MenuInventory of the Hiram Barker Papers, 1857-1895
Abstract
Prominent businessman and banker from Farmington, New Hampshire; established and managed multiple business investments in New Hampshire, the Dakota Territory, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Minnesota in the late 19th century.
Collection consists chiefly of business correspondence dating from circa 1871-1886, almost all directed to Hiram Barker in New Hampshire, although in some cases Barker was the author. Correspondents include managers of Barker's businesses and investments in the Western territories and states of Dakota, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Minnesota, and other firms with whom Barker did business. Topics revolve around business matters and trends in New Hampshire, the Western states and territories, including but not limited to real estate loans and investments, land investments, banking and loans, financial difficulties such as loan defaults, and ranching or farming in the Western states listed above. A smaller group of letters concern personal and family matters of both the Barker and Hayes family, into which Barker had married. Arranged by state in alphabetical order.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Barker, Hiram.
- Title
- Hiram Barker Papers, 1857-1895
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 3.0 Linear Feet, 1880 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
Collection consists chiefly of business correspondence dating from circa 1871-1886, almost all directed to Hiram Barker in New Hampshire, although in some cases Barker was the author. Correspondents include managers of Barker's businesses and investments in the Western territories and states of Dakota, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Minnesota, and other firms with whom Barker did business. Topics revolve around business matters and trends in New Hampshire, the Western states and territories, including but not limited to real estate loans and investments, land investments, banking and loans, financial difficulties such as loan defaults, and ranching or farming in the Western states listed above. Businesses mentioned include the Central Bank of Kansas, the Citizens Bank in Iowa, Topeka Loan and Investment Company in Kansas, and the Eclipse Milling Company in Minnesota. There are also business papers relating to Florida, including land investments in 1885, some of which involve the governor of Florida and New Hampshire native George Franklin Drew, who may have also witnessed the will of Reuben Hayes for which Barker was an executor. A small group of letters concern personal and family matters of both the Barker and Hayes family, into which Barker had married. A set of folders marked in the last box marked Miscellany contain chiefly business receipts and unidentified letters dating from 1857-1895. Arranged by state in alphabetical order.
Administrative Information
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Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllHiram Barker Papers, 1857-1895
Arranged in alphabetical order by state name. The last set of folders contains miscellaneous business receipts and unidentified or illegible correspondence from various locations.
Detailed descriptions related to largest groups of correspondence, including extracts transcribed from letters, details on family history, and comments on highlights and on the correspondents.
Dakota Territory (South Dakota), 1880s
Chiefly business receipts, and several pieces of unidentified or illegible pieces of correspondence. Includes receipts and bills of sale from the late 1850s and 1860s, but the majority are in the latter part of the 19th century.
Historical Note
Hiram Barker was a prominent businessman and banker from Farmington, New Hampshire. He established and managed multiple business investments in New Hampshire, the Dakota Territory, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Minnesota in the late 19th century.
Subject Headings
- Barker, Hiram.
- Barker family (N.H.)
- Hayes family (N.H.)
- Businesspeople--New Hampshire--Correspondence.
- Agriculture--Middle West--Economic aspects--19th century.
- Banks and banking--United States--19th century.
- Industrialization--West (U.S.)--History.
- Industries--Middle West--History--19th century.
- Florida--Economic conditions--19th century.
- South Dakota--Economic conditions--19th century.
- Illinois--Economic conditions--19th century.
- Iowa--Economic conditions--19th century.
- Missouri--Economic conditions--19th century.
- Kansas--Economic conditions--19th century.
- Middle West--Economic development--19th century.
- Minnesota--Economic conditions--19th century.
- New Hampshire--Economic conditions--19th century.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Hiram Barker Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Hiram Barker Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase in 1983.
Processing Information
Processed by Rubenstein Library staff, 1984
Encoded by Paula Jeannet Mangiafico, December 2011
Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 1983
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.