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Wilfred A. Plath Photograph Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Photo 458

Scope and Content

The Wilfred A. Plath Photograph Collection consist of a series of snapshots ranging in size from 7 x 11 cm. and 7 x 9 cm. They are subdivided into two folders: Glover Ranches, and Drought. All appear to have been taken in 1934 or around that year.



The Glover Ranches folder contains 8 prints. All show farm building belonging to various tenant farmers of the Glover Ranch, these include the farms of A. Kalstad, Geo. Konkler, Earl Barton, and the general ranch buildings around Glover, N.D. and James River Valley Township in Dickey County.



The second folder, entitled Drought, contains 6 photographs showing “Dust Bowl” wind erosion photographs taken in the Sand Hills east of Lisbon, N.D., a photograph of starving cattle, and an automobile parked in a wind eroded wheat field in Sargent County, N.D.

Dates

  • 1934

Access

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

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the NDSU Archives

Biography

Wilfred August “Bill” Plath was born to John G. Plath and Josephine M. Plath on May 15, 1907 in Davenport, North Dakota. Wilfred graduated from Fargo High School in 1925 and graduated from North Dakota Agricultural College in 1932 with a Master of Science degree. During his time in college, he was involved in Alpha Gamma Rho, Saddle and Sirloin Club, and Bisonites. After graduation, Wilfred became a farm manager and county agent for the North Dakota counties of Barnes, LaMoure, and Ramsey. In 1940, Wilfred married Agnes M. Peck, then returned to Davenport in 1941 to farm until his death in 1980. Wilfred and Agnes had three children, Marion, Beryl Jean, and Ronald.



Wilfred lived a busy life, serving on many different boards. Wilfred was the president of the North Dakota Farm Bureau in 1942 and served as director for 21 years. He was also the president of the Northwest Farm Manager's Association, North Dakota State University Alumni Association, North Dakota Livestock Mutual Aid Association, and North Dakota AberdeenAngus Association. He was a member of the North Dakota Livestock Sanitary Board and a member of the Red River Valley Fair Board for 35 years, as well as president from 1976-1977.



Wilfred received many awards for his contributions to the farming community. These awards include the Achievement Award from the North Dakota State University Alumni Association, the 1974 John Lee Coulter Award in North Dakota Agribusiness, and the 1978 Agriculturalist of the Year award from the Saddle and Sirloin Club at North Dakota State University.

Extent

14 Items (14 photographic prints.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Photographs taken of the Glover Farms, a Bonanza farm located in Dickey County, N.D., and drought and wind erosion images taken in the Sand Hills east of Lisbon, N.D. in 1934.

Provenance

Donated by Agnes Plath, of Davenport, N.D. via Hiram Drache, 1996 (Acc. 2436)

Property rights

The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
Title
Finding Aid to the Wilfred A. Plath Photograph Collection
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository

Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States