Jules Lebrun Records

Collection

Identifier: Mss 201

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Jules Lebrun Records consist almost exclusively of his farm account journals covering the years 1930 to 1969 without any gaps. There is also a folder containing photocopies of farm receipts and bills, spanning from 1937 to 1975. The farm account ledgers are the best such records in the Institute, and likely in the state of North Dakota. The Farm Account Journals Series contain an extremely detailed accounting of all farm income and expenses of Mr. Lebrun, as well as his diary entries for each day’s activities. He faithfully recorded each day the activities of the family in the diary section. Lebrun recorded the information in pre-printed booklets issued by Atlas Lumber Company (“Farm Account Book”) for 1930-1932, and by International Harvester Company (“Farm Business Record”) from 1932 to 1964. For the years 1965 to 1969 he used standard record books, but organized similarly to the earlier volumes. The pre-printed volumes are organized by month, divided into three parts: “Money received,” “Money paid out,” and “Daily record of work.” The money received lists not only grain income but also government payments, machinery sold, rent, and even egg and cream sales. The money paid out section is also very detailed and includes both farm related expenses and the household expenses of Marie Lebrun. According to the family, Mrs. Lebrun accounted for all her income and expenses which was recorded in the ledgers. The final file contains photocopies of a number of farm receipts and bills copied from the originals in the possession of the family. They were selectively copied from a larger collection and document major machinery purchases from 1937 to 1975 by Jules Lebrun. A Photograph Series of fifteen Lebrun related photographs were also copied from originals in the possession of the family and are in collection Photo 466.

Dates

1930-1975.

Creator

Lebrun, Jules, 1903-1997. (Person)

Access

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

Copyrights

The Institute owns the copyrights.

Biography

Jules Emile Lebrun was born October 25, 1903 at Langdon, North Dakota, the son of Eugene and Florida (Beauchamp) Lebrun. He attended local schools and worked on the family farm in Perry Township, Cavalier County, N.D. He married Marie Pelletier on January 14, 1930 at Olga, North Dakota. Marie was born May 2, 1909 at Lampman, Saskatchewan, Canada where her parents were farming, later returning to North Dakota. Jules rented a farm in North Loma Township in 1929 and 1930. They moved and farmed in South Olga Township, north of Milton, N.D., from 1931 to 1937. From 1938 through 1941 they farmed in Manilla Township in Cavalier County. They then moved to Perry Township where they purchased his father’s farm and farmed it until retiring in 1965. From 1946 onward they lived in Langdon while continuing to farm. Jules and Marie raised a family of seven children, Richard, Robert, Janice, Eugene, Carol, Yvette, and Yvonne. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Columbus. Marie died December 23, 1975. Jules married Tecla Wolking on August 14, 1976 at Donnelly, Minnesota. Jules enjoyed traveling and wintered in south Texas after retirement. Tecla died prior to Jules’ death which occurred on February 4, 1997.

Extent

.8 Linear Feet (.8 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Jules Lebrun, a farmer near Langdon, North Dakota, kept incredibly detailed farm account journals and diaries from 1930 to 1969 without any gaps. The journals document all farm and home income and expenses, whil the diaries record the daily activities of the Lebrun family.