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Felton family papers
The Felton family papers consist primarily of correspondence, telegrams, memoranda, and reports of Samuel Morse Felton (1809-1889) and his son Samuel Morse Felton II (1853-1930), both civil engineers who became prominent railroad executives. Samuel Morse Felton rescued the Philadelphia, Wilmington,...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Collection: | Felton Family Papers |
| Collection Number: | 1151 |
| Format: | Manuscript |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects and Genres: | |
| Online Access: | Link to finding aid |
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| Item Description: |
Processing Information: This collection incorprates papers that were formerly cataloged as Collection 1814.
Samuel Morse Felton's memoir, resolution, and account of the plot to assassinate President Lincoln were formerly cataloged under the call number Am .67045, Volumes 1 & 2.
The Bessemer Steel Company memoir of Samuel Morse Felton was formerly cataloged under the call number Gb .0596. |
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| Physical Description: |
2.4 Linear feet ; 5 boxes, 4 volumes |
| Access: |
The collection is open for research. |
| Summary: |
The Felton family papers consist primarily of correspondence, telegrams, memoranda, and reports of Samuel Morse Felton (1809-1889) and his son Samuel Morse Felton II (1853-1930), both civil engineers who became prominent railroad executives. Samuel Morse Felton rescued the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Philadelphia Railroad from financial ruin in the 1850s and made it into an important transportation route for Union troops during the Civil War. Felton also played a role in thwarting an assassination attempt on President Lincoln in February 1861. He went on to work for several railroad companies. Samuel Morse Felton II also forged a highly successful career in railroads, particularly with the Chicago Great Western Railroad during the late 1800s. Felton II was eventually named director general of military railways during World War I. Housed in five boxes and four volumes, the Felton family papers are a small but rich collection highlighting the lives of Pennsylvania railroad executives Samuel Morse Felton (Series 1) and Samuel Morse Felton II (Series 2). The vast majority of papers from both men are business oriented and pertain specifically to their railroad-related duites and activities. Most of the collection originated from the elder Felton; his papers span his career from 1839 to his death in 1889. Besides railroad topics and building projects, some materials discuss Union troop movement to Washington, D. C. and the February 1861 assassination attempt on President Lincoln. Other items of interest include papers on the construction of Massachusetts' Hoosac Tunnel during the Civil War, telegrams discussing troop movement in 1861, and Felton's letter books from 1857-1859 and 1868-1874. The remaining papers in the collection came from Felton's son, Samuel Morse Felton [II], a railroad executive and military advisor. Made up almost entirely of correspondence from 1916 to 1920, these materials pertain mostly to Felton's railroad work. Some letters discuss the use of railroads in Mexico during the revolution in 1916, in France during World War I, and in Russia during the revolution in 1918. |