Nagel family papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0758

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The Mamie and Bessie Nagel Collection (1934-1970) consists of forty one volumes; twenty composition notebooks and twenty one account ledgers. The composition books and ledgers include the personal and farm related financial records of Mamie and Bessie Nagel along with personal notes and journal entries dispersed throughout. The collection also includes legal information on an Easement case pertaining to the family farm.

Dates

Creation: 1934-1970

Extent

2.76 Cubic Feet (6 archive boxes and 1 wrapped volume)

Creator

Nagel family (Family)

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of composition books and ledgers likely written by Mamie Nagel, Bessie Nagel and perhaps their father William Nagel. Legal documents and maps relating to an easement case concerning the farm in Defiance are also included in the collection.

In terms of financial records, the ledgers and composition books include both personal and farm expenses. Personal entries in the ledgers include information such as dates guests were entertained by the sisters and dates that the sisters were entertained by others. Wedding dates, birthdays, and detailed entries of local deaths including dates, names, ages and in most cases, causes of death are also included in the back of most ledgers. Composition books included similar information as well as stories, poetry, sermon notes and addresses. Farm notes such as names and tasks of employers as well as breeding dates are also included in the composition books and ledgers.

A few family pictures along with a scrapbook of the easement case are also included in the collection.

Biographical / Historical

Mamie was born on August 13, 1888 to William L. and Mary Nagel. Her sister Bessie was born on October 20, 1890. Mamie and Bessie had six other brothers and sisters. In 1935, the sisters began taking care of the young Lois Puehl, daughter of Florence Nagel and George Puehl. The sisters owned a 120 acre farm two miles east of Defiance, Ohio on Route 281. They remained single their entire lives and ran the farm together. Near the end of their lives, legal battles concerning Right of Way and Easement cases began. These cases led to the loss of the farm, based on Eminent Domain, to Defiance County. Bessie died in September 1970 and Mamie died in June of 1976.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.