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George A. Hoadley Family Papers
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Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
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George A. Hoadley was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, in 1848 and graduated from Union College in 1874 with degrees in engineering. He served as principal of Argyle Academy, New York, 1874-1879, and at high schools in Massachusetts before being appointed professor of physics at Swarthmore College in 1888. In 1892 he was appointed Vice-President of the College, and he served as Acting President several times. While he remained committed to the College, he retired from the faculty in 1914 to become secretary of the Franklin Institute. As well as supporting College interests and activities, he served as president of the Swarthmore School District School Board. In 1900 with his second wife, Marie Kemp Hoadley, he moved his extensive family into a large frame home at 518 Walnut Lane, Swarthmore, a house which remained in the family until 2019. Ecumenical in his religious practice, he was a founder of the non-denominational Union Church in Swarthmore and occasionally lectured at the nearby Swarthmore Meeting.
Hoadley was married three times and had nine children, most of whom attended Swarthmore College. With his first wife, Ida Burtch Hoadley, he had four children, all of whom attended Swarthmore College. Ida died in 1891, and in 1895, George married second Marie A. Kemp, a professor of German at the College, 1891-1901. She earned her B.A. and A.M. from Swarthmore College. Marie had one child, Anthony deHothleigh Hoadley, born in 1901. Marie was the daughter of physician Agnes Nininger Saunders Kemp, prominent reformer and suffragist. Agnes Kemp received her medical degree in 1879 from Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania and operated a medical practice in Harrisburg as well as being a prominent lecturer on temperance. Retiring in 1903, she moved to Swarthmore to live with the Hoadleys, helping to raise her grandson, Anthony. She died in 1908, a year after her daughter.
In 1908, George A. Hoadley married third Fannie Burnham Kilgore, a Swarthmore College graduate, school teacher, and 32 years his junior. Her mother, Carrie Sylvester Burnham Kilgore (1838-1909) was a suffragist and the first woman admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar. Carrie Kilgore first worked as a school teacher. To enhance her knowledge of science and the human body, she earned an M.D. from Bellevue Hospital in New York City in 1864. In 1876 she married Damon Y. Kilgore, an attorney and radical social reformer. They both taught school in Wisconsin and elsewhere including the Hygieo-therapeutic College of Philadelphia and were members of International Workingman's Association before their marriage. Carrie applied to the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1871 and finally was admitted in 1881. She graduated in 1883, and after her husband's death in 1888, she assumed his law practice in Philadelphia. In 1890, she was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. She and Damon Kilgore had two daughters, Fannie B. Kilgore (1880-1959) and Carrie B. Kilgore (1878-1957). Carrie Sylvester Burnham Kilgore was close to her daughters and moved to a house on Elm Avenue in Swarthmore. Both daughters received degrees from Swarthmore College in 1903. Carrie (born 1878) became a school teacher and a member of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting in 1904. Three of Fannie Hoadley's children graduated from Swarthmore College. Son George B. Hoadley (1909-1995) became a Quaker on request and married Mary Elizabeth Betts in 1934 under the care of Buckingham Monthly Meeting. His younger sister, Florence A. Hoadley, Swarthmore College Class of 1932, became a member of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting in 1937 and lived in the family home until her death in 1993.
The collection contains the papers of George A. Hoadley, long-time professor of physics at Swarthmore College and secretary of the Franklin Institute, as well as papers of his extended family. Of particular interest are diaries kept by his second wife's parents, Carrie B. Kilgore and Damon Y. Kilgore, both attorneys and reformers. George Hoadley's correspondence with his children include mention of people and events in the Borough of Swarthmore and Swarthmore College. A founder of the Swarthmore College Camera Club, he was a avid amateur photographer. Approximately 1,000 of his glass negatives were preserved in the family home; they illustrate Swarthmore College and local homes and sites from circa 1899-1929.
Arranged in five series
The papers and pictorial material were stored in the family home and include clippings compiled by George A. Hoadley's daughter by his third wife and secretary, Florence A. Hoadley, who lived in the house until her death in 1993. Her grandparents were Damon Y. and Carrie B. Kilgore. The donor, John Lawrence, Jr., is Florence's great-nephew and grandson of Anthony deH. Hoadley, son of George Hoadley's second wife, Marie Kemp Hoadley. Marie and George Hoadley built the house at 518 Walnut Lane in 1900.
Gift of John Lawrence, Acc. 2019.030
Sorted by FHL staff and separated into pictures and family papers.
Glass plate negatives, lantern slides and other images removed to PA 213.
Florence A. Hoadley scrapbook of her Class of 1932 reunion and the Swarthmore diploma granted to Henry H. Hoadley transferred to College Archives.
People
Organization
Subject
- Universities and colleges -- United States -- History
- Universities and colleges -- Professional staff
- Physics
- Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History -- Sources
- Suffragists -- United States -- Correspondence
- Women lawyers -- United States -- History -- Sources
Place
- Publisher
- Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
- Finding Aid Author
- Susanna K. Morikawa
- Finding Aid Date
- January 2020
- Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
Some of the items in this collection may be protected by copyright. The user is solely responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder or their heirs/assigns to reuse, publish, or reproduce relevant items beyond the bounds of Fair Use or other exemptions to the law. See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/.
Collection Inventory
Includes letter about his participation in the Sheffield, Massachusetts, anniversary celebration. Letters from his brother Fred Hoadley and nephew. Notes on trip to Adirondacks, 1902, spent photographing.
George A. Hoadley and Marie Kemp Hoadley agreement with the builder, typed copy.
Swarthmore College lecture schedule and "Outside Duties,'" such as monitoring.
Typed remarks about his early years with the College and his colleagues. Noted that he had the first piano on campus when he was living in Parrish Hall with his family circa 1899.
Hoadley served as acting president os Swarthmore College between Birdsall and Swain. He also served as president of the Swarthmore College Camera Club which held annual lantern slide exhibitions. Hoadley's photographs were published in the Swarthmore College Bulletin, 1904, and a booklet, Swarthmore Scenes, published 1900 with a poem by John Russell Hayes. He was active in College athletic events. Includes a typed copy of Charles Doron's defense regarding Parrish Fire of 1881, denying that it was his fault.
Hoadley served on the Swarthmore Public School Board for 15 years and as president of the Board for 4 years. He resigned in 1909. Includes the program for first high school commencement, 1899.
A notice at the front announces: Opening of Swarthmore Public School, September 8th 1890, Oliver Fell, Principal. Ten students in attendance, including Arthur G. Hoadley. An added note dated 1902 explains that the School was a private enterprise held in Sylvan Cottage and not related to the Borough's public school. It was closed for lack of students when the public school opened on Feb. 2, 1891.
Hoadley was elected to the Committee on Science and the Arts in 1897 and served on the Board from 1911 until his death.
George A. Hoadley graduated in 1874 and the following year became principal of the Argyle Academy in Argyle, New York. He was Commencement speaker and awarded an Honorary Degree in 1907 from Union College. Includes program for Argyle Academy commencement exercises with Ida A. Burtch (soon his wife) listed for Instrumental and Vocal Music.
From Swarthmore to the children by his first marriage to Ida Burch Hoadley: Clarence [Jack], Arthur G. [Art], Russell, and Mildred [Midsie] with news about family and College - deaths, faculty, buildings, etc. George had married his third wife, Fannie B. Kilgore, in 1908. The letter mentioned that he was the guardian of Anthony (son by Marie Kemp Hoadley who died in 1907), that Mrs. [Caroline S. Burnham} Kilgore had died and Fannie's sister, Carrie Kilgore, was living with them until her teaching job started. Hoadley wrote that his new son [George] Burnham was making him feel young again.
Two long, affectionate handwritten letters in which Crampton wrote that he regarded Hoadley as a father. Crampton (1874-1962) was a Philadelphia ophthalmologist and served as Director of Field Hospitals in the U.S. Army in WWI. He received awards from the Franklin Institute and the Illuminating Engineering Society.
Includes an essay by George Hoadley's "History of leather," signed Dad. Clarence B. (1873-1946) graduated from Swarthmore College in 1897 and in 1901 married Elizabeth Kirk Hallowell Smedley, the Quaker widow of Isaac Garrett Smedley who owned a summer house a few door away on Walnut Lane. After their marriage, Jack and Elizabeth Smedley moved to Los Angeles.
Arthur ("Art") (1881-1946) was in the Swarthmore College Class of 1902, active as an alumni, and worked in Chicago. His letters provide vocational and family updates. Also letter to "Daddy Hoadley" from his fiancée, Helen Kyle, inviting the family to to their wedding in 1906, with sympathy that travel might be too difficult for Mrs. Hoadley [Marie Kemp Hoadley].
Russell (1887-1958) was in the Swarthmore College Class of 1909 and worked first in Brooklyn and later moved to California. His 1905 letter mentioned Jack and Elizabeth Hoadley who were living Los Angeles.
Includes a 1915 typed story from her father. Mildred (1891-1952) married Percy Ainsworth in 1918 and they had a son, Donald, born on 9 mo 13, 1918. She filed for divorce in 1920 for non-support.
Anthony "Anno" or "Tony" (1901-1974) was the only child of George A. Hoadley's second wife, Marie A. Kemp Hoadley. Most letters are typed letters from his father, including a letter dated 10 month 12, 1918, which described the influenza outbreak in Philadelphia. Anthony was an engineer and lived with his family in Schenectady, New York. He graduated from Union College, his father's alma mater, in 1923. Letter of 1957 expressed appreciation to Fannie and Florence Hoadley for their care of Fannie's sister, Carrie Kilgore, in her final years.
George was home in Swarthmore
An interesting letter dated 5 month 12, 1913, mentioned her mother's death and Carrie S. B. Kilgore's plea before the Supreme Court. Also Fannie's 1906 teaching certificate from Swarthmore College; she graduated from the College in 1903, had been a student of George Hoadley and was teaching physics in the Swarthmore High School at the time of her marriage in 1908. Also Carrie S. Burnham Kilgore's printed announcement of Fannie and George's marriage. Postcard-style Christmas card with silhouettes from Fannie and George. Includes condolence letters on death of George A. Hoadley in 1936 and condolences to Fannie and Florence on death of her sister Carrie Kilgore in 1957. Fannie's 1903 Swarthmore Class Day booklet.
George B. Hoadley (1909-1995) was the son of George A. Hoadley's third wife, Fannie B. Kilgore Hoadley. He became a member of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting in advance of his marriage to Mary Elizabeth Betts. George graduated from Swarthmore College, Class of 1930, earned his D.Sc. from MI.T, and became a longtime professor at North Carolina State University. Some of the letters were written jointly while George was working on his thesis at MIT.
Florence (1910-1993) was the daughter of George A. Hoadley's third wife, Fannie B. Kilgore Hoadley. She lived in the family home until her death and worked as her father's secretary. Florence became a member of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting in 1937. Her papers include report cards from elementary school and high school, a handwritten "Autobiography" written when she was about 12, and correspondence, 1908-1957
Alfred (1913-2010) was the younger brother of Florence. Includes a copy of letter from George A. Hoadley after a visit by his children to the Physics Club. Wedding invitation 1938. Alfred graduated from the University of Delaware and served in the Marines during WWII.
Henry (1915-1970) was the youngest child of George and Fannie. Hee earned a B.S. from Swarthmore College in 1937.
Hoadley belonged to a wide range of organizations from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania to the Swarthmore College Camera Club. He was active in a number of scientific organizations including the Physics Club and the Illumination Society and was a member of International Jury of Awards for the Sesquicentennial held in Philadelphia in 1926.
Remarks by colleagues and friends. Typed.
Including Agnes Kemp, Carrie B. Kilgore, and children of George A. Hoadley. Also Dorothy Hoadley, the daughter of Anthony Hoadley, who lived in Swarthmore with her husband, John Lawrence, MD.
Published paper read at First Day Meeting, Swarthmore College. Handwritten history of Christianity from its pagan roots and how it has been misinterpreted and used to limit freedom of religion. Advantages of Spiritualism.
Compiled by the Gold Rule Class of Swarthmore First Day School
Hoadley drafts on Swarthmore History
Typed and handwritten verse, Swarthmore College, war, Crum Creek. Note on an envelope enclosing some: "Daddy's Verses and Mother's!" Verse on Christmas Day published in The Swarthmore and Friends Intelligencer.
Western Pennsylvania and Ohio. In bound notebook titled Measurement in Magnetism and Electricity.
Swarthmore Public Schools, Swarthmore College, and John Agnew School, Philadelphia (Carrie B. Kilgore)
Compiled by George B. Hoadley who participated in Boy Scouts, with Swarthmore College and theater memorabilia
Brochures and reviews of his popular basic text book
Physical Laboratory Handbook (1909), Physics of Light (1912). Address to Graduating Class, Franklin Institute (1915). Presidential Address (1919). Monograph of Illumination (1920)
Dauphin County properties
Concerning property owned by Agnes Nininger Kemp in Harrisburg. These were inherited from her father, Anthony Nininger and bequeathed to grandson Anthony Hoadley.
Properties inherited by Anthony Hoadley
The entries reflect his early career as a teacher and fervent Methodist preacher. Married his first wife Lucy 5 mo, 3, 1850. He subsequently became a teacher, and, in later life, withdrew from organized religion and became interested in Spiritualism. After the Civil War, he studied law, settling in Philadelphia
Day book, teaching school. Student notes, 1870,
Covers many topics
In 1881 daybook, she recorded her applications and her acceptance into Penn Law. Many pages removed.
Manuscripts drafts
Manuscripts drafts
Typed draft, Autobiography, interview, and daughter Carrie's biography of her mother.
Damon Kilgore, principal of Evansville Seminary, Wisconsin, recommending Carrie S. Burnham as teacher and administrator.
Lecture to teachers on physical culture, Philadelphia (1865); School for Young Ladies, Filbert Street, Philadelphia (1869); Annual Announcement of the Hygieo-Therapeutic College of Philadelphia (1870).
According to his daughter, Carrie B. Kilgore, Kilgore served 1863-1865.
Manuscript copy
To politicians, seeking their support for equal rights
Contract written to insure her rights as an individual, not subject to legal inequalities of marriage, and that their children would belong to them equally. Notarized and recorded.
Masonic certificate, 1868; patent for Improvement for Inside Blinds; admission to Delaware County Courts, 1884; carbon copy of typed tribute to Victor Hugo delivered at Lincoln Hall, Philadelphia, 1885; copy of letter which references his defense of Spiritualism, 1886
Poetry written by Damon Y. Kilgore, including poem to six month old daughter, Carrie Burnham Kilgore. Letters from Kilgore daughters, Carrie and Fannie, to parents and miscellaneous. Also a downloadt found online Jan. 10, 2019, a copy of a memorial on life of Damon Y. Kilgore, probably written by his wife, and according to source, copied from an incomplete typed manuscript, the property of Alfred D. Hoadley. Created 2011 using Reunion for Macintosh. Alfred Hoadley died in 2010.
In 1872 Kilgore wrote to the University of Pennsylvania Law School for permission to attend lectures. Includes congratulations in 1883 for graduation from Law School, but advised to wear street dress rather than cap and gown at Commencement. Many of letters deal with her legal practice.
Legal arguments, admittance certificates, etc.
Includes correspondence from University of Pennsylvania Law School concerning biographical sketch and acknowledging her as its first woman graduate
First part of Constitution written by Carrie B. Kilgore, attorney of Law, 1886. Manuscript copy by her daughter in a hardback notebook. The goal was equal education for women.
Brochures, session of 1870-71: Carrie S. Burnham, M.D., as Faculty: Professor of Physiology and Hygiene. Damon Y. Kilgore, Esq., Professor of Medical Jurisprudence. The Hygieo-therapeutic College of Philadelphia was a Homeopathic medical school, open to men and women).
Argued before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania for the Eastern District. Damon Y. Kilgore, attorney for the Plaintiff. The case concerned Carrie's attempt to register to vote in the 1871 general election. Courts determined she was not a "freeman" as defined at the time.
Oration, delivered Sunday Evening, July 4, 1869. Published by the Blood Brothers, Philadelphia. 2nd and 3rd editions
Moral Defence of Pastor of the First Progressive Christian ChurcTranscription of case presented versus Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Published by the First Progressive Christian Church of Philadelphia, January 10, 1870
The Questions Today, Caste, Suffrage, Labor, Temperance, Religion. An Oration Delivered Before the Wesleyan Academy Alumni Association at Wilbraham, Mass, June 29, 1870
A Full Account of the Trial of S.M. Landis, M.D. Transcript of the trial reported Phonographically by C.R. Morgan, M.D. Damon Y. Kilgore, defense attorney.
Legislative Wrongs to Labor and How to Right Them. Address Delivered before the Committees of the Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania, Constitution Hall, Jan. 31, 1873
The Bible in Public Schools. Delivered before The Liberal League of Philadelphia, October 17, 1875.
How shall the unemployed get bread? Pamphlet of speech delivered before the Philadelphia Liberal League, September 3, 1876.
The Argument on the Elective Franchise by Carrie S. Burnham. Bound, published by the Citizen's Suffrage Association, Philadelphia, 1873. Argued before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court with appendixes which include a compilation of the laws of Pennsylvania touching the rights of women. Also soft cover version titled "Citizen Suffrage."
Suffrage--The Citizen's Birthright. Pamphlet, An Address Delivered Before The Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania January 16th, 1879 .
The Address of Carrie Burnham Kilgore Before the Legislature of Pennsylvania. Delivered in the Hall of the House of Representatives at Harrisburg, March 23rd, 1881. Her argument to be admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar.
Report cards, Lincoln Secondary, Philadelphia, and Swarthmore College. Graduation from Girls High School in 1897; Thesis for B.A., Swarthmore College. Essay and drawing, "View from my Window," Autograph book, 1982-1924.
Paper read at University of Pennsylvania
Questions to use in teaching
Typed copy of excerpts of recommendations from Swarthmore College professors. Job offer from Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. Concerning her employment and certification as a teacher. typed notes from nephew George Hoadley
Bachelor's degree from University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1883 and M.D. degree from Hygeia-Therapeutic College, 1865