Ely Family Papers (Fayette, Ohio)

Collection

Identifier: MS-0787

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

Correspondence, diaries, manuscripts, certificates, and photographs of the family of Levi Ely, and his son Karl Ely, including theatrical material related to Karl's work as a musician and press agent for a traveling theatrical troupe, John F. Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin Company.

Dates

Creation: 1856-1926

Extent

1 Reels (1 reel of 35mm microfilm)

Creator

Ely Family (Family)

Scope and Contents

Biographical Sketch

Levi Ely was born in Knox County, Ohio in 1835. As a boy, he moved to Williams County with his family. He taught school until enlisting in the Union Army in 1863, mustering out in July 1865. During the war, he was stationed at Johnson's Island. While six early diaries of Levi's are represented in this collection, any diaries from the Civil War years were missing at the time of filming. In 1866, he was ordained a minister in the Christian Union church and also served as mayor of Fayette. Some examples of his poetry are also found among the papers. Levi Ely died in 1913.

Karl Ely was one of three children of Levi and Sarah Jane (Earick) Ely. Karl was a musician and press agent for John F. Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin Company, a traveling theatrical troupe. Two of his datebooks and numerous clippings document his career with Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. In later years, Karl Ely worked as a barber.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

Materials in English.

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Ely Family Papers, Fayette, Ohio were transferred to the Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University, with the cooperation of Susan Hart, Sherwood, Ohio in June 1999.