Title: Ira Miltimore Family Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1838-1963

Creator:

• Miltimore, Ira, 1813-1876

Call Number: Whitewater Micro 3; Micro 502; SC 3315

Quantity: 1 reel of microfilm (35 mm) and 0.1 cubic feet (1 folder)

Repository:

Housed at the University Archives & Area Research Center, Harold Andersen Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

UW-Whitewater Library / Whitewater Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:

Papers relating to the family of Ira Miltimore, a pioneer settler of Chicago, Illinois, and later Janesville, Wisconsin. Collection includes correspondence between Miltimore and his future wife, Margaret B. King; a few Civil War letters from Miltimore while serving as captain of Company E, 33rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, and from his son Claron, a private in Company E, 22nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment and adjutant in the 37th Infantry; account books kept by Margaret; clippings; photographs; and biographical and genealogical notes gathered by a descendant, Hazel Elmslie.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-micr0502

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Ira Miltimore was a prominent pioneer associated with the early settlement of Chicago, Illinois, and Janesville, Wisconsin. Born September 28, 1813 in Windham County, Vermont, he was apprenticed in New York to the millwright and machinist trades. In 1836 he moved to Chicago where his accomplishments included the construction of Chicago's first steam engine, flouring mill, grain elevators, and water works. He served on the Chicago city council from 1838 to 1845. In 1839, he married Margaret Betsy King (1819-1898) of Port Byron, New York, and they had five children.

In 1845 or 1846, Miltimore moved his family to Janesville, Wisconsin where he operated a quarry and led efforts to locate the Wisconsin School for the Blind there. He also served as an alderman for nine years. In 1862 he raised a company of volunteers for the Union army, was commissioned their captain and mustered into the 33rd Wisconsin Infantry, and soon led them into the battlefields of the Civil War.

He died June 9, 1879 in Janesville, Wisconsin.

The papers of the Ira Miltimore family, 1838-1963, contain correspondence, account books, clippings, photographs, legal papers and genealogical materials. The account books, kept by Captain Miltimore's wife, Margaret, contain records of income and expenses with occasional diary entries and many enclosures. The account books cover the years 1881-1889, 1897-1899, when some members of the family moved to South Dakota. The other materials have been collected in notebooks by a descendant, Hazel S. Elmslie.

Volume 1 includes:

• Biographical material on Ira Miltimore and his family
• Letters between Ira Miltimore and Margaret B. King during their engagement from July 1838 to October 1839
• Letters from Ira Miltimore and his son Claron while serving during the Civil War
• Lists of sources of information about Ira Miltimore and early Chicago
• Notes and memoranda taken from the account books of Margaret B. Miltimore (see volume 3-4)
• Genealogical charts
• Biographical papers entitled “The Early Miltimore's” and “Alonzo Edward Miltimore”

Volume 2 includes:

• Original letters between Ira Miltimore and Margaret B. King during their engagement from July 1838 to October 1839
• Original letters from their son Claron during the Civil War
• Legal papers of Ira Miltimore
• Photographs of members of the Miltimore family
• Newspaper clippings containing biographical sketches of Ira and Dell Miltimore, accounts of the deeds and accomplishments of members of the Miltimore family, and historical information about early Chicago

Volume 3 includes:

• Monthly records of income and expenses
• Receipts and correspondence concerning income and expenses
• Copy of a lease and papers concerning the claiming of a homestead
• Memoranda containing personal and family news, similar to diary entries

Volume 4 includes:

• Monthly records of income and expenses
• Receipts and correspondence concerning income and expenses
• Memoranda containing personal and family news, simliar to diary entries

Acquisition Information

Loaned for microfilming by Hazel S. Elmslie, Quincy, Illinois, 1973. Presented by Chicago Historical Society via Archie Motley, Chicago, Illinois, 1976. Accession Number: M73-152, M76-377

Processing Information

Processed by Gail Engels and Karen Baumann, August 17, 1973.

Whitewater Micro 3/Micro 502 Reel   1	Volume 1: Summary volume containing copies of documents and compilations of genealogical information / compiled by Mrs. Elmslie
Reel   1	Volume 2: Correspondence, legal papers, photographs, and clippings / compiled by Mrs. Elmslie
Reel   1	Volume 3: Account book, including financial records plus diary-like entries and correspondence and papers concerning a homestead claim 1881-1885
Reel   1	Volume 4: Account book, including financial records plus diary-like entries 1885-1889, 1897-1899
SC 3315 Folder   1	Speech, 1942
Folder   1	Civil War letters
Folder   1	Obituary for Ira Miltimore