A Guide to the Henry Garrison Askew Papers, 1852-1921

Biographical Note

Henry Garrison Askew (1845-1921), born December 17, 1845 in Marshall, Texas, was active in Texas Railroad and banking industries. He is most noted for his position as the first auditor of the Texas Railroad Commission, 1891-1906. In mid-1863 Askew joined the Confederate forces and served to the end of the war. He remained active in Confederate Veteran organizations throughout his life. Soon after the end of the Civil War Askew became involved in the railroad industry: first in the service of several independent lines, namely the Tyler Tap Railroad, the Texas & St. Louis Railway Company, and the Kansas & Gulf Short Line Railway, and then in his role as auditor of the Texas Railroad Commission. About 1888 the First National Bank of Tyler was organized with Mr. Askew serving as Vice-President. He served in this capacity in addition to his activity in the railroad industry and with the Railroad Commission. Upon leaving the Railroad Commission in 1906 Askew accepted a position as general statistician with Principal Texas Railways, an organization formed by several railroad companies to handle matters which concerned all Texas railroads. He served in this capacity until his death in 1921.

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Scope and Contents

Correspondence, financial documents, literary works, material relating to business affairs, material relating to personal affairs, military papers, photographs, and various other material collected by Henry Garrison Askew dating 1852-1921. The Askew papers bulk with general correspondence which includes personal as well as some Askew family correspondence, and a letterbook with correspondence ranging from 1880-1907 in random chronological and subject arrangement. The series containing literary works is of particular interest as it includes an autobiography and a couple of lengthy feature articles written by Askew. About one-third of the papers consist of material relating to business affairs. The material concerning the Texas Railroad Commission and railroad industry is generally routine correspondence. Material relating to Askew's real estate interests includes correspondence, legal documents (including many deeds), and property inventories largely from Hubbard (Hill County), Texas, where Askew and other family members had extensive land holdings. A small body of material relates to personal affairs including organizations Askew was involved with such as the Union of Confederate Veterans and the United Order of the Golden Cross, and material on the Texas Philatelic Association. The series containing material collected by H. G. Askew includes several manuscripts relating to various historical aspects of Tyler and Smith County, Texas. Most, however, are undated and anonymous. Rounding out the papers are a series of seemingly unrelated military papers and some photographs including three portraits of Henry Askew.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Unrestricted access.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Henry Garrison Askew Papers, 1852-1921, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

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Detailed Description of the Papers

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