DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Chester C. Platt papers, 1869-1934.
195
Chester C. Platt
8 cubic ft.
Letters, clippings, pamphlets, financial records and
newspapers.
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell
University Library
Copies of a series of articles written by Platt for the Batavia
Times called Human Behavior, which covered a variety of subjects from politics to
travel; also included are editorials, articles submitted to other newspapers, speeches,
correspondence, and other documents pertaining to Platt's numerous interests. The
political correspondents include William Sulzer and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Documents
pertaining to the operation of a drugstore. Newspapers include letters pertaining to the
three papers with which Platt was associated. Historical documents concerning the Ithaca
Unitarian Church, a suit brought against the Forest City Printing Company, some early
letters, and accounts. Also, miscellaneous pamphlets, broadsides, and
correspondence.
Collection material in English
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Chester Platt operated a drugstore in Ludlowville and later Ithaca, New York. He became
successively proprietor of the ITHACA DEMOCRAT, the BATAVIA TIMES, and the Madison
WISCONSIN LEADER. He served as secretary to New York Governor William Sulzer, and was a
prominent figure in Democratic state and national politics from 1910 to 1920. In Ithaca
he was active in the Unitarian Church and in local politics.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION
Included are carbon copies of a series of articles written by Platt for the BATAVIA
TIMES called Human Behavior, which covered a variety of subjects from politics to
travel; also included are editorials, articles submitted to other newspapers, speeches,
correspondence, and other documents pertaining to Platt's numerous interests. The
political correspondence contains interesting Sulzer letters and some from Franklin D.
Roosevelt, then Secretary of the Navy. The drugstore correspondence gives a picture of a
small town druggist struggling to pay his bills; prices of articles and statements of
accounts are included. Newspapers include letters pertaining to the three papers with
which Platt was associated. The local history series contains documents concerning the
Ithaca Unitarian Church, a suit brought against the Forest City Printing Company, some
early letters, and accounts. Also, miscellaneous pamphlets, broadsides, and
correspondence.
SUBJECTS
Names:
Platt, Chester C.
Roosevelt, Franklin D.(Franklin Delano),
1882-1945.
Sulzer, William, 1863-1941.
First Unitarian Church (Ithaca, N.Y.)
Forest City Printing Company.
Titles:
Ithaca Democrat.
Batavia times.
Wisconsin leader.
Subjects:
Drugstores--New York (State)--Ithaca.
Drugstores--New York (State)--Ludlowville.
Politics, Practical.
Voyages and travel.
Pharmacists.
Politicians.
Places:
Batavia (N.Y.)--History.
Ithaca (N.Y.)--History.
Ithaca (N.Y.)--Politics and government.
New York (State)--Politics and
government.
Form and Genre Terms:
Broadsides.
Speeches.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Cite As:
Chester C. Platt papers, #195. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell
University Library.
COLLECTION ARRANGEMENT
A. Platt Articles
B. Political Correspondence
C. Drugstore Correspondence
D. Newspapers
E. Miscellaneous Correspondence
F. Local History
G. Pamphlets and Broadsides.
CONTAINER LIST
Platt Articles
1
1903-1934
Political Correspondence
2
1875-1914
3
1915-1917
4
1918-1923
5
1923-1928
6
1929-1934
Drugstore Correspondence
7
1873-1994
8
1895-1930
8
Undated correspondence
Newspapers
8
1902-1915
9
1915-1920
10
1917-1919
11
1920-1921
12
1921-1927
13
1928-1934
13
Undated Correspondence
Miscellaneous Correspondence
13
1877-1909
14
1905-1919
15
1920-1928
16
1929-1934
Local History
16
1869-1887
17
1893-1920
17
Undated correspondence
Bound Volumes
(Volumes 4, 15, 16, 20, and 24 are missing)
1
Memoranda, 1876 (bills owed, etc.) Chester C. Platt, Druggist,
Ludlowville, N. Y.
2
Cash Book, #1, C. C.-Platt, Druggist, Ludlowville, New York
May 1875-Dec. 1879
3
Inventories for years 1877,
1878, 1880
4
Inventory Supplementary to one closing 5th year
(1880)
5
Ledger #1, 1875-Aug. 1877
6
Ledger #2, Sept. 1878-Apr., 1880
7
Cash Book #3, 1883-1884
8
Inventory closing, first year, complete Apr. 30,
1876
9
Diary or Journal of notes and observations kept by C. C. Platt,
Ludlowville, New York, Dec. 12,
1879-1889
10
Day book, 1887-1889
11
Accountbook, 1874-1876
12
Cash Book, #2, C. C. Platt, Druggist,
1880-1882
13
Treasurer's Book of the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, New York,
1867-1897
14
Drug Inventories for close of 8th and 9th year
(1883-1884)
15
Assessment Roll, Town of Ithaca, 1875
16
Scrap Book on Tuberculosis Legislation from Mrs. E. H. Cooper, Troy, N.
Y. Jan. 3, 1913 to Hon Wm. Sulzer, Governor of New York.
17
Letters to and from Calvin E. Keach. Re: Chicago Platform Democrats,
1899
18
First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, Building Fund Amount,
1893-1895
19
Accountbook, Enz and Miller, Wholesale Dealers in School Books,
Stationery, & paper, Ithaca, N.Y., 1893. Cornell
University Accounts.
20
Accountbook, Enz & Miller, 1890,
1891, 1892
21
Minute book of the N. N. P. Lyceum of Ludlowville, N. Y.,
1867-1874
22
Ledger #3, C. C. Platt,
1881-1882
23
Ledger 5½, C. C. Platt, 1885
24
Ledger, C. C. Platt,
1875-1885