Title: William Brown and Edward Ferguson Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1805-1905

Creators:

• Brown, William, Jr.
• Ferguson, Edward

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 32

Quantity: 1.2 cubic ft. (3 boxes)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Papers of early Milwaukee settler, William Brown, and Civil War veteran Edward Ferguson. Collection consists of handwritten letters, deeds, invoices, receipts, military records, newspaper clippings, photographs, and legal and government documents.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0032

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William M. Brown, Jr., was born in St. Clair, Michigan in 1806. He moved to Milwaukee in 1836 and was employed as a clerk with the American Fur Company. After arriving in Milwaukee, he was appointed Inspector of Provisions by Lewis Cass, the Territorial Governor. He married Susan Wells (1810-1897), sister of Daniel Wells, Jr., in 1839. Brown was a successful merchant and was active in community affairs, serving in various capacities, such as an assessor for the village government of the East Side, a Supervisor for the township government, and a trustee for the East Side. In 1841, he was a contractor for the construction of the Rock River Canal. Brown died in 1862.

Edward Ferguson was born in Hannibal, New York, in 1843. He moved to Milwaukee in 1860 where he worked as a bookkeeper at Cutler & Sons. After the Civil War broke out, Ferguson enlisted as a private in the Milwaukee Light Guards, which later became part of the First Regiment. In 1862, Ferguson was severely wounded at the Battle of Perryville. While still bedridden from his wounds, he was honorably discharged in 1864. He married William Brown’s daughter, Marcia (1841-1931) in 1867. That same year, he was appointed Secretary of the Soldiers’ Home and promoted to the rank of captain. In 1869, Ferguson was appointed Pension Agent, a post he held for 17 years. He was also a junior vice chief for the Grand Army of the Republic and a charter member of the Loyal Legion. Ferguson died in 1901.

William Brown’s papers include correspondence, deeds, invoices, receipts, legal and government documents, and photographs, including a daguerreotype. Within these folders are documents bearing the signatures of Joseph Rolette, Increase A. Lapham, Daniel Wells, Jr., among others, all of whom figured prominently in the early history of Milwaukee. Edward Ferguson’s papers include correspondence, deeds, legal and government documents, military records, clippings, and photographs, including a tintype. Also included are pins, ribbons, and medals relating to his Civil War service, as well as appointments from various government officials. There is also a folder of miscellaneous and unidentified materials that contains various notes, receipts, deeds, and photographs. It is unclear who created the materials or for whom they are intended. There is also a booklet called “Courage and Candor” as well as a receipt from the sloop Dispatch from 1805.

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject or personal name, then chronologically within each folder.

Brown, William, Jr., and Edward Ferguson, Papers, 1805-1905, Collection 32. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

• Soldiers’ Relief Commission Records. City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 51.

• William J. K. Beaudot Papers. Local History Manuscript Collection 366.

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 collection was donated by Mrs. Frederick W. (Mabel) LaCroix, Edward Ferguson’s granddaughter, in 1961. Additional items were received from her in 1962 and 1967. Materials were accessioned as Local History Manuscripts.

Processing Information

Inventory by Jeffrey K. Carlin-Bartel, Volunteer Archivist, 2013. Processed by Bob Jaeger, 2019.

	William Brown, Jr.
Box   1 Folder   1	Correspondence, 1830-1851
Box   1 Folder   2	Dunbar, S.W., 1839-1842
Box   1 Folder   3	Invoices and Advertisements, 1830-1836
Box   1 Folder   4	Juneau, Solomon, 1837-1842
Box   1 Folder   5	Legal Documents, 1827-1860
Box   1 Folder   6	Memberships, 1858
Box   1 Folder   7	Petition Not to Change Streets, 1849
Box   1 Folder   8	Photographs, undated
Box   1 Folder   9	Receipts, 1830-1859
Box   1 Folder   10	Taliaferro, Lawrence, Indian Affairs Agent, 1831
	Edward Ferguson
Box   3	Appointments from Chester A. Arthur, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, Edward Salomon, and Cadwallader C. Washburn, 1862-1882
Box   1 Folder   11	Brown, Marcia, 1861-1864
Box   1 Folder   12	“Camp Record” Newspaper, 1861
Box   1 Folder   13	Correspondence, 1863
Box   2	Grand Army of the Republic, National Encampment Badges, 1888-1905
Box   1 Folder   14	Legal Documents, 1870-1873
Box   1 Folder   15	Military Correspondence, including Generals W.T. Sherman and W.S. Hancock, 1876
Box   1 Folder   16	Military Record, 1863-1869
Box   1 Folder   17	Obituary and Tributes, 1901-1902
Box   2	Pins and Badges, miscellaneous, undated
Box   1 Folder   18	Photographs, circa 1865-1885
Box   1 Folder   19	Reunions and Other Ribbons, 1866-1900
Box   2	Union and Patriotic Album, illustrated envelope holder, 1861
Box   1 Folder   20	Miscellaneous and Unidentified, 1805-1880, undated