Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Diary |
Source |
Iowa Masonic Library |
Iowa History Era Tag |
Territorial Iowa (1803-1846) |
Chronological Tag |
Expansion and Reform (1801-1861) |
Catalog Number |
2018.002.001 |
Credit line |
Iowa Masonic Library - Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
Description |
This diary was written by Theodore S. Parvin, the first Masonic Grand Secretary for the Grand Lodge of Iowa. In this diary, dated 1839-1840, Parvin kept weather observations for Burlington and Bloomington (now Muscatine). Written on Cover: Abstract of Meteorological Observations for the Years 1839.40. Taken at Burlington and Bloomington. Iowa. By T.S. Parvin, Attorney of Law. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Notes |
Contact libary for additonal diary pages on time working in city government and serving with the Iowa Masons. |
Additional Research & Sources |
Theodore S. Parvin was the first Masonic Grand Secretary for the Grand Lodge of Iowa. As a founder of the Masonic Order of Iowa, he came to build up the largest Masonic libary, located in Cedar Rapids. In addition to establishing the Iowa Mason district, he worked with Robert Lucas (first Territorial Governor), who he travelled with from Ohio to Iowa in about 1837 and helped to establish the territorial government as a district attorney in Muscatine. He lived in Burlington and then Bloomington (now Muscatine). He later on served as a secretary of the Territorial Council and as a member of the Constitution Council. From 1848-1850, Parvin served as a County Judge for Muscatine and became Judge of Probate Court after those two years. While holding a government postion, Parvin kept a diary all, or most of his life. The very first diaries are about the establishment of the territorial government, travel from Iowa to other places (St. Louis, Cincinnati, and places in the territory) by steamboat, wagon, stagecoach. He mentions the very short border war with Missouri - dispute about who owned what and where in southern Iowa, being named the first Librarian for the Territory and keeping weather observations in the places where he lived. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Object is related to the following library resources, which can be found by searching the catalog number in the advanced search section: Catalog #: 2018.045.045- History of Linn County, Iowa 2018.045.124- A Treasury of Iowa Tales 2018.045.137- Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa 2018.045.187- The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - State/National |
County Tag |
Decatur |Muscatine |Linn |
People |
Parvin, Theodore S. |
Multimedia Links |
Click here to view/hear the file. |
Artist |
Theodore S. Parvin |
Search Terms |
Business & Industry Early Business and Industry Forms of Government Lawmaking Political System Weather Judicial System |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Iowa Masonic Library and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
