Matthew C. Read family papers

Collection

Identifier: MS R22

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection consists of genealogy of the Andrews, Chandler, and Read families. Most of the papers and documents primarily pertain to Matthew C. Read including correspondence, bills, and certificates. The Sanitary Commission series consists of correspondence and other documents relating to Matthew C. Read's service while in the Commission. The photograph series consists of 8 envelopes of photographs, primarily cabinet cards and carte-de-visites of various members of the Read family and acquaintances. The photographs have been individually cataloged in the library's separate photograph database.

Dates

Creation: 1833-1902

Creator

Read, Matthew Canfield, 1823-1902 (Person)

Restrictions on Access

The collection is open for research use.

Restrictions on Use

The collection is open for research use.

Biography of Matthew C. Read

Matthew Canfield Read (1823-1902) was born in Williamsfield, Ohio, to Ira and Mary Read. Matthew Read graduated from Western Reserve College in Hudson, Ohio, in 1848. After graduation, he studied law and passed the bar. He later became the editor of the "Family Visitor" a journal based in Hudson. In 1851, Matthew married Orissa Elizabeth Andrews (1826-1917). Together they had four children: William Henry Andrews Read (1852-1938), Charles P. (1857-1941), Mary Orissa (1861-1928), and Janet A. (1866-1950) Matthew left the field of law to serve with the Sanitary Commission during the Civil War. He even came up with the idea of a hospital garden to produce vegetables for the sick and wounded. At the end of the war he was appointed Deputy Revenue Collector under President Johnson. In 1869 he was appointed to the State Geological Surveying Corps and appointed lecturer of zoology and geology at Western Reserve College. Among other accolades, Matthew was a charter member of the American Forestry Association. In Hudson, he served as mayor and justice of the peace.

Extent

1 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers of the Matthew C. Read family, an early family of Hudson, Ohio.

Statement of Arrangement

The collection has been arranged into 4 series: 1) Genealogy 2) Papers and documents 3) Sanitary Commission 4) Photographs

Processing Information

Legacy finding aid, descriptions at the item level. Photographs are described only at the sub-series level here as they are individually cataloged in the library's photo database.