Summary Information
John Van Nortwick Papers
1828-1942
- Van Nortwick, John, 1809-1890
Green Bay Micro 3; Micro 380; SC 214
0.1 c.f. (1 folder) and 3 reels of microfilm (35mm)
UW-Green Bay Cofrin Library / Green Bay Area Research Ctr. (Map)Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers of John Van Nortwick, a railroad engineer and Illinois industrialist, who owned some Wisconsin properties; including correspondence, 1831-1884, 1942; diaries, 1848-1890; and account and memoranda books, 1828-1890s, on microfilm; with paper typed transcriptions of correspondence between Van Nortwick and his father and sister (originals on Reel 1) and photocopies of correspondence of his father-in-law, Meredith Mallory, 1832-1850 (on paper only).
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-micr0380 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
From an unidentified Chicago newspaper, circa 1890:
The late John Van Nortwick was born in Washington County, New York, in 1809. At an early age, he began the study of mathematics, preparatory to becoming a civil engineer, and when nineteen years old was employed in that capacity, on the canals of the State of New York, where he soon became recognized as one of the ablest engineers on the State works. His father, Wm. Van Nortwick, settled in Batavia, in 1835, and the following year, his son made him a visit and was so well pleased with the location and his father's investments, that he became a partner in his enterprises. In 1846, the State of New York having stopped all the public works, he was thrown out of employment, but Gov. William Marcy, then Secretary of War, had recognized the marked abilities of the young man, and gave him employment on the government work at Brooklyn dry docks.
Subsequently the projection of the Galena and Chicago Union Railway opened up a new field of enterprise in the west, and the late J.B. Turner, being in want of a chief engineer, made Mr. Van Nortwick an offer to go to Illinois and accept the position, which he did, settling with his family in this city, in 1846. He then began railroad building in the west. The C.B. & Q. was being constructed from Turner Junction to Aurora, and he was tendered, and accepted the position of consulting engineer. After the extension of the road to Burlington and Quincy he took the position of president, which he held for eight years. At this time his private interests demanding his personal supervision, he retired from public work.
Since that time, various milling enterprises engaged his attention, which under the efficient management of himself and sons, have become large successes. While building the mill in Batavia, he interested a number of East. . . under the name of Baker, House & Co. On the completion of the mill, they began the manufacture of flour on a large scale, and for some time, Chicago depended largely on this city to supply its demand of this necessary article. In 1842 the company dissolved and the property was divided. He erected the first grist mill ever built in Batavia, near where the Challenge factory now stands.
Mr. Van Nortwick was a large stockholder, and one of the founders of the Batavia Paper Company, of which, he became sole owner in 1869. It was made a joint company in 1870, and is one of the largest paper manufactories in the West. In addition to the Batavia mills, he was a large owner in various other paper and pulp mills, and other valuable water power property on the Fox River, in Wisconsin.
During his younger days he traveled extensively in Europe, giving much of his attention while abroad to some of the Old World's best engineering works.
He was a man that did much for the prosperity and advancement of our beautiful city, as well as the surrounding country, and was permitted to live to see it grow and flourish beyond all precedent in history, all of which was largely due to his thought, foresight, labor, public spirit and liberality. He had the foundation of the great railroad system that now so interlaces the upper Mississippi valley. He amassed a fortune and was interested in numerous banks and other enterprises.
He hated shams, and appreciated and loved solid worth of character, and was a man of exceptional honor and rectitude. The beautiful Episcopal Church on Batavia Avenue was built by him and presented to the church society.
Mr. Van Nortwick was married to Miss Patty Maria Mallory, who resides in this city, in the handsome residence built by her husband, who departed from this life in April 1890, aged 81 years. His children now living, are namely as follows: Wm. M. Van Nortwick, Batavia, John S. Van Nortwick, Appleton, Wisconsin, and Mrs. F.B. Rice, of Aurora, Mrs. Amos Burton, deceased.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Loaned for filming by William Van Nortwick, New York, through the courtesy of Mrs. John Strange, Appleton, Wis., 1964-1965, and loaned for copying by Mrs. John Strange, 1965-1966, and by Willard Schenck, Appleton, Wis., 1965.
Processed by Emily Al-Khazraji, 1966.
Contents List
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Green Bay Micro 3/Micro 380
Reel
1
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Correspondence, 1831-1884, 1942
: Letters are itemized in an appendix to this document. Folders appear on the film in the order listed here.
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Reel
1
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Old Van Nortwick History
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Reel
1
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John Van Nortwick's letters to Patty Mari Mallory
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Reel
1
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12 miscellaneous Van Nortwick materials relating to railroads
: Not included in the appendix.
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Reel
1
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Letters, principally between William and John Van Nortwick
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SC 214
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Typescript copies of these letters
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SC 214
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Photocopies of correspondence of Meredith Mallory, father-in-law of John Van Nortwick, 1832-1850
: Not microfilmed.
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Green Bay Micro 3/Micro 380
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Diaries of John Van Nortwick
: Diaries include brief entries describing weather conditions, business transactions, and trips, with a monthly record of cash accounts at the end of each volume.
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Reel
1
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1848-1853, 1871-1876
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Reel
2
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1879-1881, 1883-1890
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Account books
: These miscellaneous account and memoranda books are mainly records of personal daily cash accounts of John Van Nortwick. In a few volumes accounts are arranged by individual, rather than by date, and are indexed; and some others list individual accounts ant the rear, following the list of daily expenditures and receipts. The general account books have been placed in chronological order. In some cases there are gaps in the dates, while in others the dates may overlap from one volume to another. The volume numbers appearing on the film are arbitrary, and for the purposes of this film only. See appendix for details.
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Reel
2
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Volumes 1-12, 1828-1850, January
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Reel
3
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Volumes 13-29, 1850, January-1870
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Reel
3
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William M. Van Nortwick, Memoranda of stock assignments and real estate, volume 30, 1870s-1890s
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Appendices
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Date
|
Notes
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| 1839, June 7 |
. |
| 1839, July 10 |
. |
| 1841, January 10 |
. |
| 1841, January 11 |
John Van Nortwick at Mansion House, Albany, N.Y. |
| 1841, April 11 |
. |
| 1841, May 24 |
. |
| 1841, June 7 |
. |
| 1841, June 15 |
. |
| 1841, July 11 |
. |
| 1841, July 12 |
. |
| 1841, November 7-8 |
. |
| 1841, November 12 |
. |
| 1841, November 17 |
. |
| 1841, November 30 |
. |
| 1841, December 15 |
. |
| 1842, February 20 |
. |
| 1842, February 11 |
. |
| 1842, March 20 |
. |
| 1842, April 4 |
John Van Nortwick at Albany, New York |
| 1842, May 12 |
. |
| 1842, May 22 |
John Van Nortwick's location uncertain |
| 1842, June & July |
Expenditures - Barnum Dow Mallory in Illinois (not a letter) |
| 1842, July 17 |
. |
| 1842, August 19 |
. |
| 1842, October 2 |
. |
| 1842, November 20 |
. |
| 1843, May 21 |
. |
| 1844, June 30 |
. |
| 1844, September 15 |
. |
| 1849, January 24 |
. |
| ?, ? 14 |
. |
| 1847, July 28 |
Memo of expenses from Illinois to New York |
| 1836, March 28 |
John Van Nortwick in Hammondsport, NY to A. House |
| The following are bound letters within this folder. Names in the following letters include: John Van Nortwick, William Van Nortwick, Charles Ballard, A. House, H. Boardman, S. Rogers, Margaret Van Nortwick Rockwell, James Rockwell, Smith Legg Mallory, G.R. Makepeace, Rachel Van Nortwick, Benjamin Smith |
| 1837, January 22 |
2 letters |
| 1837, January 24 |
. |
| 1837, January 29 |
. |
| 1837, September 18 |
. |
| 1837, November 12 |
. |
| 1838, February 4 |
. |
| 1838, February 11 |
. |
| 1838, March 12 |
. |
| 1838, April 13 |
4 letters |
| 1838, August 4 |
. |
| 1838, August 11 |
. |
| 1838, September |
. |
| 1838, August 2 |
. |
| 1838, December 26 |
. |
| 1839, January 18 |
. |
| undated |
. |
| 1839, February 26 |
. |
| 1839, February 20 |
. |
| 1839, April 2 |
. |
| 1839, March 25 |
2 letters |
| 1839, March 26 |
. |
| 1839, April 16 |
. |
| 1839, March 30 |
. |
| 1839, April 10 |
. |
| 1839, May 11 |
. |
|
Date
|
Contents
|
| . |
Tied bundle of 3 pieces - inventory of John Van Nortwick estate |
| . |
Letter to John Van Nortwick - offer of appointment as first assistant engineer of Dry Dock, NY Navy Yard |
| 1846, November 8 |
Letter from John Van Nortwick to William Wright and Secretary of Navy accepting appointment under McAlpin |
| 1865, September 24 |
Letter from William Mallory Van Nortwick to John Van Nortwick |
| 1865, April 15 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick |
| 1865, May -1866, May |
Internal Revenue License to William Van Nortwick |
| 1864, November 12 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick, President of Burlinton and Quincy Railroad from Chairman of State Democratic Committee in Illinois |
| 1864, June 13 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from William M. Van Nortwick |
| 1864, February 8 |
Invitation to John Van Nortwick to meet in reference to arrangements for Democratic National Convention |
| 1856, October 6 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from Pershing Connelly, Rock Island |
| 1855, November 19 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from gentleman at Amboy with gift |
| 1855, September 3 |
Letter to Road Companies of Town of Batavia from John Van Nortwick |
| 1854, June 24 |
Batavia Institute, printed |
| 1852, November 10 |
American Society of Civil Engineers, printed |
| 1848, February 14 |
2 Letters to John Van Nortwick from W.J. McAlpin |
| 1848, February 11 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from J. Smith, Bureau of Yards and Docks |
| 1848, January 15 |
Letter to Hon. D.S. Dickinson from T.M. Niven |
| 1847, July 20 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from McAlpin, etc., Brooklyn |
| 1847, December 17 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from Varnum |
| 1847, June 17 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from McAlpin (private) |
| 1868, January 23 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from Hall |
| 1868, February |
Sheet of inventory and estimated value of U.S.N.E.P. Co. |
| 1865, December 14 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from William M. Van Nortwick |
| . |
Bills |
| 1879, April 19 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from Edward C. Lowell, House of Representatives |
| 1882, November 9 |
Memorandum of agreement - viz. Batavia Paper Mfg. Co. and Appleton Paper and Pulp C. signed by John Van Nortwick, J.S. Van Nortwick, witnessed by William M. Van Nortwick |
| 1846, March 5 |
Letter to Hon. George Bancrot, Secretary of Navy from Senators of State of NY to appoint John Van Nortwick assistant engineer on dry docks at Brooklyn |
| . |
John Van Nortwick's membership to American Society of Civil Engineers and Architects |
| . |
Letter to John Van Nortwick, son of William M. Van Nortwick, from WMAQ radio station |
| . |
Pass on Chicago Burlington Railroad |
| . |
Clipping about “the Brig Pilgrim” |
| 1848, February |
Letter to Secretary of Navy from John Van Nortwick resigning position at Brooklyn to accept position as chief engineer of Chicago Galena Railroad |
| . |
Pass on Chicago & Galena Railroad |
| 1847, November 30 |
Invitation to meet Secretary of the Navy |
| . |
Unsigned acceptance to American Society of Civil Engineers and Architects |
| . |
Superior Facts. Vol. 5, May 1932, no. 11 |
| . |
pages from Kane County History - pages 221-222, 225-226, 185-186, 189-190, and 3 pictures |
| . |
Report from Boarding School for Boys at New Canaan, Conn. William Mallory Van Nortwick and letters from him to parents. 7 sheets including front and back cover. |
| 1884, April 10 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from H.J. Rogers, Secretary of Appleton Paper & Pulp Co. - 2 pages |
| 1865, November 4 |
Letter to John Van Nortwick from S.M. Felson, President, Penn. Steel Co. |
| 1836, June 11 |
To John Van Nortwick from W.E. Bouck |
| 1836, July 3 |
To John Van Nortwick from J.D. Allen |
| 1836, September 5 |
To John Van Nortwick from J.D. Allen |
| 1836, September 29 |
To John Van Nortwick from Fred C. Miller |
| 1836, December 30 |
To John Van Nortwick from J.D. Allen |
| 1837, July 29 |
To John Van Nortwick from W. Westwood Wright |
| 1837, February 20 |
To John Van Nortwick from unsigned |
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Date
|
John's Location
|
P.M.'s Location
|
Notes
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| Letters before marriage |
| 1834, July 19 |
Clinton, NY |
Geneva, NY |
. |
| 1835, April 20 |
Clinton, NY |
Penn Yan, NY |
to “Cousin Maria” |
. |
| 1835, June 15 |
Clinton, NY |
Penn Yan, NY |
. |
| 1835, November 7 |
Clinton, NY |
Hammondsport, NY |
. |
| Letters following marriage (February 11, 1836) |
| 1836, May 24 |
Utica |
Hammondsport, NY |
. |
| 1836, May 27 |
Clinton, NY |
Hammondsport, NY |
. |
| 1836, September 10 |
Utica |
Hammondsport, NY |
. |
| 1836, September 27 |
Clinton, NY |
Hammondsport |
. |
| 1836, October 17 |
Clinton, NY |
Hammondsport, NY |
. |
| 1836, October 31 |
Clinton, NY |
Hammondsport, NY |
. |
| 1836, November 13 |
Clinton, NY |
Hammondsport, NY |
. |
| 1836, November 25 |
Clinton, NY |
Hammondsport, NY |
. |
| 1837, February 17 |
Fox River, Illinois |
Hammondsport, NY |
Typed copy |
| ?, April 29 |
Mt. Morris, NY |
Hammondsport, NY |
. |
| 1846, March 31 |
Albany |
Penn Yan, NY |
. |
| 1846, July 13 |
. |
. |
Receipt for furniture, etc. shipped from Buffalo to Chicago for JVN, probably for father, WVN |
| 1846, July 27 |
Albany |
Penn Yan, NY |
. |
| 1848, January 23 |
New York City |
Batavia, Illinois |
. |
| 1848, February 20 |
On trip |
Batavia, Illinois |
. |
| 1848, November 7 |
unknown |
Batavia, Illinois |
. |
| 1854, March 6 |
New York |
Batavia, Illinois |
. |
|
Date
|
Notes
|
| 1831, September 29 |
William Van Nortwick (WVN) at Fort Edwards to John Van Nortwick (JVN) at Horse's Head, Tioga Co. |
| 1832, July 31 |
WVN at Fort Edwards to JVN at Penn Yan, Yates Co. |
| 1832, December 17 |
WVN at Fort Edwards to JVN at NY |
| 1833, April 8 |
WVN at Broadstreet's Mansion, Albany NY to JVN at Penn Yan, Yates Co. |
| 1833, August 16 |
WVN at Fort Edwards to JVN at Penn Yan, Yates Co. |
| 1833, September 17 |
WVN at Fort Edwards to JVN at Penn Yan |
| 1833, December 10 |
WVN at Fort Edwards to JVN at Penn Yan |
| 1834, February 4 |
WVN at Fort Edwards to JVN at Penn Yan |
| 1834, June 5 |
WVN at Fort Edwards to JVN at Clinton, Oneida Co. |
| 1834, September 3 |
WVN at Albany, NY to JVN at Clinton |
| 1834 |
WVN at Fort Edwards to JVN |
| 1835, March 10 |
WVN at St. Louis Missouri, to John McIntyre at New York City |
| 1835, April 10 |
WVN at Peoria, Illinois from JVN at Clinton |
| 1835, May 10 |
WVN at Napers Settlement from JVN at Clinton |
| 1835, June 4 |
WVN at Paw Paw, Illinois, to JVN at Clinton |
| 1835, June 9 |
WVN at Napers Settlement from JVN at Clinton |
| 1835, June 17 |
WVN at Chicago, Illinois to JVN at Clinton |
| 1835, June 27 |
WVN in Illinois to JVN at Clinton |
| 1835, July 8 |
WVN in Illinois from JVN at Clinton |
| 1835, July 18 |
WVN at Fox River to JVN |
| 1834, July 19 |
Margaret VN to JVN |
| 1835, September 25 |
WVN at Napers Settlement to JVN at Clinton, Oneida Co. |
| 1835, November 6 |
WVN at Napers Settlement from JVN at Clinton |
| 1835, November 17 |
WVN at Paw Paw, Illinois to JVN at Clinton |
| 1836, March 13 |
WVN at Paw Paw, Illinois to JVN at Clinton |
| 1836, May 23 |
WVN at Sandusky, Kane Co. to JVN at Clinton |
| 1836, July 18 |
WVN at Fox River, Illinois to JVN at Clinton |
| 1836 |
WVN at Fox River, Illinois to JVN at Clinton |
| 1836, October 15 |
WVN at La Fox, P.O., Illinois to JVN at Clinton |
| 1836, November 9 |
Meredith Mallory at Hammondsport, NY to JVN at NY |
| 1837, June 30 |
Margaret Van Nortwick at La Fox, Illinois to JVN at Mount Morris, Liningston Co. |
| 1837, November 18 |
WVN at La Fox, Illinois to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1839, April 17 |
WVN at Manchester to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1839, May 13 |
WVN in Illinois to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1839, July 31 |
WVN at Kane County, Illinois to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1839, September 30 |
Benjamin and Rachel (Van Nortwick) Smith and William and Martha (Flack) Van Nortwick, Fox River to JVN at Mt. Morris, Livingston Co., NY |
| 1839, December 17 |
WVN in Illinois to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1840, April 22 |
WVN at Fox River, Kane Co. To JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1840 |
WVN to JVN |
| 1841, February 2 |
JVN at Mt. Morris to WVN at Kane Co., Illinois |
| 1841, March 3 |
WVN at P.O. Batavia, Illinois to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1841, April 27 |
JVN at Mt. Morris to WVN at Batavia, Illinois |
| 1841, June 4 |
WVN at Batavia, Illinois to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1841, November 3 |
James Rockwell and WVN at Batavia, Illinois to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1842, January 17 |
WVN at Aurora, Illinois to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1842, January 31 |
WVN at Batavia, Illinois to JVN at Mt. Morris, NY |
| 1842, April 12 |
Agreement between J.M. Sleeper and JVN in Mt. Morris |
| 1842, April 22 |
WVN writing for father Wm. at Batavia to JVN |
| 1842, July 17 |
Power of Attorney from JVN of the Town of Mt. Morris, Co. of Livingston, NY to Meredith Mallory of the Town of Urbana, Co. of Steubon, NY (Rec. in book no. 2, page 300, Kane Co.) |
| 1842, September 6 |
WVN at Batavia, Illinois to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1842, September 12 |
WVN at Batavia to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1842, December 12 |
WVN at Batavia to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1842, October 13 |
WVN at Batavia from ? |
| 1843, February 20 |
Isaac Wilson at Batavia to JVN at Albany City, NY |
| 1843, March 14 |
WVN at Batavia to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1843, May 4 |
WVN at Batavia to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1843 or 1845, January 6 |
James Rockwell at Batavia, Illinois and WVN to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1845, March 28 |
JNV at Albany, NY to WVN in Illinois |
| 1845, July 2 |
WVN at Batavia to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1845, August 2 |
WVN at Batavia to JVN at Mt. Morris |
| 1845, September 10 |
JVN at Mt. Morris to WVN at Batavia |
| 1846, June 20 |
John and Patti Mari (Mallory) Van Nortwick at Mt. Morris to Meredith Mallory at Batavia |
| 1847, March 7 |
A. Bookes at W. Troy, NY to JVN at Batavia |
| 1847, September 23 |
JVN at Brooklyn, NY (Engineer's Office) to WVN at Illinois |
| 1847, November 14 |
JVN in NY to WVN in Illinois |
| 1848, January 23 |
JVN at Merchants Hotel New York City to WVN in Illinois |
|
Volume
|
Date
|
Contents
|
| 1 |
circa 1828-1844 |
Miscellaneous accounts, including copy of C.B. Candys' statement, notes and statements relating to Van Nortwick Fox River property, etc. |
| 2 |
1834-January 1836 |
. |
| 3 |
January 1836-March 1837 |
Includes some notes about Fox River property, with pencil outline maps of the area |
| 4 |
circa June 1837-circa November 1839 |
Individual accounts, indexed |
| 5 |
October 1937-July 1838 |
. |
| 6 |
July 1838-July 1839 |
. |
| 7 |
August 1839-December 1840 |
. |
| 8 |
January-December 1841 |
Includes some notes on property, bridges, locks, etc. Some mention of Fox River. |
| 9 |
January 1842-August 1843 |
Some notes on other matters |
| 10 |
September 1843-February 1845 |
Some notes |
| 11 |
July 1845-November 1846 |
Some notes on logs cut, 1847 |
| 12 |
1849-January 1850 |
Individual accounts in rear of volume include some figures for 1848 |
| 13 |
January 1850-January 1851 |
. |
| 14 |
September 1854-January 1856 |
Some notes |
| 15 |
December 1856-February 1858 |
Some notes, including brief reference to Fox River Valley |
| 16 |
February 1858-May 1859 |
Some notes |
| 17 |
June 1859-April 1861 |
Mention of George Smith & and Co. among individual accounts at end of this volume and other volumes |
| 18 |
May 1861-January 1863 |
. |
| 19 |
1863-1865 |
Individual accounts, indexed |
| 20 |
January 1864-July 1865 |
. |
| 21 |
July 1865-April 1867 |
Some notes of schedules for land and lots, notes, bonds and stocks |
| 22 |
January 1867-April 1868 |
Portion for January-April 1867, duplicates part of preceding volume |
| 23 |
April 1868-May 1869 |
. |
| 24 |
May 1869-March 1870 |
. |
| 25 |
March-November 1870 |
. |
| 26 |
1853-1854 |
Memo of lands sold and purchased, village property (Batavia, Illinois?); memo of stocks owned |
| 27 |
January-April 1859 |
John Van Nortwick in account with Wilson and Arnold (general store?), Batavia |
| 28 |
1865-1869 |
Memo of income and taxes paid |
| 29 |
1869-1870 |
John Van Nortwick in account with Ayer and Van Nortwick, house expenditures ("Chicago villa"?) |
|
Volume
|
Stock Assignments
|
| 30 |
Combined Locks Paper Co. |
| . |
Appleton Paper & Paper Co. |
| . |
Appleton Manufacturing Co. |
| . |
Van Nortwick Paper Co. |
| . |
Western Paper Bag Co. |
| . |
Green Bay & Mississippi Canal Co. |
| . |
Atlas National Bank |
| . |
Bank of Kaukauna |
| . |
City National Bank of Appleton |
| . |
Aurora Cotton Mill |
| . |
Southern Paper |
| . |
Other companies |
|
