Carlton R. Felch diaries

Collection

Identifier: fairbanks-007

Staff Only

Scope and content note

The collection consists of rather brief daily entries in yearly diaries from 1862 through 1918 with the years 1866-1867, 1879-1877, and 1912-1917 missing. At the end of some diaries are records of accounts and/or listings of some local news items, local events, and local deaths, marriages, etc. The Civil War period records the weather and the bare facts of daily activities with entries such as, "Laid around camp all day playing euchre. Got one ration of whisky. . Hard fighting at G." This same factual recording continues in the post-war period. "Commenced today on the ten hour system at Fairbanks shop. Worked today on railroad scales. Planted corn. Weather cold and stormy." National events, such as the death of Lincoln, the battles of war, his being wounded, the near death of his son are also listed in a matter-of-fact manner, "Abraham Lincoln was shot in his private box in the theater by an actor by the name of Booth. At 5 this morning I was hit by a minie ball in the thigh, a flesh wound not very serious. George was much worse. Drs. Folsom & Bullard gave him up to die but he afterward rallied and was much better." His activities after the war, beyond his work at E. & T. Fairbanks, included participation in the Odd Fellows, attending church, visiting friends, paying bills, and household maintenance chores.

Dates

1862-1918

Language of Materials

English

Access:

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium Archives.

Biographical Note

Carlton R. Felch of Waterford, Vermont, enlisted in the Third Regiment of the Vermont Voluntary Infantry on June 1, 1861, and served throughout the Civil War, reenlisting at the end of 1863. He was wounded twice, the last time a few days before the end of the War. After returning to Vermont he married Charlotte French of Glover and worked at the Fairbanks Scale Company until his retirement in 1910 at the age of 73.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (40 folders)

Additional Description

Abstract

Physical Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please contact the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium Archives.

Related Collections

The George Felch papers are housed at the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium. The Museum's local history photograph collection contains images of the town band, a house identified as belonging to the Felch's, and a portrait of Carlton Felch.