Alfred L. Williams family papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains letters from members of the Alfred L. Williams family of Owosso, Michigan.
Most of the letters were written to Alfred L. Williams' daughter, Clara, by her sisters. The letters discuss pioneer life, the problems of being a single girl, hired help and treating illness with various home remedies. Also discussed are the development of the town, social life in Owosso and the Wesener fire in 1885, in which the block between Washington and Main streets burned. They also discuss the coming of the railroad in 1883 and the possibility of a men's Christian college (the forerunner of John Wesley College) being built.
There are also photographs of the Williams and related families in the collection.
Dates
- Creation: 1885 - 1925
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Biographical Note
Alfred and his brother, Benjamin O. Williams, were the first white settlers to visit and eventually settle in Shiawassee County, Michigan. They operated a trading post at the Indian Village, Ketshewaudaugoning, prior to founding the village of Owosso in 1837.
Extent
0.25 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
Gift of Margaret Zdunic, date unknown.
Legal Status
Donor(s) have transferred any applicable copyright to Michigan State University but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Copyright restrictions may apply. Property Rights: Michigan State University.
Subject
- Williams, Alfred L. (Alfred Leonzo Williams) (Person)
- Williams, B. O. (Benjamin Oliver Williams) (Person)
- Williams, Clara (Person)
- John Wesley College (Organization)
- Title
- Alfred L. Williams Family Papers
- Status
- 4 Published And Cataloged
- Date
- July 1976
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the University Archives and Historical Collections Repository
Conrad Hall
943 Conrad Road, Room 101
East Lansing MI 48824 US
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu