David McNeely Stauffer Papers
MS 19
Scope and Content
This collection contains the personal papers and family history of David McNeely Stauffer who attended Franklin and Marshall College from 1861-1864. Items include personal diaries, engineering notebooks, artwork, personal papers, and family history. Specific items of note include Stauffer's 1862 diary of his experiences in the Civil War, his personal extra-illustrated copy of Joseph H. Dubbs' 1903 History of Franklin and Marshall College and an autograph album owned by ancestor Enricus Stauffer dated 1633-1636.
Biographical Note
David McNeely Stauffer was born on March 24, 1845 in Mount Joy (then
Richmond), PA. He attended the Bell School there until his family moved to
Lancaster where he continued his education at the Duke Street Secondary School.
In September 1861, Stauffer entered Franklin and Marshall College. In
September 1862, he left college to join the 2nd Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment
serving until winter when he returned to school. In June 1863, he reentered
the military joining the Independent Battery of Pennsylvania . After his
enlistment expired in January 1864, Stauffer joined the Engineering Corps of
the Columbia and Port DuPont Railroad. In February 1864, however, he reentered
the military joining the navy as Masters Mate for Admiral David Porter. After
the Civil War ended, Stauffer decided not to return to college. Instead. he
returned to his job with the Columbia and Port DuPont Railroad to pursue a
career in Civil Engineering. Work in this field allowed him the opportunity to
work in several countries around the world, particularly Central America. In
addition to his work as a Civil Engineer, Stauffer is noted for his work as a
copper and steel engraver, designing bookplates for many prominent libraries.
Stauffer died in 1913.
Provenance
The collection is derived from gifts from several sources most pre-dating 1952. The 1891 diary was
donated to Franklin and Marshall in 1989 by Ms. Frances Jones. Additional material was donated in 1993 by Davy McCall.
Inventory of the Collection
Box/Folder
1/1 Diary (and photocopy), 1862
1/2 Diary, 1875; 1876.
1/3 Diary, 1877; 1879.
1/4 Diary, 1880.
1/5 Diary (with transcript), 1881.
1/6 Engineering Daybook, 1882; 1883.
1/7 Engineering Daybook, 1884; 1886.
1/8 Engineering Daybook, 1887; 1889.
1/9 Engineering Daybook, 1890.
2/1 Diary (and transcript ), 1891.
2/2 "3651 Names of Engravers....", 1903.
2/3 Menu/Dinner dedicated to the Hon. Warner Miller,1891.
2/4 "My Life" by David McNeely Stauffer (including original and
photocopy),1910.
2/5 In Memoriam, Florence Scribner Stauffer Rogers, 1936.
2/6 Photographs, nd.
2/7 Watercolor and pencil sketched of Bermuda, 1908.
2/8 Notebook of pencil sketches and watercolors, ca. 1911
2/9 Stauffer Coat-of-Arms, nd.
2/10 Watercolor of Mary McNeely Stauffer, nd.
2/11 Chalk Drawings of Algiers, nd.
2/12 Autograph Album of Ernicus Stauffer, 1633-36.
3/1 Scrapbook of Cora Ashe Knight containing pencil drawing, "Over the Hill to
the Poor House"by D. M. Stauffer, 1876.
3/2 Scrapbook of poetry containing first known bookplate created by D.M.
Stauffer and pencil drawing of a woman, ca. 1867.
3/3 Ashe Family Coat of Arms, nd.
4/1 Stauffer's personal copy of Joseph H. Dubbs' History of Franklin and Marshall College, 1903 rebound in two volumes (blue and white morocco binding) with additional manuscript material added as leaves and hand-drawn title page by Stauffer, dated 1905.
OVERSIZED DRAWER
1/1 Honorary Degree from Franklin and Marshall College, 1881.
1/2 Photographs (5) taken while building a railroad in Nicaragua, 1892.
SEE ALSO:
Stauffer, David McNeeley, 1845-1913, American engravers upon copper and steel ,The Grolier Club of the City of New York, 1907. Rare Books .S723
updated 05/04/01
