Summary Information
Vinnie Ream Hoxie Papers
1864-1962
- Hoxie, Vinnie Ream, 1847-1914
Wis Mss MX; Micro 545
0.4 c.f. (2 archives boxes) and 1 reel of microfilm (35mm)
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers of sculptress Vinnie Ream Hoxie, including correspondence written by her and her husband opposing the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson (1866), several poems and a songbook written by her, and research materials prepared by Harold E. Miner between 1943 and 1962 including notes from the Ream collection at the Library of Congress, clippings, articles, an extensive bibliography, Miner's correspondence, and a draft biography of Ream.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-wis000mx ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Vinnie Ream Hoxie was one of the best known women in the art, music, politics, and society of nineteenth century America. She was born Vinnie Ream in Madison, Wisconsin in 1847 to Lavinia and Robert Lee Ream. Her father was a surveyor for the U.S. government. In 1857 her father's job took the Ream family to Western Missouri, where Vinnie and her older sister Mary attended Christian College in Columbia. There Vinnie studied art, vocal music, and several instruments, including guitar, banjo, harp, and harpsichord. She also began to work with sculpture. After she graduated, the family lived for a short time in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where Robert Ream was in the real estate business and was a part-time map maker. Vinnie performed frequently as a singer and musician at church socials and other functions, and she also colored her father's maps.
In 1861 the Reams moved to Washington, D.C., and two years later Vinnie began working with sculptor Clark Mills, through whom she was able to get portrait commissions. With the help of Missouri Congressman James Rollins, she persuaded President Abraham Lincoln to pose for her. On the basis of her model which was nearly complete when Lincoln was assassinated, she was chosen, even over her teacher Clark Mills, to do a life-size statue of Lincoln for the Capitol. In 1866, at nineteen years of age, Vinnie Ream became the first woman to sign a contract with the U.S. government for a life-size statue; this sudden prominence brought her national renown. She subsequently did busts of Civil War Generals George A. Custer, Ulysses S. Grant, and George B. McClellan, and was commissioned to do a ten-foot monument of Admiral David Farragut, the greatest naval officer of the Civil War. The Farragut model was finally completed in 1880 and was eventually finished in bronze; the sculptress rode to its unveiling with Mrs. Farragut and President Garfield.
While working on the Farragut model, Vinnie Ream married Lt. Richard Hoxie of the U.S. Army. A son was born to them in 1883, but little is known of him, as he spent most of his adult life in hospitals.
When Richard Hoxie retired as a Brigadier General in 1908, Vinnie was still working in clay. She particularly enjoyed teaching children, especially blind children, how to work with clay. Vinnie Ream Hoxie died in Washington, D.C. on November 20, 1914 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in her bridal gown and white turban. Her husband chose her epitaph, “Words that would praise thee are impotent.”
Scope and Content Note
The papers span the years 1864-1962 and include correspondence and writings by Vinnie Ream Hoxie, and notes and other research materials on Mrs. Hoxie compiled by Harold E. Miner.
Photocopies of scattered correspondence of Mrs. Hoxie and her husband cover the period 1866-1897. Most letters concern her role in persuading Senator Edmund Ross of Missouri to oppose the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson in 1866. The writings include typescripts of several poems (1900, 1902, and undated) and a songbook published in 1921 entitled “A Group of Songs by Vinnie Ream.”
The research materials, prepared by Miner between 1943 and 1954, include a notebook, one hundred and seventy pages of notes taken by Miner from the Hoxie Family Collection at the Library of Congress, and a file of miscellaneous articles about Mrs. Hoxie. The notebook contains an extensive bibliography on Mrs. Hoxie, numerous typescripts of clippings and articles concerning her notes on conversations with her acquaintances, and Miner's correspondence seeking information from historical institutions concerning her life and accomplishments.
The correspondence, writings, and research materials described so far are also available on microfilm. Not on the microfilm are biographical and genealogical material added to the collection in 1987; and a draft biography of Vinnie Ream Hoxie written by Miner and submitted to the Historical Society for publication in 1962. The biography was never published and was added to this collection in 1992.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Harold E. Miner, 1945 and 1954, and by other donors at various times. The Biographical and Genealogical Material was presented by Aileen Schoedel, Wautoma, Wisconsin, March 1987.
Primarily processed by Harry Miller and John Pfeil, February 1975.
Contents List
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Box
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Correspondence, 1866-1897
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Box
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Reel
1
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Writings by Vinnie Ream Hoxie, 1900, 1902, 1921, & undated
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Box
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Reel
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Research Materials, Compiled, 1943-1954
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Box
1
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Biographical and Genealogical Material
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Box
2
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Draft biography of Vinnie Ream Hoxie by Harold E. Miner
: This material was submitted to the Society for publication in 1962, but was never published. It was added to this collection in 1992.
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