Lydia O. Jackson Papers, 1908-1985
Collection Overview
Title: Lydia O. Jackson Papers, 1908-1985
ID: OGLMC987
Primary Creator: Jackson, Lydia O. (1902-1984)
Extent: 21.0 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 08/00/1984. More info below under Accruals.
Subjects: Literary - Poetry, Women's History
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Lydia O. Jackson Papers consist primarily of autobiographical materials, correspondence, manuscripts, and publications containing her poetry. Also included in the collection is a series which contains pedigree information on John P. Jackson's, Lydia's father-in-law, Holstein cattle herd and the sale of the herd in 1925.
A variety of information can be elicited from the collection which in turn illuminates both the strengths and weaknesses of the Jackson collection. The papers reveal the picture of an intellectually curious and industrious farm homemaker and poet from the 1930s through the early 1980s. As social history, Lydia Jackson's correspondence and poetry detail the values held dear by many women of the time period, whether rural or urban: devotion and duty to family and home.
The autobiographical material describes only briefly the particulars of her life. It instead lists her literary achievements, a task she did almost yearly since 1951 to maintain her membership in the Fargo branch of the National League of American Pen Women. The short autobiographical notes she wrote for Who's Who entries also list her achievements.
Insights into Jackson's daily life and thought come mainly from a reading of her round robin correspondence with several poet friends across the country, none of whom she ever met. This correspondence lasted twenty-eight years, from 1943 to 1971. Additionally, two notebooks contain copies of letters written to relatives during the Depression. They describe living and farming conditions on the Jackson farm besides mentioning the groups and activities Lydia participated in off the farm. The collection, however, contains little other information regarding her club activities. Several of her essays are also autobiographical in nature.
Secondly, the collection reveals the publishing and editorial world of the small poetry magazine and newspaper poetry column, both of which published Lydia Jackson's poetry. Correspondence between Jackson and poetry editors describes the difficulties of maintaining the continued publications of these small magazines.
Social historians have recently addressed the question of women's friendships in the nineteenth century. Lydia Jackson, twentieth century woman of rural North Dakota, maintained many lasting friendships via pen and paper between not only poet friends, often publishing in the same poetry magazines, but also her poetry editors. Particularly noteworthy are the letters from Helen Lange, 1958 to 1984, editor of "The Lighter Side", a Chicago newspaper poetry column. These are located in the enclosure folders following Jackson's poetry notebooks.
Thirdly, the Jackson papers only minimally delineate Lydia's intellectual process of writing poetry. Several scraps of paper is all that is available to describe the process of rough draft to finished piece of poetry, although in one essay she reflects on various forms of poetry and illustrated each form with an example of her own poetry. Her round robin correspondence also mentions her excitement of attempting new forms of poetry and her successes and failures.
An interesting exception to the above are the letters from Hilario and Rosalia Nieves, Culion Sanitarium, in the Philippines. The Nieves were sponsored by the Jacksons and their correspondence vividly describes life in a leprosarium.
Collection Historical Note
Lydia O. Jackson was born near Grafton, North Dakota, March 5, 1902, to Karl Olaf and Inga Schelstad Svarte. Her father died when she was four years old and her mother remarried a year later to Edward Thompson. Lydia was the eldest of eight children. Her family moved frequently during her childhood, living in various places in North Dakota or Minnesota and one winter in Norway. As she was about to enter high school, her family moved to the Canadian Northwest, leaving Lydia behind to complete her high school education. She confessed that this event had a profound impact on her, leaving her to yearn for home and family. After graduating from high school in Grafton, she taught in a rural school for a short time before marrying Arthur Jackson, December 20, 1920. She then settled down to become a homemaker on a 280 acre farm near Grafton.
Lydia O. Jackson began writing poetry seriously in the early 1930's, recording her poem "Home", November 9, 1934, in the first of her thirty-four notebooks of poetry. Her lonely high school years and her longing for a home life influenced the themes of much of her poetry. Her 1183 poems reflect her thoughts of her home and family, her role as homemaker and mother, and the goodness she saw both in people and nature.
She is the author of one book of poetry, Selected Poems, published in 1962 and two booklets of poems, Rhymes For Every Season, 1943, and Pardon My Gaff, 1965. In 1967, she compiled a booklet of peace poems entitled, A Peace Garden Of Verses which contains her poetry and the poems of eight other North Dakota Pen Women poets. Her poetry also appears in over two hundred periodicals, newspapers and poetry anthologies, including popular magazines such as Ideals and Guideposts.
She was a member of various poetry organizations including the Fargo Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, Midwest Federation of Chaparral Poets, American Poetry League, American Poets Fellowship Society, Idaho Poets and Writers Guild, World Poetry Day Association, World Poetry Society, and Centro Studi E Scambi Internazionali. These organizations published a poetry magazine to which Lydia was a regular contributor.
In recognition of her poetry, Lydia was the recipient of several awards: the National Farmers Union Writers Award, 1950; Bronze Medal, 1965, and the Silver Medal, 1967 from Centro Studi E Scambi Internazionali; the fifth Poet Laureate of American Poets Fellowship Society, 1972-1973; Co-Associate Poet Laureate of North Dakota, 1975, Co-Poet Laureate, 1979, and Poet Laureate of North Dakota, 1983. She is also included in the International Who's Who in Poetry, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in the Midwest, and the Dictionary of International Biography.
Lydia Jackson was a voracious reader believing it was essential to feed her mind as well as her body. To further this need, she belonged to the Sigma Rho Study Club. Additionally she was a member of the Riverside Women's Club, the Ladies Aid Society of the Federated Church of Grafton, Order of the Eastern Star, and served as treasurer of School District 22 from 1931 to 1962 and treasurer of the Walsh County School Officers Association from 1945 to 1962.
Lydia O. Jackson died April 3, 1984.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Accruals: Additional material was donated by Elizabeth Fagerholt on March 8, 1985 (85-1356).
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source: Elizabeth Fagerholt (Lydia Jackson's daughter), Grafton, North Dakota
Acquisition Method: Donation; 84-1327
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Lydia O. Jackson Papers. OGLMC 987, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in January 2015.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Biographical Material],
[Series 2: Poetry],
[Series 3: Additional Unpublished Works],
[Series 4: Poetry Publications],
[Series 5: Correspondence],
[Series 6: Awards and Recognition],
[Series 7: Epsilon Sigma Omicron, Theta Chapter],
[Series 8: Jackson Holstein Cattle Herd],
[Series 9: Photographs],
[All]
- Series 4: Poetry Publications
- Sub-Series 1: Books
- Sub-Series 2: Magazines
- Box 5
- Folder 17: Listing of Periodicals and Newspapers Containing Lydia O. Jackson's Poetry
- Folder 18: Poetry Associations - Memberships, 1943-1983
- Folder 19: Adventures In Poetry Magazine, Stella Woodall, ed., 1980
- Folder 20: Adventures In Poetry Magazine, 1980-1981
- Folder 21: Adventures in Poetry Magazine, Correspondence, 1975-1981
- Folder 22: The American Courier, Lewis DeHart, ed., April, 1941-July, 1942
- Folder 23: The American Courier, August, 1942-April, 1943
- Folder 24: The American Courier, May, 1943-Febuary, 1944
- Folder 17: Listing of Periodicals and Newspapers Containing Lydia O. Jackson's Poetry
- Box 6
- Folder 1: The American Courier, March, 1944-December 1944
- Folder 2: The American Courier, January, 1945-September, 1945
- Folder 3: The American Courier, October, 1945 July, 1946
- Folder 4: The American Courier, August, 1946-June, 1947
- Folder 5: The American Courier, July, 1947-June, 1948
- Folder 6: The American Courier, July, 1948-June, 1949
- Folder 7: The American Courier, July, 1949-June, 1950
- Folder 8: The American Courier, July, 1950-June, 1951
- Folder 9: The American Courier, August, 1951-September, 1952
- Folder 10: The American Courier, October, 1952-July, 1953
- Folder 11: The American Courier, August, 1953-November, 1954
- Folder 12: The American Courier, December, 1954-January, 1956
- Folder 13: The American Poet, American Poets Fellowship Society, Stella Craft Tremble, ed., 1963-1974
- Folder 14: The American Poet, 1975-1981 Ram-The Letter Box, 1982-1984
- Folder 15: The American Poet Correspondence, 1963-1983
- Folder 1: The American Courier, March, 1944-December 1944
- Box 7
- Folder 1: American Poetry League Bulletin, 1955-1971
- Folder 2: American Poetry League Bulletin, 1972-1977
- Folder 3: American Poetry League Bulletin, 1977-1979
- Folder 4: American Poetry League Roster, 1954 and History, 1964
- Folder 5: American Poetry League Correspondence, 1951-1980
- Folder 6: American Poetry League Clipping Service, Correspondence, 1951- 1982
- Folder 7: American Poetry Magazine, Clara Prince, ed., 1945-1946
- Folder 8: Bay Shore Breeze, Charles and Irene Cloos, eds., 1966-1967
- Folder 9: Bay Shore Breeze, Correspondence, 1965-1966
- Folder 10: Bouquets of Poems, Centro Studi E Scambi Internazionali, pub., 1964-1976
- Folder 11: Bouquets of Poems, Correspondence, 1965-1983
- Folder 12: Centro Studi E Scambi Internazionali Newsletter, 1966-1976
- Folder 13: Centro Studi E Scambi Internazionali Newsletter, 1977-1981
- Folder 14: California Chromatones, Lyra LuVaile, ed., 1946
- Folder 15: Candor Magazine, Elvin Wagner, ed., 1941, 1945
- Folder 16: The Chipmunk, Estelle Trust, ed., 1945 e
- Folder 17: The Country Bard, Clarence Sharp, ed., 1941-1944
- Folder 18: The American Bard, Rexford and Marjorie Sharp, eds., 1946-1952
- Folder 19: The American Bard, Rexford Sharp, ed., 1954-1957 Edith Hope Genee, ed.,1960-1964
- Folder 20: The American Bard, 1965- 1967
- Folder 21: The American Bard, 1967, 1971
- Folder 22: The American Bard, Correspondence, 1945-1966
- Folder 23: Creative Writer, Phillip Marsden, ed., 1955
- Folder 24: Down Ink Lane, Mary Louise Kitsen, ed., 1966
- Folder 25: Down Ink Lane, Correspondence, 1965-1967
- Folder 1: American Poetry League Bulletin, 1955-1971
- Box 8
- Folder 1: Driftwood and Seashells, Mary Gilbert, ed., 1946-1950
- Folder 2: Driftwood and Seashells, Correspondence, 1945-1950
- Folder 3: Echoes, Dora Tompkins, Florence Unangst, eds., 1965-1966
- Folder 4: Embers, Ted Snell, ed., 1944
- Folder 5: Flower Show Booklets' 1954-1963 and Clippings, 1954-1958
- Folder 6: Flower Show Booklets' 1964-1966
- Folder 7: Food For Thot, Esther York Burkholder, ed., 1958-1984. 1954
- Folder 8: Food For Thot, Correspondence, 1962-1983
- Folder 9: Ford Farming, Tractor and Implement Division, Ford Motor Co., 1954
- Folder 10: Fresh Furrows, North Dakota Farmers Union Writers Project, Poetry Awards, 1953-1962
- Folder 11: From Sea to Sea in Song, Yearbook Anthology of American Poetry League, 1948-1960
- Folder 12: From Sea to Sea in Song, 1961-1965
- Folder 13: From Sea to Sea in Song, 1966-1968
- Folder 14: From Sea to Sea in Song, 1969-1971
- Folder 15: From Sea to Sea in Song, 1972-1976
- Folder 16: Fun-Fab, Nan Houston, ed., 1958
- Folder 17: Fun-Fab, Correspondence, 1958
- Folder 18: The Furrow, John Deere Co., 1949
- Folder 19: The Garret, Flozari Rockwood, ed., 1942
- Folder 20: The Gold Star Family Album, Phyllis Hobe, ed., 1973
- Folder 21: Guideposts, Norman Vincent Peale and Ruth Peale, eds., 1959- 1960, 1967
- Folder 22: Guideposts, Correspondence, 1958-1971
- Folder 23: The Guild, Helen Gee Woods, ed., 1961-1968
- Folder 24: The Guild, William Moyer, ed., 1970-1972
- Folder 25: The Guild, Correspondence, 1960-1970
- Folder 26: Haiku Highlights, J & C Transcripts, pub., 1966
- Folder 27: Harbor Lights, Audrey Malone, ed., 1962-1981
- Folder 1: Driftwood and Seashells, Mary Gilbert, ed., 1946-1950
- Box 9
- Folder 1: Healthways, American Chiropractic Association, 1978
- Folder 2: Ideals, Van B. Hooper, ed., 1961, 1963, 1969
- Folder 3: Ideals, Maryjane Hooper Tonn, ed., 1974, 1976
- Folder 4: Ideals, Colleen Gonring, ed., 1981-1982; Through the Kitchen Door, Ideals, pub., 1966
- Folder 5: Ideals, Correspondence, 1955-1964
- Folder 6: Ideals, Correspondence, 1965-1982
- Folder 7: Inner Life of the New Order, Sun Center, pub., 1944
- Folder 8: Ladies Camp Program, North Dakota Farmers' Union, 1956-1957
- Folder 9: Ladies Delight Magazine, Nola Carroll, ed., 1967-1968
- Folder 10: Library Notes and News, North Dakota State Library Commission, 1967
- Folder 11: The Living Quill, Grace Smith, ed., 1944-1945
- Folder 12: The Living Quill, Correspondence, 1944-1946
- Folder 13: Mary's Scrapbook of Poetry and Beautiful Things, Mary Griffen, ed., 1969-1972
- Folder 14: Memorabilia, Geneva Booker and Florence Wray, eds., 1965
- Folder 15: Midwest Chaparral, Mildred Nye Dewey, ed., 1951-1970
- Folder 16: Midwest Chaparral, 1971-1983
- Folder 17: Midwest Chaparral, Correspondence and Bulletins, 1942-1982
- Folder 18: Modern Bards, Flozari Rockwood, ed., 1946
- Folder 19: The Muse, Mildred Howell, ed., 1961
- Folder 20: National Pen Pal Magazine, Stephen Hollister, ed., 1942-1944
- Folder 21: New Breaking, North Dakota Farmers' Union Department of Education, 1944-1945
- Folder 22: North Dakota Clubwoman, 1944, 1950, 1961-1973
- Folder 23: North Dakota Quarterly, 1962
- Folder 24: North Dakota Teacher, 1964
- Folder 25: The Notebook, Flozari Rockwood, ed., 1942
- Folder 26: Now, Lucille Jackson, ed., 1944
- Folder 27: Pacific Breeze, Charles Cloos, ed.., 1966
- Folder 28: Palmetto Voices, Irez Franck, ed., 1951
- Folder 29: The Penguin, Alice Waring, ed., 1948-1949
- Folder 30: The Pen Woman, National League of American Pen Women, 1951-1966
- Folder 31: The Pen Woman, Correspondence, 1964-1981
- Folder 1: Healthways, American Chiropractic Association, 1978
- Box 10
- Folder 1: The Posey Book, Helen Linham, ed., 1944-1948
- Folder 2: Poet, World Poetry Society, Dr. Krishna Srinivas, ed., 1970-1975
- Folder 3: Poet, 1976-1981
- Folder 4: Poet, 1982-1984
- Folder 5: Poetry Prevue, Florence Unangst, ed., 1968-1972
- Folder 6: The Poet's Guild, Helen Gee Woods, ed., 1972
- Folder 7: Prairie Poet, Stella Craft Tremble, ed., 1965-1967
- Folder 8: Prairie Wings, North Dakota Poetry Society, 1939-1945
- Folder 9: Prairie Wings, 1946-1947
- Folder 10: Prairie Wings, Correspondence, 1944, 1952
- Folder 11: Premier Poets, Anthology of World Poetry Society, 1975-1980
- Folder 12: Premier Poets, 1981-1984
- Folder 13: World Poetry Society, Correspondence, 1968, 1978-1984
- Folder 14: The Provoker, John H. Tobe, ed., 1972
- Folder 15: Reader's Fair, C.G. Norcom, ed., 1946
- Folder 16: Reader's Fair, Correspondence, 1946-1950
- Folder 17: Reflections, Mrs. J. Emmett Hamilton, ed., 1945-1953
- Folder 18: Reflections, Correspondence, 1945-1948
- Folder 19: The Saint, Florence Unangst, ed., 1966-1968
- Folder 20: Sanctuary, Viola Colarocco, ed., 1942-1945
- Folder 21: Sanctuary, Correspondence, 1943-1947
- Folder 22: Scimitar and Song, Lura McNair, ed., 1941-1943
- Folder 23: Seydell Quarterly, Mildred Seydell, ed., 1953-1960
- Folder 24: Seydell Quarterly, Correspondence, 1959-1967
- Folder 25: The Silver Lining, Mrs. W.J. Wallace, ed., 1944
- Folder 26: Songs of the Chaparral, Margaret Heinrich, ed., 1980
- Folder 27: Songs of the Chaparral, Correspondence, 1978-1984
- Folder 1: The Posey Book, Helen Linham, ed., 1944-1948
- Box 11
- Folder 1: The Step Ladder, Order of Bookfellows, pub., 1944-1947
- Folder 2: The Swordsman Review, Harry Theile Klein, pub., 1967-1969
- Folder 3: Treasured Verses, Paul Warp, ed., 1962-1968
- Folder 4: Treasured Verses, Correspondence, 1961-1966
- Folder 5: Warp's Christmas Messenger, Warp Pub., 1961, 1966
- Folder 6: The What-Not, Eleanor Totman, ed., 1943
- Folder 7: Wildfire, Paul Heard, ed., 1944
- Folder 8: World Poetry Day Magazine, Emma S. Wood, ed., 1970
- Folder 9: Writer's Notes and Quotes, Dirk and Evelyn Johnson, eds., 1964
- Folder 10: Writer's Digest, 1962-1963
- Folder 11: Notations of Submissions to Periodicals, 1977-1983
- Folder 12: Payment Receipts for Published Poetry, 1935, 1954-1975
- Folder 13: Poetry Booklets Published by Round Robin Friends, 1957-1975
- Folder 14: Published Poetry Booklets of Poets in the American Poets Fellowship Society, 1975-1980
- Folder 15: Autographed Poetry Booklets and Cards
- Folder 16: Autographs of Poets and Politicians
- Folder 17: North Dakota Poets, Clippings, 1939-1966
- Folder 1: The Step Ladder, Order of Bookfellows, pub., 1944-1947
- Box 16
- Box 5
- Sub-Series 1: Books
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Biographical Material],
[Series 2: Poetry],
[Series 3: Additional Unpublished Works],
[Series 4: Poetry Publications],
[Series 5: Correspondence],
[Series 6: Awards and Recognition],
[Series 7: Epsilon Sigma Omicron, Theta Chapter],
[Series 8: Jackson Holstein Cattle Herd],
[Series 9: Photographs],
[All]