The collection is divided into two series: Family and Business. The Family series is arranged chronologically and relates to the Guignon and Miltenberger families. It spans from 1863 to circa 2009 and contains correspondence, articles about family members, clippings, and a memoir (photocopy). There are no letters for the years 1887 or 1892 through 1894. The Business series spans from 1797 to 1922, and is arranged alphabetically by the names of the businessmen and by type of document. It is comprised of deeds, accounts, and various legal and business documents relating to Simon A. Guignon, Joseph Guignon, Lewis V. Bogy, and Conrad C. Ziegler.

The earliest letters in the Family series, 1863- 1883, are written among Simon A. Guignon, his wife, Carmelite, and their sons Joe (Joseph) and Emile. The letters from Joe are photocopies written on American Central Insurance stationery (St. Louis); the location of the originals is unknown. In his letters, Joe discusses personal and business matters including the death of Eugene Miltenberger (3 Apr 1879), terms of sale for the Swallow Mine (22 Jun 1881), and the sale of Bogy land (12 Dec 1881). Simon’s letters to Emile date from 1880 to 1890. He wrote to Emile in Santa Fe and after he returned to St. Louis, imploring him to settle into a career. There is an 1882 invitation to the Guignons’ Golden Wedding anniversary. Emile and his parents discussed Julia and their eminent engagement. He wrote to his parents about the trip to Green Lake, Wisconsin, during which he proposed to Julia (29 Jul 1883).

The bulk of the correspondence in the Family series, dating from 1897 to 1908, contains letters written to Julia (Miltenberger) Guignon by her mother, Mary Anne Miltenberger, after the Guignons moved to Kansas City. Mrs. Miltenberger told Julia family news, including news of oldest daughter Lisa (Elise) at Sacred Heart, and described her daily routines, which included sewing for family and neighbors and cleaning related to taking in boarders. At some point after her husband’s death, Mary Anne Miltenberger found her financial situation much diminished.

Letters between Julia and her husband Emile Guignon date from 1895 to 1897, while he travelled for business. He updated Julia on his progress with various contacts that he met and often glossed over her concerns. She detailed her expenses, shared news of the children, and expressed her loneliness.

Mother Ann McCoy (1851-1911), a member of the sisterhood of the Sacred Heart, wrote to both Mary Miltenberger and to Julia. On 24 October 1886 she wrote to Mary about her trip to New Zealand, her impressions of the places she stopped, and the people she met. Mother McCoy wrote to Julia after a visit from Mary (4 July 1897) and again after the holidays (23 Jan 1898), mentioning that Emile lost a job. Sr. Louis Alexis of Wisconsin wrote about the children (7 Oct 1896) and Mother Vernier wrote twice about sending Marie Miltenberger to the St. Joseph Sacred Heart Convent for instruction (Dec 1899).

The final folders in the Family series contain two articles written by the donor, Patrick McAnany, which also appear on his genealogical website. The first article is about Joseph Bogy, Mary Anne Milenberger’s father, and the second is about Eugene and Mary Anne Miltenberger. Other folders hold clippings about Elise Miltenberger and a photocopy of the 1929 Annual Letter from the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (in French). There is a photocopy of a clippings scrapbook created by Alice Miltenberger Cain, Julia’s older sister, and also a photocopy of a memoir written by Maude Guignon, daughter of Joseph Guignon.

The Business series contains primarily deeds and land records relating to southeast Missouri and the interests held separately by Simon A. Guignon and Conrad C. Ziegler in the counties of Jefferson, Madison, Ste. Genevieve, Reynolds, Cape Girardeau, Washington, and Wayne. There are a few documents bearing the name of Lewis V. Bogy in partnership with Ziegler. There are several documents signed by Bogy verifying various heirs of “13 inhabitants,” which most likely refers to a 1797 concession for land west of Ste. Genevieve between the North Gabouri and South Gabouri Creeks (B3/f.11).

There are several deeds that do not bear either Guignon’s or Ziegler’s names but which were most likely relevant to their business dealings. These are filed by name of county at the beginning of the series. Deeds in which either Simon A. Guignon or Conrad Ziegler are identified as parties in the transaction are filed chronologically under each man’s name.

Joseph F. Guignon (1846-1922), Simon’s son, handled the funeral and estate of his mother in 1896. He also shared business interests in East Madison, Illinois, with his brother, Emile.

Deeds bearing the name of Benjamin F. Johnson are related to the Johnson Mines in which Ziegler and Bogy shared an interest circa 1858. The mine was located in Washington County and was later called the Swallow Mine. The Swallow Mine passed into the possession of Simon A. Guignon at some point and he paid taxes on the property during the 1870s and 1880s.

There is a small amount of correspondence in the collection for both Guignon and Ziegler. Ziegler practiced law with John Scott in Ste. Genevieve but documents indicate that they also partnered in other interests such as the Iron Mountain property (B3/f.16). He also held financial interest or legally represented interests relating to the Madison Iron & Mining Company (B3/f.18) and the Missouri Iron Company (B3/f.19). In addition to land records are Ziegler’s law license, two wills, and a map of the mineral region in southeast Missouri.

Transferred to MHS Library:

1. The Miltenberger Family of Alsace by Val E. Miltenberger, 1954

2. Charms of Normandy: Illustrating Beauties and Advantages of the Most Elegantly Established Suburb of St. Louis by E. S. Guignon & Bro. (St. Louis)