Haile Chisholm Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 117

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Haile Chisholm Papers are organized into four series: correspondence, diaries, poetry and subject files. The Correspondence Series, all incoming, is very scattered with the 1931 letters consisting of congratulations on his receiving the Master of Artisans degree. The Diaries Series, covering the period 1940 to 1949, are quite complete and relate mainly weather and daily occurrences. The autobiographies are typewritten ranging between 49 and 71 pages. They are all basically the same, but with various small additions or deletions. They cover from his childhood through retirement recounting events in his life. The Poetry Series consists of typed copies of his many compositions on a great variety of subjects. There are also some speeches, or prose writings. The Subject Files Series contain a wide variety of material including various booklets with addresses, birthdays, notes, quotations, and other similar types of information; family history; funeral book; and relatively complete financial ledgers for 1936 to 1949. Another item of note is the 208-page typed memoirs of Elmer A. Johnson of Fargo relating his life, family and genealogical material. Mr. Johnson was an agent with the Des Moines Life & Annuity Company. Other items include material related to his receiving the Master of Artisan’s degree, various newspaper clippings and articles, and copy of the North Dakota Hymn. The scrapbook was compiled by his daughter Anna and given to him at Christmas 1941. It includes many newspaper clippings about his career, receiving the Master of Artisans degree from the North Dakota Agricultural College, photographs of him and his works, and greetings on his various birthdays. Additions were made to the scrapbook after 1941 related to his annual birthday celebrations, concluding in 1948.

Dates

1876, 1921-1951

Creator

Chisholm, Haile, 1851-1951. (Person)

Access

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

Copyrights

The Institute does not hold the copyrights.

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

1.4 Linear Feet (1.4 linear feet)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

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

The following items have been removed from the Haile Chisholm collection and sent to the section indicated. Books (Library book collection, consult the main library catalog for call number and location). Flicher tunes, by North Dakota State Federation Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. Photographs (Institute Photo 525) 6 items with iron works, Roosevelt gate by cabin, home, in college work shop (University archives), and by anvil (University archives - oversize). Artifacts Master of Artisans degree diploma in frame.