Topic starter
06/01/2010 2:45 pm
I'm hopeful of learning more of the life and career of Joseph Reynolds, owner and namesake of the Diamond Jo Line of steamers (primarily) on the upper Mississippi. To kick this off, an article or two follows. I'd also love to share any photos or images of promotional material tied to the line.
1) Ancestors and Descendants of Calvert Crary (page 34)
Ancestors and descendants of Calvert Crary and his wife Eliza Hill, Liberty, N.Y
2) University of Chicago Magazine, Volumes 7-8 (page 26)
The University of Chicago magazine - Google Books
And these texts, also offer details, if you've copies handy in your library:
3) Steamboating on the Upper Mississippi River, William J. Petersen
4) Old Times on the Upper Mississippi, George Byron Merrick
5) Joseph Reynolds And The Diamond Jo Line Steamers (1862-1911) by George B. Merrick; Reprinted from The Proceedings of The Mississippi Valley Historical Association, Vol. VIII; August 6, 1928.
PERSONAL NOTE: As Diamond Jo's great-g-g-nephew (or thereabouts) my family has long enjoyed an oral history tied to Reynold's colorful career (tanner, grain shipper, steamboat operator, steamboat builder, coal miner, gold miner, railroader, etc.)--but few documents have fleshed out the details.
In the last year, I've made a study of his life and times and uncovered a wealth of information, new friends, and a few family artifacts. (In last months, I've traveled to Congress, AZ to poke around the ruins of his gold mine and the site of his death; visited Hot Springs, AR to see the remains of his rail line; and I've plans to travel the Upper Mississippi in the spring to trace the remains of his steamboat operation.)
I'm new to this community and site, but happy to learn as I go--and post documents, photos, and the like in the coming weeks. Please say hello!
06/01/2010 3:13 pm
Hello Devin, and welcome to this forum for sharing all things steamboat related!
You probably already know this, but the April, 1970 issue of The Palimpsest, magazine for the State Historical Society of Iowa, was devoted to the Diamond Jo Line steamboats, authored, of course, by Dr. William J. "Steamboat Bill" Petersen. The issue is well illustrated and copies are often available from booksellers and on Ebay. (I just checked and there's currently a copy being auctioned. Type Diamond Jo Line Steamboat History into the search box.)
Good luck with your research!
Topic starter
06/01/2010 5:47 pm
Many thanks, Keith!
Yes, that document is a wonderful read. Thanks for mentioning it, particularly given that it may be new to some others. I borrowed a copy from one Diamond Jo Reynolds fan, Mr. Henry de Linde of Hot Springs, AR--quite *the* DjR fan. (Henry actually owns the old Diamond Jo Quarry out there...but that's another story.)
07/01/2010 12:15 am
Hello from 480 UMR
Welcome to the .org board. I hope when you come to the UMR you can stop here in Rock Island and visit my river collection, which does have some Diamond Jo items. Please email me at [email protected] for more discussion. I'm usually more verbose on here, but I'm trying to reacclimate to the wonderful midwestern weather after being out in southern California for a week, and an overnight in the Denver airport has put me really offcenter this week. I'll be anxious to hear from you.
07/01/2010 4:43 am
Some where in my materials there is a article that i indexed by Merrick entitled "J. Reynolds & the Diamond Joe Line." I have two reference to the Waterways journal one is 7 Mar 1931 page 7 of his death and what happened to the company after that. earlier tin the 21 Feb 1931 issue pages 13 _14 there wis reference to his earlied periond in New York. I have a feeling I have seen a reference to a collection of his or company papers in the Minnesota Historical Society archives in st. Paul
Ut Riverrat
Topic starter
07/01/2010 1:58 pm
Judy Patsch;19913 wrote: Welcome to the .org board. I hope when you come to the UMR you can stop here in Rock Island and visit my river collection, which does have some Diamond Jo items. Please email me at [email protected] for more discussion.
Judy: Many thanks for the invitation. I'll be certain to follow up via email.
Topic starter
07/01/2010 2:26 pm
Carl: Nifty stuff! Merrick rings a bell. I'm certain I've a copy of that by way of a generous DjR collector in Arkansas--one Mr. Henry de Linde? (Indeed...here it is. I was remiss not to list that before.)
5) Joseph Reynolds And The Diamond Jo Line Steamers (1862-1911) by George B. Merrick; Reprinted from The Proceedings of The Mississippi Valley Historical Association, Vol. VIII; August 6, 1928.
I'm unfamiliar with the Waterways Journal. (I take it, that's not online?) And the idea that a collection of his papers has found a home with the Minnesota Historical Society is very encouraging--a jingle to them in on my to-do list. Many thanks for the pointers!