Cloud before the Sun, 1955
File — Box: 1, Folder: 7
Scope and Contents
From the Collection:
The Nora Mohberg papers highlight the works of a North Dakota author through both local history writings and historical fiction. The manuscripts of Cloud Before the Sun reflect likely some of her earliest attempts at writing. All her works in this collection help document the pioneer settlement era in North Dakota, and in particular the role of Norwegian American immigrants and their children in that settlement process.
The Cloud before the Sun manuscripts were separated from the records of the editor of the Institute (Acc. 2593) in 2000. The serial newspaper articles were originally part of the Institute’s Small Collection 611 which was transferred to Mss 283. The transfer to the Institute of the manuscripts and articles is recorded in a series of letters (1955-1956) between Nora Mohberg and Leonard Sackett of the Institute (Acc. 543). The two accessions were processed as a single collection.
The Biographical Series contains obituaries and other newspaper clippings concerning the lives of Nora Fladeboe Mohberg and her younger sister Eunice Fladeboe Whitinger.
The Published Writings Series consists of serial newspaper articles written by Nora Mohberg for the Sargent County Teller in Milnor, North Dakota. “Fourscore and Seventeen,” published in 1955, tells the story of Jacobina Jensen (1858-195-), a Sargent County resident and pioneer. “It Happened Here,” published in 1958, records various family legends—including pioneering and stories, among others. In these newspaper articles Mohberg appears to reply heavily on an earlier historical work related to Sargent County authored by a Mary Hudson.
The Unpublished Writings Series includes two typescript drafts of the story of Eunice’s and Nora’s grandmother, Maria (Berg) Brent, as she traveled from Norway to the United States and her life thereafter, “Cloud Before the Sun.” What appears to be the earlier draft (143 leaves) contains handwritten editing and additional notes pinned to various pages. Authoring credit, on a handwritten title page, is to Eunice M. Whitinger. The later draft (252 leaves) reflects extensive changes in the text, almost to the point of being two different works. The name of the character in the second manuscript is a Inga Dahl. The handwritten title page gives joint authorship to Eunice Whitinger and Nora Mohberg. This version also includes a Contents page with chapter titles. According to the correspondence in the donor file, it appears that Nora Mohberg authored her grandmother’s story and Eunice created the typescript copy from Nora’s handwritten draft. Nora Mohberg submitted the drafts to the Institute for evaluation, looking towards publication.
The Unpublished Writings Series includes two typescript drafts of the story of Eunice’s and Nora’s grandmother, Maria (Berg) Brent, as she traveled from Norway to the United States and her life thereafter, “Cloud Before the Sun.” What appears to be the earlier draft (143 leaves) contains handwritten editing and additional notes pinned to various pages. Authoring credit, on a handwritten title page, is to Eunice M. Whitinger. The later draft (252 leaves) reflects extensive changes in the text, almost to the point of being two different works. The name of the character in the second manuscript is a Inga Dahl. The handwritten title page gives joint authorship to Eunice Whitinger and Nora Mohberg. This version also includes a Contents page with chapter titles. According to the correspondence in the donor file, it appears that Nora Mohberg authored her grandmother’s story and Eunice created the typescript copy from Nora’s handwritten draft. Nora Mohberg submitted the drafts to the Institute for evaluation, looking towards publication.
Dates
- 1955-1958.
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Extent
From the Collection: .2 Linear Feet (.2 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Creator
- From the Collection: Mohberg, Nora Fladeboe, 1903- (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu