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Dayton Stories by the Abel Family (SC-286)

 Collection
Identifier: SC-286

Scope and Content

The small collection contains four accounts written by four members of the Abel Family from Dayton, Ohio over three generations. The histories were found and compiled by Rita A. Mastbaum Hughes, who is the niece of D. Herbert Abel and Rosemarie Abel Gabel. The files were donated as Microsoft Word documents on CD.

1. Personal Recollections by Joseph F. Abel, circa 1900 Joseph F. Abel was born in 1839 and died in 1911 in Dayton. The script was originally written in German and placed in the family Bible. In the memoir, Joseph talks about his house on Sprat St. (renamed Ice Ave.), the presidential campaign of General Harrison, several happenings in downtown Dayton on specific streets, the issue of slavery and the 1860 election, atmosphere during the Civil War, and the burning of the Dayton Journal.

2. Silver Anniversary Trip of Joseph J. Abel and M. Josephine Abel, June 19, 1925 to July 30, 1925 Joseph J. Abel was the son of Joseph F. Abel (see #1). The original account was written by M. Josephine Abel detailing their silver wedding anniversary trip starting in New York, sailing along the coast to Los Angeles and traveling across country with stops at Yellowstone, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver and Chicago. Rita Maustbaum Hughes typed the journal entries and scanned photographs to include in this transcript.

3. D. Herbert Abel, Ph.D. Autobiography, 1968 D. Herbert Abel lived 1903-1969, and was the grandson of Joseph F. Abel (see #1), and son of Joseph J. Abel and Mary Josephine Unverferth Abel (see #2). He was a professor at the University of Dayton and just as his parents, was interested in dramatics. The autobiography describes illness, experience during the 1913 Dayton flood, living on Linden Avenue Hill, schooling at Emmanuel's Parochial School and St. Mary's Institute (University of Dayton).

4. Remembrances by Rosemarie Rita Abel Gabel, 1975 Rosemarie Rita Abel Gabel was born in 1910 and died in 1992. Rosemarie was the sister of D. Herbert Abel (see #3), the granddaughter of Joseph F. Abel (see #1), and the daughter of Joseph J. Abel (see #4). In the recollections, Rosemarie writes about her family's experience in the 1913 Flood, during which, her grandmother drowned. Also described is the epidemic of 1917-1918, acquiring their first automobile, the circus coming to town, the end of WWI, and her parents' interest in the theater.

Scope and Contents

1. Personal Recollections by Joseph F. Abel, circa 1900 Joseph F. Abel was born in 1839 and died in 1911 in Dayton. The script was originally written in German and placed in the family Bible. In the memoir, Joseph talks about his house on Sprat St. (renamed Ice Ave.), the presidential campaign of General Harrison, several happenings in downtown Dayton on specific streets, the issue of slavery and the 1860 election, atmosphere during the Civil War, and the burning of the Dayton Journal. 2. Silver Anniversary Trip of Joseph J. Abel and M. Josephine Abel, June 19, 1925 to July 30, 1925 Joseph J. Abel was the son of Joseph F. Abel (see #1). The original account was written by M. Josephine Abel detailing their silver wedding anniversary trip starting in New York, sailing along the coast to Los Angeles and traveling across country with stops at Yellowstone, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver and Chicago. Rita Maustbaum Hughes typed the journal entries and scanned photographs to include in this transcript. 3. D. Herbert Abel, Ph.D. Autobiography, 1968 D. Herbert Abel lived 1903-1969, and was the grandson of Joseph F. Abel (see #1), and son of Joseph J. Abel and Mary Josephine Unverferth Abel (see #2). He was a professor at the University of Dayton and just as his parents, was interested in dramatics. The autobiography describes illness, experience during the 1913 Dayton flood, living on Linden Avenue Hill, schooling at Emmanuel's Parochial School and St. Mary's Institute (University of Dayton). 4. Remembrances by Rosemarie Rita Abel Gabel, 1975 Rosemarie Rita Abel Gabel was born in 1910 and died in 1992. Rosemarie was the sister of D. Herbert Abel (see #3), the granddaughter of Joseph F. Abel (see #1), and the daughter of Joseph J. Abel (see #4). In the recollections, Rosemarie writes about her family's experience in the 1913 Flood, during which, her grandmother drowned. Also described is the epidemic of 1917-1918, acquiring their first automobile, the circus coming to town, the end of WWI, and her parents' interest in the theater.

Dates

  • Creation: 1900-1975

Creator

Language of Materials

The records are in English

Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions on accessing materials in this collection.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Biography of Abel Family

Joseph F. Abel was born in 1839, was raised in Dayton, Ohio, and was a volunteer for the fire department when the Dayton Journal building was burned in 1863. In his recollections, he talks of several happenings in downtown Dayton where he lived, as well as political issues of the day. Joseph F. Abel's son, Joseph J. Abel, married M. Josephine Abel. The couple was heavily involved in theater. For their 25th anniversary in 1925, they took a trip from New York, sailed along the coast to Los Angeles and traveled across country with stops at Yellowstone, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver and Chicago. The journey is described in the collection. D. Herbert Abel lived 1903-1969, and was the grandson of Joseph F. Abel and son of Joseph J. Abel and Mary Josephine Unverferth Abel. He was also raised in Dayton, Ohio and became a professor at the University of Dayton. Rosemarie Rita Abel Gabel was born in 1910 and died in 1992. Rosemarie was the sister of D. Herbert Abel, the granddaughter of Joseph F. Abel , and the daughter of Joseph J. Abel. In the recollections, Rosemarie writes about her family's experience in the 1913 Flood, during which, her grandmother drowned. Also described is the epidemic of 1917-1918, acquiring their first automobile, the circus coming to town, the end of WWI, and her parents' interest in the theater.

Extent

0.10 linear feet

Abstract

Four accounts written by four members of the Abel Family from Dayton, Ohio over three generations, and transcribed by Rita Mastbaum Hughes. Includes: Personal Recollections by Joseph F. Abel, circa 1900; Silver Anniversary Trip of Joseph J. Abel and M. Josephine Abel, June 19, 1925 to July 30, 1925; D. Herbert Abel, Ph.D. Autobiography, 1968; and Remembrances by Rosemarie Rita Abel Gabel, 1975. Collectively the collection documents social life and customs in Dayton, Ohio's history from the mid 1800s-mid 1900s. Among the topics discussed are presidential campaigns, Dayton during the Civil War including the burning of the Dayton Journal building, attending school in Dayton, the 1913 flood, celebrations at the end of World War I, and the influenza epidemic of 1917-1918.

Statement of Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Other Finding Aid

A completebox and folder inventory for this collection isavailable on the Special Collections and Archives web site at http://www.libraries.wright.edu/special/collection_guides/guide_files/sc286.pdf.

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated on a CD to Special Collections & Archives at Wright State University Libraries by Rita Maustbaum Hughes in May, 2013.

Title
Guide to the Dayton Stories by the Abel Family
Author
Finding aid prepared by Toni Vanden Bos
Date
2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Wright State University Libraries
Special Collections and Archives
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton OH 45435-0001 USA
937-775-2092