Eugene J. Rolle Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 684

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This Eugene J. Rolle Papers have been organized into two series: Correspondence and Subject files. The Correspondence Series, arranged chronologically, is mainly from Mr. and Mrs. Rolle to their daughter Lille Roden, a nurse at Minneapolis, Minnesota. It deals with many aspects of life in the 1930's and 1940's especially the depression and World War II eras. There's much gossip of local Brinsmade residents, and later letters deal with the problems of an aging widower trying to maintain his independence and way of life. There are also letters from Leo Rolle, a soldier in 1918 and Theodore Rolle, a soldier in 1943. The Subject Files Series include Mr. Rolle's account book (1938-52), and a copy of the yearbook of the Benson County Agricultural and Training School for 1923. There's a 1917 North Dakota Agricultural College Christmas Festival program for 1917, and a 1918 program for the Fourteenth Annual North Dakota Agricultural College Industrial Course Commencement. There are nursing certificates and a St. Johns Hospital graduation program (1924), Mrs. Rolle's last clinical record, a 1948 Pioneer Life insurance certificate and an Ordination program. There is also an obituary on Dr. J. G. Vigeland. Of interest is the Rolle family tree starting in 1838, an 1860 marriage contract in French, and a document in German on Mr. Rolle's relatives, plus family clippings.

Dates

1860-1955

Creator

Rolle, Eugene Jean, 1863-1953. (Person)

Access

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

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection are not held by the Institute for Regional Studies.

Biography

Eugene J. Rolle was born August 26, 1863 in Hellange, Grande Duchi de Luxemburg, Luxembourg and Bettemburg to Jean and Annie Boever Rolle. In 1881 he immigrated with his parents and eight brothers and sisters to Borup, Minnesota. In 1883, with his friend, Andrew Grasser, he started a homestead at Brinsmade, Dakota Territory. In 1886, he returned to Borup where he married Katherine Boppre, born January 15, 1867 in Ontario, Canada. They went to live on his Brinsmade farm where they raised nine children, Edward, William, Theodore, Leo, John, Susan, Lillian, Annie, and Irma. After retiring from the farm in 1920, Mr. Rolle opened a drugstore in Brinsmade managed by his son, John, for a while. Mr. Rolle suffered from diabetes and was one of the first to use insulin. On December 11, 1938, Mrs. Rolle died at Brinsmade, and on January 30, 1953, Mr. Rolle died. Both are buried at Brinsmade and were members of the Brinsmade Catholic Church.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (0.4 linear feet)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Luxembourg native and one of the first to use insulin in the treatment of diabetes.

Provenance

Donated by Mrs. Sue Rolle Foy, 1956 (Acc. 684).

Separation Record

The following non-manuscript items have been removed from the Eugene Rolle Papers and sent to the section indicated.

Photographs (Institute Photograph Collection)

37 Rolle family, scenes from Mr. Rolle's farm in early 1900's, the Rolle Drugstore in Brinsmade in 1921, Brinsmade street scene in 1920, the Rolle home and play at NDAC in 1916.