John L. Ketcham collection
Collection — Folder: S2469
Identifier: S2469
Scope and Contents
The collection contains five letters written by John L. Ketcham to his children relating to family matters and service during the U.S. Civil War, ranging from 1852 to 1869. There are also newspaper clippings relating to Ketcham and members of his family (circa 1898-1910, undated) and 2 programs from Wabash College (1862-1863).
Dates
- 1852-1910, undated
Creator
- Ketcham, John L., 1810-1869 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
John L. Ketcham was born April 3, 1810, in Shelby County, Kentucky. He attended school at Indiana University in Bloomington, graduating in 1833. Following graduation, Ketcham moved to Indianapolis where he studied law under Judge Isaac Blackford. In 1836, He married Jane Merrill, eldest daughter of prominent lawyer Samuel Merrill. Ketcham enlisted in the 70th Indiana Regiment during the U.S. Civil War. Following the war, he returned home to Indiana. Ketcham died suddenly on April 21, 1869 when he fell twelve feet into a cellar at the store of Alford, Talbott, and Co.
Source:
Nowland, John H. B. Early Reminiscences of Indianapolis: With Short Biographical Sketches of Its Early Citizens, and a Few of the Prominent Business Men of the Present Day. Indianapolis: Sentinel Book and Job Print. House, 1870.
Source:
Nowland, John H. B. Early Reminiscences of Indianapolis: With Short Biographical Sketches of Its Early Citizens, and a Few of the Prominent Business Men of the Present Day. Indianapolis: Sentinel Book and Job Print. House, 1870.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Alice Michael in 1988/08.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Item Listing
1852-03-12 John J. Ketcham, Sr. (Bloomington, IN) letter to John L. Ketcham (Indianapolis, IN) – advice on how and where to place Martin boxes (1 p.)
1859-09-27 Newspaper clipping – letter from a boy in London to his mother in Indianapolis, tells of his sightseeing trips and mention Aunt Kate (Catharine Merrill)
1860-02-21 John L. Ketcham (Indianapolis, IN) letter to Kate [Catharine Merrill] – proud of the boys’ progress and happy to receive letters and pictures of the group touring Europe; recommends Dresden as the best place to study German; Samuel Moore reads the boys’ letters in the newspaper; Lou Wiley’s father is proud of his daughter’s progress; Republican Convention tomorrow; Lane to be Nominate; Sending; Feb. 22 note about Oliver P. Morton’s nomination as Lieut. Governor (4 pp.)
1861-04-10 John L. Ketcham (Indianapolis, IN) to "the boys" (in Europe with Catharine Merrill) – explains what is happening at Ft. Sumter, now that war is inevitable; expresses faith in Lincoln and his cabinet; tells of war preparations (8 pp.)
1862-06-21 Paene Exhibition program, Class of 1866, Wabash College – features J. L. Ketcham as one of the speakers
1863-12-11 John L. Ketcham (Indianapolis, IN) letter to General L. H. Rousseau – hopes his son (70th Indiana Regiment) may be appointed Rousseau’s private secretary (1 p.)
1863-12-21 Sophomore Exhibition program, Class of 1866 of Wabash College
1869-04-04 John L. Ketcham (Indianapolis, IN) letter to "Lew" – tells of his birthday presents – a gold watch chain, a painting of two partridges and their brood from Mrs. Vance – of the birthday party and his reflections on his past life
circa 1898 Newspaper clipping – Foster C. Shirley, Sgt. Co. A., 44th Regiment in the Philippines writes from Manila of death of General Flor De Lis and the capture of his stronghold; credit given to Capt. Ketcham
1910-08-18 Newspaper clipping – comment on John L. Ketcham’s assessment of German vocational education
circa 1910-08-18 Newspaper clipping – John L. Ketcham on the importance of trade schools
Undated Newspaper clipping – Jane Merrill Ketcham’s reminiscence of the trip from Corydon to Indianapolis in 1824
1859-09-27 Newspaper clipping – letter from a boy in London to his mother in Indianapolis, tells of his sightseeing trips and mention Aunt Kate (Catharine Merrill)
1860-02-21 John L. Ketcham (Indianapolis, IN) letter to Kate [Catharine Merrill] – proud of the boys’ progress and happy to receive letters and pictures of the group touring Europe; recommends Dresden as the best place to study German; Samuel Moore reads the boys’ letters in the newspaper; Lou Wiley’s father is proud of his daughter’s progress; Republican Convention tomorrow; Lane to be Nominate; Sending; Feb. 22 note about Oliver P. Morton’s nomination as Lieut. Governor (4 pp.)
1861-04-10 John L. Ketcham (Indianapolis, IN) to "the boys" (in Europe with Catharine Merrill) – explains what is happening at Ft. Sumter, now that war is inevitable; expresses faith in Lincoln and his cabinet; tells of war preparations (8 pp.)
1862-06-21 Paene Exhibition program, Class of 1866, Wabash College – features J. L. Ketcham as one of the speakers
1863-12-11 John L. Ketcham (Indianapolis, IN) letter to General L. H. Rousseau – hopes his son (70th Indiana Regiment) may be appointed Rousseau’s private secretary (1 p.)
1863-12-21 Sophomore Exhibition program, Class of 1866 of Wabash College
1869-04-04 John L. Ketcham (Indianapolis, IN) letter to "Lew" – tells of his birthday presents – a gold watch chain, a painting of two partridges and their brood from Mrs. Vance – of the birthday party and his reflections on his past life
circa 1898 Newspaper clipping – Foster C. Shirley, Sgt. Co. A., 44th Regiment in the Philippines writes from Manila of death of General Flor De Lis and the capture of his stronghold; credit given to Capt. Ketcham
1910-08-18 Newspaper clipping – comment on John L. Ketcham’s assessment of German vocational education
circa 1910-08-18 Newspaper clipping – John L. Ketcham on the importance of trade schools
Undated Newspaper clipping – Jane Merrill Ketcham’s reminiscence of the trip from Corydon to Indianapolis in 1824
Processing Information
EAD finding aid created in 2012/09 by Brent Abercrombie. EAD finding aid updated 2022/12/15 by Lauren Patton. EAD finding aid revised 2023/02/21 by Brittany Kropf.
- Clippings
- Correspondence
- Europe -- Description and travel
- Family life
- Ketcham, Jane Merrill, 1819-1911
- Merrill, Catharine, 1824-1900
- Programs
- Soldiers
- Spanish-American War, 1898
- Speeches, addresses, etc.
- Travel
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives
- Wabash College
Creator
- Ketcham, John L., 1810-1869 (Person)
- Title
- John L. Ketcham collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
