Temporary record

The Van Dusen Papers contain four discrete sets of correspondence. The first, from Edward Van Dusen to his brother, Henry, describes Edward's efforts to establish himself in Missouri between 1867 and 1870. Most of the letters deal with routine matters of family life and farming, but one, from September, 1868, discusses political life in Missouri, noting that many "rebels" still distrust new arrivals and that there would be a "Radical Mass Meeting" to be addressed by Carl Schurz. The second set consists of one letter from Zina Van Dusen to Henry describing her life in Washington state. The largest set includes letters from Sophia Wilkins to Ira Van Dusen. The two are apparently sweethearts, albeit rather reticent ones, and Sophia wrote about her life as a school teacher and as a clerk and she notes how much she misses Ira. The final set of letters is from "Anna" to Warren Howe and Mrs. Warren Howe. The first three letters, written to Warren in 1912, reveal that the two are involved in a romance. The last, written to Mrs. Warren Howe, opens with the salutation, "Dear Sister."

M-2464

Subjects

Reconstruction--Missouri
Teachers--Missouri

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