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Archives of the Mennonite ChurchBy Dennis Stoesz What follows is a sampling of personal papers and organizational records that have come into the archives during 1995 and the first six months of 1996. They are listed alphabetically by the name of the collection.
Graber, Esther, 1912-1996, Goshen, Indiana. Scrapbook, 1978, entitled "This is Thursday, Mission News Sheet takes priority, eg. NOT FOR PUBLICATION, April 1978." Graber eceived this upon her retirement and in commemoration of her twenty-eight year service with Mennonite Board of Missions. The scrapbook includes 1978 correspondence, photographs, cards and cartoons from many of the missionaries and colleagues she had come in contact with in editing the news sheet and in her work as Administrative Assistant to J. D. Graber and Wilbert R. Shenk in the Overseas Department, 1950-78. 1 Scrapbook. Donor: Lena Graber, Sister.
Hernley, H. Ralph, Goshen, Indiana. Papers, 1860-1982, including correspondence, reports, minutes, clippings, magazines and books reflecting Hernley's involvement in Civilian Public Service, Goshen College, and such Mennonite organizations as Mennonite Community Association, Mennonite Economic Development Associates and Mennonite Board of Education. Also includes older materials such as diaries, 1872-74, from John S. Loucks (1848- ); school treasurer books, 1884-86, from Jacob S. Loucks (1829-1916); books from his father, Henry R. Hernley, who worked at the Mennonite Publishing House from 1907-53; a photograph and letter regarding Mennonite boys at Camp Lee, 1918; a diary of Ethel Jane Loucks, ca. 1930; a diary from John R. Loucks, 1947-48; and historical materials on the schools and history of Scottdale, Pennsylvania, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1954. 11.25 linear feet. Donor: H. Ralph Hernley.
Holdeman Mennonite Church, 1851- , Wakarusa, Indiana. Church records, 1929-95, including Women's Sewing Circle minutes, reports, and financial records, 1929-73; Sunday School secretary book, 1942; Funeral Dinner record books, 1949-53 and 1970-72; Summer Bible School pupil records, 1959-91; record of Torchbearers' activities, 1976-85; Christmas Plates to Shut-Ins, 1987-94; and Church Bulletins, Newsletters, and Reports for 1995. 1.7 linear feet. Donor: Miriam and Virginia Weldy, and Congregational Historians John and Lowell Nunemaker.
Hoover, Ira J., 1907-1996, Goshen, Indiana. Papers, 1841-1996, which reflect Hoover's life as a teacher in various rural schools in Harrison Township, Elkhart County, from 1928-42. Also includes souvenir school booklets, diplomas, certificates, farming diary (1943-44), birthday books, family bible records, autograph album, etc. which came from his spouse, Clara Mumaw; his father, Daniel S. Hoover, who was a farmer; his ancestor, J. S. Hoover, who also was a school teacher in Harrison township, 1875-81; and his grandparents, Jacob H. and Anna (Overholt) Kreider, who originated from Bethel Mennonite Church, Wadsworth, Ohio, and settled in Indiana in the late 19th century. 1.25 linear feet. Donor: Herb Maust, Executor of Hoover Estate.
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, 1943- , Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. Records, 1976-89, of the programs and events at Laurelville through these years, which included children and youth camps, adult retreats and special symposiums and conferences. The material includes correspondence, reports, contracts, photographs, brochures and 33 audio tapes. Program directors who served during this period were Arnold Cressman, -1977, James E. Metzler, 1977-82, James E. Horsch, 1982-84, and Levi Miller, 1984-91. 6.25 linear feet. Donor: Robert Koch, Program Director.
Leichty, Jacob, 1819-1896, Collection. Papers, 1840-1887, originating from France; Ontario, Canada; Stark County, Ohio; and Henry and Washington Counties, Iowa. It includes correspondence, 1840-1852, and 1877; French and United States citizenship papers, 1840 and 1856 respectively; an indenture, 1851; a land certificate, 1852; a military exemption, 1862; and some land and estate documents, 1853-87. Leichty emigrated from France to North America in his youth, first going to Ontario, 1840-47; then to Wayne County, Ohio, about 1847-51; and then to Henry and Washington Counties, Iowa, 1851-87. Correspondents include Peter Stoll, Jean Liechty, Christ Graber, Christian and Daniel Eicher, and Christ Liechty. 1 Legal File Folder. Donor: Delia Herr, Goshen, Indiana, on behalf of Leichty Family.
Mennonite Board of Education, 1905- , Elkhart, Indiana. Official Central Files, 1951-86, the bulk of which dates from 1977-86. These records reflect the changing program of this board during these years. This included being responsible to the Mennonite Church for the operation of Goshen Biblical Seminary, and Hesston and Goshen Colleges, and came to include Eastern Mennonite College and Seminary as well. The work also entailed a coordinating and consulting role with the 11 high schools, through the Secondary Education Council, and came to include working with the 18 elementary schools through the Elementary Education Council. Minority and Pastoral Leadership Education, helping minority young people obtain a high school education through the High-Aim program, providing direction in theological education, student aid, and the Conrad Grebel Lectureship were also part of the program. Personnel during the years, 1977-86, were Albert J. Meyer as Executive Secretary, and staff persons Paul Bender, Alvin H. Brown, Marilyn Grasse Brubaker, Donald Garber, Arthur J. Griffin, Helen Hostetler, John J. Hostetter Jr., Lynn J. Miller, Gerald L. Mumaw, Irving N. Perez, Averno M. Rempel, Glen A. Roth, John E. Sharp, Kathy Smoker, Leamon Sowell Jr., Loren E. Swartzendruber, and Orville L. Yoder. 25 linear feet. Donor: Ruth E. Schrock, Mennonite Board of Education.
Mennonite Board of Missions, 1908- , Student and Young Adult Services, Elkhart, Indiana. Records, 1970-90, reflecting the work of three directors over this time period: Virgil Brenneman, 1959-74; Hubert L. Brown, 1974-80; and Myrna Burkholder, 1980-90. Organized into two sets of files, 1970-80 and 1980-90, these records include correspondence minutes, reports, and the newsletters Forum, 1970-81, Feedback, 1977-90, in search, 1983-91, and Menno News. 6 linear feet. Donor: Ruth I. Horst and Ethel Hoffman, Mennonite Board of Missions.
Smith, Willard H. and Verna (Graber), Goshen, Indiana. Papers, 1917-92, including correspondence with family and between Willard Smith and Verna Graber, 1917-32; school notes from Smith's time at University of Wisconsin and Chicago, 1920s-32; manuscripts of his research and book projects, 1939-83, Schulyer Colfax, Paraguayan Interlude, William Jennings Bryan, and Mennonites in Illinois; diary of Verna (Graber) Smith of trip to Paraguay, ca. 1949-50; office papers and artifacts from Willard H. Smith's long career as professor of history at Goshen College, 1929-72; photographs and slides; graduation diploma and robes; and a trunk used for their trip to Paraguay. 26 linear feet. Donor: Willard H. Smith.
South Central Mennonite Conference, 1876- , North Newton, Kansas. Records of the South Texas Mennonite Church Council, 1959-67, 1971-77, and 1984-88. Includes papers of J. Weldon Martin, Corpus Christi, Texas, 1959-67; those of Chuy Navarro, Premont, Texas, 1971-77, who was chair of this council; and those of Angel Luis Miranda, Alice, Texas, 1984-88, who was District Minister for the Council. 4.4 linear feet. Donor: Lois Leinbach, Administrative Secretary.
Umble, Roy H., Goshen, Indiana. Papers, 1925-94, including correspondence back home with Ferne (Smith) Umble, and with his parents, John S. and Alice (Landis) Umble, while Umble was serving in Civilian Public Service, 1944-46. Also includes papers which reflect Umble's long-standing involvement as professor in forensics, speech, drama, and peace at Goshen College, 1946-83; papers given at the Intercollegiate Peace Speech Contest, 1948-55, as well as the early history of this association, 1906-25, by Al Albrecht; correspondence from sabbatical trips to Greece, 1956-58, and to Barbados, 1966-67, and involvement in the China Educational Exchange program, 1983-86; correspondence with family, friends and colleagues; an autobiography, ca. 1980-93; and photographs. 10 linear feet. Donor: Roy H. Umble.
Denis Stoesz has served as archivist since 1989.
Mennonite Historical Bulletin, July 1996