Alvin Howard Sanders papers, circa 1839-1925
Collection Number: 6312

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Alvin Howard Sanders papers, circa 1839-1925
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
6312
Abstract:
Photographs, correspondence, drawings, clippings, reports, financial records, awards, journals, articles, and other material pertaining to and deriving from Sanders' editorship of The Breeder's Gazette, his work in livestock breeding, and his authorship of several books on agricultural persons and subjects.
Creator:
Sanders, Alvin Howard, 1860-1948
Quanitities:
1.5 cubic feet.
Language:
Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Alvin Howard Sanders (1860-1948) was the son of James Harvey Sanders, a renowned livestock author and founder of the leading livestock journal, The Breeder's Gazette.
Alvin attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York from 1878 to 1879. His father, then editor of the National Livestock Journal in Chicago called upon his son to help him in the editorial office. In 1881, Alvin graduated from the Union College of Law and received his license from the state of Illinois in 1882.
James Sanders founded The Breeder's Gazette in Chicago on December 1, 1881. Alvin decided to join his father in his new endeavor and was employed on the staff as co-editor. He married Elizabeth A. Hildebrand of Chicago on April 25, 1882. By 1892, Alvin had become editor and owner of The Breeder's Gazette.
On February 20, 1900, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Alvin Sanders as a member of the American delegation to the Paris Exposition.
Atter the Union Stock Yards opened in Chicago, Arthur G. Leonard, Robert Ogilvie, and Alvin Sanders formed the Saddle and Sirloin Club located at the Stockyard Inn in 1903. On the club walls were portraits of the important persons in the livestock movement. In Alvin's book, At the Sign of the Stock Yard Inn, he wrote about the lives of Robert Bakewell, Thomas Bates, Amos Cruickshank and others.
On August 16, 1905, a convention was held at the Illinois Theater in Chicago which was attended by leading commercial and agricultural organizations. It was here that the American Reciprocal Tariff League was formed. Alvin was elected chairman and held this position until 1909. During his service, he corresponded with President Theodore Roosevelt regarding foreign trade agreements with the United States.
President William Taft appointed a Tariff Board in September 1909 which included Henry C. Emery, professor at Yale; James B. Reynolds, Assistant Secretary of Treasury; and Alvin Sanders.
Alvin wrote many livestock books which included such works as A History of Aberdeen- Angus Cattle, Red White and Roan, Short-Horn Cattle, and The Story of the Herefords. In 1917, he published in collaboration with Wayne Dinsmore, A History of the Percheron Horse. The French government awarded him with the Cross of Officer Merite Agricole in appreciation for his work.
Over the years, he was awarded many awards and honors. He received the degree of Doctor of Agriculture from the University of Illinois in 1906. In 1911, he was presented with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from Kenyon College. Alvin was also awarded the Chevalier of the Order of Leopold from the King of Belgium for his contribution in promoting interest in scientific stock breeding.
He was a member of many different agricultural organizations. He was made president of the Saddle and Sirloin Club in 1915. Governor Frank O. Lowden appointed him a member of the Illinois Board of Agricultural Advisors in 1917.
Alvin Sanders retired from The Breeder's Gazette journal in 1927. The livestock journal continued to be published by different editors until it went out of business in 1964.

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Photographs, correspondence, drawings, clippings, reports, financial records, awards, journals, articles, and other material pertaining to and deriving from Sanders' editorship of The Breeder's Gazette, his work in livestock breeding, and his authorship of several books on agricultural persons and subjects.

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:

Alvin Howard Sanders papers, #6312. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

SUBJECTS

Names:
Saddle and Sirloin Club
Subjects:
Agriculturists.
Agriculture law and legislation.
Agriculture -- Social aspects.
Cattle breeders.
Livestock improvement.
Livestock exhibitions.
Livestock -- Development.
Form and Genre Terms:
Photographs.

CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Graphic Material
Box 1 Folder 1
Booth's home
Undated
Scope and Contents
Killerby Hall in 1915. Old home of Thomas and John Booth.
Box 1 Folder 1
Bruce's home
Undated
Scope and Contents
Robert Bruce home, Ireland.
Ireland
Box 1 Folder 1
Grinnell farm
Undated
Scope and Contents
Managers residence on the Locust Valley farm of Russell Grinnell. Robert F. Hildebrand, photographer of Landscapes and animals, NY.
Exeter, Rhode Island
Box 1 Folder 1
Woodburn house
Undated
Scope and Contents
Woodburn house, Kentucky.
Kentucky
Box 1 Folder 1
Bates home
Undated
Scope and Contents
Home of Thomas Bates at Kirklevinqton.
Box 1 Folder 1
Collinq Home
Undated
Scope and Contents
Robert Collinq home, Barmpton, County Durham.
Barmpton, England
Box 1 Folder 1
Stone Stable, Ladykirk
Undated
Scope and Contents
The big stone stable at Ladykirk. W. Green, Berwick.
Ladykirk
Box 1 Folder 1
Miller, Minnie Hampshire sheep
Undated
Scope and Contents
Mrs. Minnie W. Miller Hampshire sheep, Proprietess Thousand Springs Farm, Wendell, Idaho. Livestock Photo Co.
Wendell, Idaho
Box 1 Folder 1
London Central Markets
Undated
Scope and Contents
London Central Markets.
London, England
Box 1 Folder 1
Pasture scene a t L.C. Emmons
Undated
Scope and Contents
Pasture scene L.C. Emmons, Swarthmore, PA. H.A. Strohmeyer, Jr., Photographer of animals, NY.
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Box 1 Folder 1
Thousand Springs farm
Undated
Scope and Contents
Thousand Springs farm, Wendell, Idaho. Guernsey cattle and a few of the springs. Livestock Photo Co.
Wendell, Idaho
Box 1 Folder 1
Milking cows
Undated
Scope and Contents
Milking cows in village of Carantin, France. Photo by J.E. Wing
Carantin, France
Box 1 Folder 1
Saddle and Sirloin Club
Undated
Scope and Contents
Interior room at the Saddle and Sirloin Club, Chicago.
Chicago, Illinois
Box 1 Folder 1
Saddle and Sirloin Club
Undated
Scope and Contents
Interior room at the Saddle and Sirloin Club, Chicago.
Chicago, Illinois
Box 1 Folder 1
Saddle and Sirloin Club
Undated
Scope and Contents
Interior room at the Saddle and Sirloin Club, Chicago.
Chicago, Illinois
Box 1 Folder 1
International Live Stock Exposition
Undated
Scope and Contents
International Live Stock Exposition building, front exterior view.
Chicago, Illinois
Box 1 Folder 1
Indiana pig and boy
Undated
Scope and Contents
Indiana pig club boy getting in training for the show. J.G. Allen, West Lafayette, IN.
Indiana
Box 1 Folder 1
Jos. E. Wing and Perry G. Holden
1913-12-18
Scope and Contents
Mr. Joseph E. Wing and Prof. Perry G. Holden discussing their mutually favorite topic, alfalfa. Breeders Gazette (frontispiece).
Box 1 Folder 1
Championship cattle bred by T.A. Russell
1927
Scope and Contents
Photo & brief history of Flower Girl 18th & Missie of Downsview cattle bred by T.A. Russell, Downsview.
Box 1 Folder 2
Barn Sketch by Joseph E. Wing
Undated
Scope and Contents
Sketch of a barn for feeding 1000 lambs and a written proposal by Joseph E. Wing.
Box 1 Folder 3
William Burlton portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of William Burlton.
Norway, Iowa
Box 1 Folder 3
Hon. T. C. Jones portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Hon. T.C. Jones, Associate editor of National Livestock Journal. Bodurthas Studio, Sandusky.
Box 1 Folder 3
James Howie portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of James Howie. McGregor Studio, Kilmarnock, Scotland.
Box 1 Folder 3
Lord Fitzhardinge portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
The Late Lord Fitzhardinge.
Box 1 Folder 3
William Warfield portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
William Warfield, famous Shorthorn breeder who owned Grasmere near Lexington, KY, wrote the first American text on stock breeding. Mullen Studio, Lexington, KY.
Box 1 Folder 3
L.N. Bonhan portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of L.N. Bonhan.
Box 1 Folder 3
A.M. Garland portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of A.M. Garland. Brands Studios, Chicago.
Box 1 Folder 3
Captain Barclay portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Captain Barclay walking 1000 miles in 1000 hours. Capt. Barclay of Ury, the father of Shorthorn breeding in North Scotland.
Scotland
Box 1 Folder 3
J.G. Imbodeu portrait
1921
Scope and Contents
Portrait of J.G. Imbodeu. Vandeventer Studio.
Decatur, Illinois
Box 1 Folder 3
C.A. Lewis portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of C.A. Lewis.
Box 1 Folder 4
John Ashton portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of John Ashton.
Box 1 Folder 4
F. D. Coburn portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Foster Dwight Coburn. Secretary of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture at Topeka. Editor of the Livestock Indicator of Kansas City. Author of the Book of Alfalfa.
Box 1 Folder 4
Geo. C. Morrow portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Geo. C. Morrow.
Box 1 Folder 4
Amos Cruickshank portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Amos Cruickshank. Famous Scottish breeder of Shorthorn cattle in the 1800's. E. Geering, Aberdeen.
Scotland
Box 1 Folder 4
Edward N. Wentworth portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Edward N. Wentworth. Director of the Livestock Bureau for Armour & Co. He also served on the Breeder's Gazette staff. Also, served on faculties of Iowa and Kansas State colleges. Author of The Portrait Gallery of the Saddle and Sirloin Club.
Box 1 Folder 4
E.T. Robbins portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of E.T. Robbins.
Box 1 Folder 4
Hon. James Wilson portrait
1897
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture.
Washington (D.C.)
Box 1 Folder 5
Alvin Howard Sanders portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Alvin Howard Sanders. Livestock Journalist, editor of the Breeders Gazette and subject of this collection. P.H. Alusragh, Chicago.
Box 1 Folder 5
John Cochrane portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of John Cochrane. McGregor & Sons, Kilmarnock.
Box 1 Folder 5
A.S. Alexander portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of A. S. Alexander. DeTonge, Madison, Wisconsin
Box 1 Folder 5
W.A. Henry portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of William Arnon Henry. Cornell University, 1880, and Dean of College of Agriculture, University of Wisconsin. S.L. Stein, Milwaukee.
Box 1 Folder 5
Will Barnes portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Will Barnes. Harris & Ewing.
Box 1 Folder 6
Andrew Allan portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Andrew Allan, 1823-1898, Wunnoch, Dalry, Ayrshire
Box 1 Folder 6
Andrew Allan
Undated
Scope and Contents
Biography of Andrew Allan.
Box 1 Folder 6
Armour Portrait
1914
Scope and Contents
Armour Portrait Ready for Place in Hall of Fame.
Chicago, Illinois
Box 1 Folder 6
Philip D. Armour portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Philip D. Armour. Founder of the Armour Meat Packing Company, Chicago. Brisbois, Chicago.
Chicago, Illinois
Box 1 Folder 6
Michael Logan
1913-03-01
Scope and Contents
Death of Noted Agriculturist, Mr. Michael Logan of Bargenoch.
Bargenoch, Scotland
Box 1 Folder 6
Michael Logan portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Michael Logan.
Scotland
Box 1 Folder 6
Earl of Coventry portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Earl of Coventry, noted Hereford Breeder.
England.
Box 1 Folder 6
Lord Coventry
Undated
Scope and Contents
Donation of Lord Coventry's photo.
Wimbledon, England
Box 1 Folder 6
Philip D. Armour
1914-01-28
Scope and Contents
Address by Alvin H. Sanders, D. Agr. L.L.D., editor of the Breeders Gazette, at the Univ of Illinois, Jan 28, 1914.
Chicago, Illinois
Box 1 Folder 6
Philip D. Armour portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Philip D. Armour in the Illinois Farmers' Hall of Fame, University of Illinois.
Chicago, Illinois
Box 1 Folder 6
Amos Cruickshank portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Photo of an oil painting of Amos Cruickshank, famous Scottish breeder of Shorthorn Cattle. This painting was done from a photo taken by Alvin Sanders when he called on Mr. Cruickshank in Scotland and is believed to have been the last photo taken of him.
Scotland
Box 1 Folder 7
Mrs. John Clay
1923-09-27
Scope and Contents
Eulogy of Mrs. John Clay including her portrait and her only son, John Clay, Jr.
Woodstock, Canada
Box 1 Folder 7
Mrs. John Clay and John Clay, Jr. portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of "Jack" Clay and his mother, Mrs. John Clay
Woodstock, Canada
Box 1 Folder 7
Samuel R. Guard portrait
1929-10-03
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Samuel R. Guard. He took over the Breeders Gazette in 1927.
Box 1 Folder 7
Philander C. Knox portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Group photo of Alvin Sanders (right), Mrs. Sanders (middle), & Secretary of State, Philander Knox (left).
Palm Beach, Florida
Box 1 Folder 8
Joseph E. Wing portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Joseph E. Wing, writer for the Breeders Gazette.
Box 1 Folder 8
Amos Cruickshank
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Amos Cruickshank for the Breeders Gazette issue of Christmas 1909.
Box 1 Folder 8
Earl of Dunmore portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Earl of Dunmore.
Box 1 Folder 8
Notice of Auction
1872, 1875, 1879
Scope and Contents
Catalogue of the Improved Short Horned Cattle, bred by the Earl of Dunmore, sold by auction.
Dunmore, England
Box 1 Folder 8
William A. Harris portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Bronze bust of the late US Senator William A. Harris. Erected on the campus of the Kansas Agricultural College at Manhattan.
Box 1 Folder 8
Residence of John Clay
Undated
Scope and Contents
Residence of John Clay in Scotland.
Box 1 Folder 9
Cattle, "Model Mill (?)"
Undated
Scope and Contents
"Model Mill (?)" at her new home at Baker S.H. Farms.
Kansas City, Missouri
Box 1 Folder 9
Bull, "Lonton Knight"
1928-01-01
Scope and Contents
Dutchie Webster bought this bull from the Prince of Wales.
Box 1 Folder 9
Shorthorn cattle
1921
Scope and Contents
Shorthorns at Buckland Hill Farm.
Nokesville, Virginia
Box 1 Folder 9
Cattle
Undated
Scope and Contents
Cattle at Babraham, Cambridge
England.
Box 1 Folder 9
Heifer, "Estelle of Maisemore"
Undated
Scope and Contents
Smithfield Fat Stock Show. Aberdeen Angus Heifer "Estelle of Maisemore" J J Cridlan, 1st Breed Cup & Champion beast of the show.
Box 1 Folder 9
Shorthorn bull
1925
Scope and Contents
The $60,000.00 Shorthorn bull.
Box 1 Folder 9
Shorthorn, "Third Duke of Hillhurst"
1872
Scope and Contents
"Third Duke of Hillhurst" purchased Sep 1872 by the Earl of Dunmore for 1000 guineas and her pedigree.
Box 1 Folder 9
Hereford ox
1839
Scope and Contents
Bred by Mr R. Hill… property of the Earl of Warwick, exhibited at the Smithfield Cattle Show 1839.
Box 1 Folder 9
Hereford ox
1839
Scope and Contents
Bred by John Buckley...
Box 1 Folder 9
Hereford ox
1839
Scope and Contents
Bred by H Chamberlain... exhibited at the Smithfield Show 1838. Engraved for the Farmers Magazine.
Box 1 Folder 9
Cattle & sheep in Scotland
1930
Scope and Contents
Letter and photos of sheep & cattle of Scotland.
Scotland
Box 1 Folder 9
Two Ayrshire cows
1924
Scope and Contents
Letter and three Ayrshire cow photos from C.L. Burlingham, Sec., Ayrshire Breeders Association.
Brandon, Vermont
Box 1 Folder 10
Belted Galloway Cows
1929
Scope and Contents
Photos of Belted Galloway Cows for the New Breeders Gazette.
Box 4 Folder 11
Bronze tablet Saddle and Sirloin Club
Undated
Scope and Contents
Bronze tablet which was on the Saddle and Sirloin Club of Chicago.
Chicago, Illinois
Box 4 Folder 12
Clydesdale Horse Headquarters
Undated
Scope and Contents
Clydesdale Horse Headquarters which was at the Stockyards in Chicago.
Chicago, Illinois
Box 4 Folder 13
Arthur Leonard portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Arthur Leonard. President of the Union Stock Yards. A founder of the International Livestock Exposition.
Box 4 Folder 14
Thomas E. Wilson portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Thomas E. Wilson, President of the Wilson Meat Packing Company.
Box 4 Folder 15
Calvin Coolidge portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of President Calvin Coolidge.
Box 4 Folder 16
Joseph E. Wing portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Joseph E. Wing
Box 4 Folder 17
Frank D. Tomson portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Frank D. Tomson, breeder of Shorthorn cattle.
Box 4 Folder 18
DeWitt C. Wing
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of DeWitt C. Wing.
Box 4 Folder 19
William R. Goodwin portrait
1916-08-01
Scope and Contents
Portrait of William R. Goodwin, vice president of the Sanders Publishing Co., managing editor of the Breeders Gazette.
Box 4 Folder 20
Nicholas Longworth portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Nicholas Longworth.
Box 4 Folder 21
Robert A (?)
Undated
Box 4 Folder 22
Farming scenes
1903
Scope and Contents
Boards containing farming scenes.
Box 4 Folder 23
Tariff Board
Undated
Scope and Contents
Photo of the Tariff Board.
Washington (D.C.)
Box 4 Folder 24
Franklin MacVeagh portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Franklin MacVeagh, Secretary of the Treasury.
Box 4 Folder 25
William Taft portrait
1910-12-23
Scope and Contents
Portrait of President William H. Taft.
Box 4 Folder 26
Philander Knox portrait
1912-07-02
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Secretary of State Philander Knox.
Box 4 Folder 27
Nelson W. Aldrich portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Senator Nelson W. Aldrich architect of the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act- (1909).
Box 4 Folder 28
Henry C. Emery portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Henry Emery, professor at Yale and member of the Tariff Board, Washington, DC.
Box 4 Folder 29
James B. Reynolds portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of James Reynolds, Asst. Secretary of the Treasury and a member of the Tariff Board, Washington, DC.
Box 4 Folder 30
Frank O. Lowden portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Frank Lowden, governor of Illinois (1917-1921).
Box 4 Folder 31
John Clay portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of John Clay, president of the International Live Stock Exposition, and contributing writer for the Breeders Gazette.
Box 2 Folder 32
Various Journal Articles
Undated
Scope and Contents
Various Journal articles by Alvin Sanders.
Box 2 Folder 33
Richard J. Oglesby
1893
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Richard Oqlesby, governor of Illinois and US Senator (1873).
Box 2 Folder 33
Philander C. Knox portrait
Undated
Scope and Contents
Portrait of Philander C. Knox.
Box 2 Folder 33
Cover of the 1st issue of The Breeder's Gazette
1881
Scope and Contents
Cover of the front page of The Breeder's Gazette, Vol. 1, No. 1, Chicago, Dec 1, 1881.
Chicago, Illinois
Correspondence
Box 2 Folder 34
Letters of Correspondence
1900-1915
Scope and Contents
Correspondence to and from Alvin Sanders, 1900 - 1915.
Box 2 Folder 35
Letters of Correspondence
1916-1923
Scope and Contents
Correspondence to and from Alvin Sanders, 1916 - 1923.
Box 2 Folder 36
Letters of Correspondence
1924-1946
Scope and Contents
Correspondence to and from Alvin Sanders, 1924 - 1946.
Box 2 Folder 37
Jack London
Undated
Scope and Contents
Jack London correspondence, photos, and newspaper clipping.
Box 2 Folder 38
Tariff Board
1905-1912
Scope and Contents
Correspondence, clippings and reports of the Tariff Board
Assorted Files
Box 3 Folder 39
Breeder's Gazette financial records
Undated
Scope and Contents
Breeder's Gazette Journal financial records.
Box 3 Folder 40
Awards of Alvin Sanders
Undated
Scope and Contents
Awards presented to Alvin Sanders.
Box 3 Folder 41
"The Cry of the Hounds"
Undated
Scope and Contents
Article for publication by John Clay.
Box 3 Folder 42
Material & photos from Joe Wing
Undated
Scope and Contents
Articles & photos for publication by Joe Wing.
Box 3 Folder 43
Agricultural Journals & Newspapers
Undated
Scope and Contents
Agricultural Journals & Newspapers
Box 3 Folder 44
Agricultural Journals & Newspapers
Undated
Scope and Contents
Agricultural Journals & Newspapers