Ellis B. Usher papers, 1850-1917

Author / Creator

Usher, Ellis B. (Ellis Baker), 1852-1931

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Physical

Summary

Papers of Ellis Baker Usher, a La Crosse, Wisconsin, newspaperman, historian, and Democratic Party leader, consisting of political correspondence, and records of his newspaper business and of sever...

Papers of Ellis Baker Usher, a La Crosse, Wisconsin, newspaperman, historian, and Democratic Party leader, consisting of political correspondence, and records of his newspaper business and of several local organizations with which he was involved. Most of the incoming correspondence is for the years 1887-1888, and deals primarily with details of the management of the Harrison Presidential campaign, and includes letters from Edward C. Wall, William F. Vilas, and Frank P. Coburn. Usher's correspondents in 1896 and shortly after included an increasing number of Stalwart Republican leaders in Wisconsin, among whom were Joseph Babcock, Ira Bradford, John Esch, and Elisha Keyes. Other correspondents include Wendell Anderson, Edward Bragg, Will Brawley, Joshua Dodge, Charles Felker, Charles Jonas, John Knight, John L. Mitchell, George Peck, and Clarence Snyder. The Journalism papers, 1872-1899, concern the La Crosse Liberal Democrat and its successor, the La Crosse Morning Chronicle. The early records were created by Usher, but the volumes of letters sent and financial records dating from the 1890s were created by Manager T.A. Goodrich. Papers dealing with La Crosse history include correspondence from John Esch, James H. Davidson, and others concerning the Upper Mississippi River Improvement Association and from Charles E. Brown about the Wisconsin Archaeological Society; there are also clipping scrapbooks concerning both organizations. Records which were collected rather than created by Usher include a register of federal ad valorem taxes paid by La Crosse businesses during the Civil War which give individual occupations, the value of items produced, and the assessment.

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