Administrative Information | Search Terms | Background Note | Scope and Contents Note | Arrangement | PDF of Finding Aid
 

COLLECTION SUMMARY

Title:     Henry and Inez Johnson journals

Dates:     1924-1995

Creator:     Henry and Inez Johnson

Physical Description:     4.40 linear feet—8 containers

Collection number:     MA 32

Language:     Collection material in English.

Repository:     South Dakota State University Archives, Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.

Abstract:     Collection is composed of 71 journals kept by Henry and Inez Johnson that document rural life near Baltic, S.D.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Provenance:     The sons of Henry and Inez Johnson, Dean R., Ivan H., Jerome B. and Odell M. Johnson, donated this collection to South Dakota State University for inclusion in the archives in August 2000.

Access Restrictions:     Part of this collection is open to research without restrictions. Conditions of the donor agreement restrict some items from researcher use. Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

1924-1980:    Open to research without restriction
1981-1990:    Closed to public access until July 1, 2010
1991-1995:    Closed to public access until July 1, 2015

Any person wishing to view any part of the collection prior to the designated date of availability must obtain approval by application to the collection representative.  Ask the staff for more information.

Copyright Status: Copyright 2008 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives. Please credit the SDSU Archives if you copy or reproduce material from this finding aid.

It is the responsibility of anyone reproducing material to determine the copyright holders and obtain permission from them if necessary. Archives staff will provide available copyright information on request. Please note that most collections, especially those received before 1997, may not have complete information on file. (Revised 15 SEP 2003)

Preferred Citation:     [Identification of item]. Henry and Inez Johnson journals, MA 32, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S. D.

Processing Information:     This collection was processed by Crystal J. Gamradt on 26 December 2000 with revisions on July 9, 2008 (cjg).

SELECTED SEARCH TERMS

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the subject guide. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.

Persons:

• Johnson, Henry—Diaries.

• Johnson, Inez—Diaries.

Subjects:

• American diaries.

• Baltic (S.D.)—Biography.

• Baltic (S.D.)—History.

• Farm life—South Dakota—Baltic.

• Farmers—South Dakota—Baltic—Diaries.

BACKGROUND NOTE

Henry M. Johnson was born to Ole and Beret Johnson on October 5, 1903, on a farm near Baltic, South Dakota.  He was baptized at the Old Nidaros Lutheran Church where he was a member.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing all of his life.

Inez O. Erickson Johnson was born to Martin and Julia Erickson on October 31, 1911 in Lake County, South Dakota.  At the age of eight she moved with her parents to a farm near Baltic, South Dakota.  She attended rural school and Baltic Grade School.  She was baptized at St. Peter Lutheran Church and confirmed at East Nidaros Lutheran Church.

On March 14, 1931 Inez married Henry at East Nidaros Lutheran Church.  They lived and farmed on the farm of Henry' parents until they retired and moved into the town of Baltic in 1987.

Henry died June 4, 1993, at the Dell Rapids Community Hospital.  Inez became a resident of Terrace Manor Nursing Home in Dell Rapids on April 28, 1995 and died May 19, 1995 at Dell Rapids Community Hospital.

Henry and Inez had four children.  Odel, Ivan, Dean, and Jerome.

SCOPE and CONTENTS NOTE

This collection is composed of 71 journals kept by Henry and Inez Johnson that document rural life near Baltic, SD.  The journals provide insight into their daily activities from 1924 to 1995.  Each day states the weather, work performed on the farm, and visitors to their household.  Topics include daily chores, hunting and fishing excursions, and various social activities.  Marriages, births and deaths in the community are noted in lists at the back and, occasionally, the front of each journal as well as in daily entries.  Some entries mention national events, such as the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination in 1963, and the moon landing in 1969.  Some entries are very extensive, while others contain very little or no information.  The entries are generally the same each year and are hand-written in pencil or ink.

The journals for 1924-26 are wall calendars.  These journals also provide information on the weather, daily activities, visitors, and marriages, births and deaths in the community but entries are not as extensive as later journals.  The journal for 1926 is a desk calendar with similar entries.  The paper on these calendars is very brittle and may only be handled with supervision from the Archives staff.

The journals for 1928-1995 are hardbound.  Beginning in 1994, fewer and fewer entries are made.  In 1995, there are only entries for February 11, 17 and March 9.

ARRANGEMENT of the RECORDS

Material is arranged in chronological order.

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