Smith Family Papers
c.00531

Summary Information

Repository
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
Creator
Smith family, (George Anson Smith, 1825-1885)
Title
Smith family papers
ID
c.00531
Date [inclusive]
1892-1912
Extent
0.25 Cubic feet , 6 folders
Language
English

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing, Michigan".

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Biographical Note

Chillion Lycurgus Smith (1848-1934) and his oldest son Samuel (born circa 1870) left Petoskey in September of 1891. Both intended to homestead land near Ely, an iron mining town in northeast Minnesota. Chillion's second son, Mahlon (born circa 1872), joined them in the spring of 1892. The attempt to prove up (i.e. fulfill the requirements for land ownership) on their claims failed when a fire burned most of the lumber on their land in June 1893. With their money-making potential destroyed, it was unprofitable to continue proving-up. Chillion returned to Petoskey.

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Scope and Contents note

The bulk of this collection consists of letters from Smith family members (Chillion, Samuel, and Mahlon) homesteading in Ely, Minnesota, to relations in Petoskey, Michigan.

Most of the letters are written by Chillion and Samuel to Chillion's wife Julia, and children, Edith and Dennis. They write about life in the woods, encounters with wildlife, including bears and "pesky" mosquitoes, and travels to and from Ely. Samuel discusses his odd jobs in town including his clerkship at Louis Sletten's General Merchandise Store, his trip to Duluth, Minnesota to file the claims on their land, and about the destructive fire of June 1893 that at one time he was accused of setting. Homesteading laws like the Stone and Timber Act (1892) are also mentioned.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections

Conrad Hall
888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu

Revision Description

  August 2000

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Legal Status

Copyright: Michigan State University Property Rights: Michigan State University

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Custodial History

Gift of Julia S. Beard, 1985-12-18.

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Controlled Access Headings

Family Name(s)

  • Smith family, (George Anson Smith, 1825-1885)

Genre(s)

  • Letters (correspondence)

Geographic Name(s)

  • Ely (Minn.)

Personal Name(s)

  • Beard, Julia S.
  • Smith, Chillion Lycurgus
  • Smith, Mahlon
  • Smith, Samuel C.

Subject(s)

  • Frontier and pioneer life -- Minnesota
  • Homestead law
  • Land tenure -- Law and legislation -- Minnesota

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Collection Inventory

Correspondence 
Folder

 March 1892-April 1892 

 1

 May 1892-December 1892 

 2

 January 1893-April 1893 

 3

 May 1893-October 1912 

 4
Folder

Original Letters 

 4
Folder

Restricted April 1892-June 1892 

 5

Restricted July 1892-October 1912 

 6