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MARY VIRGINIA VINCENHELLER BYROADE

Austin-Vincenheller-Byroade Family Papers, 1830-1949
Manuscript Collection MC 634


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MARY VIRGINIA VINCENHELLER BYROADE and the AUSTIN-VINCENHELLER-BYROADE FAMILY

Mary Virginia Vincenheller Byroade's maternal great-great- grandparents, George and Harriet Hamilton Austin, came to Van Buren from County Tyrone, Ireland. Their son John remained in Ireland until going to sea. He later settled in Van Buren and by 1842 had opened the John Austin General Store. He continued in the general merchandise business in partnership with his brothers George and Andrew for many years. John Austin also served as mayor of Van Buren in 1854, represented the fifteenth Arkansas General Assembly, and was a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1863.

James Livingston Austin, one of John Austin's sons, attended the Greylock Institute in Massachusetts and the Arkansas Industrial University at Fayetteville before engaging in the general merchandise business in Van Buren. He married Mamie Nicodemus in 1881 and had two children, Miriam and Hamilton.

Miriam Austin married G.A. Vincenheller of Fayetteville in 1902. A graduate of the University of Arkansas (1898-1902), he assisted Charles Hillman Brough in two campaigns for governor and in 1917 was appointed to the Board of Control of the State Charities Institution. He operated the Cane Hill Orchards in Lincoln and had received a commission as captain in the quartermaster corps of the army shortly before his influenza-related death in 1918 while inspecting some Texas oil lands inherited from W.G. Vincenheller, his father.

Their daughter, Mary Virginia Vincenheller, married George Lawrence Byroade, Jr., in 1929. His father, Col. George Lawrence Byroade, Sr., commanded the United States Forces in the Caribbean during the 1930s. His sister Margaret married Brig. Gen. Carl H. Seals. During the Seals's attempted escape from the Philippine Islands, where they had been stationed with General Douglas MacArthur's officers, they were captured by the Japanese and interned from May 1942 until September 1945.


THE COLLECTION

Mary Virginia Vincenheller Byroade donated papers from the Austin, Vincenheller, and Byroade families to Special Collections in 1986.

The Byroade collection is arranged in four series and consists of correspondence, newspaper clippings, slave bills of sale, Civil War papers, wedding and funeral memorabilia, school records, photographs, and business, financial, legal, and political papers.

Processed by Rachel Skoney, June, 1989. Special Collections Division, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville, Arkansas.


Series 1. Austin Family Papers, 1830- 1927. Boxes 1-3.

Correspondence and business, legal, political, Civil War, and family papers of the Austins of Van Buren. Correspondence is primarily between family members but also concerns property, business, and legal matters. Notable in correspondence from James L. Austin is a reference to Japanese students at the Greylock Institute in Massachusetts in 1872, and descriptions of early college life at the Arkansas Industrial University during the construction of Old Main. His correspondent, Jesse Turner, Jr., was the son of Judge Jesse Turner of Van Buren and mayor of the city from 1880 to 1886. Family correspondence refers to travel between Cincinatti and Van Buren in the early 1850s. Business and legal papers contain deeds, receipts of the Austin general stores, cotton and corn sale receipts, personal property tax papers, and insurance policies. Political papers consist of John Austin's notice of selection as a delegate to the Arkansas State Convention in 1863, his rule book for the Arkansas House of Representatives (1864), and notes on resolutions and speeches. Civil War papers contain oaths of allegiance to the United States, authorizations for transport and storekeeping, and papers concerning reparations, including letters from Congressmen and a letter to a former slave. Included in family records are a ship captain's recommendation of John Austin, hospital ship discharge papers, Andrew Austin's will, Miriam Austin's school records, and correspondence and other papers regarding the family ancestry.

Subseries 1. John Austin Papers, 1830-1911.

Box 1
Box 2

Subseries 2. James L. Austin Papers, 1867-1927.

Box 3

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Series 2. Austin-Vincenheller Family Papers, 1899-1930. Boxes 4-10.

Family papers and correspondence of Miriam Austin Vincenheller; memorabilia and correspondence related to her wedding to G. Ashton Vincenheller; school records of her daughter, Mary Virginia Vincenheller; correspondence and condolences regarding the death of G. Ashton Vincenheller; correspondence and news clippings concerning the painter, Frances Thomason, with whom she stayed in Paris during the summer of 1921; yearbooks of the Fayetteville Fortnightly Club; and financial records. Papers of G. Ashton Vincenheller include correspondence to Miriam Austin Vincenheller regarding the state constitutional convention of 1918, World War I, Vincenheller's efforts to secure a commission in the army, the Senator Joseph Taylor Robinsons, and the Charles Hillman Broughs; business records of the Cane Hill Orchards in Lincoln, which he operated, and the Ansbacher Insecticide Company, which he represented; political papers when he was a member of the Board of Control of the State Charities Institution, including letters from Senators Joseph Taylor Robinson and James P. Clark, and Congressmen H.M. Jacoway, John S. Little, and John H. Rogers; resolutions and appointments to the Arkansas Democratic Central Committee; correspondence regarding the lands in Eastland County, Texas, inherited from his father; and correspondence during his final illness. Papers of his mother, Mrs. W.G. Vincenheller, include correspondence; legal records regarding the Eastland County, Texas, lands; tax and property records; correspondence from her daughter, Jean Dengler, and her granddaughter from the Philippine Islands, where they were stationed with the army, and from her sister, Sally Lamkin; financial records; and correspondence regarding Mrs. Vincenheller's final illness and death.

Subseries 1. Miriam Austin-G.A. Vincenheller Papers, 1899- 1930.

Box 4
Box 5
Box 6
Box 7
Box 8
Box 9

Subseries 2. Mrs. W.G. Vincenheller Papers, 1911-1925.

Box 10

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Series 3. Vincenheller-Byroade Papers, 1919-1949. Boxes 11-13.

Correspondence and other papers, including memorabilia from the wedding of Mary Virginia Vincenheller and George Lawrence Byroade, Jr.; correspondence from Mary Virginia Vincenheller while living with her aunt, Jean Dengler, in the Philippine Islands during 1924-1925 and during travels in China; early correspondence includes reference to J.W. Fulbright as a young man, the Fulbright "twins," and his Oxford roommate from Kansas. Byroade papers contain a pamphlet copy of a secret memorial of General Tanaka of Japan regarding the impending World War, signed by Lt. Col. Eacott S. Miller, P.S.; correspondence and news clippings regarding the internment from 1942 to 1945 of Margaret Byroade Seals and Brig. Gen. Carl H. Seals in a Japanese prisoner of war camp; and a news clipping related to Col. George Lawrence Byroade, Sr. Correspondents include Mary Virginia Vincenheller Byroade, George L. Byroade, Jr., Margaret Byroade Seals, Brig. Gen. Carl H. Seals, Brig. Gen. A.C. Wedemeyer, and Francis B. Sayre, the U.S. High Commissioner to the Philippine Islands.

Subseries 1. Mary Virginia Vincenheller Byroade Papers, 1919- 1930.

Box 11
Box 12

Subseries 2. Byroade Family Papers, 1931-1949.

Box 13

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Series 4. Photographs, ca. 1865-ca. 1940s. Box 13.

Photographs of the Austin, Vincenheller, and Byroade families, and other related subjects. All photographs are black and white with sizes given in inches, height by width. Information in brackets supplied by processor.
Box 13 (cont.)
    Folder 5. Photographs, 1-4 (Austin Papers).
  1. Man, ca. 1865. Carte de visite by Alexander Ayton, Kennedy Place, Londonderry, Ireland. 4 X 2 1/2.
  2. James L. Austin, ca. 1900. Studio portrait by Rice of Washington, D.C. 6 1/2 X 4 1/4.
  3. Young man, n.d. Tintype. 2 3/4 X 2.
  4. Capitol, plaza, and bystanders, n.d. Stereogram [Washington, D.C.]. 4 X 7.
    Folder 6. Photographs, 5-8 (Vincenheller Papers).
  5. G.A. Vincenheller, ca. 1880s. Studio portrait. 6 1/2 X 4 1/4.
  6. G.A. Vincenheller and SEA fraternity brother, ca. 1890s. Studio photograph by C.E. Watton, Fayetteville. 3 X 4 1/4.
  7. [Virginia Spooner (Mrs. W.G.) Vincenheller and Jean Vincenheller Dengler], ca. 1919. Photographed standing on deck. 3 1/4 X 4 1/4.
  8. Charles Hillman Brough, 1920. Signed for friend, G. Ashton Vincenheller. Portrait by Shrader. 10 X 7.
    Folder 7. Photographs, 9-20 (Vincenheller Papers).
  9. Mary Virginia Vincenheller on outdoor porch, ca. 1920s. 4 3/4 X 2 3/4.
  10. Mary Virginia Vincenheller in graduation gown, ca. 1920s. 4 1/2 x 2 3/4.
  11. Mary Virginia Vincenheller in graduation gown, ca. 1920s. 4 1/2 x 2 3/4.
  12. Mary Virginia Vincenheller, sitting on lawn, ca. 1920s. 4 1/2 X 3 3/4.
  13. Mary Virginia Vincenheller, standing on lawn, ca. 1920s. 4 1/2 X 2 3/4.
  14. Young woman, standing in front yard, ca. 1920s. 4 1/2 X 2 3/4.
  15. Mary Virginia Vincenheller on camel, Cairo, ca. 1920s. 4 1/8 X 2 1/2.
  16. Mary Virginia Vincenheller by the sea, ca. 1924-1925. 4 3/4 X 3 1/4.
  17. Mary Virginia Vincenheller, standing in road, ca. 1924-1925. 4 3/4 X 3 1/4.
  18. House, ca. 1924-1925. Labelled "Aunt Jean's House, 8 Military Plaza, Manila P.I." Jean Dengler's house. 2 3/4 X 4 1/2.
  19. View from house over grounds, ca. 1924-1925. Labelled "View of Military Plaza from the front veranda." View from Jean Dengler's house. 2 3/4 X 4 1/2.
  20. Mary Virginia Vincenheller in rickshaw, China, ca. 1925. 2 3/4 X 4 1/2.
    Folder 8. Photographs 21-22 (Vincenheller Papers).
  21. Mary Virginia Vincenheller Byroade, June 25, 1929. Wedding portrait. 10 1/2 X 6 1/2.
  22. Vol Walker Memorial Library, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, ca. 1940s. 7 X 9.
    Folder 9. Photographs 23-25 (Vincenheller Papers).
  23. Elias Chandler, n.d. Studio portrait by Mrs. Young, Fayetteville. 6 1/2 X 4 1/2.
  24. [Virginia Spooner (Mrs. W.G.) Vincenheller], n.d. Oval portrait. 4 1/2 X 3 1/2.
  25. [Virginia Spooner (Mrs. W.G.) Vincenheller], n.d. Oval portrait by Dunlap Bros., Fayetteville. 5 X 3 1/2.
    Folder 10. Photographs 26-29 (Vincenheller Papers).
  26. Elderly woman with spectacles, n.d. Portrait. 5 1/4 X 3 3/4.
  27. Woman wearing broach, n.d. Portrait by H.C. Pernot, Van Buren. 6 1/2 X 4 1/4.
  28. Young woman, n.d. Portrait [of Sally Lamkin] by Steckel of Los Angeles, California. 6 1/2 X 4 1/4.
  29. Edith Davies of Fayetteville, n.d. Oval portrait. 4 1/4 X 3.
    Folder 11. Photographs 30-32 (Vincenheller Papers).
  30. Infant girl, n.d. Postcard labelled "Mary Gordon Richardson Age 4 months." 5 1/2 X 3 1/2.
  31. Infant girl, n.d. Postcard labelled "Mary Gordon Richardson Age 4 months." 5 1/2 X 3 1/2.
  32. Woman, standing beside house, n.d. Photograph taped to card with greeting and labelled "Mary Jaspar Willis." 3 1/4 X 2 1/2.
    Folder 12. Photographs 33-36 (Vincenheller Papers).
  33. [Mary Virginia Vincenheller], n.d. Portrait by Marks, Fort Smith. 7 1/2 X 5 1/2.
  34. Two children wearing raincoats, n.d. 4 1/2 X 2 1/2.
  35. Virginia Reynolds, n.d. Studio portrait of the granddaughter of President Buchanan of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. 6 1/2 X 4 1/2.
  36. Infant girl, n.d. Anna Wilson, daughter of Tom Wilson (a nephew of Roberta Fulbright) and great-granddaughter of President Buchanan of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. 6 1/2 X 4 1/2.
    Folder 13. Photographs 37-51 (Byroade Papers).
  37. Young boy with bulldog, ca. 1910s. Labelled "Jack [George L. Byroade, Jr.] and Boozer." 2 3/4 X 2.
  38. Col. George L. Byroade, Sr., commander of United States Forces in the Caribbean during the 1930s, ca. 1918. Photographed standing in field by tent. 5 1/4 X 4.
  39. Margaret Byroade Seals, ca. 1918. Postcard printed by Flett, Atlantic City, New Jersey. 5 1/2 X 3 1/2.
  40. Col. George L. Byroade, Sr., ca. 1930s, portrait within folder. 4 X 3.
  41. Col. George L. Byroade, Sr., and two men, ca. 1930s. 2 1/2 X 5 1/2.
  42. Formation of soldiers in courtyard, n.d. [Puerto Rico]. 5 X 8.
  43. Guests attending ball in honor of Franklin D. Roosevelt's birthday, Feb. 1, 1934. Includes Col. and Mrs. Byroade, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 4 1/2 X 7 1/2.
  44. Guest attending ball in honor of Franklin D. Roosevelt's birthday, Feb. 1, 1934. Includes Col. and Mrs. Byroade, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 5 3/4 X 9.
  45. Informal group, March 10, 1934. Labelled "Banquet in Condado Hotel in honor of Dr. Padin." Includes Col. Byroade. Puerto Rico. 5 X 7 1/2.
  46. Women and men on porch, n.d. Informal group photograph, [Puerto Rico]. 5 1/2 X 3 1/4.
  47. Col. George L. Byroade, n.d. Portrait within folder by F. Schanz, Ft. Wayne. 6 X 4.
  48. [Col.] Charles T. Menoher, n.d. Portrait of commander of Rainbow Division during World War I, commander of the army of occupation in Europe after World War I, a roommate of Pershing's and relative of the Byroades's.
  49. House, n.d. [Puerto Rico]. 6 1/2 X 8 1/2.
  50. Seascape, n.d. Island. 3 1/4 X 5 1/2.
  51. Young boy with fish, n.d. [Ashton Byroade]. 5 1/4 X 3 1/4.

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