Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Steele family
- Abstract:
- The collection includes thirty letters chiefly from the Steele family of Ann Arbor, Michigan, between 1856 and the 1870s, to Ellen Steele Sturges (1837-1930). The letters primarily discuss family news and health, as well as occasional references to cultural and religious life in Ann Arbor. Notably, one letter discusses President Ulysses S. Grant’s unsuccessful bid for a third term.
- Extent:
- 33 items in 1 box
- Language:
- English.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection contains thirty letters chiefly from the Steele family of Ann Arbor, Michigan, between 1856 and the 1870s, to Ellen Steele Sturges (1837-1930). All but one of which are addressed to Ellen (or Ellen and David) Sturges from her immediate family (and one friend, identified only as "Rebecca"). The aberrant letter was written in 1856 to David B. Sturges from Ellen (it is unclear if they were already married at this point). The correspondence contains detailed descriptions of the failing health and treatment of Julia and Valentine Steele in the months leading up to their deaths. There are occasional references to cultural and religious life in Ann Arbor in the letters of the 1866-1876 period, especially regarding the growth of the Methodist Church and the public speeches of Erastus Otis Haven (1863-1869), the second president of the University of Michigan and pastor of the First United Methodist Church. Though politics and national affairs are rarely discussed, HM 73855 includes Phebe Steele's thoughts on President Ulysses S. Grant's unsuccessful bid for a third term. Ebenezer and Phebe Steele express deep anxiety throughout the 1866 correspondence as to their daughter's safety from Indians in Montana, though no specific events are referenced.
In addition to the correspondence, there is a family record, believed to be in the hand of Phebe Steele, detailing the birth and death dates of the siblings and parents of Ebenezer Steele, as well as a folder containing seven empty envelopes.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The family of minister Ebenezer Steele (October 18, 1808-1900) and Phebe Steele (1819-1910) lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their daughter Julia lived in their household in Ann Arbor until her death on November 11, 1866, of an unknown tuberculosis-like illness. Their son, Valentine, lived in Ann Arbor until the time of his death of an unknown tuberculosis-like illness on June 12, 1874. Another daughter, Ellen (1837-1930), who worked as a school teacher in Michigan, married David B. Sturges, and immigrated with him to Montana Territory sometime between 1856-1866, where they lived in Helena, Virginia City, and Gallatin. Ellen Sturges eventually settled in San Bernardino, California, between 1876 and 1902. The Steeles of Ann Arbor were active in the First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor, and ran a boarding house for students at the University of Michigan, where they often attended events.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of Mrs. Joanna P. Leonard, January 16, 1948.
- Arrangement:
-
Items arranged chronologically.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
- Location of this collection:
-
1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108, US
- Contact:
- (626) 405-2191