William M. Wemett Papers
Collection
Identifier: Mss 449
Scope and Content
The William Wemett Papers have been organized into three series: Correspondence, Manuscripts, and Subject files.
The Correspondence Series covers the period of 1909 to 1962, and includes both incoming and outgoing, with more of tile former, although by no means complete. The earlier years deal mainly with publishers, book dealers, and requests for historical information. The latter years of correspondence cover more of Dr. Wemett's involvement in the Young Citizens League. Several letters of note include two from D.F. Berry, noted photographer of Indians, and one from author Philip Wylie.
The Manuscripts Series includes both published and unpublished material to include Cupid Makes a Bet, Old Baldy's Children, Early Mormon History, Oil in North Dakota, plus a handwritten and typed draft manuscript on hypnotism.
The Subject Files Series is arranged alphabetically and covers a broad range of topics, dealing mainly with Dr. Wemett's research. They include most of the newspaper clippings, in serialized format, of his Indians of North Dakota, Hero Stories of North Dakota, and The Flickertail State. There are also various publications on oil production, North Dakota, Valley City State Teachers College, and the Young Citizens League. Most published material and maps have been withdrawn and for further details, see the Separation Sheet which is attached hereto. Also of note is Dr. Wemett's patent for an Attachment for Pitchers and a description of his Pneumatic Automobile Jack.
The Correspondence Series covers the period of 1909 to 1962, and includes both incoming and outgoing, with more of tile former, although by no means complete. The earlier years deal mainly with publishers, book dealers, and requests for historical information. The latter years of correspondence cover more of Dr. Wemett's involvement in the Young Citizens League. Several letters of note include two from D.F. Berry, noted photographer of Indians, and one from author Philip Wylie.
The Manuscripts Series includes both published and unpublished material to include Cupid Makes a Bet, Old Baldy's Children, Early Mormon History, Oil in North Dakota, plus a handwritten and typed draft manuscript on hypnotism.
The Subject Files Series is arranged alphabetically and covers a broad range of topics, dealing mainly with Dr. Wemett's research. They include most of the newspaper clippings, in serialized format, of his Indians of North Dakota, Hero Stories of North Dakota, and The Flickertail State. There are also various publications on oil production, North Dakota, Valley City State Teachers College, and the Young Citizens League. Most published material and maps have been withdrawn and for further details, see the Separation Sheet which is attached hereto. Also of note is Dr. Wemett's patent for an Attachment for Pitchers and a description of his Pneumatic Automobile Jack.
Dates
- 1909-1962.
Creator
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Copyrights
Copyrights to this collection are not held by the NDSU Archives.
Biography
William Marks Wemett was born at Hemlock Lake, New York, on February 10, 1884. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1907. After teaching high school briefly, at Albion, New York, and Jacksonville, Illinois, he came to the State Teachers College at Valley City, North Dakota, in 1910, where he taught until his retirement in 1954. While there, Dr. Wemett was the head of the Department of History and Social Science. On September 7, 1911, Mr. Wemett married Fern Stephenson at Rochester, New York. They had four children, Lynn, Carol, Fern and William, Jr.
In 1927, Dr. Wemett was instrumental in introducing the Young Citizens League from South Dakota to North Dakota, served as its president and, from 1943, served as its national president. He also served on the local and state levels of Kiwanis and the North Dakota Higher Education Association. Dr. Wemett died on September 29, 1965, at Polson, Montana and Mrs. Wemett in 1967. Dr. Wemett wrote several publications including, The Story of the Flickertail State, The Indians of North Dakota, A Geography of North Dakota, The Teacher Who Gets Ahead, General Beadle, A List of Publications Distributed Gratis, and Oil in North Dakota.
In 1927, Dr. Wemett was instrumental in introducing the Young Citizens League from South Dakota to North Dakota, served as its president and, from 1943, served as its national president. He also served on the local and state levels of Kiwanis and the North Dakota Higher Education Association. Dr. Wemett died on September 29, 1965, at Polson, Montana and Mrs. Wemett in 1967. Dr. Wemett wrote several publications including, The Story of the Flickertail State, The Indians of North Dakota, A Geography of North Dakota, The Teacher Who Gets Ahead, General Beadle, A List of Publications Distributed Gratis, and Oil in North Dakota.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet (1.5 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
A New York native who became Valley City State College history professor from 1910 to 1954 after a brief high school teaching career.
Provenance
Donated by William M. Wemett, 1954, and Mrs. Wemett, 1965 (Acc. 449).
Separated Books (Library book collection, consult the catalog for call number and location.)
• North Dakota, being an introductory sketch to accompany the historical and pictorial map of North Dakota, by Russell Reid and Clell G. Gannon, 1930.
• Black Hills Views, published by C.F. Peterson, Deadwood, S.D., 1907(?).
• Brief History of North Dakota, by Edgar G. Meinzer, 1915.
• General Beadle, School Program Material for Celebrating the General Beadle Centennial, by W.M. Wemett, 1937.
• The Teacher Who Gets Ahead, by William M. Wemett, 1926.
• Historic Ransom County, by Major Dana Wright, n.d.
• The Federal Works Program at the University of North Dakota, November, 1933 to March, 1938, n.d.
• Summary of School District Reorganization, North Dakota, 1947-1951.
• The Lewis & Clark Exposition, Portland, Oregon, June 1 to October 15, 1905, by Olin D. Wheeler, n.d.
• Archaeology of the Missouri Valley, by George F. Will. Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History, Vol. 22, part 6, 1924.
• Barnes County, North Dakota, The Sheyenne River Valley, n.d.
• Barnes County, North Dakota, The Sheyenne River Valley, The Best of the West, n.d.
• Clason's North Dakota Green Guide with Road and Railway Maps, n.d.
• Manual for the State of North Dakota, 1926, issued by Robert Byrne.
• The Truth About North Dakota, by the Greater North Dakota Association, n.d.
• North Dakota invites New Settlers, North Dakota has Land for the landless and homes for the Homeless, by the North Dakota Department of Immigration, n.d.
• North Dakota, a state of Restful Awe-Inspiring Beauty and Thrilling History, by the North Dakota Department of Immigration, n.d.
• A Trip through Mandan Refinery, Stand Oil Company, 1954.
• North Dakota, United States Railroad Administration, Agriculture Series No. 3
• Northwest North Dakota, by James Milloy, n.d.
• North Dakota, The Soo Line, n.d.
• You and Your State Government, by North Dakota Governmental Survey Commission, 1941.
• The North Dakota Teachers' Insurance and Retirement Fund, Issued by the Board of Trustees, October, 1944.
• The Constitution of the State of North Dakota with all Amendments adopted to and including November 2, 1920, by Thomas Hall, n.d.
• Educational Problems in North Dakota, issued by a Committee of the Joint Conference of the Presidents and Members of Boards of Trustees of the State Educational
• Institutions of North Dakota, January, 1910.
• The Young Citizens League in North Dakota, prepared and issued under the direction of the Department of Public Instruction, 1950.
• North Dakota at the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893, by the State Board of World's Fair Managers for North Dakota.
• Who's Who among North Dakota Writers, 1935, compiled by Edna LaMoore Waldo.
• State of North Dakota, Directory of Officials, Boards and Institutions, 1951, issued by Thomas Hall.
• Black Hills Views, published by C.F. Peterson, Deadwood, S.D., 1907(?).
• Brief History of North Dakota, by Edgar G. Meinzer, 1915.
• General Beadle, School Program Material for Celebrating the General Beadle Centennial, by W.M. Wemett, 1937.
• The Teacher Who Gets Ahead, by William M. Wemett, 1926.
• Historic Ransom County, by Major Dana Wright, n.d.
• The Federal Works Program at the University of North Dakota, November, 1933 to March, 1938, n.d.
• Summary of School District Reorganization, North Dakota, 1947-1951.
• The Lewis & Clark Exposition, Portland, Oregon, June 1 to October 15, 1905, by Olin D. Wheeler, n.d.
• Archaeology of the Missouri Valley, by George F. Will. Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History, Vol. 22, part 6, 1924.
• Barnes County, North Dakota, The Sheyenne River Valley, n.d.
• Barnes County, North Dakota, The Sheyenne River Valley, The Best of the West, n.d.
• Clason's North Dakota Green Guide with Road and Railway Maps, n.d.
• Manual for the State of North Dakota, 1926, issued by Robert Byrne.
• The Truth About North Dakota, by the Greater North Dakota Association, n.d.
• North Dakota invites New Settlers, North Dakota has Land for the landless and homes for the Homeless, by the North Dakota Department of Immigration, n.d.
• North Dakota, a state of Restful Awe-Inspiring Beauty and Thrilling History, by the North Dakota Department of Immigration, n.d.
• A Trip through Mandan Refinery, Stand Oil Company, 1954.
• North Dakota, United States Railroad Administration, Agriculture Series No. 3
• Northwest North Dakota, by James Milloy, n.d.
• North Dakota, The Soo Line, n.d.
• You and Your State Government, by North Dakota Governmental Survey Commission, 1941.
• The North Dakota Teachers' Insurance and Retirement Fund, Issued by the Board of Trustees, October, 1944.
• The Constitution of the State of North Dakota with all Amendments adopted to and including November 2, 1920, by Thomas Hall, n.d.
• Educational Problems in North Dakota, issued by a Committee of the Joint Conference of the Presidents and Members of Boards of Trustees of the State Educational
• Institutions of North Dakota, January, 1910.
• The Young Citizens League in North Dakota, prepared and issued under the direction of the Department of Public Instruction, 1950.
• North Dakota at the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893, by the State Board of World's Fair Managers for North Dakota.
• Who's Who among North Dakota Writers, 1935, compiled by Edna LaMoore Waldo.
• State of North Dakota, Directory of Officials, Boards and Institutions, 1951, issued by Thomas Hall.
Separated Photographs (Institute Photograph Collection - Photo 2150)
• 38 D. F. Berry original prints of various Indians;
• 2 copies of D. F. Berry photographs;
• 28 miscellaneous photographs dealing with Indians, including photographs of Father Belcourt.
• 2 copies of D. F. Berry photographs;
• 28 miscellaneous photographs dealing with Indians, including photographs of Father Belcourt.
Separated Maps (Institute map collection, consult its map catalog)
• Nisswa and the Beautiful Gull Lake Chain
• Highway map, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Standard Service.
• Pillsbury's Official auto trails map, Minnesota, Iowa.
• Soil Map, Western North Dakota, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Bureau of Soils.
• Southern Barnes County Historical and Archeological Sites, September 1, 1952, by Vernon T. Gale.
• Map exhibiting the Route of the Sioux Expedition under the command of Brig. Gen. H. H. Sibley, 1863. Compiled and projected by John H. Wagner. (also a blue-print copy)
• Wemett's Historical Wall Map of South--Dakota, by W.M. Wemett, 1937. (4 copies)
• Sketch of Battle of Big Mound, Fought July 24, 1863. (Also a blueprint copy)
• Sketch of the Battle at Dead Buffalo Lake, July 26, 1863. (Al so 2 blue-print copies)
• Indians in North Dakota, about 1700.
• Indians in North Dakota, about 1812.
• Highway map, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Standard Service.
• Pillsbury's Official auto trails map, Minnesota, Iowa.
• Soil Map, Western North Dakota, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Bureau of Soils.
• Southern Barnes County Historical and Archeological Sites, September 1, 1952, by Vernon T. Gale.
• Map exhibiting the Route of the Sioux Expedition under the command of Brig. Gen. H. H. Sibley, 1863. Compiled and projected by John H. Wagner. (also a blue-print copy)
• Wemett's Historical Wall Map of South--Dakota, by W.M. Wemett, 1937. (4 copies)
• Sketch of Battle of Big Mound, Fought July 24, 1863. (Also a blueprint copy)
• Sketch of the Battle at Dead Buffalo Lake, July 26, 1863. (Al so 2 blue-print copies)
• Indians in North Dakota, about 1700.
• Indians in North Dakota, about 1812.
Property rights
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
Creator
- Title
- Finding Aid to the William M. Wemett Papers
- Description rules
- Appm
- 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