Skip to main content

A. L. Moody Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 685

Scope and Content

The A. L. Moody collection consists primarily of correspondence starting in the 1870s, with letters sent to A. L. from his mother, father, and sister Fannie, while he was living in Boston. After 1882, the letters are primarily being sent from A. L. to his father J. H. Moody and provide give a good look into the early years of running a dry goods store in Fargo’s early years. Much of the later correspondence is regarding the purchasing of property.

Dates

  • 1870s - 1891

Access

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

Copyrights

NDSU Archives hold the copyrights to this collection.

Biography

Alfred Loring Moody was born July 2, 1857 in York, Maine, the son of Joseph and Susan Jane (Preble) Moody. He began is working life in Boston, Massachusetts where he worked in a mercantile, and as a waiter in a restaurant. In 1881, he came to Dakota Territory and settled in Fargo, where he went into partnership with C. D. Whitehouse. They opened Whitehouse & Moody dry good store, the location being approximately 104 Broadway. Three years later, Mr. Moody purchased his partner’s interest and moved to 620-624 Front Street (today Main Avenue). For a time, his brother Howard worked with him, before moving across the river to Moorhead, Minnesota, and opened his own store. A. L. Moody was married to Ida Marshall in York, Maine on June 26, 1883. They had no children. Around 1886, they built a home at 303 8th Street S. where they lived the rest of their lives. They were members of the First Congregational Church. Mrs. Moody died on July 6, 1936. A. L. Moody sold the store to Paul and Julius Sgutt in 1940, and he died on December 24, 1943. Mr. and Mrs. Moody are buried in First Parish Cemetery, York, Maine.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Correspondence belonging to A. L. Moody, an early Fargo, N.D. dry goods store owner and businessman written in the 1870s and 1880s.

Provenance

Donated by Kathy Roberts 2022, (2022-040irs).

Separated Materials

4 Photographic prints processed as Photo 2188.

Property rights

The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
Title
Finding Aid to the A. L. Moody 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