Seward Gold Mining Company - Maine 1898

Beautifully engraved certificate from the Seward Gold Mining Company issued in 1898. This historic document was printed by T. Groom & Co. Boston and has an ornate border around it with the company's name on top center. This item is hand signed by the Company's President, Thomas L. Nowell and Secretary, A. C. Howard and is over 107 years old.

Thomas Nowell, was the first delegate from Alaska to the Republican National Convention of 1892 in Minneapolis. Originally involved in the shoe business, Thomas speculated in some mining ventures which resulted in the formation of several mining and milling companies: Berner's Bay Mining and Milling Company, Ophir Gold Mining Company,Seward Gold Mining Company, Nowell Mining and Milling Company, and Alaska Nowell Gold Mining Company.

Frank Nowell was the son of Thomas and Lydia Ham Nowell who was a famous photographer in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Frank took many pictures of Alaska around the turn of the century. Later Frank moved to Seattle an was appointed official photographer for the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition in 1909.