LeGrand Spencer papers
Content Description
These materials are mainly personal letters between LeGrand and members of his family (wife, parents, and siblings) throughout his time as an LDS missionary in Germany, a medical school student, and later, in the US Navy. These materials document what missionary and military life was like in the 1930s and 1940s as well as life in Logan during that time.
This collection contains Spencer Family letters sent between Germany and Logan 1929-1932, between St. Louis and Logan 1938-1944, and sent between the ship USS Laurens and Logan 1944-1946, as well as accompanying photograph albums. Additional materials relate to Spencer's medical practice and the Logana Plunge, among other topics. Photos consist of commercial postcards and images of Germany, London, and New York, as well images of LDS missionaries in Germany, and images Spencer took in Europe. Also includes images of the Graf Zeppelin airships, and nitrate negatives.
Dates
- Creation: 1927-1948
Creator
- Spencer, LeGrand Dee, 1910-1991 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
Conditions Governing Access
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the LeGrand Spencer papers must be obtained from the Manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Biographical / Historical
LeGrand Dee Spencer was born February 24, 1910, to Charles Robert Spencer and Isabelle [Kennedy] Spencer in Logan, Cache Valley, Utah and was their fifth of eight children. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints and went on to serve an LDS mission, serving in the Swiss-German mission from 1929 to 1932. After his mission, he graduated from Utah State Agricultural College (today USU) and then taught chemistry and German at the North Cache High School LeGrand married Faye Preston of Weston, Preston County, Idaho in Logan, Utah in 1936. Before volunteering for the US Navy, LeGrand graduated from the St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed his internship in Missouri. He then went on to serve as a Naval doctor on the USS Laurens in the South Pacific in World War II between 1944 and 1946.
Extent
3.5 Linear Feet (7 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
German
Abstract
Correspondence between LeGrand Spencer and his family between 1929 and 1946.
Arrangement
These materials grouped chronologically, with oversized items stored together. They retain the basic order in which they arrived.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Sandra Spencer Cannon and Tom Spencer donated this collection to USU Special Collections and Archives in 2023.
- Title
- Guide to the LeGrand D. Spencer papers
- Author
- Finding aid written by Leigh Casler and Clint Pumphrey
- Date
- 2024
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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