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John Jung Letters, 1929-1936, 1984
Collection Overview
Title: John Jung Letters, 1929-1936, 1984
Predominant Dates:1929-1936
ID: OGLMC995
Primary Creator: Jung, John
Extent: 0.25 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 12/00/1984
Subjects: Devils Lake, North Dakota, Education
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The John Jung Letters consist mainly of 25 letters from Jung to Fanny (Boulden) Peterson, 1929-1936. The letters reveal Jung's adjustment to and reflections on life in the United States, as well as his common daily activities and his experiences in the American educational system. As indicated by Fanny Peterson in 1984, "his intriguing letters are a literary event, I feel. They reveal a developing personality and a young man dedicated to making it in a 'white man's world'.” (see folder 27)
Also included is one letter from Nelson Sawvain, former Superintendent of Schools in Devils Lake, to Jung; a story written by Jung after he had been in Boulden’s class for eight weeks; a biographical account about Jung written by Carol Welte; and photocopied materials from the archives at Purdue University.
Collection Historical Note
In the fall of 1928, a young Chinese immigrant named John Jung entered Fanny Boulden's fourth grade class in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Besides attending school, Jung also worked in his father's laundry. The following year, Miss Boulden was married, retired from teaching, and moved to a farm near Larimore in Grand Forks County. Jung later moved to Bismarck where he attended school and worked in a cafe with his father.
In January 1932, Jung returned to China for approximately eight months. While in China, he visited his mother, and also enlisted in the Chinese Army. After returning to North Dakota, he graduated from Bismarck High School in 1935. Following graduation, Jung continued his education on a scholarship at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He was enrolled as an engineering student at Purdue through the 1936-1937 school year, and was an active member of the Cosmopolitan Club, an all nationality organization.
The last letter to Fanny from Jung was from December 27, 1936. In this letter, there was no indication that he intended to return to his homeland. The question remains, however, whether or not Jung was part of the 2nd Sino-Japanese War, which broke out in China in July 1937.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source: Fanny Boulden Peterson, Larimore, North Dakota
Acquisition Method: Donation; 84-1338. In 1984, the Department of Special Collections borrowed the original letters for duplication from Fanny Boulden Peterson. The original letters were later deposited by Fanny Welte (Peterson’s daughter), Aneta, North Dakota, on November 18, 2003. The photocopies were given to Welte in exchange for the originals
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). John Jung Letters. OGLMC 995, 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 May 2014.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[All]
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Correspondence to Miss Boulden, June 9, 1929
- Folder 2: Correspondence to Miss Boulden, November 11, 1929
- Folder 3: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, December 21, 1929
- Folder 4: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, March 15, 1930
- Folder 5: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, July 12, 1930
- Folder 6: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, September 5, 1930
- Folder 7: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, December 13, 1930
- Folder 8: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, March 22, 1931
- Folder 9: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, October 6, 1931
- Folder 10: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, December 1932
- Folder 11: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, February 23, 1933
- Folder 12: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, March 2, 1933
- Folder 13: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, December 13, 1934
- Folder 14: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, January 3, 1935
- Folder 15: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, February 19, 1935
- Folder 16: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, April 25, 1935
- Folder 17: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, June 3, 1935
- Folder 18: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, August 5, 1935
- Folder 19: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, August 9, 1935
- Folder 20: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, August 15, 1935
- Folder 21: Correspondence to Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, August 25, 1935
- Folder 22: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, December 30, 1935
- Folder 23: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, June 18, 1936
- Folder 24: Correspondence to Jung from Nelson Sawvain, December 17, 1936
- Folder 25: Correspondence to Mrs. Peterson, December 27, 1936
- Folder 26: Story written by Jung after being in school eight weeks, 1929
- Folder 27: Biographical account on Jung written by Carol Welte, December 1984
- Folder 28: Purdue University biographical material, 1935-1936
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
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