George Heyward Company Records (Kirkland)

Collection — Volume: 1-13

Identifier: RHC-RC-069

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

These records document the financial history of the George Heyward Company from its founding in 1882 to 1919. Primarily dealing in lumber materials, the Heyward Company expanded its inventory to encompass various building supplies including glass, oils, and paint. The major series of the collection is a partial set of business account ledgers detailing business transactions of the Heyward Company during the years 1882 to 1919. An invoice book, cash book, and a separate series of invoices (1895-1919) supplement data contained in the account ledgers. These invoices highlight the large variety of Heyward customers and suppliers scattered throughout the Midwest. Business correspondence also focuses upon invoice information such as orders for materials and requests for bill payments. Researchers should note that records from 1920 to the sale of the firm in 1933 are missing and three ledger books, retained by Mr. Eckland, may be donated to the Center at a later date.

Dates

created: 1882-1919
Other: Date acquired: 06/19/1979

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

Mr. William C. Tuttle, a former building contractor, founded a lumber yard in Kirkland, Illinois in 1882. Several years later George Heyward entered into partnership with Tuttle renaming the firm the Tuttle and Heyward Company. Around 1900, Mr. Tuttle sold his interests in the company, and Mr. Henry Thomas became Heyward’s new partner for a short time. During this period, the George Heyward Company grew from a small lumber yard to an extensive supplier of building materials. The firm’s customers ranged from similar building suppliers and contractors located in several Midwestern states to the homeowners of DeKalb County. Between 1903 and 1905, George Heyward assumed sole ownership of the yard and operated the company until his death in 1930. Heyward’s daughter and son-in-law attempted to manage the firm but failed after three years. In 1933, the Kingston Farmers Co-op purchased the Company’s real estate and books and continued operating as a section of the Heyward Company until its demise in 1953.

Note written by

Extent

5.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Mr. Ernest Ecklund

Method of Acquisition

Mr. Ernest Ecklund of Kirkland, Illinois donated the George Heyward Company Records to the Regional History Center on June 19, 1979

Related Materials

Related collections held by the Regional history Center which document the lumber industry in northern Illinois include: Embree Lumber Company Records (RC 7); Uplinger Lumber, Grain, and Coal Company Records (RC 16), and the T.G. Mighell and G.W. Wakefield Smithy, Grain, and Coal Company Records (RC 22).