JOHN FRANKLIN WILD

1891 and 1897 Diaries of a Successful Indiana Entrepreneur, Banker, Husband and Father

Anderson, Indiana, Indianapolis. Softcover. On offer are two diaries of a successful American businessman written six years apart, in 1891 and 1897, following his life as an entrepreneur, husband and, eventually, father. What makes these diaries extra special are the newspaper articles and ephemera the author has included with some of his entries which relate and give context to the events about which he writes. The author of these diaries is John Franklin Wild (1861-1937) was an American entrepreneur and financier. He was born in Noblesville, Indiana, where he began his career partnering with his father, Leonard, and working at his dry goods store. John eventually opened his own dry goods store in Anderson, Indiana in 1884. In 1891, Wild became a banker in Anderson, creating a firm called Campbell, Wild & Co. In 1901, Wild moved to Indianapolis with the banking business and bought out Campbell’s interest. The bank became J. F. Wild & Co. The firm was prominent in the government and municipal bond trading markets. In 1891, Wild married Mary “Minnie” Hannah (1865-1947). Together, they had three children: John Jr, Frances and Forrey. At the end of their lives, John and Minnie moved to California to be near their daughter. The first 7 months of the 1891 diary deals with his work in his dry good business and the social events that occupy his life. “Arrived at store at 7: 35. Worked all day. Closed store at 6. Went to party at Music Hall took Mattie Chittenden Home and retire by 2: 30 AM…” [Jan 2, 1891] [NOTE: Attached to the entry is one of the many newspaper clippings he included in his diaries. This one details all of the guests at the party]. "Arrived at store at 6: 40. Worked all day store at 6. Back to store at 6: 45 and wrote until 8 then back home. Wrote letter to Minnie retired at 10: 00. Edd came at 10: 20 so I got up and chatted until 12 & then to bed . Weather cool" [Mar 6, 1891], [NOTE: Attached to this entry is a newspaper clipping entitled A BIG MERCANTILE DEAL – Mammoth Dry Goods Establishment of J. F. Wild Sold to Malott, Long & Co of Kokomo. This clipping describes the size and extent of his business and marks the change in business direction from dry goods merchant to bond trader / financier]. On Aug 3rd, he notes the sale of his stock: “Sold stock of my dry goods to Black & Thalman for $12,500…” [Aug 3, 1891]“In Chicago all day. At 8 P. M. Was married to Miss Minnie Hannah 89 Evergreen Ave. By Rev. Ziegler. Remained at Hannah’s all night. Retired at 1 A. M. ” [Sept 9, 1891]. The 1897 diary is equally packed with Wild’s notes about his daily life and accompanying ephemera. Some excerpts follow: “Anderson all day. Uptown all morning. Sold our house to Dr. Heath this morning. At home all afternoon. Took care of Frances while Minnie and John went to the “Sousa Band” concert. After supper went up to store. There until 11: 45 then home. Len and Lena at our house all night. Sleighing fine” [Jan 30, 1897]. “Up at 5: 50. Went to Anderson on 6: 35 A. M. Train. Went after horse and carriage. Drove back. Left Anderson 9: 15 A. M. Arrived Indianapolis 6 P. M. Stopped at Ingall’s 1 hour, fed. Lena and Mrs. Donner came down from Anderson today and are at our house. Lena, Mrs. Donner and Minnie went to theatre this evening to see Nat Goodwin in “An American Citizen. ” Home at 12. Retired at 12: 30” [Mar 17, 1897]. “Went to Lebanon on 7: 10 A. M. Train to examine W. Main St. Indianapolis before buying the bonds. At Lou’s for dinner. Home on 1: 49 P. M. Train. At office balance of morning. Minnie and I went to “Shrine” party at Scottish Rite Cathedral, 8: 30 to 11: 45 P. M. Then home” [May 7, 1897]. “Went to Tipton on 7 A. M. Train. Then Mr. Porter and I drove across to Windfall to examine property in regard to some street improvements. I went to Anderson on 3: 36 P. M. Train. At Anderson all evening until 9: 50 P. M. Train then home (collected some delinquent Anderson bonds). Lottie Wild came down from Noblesville this evening to see us in regard to working for us. Minnie employed her and she will come as soon as we return from Winona. We talked until train time. I went down to station with her and she went home on 12: 45 train. Then home and retired” [May 15, 1897]. “43 Woodruff Place Indianapolis Ind. Up at 7. Minnie’s “water broke” at 7: 30 A. M. I then telephone for Dr. Kimberlin who came right out. Made an examination and said Minnie would not be sick until afternoon or evening. Pains began to come regular at 2 P. M. At 3: 30 we telephoned Dr. And he came at once. A fine baby boy was born at 6: 58 P. M. Minnie got along very well. Rose Wisehan is nurse. Retired at 12: 30” [Sept 26, 1897]. As well as the multiple newspaper clippings that relate to his daily entries that Wild has included, other pieces of ephemera are ribbons from the Masonic Order (Scottish Rite) as well as a photocopy of a picture of Wild and an article detailing the sale of his bank building in 2008. For a historian, these two diaries paint a fine picture of the daily life of a quite successful businessman and financier. The newspaper clippings that are attached flesh out the social side of life in this mid-west state. For genealogists, the detailed lists of people who attended the various social events highlighted in the press provide and excellent source of information about people and relationships in that area a century ago. Both diaries have leather covers and measure 5.75x3.5 inches. They both have 365 pages and are both 100% complete. Overall G. ; Manuscripts; 24mo 5" - 6" tall. Good with no dust jacket .

Katz Fine ManuscriptsProfessional seller

Book number: 0012238

Catalogue: 19th Century Diary

ANNA L. WORTHINGTON

1882 European Travel Diary of an Upper Class Kentucky Woman Visiting England, France, Germany and Italy in the Lap of Luxury for Four Months

Europe, England, France, Germany, Italy, United States, 1882. Softcover. On offer is a fine private European travel journal kept by a rich young Kentucky woman who traveled extensively. The journal belonged to Anna L. Worthington. She was born in 1864 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and lived in Covington, Kentucky. Her father was Henry Worthington who was known as one of the foremost businessmen in Covington, amassing a large fortune in the tobacco industry. In 1886, Anna married in George Gatewood Hamilton (1861-1928) and had one daughter, Anna Roberta Hamilton (1888-1939). She passed away in 1895 at the young age of 30. George was also a successful businessman and land owner. He went on to remarry Allie Chilton after Anna’s death. The journal recounts a four-month trip she took throughout Europe when she was 18 years old. She travelled as part of a small group. The trip was extensive which reflected the very wealthy background she came from. Her travels included England, France, Germany and Italy and focused on historical locations and places known for their art and architecture. Her excerpts are long and newsy, written in a bouncy cursive hand. She kept her journal from May 1 through August 27, 1882. Some brief excerpts follow: “Went to Versailles with Madame, went on the Chemin de fer and came back on the tramway. We went immediately to the Castle de Versailles, which was built by Louis 14th for Mlle de la Valliere. He once heard her say to a courtier that the only one she loved was the King of the Sun…” [May 19]. “Left Pisa about 11: 40 for Rome. Very comfortable until we got to Chivioveccia [sic]. When we had to put up our windows because we were on the Campagna…” [June 6]. “Started for Frankfort at eleven, arrived at one. Went to see...the church where the emperors were crowned...Went to the Burying ground where Goethe’s mother is buried. Anna D, Will & I went to the stores…” [July 22]. “Went to the Crystal Palace, wanted to go to see Billy Taylor but we were “taken in’ & only saw a man cut a woman to pieces and a few other things equally ridiculous…” [August 4]. This diary provides terrific insight into the the state of both travel and major European cities in the late 19th century. For a social historian, this journal is a silent testament to the social structures in late 19th century America and how some women were able to enjoy a life experience much different than that experienced by the majority of women in the country. As such, it would also be a useful addition to any gender studies library. The journal is a soft-covered notebook containing 132 lined pages. The cover is leather and shows wear along the spine and on the corners. The pages are in good condition and the handwriting is quite legible. It is approximately 55% complete. Overall Good. ; Manuscripts; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 132 pages; Signed by Author. Good with no dust jacket .

Katz Fine ManuscriptsProfessional seller

Book number: 0012259

Catalogue: 19th Century Diary

Keywords: Family Teenage Girls Teen Love