Title: John Meloy Stahl Papers
Inclusive Dates: circa 1930-circa 1944

Creator:

• Stahl, John Meloy, 1860-1944

Call Number: Illinois Mss K

Quantity: 1.6 c.f. (4 archives boxes)

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Papers of John Meloy Stahl, a writer and lecturer, consisting mainly of typescripts for his book The Battle of New Orleans, concerning this battle from the War of 1812, and for two unpublished books: “The Congressional Lobby: Its First Century,” and “Jeff Davis: Unknown,” almost 2000 pages long and including chapters on early Wisconsin history. Correspondence, 1931-1938, relates to the last-named book.

Note:

There is a restriction on use of this material; see the Administrative/Restriction Information portion of this finding aid for details.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-ill00k

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John M. Stahl, writer and lecturer, was born in Mendon, Illinois, in 1860. He began writing at an early age, and specialized in agricultural, economic, historical, and literary topics. He was a frequent speaker at farmers' meetings and Chautauqua assemblies. Stahl spent some years as a lobbyist in Washington, and supported such reforms as direct election of senators. He initiated the movement for free rural mail delivery. Twice Stahl was offered cabinet positions, under Presidents Harrison and Wilson, and in both cases he declined to accept.

Stahl was the author of a number of books, including: The Real Farmer, 1908; Just Stories, 1916; The Battle of Plattsburg, 1918; Invasion of the City of Washington, 1918; The Battle of New Orleans, 1930; and Growing with the West (autobiography), 1930.

The collection is composed chiefly of typescripts for one published and two unpublished books. The typescript for “The Battle of New Orleans” describes much of the background of the War of 1812 as well as the battle itself. The first of the unpublished manuscripts, shorter and more polished in form than the second, describes “The Congressional Lobby: Its First Century.” It presents the Lobby as an institution, and relies on the author's personal experiences as well as on a variety of historical sources.

The final manuscript, “Jeff Davis: Unknown,” is a monumental work of nearly 2000 pages, and appears to have been something of a life-long project with Stahl. It depicts the life and times of Jefferson Davis during the period before he became a prominent national figure, and seems to have been based on an exhaustive survey of available published and manuscript material. Previous accounts of the life of Jefferson Davis employed stories of questionable origin. Stahl attempted to dispel many of the myths and legends surrounding Davis' early life, particularly in reference to his marriages and his activities in the old Northwest, and to present as factual a portrait as possible. Many chapters contain material on early Wisconsin history.

Use Restrictions

All literary rights are reserved by the donor, Chouteau Platt Stahl.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Chouteau Platt Stahl, Madison, Wisconsin, 1957.

Processing Information

Processed by Emilie Al-Khazraji, July 9, 1964.

Box   1	The Battle of New Orleans
Box   1	“The Congressional Lobby: Its First Century”
	“Jeff Davis: Unknown”
Box   2	Correspondence, 1931-1938
Box   2	Chapters 1-29
Box   3	Chapters 30-54
Box   4	Miscellaneous notes and appendices