Willard Family Diary, Scrapbooks and Photo Album

Collection

Identifier: MS W6

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Civil War diary of Lewis A. Willard, who settled in Kirksville, Missouri, and scrapbooks about his son Arthur Lee Willard, a Vice Admiral in the U.S. Navy. Lewis' daughter and Arthur's half sister, Louise Willard, was married to P.O. Selby, who curated six scrapbooks with ephemera from Vice Admiral Willard's life, including his graduation certificates, articles about his military success, and letters between him and his father, along with other family and friends. Lewis A. Willard fought with the Confederacy in the Civil War and kept a diary of his experiences, which Selby also donated to the library.

This collection also contains two photo albums that once belonged to Hattie Lawrence Spencer Willard Snyder, Louise's mother. The photo albums are in fragile condition, and contain convex glass photos, cabinet cards, postcards, and photos. While the exact date of the album is unknown, there are markings on a few photos from the year 1885. Convex glass photos became common in the 1840s, and cabinet cards became common in the 1860s through the turn of the twentieth century.

Dates

Creation: 1861-1935

Creator

Willard family (Family)
Selby, P. O. (Paul Owen), 1890-1982 (Person)

Note on Use of Collections

The library reserves the right to restrict access to its collections. Researchers agree to abide by any restrictions placed by the library on its collections. Learn more about our policies and services.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Board of Governors for Truman State University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Researchers further agree to indemnify and hold harmless Truman State University, Pickler Memorial Library, and their officers, employees, and agents from and against all suits, claims, actions, and expenses arising out of use of collections held by the library.

Biographical Note

Lewis A. Willard (?-1893) came to Kirksville, Missouri, from Maryland in 1858 to clerk in the drug store of Abraham P. Willard. A southern sympathizer, Willard joined Sterling Price and traveled with him in his slow expedition south across Missouri and into Arkansas. After leaving the Confederate service in Little Rock, he returned to his native state of Maryland. He then married Annie Willard, a distant cousin, before he moved back to Kirksville and opened a grocery store on the east side of the square. They had two sons, Arthur, 1870, and Orin Wilbur, 1873. Arthur Lee Willard (1870-1935) was an ensign in the United States Navy and the first to plant the Stars and Stripes in Cuban soil. He attended the State Normal School in Kirksville (now Truman State University) and then went on to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He was honored during his service with the Navy Cross, the Legion of Honor from the French government, and the Order of Leopold by the King of Belgium. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Hattie (Lawrence) Spencer Willard Snyder was born July 17, 1860 in Ohio, and died in Kirksville, Missouri on August 26, 1949. Hattie's husbands included Henry Spencer, Lewis Willard, and Orcinos Snyder. Hattie and Henry had a son, Henry Spencer, who died at the age of two in 1885. Hattie and Lewis had a daughter, Louise (Willard) Selby, who went on to marry Paul Owen Selby. P.O. Selby is best known to the Truman State University community as an alumnus (First District Normal School: 1911, 1918) and retired professor and Dean of Instruction.