Steffen Heinrich Aggens Diary, 1852-1870

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Aggens, Steffen Heinrich, 1834-1888
Title
Steffen Heinrich Aggens Diary
Dates
1852-1870 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 volume
Collection Number
Mss 260
Summary
The goldfield diary of Steffen Heinrich Aggens begins with his departure from Germany in 1852 and charts his travels to New York and San Francisco and then through the goldfields of California, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana through 1868. Aggens and his brother, Adam, try to make their fortune as independent miners using simple equipment.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.

Additional Reference Guides

Finding aid in the repository.

Languages
German

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Steffen Heinrich Aggens was from the Baltic island of Wyk auf Fohr, Holstein, Germany. He left tht country from Bremerhaven on April 16, 1852, with his brother, Adam. They landed in New York and by 1853 entered the port at San Francisco, California. They followed new strikes through the goldfields of California, Oregon, and Idaho, and spent the winter of 1864 in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the spring of 1865 the Aggens brothers were headed for Virginia City in the Montana Territory.

By 1870 Aggens had returned to Germany where he married Mathilde Sophie Paulsen. They traveled to the United States, joining relatives in Illinois in 1871. Over the subsequent years they had four children between Michigan and Helena, Montana where they settled in 1878. Steffen Heinrich owned a ranch north of Helena at the time of his death in1888 when he was hit by a train as he drove his loaded grain wagon across Northern Pacific railway tracks.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Steffen Heinrich Aggens' diary is written in German and begins with his departure from Germany in 1852, describing his travels to New York and San Francisco and then through the goldfields of California, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Aggens and his brother, Adam, try to make their fortune as independent miners using simple equipment. The diary ends in1868.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Also available on microfilm.

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes.

Preferred Citation

Steffen Heinrich Aggens Diary, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Related Materials

Historian William E. Farr translated many entries of the Aggens diary beginning in March 1865, when Aggens arrived in Montana and ending in December 1868 when he arrived in Hamburg. The Farr article featuring the translations is "Germans in Montana Gold Camps: Two Views" in Montana: The Magazine of Western History Volume 32, Number 4, Autumn 1982.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Henry Yaeger through William Farr, 1979.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1 Steffen Heinrich Aggens Diary 1852-1870

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Germans -- West (U.S.)
  • Gold miners -- California -- Diaries
  • Gold miners -- Idaho -- Diaries
  • Gold miners -- Montana -- Diaries
  • Gold miners -- Oregon -- Diaries

Geographical Names

  • California -- Gold discoveries
  • Montana -- Emigration and immigration -- History -- 19th century
  • Salt Lake City (Utah)
  • Virginia City (Mont.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Diaries

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top