Reuben Lewis Bartle journals

Collection

Identifier: BUSC-2023-004

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Daily journals kept by Reuben Lewis "R. L." Bartle (1844 - 1917) of Washington County, Indiana. The journals cover the years 1884 to 1893; January through May of 1894; and 1903 through 1911. They are written on lined legal paper often bound into small gatherings. Bartle frequently heads each year's journal "Family Journal." He records daily happenings and financial transactions, visits, trips to Henryville and Salem, the nearest towns. Bartle was a notary public and often records when his neighbors brought legal documents for him to witness; among these are often Civil War pension applications. He makes frequent mentions of family members and neighbors and occasional references to news.

Five typed pages of research notes on the Bartle family and the Reuben's journals written by Reuben's grandson Glenn G. Bartle in August 1966 are included with the journals.

Dates

Creation: 1884 - 1894
Creation: 1903 - 1911

Creator

Bartle, Reuben Lewis "R. L.", 1844-1917 (Person)

Biographical Note

Reuben Lewis "R. L." Bartle was born in Washington County, Indiana on December 29, 1844 to Warren and America (Lucas) Bartle. He served in local militia during the Civil War and assisted his father on the family farm. In 1868 he married Emily Ruth Gray Howell (1845 - 1912), the widow of John Wierman Howell (1842 - 1862). With her first husband Emily had one son, Newton V. Howell, who is often mentioned in the journals as the recipient of gifts of farm produce.

Reuben and Emily had five children: William Dennis (1869 - 1941) and Bertha (1877 - 1959) lived to adulthood, while Dora, Mary, and Jimmy all died at a young age, the latter after being kicked by a horse in May 1894. The first section of journals ends with Jimmy's death.

Reuben's journals record his activities as a farmer, notary public, and neighbor in rural Indiana. He died at the home of his son William on September 15, 1917; Emily had predeceased him on January 1, 1912. Both they and four of their children are buried in the Bunker Hill Cemetery, Salem, Washington County, Indiana; their son William is buried in Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park, New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana.

Reuben Bartle is the paternal grandfather of Glenn G. Bartle (1899 - 1977), the founding president of Harpur College and SUNY Binghamton.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet (1 document box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Daily journals kept by Reuben Lewis "R. L." Bartle (1844 - 1917) of Washington County, Indiana. The journals cover the years 1884 to 1893; January through May of 1894; and 1903 through 1911. He records daily happenings and financial transactions, visits, trips to Henryville and Salem, the nearest towns. Bartle was a notary public and often records when his neighbors brought legal documents for him to witness; among these are often Civil War pension applications. He makes frequent mentions of family members and neighbors, and occasional references to news.