George S. Bowen papers, 1856-1928.
- Creator Names Bowen, George S., 1829-1905.
- Title George S. Bowen papers [manuscript], 1856-1928.
- Physical description 33 linear ft. (74 boxes)
- Collection summary Correspondence, diaries, financial records, legal documents, promotional materials, and newspaper clippings related to George S. Bowen's career as an entrepreneur and civic leader in Chicago and Elgin (Ill.). Topics include manufacturing and trade in woolen textiles and pottery and glassware (1865-1875); Chicago and Pacific Railroad (1870s); Elgin Electric Company, national survey of electrical companies, electrical equipment companies (1880s); and investments in real estate, railroad lines, electric utilities, manufacturing associations, agricultural products, and various types of merchandise in the Middle West, Alabama and Georgia, Mexico, and Asian trade. Also in the collection are materials on Bowen's national and local political activities, including the National Greenback Party, Populist Party, free silver, and anti-trust movements; Bowen's own election campaigns; political conferences and publishing (1890s); and Bowen family affairs. Family members represented include Chauncey T. Bowen, George Erwin Bowen, Ira Pardee Bowen, and James Harvey Bowen.
- Acquisition information Most of this collection was purchased at the estate auction of Mary Ann Dicke in 1975 (M1975.0019; M1949.0011).
- Location of Other Archival Materials Note
- Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the George S. Bowen collection of visual materials (1975.0019); and various portrait photographs filed by name; and a few items relating to Chauncey T. Bowen and James H. Bowen that are listed in the Manuscripts Card Catalog.
- Materials about George Bowen also are found in the Bimetalism and currency reform collection at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Daley Library, Special Collections Dept.
- Finding Aids Note Descriptive inventory available online.
- Names
- Bowen, George S., 1829-1905 Archives.
- Bowen, Chauncey T., 1832-1896.
- Bowen, George Erwin, d. 1934.
- Bowen, Ira Pardee, d. 1907.
- Bowen, James Harvey, 1822-1881.
- Brown, Enos.
- Jefferds, M. R.
- Kerr, Charles H., b. 1860.
- Mori, Hiroshi.
- Bowen Brothers.
- Bowen, Hunt & Winslow.
- Calumet and Chicago Canal and Dock Company.
- Chicago & Pacific Railroad.
- Compania de la Hacienda de Coahuayula.
- Elgin Electric Light Company.
- National Greenback Party.
- North Pacific Trading Company.
- Populist Party (U.S.)
- Vanderpoele Electric Manufacturing Company.
- Inter-State Industrial Exposition (1873 : Chicago, Ill.)
- World's Columbian Exposition (1893 : Chicago, Ill.)
- Adams, Frederick Upham, 1859-1921.
- Altgeld, John Peter, 1847-1902.
- Bowen, Chauncey T., 1832-1896.
- Bowen, George Erwin, d. 1934.
- Bowen, Ira Pardee, d. 1907.
- Bowen, James Harvey, 1822-1881.
- Brown, Enos.
- Jefferds, M. R.
- Kerr, Charles H., b. 1860.
- Mori, Hiroshi.
- Bowen Brothers.
- Bowen, Hunt & Winslow.
- Chicago & Pacific Railroad.
- Compania de la Hacienda de Coahuayula.
- Elgin Electric Light Company.
- North Pacific Trading Company.
- Vanderpoele Electric Manufacturing Company.
- Subjects
- Business enterprises Illinois Chicago 19th century.
- Businessmen Illinois Chicago 20th century.
- Currency question United States 19th century.
- Electric industries United States 19th century.
- Electric industries Equipment and supplies.
- Exhibitions Illinois Chicago 19th century.
- Families Illinois Chicago 19th century.
- Families Illinois Chicago 20th century.
- Greenbacks United States 19th century.
- Industries Illinois Chicago 19th century.
- Industries Illinois Elgin 19th century.
- Investments Alabama 19th century.
- Investments Georgia 19th century.
- Investments, American Asia 19th century.
- Investments, American Mexico 19th century.
- Political conventions United States 19th century.
- Populism United States 19th century.
- Pottery industry Illinois 19th century.
- Publishers and publishing United States 19th century.
- Railroads Illinois Chicago 19th century.
- Real estate investment United States 19th century.
- Woolen goods industry Illinois Chicago 19th century.
- Geographic coverage
- Asia Commerce United States.
- Chicago (Ill.) Commerce 19th century.
- Chicago (Ill.) Social conditions 19th century.
- Chicago (Ill.) Social conditions 20th century.
- Elgin (Ill.) Commerce 19th century.
- Illinois Politics and government 19th century.
- Mexico Commerce United States.
- United States Commerce Asia.
- United States Commerce Mexico.
- United States Politics and government 19th century.
- Genre
- Accounts. aat
- Brochures. aat
- Correspondence. aat
- Diaries. aat
- Financial records. aat
- Insurance policies. aat
- Newspaper clippings. aat
- Geographic name
- United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.
- United States Illinois Elgin.
- Finding aid URL Finding aid available online http://chsmedia.org/media/fa/fa/M-B/BowenG-inv.htm