Title: Clara Schumacher Wold Papers, 1878-1983

ID: OGLMC1420

Primary Creator: Wold, Clara Schumacher (1893-1986)

Extent: 1.0 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 09/28/1998

Subjects: Courtenay, North Dakota, McIntosh, Minnesota, Women's History

Languages: English

The Clara Schumacher Wold Papers include genealogical notes regarding Clara and her family. Also included is correspondence to and from Clara, newspaper clippings, a memorial book for her mother, a napkin signed by people at her 18th birthday, and items pertaining to Immanuel Lutheran Church and other surrounding churches. The papers are arranged with information pertaining to Clara Wold placed first. Genealogical notes and correspondence of friends and family follow arranged alphabetically. Next are general genealogical notes, correspondence, birth announcements, and information pertaining to Lutheran churches in McIntosh, Minnesota and Courtenay, North Dakota. Lastly, there are miscellaneous items such as a 1920 edition of the McIntosh Times, a handkerchief, and a program from a mother-daughter banquet.

Some family members documented in the collection include:

Charles Schumacher married Emilie Dorthea Bischoff on December 31, 1884. They met in Chicago after both of their families immigrated from Germany. After they married, they moved to Courtenay, N.D. and began farming. They had nine children, six boys and three girls, including Clara. Charles ran unsuccessfully for sheriff of Stutsman County in 1908. He was known for his stern and temperamental behavior. Emilie was known across Stutsman County for her wonderful cooking. In 1926, Charles filed for a divorce after 41 years of marriage; Emilie countersued on grounds of cruel and inhumane treatment and won. In 1927, Charles remarried, but passed away one month later on June 28, 1927. After the divorce, Emilie moved to McIntosh to live with Clara and Ingvald. Emilie spent her summers visiting her other children until her death on March 20, 1953.

Ingvald Tidemand (I.T.) Wold was born March 30, 1887 on his parent's farm near Winger, Minnesota, to Clara and Tiedemond Wold. Ingvald came to Stutsman County looking for work as a hired man and was hired by Charles Schumacher. He moved back to Winger, where he rented his parents' farm, before coming back to North Dakota to marry Clara. After they were married, Ingvald opened up his own jewelry repair shop in McIntosh which was kept open until his death on March 1, 1972.

Alton Charles Wold was born March 3, 1915 to Clara and I.T. Wold. He was educated in McIntosh, before entering the United States Army during World War II. On February 14, 1942 Alton married Eileen Beverly Van Hoff. They had three children: Charles Alton, Beverly Eileen and Curtis Edward.

Mildred Emelyn (Wold) Yergens was born May 30, 1917 to Clara and I.T. Wold in Fosston, Minnesota. She was educated in McIntosh, and after graduation she moved to the west coast where she was employed by The Douglas Aircraft Company. Upon her return to McIntosh in the late 1940s, she married Stewart Yergens who was also from the McIntosh area. They were married October 10, 1948 and had two children: Milton Stewart and Clarice Jeanine.

Ludwig and Wilhelmine Schumacher: Clara's grandparents on her father's side of family. Ludwig was born about 1830 in Germany. He emigrated to the United States, along with his brother, in the 1850s. He married Wilhelmine Opperman during the late 1850s or early 1860s. Ludwig died of smallpox March 19, 1872 in Chicago, Illinois. Following his death, Wilhelmine remarried for a short time, before leaving her second husband. She eventually moved to Jamestown, North Dakota, and died there December 10, 1910.

Edward and Elizabeth Schumacher: Clara's brother and sister-in-law. Edward and Elizabeth, were married January 6, 1914. They lived and farmed near Jamestown until Edward was injured in an automobile accident. Edward and Elizabeth then moved into the Central Dakota Nursing Home in Jamestown where they lived until their deaths.

H.C. Schumacher was involved in the oil industry and was the state organizer for A.C. Townley's lecture tour in South Dakota in 1923.

Tiedemond Wold: Ingvald Tidemand's father. Tiedemond settled in Winger, Minnesota after emigrating from Norway.

Beverly Eileen Wold: Daughter of Alton and Eileen Wold. Clara Schumacher Wold’s granddaughter.

Clarice Yergens: Daughter of Stewart and Mildred (Wold) Yergens. Clara Schumacher Wold’s granddaughter.

Tonette Sivertson: Ingvald's sister. Tonette was born on January 1, 1894 in Winger to Tiedemond and Clara Wold. She moved to Bottineau to teach at the Loon Lake School. On December 22, 1914 she married Lewis Sivertson in Bottineau. They had four children: Thelma, Lloyd, Lars, and Merril. Lewis passed away April 9, 1970 in Bottineau, followed by Tonette on June 21, 1977.

Oscar E. Flaten: Ingvald's cousin

Bill C. Weichman: Clara's best friend's uncle

Holzer Family: Friends of Clara and I.T. Wold

W. Theodore Janzow: Priest in McIntosh

Eric Wold: Probably Ingvald's grandfather

Clara Schumacher Wold was born December 4, 1893, to Charles and Emilie Schumacher at their farm near Courtenay. When Clara was eight days old, their house started on fire. Everyone rushed to the barn, where it was discovered that baby Clara was missing. Max Donat, a hired hand on the farm, ran back and found Clara wrapped in blankets in a snow bank, where she had been dropped in the panic. Clara was confirmed by the Reverend C. H. Leuker at Zion Lutheran Church in 1909. She attended the Ashland Township School and graduated from the eighth grade.

On March 31, 1914, Clara married Ingvald Tidemand Wold at the home of Clara's parents in Courtenay. Ingvald was born March 30, 1887, to Clara and Tiedemond Wold. Ingvald met Clara while working on her father's farm as a hired hand. They had two children: Alton Charles, born March 11, 1915, and Mildred Emelyn, born May 30, 1917.

After they were married, Ingvald and Clara moved to McIntosh, Minnesota. Ingvald opened a jewelry and watch repair shop which he operated until his death on March 1, 1972. After Ingvald's death, Clara lived in a trailer on her daughter and son-in-law's farm by McIntosh until her death on January 29, 1986.

Courtenay, North Dakota
McIntosh, Minnesota
Women's History

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: Sandy Slater, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Acquisition Method: Donation - the collection was purchased at auction; 99-2264

Separated Materials: A framed and signed birthday napkin from Clara Wold’s 18th birthday party, December 4, 1911, is on the shelf adjacent to the collection.

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Clara Schumacher Wold Papers. OGLMC 1420. 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 2013.