PAPERS, 1856-1957
The Homer H. Johnson Family Papers which were created, received, and collected by Homer H. Johnson are arranged into eleven series; I. Courtship correspondence of Homer Johnson and Janet "Nettie" Whitcomb II. Incoming correspondence of Homer Johnson, III. Incoming correspondence of Nettie Whitcomb, IV. Incoming correspondence of Philothea Johnson, V. Incoming correspondence to Alfred Johnson, 1888-1905, VI. Incoming Correspondence of Alfred and Philothea Johnson, VII. Incoming correspondence of Polly and George Gregory, VIII. Miscellaneous Correspondence, IX. School Papers of Homer Johnson, X. Miscellaneous Collected Published Materials, XI. Photographs, and XII. Miscellaneous Items.
The largest portion of this personal papers collection is represented by letters written to and from Johnson family members. The courtship correspondence of Homer Johnson and Oberlin classmate Janet "Nettie" Whitcomb, and the correspondence between Homer and his parents, are the most significant units of documentation. This collection also includes the correspondence of related family members, photographs, published serials, Homer's school papers, and other miscellaneous items.
The collection's strength is to be found in the considerable glimpse it offers of Homer Johnson's early years. However, because coverage is concentrated between the years of 1880 and 1900, and documentation is thin before and after this time period, the portrait of Homer Johnson is an uneven one. Homer's career as a lawyer and of his second and third marriages, for example, are under documented. Further, no information exists concerning his involvement on the Oberlin College Board of Trustees, the execution of Charles Martin Hall's will, or on his later years as a prominent citizen of Northeast Ohio.
The correspondence series thus document young Homer-- a man who held family and rural values. In writing frequently to his parents, Homer shared with them details of his life as a student, young lawyer and father. The courtship correspondence between Homer Johnson and Nettie Whitcomb documents their developing relationship from that of mere friends to husband and wife, as well as provides a record of student life in Oberlin, Amherst, and Harvard during the late 1880's.
Additionally, Homer's school papers offer detail on Homer's earlier academic years and the collected published materials reveal some of his interest in literary matters, with which he associated himself at both Oberlin College and Harvard University.
The balance of this collection contains the correspondence of other members in the Johnson family. These letters chronicle small town banking, farming, local history of New London, Huron County, Ohio, and the daily lives and relationships of Johnson family members..
Upon the death of Homer Johnson, his daughter, Jeanette Johnson Dempsy took custody of the family papers (namely, those of her father, grandparents and other relatives.) At this time the collection included the letters Homer H. Johnson wrote to his parents. This explains why this collection contains Homer's outgoing correspondence to his parents.
When this collection was originally acquired in 1994 by the Oberlin College Archives, most of the letters were still in their envelopes, organized in bundles and kept in a large wooden trunk, circa 1900. In almost all cases, processing staff respected the initial sorting established and maintained by family members during most of the twentieth century.
Series I. Courtship correspondence of Homer H. Johnson & Nettie Whitcomb, 1882-1888
Consisting of the letters between Homer Johnson and Janet "Nettie" Whitcomb, this series chronicles the growing relationship between Homer and Nettie which led to their marriage. Their letters cover such topics as student life in Oberlin College, Amherst College, and Harvard University, Nettie's family moves to Nebraska and Illinois, her teaching career, the temperance movement, and their longing to be with one another. This series consists of two subseries: 1. Letters to Nettie Whitcomb from Homer Johnson and 2. Letters to Homer Johnson from Nettie Whitcomb. These subseries are arranged chronologically.
Series lI. Incoming correspondence of Homer H. Johnson, 1882-1957 (bulk dates)
Consisting of letters received by Homer Johnson from family and friends, this series is divided into four subseries: 1. Letters from Philothea Johnson, 2. Letters from Alfred Johnson, 3. Letters from Anna E. Whitcomb, 4. Letters from other individuals. The letters from Homer's parents contain information regarding events in New London, Ohio, the workings of the New London First National Bank, and the financial support of Homer's education. The letters from Anne E. Whitcomb (Nettie's sister), and other individuals address such topics as the foolishness of girls, Homer's involvement in the Phi Delta Fraternity, and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Each series is arranged chronologically.
Series III. Incoming correspondence of Nettie Whitcomb, 1884-1888
Correspondents include Marie McKelrep, Jessie Townsend, and several just signed as Mame. These letters cover topics such as Marie McKelrep's life in California and local gossip. One letter, received by Homer Johnson from his landlady and then forwarded to Nettie, explains that Homer will no longer be able to reside at her lodgings in Massachusetts, due to the growing amorous nature of Nettie and Homer's relationship. This series is arranged chronologically.
Series IV. Incoming correspondence of Philothea Townsend Johnson,1858-1915, n.d.
This series consists of two subseries: 1. Letters from Homer Johnson, and: 2. Letters from other individuals. Homer's letters to his mother chronicle his student days, his developing law practice, trips to Europe, and the raising of his family. Letters in the second series include correspondence from Jeanette Johnson Dempsy (Homer's daughter), Mary Hiller, Lousie Johnson (Homer's third wife), Mary Powell, Mary Townsend, and Sarah Whitcomb. One letter was written to Philothea before she was married to Alfred Johnson.
Series V. Incoming correspondence of Alfred Johnson, 1888-1905
This series contains the letters written to Alfred Johnson by his son, Homer Johnson. Topics covered in the letters include information regarding Homer's 1888 and 1896 honeymoons with Nettie and Louise, respectfully.
Series VI. Incoming correspondence of Philothea and Alfred Johnson, 1856-1901
Consists of letters written to Philothea and Alfred Johnson by a variety of individuals. Key corespondents include M.L. Hiller, E.F. Townsend, and Mary and Martha Townsend (Philothea's sisters?). Many of these letters are addressed to "Dear Cousins". Several letters are from a female named "Frank", in which she worries that she is viewed as "stuck up" by other friends and family members, and contemplates the meaning of death and her relationship with God. This series is arranged chronologically.
Series VII. Incoming correspondence of Polly & George (Gregory?), 1856-1868, 1874-1875
This series includes the correspondence received by Polly and George Gregory (?) who are presumably distant relatives of Philothea Johnson. Corespondents to Polly and George (who are often addressed as Uncle and Aunt) include Abby and Reid Burritt, Luriana Everett, Marietta Ketchin, Isaac Waring, and Rachel Wolgorn. These letters mainly report on routine matters. Polly and George may well not be residents of the United States; in one letter, there an in depth description and explanation provided for them regarding Thanksgiving Day celebrations. This series is arranged chronologically.
Series VIII. Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1855-1919, n.d.
This series contains a variety of miscellaneous correspondence belonging to related members of the Johnson family. Included are letters of S.A. Pickham, F. Townsend, Hosea Townsend, Captain L. Townsend, and Louise Pope Johnson. Other lessor items are an 1888 wedding announcement of Nettie and Homer, and an invitation to Philothea's 80th birthday celebration. This series is arranged chronologically.
Series IX. School Papers of Homer H. Johnson, 1877-1880, n.d.
This series is comprised the school papers of Homer Johnson. These include several English grammar and vocabulary exercises, arithmetic worksheets, and papers from Greek and Latin class exercises. Some miscellaneous topics include geography and history. A substantial part of this series is made up of student essays written by Homer for a Rhetoric and Speech class which was presumably taught by L.B. Hall. These essays cover a variety of topics such as slavery, William Lloyd Garrison, the progression of the American Republic, the President's Southern policy, early settlement of New London, Ohio, and the government in France. This series is arranged alphabetically in folders by academic subject.
Series X. Miscellaneous Collected Published Materials, 1882-1901
Consists of a variety of periodicals and academic literary magazines. Ten issues of Arthur's Illustrated Home Magazine probably collected by Philothea Johnson, are included in this series. Student publications include the Acta Columbia, Amherst Student, Sauveur College of Languages Program of Amherst College, The Campus of Allegheny College, and the Wooster Collegian. There are also two issues of the Firelands Pioneer. This series is arranged alphabetically by title and chronologically thereunder by issue.
Series XI. Photographs, n.d.
This series of photographs contains two identical images of Philothea Johnson (n.d.), an unidentified exterior, an unidentified couple, and four pictures of the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Whiton (n.d.).
Series XII. Miscellaneous Items, 1848-1920 (span dates)
This series contains a variety of miscellaneous items including a topographical map of Huron County (1920), several envelopes with notes written on them, portions of books containing annotations, Oberlin College Commencement programs from 1853, several unidentified short love letters, and a Johnson Family genealogical chart, circa 1850.
The following collections in the Oberlin College Archives contain materials which relate to, or contribute to an understanding of Homer Johnson.
1/0 Board of Trustees Series II: Minutes of the Meetings of the Board
2/6 Henry Churchill King Series VI: Correspondence
3/1 William Frederick Bohn Series III: Correspondence
5/0 Office of the Secretary Subgroup II: Academic Departments and
Administrative Offices
28/1 Homer H. Johnson Student File
28/1 Janet "Nettie" Whitcomb Johnson Student File
28/1 Philothea Townsend Johnson Student File
28/3 Homer H. Johnson Trustee File
30/9 Irving Metcalf Series II: Charles Martin Hall Property Records
30/91 Donald Love Series IV, Subseries 1.: Correspondence
30/182 Charles Martin Hall Series I: Biographical File
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