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Wilbert E. Harp Family Correspondence (Sandusky, Ohio) - MS 754

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

Introduction

The papers of Wilbert E. Harp comprise one linear feet of family correspondence, mostly between Wilbert and his wife, Dora, who resided in Cleveland and Sandusky, Ohio at the turn of the century. Harp was a traveling fence salesman, and the letters are from the time he spent on the road. The letters give a good indication of what life was like for a traveling salesman in the midwest at the turn of the century.

The collection was acquired by the Center of Archival Collections through a gift from Jim and Roberta Pettit from Winston-Salem, North Carolina in January 2002. No restrictions exist on the use of this collection. Duplication is permitted for the purposes of preservation and research. The collection was processed by Marilyn Levinson, Curator of Manuscripts in May 2002, with the aid of BGSU graduate student Becky Dutton. Additional biographical information was added in April 2011 through the cooperation of Gail Harp and Dorothy Harp-Weber.

Biographical Sketch

Wilbert (Bert) E. Harp was born in New York in October, 1876. He spent the majority of his life in Ohio, primarily in Cleveland, and Sandusky. Harp married Dora Spangler on February 1, 1900 in Cleveland, Ohio, and they had six children, three boys and three girls.

Harp was a traveling fence salesman/installer and his business took him to all parts of Ohio, into Michigan, Indiana, and as far west as Chicago, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri. Harp worked as an independent dealer and with two fence businesses. During the period of the correspondence in the collection Harp had his own company in 1902 called the “Harp Coop Company” in Sandusky, Ohio, which manufactured and sold folding steel shipping coops and baskets among other products. Harp also worked for the Boley Wire Fence Company, which manufactured heavy woven wire fencing. By 1904, Harp is working for the Anchor Fence and Manufacturing Company. After 1906, it appears that his travels no longer took him from home as often, and some time before 1916 he had a business "W.E. Harp General Hardware", located in Cleveland, Ohio. Due to concerns for his health, he sold the company and moved his family to Wellington, Ohio in 1928. After moving to Wellington, Wilbert was retired.

Information from the family indicated that Wilbert had come up with the idea of the "Cyclone Fence". He gave his invention to the company he was working for at the time, and as a result, received no credit, or any royalties.

After Dora's death in November 1951, Wilbert sold their home and stayed with his youngest son Bob, and family for a short time while preparing for his next relocation to Florida, where two daughters along with their families were living. He remained in Florida until his death in May 1961. Wilbert, Dora and infant son Wilbert (who died October 26, 1914) are buried at Alger Cemetery in Cleveland.

Scope and Content

Bert and Dora corresponded regularly during Wilbert's travels, often as frequently as every day. The letters detail Wilbert's experiences on the road, including the means of transportation he used (streetcar, horse, train), the hotels in which he stayed, and the people he encountered along the way.

Harp's letters home reveal not only his business travels, but his personal life as well. He writes of how much he misses Dora, and occasionally sends her a stick of chewing gum or pressed flowers. Both individuals include sketches in their letters and express endearing affection for each other. After their first child is born in 1905, Wilbert addresses his letters to wife and baby, or wife and daughter. After 1906, he appears to have found a non-traveling occupation, and only a few letters from family members exist after 1906.

Letters in the collection are arranged chronologically, then subdivided by correspondent, so the letters for a single year from each individual are grouped.

Series Description

CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDENCE - WILBERT E. HARP
1899-1906
Arranged chronologically
Letters and postcards written to wife Dora while on the road as a traveling salesman. Content of the letters range from descriptions of his work, impressions of the towns and people he encounters, and personal topics related to the operation of the household in his absence and expressions of affection. Letters occasionally include sketches and during 1902, single sticks of chewing gum are enclosed with some letters as small tokens (marked with a "g" in the item inventory)

CORRESPONDENCE - DORA SPANGLER HARP
1902-1904
Arranged chronologically
Letters written to husband Wilbert while he was away from home for extended periods on sales trips. Topics include general household activities, personal events, and family news, as well as responses to information and questions in Wilbert's letters

CORRESPONDENCE - MISCELLANEOUS
1899-1934
Arranged chronologically
Miscellaneous notes and letters, including a one letter written from Wilbert to Dora before they were married, a letter from Wilbert's mother to him, and several letters from family and friends to Dora, after Wilbert's death

PRINTED MATERIAL

BUSINESS CARDS
n.d.
Business cards for Boley Wire Fence Company and other promotional cards from restaurants and other businesses

ARTIFACTS

PACKETS OF GUM
circa 1902
Sticks of White's Yucatan Chewing Gum, found in several of the letters Wilbert sent to Dora

Inventory

Box 1

Folder 1

"Ma" to Wilbert E. Harp, Aug 3, 1899
Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Spangler, Aug 8, 1899
Cleveland Dry Goods to Wilbert E. Harp (ref to marriage), Feb 1, 1900

Folder 2--Dora Harp to Wilbert E. Harp

May 2, 1902
May 3, 1902
May 12, 1902
May 13, 1902
May 14, 1902
May 30, 1902
May 31, 1902
June 1, 1902
June 5, 1902
June 12, 1902
June 27, 1902
June 28, 1902

Folder 3--Dora Harp to Wilbert E. Harp

July 8, 1902
July 9, 1902
July 10, 1902
July 11, 1902 (a.m.)
July 11-12, 1902
July 13, 1902
July 14, 1902 (a.m.)
July 14, 1902 (p.m.)
July 15, 1902
July 15-16, 1902
July 17, 1902
July 18, 1902 (a.m.)
July 18, 1902 (p.m.)
July 19, 1902
Aug 11, 1902
Aug 13, 1902
Oct 18, 1902
Oct 29, 1902
Dec 3, 1902
(missing pages), n.d. [1902?]

Folder 4--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

(postcard), Mar 31, 1902
Mar 31, 1902
(postcard), Apr 4, 1902
May 1, 1902
May 4, 1902
May 5, 1902
May 6, 1902
May 7, 1902
May 8, 1902
May 12, 1902
May 12-13, 1902
May 14, 1902
(postcard), May 15, 1902
(postcard), May 29, 1902
(g), May 30, 1902
May 30, 1902 (p.m.)
June 1, 1902
June 3, 1902
(g), June 3, 1902
(postcard), June 11, 1902
June 11, 1902
June 12, 1902
(postcard), June 26, 1902
June 27, 1902
June 29, 1902

Folder 5--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

(postcard), July 7, 1902
(postcard), July 8, 1902
(g), July 8, 1902
July 9, 1902
(postcard), July 11, 1902
(postcard), July 14, 1902
July 14, 1902
July 15, 1902
July 16, 1902
July 18, 1902
(postcard), July 22, 1902
(g), July 22, 1902
(g), July 23, 1902
(postcard), Aug 7, 1902
Aug 7, 1902
Aug 11, 1902
Sept 8-9, 1902
(postcard), Sept 8, 1902
Sept 11, 1902
Sept 12, 1902
Sept 23, 1902
Sept 24, 1902
(postcard), Sept 26, 1902
Sept 26, 1902
Sept 28, 1902
Sept 29, 1902
Oct 1, 1902
Oct 1, 1902 (p.m.)
Oct 15, 1902
Oct 16, 1902
Oct 17, 1902
Oct 20, 1902
(postcard), Oct 29, 1902
(postcard), Nov 18, 1902

Folder 6--Dora Harp to Wilbert E. Harp

Feb 12, 1903
Mar 16, 1903
May 19, 1903
June 17, 1903
June 25, 1903
July 14, 1903
July 17, 1903
Aug 5, 1903
Aug 18, 1903
Sept 13-14, 1903
Sept 19, 1903
Sept 20, 1903
Sept 22, 1903
Sept 25, 1903
Sept 29, 1903
Oct 16, 1903
Oct 18, 1903
Oct 19, 1903
Oct 21, 1903
Oct 23, 1903
Oct 28-29, 1903

Box 2

Folder 1--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

(telegram), Jan 10, 1903
(postcard), Feb 10, 1903
Feb 11, 1903
Feb 24, 1903
Feb 27, 1903 (a.m.)
(with sketch), Feb 27, 1903 (p.m.)
Mar 4, 1903
(with sketch), Mar 5, 1903
Mar 11, 1903 (a.m.)
Mar 11, 1903 (p.m.)
Mar 12, 1903
Mar 16, 1903
Mar 17, 1903
Mar 18, 1903
Mar 24, 1903
Mar 25, 1903
Mar 27, 1903

Folder 2--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

[Apr] 4, 1903
Apr 9, 1903
Apr 13, 1903
Apr 21, 1903
Apr 22, 1903
Apr 23, 1903
Apr 30, 1903
May 4, 1903
May 7, 1903
May 19, 1903
May 26, 1903
May 27, 1903
June 18, 1903
June 23, 1903
June 24, 1903
June 26, 1903
June 28, 1903
June 30, 1903

Folder 3--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

July 8, 1903
July 16, 1903
July 17, 1903
Aug 3, 1903
Aug 4, 1903
Aug 5, 1903
Aug 6, 1903
Aug 12, 1903 (a.m.)
Aug 12, 1903 (p.m.)
(postcard), Aug 19, 1903
Aug 25, 1903
(postcard), Aug 28, 1903
Aug 29-30, 1903
Sept 10, 1903 (a.m.)
Sept 10, 1903 (p.m.)
Sept 11, 1903
Sept 13, 1903
Sept 15, 1903 (a.m.)
(postcard), Sept 15,1903 (p.m.)
Sept 16, 1903
Sept 17, 1903
Sept 18, 1903
Sept 19, 1903
Sept 20, 1903 (a.m.)
Sept 20, 1903 (p.m.)
Sept 21, 1903
Sept 22, 1903
Sept 24, 1903
Sept 25, 1903
Sept 27, 1903
Sept 29, 1903
Sept 30, 1903

Folder 4--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

Oct 1, 1903 (a.m.)
Oct 1, 1903 (p.m.)
Oct 2, 1903
Oct 3, 1903
Oct 7, 1903
Oct 9, 1903
Oct 14, 1903
Oct 15, 1903 (a.m.)
Oct 15, 1903 (p.m.)
(postcard), Oct 17, 1903
Oct 17, 1903
Oct 18, 1903
Oct 19, 1903
Oct 21, 1903
Oct 22, 1903 (a.m.)
Oct 22, 1903 (p.m.)
(page missing), Oct 23, 1903
(coal), Oct 25, 1903
Oct 26, 1903
Oct 28, 1903
Oct 29, 1903
Oct 30, 1903

Folder 5--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

Nov 4, 1903
Nov 5, 1903
Nov 9, 1903
Nov 19, 1903
Nov 21, 1903
Nov 23, 1903
(3 postcards enroute), Dec 8, 1903
Dec 8, 1903 (p.m.)
Dec 10, 1903
(postcard), Dec 11, 1903
Dec 30, 1903

Folder 6--Dora Harp to Wilbert E. Harp

Jan 6, 1904
Jan 26, 1904
Mar 9, 1904
Mar 9, 1904
Mar 10, 1904
Oct 31, 1904

Folder 7--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

Jan 6, 1904
Jan 7, 1904
(telegram), Jan 9, 1904
Jan 26, 1904
Jan 27-28, 1904
Feb 2, 1904
Feb 3, 1904
Mar 1, 1904
Mar 7, 1904
Mar 8, 1904
Mar 9, 1904
Mar 10, 1904
Mar 15, 1904
Mar 16, 1904
Mar 17, 1904
Mar 28, 1904
Mar 30, 1904
(misdated as 5/13), Apr 13,1904
(misdated as 5/16), Apr 16,1904

Box 3

Folder 1--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

May 3, 1904
May 10, 1904
(postcard), May 12, 1904
May 14, 1904
May 17, 1904
(postcard), May 26, 1904
May 31, 1904
June 1, 1904
June 7, 1904
June 9, 1904
June 27, 1904
June 28, 1904

Folder 2--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

July 7, 1904
July 8, 1904
July 12, 1904
July 27, 1904
July 28, 1904
(postcard), Aug 3, 1904
(postcard), Aug 5, 1904
(postcard), Aug 6, 1904 (a.m.)
(postcard), Aug 6, 1904 (p.m.)
Aug 16, 1904
Oct 11,1904
(now with Anchor Fence), Oct 13, 1904
Oct 25, 1904
(postcard), Nov 1, 1904

Folder 3--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

Aug 6, 1905
Oct 24, 1905

Folder 4--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

Aug 26, 1906
(postcard), Aug 27, 1906
Aug 29, 1906
Aug 30, 1906
Sept 2, 1906
Sept 3, 1906
Sept 4, 1906
Sept 6, 1906
Sept 10, 1906 (a.m.)
Sept 10, 1906 (p.m.)
(postcard), Sept 12, 1906
Sept 12, 1906
(postcard), Sept 18, 1906
Sept 18, 1906
Sept 20, 1906
(postcard), Sept 22, 1906
Sept 24, 1906
(postcard), Sept 25, 1906
Sept 26, 1906
(postcard), Sept 27, 1906

Folder 5--Wilbert E. Harp to Dora Harp

Oct 2, 1906
Oct 4, 1906
Oct 7, 1906
Oct 9, 1906
Oct 12, 1906
Oct 13, 1906
(postcard), Oct 16, 1906
(postcard), Nov 1, 1906
(postcard), Nov 12, 1906
Nov 12, 1906
(postcard), Nov 19, 1906
Nov 20, 1906
(postcard), Nov 24, 1906

Folder 6 (Misc family letters to Dora)

Sister (unnamed) to Dora Harp, Feb 5, 1904
May to Mother and Daddy, Dec 9, 1909
Ella and George Watters to Dora Harp and Family, Mar 13, 1929
Ella and George Watters to Dora Harp and Family, Feb 26, 1931
Ella and George Watters to Dora Harp and Family, Feb 16, 1932
Ella and George Watters to Dora Harp and Family, July 6, 1932
Ella and George Watters to Dora Harp and Family, Oct 19, 1932
Pearl F. Watters to Dear Friends, Mar 24, 1934

Folder 7--Unmatched sheets, undated, or empty envelopes

Folder 8--Miscellaneous business cards

Folder 9--Sticks of gum

MS 754 - Harp Family Papers - List of Transcripts
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