Title: John S. Conway Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1881-1974

Creator:

• Conway, John S.

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 391

Quantity: 0.7 cubic ft. (3 boxes)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

John S. Conway was an artist and sculptor who moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1880, he created a mural for the Chamber of Commerce building (now the Mackie Building) entitled “Agriculture and the Industries Bringing Their Tribute to Milwaukee.” He was also the artist who created the bronze sculpture "Victorious Charge", the Milwaukee Soldiers’ Monument. It was a tribute to those who had fought for the Union in the Civil War. The collection is mainly papers in regards to the creation and dedication of that sculpture.

Note:

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Language: English, German

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0391

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Sculptor and artist John S. Conway was born 21 February 1852 in Dayton, Ohio. Conway studied under Conrad Diehl at the Art Institute in Chicago, working there until approximately 1871 when the Chicago fire destroyed his studio and his prospects. He also studied at the Ecole Julien and at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, France. During the 1870s and early 1880s, Conway resided in Milwaukee and became known for his portraiture, exhibiting his work in New York. In 1880, he created a mural for the Chamber of Commerce building (now the Mackie Building) entitled “Agriculture and the Industries Bringing Their Tribute to Milwaukee.” The canvas mural hangs above the trading room’s entrance and depicts and allegorical scene of industry, agriculture, and commerce with mythological figures harvesting grain, forging iron, and gathered around a stock-ticker. This mural is the only original artwork in that room.

Conway traveled throughout Europe in the 1880s and 1890s. In the early 1880s he settled in Rome and married Agata Meloni. They had four children: George (1885 – 1967), Etheldreda (1887 – 1900), Mario (1889 – 1962), and Robert (1899 – 1962). While living in Italy, he received the commission for the Milwaukee Soldiers’ Monument. This bronze sculpture, titled “Victorious Charge” was a tribute to those who had fought for the Union in the Civil War. The piece was created in Rome and shipped to Milwaukee in 1898.

He returned to the United States with his family in 1902. In 1904, Conway completed “Oklahoma,” for the St. Louis Exposition as part of the Colonnade of States. Sculptors were commissioned to create 20 foot high draped seated figures symbolic of one of the states or territories of the Louisiana Purchase, which was the theme of the exhibition, and suggesting something of its history or industrial achievement. Conway died 25 December 1925 in Tenafly, New Jersey.

The materials in this collection deal primarily with the creation and dedication of the Civil War monument, entitled “Victorious Charge,” dedicated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 28 June 1898. The collection includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, and receipts but mainly photographs and glass plate negatives.

The subjects are generally arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each folder. The exception is the photographs, which have been placed at the end.

Conway, John S., Papers, 1881-1974, Collection 391. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

My Dear Mrs. Hewitt : letters of Fanny Burling Buttrick, 9 July 1864 - 8 September 1864

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

The materials were donated by Grace Robinson Conway, John’s daughter-in-law, in 1974. Materials were accessioned as Local History Manuscripts.

Processing Information

Processed by Jen Franks, volunteer, 2007. Processed by Kathy McLeister, volunteer, 2009. Rearranged and edited by Casey Lapworth, 2019.

Box   1 Folder   1	Address Book, 1896
Box   1 Folder   2	The Arts, (Vol. IV, No. 2), 1895
Box   1 Folder   3	Book of the Bazaar of All Nations, 1986
Box   1 Folder   4	Correspondence, 1879-1974, undated
Box   1 Folder   5	Diaries, 1891-1902, undated
Box   1 Folder   6	Newspaper Clippings (German/English), 1897-1898
Box   1 Folder   7	Newspaper Clippings - Soldiers Monument, 1898-1899
Box   1 Folder   8	Overseas Expense Record, 1881
Box   1 Folder   9	Preliminary Sketch of Monument, undated
Box   1 Folder   10	Receipts – Italy, 1902
Box   1 Folder   11	Receipts – shipping and storage, 1902
	Photographs
Box   1 Folder   12	Group: Cook, Wentworth, Reed, Can, Hooker, undated
Box   1 Folder   13	Monument, undated
Box   2 Folder   1-21	Monument, Glass Plate negatives, circa 1898
Box   1 Folder   14	S.S. Merrill, undated