Speed Family Papers, 1751-1921

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Speed Family 

Title:  Papers, 1751-1921 

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department. 

Size of Collection:  0.33 cubic feet 

Location Number:  Mss. A S742b 

Scope and Content Note 

Collection includes correspondence, 1786-1915; legal papers, 1751-1887; some Abraham Lincoln information, mostly concerning his acquaintance with Joshua Fry Speed and his family, 1841-1921; material on Dr. Thomas Walker; and genealogical material on the Speed, Fry, and allied families. Most of the material consists of typed copies. 

Biographical Note 

Joshua Fry Speed 

1814 Born in Louisville, Kentucky. 

1832-1833 Attended St. Joseph’s Academy in Bardstown. 

1835 Moved to Springfield, Illinois where he worked in merchandising, assisted in the editing of a local newspaper, and befriended Abraham Lincoln. 

1842 Moved back to Louisville and married Fannie Henning. 

1853-1855 President of the Louisville, Cincinnati, & Lexington Railroad.  

Civil War Advised President Lincoln on western affairs. 

1882 Died and was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery. 

For more information consult the Kentucky Encyclopedia. 

Folder List 

Box 1 

1 Correspondence, 1786-1839.

2Correspondence, 1796-1915.(Typed copies). 

3 Legal papers, 1751-1887.

4 Lincoln, 1841-1921.

5 Dr. Thomas Walker memorial, 1909-.

6 Genealogical material, 1892-1917.

8 Miscellaneous.

There is no folder #7.