181 items
The addenda to this collection
consists of approximately 181 items spanning the years 1856-1894, most of which
are letters written from family members to Manning Force. Even though Manning and his brothers Charles
and Henry fought on opposing sides during the Civil War, their correspondence
makes it clear there was no animosity between these brothers. Many of the other
items are letters from veterans of the 20th Ohio Volunteer infantry
and concern their annual reunions.
Typed transcriptions exist for
portions of this collection.
Descendants of Peter and Hannah Force
1.Mary
Isabel Force (10/9/1818-7/20/1870) married William Hyter
Jones in 1843. They lived in Ft. Wayne, Indiana
and had one son who died at a young age.
2. William Quereau
Force (3//7/1820-12/15-1880) lived in Washington,
D.C. and was primarily interested in library and archival
work. He was active in the sale of the library of Peter Force, his father, to
the United States
government. This collection was part of the basis for the Library of Congress.
On October 19, 1841, William married Georgianna Lyons
who died in July 1843.They had one daughter, Georgianna
Lyons Force (6/26/1843-6/14/1868). William married Elizabeth A. Stewart
(6/16/1818-9/7/1886) in 1850 and they were the parents of four children:
William Marion, Mary, Cynthia, and Quereau. They also
raised Peter, the son of brother Henry Force, after
Henry’s death in 1874.
3. Peter Force (8/3/1822-12/?/1823)
4. Manning Ferguson Force
(12/17/1824-5/9/1899) married Frances Dabney Horton
(d. 9/4/1900) in 1874. They were the parents of a stillborn son born May 3,
1877 and Horton Caumont Force born Dec. 20, 1878.
5. Charles Fairchild Force
(2/9/1827-8/5/1884) was a medical doctor before the Civil War. He served as
Captain, Co. C. 51st Alabama
regiment, was captured near Murfreesboro, and
sent to Johnson’s Island in Sandusky
Bay, Ohio. While a
prisoner he became very ill and, through the efforts of his brother Union
General Manning Force, was exchanged. Once back in Alabama he regained his health and reentered
the Southern army for the remainder of the war. After the war he once again
practiced medicine until health problems prevented him from carrying on his
duties. He worked in hardware stores in Selma
the rest of his life, working very long hours and struggling financially until
poor health forced him to stop.
Charles married Mary Elizabeth
Matthews (10/20/1843-5/31/1923) on January 15, 1867. They were the parents of
six children: Margaret Caumont, Mary, Zilpha and Laura (twins), Alice, and Peter. (Peter served
in Roosevelt’s Rough Riders during the
Spanish-American War)
6. Edward Leggett Force
(8/1/1829-3/18/1863) graduated from Harvard in 1855, unmarried.
7. Peter Force
(8/1/1829-2/21/1830)
8. Henry Clay Force
(5/13/1832-2/7/1874) graduated from Harvard in 1855 and worked as a civil
engineer. During the Civil War he served as the color bearer for the 5th
Alabama
regiment. In December, 1865 hr married Catherin Ogio Frierson and they had four children: Mary Elizabeth, Peter
Evans (12/5/1868-2/2/1930), Henry Ella, and Manning Caumont.
9. Samuel
Southard Force (4/11/1835-3/7/1856), unmarried.
10.Marion
Evans Force (11/27/1838-1/31/1861), unmarried.
Box 2
Folder:
1.
Letters from Manning Force
a.
3/6/1856 to “My Dear Brother” (unidentified) - tells of
daily routine and legal activities
b.
5/15/1866 to Gen. Jas. B. Fry- re Civil War casualties
of 20th O.V.I.
c.
8/30/1877 to Wm. T. Dennison - letter of recommendation
for John W. Clarke
d.
10/18/1882 to Edmund H. Pendleton - regrets that
Pendleton is leaving Musical Festival Association
e.
5/29/1888 to William R. Neff, President of Cincinnati
College – resignation from law school to accept Superintendent of Ohio
Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Home
f.
4/18/1893 to Leroy G. Hunt, Secretary of 20th
O.V.I. veterans – re 1893 reunion location
2.
Letters from Charles Fairchild Force (brother of Manning)
a.
9/22/1871 re 2 trips to brother Henry before &
after Henry’s daughter died
b.
4/30/1874 after brother
Henry’s death. Henry’s son Peter going to Washington,
D.C. to live with William Q.
Force
c.
9/11/1877 after birth of daughter Alice, mentions Hayes’ upcoming appointment
to Supreme Court, possibly from the South
d.
12/29/1877 re Christmas gifts and celebration
e.
2/5/1879 tells of birth of his son, Peter and asks
about Manning’s new son
f.
2/25/1879 thank you for gifts
g.
5/21/1880 tells of children growing & suffering from
whooping cough, meeting Mr. Taylor of Cincinnati
h.
11/25/1880 brother William ill & weak “nervous
system disarranged” not hopeful of recovery
i.
12/23/1880 William’s death and estate, Peter (Henry’s
son) not provided for, Innie (William’s daughter
Cynthia) “renounced” as administratrix
j.
12/7/1881 re Manning’s book on the Civil War, tells of
children
k.
11/2/1882 thanks for clothing for Margaret and Mamie
l.
12/16/1882 re Manning’s speech (in pamphlet), pleased
Manning not running for Governor of Ohio
m.
1/1/1883 mentions Peter’s (Henry’s son) return to Alabama due to
unfortunate influence of his family
n.
1/5/1893 not feeling well, friends suggest he needs a
break from business so will visit Manning for a rest
o.
3/24/1883 asks to borrow money to pay taxes – Selma’s economy struggling
p.
4/19/1883 thanks for money and picture of Horton
(Manning’s son), doesn’t know location of Katie and Peter (Henry’s widow and
son) and concerned
q.
5/15/1883 working very long hours, mentions Manning’s
nomination
r.
12/15/1883 felt health failing for 7 years – leg
troubles, eczema, anemia, went to North Carolina
to rest, Alabama
climate not agreeing with him
s.
5/26/1884 in Ft.
Wayne, IN w/ Jones
(sister Mary Isabel Force’s husband), not well, weighs 139 pounds (from 195)
t.
6/9/1884 health poor, daily routine
u.
6/15/1884 daughter Margaret begins teaching school
v.
6/22/1884 on complete liquid diet
w.
6/29/1884 re doctor’s diagnosis and Charles’
suspicions, plans to return to Selma
x.
7/1/1884 travel home via Cincinnati
y.
7/3/1884 travel home via Cincinnati
z.
7/5/1884 travel home via Cincinnati
aa.
7/6/1884 travel home via Cincinnati
bb. 7/6/1884
travel home via Cincinnati
cc.
7/10/1884 back in Selma,
trip and reception upon his return, feeling better
3.
Letters from William Q. Force (brother of Manning)
a.
5/1/1874 apologies and explanation why not attending
Manning’s wedding
b.
9/24/1877 re Manning’s visit to Washington, visit to Benjamin (Hallowell)
who soon died, Manning’s support for John Clarke, patent office burns, Stanley
Matthews & Supreme Court vacancy
c.
12/8/1877 Manning prefers Scarlet plan for Washington Monument, tough financial times,
William’s thoughts on silver question
d.
1/31/1878 mentions daughters Mary and Innie (Cynthia), family interested in music
e.
5/30/1878 Peter (Henry’s son) stamp collecting, Prof.
Henry died, views on separation of National
Museum and Smithsonian
f.
7/10/1878 Peter’s French lessons, Mr. Jones’ visit, Dr.
(Edward?)Young’s forced resignation
g.
7/31/1878 Manning’s impending visit, Peter’s poem
h.
9/25/1878 Brother Charles and family staying in Gen.
Morgan’s house outside Selma
– fear of yellow fever
i.
10/26/1878 Mr. Horton not elected to Congress, “Premier
establishment” not in Congressional Library
j.
11/26/1878 seeking recommendation for Middleton
Cuthbert to West Point
k.
2/8/1879 birth of Manning’s son Horton, Peter struggling
in school – associated with bad crowd
l.
3/5/1879 William’s purchase of books, Peter (father of
Manning et al) last work, thoughts on Congress and National Library
m.
5/4/1879 Peter (Henry’s son) collecting business cards,
hoping Manning and family visit Washington
in the summer
n.
11/8/1879 re “drawbacks” on property taxes (William’s
and Manning’s), Innie to Ft. Wayne,
Charles’ wife not well
o.
11/13/1879 Henry’s widow (Peter’s mother remarried to
Mr. Martin in Tennessee
Valley
p.
4/28/18880 death of Mr. French – 2nd auditor
from Maine, Washington, D.C.
real estate
q.
7/6/1880 Manning to start on western tour, letter from
Peter’s mother, Peter’s 4th of July celebration
r.
10/5/1880 re letters from Manning’s western trip, Mary
studying music, Innie’s excursion
s.
10/20/1880 Anthropological Society discussed paper re Shawnee Indians, recent
book acquisitions
t.
11/29/1880 William ill – “nervous prostration” – very
weak & cough, Charles’s wife writes he appointed elder in Presbyterian
church
4.
Mamie Force (William’s daughter Mary)
a.
12/3/1880 Williams’ illness – very weak and cough
b.
12/5/1880 William’s illness – seems a little better,
Drs. Optimistic but still critically ill
c.
1/10/1891 William’s estate, adjusting to life without
William
d.
2/25/1891 trying to get embroidered screen framed, Peter’s
(Henry’s son) writings
e.
4/18/1881 frame sent by Manning, William’s estate,
paying off note for their house
5.
Elizabeth A. Force (wife of William Q. Force)
a.
12/6/1880 William’s illness, Manning plans to visit
b.
12/26/1882 mentions Mr. Stead (Mary’s and then
Cynthia’s husband)
c.
8/25/1884 Mourning material for Charles’ widow,
financial pressures limit what she can send to Mary (widow of Charles),
impending birth for Mamie (Mary) – William Force Stead b.1884, out of debt – Elizabeth more cautious
than William, owes surgeon $200
6.
Mary Elizabeth Force (widow of Charles F. Force)
a.
6/29/1884 re Charles’ health and wanting him to come
home for his last days
b.
7/3/1884 re Charles’ health and wanting him to come
home if no hope of improvement
c.
7/22/1884 Charles at Selma – at first improved but now weaker
d.
8/1/1884 Charles’ condition worsening, Mary’s care of
him
e.
8/16/1884 arrangements and notifying of Charles’ death,
Mr. Titcomb’s tribute to Charles, children’s
activities
f.
8/26/1884 Mary’s uncle in Austin
has asked her to move to Austin,
Charles’ time as prisoner of war and illness, Manning helped get him released
g.
8/?/1884 Manning left for home shortly after Charles’
funeral, children’s mourning for father
6-A. Mary Isabel Force Jones
(sister of Manning)
a.
11/29/? Visit to Henry’s family in Alabama, tells of his farm
7.
Peter E. Force (son of Henry)
a.
3/4/1879 story Peter wrote
b.
7/16/1879 collecting business cards
c.
1/2/1881 sledding, starting school next day; Cynthia
adds note about William’s estate
d.
1/16/1881 re school
e.
2/27/1881 flood in Washington; note from Cynthia re Doc. His.
Unbound
f.
5/2/1881 has mumps, went fishing with Mr. Phillips and
James
g.
6/25/1881 re Manning’s coming to Washington and Peter
playing with Horton
h.
3/12/1882 Manning,
Frances, and
Horton coming for visit
i.
2/12/1885 Peter now living in Alabama with Mr. Burns about a mile from Mr.
Martin, snow
j.
5/23/1885 re Indian past near Mr. Burns’ house
k.
1/17/1886 wishes he had studied harder when he had the
chance, went to Henry’s old house and found pictures and books in disarray
l.
12/12/? Hunting after Thanksgiving
m.
8/23/? tells of visit to
Henry’s former house, his mother’s remarriage to Mr. Martin who mistreats
Peter’s brothers Ella and Manning (sons of Henry).
8.
Cynthia Force (daughter of William Q. Force, frequently
referred to as Innie)
a.
12/30/1878 thank you for Christmas gifts, refers to
Peter’s difficulties in school
b.
12/8/1880 illness of William Q., Peter’s home schooling
c.
1/14/1881 mentions Peter’s (father of William Q. and
Manning) desire his Archive be given to Library of Congress, Peter’s studies
d.
4/13/1881 re Peter’s studies and difficulties with
school
e.
5/9/1881 house now paid for
f.
10/28/1881 Mary’s (sister of Cynthia) engagement to
Robert Stead, Mary’s eye problems
g.
11/9/1881 Mary’s spine and eye problems
h.
2/23/1882 estate of William Q. and real estate
holdings, Peter’s mother tells of new husband, Mary recovering slowly
i.
6/20/1882 Elizabeth (widow of William Q.) bedridden
j.
7/1/1882 Elizabeth’s
condition improving, Robert & Mary Stead to build a house
k.
11/15/1882 Peter doing poorly in school, wants to live
with his mother in Alabama
l.
12/4/1882 Peter dismissed from school, going to Alabama to live with his
mother
m.
12/19/1882 Peter gone to Alabama, Robert Stead’s houses finished and
rented but not sold
n.
12/30/1882 Thank you for Christmas presents, Mary
better but not well, renting of former house on 10th Street
o.
4/17/1883 Elizabeth
had slight set back from last year’s illness (tumor) but now better, real
estate matters: sale of lot at 17th and N, rent of houses
p.
9/26/1883 return from trip where Cynthia &
Elizabeth had been joined by
Manning’s family
9.
Katie Force (widow of Henry Force)
a.
12/12/1877 thank you for Christmas presents and $10 for
young Manning (her son), unsure of her arrangements for the next year
b.
7/30/1879 Ella and Manning (her children) going to
school – wishes there were better teachers available, farming conditions –
promising corn and cotton crops, purchased 2nd mule, in debt and
asks to borrow $75 if harvest delayed
10. J.
Ball (Medical College
of Ohio, Cincinnati)
a.
5/27/1881 response to inquiry of when Force became a
member of Board of Musters – 4/18/1874
11. J.
M. Best (Gest?) (Cincinnati Museum
Assn.)
a.
1/9/1889 will call for barrel of pottery
12. Frank
Burnham (Cincinnati
Musical Festival Assn.)
a.
5/29/1886 Force named to committee for arrangements and
oversight of endowment to support Festival chorus
13. Levi
Cassell (20th O.V.I. Reunion Assn.)
a.
7/20/1891 requests Force to command 16th
annual reunion in Fredericktown,
Ohio
b.
8/13/1891 response to Force’s inability to attend
reunion
14. J.
D. Cox (Toledo)
a.
10/4/1877 Cox’s views on silver and Civil Service
Reform
b.
5/30/1888 response to Force’s resignation from Cincinnati Law
School to accept appointment in Sandusky
15. J.
F. Curren (Niagara Fire Insurance Co.)
a.
3/25/1893 to Col. L. G. Hunt re 20th O.V.I.
reunion in Chicago
b.
4/14/1893 to Col. L. G. Hunt re 20th O.V.I.
reunion in Chicago
16. Clara
Dabney (cousin to Frances, Manning’s wife; Fayal –
island in the Azores)
a.
2/3/1882 Thank you for Force’s book, family health
issues, her brother Sam Dabney ill
17. Herbert
Dabney (son of Sam Dabney;
Fayal – island in the Azores)
a.
2/28/1882 Sam now better, social events for island,
ball to benefit new hospital, pre-Lent Carnival parties
18. James
Franklin (Selma, Alabama)
a.
7/1/1884 telegram asking where to meet Charles Force to
take home
19. J.
P. Fusselman (member of Co. H, 20th O.V.I.
(Dutch Co.))
a.
8/13/1883 asks reunion be held closer to northeast Ohio
so expense of attending reunion is more affordable
20. Charles
E. Guild (Roxbury, Massachusetts; brother-in-law of Charles
Eliot, Pres. of Harvard)
a.
4/22/1866 re post-war business conditions around Boston, fund raising for
Alumni Hall, books about Civil War being written
b.
7/30/1866 W. T. Sherman’s visit to Boston, Alumni Hall
c.
1/20/1867 social activities in Boston
d.
8/2/1871 summer travels
e.
3/21/1875 social activities in Boston
f.
2/20/1876 visit to Mrs. Ticknor in Newport, lecturers and topics, financial
difficulties for railroads, events at Harvard
g.
9/21/1876 clipping of Force’s platform as candidate for
Congress, political situation and upcoming elections
h.
5/6/1877 illness and death of Jane Norton
i.
7/28/1877 engagement of Charles Eliot, President Hayes’
commencement speech at Harvard, travels
j.
3/2/? Busy with parish activities, death of wife’s
saddle horse
21. Mary
Guild (wife of Charles E. Guild)
a.
2/27/? Letter in response to Force’s inquiry about
Sunday School
22. R.
J. Hawk (Mt. Vernon, Ohio)
a.
8/22/1884 sympathy re death of Charles Force from 20th
O.V.I., will miss Manning at upcoming reunion
23. _
T. Hills (Delaware, Ohio)
a.
4/20/1893 re suggestion upcoming 20th O.V.I.
reunion held at Chicago
to accommodate western veterans
24. Blanche
H. Horton
a.
n.d. letter in French
25. L.G.
Hunt (secretary of 20th Ohio Regimental Association, Mt. Vernon, Ohio)
a.
6/6/1892 Hunt and Dr. Gordon will meet Force at
upcoming reunion
b.
6/21/1892 upcoming reunion to be held at Cedar Point
c.
6/24/1892 details of upcoming reunion July 21, 1892
d.
6/26/1892 more details about July reunion
e.
7/19/1892 will arrive in Sandusky July 20, headquarters at West Hotel
f.
7/28/1892 financial status of organization, successful
reunion July 21-22
g.
3/21/1893 seeking support for reunion at Chicago during
Exposition, newspaper clipping about Hotel Kenyon operated by Hunt & Rowley
h.
4/2/1893 seeking Force’s written request for reunion in
Chicago in
early July
i.
4/10/1893 circular announcing 20th O.V.I.
reunion in Chicago
July 5-6
j.
4/19/1893 comments from other members re Chicago reunion
k.
5/3/1893 responses to Chicago circular and proposed dates
l.
5/23/1893 comments about reunion in July rather than in
August
m.
5/28/1893 suggests changing reunion date to August 10
n.
6/14/1893 now suggests holding reunion in Delaware, Ohio
as had been decided the previous year
o.
5/21/1894 20th O.V.I. reunion in Mt. Vernon, Ohio
August 20
p.
8/7/1894 Force to respond to address of welcome at
upcoming reunion
26. Charles
C. Jones, Jr. (Wall Street,
New York)
a.
12/9/1893 re primitive defensive works in the south
27. Wm.
Lawrence (judge, former member of Congress)
a.
6/28/1878 copies of 3 notes re resignation of Edward
Young as chief, Bureau of Statistics
28. Jules
Marion
a.
3/16/1875 met sister of Manning a few years earlier, re
Force’s book (in French)
29. C.
H. McElroy (Delaware, Ohio)
a.
7/24/1889 re 20th O.V.I. reunion
30. Alexander
H. McGuffey (Cincinnati, Ohio)
a.
6/18/1888 reporting the acceptance of Force’s
resignation from Cincinnati
College Law
School
31. E.
E. Nutt (Sidney, Ohio)
a.
5/20/1895 re 20th O.V.I. reunion to take
place in Sidney
32. George
Oliver (Fayal – island in the Azores)
a.
2/24/1878 will send pottery, telling of events on the
island
b.
4/16/1878 shipping pottery to Force
33. Edmund
H. Pendleton (Cincinnati, Ohio)
a.
10/20/1882 Thank you for note
of thanks & support for work with Festival (Musical?)
34. S.
E. Perkins
a.
n.d.
expressing friendship and thanks for information re Force’s brother (Charles?)
35. James
H. Perkins (Cincinnati, Ohio)
a.
8/5/1884 sympathy re Charles’ failing health
36. E.
L. Porter (Wildbad, Gatlein)
a.
8/8/1869 glad to hear Force is in Europe,
her travel & activities
37. Lucy
Kebler (Cincinnati,
Ohio)
a.
6/5/1885 returning cane Force sent her father during
the Civil War
38. N.
E. S. (Exeter;
former Cincinnatian, associate of Force, R. B. Hayes, etc.)
a.
11/7/1878 election news & results, updates on
friends and associates from earlier times
39. N.
T. Songwell (former soldier)
a.
5/2/1881 Thank you for pictures, his children names
Carrie Force and Raymond
40. R.
R. Springer (Cincinnati, Ohio)
a.
10/8/1878 request for Force to serve as pall bearer for
Lewis Mills
41. R.
S. Stanton (Cincinnati, Ohio)
a.
3/6/1875 mentions Stanton
wrote to “Commercial” re Pope and Porter, asks Force to forward a letter to
Pope
42. Robert
Stead (Washington, D.C.; husband to Mary Force – daughter of
William Q.)
a.
9/7/1886 telegram reporting Mother (Elizabeth Force,
widow of William Q.) passes away
43. Thomas
Stephens (Cincinnati, Ohio – Mayor?)
a.
3/30/? asks Force to meet Gen. Hickenlooper
and others at mayor’s office
44. T.
W. Tallmadge (Washington, D.C.)
a.
2/13/1884 letter to P.W. Speker
re desertion charges against Geo. Boyer and Jefferson
b.
2/25/1884 letter to P.W. Speker
re recent act of amnesty for deserters
45. William
Wailes (Selma,
Alabama)
a.
8/9/1884 will meet Force for a d rive
46. Bryant
Walker (Cincinnati, Ohio lawyer, judge, professor, former
Assistant Adjutant General to Force)
a.
1/9/1875 Obituary (wounded in battle near Atlanta which ultimately
caused his death)
47. Cornelia
Wells (Marietta, Ohio)
a.
3/16/1886 acknowledging condolences at death of her
husband
48. _
Worthington (Washington, D.C.)
a.
2/24/1883 request for repeat of correction Force had
suggested
b.
?/?/1883 from Force to Worthington
– Force’s statements re actions at Shiloh
49. Mary
Yost (Pottstown)
a.
9/6/1877 to “Mr. Force” (William Q.?) re Indian mounds
& relics that Manning might find interesting
50. Unidentified
a.
Photo of boy in native dress
b.
8/30/1877 list of articles found in Indian graves near Pottstown (Mary Yost?)
c.
n.d.
note complaining of Sec. Sherman asking for his resignation on groundless
charges, feels this will lead to Republican losses at next election (Edward Young?)
51. Miscellaneous
Documents
a.
8/28/1884 20th O.V.I. reunion
b.
1893 flier for Hotel Kenyon, Chicago
c.
n.d. fragment of poem by
Voltaire (French)
d.
1889 newspaper clipping of visit to Sandusky Soldiers
& Sailors Home by Cincinnati
veterans
e.
business card – E. P. Edgar,
cook 20th O.V.I.
f.
n.d. ticket- 8th
Army Corps & Armies of W. Va. Reunion
g.
list of clothing and prices
52. Biographical
Information
