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

COLLECTION SUMMARY

Title:     Elmer and Cecile Sexauer papers

Dates:     1898-1971 (bulk 1940-1947, 1960-1961)

Creator:     Elmer H (Harrison) Sexauer and Cecile I. (Irene) Welch Sexauer

Physical Description:     2.64 linear feet—4 containers, 21 photographs

Collection number:     MA 6

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 postcards and other items related to trips taken by Elmer and Cecile Sexauer. Also includes diaries, scrapbooks and family materials collected primarily by Cecile (Welch) Sexauer.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Provenance:     These files were found in the archives stacks in the fall of 1997.  There is no indication of where they came from or how they came to reside in the archives.

Access Restrictions:     This collection is open to research without restriction. Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

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]. Elmer and Cecile Sexauer papers, MA 6, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S. D.

Processing Information:    The scrapbook of Elizabeth Ann Baker was dismantled during processing for preservation purposes and the photographs were added to the photograph collection.

This collection was processed by Crystal J. Gamradt on 8 April 1998 with revisions on June 24, 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.

Names:

• Baker, Elizabeth Ann.

• Sexauer, Elmer H. (Harrison), 1888-1986.

• Sexauer, Cecile I. (Irene) Welch, 1888-1973.

 Subjects:

• Grain and Feed Dealers National Association.

BACKGROUND NOTE

Elmer Harrison Sexauer was born July 13, 1888, at Winona, Minnesota, the son of George P. and Elisa (Ulrich) Sexauer.  He moved with his family to Volga, South Dakota in 1891 and moved to Brookings several years later.  He attended public schools in Brookings and South Dakota State College.  In 1911, he joined his father in directing the operations of The Sexauer Company.  He served in the US Army during World War I.

Elmer served as president of the SD Seed Dealers Association, president of the Western Seedsmen Association, president of the American Seed Trade Association and president of the National Grain and Feed Association.  He also served on the Board of Directors of the US Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of the First Bank Systems, the Board of Directors of Northwestern Bell Telephone and the Board of Trustees for the SD Memorial Art Center.  He was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in Business from the University of South Dakota.  He was a member of Gamma Sigma Phi SDSU Chapter, Brookings Masonic Lodge No. 24, Brookings Commandery of Knight Templar, El Riad Shrine and Jesters.

At the time of his retirement in 1977, Elmer held the position of chairman of the board of The Sexauer Company, which has its headquarters in Brookings, SD, with division offices in Des Moines, Iowa, West Fargo, ND, and Norfolk, Nebraska.

Elmer Harrison Sexauer died on November 15, 1986.

Cecile Irene Welch Sexauer was born January 18, 1888 in Huron, South Dakota to Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Welch.  Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Arlington, SD, where they stayed until coming to Brookings, SD in 1903.

A graduate of Brookings High School and South Dakota State College, Cecile also attended Boston Conservatory of Music for one year and taught piano at South Dakota State College.

A member of the Christian Church at Arlington, SD, Mrs. Cecile became a member of First Baptist Church in Brookings, SD where she played piano and organ for about 25 years.

Cecile was active in local, state and national music organizations, serving as president of the National Music Organization.  She was also a member of BA chapter of PEO and Sorosis Club.

Cecile Irene Welch Sexauer died on October 7, 1973 at Brookings Hospital.  She had been hospitalized 4 weeks.

Elmer Sexauer and Cecile Welch were married on June 28, 1916, at Brookings, SD.  They had two children, Dorothy, who died in 1966, and Robert.  After Cecile’s death in 1973, Elmer married Ada Mitchell Dybdahl on December 10, 1974, at Brookings, SD.  Ada died in 1980.

SCOPE and CONTENTS NOTE

This collection is composed of postcards and other items related to trips taken by Elmer and Cecile Sexauer. Also includes diaries, scrapbooks and family materials collected primarily by Cecile (Welch) Sexauer.

The general series consists mainly of essays written by Cecile Welch Sexauer during her college career.  Also included is a Christmas card list of the Sexauer’s for 1971, scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, a book of Agricultural Department Reports presented to Elmer Sexauer in 1947, and certificates presented to the Sexauer’s on the anniversary of their 50^th college reunion.  Some examples of their personal stationery, grade school papers from Elmer’s youth, and a language paper of Laura Sexauer, Elmer’s sister are also included.

A scrapbook of Elizabeth Anne Baker, age 9 weeks, chronicles her first visit to her grandparents home during Easter 1947.  It was prepared by Jeannette Gagnon-Abbey for the Sexauer's.  This scrapbook was dismantled for preservation purposes and the photographs were added to the photograph collection.

The scrapbook was presented to Elmer Sexauer by the Grain and Feed Dealers National Association as a permanent reminder of the Forty-fourth Annual Convention held at Louisville, Kentucky October 13-15, 1940.  Elmer was president of the Association at that time.

The postcard series is a collection created by Elmer and Cecile.  Included are postcards from the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.  There are over 400 postcards in this collection.

The travels series consists of travel diaries hand-written by Cecile Sexauer.  These diaries contain information about where the Sexauer’s traveled and the customs, history and items of interest of these places.  Some of the places the Sexauer’s traveled to are Europe, Canada, and Japan.  Also included is a souvenir book of the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship.

ARRANGEMENT of the RECORDS

This collection is arranged into three series: General, Postcards and Travels.

Material is arranged in alphabetical order within each series.

SERIES 1:      General

Box 1.

Box 2.

Box 4.

SERIES 2:      Postcards

Box 3.

SERIES 3:      Travels

Box 2.

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