Center for Archival Collections

Introduction | Biographical Sketch | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

Introduction

The Cadwallader Family Papers consist of diaries, notebooks, financial documents and news clippings primarily from Samuel Cadwallader and his son, Ira Cadwallader, of Fostoria, Ohio. The collection dates mainly from 1863 to 1918.

The collection was donated by Samuel Stipp in August 1993. No restrictions exist on the research use of the collection. The collection was arranged and the finding aid prepared by Ann Bowers, University Archivist, in 2002.

Biographical Sketch

The Cadwallader Family Papers largely document the activities of Samuel and his son, Ira. The Cadwallader name is prominent in Seneca County as Nathan Cadwallader was a first settler and township trustee in Hopewell Township. Nathan most likely was the grandfather of Samuel Cadwallader. Samuel was born May 4, 1807, settled in Hopewell Township, married (Mary) on July 26, 1832, and had seven children; Nirum, Elizabeth (Mrs. C.D. Davis), Daniel, Nathan A., Henry, Ira, and Laura (Mrs. David Cromley). By the 1850 census, neither Daniel nor Henry are listed and it is assumed they died in infancy.

Samuel was a farmer most of his life. Nirum eventually settled in Birchville, California and later moved to San Jose. According to Samuel's diaries, in his later years, Samuel lived part of the year with Nirum and his family. Ira served in the Civil War for one year (1865) and then moved to Graniteville, Nevada County, California in 1866. He worked as a laborer and miner and by 1873, returned to Fostoria. He married in 1875, and had two children, Mary and Samuel, Jr. He owned or managed various businesses and also worked for Seneca Wire. In his later years, he owned a winter home in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Scope and Content

The Cadwallader Family Papers span the years from the1850s to 1918. The bulk of the collection is comprised of Samuel's and Ira's diaries as well as their financial notebooks. These documents provide details on the daily life and financial transactions of this father and son and also provide information on the late nineteenth and early twentieth century development of this part of northwest Ohio. Glimpses also are provided of family relationships, and travel.

Completing this collection are small samples of business and calling cards, transportation stubs, financial documents, genealogical information and a Family Bible.

Series Description

LITERARY DOCUMENTS

DIARIES-SAMUEL CADWALLADER
1863, 1869, 1871-1873, 1875-1876, 1878-1879, 1881-1883, 1886-1887
Arranged chronologically
Includes comments on the weather, daily activities, financial transactions, travel, illnesses, family members

DIARIES-IRA CADWALLADER
1867-1869, 1872, 1874, 1903, 1908, 1912, 1914-1918
Arranged chronologically
Includes comments on the weather, daily activities including work, travel, financial transactions, illnesses, and family members

FAMILY BIBLE (New Testament)
1833
Contains birth and marriage dates for Samuel and Mary Cadwallader and children

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

NOTEBOOK-SAMUEL CADWALLADER
1850s
Includes notations on financial transactions including loan agreements, receipts and expenditures

NOTEBOOKS-IRA CADWALLADER
1891-1896, 1906-1907, 1915, 1917
Arranged chronologically
Includes notations on financial transactions including receipts and expenditures, days worked, business expenditures and bills

BUSINESS/PERSONAL PAPERS-SAMUEL CADWALLADER
1850s-1870s
Arranged by type of record and within chronologically
Includes correspondence, handwritten receipts and bills, travel stubs and business/personal calling cards

BUSINESS/PERSONAL PAPERS-IRA CADWALLADER
1890s-1918
Arranged by type of record and within chronologically
Includes receipts and bills, financial statements, travel stubs and business/personal calling cards. Also includes two ribbons- one for the 1918 Fair and one which just states "Ohio"

PRINTED MATERIAL

FAMILY GENEALOGY/HISTORY
n.d.
Includes copies from county histories and atlases, and information about the family found in the diaries

Inventory

Box 1: Samuel Cadwallader Papers

Folders

1. Diary, 1863
2. Diary, 1869
3. Diary, 1871
4. Diary, 1872
5. Diary, 1873
6. Diary, 1875
7. Diary, 1876
8. Diary, 1878
9. Diary, 1879
10. Diary, 1881
11. Diary, 1882
12. Diary, 1883
13. Diary, 1886
14. Diary, 1887
15. Family Bible, 1833
16. Financial notebook, 1850s
17. Letter documenting travels-written to Samuel from P. Fogarty. Also photograph of John R. Keys, January 4, 1867
18. Financial papers, 1850s-1870s
19. Travel stubs, n.d.
20. Business/personal calling cards, n.d.

Box 2: Ira Cadwallader Papers

Folders

1. Diary, 1867
2. Diary, 1868
3. Diary, 1869
4. Diary, 1872
5. Diary, 1874
6. Diary, 1903
7. Diary, 1908
8. Diary, 1912
9. Diary, 1914-1918
10. Financial notebooks, 1891, 1892-1893
11. Financial notebooks, 1894, 1895
12. Financial notebooks, 1896, 1906-1907
13. Financial notebooks, 1915, 1917
14. Financial papers, 1890s-1918
15. Travel stubs, n.d.
16. Business and personal calling cards, n.d.
17. Ribbons, 1918, n.d.
18. Family genealogical information, n.d.

Manuscripts by Subject | Family Collections