The collection consists of family and business records of a family in Milwaukee and a
related family in Portage, Wisconsin, covering the years 1861-1940. The bulk of the
collection is personal correspondence among the Thomas and Wentworth families, primarily
that of Winfield Wentworth Thomas and his wife Minnie Pearl Higley Thomas. The
correspondence largely deals with the everyday happenings and concerns of the Thomas and
Wentworth families. There are numerous family photographs, including some early processes
such as albumen prints, cyanotypes, and a tintype.
Winfield W. Thomas was an avid book collector and there are two folders which contain
correspondence, invoices, and notes pertaining to the books and authors which he collected.
There are several folders which contain the travel journals of Kate Thomas, William's aunt,
and her diaries from 1870-1917. Collection also contains genealogical information on Thomas'
mother's side of the family, the Wentworths and the Pikes. It includes pedigree charts in
the form of lists; information from the Pike Family Association of America; and various
newspaper clippings and correspondence relevant to the families involved. Two folders
contain photographs taken of the Thomas and Wentworth family members which generally include
notations indicating name or relationship of persons represented. There are also two folders
of memorabilia, among which there is a well-preserved, full-color banner from the centennial
celebration at the international exhibition in Philadelphia. Also included is a journal
which had belonged to Lydia Pike, grandmother of Winfield W. Thomas, containing poems
written for Lydia between 1846-1851.
Winfield Wentworth Thomas' father, Richard J. Thomas, founded the Thomas Brass &
Iron Co. The collection contains one folder of the firm's business records, mostly contract
agreements, receipts, and catalogs listing the goods which the company manufactured or
distributed. No information in regard to the company's size or annual production is
included.
