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Allen-Rodgers Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: A0021

Scope and Contents

The Allen-Rodgers Family Papers consist of correspondence and business papers of Thomas Allen and his family, as well as correspondence and G.A.R. papers of Thomas Rodgers.

Dates

  • 1858-1924
  • Majority of material found within 1871-1889

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

Thomas Allen was born August 29, 1813, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. As a young man, he worked as a lawyer and newspaper publisher in New York City and Washington, D.C. In 1842 he moved to St. Louis where he married Ann Russell. Allen became president of several railroads, including the Iron Mountain Railroad. He was the first president of the University Club and was elected to the Missouri Senate (1850-1854). Allen died April 8, 1882, in Washington. Thomas Rodgers was born in Mercer, Pennsylvania, on December 30, 1835. During the Civil War he served with the 140th Pennsylvania Infantry, eventually earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Following the war he came to St. Louis, where he worked as an insurance agent and a deputy clerk in the Circuit Clerk's Office. Rodgers also served as Assistant Adjutant General for the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Missouri. He died May 30, 1916, in St. Louis. The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) papers of Thomas Rodgers were housed with the Thomas Allen papers when the processing of the collection was begun. While no direct link between the two men could be found, it is presumed that there is a family connection.

Extent

3.1 Cubic Feet ( (2 manuscript boxes; 2 oversize boxes; 14 volumes))

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The papers are arranged into three series: Allen Family Papers, Grand Army of the Republic Papers, and Miscellaneous. The Allen Family Papers series is divided into four subseries: Business, Real Estate, Personal, and Other Family Members. The Business Papers consist of 2 folders and 6 volumes regarding Allen's work in publishing the "Madisonian" and his work with the railroads. The Real Estate Papers consist of 1 folder, 5 volumes, and 1 oversize folder, and include correspondence and personal accounts. The Other Family Members Papers consist of one folder of correspondence to Ann Allen and one folder of papers of George Allen. The Grand Army of the Republic Papers series is divided into three subseries: Members, Posts, and Subjects. The Members Papers consist of correspondence and various G.A.R. documents including transfer cards, membership applications, and discharge certificates. The folders are arranged alphabetically by the name of the member. The Posts Papers include correspondence, charter applications, and surrendered charters for various posts, primarily in the Department of Missouri. The folders are arranged alphabetically by the name of the post. The Subjects Papers provide information on various subjects including national encampments and pensions. Each folder of the series regards a different subject. The Miscellaneous series consists of three folders of correspondence, a folder each of envelopes, pictures, calling cards, and miscellany.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

Donor unknown.

Processing Information

Processed by Molly Kodner, January 2000.

Title
Inventory of Allen-Rodgers Family Papers
Status
In Progress
Author
EAD by Jaime Bourassa using ArchivesSpace
Date
2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

Contact:
225 S. Skinker Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63105 United States
314-746-4510