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The Sussex County Iron Co. (SCIC), established in 1865, was purchased by Edison in December 1892 and remained under his control until its dissolution in 1911. Incorporated in Sparta Township, N.J., the earlier directors of the SCIC included Ario Pardee, a Pennsylvania coal and lumber magnate who was also a founding director of the Ogden Iron Co. In August 1889 the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Concentrating Works (NJPCW) leased mineral rights to the Davenport Mine and other land from the SCIC. Edison took formal control of the company on December 11, 1892 by purchasing 390 shares of stock from Pardee. A new board of directors was elected and the following officers were appointed: Jetur R. Riggs, president; William S. Perry, treasurer; and Alexander Elliott, Jr., secretary. In 1895 the company's offices were moved from Sparta to West Orange.
The records cover the period 1865-1914, but most of the material dates from the period before Edison's involvement. Included are the company's certificate of incorporation and by-laws, minutes from meetings of the board of directors and stockholders, lists of company officers and stockholders, records of stock transfers, correspondence, tax bills, and miscellaneous receipts. There are also notes, memoranda, and extracts of indentures collected by Edmund H. Carhart, an attorney for the NJPCW. The correspondents include Ario Pardee, Albert R. Riggs, and the law firm of Eaton & Lewis. A finding aid is available at the Edison National Historical Park.
Less than 5 percent of the documents have been selected. The following categories of documents have been selected: certificate of incorporation, by-laws, minutes of meetings of the board of directors and stockholders, and options for Edison to purchase stock from members of the Riggs family. The following categories of material have not been selected: documents relating to title searches and stock transfers, stock certificates, bills, receipts, and duplicate documents. Courtesy of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.