1849-1908

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Header Record

Title: Lawyer's papers [Decimalized .01- .23]

Collection of 23 letters to and by Van Valkenburgh, a Milwaukee lawyer, regarding developments of his family and country for 50 years. Related to GLC 686, Van Valkenburgh collection, which includes some letters written by and to him. See especially GLC 686.33-35, photographs of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh.

GLC06253

circa 1845-1847

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Typed letter

Title: Typed excerpts of compositions by Franklin Van Valkenburgh when he was 12

Not an original document; no date for typed excerpt. Contains 2 excerpts from compositions, one written when Frank was 10 in 1845, the other when he was 12 on September 28, 1847. First composition is about wishing. The second composition is titled "the History of a Black Board." Some handwritten notes in pen on second page. Image of purple and yellow flower on the back of the stationary. Includes an envelope with the words "News Paper Scraps &C &c." The return address is for the Van Valkenburgh family in Milwaukee.

GLC00686.01

1 June 1854

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Document

Title: [Printed party invitation]

Franklin Van Valkenburgh's name is written in pencil at the bottom. An invitation for "A Cotillion Party." The party will begin in the assembly room of J.M. Brewster in Townsend (unknown state). The party is on 3 July 1854 at 4 p.m. Lists 8 committee members and 2 room managers. Small image of an eagle at the top. Written from "Townsend," with no state given.

GLC00686.04

June 3, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

On stationery headed: "Waldo, Ody & Van, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law." Letter written by Frank to his mother Mary. Frank says he has not neglected her, but has been busy moving, house cleaning, attending fairs and courts, as well as dealing with visitors. He updates her on what he knows of family news, and says Gerrit, his twin brother, is well at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Frank hopes to visit his brother soon.

GLC00686.17

June 10, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Date written in pencil at the top of recto as "June 10 1865?" Content of GLC00686.22 and GLC00686.24 suggest this date might be accurate. Signed twice by Frank, once in pen and once in pencil. Written aboard a ship on his way to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to assist his twin brother Gerrit, who was in trouble with the law. Mailed letter from Memphis. Says he has not stopped thinking about her and their son. Says "Our Crew of say 50 men are mostly negroes, and such a crowd you never saw." Mentions that the former enslaved people are toting their plunder onboard. Describes ship, passengers, and…

GLC00686.19

June 11, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Written part in pen, part in pencil. Reports on conditions in the South after the Civil War. Frank was travelling to Arkansas to help his twin brother Gerrit who was in trouble with the law. Says he knows he wrote recently, but since he is stuck in "this God forsaken hole" he is going to write another. He mentions meeting a Confederate soldier who thought he was his twin brother Gerrit. The former soldier was released from prison the week before and Frank relates his story. He reports that many people know his twin brother, Gerrit. He says "they say Warren [Arkansas] never saw so exciting a…

GLC00686.20

July 1, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Unsigned letter. Letter is apparently missing the ending and incomplete. Letter written on Waldo, Ody & Van law firm stationery. Written by Frank to his mother. Says he just arrived back from assisting his twin brother Gerrit. It was a two-day stay with 20 days of travelling. Says he was assured by the commanding officer of the district in Arkansas where his brother was being held that the "charge was entirely false & unfounded - He has taken the Oath of Allegiance & is gain a Citizen &c - He has done what he could for the South under the full conviction that they were right…

GLC00686.21

July 3, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. Van Valkenburgh

On Waldo, Ody & Van law firm stationery. Written by Frank to his father in Michigan. Says he received his father's letter from June 28, 1865 with the $50 for Libbie. Says they fed 850 returned soldiers last night and are consequently tired. Sends along family news. Says his father will probably have visitors soon. Wants his mother and father to visit. Mentions that Gerrit, his twin brother, is in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and has been sick.

GLC00686.22

July 22, 1901

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Typed letter

Title: to Faith Van Valkenburgh

Unsigned, with a short postscript hand-written on page 3. Several corrections made in pen throughout. Written on letter head of Van Valkenburgh's own law firm. Letter written by Frank to his daughter, Faith, in Buffalo, New York. A funny letter with many puns throughout. Filled with esoteric information of family and friends. Pages 2-3 are the size listed in the extent field. Page 1 is 26 x 20.7 cm. Contains a small, undated newspaper clipping about Faith's trip west.

GLC00686.27

October 22, 1905

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Typed letter

Title: to Edward Porter Van Valkenburgh

Written on stationary of the law office of Frank B. Van Valkenburgh. Provides some family history for his brother Captain Edward Porter Van Valkenburgh. Gives a run down of Edward's Civil War service: enrolled September 18, 1861. Made a 1st Lieutenant in Co. A of 107th New York on May 6, 1863. Mustered out of that company as a captain on June 5, 1865. Makes reference to an enclosed medal from the Grand Army of the Republic (not included). Hopes his brother enjoys the honor.

GLC00686.28

July 3, 1909

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Typed letter

Title: to Dr. W. H. Merritt

Written on stationary of the law office of Frank B. Van Valkenburgh. Written to Dr. Merritt, the Chairman of the Norwalk, Ohio Centennial Committee. He is flattered that he would receive an invitation to be present at the "Norwalk Home Coming Week Celebration." Says he remembers Norwalk as a "lovely village" where he sojourned as a printer 57 years before. Says he is not so much an "OLD SETTLER" as one of "the antiques" of the village. Says he would be proud to go since his grandfather, the Reverend David Higgins, settled there the year he (Frank) was born, but that circumstances will keep…

GLC00686.29

1900-1929

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Document

Title: Robins and Robbins

Poem on two typed pages. The type is green instead of black. Size in the extent is for the larger sheet. The smaller sheet is 13.8 x 21.6 cm. Two stanzas on the smaller sheet and two longer stanzas on the the bigger sheet. Pencil note says the poem was by Franklin Van Valkenburgh. Several corrections made in pencil. Poem is a nonsensical and seems to revolve around a family story or an inside joke.

GLC00686.31

15 November 1854

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Photograph

Title: [Framed daguerreotype portrait of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh]

1/9th plate daguerreotype of clean-shaven man. Date from seller, who found date behind frame. In brown case with elaborate scroll-work with gilt edges and red interior. On the paper lining of the recessed case bed are two pencil inscriptions, one much heavier and possibly later than the other. The later one reads: "Nov 15 / taken at / Bath 1854" while the former is very faint and only the date "Nov 15th / 1854" can be deciphered.

GLC00686.33

circa 1850-1860

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Photograph

Title: [Framed tintype portrait of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh]

1/9th plate tintype in green oval velvet case, gilt around frame, portrait of clean-shaven man in suit, inscribed on inside cover "F. B. Van Valkenburgh."

GLC00686.34

June 26, 1857

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Photograph

Title: [Framed ambrotype portrait of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh]

1/6th plate ambrotype of bearded man with mustache in suit, wearing cap. Square leather-covered, possibly wooden frame, picture surrounded by gilt oval, back of frame has intricate scrollwork and oval design, while photo has 3-dimensional effect. Pencil notation on the green paper lining of the recessed case bed: "Maintown / April 20 / 1867." Ambrotype taken by an unknown creator.

GLC00686.36

6 November 1863

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Van Valkenburgh

A letter written by Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh to his father, Jacob Van Valkenburgh. In this letter Franklin discusses family affairs and asks his father to consider coming to visit for Thanksgiving and to bringing his mother to visit as well. This letter is written on Waldo, Ody, and Van Attorneys and Counsellors at Law letterhead.

GLC06253.10

19 October 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Bethiah Van Valkenburgh

A letter written by Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh to his mother Mary Bethiah Van Valkenburgh. Franklin wished his mother a Happy Birthday. The letter notes that Franklin sent his mother a present, which is not in the collection. This letter is written on Waldo, Ody, and Van Attorneys and Counsellors at Law letterhead.

GLC06253.11

17 September 1868

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Bethiah Van Valkenburgh

A letter written by Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh to his mother Mary Bethiah Van Valkenburgh, about family affairs. This letter mentions the inclusion of four dollars, which is not in the collection.

GLC06253.12

21 December 1869

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Van Valkenburgh and Mary Bethiah Van Valkenburgh

A letter written by Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh to his parents, Jacob Van Valkenburgh and Mary Bethiah Van Valkenburgh, wishing them good cheer around the upcoming holidays. This letter is written on Waldo and Van Attorneys and Counsellors at Law letterhead and has small tears in the creases at the bottom of the page.

GLC06253.13

January 12, 1876

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Van Valkenburgh

A letter written by Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh to his father, Jacob Van Valkenburgh, describing the weather, education, and family affairs. This letter is written on Waldo and Van Attorneys and Counsellors at Law letterhead.

GLC06253.14

August 1883

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph telegram signed

Title: to Mrs. Atarrisum Voorlies

I signed telegram by Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh informing Mrs. Atarrisum Voorlies that his brother, Gerrit Smith Van Valkenburgh, and another individual would be joining her for dinner. The teleram has small tears along the crease lines and in the upper right quadrant.

GLC06253.15

1847-1908

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Van Valkenburgh

A letter written by Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh to his father, Jacob Van Valkenburgh. Franklin updates his father on family affairs, requests money from him on behalf of Lizzie, speaks of the sucess of his farm, and asks that his father bring his mother and come visit. The top of the letter appears to have been cut off and there is slight text loss on the second page.

GLC06253.22

21 April 1857

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Otis H. Waldo Esquire

A letter written by Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh to Otis H. Waldo, the husband of his sister Gertrude Coeymans Waldo. This letter is the reply to letter GLC06253.08 that Waldo sent Van Valkenburgh. Gertrude is referred to in this letter as Getty.

GLC06253.23

January 11,1860

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emmeline Wells Pratt

A letter written to Emmeline Wells Pratt by Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh. Van Valkenburgh professes his love and reminisces on their time spent together. In pencil at the top of the letter it is written that Pratt is the fiance of Van Valkenburgh. This letter is believed to have been written in Milwaukee, Wisconsin due to the date and location in relation to other letters in the collection.

GLC06253.09