of teaching school.
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Box
3
Folder
6
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Caroline V. Lawton, 1861 : Giving family news.
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Box
3
Folder
7
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Charles Lawton, Jr., 1854, 1860 : Discussing business in general, and also various types of new machinery.
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Box
3
Folder
8
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Charles Augustus Lawton, 1861-1877, 1880 : Giving accounts of life with the army at Camp Randall, Madison in 1865, in 1870 describing a new dam at De Pere, and later, family news. In the years 1876-1877, Charles manufactured white lime in Greenleaf, Wisconsin, and in 1880 was president of Novelty Manufacturing Company, which manufactured milling machinery. In this latter venture, Edward W. Arndt served as secretary and treasurer.
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Box
3
Folder
9
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Cornelia Lawton, 1867, 1868, 1879 : Discussing family and friends.
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Box
3
Folder
10
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Elizabeth E. Lawton, 1890-1892 : Concerning the settlement of her husband's estate and the disposition of furniture and household goods. She complains about her ill-treatment at the hands of her step-son, and also describes a visit to Wisconsin.
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Box
3
Folder
11
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Ellen Josephine Lawton, 1869 : Describing the activities of the family.
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Box
3
Folder
12-19
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Ellen V. Lawton, 1851, 1856, 1858, 1859, 1869, 1871, 1873, 1876, 1879, 1880 : Primarily recounting the news of family and friends, and of the family farm, or when Ellen is traveling, describing her visits and giving news of relatives.
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Box
3
Folder
20
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Fannie Augusta Lawton, 1861-1866, to both parents : Giving news of family, friends, and her own activities.
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Box
3
Folder
21
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Frank W. Lawton, 1866 : Asking about river traffic from Green Bay, in both winter and summer.
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Box
3
Folder
22
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George A. Lawton, 1851-1881 : Concerning business, banking, and finances, and some news about local business conditions. Apparently George supervised Joseph's financial and business enterprises when Joseph traveled.
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Box
4
Folder
1
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J. Warren Lawton, 1876
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Box
4
Folder
2
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John Wilson Lawton, 1852-1860 : Discussing business news, family and friends.
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Box
4
Folder
3
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Julia W. Lawton, 1877 : Recounting news of family and of herself. She was working in the post office in San Francisco, California.
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Box
4
Folder
4
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Sophie Willson Lawton, 1861 : Giving family news.
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Box
4
Folder
5
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Walter C. Lawton, 1866, 1872, 1890 : Telling about school and himself, and in 1890, discussing the settling of his father's estate.
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Box
4
Folder
6-7
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Walter V. Lawton, 1851-1881 : Describing his business and travels as a coal agent, financial difficulties during the 1870's, activities of family and friends, and his remarriage in 1881.
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Box
4
Folder
8
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William Lawton, 1851, 1860, 1867, 1875 : Relating family news and travel plans to his nephew Joseph.
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Box
4
Folder
9
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Henry C. and Issac Lea, 1869, 1882 : Offering congratulations on the Lawton's silver wedding anniversary in 1869, and discussing property in Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania.
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Box
4
Folder
10
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John and Archibald H. Lowery, 1854-1857, 1867 : Concerning the De Pere Co., water rights, land and finances.
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Box
4
Folder
11
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Mary W. Lawton Mann, 1851, 1852, 1858, 1876 : Relating news of family and friends.
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Box
4
Folder
12
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William H. Mann, 1853, 1857 : Discussing business and job prospects.
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Box
4
Folder
13
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Curtis R. Merrill, 1855, 1862, 1863 : Pertaining to business, construction and building, land transactions.
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Box
4
Folder
14
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Miscellaneous, 1863, 1868, 1871, 1881
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Box
4
Folder
16
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John C. Neville, 1856-1870, : Describing his experiences as a lawyer in Green Bay, 1857; the Fox River Road, the De Pere Co., business conditions, land transactions, legal and banking work.
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Box
4
Folder
17
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John O. Roorbach, 1851-1879 : Concerning family news, business and mining prospects, travel descriptions, and particularly, the deteriorating health of his wife, Amelia, after 1867. These later letters describe Amelia's condition (she had cancer), treatments, and subsequent surgery and recovery; also, his debts and hopes.
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Box
4
Folder
18
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Sarah H. Roorbach, 1856 : Containing personal news.
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Box
4
Folder
19
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Caroline A. Baird Scott, 1851, 1858 : Giving news of family and friends.
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Box
4
Folder
20
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Anna Maria Lawton Selden, 1853-1866 : Concerning family and friends.
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Box
4
Folder
21-23
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George Selden, 1855, 1858-1860, 1863, 1865-1873, 1876-1881 : Commenting on business and financial conditions in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he manufactured steam engines and boilers, and concerning various business and financial enterprises carried on with Joseph; also, included is news of family and friends.
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Box
4
Folder
24
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George D. Selden, 1865
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Box
4
Folder
25
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Julia Wilson Smith, 1854-1855 : Relating family news.
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Box
5
Folder
1
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Otto Tank, 1852, 1855, 1858, 1863 : Discussing business and various enterprises, finances, and money in general.
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Box
5
Folder
2
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John Woolley, 1851-1868 : Giving Woolley's reports of post-Civil War business prospects in Baltimore and in the East, and discussing land transactions, Woolley's need for funds, his wife's illness, and family news.
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Ellen V. Lawton, incoming correspondence from
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Box
5
Folder
3
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Edward C. Baird, 1863 : Written while on furlough from the Army.
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Box
5
Folder
4-9
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Eliza Carey Baird, 1851, 1858, 1865, 1868, 1870, 1871, 1873, 1876, 1879, 1880 : Concerning family and friends, and some discussions of business matters. Some of the letters are undated, and many are difficult to read.
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Box
5
Folder
10
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Henry Carey Baird, 1857, 1864, 1866, 1868, 1871, 1872 : In regard to Ellen Lawton's share in the Luzerne Co. lands and in property in St. Clair, Pennsylvania; and business news.
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Box
5
Folder
11
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Louisa A. Baird (Desnoyers Crane), 1857 : Relating personal and family news.
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Box
5
Folder
12
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Henry C. Carey, 1858, 1862 : Sympathizing over the death of his namesake, Ellen's son, and discussing family news.
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Box
5
Folder
13
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Augusta M. Baird Halberstadt, 1858 : Extending her sympathy after the death of Ellen's son Henry.
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Box
5
Folder
14
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Maria R. Guion Lawton, 1858 : Containing condolences, and news of her family.
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Box
5
Folder
15
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Mary K. Nichols Lawton, 1869 : Giving news of family and friends.
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Box
5
Folder
16
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Miscellaneous, 1858, 1867
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Box
5
Folder
17
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Amelia Lawton Roorbach, 1870 : Written while recuperating from surgery.
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Box
5
Folder
18
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Caroline A. Baird Scott, 1851 : Discussing personal and family news.
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Box
5
Folder
19
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George Selden, 1872 : Discussing the death of Charles A. Lawton's only son, Selden's impending visit to De Pere, Joseph's poor health, family news and recent photographs.
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Other Correspondence
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Box
5
Folder
20
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R.C. McCormick to Dr. Edmund Delany, 1833
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Box
5
Folder
21
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Rhobe Ann Tallmadge to Dr. Edmund Delany, 1833, 1836 : Written before their marriage.
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Box
5
Folder
22
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Dr. Edmund Delany to Rhobe Ann Tallmadge, 1836 : Concerning their impending marriage.
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Box
5
Folder
23
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Henry Carey Baird to Eliza Carey Baird, 1857, 1866 : In regard to her share of the Luzerne Co. lands and mining operations, and also Ellen V. Lawton's share.
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Box
5
Folder
24
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Edmund Delany, Jr. to his family, 1862 : Written while with the Army in Mitchellville, Tennessee, and describing recent events in camp.
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Box
5
Folder
25
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Elcey Arndt (Lawton) to Edward W. Arndt, 1863, 1865 : Giving family and local news.
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Box
5
Folder
26
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Edward W. Arndt to Charles A. Lawton, 1865 : Written while with the 47th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry at Tullahoma, Tennessee, and describing life in camp.
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Box
5
Folder
27
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Floy Bennett to Edward W. Arndt, 1865 : Giving local news.
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Box
5
Folder
28
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Dr. Edmund Delany to Edmund Delany Jr., 1865 : Written while he was a surgeon with the Army, evidently under contract as a surgeon rather than as an enlisted officer.
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Box
5
Folder
29
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John O. Roorbach to Sarah Lawton H.S. Gilbert, 1870 : Describing Amelia Roorbach's recovery from surgery.
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Box
5
Folder
30
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John O. Roorbach to George A. Lawton, 1870 : Concerning Amelia's worsening condition, consultations with doctors, and the need for surgery.
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Box
5
Folder
31
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Dr. Edmund Delany to Alice E. Delany, 1872-1873, 1887 : Written while Alice was teaching school, and detailing family and local news.
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Box
5
Folder
32
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Jeremiah Porter to Edward W. Arndt, 1873 : Primarily concerning a land deed.
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Box
5
Folder
33
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Henry Carey Baird to Fannie A. Lawton (Dunham), 1894 : Discussing the economics principles of Henry C. Carey.
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Box
5
Folder
34
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Caroline Plaisted to Ellen Delany Arndt, 1903, 1905, 1908 : Giving personal news.
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Box
5
Folder
35
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Charles A. Lawton to Edward W. Arndt, 1907 : Relating family news.
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Box
5
Folder
36
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Miscellaneous, 1886, 1897, 1920
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Subseries: Diary and Ledgers
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Box
6
Folder
1
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Joseph G. Lawton's dairy, April-June 1840 : Describing his life at age 18, while studying French and working in a Philadelphia fruit and wine importing business.
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Box
6
Folder
2
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Joseph G. Lawton's ledger, 1862-1865 : Listing business expenses in Pennsylvania, 1862-1864, and in De Pere, Wisconsin, 1864-1865.
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Box
7
Folder
1
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Joseph G. Lawton's ledger, 1845-1848 : Listing business and family expenses at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, 1845, and at St. Clair, Pennsylvania, 1845-1848.
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