Ira Eddy Family Papers
Collection
Identifier: Mss 212
Scope and Contents
The Ira Eddy Family papers have been arranged into two series: Correspondence and Subject files. The papers fell into the care of Ira Eddy’s daughter, Jane Eddy Good following Mr. Eddy’s death in 1948. The paper remained in her care until she donated them to the Institute for Regional Studies in 1997.
The Correspondence Series is organized into seven files, arranged chronologically. This series includes eight letters written to or from various members of the Eddy family from Dec. 17, 1823 to Feb. 26, 1896.
The letter dated Dec. 17, 1823, from E.S. Eddy to Jonas Eddy at Gallipoli, Ohio, is written in regards to the latter’s health and general well being over the previous weeks. It provides Jonas Eddy and family the reassurance that the poor health E.S. Eddy endured has since left him.
The letters of Aug. 20, 1838 to May 15, 1843 were written to Rev. Ira Eddy (1796-1874), (grandfather of Ira Eddy of Fargo by Nathan Eddy) by William Waddell, and James Eddy. They provide a general insight into the day-to-day activities both within and without the Eddy family, which was at the time living in Edinburg, Ohio. Health, business, family, and thoughts are discussed in the correspondence from the various authors.
The two letter written by Safford B. Eddy from Aug. 30, 1846 (10 p.) and Nov. 8, 1846 (21 p.) to John J. Hayden of Shawneetown, Illinois and Major Marshall relate Safford’s experiences in Mexico as General Gideon Pillow’s chief clerk during the Mexican War. In these letters, Safford writes about his journey to Mexico, the weather, animals, and army operations in the field. The first letter was written from Camp Patterson on the Rio Grande and the second from Camargo, Mexico. Eddy died in 1847 while serving in the army. Safford’s letters were prized possessions of the Eddy family, being held by Amelia Eddy Shimmers, Ira’s aunt, before being passed on to Ira Eddy in 1896.
A letter to Jane Eddy of Plainsview, Minnesota from her brother, dated only October 20th, discusses the health of her parents and other family members. This letter was likely written after the death of Jane’s husband in 1885. The letter was sent in care of T.A. Thompson.
The Subject Files Series is arranged into nine files, arranged alphabetically. This series includes genealogical material on the Eddy, Scott, and Good families. There is extensive information on the Eddy family line, but less in the Scott and Good family genealogies. The Scott family information consists of a single handwritten page to Alexander Scott (October 21, 1854). The information included on the Good family consists of a single note (date unknown). Also included are form letters from the Eddy Family Association and the Ezra Booth-Eddy Family Association (1937-1942). There is a North Dakota Agricultural College Certificate of Appointment for Ralph Eddy as Sergeant in Company B of the Battalion of Cadets (1922), and an El Zagal Temple card. A poem entitled A Tribute to the Memory of Safford B. Eddy, published at Willoughby in 1851, is also included, as are photocopies of selected pages of the Eddy family genealogy entitled The Eddy Family, Reunion at Providence, 2nd Ed. (1884). A 50th anniversary pamphlet for Leigh and Jane Good from 1983 is also present in the collection. The last folder holds a 1905 poetry book written by Ira Eddy entitled "Reminiscent Rhymes".
The Correspondence Series is organized into seven files, arranged chronologically. This series includes eight letters written to or from various members of the Eddy family from Dec. 17, 1823 to Feb. 26, 1896.
The letter dated Dec. 17, 1823, from E.S. Eddy to Jonas Eddy at Gallipoli, Ohio, is written in regards to the latter’s health and general well being over the previous weeks. It provides Jonas Eddy and family the reassurance that the poor health E.S. Eddy endured has since left him.
The letters of Aug. 20, 1838 to May 15, 1843 were written to Rev. Ira Eddy (1796-1874), (grandfather of Ira Eddy of Fargo by Nathan Eddy) by William Waddell, and James Eddy. They provide a general insight into the day-to-day activities both within and without the Eddy family, which was at the time living in Edinburg, Ohio. Health, business, family, and thoughts are discussed in the correspondence from the various authors.
The two letter written by Safford B. Eddy from Aug. 30, 1846 (10 p.) and Nov. 8, 1846 (21 p.) to John J. Hayden of Shawneetown, Illinois and Major Marshall relate Safford’s experiences in Mexico as General Gideon Pillow’s chief clerk during the Mexican War. In these letters, Safford writes about his journey to Mexico, the weather, animals, and army operations in the field. The first letter was written from Camp Patterson on the Rio Grande and the second from Camargo, Mexico. Eddy died in 1847 while serving in the army. Safford’s letters were prized possessions of the Eddy family, being held by Amelia Eddy Shimmers, Ira’s aunt, before being passed on to Ira Eddy in 1896.
A letter to Jane Eddy of Plainsview, Minnesota from her brother, dated only October 20th, discusses the health of her parents and other family members. This letter was likely written after the death of Jane’s husband in 1885. The letter was sent in care of T.A. Thompson.
The Subject Files Series is arranged into nine files, arranged alphabetically. This series includes genealogical material on the Eddy, Scott, and Good families. There is extensive information on the Eddy family line, but less in the Scott and Good family genealogies. The Scott family information consists of a single handwritten page to Alexander Scott (October 21, 1854). The information included on the Good family consists of a single note (date unknown). Also included are form letters from the Eddy Family Association and the Ezra Booth-Eddy Family Association (1937-1942). There is a North Dakota Agricultural College Certificate of Appointment for Ralph Eddy as Sergeant in Company B of the Battalion of Cadets (1922), and an El Zagal Temple card. A poem entitled A Tribute to the Memory of Safford B. Eddy, published at Willoughby in 1851, is also included, as are photocopies of selected pages of the Eddy family genealogy entitled The Eddy Family, Reunion at Providence, 2nd Ed. (1884). A 50th anniversary pamphlet for Leigh and Jane Good from 1983 is also present in the collection. The last folder holds a 1905 poetry book written by Ira Eddy entitled "Reminiscent Rhymes".
Dates
- 1823-1983
Creator
- Eddy, Ira, 1866-1948. (Person)
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Copyrights
The Institute holds the copyrights.
Biography
Ira Eddy was born in Plainview, Minnesota on November 18, 1866, son of Ezra Booth Eddy and Jane Bishop Wilson. Ira Eddy’s wife, Grace Evelyn Scott, was born in Hastings, Minnesota on March 27, 1872. Ira and Jane were married in Fargo, North Dakota on Oct. 18, 1899. Mr. Eddy was interested in his family’s genealogy and could trace his ancestry back to Captain Miles Standish and the earliest known member of the Eddy family, Reverend William Eddy of Cranbrook, England in the county of Kent. Reverend Eddy’s sons, Samuel and John Eddy immigrated to Plymouth Colony from England in 1630, and settled at there. Ira Eddy worked as a concrete contractor in Fargo for thirty-two years, while Mrs. Eddy was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy had three children: Percy
Scott Eddy of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ralph Ira Eddy, who preceded his father in death, and Jane Eddy Good. The couple moved in with their daughter Jane Good at Sheldon, North Dakota when Mrs. Eddy fell seriously ill. Mrs. Eddy died February 23, 1947. Mr. Eddy remained with his daughter at Sheldon until he passed away October 27, 1948. Mr. Eddy was a member of the First Methodist Church.
Extent
0.2 Linear Feet (0.2 linear feet)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Local man whose traced his genealogy to Captain Miles Standish and the earliest known member of the Eddy family, Reverend William Eddy of Cranbrook, England in the county of Kent. Contains two detailed 1846 letters of Safford B. Eddy's journey into Mexico during the Mexican War.
Provenance
Donated by Jane E. Good, 1997 (Acc. 2465); John Hayward, 2021 (Acc. 2021-041irs).
Property rights
The Institute for Regional Studies owns the property rights to this collection.
Creator
- Eddy, Ira, 1866-1948. (Person)
- Eddy, Safford B., d. 1847. (Person)
- Eddy, E. S. (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Ira Eddy Family Papers
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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