Lobben Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 18

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Lobben Family Papers consist of correspondence, several subject series and general subject files. The collection has been divided into three distinct series following the career of each sister. The Clara Lobben Series collection consists of diaries, material on the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and general subject files. Her diaries cover the years 1950 to 1957 and are not complete. They cover mainly daily activities of Clara and her sister Gertie. Some entries appear to have been written by Gertie. The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union Files gives a good view of its activities in the 1950's. The correspondence, covering the period 1949 to 1959, is arranged chronologically with both incoming and outgoing letters. The great majority concerns Clara's activities as the North Dakota director of Scientific Temperance Instruction. The newspaper clippings cover various state activities, and the notebook contains mainly her notes from various meetings. In 1950 Clara attended the National WCTU's Organization Workshop at Evanston, Illinois. Included in these papers are programs, handouts, notes and her report to the state WCTU. This series also includes programs from various state conventions and Fargo district meetings, various national publications, her annual reports on the Scientific Temperance Instruction Program in North Dakota, various speeches of Miss Lobben, and finally several issues of the state WCTU's White Ribbon Bulletin.

The Subject Files pertaining to Clara Lobben include a typed draft of a history of the Ben Franklin Parent-Teacher Association, listings of Clara's studies, report of state PTA activities, and menus from dining cars on the Northern Pacific, Great Northern, and Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railways (1923-1924). The school program material is composed of handwritten programs, mainly for Christmas, children's poems, play booklet and music sheets. The Gertrude Lobben Series collection consists of several diaries, material on the North Dakota Federation of Music Clubs and the Phi Iota chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, and general subject files. The diaries cover the period 1944 to 1949 but are very incomplete. They are more accurately called appointment books, listing lessons, recitals, and musical programs. The North Dakota Federation of Music Clubs is very extensive indicating Miss Lobben's active involvement, especially in the Junior Club program. The correspondence, arranged chronologically, consists of both incoming and outgoing letters dealing almost exclusively with her work as the North Dakota Junior Counselor. There are also copies of the Federation's Board of Managers' meeting minutes for the period 1929 to 1939, programs for various music contests, constitutions, her annual reports as Extension chairman and Junior Counselor, various copies of the Federation's newsletter and State Bulletin and some newspaper clippings. Other items include a copy of the music and words for "North Dakota Junior Song," various national publications, her report from attending the 1931 national convention, several speech and talk notes, and a scrapbook on various Junior Clubs around the state. Gertie Lobben's Phi Iota files consists of a few scattered letters, the chapter by-laws, instructions and publications from national headquarters, several chapter reports of activities, sample examinations for membership, newspaper clippings, various programs of performances, local reports, numerous speeches and talks, and a copy of "Tuneful Tunes," a collection of songs composed by pupils in music classes of Fargo platoon schools. The Subject Files related to Gertie Lobben include a copy of the constitution of the Enderlin High School A capella choir, newspaper clippings on the Fargo Music Club, Fargo Student Musicians Club and Miss Lobben, and a copy of "A Tempo," a newsletter published by the Fargo High School Orpheus Society. The Katie Lobben Series collection is very small. The correspondence and Hygeia files concern the publishing of her article on teaching school children to make butter. There is a booklet on material for children's Christmas programs, and Miss Lobben's note outlines concerning health and how to make butter.

Dates

1923-1962.

Creator

Lobben Family. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

The Institute does not own the copyrights.

Biography

Clara, Gertrude and Katie Lobben were the daughters of Hans O. and Caroline (Bergan) Lobben who were Norwegian immigrants. They first came to Benson, Minnesota in 1880, and then to Fargo in 1881. At Fargo they operated the Scandinavian Hotel for a short time and then homesteaded near Oakes, North Dakota. In 1884 they returned to Fargo and resumed operation of the Scandinavian Hotel. About 1890 Mr. Lobben began working for the Northern Pacific Railway where he was in charge of the bridge building work in this division. He retired about 1919 and died November 11, 1925. Mrs. Lobben died May 8, 1935. They are buried at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo.

Clara H. Lobben was born July 9, 1883 at Oakes, North Dakota. She attended the Fargo schools and later taught school at Perley, Minnesota and Moorhead, Minnesota. In 1918 she graduated from Moorhead State Normal School, after which she taught in Fargo's Longfellow and Wilson schools. In September 1927 Miss Lobben became principal of the new Ben Franklin School where she remained until her retirement in 1948. She was active in the PTA, National and North Dakota Education Associations, Pioneer Daughters, Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Mu Phi Epsilon and First Lutheran Church. She died July 21, 1963 and was buried at Riverside Cemetery.

Gertrude A., or Gertie, Lobben was born May 25, 1892 at Fargo. She attended the local schools and in 1914 began studying at Concordia College, completing her degree in 1949. She began teaching music in Fargo, including at Oak Grove. She also graduated from the Fargo College Conservatory and did postgraduate work in 1935 and 1940 in Chicago. Miss Lobben was very active in musical groups including the North Dakota Federation of Music Clubs, Fargo Organ Guild and the Phi Iota chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. She was also a member of the Pioneer Daughters and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Miss Lobben died September 25, 1967 and was buried at Riverside Cemetery.

Katie Mathilda Lobben was born March 15, 1886 in Fargo. She attended the local schools and became a teacher. She taught for a short time around 1907 at New York Mills, Minnesota. Miss Lobben returned to Fargo and taught in various schools including Washington, Roosevelt and Horace Mann. On December 4, 1940 Miss Lobben died and was buried at Riverside.

Extent

1.6 Linear Feet (1.6 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Lobben sisters were three Fargo residents who all taught in the Fargo school systems. Clara Lobben was the first principal at Ben Franklin School.

Provenance

Donated by Dr. Leo Hertel, Fargo, North Dakota, 1965 (Acc. 1369).

Separation Record

The following non-manuscript material has been removed from the Lobben Family Papers and sent to the sections indicated.

Books (Library book collection, consult the main catalog for the call number and location)

Women’s Christian Temperance Union of North Dakota. Report of the annual meeting, 1947 – 1954, 1956 – 1959

Newspapers (Institute newspaper collection)

The Fargo Folio, April 13, 1960 (Information bulletin of the Fargo Board of Education)