Guide to the Ingram Family and Empire Lumber Company Papers,​ 1906-​1934

Overview of the Collection

Repository:
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
P.O. Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702 – 4004
(715) 836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/

Reference Code: USGZE UHC 350

Accession Number: 15-001

Collection Number: University Historical Collection 350

Creators: Ingram Family

Title: Ingram Family and Empire Lumber Company Papers

Dates: 1874-1953, bulk 1906-1934

Quantity: 5.0 linear feet (5 record cartons)

Location of Collection: A9/2f-A9/2g

Languages: Collection materials are in English.

Summary: Personal papers of the Orrin H. and Erskine B. Ingram family and business records of the Empire Lumber Company

Biographical / Historical Note

Orrin Henry Ingram was a prominent lumberman and business man who built his fortune in the Chippewa Valley from 1857 to 1914. With his partners Donald Kennedy and Alexander M. Dole, Ingram built a sawmill operation that would merge with other companies to become the Empire Lumber Company in 1881. This industry was responsible for the employment of thousands of individuals in the Chippewa Valley, and thus vital to the growth of cities in the area, particularly Eau Claire. However, the lumber industry was also responsible for the rapid deforestation of the Chippewa Valley

Orrin H. Ingram was a community leader with diverse business interests. He owned stock in over twenty other companies and became heavily involved in banking. He served as president of the Eau Claire National Bank and the Union National Bank. The Ingram family were known for their active and philanthropic involvement in the Eau Claire community. After his wife’s death in 1911, Orrin built the Cornelia Pierce Ingram Memorial Community House in her memory. The house was to serve as a meeting place for the entire community. Orrin died in 1918 and the reigns of the Empire Lumber Company passed to his son Erskine and his son-in-law Edward S. Hayes.

Content Description

This collection contains the household expense records and personal correspondence of the Ingram family. It contains numerous business records for the Empire Lumber Company including quit claim deeds, warranty deeds, the acquisition of other companies by the ELC, and other papers relating to incorporating, liquidating assets, stocks, dividends and final distributions.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Transferred to the University Archives by Mary Horn (great-great granddaughter of Orrin Ingram and great granddaughter of Charles Ingram) in September 2013.

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Preferred Citation: Ingram Family and Empire Lumber Company Papers, 1906-1934. UHC350. Special Collections & Archives. McIntyre Library. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Eau Claire, WI.

Processing Note: Processed by Danielle Schroeder in October 2014.

Arrangement: Flat.

OCLC #: 894084611

Subjects

Personal Names:
Orrin Henry Ingram, 1830-1918
Cornelia Pierce Ingram, 1829-1911
Erskine Bronson Ingram, 1866-1954
Harriet Louise Coggshall Ingram, 1873-1944
Louise Ingram
Charles H. Ingram
Miriam P. Hayes
Edward .S. Hayes
O. H. Ingram (son of Erskine and Louise), 1904-1963

Corporate Names: Empire Lumber Company

Subject Terms:
Lumber
Logging Industry
Mining

Geographical Terms:
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin

Detailed List of Contents