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Denison family papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 386

Scope and Contents

The Denison family papers, 1906-1971, primarily focuses on the deaths of Ruth and Vivian Denison. The collection contains a 1906 obituary for Henry T. Denison; a booklet of rules and regulations for Valhalla Park Cemetery in Moline, Illinois; memorial books for Ruth and Vivian Denison; a Valhalla Park cemetery deed; a letter from Elizabeth Russell of Minneapolis, Minnesota, expressing her condolences after Vivan's death; and a 1971 receipt for a replacement stone marker for the Denisons' graves. Also included is a family Bible.

Dates

  • Creation: 1906-1971

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.

Historical Note

Ruth Amanda Hoyt was born 28 June 1877 in Davenport, Iowa. She married her husband, Vivian Dewson Denison, on 14 January 1913, and the couple resided in Harlan, Iowa, for about thirteen years before moving to Moline, Illinois, where they remained until their deaths. Ruth died 14 March 1940 at the age of 62, after a long illness.

Vivian was born 11 October 1880 in New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada. He was first employed by the Shell Petroleum Company before eventually becoming a salesman for the Iowa Blind Products Company. At about 6:45 the morning of 11 April 1938, Vivian was washing up in his bathroom when he was stricken by a heart attack and collapsed. He died almost immediately afterward. The couple had one son, Henry Hoyt Denison.

Following their deaths, Ruth and Vivian were buried in Valhalla Park Cemetery (now Moline Memorial Park Cemetery) in a joint plot purchased by Ruth in 1938 for "one dollar and other valuable considerations," according to the cemetery deed.

Extent

0.2 Cubic Feet (/ 1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Ruth Hoyt Denison (1877-1940) and Vivian Denison (1880-1938) were residents of Harlan, Iowa, and later Moline, Illinois. The couple had one son, Henry Hoyt Denison. The Denison family papers, 1906-1971, primarily focuses on the deaths of Ruth and Vivian Denison. The collection includes memorial booklets, obituaries, a cemetery deed, a family Bible, and other papers.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Custodial History

Collection separated from MSS 385 Local history collection in November 2014.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Immediate source of acquisition unknown.

Related Materials

MSS 320 Barris family papers

Processing Information

Processed by Samantha Crisp, May 2015.

Title
Denison family papers, 1906-1971.
Status
In Progress
Author
Samantha Crisp
Date
May 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Augustana College Special Collections Repository

Contact:
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Thomas Tredway Library
Rock Island Illinois 61201 United States