Peter White Papers, 1848-1915

Summary

Creator:

White, Peter, 1830-1908

Abstract:

Marquette, Michigan businessman, Democratic state senator, and Republican regent of the University of Michigan. Letterbooks and correspondence relating to activities in the Democratic Party in Michigan, particularly in the Upper Peninsula, to his service within the state legislature, and to state and national elections, 1876-1896; also correspondence and other records concerning his extensive business interests that include Northern Michigan iron, insurance, banking, and general investments.

Extent:

30 linear feet
15 oversize volumes

Language:

English.

Call Number:

86396 Aa 2; AC

Authors:

Finding aid prepared by: Herbert Brinks

Background

Scope and Content:

The collection documents the development of the economy of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan from the perspective of one of its pioneer entrepreneurs. Through correspondence and other business records, there is documentation of White's extensive business interests in Northern Michigan iron, insurance, and banking. Other portions of the collection concern his service in the state legislature and his involvement in state and national elections, 1876-1896.

Peter White's correspondence, the largest portion of the collection, has been divided into two series: correspondence/business papers and insurance correspondence. The papers for 1850-1853 deal with White's activities as clerk for Robert Graveraet. Also discussed in this early period are legal matters with some material on his work as postmaster and various family matters. The correspondence for 1854-1862 deals with early mining companies with whom he had association and provides some information about the financial aspect of various organizations. White acted as a marketing agent for several companies and this aspect is covered well. The term served by White in the state legislature is covered very sparsely.

Beginning in 1863 White activities expand to encompass insurance and banking concerns. While the iron interest is well represent in the papers for 1863-1873, insurance and banking occupy an increasingly important place. After 1874, White's insurance business is heavily represented in the correspondence. Banking also continues to occupy an important place but the iron companies are far less frequently a subject of discussion. Local politics is also discussed in the correspondence for 1874-1891. As someone who had been actively engaged in politics and public service, White commented on state and national election campaigns from the 1870s to the 1890s. Most notable are letters exchanged pertaining to the campaign of Williams Jennings Bryan in the presidential election of1896. Beginning in 1902, the insurance correspondence decrease and the investment phase of White's career make itself evident. After 1900 correspondence with the University of Michigan and its history department becomes more important.

The remainder of the collection consists of Business Records, divided between folder records and bound records. Each of these series includes records of specific companies with whom Peter White was associated. These include the Phenix Iron Mining Company, the Michigan God Company, the Manhard-Jopling Company, the Lake Superior Leather Company, and the Schoolcraft Iron Company.

Biographical / Historical:

Peter White was born at Rome, New York on October 31, 1830. Around 1838, he moved with his family to Green Bay, Wisconsin. At age fourteen, he left home to seek his fortune first in Mackinac Island, then later in Detroit where he was employed as a clerk in a general merchandising firm. White remained in Detroit for a brief period of time then returned to Mackinac Island, again working as clerk. In 1849, he joined a party headed by Robert J. Graveraet to explore the newly discovered Iron Mountains of Lake Superior. Settling in the region, White became one of the first settlers of Marquette and it was here that he would make his fortune. In 1850, he took charge for the Marquette Iron Company of its general trading store. With the postoffice in the rear of the store, White also served as postmaster for the young community. In 1853, he commenced his banking business establishing the firm of Peter White & Co. This later in 1863 became the First National Bank of Marquette.

In the midst of this activity, White studied and practiced law. In 1856, White and Matthew H. Maynard formed a partnership to sell insurance and practice law. The difficulty which the partners faced in their insurance endeavor was finding insurance companies willing to risk the hazards of insuring a wilderness community like Marquette. In addition to problems associated with fire insurance, marine insurance for the transport of pig iron and iron ore was an essential ingredient in the burgeoning economic growth of the area. White early realized the resource riches of the Marquette area sought to involve himself in every aspect of the iron mining business, not just insurance but also finance, production and marketing.

White also had various political and civic responsibilities. In 1857, he was elected to the state house of representatives as a Democrat from the Upper Peninsula;and in 1875, he was elected to the state senate. Additionally, in 1892-1893, he was a member of the Board of World's Fair Managers for Michigan; also he was a member of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, and a member of the State Board of Library Commissioners. In 1903, he was elected as a Republican to the board of regents of the University of Michigan. He died June 6, 1908.

Acquisition Information:

The bulk of the collection came from the Baker Library, Harvard University (donor no. 1783 ) in 1942. A smaller amount came from the Peter White Library, Marquette, Michigan (donor no. 1970 ) in 1944.

Related

Additional Descriptive Data:

Selective Index to Subjects

American newspapers--Michigan.	Papers concerning the Marquette Mining Journal in letter of Alfred P. Swinford, Apr. 20, 1875; also concerning the Lansing Journal in letters, May 5, 1896, of L.E. Rowle and S.L. Smith.
Banks and banking (Upper Peninsula, Mich.).	Papers concerning White's banking interests, 1855-1914, including correspondence with the Michigan Bankers' Association since the 1890's; and papers concerning the iron money dispute, 1868-1875.
Chandler, Zachariah, 1813-1879.	Papers concerning false accusations made in relation to Zachariah Chandler in letters, Mar. 4 and Mar. 6, 1875, with William Brodie.
Depressions--1873--United States.	Papers concerning the panic of 1873, especially letters, Apr. 6, 1874 and Mar. 6, 1878, from Charles N. Fay.
Elections--Michigan--1876.	Papers concerning the election of 1876, especially letters, May 25, Aug. 5 and 7, Sept. 1 and 23, Oct. 20, 26 and 28, and Nov. 21, 1876.
Elections--Michigan--1878.	Papers concerning the election of 1878, particularly the state election and the possibility of White running for the state senate; and letter, Oct. 4, 1878, concerning the influence of mill owners on the vote in Menominee.
Elections--Michigan--1880.	Papers concerning the election of 1880, especially letters, May 15, 1880, concerning the Democratic nominee for President; and other materials, Dec. 1 and 18, 1880, and Jan. 19, 1881.
Elections--Michigan--1882.	Papers concerning the election of 1882, especially letters Oct. 21 and 31, 1882, concerning White as a candidate for the U.S. Congress.
Elections--Michigan--1884.	Papers concerning the election of 1884, especially letter, Sept. 11, 1884, concerning the campaign strategy of the Democratic Party.
Elections--Michigan--1886.	Papers concerning the election of 1886, especially correspondence dealing with patronage; the appointment of Alfred P. Swinford as Governor of Alaska; legislation before the U.S. Legislature in letter, May 25, 1886. of Don M. Dickinson.
Elections--Michigan--1888.	Papers concerning the election of 1888, particularly party patronage; the registration of fraudulent Republican votes in the Upper Peninsula, Aug. 31, 1888; and President Cleveland's tariff message, Dec. 5, 1888.
Elections--Michigan--1892.	Papers concerning the election of 1892, especially letters, Jan. 25 and Apr. 15, 1892, of Don M. Dickinson concerning the Democratic convention; and letter, July 20, 1892, of Daniel J. Campau concerning the Democratic convention.
Elections--Michigan--1896.	Papers concerning the election of 1896, especially letters, Aug.-Nov. 1896, from William G. Mather, Henry Russel, Don M. Dickinson, George H. Barbour, W.R. Coats, Samuel G. Mather, Charles S. Hebard, and the Sparrow and Krell Lumber Co., relating primarily to the opposition to the Bryan ticket.
Episcopal Church--Michigan--Marquette	Papers concerning the affairs of the Marquette Episcopal Church, especially letters, Feb. 18 and Mar. 9, 1879, from Samuel L. Mather; letter, Apr. 24, 1884, from E.R. Bishop; and letters, Oct. 7, 1889 and Dec. 16, 1890, of Wylly Hall.
Episcopal Church--Michigan.	Letters including, Jan. 7, July 14, 1897, Nov. 18, 1886, of George Worthington, March 20, 1886, of Samuel Harris, Feb. 10, 1893, of Bishop Thomas F. Davies, Jan. 30, 1893, of T.H. Robinson, Aug. 26, 1894, July 12, 1895, of G. Mott Williams, dealing with the Michigan diocese of the Episcopal Church.
General stores--Michigan--Upper Peninsula.	Papers concerning White's general store in Marquette, Michigan of the year 1855.
Grand Rapids (Mich.)	Papers concerning inland canal to Grand Rapids, especially letter, May 19, 1888, from E.F. Bailey.
Indians of North America--Michigan.	Papers concerning the obligation of the United States to the Indian, May 16, 1907.
Ishpeming (Mich.)	Papers concerning the politics of Ishpeming in letter, Feb. 16, 1893, of Peter W. Phelps, and letter, June 22, 1895, of William G. Mather concerning city improvements in Ishpeming.
Marquette County (Mich.)	Papers concerning the local politics of Marquette County, especially letters, 1852, Nov. 23 and 25, 1874, and July 21, 1879.
Michigan Mining School.	Papers concerning the development of a mining school in the Upper Peninsula, especially letters, Aug. 3, Sept. 19, and Nov. 21, 1891, and Apr. 9, 1895.
Michigan. Mackinac Island State Park Commission.	Papers concerning the administration of the Mackinac Island Park, especially letters, Dec. 6, 1897, Apr. 27, Nov. 16 and 20, 1898, May 12, 1899, and Jan. 22, 1901.
Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society.	Papers concerning the affairs of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society, especially letters, Feb. 28, 1885, July 13, 1886, July 20, 1897, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, 1888, and Mar. 2, Apr. 11, May 31, and Oct. 31, 1906.
Michigan--Politics and government--1866-1876.	Papers concerning state and local politics and patronage in the period 1866-1876.
Michigan--Politics and government--1877-1897.	Papers concerning state and local politics and patronage in the period, 1877-1898.
Michigan--Politics and government--1899-1916.	Papers concerning state and local politics and patronage in the period, 1899-1908.
Morgan, Lewis Henry, 1818-1881.	Correspondents include: Lewis Henry Morgan, Aug. 9, 1863; Aug. 1, 1872; July 22, 1874.
Northern Michigan College of Education.	Papers concerning the donation of property to the Normal School in Marquette, especially letters, Feb. 8 and Mar. 1, 1899.
Peter White Insurance Agency (Marquette, Mich.)	Papers concerning the affairs of the Peter White Insurance Agency, 1874-1900.
Presque Isle (Marquette, Mich.)	Papers concerning Presque Isle, Michigan, especially letters, Mar. 16, 1898, from George Haydon and William G. Mather.
Republican Party Mich.).	Papers concerning Republican Party affairs, especially letter, Dec. 5, 1874, concerning the method of the Party in local elections; letter, Dec. 15, 1874, of Edwin J. Hulbert; letter, Dec. 25, 1876, of W.P. Welts.
Sault Sainte Marie Canal.	Papers concerning the celebration of the centennial of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal, especially letters, July 15, 1897; July 9, 1907, of Charles T. Harvey.
Shipping--Great Lakes.	Papers concerning marine insurance on the Great Lakes [throughout]; and letters, Jan., Mar., May 24 and 28, June 1, July 3 and Dec. 16, 1874, concerning the Cleveland Transportation Company owned by the Hannah family.
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865	Papers concerning the coming of the Civil War, especially letters, 1860, of Ed Hicks; also concerning the personal distress resulting from the war, especially letters, 1869, of Jed Philo Clark Emmons.
World's Columbian Exposition (1893 : Chicago, Ill.)	Papers concerning the Chicago Worlds Fair of 1893, especially letters, Feb. 8 and 27, Apr. 5, 11, and 12, Aug. 2, Nov. 13 and 16, Dec. 8, 12-13, 1893, and Feb. 23-24, 1894.

Selective index to correspondents

Adams, Henry Carter, 1851-1921.	Jan. 31, 1895
Angell, James Burrill, 1829-1916.	July 3, 1893-May 26, 1908
Baldwin, Henry P. (Henry Porter), 1814-1892.	Oct. 31, 1889 and Dec. 30, 1889
Barbour, Levi L. (Levi Lewis), 1840-1925.	Feb. 26, 1906-Apr. 7, 1908
Barnes, O. M. (Orlando Mack), 1824-1899.	Sept. 30, 1878, Oct. 1 and 3, 1878
Dickinson, Donald McDonald, 1846-1917.	Sept. 11, 1891-Nov. 2, 1906
Grant, Claudius Buchanan, 1835-1921.	Apr. 1, 1879, Sept. 25, 1898 and 1879-1898
Graveraet, Robert	1850-1858
Harvey, Charles Thompson, 1829-1912.	July 15, 1897; July 9, 1907
Lawton, Charles DeWitt, 1835-1909.	Mar. 6, 1901
McLaughlin, Andrew Cunningham, 1861-1947.	Aug. 1, 1895-Feb. 20, 1901
MeMillan, James, 1838-1902.	Feb. 2, 1899
Osborn, Chase S. (Chase Salmon), 1860-1949.	June 26, 1896-Feb. 26, 1901
Pingree, Hazen S., 1840-1901.	Dec. 2, 1898, Dec. 22, 1898, Oct. 12 and 18, 1899, and June 23, 1898
Smith, Samuel William, 1852-1931.	May 14, 22, and 24, 1906
Thurber, Henry Thomas, 1853-1904.	July 5, 1893, Aug. 25, 1893, Aug. 29, 1893, Sept. 29, 1893, Nov. 27, 1893
Warner, Fred Maltby, 1865-1923.	Jan. 23, 1901
Winans, Edwin B, 1826-1894.	Dec. 2, 1891

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

American newspapers -- Michigan -- Lansing.
American newspapers -- Michigan -- Marquette.
Banks and banking -- Michigan -- Upper Peninsula.
Depressions -- 1873 -- United States.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1876.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1878.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1880.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1882.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1884.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1886.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1888.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1892.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1896.
General stores -- Michigan -- Upper Peninsula.
Indians of North America -- Michigan.
Insurance -- Michigan.
Iron mines and mining -- Michigan -- Upper Peninsula.
Land use -- Michigan.
Manufactures -- Michigan -- Upper Peninsula.
Railroads -- Michigan.
Shipping -- Great Lakes.

Formats:

Photographs.

Names:

Democratic Party (Mich.)
Episcopal Church -- Michigan -- Marquette.
Michigan. Legislature.
Michigan. Mackinac Island State Park Commission.
Michigan Mining School.
Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society.
Northern Michigan College of Education.
Peter White Insurance Agency (Marquette, Mich.)
Republican Party (Mich.)
St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Marquette, Mich.)
University of Michigan. Board of Regents.
World's Columbian Exposition (1893: Chicago, Ill.)
Chandler, Zachariah, 1813-1879.
White, Peter, 1830-1908.
Adams, Henry Carter, 1851-1921.
Angell, James Burrill, 1829-1916.
Baldwin, Henry P. (Henry Porter), 1814-1892.
Barbour, Levi L. (Levi Lewis), 1840-1925.
Barnes, O. M. (Orlando Mack), 1825-1899.
Dickinson, Donald McDonald, 1846-1917.
Grant, Claudius Buchanan, 1835-1921.
Graveraet, Robert.
Harvey, Charles Thompson, 1829-1912.
Lawton, Charles De Witt, 1835-1909.
McLaughlin, Andrew Cunningham, 1861-1947.
McMillan, James, 1838-1902.
Morgan, Lewis Henry, 1818-1881.
Osborn, Chase S. (Chase Salmon), 1860-
Pingree, Hazen S., 1840-1901.
Smith, Samuel William, 1852-1931.
Thurber, Henry Thomas, 1853-1904.
Warner, Frederick Maltby, 1865-1923.
Winans, Edwin B., 1826-1894.

Places:

Grand Rapids (Mich.)
Ishpeming (Mich.)
Marquette (Mich.)
Marquette County (Mich.)
Michigan -- Politics and government -- 1837-1950.
Michigan -- Politics and government -- 1866-1876.
Michigan -- Politics and government -- 1877-1898.
Michigan -- Politics and government -- 1899-1916.
Presque Isle (Marquette, Mich.)
Sault Sainte Marie Canal (Mich.)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
Upper Peninsula (Mich.)