Series 6 B5: Brooks, J. W., 1864-1875
Scope and Contents note
Subgroup contains incoming and outgoing correspondence between officials of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska. Major correspondents include J. W. Brooks, C. E. Perkins, G. W. Holdredge, George Tyson, and others.
Dates
- Creation: 1864-1875
Creator
- From the Record Group: Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company Records are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).
Biographical/Historical note
J. W. Brooks began his railroad career as a chief engineer for the Boston & Main Railroad. In the 1840s he, along with James F. Joy, convinced J. M. Forbes to invest in rebuilding and extending the Michigan Central Railroad. Finding success in this endeavor, Brooks was instrumental in the organization and expansion of the CB&Q in the early stages of the company, first by investing in the Chicago and Aurora Railroad and then buying charters, connecting, and extending roads. As the company forged west, Brooks was named president of the B&MRR in Iowa, and later the B&MRR in Nebraska. Series contains letterpress copybooks, some early letters concerning the B&MRR, Iowa, others the relations between B&MRR, Nebraska and CB&Q. Also some incoming letters from CB&Q officials including C. E. Perkins, Robert Harris, J. M. Walker, and Henry Strong, and a few memos and contracts.
Arrangement note
The series is arranged in three subseries: Out-letters, 1864-1875 (6 B5.1); Out-letters – B&MN and CB&Q, 1872-1875 (6 B5.2); and In-letters, 1870-1875 (6 B5.3).
General Physical Description note
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org