Z 1776.000 Spengler Family Papers

The Spengler family left a deep influence on the Jackson area to the point that there is now a Spengler's Corner Historic District. This area is full of nineteenth- and twentieth-century brick commercial buildings. Joseph Spengler came to America in 1836 and established Jackson's first private manufacturing firm. The Spenglers were also the owners of Cooper's Well, a fashionable watering place and summer resort.

The research data gathered by Mr. Charles O. Spengler is quite detailed. He has traced the Spengler family back to the Fransioli and Ambrogio families of Switzerland and France. In the set of personal letters, there are letters of inquiry about possible family connections and personal notes of interest. There are Christmas cards dating from 1888 to 1897. In the collection of announcements, there are (among other things) funeral notices, party invitations and a wedding announcement.

Also in the Spengler family collection is a set of photographs of some of the more prominent Spengler family members. There are photographs of the following persons: Mary Ragasse-Fransioli-D'Ambrogio; her two daughters; Josephine Spengler and Mary Ellen Rietti; Frank Conrad Spengler, Sr., and Frank Spengler, Jr.; and Mary D'Ambrogio with Joseph, which was taken when Joseph was an infant.

In addition, there is some material of Cooper's Well. Cooper's Well was a fashionable summer resort, located in Hinds County. The property on which Cooper's Well is situated was purchased in 1837 by the Reverend Preston Cooper. Many of the visitors of Cooper's Well believed that the well contained medical properties; thus with this being the case, Cooper's Well became a well-visited place in Mississippi. However, after the Civil War and the lack of upkeep, the Chancery Clerk ordered the property to be sold. The property was purchased by S. Spengler and his brother H. Spengler. After forty years, the property was sold to Major A. D. Stewart. Again in 1923, the Spenglers were the owners of the property. This land now belongs to a Mr. Joe Dehmer, who is using the property for farming purposes.

Also included in the Spengler family collection is an array of newspaper clippings of some of the more important happenings that occurred in their family. The deaths of Frank J. Spengler, Mrs. J. F. Spengler and Mrs. Josie Spengler are cited. Salutes to Mary Ragasse and Reverent Joseph Fransioli and an announcement of the wedding of Frank C. Spengler and Josie Fransioli are included. The other clippings are quite general.

Series Identification:

1. Christmas cards, 1888–1897
2. Photographs, n.d.
3. Two books on Cooper's Well, 1923
4. Newspaper clippings, 1882–1982
5. Correspondence, 1854–1948
6. Announcements, 1876–1883
7. Research data, 1798–1950