Anna R. Chisholm Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 118

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Anna Chisholm Papers document the life and travels of this Fargo resident. Her diaries cover from 1939 to 1950 with an entry for almost every day relating her daily activities. The correspondence is primarily her sponsoring a French war orphan after World War I. Other documents show her involvement with various organizations and her travels to the Eastern United States, Gaspé Peninsula, Mayo Clinic, Moscow, Idaho, and the Southern United States, 1940. The papers have been organized into four series: Correspondence, Diaries, Subject files and Trip scrapbooks.

The Correspondence Series, arranged chronologically, is very fragmentary. The most complete file contains letters from a French war orphan named René Parmentier, whom Miss Chisholm supported for some time during and after World War I. Related are letters from the sponsoring agencies, Fatherless Children of Franc, Inc., Fraternité Franco-Américaine, and Mrs. George C. Landon.

The Diaries Series covers the period from 1939 to 1950. There is an entry for almost every day relating mainly daily activities. There is also a diary of her trip to the Gaspé Peninsula and New England in 1939, covering the period June 18 to July 10.

The Subject Files Series contain a great variety of material documenting Miss Chisholm’s life and travels. The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Fargo file contains a chronology of Club events, 1920 banquet program, an issue of The Gist of It (November, 1922) published by the North Dakota Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, and the 1930-1931 program of activities. The character delineation is by a Professor Riddell done in 1899 for Miss Chisholm. From the Chicago Training School there is a bulletin, program for 1902-1903, pamphlets, and a letter. There are two notebooks listing all the Christmas gifts and letters received and given by Miss Chisholm and her father from 1926-1948. The “Dates to Remember” book covers the period from 1892-1947 listing major events in Miss Chisholm’s life. In the “Fatherless Children of France” file there is a pamphlet and various receipts for money sent by Miss Chisholm.

The Louisiana Purchase Exposition album contains printed photographs of the various pavilions and buildings of the Exposition. The newspaper clippings contain mainly social items related to Miss Chisholm and also a Courier News article on the French war orphans adopted by Fargo residents. The poem file contains only four poems written by Miss Chisholm. The folder of miscellaneous items contains two books with listings of various household expenses, addresses, and miscellaneous notes. The Red Cross, Fargo branch, folder contains a listing of events, items made, notes of various meetings and a letter. The Social dates booklet lists entertaining and visiting done by Miss Chisholm for the years 1932-1946. There are two booklets, mainly in longhand, of various quotes, poems, and sayings which impressed Miss Chisholm.

The Trip Scrapbooks Series, recorded through postcards, photographs, and handwritten commentary daily events on Miss Chisholm’s various trips. The trips include the Eastern United States (1934), the Gaspé Peninsula and New England (1939), the Mayo Clinic for treatment (1926), Moscow, Idaho, and the Canadian Rockies (1939), and the Southern United States (1940).

Finally, there is the 1915 banquet and reunion program for Ye New England Society of Fargo, N.D.

Dates

1892-1950

Creator

Chisholm, Anna Rebecca, 1878-1957. (Person)

Access

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

Copyrights

The Institute does not hold the copyrights.

Biography

Anna Rebecca Chisholm was born August 15, 1878 at St. Albans, Vermont, the daughter of Haile and Mary (Butler) Chisholm. Miss Chisholm grew up in Vermont although her father, in 1888, went to work in South Dakota. He later moved to Fargo, North Dakota and in 1892 Mr. Chisholm brought the family to Fargo. In 1896, Miss Chisholm became a stenographer for Fargo lawyer, William J. Clapp which continued until the 1930s except for periods of ill health. Miss Chisholm studied a short time at the North Dakota Agricultural College and also attended the Chicago Training School in 1902. In 1934 Miss Chisholm became the secretary for the Fargo Park Board which she held until 1939. Thereafter she remained home to care for her father until his death in 1951. Miss Chisholm died July 5, 1957 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Fargo.

Miss Chisholm was active in various organizations including the Business and Professional Women’s Club (for which she held various offices), the Business Girls’ Club, Unity Club, and Red Cross Auxiliary (all of the YWCA), the Fargo Musical Club, and the First Methodist Church.

Extent

.8 Linear Feet (.8 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Anna Chisholm Papers document the life and travels of this long-time Fargo resident. Her diaries cover from 1939 to 1950 with an entry for almost every day relating her daily activities. The correspondence is primarily her sponsoring a French war orphan after World War I. Other documents show her involvement with various organizations and her travels to the Eastern United States, Gaspé Peninsula, Mayo Clinic, Moscow, Idaho, and the Southern United States, 1940.

Provenance

Donated by Anna Chisholm, Fargo, N.D., 1953 (Acc. 117).

Separation Record

The following non-manuscript items have been removed from the Anna R. Chisholm papers and sent to the sections indicated.

Phonograph Records (Institute record collection)

“Assassination of Abe Lincoln” as told by Haile Chisholm with an introduction by A.G. Arvold, recorded 19 February 1948. Two records.