McNair, Sorenson, Little, and William’s Family Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS 3131
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of family genealogy, addresses, anniversaries, birthdays, card lists, origin of the Little name, family histories, James Little Civil Was involvement, correspondence between family members, general correspondence, funerals, family recipes, Sorenson WWI diary, Farm and house finances, interpersonal finances, Mayville Union Hospital history and events, medical equipment pricings, receipts, certificates, certifications, News clippings, H.H McNair senator documents, a college memory scrapbook, and family photographs.
Dates
- 1958-2013
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyrights to this collection is held by The North Dakota State University Archives.
Biographical / Historical
James Little migrated to the U.S. from Ireland in 1816. He married Susan Bowman Little in New York and eventually ended up in Sterling Township Minnesota. He and his wife had five children. When in conflict with Indigenous peoples, the Little Home was held as a fort by the Clark, Francis, Johnston, and Little families. There is a recount of memories from this conflict in the collection.
Roy C. Little, the Great grandson of James Little was born on April 20th, 1892, in Madison MN. He attended Carlton College and received his medical training at the University of Minnesota. He received his M.D. there in 1919. Roy came to Mayville in 1919. He was responsible for reopening the closed-down hospital 2 months after his arrival. The old union hospital was used until 1951 before it was redone. R.C. Little has treated many at-home patients during the harsh seasons and was on call 24/7, becoming a respected individual in the community. Roy was honored by the ND State Medical Association and the Traill Steele Medical Society for his service in medicine. He was also presented the Service Award by the Jaycees. He passed away on March 19th, 1972.
Henry Hubbel McNair, born on Sept 7th, 1854, graduated from Yale University in 1879. Later registered for law school in 1880. He migrated to South Dakota due to health concerns and in 1882 obtained land near Grand Forks North Dakota. Henry later lived in Portland ND from 1899 to 1926 when they moved from Portland ND to Mayville ND. Henry McNair was a mayor of Portland, and a member of the Roseville township board. He also served as a North Dakota state senator for the eighth district from 1918 to 1922. He passed away on April 9th, 1945.
Daughter to Henry McNair, Marion McNair Little was born on March 7th, 1905, in rural Portland North Dakota. Growing up, she learned how to develop photographs from her brother’s photography kit. Later, she attended Mayville’s Normal School, graduating in 1922. Marion taught first grade for two years in Hatton, ND, and Wheaton MN. After she met Dr. Roy C. Little, they settled in Mayville North Dakota, living in their own built home near the college. Students would live at the house but work for room and board. Marion is known for her garden, adding additional plants each year. After her husband passed away, Marion lived in the house for many years before falling ill.
Dr. James M. Little, son of Dr. R.C. and Marion Little, was born on May 6th, 1930, in Mayville, North Dakota. James was active in the Boy Scouts and was involved with founding Boy Scout Wilderness camp on Bad Axe Lake, MN. He earned his bachelor's and Medical Doctorate at the University of Minnesota. James served in the United States Air Force with the rank of Captain and an Officer/Clinician at the Syracuse Air Force Clinic. James and Jean Lundahl Little moved back to Mayville where he began practicing medicine with his father. He served as the Traill County Coroner for several years and was engaged in the Traill County community.
Ananias and Anna Sorenson immigrated to the U.S. from Norway in 1865 and obtained land in Iowa. The family later moved to Minnesota, purchasing land 5 miles north of LeRoy, and remained the Sorenson home for three generations. Helen Sorenson, great-great granddaughter of Ananias married Cecil Williams on Jun 28th, 1927.
The Williams family has ties to the Civil War and received 40 acres of land in Barron County Wisconsin. They stayed here before moving to Douglas County Wisconsin in 1888. They established ties in the small town of Hawthorne. Ida Williams had experience in the medical field, with the ability to treat bullet wounds from the Civil War she was able to help the community out. Here, the family established a family home called the “Hawthorne House.” Audrey Little Williams, daughter of Marion and Dr. R.C. Little married Doug Williams.
The Williams and Sorenson families have equally interesting histories. However, with the nature of the large collection, details containing more specific histories were not documented in the Finding Aid Biography.
Extent
3 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Overview
This collection consists of family genealogy, addresses, anniversaries, birthdays, card lists, origin of the Little name, family histories, James Little Civil Was involvement, correspondence between family members, general correspondence, funerals, family recipes, Sorenson WWI diary, Farm and house finances, interpersonal finances, Mayville Union Hospital history and events, medical equipment pricings, receipts, certificates, certifications, News clippings, H.H McNair senator documents, a college memory scrapbook, and family photographs.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Rebecca Dura (2018-030irs).
Legal Status
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the McNair, Sorenson, Little, and William’s Family Papers
- 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
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu