Cyrus True Papers: Finding Aid mssTrue
Kelly Kress
The Huntington Library
March 2023
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Cyrus True papers
Creator:
True, Cyrus, 1822-1905
Identifier/Call Number: mssTrue
Physical Description:
0.83 Linear Feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1885-1902
Abstract: Letters and documents received by Cyrus True, of Searsport, Maine, documenting his attempts to speculate in land in the late
19th century.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
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[Identification of item]. Cyrus True papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from McBride Rare Books, January 2023.
Cyrus True was born in 1822 in Prospect, Maine, one of four children of Jane True and sea captain Miles Fowler. He retained
his mother's name after his parents separated and worked as a justice of the peace in Searsport, Maine. True died in Searsport
in 1905.
Letters and business records addressed to Cyrus True from several land agents, regarding information on investments and potential
investments for farmland primarily in Iowa, with a small amount related to Minnesota and California. Correspondents include
Edward Simonton, a real estate and financial agent in St. Paul, Minnesota; the Creston Loan and Trust Company of Creston,
Iowa; the State Bank of Hull in Hull, Iowa; and True's nephew Andrew M. Ross, writing from California. Ross's letters provide
observations on California's popularity, as he mentions the state's rapid population expansion. Letters contain information
on land values, interest rates, mortgage details, farm economics, bank procedures, state business laws, estate matters, business
taxes, and other subjects. The correspondents also incidentally report on crop patterns, local politics, the particulars of
working with women in business matters, and more. There are also a few documents and letters sent to True from other banks
and companies involved in farm loans and other business matters.
Processed at the time of accessioning by Kelly Kress in March 2023.
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Land speculation -- California
Land speculation -- Iowa
Land speculation -- Minnesota
California -- History -- 19th century
Iowa -- History -- 19th century
Minnesota -- History -- 19th century
Business letters -- United States -- 19th century
Business records -- United States -- 19th century
True, Cyrus, 1822-1905
Box 1, Folder 1-7
Creston Land and Trust Co., Andrew M. Ross, Edward Simonton 1885-1902
Box 2, Folder 1-7
State Bank of Hull, miscellaneous 1886-1900