HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG1352.AM: Pilcher Family (Walthill, Nebraska)
Papers: 1852-1958; mostly 1952-1958
Walthill, Thurston County, Nebraska: Pioneers
Size: 1 box; 0.5 cu.ft.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Harriett Arlington was born in Philadelphia on August 28, 1841. At the age of fourteen, she made the journey with her parents to Omaha, Nebraska, arriving on December 1, 1855. Her father, Mr. Arlington, later had a village named after him. Soon the family moved to Decatur where in 1860 Harriett married John Pilcher.
John Pilcher was the son of Joshua Pilcher who was the leading Indian trader in the Nebraska region. His trading posts along the Missouri River were famous resorts of Indians and white men. In 1823 Joshua Pilcher was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs for the region. He married an Omaha Indian and his son, John, was born by this marriage. Joshua Pilcher died in 1843. Ten children were born to Harriett and John. At the time of Harriett’s death on December 14, 1922, in Walthill, there were eighty-seven grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her husband preceded her in death.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
This collection consists of one box of manuscript material arranged in five series: (1) Correspondence, 1952-1957; (2) Manuscripts; (3) Printed Matter, 1852-1958; (4) Roy Phillips; and (5) Miscellany. The bulk of this collection relates to the activities of the Pilcher family and their work with the Omaha Indians. Also included are the war mementos of Roy Phillips, a nephew of Harriett Pilcher. Correspondents include Arthur E. Summerfield and Homer H. Gruenther.
Note: See the photo component [RG1352.PH] for photographs. The Michael Shine collection [RG3626] contains information about Joshua Pilcher. Check the Nebraska History Index for related information.
INVENTORY
Series 1 – Correspondence, 1952-1957
Box 1
Folder
- Correspondence, 1952-1957
Series 2 – Manuscripts
- My Pioneer Life in Nebraska
- Pilcher Family reunion, minutes of meetings, August 10, 1958
- Remarks
Series 3 – Printed Matter, 1852-1958
- Clipping, “Old White Horse and his Band, Guests of Honor”
Translations into the Omaha Language, with portions of scripture
By-Laws of Montgomery Lodge, #19 of Ancient York Masons, City of Philadelphia 1852
Souvenir of the Walthill Indian Carnival, 1903
One Day at a Time, broadside
Series 4 – Roy Phillips
- War Mementos
Series 5 – Miscellany
- Certificate as Master Mason, 1914
Masonic receipts, Pender, Nebr., 1903-1909
Subject headings:
Gruenther, Homer H., 1900-1977 — Correspondence
Indians of North America — Culture
Omaha Indians
Phillips, Roy
Pilcher family
Pilcher, Harriett Arlington, 1841-1922
Pilcher, John, 1833-1898
Pilcher, Joshua, 1790-1843
Summerfield, Arthur E., 1899-? — Correspondence
Thurston County (Neb.) — History
Walthill (Neb.) — History
Revised TMM 05-04-2009
