May I Have Your Autograph?

Several years ago I had the good fortune of locating a box of photos and other ephemera that was left behind after a childless cousins’ passing. You can read about this spectacular treasure here: The Hunt Begins

Truthfully, there were so many wonderful things in this box that it has taken quite a bit of time for me to incorporate all of the information into my family tree. Not only that, many of the names and faces didn’t fit with what I knew about the family at that point. As my research has moved forward I have had several AH HA! moments. Not that the information wasn’t there before, I just didn’t know how it all fit together at that particular time. One of the most delightful (and delicate) items was an autograph book. In the 19th century autograph books were all the rage. Friends, schoolmates and family would write a little ditty and sign their name in your book, you would do the same for them. These books served as rememberances of time and people gone by.

This book was given to Arthur Nathan Jordan of Dunlap, Iowa by his sister Gertrude. The earliest autographs date from 1881 when Art would have been around 8 years old. From the dates and signatures contained from this time frame, I have discerned that he traveled to New York with his parents and sister to visit Electa Elizabeth Jordan nee’ Martin’s family.

Again I need to apologize for photo quality, but the truth of the matter is that this book is very small, very old and the ink is quite faded in the majority of the book. It was not an easy task to photograph. I chose not to scan the images for fear of the damage that the light may do to this wee prize.

Stamped at the top is A.N. Jordan Dunlap, Iowa

The front cover is inscribed with the following saying:

In this book 

So pure and white

Let none but friends

Presume to write

It is signed by Gertie E. Jordan

This entry signed “Father” is in the hand of Thomas Frederick Jordan. He was the father of Art and Gertrude Jordan and husband of Electa “Lettie” Jordan. His inscription is based on Psalm 22:1

A good name is rather 

to be chosen then great riches

and loving favor rather than fine gold

Sept 16 1881

While this entry is undated, quite a few that follow are from the New York relations and appear to be around the same time.

Carrie E Stanton

New Woodstock

Madison, NY

On the facing page of the book is the signature of her husband, John Albert Stanton

J.A. Stanton

New Woodstock

Madison, NY

New Woodstock is a hamlet located in Cazenovia, Madison, New York.

Art Jordan’s mother, Electa “Lettie” Martin was the daughter of Nathan Holman Martin 1808-1896 and Susanna D Cook 1812-1882. Nathan’s sister and Lettie’s aunt, Huldah Ann Martin 1821-1871 married Schuyler Van Rensselaer Stanton 1812-1891 and they had three children: Oliver Martin Stanton 1849-1921, Charles Henry Stanton 1853-1935 and John Albert Stanton 1850-1926. John married Carrie Richmond 1852-1927. John and his brothers would have been first cousins to Art Jordan despite the fact that there was nearly a 25 year age difference.

O.M. Stanton

Sheds Corners

Madison, NY

This is Oliver Martin Stanton, brother of John Albert Stanton

Sheds Corners is a locale and not a town. It is located in DeRuyter, Madison county, New York

Next is the signature of Oliver Stanton’s wife, Julia Irena Stanton nee’ Barnard, dated Oct 13th, 1881. Julia was born in 1852 and died in 1884.

Artie;

In the worlds broad field of battle

In the bivouac of life

Be not like dumb driven cattle

Be a hero in the strife!

Mama (Lettie Jordan) 

Sept 16, 1881

Lettie chose to write a quatrain from “A Psalm of Life”, a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This poem was first published in October 1838 in Knickerbocker magazine.

Dear Brother: 

Down in this corner

Away out of sight

Three little words

I wish to write

(I love you)

Your sister, 

Gertie

Sept 16, 1881

Just days after this was written, President James Garfield succumbs to the gunshot wound that was inflicted upon him 11 weeks earlier. He dies on the 19th of September and the following day, Chester A Arthur is sworn in as the 21st President of the United States. A few of the notable events of 1881 follow:

Abilene, Texas is founded

Phoenix, Arizona is incorporated

Red Cross is formed by Clara Barton

Billy The Kid is killed

Sitting Bull surrenders

Gunfight in the OK Corral at Tombstone, Cochise, Arizona

Cecil B. DeMille is born

Pablo Picasso is born

The Savoy Theater in London opens and is the first public building to be fully lit electrically

To be continued………………..