Fred S. Rutledge Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 222

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Fred Rutledge Papers consists of three series: correspondence, manuscripts and subject files. In the Correspondence Series correspondence are numerous letters from Mr. Rutledge to Leonard Sackett of the Institute with many recollections, also several letters from Lilla Harrison Hilpert and others to Mr. Rutledge with information on pioneer days in Dakota Territory. In the Manuscripts Series is A Christmas Vacation in Virginia, descriptive of historic scenes. There are family histories of the Rutledges, Dickisons, Wheelocks, Canfields, Beckers and Hudsons. Also included is the 243 page typed manuscript, -Reminiscences of Fred Rutledge covering his youth and days as lumberjack, hobo, railroad man, thresher and farmer in Minnesota and North Dakota. There is a notebook covering early days (1882-1902) in Dakota Territory, later North Dakota, homesteading, threshing, teaching, and hobo life, with histories of the Harrisons and Lindells. Another notebook has experiences in North Dakota and Minnesota, railroading, lumberjacking, farming, milling grain, and a variety of other subjects, (1880's to 1930's). In the Subject Files Series are a set of diagrams including an 1880 Doty Handpower washing machine, a leach for catching lye, a lumberjack's clothes rack, a logging "gethrow", a Michigan dray or "Godevil", an eggbeater, the grasshopper seat for a wagon box, threshing boilers and a map of the homesteaders of Dundee Township, Walsh County. There are several articles on artist, Ed Quigley, old songs, clippings, and obituaries. (Note: other works by Mr. Rutledge are in South Dakota Dept. of History, Minnesota Historical Society, and the historical Societies of Pope, Olmstead, Fillmore, and Winona Counties of Minnesota.)

Dates

1884-1961

Creator

Rutledge, Fred Sanford, 1878-1962. (Person)

Access

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

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection are not held by the Institute for Regional Studies.

Biography

Fred Rutledge was born June 12, 1878, at Walnut Grove, Minnesota, to James and Emma (Wheelock) Rutledge. In the autumn of 1882 the family moved to Grand Forks Dakota Territory, where two brothers of James Rutledge lived, Dr. Samuel Rutledge, and Arthur (Doc) Rutledge, a newspaperman. In 1883 the Rutledges took a homestead in Dundee Township, Walsh County, Dakota Territory. Both parents were teachers there, having also taught in Minnesota. In 1888 Emma Rutledge died in Grafton, North Dakota of pneumonia, and in 1889 his father married Clara Simonton. Relations between Fred Rutledge and his stepmother were not cordial, and when young, he began working on threshing crews, railroads and lumber camps. On November 5, 1902, at Sauk Centre, Minnesota, his roaming life ended when he married Ada Dickison, born February 1, 1882, in Lake Johanna Township, Pope County, Minnesota. They had 4 daughters, Harriet, Hazel, Violet, and Vivian. In 1902 Mr. Rutledge became an engineer with the Minneapolis Bedding Company of Sauk Centre. In 1931 he went to work for the Daisy Mills of Superior, Wisconsin, as watch engineer, later working for Consolidated Elevator Company. On July 21, 1953 Ada Rutledge died after a long illness. Following retirement Mr. Rutledge lived in Florida for several years, but was forced for financial reasons to return to Minneapolis, where he died December 5, 1962, and was buried in Crystal Lake Cemetery.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (0.4 linear feet)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Fred Rutledge was a Walsh County, N.D. homesteader. His papers include correspondence; family histories of Becker, Canfield, Dickison, Harrison, Hudson, Lindell, Rutledge, and Wheelock families; his handwritten manuscript "A Christmas Vacation in Virginia" (52 p.), and a typed copy of his manuscript "Reminiscences of Fred Rutledge" (243 p.) covering his youth and days as a lumberjack, hobo, railroadman, thresher, and farmer in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Provenance

Donated by Fred S. Rutledge, Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 16, 1954, May 24, 1956, November 30, 1960 (Acc. 221).

Separation Record

The following non-manuscript items have been removed from the Fred Rutledge Papers and sent to the section indicated. Photographs (Institute Photograph Mss 221)

100 Rutledge family, Dickison family, various friends and relatives, threshing scene, and homestead pictures.