Monday, December 1, 2014

1891 Autograph Album of Students and Faculty at Eastman National Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York


1891 autograph album with sentiments left by students and faculty at Eastman National Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York.

The album measures approximately 8-1/4" x 7" and contains the autographs of 104 students and faculty, though a few of them inscribed both a group and another page.  The owner may be one of those who signed a group page of 1891 graduating students on February 24, 1891.   Some of the signers affixed photograph stamps of themselves.


They were:
  • C. H. Peix, Jr., Danbury, Connecticut.  Charles H. Peix, Jr.
  • Frank Cox; middle initial either P or R; of ?, New York, something like Ellemutte
  • P. R. Layton of Bridgeville, Delaware; presumably Philip R. Layton
  •  R. W. Moorhead of Brookville, Pennsylvania
  •  R. G. Laird of Mount Carmel, Indiana; presumably Raymond G. Laird (1868-1943)
  •  W. H. Butts of McIntyre, New York; possibly William H. Butts
  •  John Tyler of Virginia
  •  S. J. Young of Schoharie County, New York
  •  John R. Williams of Scranton, Pennsylvania
  •  ? C. Armstrong of Syracuse, New York; first initial might be I or F or S or ?
  •  F. Fisher
  •  C. Beckwith of Cornwall, New York
Most of these signed another individual or shared page.  Those who did not, in case this is a clue to the owner's identity: 
  • Frank Cox
  • F. Fisher
  • C. Beckwith
Interestingly, two people, C. H. Fredericks and Effie C. Quackenbush, who shared a page with M. G. Chase of Cimarron, New Mexico, noted that they were the album owner's neighbors at Chester, New York.


Because of reference to Chester, New York, I believe the album owner was likely Frank M. Cox, who was listed in the 1860 Census of Chester and the 1865 New York Census.

One faculty member who inscribed a page was Maine native Samuel Nutt Christie, son of Thomas Christie and Statira (Nutt) Christie.   Thomas and Statira, New Brunswick and Maine natives, respectively, eventually moved to Pennsylvania, where their biographies appear in the Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, published in 1898.



One student from Costa Rica and another from Japan, signed pages.   Ceslao Saborio of Alajuela, Costa Rica, inscribed a page on January 28, 1891 and affixed his photograph.



I wish the Japanese signer, whose name looks like K. Haji kano, had affixed a photograph stamp so I'd have a better idea of the spelling and syntax.  C. S. Walker of London, England, shared the page and affixed his photograph.


The back end paper has over 20 photograph stamps affixed, but some are damaged.  There were more originally.  Two photographs show men who did not sign pages in the album: A. J. Harcourt and H. L. Decker.


If you have another theory as to the album owner's identity, or information on any of the signers listed below, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers. 

Surnames in the album

?EJS
AEckhoutJoerissen [2]Saborio
AitkenEvansJohnsonSankey
Armstrong [2]FJohnstonSavarese [2]
BFisherJuddShufelt
BargarFitzgeraldKStephenson
Bates [2]FollettKetchamSturgess
BeckwithFredericksLSullivan
BibleGLaird [2]T
BoyceGainesLayton [2]Tether
BurnsGanoLoomisTyler [2]
Butts [2]GardnerMV
CGeehanMacdonaldVan Aken
CareyGillespieMackenW
ChandlerGoldsmithMageeWagner
ChaseGregoryMcCarrollWalker
ChristieGrundyMcPhelemyWebster
ClarkHMillerWelch
CollierHallMoorhead [2]White
CoxHamillMunzesheimerWhitney
Craft [2]HarcourtPWilliams [2]
CurtadoHartwellPeix [2]Wood
DHaskinQY
DaleHayesQuackenbushYoung [2]
DavisHeidelRZ
DeckerHermanRasbachZimmer
DesmarteauHitchcockRockwood
DonohoeHoornbeek
Doremus
Duncan
Dunne

Signers in the album    [Note: Given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]
  • K. Haji kawo of Japan, signed at Eastman on February 9, 1891; not sure of name.  Shared the page with C. S. Walker.
A
  • James E. Aitken, signed at Eastman in 1891; he affixed his photograph stamp.
  • ? C. Armstrong of Syracuse, New York; first initial might be I or F or S or ?  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • A. C. Armstrong of Syracuse, New York, signed at Eastman on January 23, 1891.  Shared the page with W. E. Carey.
B
  • W. H. Bargar of Columbus, Ohio, signed at Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York; presumably William H. Bargar.  Shared the page with Alex Desmarteau
  • Hattie M. Bates of Adams, Massachusetts, signed at Eastman on February 25, 1891; "#10 Conklin", which may have been a boarding home operated by Mr. and Mrs. Craft.  Shared the page with Kate Joerissen and A. J. Doremus
  • M. Belle Bates of Setauket, New York, on Long Island, signed at Eastman on January 18, 1891, presumably a boarder at #10 Conklin Street.  Shared the page with J. A. Sankey.
  • C. Beckwith of Cornwall, New York.  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • J. C. Bible of Warrensburgh, Tennessee, signed at Eastman on February 13, 1891
  • Charles A. Boyce of South New Berlin, New York, signed at Eastman on February 14. 1891.  Shared the page with A. J. Follett and P. R. Layton.
  • H. Clay Burns of Churchville, Virginia, signed at Eastman, on February 11, 1891; possibly Henry Clay Burns.  Shared the page with N. N. Gregory.
  • W. H. Butts of McIntyre, New York; possibly William H. Butts.  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • W. H. Butts of McIntyre, New York.  Shared the page with A. Sturgess.
C
  • W. E. Carey of Gilbertville, Massachusetts, signed at Eastman on January 16, 1891.  Shared the page with A. C. Armstrong.
  • C. Howard Chandler of Boston, Massachusetts, signed at Eastman on January 26, 1891.  Shared the page with E. R. Whitney.
  • M. G. Chase of Cimarron, New Mexico, signed on February 25, 1891. Presumably Mason G. Chase.  Shared the page with C. H. Fredericks and Effie C. Quackenbush.
  • S. N.Christie, signed on January 13, 1891 at Eastman College, Poughkeepsie, New York. He affixed his photograph stamp. He was Professor Samuel Nutt Christie (1849-1923)
  • M. F. Clark of Parksville, New York, signed at Eastman on February 14, 1891; "Not your Valentine".  Shared the page with R. W. Moorhead.
  • A. B. Collier of Kenton, Ohio, signed at Eastman on January 19, 1891; he affixed his photograph stamp.  Shared the page with J. a. Wagner.
  • Frank Cox; middle initial either P or R; of ?, New York, something like Ellemutte.  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • Laura May Craft of Bridge City, New York, signed at February 25, 1890 at Classical & Home Institute.  Shared the page with Charles J. Johnson and Laura May Craft.
  • Mr. and Mrs. Craft of #10 Conklin St., Poughkeepsie, New York, signed on February 25, 1891. Mrs. Craft affixed her photograph stamp. Mr. and Mrs. Craft may have operated a boarding home at #10 Conklin Street, as several female signers mentioned that address.  Shared the page with Sidney Miller.
  • P. A. Curtado, signed at Eastman College in 1891; not sure of initials or surname.  Shared the page with L. J. Macken.
D
  • W. C. Dale of Madera, Pennsylvania, on Clearfield County; signed at Eastman on February 18, 1891.  Shared the page with H. E. Hitchcock and Louis Grundy.
  • Professor George F. Davis, signed at Poughkeepsie, New York on January 12, 1891. He affixed his stamp photograph.
  • H. L. Decker.  He didn't inscribe a page in the album, but his photograph stamp is affixed to the back end paper, along with many others.
  • Alex Desmarteau of Montreal, Quebec, signed at Eastman Business College.  Shared the page with W. H. Bargar
  • James J. Donohoe of Hinsdale, Massachusetts, signed at Eastman on January 19, 1891.  Shared the page with D. E. Goldsmith.
  • A. J. Doremus of Griegsville, New York, signed at Eastman on January 19, 1891; presumably Andrew J. Doremus.  Shared the page with Kate Joerissen and Hattie M. Bates
  • W. E. Duncan of Hales Ford, Virginia, signed at Eastman on February 18, 1891. Perhaps William E. Duncan
  • William H. Dunne
E
  • Emile Eckhout of Paris, France, signed at Eastman on January 21, 1891; he affixed his photograph stamp.  Shared the page with I. Munzeshimer or Munzesheimer.
  • J. B. Evans of ?, Alabama, signed at Eastman College on January 26, 1891. Town looks like Uarcoa ?  Shared the page with Prof. George A. Rockwood.
F
  • F. Fisher.  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • E. J. Fitzgerald, signed "At Home" on March 2, 1891
  • A. J. Follett of Adams, Massachusetts, signed at Eastman on February 11, 1891.  Shared the page with P. R. Layton and Charles A. Boyce.
  • C. H. Fredericks of Chester, New York, signed at Eastman on February 25, 1891. His photograph stamp is affixed to the back end paper along with many others. Mentioned he was the album owner's neighbor from Chester.  Shared the page with M. G. Chase and Effie C. Quackenbush.
G
  • Minerva E. Gaines, signed at Eastman College, Poughkeepsie, New York, on February 17, 1891
  • George W. Gano of Denver, Colorado, signed at Eastman, on February 25, 1891
  • Professor L. F. Gardner, signed at Eastman College in 1891; he affixed his stamp photograph. LeVergne F. Gardner.  Shared the page with A. C. Macdonald.
  • ? P. Geehan of Helena, New York, signed at Eastman on February 18, 1891.  Shared the page with R. G. Laird.
  • A. G. Gillespie of Bangor, Maine, signed at Eastman's in 1891; album owner's roommate. He was Augustus G. Gillespie.  Shared the page with C. J. Webster.
  • D. E. Goldsmith of Centre Moriches, New York, signed at Eastman on January 26, 1891; possibly David E. Goldsmith. Middle initial might be C.  Shared the page with James J. Donohoe.
  • N. N. Gregory of West Florida, signed at Eastman on February 14, 1891; "Very sincerely from the Key of the 'Gulf of Mexico'"  Shared the page with H. Clay Burns
  • Louis Grundy of Paterson, New Jersey, signed at Eastman on January 30, 1891.  Shared the page with H. E. Hitchcock and W. C. Dale.
H
  • G. Frank Hall of Warwick, New York, signed at Eastman on February 25, 1891
  • Professor W. B. Hamill of Poughkeepsie, New York, signed on January 23, 1891. William B. Hamill. He affixed his photograph stamp.  Shared the page with R. W. Judd.
  • A. J. Harcourt.  He didn't inscribe a page in the album, but his photograph stamp is affixed to the back end paper, along with many others.
  • W. Hartwell of Butler, Missouri, signed at Eastman on January 26, 1891.  Shared the page with C. M. Van Aken
  • A. R. Haskin of Poughkeepsie, New York, signed on February 25, 1891. Professor Albert R. Haskin.
  • W. J. Hayes of Suffolk, Virginia, signed at Eastman, on January 26, 1891. He affixed a stamp photograph.
  • Joseph Heidel, Jr., of Poughkeepsie, New York, signed at Eastman on February 25, 1891.  Shared the page with John Tyler
  • W. S. Herman, signed at Eastman on January 21, 1891.  Shared the page with James E. Aitken.
  • H. E. Hitchcock of New Orleans, Louisana, signed on January 24, 1891.  Shared the page with Louis Grundy and W. C. Dale
  • A. V. Hoornbeek of Ellenville, New York, signed at Eastman on January 10, 1891. Arthur V. Hoornbeek.  Shared the page with Lewis N. Wood
J
  • Kate Joerissen of Ilion, New York, signed at Eastman on January 18, 1891; "#10 Conklin", which may have been a boarding home operated by Mr. and Mrs. Craft.  Shared the page with A. J. Doremus and Hattie M. Bates.
  • Carl A. Joerissen of Ilion, New York, signed at Eastman.  Shared the page with Charles H. Peix, Jr.
  • Charles J. Johnson of Utica, New York, signed at Eastman on January 20, 1891.  Shared the page with J. H. White, Jr., and Laura May Craft.
  • I. H. Johnston, Jr. of Charleston, Illinois, signed on February 18, 1891. Presumably Isaiah Hugh Johnston, Jr.
  • R. W. Judd of Salem, Ohio, signed at Eastman on February 25, 1891. Presumably Ralph Webster Judd.  Shared the page with Professor William B. Hamill.
K
  • J. C. Ketcham of Cornwall on Hudson, New York, signed at Eastman on February 9, 1891
L
  • R. G. Laird of Mount Carmel, Indiana; presumably Raymond G. Laird (1868-1943).  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • R. G. Laird of Mount Carmel, Indiana, signed on January 20, 1891; presumably Raymond G. Laird (1868-1943).  Shared the page with ? P. Geehan,
  • P. R. Layton of Bridgeville, Delaware; presumably Philip R. Layton.  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • P. R. Layton of Delaware, signed at Eastman on January 26, 1891.  Presumably Philip R. Layton of Bridgeville, Delaware.  Shared the page with A. J. Follett and Charles A. Boyce.
  • C. F. Loomis of Bolton, Connecticut, signed at Eastman on January 23, 1891.  Shared the page with J. F. Magee.
M
  • A. C. Macdonald, signed on January 15, 1891 at Eastman.  Shared the page with Professor LeVergne F. Gardner.
  • L. J. Macken of Hinsdale, Massachusetts, signed at Eastman on January 19, 1891. He affixed his photograph stamp. Presumably Luke J. Macken.  Shared the page with P. A. Curtado.
  • J. F. Magee of Athens, New York, signed at Eastman on January 19, 1891.  Shared the page with C. F. Loomis.
  • W. S. McCarroll of Arkansas, signed at Eastman College on January 20, 1891.  Shared the page with S. J. Young.
  • A. A. McPhelemy of Danbury, Connecticut, signed at Eastman on February 25, 1891. Presumably Ambrose Andrew McPhelemy.  Shared the page with N. P. Zimmer.  Note of January 19, 2016: see a reader's comment for more information on Ambrose Andrew McPhelemy.  There was also an Arthur A. McPhelemy, but the reader notes that he died in 1888.
  • Sidney Miller of 218 E 58th St., New York City, signed at Eastman on January 17, 1891.  Shared the page with Mr. and Mrs. Craft.
  • R. W. Moorhead of Brookville, Pennsylvania.  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • R. W. Moorhead of Brookville, Pennsylvania, signed at Eastman on January 26, 1891; he affixed his photograph stamp.  Shared the page with M. F. Clark.
  • I. Munzeshimer, or J. Munzeshimer or Munzesheimer of Texas, signed at Eastman. Middle initial A or S. Perhaps Isidore Munzesheimer.  Shared the page with Emile Eckhout.
P
  • C. H. Peix, Jr., Danbury, Connecticut. Charles H. Peix, Jr..  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • C. H. Peix, Jr., of Danbury, Connecticut, signed at Eastman on January 26, 1891. Charles H. Peix, Jr. He affixed his photograph stamp.  Shared the page with Carl Joerissen.
Q
  • Effie C. Quackenbush of Chester, New York, signed on August 23, 1891. Like C. H. Fredericks, she called herself the album owner's neighbor.  Shared the page with M. G. Chase and C. H. Fredericks.
R
  • George O. Rasbach of Orion, New York, signed at Eastman on January 23, 2891.  Shared the page with W. C. Stephenson
  • G. A. Rockwood, signed at Eastman in 1891. He affixed two photograph stamps. He was presumably Professor George A. Rockwood,  Shared the page with J. B. Evans
S
  • Ceslao Saborio of Alajuela, Costa Rica, signed at Eastman on January 28, 1891. He affixed his stamp photograph.
  • J. A. Sankey of Potters Mills, Pennsylvania, signed on the "Last day at Eastmans" February 11, 1891.  Shared the page with M. Belle Bates.
  • Joseph G. Savarese of Brooklyn, New York, signed at Eastman on February 18, 1891
  • J. W. Savarese of Savannah, Georgia, signed at Eastman on February 11, 1891. Perhaps Joseph W. Savarese
  • Frank Shufelt of Copake, New York, signed at Eastman on January 26, 1891.  Shared the page with J. T. Sullivan.
  • W. C. Stephenson of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, signed on January 21, 1891. He affixed a photograph stamp.  Shared the page with George O. Rasbach.
  • A. Sturgess of Wessington Springs, South Dakota.  Shared the page with W. H. Butts.
  • J. T. Sullivan of Corning, New York, signed at Eastman on January 29, 1891.  Shared the page with Frank Shufelt.
T
  • F. E. Tether; stamp photo. Floyd Edward Tether.  He affixed his photograph stamp. 
  • John Tyler of Virginia.  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • John Tyler of Radford, Virginia, signed at Eastman, on January 21, 1891.  Shared the page with Joseph Heidel, Jr.
V
  • C. M. Van Aken of Catskill, New York, signed at Eastman on January 26, 1891. Presumably C. Melvin Van Aken who founded the cooperage company C. M. Van Aken.  Shared the page with W. Hartwell.
W
  • J. A. Wagner of Dover, Ohio, signed at Eastman on February 12, 1891. Mentioned 217 Mill St.  Shared the page with A. B. Collier.
  • C. S. Walker of London England, now residing at Fort Worth, Texas; signed at Eastman on January 26, 1891. He affixed his photograph stamp.  Shared the page with K. Hajo kawo
  • C. J. Webster of Walton, New York, signed at Eastman on February 11, 1891.  Shared the page with A. G. Gillespie.
  • E. P. Welch of Westerly, Rhode Island, signed at Eastman on January 28, 1891. He affixed his photograph stamp.
  • J. H. White, Jr., of Paterson, New Jersey, signed at Eastman on January 30, 1891.  Shared the page with Charles J. Johnson and Laura May Craft.
  • E. R. Whitney of North Fairfield, Ohio, signed at Eastman on February 18, 1891.  Shared the page with C. Howard Chandler.
  • John R. Williams of Scranton, Pennsylvania.  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • John R. Williams of Scranton, Pennsylvania, signed at Eastman on February 17, 1891
  • L. N. Wood of Maravia, New York, signed at Eastman, on January 16, 1891.  Lewis N. Wood  Shared the page with A. V. Hoornbeek
Y
  • S. J. Young of Schoharie County, New York.  On a group page headed "Graduating Class, February 24, 1891" [not sure of last digit]
  • S. J. Young of Schoharie County, New York.  Shared the page with W. S. McCarroll.
Z
  • N. P. Zimmer of Poughkeepsie, New York, signed on January 23, 1891. He affixed his photograph stamp. Presumably Nicholas P. Zimmer.  Shared the page with A. A. McPhelemy




4 comments:

  1. I love this web site! It is very interesting to me. I have two relatives who went to Eastman. My Great Grand Father William C. McPhelemy and His younger brother whom you have listed as A.A. McPhelemy. ( presumably Arthur A) There was an Arthur but he died on 29 Jan. 1888. I'd like to guess that it was Ambrose Andrew McPhelemy. He was intricately involved in the family business, born in 1872 and died in 1925. I am so excited. Every time I get one clue it potentially, can help me identify more family in pictures that i have, that remain unidentified.
    All the Best to you and I would love to collaborate with you.
    Linda Dudley Mutch
    lindamutch6002@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind words, Linda! Some people roam antique malls looking for identified photos - they can sometimes be had for $1 each. Then research them using free resources online and blog about them or add them to a social media group. A fun and fulfilling hobby that doesn't have to be expensive. Autograph albums are now very expensive, at least on eBay, but, as you can see, they are a gold mine of history and genealogy. Thanks for adding your comments about A. A. McPhelemy - I added a note to the blog post directing people to your comment.

      Delete
  2. Is this your only book from Eastman? Like I said, my Great Grand Father William Campbell McPhelemy also attended Eastman! Thank you so much for your quick response to my comment from yesterday!
    All the best
    L

    ReplyDelete
  3. FYI, I noticed a similar book about Eastman College, at an antique store in Hyde Park Antiques Center, Hyde Park, NY. It was behind glass, but opened to a page that had stamps like those above. I didn't have enough interest to ask to see it closer, but just took a picture and moved on. But if there's anyone specifically interested, go and check it out.

    ReplyDelete