Letter from F.A. Seiberling to Penfield Seiberling

Letter

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

page 1

Name/Title

Letter from F.A. Seiberling to Penfield Seiberling

Entry/Object ID

A 2025.18.b1.f1.2ab

Description

Handwritten letter on Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. letterhead written by F.A. Seiberling to son J. Penfield "Penny" Seiberling on his 5th birthday on July 3, 1903 (although someone marked in pencil [1906] in the top right corner). In it he mentions the 4th of July celebration and he has drawn a few pictures of Penny, mentioning how he looks when Papa kisses him. Signed "Goodnight from your loving Papa".

Subject Person/Organization

Seiberling, Frank Augustus, Seiberling, James Penfield

Subject Place

City

Akron

State/Province

Ohio

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Collection

PERMANENT COLLECTION

Cataloged By

Barb Welch

Acquisition

Accession

A 2025.18

Source or Donor

Unknown

Acquisition Method

Found

Letter Details

Letter Date

Jul 3, 1903

Sender

Name

F.A. Seiberling

Address

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio

Addressee

Name

Master Penfield Seiberling

Address

Hessel, Michigan

Transcription

Akron, Ohio, July 3 My dear little Penny, Just 5 years ago tonight when pistols and torpedoes were popping all around, who should pop into this world but my little Penny boy. And what so you think, he surprised his Papa by hiding in the cradle while he was calling on Aunt Hattie, then chirping like a little squirrel when I came home so that I did not know whether it was Penny or a squirrel. And this is the way he looked when Papa first kissed him (sketch of smiling face) and once in a great while this is the way he looks when Papa now kisses him (sketch of frowning face) but generally he looks like this (sketch of another face). And now my dear Penny you must always remember that your birthday is so near the 4th of July that you are bound to be very patriotic, and I hope we shall always celebrate your birthday by bringing out the American flag and having a good time,— We will also shoot a few firecrackers and make some noise just to show how happy we are in celebrating your birthday,— I am sending you some funny pictures [sic], which will please you, and Willard and Frederic [sic] can tell you all about them. I hope you are having a nice time playing with your dear little sister Virginia, and also your sister Irene, and your two droopy brothers. Someday you will show them a thing or two about smart boys that they have never dreamed of.— Now you must be real good and mind your Mamma and Grandma and Auntie and not play with the boats on the water except when they are around. So here goes a lovely kiss and hug from Papa to his dear little Penny, with the hope that we may celebrate many birthdays hereafter. Goodnight from your loving Papa

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Other Number

SA 87.73

Number Type

Other Number

SA 87.57.2

Created By

bwelch@stanhywet.org

Create Date

July 1, 2025

Updated By

bwelch@stanhywet.org

Update Date

October 30, 2025