George O. Baker and Joseph M. Baker papers
Collection
Identifier: W-0066
Scope and Contents
This collection contains correspondence, ledgers, and other papers of Selma, Alabama, businessmen, George O. Baker and his son, Joseph M. Baker. The first series is George Baker's correspondence relating to the development of Gadsden, Alabama. The second series contains letterbooks from Baker and Co., dating between 1904 and 1908. Much of this correspondence relates to his business transactions, including the sale of livestock and building leases. The third series contains the financial records of Baker and Co., Chilton Lumber Co., Dallas Iron Works, and Dallas Oil Co. from 1862-1869 and 1887-1904. The final volume is Joseph Baker's autograph and commonplace book. It includes many autographs and journal-type entries describing social events, plays, dances, etc. One such entry is a description of Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama.
Dates
- 1886 - 1898
Creator
- Williams, A. S., III (Collector, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.
Biographical / Historical
George Oscar Baker was born on February 29, 1828, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On February 27, 1854, he married Emma Belzora Miner in Petersburg, Virginia; the couple had seven daughters and three sons.
The Bakers moved to Montevallo, Alabama, in 1855, where he worked as an engineer at the Montevallo Coal Company. In 1859, he moved to Selma and founded several businesses, including a grain and produce business. In 1870, he became the President of the Central Oil Mill. George Baker died on October 16, 1891, in Selma.
The son of George O. and Belzora M. Baker, Joseph Minor Baker was born on September 4, 1858. According to census records and Selma, Alabama, city directories, Baker was the manager of the Alabama Cotton Oil Company mill located in Selma. Baker married Lillian Hall and had two children, George and Belzora. Joseph Baker died on July 19, 1912.
The Bakers moved to Montevallo, Alabama, in 1855, where he worked as an engineer at the Montevallo Coal Company. In 1859, he moved to Selma and founded several businesses, including a grain and produce business. In 1870, he became the President of the Central Oil Mill. George Baker died on October 16, 1891, in Selma.
The son of George O. and Belzora M. Baker, Joseph Minor Baker was born on September 4, 1858. According to census records and Selma, Alabama, city directories, Baker was the manager of the Alabama Cotton Oil Company mill located in Selma. Baker married Lillian Hall and had two children, George and Belzora. Joseph Baker died on July 19, 1912.
Extent
1.0 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Overview
Correspondence, ledgers, and other papers of Selma, Alabama, businessmen, George O. Baker, his son, Joseph M. Baker, and their various companies and businesses.
Physical Location
The A. S. Williams III Americana Collection, Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, The University of Alabama.
Provenance
Gift of A. S. Williams, 2010
General
Title on phase box spines: Joseph Baker's Commonplace Book - Selma, Alabama, 1875; Baker & Co. Letterbooks - Selma, Alabama, 1904-1908; Gadsden's Industrial Development by George Baker & R. B. Kyle - 1890-1900; Financial Records of Baker & Co., Chilton Lumber Co., Dallas Iron Works, and Dallas Oil Co., 1862-1869, 1887-1904
Processed by
Haley Aaron and Martha Bace, 2013
Creator
- Williams, A. S., III (Collector, Person)
- Baker, Joseph M. (Author, Person)
- Baker, George O. (Author, Person)
- Kyle, Robert Benjamin (Author, Person)
Source
- Williams, A. S., III (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Guide to George O. Baker and Joseph M. Baker papers
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- October 2013
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository