Hanger Family Papers, 1881-1945 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

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Collection Overview

Title: Hanger Family Papers, 1881-1945

Extent: 3.84 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 04/01/1986

Subjects: Kentucky--Social life and customs--20th century.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Hanger Family papers came to Eastern Kentucky University from the Hanger family ancestral home, Arlington, when the University acquired the property in the late 1960s. The collection documents the Hanger family of Richmond, KY and their activities. The activities of Elizabeth Arnold Hanger Elliot are especially well documented through her scrapbooks. The correspondence in the collection touches on social customs and financial interests of an elite Central Kentucky Family. The family traveled widely and the children all attended boarding schools in the East and there are numerous records documenting this. Some material originallly acquired from Arlington were transferred to the Mason and Hanger Records as they were clearly business records. The family papers still include some scattered materials that are likely business records. The collection was divided into four series -- correspondence, financial, photograph albums and scrapbooks, and publications.

Collection Historical Note

Harry Baylor Hanger of Virginia and Elizabeth Arnold of Richmond, Kentucky were married on January 18, 1893. They lived at Arlington, a gracious home owned by Mrs. Hanger's parents, William and Pauline Arnold. Arlington was named in honor of Robert E. Lee's ancestral home in Virginia. Mr. Hanger was born in Staunton, Virginia on November 1, 1864 and died of a heart attack on October 17, 1925. He was an engineer and joined a construction firm which he later headed: Mason-Hanger Company. Some of his achievements were construction work on the Lincoln Tunnel in New York City, Camp Zachary Taylor, Lake Charles Aviation Field, Old Hickory Powder Plant, Catskill Aqueduct, and various subways, terminals, and canals. He was also associated with the State Bank and Trust Company in Richmond, Kentucky from 1897 to 1925.

Elizabeth Arnold Hanger was born on January 18, 1870 and died on October 10, 1921 after having been mistress of Arlington for twenty-eight years. She was reared a devout Methodist and received the finest education and upbringing that a young woman of that time had available. She traveled extensively and spent a great deal of time in New York City and Florida. Harry Baylor Hanger, Jr., the first son, was born on February 21, 1894 and died on January 19, 1956. He married Martha Shelby who was a descendent of Governor Isaac Shelby. They had one daughter, Margaret. The second son, William Arnold Hanger, was born on February 5, 1896 and died on May 31, 1976. After his father's death, Arnold assumed many of his father's responsibilities. He and Hal Price Headly were the founders of Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, Kentucky. According to family friends, he was married briefly. It was he who gave the Arlington House to Eastern Kentucky University.

The youngest son, Paul T. Hanger, was born on March 31, 1897 and died tragically in a motorcycle accident July 18, 1916, at the age of nineteen. The only daughter of Harry and Elizabeth Hanger was named Elizabeth Arnold Hanger. She was born on April 16, 1905 and died on January 3, 1944. She, too, received the finest education possible. She traveled extensively abroad and had many friends. She was married first to John Marshall of Louisville, and their wedding was one of the most extravagant Richmond had ever witnessed. Her second husband was Shelby Elliott of New York City. They adopted a daughter, Shelby Elliott Roberts who now lives in New York City. Elizabeth Hanger Elliott's death was very sudden and tragic. At least two of the Hanger sons, Arnold and Paul, attended Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Elizabeth was educated at the Cathedral School of St. Mary in New York and National Park Seminary, Forest Glen, Maryland. All the members of the family are buried in the Richmond Cemetery. The Hanger Family name ended with the death of William Arnold Hanger in 1976.

Arlington serves as a social club for EKU alumni and associates. The grounds have been landscaped as a golf course. Much of the original decor of the house remains as it was when the Hanger family was in residence.

Information gleaned from these items, together with a sketch of Arlington by Thomas H. Tudor, Richmond Cemetery records, and certain clippings from printed sources were helpful in writing the biographical sketches of the family members.

Subject/Index Terms

Kentucky--Social life and customs--20th century.

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Hanger Family (via Arlington)

Acquisition Method: Donation

Other Note: Photographs were initially numbered with the accession number; however, a decision was made to change to collection number. The database was changed, but the numbers written on the images were not changed.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
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Box 1

Barcode: 31234013798275

Folder 1: Photographs

Photographs include family and individual portraits as well as more informal photographs of the family together, the children at play, and baby and horse carriages on Arlington's lawn or in front of the house. Also includes several photographs of baby with African-American Nurse.

Item 1: Elizabeth with a boy and a girl, 1910: Creator: McGaughey, S.J.; Physical Description: 6.5x10.5
Item 2: Unidentified Man in a hat, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.5x7.5
Item 3: Unidentified Man in striped suit, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.5x7.5
Item 4: unidentified woman, Unknown: Creator: Bell, W.J.; Physical Description: 7.5x9.5
Item 5: Two unknown toddlers, Unknown: Creator: Schlegel, Louis; Physical Description: 6.5x5.5
Item 6: Elizabeth Arnold Hanger, Unknown: Creator: Bell, W. J.; Physical Description: 7.5x9.5
Item 7: Unidentified girl in front of a fireplace, Unknown: Creator: Natural; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 8: Elizabeth A. Hanger with a girl, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4x6
Item 9: Three little girls, two looking at a book, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x5.5
Item 10: Unidentified child, Unknown: Creator: Schlegel, Louis; Physical Description: 4.25x6
Item 11: Unidentified older woman holding an infant, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4x7
Item 12: Unidentified boy, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4x7
Item 13: Unidentified boy, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4x7
Item 14: Unidentified boy, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4x7
Item 15: Unidentified woman on a cart pulled by a horse, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 16: Unidentified woman on a cart pulled by a horse, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 17: Unidentified group in a carriage pulled by horses, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 18: Unidentified group of men in uniform, one riding a horse, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 19: Unidentified man outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 20: Three unidentified children laying outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 21: Two unidentified children outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 22: Boys playing outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 23: Unidentified group of women with three girls, outside house, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 24: Unidentified girl in a carriage, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.25x2.5
Item 25: Unidentified woman and man with three boys, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 26: Unidentified group of children outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 27: Unidentified boy and girl in a hammock, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 28: Three children in a hammock, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 29: Unidentified baby in a stroller outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 30: Unidentified baby, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 31: Unidentified baby, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 32: Unidentified baby, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 33: Unidentified woman holding a baby, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 34: Unidentified girl outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 35: Unidentified group of children playing croquet, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 36: Unidentified Men outside, with a child in the background, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 37: Unidentified woman and child outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 38: Unidentified woman with baby in a stroller outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 39: Two unidentified people outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 40: Unidentified Group of people outside a building, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 41: Unidentified Group of people outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 42: Unidentified Group of people outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 43: Unidentified Group of people outside, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 44: Unidentified woman outside with a toddler, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 45: Katherine holding a kitten, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 46: Unidentified woman outside with a toddler, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 47: Unidentified woman outside with a toddler, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 48: Unidentified group of women outside a building, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 49: Margaret Lants-Daniel, one year old, 1892, Nov: Creator: Partridge; Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 50: Two unidentified females and two males, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x2.25
Item 51: Outside view, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x2.25
Item 52: Outside view, three buildings, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.5x2.25

Folder 2: Photographs

Portraits and photographs of Arlington estate. One portrait is fixed to an oval cardboard backing and is also shaped like an oval, while the second portrait on cardboard is a rectangular. Includes slipped small photographs and negatives of house and appurtenant structures (believed to be stable or garage).

Item 53: Arlington, Unknown: Creator: McGaughey, S.J.; Physical Description: 11.75x9.75
Item 54: Unidentified group of people sitting on a porch of an Italianate house playing music, Unknown: Creator: Schlegel, Louis; Physical Description: 10x8
Item 55: Italianate House, Unknown: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 56: Small frame house, Unknown: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 57: Arlington, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 58: Large three story house with balconies, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 3.25x3.25
Item 59: Landscape view, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 7x4.75
Item 60: Reprint of 55, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 10x8
Item 61: Arlington, Unknown: Creator: Sutcliffe, L. S.; Physical Description: 10x8
Item 62: Arlington, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 10x8

Folder 3: Photographs of Hanger Men

From Harry Sr. to William Arnold Hanger. Slipped photographs that are mostly formal portraits and mostly labeled.

Item 63: Harry Baylor Hanger Sr., Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 6.25x9
Item 64: Harry B. Hanger Sr. and foxing-hunting friends, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 65: Harry Baylor Hanger Jr. as a child, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.25x6.5
Item 66: Harry Baylor Hanger Jr. December, 1894--Chicago, 1894, Dec: Creator: Root, W.J.; Physical Description: 4.25x6.5
Item 67: Harry Baylor Hanger (1864-1925), Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 6x9
Item 68: Harry Baylor Hanger Jr., Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 7x9
Item 69: Unidentified couple, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 7.25x9.25
Item 70: William Arnold Hanger, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 5x8
Item 71: Unidentified man, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.5x7
Item 72: Paul Hanger, Unknown: Creator: Scott, Samuel; Physical Description: 6x8

Folder 4

Elizabeth Arnold Hanger, wife of Harry B. Hanger Sr., some with her daughter.

Item 73: Elizabeth Arnold Hanger & daughter, Elizabeth, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.25x5.5
Item 74: Elizabeth A. Hanger (Mrs. Harry Sr.) & daughter, Elizabeth, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.25x5.5
Item 75: Elizabeth Arnold Hanger, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.25x5.5
Item 76: Elizabeth Arnold Hanger, Dec 1894: Creator: Root, W.J.; Physical Description: 4.25x5.5
Item 77: Elizabeth Arnold Hanger, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 7x9.25

Folder 5

Photographs of Elizabeth Hanger (Jr, daughter of Harry B. Hanger Sr.) and Shelby Elliott. Includes photographs of Elizabeth as a child through adulthood. Adult photographs include small and large group photographs of Elizabeth with her husband, with friends, and with her adopted daughter Shelby Elliott Roberts. Arranged more or less chronologically.

Item 78: Elizabeth A. Hanger (daughter), Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.25x5.5
Item 79: Elizabeth Hanger (daughter of Harry Sr.), Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4x5.75
Item 80: Elizabeth A. Hanger (daughter), Unknown: Creator: Bell, W.J.; Physical Description: 7x8.5
Item 81: Elizabeth A. Hanger (daughter), Unknown: Creator: Bell, W.J.; Physical Description: 7x8.5
Item 82: Elizabeth A. Hanger (daughter), Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 83: Unidentified girl sitting at a piano, Unknown: Creator: Bradley; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 84: Unidentified girl sitting with a book, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 7.5x9.5
Item 85: Group of flowers in vases outside a building, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.5x3.5
Item 86: Group of flowers in vases outside a building, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.5x3.5
Item 87: Group of flowers in vases outside a building, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.5x3.5
Item 88: Unidentified girl on a roof outside rooms, 1920, Oct: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 2.75x4.5
Item 89: Unidentified girl sitting on a window seal, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 2.75x4.5
Item 90: Unidentified girl sitting on a window seal, reading a book, 1920, Oct: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 2.75x4.5
Item 91: Unidentified girl holding a fish, Unknown: Creator: McGaughey, S.J.; Physical Description: 6.25x10
Item 92: Mr. & Mrs. Shelby Elliot with two women and a baby, Unknown: Creator: Natural; Physical Description: 6.5x8.5
Item 93: Mr. & Mrs. Shelby Elliot by a fireplace, Unknown: Creator: Natural; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 94: Elizabeth Arnold Hanger Elliot (1905-1944) with Shelby Elizabeth Elliot Roberts (1937-), Unknown: Creator: McGaughey, S.J.; Physical Description: 7.5x9.5
Item 95: Shelby Elliot, Unknown: Creator: Natural; Physical Description: 6.25x8.5
Item 96: Margaret Hanger Harrison, Jean Hanger Laurena at a dinner, Unknown: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 97: Shelby Elliot at Arlington Farm with horses, 1934: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 4.25x5.5

Folder 6

Photographs of children, parents, and attendant nurse or nanny at Elizabeth Shelby Elliot's birthday party. Also photographs of children enjoying dogs trained to do tricks with various props.

Item 98: Elizabeth Shelby Elliot with two unidentified boys at her birthday party Jun. 23, 1939, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 99: Elizabeth Shelby Elliot with a boy, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 100: Elizabeth Shelby Elliot's birthday, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 101: Elizabeth Shelby Elliot's birthday, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 102: Elizabeth Shelby Elliot's birthday, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 103: Small Dog rolling a bucket, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 104: Elizabeth and a group of people watching a dog perform tricks, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 105: Children petting a dog, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 106: People at Elizabeth's birthday party, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 107: Unidentified woman with two girls at Elizabeth's birthday, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 108: Unidentified woman with Elizabeth, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 109: Elizabeth and an unidentified woman with the birthday cake, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 110: Elizabeth with an unidentified man at the dinner table, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 111: Two unidentified women serving the children at the party, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 112: Elizabeth with an unidentified man and woman, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5
Item 113: Group of people at Elizabeth's birthday, 1939: Creator: Unknown; Physical Description: 9.5x7.5

Folder 7: Personal Correspondence of Miss Elizabeth Hanger, 1918-1925

Included is a report card from The Cathedral School of Saint Mary, and a massive collection of letters from suitors. These letters are useful as evidence of the manners and language of courtship in the 1920's. These letters also provide information about college life, finding and holding a job, and recreation in during this period. Letters are dated and arranged (mostly) chronologically.

Folder 8: Letters of Condolence to Miss Elizabeth Hanger, Oct-Nov 1925

These letters are separated from the rest of her correspondence due to their volume and similarity in subject. Each is written expressing condolence and sympathy on the death of her father, Harry B. Hanger Sr. These letters came from her many suitors as well as female friends and other relatives.

Folder 9: Personal Correspondence of Miss Elizabeth Hanger, Oct-Nov 1925

Also includes undated letters. Mostly from suitors.

Folder 10: Personal Correspondence of William Arnold Hanger

One rough draft of a letter sent to the Winston-Salem Company soliciting Prince Albert Tobacco, some letters from friends, and several letters of condolence on the death of Harry B. Hanger Jr., his father.

Folder 11: Correspondence of Paul Hanger, 1908-1916

Mostly drafts of letters from the 1910's attempting to find work as a tutor at various schools. Useful details about upper school expectations and practices (as related to possible tutoring). A few letters from friends are included as well.

Folder 12: Personal Correspondence of Harry B. Hanger Jr., 1908 to 1926

Includes personal correspondence and letters of condolence on the death of Harry B. Hanger Sr. Also there are letters regarding the death of his brother Paul in 1916.

Folder 13: Personal Correspondence of "Bettie" Elizabeth Hanger

Wife of Harry Hanger Sr. Included are letters detailing the structure of the Kentucky Committee of Mercy, letters from Harry B. Hanger Sr., and letters from friends. Business correspondence has been separated and is in a different folder. Some of the letters may possibly be for her daughter, but most seem to be intended for the elder Elizabeth Hanger.

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