Mildred Elder Smith family papers

Collection – Multiple Containers

Identifier: MS-1161

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The Mildred Elder Smith family papers documenting the Elder family of Wood County, Ohio consist of family records, photographs, documents, and newspaper clippings, ranging from 1904 to 2009.

Dates

Creation: 1904 to 2009

Extent

2.82 Cubic Feet (2 record boxes and 1 flat box)

Scope and Contents

The Mildred Elder Smith family papers gives a glimpse into the Elder family (of Wood County, Ohio) history. The materials include a record of annual reunions, a genealogy book, death and funeral records, photographs, and a marriage license. There is also material documenting several related extended families, including Alexander family photos and newspaper clipppings, a Cessna family history book, Eisenmann family photos, Heminger family photos, Ebersole photos and death announcements, and a Stitt family history book from 1735 to 1989. The collection also has a few printings of The Perry City Times and oversize photographs.

Biographical / Historical

Mildred Smith was born in rural Wood County on June 16, 1921, to J. Warden and Jessie Elder. Her family moved into the city of Bowling Green during the Depression, and she graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1939. She later briefly attended Bowling Green State University (BGSU). During World War II she met C. Robert Smith, a sailor from Olean, New York who was enrolled at BGSU under the Navy’s V-12 College Training Program. They were married in Boston on July 4, 19474. He preceded her in death on December 9, 1999. Before raising her family, Mildred (“Mim”) was employed at Kroger in Bowling Green. When her sons attended Kenwood Elementary School, she volunteered there as a head librarian. Later, she went to work for the Bowling Green City Schools, first as a lunchroom cashier at the Junior High School, and then as a secretary in the Central Administration office. She retired in 1982. Mim was a life-long member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bowling Green and was an active member of the Toledo chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association (in honor of Bob's service during the war). She enjoyed keeping in touch with friends and high school classmates by helping to organize annual class reunions and meeting regularly with other retired city schools' secretaries. A long-time member of the Falcon Club at BGSU, she loved to attend football and basketball games and root for the Falcons. Mildred died on October 18, 2009, at Otterbein Portage Valley in Pemberville.

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.