Ackerman, William K., letters, 1854-1883
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence to and from Illinois Central Incorporators, Directors, Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Solicitors, Counsel, Roadmasters, Chief Engineers, Auditors, and others, regarding the construction and governance of the company.
Dates
- Creation: 1854-1883
Creator
- From the Collection: Illinois Central Railroad Company (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
The Illinois Central Railroad Company Archives are open for research; they are available a box at a time in the Special Collections Reading Room (Priority III).
Biographical/Historical note
William K. Ackerman began his Illinois Central career as an assistant secretary and transfer clerk (1852-1855), then worked his way up to be secretary (1855-1860), local treasurer, Chicago division (1860-1871), assistant secretary (1864-1871), treasurer (1871-1875), general auditor (1875-1876), vice president (1876-1877), and then President from 1877-1883. He was also a trustee, incorporator, and/or director of various other rail lines, including the Chicago, St. Louis & New Orleans, Kankakee & Western, Kankakee & South Western Coal Branch, Chicago & Springfield, and Mound City Railroads.
Arrangement note
Ackerman's letters are arranged into the following five subseries: Out-letters, Apr. 1877-Dec. 1883; Out-letters, May 1854-Sept. 1862; Telegrams, Jan. 1878-Jan. 1880; In-letters, Mar. 1877-Nov. 1883; and Out-letters, Apr. 1880-Jul. 1882. For more Ackerman correspondence, see also J.M. Douglas, Out-letters, Mar. 1860-Apr. 1877 (Call Number: IC 1 D7.1).
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org