Scripps Family Papers

The Scripps Family Papers, primarily handwritten correspondence spanning the years 1836-1924, are contained in two-and-a-half boxes and divided into nine subseries: Biographical, John L. Scripps Correspondence, Mary E. Scripps Correspondence, Miscellaneous Scripps Family Correspondence, Grace Scripps Dyche Correspondence, Clippings, Scripps Financial Records, and Miscellaneous Materials.

Much of the information in this collection is due to Grace Scripps Dyche's genealogical research. A great deal of her correspondence is preserved here, and nearly all of it addresses the search for information about her father. Included are notes for a speech she delivered to the Illinois State Historical Society about her father's biography of Lincoln on in May, 1924, shortly before her death.

Biographical material relates to John L. Scripps, his wife Mary E. Scripps, and brother-in-law George Little, legal guardian of Grace Scripps after her parents' deaths. Materials are divided into three folders. The biographical material on John L. Scripps consists of a clipping of his Tribune obituary, two copies (one handwritten and one printed) of what appears to be the speech Grace Scripps Dyche delivered to the Illinois State Historical Society in May of 1924, and other notes made by Grace pertaining to her father. There is also a typed manuscript relating the history of the Scripps Guard, a Civil War regiment named in honor of John L. Scripps.

The biographical material of Mary E. Scripps consists of a clipping of hair and a biography compiled by her daughter Grace.

Finally, a memorial booklet compiled upon the 1896 death of George Little provides useful information about the Scripps family background.

John L. Scripps Correspondence is contained in three folders and arranged chronologically. The folders contain both his personal and official letters spanning 1849-65, including several pieces of correspondence between Scripps and Abraham Lincoln pertaining to his biography and his position as postmaster of Chicago. Scripps's personal correspondence is with sisters, Ellen, Virginia, Lydia, and Mary, and brother, Benjamin Franklin Scripps. Also contained are letters from Scripps's wife, Mary E. and his father, George H. Scripps.

Mary E. Scripps Correspondence contains the letters from Mrs. John L. Scripps to her sisters-in-law, Mary Agnes Scripps Bagby, Lydia Scripps Little, and Virginia Scripps; as well ato s her cousin Ellen Browning Scripps, Other letters to Sarah, and Bell, each addressing the recipient as "sister," do not reveal the actual relationship of the correspondents.

Grace Scripps Dyche Correspondence spans 1868-1924, mostly relating to her search for information about her father. Many of the letters are addressed to her cousin James E. Scripps of Detroit, Michigan. There is also a letter from the widow of Civil War general John A. Logan, which pertains to the search for information about her father.

Scripps Financial Records are contained in one folder and span the years 1863-1903. Much of this material pertains to the Dyche family.

John L. Scripps Clippings add to the biographical information relating to Scripps, his tenure as postmaster of Chicago, his biography of Lincoln, and his influence on early Chicago journalism. Scripps wrote two newspaper editorials included here. Also included is an undated obituary for Scripps's young daughter, Mary Virginia.

Miscellaneous Clippings contains news print selections relating to Chicago and Illinois history, particularly Rushville, Illinois, Chicago society, and members of the extended Scripps family.

Grace Scripps Dyche Writings relates to some of the fictional and otherwise more creative writings of Grace Dyche. The folder contains the incomplete draft of a short story entitled "A Fairy Story." A biographical essay tracing the life of painter Bertha Menzler Peyton and typed copies of letters she drafted regarding a trip to South America taken sometime in the early 1900s and several pages outlining a book called Methodism in Illinois are also included.

Miscellaneous Material is contained in three folders and mostly undated and unidentified. It is made up of fragmented notes, letters, telegrams, receipts, and an unidentified ledger/account book with entries dating circa 1857-1860. There are also various genealogical notes.