Hyrum Larsen journals
Scope and Contents
The Hyrum Larsen Journals represent a daily record of farm life in Newton, Utah. Larsen kept a written record from 1915-1956; however, the bulk of the material are entries between the years 1918-1951. The years 1915-1918, and 1955-1956 are mentioned but only on an occasional basis.
Dates
- Creation: 1898-1956
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1918-1951
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Restrictions
Open to public research.
Copyright
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.
Permission to publish material from the Hyrum Larsen journals must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Biographical Note
Larsen was a Newton farmer and a local merchant. His journals are of interest because they document ordinary events during the life of a Cache Valley farmer. He is very thorough on writing down what farm work was taking place during a given season. He also records the weather on a daily and a seasonal basis. Information on seed and crop prices can be gleaned from the journals. Also, he recreates the changes that occurred over time in the home and on the farm, such as modern appliances and new farm machinery. In addition, some of the volumes contain blacksmith and land rental accounts for a given year.
Within each of the three volumes were found loose papers. These papers were removed from the volume they were in and placed into a folder as indicated in the register. Some of the items found here were newspaper clippings and purchase invoices. One broadside found in the collection informed voters about a bond election to be held to secure funding of the improvement of several valley schools. The bond money would be put together with federal public works dollars to finance the projects. This item dates from the mid 1930s.
Extent
2 boxes (1 linear ft.)
Abstract
Two missionary diaries (1898-1902), daily farm diary (1901-1954), and notebook from chemistry course. Also includes a photograph of Larsen (1900).
Arrangement
Volumes arranged chronologically; folder 7 contains additional volume, donated after the rest of the collection processed.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Unknown.
Processing Information
The diaries are on poor quality paper and have been deacidified. Clippings have been xeroxed and all material has been placed into acid free folders and boxes.
Genre / Form
- Diaries--Utah--Newton.
- Mormon missionary journals--Idaho--19th century.
- Mormon missionary journals--Montana--20th century.
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Hyrum Larsen journals, 1898-1956
- Author
- Finding aid created by Special Collections and Archives.
- Date
- ©2008
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding guide is in English in Latin script.
- Sponsor
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
Repository Details
Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu