Lillian Witmer Papers, 1884-1993
Collection Overview
Title: Lillian Witmer Papers, 1884-1993
ID: OGLMC245
Primary Creator: Witmer, Lillian (1903-1993)
Extent: 10.25 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 11/04/1993. More info below under Accruals.
Subjects: Organizational Records, University of North Dakota - Alumni, University of North Dakota - Presidents, Women's History
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Lillian Witmer Papers include correspondence, both of a personal nature as well as related to UND. Much of the UND correspondence is from the presidency of Webster Merrifield, 1891-1909. It is unclear how Witmer came into possession of this correspondence, although she did serve as an assistant registrar at UND for a short time.
Also included are materials about a variety of organizations including the North Dakota Dames Club, the Franklin Club, and P.E.O. Chapter D. These are mostly remarks delivered by Witmer for each organization. Miscellaneous materials include scrapbooks kept by Witmer and her eventual husband, R.B., when both were students at UND, a selection of Witmer's personal bookmarks, and subject files.
Collection Historical Note
"Lillian I. Witmer, 90, 739 S. 30th St., died Monday, Sept. 13, 1993, in Deaconess Health Center, Northwood, N.D.
Lillian I. Leith was born Jan. 16, 1903, in Grand Forks, the daughter of Dr. John D. and Isabella (Whitson) Leith. She graduated from Larimore (N.D.) High School and in 1923 from UND. She was assistant registrar of the University until 1930. She married Robert B. Witmer in 1927. He died Feb. 24, 1972. She was active in a number of university, community, and national organizations. She was a member of the UND Alumni Association board. She also was district governor of Alpha Phi International Fraternity and later its treasurer. She was on the public library board and secretary of the Grand Forks County Historical Society, of which she was a charter member. For more than 50 years, she was a member of the Franklin Club, Chapter D of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, the North Dakota Dames Club. the Alpha Phi Alumni Chapter and the UND Faculty Wives and Women's Club, serving as president of each.
Survivors are her daughter, Jean (Mrs. Charles W.) Meline, Macomb, Ill., two grandsons; and two great-granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by a brother, J. Douglas."
Source: Grand Forks Herald, September 19, 1993, p. 2B.
Subject/Index Terms
Organizational Records
University of North Dakota - Alumni
University of North Dakota - Presidents
Women's History
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Additional material was donated by:
Jean (Witmer) Meline, Macomb, Illinois, on November 4, 1993; 93-1930
Dawn Lykken, UND Medical School, on September 14, 1994; 94-1974
Jean Meline, Macomb, Illinois, and Mary Ellen Caldwell, Grand Forks, North Dakota, in September 1993; 93-1914
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Method: Donation; the original acquisition records are unavailable
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Lillian Witmer Papers. OGLMC 245, 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 December 2014.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Box 8],
[Oversize Folder :],
[Photographs :],
[All]
- Box 7
- Folder 1: Correspondence: Charles Amidon- McVey, 1910, regarding Amidon’s attendance at McVey’s inauguration
- Folder 2: Correspondence: C.G. Mead-N.C. Abbott, 1912, regarding lectures given by members of UND administration to the Commercial Club
- Folder 3: Correspondence: Vernon Squires-President Kane, 1918-1929, regarding UND business
- Folder 4: Correspondence: T.A. Anderson-President Kane, 1919, regarding student government in Davis Hall
- Folder 5: Correspondence: William Bek-John C. West, 1932, regarding speech by West at UND
- Folder 6: Correspondence: O.O. Burtness (North Dakota Representative in Washington, D.C.)-A.H. Yoder, 1932, regarding the postal service
- Folder 7: Correspondence: Sveinbjorn Johnson-William Bek, 1932, regarding economic problems and controversy at UND
- Folder 8: Correspondence: “Kane vs. Bek”, 1932, regarding rumors which stated that Bek wished to become UND President
- Folder 9: Correspondence: William Bek-President West, 1933, regarding UND business
- Folder 10: Correspondence: W.A. Sheaffer-President Kane, 1933, regarding possible scholarships at UND
- Folder 11: Correspondence: William Bek-West, 1934, regarding UND business
- Folder 12: Correspondence: Charles Burke-President West, 1934, regarding Burke’s academic credits
- Folder 13: Correspondence: Glenn Cook-William Bek, 1934, regarding reorganization at North Dakota State College (now North Dakota State University)
- Folder 14: Correspondence: William Bek-President West, 1935, regarding UND business
- Folder 15: Correspondence: A. Hoyt Taylor-R.B. and Lillian Witmer, 1958, regarding gift of University of the Northern Plains by Louis Geiger
- Folder 16: Correspondence: Lyla Hoffine-Lillian Witmer, 1971, regarding Hoffine’s novels
- Folder 17: Correspondence from Ross and Lois Bloomquist, 1975 Christmas card letter
- Folder 18: Correspondence: UND Board of Trustees-North Dakota Governor John Miller, undated, regarding salaries
- Folder 19: Correspondence: E.C. Cooper-President Merrifield, undated, regarding Merrifield’s acceptance of appointment as President
- Folder 20: Correspondence: Adelphi and A.D.T.-President Merrifield, undated, regarding Gansl debates
- Folder 21: Correspondence: Board of Trustees-E.J. Babcock, undated, regarding School of Mines
- Folder 22: Advisory Committee agenda, 1925
- Folder 23: Interview between Dr. John Sweetland and M.A. Brannon regarding administration of intercollegiate athletics, undated
- Folder 24: Board of Trustees Bylaws
- Folder 25: Board of Trustees Meeting minutes, 1889
- Folder 26: Board of Trustees report by President Merrifield, 1895
- Folder 27: Board of Trustees undated memoranda
- Folder 28: UND Catalog, 1884-1885 and UND Bulletin, 1910, 1916
- Folder 29: College of Liberal Arts Administration, undated
- Folder 30: Dormitory rules, undated
- Folder 31: UND Enrollment Figures, 1884-1903, 1922
- Folder 32: UND Financial Information, 1884-1926
- Folder 33: Miscellaneous documents relating to students
- Folder 34: Miscellaneous university business
- Folder 35: Miscellaneous university business
- Folder 36: Program: “Dear John Night,” honoring John E. Howard, UND Band Director, 1959
- Folder 37: UND promotional materials, undated
- Folder 38: Transcript of radio broadcast of Joseph Kennedy to UND Alumni, 1930
- Folder 39: Report of Grand Forks City Council Meeting, 3 March 1890
- Folder 40: Committee on Residence Hall Furnishings report, 1917
- Folder 41: “Views of the Heads of Departments, College of Liberal Arts and School of Education,” 1925
- Folder 42: “Report of Sub-Committee on Regulation of Off-Campus Trips Taken by University Groups and Organizations,” 1934
- Folder 43: “For the Assistance and Instruction of Campus Sisters and Brothers,” undated
- Folder 44: Reproductions of UND presidents Sprague, Merrifield, McVey, and Kane
- Folder 45: Speech, 1904
- Folder 46: News release regarding UND and Wesley College, undated
- Folder 1: Correspondence: Charles Amidon- McVey, 1910, regarding Amidon’s attendance at McVey’s inauguration
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Box 8],
[Oversize Folder :],
[Photographs :],
[All]