Oscar H. Elmer Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 245

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Oscar H. Elmer Papers consists chiefly of his diary and several register books containing various vital statistics on ministerial acts performed by Rev. Elmer. The several letters are from his children in connection with obtaining Rev. Elmer’s papers. The Journal Series, the main portion of his papers, is a typescript copy of the diary Rev. Elmer kept from 1869 until 1889 which he himself called a Journal. There are almost daily entries with only several substantial gaps. The entries basically relate to his daily activities and travels with mention of many people. The Subject Files Series includes several marriage certificates completed for several marriages performed by Rev. Elmer. There are only two newspaper clippings which mention Rev. Elmer. The Registers contain information on various ministerial acts performed during Rev. Elmer’s career. The main volume includes sermons, baptisms, communicants received, marriages, and funerals. For particular years, see the Shelf List. The other two Registers are of marriages and sermons.

Dates

1869-1901.

Creator

Elmer, Oscar Henry, 1844-1904. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

The Institute does not own the copyrights.

Biography

Rev. Oscar Henry Elmer was born August 27, 1844 at Unionville, New York. He attended Hamilton College at Clinton, New York from where he graduated in 1865. From 1865 to 1868 he attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He was ordained January 28, 1869 in the St. Paul, Minnesota Presbytery. His first pastorship was at Sauk Centre, Minnesota where he served from 1868 to 1871. In 1871, Rev. Elmer was sent, by the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church, to Moorhead, Minnesota. He arrived in October of 1871. He conducted his first service on October 22, 1871 and on December 17, he conducted the first religious service in Fargo in a tent near the banks of the Red River. Rev. Elmer became the first pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead when it was organized in 1872. He was also instrumental in organizing churches at Fargo, Grand Forks, Casselton, Wheatland, Tower City, and Mapleton. On May 2, 1878, he married Caroline Knight at Monroe, New York. She was born there on June 18, 1850. They resided in Moorhead until 1886 when Rev. Elmer became pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Crookston, Minnesota. They resided there until 1893 when he became pastor at the Warrendale and Knox Presbyterian Churches in St. Paul, Minnesota. He retired in 1901 although he remained active in church work until his death on August 15, 1904 at St. Paul. His wife died on May 18, 1904. They were both buried in Monroe, New York.

Extent

.4 Linear Feet (.4 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Rev. Elmer became the first pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead when it was organized in 1872. He was also instrumental in organizing churches at Fargo, Grand Forks, Casselton, Wheatland, Tower City, and Mapleton.

Provenance

Donated by Charles K. Elmer, 1954 (Acc. 245), Mary T. Elmer, and Julia A. Duff, 1954 (Acc. 260)

Separation Record

The following non-manuscript items were removed from the Rev. Oscar H. Elmer Papers and have been sent to the section indicated.

Photographs (Institute photograph collection)

Rev. Elmer, his wife Caroline, and home in Moorhead, Minnesota (3) Books (Institute book collection)

50th Anniversary, First Presbyterian Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1929