Mighell & Wakefield Smithy, Grain, and Coal Company Records (Waterman)

Collection — Volume: 1

Identifier: RHC-RC-022

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records contained in this collection document the Mighell and Wakefield Company’s financial accounts from the warehouse’s first year of operation, 1872, until 1911, when Wakefield reorganized the business into the Wakefield Grain Company. A series of eleven bound volumes contains entries made by T.G. Mighell before his partnership with George Wakefield (1851-1872); business ledgers of the Mighell and Wakefield Smithy, Grain, and Coal Company (1875-1890); and records from the Wakefield Grain Company (1908-1943). The latter volumes include records of purchases, sales, loans, orders, and daily grain shipments, and monthly summaries. Also included in the collection is Roy Wakefield’s insurance company register (1897-1939) and a notes and bills receivable journal (1885-1896)

Dates

created: 1851-1943
Other: Date acquired: 01/00/1966

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights to the materials belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights in the collection are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

T.G. Mighell was a blacksmith and grain dealer who settled south of Waterman in Clinton township, DeKalb County. In 1872 he entered into partnership with his nephew, George Wakefield, and the company first built a grain warehouse and, later, a grain elevator. The company added coal retailing when the railroad came through Waterman. Roy Wakefield, George’s cousin, joined the partnership and in 1911 the Wakefields bought a second grain elevator in Waterman and reorganized the business. From 1920 to 1942 the company dealt only in feed grain and in 1942 Wakefield Grain sold out to Larsen Brothers. Finally, Iven Larson sold the business in 1966.

Note written by

Extent

1.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Mr. Iven Larsen

Method of Acquisition

Mr. Iven Larsen donated the records of the T.G. Mighell and G.W. Wakefield Smithy, Grain, and Coal Company to the Northern Illinois University Archives in January 1966. The Northern Illinois Regional History Center received the collection from the University Archives in May 1978.