Temporary record

Antonio Maden, a Catholic physician, moved from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to Cardenas, Cuba, in 1895. While in Cuba, he maintained a correspondence with the woman who would eventually become his wife, Kathleen Duryea, of Bensonhurst. The couple married in 1900. Maden was involved in several enterprises in Cuba, none of which appear to have been particularly successful: he raised hemp for rope-making and also grew vegetables for the market. Maden's years in Cuba were among the most interesting and turbulent times politically for that nation. His letters from 1895 through 1899 contain numerous references to the effects of the Cuban insurrection on business, while those letters from after the turn of the century reflect the economic development of American interests in Cuba. Kathleen's letters in reply (most addressed to "Papa" and signed "your sister") are very affectionate, and it appears as if the majority of the correspondence written during their courtship has been retained. Both Kathleen and Antonio were very faithful writers, and both are unusually literate and observant.

The collection contains a considerable body of correspondence for the years 1895-97, 1899, 1903-05, 1907-10, and 1912, and consists mainly of letters written between husband and wife, with a few letters of other of Kathleen's relatives. During the years that are less well represented, it appears most likely that the Madens were living together.

M-2605

Subjects

Courtship
Cuba--Economic conditions--1906-1909
Cuba--History--Revolution, 1895-1898
Cuba--History--American occupation, 1906-1909
Hemp industry--Cuba
Physicians--Cuba

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