Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Allen family papers

Abstract

The Allen family papers (dated 1862-1912, bulk 1910-1911; 0.12 cubic feet; 6 folders) comprise letters, papers, and photographs that document the Allen family of Cincinnati, Ohio in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Allen family papers
Date
1862-1912, undated (inclusive)
1910-1911 (bulk)
Extent
0.12 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Automobiles
Children -- Photographs.
Family.
Genealogy.
Letters.
Pharmacists.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format and family member. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0181: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Allen family papers, 1862-1912, undated, bulk 1910-1911, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Alfred F. Allen (1826-1883) was born in Ohio to Marston Allen (1789-1868) and Martha Bolger (1787-1871). He worked as a druggist in Cincinnati, Ohio and became very successful in doing so. His first marriage was to Sallie D. Meers (1826-1859), and together they had three sons, Marston Allen (b. 1847), Henry D. Allen (b. 1849), and Clifford Allen (1853-1928). His second marriage was in 1862, and Alfred married Matilda J. Cochran (1838-1920), and together they had one son, Charles Allen (1863-1939).
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The Allen family papers (dated 1862-1912, bulk 1910-1911; 0.12 cubic feet; 6 folders) comprise letters, papers, and photographs that document the Allen family of Cincinnati, Ohio in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The letters are mostly from friends to members of the Allen family, namely Alfred, Matilda, and their son Charles. These letters discuss Alfred's business dealings, Charles's struggles in the automobile manufacturing and sales business, issues over Marston Allen's estate, and Matilda's genealogy research of her family. The papers are compilations of Matilda's genealogy research, with detailed records of ancestors going back to the 17th century. Also in the collection are 25 photographs of portraits of members of the Allen family.
The Allen family papers are part of the Wade Hall Collection of American letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Alfred F. Allen letters, 1868-1872

  • Box 252, folder 14
To top

Charles H. Allen letters, 1880-1912, undated

  • Box 252, folder 15
To top

Matilda J. Allen letters, 1862-1901, undated

  • Box 252, folder 16
To top

Allen family letters, undated

  • Box 252, folder 17
To top

Allen family history, undated

  • Box 252, folder 18
To top

Photographs, undated

  • Box 252, folder 19
To top

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

Requests

No items have been requested.



Submit a request for SCRC materials.




You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.