William W. Old papers

Collection

Identifier: COU:1216

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The William W. Old Papers are organized in the following order:

I. Correspondence  Immediate Family to William  Other Correspondence  Business Correspondence, 1883-1896  Letterpress Books (Old Agency, Business Correspondence & Receipts) II. Financial Records  Bills and Receipts  Statements, W.W. Old, Agent  Receipts III. Business & Professional Records  Little Ellen Mine, 1882-1888 (Kniphausen, Old & W.W. Old & Company)  Notary Public, 1887-1890  County Republican Central Committee  Post Office  Miscellaneous

Dates

Creation: 1882 - 1896

Biographical Note

William W. Old was born in 1856 at Alleghany City, Pennsylvania. When he came out west (1876), he located in Denver. Later, he moved to Leadville, Colorado, where he opened the first dry goods store (1878). The Colorado 1800 Census Index indicates that William W. Old could have been residing in either Georgetown, Clear Creek County or in Ruby City, Gunnison County as a William W. Old is listed in both locations. He also served as Justice of the Peace, Police Judge, and in 1890, was appointed postmaster.

Old was active in the Republican Party in Leadville. He was a member of the County Republican Central Committee and a delegate to the Republican County Convention in 1888.

An active businessman, Old established the New York Underwriters Insurance Agency in Leadville in 1890 and invested $300,000. In the Pawnee Mining & Milling Company in 1895. With his brother, he formed the American Metallic Decorative Company in Denver.

Mr. Old moved to Denver in 1902. He died c. 1936

Extent

7 linear feet (14 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

William W. Old (1856-1936) opened the first dry goods store in Leadville, CO in 1878. An active Republican, he served as Justice of the Peace, Police Judge and Postmaster. Old also established the N.Y. Underwriter Insurance Agency with Thomas Daly (1890). Papers contain personal and business correspondence (1883-1896); business financial books, mining company papers, County Republican Central Committee items, as well as miscellaneous items.