This collection contains a sketchbook and copybook of Jacob Stauffer and his son, David McNeely Stauffer. The sketch of a log house and watercolor of the Mathiot House are both attributed to David McNeely Stauffer. Letters written to D. M. Stauffer refer to The Intelligencer, genealogy related to a portrait, and his collection of signatures.
Admin/Biographical History
David McNeely Stauffer (1845-1913)
Stauffer's extraordinary life began in 1845, in Mount Joy. His father was Jacob Stauffer and his mother was Mary Ann McNeely. He was raised by his stepmother since his mother passed when he was only a year old. His childhood home had somewhat of a local legend which claimed it was haunted by the unpleasant pirate who built it.
Around 1858, economic trouble forced the Stauffers to relocate to Lancaster City. His father took a job at the Lancaster Athenaeum library (on the 3rd floor of the old city hall) for small pay with the arrangement that he could establish his patent office there. David was inseparable from his father and spent more time at the library than he did at his home on North Duke Street.
From a young age David was enormously successful in school, no doubt due to his long hours at the library and absorbing the teachings of his father who was interested in natural sciences. He graduated from high school at an accelerated pace and earned his diploma at the age of 16. From there, he attended Franklin and Marshall college on a scholarship.
A crisis strikes Lancaster in 1862 with the invasion of the confederate army into Maryland. David, along with fellow classmates, were raised into a slapdash and disastrously ill prepared unit. They were eventually involved in the battle of Antietam if one uses the term "involved" loosely. Having virtually no experience or training they were kept out of the fight. After the short-lived adventure David returned to school for another year but, possibly hoping to see more action, he rejoined the service as an artillery man. Later, he accepted a job on the railways before he was offered an appointment as Master's Mate in the navy and he once again joined the military.
After his service, he returned to railroad work where he was determined to become an engineer. By 1870 he had achieved this goal, being appointed head engineer for construction of a Philadelphia street bridge. David was 25 years old. He worked diligently as an engineer for many years and finally opening his own business in New York as a consulting engineer in 1882. Stauffer was in high demand as he was considered an expert in his trade and was widely known. He was the second American to ever become a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers in London. He also became part-owner and chief editor for "Engineering News" for 23 years.
He was very active socially, largely invested in civic improvement, and belonged to numerous societies and clubs. He was also well-traveled. Appreciative of many arts, he took a particular interest in engravings which he collected. He even published a book which is critical to many collectors today: "American Engravers upon Copper and Steel".
Stauffer married rather late in life, at the age of 47, but his meeting with his wife is so extraordinary it sounds more like a sketch from a Melville novel. A shipwreck is the romantic occasion upon which these two lovers met, David and his future wife, Florence Scribner. David had been asked on an assignment for the Engineering News and Florence had been accompanying her father on a steamship when it wrecked in the Caribbean. They were married no more than a year later and set up residence in Yonkers, New York where he died in 1913.
Stauffer's passion for sketching was no doubt due to his father whose botanical sketches are still widely admired today. Of note is David's bookplate design used by Lancaster County Historical Society, which is one of many that he designed. He also left a legacy of no less than 70 drawings of early Lancaster City buildings, an unparalleled collection. Some buildings he documented still stand today; some weren't even standing when he drew them. He drew some earlier buildings that had been destroyed using only the descriptions from those who remembered them and historical documents.
Sources:
"David McNeely Stauffer". Elizabeth Clarke Kieffer. Papers of the Lancaster County Historical Society, vol. 56. 1952 no.7David McNeely Stauffer could be called many things: scholar, soldier, traveler, engineer, artist, collector, author. Clearly a man of many talents and many pursuits, in his life he seemed determined to collect a wide variety of experiences.
"Biographical Sketch of David McNeely Knox Stauffer". John W. Jordan. The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, vol. 37. (Philadelphia : PA).
"David McNeely Stauffer: The Little-Known Legacy He Left to Lancaster." A Talk to the Lancaster County Historical Society by C. Eugene Moore. May 7th, 1996.
"David McNeely Stauffer Aids Today's Scholars" in Artists' Album/Lancaster County. Gerald S. Lestz. Science Press, 1983.
See also: David McNeely Stauffer drawings in the Curatorial Collection
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Patrons must make an appointment with the Director of Archival Services to view the sketchbook in Folder 1. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-369
Other Number
MG-369
Classification
MG0369
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared 2010; revised 2014, 2015.
Watercolor aerial-angled view picturing the lower right corner of the bed. Green fabric curtains are tied to the slender fluted wooden column beneath the top decorative gray wooden edging. A square wood portion of the column supports the cross piece at the foot of the bed. A white covering on the bed has pink stripes along its edge and a green flounce matching the curtains above hangs between the mattress and the floor. Printed in lower left corner: "BEDSTEAD/ YEATES' HOUSE/1879."
Watercolor of "Mirror/ Yeates Mansion/ Lancaster/Pa:-" In lower right corner is a letter embellishment "m?n:" and beneath it, "-1879-" Oval-shaped mirror hanging on the wall is edged ornately with gold-colored curved leafy branches. On the top at the center is a gold lamppost/ torch.
There is a brown mark on the bottom edge, about 1.5 inches from the left corner. There are the remains of a previous backing on the corners and sides of the reverse which have partially bled through to the fronts, especially at the lower left corner. (by Scott Sagar, 12/06/2000)
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.42
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing on paper, depicting the entrance hall of the Yeates Mansion. The foreground shows a chair, cushioned bench, and rug as well as a map on the left wall and a framed coat of arms on the right wall. At midpoint are fluted pilasters supporting Doric Order entablature, and in the rear is an open stair case and a rear door.
The drawing itself is in black and white, while the border has been colored tan.
The caption at lower left reads "HALL OF 'Ye OLDEN TIME'/ YEATES MANSION/ LANCASTER. PA."
The artist has signed and dated the drawing in the lower right corner: "8/79/ D. McN. Stauffer"
(Written by Scott Sager) NOT FOUND IN BOX 0066, July 2023
This piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2000-12-13
Condition Notes
The edges are worn and browned. Part of the bottom left corner is A light brown mark appears at the bottom, to the left of the caption. There are remains of a previous backing on the corners of the reverse, and glue stains have bled through to the front., especially in the lower right corner.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.71
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing on paper, depicting the residence of Jasper Yeates Mansion. It shows a 3-story brick building with a 2-story rear section. The front entrance has a sideways staircase and pedimented door flanked by two columns. A man carrying a package is shown walking along the side of the house.
The drawing itself is in black and white, while the border has been colored tan.
A banner in the lower right corner reads " RESIDENCE/ OF/ HON/ JASPER YEATES/ LANCASTER/ PA"
The artist has signed and dated the drawing in the lower left corner: " D. McN. Stauffer. fecit 1879.""
(Written by Scott Sager) NOT FOUND IN BOX 0066, July 2023
This piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2000-12-13
Condition Notes
A significant brown mark appears in the lower left area of the drawing, between the stairs and basement window. A smaller brown mark appears in the sky, 1 inch to the left of the top of the chimney. A blue ink mark appears on the top edge, about 5 inches from the top right corner. There are remains of a previous backing on the corners of the reverse.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.72
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing on paper of the Old White House, a 2-story building with a raised doorway, basement entrance, and possible skylight in the roof. There is a high fence extending from the corner of the building. A man with a walking stick and a boy with a stick and hoop are shown in front of the fence.
The border has been colored light brown.
A sign over the door reads" JOHN WHITE BOOK BINDER" and a smaller sing on the second floor reads "1764." The caption at the bottom reads "The Old 'White" House/ East Orange St.: Lancaster Pa:/ in which tradition ways the Continental Congress met 1777 (?)"
Tradition also claimed that this was the house of Timothy Matlack during the Revolution.
(Written by Scott Sagar) NOT FOUND IN BOX 0066, July 2023
Ink drawing on paper of the parlor door of the Yeates Mansion showing a 6-paneled door with four strap hinges, crowned with pediment. The upper portion of the surrounding wall has been painted gray; the rest of the drawing is in black and white.
The caption reads:'PARLOR DOOR "YEATES MANSION"--/ LANCASTER PA.' A note at the bottom rights reads "Scale. 3/4" = 1"." The drawing is dated "9/79" in the lower right corner and appears to have the artist's signature. NOT FOUND IN BOX 0066, July 2023
There is significant brown mark on the right side of the door frame between the two lowest hinges. There are the remains of a previous backing on the corners and sides of the back, and some of this is visible on the front, specifically at the upper left corner and halfway down the left side.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.23
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing on paper depicting the Indian Queen Tavern, a large 3-story plastered stone building with a high pitches roof and multiple entryways. The paster has fallen off in several spots. A man sitting on the steps leading to one of the entrances is talking to a woman standing on the sidewalk. A street sign for Church Street is attached to a tree at the right corner of the tavern.
The caption written on a scroll at the bottom reads "THE INDIAN QUEEN TAVERN/LANCASTER PA: EAST KING ST." Below is written "D. McN. STAUFFER. SEPT. 1879." (Written by Scott Sagar.)
There are brown marks running down the right side and the remains of a previous backing on the corners and sides of the reverse, some of which is visible on the edges of the front, specifically the upper and lower left corners and about 4" in from the upper left corner.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.29
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing done over pencil sketch of the "Sawbuck House", done on a small lined piece of paper. The house is of brick and half timber construction. The side facing out to the right has two windows with fifteen panes each and twin shutters; above these two windows, closer to the peak of the roof, is a smaller, partially open window with nine panes showing.
The adjacent side, facing out to the left, has three windows and a door; one of these windows is similar to the first two, although with only twelve panes; the other two windows have their shutters closed. Below these two windows, almost at street level, is a much smaller window, probably looking into the basement. The door is set in from its frame, and has steps leading up to it, flanked by two low walls acting as railings. There is a chimney in the center of the roof.
The entire "Sawbuck House" is flush up against another, slightly larger building on its left side, also with a chimney in the center of the roof. To the right and slightly behind the "Sawbuck House" is yet another building, mostly obscured, but with another chimney and a high fence. A tree is shown growing at the side of this building. A sidewalk runs in front of all three buildings.
Written along the bottom of the drawing in ink is the following: '"Saw-buck" House--S.E. cor. Lime + Middle Sts--/Lancaster Pa--.'
Additional notes have been made in pencil: "S.E. cor. Lime + Middle Sts--." just above the curb of the sidewalk; "Brick" just above the basement window; and "Filled with stone." in the upper right corner above the tree. The number "25" also appears in upper right corner, and a circled "30" in the lower right corner.
Middle Street is now Howard Avenue. The Sawbuck House, also called the Powell House, was demolished before 1900.
The paper has become slightly worn and browned around the edges. The extreme lower left corner is creased, and the upper right corner has a small nick taken out, and a small hole below the number "25". There is also a 1/4" tear at the upper right corner, below the hole and extending to the edge of the paper.
This piece has been float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.01
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Pencil drawing of Dr. Atlee's house is mounted in hinged window mat. The front, facing out to the left, has a door with a small stoop and three shuttered windows, as well as four shuttered windows on the second floor, and two gabled windows above. The side facing out to the right is in two sections: one section under the peaked roof with three rows of two windows each, and a two-story section with a flat roof, also with three rows of two windows each. In both of these sections, the top two windows are much smaller than the rest, and also without shutters. Two basement windows can barely be seen on the front and side of the house.
NOT FOUND IN BOX 0066, July 2023
There are three chimneys of various designs; one at either end of the peaked roof, and a third at the extreme right of the house.
There are two smaller sections coming off either side of the house. These can only be seen in part, and are not drawn in much detail. Fences extend off of both these sections, with a tree growing behind each section of fence. An ambiguous shape has been drawn behind the tree on the left, possibly another building. The bottom of the drawing is also ambiguous, with the sidewalk following the same lines as the house.
A hand-written caption at the bottom reads "Dr. Atlee's House". There are two bordered emblems at the upper corners of the drawing, also done in pencil. The one at upper left reads "Georg/Burckh---[?]/Anna Margari-/ta B. 1764", encircled by a floral pattern. The one at upper right reads "I.G.B./A.M.B/1764" and is encircled by two flowers.
This building was erected on the northwest corner of E. Orange and N. Duke Streets in 1764 by George Burkhart, the richest joiner of pre-Revolutionary Lancaster, as his own residence. It was one of the most highly developed stone houses with a four bay facade in Lancaster. During the 19th century, it became the residence of the Atlee family. It was demolished in 1902.
Note: P77.31.68 shows the same building.
Additional notes have been made in pencil: "S.E. cor. Lime + Middle Sts--." just above the curb of the sidewalk; "Brick" just above the basement window; and "Filled with stone." in the upper right corner above the tree. The number "25" also appears in upper right corner, and a circled "30" in the lower right corner.
Middle Street is now Howard Avenue. The Sawbuck House, also called the Powell House, was demolished before 1900.
Yellowed around the edges; the side edges and right side of the bottom edge are ragged, with small nicks all along the right side. There is a crease extending from the top edge, about 3" from the right, down to about 3/4" from the upper right corner. There is a dark brown spot about 2 1/2" up on the right side, just outside the border. Now mounted in hinged window mat.
Object ID
P.77.31.02
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
