Viola H. (Bush) Chism, 1871-1959 [RG3958.AM]

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG3958.AM:  Viola H. (Bush) Chism, 1871-1959

Papers:  1918-1959

Stella, Richardson County, Neb.:  Farm wife; homemaker

Size:  1 box; 0.5 cu.ft.

BACKGROUND NOTE

Viola H. Bush, daughter of Asa and Olive Bush, was born in Nebraska on August 27, 1871. In 1890 she was married to John C. Chism, a native of Kentucky who had come to Nebraska in 1885. The 1900 census shows the Chisms living with Viola’s parents in Porter Precinct, Richardson County, Nebraska. John supported his wife and two children by farming. The census also records that he owned 160 acres in Greeley County, Kansas. Viola Chism was a lifetime resident of Stella, residing within a half-mile radius all of her life. John died on January 8, 1950, but she maintained their home in Stella. She died June 21, 1959.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of one box of manuscript material arranged in two series: 1) Account Books, 1918-1959 and 2) Miscellany. This material relates to the expenses incurred by Viola and John C. Chism and their family, farmers in Stella, Richardson County, Nebraska. The bulk of this collection consists of the Account Books, 1918-1959, of Series 1 kept by Viola Bush Chism. Entries show a detailed description of items and services bought by the Chism family over a forty-year period. Entries show the date of transaction, the item or service bought, and the cost. Taxes paid are also shown. Volume 4 is the only book which goes into detail on items sold by the Chisms. This volume is in diary form rather than in a list format. The Miscellany of Series 2 includes the constitution of the Porter Center Lyceum, undated, newspaper clippings, and a map.

DESCRIPTION

Series 1 – Account Books, 1918-1959

1. 1. 1918-1923

1. 1. 1924-1930

1. 1. 1931-1933

1. 1. 1932-1941 (items sold)

1. 1. 1934-1938

1. 1. 1939 (fractional amount of material)

1. 1. 1939-1941

1. 1. 1942

1. 1. 1943-1945

1. 1. 1946-1947

1. 1. 1948

1. 1. 1949

1. 1. 1950-1952

1. 1. 1953-1954

1. 1. 1955-1959

1. 1. Porter Center Lyceum constitution, undated
      
      Newspaper clippings
      
      Map

Chism, John C., 1865-1950

Chism, Viola H. (Bush), 1871-1959

Economic conditions — Nebraska — Richardson County

Farm life — Nebraska — Richardson County

Porter Center Lyceum (Richardson County, Neb.)

Richardson County (Neb.) — History

Stella (Neb.) — History

AIF/psw   02-22-1980

Encoded TMM   03-10-2010