Colton (Sheldon) Papers, 1823-1903, bulk 1851-1866

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Summary

Title:
Sheldon Colton papers
Dates:
1823-1903, bulk 1851-1866
Creators:
Colton, Sheldon, 1835-1904
Abstract:
Papers belonging to American Civil War Union officer Sheldon Colton.
Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Sheldon Colton papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Colton family correspondence covers family news, social life in Milan and Columbus, Ohio, including news on exhibits, musical performances, and charity works. Correspondents include Hamilton Colton, Carlos Colton, Sheldon Colton, and Mary Whiting Colton. The Civil War correspondence of Carlos, Hamilton, and Sheldon Colton, George B. Whiting, and Mary Whiting Colton depict the life of a Union soldier as well as life in Ohio in wartime, including discussions of war and politics. There is also some poetry, one photograph, and some ephemera. The correspondence of George B. Whiting deals with his mission work in Beirut.

Biographical / historical:

Sheldon Colton (1835-1904), a Union officer, was the 1st Lieutenant of the 67th Regiment of Ohio Infantry, Company K. A native of Milan, Ohio, he was the son of Hamilton Colton (1805-1878) and Melinda S. Allen Colton (1812-1889). In October 1864, he married Mary Whiting, daughter of George B. Whiting, a missionary in Beirut, Lebanon. At the end of the American Civil War, the Coltons settled in Columbus, Ohio, where Sheldon Colton worked at one time for Lick Run Coal Company. Carlos Colton (1837-1899), Sheldon's brother, enlisted in the 84th Ohio Infantry Regiment in 1862, and served in Maryland and West Virginia. Mary Whiting Colton's brother, George B. Whiting served with the 13th Missouri Infantry Regiment.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Paul J. Appel, through Anne Huff Skousen, 1965.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff in the 1960s. In October 2025, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Brooke M. Black
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-01-14 15:22:53 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Sheldon Colton papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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