Introduction | Biographical Sketch | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

Introduction

The documents and photographs of Myrtle Mitchell Manecke date from 1909 to 1981. The collection consists of one-half linear foot of travel diaries, autobiographies, a children's story, a scrapbook, and thirty-four photographs.

The records were donated to the Women's Studies Archives of the Center for Archival Collections in August 1981, through the cooperation of Sue Yates, microfilm technician, Ann Bowers, manuscript curator, and Mrs. Manecke. Literary and property rights have been dedicated to the public and duplication is permitted for the purposes of preservation and scholarly research. None of the records have been microfilmed. The register was prepared by Paulette Weiser, graduate assistant for the Women's Studies Archives Project.

Biographical Sketch

Myrtle Elvina Mitchell was born on January 4, 1891, in rural Wood County. Her father deserted the family before her birth, and her mother died a year and a half after her birth. Her mother's sister and family cared for her until she was three, when Samuel and Mary Uhler Mitchell took her into their home as a foster child.

The Mitchells farmed in Wood County, south of Bowling Green, and lived in Bowling Green when their son Frank farmed or when they rented out the land. Thus Myrtle attended both rural and town schools, graduating from Bowling Green High School in 1909.

Samuel Mitchell died in June 1903 from injuries sustained from a fall out of a hayloft. Mary Uhler Mitchell died on February 9, 1924.

Myrtle Mitchell worked for a Bowling Green industry and for several law offices for which she was a typist, stenographer, and land title researcher. While she lived in Arizona (1943-1947), Myrtle worked at an airplane sub-assembly plant in Phoenix during World War II and at guest ranches.

She and her mother traveled to Italy in 1914, but the outbreak of World War I forced them to come home early. After her mother's death, Ms. Mitchell took a cruise to Alaska and traveled extensively in the United States.

In 1955, she met John A. Manecke, a recent widower, whom she married in September of that year. They traveled throughout the country before his death in 1967.

Mrs. Manecke continues to live in Bowling Green and celebrated her 90th birthday on January 4, 1981.

Scope and Content

The autobiographies included in this collection briefly document Myrtle Mitchell Manecke's life, primarily her childhood and rural life in Wood County, Ohio, at the turn of the century, and her many travels in Italy and around the United States. Mrs. Manecke's travel diaries for two of her many trips--one to Italy in 1914 and one to Alaska in 1926--also are included in this collection and provide details of her travel activities.

Photographs and scrapbook material visually document activities of Mrs. Manecke's family and friends as well as her travels. Also of interest in this collection is a children's short story written by Mrs. Manecke while residing in Arizona, entitled "Momo, the Good Neighbor."

Series Description

LITERARY PRODUCTIONS

AUTOBIOGRAPHIES (2)
1891-1975.
Arranged chronologically
Contains information on Mrs. Manecke's life, primarily her childhood in rural Wood County in the 1890s and early 1900s and her travels in Italy and the United States.

"MOMO, THE GOOD NEIGHBOR"
Written in 1946-1947.
Contains a children's story about a bird and the bird's family and friends.

TRAVEL DIARIES
1914, 1926.
Arranged chronologically
Contains daily journals of her trips to Italy and Alaska

SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS

SCRAPBOOK
ca. 1910-1920.
No specific arrangement.
Contains newspaper and magazine clippings and photographs concerning primarily friends and family and their activities.

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL

PHOTOGRAPHS.
1909-1938.
Arranged chronologically by subject.
Contains photos of Mrs. Manecke's high school graduation, travels in Italy, Alaska, and Mexico, and of Bowling Green.

Inventory

Box 1

1. Autobiography, written 1946-1947, 1891-1926
2. Autobiography, written 1981, 1891-1975
3. "Momo, the Good Neighbor," written 1946-1947
4. Travel diaries, 1914, 1926
5. Scrapbook, ca. 1910-1920
6. Photo of Myrtle Mitchell, May 1909
7. Photos of Italy trip, 1914
8. Photos of Bowling Green, 1924, 1933
9. Photos of Alaska and Mexico trips, 1926, 1938

Manuscripts by Subject | Family Collections