Arthur and Effie Johnson Ford Collection
Scope and Contents
Effie’s diary covers the events of her daily life throughout 1929. Such events include the chores she performed on certain days as well as the social activities she did with Arthur and their friends. On the days that do not have descriptions on her activities, Effie described what the weather was like. In addition, she describes the decline of Arthur’s health until his passing. In addition to the diary, the collection also includes photographs of the couple and educational documents. Arthur Ford (1860-1929) and Effie Johnson Ford (1865-1936) were residents in Kalamazoo County and a married couple from September 26, 1886 until Arthur’s passing on July 8, 1929. Based on the censuses from 1900 to 1920, Arthur Ford’s profession was a farmer and Effie Ford was a homemaker. However, the various teaching certificates within the collection suggest that Arthur Ford received training to become a teacher. They both lived with Effie’s family and the couple did not have any children.
Dates
- Creation: 1887-1929
Creator
Biographical / Historical
Ethia P. "Effie" Johnson was born on January 18, 1865 in Climax Township, the daughter of William R. Johnson and Laura Proctor. Arthur Homer Ford was born on April 7, 1861 in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, the son of William Ford and Flora E. Root. Arthur was a farmer and may have received training to become a teacher. Effie and Arthur were married on September 26, 1882 in Climax Township. Arthur died on July 8, 1929 in Climax and Effie died on February 14, 1936 in Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan. They are both buried in Harrison Cemetery, Climax, Michigan.
Extent
1 boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection contains various documents and photos related to Arthur and Effie Johnson Ford and range from 1887 to 1929.
Physical Description
The collection amounts to .05 cubic feet and contains a variety of items including a diary, contract, photographs and postcard. The items vary in size from 2.9” x 4” to 5.5” x 8.45”. Most of the content is in good condition and the printed handwriting on the materials are legible and used India ink. The front cover of the diary has what appears to be water damage on the bottom third. However, the rest of the diary is in fine condition.
Subject
- Ford, Arthur Homer, 1861-1929 (Person)
- Michigan Teachers' Institute (Organization)
- Michigan State Normal School (Organization)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Arthur and Effie Johnson Ford Collection Finding Aid
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Wesley Kling
- Date
- 2018-08-09
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490
arch-collect@wmich.edu