Title: Chase S. Osborn Papers Creator: Osborn, Chase S. (Chase Salmon), 1860- Dates: circa 1870-1949 (Majority of material found within 1889-1949) Extent: 149.9 linear feet ((in 152 boxes)), 3 oversize volumes, 1 oversize folder Abstract:
Governor of Michigan, writer, businessman; papers include correspondence, business records, speeches, writings, visual materials, diaries.
Call number: 86549 Aa 2; AC; UAl Language: The materials are in English. Repository: Bentley Historical Library
1150 Beal Ave. Ann Arbor, MI
48109-2113 Phone:
734-764-3482 Fax:
734-936-1333 e-mail:
bentley.ref@umich.edu Home Page: http://www.bentley.umich.edu/
Finding aid prepared by: Thomas E. Powers
Access and Use
Acquisition Information:
The collection came to the library in many different accessions beginning in 1939. Prior to his death Governor Osborn donated miscellaneous publications and writings. Donor no. 238 Following his death in 1949, his widow, Stellanova Osborn donated the major corpus of Osborn papers. Donor no. 2668
Access Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
To protect fragile audiovisual recordings (such as audio cassettes, film reels, and VHS
tapes), the Bentley Historical Library has a policy of converting them to digital
formats by a professional vendor whenever a researcher requests access. For more
information, please see: http://bentley.umich.edu/research/duplication/.
Copyright:
Donor(s) have transferred any applicable copyright to the Regents of the University of Michigan but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials.
Preferred Citation:
item, folder title, box no., Chase S. Osborn Papers, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan
Arrangement
The Osborn collection has been arranged into twelve series: Correspondence; Personal Letterbooks; State Game and Fish Warden; Biographical and Genealogical Materials; Diaries; Speeches; Political Papers; Mining, Timber, and Land Investments; Topical Files, Writings, Scrapbooks, and Photographs.
Biography
Chase Salmon Osborn was born January 22, 1860, in Huntington County, Indiana, to George A. and Margaret (Fannon) Osborn. Both of Osborn's parents were self-tutored medical doctors. Osborn attended Purdue University, 1874-1877, but left without graduating to become a newspaperman. Starting on the Lafayette (Indiana) Home Journal, Osborn worked successively on the Chicago Tribune and the Milwaukee Journal. In 1883 he moved north, purchasing the Florence (Wisconsin) Mining News. Over the next four years he also began prospecting for iron ore in the Menominee range. In 1887 he sold the newspaper and returned to Milwaukee as city editor of the Sentinel. At the same time, he helped establish and became editor of the Miner and Manufacturer (Milwaukee). Excited by the prospects of making his fortune in mining, Osborn left soon after for Sault Ste. Marie where he could be close to iron mining regions of Michigan and Ontario. To support himself he became part owner of the Sault Ste. Marie (Michigan) News which he published until 1901, approximately the same time as his discovery of a rich iron deposit in Ontario near Sudbury. With this discovery and other investments, Osborn had the money and the time to pursue other areas of interest. He did not immediately give up his newspaper career. In 1902 he bought a half interest in the Saginaw (Michigan) Courier-Herald which he held until 1912.
Long before Osborn left the newspaper business, he expressed an interest in Michigan politics as a Republican. From 1889 to 1893 he served as postmaster of Sault Ste. Marie; he was state fish and game warden, 1895 to 1899; state commissioner of railroads, 1899-1903; regent for The University of Michigan, 1908-1911; and governor, 1911 to 1912. He was unsuccessful congressional candidate in 1896, an unsuccessful aspirant for nomination as the Republican candidate for United States senator in 1918, Michigan's favorite son candidate for the Republican vice-presidential nomination in 1928, and an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate in 1930. Consistently progressive in his political sentiments, Osborn refused to bolt the Republican party in 1912, although he finally did vote for Roosevelt.
From 1887 on Osborn made his home in Sault Ste. Marie and on nearby Duck Island. In later years he wintered in Possum Poke, Worth County, Georgia. After 1912, Osborn devoted himself to lecturing, travel, writing, and to his investments. He authored thirteen books relating to American history, politics, Indian lore, and travel. Osborn died in Georgia on April 11, 1949.
Collection Scope and Content Note
The Osborn collection consists of correspondence, diaries, business papers, scrapbooks, photographs, and other materials accumulated during his life. Materials prior to 1889 are scarce possibly because of a fire which destroyed Osborn's home; thereafter and up to the time of his death in 1949, the Osborn papers are voluminous, documenting each of this man's varied activities. Although his career as elected public official was limited to one term as governor, the collection reflects the importance of his life in areas beyond politics alone. His voice was heard, in letters and speeches and monographs, speaking out on the issues of the day - prohibition, conservation, the New Deal, and of course his life-long interest in the development of Michigan's Upper Peninsula economy and natural resources.
Subject Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the finding aid database and catalog of The Bentley Historical Library/University of Michigan. Researchers desiring additional information about related topics should search the catalog using these headings.
American newspapers -- Michigan -- Sault Sainte Marie.
Authors, American -- Michigan.
Conservation of natural resources -- Michigan.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1896.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1898.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1900.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1908.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1910.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1912.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1914.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1928.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1932.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1936.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1940.
Governors -- Michigan.
Governors -- Michigan.
Madagascar.
Michigan -- Politics and government -- 1877-1898.
Michigan -- Politics and government -- 1899-1916.
Michigan -- Politics and government -- 1917-1921.
Michigan -- Politics and government -- 1922-1928.
Michigan -- Politics and government -- 1929-1938.
Michigan -- Politics and government -- 1939-1945.
Michigan -- Politics and government -- 1946-1960.
Mines and mineral resources -- United States.
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1896.
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1900.
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1908.
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1912.
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1928.
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1932.
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1936.
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1940.
Saginaw courier herald.
Sault Sainte Marie (Mich.)
Sit-down strikes -- Michigan.
Temperance -- Michigan.
United States -- Politics and government -- 1865-1933.
United States -- Politics and government -- 1933-1945.
Upper Peninsula (Mich.)
Afro-Americans -- Georgia -- Work.
Bridges.
Burma.
Camping.
Cement industries.
Death.
Duck Island (Chippewa County, Mich.)
Dwellings.
Funeral rites and ceremonies.
Governors -- Michigan.
Governors -- Michigan.
Hunting -- United States.
Interiors.
Isle Royale (Mich.)
Log cabins.
Lumber industry.
Newberry (Mich.)
Offices.
Pictured Rocks (Mich.)
Political elections -- 1911-1912.
Political parades and rallies.
Ramsay (Mich.)
Sault Sainte Marie (Mich.)
Sault Sainte Marie (Mich.) -- Dwellings.
Tahquamenon River (Mich.)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
Veterans -- Michigan.
Cartoons.
Daguerreotypes.
Diaries.
Photographs.
Prints.
Scrapbooks.
Frost, Robert, 1874-1963.
Osborn, Chase S. (Chase Salmon), 1860-
Progressive Party (1912)
Republican Party (Mich.)
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972.
United States. Congress -- Elections, 1932.
University of Michigan. Board of Regents.
Osborn, Chase S. (Chase Salmon), 1860-
Osborn, Stellanova, 1894-1988.
Osborn family.
Petoskey Portland Cement Company.
Republican Party (Mich.). State Convention (1912 : Bay City, Mich.)
Rockland High School (Rockland, Mich.)
Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930.
United States. Army. Michigan Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865)
University of Michigan. Board of Regents.
Adams, Henry Carter, 1851-1921.
Alger, R. A. (Russell Alexander), 1836-1907.
Andrews, Roger, 1874-
Angell, Carleton Watson, 1887-1963.
Angell, James Burrill, 1829-1916.
Beal, Junius E. (Junius Emery), 1860-1942.
Beveridge, Albert Jeremiah, 1862-1927.
Bliss, Aaron Thomas, 1837-1906.
Booth, Edmund Wood, 1866-1927.
Brewster, Ralph O.
Brucker, Wilber Marion, 1894-1968.
Burrows, Julius C. (Julius Caesar), 1837-1915.
Chapin, Roy D. (Roy Dikeman), 1880-1936.
Codd, George Pierre, 1869-1927.
Comstock, William Alfred, 1877-1949.
Cooley, Mortimer E. (Mortimer Elwyn), 1855-1944.
Coolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933.
Cotter, William Edward, 1893-1957.
Couzens, James, 1872-1936.
Curtis, Charles.
Dame, Gilman Marston, 1866-1939.
Davidson, O. C.
DeFoe, Murl Holcomb, 1879-
De Kruif, Paul, 1890-1971.
Denby, Edwin, 1870-1929.
Dewey, Edmund Otis, 1861-1921.
Dewey, Thomas E. (Thomas Edmund), 1902-1971.
Dickinson, Luren Dudley, 1859-1943.
Dix, Dorothea Lynde, 1802-1887.
Doyle, Edward H., 1849-1919.
Ferris, Woodbridge N., 1853-1928.
Fletcher, Frank Ward, 1853-1922.
Ford, Henry, 1863-1947.
Fordney, Joseph W. (Joseph Warren), 1853-1932.
Green, Fred W. (Fred Warren), 1872-1936.
Groesbeck, Alexander J. (Alexander Joseph), 1873-1953.
Guest, Edgar A. (Edgar Albert), 1881-1959.
Hanchett, Benjamin Sawtell, 1868-1933.
Harding, Warren G. (Warren Gamaliel), 1865-1923.
Hoard, W. D. (William Dempster), 1836-1918.
Hobbs, William Herbert, 1864-1952.
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964.
Horton, George B.
Hough, Emerson, 1857-1923.
Hubbard, Lucius L. (Lucius Lee), 1849-1933.
Humphrey, Watts S.
Hunsaker, Walter Jerome, 1857-1939.
Hutchins, Harry B. (Harry Burns), 1847-1930.
Kelley, Patrick Henry, 1867-1925.
Kellogg, John Harvey, 1852-1943.
Kemp, Edward Gearing, 1887-1962.
Knox, Frank, 1874-1944.
La Follette, Robert M. (Robert Marion), 1855-1925.
Landon, Alfred M. (Alfred Mossman), 1887-1987.
Lorch, Emil, 1870-1963.
Loveman, Amy.
McKinley, William, 1843-1901.
McMillan, James, 1838-1902.
MacNoughton, James.
Mapes, Carl Edgar, 1874-1939.
Mather, William Gwinn, 1857-1951.
May, Thomas, 1860-1927.
Mencken, H. L. (Henry Louis), 1880-1956.
Mershon, William Briggs.
Montgomery, Robert M., 1849-1920.
Morley, George Bidwell, 1857-1935.
Murfin, James Orin, 1875-1940.
Murphy, Frank, 1890-1949.
Musselman, Amos S., 1851-
Newberry, Truman Handy, 1864-1945.
Palmer, Calvin A.
Pegler, Westbrook, 1894-1969.
Phelps, William Lyon, 1865-1943.
Pinchot, Gifford, 1865-1946.
Pingree, Hazen S., 1840-1901.
Powers, Perry Francis, 1857-1945.
Pyle, Ernie, 1900-1945.
Rich, John Treadway, 1841-1926.
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.
Roosevelt, Kermit, 1889-1943.
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919.
Russell, Richard B. (Richard Brevard), 1897-1971.
Ruthven, Alexander Grant, 1882-1971.
Sawyer, Walter H. (Walter Hulme), 1861-1931.
Schermerhorn, James, 1865-1942.
Scott, Fred Newton, 1860-1931.
Shafer, John C.
Shields, Robert Hazen, 1905-
Sigler, Kim, 1894-
Sink, Charles A. (Charles Albert), 1879-1972.
Sleeper, Albert E., 1862-1934.
Sligh, Charles Robert, 1850-1927.
Smith, Shirley Wheeler, 1875-1959.
Smith, William Alden, 1859-1932.
Sparks, Frank Melville, 1877-1950.
Stair, W. D.
Stone, Ralph, 1868-1956.
Sullivan, Mark, 1874-1952.
Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930.
Talmadge, Herman E. (Herman Eugene), 1913-2002.
Townsend, Charles E. (Charles Elroy), 1856-1924.
Underwood, Frederick Douglas, -1942.
Vandenberg, Arthur H. (Arthur Hendrick), 1884-1951.
Van Hise, Charles Richard, 1857-1918.
Warner, Frederick Maltby, 1865-1923.
White, William A. (William Alanson), 1870-1937.
Willard, Daniel, 1861-1942.
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924.
Wood, Leonard, 1860-1927.
Zimmerman, Fred R.
Contents List
Request materials for use in the Bentley Library
Container / Location
Title
Correspondence 1889-1949 [series]
The Correspondence series (1889-1949; 99.5 linear feet) is by far the largest series in the Osborn papers. As a public figure, Osborn corresponded widely and frequently with other notables, business associates, and a legion of acquaintances and admirers who had known him as newspaper publisher, governor, businessman, mining and land speculator, and author. The total of Osborn letters in the collection probably numbers close to 200, 000 items. Osborn corresponded with nearly every major Republican political leader in Michigan, as well as with many minor politicos within the party, prominent Democratic Party leaders, and other newspapermen. Osborn's business and political interests and his research projects are obviously principal topics within the letters. Included are correspondence from every president from McKinley to Truman. Of special note is correspondence with many prominent Progressives including Theodore Roosevelt concerning the campaign of 1912, and material on the elections of 1904, 1908, 1910, 1912, 1916, 1918, 1920, and 1930. Osborn's own campaigns for governor in 1910 and his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 1930 are also well documented.
The chronological arrangement that Osborn maintained for his files, especially in a collection of this size poses some difficulties for the researcher. As his correspondence is not arranged by topic, the researcher must display some diligence in uncovering the great wealth of information that Osborn's communications contain. Essential is a sense of the chronology of Osborn's life. With that, the researcher will be rewarded with correspondence with significant individuals discussing the issues of the day: progressivism, conservation, Upper Peninsula development, state government, and national politics. There is, for example, correspondence showing progressive concern over business-government relations (cf. correspondence with Frederick D. Underwood, president of the B & O, and the Pennsylvania). The correspondence also includes much discussion of foreign relations: British colonial policies, the Boer War, British-German, British-United States, Canadian-United States relations, the Russo-Japanese War, China, and Chile and the Philippines. Other topics include contemporary political, social and intellectual issues: imperialism, nationalism, Anglo-Saxon racism, regulation of utilities and railroads, monetary and international trade policies, conservation, radicalism and socialism, German immigration, Anti-Semitism, Anti-Mormonism, Anti-Catholicism, prison reform, urban redevelopment and beautification, prohibition, and woman's suffrage. To aid the researcher, the library has prepared a separate index to the correspondents and a selective index to topics. This card inventory is located in the Reading Room of the library. Topics indexed in this file include Anglo-Saxon racism (1898-1899), progressivism and anti-progressivism (1908-1919), prohibition (1914-1926), forest conservation (1907-1926), labor and labor unions (1910-1921), and woman suffrage (1901-1917).
The Correspondence for the period of 1889 to 1908 is arranged alphabetically within a specific period of time, usually a few months. Apparently, Osborn maintained his correspondence in letterboxes. When one filled up, he started another. The correspondence for 1909 to 1949 is arranged only by chronology. These files might have been arranged alphabetically like the earlier files and then rearranged at a later date into a solely chronological sequence.
The Correspondence series also includes card index to correspondence (1 small box).
Box 150
Card index to correspondence
Box 1
A-Z 1889-1892
Box 1
A-Z 1893-March 1895
Box 1
A-Z 1894
Box 1
A-C 1895
Box 2
D-Z 1895
Box 2
A-Z April 1895-January 1896
Box 2
A-Z January-April 1896
Box 2
A-C May-July 1896
Box 3
D-Z May-July 1896
Box 3
A-Z August-December 1896
Box 3
A-L January-May 1897
Box 4
M-Z January-May 1897
Box 4
A-Z June-December 1897
Box 4
A-Q January-July 1898
Box 5
R-Z January-July 1898
Box 5
A-Z July-September 1898
Box 5
A-Z October 1898-January 1899
Box 6
A-Z February-March 1899
Box 6
A-Z April-May 1899
Box 6
A-J June-August 1899
Box 7
K-Z June-August 1899
Box 7
A-Z September-December 1899
Box 7
A-L January-February 1900
Box 8
M-Z January-February 1900
Box 8
A-Z February-April 1900
Box 8
A-S April-June 1900
Box 9
T-Z April-June 1900
Box 9
A-Z July-October 1900
Box 9
A-Z November 1900-January 1901
Box 9
A-C February-May 1901
Box 10
D-Z February-May 1901
Box 10
A-Z May-November 1901
Box 10
A-E December 1901-February 1902
Box 11
F-Z December 1901-February 1902
Box 11
A-Z March-June 1902
Box 11
A-M July-November 1902
Box 12
N-Z July-November 1902
Box 12
A-Z December 1902-June 1903
Box 12
A-R June-December 1903
Box 13
A-Z January-August 1904
Box 13
A-J 1905
Box 14
K-Z 1905
Box 14
A-Z January-June 1906
Box 14
A-C July-December 1906
Box 15
D-Z July-December 1906
Box 15
A-Z January-August 1907
Box 16
A-Z October 1907-January 1908
Box 16
A-Z February-April 1908
Box 16
A-Z May-June 1908
Box 17
N-Z May-June 1908
Box 17
Caribou experiment file
Box 17
A-Z July-October 1908
Box 17
A-Z November-December 1908
Box 18
January-September 1909
Box 19
October-December 1909
Box 20
January-February 1910
Box 21
March 1-May 11, 1910
Box 22
May 12-August 31, 1910
Box 23
September-November 15, 1910
Box 24
November 16-December 31, 1910
Box 25
January-March 1911
Box 26
April-July 1911
Box 27
August-December 23, 1911
Box 28
December 24, 1911-February 1912
Box 29
March 1-June 8, 1912
Box 30
June 9-September 22, 1912
Box 31
September 23-December 31, 1912
Box 32
January 1, 1913-July 6, 1914
Box 33
July 7-August 8, 1914
Box 34
August 9-September 15, 1914
Box 35
September 16-December 8, 1914
Box 36
December 9, 1914-July 31, 1915
Box 37
August 1, 1915-January 31, 1916
Box 37
1916-1937, undated
Box 38
February-May 1916
Box 39
June-December 1916
Box 40
January 1-December 20, 1917
Box 41
December 21, 1917-May 31, 1918
Box 42
June-August 1918
Box 43
September 1, 1918-June 10, 1919
Box 44
July 11-November 30, 1919
Box 45
December 1919-March 1920
Box 46
April-October 1920
Box 47
November 1, 1920-May 10, 1921
Box 48
May 11-September 30, 1921
Box 49
October 1, 1921-March 15, 1922
Box 50
March 16-December 31, 1922
Box 51
1923
Box 52
1924
Box 53
January-October 1925
Box 54
November 1925-June 1926
Box 55
July 1926-February 1927
Box 56
March 1-November 10, 1927
Box 57
November 11, 1927-May 10, 1928
Box 58
May 11, 1928-December 31, 1928
Box 146
January 1929-December 1929
Box 59
January-June 1930
Box 147
July-December 1930
Box 148
January-December 1931
Box 149
January-December 1932
Box 60
January-August 20, 1933
Box 61
August 21, 1933-April 1934
Box 62
May-November 1934
Box 63
December 1934-April 10, 1935
Box 64
April 11, 1935-October 31, 1935
Box 65
November 1, 1935-February 20, 1936
Box 66
February 21, 1936-August 10, 1936
Box 67
August 11, 1936-December 31, 1936
Box 68
January 1-May 5, 1937
Box 69
May 6-October 31, 1937
Box 70
November 1, 1937-January 22, 1938
Box 70
January-December 1938
(2 folders)
(later accession)
Box 71
January 23, 1938-May 20, 1938
Box 72
May 21-October 31, 1938
Box 73
November 1938-February 5, 1939
Box 73
1939-1940
(later accession)
Box 74
February 6-May 10, 1939
Box 75
May 11-September 27, 1939
Box 76
September 28-December 17, 1939
Box 77
December 18, 1939-February 8, 1940
Box 78
February 9-March 31, 1940
Box 79
April-May 1940
Box 80
June-November 1940
Box 80
1941-1944
(later accession)
Box 81
December 1940-February 10, 1941
Box 82
February 11-May 24, 1941
Box 83
May 25-November 1941
Box 84
December 1941-April 15, 1942
Box 85
April 16, 1942-October, 1942
Box 86
November 1942-February, 1943
Box 87
March-July, 1943
Box 88
August-December, 1943
Box 89
January-April 25, 1944
Box 90
April 26, 1944-January 5, 1945
Box 91
January 6-June 30, 1945
Box 92
July-December, 1945
Box 92
November 1944-December 1945
(4 folders)
(later accession)
Box 93
January-June 1946
Box 94
July-December 1946
Box 94
1946-1947
(later accession)
Box 95
January-May 1947
Box 96
June-December 1947
Box 97
January-June 1948
Box 97
January-December 1948
(3 folders)
(later accession)
Box 98
July 1948-March 1949
Box 98
March-April 1949
Box 98
1949
(1 folder)
(later accession)
Box 99
And Miscellaneous Correspondence Undated
(9 folders)
Box 99
Correspondence with family 1920-1926
(8 folders)
Personal Letterbooks 1895-1912 [series]
In addition to files of correspondence, the collection includes a series of Personal Letterbooks dated 1895 to 1912 (8 linear feet).
Box 100
June 21, 1895-January 17, 1898
Box 101
January 17, 1898-December 20, 1899
Box 102
December 20, 1899-January 17, 1902
Box 103
January 13, 1902-January 6, 1905
Box 104
January 6, 1905-July 7, 1908
Box 105
July 6, 1908-June 21, 1910
Box 106
June 21, 1910-March 22, 1912
Box 107
March 22, 1912-December 31, 1912
State Game and Fish Warden 1895-1899 [series]
The State Game and Fish Warden series (2.5 linear feet; 1895-1899) includes letterbooks of outgoing Osborn correspondence, 1895-1899, as well as the reports written by Osborn in that period.
Box 107
Letterbooks February 5, 1895-July 27, 1896
Box 108
Letterbooks August 1, 1896-August 25, 1898
Box 109
Letterbooks August 26, 1898-April 4, 1899
Box 109
Reports 1895-1899
(1 folder, 1 folder)
Biographical and Genealogical Materials [series]
Biographical and Genealogical Materials (1 linear foot) consists of biographical sketches of Osborn and collected material about different family lines.
Box 110
Biographical Sketches of CSO
(3 folders)
Box 110
Articles and pamphlets about CSO
(2 folders)
Box 110
Biographical material
(2 folders)
Box 110
Data on the subject of CSO
"About Chase Osborn", Vols. I-IV
Box 110
Vol. I
Box 110
Vol. II
Box 110
Vol. III-IV
Box 110
Quotes and Anecdotes used by CSO
Genealogical papers
Box 110
Correspondence and miscellanea
Box 110
Osborn Family
(5 folders)
Box 110
Fannon Family
Box 110
Jeffries Family
Box 110
Pardee Family
Diaries [series]
Osborn Diaries are dated 1890, 1895-1915 and 1935 and concern daily events and activities.
Box 111
1890, 1895-1915, 1935
Speeches undated, 1895-1930 [series]
Speeches are arranged chronologically and concern political, literary, and historical topics.
Box 111
Undated, 1895-1912
(14 folders)
Box 112
1913-1940
(8 folders)
Speaking Engagements
Box 112
1928
Box 112
1929
Box 112
1930
(2 folders)
Box 112
Speech programs
Political Papers 1900-1940 [series]
Political papers (1900-1940; 2 linear feet) concern Osborn's 1910 gubernatorial campaign, miscellaneous papers from his term as governor, and his bid for nomination to the United States Senate in 1930.
Box 112
Delegates to State Nominating Convention 1900
Gubernatorial campaign 1910
Box 112
1910 Campaign Materials
(2 folders)
Box 112
Political cartoons from newspapers
Box 112
Osborn supporters
(arranged alphabetically by county)
Gubernatorial miscellanea
Box 112
First inaugural message 1911
Box 112
Appointment book 1912
Box 112
Railroad and corporation taxation reports to Osborn as governor
Box 112
Appointment powers as governor, decisions
Box 112
Appointments to boards and commissions
Box 112
Proclamations as governor circa 1911
Box 112
Hearings before Governor Chase S. Osborn on the removal of Robert H. Shields from the Board of State Tax Commissioners June 1912
Mining, Timber, and Land Investments 1883-1940 [series]
Mining, Timber, and Land Investments (1883-1940; 7.4 linear feet) documents Osborn's many business and financial dealings. Of special note are those files pertaining to his iron mining business resulting from his discovery of iron near Sudbury in Ontario. There is also considerable material resulting from his involvement with the Michigan Iron and Land Company and pertaining to his numerous investments in Michigan timber lands. Portions of this series are unprocessed.
Moose Mountain Ltd., (Ontario, Canada)
Box 114
Correspondence 1901-1926
(2 folders)
Box 114
Contracts and charters
Box 114
Financial
Box 114
Mineral evaluations and estimations
Box 114
Minutes 1903-1905
Box 114
David A. Aitken vs. Chase S. Osborn, case concerning Moose Mountain rights
Hutton Mining Company
Box 114
Correspondence 1902-1905
Box 114
Miscellaneous papers 1902-1905
Hutton-Moose Mountain Mining Co.-Joint Projects
Box 114
Financial statements 1904-1905
Box 114
Maps
Box 114
Legal papers 1903-1905
Box 114
Miscellaneous papers 1902-1905
Box 114
A-Z 1902
(Sudbury mining investments)
Box 114
Miscellaneous mining reports
Box 114
Miscellaneous geological maps
Box 114
Mining A-Z 1902
(4 folders)
Box 115
A-Z (Moose Mountain) 1903-1904
(3 folders)
Box 115
A-Z (Moose Mountain) 1905
Michigan Iron and Land Company
Box 115
Correspondence August 1919-1928
(41 folders)
Box 115
Dividend allotments 1920
Box 115
Report of audit 1920
Box 115
Legal papers 1918-1920
Michigan Iron and Land Company
Box 116
Newsclippings 1919-1921
Box 116
Maps
(2 folders)
Box 116
Annual reports 1903-1908, 1919
Box 116
Financial records 1913-1923
Box 116
Miscellaneous papers
Indiana Properties (South Bend, Goshen, New Carlisle)
Box 116
Papers 1916-1921
Box 116
Papers 1922-1924
Box 116
Papers 1925-1928
Box 116
Duck Island (Gift to the University of Michigan), Papers 1929-1932
Perry Tract (Gift to Purdue University)
Box 116
Papers 1929-1930, 1938
Box 116
Correspondence 1907-1913, 1923
(2 folders)
Box 116
Land descriptions
Box 116
Abstracts 1905-1907, 1923
Box 116
Contracts 1901, 1907-1913, 1923
Box 116
Turtle Dove Plantation (Georgia), Papers 1929-1930
(2 folders)
Miscellaneous timber and land descriptions 1904-1905
Box 118
Miscellaneous timber maps and estimates
(2 folders)
Box 118
Timber estimates 1920
Box 119
Duck Is 1920-1922
Box 119
1920
(3 folders)
Box 119
1920-1921
(Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette Land Company)
Box 119
1921
(2 folders)
(Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette Land Company)
Box 119
Espanore Farm 1913-1916
(6 folders)
Espanore Farm, Lansing, Michigan, breeders of Holstein-Friesian cattle
(CSO was co-owner with Adam E. Ferguson)
Box 119
Correspondence 1911-1926
(10 folders)
Box 119
Legal papers 1893-1926
(4 folders)
Box 119
Financial reports 1916-1922
Box 119
Maps
Box 119
Miscellaneous papers
Box 119
Ferguson Motor Company ledger
(1 volume)
Oversize Volume 1
Ferguson Motor Company cash book 1922-1924
Box 120
circa 1920-1930
(0.67 linear feet)
(Unprocessed)
Financial papers
Box 120
General 1926-1927
Box 120
Income tax correspondence and statements 1924, 1926-1932
(6 folders)
Box 120
Ojibway Park Hotel Company 1936-1940
Box 120
Account book 1906-1940
Box 120
Receipts and disbursements 1896-1915
(8 folders)
Topical Files 1912-1944 [series]
Topical Files (1912-1944; 1 linear foot) is an artificially created series of foldered material on different subjects. Of most significance are the numerous files detailing Osborn's lobbying efforts in the 1930s proposing the building of a bridge to span the straits of Mackinac.
Box 121
Africa trip 1913
(2 folders)
Box 121
Bay City convention of 1912 letter about 1940
Box 121
Calorie Dollar 1919
Box 121
Census-CSO research into area of the state of Michigan to be used in the 1940 census, 1939-1941 1939-1941
(3 folders)
Chase Osborn Day
Box 121
1939
(2 folders)
Box 121
1940
Box 121
1971
Court packing plan 1937
Box 121
Correspondence
Box 121
Newsclippings
Box 121
Dogs (sales and breeding material)
(sample)
Box 121
Flood control 1935-1937
Box 121
Indian land mining and timber regulations 1916
Iron Ore
Box 121
General 1916-1923
Box 121
African Ore proposition 1923
Box 121
Jefferson Davis Memorial Park 1935
Mackinac Bridge (proposed straits of Mackinac Bridge) 1935-1941
Box 121
Correspondence A-Z 1935-1936
(5 folders)
Box 121
Correspondence 1936-1940
Box 121
General 1936
(history, speeches, etc.)
Box 121
Clippings 1936
(3 folders)
Box 121
Clippings 1937-1941
Box 121
Masonic Lodge (Florence, Wisconsin)
Box 121
Miscellaneous
Box 121
Poems and songs
(2 folders)
(not by CSO)
Box 121
Programs-souvenir
Box 121
Prohibition
Box 121
Purdue Club
Box 121
Railroads, nationalization of December 1937-February 1938
Box 122
Richard (Father Gabriel Richard Society) 1936-1939
Box 122
Roosevelt, Theodore, analysis of his speaking style by Chase S. Osborn
Box 122
St. Lawrence Seaway Project 1940-1944
Box 122
Sault Ste. Marie Art Gallery papers 1913-1919
Box 122
Sigma Chi fraternity (copies of publication with material about CSO)
Box 122
Soo Curling Club
Writings 1900-1948 [series]
Writings (1900-1948; 3 linear feet) includes copies of newspaper columns written by Osborn for the newspaper, files pertaining to the publication of his various books, and other writings.
Articles for newspapers, etc [subseries]
Box 122
Undated
Box 122
1900-1917
Box 122
1930s undated
Box 122
1930-1939
Box 122
1940s undated
(7 folders)
Box 122
1940
Box 122
1941
Box 122
1942
(5 folders)
Box 122
1943
(3 folders)
Box 122
1944
(3 folders)
Box 122
1945
(2 folders)
Box 122
1947-1948
Book files [subseries]
(include clippings, correspondence with publisher, etc.)
An Accolade for Chase S. Osborn: Home, State, and National Tributes on the Occasion of Chase S. Osborn Day October 4, 1939 1940
Box 151
The Andean Land 1909
(by Chase S. Osborn)
Box 151
Chase Salmon Osborn
(by Robert M. Warner)
Box 151
Eighty and On 1941
(by Stella Osborn)
Box 151
The Iron Hunter 1922
(by Chase S. Osborn)
Box 151
Jusmine Springs 1953
(by Stella Osborn)
Box 151
A Tale of Possum Poke in Possum Lane 1946
(by Stella Osborn)
Box 151
You Come Too 1961
(by Thomas W, Nason)
Other writings [subseries]
Box 124
Firefly's Light miscellanea (book written by Emerson Hough and distributed by CSO) 1916-1919
Box 124
Michigan article written for National Geographic Magazine, 1923-1924
(4 folders)
Box 124
"Miscellaneous writings", volume I
(clippings from various publications)
Box 124
"Miscellaneous writings", volume II
(clippings from various publications)
Box 124
Articles written from Detroit Sunday Times entitled "Michigan: Romance of a State" 1924-1925
Box 124
Joint projects with Stella Osborn (include reviews of books)
Box 124
An Accolade for Chase S. Osborn, correspondence 1940-1941
Box 124
Eighty and On (Stella Osborn), correspondence December 1940-1941
(2 folders)
Box 124
Book reviews by CSO
Box 124
Manuscripts of various writings
(6 folders)
Box 124
Publications containing articles by CSO
Scrapbooks 1883-1949 [series]
The Scrapbooks (ca. 1883-1949; 18.5 linear feet) series includes a set of personal scrapbooks maintained by Osborn from the mid-1890s to 1941 with loose clippings that continue up to his death in 1949. There are also miscellaneous scrapbooks covering specific activities in Osborn's life such as his candidacy for Congress in 1896, his gubernatorial campaign in 1910, and his trip to Africa in 1913.
Personal Scrapbooks 1898-1932
(123 volumes)
Box 125
1898-1900
(no. 1-7)
Box 126
1900-1908
(no. 8-18)
Box 127
1908-1909
(no. 19-28b)
Box 128
1908-1910
(no. 29-37)
Box 129
1910-1911
(no. 38-48)
Box 130
1911
(no. 49-59)
Box 131
1911-1912
(no. 60-70)
Box 132
1912
(no. 71-80)
Box 133
1913-1915
(no. 81-91)
Box 134
1915-1918
(no. 91-102)
Box 135
1918-1925
(no. 103-113)
Box 136
1925-1932
(no. 114-123)
Box 137
Florence, Wisconsin circa 1883-1884
(2 volumes)
Box 137
Personal 1890-1894
Box 137
State Game Warden candidacy 1894
Box 137
Game Warden Scrapbooks 1895-1899
(5 volumes)
Box 137
Candidate for Congress 1896
(2 volumes)
(see also oversize pages from scrapbook in box 145)
Photographs (ca. 1870-ca. 1949; 1.2 linear feet) includes formal and informal portraits of Osborn and other members of the Osborn family; photographs of Osborn at work and at his homes on Duck Island, Michigan and in Georgia. There are also collected photos relating to Upper Peninsula life and activities, and to Osborn's various activities, particularly hunting.
Box 143
Family photograph Album
Formal Portraits
Box 144
Photographs
Box 144
Photographs of painting and sculpture
Box 144
Half-tones cartoons, drawings and prints
(see also oversize box 145)
Box 144
Youth and early career
Box 144
Middle years circa 1890-1910
(as governor and public figure and hunting and camping scenes)
Box 144
Later years
Informal photographs
(see also oversize box 145)
Box 144
As governor, campaigning, etc
Box 144
As regent of the University of Michigan
Later years
Box 144
General
Box 144
Duck Island
Box 144
Poulan, Georgia
(2 folders)
Box 144
With Stella Osborn
Box 144
With dignitaries; receiving awards
Box 144
With family members
Box 144
Last year and in hospital 1949
Box 144
Funeral 1949
Subject files (not always including CSO)
Oversize Folder 1
Banquets: 42nd Grand Chapter Banquet Sigma Chi Fraternity September 5, 1935 and 20th Annual Banquet of the Marquette Club of Chicago, February 12, 1908 1908-1935
Box 144
Bay City Convention (locked armory) 1912
Box 144
Dearfoot Hunting Lodge 1905-1910
(2 folders)
Box 144
Duck Island and other Upper Peninsula views circa 1940s
Box 144
Friends and colleagues
Box 144
Lake Superior (Isle Royale, Pigeon Falls)
Box 144
Miscellaneous (Michigan Infantry, 8th Regiment) circa 1910
Box 144
Newberry (views, train siding and stone figures)
Box 144
Petoskey Portland Cement Company 1920
Box 144
Pictured Rocks, Michigan
Box 144
Ramsay, Michigan (Bridge, Mine)
Box 144
Rangoon trip
Box 144
Rockland, Michigan (high school)
Box 144
Sault Ste. Marie (views, monuments, house)
Box 144
Smith farm (Goshen, Indiana)
Box 144
Taft (Pres.) visit to Sault Ste. Marie 1911
Box 144
Tahquamenon River, Michigan
Box 144
Wisconsin (Florence), Masons
Box 144
Family (identified)
(5 folders)
Box 144
Family (David and William H. Reed); drawings
Box 144
Family Album contents
(2 folders)
Box 144
Family (Sarah Osborn; Almira Goldthwaite): daguerreotypes
