A Guide to the Thomas Dwyer Papers, 1853-1907
Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator: | Dwyer, Thomas | |
| Title: | Dwyer, Thomas Papers | |
| Dates: | 1853-1907 | |
| Abstract: | The Thomas Dwyer Papers, 1853-1907, document the mercantile business of Dwyer in Washington and Brenham County as well as the organization of the Dwyer Reading Room and Library Association in 1877. | |
| Extent: | 6 ft. | |
| Language: | Materials are written in English. | |
| Repository: | Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin | |
Biographical Note
Thomas B. Dwyer (1819-1896) was a merchant and Republican Party leader with business affairs in Brenham and Washington County, Texas. Born in Ireland, Dwyer was orphaned and immigrated to New Brunswick, Canada, at the age of sixteen. In 1845, he settled in Texas, where his brother was a merchant and landowner. Dwyer owned and operated stores in Brazoria, Quintana, and Columbia before moving to Brenham in 1858. During the Civil War, Dwyer operated a commission-merchant business. During Reconstruction, he bought the town’s Exchange Hotel, made extensive real estate investments, reinvested his profits in his mercantile business, extended credit to customers, and made interest-bearing loans with the help of his son Thomas Dwyer Jr. In 1896, Dwyer sold his business interests and retired with assets of about one million dollars.
During the Civil War, Dwyer was a Unionist and supporter of Governor Sam Houston. He became active in Texas Republican politics in the 1880s. A member of the Literary Society of Brenham, Dwyer founded the Dwyer Reading Room and Free Library Association, forerunner of the Brenham Public Library, in 1877. He was also a Catholic, contributing to local Catholic churches and causes.
Source:
Christian, Carole E. “Dwyer, Thomas B.” Handbook of Texas Online. Accessed November 8, 2010.
Scope and Contents
The Thomas Dwyer Papers, 1853-1907, document the mercantile business of Dwyer in Washington and Brenham County as well as the organization of the Dwyer Reading Room and Library Association in 1877. The collection is comprised of financial records, including daily sales record books, financial books, and account books; receipts, checks, and bank statements; a dry goods and grocery ledger; and letterpress books
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research use.
Index Terms | ||
| Subjects (Persons) | ||
| Dwyer, Thomas, Sr. (1819-1896) | ||
| Dwyer, Thomas, Jr. | ||
| Subjects (Organizations) | ||
| Dwyer Reading Room and Library Association -- History. | ||
| Subjects | ||
| Cotton -- Texas -- History | ||
| Deeds -- Texas -- History | ||
| Land Titles -- Texas -- History | ||
| Libraries and Librarians -- Texas -- History | ||
| Merchants and Stores -- Texas -- History | ||
| Places | ||
| Brenham (Tex.) | ||
| Colulmbia (Tex.) | ||
| Quintana (Tex.) | ||
| Brazoria County (Tex.) | ||
| Washington County (Tex.) | ||
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Thomas Dwyer Papers, 1853-1907, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin.
Processing Information
Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe Center’s “History Revealed: Bringing Collections to Light project,” 2009-2011.
Detailed Description of the Papers