Martin Irenius Brower, 1847-1920 [RG4055.AM]

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID



RG4055.AM:  Martin Irenius Brower, 1847-1920



Correspondence:  1886-1901

Fullerton, Nance County, Neb.:  Lawyer; loan agent

Size:  4.0 cu.ft.; 4 boxes



BACKGROUND NOTE



Martin Irenius Brower, born March 21, 1847, in Richmond, Illinois, was the youngest son of Arlineus and Mary Martha Brower. The family moved to Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois in 1862 where Martin completed his public school education. In 1871, Martin Brower graduated from Lombard College of Galesburg, Illinois. After returning to Pontiac and reading law in the office of L.F. Payson, he soon gained his admission to the bar of Illinois.



After an initial trip with his father to Fullerton, Nance County, Nebraska, to purchase land, Martin I. Brower moved there permanently in 1882. In 1884 Brower was admitted to the bar in Nance County and began his career as a lawyer and loan agent in Fullerton. He married Ella L. Clark, daughter of Ezekial and Nancy Williams Clark, on October 27, 1885, at Owego, Broome County, New York. Martin and Ella Clark Brower had three children: Mary, born 1886; Julian, born 1887; and Robert, born 1896. All were born in Fullerton, Nebraska.



Martin Brower was elected Nance County Judge in 1890, running on the Populist ticket. He served one term. His activities as an attorney and loan agent included representing many business interests and friends from Illinois and New York, for which he drew 2.5% commission. In 1900 Mr. Brower helped to organize the Fullerton National Bank and became its first president. He held this post until his death on June 5, 1920.



SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE



This collection consists of four boxes of correspondence dating from 1886-1901. The bulk of this collection consists of the business correspondence of Martin Irenius Brower in his capacity as loan agent and attorney for business interests and friends in the east, primarily Illinois and New York. Brower’s activities dealt with loans and/or foreclosures on Nebraska farmland. The collection reflects the legal and business aspects of farming in turn-of-the-century Nebraska. The problems encountered by small farmers are shown in the numerous letters written to Brower regarding their situation.



In processing this material, Brower’s original filing system was maintained. Therefore, the letters are arranged alphabetically within designated time periods.



DESCRIPTION



Box 1

Folders 1-6   Correspondence A-Z, Jan. 18, 1886-Apr. 30, 1891

Folders 7-12   Correspondence A-Z, May 1, 1891-Feb. 26, 1892

Folders 13-18   Correspondence A-Z, Feb. 26, 1892-Sept. 25, 1892

Folders 19-24   Correspondence A-Z, Sept. 26, 1892-May 31, 1893

Folders 25-30   Correspondence A-Z, May 31, 1893-Jan. 1, 1894

Folders 31-36   Correspondence A-Z, Jan. 1, 1894-May 29, 1894



Box 2

Folders 37-42   Correspondence A-Z, May 29, 1894-Nov. 9, 1894

Folders 43-48   Correspondence A-Z, Nov. 9, 1894-Apr. 26, 1895

Folders 49-54   Correspondence A-Z, Apr. 26, 1895-Sept. 4, 1895

Folders 54a-b   Correspondence A-Z, Sept. 5, 1895-Jan. 26, 1896

Folders 55-60   Correspondence A-Z, Jan. 27, 1896-June 2, 1896

Folders 61-66   Correspondence A-Z, June 2, 1896-Jan. 1, 1897



Box 3

Folders 67-72   Correspondence A-Z, Jan. 1, 1897-May 25, 1897

Folders 73-80   Correspondence A-Z, May 25, 1897-Oct. 5, 1897

Folders 81-88   Correspondence A-Z, Oct. 5, 1897-Jan. 20, 1898

Folders 89-96   Correspondence A-Z, Jan. 21, 1898-May 21, 1898

Folders 97-104   Correspondence A-Z, May 21, 1898-Nov. 1, 1898

Folders 105-112   Correspondence A-Z, Nov. 1, 1898-Feb. 22, 1899



Box 4

Folders 113-118   Correspondence A-Z, Feb. 22, 1899-June 14, 1899

Folders 119-124   Correspondence A-Z, June 14, 1889-Oct. 4, 1899

Folders 125-130   Correspondence A-Z, Oct. 9, 1899-Mar. 10, 1900

Folders 131-136   Correspondence A-Z, Mar. 10, 1900-Aug. 9, 1900

Folders 137-143   Correspondence A-Z, Aug. 9, 1900-Jan. 1, 1901



 


ADDED ENTRIES:

Agricultural laborers — Nebraska

Agriculture — Economic aspects

Brower, Martin Irenius, 1847-1920

Farm loans

Fullerton (Neb.) — History

Lawyers — Nebraska

Nance County (Neb.) — History



 



CH/AIP/pmc   06-03-1988

Revised TMM   03-04-2010

Revised TMM   04-02-2015

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