lIliniUli;il.U^lJLJLilAJ,AJLllJLAlll,Ut.JLlIlllllAAl^IUAAA/ JOSEPHBENJAMIN OAKLEAF- LINCOLN ROOM UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY MEMORIAL the Class of 1901 founded by HARLAN HOYT HORNER and HENRIETTA CALHOUN HORNER LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD FOUNDER AND COLLECTOR of LINCOLN MEMENTOS By Wm. Burton Benham Copyright Washington, D. C. 1927 Copyright, 1927, by 0. H. OLDROYD OSBORN H. OLDROYD Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/lifeofosbornholdOObenh /-Week Room PREFACE I have wandered through the experiences of an exceptional youth, brave soldier and patriotic citizen. I esteem it a privilege to have gleaned from Osborn H. Oldroyd the facts set forth in this little volume and it has afforded me much pleasure in reviewing and commenting on a life so well ordered and of such exceptional merit. There are elements in his life which invest his work with peculiar interest and fascination. His inflexible determina- tion to accomplish something worth while, that has resisted every lure that digression could summon or disaster invite, — has crowned at last his purposeful efforts, and posterity will be the gainer for his having lived and wrought in the wonder- ful era comprised in the period of his activities. The guiding thought prompting the publication of this book has been to set forth in a simple and sincere way the facts that disclose the elements that combine and proclaim a suc- cessful life j also to perpetuate the name and fame of the man who devoted sixty-six years in gathering the interesting col- lection of Lincoln relics which became the property of the United States August 30, 1926. W. B. B. W. B. Benham 3919 McKinley St., Washington, D. C. CAPTAIN OSBORN H. OLDROYD Collector of Lincoln Mementos With characteristic modesty and his regard of exact state- ment, the subject of this sketch states that he was discharged from the U. S. Military Service as a Sergeant, and in his esti- mation that is the only rank to which he is entitled. In view of his long and distinguished service as attested by the Colonel under whom he served, it is believed that he is entitled to the rank of Captain as his military and civil friends are always pleased to address him. He cared nothing for the glamor of military rank and insignia during the war and has cared nothing for it since. Duty performed during the war, was his only ambition and that rendered and the war ended, he was satisfied to lay aside the implements of war and to take up the pursuit of peace and happiness that were made possible by the sacrifice of lives and treasure in the great con- flict of the Civil War. Captain Oldroyd was born near Mt. Vernon, Ohio, July 31, 1842. His parentage was English on his father's side and American on his mother's side. The first seven years of his life were spent on a farm in Wayne Co., Ohio. He was educated in the common schools and the Knox County School. LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD In his eighteenth year he opened a news stand in Mt. Vernon. When the political campaign opened in the summer of 1 860, he found among a bundle of newspapers, a little book entitled "Life, Speeches and Public Services of 'Abram' Lin- coln together with a Sketch of the Life of Hannibal Hamlin" it being the Wigwam Edition of the Republican Campaign Handbook of 1860. Young Oldroyd read it carefully and concluded that any man having had only six month's schooling and accomplished what Mr. Lincoln had in life, from poverty to the candidacy of a great political party, must be an unusual man and one who would make a good President. He read and re-read the story of "Abram" Lincoln's uphill climb to fame and fortune. He became completely engrossed in a resolution to devote his life to the collection of every available thing that was asso- ciated with the life of his new found ideal. With unfailing devotion he pursued his quest and gathered pictures, auto- graph letters, speeches, newspaper articles and every memento that he could secure by contribution or purchase. Captain Oldroyd has preserved the little book for over sixty-six years and it is in a good state of preservation at this time. Wishing to know just what had impressed him the most and what was said of the martyred President so many years ago, the writer requested the privilege of glancing over the pages of the book. Captain Oldroyd untacked the back of ABRAHAM LINCOLN O. H. OLDROYD Co. E. 20th Ohio Infantry, 1861-1865 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD the frame in which it is preserved to permit an inspection of its mystic pages. When the following paragraph was read, he said "That was what had so appealed to me." It reads: "The natural result of democratic institutions is now accomplished, and a great powerful party has selected for its standard bearer, one who never received more than six month's schooling, who has not only sprung directly from the people, but who still belongs to the people, who is of them 5 who like Antaeus, finds his greatest strength in his contact with that from which he sprang ; one whose parents were poor, and who is not now rich ; but whose native energies and untutored talents have obtained for him the remarkable recognition which we chronicle." In October, 1861, when Company E, 20 Ohio Infantry was organized in his neighborhood, Osborn H. Oldroyd at the age of nineteen years was one of the first to enlist for a period of three years or during the war, in defense of the Union and to uphold the principles expounded by Abraham Lincoln his idolized hero. Of his military history, Col. M. F. Force, under whose command he served, wrote in his history of the 20 Ohio In- fantry as follows : "Osborn H. Oldroyd, while yet not of age, was appointed Fifth Sergeant of Co. E, 20 Ohio, just before the battle of Raymond, Miss. His Company went into the battle under the command of the 2d Lieutenant. Early in the engage- ment the Lieutenant was shot through the neck, the First Ser- geant was killed and soon young Oldroyd was in command LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD of the Company. He gallantly held the responsible post till the close of the battle. He was intelligent, trusty and honor- able." When the First Sergeant was killed Sergeant Oldroyd ran over to his body and took the roll-book from his pocket and took command of the Company. He was wounded in the left hand as he was aiming his musket — "And how it did bleed" he said, and it being a very hot day as he wiped the perspiration from his forehead some of the blood smeared it and his comrades came to him and wanted him to leave the field and have his wound attended to, they thinking he had been shot in the head from the blood on his forehead and neck. Soon after receiving his first wound his bunk-mate was killed near him and as he and another soldier were carrying the body back behind a tree Captain Oldroyd received a second wound in his hip. Before the battle ended he received a third wound in the head that grazed the side and opened a strip of scalp. With all of his wounds he did not leave the battle field during the furious fighting. After the battle he found a fourth bullet in his mess-can that had passed through his blanket-roll and one side of the mess-can. At roll call after the battle, only sixteen of the thirty-two members of the Company who went into the battle re- sponded. They had lost one-half of their number, in killed and wounded. The Company participated in the battles of Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Corinth, Iuka, Bollivar, Grand Junction and many minor engagements. LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD Captain Oldroyd served continuously from date of enlist- ment to July 19, 1 865, when he was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, his service having covered the entire duration of the war. When returning home from the service, he was handed three telegrams, that had been taken from a bulletin board, one of which read, "Abraham Lincoln was shot in Ford's Theater, mortally wounded" the second read "Abraham Lin- coln not expected to live" and the third, "Abraham Lincoln died at twenty-two minutes past seven this morning." Thus the capricious workings of fate denied Captain Old- royd the privilege of ever seeing his idolized hero. During the whole period of his service he kept a diary and recorded each day's battle, life in camp and details of marches. On one occasion he relates that he brushed the powder from a bursting shell off the paper upon which he was writing and had to change his position to get out of range of the enemy's guns. As the diaries were filled they were sent home for preser- vation. They were closely written in a plain legible hand, with faultless continuity and are wonderfully preserved, almost as legible as on the day they were written more than sixty years ago. Upon his return home from the service he resumed his work of collecting Lincoln relics with greater incentive than ever. His invincible resolution has never faltered, nor has he ever wearied with the task. With a determination as 10 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD strong as a chain of iron he has not swerved an inch from his cherished plans and hopes. Captain Oldroyd became Assistant Steward of the National Soldiers Home at Dayton, Ohio, for two years next following his return home from the army and was Steward of the In- sane Asylum at Dayton for a period of eight years. Of his stewardships the following testimonials sound the same notes of praise for duty faithfully and intelligently performed in civil life in harmony with the fidelity and honor that charac- terized his military service. Richard Gundry, Superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane at Dayton, Ohio, states that "Mr. O. H. Oldroyd was Steward of that Institution from November, 1869, to July, 1874, the period prior to 1872 was during my incum- bency as Superintendent of the Institution. I have therefore a very intimate personal knowledge of Mr. Oldroyd's charac- ter and qualifications and take great pleasure in stating that I have no hesitation in recommending him as a man of good business qualifications, strict integrity and great industry." Central Branch National Home for Disabled Soldiers, Dayton, Ohio. "This will bear evidence to the good charac- ter and business habits of Mr. O. H. Oldroyd. He was for several years connected with this Home as Assistant Steward and gave entire satisfaction. His business habits are good and he is strictly honest. Any business intrusted to him will receive prompt attention. Being a man I shall hope to hear that he has been rewarded with abundant success." — E. F. Brown, Governor. LINCOLN RESIDENCE, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS Occupied from June 1844 to 1861 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD 1 1 From the Dayton, Ohio Journal, "Captain O. H. Oldroyd for the last five years Steward of the Southern Ohio Hospital for the Insane leaves next Friday. In Captain Oldroyd's change, Dayton loses one of the most honorable, upright business men to be found in any community. During his Stewardship here Captain Oldroyd has disbursed over half a million of dollars, and may point with pride to the fact, that during the whole period of his connection with the Institu- tion, and the handling of all this vast sum of money, no man ever complained of being wronged out of a cent. The ac- counts and vouchers show that the State of Ohio was equally fortunate in this respect. In his new home Captain Oldroyd is followed by the good wishes of all who knew him in Day- ton, and we feel certain that the good qualities which won him the esteem of our citizens will make him many new friends." In 1883 he took up his residence in the Lincoln Home- stead, Springfield, Illinois, which at that time was unoccupied. Here he redoubled his efforts to procure anything and every- thing in any way associated with the great War President. Cities, Counties and State were visited as well as adjoining States, wherever he heard of a belonging of Abraham Lin- coln, thither he went in his tireless pursuit of coveted relics. Captain Oldroyd and his family occupied the Lincoln home in Springfield from 1883 to 1893. In 1 887 he induced Robert T. Lincoln to present the Lin- coln Homestead to the State of Illinois. The State upon assuming possession of the property the Legislature pro- 12 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD vided a salary of one thousand dollars per annum for a custo- dian and also a fund to keep the Homestead in repair. In the latter part of 1 844, Mr. Lincoln built the house in which he resided until he removed to Washington in 1861. It is located at the northeast corner of Eighth and Jackson streets and faces the west. It is built for the most part of black walnut lumber; siding, flooring, window and door frames, casings inside and outside also the cornice and trimmings. Pine was scarce and had to be hauled a long distance in those days. A farmer near by had a five acre tract of black walnut timber and furnished the material that was used in building the house ; also several other houses in Springfield were built of the same material, the cost of which was no greater than if built of other material. Captain Oldroyd was selected as its custodian, and he con- tinued in that capacity until 1 893, when at the request of the Memorial Association of the District of Columbia he removed his collection of Lincoln Relics to Washington, D. C, and with his family took up his residence in the Petersen house in which President Lincoln died. It is situated on the opposite side of the street from the old Ford Theater in which Presi- dent Lincoln was assassinated April 14, 1865, it being the premises, 5 1 6 Tenth Street, N. W. Twenty years after the close of the war Captain Oldroyd published in book form portions of the diaries under the title "A Soldier's Story of the Siege of Vicksburg". The House in which President Lincoln Died in Washington, D. C. 22 Minutes Past Seven A. M., April 15, 1865 O. H. OLDROYD AND WIFE, LIDA A. OLDROYD There is a bliss beyond all the minstrel has told, Where two are linked in one heavenly tie With brows never changing and hearts never cold, Loving on through all ills loving on till they die O, an hour of a rapture so sacred is worth A lifetime of heartless and wandering bliss And O, if there be an elysium on earth — It is this — it is this. LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD 13 He also published a book entitled "An Album of Immor- telles" a volume of six hundred pages of selections from the sayings and speeches of eminent men concerning Lincoln, and extracts from his famous addresses, and poems on his tragic death. He is also the author of a valuable book on the Assassina- tion of Abraham Lincoln. When Captain Oldroyd arrived in Washington with his Memorial Collection in 1893, he bent his unfagging energies to obtain additional relics in his new field of operation. By personal visits and correspondence over a period of thirty-three years, mindful of the fact that as the years dimmed the past, the work of rescue would become more diffi- cult as the possessors of Lincoln relics passed away, their prized possessions would be scattered beyond recovery. Captain Oldroyd has continued his quest of memorials since the sale of the collection to the Government, and will continue to do so until the sound of the trumpet will summon him to rest. Captain Oldroyd married Lida A. Stoneberger of Spring- field, Illinois, April 23, 1 873. He took his bride to Dayton, Ohio, where they resided for five years. Concerning the marriage contract, with its solemn vows of fidelity and its injunction against putting asunder, made fifty- four years ago, every stipulation has been religiously per- formed with the same fixedness of purpose that has charac- terized Captain Oldroyd's unrelenting pursuit of a goal which he visioned in the morning of his life. 14 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD With unified efforts they have striven together, he with his powerful individualism tempered by patience and a genial humor and she with womanly love, sympathy and full co- operation. They have ever regulated and adjusted their lives to meet the trials and tribulations that come to all knowing that none is stranger to adversity and sorrow. They have lived in sublime fulfillment of marital happi- ness and contentment. Both have found and imparted pleas- ure in the various organizations of interest to each, he in G. A. R. Associations and she in Woman's Relief Work. Each has attained prominence in the Associations with which they are identified. THE COLLECTION The collection consists of several articles and books that belonged to President Lincoln or were in some way connected with him. Many pieces of furniture from his home in Springfield, a score of autograph letters and papers ; many pictures depict- ing his early life and homes; numerous badges, flags and campaign caricatures relating to the campaigns of 1860 and 1864. There are many scenes in his life connected with his jour- ney from his home to Washington to be inaugurated Presi- dent in 1861. LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD 15 More than one hundred caricatures of his administration ; one hundred and fifty pictures relating to the assassination and funeral of the president. Two score pictures of Booth depicting his flight, capture, death and burial. Fully one thousand biographies of Lincoln j histories of slavery, civil war and publications relating to the President. Hundreds of newspapers dating from 1843 to 1865, con- taining the speeches, war papers and accounts of his death and burial. Over two hundred and fifty funeral sermons, eulogies and addresses delivered upon his death. Sixty-six pieces of sheet music published at the time of his death. Sixty-five photographs and illustrations of Ford's Theater, the conspirators, their trials and executions. Two hundred and fifty-three portraits of original photo- graphs, engravings and lithographs -, eighty-five engravings of the President's family, groups of the President and Cabi- net and allegorical pictures 3 more than thirty busts, statu- ettes and masks, also several medallions ; nearly two hundred memorial and political medals struck in the President's honor, etc. Special interest is centered in the following named articles and letters included in the Collection. 16 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD LONG SOFA A walnut sofa upholstered in hair-cloth and a rush- bottomed chair purchased from Mr. Lincoln in Springfield in 1861. FAMILY BIBLE His father's family Bible in which Abraham had scrawled his name when a child, the surname being written directly under his christian name. This Bible was purchased by the late Gardiner Hubbard of Washington at a cost of one hun- dred and twenty-five dollars and by him presented to Cap- tain Oldroyd. WOOLEN SHAWL The famous great woolen shawl worn by Mr. Lincoln on many occasions when he was President. Concerning this shawl Captain Oldroyd relates the following circumstances of its procurement: A Mrs. Fowler of Chicago and her daughter while on a visit to Washington in 1905 visited the Oldroyd Collection and observing a picture of Lincoln clad in his great woolen shawl, Mrs. Fowler told Captain Old- royd that she was the owner and possessor of the shawl, which she said was presented to her by her friend Mrs. Lincoln soon after the President's death. She remarked that the shawl should be with the collection, but said she could not part with it during her lifetime, but upon her death her daughter if living, would present it to the Oldroyd Collection. LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD 17 Fifteen years afterward in 1920, the daughter brought the shawl to Washington and presented it to Capt. Oldroyd. It is now preserved in a moth-tight box with a glass front. ABOUT WHISKERS Of unusual interest is a letter written to Mr. Lincoln dur- ing the campaign of 1860 by little Grace Bedell of West- field, N. Y., then eleven years old, a copy of which accom- panied by a photograph of a beautiuful elderly lady (Grace Bedell) are enclosed in a frame hanging on the wall in the office room. The little Miss noticed in the newspapers and posters that Mr. Lincoln was beardless so she decided to write to him advising him to wear whiskers. On October 19, 1860, Mr. Lincoln wrote to Grace as fol- lows: " My dear little Miss, your very agreeable letter of the 15th inst. received. I regret the necessity of saying, I have no daughter. I have three sons, one seventeen, one nine and one seven years of age, they with their mother con- stitute my whole family. As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affection, if I were to begin it now? " When Mr. Lincoln was on his way to Washington to be Inaugurated President, his train stopped at Westfield, N. Y., where Grace resided, and from the rear end of the platform of his train, he said there was a little girl wrote to me from this place advising me to wear whiskers, I wonder if she is living. Her father lifted her to the platform and Mr. Lin- 18 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD coin stooped down and kissed her and said, " now do you think whiskers has made any improvement?" Mrs. Grace Bedell Billings of Delphos, Kans., presented the letter and photograph to the Oldroyd Collection on the occasion of her visit to Washington and the Collection. COOKSTOVE The Lincoln family cook-stove on which was prepared the last meal of the President-Elect before starting for Wash- ington. Mr. Lincoln had been told that the old cook-stove had ceased to function properly ; on his way to his office one morning on passing a hardware store he was reminded of the cook-stove. He told the hardware dealer that " he wanted to get a cook-stove that would cook". He was shown the stove now in the Collection. It was guaranteed to do all that could be expected of a kitchen stove. The sale was made and the stove was ordered sent to the Lincoln home. The proprietor's son suggested that it might be better to have Mrs. Lincoln see it before he attempted to deliver it, but the distinguished purchaser was satisfied and ordered it to be sent as soon as convenient. When it arrived at the kitchen door the son of the dealer was told by Mrs. Lincoln, " She had not ordered a cook-stove from anybody and there was no use of leaving it there." When told that Mr. Lincoln had purchased it and ordered it delivered that morning, she remarked, " Well then leave it." It made good and looks well today. LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD 19 BLACK LOCUST RAIL A black locust rail split by "Abe" Lincoln and taken from the fence around his father's home near Decatur, 111., was procured for the collection by John Hanks. It is the para- mount object of interest associated with the rail-splitting days of the great patriot and liberator. PORCH BENCH " Make it extra long," said Attorney A. Lincoln to the cabi- net-maker when giving him an order for a porch-bench that " he could stretch out on during the hot weather." The work- man followed instructions and a generous sized bench was the result. It was made entirely of wood and was of good construction. Its exact size is: length six feet and ten inches ; width twenty inches. It has arm-rests at the ends and the back is spindled half-way up and has a wide back-rest at the top. The Lincoln home faces the West and the porch is at the south side. The court-weary attorney was accustomed to prostrate his tall form for a restful nap after his midday repast, and many of his neighbors and passers-by have de- scribed the familiar form resting quietly on the porch-bench during the sultry summer days in the late fifties. WALNUT CRADLE The walnut cradle in which each of the Lincoln children was rocked asleep, is preserved in good condition. Judging from its generous proportions especially from its depth it 20 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD seems that all danger from climbing or falling out of it was reduced to a minimum. Imagination pictures the toe of the great boot of the father on the top of the rocker-ends, which give evidence of long use. LAST HANDWRITING Five days after the close of the war two gentlemen called at the White House to obtain a pass to visit Petersburg and Richmond, Va. A few minutes previous to leaving the Executive Mansion in the evening of April 14, 1865, to go to Ford's Theater, with pen and ink he wrote the following reply to the above request. " No pass is necessary now to authorize any one to go to and return from Petersburg and Richmond. People go and return just as they did before the war." This was his last hand-writing. It is preserved under glass with a black covering to exclude the light. BOOTH'S SPUR The spur worn by Booth and which caught in the folds of a large flag and caused him to fall to the stage on that fateful night can now be seen in the collection. All of the exhibits form links in a chain that unite the past with the present. BLACK WALNUT DESK It was used by attorney Lincoln from the beginning of his professional career and served his purpose for many years. It had the old fashioned sloping hinged top and at the back LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD 21 were two rows of pigeon holes, the space under the lid was used for his books and private papers. It finally became the property of one of Lincoln's friends living in Springfield and later came into possession of Cap- tain Oldroyd. WHITE HOUSE ROUND TABLE This mahognany veneered table of unusual size and finish and of heavy construction was a unit of the Executive Man- sion furnishings and for many years prior to President Lin- coln's incumbency, was used by his predecessors, and by him throughout his administrations. Upon President Johnson's accession he had it condemned and sold. It was purchased by an employe of the White House who sold it to Captain Oldroyd. SETTEE ROCKER AND STAND The horsehair upholstered settee and rocker used in the Lincoln family for many years were purchased from Mr. Lincoln direct, by three sisters in Springfield, " at their own price." Upon their removal to California several years after- ward the settee, rocker and a small stand were offered for sale and were purchased by Captain Oldroyd. LINCOLN'S OFFICE CHAIR The wooden bottom office chair used by Attorney Lincoln while practicing law at Springfield, and in which he sat when he wrote his first Inaugural Address and formed his Cabinet, is still intact and in a good state of preservation. 22 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD PAINTED-BACK CHAIR It is one of those old-time masterpieces of cabinet-makers' skill built upon honor and of good seasoned material, the result of which not a joint has loosened nor a part broken. It is of that type of parlor chair that was prevalent a hundred years ago. THE WHAT-NOT Mr. Lincoln gave a cabinet maker in Springfield an old black walnut bedstead that had been discarded. The cabinet maker converted the material in it into an ornamental and useful what-not. Several years afterward it came into the possession of Captain Oldroyd. It is in a good state of preservation and is a prized object in the memorial collection. THE SURREY WHEEL The large hind wheel of the Lincoln family surrey well preserved, is a reminder of the days when the owner appeared in the streets of Springfield, often with his feet extended over the dash board, serenely oblivious of the smiles of his friends and neighbors. His legs were too long for the limited space between the driver's seat and the dash board of stock sized vehicles, so the cramped position prompted relief by an occasional horizontal extension of the tall man's extremities. O. H. Oldroyd on a Tramping Tour over the Eighty Miles of Booth's Flight LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD 23 SOLDERING OUTFIT In May, 1865, less than a month from the interment of President Lincoln's remains in the vault at Springfield, an attempt was made by some ghouls in human semblance to steal his body and hold it for ransom. The robbers had re- moved a marble slab and were about to drag the coffin out when they were frightened away. Several State officials visited the tomb, identified the body and attested its genuineness. The coffin was then encased in zinc and interred in cement deep in the earth. The soldering outfit used in encasing the coffin, consisting of fire-pot, soldering coppers, and a half-bar of solder, was placed in the shop of the tinner who did the soldering work, where it remained until the death of the owner when it be- came the property of Captain Oldroyd. JOURNIES AFOOT Captain Oldroyd being of English descent on his father's side, seems to have inherited the Englishman's love of the outdoor life, especially is he fond of walking. A little jaunt of a couple of hundred miles never used to bother him in the least, even if he had past his three score years. His two high- powered leg motors always carried him safely to his jour- ney's end. In order to verify the story that Abe Lincoln, as he was known in his early days, walked from New Salem to Spring- field, to borrow law books, a round trip distance of fifty miles, 24 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD and that it was a common sight to see young Lincoln reading the books while walking along the road on his return trip. Captain Oldroyd walked from Springfield to New Salem and return to determine the truth of the matter. Stopping at several small places along the road he would hunt out the older people and assuming an antagonistic or doubtful view of the truth of the stories told, would draw from them a sincere voluntary statement vouching for the truth of the stories, saying that they had often seen Abe Lincoln pass along the road to New Salem reading books. When sixty-three years of age Captain Oldroyd started on a trip to Europe, walking from Washington, D. C, to Philadelphia from whence he sailed to England, and upon his arrival in Ireland started on a journey afoot through Ire- land, Scotland and England, 1200 miles, visiting over a hun- dred points of interest in those countries. To him the most interesting place of all the places visited was Huddersfield, England, where his paternal grandfather formerly lived and was engaged in the manufacture of fine woolen blankets. He searched the city records for his grand- father's name and place of business. He was unable to find any person's name similar to his own. He thought it very strange as the records antedated even the time of his great- grandfather. He informed the keeper of the records that his grandfather was a well known manufacturer living in Huddersfield and that he was unable to find anyone of his name in the records. The recorder asked him his name and ^prgg^^^^^^^^^^g i 1 ■If' ^*«^ ' 4 *« THE LOG CABIN Birthplace of Abraham Lincoln Near Hodgensville, Kentucky, February 12, 1809. LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD 25 Captain Oldroyd handed him one of his cards j the recorder then asked him under what letter he had searched the rec- ords, he was told under the letter O, whereupon the recorder apparently much surprised, said " Well my good man you should have looked under the (hay-ches)." Captain Oldroyd reexamined the records under the " hay- ches" and found columns of Holdroyds his grandfather's name, occupation and place of business among the others. His grandfather Charles Oldroyd came to America in 1809 and settled in Wayne County, Ohio. Coincidentally only a few weeks prior there was born in the adjoining State of Kentucky a baby-boy who was predestined to have his name recorded among the truly great in the annals of his- tory that would abide through the coming centuries. They named the child Abraham and his memory is preserved in a grand memorial structure on the banks of the Potomac River that has excited the profound admiration of the civilized world. As the pauseless stream of time flowed on and the years passed as a tale that is told, a scion of the pioneer settler in Ohio became the ardent admirer of a scion of the poorer settler in Kentucky who hewed the logs of his cabin from the forest near which he dwelt. Upon his return to Washington he delivered an illustrated lecture on his journeys abroad, in the Congregational Church to a crowded house, and at other places in the Capital at the request of various organizations. 26 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD In October, 1913, he had some business to transact in New York City j providing himself as usual with a knapsack and umbrella he started afoot for the Metropolis. He slowed down at Newark, N. J., to view the famous bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln. A prominent editor of a Newark news- paper and a photographer accompanied him to the site of the statue. The photographer suggested that Captain Oldroyd stand up beside the statue and be included in the picture. The Captain politely declined, saying that " he was not worthy of such an honor and would not for a hundred dollars impose his likeness even beside a statue of the great man whom he revered above all mortal beings." He stood on the steps used by the general public and gazed long and steadily into the face of the statute which appeared to extend a silent greeting. Another hike of eighty miles was in the direction of the home of the late Dr. Mudd at whose home Booth found shelter on the night of the assassination of President Lincoln. Mrs. Mudd received him cordially upon learning who he was and the nature of his errand. She told Captain Oldroyd that Dr. Mudd upbraided Booth for his rashness and told him that he had inflicted an irreparable injury to the South. She also said that when Booth arrived at their home his ankle and leg were so badly swollen that it was necessary to slit the bootleg to get his foot out of it. Speaking of the spur which was attached to the boot she said it was in the possession of a gentleman living about eight miles farther up the road. Bid- ding her adieu Captain Oldroyd continued his journey to the O. H. Oldroyd Viewing the Bronze Statue of Lincoln at Newark, New Jersey Ford's Theater, Washington, D. C, in which President Lincoln Was Shot 20 Minutes Past 10 P. M., April 14, 1865 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD 27 home of the possessor of the spur and after some dickering with him he became the owner and possessor of the relic at a cost of fifty dollars. Captain Oldroyd continued his hike from the former spur owner's home to the home of the Garrett brothers where Booth had gone after leaving the home of Dr. Mudd and where Booth was killed while hiding in a barn. The brothers told the Captain they had told Booth that he had committed an awful blunder and that the whole South would suffer from his act. An invitation by the Garrett brothers to re- main over night was accepted and the evening was spent in going over the startling events of Booth's capture and tragic death in the barn. The brothers said that on the night of the capture of Booth at two o'clock A. M., a squad of Cavalry surrounded the Garrett house and began to search the house when the Gar- rett brothers ran to the house from the corn-crib near the tobacco barn where Booth and Herold had sought refuge and told Lieutenant Baker that the men they were looking for were in the tobacco barn. The barn was immediately sur- rounded and Booth was commanded to come out and sur- render, upon his refusal to come out the barn was set on fire. Boston Corbett, one of the soldiers seeing Booth in the barn fired through a crack the bullet passed through his neck and he fell mortally wounded. He died two hours later on the front porch of the house. 28 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD The Garrett brothers said the reason for their going to the corn-crib to sleep that night was they feared the two men in the tobacco-barn might run away with two of their horses in their attempt to escape. Captain Oldroyd returned to Washington having accom- plished the object of his trip into Maryland and Virginia. * * * No life can pass unvexed, unteared and so in the life of Captain Oldroyd the strong self-reliant man who had faced death on many battlefields there came a dread messenger and bore away his only grandchild. The strong man bowed like a broken reed and suffered a more poignant sting than he had ever experienced from bullets of war or from accident and disease. Great was the joy in the Oldroyd home when a little baby grandchild came to gladden their lives on July 17, 1 896. When grandfather Oldroyd saw the baby that day with her little fists clinched, he placed a tiny silk flag in her hand. That flag now stands beside a photograph of a sweet fluffy- haired little Miss on his desk " in the corner". Little Josephine as the baby was named brightened the home and as she grew up her sweet smiling face brought sun- shine into the house when it was cloudy and dark outside. When about six years old, she had committed to memory several verses and songs relating to the flag, and when she accompanied her grandfather, her inseparable companion, to meetings of the various organizations to which he belonged, JOSEPHINE OLDROYD TIEFENTHALER Born July 17, 1896 — Died February 20, 1908 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD 29 with flag in hand she would recite the poems with so much zest that the applause which followed equaled or exceeded that given to the speakers. When she was nine years old she learned to operate the typewriting machine in her grandfather's " corner" and would assist him in many ways in the care of the Lincoln Col- lection. She would greet him every morning with an arm about his neck, a kiss and a smile that gladdened the day. From the mystery of birth to the mystery of death was only a span of a dozen years in the earthly existence of little Josephine. In February, 1908, she began to fade and gradually the insidious disease spinal meningitis blighted the bud that was about to blossom in all its fragrant loveliness. Great was the sadness in the Oldroyd home when on February 20, 1908, her tiny spirit was upborne by the angels of light in undecaying form and in resurrected grace to the realm of glory from whence it came. Thus two of Captain Oldroyd's ideals had taken their earthly departure from the same habitation for that city not made with hands eternal in the heavens. SALE OF COLLECTION The climax of Captain Oldroyd's ambition was attained when he sold his Collection to the United States Government, August 30, 1926. The sum of $50,000 was appropriated by Congress for the purchase of the Oldroyd Collection of Lincoln Mementos and when the Government Agent handed Captain Oldroyd a 30 LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD check for the amount mentioned, the Captain said: " It was not the financial consideration that constituted the goal for which he had been striving so long, for he had received offers from outside parties far in excess of the amount the Govern- ment had paid, but he had steadfastly declined all offers, say- ing, that price was a secondary consideration in the disposal of the collection, and that he had never set a price upon it; but what he prized most was the knowledge that his Lincoln relics were now the property of the Government where the rising and unborn generations can read in the Mementos of Abraham Lincoln the story of his humble beginning and final attainment of the highest and most exalted station that the civilized world could bestow." The Agent informed Captain Oldroyd that he was author- ized to offer him the Custodianship of the Collection and re- quested him to accept the position and continue his guardian- ship. The Captain replied, " the responsibility would be too much for me to assume at my age of eighty-four years." Well, Captain, rejoined the Agent, I am also authorized as an alternative, to tender to you a key of the house and to permit you to occupy your accustomed corner as long as you live, to come and go whenever you please. When the Agent and photographers had departed, Captain Oldroyd looked upon the prized Collection at a different angle from which he had ever before viewed it. A look of LINCOLN MONUMENT Springfield, Illinois LIFE OF OSBORN H. OLDROYD 31 sadness akin to that of bereavement, a far away expression of deep regret came into his eyes as he realized the words of the poet; " Thou art sold my Arab steed thou art sold! " Osborn H. Oldroyd seized an opportunity which he recog- nized was within his capability of accomplishment when only a youth, and resolved to devote his life in quest of everything available in connection with the life of Abraham Lincoln his chosen ideal. The herculean task that he set out to accomplish has been performed. It was the result of patient, plodding industry that enabled him to reach its consummation and crown his declining years. His chosen field of endeavor has been unique and unusual. He surmounted many obstacles. His ambition has fed his determination to accomplish something worth while, in con- sequence his work is enduring. His sentiment and idealism is manifested in his life work. Absolute sincerity is a natural element in his character. Hypocrisy and pretense form no part in his make up. Complete and well rounded is his life which has exceeded the extreme limit alloted by the psalmist as the duration of human life. Whenever the question of what constitutes a successful life arises to perplex, as it has ever perplexed humanity, turn to the life of Osborn H. Oldroyd and find the true answer to the question written in his life work. BERESFORD, PR., 605 F STREET, NORTHWEST. CITY OF WASHINGTON. &