Henry C. Wicker papers

  • Creator Names Wicker, Henry C.
  • Title Henry C. Wicker papers [manuscript], 1853-1895.
  • Physical description ca. 190 items.
  • Collection summary Letters by Henry C. Wicker and his brother Cassius Wicker to their family in North Ferrisburgh (Vermont), and a few replies from their father C.W. Wicker, their sister Agnes, and cousins and friends. Henry wrote from Chicago and other cities in northern Illinois where he worked as freight agent for various railroads and later became a partner in the General Commission Merchants Company. Cassius wrote from school at Williston (Vt.), and later from St. Louis (Mo.), where he settled and worked in retail trading establishments. Topics include the fortunes of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Vermont regiments during the Civil War and local reactions to war news; everyday life, prices of commodities, business opportunities, and railroad affairs. Includes letter by Cassius Milton Wicker, Chicago, to his family in Vermont, giving a vivid account of his experiences during the Great Chicago Fire (1871 Oct. 15; 15 p.) and a telegram (1871 Oct. 10?; 1 p.) by C. Wicker stating that he and Dick Wheeler have been burned out of business and home but that they are well.
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note University of Vermont, Bailey/Howe Library Wicker family papers.
  • Finding Aids Note Unpublished finding aid available. Also, a copy of a guide to the Wicker family papers at the Bailey/Howe Library, University of Vermont, by Thomas Connors, July 1981 (9 p.).
  • Names
    • Wicker, Henry C.
    • Wicker, Cassius.
    • Wicker family.
    • Wicker family.
    • Wicker, Cassius.
  • Subjects
    • Families Illinois Chicago 19th century.
    • Families Vermont North Ferrisburgh 19th century.
    • Fires Illinois Chicago.
    • Great Fire, Chicago, Ill., 1871.
    • Railroads Illinois
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Commerce 19th century.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Economic conditions 19th century.
    • United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Public opinion.
  • Geographic name
    • United States Missouri St. Louis.
    • United States Vermont North Ferrisburgh.
  • Finding aid URL Partial, edited text of Cassius Milton Wicker's letter re. Great Fire of 1871 https://www.greatchicagofire.org/anthology-of-fire-narratives/cassius-milton-wicker/