Guide to the Miles Edwin Traver Papers 1859-1965
Cage 190

Summary Information

Repository
Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
Creator
Traver, Miles E., 1834-1902
Title
Miles Edwin Traver Papers
ID
Cage 190
Date [inclusive]
1859-1965
Extent
0.5 Linear feet of shelf space, 1 Box
Language
Collection materials are in English.
Abstract
This collection consists of 12 diaries, dating 1859-1902, that document Miles Edwin Traver's journeys as a traveling salesman based in Washington State.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

Miles Edwin Traver Papers, 1859-1965 (Cage 190)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Biography/History

Miles Edwin Traver (1834-1902) was born in East Schodack, Rensselaer County, New York, to Miles and Delia Traver. At a young age he began his career as a salesman while traveling in a wagon through the Middle West and the South selling lightning rods.

In 1862 Traver and his brother left for California where he became an agent for "Home Shuttle" brand. Beginning in February of 1868, Traver crossed the Columbia River with his sulky, earning his livelihood selling sewing machines. In addition to sewing machines, Traver advertised the Lovell Washer in the 1870s and sold rights to use the formula for his "Superior Washing Compound."

Traver was married to Stella Clementine Wheeler Traver (1842-1914) and had two daughters, Alice Carey Traver Libby Kennedy (1876-1959) and Edith Grace Traver (1881-1973).

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Scope and Content

This collection consists of 12 diaries, dating 1859-1902, that document Miles Edwin Traver's journeys as a traveling salesman based in Washington State. Sales trip locations were throughout the Pacific Northwest, the Western United States, and Alabama. Includes an article by Lucile McDonald (1965) discussing Traver's personal experiences selling sewing machines, titled "How the Sewing Machine came to the Northwest." In addition, the collection contains miscellaneous materials consisting of correspondence, receipts, bank notes, rights to Traver's "Superior Washing Compound," etc.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2022

https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open and available for research use.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions apply.

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to the Washington State University Libraries in 1961 by Edith Grace Traver, daughter of Miles Edwin Traver.

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Related Materials

Related Material

Alice Carey Traver Libby Kennedy Papers, 1903-1959 (Cage 32)

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Names and Subjects

Geographic Name(s)

  • Northwest, Pacific -- Description and travel
  • Alabama -- Description and travel
  • United States -- Description and travel

Personal Name(s)

Subject(s) :
  • Traver, Miles E., 1834-1902 -- Archives

Subject(s)

  • Traveling sales personnel -- Washington (State) -- Diaries
  • Washington (State)
  • Diaries
  • Retail Trade

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Bibliography

Boney, F. N., "Southern Sojourn: a Yankee salesman in ante-bellum Alabama," The Alabama Review, April 1967, p. 142-154 ; McDonald, Lucille, "How the Sewing Machine came to the Northwest," Seattle Sunday Times, August 1, 1965

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