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John T. Reeder Photograph Collection

 Collection — Box: 1-103
Identifier: MS-042

Collection Scope and Content Summary

Includes glass plate and film negatives of buildings, communities, copper mining operations, and family members, as well as wildlife, plants, and flowers as well as negative inventories.

Dates

  • Circa 1867-Circa 1967

Language of Material

English

Conditions Governing Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

John Thorley Reeder was born in Detroit on August 18, 1857, and was educated in the Detroit High School and Mayhew Business College in Detroit. Following his graduation he entered the office of the Detroit and Lake Superior Copper Works with his father who was a chief clerk for the concern for 40 years. When the Detroit Works closed in 1897 Mr. Reeder went to the Michigan Copper Country as chief clerk of the Osceola mine office at Osceola under the late Captain John Daniel. Later he was transferred to the Tamarack mine office and when the Calumet and Hecla Mining Co. gained control of the Bigelow interests, he was transferred to the Calumet and Hecla office as chief clerk and purchasing agent of the Tamarack, Osceola, Ahmeek and Isle Royale mines. He held this position from August, 1906 to May 31, 1919. Mr. Reeder was a resident of Houghton for 30 years. He was active in the Keweenaw Historical Society of which he was a charter member. He later became president of the society and in 1913 was made a life member. He was a trustee of the First Congregational Church of Hancock, and was also a member of the Portage Township School Board on which he served from 1913 to July, 1922, when he resigned. He served as president of the board from 1914 up to the time of his retirement. Mr. Reeder was a great lover of outdoor life and owned a famous collection of outdoor photos which included wild life, plants and flowers. He also acquired a fine collection of stamps, coins, Indian relics and minerals. John Thorley Reeder passed away in 1937, after a long illness.

Extent

38.23 Cubic Feet (103 boxes)

Abstract

Photograph collection, circa 1867-circa 1967, of John T. Reeder, a resident of Houghton, Michigan and employee of the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company. Includes photographs of buildings, communities, copper mining operations, and family members, as well as wildlife, plants, and flowers.

Arrangement

MS-042 has been arranged into 23 series. Series one is Inventories and General Records. The remaining series are groups of negatives that have been arranged by serial number.

Acquisition

An initial gift was received from John T. Reeder in 1985 consisting of glass and film negatives. An additional donation consisting of photographic prints of nature and animals taken by Reeder was received from Deric Garnell in 2006. The most recent donation, which consisted of both glass plate and film negatives was received from Michael Cooper, Lynne Robertson, and Elizabeth Jessup in 2011.

Title
John T. Reeder Photograph Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Elizabeth Russell, revised by Rachael Bussert.
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English
Sponsor
Funding provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton 49931 U.S.A. US