Benjamin C. Sheldon Collection
Scope and Contents
The collection is composed of one ledger owned by Benjamin C. Sheldon who was enrolled in Clark Commercial College in Kalamazoo. The ledger has work in it dated January to September, 1856.
Dates
- Creation: 1856
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions
Biographical / Historical
Benjamin Clark Sheldon was born approximately 1845 to Jason and Sabrina Sheldon which was the year they came to Michigan from New York. Jason was one of six children and they lived in Antwerp Township east of Paw Paw in Van Buren County. If his birth year is accurate, he would have been 21 when enrolled in the Clark Commercial College. A check of the historic newspaper databases brought up no specific information about this college although Kalamazoo had several of these business colleges over the years. According to the 1860 census, Benjamin is working as a grocer in Paw Paw, married to Diadama Sheldon with a one-year old son, Walter. He and his wife eventually have two more children, Carry and Elizabeth and move to the family farm. He died sometime between 1900 and 1910.
Extent
1 folders
Language of Materials
English
Source of Acquisition
Starring Endowment Fund
Physical Description
The collection amounts to .05 cubic feet and is composed of one ledger book, 10”x15”x ½”. The front and back covers are cardboard. It appears that there was a front piece inside the front cover with information about the College but it was removed. The front cover has a small green sticker 2”x4” that says, "Book Keeping Journal" and the signature, "Benj. C. Sheldon." Inside the front cover is written, "B.C. Sheldon Clarks Coml. [Commercial] College Kalamazoo Mich." in a flowing handwriting style. About two-thirds of the pages have been used. The book is in fairly good shape. The binding is good although the cover is worn and scratched in places. The spine also is worn. There is yellowing and stains on the pages. The writing is somewhat legible although it is smudged in places and a little bid faded.
Subject
- Clark Commercial College (Kalamazoo, Mich.) (Organization)
- Title
- Benjamin C. Sheldon Collection Finding Aid
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lynn Houghton
- Date
- 2011-11-06
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490
arch-collect@wmich.edu