Note: The following reminiscenses concerning the Alphadelphia Association formed near Galesburg in 1844, are written by Smith H. Carlton, surviving Civil War Veteran, of 1120 March Street. Carlton was born May 3, 1847 in Wyoming County, New York, and Came to Kalamazoo with his parents in 1849 at the age of 2 and 1/2 years. At the age of 17, he enlisted during the last year of the Civil war with the 28th Michigan Infantry and participated in several major engagements near the close of the rebellion. His regiment remained in North Carolina on reconstruction duty until February 1866.

By SMITH H. CARLTON
Corporal 28th Michigan

Ethan B. Keith died at 83 years, Aug. 28, 1934, at his home near Galesburg on a farm southwest of that community which had been entered from the government by his grandfather in 1834.

Among Keith's effects were the constitution, by-laws and papers of the old Alphadelphia Association, consisting of many leatherbound volumes and including bills, receipts, contracts, reports and correspondence, which show all the activities and the transactions of the association. Luke C. Keith, Ethan's father, was the last president of the association and he had retained the records intact.

Carlton Knew Members

Having in my younger days been acquainted with many former members of the association, and having heard much of the story by word of mouth, I was interested in reviewing the records. I also know many of the descendants of these old members and am sure that a brief summary from the original records will be of interest.


That is the extent of the article(?), a double line at the bottom indicating the end.

Source: Barbara Triphahn