Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center

Charles Everett

LH – Misc. Mss.

Introduction

Biographical Sketch

Scope and Content

Inventory

Introduction

This collection was acquired by the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in 2005.

Biographical Sketch

Charles Egbert Everett was born to Homer and Susan Albina Brush Everett on June 17, 1846. His father, a successful lawyer, was a prominent man in early Fremont, Ohio, eventually serving as mayor of the town. He was also the main writer of the History of Sandusky County, published in 1882.

In September of 1862 the young Charles Everett enlisted as a “Squirrel Hunter” under General Lew Wallace, defending Cincinnati, Ohio, from Confederate forces. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1864 and became the paymaster’s steward aboard the U.S.S. Fairy, which patrolled the Mississippi River, transporting soldiers and goods. After the war, Charles returned to Fremont, Ohio, and married Hattie Tindall of Ballville Township. They had two children, Edward and Nell. Charles was a skilled cabinet maker and worked as a foreman in a Fremont furniture factory, H. Bowlus and Co. Later, he worked as a truant officer for Fremont public schools. Charles Everett was a member of First Presbyterian Church, the Eugene Rawson G.A.R. post of Fremont, and the Mason Order. He was also very talented at the violin—making them as well as playing them.

Charles and Hattie’s son Edward died while they lived in Fremont, and when their daughter Nell married William Davies of St. Louis, Missouri, they moved to St. Louis as well. Charles lived there for the last 25 years of his life, dying in his home from complications of Bright’s disease on May 25, 1926 at the age of 79.

Scope and Content

This collection spans from March 1864 to August 8, 1874. It includes 11 letters (dated March 1864 to October 29, 1864) that Charles Everett wrote to his father while serving in the U.S. Navy. Charles served on the U.S.S. Fairy, part of the Mississippi River Squadron. The letters give brief descriptions of some of his duties on board the ship and his life in general, as well as his candid opinions about his commanding officers and several other subjects. Also included in this collection is a wartime carte de visite of Charles Everett and an unrelated letter (August 8, 1874) from the law office of Buckland, Everett, and Fowler to Mr. M. Harrison, Esq. of Clyde, Ohio.

Inventory

Ac. 5629

Folder 1

1. March (9?), 1864, Cairo. [“Dear Father”]

2. March 19, 1864, U.S.S. Clara Dolson, Cairo. [“Dear Father”]

3. May 25, 1864, U.S.S. “Fairy”, Mound City, Ill.

4. July 12, 1864, U.S.S. “Fairy”, Mound City, Ill. [“Dear Father”]

5. Aug. 28, 1864, U.S.S. “Fairy”, Mound City, Ill. [“Dear Father”]

6. Aug. 31, 1864, U.S.S. “Fairy”, Mound City, Ill. [“Dear Father”]

7. Sept. 11, 1864, Sunday 3 o’clock, U.S.S. “Fairy”, Mound City, Ill. [“Dear Father”]

8. Sept. 18, 1864, U.S.S. “Fairy”, Mound City, Ill. [“Dear Father”]

9. Sept. 19, [1864], U.S.S. “Fairy”, Mound City, Ill. [“Dear Father”]

10. Oct. 16, 1864, U.S.S. “Fairy”, Mound City, Ill. [“Dear Father”]

11. Oct. 29, 1864, U.S.S. “Fairy, Mound City, Ill. [“My Dear Father”]

12. Photograph of Charles in uniform

13. Aug.8, 1874, Unrelated letter from the law offices of Buckland, Everett, and Fowler

14. Photocopies of newspaper obituaries for Charles Everett