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Haile Chisholm Photograph Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Photo 525

Scope and Content

The Haile Chisholm Photograph Collection holds 4 photographic prints, and 2 postcards. The majority of the photos are of Mr. Chisholm and some of his commissioned rod iron projects. There is also a photo of the W. W. Toulsey family, and a photographic postcard of the Chisholm house.

Dates

  • 1920s-1930s

Access

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

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection remain with the creator or are in public domain.

Biography

Haile Chisholm, the son of William H. and Eunice Diana (Fillmore) Chisholm, was born October 22, 1851 at Chazy, New York. At the age of 10 he began learning the blacksmith trade from his father and at the age of 14 went to work for a smithy. In 1869 Mr. Chisholm secured a position with the Central Vermont Railway Company at St. Albans, Vermont in the locomotive shops. Due to a recession he was terminated. He then moved to North Fairfax, Vermont where he eventually established his own blacksmith shop. On July 30, 1877 he married Mary Cordelia Butler of St. Albans, the daughter of Wilder Pierce and Rebecca (Royce) Butler. They had two children; Anna, and Mary. Mr. Chisholm returned to work at Central Vermont Railway Company but with no possibility of advancement he went west, settling in Edmunds County, South Dakota in 1885. But the venture proved unsuccessful and in October, 1888 he began work in the Fargo shop of the Northern Pacific Railway. He moved his family to Fargo and worked for Northern Pacific until 1902 when the shops moved to Dilworth. That fall he became Instructor in Forging and Metal Works at the North Dakota Agricultural College where he remained until retiring in1937 at the age of 85. Mr. Chisholm gained wide fame as a metal design craftsman. He created the main gates at the College, the Roosevelt memorial gate, as well as other works at the College and North Dakota towns. In recognition of his artistry and work he received, on February 24, 1931, the honorary degree of Master of Artisans from the North Dakota Agricultural College as well as honors from the North Dakota Legislature, State Supreme Court, and State Board of Higher Education.



Mr. Chisholm continued to reside in Fargo after retirement with his daughter, Anna. Mrs. Chisholm died November 1, 1931. He was a member of the Quarter Century Club at NDAC, and very active in the First Methodist Church. On March 28, 1951, Mr. Chisholm died and was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo.

Extent

4 Photographic Prints

2 Postcards

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Long time blacksmith at North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU) and poet.

Provenance

Donated by Anna Chisholm, Fargo, North Dakota, 1953 (Acc. 117).

Separation Record - Manuscript Collection

Manuscript materials processed in Institute Manuscript Collection (Mss 117).

Property rights

The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
Title
Finding Aid to the Haile Chisholm 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