Elston, Daniel (d. 1855). Papers, 1833-52 | Illinois History and Lincoln Collections

Scope and Contents: In 1833, Daniel Elston, a British merchant, came to Chicago where he manufactured soap and candles, and erected a small distillery and brewery. Elston served as school inspector and alderman, but was relieved of civic and honorary offices when his lands were removed from the city bounds by the legislature in 1844. The collection includes twenty letters from Elston to Harry Surnam, his friend and solicitor in London. The correspondence deals mainly with Elston's business affairs in England, but also comments on business conditions and developments in Chicago.