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Elmer Worthington Papers
Elmer Worthington Papers, 1955-1990
Collection Overview
Title: Elmer Worthington Papers, 1955-1990
ID: OGLMC940
Primary Creator: Worthington, Elmer (1910-1990)
Extent: 0.25 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 12/05/1983
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Collection Historical Note
Elmer "Buck" Worthington was born August 13, 1910, in Holland, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Frank Clayton Worthington and Edna (Balderson) Worthington. He graduated from Colorado State University in 1933 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. Following graduation, he found work as a forester with the United States Forest Service in Deadwood, South Dakota. He married Helen Schladweiler April 15, 1936, in Sturgis, South Dakota. The couple had three daughters: Edna Ann, Joann, and Phyllis Ann.
The family moved to North Dakota in 1936, where Worthington took a position with the United States Soil Conservation Service. He became active in the effort to plant shelterbelts throughout the state. His first shelterbelt was planted near Larimore, North Dakota, although his efforts were not confined only to North Dakota. He supervised their planting in both Dakotas, as well as parts of Montana. He retired from the Soil Conservation Service in 1969, but found work soon thereafter as the Mandan city forester. When Mandan had the first case of Dutch Elm Disease in North Dakota, Worthington took the lead in fighting this outbreak. He also functioned as superintendent of Morton County parks.
Elmer Worthington was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Elks, Rotary, Nature Conservancy, and the Society of American Foresters. He also served as state president of the North Dakota Jaycees. He died August 4, 1990, in Mandan, while Helen died October 25, 1990, also in Mandan. Both are buried at Mandan Union Cemetery.
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: Elmer Worthington, Mandan, North Dakota
Acquisition Method: Donation; 83-1249
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Elmer Worthington Papers. OGLMC 940, 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: Biographical Information: 1955, 1958, 1979, 1984, 1990
- Folder 2: "From 'Dust Bowl' to 'Tree Bowl'," American Forests: June 1960
- Folder 3: “North Dakota Tree Growing in Washington is 'Living Symbol',” North Dakotan: February 1966
- Folder 4: “Ice Cave Discovered Over 50 Years Ago,” North Dakotan: August 1967
- Folder 5: “Petrified Badlands Logs,” North Dakotan: June 1969
- Folder 6: “North Dakota’s Mystery Logs,” Dakota Farmer: February 1971
- Folder 7: “Petrified Logs Reveal Dakota’s History,” Dakota Farmer: June 1971
- Folder 8: “North Dakota’s Ice Cave Causes Natural Ice Box,” Dakota Farmer: June 1973
- Folder 9: “Monarchs of the Plains,” Dakota Farmer: May 1974
- Folder 10: “Trees Can Enhance Strip-Mined Areas,” Dakota Farmer: August 1974
- Folder 11: “The Mystery Trees of North Dakota,” North Dakota REC Magazine: September 1975
- Folder 12: “North Dakota’s Giant Trees,” North Dakota REC Magazine: April 1976
- Folder 13: “Kaleidoscope of the Killdeers,” North Dakota REC Magazine: July 1977
- Folder 14: “Living History in Our Rest Areas,” North Dakota REC Magazine: August 1981