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Letters, papers, and photographs, 1837-1970
Manuscript Collection 554
William H. Engels (1830-1917) was a farmer, miller, and postmaster in Farmington, Arkansas. Born in Batesville, Independence County, William left home in 1852 to seek work in Fort Smith were he clerked for the firm of Sutton, Griffith & Co. In 1854 he drove a herd of cattle overland to Stockton, California, following in the footsteps of his brother, Abraham Allen Engels, who had removed to Oregon two years previous. By 1856 William had returned to Arkansas where he married Isabella Kinnibrugh (variously spelled Kinnibrough, Kinnebrew, or Kinebrough) and they settled in Farmington. Isabella also came from pioneer Arkansas stock, being the daughter of James Kinnibrugh and Jane Moore Kinnibrugh who had come to Washington County in 1833. William Engels earned his living as a miller and farmer, although he also laid out the original townsite of Farmington, operated the post office for a time, and became active in the local Methodist Church. The Engels children figure prominently in the correspondence, especially James Henry Engels who looked after family business concerns in Alma; Jennie E. Engels who died within ten days of Henry in 1880; Mary Engels, who married John P. Smith and became the mother of one of the collection's donors, Catherine Smith; and Alice Engels, who married James F. Broyles and was mother to Russell Broyles, the other collection donor. Other correspondents include friends and relatives in Texas, Oregon, and Washington.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Letters, papers, and photographs pertaining to the Engels-Kinnibrugh families of Farmington, Washington County, Arkansas, were donated to Special Collections by Catherine S. Martin of Conway, Arkansas, on May 6, 1985, and June 1, 1991, and by Russell and Clara Broyles of Farmington, Arkansas on June 14, 1985.
The papers have been arranged chronologically within ten series based on document type or topical subject.
For more information see the finding aid for The Engels-Kinnibrugh Family Papers, Addendum (MC 1422).
Processed by Kim Allen Scott, Special Collections Division, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville, Arkansas, February, 1991 (Revised December, 1991).
Series 1. Letters,
1853-1929, n.d. (Box 1)
Series 2. Financial
papers, 1843-1909 (Box 2, folders 1-12)
Series 3. Legal documents,
1837-1931 (Box 2, folders 13-15)
Series 4.
Hawthorne Methodist Church records, 1893-1895 (Box 2, folders 16-17)
Series 5.
Farmington Post Office records, 1868-1872 (Box 2, folder 18)
Series 6.
John P. Smith weather diary, 1934-1940 (Box 2, folder 19)
Series 7. Literary
productions, 1840-1970s (Box 3, folders 1-5)
Series 8.
Civil War documents, 1865-1915 (Box 3, folder 6)
Series 9.
Printed ephemera, 1866-1920, n.d. (Box 3, folders 7-9)
Series 10.
Photographs, ca. 1870s-1941 (Box 4, folders 1-4)
Series 1. Letters, 1853-1929, n.d. (Box 1)
Letters pertaining to William H. Engels, his wife, Isabella Kinnibrugh Engels, and their eldest children, Henry Engels, Mary Engels, and Jennie Engels, written by friends and relatives in Arkansas, Texas, Oregon, and Washington. Two of the earliest letters were written to Jane Moore Kinnibrugh and her daughter, Isabella Kinnibrugh. Most of the letters written in 1879 are addressed to Henry Engels, who was at the time working in Alma, Arkansas. Letters from the Pacific Northwest are from Abraham Allen Engels (the brother of William H. Engels) and his descendants to members of the William H. Engels family. Some letters are addressed to Mr. and Mrs. John Kinnibrugh, brother and sister-in-law to Isabella Kinnibrugh Engels. The courtship notes in folders 10 and 11 appear to be a series of invitations to social events in Washington County, Arkansas, circa 1879, from Henry Engels to Hattie and Allie Benton, along with their acceptance or refusal.
(In addition to these manuscript letters, photocopied transcriptions of original letters held by other parties which were collected by Russell Broyles have been placed in series six, literary productions.)
Box 1
1. 1851-1868
2. 1873-1878
3. January-September, 1879
4. October 1879
5. November-December, 1879
6. 1880-1886
7. 1887-1893
8. 1900-1929
9. No date
10. Courtship notes
11. Courtship notes
Series 2. Financial papers, 1843-1909 (Box 2, folders 1-12)
Statements, receipts, promissory notes, tax receipts, and account books pertaining to William H. Engels, James or John Kinnibrugh, Henry Engels, or the Alma, Arkansas firm, of T.J. Byers, for whom Henry worked the year before he died. The tax receipts in folders 3-5 are for property and poll taxes in Washington County, Arkansas, to the following parties: Ambrose Angley, John Kinnibrugh, John Mayberry, Lewis Luttrell, W.M. Brady, William H. Engels, and Wyatt F. Woodruff. The account and memoranda books in folders 6-12 are either ledger style entry books or small "Farmer's Almanac" booklets containing figures that were most likely kept by William H. Engels in his capacity as a farmer and mill operator. Two small nineteenth century advertising booklets which have no particular Arkansas connection and which bear no significant added marginalia have been placed with series eight, printed ephemera.
Box 2
1. Receipts and statements, 1843-1878
2. Receipts and statements, 1879-1898, n.d.
3. Tax receipts, 1853-1876
4. Tax receipts, 1878-1889
5. Tax receipts, 1890-1909
6. Tally books, ca. 1855, ca. 1860s (2 items)
7. Ledger book, 1861-1881
(This book contains entries written at widely different times by different
people. Names included are Stirman and Company, Stirman and Dickson,
John Kinnibrugh, and Angiline Kinnibrugh. Snatches of poetry and
penmanship exercises have been scribbled over each page.)
8. Account book, 1867-1869
9. Account books, ca. 1879 (3 volumes)
10. Account books, 1882-1885, 1889 (2 volumes)
11. Account books, 1891-1892 (2 volumes)
12. Account book, 1892-1896
Series 3. Legal documents, 1837-1931 (Box 2, folders 13-15)
Mostly land mortgages and deeds for property owned by William H. Engels, his father-in-law James Kinnibrugh, his brother-in-law Wyatt F. Woodruff, and other Washington County residents. One title abstract documents the change in ownership of a parcel of Washington County land from Josiah Trent in 1834 to John M. Matthews in 1896. Among the intervening owners are Jane Kinnibrugh and William H. Engels. There is also a 1931 contract to W. A. Gaskill from the C.R. Morrison Company of Texas for oil and gas royalties.
Box 2 (cont'd)
13. 1837-1859
14. 1865-1893
15. Twentieth century documents
Series
4. Hawthorne Methodist Church records, 1893-1895 (Box 2, folders
16-17)
Minute book of the Hawthorne Methodist Church, Farmington, Arkansas; two fragments of essays dealing with the church's history, probably written by William H. Engels.
Box 2 (cont'd)
16. Minute book, 1893-1895
17. Fragments
Series 5. Farmington Post Office records, 1868-1872 (Box 2, folder 18)
Commissions, form letters, instructions, and other materials dealing with the operation of the Farmington Post Office.
Box 2 (cont'd)
18. Post Office records
Series 6. John P. Smith weather diary, 1934-1940 (Box 2, folder 19)
Primarily daily temperature and weather records kept by Smith while residing in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Box 2 (cont'd)
19. John P. Smith diary.
Series 7. Literary productions, 1840-1970s (Box 3, folders 1-5)
Genealogy notes collected by Miss Mary P. Engels during the 1970s; nineteenth century essays which include an 1840 composition by Henry A. Engels to his children advising them of proper conduct in life and unsigned essays on "Hope," "Sunset," and "The Endearments of Home"; photocopied transcriptions of original letters and legal documents pertaining to the Engels family collected by Russell Broyles in the 1970s; three typewritten historical sketches by Beulah Smith concerning the William H. Engels family and the history of Farmington, Arkansas; an autograph album containing signatures and epigrams from Washington County residents kept by Mary Engels in the early 1880s.
Box 3
1. Genealogy notes
2. Nineteenth century essays
3. Transcripts
4. Beulah Smith histories
5. Autograph album
Series 8. Civil War documents, 1865-1915 (Box 3, folder 6)
Duplicate copies of a summons to William H. Engels from military authorities in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to attend a courtmartial hearing, duplicate copies of a voucher for milage to the hearing, duplicate copies of a certificate of attendance at the courtmartial, all dated June, 1865. Also included are a printed copy of Document 701 from the 59th session of the U.S. Congress in 1906 detailing a claim from William H. Engels against the U.S. Government, and a 1915 statement from the treasury department paying the claim.
Box 3 (cont'd)
6. Civil War documents
Series 9. Printed ephemera, 1866-1920, n.d. (Box 3, folders 7-9)
Newspaper clippings; catalogs, price lists, business cards, brochures and other emphemera; "farmer's almanac" booklets and three samples of 1920 vintage "strawberry money" issued by Russell Broyles to pickers working in Farmington.
Box 3 (cont'd)
7. Newspaper clippings
8. 1878-1888
9. Almanacs and "strawberry money"
Series 10. Photographs, ca. 1870s-1941 (Box 4, folders 1-4)
Box 4. Photographs 1-10 (Folder 1)
1. Hawthorne School, Farmington, Arkansas, ca. 1908. Outdoor view of a log structure with an unidentified man standing to the left. "Beulah T. Isabella, the remains of the First Ebeneezer Methodist Church, 1833," written on verso. 4" x 5" on matteboard.
2. Hawthorne School, Farmington, Arkansas, ca. 1908. Informal outdoor group portrait of men and women standing in a double row in front of the school. "A.A. Engels, W.H. Engels, Jno. M. Kinnibrugh, H.L. Pettigrew, Geo. I. Allen, S. P. Shreve, W.M. Shreve, Jacob McCoy, A.B. Lewis, E.H. Wilson, Mrs. W.H. Wilson, Elizabeth Mayberry, Mrs. Engels, Mrs. J.M. Kinnibrugh, W.H. Allen, Ark. Wilson, Jno. Wilson, Wm. Thurman," written on upper and lower border. 6" x 8" with decorative border on 10" x 12" matteboard.
3. Jerry Reed, ca. 1870s. Formal studio portrait. Identification on verso, handwritten. 4" x 3" irregular with decorative border, 6 1/2" x 4 1/4" matteboard. Photographer stamp on front; F.E. Beach, Lampasas, Texas.
4. Henry Lafe Engels, Abraham Allen Engels, and William H. Engels, ca. 1900. Formal studio portrait. "Lafe Engels, son of A.A. Engels, Allen A. Engels, and brother Wm. H. Engels," written on verso. A. Simmons, photographer. 4" x 5 1/2" on 4 1/4" x 6 1/2" matteboard.
5. Enlargement of photograph 4. 8" x 10".
6. W.A. "Tobe" Allen, ca. 1880s. Formal studio portrait. "Son of Annette and Wm. Allen," on verso. 3 1/2" x 2 1/4" on 5" x 3 1/2" matteboard. Photographer H.K. Gage, Truckee."
7. Mina Engels, August 15, 1909. Informal indoor snapshot. Full length view of a woman standing in a parlor. "Grandpa" and "Mina Engels" written on verso. 3 1/4" x 5 1/2".
8. Isabella Woodruff Warren and Elbert Warren, ca. 1880s. Formal studio portrait. Identification on verso. Photographer Rosenkranz portraits, Spokane Washington. 5 1/2" x 4" on matteboard.
9. Jane Engels Woodruff, ca. 1880s. Formal studio portrait. Maxwell, Spokane Falls, Wash., photographer. 3 1/2" x 2" on matteboard.
10. James F. Broyles, ca. 1880s. Formal studio portrait.
"Husband of Alice M. Engels," written on verso. C.E. Watton, Fayetteville,
photographer. 5 1/2" x 4" on matteboard.
Folder 2. Photographs 11-20
11. Unidentified boys [Warren children?] Formal studio portrait of two boys. E.E. Bertrand's Studio, Spokane Falls, Wash., photographer. Scalloped edges, green matteboard. 5 1/2" x 4".
12. W. M. Thornberry, ca. 1890s. Formal studio portrait. Journey's Art Studio, Austin, Texas, photographer. 5 1/2" x 4" on matteboard.
13. Lulu Mays, ca. 1890s. Studio portrait proof. 1 1/4" on 2 3/4" x 2" matteboard.
14. Betty Woodruff Warren and Millard Warren, ca. 1890s. Formal studio portrait. Identification on verso. The Elite Studio, Spokane, Washington, photographer. 6" x 4" on matteboard.
15. Mary Engels, ca. 1890s. Formal studio portrait. Mrs. S.J. Young, Art Gallery, photographer. 4" x 2 1/2" on matteboard.
16. [William A. Engels] ca. 1890s. Formal studio portrait. Mrs. Young, Fayetteville, Ark., photographer. "Wm. A. Engels" written on album from which the photo was taken. 4" x 2 1/2" on matteboard. Portion of top missing.
17. Elbert Warren, ca. 1900. 3 3/4" x 2", printed halftone on matteboard.
18. Henrietta Moore Reed, and grandchild, ca. 1890s. Formal studio portrait. "Henrietta Moore Reed, wife of Jerry Reed, and grandchild," written on verso. 5 1/2" x 4" on 6 1/2" x 4 1/4" matteboard. Bolton and Mitchell, Lampasas, Texas, photographer.
19. Mary Kinnibrugh Graham, ca. 1870s. Formal studio portrait. "Daughter of Wm. Kinnibrugh," written on verso. C. Eppert, Terre Haute, Indiana, photographer. 3 3/4" x 2 1/2" on matteboard.
20. Mamie Trent., ca. 1890s. Formal studio
baby portrait. "M.T.T. 7 mo.," written on front. Mrs.
S.J. Young, Fayetteville, photographer. 4" x 2 1/2" on matteboard.
Folder 3. Photographs 21-30
21. Andrew Thomas Allen, ca. 1890s. Formal studio portrait. "Son of Will and Bell Cox Allen," written on verso. 5 1/2" x 4" on matteboard.
22. Gladys Smith, ca. 1890s. Formal studio portrait. "Daughter of Mary Engels and John P. Smith," written on verso. W. Meridth, travelling photographer. 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" on matteboard.
23. Gladys Smith, ca. 1890s. Formal studio portrait. "Daughter of Mary Engels and John P. Smith," written on verso. Portrait on pink matteboard. 5 1/2" x 4".
24. "Tanna" Smith, ca. 1890s. Formal studio portrait. W. Meridth, travelling photographer. 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" on matteboard.
25. Rob Allen, ca. 1900s. Formal studio portrait. "Son of Lm. Allen and Dixie Doss Allen," written on verso. J.W. Meridith, travelling photographer. 3" x 2 1/2" on matteboard.
26. Beulah Jane, ca. 1900s. Formal studio portrait. "Daughter of Mary Engels and John P. Smith," written on verso. Candle, Aristo, Fayetteville, photographer. 5 1/2" x 4" on 6 /2" x 4 1/2" matteboard.
27. Henry (Harry) Engels, ca. 1890s. Formal studio portrait. "Son of W.A. and Ola M. Engels," written on verso. Candle, Aristo, Fayetteville, photographer. 5 1/2" x 4" on 6 1/2" x 4 1/2" matteboard.
28. Irene Engels, ca. 1900s. Formal studio portrait. "Daughter of W.A. Engels," written on verso. C.E. Watton, Fayetteville, photographer. 2" x 1 1/4" on 3" x 2 1/2" matteboard.
29. Garland Engels, ca. 1900s. Formal studio portrait. "Son of W. A. Engels," written on verso. C. E. Watton, Fayetteville, photographer. 2" x 1 1/4" on 3" x 2 1/2" matteboard.
30. Engels home, Farmington. 5" x 7".
Folder 4. Photographs 31-42
31. Parade, Roseburg, Oregon, ca 1906. Photographic postcard showing a heavily laden horse with a double file of aproned men marching behind it down a city street lined with people. 3 1/2" x 5 1/2". On verso: "Dear Uncle Will. This card shows my pack horse in a parade at the Roseburg Strawberry [?] with 20 sacks of flour. Regards, Lafe Engels.
32. John Kinnibrugh, Virginia Kinnibrugh, and the Kinnibrugh home, Farmington, Ark., 1879. Outdoor view showing a two story frame house with a picket fence. Horse and carriage in the foreground along with four adults. " Return to Russell Broyles, Farmington, Ark." and identification on verso. 4 1/2" x 8" on 8" x 10" card.
33. Unidentified school children, ca. 1890s. Group photo of a school class taken in front of a brick building. Photograph taken by J.H. Gorsuch in 1898. 4" x 5 1/2" on 5" x 7" card.
34. Four unidentified people in an automobile, ca. 1910s. 3" x 5 1/4".
35. Unidentified family [Broyles family?] and their home, early 1900s. Photograph of a family in front of a single story frame house. 5" x 7" on 8" x 10" card.
36. W.H. Engels, age 80 years. Formal studio portrait. 6" x 4" on 9" x 7 1/2" card.
37. "Days of 49, June 15, 1895." Outdoor reenactment of gold rush pioneers performed by Oregon residents in 1895. Photographed by H. D. Graves' Gallery, Roseburg, OR. 7 1/2" x 9 1/2".
38. Farmington Flour Mill, ca. 1934. Outdoor photograph of the Farmington Flour Mill between the Kinnibrugh and Engels houses before it burned in 1934. 5" x 7".
Folder 4. (cont.)
39. Broyles Grocery, ca. 1935. Group photo taken in front of a grocery store in Farmington operated by Russell Broyles. The group includes Russell Broyles, Marvin Jordan, Walter Carlisle, Wilbur King, Bruce Jordan, Agrie Shreve, Jack Holmes, Marvin Keener, Otto Doster, Clifford Tukkis, Loss Beaver, George Allen, Bobby Carlisle, Brad Tuttle, Lou Jordan, Virgil Parker, Leslie Hickman, John Shreve, and Jack Thompson. Children include Junior Allen. 8" x 10".
40. Dr. Salsbury's School of Poultry Diseases, Continental Hotel, Kansas City, Mo. - July 28 - Aug 1, 1941. Group portrait taken in a formal dining hall. Mark above man who is probably Russell Broyles. K.C. Anderson, photographer. 8" x 10".
41. Woodruff Family, ca. 1880s. Studio group portrait. From left to right: Presley, Bell, Betty, Lou, and W.A. 8" x 10 3/4"
42. Fayetteville High School, class of 1915. Outdoor group portrait. Burch Grabill, photographer. 6 1/2" x 22". (This photograph has been removed to Manuscript Collections Oversize Box 3.)