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Adeline McCloy Collection

 Collection
Identifier: GRHC 220

Scope and Contents

Clara Kusler assembled a collection of “sprühle”/scripture memory cards near Kulm, North Dakota, before her marriage in 1921 as Mrs. John Mayer. Impressive color-lithgraphy of floral motifs with Bible verses decorate Clara’s memorizing cards. Donated items include photographs, postcards, sprüle, and textiles. They were donated by Clara’s sister, Adeline Kusler McCloy, to the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection in 2002. These cards are from a collection of Scripture memory cards given to Clara Kusler Mayer in her Sunday school class at the Gnadenfeld Congregational Church near Kulm, south-central North Dakota. Clara, the daughter of Germans from Russia immigrants, was born in 1902 in Parkston, South Dakota. Her parents came from the villages near present-day Odessa, Ukraine: Johann Kusler from Worms, Beresan District, and Magdalena Grosz from Kulm, Bessarabia. In March 1921, Clara Kusler married John Mayer in a double wedding ceremony along with Clara's brother, Edward Christian Kusler, who married John's sister, Carolina (Carrie) Mayer. Clara died in 1986 in Kulm, North Dakota. This collection of memory cards featuring color lithography was originally published in New York. They were donated by Clara's sister, Adeline Kusler McCloy, to the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection in January 2002.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1915

Access

Access to the physical collection is available upon request. Request must be made at least three (3) business days prior to ndsu.grhc@ndsu.edu.

Family Biography

Both Kusler and Schäfer families originated from Palatinate, Germany, as founding families of former Black Sea German village of Worms, Beresan District, South Russia in 1807 (today north of Odessa, Ukraine). These same families immigrated in the “second group to America” in 1871 to pause in Sandusky, Ohio, while sending out land-survey scouts to Sutton, Nebraska, and Yankton, Dakota. The Kusler-Schäfer families were pioneer settlers in 1972 at Odessa Reformed (near Lesterville, Dakota Territory) and later moved to Scotland, South Dakota. Some Kusler sons were pioneer homesteaders in northern McIntosh County (near Fredonia and Kulm, North Dakota) in 1884.



Johann Kusler, Jr., of Scotland, South Dakota, was married in January 1894 to Magdalena Grosz of Parkston, South Dakota, before homesteading in McIntosh County. The Grosz family were founders of rural Gnadenfeld Congregational Church [oldest German “classis” church in North Dakota], south of Kulm, North Dakota. Johann Grosz, Sr., with George Gäckle and George Billigmeier, originating from former German villages of Kulm and Leipzig, Bessarabia (today west of Odessa, Ukraine), were the three co-founders of town site in 1892 to be named Kulm, North Dakota.



Both Grosz and Dietrich families originated from Wuerttemburg, Germany, through former German village of Neuberg, (Leibental am Baraboi District, South Russia), to settle in former German villages of Kulm and Beresina, Bessarabia, (today west of Odessa, Ukraine). Two significant textiles for worship-garb were inherited through Justina Dietrich (Mrs. Daniel Grosz) of Scotland, South Dakota. Justina’s family originates from former German village of Beresina, Bessarabia, along with her maternal Bader family in neighboring Paris village.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (Clara Kusler assembled a collection of “sprühle”/scripture memory cards near Kulm, North Dakota, before her marriage in 1921 as Mrs. John Mayer. Impressive color-lithgraphy of floral motifs with Bible verses decorate Clara’s memorizing cards. Donated items include photographs, postcards, sprüle, and textiles. They were donated by Clara’s sister, Adeline Kusler McCloy, to the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection in 2002 )

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection contains scripture memory cards and historic photos.

Provenance

Donated items include photographs, postcards, sprüle, and textiles. They were donated by Clara’s sister, Adeline Kusler McCloy, to the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection in 2002.

Legal Status

The Germans from Russia Heritage Collection owns the property rights to this collection.
Title
Finding Aid to Adeline McCloy Collection
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection Repository

Contact:
NDSU Dept 2080
PO Box 6050
Fargo ND 58108-6050 United States
(701) 231-6596