Gustav L. Seligmann Family Papers,
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0256
Scope and Content
The Gustav L. Seligmann Family Papers span the years 1848-1984. The collection has been divided into three series: May Family, Seligmann Family, and Photographs.
The May Family series consists of the papers of John L. and Elizabeth Rohman May, and their children. These materials are largely legal documents concerning land and business matters in Las Cruces and surrounding area. Included also is a small amount of memorabilia.
The Seligmann Family series is comprised of the papers of Dirk E. Seligmann and his son Gustav L. Seligmann. The series is divided into three subseries: Dirk E. Seligmann, General Miscellany, and Gustav L. Seligmann.
Dirk E. Seligmann's materials include correspondence in the German language, store records from his Las Cruces dry goods business and a small amount of papers of his wife, Mary May, and their second son, Dirk E. Seligmann, Jr.
The Gustav L. Seligmann's Papers comprise the bulk of the collection. Included among his papers are military, professional and organizational records. Also included are miscellany artifacts, memorabilia and publications. There are extensive materials from his years as an engineer with the Farm Service Administration, Soil Conservation Service and the Bureau of Reclamation. These materials include field notes, maps, charts, blueprints and significant amounts of work-related correspondence. There are no records from the years 1932-1936, representing Seligmann's work in Las Angeles, California, in the collection.
The military records span the years 1921-1955, encompassing Seligmann's service in the New Mexico National Guards (1921-1924), and his later service in the United States Army (1942-1955). There are considerable materials from 1942-1946, though Seligmann's postwar activities are sparsely represented.
The final series, Photographs, contains family portraits from both the May and Seligmann families, scenes and snapshots, as well as an album and loose prints from Seligmann's work with the Baja California Canal Company. Also included is a panorama of the Chicago Cubs from 1915.
The May Family series consists of the papers of John L. and Elizabeth Rohman May, and their children. These materials are largely legal documents concerning land and business matters in Las Cruces and surrounding area. Included also is a small amount of memorabilia.
The Seligmann Family series is comprised of the papers of Dirk E. Seligmann and his son Gustav L. Seligmann. The series is divided into three subseries: Dirk E. Seligmann, General Miscellany, and Gustav L. Seligmann.
Dirk E. Seligmann's materials include correspondence in the German language, store records from his Las Cruces dry goods business and a small amount of papers of his wife, Mary May, and their second son, Dirk E. Seligmann, Jr.
The Gustav L. Seligmann's Papers comprise the bulk of the collection. Included among his papers are military, professional and organizational records. Also included are miscellany artifacts, memorabilia and publications. There are extensive materials from his years as an engineer with the Farm Service Administration, Soil Conservation Service and the Bureau of Reclamation. These materials include field notes, maps, charts, blueprints and significant amounts of work-related correspondence. There are no records from the years 1932-1936, representing Seligmann's work in Las Angeles, California, in the collection.
The military records span the years 1921-1955, encompassing Seligmann's service in the New Mexico National Guards (1921-1924), and his later service in the United States Army (1942-1955). There are considerable materials from 1942-1946, though Seligmann's postwar activities are sparsely represented.
The final series, Photographs, contains family portraits from both the May and Seligmann families, scenes and snapshots, as well as an album and loose prints from Seligmann's work with the Baja California Canal Company. Also included is a panorama of the Chicago Cubs from 1915.
Dates
- 1848-1984
Language of Materials
English.
Access and Use Restrictions
This material may be examined by researchers under supervised conditions in the Search Room.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with copyright and other applicable statutes.
The copyrights possessed in this collection have not been transferred to New Mexico State University.
The copyrights possessed in this collection have not been transferred to New Mexico State University.
Biographical Sketch
Gustav L. Seligmann was born September 18, 1900, in Las Cruces, New Mexico Territory, to Dirk E. and Mary May Seligmann. Mary Seligmann was the daughter of John L. May and Elizabeth Rohman, German immigrants who settled in New Mexico in the 1850s. The Mays owned the Rio Grande Hotel in Las Cruces, and also operated a general store and brewery. Mary May Seligmann's siblings include, Annie May Andreas, Vincent B. May, Amelia May Forward, John H. May and Ormeda May.
Gustav L. Seligmann received his childhood education in Las Cruces and attended high school at the New Mexico Military Institute, in Roswell. He graduated from New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1924 with a degree in civil engineering. Seligmann also served in the New Mexico National Guard while attending NMCA and M.
From 1924-1936, Seligmann was employed in various engineering positions in California and Mexico. He first worked for the Imperial Irrigation District, Imperial Valley, California, then for the Baja California Canal Co. as their chief field engineer. Seligmann held several engineering jobs in Los Angeles before moving to Amarillo, Texas, in 1936. He was employed by the Farm Service Administration and the Soil Conservation Service, as associate engineer for both organizations. From 1940-1942, Seligmann served as an engineer with the Bureau of Reclamation in Buffalo, Wyoming. He headed investigations of Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana, and the Tongue River in Wyoming.
In 1942, Seligmann joined the United States Army. During World War II he served as an officer for the Coast Artillery Corps and for several Engineer Aviation Battalions. During the postwar years he served in Germany and Norway in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. At the time of his retirement, Col. Seligmann was post engineer at White Sands Proving Ground.
Seligmann was appointed Chairman and Federal Representative of the Arkansas River Compact Administration by President Richard Nixon in 1972. He resigned from the position the following year due to health concerns
Seligmann was involved in various organizations, including the Retired Officers Association, the Mesilla Valley Iris Society, the Greater Las Cruces Property Owners Association, and the Las Cruces Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority.
Seligmann married Edith Potter in 1928, and they had two children: G. L. Seligmann, Jr. and Victoria May Holmes.
Gustav L. Seligmann received his childhood education in Las Cruces and attended high school at the New Mexico Military Institute, in Roswell. He graduated from New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1924 with a degree in civil engineering. Seligmann also served in the New Mexico National Guard while attending NMCA and M.
From 1924-1936, Seligmann was employed in various engineering positions in California and Mexico. He first worked for the Imperial Irrigation District, Imperial Valley, California, then for the Baja California Canal Co. as their chief field engineer. Seligmann held several engineering jobs in Los Angeles before moving to Amarillo, Texas, in 1936. He was employed by the Farm Service Administration and the Soil Conservation Service, as associate engineer for both organizations. From 1940-1942, Seligmann served as an engineer with the Bureau of Reclamation in Buffalo, Wyoming. He headed investigations of Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana, and the Tongue River in Wyoming.
In 1942, Seligmann joined the United States Army. During World War II he served as an officer for the Coast Artillery Corps and for several Engineer Aviation Battalions. During the postwar years he served in Germany and Norway in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. At the time of his retirement, Col. Seligmann was post engineer at White Sands Proving Ground.
Seligmann was appointed Chairman and Federal Representative of the Arkansas River Compact Administration by President Richard Nixon in 1972. He resigned from the position the following year due to health concerns
Seligmann was involved in various organizations, including the Retired Officers Association, the Mesilla Valley Iris Society, the Greater Las Cruces Property Owners Association, and the Las Cruces Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority.
Seligmann married Edith Potter in 1928, and they had two children: G. L. Seligmann, Jr. and Victoria May Holmes.
Extent
9.5 Linear Feet
Abstract
Graduate of New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, civil engineer, and a colonel in the U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers. Materials include military records, engineering papers, correspondence, awards and certificates, land deeds, family papers, and personal memorabilia.
Acquisition
- A57 Col. Gustav L. Seligmann, 1974
- RG85-114 G. L. Seligmann, Jr.
General
Contact Information
- Archives and Special Collections
- NewMexico State University Library
- P.O. Box 30006
- Las Cruces, NewMexico 88003-8006
- Phone: (575) 646-3839
- Fax: (575) 646-7477
- Email: archives@nmsu.edu
- URL: https://lib.nmsu.edu/archives/
General
- Title
- Register of the Gustav L. Seligmann Family Papers, 1848-1984
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Processed by Kelly R. Hays, revised by Marah deMeule and Christine Moreland-Bruhnke
- Date
- © 2001
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//New Mexico State University::Archives and Special Collections//TEXT (US::NmLcU::Ms 256::Gustav L. Seligmann Family Papers)//EN" "nmlcu1ms256.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository