Alexander W. Brown Diaries

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Alexander W. Brown Diaries, 1904-1921, Ms2021-033, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.4 Cubic Feet 1 box
Creator:
Brown, Alexander W. , 1878-?
Abstract:
This collection contains seven daily diaries (1904, 1909-1912, 1916, 1921) of Alexander W. Brown, traveling salesman in the food product business.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Alexander W. Brown Diaries, 1904-1921, Ms2021-033, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains seven daily diaries (1904, 1909-1912, 1916, 1921) of Alexander W. Brown. Brown was a Danish immigrant and a traveling salesman in the food product business. His work took him around Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Most days have entires of 1-3 sentences about his work and personal activities.

Biographical / historical:

Alexander W. Brown was a Danish immigrant who became a naturalized American in the 1890s. He married Anna F. Plumb in 1899 and had two sons. Various census records show Brown and his family's movement around the United States. The 1910 Census shows the family living in Norfolk, Virginia, and Brown was a traveling salesman for the Cottonlene Company. The 1920 Census shows the family living in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania and Brown as a salesman of "pure foods." In 1930, the family is living in Pittsburg, PA, where Brown is a manager of a grocery store and his two sons have presumably moved out. Between 1935 and 1940, Brown was living in Buffalo, New York, where he owned his own general merchandise store.

Acquisition information:
The Alexander M. Brown Diaries were purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 2014.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of Alexander W. Brown Diaries was completed in September 2021. Minor additional description was completed in June 2022.

Arrangement:

Diairies in this collection are in one box, arranged in chronological order.