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National Woman’s Relief Corps (U.S.). John F. Reynolds Corps No. 1 (Fargo, N.D.) Records

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 242

Scope and Contents

The Correspondence Series, arranged chronologically, is very incomplete with the greatest material for the period 1957 to 1965. It consists mainly of letters to Anna Pannebaker and Louisa Goodman. The Meeting Minutes Series covers from 1892 to 1954 with only a gap of four years. The first volume also includes the minutes of the first meetings of the Woman's Relief Corps No. 56 of Mayville, Dakota Territory from August 1889 to May 1890. The minutes of the Past Presidents Club Series are also very complete for the period 1908 to 1945. The Membership Rolls Series includes Roll of Members ledgers include the membership for each year, new, deceased, discharged, and transferred members, as well as, for some years, the attendance major series is the meeting minutes which cover at each meeting. The record of dues paid ledgers, as the title indicates, records only the amount received by the corps in dues. There is also recorded here deaths, transfers, and those dropped from membership. The Financial Records Series consists main mainly of the Cash books which record all financial transactions for the period 1905 to 1963. For the years 1963 to 1965 the bank statements have been preserved since no ledgers are available. In 1935 the Corps organized the Col. Carroll Junior Club. The Col. Carroll Junior Club Series consists of various meeting minutes, membership lists, and financial records. They appear to be complete until its apparent demise in 1938. The Subject Files Series contain a variety of material documenting the local Corps chapter and its relation with the state and national headquarters. Included are various forms, General Orders (both national and North Dakota), publications, ritual and service books, and circular letters. Other materials include reports to the national headquarters of the secretary, treasurer, and patriotic instruction. There are also the annual North Dakota convention proceedings and membership rosters of the Department of North Dakota. Finally of special note is a scrapbook compiled in 1935 with historical information on the auxiliary and the Grand Army of the Republic. There are also photographs of most past presidents. Added to the scrapbook have been annual reports from 1936 to 1945.

Dates

  • 1886-1965.

Creator

Access

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

Copyrights

The copyright is not held by the Institute for Regional Studies.

History

The John F. Reynolds Relief Corps No. 17 of the Woman's Relief Corps was organized on September 23, 1885 in Fargo under a Dakota Territory Charter with a charter membership of eighteen. Irene Hadley became the first president. In 1890 it was reorganized under a North Dakota charter and became Corps No. 1. The Relief Corp was an auxiliary to the local John F. Reynolds Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Activities of the Corps included participation in Memorial Day observances, contributing to the Soldiers Home at Lisbon, N.D., presenting flags to various institutions, entertaining Company B of the North Dakota National Guard in 1898 and 1917, donating money and materials during World War I , Red Cross work, and adopting war orphans. In 1935 they organized the Col. Carroll Junior Club for young girls. It was named in honor of Colonel John W. Carroll, the last member of the Fargo GAR post. The Corps remained active until about 1965when apparently, due to lack of new members, it ceased to function.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet (2.5 linear ft. (6 boxes).)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Organization founded 1890 as an auxiliary to the local John F. Reynolds Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Activities included participation in Memorial Day observances, contributing to the Soldiers Home at Lisbon, N.D., presenting flags to various institutions, entertaining Company B of the North Dakota National Guard in 1898 and 1917, donating money and materials during World War I, Red Cross work, and adopting war orphans. Records include correspondence, minutes, membership rolls, financial records and regarding its Col. Carroll Junior Club.

Provenance

Presented by Mrs. Louisa Goodman (?), ca. 1971 (Acc. 1861).

Property rights

The Institute for Regional Studies owns the property rights to this collection.
Title
Finding Aid to the National Woman’s Relief Corps (U.S.). John F. Reynolds Corps No. 1 (Fargo, N.D.) Records
Description rules
Appm
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository

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