Collection #

P0061

 

 

Marcus R. Sulzer
Collection, ca. 1890–ca. 1920

 

Collection Information

Historical/Biographical Sketch

Scope and Content Note

Contents

Cataloging Information

 

 

 

Processed by

Kelly Gascoine
September 2007

Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269

www.indianahistory.org

 

COLLECTION INFORMATION

VOLUME OF
COLLECTION:

1 box of photographs, 2 boxes of OVB size photographs

COLLECTION
DATES:

Ca.1890–1920

PROVENANCE:

Marjorie Sulzer Collier, Tullahoma, Tennessee, 1985

RESTRICTIONS:

None

COPYRIGHT:

 

REPRODUCTION
RIGHTS:

Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society.

ALTERNATE
FORMATS:

 

RELATED
HOLDINGS:

Indiana Jewish Historical Society Collection 1845–1998. Manuscript Collection: M0743.  See collection guide for information about M. Sulzer.

ACCESSION
NUMBER:

1985.0522

NOTES:

 

Historical/BIOGRAPHiCAL SKETCH

Steamboats first appeared on western rivers in 1811 when Robert Fulton’s steamboat, New Orleans, sailed roundtrip from Pittsburgh to New Orleans.  By the 1830s, there were over 200 steamboats on western rivers and growing.  Shipyards, like that at Madison, Indiana, sprung up along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and port towns like Evansville, Indiana prospered and grew.  Steamboats revolutionized western industry and commerce and contributed to the development of western states like Indiana.

The steamboat industry thrived through the 1850s, the “Golden Age” of steamboats; however, the spread of railroads led to the decline in steamboat usage.  The first Indiana railroad, completed in 1850, linked Madison to Indianapolis.  Similar rail lines sprung up all over the east and mid-west.  Steamboats faced their first real competition and commerce on the Ohio River declined.  After the Civil War, the steamboat industry continued its downward economic decline.

In the post-Civil War era, steamboats were mostly used for local travel and trade.  Steamboats did manage to carve out one niche market for themselves as towboats.  The era also saw some of the most opulent steamboats ever built like the Thompson Dean, J.M. White, and the Grand Republic, photos of which may be found in this collection.

Marcus Raphael Sulzer of Madison, Indiana, was born on 19 April 1860 and died on 24 September 1939.  His parents, Raphael and Rachel (Heimidingor) Sulzer were natives of Alsace, France, but settled in Madison in 1854.  His first wife, Lida Griffith, died in 1912. Sulzer married her sister Mabel Griffith in 1914 and was survived by her, his son, Professor Elmer G. Sulzer, and two granddaughters, Marjorie C. and Janet E. Sulzer.

Marcus R. Sulzer became involved in Ohio River matters early in life, serving as the Ohio River Commissioner when he was 19 years old and was connected with the Ohio Valley Improvement Association.  The same year, Sulzer attended the River convention in Quincy, Illinois. 

Sulzer studied law, maintained a private practice law firm, and served in a variety of local and state offices throughout his life including prosecuting attorney, postmaster, and mayor.  Sulzer also maintained a business with his brother, Louis, called Sulzer Brothers.  Sulzer Brothers sold mostly medicinal herbs and at one time was considered the largest dealer of such items in the United States.  Sulzer was active in various community organizations like the Madison Chamber of Commerce, was an active member of the Republican Party in Indiana and also served as president of his district’s B’nai B’rith. 

Sources:

Bates, Alan L.  The Western Rivers Steamboat Cyclopedium or American Riverboat Structure & Detail, Salted with Lore.  Leonia, N.J.: Hustle Press, 1968.

Ewen, William H. Days of the Steamboats.  New York: Parents’ Magazine Press, 1967.

Gresham, John M. Co.  “Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the Counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington. Indiana.”  Chicago: John M. Gresham and Co., 1889.  MyIndianaHome.  http://www.myindianahome.net.

Hunter, Louis C. and Beatrice Jones Hunter.  Steamboats on the Western Rivers: An Economic and Technological History.  Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1949.

Indiana Jewish Historical Society Collection 1845–1998, M0743: Box 99 Folder 16, OMB 82 Box 2 Folder 2

Materials in the collection.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The collection contains approximately 60 black-and-white prints of steamboats and paddle steamers in operation on the Ohio River in southern Indiana. Most of the photographs are exterior views of the boats made between circa 1890 and circa 1920. Most vessels are identified, and a small number of images show interior views of cabins and lounges.  As no original order was apparent, the collection and collection guide are arranged alphabetically by boat name.  Descriptions are taken from visuals and/or text from each photograph.  The collection is in fair condition, but several items have been repaired and reinforced.  Photographs are stored in one half-size document storage case and two OVB boxes.  The first OVB box contains a large curved photograph of the General Lytle.

The Contents section of the collection guide contains descriptions in quotation marks “ ”.  These are taken from notes that were written on the front and/or verso of the photographs.  The processor’s comments are in square brackets [ ].

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

CONTAINER

Printed materials from donor: Good Picture Inventory, inventory of pictures, Sulzer biographical information, newspaper clippings about Sulzer.

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 10

“Steamer America and Steamer Major Anderson Compliments of S.G. Smith St. Louis, Mo.” [Text on verso “C.R. Bogardus, M.D., Austin, Ind.]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 1

“Andy Baum” [Cincinnati, 2 stack paddlewheel boat at river shore; several people boarding or on shore]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 1

“Belle of the Bends” [Packet boat, docked paddlewheel boat]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 1

“Burning of the Steamer Bluff City at Chester, Ill” [two steamboats on fire with spectators on land]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 1

“U.S. Civil War Gunboat ‘Cairo’ ” [Ironclad boat with sailors and cannons]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 1

“Carrollton” [2 stack paddlewheel steamboat.  Stamped on the verso with “W. G. Heberhart, 835 W. Main Street, Madison, Ind.”]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 1

“Chas. Morgan” [Two stack steamboat docked; town visible behind boat]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 1

“City of Cincinnati” [Two stack paddlewheel steamboat loading passengers]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 1

“City of Cincinnati” [Two stack paddlewheel steamboat on river]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 1

“City of Louisville” [Cincinnati and St. Louis line, two stack paddlewheel steamboat]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 1

“City of Madison” [Two stack paddlewheel steamboat sinking in river; text on verso illegible]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 1

“Steamer City of Monroe” [U.S. Mail boat, part of the St. Louis & New Orleans Anchor Line.  Text on verso ‘The Faurons “City of Monroe”’]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 1

“City of Pittsburg” [Sign on boat ‘Weekly Packet Pittsburg to Louisville.]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 1

“Enos Taylor” [Two stack rear paddlewheel steamboat on river; passengers visible]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 2

“General Lytle”  [United States Mail Line Co. For Cincinnati; in process of sinking.  Text on verso ‘Herbert M. Flora, Photographer. Madison, Ind.’]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 2

General Lytle [United States Mail Line Co., two smoke stacks paddle wheeler]

OVB Photographs:
Box 1

“Steamer Golden City” [Two stack rear paddlewheel docked with passengers]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 2

“Golden Rule” [Heavily loaded with second boat alongside; town visible in background]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 2

“Steamer Grand Republic, Compliments Sam G. Smith, St. Louis, Mo.” [Two stack side paddlewheel steamboat]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 1

“Cabin Steamer Grand Republic Compliments S.G. Smith, St. Louis, Mo.” [View of interior of steamboat]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 1

“The Great Republic.  W. H. Thorwagun-Master-St. Louis, Mo.” [Additional text on front. Stamp on back ‘Spaulding & Flora Photographers, 127 E. Main St., Madison, Ind.’]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 2

“Guiding Star” [Two stack paddlewheel docked. Text on verso ‘M.R. Sulzer’ signature and ‘W. G. Heberhart, 835 West Main Street, Madison, Ind.’]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 2

“Steamer G.W. Hill and Steamer Sidney. B-532-Iowa-Div.-First Boats to Pass Thru New Lock-Boats Raised To Upper Level. June-10-1913” [Postcard text on verso]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 2

“Harry P. Jones” [Two stack rear paddlewheel steamboat]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 1

“Hill City” [Part of the St. Louis New Orleans Anchor Line]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 2

“Iron Queen” [Two stack rear paddlewheel steamboat with second boat visible in foreground]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 3

“Steamer Jacob Strader” [Cincinnati U.S. Mail Line, Low Pressure]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 3

“Steamer James Howard 1875” [Docked and loading passengers and supplies]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 3

“J.B. Finley” [Two stack rear paddlewheel steamboat pushing barges of materials]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 3

“Steamer J.M. White Compliments Sam G. Smith, St. Louis, Mo.” [Two stack steamboat docked]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 2

“G.H. Devol, Captain. John Tobin and Curt Holmes, Clerks” [J.M. White steamboat]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 2

“John W. Cannon” [Two stack paddlewheel steamboat]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 3

“Joseph B. Williams” [Two stack rear paddlewheel steamboat dry-docked]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 3

“Feb. 5th, 1905 Pittsburgh Line of Steamers. Feb. 5th 1905–Ice at Cincinnati, Il.” [Steamers Keystone State and Virginia of Pittsburgh and steamboats Hercules Carrel and Bonanza, segmented panoramic]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 4

“Barrett line Barge ‘Mabel’ loaded with 1,000 pars lumber” [The Nicola Bros Co. Pittsburgh, Pa]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 5

“Mississippi River Power Development, Keokuk, Iowa. H.M. Anschutz, Official Photographer [Panoramic view of river development]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 9

“Steamer Morning Star (1st) Compliments S.G. Smith, St. Louis, Mo.” [Louisville & Hendel Soft Packet, two stack paddlewheel steamboat]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 5

“New Orleans” [One stack side paddlewheel steamboat.  Newspaper article on verso ‘Replica of the First Steamboat that ever plied the Ohio River’]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 6

“Pacific No. 2” [Two stack rear paddlewheel steamboat from Pittsburgh, Pa. pushing barges]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 3

“Phil Sheridan, Eagle, and Express” [Six photographs including 3 of the Phil Sheridan, 1 of the packet Eagle, 1 of the packet Express, and 1 of a group of people

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 3

“Steamer Pargoud. New Orleans and Greenville Packet” [Two stacks rear paddlewheel steamboat loaded with cotton. Text on verso ‘A.D. Lytle, Photographer, Baton Rouge, La]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 6

“Steamer Richmond Compliments Sam G. Smith, St. Louis, Mo” [Two stack side paddlewheel 35 Lbs. Low pressure]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 6

“R. R. Springer” [Two stack paddlewheel steamboat docked with town visible behind]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 4

“Silver Moon” [Memphis Cincinnati packet loading at dock]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 4

“Tacoma” [Two stack rear paddlewheel steamboat]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 4

“Thompson Dean” [Two stack paddle wheel steamboat with town behind]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 4

“Trimble” [Two stack side paddlewheel]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 6

“United States” [United States Mail Line Co. Docks and town visible]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 4

[Wheeling, Marietta, & Parkersburg U.S. Mail Express Packet.  Docked and loading passengers. Stagecoach visible in foreground]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 4

[Unknown steamboat in dry-dock with second unknown steamboat behind]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 4

[Unknown steamboat with passengers]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 4

[Unknown steamboat with lumber.  Photographer G.M. Watson]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 8

“Virginia” [Two stack rear paddlewheel steamboat]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 4

“Cabin Steamer Virginia” [Interior view of steamboat]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 7

“W.H. Osborn, Photographed by Star Gallery 84st Cairo Ill.” [Two stacks side paddlewheel steamboat]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 8

“Steamer Wild Wagoner Compliments S.G. Smith, St. Louis, Mo” [Wheeling and Cincinnati Packet]

OVB Photographs:
Box 2, Folder 8

“Will Kyle” [Two stack rear paddlewheel steamboat
docked]

Photographs:
Box 1, Folder 4

CATALOGING INFORMATION

For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:

1.      Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog:  http://opac.indianahistory.org/

2.      Click on the "Basic Search" icon.

3.      Select  "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.

4.      Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, P0061).

5.      When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.