Summary Information
James T. Reeve Papers
1747-1951
- Reeve, James T. (James Theodore), 1834-1906
Wis Mss 3PB; Micro 321
0.4 c.f. (1 archives box) and 1 reel of microfilm (35mm)
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Primarily Civil War records, correspondence, diaries, and later autobiographical speeches of Dr. James T. Reeve, surgeon in the 10th and the 21st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry regiments. Included are descriptions of Sherman's march through Georgia and details from Reeve's experience as a prisoner of war in 1863. Also present are earlier papers relating to ancestors in Massachusetts, and scattered twentieth century documents concerning his son, Dr. James S. Reeve, with whom he was associated in practice in Appleton, Wisconsin.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-wis003pb ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Dr. James Theodore Reeve was born in New York in 1834. He received degrees from the Farmers' Hall Academy, Castleton Medical College in Vermont, and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. In 1855 he emigrated to DePere, Wis., where he married Laura Spofford in 1857.
On Sept. 18, 1861, Reeve applied for and received a commission with the 10th Wisconsin Regiment as 2nd Assistant Surgeon. He was promoted and transferred to the 21st Wisconsin Volunteers on Aug. 5, 1862, being promoted to Surgeon in Nov., 1862. He later became acting Chief Surgeon of the regiment.
The 21st Wisconsin Volunteers participated in several major engagements, including Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, and Sherman's siege of Atlanta and march to the sea. Sometime in 1863 Dr. Reeve was captured and held as a prisoner of war, being released in Nov., 1863. On June 8, 1865, at the end of the war, Dr. Reeve was mustered out.
When he returned, Dr. Reeve moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, where he resided until his death in 1906. He was active in civic affairs, although the medical field was his primary interest. He was active in the G.A.R. and was appointed G.A.R. medical director for Wisconsin three times. This support of medical organizations led to his becoming president of the Fox River Medical Society and secretary and president of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin. In 1876 he attended the International Medical Congress as a delegate, and was a member of the Pan-American Congress in 1893. Dr. Reeve was secretary of the state board of health from 1876 to 1894. In addition to these medical activities, he was instrumental in starting and developing the public library in Appleton and was an active member of the 1st Congregational Church.
Three of Dr. Reeve's six children died, one, “Chip”, in 1868. Those surviving were Howard D. Reeve of Spokane, Washington, and Miss Katherine Reeve and Dr. James S. Reeve of Appleton.
Scope and Content Note
The materials of this collection fall into three major groups: eight miscellaneous colonial and post-revolutionary documents, 1727-1839; papers, records, and a journal covering Dr. Reeve's service in the Civil War, 1861-1865; and some miscellaneous papers of Dr. J. S. Reeve, 1916-1951. The great bulk of the material consists of the Civil War documents. These include journals kept in 1862, while he was attached to the 10th Wisconsin Regiment, a few letters, inventories and invoices of medical supplies received during his service with the 21st Wisconsin Volunteers, medical lists of sick and wounded, and his personal papers and orders. These include his commissions, release as a prisoner of war, and mustering out papers. He expands on his Civil War experiences in two speeches.
One diary is available both in original paper form and on microfilm.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Dr. James S. Reeve, Appleton, Wisconsin, April 28, 1953.
Contents List
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Bound Journals
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Wis Mss 3PB
Box
1
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1861, November 1 - 1862, May 5, with 10th Wisconsin Regiment
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Box
1
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1863, December 18 - 1864, August 22
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Wis Mss 3PB/Micro 321
Box
1
Reel
1
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1864, October - 1865
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Wis Mss 3PB
Box
1
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1873
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Box
1
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1889
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Box
1
Folder
1
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Miscellaneous correspondence and speeches, 1868-1902
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Box
1
Folder
2
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Colonial and Post-Colonial Revolutionary papers, 1747-1839
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Civil War papers, records, and correspondence
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Box
1
Folder
2
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1861, September 6 - 1863, January
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Box
1
Folder
3
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1863, February 19 - December
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Box
1
Folder
4
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1864 - 1865
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Box
1
Folder
5
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Biography, Diplomas
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Box
1
Folder
6
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Miscellaneous papers
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