William L. Drane Family Letters

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Don Johnson.
Volari1@aol.com

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Don is a historian/author and a Park Ranger/Historian with the National Park 
Service (Dept. of  the Interior).  He writes:

Ever since I came across the William L .Drane family letters (several hundred)
dating from c 1829 to turn of the century, I have been gathering
information/material about this branch of the Drane's.  Specifically the Civil
War period. 

William L. Drane, (22 Feb. 1811-27 May 1881) a printer and supervisor of the
Public Ledger (Philadelphia) had several children from two wives, (they were
sisters), Mary Bonsall, and then married to Louise (Bonsall) Solomon.  William
L. Drane and  Mary Bonsall had three children; William R. Drane, Louisa Drane,
and Henry A. Drane.  William L. Drane and Louise (Bonsall) Solomon had two
children; Alfred Drane and Frank Condie Drane. 

Henry A. Drane graduated from the University of Penn. Medical school in 1861
or 62 and in 1863 contracted with the Union Army as an Asst. Surgeon, US
Volunteers; USA General Hospital, Summit House, Darby Road, Philadelphia, Pa.

Much of the correspondence (Civil War period), centers around Henry.  During
1864,65 and into 1868 he suffered from bilions (sic) fever and gout while
still serving with the USA General Hospital at Summit House.  In 1868, the
letters pertaining to Henry just suddenly stop and the correspondence
continues, mostly pertaining to William L. Drane, and his sons, William R.
Drane and Frank Condie Drane.  The letters continue on into the 1880's, and
well past William L. Drane's death in 1881.

I have been searching and searching to find out what happened to Henry A.
Drane.  From letters to him, (I also have his picture) he had a very
interesting short life, many, many, lady friends, and some very, very
"interesting" friends who had been medical school chums and carried on their
"buddy" friendships after graduating from medical school.  I can only conclude
that he may have died in 1868 or 69, however, no mention is made of this or of
Henry in any later correspondence.

From letters and some of the medical records of hospital statements Henry
accrued while assigned to the USA General Hospital Summit House, Darby Road,
Philadelphia, Pa., I have counted more than a dozen times that he himself was
incapacitated and in hospital because of this ailment and the gout, (1863-64).
During the gout flairups, Henry would have maneuverability problems.  Sad, as
he was so very young and also a very handsome young man.

In one letter from a close friend (a prior medical school chum) and later
doctor, - the friend describes in medical terminolgy, in detail what he
believes is Henry's medical problem and then in his final analysis, tells him
that he needs to obtain the services of a woman of the streets.  The letter
gets a little racy. The friend is a real character.