Name/Title
Letter: Fred Seiberling to Irene Seiberling HarrisonEntry/Object ID
A 2025.16.b1.f4.1abDescription
Letterhead is Hotel Commodore, Washington, DC. The writer opens the letter expressing uncertainty with coming to Akron for mother's 75th annivesary and Uncle Charlie's. The writer then offers opinion and options for presents for both, specifically a puppy for mother and roses for Uncle Charlie. The writer encourages the reader to consult with other family members for a consensus and decision on presents, and to let the writer know how much money to send. The acknowledges Christmas and New Year's already seem long ago and that this past Christmas was one of the loveliest of all and hopes the reader has relaxed and recovered from the preparations. The writer mentions having bronchitis and a head cold but the sunshine they have been having will help, along with going to get an osteopath treatment. The writer closes the letter hoping to hear from the reader and signs it "devotedly yours, Frederick."Subject Person/Organization
Seiberling, John Frederick, Harrison, Irene Seiberling, Seiberling, Gertrude Penfield, Seiberling, Charles WillardSubject Place
City
Washington D.C.Country
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaCollection
PERMANENT COLLECTIONCataloged By
Katrina NeffAcquisition
Accession
A 2025.16Source or Donor
UnknownAcquisition Method
FoundLetter Details
Letter Date
Jan 7, 1941Sender
Name
Fred SeiberlingAddress
Hotel Commodore
Union Station Capital Plaza
Washington, D.C.Addressee
Name
Mrs Milton HarrisonAddress
Stan Hywet Hall
N. Portage Path
Akron, OhioPrimary Language
EnglishTranscription
Transcription
Jan 7, 1941
Dear Irene_______
Of course it would be a big disappointment to me if I could not be in Akron to help celebrate mothers 75th anniversary and also join in on Uncle Charlie’s but I never know. However I will most certainly do my best to be there.
But concerning the presents to both of them, I want to go along with any scheme that is agreeable to the rest. Now so far as a “pup” to mother, I think it might please her very much. But I certainly don’t see any sense in going to New York when there are kennels all over Ohio + pet shops in both Akron + Cleveland. Now of course the next thing is the kind of a pooch. The cleanest + tidiest dog, in my opinion, is a chow and furthermore they do not have fleas like other dogs. Their hair is so very thick + fine that a flea doesn’t find much skin to work on. That’s a fact. Furthermore if mother would bother to feed it at the beginning it would become her devoted slave. And with so many people around all the time it would grow up to be friendly. And chows don’t bark so much [illegible] like as wire haired [sic] Terriers or scotties [sic] and are smarter. Its one of the few dogs that is a basic breed like the Cocker spaniel and the hound. And they are seldom sick.
However there may be something much nicer than a pooch which mother would enjoy. I have been intending to look around but have not had the time so far. But if the “gang” pool their resources for one present I’m in for what ever it is. So let me know. Im [sic] in for anything the rest are. If you want to look at dogs there are some nice kennels just along the highway going into Toledo. Between Elmore & Toledo. Franklin might take time to run out there if a dog is the idea you settle on.
Now as to uncle Charlie. I think the roses idea splendid but I simply cant [sic] take the time to write all the cousins. Why can’t several of you in Akron get on the phone and round up those living there. Then if you want me to I can write to Kitty Bass and Cecil and Dud Pflueger who are about the only ones I can think of living away. Only tell me to whom the money must be sent if you want me to write those I mentioned. But again, there might be some present which would be even nicer to give Uncle Charlie. Perhaps Lu or Catherine might have some ideas along that line. So let me know the result.
Well it seems as if Christmas + New Years were a long time past. They certainly will be long remembered as one of the loveliest of all. And most of the fine arrangements were due to your and mother’s efforts and I do hope you have relaxed and recovered some of your energy expended in the Christmas preparations. I managed to pick up a nice bronchitis + head cold and don’t feel so 100%. But a few days of such fine sun shine as we have been having will help me get rid of it. Also am going to get an osteopath treatment tomorrow.
Well, I hope to hear from you. Until then, devotedly yours FrederickTranscriber
Cindi RokeLanguage
EnglishCreate Date
April 1, 2026Update Date
June 10, 2026
