1850s Autograph Album of Temperance Reformer Cordelia (Throop) Cole, Teacher at Keokuk, Iowa, and Henry, Illinois

1850s autograph album of Cordelia Throop, containing inscriptions of her students at Keokuk, Iowa, and Henry, Illinois, at the North Illinois Institute.  The inscriptions end before her December 1856 marriage to Rev. William Remy Cole, a Unitarian minister and philanthropist.

Read more about Cordelia (Throop) Cole and see a photograph of a middle-aged Cordelia here, in a publication entitled "A Woman of the Century: Fourteen Hundred Seventy Biographical Sketches, edited by Frances Elizabeth Willard and Mary Ashton Rice Livermore, and published in 1893.

The album was presented to Cordelia on December 25, 1853 by her friend, whose initials I'm not sure of, but perhaps O. W. R. or O. W. K.

It measures approximately 7-3/4" x 6-1/4" and contains the sentiments of over 150 people, most of whom were Cordelia's students, as well as friends and her younger brother James Addison Throop.  Very few people left full page inscriptions; most pages contained multiple autographs.

The album was published by Moss and Brother of Philadelphia and contains five full-page engravings, plus the engraving on the title page, below.  Two calling cards are tucked in the album.

From the finding aid to the Throop Family Papers, held at the New York State Historical Association Research Library:    [corrections and additions requested!]

Cordelia Throop was born November 17, 1833 at Hamilton, New York, daughter of George Addison Throop and noted itinerant artist Deborah (Goldsmith) Throop.  Cordelia's younger brother James Addison Throop, who added his autograph to the page below, was born December 7, 1835.  Sadly, Deborah (Goldsmith) Throop died March 16, 1836, and George Addison Throop on September 17, 1849.

Cordelia's brother James Addison Throop, who added his autograph to the page below, edited Ancestral charts of George Addison Throop, Deborah Goldsmith: many historically interesting letters from the old traveling bag, saved throughout the years by James Addison Throop, published in 1934, and with the compilation help of his niece, Cordelia's daughter Olive, born in 1869.

In December of 1856 or in 1857, a few months after the latest autographs were inscribed, Cordelia Throop married Rev. William Remy Cole, son of Solomon and Sarah (Remy) Cole.  William was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, on August 12, 1828.  He and Cordelia lived in Iowa and had seven children; a daughter died in childhood and a son in young adulthood.

Cordelia died in 1900, and Rev. William Remy Cole in 1915.  If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, or information on any of the inscribers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Inscribers in the Album - Given names within a specific surname might not be in alphabetical order

• Not sure of name.  Given name might be Glenn; middle name might be Lou; or Lou might be the start of the surname.  Inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 15, 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
• Hattie N. ?, inscribed at Whitefield, Illinois; surname might be Faris or Taris or ?; on a page shared with 4 others
• Jennie E. ? of Decatur, Illinois; possibly Jennie E. Lewis or Lennis or Ler?; on a page shared with 2 others

A

• Laura Albertson, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in October 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
•  Sarah Allen, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in November 1854; on a page shared with 7 others
• John Arthur; on a page shared with 7 others

B

• M. Gertrude Barnes or M. Gertrude Farnes or ?, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; on a page shared with 4 others
• Elizabeth A. Barrett, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; on a page shared with 4 others
•  W. A. Beers, possibly William A. Beers, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 17, 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
• Emma Birch, inscribed at Henry, Illinois; on a page shared with 3 others
• George Birch, M.D., of Henry, Illinois; middle initial might be H or ?; on a page shared with 3 others
• Albert W. Birch, inscribed at Henry, Illinois; on a page shared with 3 others
• Ellen C. Blake, inscribed at Hennipin, Illinois, on January 28, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• Novella B. Bonham of Oquawka, Illinois; Novella Bethany Bonham; on a page shared with 2 others
• Nancy Borland or Nancy Barland; on a page shared with 5 others
• E. Zerelda Bowen, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; on a page inscribed by 5 others
• Margaretne J. Bowen, possibly Margaret J. Bowen, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; on a page shared with 4 others
• Zedie Bowen, or Zedic Bowen, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 11, 1854
• Jane P. Boyse, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; on a page inscribed by 5 others
• Alladelphia G. Boyse, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 14, 1854; on a page shared with 3 others
• Clara J. Bridgman, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 14, 1854; Clara Jane Bridgman; on a page shared with 3 others
• Willie Bridgman, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in November 1854; on a page shared with 7 others
• Edwin Brownell, inscribed in March 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
• Willie Brownell, inscribed in March 1854; on a page shared with 5 others

C

• Isaac B. Calder, inscribed at LaPrairie Center, Illinois, on May 5, [no year written but presumably 1855 as that was the date used on other inscriptions on that page; on a page shared with 3 others.
•  Elizabeth S. Callingham of Illinois, possibly Dewitt, Illinois; on a page shared with 2 others
• Olive L. Camp, inscribed at North Illinois Institute, on June 26, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• Sophia E. Camp, inscribed at North Illinois Institute on June 26, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
•  Louise Cannon [not sure of surname], inscribed at Keokuk High School, Keokuk, Iowa; on a page shared with 4 other people
• Addie Cave, inscribed at Keokuk High School, Keokuk, Iowa; on a page shared with 5 others
• James L. Clapp, inscribed at Rome Farms, Illinois, on April 18, 1856; on a page shared with 3 others
• M. L. Condet, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on April 18, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• Helen J. Cook, inscribed at Lacon, Illinois; on a page shared with 4 others
• G. W. E. Cook, inscribed at Lacon, Illinois; on a page shared with 3 others

D

• Ellen J. Davis of Kendall County, Illinois, inscribed on February 8, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• William B. Dougherty; on a page shared with 7 others

E

• Ella Eichar, inscribed at Keokuk High School in 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
• Anna E. Eichar, inscribed on March 15, 1854; on a page shared with 4 others
• Melissa Ewalt, inscribed at Mrs. Hutchins', January 25, 1856; middle initial might be J.; on a page shared with 4 others

F

• Mary E. Folks, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
•  Kate Octavia Foster, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on July 5, 1855; on a page shared with 4 others

G

• Surname is Goodrich; possibly I. H. or J. H., but not sure of either; on a page shared with 7 others
• Thomas P. Gray of Aurora, Illinois, inscribed on July 3, 1856
• John Gray, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, in April 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
• Calling card tucked in the album: Thomas P. Gray of Aurora, Illinois

H

• Maria ?; name possibly Maria Hammit or Maria Hassit or ?.  She could also be Maria Jane Hamill, with a different spelling to her surname; if so, she would be a sister to  inscriber Rosanna Hamill; on a page shared with 5 others
• M. J. Halsted, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in September 1854; on a page shared with 7 others
• Rosanna D. Hamill, possible sister to inscriber Maria, whose surname is very similar; on a page shared with 3 others
• E. I. Harper, inscribed at Granville, presumably Illinois, on January 28, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• Ella L. Harrison, inscribed in March 1854.  Later note by Cordelia: "Now an Angel"; on a page shared with 4 others
• M. C. Hazard; on a page shared with 4 others
• Not sure of name.  Might be John Henry, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 15, 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
•  Levi Hensel, inscribed at Princeton, Illinois, on May 31, 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
• R. L. Hill, inscribed at LaFayette, presumably Illinois, on April 18, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• E. Hoyt, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on April 25 [no year written, but other inscriptions on that page are dated 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
• Lydia Hoyt, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on April 25, 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
•  Sarah E. Hoyt, inscribed at Magnolia, Illinois; on a page shared with 3 others
• James H. Hoyt, inscribed at Henry, Illinois; on a page shared with 8 others
• Missouri Hughes; on a page shared with 7 others
• David C. Hull, or Dana C. Hull, inscribed at Henry, Illinois; on a page shared with 8 others
• Mary Humbleton; on a page shared with 7 others
• C. R. Hutchins, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on January 26, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others

J

• J. Jackson, inscribed at Henry, Illinois; middle initial might be H; on a page shared with 3 others
• Margaret Johnson; on a page shared with 7 others

K

• Ellen E. King, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on June 1, 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
• Lucretia Knowles, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa in March 1854; on a page with 5 others
• Emma Knowles, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa in March 1854; on a page inscribed by 5 others
• Hiram Knowles; on a page shared with 5 others

L

• Harvey Lambertson; on a page shared with 7 others
• Mary Lineback, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, in April 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
• May Linton, inscribed at Keokuk High School, Keokuk, Iowa; on a page shared with 5 others
• Julie E. Lombard, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on January 26, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• S. Ella Lombard, inscribed at North Illinois Institute on June 26, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others

M

• Lizzie Martain, inscribed at Col. Institute in 1853; on a page shared with 5 others
• Ellen Martain, inscribed in June 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
• D. B. Martin [not sure of name],  inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 17, 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
•  James Martin of Lafayette, Illinois, inscribed on April 18, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• C. McClasky, or C. McClosky, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa; on a page shared with 7 others
• Anna McClelland, inscribed at Collegiate Institute; on a page shared with 5 others
• Sallie McClung, or Sallie McClurg or Sallie McClurry or ?, inscribed at Union Grove, Illinois; on a page shared with 4 others
• Martha A. McCoy, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on July 18, 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
• Susanne P. McCurdy, inscribed at North Illinois Institute, on June 26, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• Frances McFadden, inscribed at Henry, Illinois; on a page shared with 4 others
• Ann McHale, or Arne McHale, inscribed at Henry, Illinois; shared the page with Mary Warren
• T. A. McMorris,  inscribed at Magnolia [no state written, but all other inscriptions on that page mentioned Illinois] on May 31, 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
• I. McMorris of Laharpe, Illinois, on April 18, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• J. D. Mercer, inscribed at Princeton [presumably Illinois, as that was the location of other inscriptions on the page]; on a page shared with 3 others
• Freelove J. Miller, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on June 26, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
•  Lucie A. Moon, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, in June 1856; Cordelia's pupil; on a page shared with 2 others
• N. E. Morrison, inscribed on January 26, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• Josie M. Munson, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, in June 1856; on a page shared with 2 others

N

• William Francis Nichols of Oquawka, Illinois; on a page shared with 3 others
• George Nuse, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1854; on a page shared with 4 others
• William Nuse, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1854; on a page shared with 4 others

P

• J. W. Parrington of Portland, Maine, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on June 24, 1856.  John William Parrington was the head of the North Illinois Institute at the time. 
• E. E. Peters of Henry, Illinois; on a page shared with 4 others
• Emily J. Plato, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on July 6, 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
• Rachael Pollok, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; on a page shared with 3 others
• James A. Pruitt [not sure of surname] of Peoria, Illinois; on a page shared with 8 others

R

• Bell R?, possibly Raple, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854
• Amanda M. Reeves, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; on a page shared with 3 others
• M. Annie Richery, or M. Annie Richey, inscribed at Hennipin, Illinois, on February 1, 1856.  Possibly Mary Ann Richey, sister of inscriber Maggie J. Richey; on a page shared with 4 others
• Maggie J. Richery, or Maggie J. Richey, inscribed at Hennipin, Illinois, on February 11, 1856.  Possibly sister of M. Annie Richey; on a page shared with 4 others
• Mary Robertson, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; on a page shared with 4 others
• Melissa J. Roberts, inscribed at Magnolia, Illinois; on a page shared with 3 others
• G. W. Ross, inscribed at Princeton, Illinois; on a page shared with 4 others
• William B. Ross, inscribed at Dover, Illinois; on a page shared with 3 others
•  M. J. Ross, inscribed at Princeton, Illinois; on a page shared with 2 others
• J. P. Ross, or I. P. Ross, or ?, of Princeton, Illinois; on a page shared with 3 others

S

• Samuel S. Sample, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 15, 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
• Richard Shay of Abingdon, Illinois; on a page shared with 8 others
• Eleanor Shay of Abingdon, Illinois; on a page shared with 8 others
•  John E. Shepperd of Milo, Illinois; on a page shared with 8 others
•  Lucretia Smith, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, in June 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
• Lucy R. Smith, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on June 27, 185; on a page shared with 4 others
• Ephraim Smith, inscribed at Henry, Illinois; might be Ephraim O. Smith or Ephraim D. Smith or ?; on a page shared with 3 others
• Mary Springer, middle initial J or G or ?, inscribed in Kendall County, Illinois.  Possibly Mary Jane Springer; on a page shared with 4 others
• Embossed card tucked in the album: handwritten name of M. J. Springer or M. C. Springer
• Olive Starkwather, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 14, 1854; on a page shared with 3 others
• Ezra Starkwather, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 17, 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
• Martha M. Stewart, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on July 6, 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
•  Hattie E. Stewart, inscribed at Hennipin, Illinois, on January 28, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• W. D. Stillman of Chillicothe, Illinois; on a page shared with 3 others
•  J. N. Strong, inscribed at Peoria, Illinois, on Mary 31, 1855; on a page shared with 4 others

T

• Maggie Tarbell, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; shared the page with Ellen M. Tisdale
• Mehitable Tarbell, inscribed in October 1854; on a page shared with 7 others
• Mahalee Tarbell, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1854; on a page shared with 7 others
• Annie E. Taylor, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; on a page inscribed by 5 others
• Mary J. Taylor, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa in March 1854; on a page inscribed by 5 others
• W. H. C. Taylor, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1854; on a page shared with 7 others
• Samuel Taylor, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1854; on a page shared with 7 others
• Eveline Teft, inscribed at Keokuk High School, Keokuk, Iowa; on a page shared with 7 others
• Cordelia Throop, album owner.  She was presented the album on December 25, 1853 by friend O.W.R. - not sure of initials.  Cordelia inscribed a page of welcome to her future well wishers
• James A. Throop of Preston, New York.  Younger brother of album owner Cordelia Throop; on a page shared with 8 others
• Ellen M. Tisdale, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa in March 185? [1853 or 1858 or ?]; shared the page with Maggie Tarbell
• Daniel Tisdale, Jr., inscribed on March 11, 1854; on a page shared with 3 others
• Augustus H. Titus, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on July 5, 1855; on a page shared with 3 others
• Thomas L. Tumelty [not sure of middle initial or spelling of surname]; on a page shared with 5 others
• John F. Turner, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 15 [no year written, but presumably 1854]; on a page shared with 5 others
• James Turner, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 15, 1854; on a page shared with 5 others

V

• Carrie Van Antwerp, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, on March 14, 1854; on a page shared with 3 others

W

• B. M. Walker, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on July 6, 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
• Mary Warren, inscribed at Henry, Illinois; shared the page with Ann McHale or Arne McHale
• Susan T. Weston, inscribed at North Illinois Institute, at Henry, Illinois; on a page shared with 3 others
• M. A. C. Weston, inscribed at Senatchwine, Illinois, on July 7, 1855; on a page shared with 4 others
• Clara Weston, inscribed at North Illinois Institute, at Henry, Illinois, on June 25, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• Walter Weston, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on April 18, 1856; on a page shared with 3 others
• Eugene Weston, of Senatchwine, Illinois; on a page shared with 8 others
• Addie Wickersham, inscribed at Keokuk, Iowa, in March 1854; on a page shared with 5 others
•  J. V. Williams, or ? V. Williams, inscribed at Whitefield, Illinois, on June 27, 1856; on a page shared with 4 others
• Amela T. Wilson, inscribed at Henry, Illinois; on a page shared with 3 others
• S. A. Woodson, inscribed at Henry, Illinois, on April 18, 1856; on a page shared with 3 others
•  John M. Worley, inscribed at Henry, Illinois; on a page shared with 8 others
• Elizabeth R. Worster, inscribed at Col. Institute in 1854; on a page shared with 4 others