American Historical Ephemera & Early Photography Online

Large grouping associated with an officer who served on active duty in both Cuba and the Philippines, with bulk of collection being war-date.

Archive comprises, in small part: uniform items, including shoulder straps, army officer sword belt with eagle plate buckle, Kepi style hat with U.S. Army Eagle buttons on each side and embroidered insignia. -- Diary, unsigned, apparently in the hand of Scranton, 20pp, August 1899 - February 1901. Includes description of the initial organization of the 30 Inf. USV, transport to the Philippines, and engagements in the Philippines. -- Photography, including in part: cabinet card by Randall of Detroit of a well-dressed gentleman in civilian clothes, inscribed on the mount below image "Yours very truly / G.G. Scranton"; identified photographs of officers from the 30th Infantry U.S.V.; 17 x 14 in. photograph of camp scene identified in the negative as "Last Camp 30 Inf - USV"; and a 13 1/2 x 11 in. photograph of a uniformed regiment standing in formation in front of an unidentified army installation. -- Personal papers of Scranton, including telegrams, war-date correspondence, hand-drawn battle map, and military-related documents. -- 60pp typed manuscript, "History of [the] Thirtieth U.S. Vol, Infantry." in original mailing wraps, sent from Dr. J.J. Erwin to Lieut. E.L. Hamilton of Detroit, Michigan. -- Personal effects of Gilmore G. Scranton, including calling cards and a service medal. -- First Philippine Republic flag, 62 x 24 in., white chevron featuring hand-painted golden sun and golden stars, hoist with manuscript notation "Mauban P.I. / April 6th 1900 / G Co 30th Inf." -- Large amount of newspaper clippings, and more.

Gilmore Gridley Scranton (1863-1924) served in the Spanish American War, surviving a bout with malaria following his time in Cuba, and then deploying to the Philippines. The Cass City Chronicle (Michigan) wrote this of Scranton in August 1918: "Captain Scranton was born in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan; educated at Albion College, Michigan, and began his business life as a banker. He entered the army at the time of the Spanish-American War as Second Lieutenant of the 34th Michigan Volunteer Infantry and took part in the battle at Santiago in Cuba. After the surrender of the Spanish army, he was ordered home for promotion to a Captaincy in the 35th Michigan Volunteers Infantry, serving in this regiment until the spring of 1899 when he was appointed a Captain in the 30th United States Volunteers and went to the Philippine Islands and participated in the strenuous campaign against the Philippine Insurgents, returning to the United States in 1901." Following the war, Scranton was associated with a law firm in Detroit and in 1903 was appointed General Manager of the Sanilac Sugar Refining Co. at Croswell, Mich. In 1911 he become vice president and general manager of the Huron Milling Company at Harbor Beach, the largest manufacturing plant in the Thumb of Michigan. He died in Harbor Beach, Michigan, in 1924.