Scrapbooks of Francis X. Reuss of Columbia, 1841-1913
Collection: The Scrapbook Collection
Call No.: MG-434, Boxes 092-093
Title: Scrapbooks of Francis X. Reuss of Columbia, 1841-1913
Dates: 1841-1913
Extent: 2 volumes
Creator: Francis X. Reuss, compiler.
Repository: LancasterHistory.org (Lancaster, Pa.)
Shelving Location: Archives South, Side 22
System of Arrangement: By volume:
Scrapbook of Francis X. Reuss of Columbia, Book 1, 1841-1908
Scrapbook of Francis X. Reuss of Columbia, Book 2, 1891-1913
Description: The Scrapbooks of Francis X. Reuss of Columbia, 1841-1913 are excellent resources about many aspects of life in Columbia, Pennsylvania during those years. Both books focus on residents of the borough, the history of Columbia, and Chiques Park. In both scrapbooks, there are newspaper clippings, handwritten correspondence, programs, photographs and handwritten notes in the margins (marginalia).
Book 1 contains all of the above materials, as well as maps, sketches and obituaries. Two unique items include a map of Lancaster County dated 1878 and an edition of The Columbia Spy (Vol. 1, no. 21). Fendrich Brothers, a local cigar company, is featured in a few articles throughout the book. With the focus on Columbia, the articles contain many different subjects including churches, the settlement of the borough, disasters, education and schools, prominent people, the dog ordinance, and the centennial of Columbia.
The materials in Book 2 pertain to reunions for former Columbians. Items about the reunion are as follows: menus, invitations, programs and handwritten correspondence. The newspaper clippings complement the other materials, advertising and discussing the event. The book also has a partial index that includes only some of the subject matter covered and no corresponding page numbers.
Conditions for Access:
Book 1: Restricted access. Please make an appointment with the Director of Archival Services.
Book 2: Please fill out a call slip for viewing.
Conditions Governing Reproductions: May not be photocopied. Please contact Research Staff or Archives Staff with questions.
Language: English
Source of Acquisition: Book 1 was a gift from Francis X. Reuss, 1908. Source of donation for Book 2 is unknown.
Related Materials at the Lancaster County Historical Society:
MG-325. The Francis X. Reuss Collection
Subjects: Reuss, Francis X., b. 1847.
Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge (Lancaster County, Pa.)
Church buildings — Pennsylvania — Lancaster County.
Obituaries.
Sketches.
Maps.
Marginalia (annotations)
Photographs.
Programs.
Newspapers.
Correspondence.
Invitations.
Scrapbooks.
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Susquehanna River.
Columbia (Pa.) — History, local.
Columbia (Pa.)
Lancaster (Pa.)
Administrative/Biographical History: Francis X. Reuss
Francis X. Reuss was born on 30 November 1847 in Columbia, Pennsylvania to Edward H. and Anna Barbara Reuss. Reuss began his study of music, piano, organ and vocals in 1857; his formal study ended in 1874. He also studied philosophy from 1863 through 1864. Reuss attend college taking commercial courses and studied Latin, German and French languages for three years.
Reuss was employed as a choir director at several churches in New York between 1870 and 1876, and later joined the Caroline Riehings-Bernard Opera Company with whom he toured throughout the United States, Canada and the West Indies. Upon his return to the states at the end of 1880, Reuss moved back to Lancaster County where he became a choir director at a local church for the next five years. Reuss contributed to the establishment of the American Catholic Historical Society located in Philadelphia in 1884. He chose another career path and started teaching in Philadelphia. Then during 1892, Reuss married Anna S. Fife in Philadelphia. After his marriage, he returned to choir directing at a Philadelphia Church in 1894.
Reuss was actively involved in collecting historical information and stories about residents of Columbia in his later years. He was instrumental in gathering the “Old Columbians” together for annual banquets in Philadelphia.
Custodial History: Previously housed in the Scrapbook Collection, Books 144 and 145.
Cataloged by: CRB, October 2007.
This project was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.