Accession No. RARE.2025.0180: Purchased, 2021 January
[identification of item], H. C. Rowley Diary and Composition Book, SPEC.RARE.MMS.0424, Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Ohio State University
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Processed by: Allison McPherson, 2025 November; Finding aid written by: Allison McPherson, 2025 November
Hiram Curtis Rowley, also known as H. C. Rowley, was born July 31, 1844 outside of Utica, New York. During the 1860s, he attended Whitestown Seminary. Then in 1866, Rowley started the Rowley Brothers Stationary Business in Oneida County in New York with his brother Warren Curry. In 1874, Rowley married Thirza Jane Merriam, who was the daughter of Homer Merriam, one of the three brothers who printed the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Rowley moved to Springfield, Massachusetts to join the Merriam family printing business. He remained here until he died in 1922.
Utica, New York played a significant role during the American Civil War by providing the Union with soldiers. It was also home to multiple regiments including the 14th Infantry, 26th infantry, 97th infantry, 117 Infantry, and the 146 New York Volunteers Infantry.
The H. C. Rowley Diary and Composition Book contains a single book handwritten by Hiram Curtis Rowley containing a diary, multiple blank pages, essays transcribed by Rowley that he wrote then read in the Whitestown Seminary public speech division, a poem, and addresses. The diary entries document observations about the weather, family, daily activities, local news, and news from the American Civil War. A page has been torn out between page number 136 and 139. The book is dated December 3, 1861 through May 29, 1869.