Plumb, Edward Lee, 1827-1912

Diplomat and secretary of the U.S. legation in Mexico.

From the description of Edward Lee Plumb papers, 1825-1903 (bulk 1857-1875). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79455694

Born in 1827 in Erie Co., New York, Plumb was a diplomat, railroad promoter, and vice president of the Mexican International Railroad Company. He died in 1912.

From the description of Edward Lee Plumb papers, 1856-1912. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122354335

Biographical Note

• 1827, July 17: Born, Gowanda, N. Y.
• circa 1845 - 1850 : Received a business education and was apprenticed to Hartford, Conn., mercantile house
• 1849: Went to California
• 1854: Explored Mexico, met General Juan Alvarez, and obtained prospecting concession
• 1855: Instrumental in helping found Mexican Pacific Coal and Iron Mining and Land Co.
• 1856 - 1857 : On surveying expedition across Central Mexico and returned to New York
• 1861 - 1865 : Translator and interpreter with American legation, Mexico City, Mexico; also held other positions in Mexico and Washington, D.C.
• 1866: Secretary of American legation to Mexico
• 1867 - 1868 : Charge d'affaires, Mexico
• 1869: Consul general, Havana, Cuba.
• 1871 - 1881 : Promoted railroads in Mexico and the U.S. for International and Great Northern Railroad
• 1881 - 1889 : Vice president, Mexican International Railroad
• 1912, Apr. 16: Died

From the guide to the Edward Lee Plumb Papers, 1825-1903, (bulk 1857-1875), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

Biographical Note

Edward Lee Plumb

• 1827, July 17: born in Gowanda, Erie Co., New York; son of Joseph and Caroline Robbins (Hale) Plumb; brother of Albert Hale Plumb, 1829 - 1907. received a business education and was apprenticed to a Hartford, Conn. mercantile house.
• 1849: went to California for several years.
• 1854: exploratory trip to Mexico, met Gen. Juan Alverez, obtained prospecting concession.
• 1855: interested New York businessmen in founding Mexican Pacific Coal and Iron Mining and Land Co.
• 1856 - 1857 : surveying expedition across Central Mexico and returned to New York.
• 1861 - 1865 : Mexico City - translater and interpretor with American Legation, other positions in Mexico and Washington, D.C.
• 1866: Secretary of Legation to Campbell Legation to Mexico.
• 1867 - 1868 : Charge d'Affaires at Mexico.
• 1869, June - 1869 December : Consul General at Havana, Cuba.
• 1871 - 1881 : railroad promotion in Mexico and U.S. for International and Great Northern Railroad.
• 1881: sold rights in International concession.
• 1881 - 1889 : vice-president of Mexican International Railroad Co.
• 1881, April 15: retired.
• 1912, April 16: died.

From the guide to the Edward Lee Plumb Papers, 1856-1912, (Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.)