Frederick Kellam Papers, 1880-1973, bulk 1880-1929

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Summary

Creators:
Kellam, Frederick, 1865-1953
Abstract:
Frederick Kellam served as secretary for the Royal Insurance Company during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. He rose through their ranks until he retired in 1929 as General Manager of North American operations. The Royal Insurance Company played a critical role financing the rebuilding of San Francisco after the 1906 Earthquake and Fire.
Extent:
1 carton, 1 small pamphlet box, 1 shoe box. (1.5 Cubic Feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Frederick Kellam Papers (SFH 454), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Frederick Kellam worked for the Royal Insurance Company from 1887-1927 and served as their secretary during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The collection includes his papers, photographs, nitrate negatives and a glass plate. The collection includes a small sample of earthquake materials but the bulk of the collection relates to Mr. Kellam’s family and later work with the Royal Insurance Company.

Series 1 includes materials relating to the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, Royal Insurance, Kellam family histories, correspondence and writings. Series 2 includes photographs of early San Francisco, the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, and Kellam family portraits. Series 2 also includes nitrate negatives of vernacular photography with images representing the Kellam family and their home in San Francisco, street scenes in San Francisco and possibly Guatemala, and nature scenes. Series 2 also includes one glass plate.

Biographical / historical:

Frederick Kellam (1865-1953) arrived in California from New Haven Connecticut in 1887. He secured work with the Royal Insurance Company serving as their secretary during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. He would spend the entirety of his distinguished career with the Royal Insurance Company serving as the assistant manager of the San Francisco office (1918) manager of the New York Office (1922) and retiring as General Manager in charge of North American operations (1929). During his career he also investigated loss in Guatemala (1899) and Honolulu (1900).

He married Edith Bishop (1876-1963) and they raised three children (Elizabeth, Frances and Gareth) in post-earthquake San Francisco until moving to New York (1922) and eventually settling in Santa Barbara (1929). Mr. Kellam was a member of the Bohemian Club and served as president and honorary life member of the Presidio Golf Club.

The Royal Insurance Company of Liverpool opened its New York office in 1881 and established itself in San Francisco in 1853. After the 1906 Earthquake the Royal Insurance Company proved to be one of a handful of insurance companies that payed in full to its policy holders and subsequently played an essential role in rebuilding San Francisco.

Acquisition information:
Donated in 2016 by Kellam de Forest, Frederick Kellam's grandson.
Processing information:

During Processing, the entire collection was re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Some metal staples remain.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in 2 series: Series 1: Papers, Series 2: Graphic Materials. Series 2 contains 3 subseries: Subseries 1: Photos, Subseries 2: Negatives, Subseries 3: Glass Plates.

Physical location:
The collection is stored onsite.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items. All requests for permission to publish from photographs must be submitted in writing to the Photo Curator. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Frederick Kellam Papers (SFH 454), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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