Elwell autograph collection, 1489-1960

Collection

Identifier: A1974-002

Abstract

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The Elwell autograph collection contains 102 items brought together by G. Edward Elwell, Jr. These items consist of documents, photographs, and namecards all of which have signatures on them. There are, in addition, a few accompanying envelopes and cover letters.The dates range from 1489 with a document signed by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain and end chronologically with a letter signed by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1960. Mr. Elwell's intent was "to include all heads of government having to do with America, as well as other important names in American history."

Mr. Elwell began his interest in autographs with the signature of Adm. Dewey that he received while a child of twelve in 1898. Later, he started collecting presidential signatures, and then he went on to collect the signatures of British monarchs and other miscellaneous individuals. Mr. Elwell succeeded in acquiring signatures of each President of the United States from George Washington through Lyndon Johnson. The intent was to have a signature written while each was in office and was successful except for William Henry Harrison, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson. There are signatures of every British monarch from Henry VII to Elizabeth II. Most were written during their reigns. Other signatures are of individuals who were part of American history. There are a few signatures that don't fit in any of these categories.

Dates

Creation: 1489-1960

Creator

Elwell, G. Edward (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials in this collection may be governed by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Please contact the Archivist regarding permission to publish material.

Biographical / Historical

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G. Edward Elwell was born April 19,1886 in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania to George Edward Elwell and Mary Amelia McKelvey. He attended Bloomsburg State Teachers College and Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, receiving a B.A. from Trinity in 1910. In 1911 he married Sara B. Milleisen. She died in 1956.

He worked with his father in the printing business. After his father's death he ran the business until his retirement in 1950.Elwell was very active in his community. He served as a member of the Bloomsburg Board of Education, Bloomsburg Town Council, board of directors of the Bloomsburg Hospital, and the board of directors of the Miners National Bank. During World War I he was the county chairman of Liberty Loan Committee. He served on the vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, being its senior warden for six years.

Elwell was raised a master mason in Washington Lodge No. 265, in April of 1909 and served as Worshipful Master in 1925. He was exalted in Bloomsburg chapter No. 218, R.A.M., and served as High Priest in 1917. He was greeted as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1917. He was knighted in Crusade Commandery No. 12, K.T., and was its Commander in 1915-1916. He was also a Grand Warden of the Grand Commandery in 1937. Elwell received the Scottish Rite degrees in the Valley of Bloomsburg in 1909 and served as Thrice Potent Master of Enoch Lodge of Perfection in 1921; Sovereign Price of Zerubbabel Council, Princes of Jerusalem in 1935; Most Wise Master of the Evergreen Chapter of Rose Croix in 1923 and Commander-in-chief of the Caldwell Consistory in 1939. During his term he began a program of restaging and modernization of the ritualistic work so that in a regular schedule all degrees could be conferred in full ceremonial form. On September 28, 1938 at Columbus, Ohio, he was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33 degree, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council. After his tenure he served as Director General for fourteen years and then as Executive Director. Elwell was also a member of the York Cross of Honour and a Past Grand Sovereign of the United Grand Imperial Council of the Red Cross of Constantine. He also served as one of the Trustees of the Caldwell Consistory from May 1956 until his death in 1969. He finished A History of the Valley of Bloomsburg. PA.: Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry N.M.J U.S.A in 1957. It was published in 1974.

Mr. Elwell, after several years of ill health, died in the Bloomsburg Hospital on May 20, 1969, and was laid to rest in Old Rosemont Cemetery in Bloomsburg on May 22.

Extent

102 item/s

3 Linear Feet (Three flat document boxes and one newspaper flat document box.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

The Elwell autograph Collection is the result of G. Edward Elwell's avocation in collecting the signatures of famous people. When he was a child of twelve and bed ridden with the measles he was given pictures about the Spanish American War. After the Battle of Manila Bay, in which the Spanish fleet was totally destroyed, Elwell wrote Admiral Dewey to congratulate him on his stunning victory. Dewey's reply was the beginning of his collection.

The collection was given to the Caldwell Consistory in 1958. At that time the Consistory displayed the signatures in its own room. At the time of the exhibition many descriptions were typed, giving much of the information that is in this finding aid. Mr. Elwell had given instructions that should the Consistory ever feel it was not able to properly care for the collection, the Consistory should find an appropriate home for the collection with the provision that the collection must remain intact. When the Museum of Our National Heritage was constructed with temperature and humidity controls and fireproofing, the Consistory felt the museum would be a better location for the collection. The Sovereign Grand Commander, George A. Newbury welcomed the idea and offered to have the collection displayed in a separate room in the museum.

Consequently the collection came to the Museum in April of 1974. It was accessioned that same year and given a collection number of USM 009. As to where and how Mr. Elwell acquired the various documents there is no information.