Evan S. Tyler Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 19

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Evan S. Tyler papers are organized into two series: Correspondence and Subject files. The Correspondence Series is arranged chronologically and covers the period 1877 to 1918. It is almost exclusively outgoing letters to Mr. Tyler's son Max for the period 1905 to 1918 and is quite complete for the years of 1910 to 1918. The correspondence contains general work-related information of Mr. Tyler, inquiries about his son's work, various engineering projects, and comments on Mr. Tyler's daily routine. Of special note are several letters written in 1906 in which Mr. Tyler relates his trip to the Panama Canal. The Subject Files Series are not very extensive. Included are two reports of the American Tyler family gatherings for 1899 and 1900. The 1899 edition contains much early family history material. The Civil War pension applications are relatively extensive due to the fact of a problem over Mr. Tyler using the name Sobieski Tyler during the Civil War. Finally, there is a Christmas poem by a T. Tyler and two Final Decree of Distribution documents on the estate of Mrs. Tyler.

Dates

1877-1919

Creator

Tyler, Evan S. (Evantine Sobieski), 1842-1923. (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

Evantine Sobieski Tyler was born March 23, 1842 at Damascus, Pennsylvania the son of John Young Tyler and Margaret Williams. In 1864 he enlisted and served in the Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. After being discharged in 1866 Mr. Tyler lived a short while at Petersburg, Virginia and Damascus, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1867 he moved to Owatonna, Minnesota where his brother Ezra Tyler lived. In the spring of 1873 Mr. Tyler moved to the new community of Fargo, Dakota Territory where he was to live the remainder of his life, There he joined in partnership with N. K. Hubbard in the mercantile and grain business. They operated stores in Fargo and Casselton, N.D. In 1874 after the destruction of the Headquarters Hotel in Fargo by fire, Mr. Hubbard and Mr. Tyler rebuilt a new Headquarters Hotel, one of the famous hotels of the Northwest,, In 1882 Mr. Tyler started his own business in grain and real estate which he continued until his death. On February 14, 1877 he married Clara Estella Barnes of Delavan, Wisconsin. She was born May 5, 1853 the daughter of Judge and Mrs. J.H. Barnes. They had three children, Paul, Max and Tannisse. Mrs. Tyler died suddenly in Fargo on February 13, 1883 and was buried at Delavan, Wisconsin. This was shortly before they were to move into their new home in the Oak Grove addition. It was a dream house for his wife and locally called Tyler's Castle. Mr. Tyler never moved into the home but sold it to G. S. Barnes. Mr. Tyler later served as a State Bank Examiner and National Bank Examiner. His interests also included politics serving in the North Dakota House in 1889 and 1895. He was also mayor and alderman of Fargo. He was one of the founders and directors of the First National Bank of Fargo and a member of the local Masonic bodies. Mr. Tyler was also interested in parks and donated part of Island Park to the City of Fargo and was largely instrumental in getting the Northern Pacific Railway to donate the remainder of what is now this park. He also was responsible for the Fargo Park Board in acquiring Oak Grove Park. Mr. Tyler continued to reside in Fargo and devoted his last years to the operation of his farm just southwest of the city. He died August 20, 1923 and was buried beside his wife at Delavan, Wisconsin.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (0.4 linear feet)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Fargo real estate agent responsible for the Park Board acquiring Oak Grove Park and the establishment of Island Park.

Provenance

Donated by Max C. Tyler, 1956 (Acc. 634)

Separation Record

The following non-manuscript material has been removed from the Evan S. Tyler papers and sent to the section indicated. Books (Library book collection, consult catalog for call number and location)

Manual of Subordinate Granges of the Patrons of Husbandry, by the Nation Grange. 4th edition, Philadelphia, 1873. Broadsides (Institute Broadside collection) Appointment by Gov. Louis K. Church of Evan S. Tyler as Public Examiner for the Second Examiners District, March 12, 1887. Appointment by Gov. Frank White of Mr. Tyler as State Examiner, March 21, 1903. Maps (Institute Map collection)

F. Sturnegk, Evan S. Tyler's map of Fargo, N.D. and Moorhead, Minn., 1899