Social History Commons^™

0665: Ellen Dorcas Harn Papers, 1871-1977, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection is composed of letters from friends and contemporaries of Ellen Dorcas Harn during her time in teaching in West Virginia and New York in 1871 and 1872. These primarily consist of letters from former students and friends at Marshall keeping her apprised of personal and school activities. Writers include Clayton Barton and Lucy Thompson.

0663: Anna Lee Musgrave Tallman Collins Papers, 1909-1997, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Point Pleasant, West Virginia, resident. Papers relate to the Colonel Charles Lewis Chapter NSDAR and local history materials about Mason Co., West Virginia, including black and white photographs of Mason County historical highway markers.

0662: Smith Family Correspondence, 1857-1866, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of approximately fifty letters from members of the Smith family, located in Guyandotte, Virginia (or West Virginia, depending on the time), to Julia Sprague in Washington County, Ohio during the Civil War. The bulk of the letters are from Sallie P. Smith to Sprague, and many include their original envelope. Topics are focused on personal life and current affairs.

0651: Smith Family Papers, 1935-1942, Marshall University Special Collections

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Barboursville, W.Va. family. Papers consist of 4-H project books, activity records and printed items related to 4-H club work in Cabell County, West Virginia, performances by Elizabeth G. Smith and Walter F. Smith.

0653: Frances S. Hensley Papers, 1979-1983, Marshall University Special Collections

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This collection contains materials related to the West Virginia White House Conference on Families held in 1980 and the Women’s Work Conference held in Huntington, West Virginia in 1983. WVWHC materials include conference schedules, rules, and planning materials for West Virginia’s participation in this initiative as well as materials related to publicity, testimony from scholars, newspaper and magazine articles about the conference and about families in American life, the history, goals, and suggested themes as supplied by the White House, as well as expectations for state activities. A large part of these materials are letters and documentation sent from the …

0664: Bertha Casto Diaries, 1934-1938, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of three diaries describing the daily life of Bertha Casto, wife of physician Thomas Jefferson Casto, while living in Charleston, WV. Topics covered include daily life, especially domestic activities. The final entry was written by Thomas, documenting his wife’s death on January 29, 1938.

0655: Ensign Family Papers, 1804-1945, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

The Ensign Family Papers (1804-1945) consist mostly of letters generated by Eli (1860's-1890's) or letters to him. The majority of letters written by Eli are to his wife (1870-1899) when he is on various trips or when she is visiting family in Connecticut.

Letters to Ely are mostly from his side of the family such as brothers Sidney (1859-1874) and Charles (1862-1871) or Ely’s grandmother Clarinda(?) Prentice (1857-1868). Business correspondence (1867-1902) is heaviest during the 1870's. One common writer of business correspondence to Ely was W.A. Burke (1870).

The letters to Mary Catherine (Walton) Ensign (not including Ely’s) are from …

0666: Susan And Geoff Eacker Collection, 1997, Marshall University Special Collections

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Susan and Geoff Eacker interviewed ten women banjo players throughout August to October 1997 in WV and eastern KY. Interviews include Kate Brett, Diane Jones, Jessica Bills, Lynne Davis (about Molly O’Day), Kim Johnson (including Wilson Douglas), Sylvia O’Brien, Helena Triplett, Pam Lund, Cari Norris, and Dora Mae Wagers. This collection includes ten cassette tapes with the interviews and ten folders of transcripts for each interview.

0658: Louis A. Mobayed Photographs, 1927-1991, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists primarily of aerial photographs of Huntington taken on May 2, 1972 at 3500 feet. Other later additions to the collection, in significantly smaller amounts, include Huntington East High School memorabilia belonging to Richard S. Mobayed, unidentified group photographs, a photo of the Owens-Illinois Glass Company Plant, a limited amount of correspondence from Louis’ daughter Carole Eddins and son Richard S. Mobayed, programs from Louis’ Huntington High School reunions, and a diploma for Louella Hatfield from 1927.

To view materials from this collection that are digitized and available online, search the Louis A. Mobayed Collection, 1927-1991 here.

Oral History Interview: Calvin Jean Zirkle, Calvin Jean Zirkle

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection

This interview is one of series conducted concerning the Oral History of Appalachia. This file contains an appendix of writings, photographs, and supporting information. Calvin J. Zirkle discusses: his family; his personal background; his service in the Korean War; difficulties he faced finding a job after the war; joining the military again (in the Air Force); his service in Vietnam (including being superintendent of vehicle maintenance); West Virginians in military service; his Bronze Star medal; his retirement; and other topics. This folder also contains works of poetry and prose.

0639: Huntington Homemakers Papers, 1957-1992, Marshall University Special Collections

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African-American extension homemakers’ group of Huntington, West Virginia Papers consist of programs of events, correspondence, certificates, photographs, club rosters and newspaper clippings.

0622: Critical Issues Committee Papers, 1971-1973, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection contains materials from the Critical Issues Committee between 1971 and 1973. Of interest are minutes and declarations covering topics including Marshall University and Huntington, WV town and gown issues, establishing vocational educational initiatives, the establishment of the Huntington Human Rights Commission, and library funding. Also included are two editions of a planning directory that contains information about regional agencies, organizations, and boards, including the purpose and accomplishments of groups.

0642: Current History Club Scrapbook, 1908-1950, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of loose scrapbook pages with clippings, handmade invitations, and a 1923-1924 yearly club report. The clippings focus on the club’s efforts to improve literacy and health conditions of disadvantaged children of Huntington, West Virginia. Areas of note include the Club’s work to fight tuberculosis through yearly drives and educational scholarships prioritizing women.

0620: Ms. W.A. Millard And Allene Wilson Manuscript, 1924, Marshall University Special Collections

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This collection contains a manuscript by W.A. Millard and Allene Wilson titled “Farm Bureau Community History of Pea Ridge.” The manuscript includes information beyond history such as natural resources and community stories. This community was later incorporated in Huntington, West Virginia. Ms. W.A. Millard and Allene Wilson Manuscript, 1924

0634: Cary Howard Rayburn Papers, 1804-1985, Marshall University Special Collections

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Point Pleasant, West Virginia, teacher. Papers consist primarily of letters written to Mrs. Rayburn from West Virginia state legislators regarding her lobbying efforts to raise teacher retirement benefits. Includes material related to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of 1812, and local history of Point Pleasant and Mason Co., West Virginia.

0645: Beecher R. Burnett Letters, 1943, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection is composed of letters written daily, sometimes multiple times a day, from Beecher Ray Burnett to his wife Anita between September 3 and October 5, 1943 from Burnett while he was being trained as part of the 47th Army Air Force Training Detachment in Huntington and other cities in West Virginia. Topics mentioned in the letter include what he was learning and doing in training, social events, and personal matters.

0614: Andrew Roseberry Papers, 1857-1995, Marshall University Special Collections

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Mason County, West Virginia, native, sheriff; later in Lakeland, Florida. Primarily letters written in the 1850s to Violet Dils of Parkersburg, Va. (now West Virginia) who became his wife.

0611: Virginius R. Moss Papers, 1856-1903, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Cabell Co., West Virginia physician. Bulk of collection consists of receipts for taxes and notes; family and other correspondence; ephemera includes bill of fare from the Greenbrier resort hotel.

0612: Jim Comstock Collection, 1976, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection is composed of three items: a signed letter to Jim Comstock by Marvin L. Stone, including a request from Comstock for stone to write about Marshall University and Page Pitt, the envelope the letter came in, and a handwritten reminiscence of Huntington in 1940-1945 by John Duncan titled, “We Polished Our Buttons,” which discusses Duncan’s experience in World War II as well as his memories of Huntington during that time.

0609: Association Of Southern Women For The Prevention Of Lynching Records [Microfilm], 1930-1942, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

The papers of the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching include correspondence, reports, pamphlets, legislative materials, and meeting minutes that trace the Association’s activities to address the problem of lynching of African Americans through public education rather than federal government intervention. Each format is not divided neatly into series and is available on multiple reels. Also in the collection is a guide covering in more detail what content is on reel, titled, The Commission on Interracial Cooperation papers, 1919-1944 and the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching papers, 1930-1942 : a guide to the …

0587: Grimm Family Papers, 1900-1985, Marshall University Special Collections

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Wilson O. Grimm, physician, and Frances Talbott Grimm, educator, were long-time residents of Huntington, West Virginia. Papers include photographs and scrapbook of newspaper clippings.

To view materials from this collection that are digitized and available online, search the Grimm Family Papers, 1900-1985 here.

0583: Janice Chandler Papers, 1969-1976, Marshall University Special Collections

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Huntington, West Virginia music educator. Papers include a script for "200 years celebration of Cabell county," a bicentennial musical presentation that was never produced.

0576: Richard Marks Collection, 1953-2012, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of two series, with Series I containing material related to genealogy and Series II containing professional papers relevant to Richard Marks’ career at the NSA and CIA. The bulk of the collection consists of Mr. Marks' genealogical research on his family, including publications, family trees, forms, and other research tools. Professional papers include a Turkish-American Association exhibit of stamps between 1961-1965, as well as clippings, white papers, pamphlets, and booklets related to foreign policy and intelligence issues primarily about the U.S.S.R., but also including major powers in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

0607: George Colin Mcintosh Typescript, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of a manuscript by George C. McIntosh where he reflects on his life and religious beliefs, which are fluid.

0595: Grass Family Papers, 1909-1950, Marshall University Special Collections

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This collection consists of eight postcards, some real photo and others consisting of illustrations and ranging in date from 1909-1950 addressed to members of the Grass family. Postcards appear to be sent from other cities while living there or on vacation and cover daily events and updates.

0608: Andrew D. Earles Typescript, 1994, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

The collection contains a twenty-two page manuscript titled "John Morgan IV: journeys through a life" by Andrew D. Earles. The manuscript covers the life of John Morgan IV, from his parents to his living children at the time of his death. The manuscript draws upon historical sources and information from living family members and goes into detail on Morgan’s life, including specific episodes of sickness and searching for work.

0598: Marcia Myers Collection, 1895-1993, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection primarily documents Marcia Myers’ research into female Presbyterian missionaries in Appalachia, particularly West Virginia. Significant in the collection is the correspondence of Helen Desbrow, stationed in Raleigh Co., West Virginia, to her family in New Jersey, regarding her work in the Home Mission between 1922 and 1935, central to Myers’ thesis on female Presbyterian missionaries in Appalachia submitted for her M.Div at Princeton University. Correspondence by Hugh J. May and Frances H. Pindar are directly in response to Myers’ request for information on the same topic, and the Helen Disbrow correspondence was gifted possibly from Disbrow herself. Other …

0606: Beard Family Papers, 1942-1997, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of two letters from 1942, one undated wedding invitation, and one obituary clipping for Ruth C. Womack Beard. The two letters, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Beard, include one each from “McIntosh” and “Stanford”, thanking them for golf socks and updating the Beards on family news such as the enlistment of family members and the author.

0585: Augustus Kuper Family Papers, 1816-1818, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Collection consists primarily of the diary (1816-1818) of Augustus Kuper, Assistant commissary general of Canada, 1813, telling of his trip to England with his wife to secure a position in the provincial government. Genealogical information about the family is appended. According to a notation, the original diary in possession of Louis Hood of Chevy Chase, Md.

0588: Ina Crawford Scrrapbook, 1923-1936, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

The collection contains mixed printed and manuscript materials as well as a scrapbook. Correspondence primarily consists of letters from Okey Hayslip, Crawford’s future husband. Other materials include personal and business papers such as greeting cards, menus, programs, clippings, and financial documents.

The scrapbook is a repurposed cash book with extensive amounts of clippings, correspondence, and ephemera pasted in. The clippings relate to local events, including deaths, social engagements, news, and miscellaneous subjects such as kitchen tips. The correspondence consists of postcards and empty envelopes. Ephemera includes personal and business cards, materials from the Rainbow Garden, Martha Washington Candies, and Eda …