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

Introduction

The Ruth Perry Chase Papers consist of materials including reminiscences, photographs, correspondence, school papers, notes, and certificates of the period from 1900 to 1960.

The Chase Papers were donated to the Center for Archival Collections by Thomas W. Boltz in groups in March 1992 and in May 1993. No restrictions exist on the use of this collection. Duplication is permitted for the purposes of preservation and research. The collection was processed and register prepared by Marilyn Levinson, Curator of Manuscripts in October 1993.

Biographical Sketch

Ruth Perry Chase (April 2, 1883-January 13, 1966) was the daughter of Frederick Canfield Perry. Born in Springboro, Pennsylvania, she was married August 27, 1907 to Thomas Justus Chase (son of George David Chase and Mary M. Caskey of Hancock County, Ohio). Their daughter Edith married Harry Emerson Boltz in 1938, having a daughter Francia Ann, and a son, Thomas W. Emerson Boltz.

A graduate of Findlay High School, she attended Miami University and Ohio State University, teaching school before her marriage. Prominent in activities in North Baltimore, Ruth was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, Pythian Sisters, Past Chiefs Club, Priscillian Circle (see MMS 1301), and several other social clubs. She was also an active poet, having published verse in a book of poems, in the Toledo Blade, and in anthologies.

Scope and Content

The Ruth Perry Chase Papers span the years 1899 to 1960. The primary focus of the material is the activities of Ruth Perry Chase and her family, including personal reminiscences, photographs, and miscellaneous printed items.

The most notable items in the collection are the two typed groups of reminiscences, including the general Revolution on the Rural Route, a description of farm life in rural Wood County, Ohio, and George David Chase and a Few Other People, a brief history of George David Chase, Ruth's father-in-law, with references to the Caskey and Perry families of rural Hancock and Wood County, Ohio.

Another facet of Ruth's activities is represented in the references to her poetic writings, both in the minor correspondence with the Toledo Blade and in the printed anthologies included in the collection. Elsewhere in the Center's collections there are mentions of Ruth's literary life in her participation in the Priscillian Circle of North Baltimore (MMS 1301).

A related collection of papers belonging to the Boltz Family and centered around Emerson Boltz, Ruth Perry Chase's son-in-law, have been organized as MS 663 and separately cataloged.

Series Description

CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDENCE--BLADE
1946, 1956.
Arranged chronologically
Letters from Arthur Petersen and Marge Block, both of the Toledo Blade, relating to Ruth's writings.

CORRESPONDENCE--GENERAL
1948.
Minor correspondence relating to an insurance payment for wind damage.

LITERARY PRODUCTIONS

REVOLUTION ON THE RURAL ROUTE
Circa 1960.
Family reminiscence of farm life in rural Wood County, Ohio; photocopy of typescript with illustrations.

GEORGE DAVID CHASE AND A FEW OTHER PEOPLE
Circa 1960.
Family reminiscence of George David Chase, Ruth's father-in-law, as well as references to the Caskey and Perry families of rural Hancock and Wood County, Ohio; photocopy of typescript with illustrations.

SCHOOL CHEMISTRY NOTEBOOK
Circa 1900.
Composition book with handwritten notes of chemistry experiments conducted in high school class by Ruth Perry.

PRINTED MATERIAL

CERTIFICATES
1899-1900, 1903.
Arranged chronologically
High School report cards of Ruth Perry from the Findlay Public Schools, and a Teacher's Certificate issued to Ruth Perry by the School Examiners of Wood County, Ohio.

PAMPHLETS--POETRY
1946, 1948
Arranged chronologically
Anthology of Ohio Verse, issued by the Ohio Department of Education, and Cavalcade II: A Selection of Original Poems, (with the poem "Surfeit" by Ruth Perry Chase) published by the Toledo Blade.

PAMPHLETS--WORKBOOK
1932
Directed Studies in World History, workbook used by Ruth Perry while teaching, with answers written in blanks.

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS
Circa 1890-1955
Arranged chronologically
Four photoprints including Ruth Perry (c. 1890), Edith Chase on the family farm (1918, 1929), and Edith Chase Boltz in the reading lab in North Baltimore School Main Building (1955).

Inventory

Box 1

Folders

1. Correspondence--Blade, 1946, 1956
2. Correspondence--General, 1948
3. Revolution on the Rural Route, ca. 1960
4. George David Chase and a Few Other People, ca. 1960
5. School Chemistry Notebook, ca. 1900
6. Certificates, 1899-1900, 1903
7. Anthology of Ohio Verse and Cavalcade II, 1946, 1948
8. Directed Studies in World History, 1932
9. Photographic prints, ca. 1890-1955

Manuscripts by Subject | Family Collections | Women's Studies Collections