Curtis H. Veeder Scrapbook on Kentucky Oil Drilling

Collection

Identifier: SC MS 0123

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection of newspaper articles about oil in Kentucky contain some reprinted articles from 1829. The reprints are dated from 1861. The last newspaper articles about oil are dated 1866. The beginning 28 pages of the manuscript contain assorted information about petroleum, oil drilling and uses for petroleum. The next four pages contain apparently articles of interest to the creator such as the lyrics to “Annie Laurie”, verbal anomalies, pseudonyms of authors, the meaning of names (Kurionomatology), curiosities of printing and how to burn coal, measure of a mile. The following two pages have attached two pages from the American Phrenological Journal from 1846 or 47 (dated noted in pencil), the remaining pages are blank.

Dates

Creation: 1829-1866

Creator

Veeder, Herman, 1830-1876 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.

Biographical / Historical

Curtis Hussey Veeder (1862-1943), the donor of this collection of newspaper articles, was the second son of Herman Veeder (1830-1876). Both from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Herman Veeder and John Nicholson were involved in acquiring land in Cumberland County, Kentucky specifically for drilling for oil in Kentucky. Herman Veeder is attributed to be the creator of the scrapbook based on the dates of the newspaper articles. He was Secretary and Treasurer of the Cumberland River Oil & Salt Company of Kentucky. Nicholson was Superintendent of the company. In 1861they began the first borings specifically for petroleum oil in Kentucky. .

Extent

1 volume ; 19 x 24 cm

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This scrapbook is a collection of newspaper articles reflecting the Veeder family’s career in Kentucky oil. Curtis H. Veeder’s father drilled for oil in Kentucky shortly following the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania by Edwin Drake.