Vanez T. Wilson papers, 1918-2002

Overview of the Collection

Title
Vanez T. Wilson papers
Dates
1918-2002 (inclusive)
Quantity
11 boxes, (5 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 363
Summary
Vanez T. Wilson's manuscript collection is divided into five series and documents his career with the Bear River Bird Refuge through correspondence, newspaper and magazine articles, journals, reports, and calendars.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Vanez Theurer Wilson was born September 13, 1895, in Logan, Utah. From 1918 to 1919, Mr. Wilson served in the United States Army and fought in World War I. Mr. Wilson received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Utah State Agricultural College in 1920, with a specialty in irrigation. On July 14, 1921, he married Margaret Ann Budge in the Logan Latter-day Saints temple. Together they had five children, four of which survived to adulthood.

After receiving his bachelor's degree, Mr. Wilson was employed in the private sector for a number of years. In 1927, he began his career with the Department of the Interior helping to survey and establish what was to become the Bear River Bird Refuge just outside of Brigham City, Utah. He was appointed to the position of refuge manager on April 1, 1937, a job which he held until his retirement on August 5, 1965.

Mr. Wilson was an active member of his community. He held many leadership positions in the Rotary Club (where he was president for a number of years), the American Legion, the Boy Scouts of America, the Chamber of Commerce, and his local LDS congregation, where he served in a number of ecclesiastical positions.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Vanez T. Wilson's manuscript collection is divided into five series and documents his career with the Bear River Bird Refuge through correspondence, newspaper and magazine articles, journals, reports, and calendars. The "Personal" series chronicles his life beginning as a young student and engineer. Included are correspondence with friends and acquaintances as well as papers he delivered and articles he authored. Wilson's personal papers also include awards and certificates from his career and involvement with community groups.

The series entitled "Bear River Bird Refuge" contains papers, articles, maps, etc. that pertain to the refuge but which were not authored by Mr. Wilson personally. The series also includes various newspaper and magazine articles which often feature Mr. Wilson in his role as refuge manager and the work he did there. "Field Diaries and Travel Records" provides a valuable look at Mr. Wilson's daily work at the Refuge in his own words, from 1929 to 1957. The "Narrative Reports" series documents the conditions, progress, and affairs of the Refuge between 1938 and 1963. Finally, the volumes held within the "Calendars" section are similar to Mr. Wilson's field diaries and travel records in that they record Mr. Wilson's personal and professional business, though not in as much detail.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Vanez T. Wilson papers must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: Vanez T. Wilson papers USU_COLL MSS 363, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations: USU_COLL MSS 363, USUSCA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection is largely arranged by document type.

Processing Note

Processed in August of 2011.

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to USU Special Collections and Archives by Vanez T. Wilson's son, Vanez T. Wilson, Jr., in 2011.

Related Materials

See also the Vanez T. Wilson Photograph Collection (P0468).

Separated Materials

The photographs were separated from the manuscripts and housed in the Vanez T. Wilson Photograph Collection (PO468)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I: Personal, 1918-1976Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Administration
1939-1943
Box Folder
1 1
Discussion of Functions and Duties
Attached to a letter from L.M. Winsor to Vanez T. Wilson
1939 March 15
1 1
Post-War Projects
Circular letter to refuge managers from John C. Gatlin
1943 April 21
Articles
1938-1951
Box Folder
1 2
A Boarding House For Birds
2 copies; Includes List of Birds of The Bear River Bird Refuge
undated
1 3
Bear River: A National Wildlife Refuge
2 copies; Number Eight of Conservation In Action; Written with Rachel L. Carson
1950
1 4
Management of Waterfowl Public Shooting Grounds
Presented at the Third North American Wildlife Conference in Baltimore, MD
1938 February 15
1 5
Public Hunting On The Bear River Bird Refuge, Utah
Written with John B. Ban Den Akker and printed in the Journal Of Wildlife Management; Vol. 15, No. 4
1951 October
1 6
Twenty Years Of Bird Banding At Bear River Bird Refuge, Utah
From the Journal Of Wildlife Management; Vol. 13, No. 4
1949 October
Box Folder
1 7
Biography
Compiled by Margaret Ann B. Wilson
1968 July 22
1 8
Certificates/Awards/Recognitions
undated
1 9
Civilian Conservation Corp
undated
Community Involvement
Box Folder
1 10
American Legion
1935-1946
1 11
Miscellaneous organizations
Includes material from Box Elder Commercial Club and Chamber of Commerce; Boy Scouts of America; Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculturea and Home Economics
1937-1940
1 12
Religion
A talk given called "As A Man Soweth, So Shall He Reap"
undated
1 13
Rotary Club
Consists of correspondence to Mr. Wilson in his capacity of president of the group
1945-1946
Correspondence
Box Folder
1 14
Colleagues
Consists of correspondence both to and regarding John T. Salyer III; John C. Gatlin; Leo Young; Earl C. Craven and Marc Nelson
1961-1976
1 15
Magazines/Societies/Periodicals/Publications
Solicitations for publications as well as invitations to subscribe or join a group
1937-1956
1 16
Wildlife Management/Hunting
Includes a letter from Wallace Beery
1931-1974
1 17
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Includes photos from Will J. Reid showing pipe outlet which empties into Greal Salt Lake
1939-1956
1 18
Miscellaneous thank yous
1956-1963
Employment
1931-1965
Box Folder
1 19
Employment
Consists of correspondence, resumes, applications, promotion information, efficiency and performance ratings relating to Mr. Wilson's time working for the Civil Service and at the Bear River Bird Refuge
1931-1965
1 20
Payroll Changes
Relates to Mr. Wilson's time at the Bear River Bird Refuge
1942-1962
1 21
Retirement
Consists of cards, news articles, pamphlets, etc. relating to Mr. Wilson's retirement
1963-1965
Box Folder
1 22
Irrigation
Consists of correspondence, resumes, reports, articles, etc. relating to Mr. Wilson's time as an irrigation engineer before he began working at the Bear River Bird Refuge
1918-1929
Maps
Maps drawn by Mr. Wilson
Box Folder
1 23
Sketch of Bear River Bay Region Great Salt Lake
1927 October 15
1 24
Map of Municipal Electric Power Plant In Logan Canyon
1924 November
1 25
Map of Bear River Valley
2 copies
1936 May 29
Box Folder
1 26
Military
Materials relating to Mr. Wilson's time in the Army during WWI
1919-1929
1 27
Miscellaneous
Consists of an article "My Greatest Discovery" by Charles A. Lindbergh; Cox's Stadia Computer; various news articles, pamphlets, "Description of Property Owned by O.H. Budge"; "Names and Addresses For Dinner Pictures"
undated
1 28
Residence
Consists of materials relating to Mr. Wilson's property in Brigham City and property disputes pertaining to it
1965-1975
Pamphlets
Box Folder
1 29
Pamphlet on the Bear River Bird Refuge
Consists of materials submitted for consideration in connection with the pamphlet's publication including correspondence
1943-1950
Box Folder
1 30
Refuge Managers Conference
Consists of agendas as well as papers presented by Mr. Wilson
1947-1958

Series II: Bear River Bird Refuge, 1918-1976Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Administration
1939-1943
Box Folder
1 1
Hunter Ledger/Check Out Sheet
undated
1 2
Refuge Personnel
1937 April 1 - 1940 February 28
Addresses
Box Folder
1 3
Address at weekly Luncheon Kiwanis Club
By George E. Mushbach
1933 January 26
Articles
Box Folder
1 4
Bear River Bird Refuge
2 copies
undated
1 5
Bear River Refuge
From the CCC
undated
1 6
Waste Water Harnessed To Supply Wildfowl Paradise
1953
Blueprints
Box Folder
1 7
Cutler Hydro-Electric Development
1925 January-March
Brochures
Box Folder
1 8
Bear River Bird Refuge
Includes 2 copies of two editions
1961-1962
1 9
Bear River Bird Refuge
Visitor Information and Tour Guide
1968
1 10
Bear River Wilderness Study Area
Visitor Information and Tour Guide
undated
1 11
Birds Of Bear River Refuge
1963
1 12
Directory Of National Wildlife Refuges
1961 January
1 13
Factors In The Development and Restoration Of Waterfowl Habitat at Ogden Bay Refuge
By Noland F. Nelson
1954 December
1 14
The National Wildlife Refuge System
1964
Journal Articles
Box Folder
1 15
Survival of Canada Goose Goslings, Bear River Refuge, Utah
By Cecil S. Williams and William H. Marshall from the Journal of Wildlife Management, Vol. 2, No. 1
1938 January
1 16
Duck Nesting Studies, Bear River Bird Refuge, Utah
By Cecil S. Williams and William H. Marshall from the Journal of Wildlife Management, Vol. 2, No. 2
1938 April
1 17
Canada Goose Nests and Eggs
By Cecil S. Williams and Marcus C. Nelson from The Auk, Vol. 60
1943 July
1 18
Check List of the Birds of Utah
By William H. Behle reprinted from The Condor, Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 67-87
1944 March-April
1 19
A Visit to the Bear River Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
An article by Harry R. Smith in The Audobon Bulletin, No. 67
1948 September
1 20
Annotated Check-List of the Birds of Utah
By Angus M. Woodbury, Clarence Cottam, and John W. Sugden from Bulletin of the University of Utah, Vol. 39, No. 16
1949 March
Leaflets
Box Folder
1 21
Bear River A National Wildlife Refuge
2 copies
1952
Box Folder
1 22
Legislation
An Act To establish the Bear River Migratory-Bird Refuge, A Proclamation, Protection of Bald and Golden Eagles
1928-1962
Magazines
Box Folder
1 23
The Bear River Refuge
An article by Allan D. Cruickshank from Audobon Magazine
1962 March-April
1 24
Birds By The Thousands
An article by Grace V. Sharritt from Dodge News, Vol. 13, No. 5
1962 March-April
1 25
Boarding House For Birds
An article by Maryijane Morris from Buick Magazine
1953 October
Maps
Box Folder
1 26
Bear River Migration Bird Refuge
1979 April
1 27
Bear River Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
2 copies
1936 November
1 28
General Map Bear River Bird Refuge
undated
1 29
Sketch Map of Bear River Drainage Basin
1943 September 17
1 30
Maps of Bear River Refuge
2 copies
1957 April 10
1 31
Map of Bear River Bird Refuge
Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Regulations on reverse
undated
Great Salt Lake
Box Folder
1 32
Miscellaneous
Consists of correspondence, journal articles, news releases collected mostly after Mr. Wilson's Death
1965-1990
1 33
Newspaper Articles
Articles collected after Mr. Wilson's death pertaining to the Great Salt Lake
1985-1990
1 34
Newspaper Articles
Articles collected after Mr. Wilson's death pertaining to the Great Salt Lake
1991-2002
1 35
Newspaper Articles
Articles collected after Mr. Wilson's death pertaining to the Great Salt Lake
undated
Box Folder
1 36
Miscellaneous
Birds Protected By Federal Law; List Of The Mosquitos Known To Occur In Utah; A biliography of the Bear River Bird Refuge
1948-1961
1 37
Newspaper Articles
Consists of articles pertaining to the Bear River Bird Refuge and the work of Mr. Wilson
1931-1961
1 38
Pamphlets
The Bear River Project Oneida Division: Know The Facts; Birds Of Bear River (2 copies)
1971 January
1 39
Radio Shows
Radio Address Oveer KLO Ogden Utah by George E. Mushbach, Superintendent, Bear River Bird Refuge; Let's Travel
1933 January 15
1 40
Water Policy
Consists of pamphlets, reports, and data sheets, etc. relating to water policy and conservation
1947-1958
2 1
Construction
Consists of bluprints and figures which pertain to construction projects at the Bear River Bird Refuge
1930 May-1947 May

Series III: Field Diaries and Travel Records, 1929-1957Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1929 April 20 - November 3
1 2
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1929 November 4 - 1930 July 19
1 3
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1930 July 21 - 1931 February 20
1 4
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1931 February 21 - 1931 July 8
1 5
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1931 July 9 - 1932 February 17
1 6
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1932 February 18 - 1932 August 13
1 7
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1932 August 14 - 1933 March 11
1 8
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1933 March 12 - September 9
1 9
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1933 September 10 - 1934 August 31
1 10
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1934 September 1 - 1935 April 9
1 11
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1935 April 10 - October 16
1 12
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1935 April 10 - October 16
1 12
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1935 October 17 - 1936 April 30
1 13
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1936 May 1 - November 30
1 14
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1936 December 1 - 1937 June 30
1 15
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1937 July 1 - August 14
1 16
Field Diaries and Travel Records
Includes some entries for 1940 January-March
1941 January 1 - August 31
2 1
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1941 September 1 - 1942 May 23
2 2
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1942 May 24 - December 31
2 3
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1943 January 1 - June 26
2 4
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1943 June 27 - November 27
2 5
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1943 November 28 - 1944 May 31
2 6
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1944 June 1 - October 31
2 7
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1944 November 1 - 1945 February 28
2 8
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1945 March 1 - August 5
2 9
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1945 August 5 - 1946 January 20
2 10
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1946 January 21 - July 6
2 11
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1946 July 7 - November 30
2 12
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1946 December 1 - 1947 May 30
2 13
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1947 June 1 - 1947 October 28
2 14
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1947 October 29 - 1948 March 13
2 15
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1948 March 14 - August 21
2 16
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1948 August 21 - 1949 February 5
3 1
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1949 February 6 - July 20
3 2
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1949 July 21 - December 31
3 3
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1950 January 1 - June 16
3 4
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1950 June 17 - December 2
3 5
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1950 December 3 - 1951 June 15
3 6
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1951 June 16 - December 31
3 7
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1952 January 1 - June 30
3 8
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1952 July 1 - 1953 February 15
3 9
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1952 February 16 - August 9
3 10
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1953 August 10 - 1954 February 20
3 11
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1954 February 21 - September 9
3 12
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1954 September 10 - 1955 April 1
3 13
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1955 April 2 - October 22
3 14
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1955 October 23 - 1956 April 13
3 15
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1956 April 15 - August 25
3 16
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1956 August 26 - December 24
3 17
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1956 December 25 - 1957 May 26
3 18
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1957 May 26 - 1957 September 14
3 19
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1957 September 15 - 1958 January 17
3 20
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1958 January 19 - 1958 June 28
3 21
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1958 June 29 - 1958 November 1
3 22
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1958 November 2 - 1959 February 28
4 1
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1959 March 1 - June 13
4 2
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1959 June 14 - 1959 October 10
4 3
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1959 October 11 - 1960 March 26
4 4
Field Diaries and Travel Records
Labeled June 16 but appears to be a mislabeling of July 16
1960 March 27 - 1960 July 16
4 5
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1960 July 18 - 1960 October 29
4 6
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1960 October 30 - 1961 February 18
4 7
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1961 February 20 - June 15
4 8
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1961 June 16 - October 21
4 9
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1961 October 22 - 1962 March 9
4 10
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1962 March 11 - July 1
4 11
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1962 July 2 - November 17
4 12
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1962 November 18 - 1963 April 13
4 13
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1962 April 14 - 1963 September 21
4 14
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1963 September 22 - 1964 April 11
4 15
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1964 April 12 - October 17
4 16
Field Diaries and Travel Records
1964 October 18 - 1965 May 15

Series IV: Narrative Reports, 1938-1963Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Narrative Reports
1938 May, June, July
1 2
Narrative Reports
1939 February, March, April
1 3
Narrative Reports
1939 May, June, July
1 4
Narrative Reports
1939 August, September, October
1 5
Narrative Reports
1939 November, December, 1940 January
1 6
Narrative Reports
1940 February, March, April
1 7
Narrative Reports
1940 May, June, July
1 8
Narrative Reports
1941 February, March, April
1 9
Narrative Reports
1941 May, June, July
1 10
Narrative Reports
1941 August, September, October
1 11
Narrative Reports
1941 November, December, 1942 January
1 12
Narrative Reports
1942 February, March, April
1 13
Narrative Reports
1942 May, June, July, August
1 14
Narrative Reports
1942 September, October, November, December
1 15
Narrative Reports
1943 January, February, March, April
1 16
Narrative Reports
1943 September, October, November, December
1 17
Narrative Reports
1944 January, February, March, April
1 18
Narrative Reports
1944 May, June, July, August
1 19
Narrative Reports
1944 September, October, November, December
1 20
Narrative Reports
1945 January, February, March, April
1 21
Narrative Reports
1945 May, June, July, August
1 22
Narrative Reports
2 copies
1945 September, October, November, December
1 23
Narrative Reports
1946 January, February, March, April
1 24
Narrative Reports
1946 May, June, July, August
1 25
Narrative Reports
1946 September, October, November, December
1 26
Narrative Reports
1947 January, February, March, April
1 27
Narrative Reports
1947 May, June, July, August
1 28
Narrative Reports
1947 September, October, November, December
1 29
Narrative Reports
1948 Jannuary, February, March, April
1 30
Narrative Reports
1948 May, June, July, August
1 31
Narrative Reports
1948 September, October, November, December
2 1
Narrative Reports
1949 January, February, March, April
2 2
Narrative Reports
1949 May, June, July, August
2 3
Narrative Reports
1949 September, October, November, December
2 4
Narrative Reports
1950 January, February, March, April
2 5
Narrative Reports
1950 May, June, July, August
2 6
Narrative Reports
1950 September, October, November, December
2 7
Narrative Reports
1951 January, February, March, April
2 8
Narrative Reports
1951 May, June, July, August
2 9
Narrative Reports
1951 September, October, November, December
2 10
Narrative Reports
1952 January, February, March, April
2 11
Narrative Reports
1952 May, June, July, August
2 12
Narrative Reports
1952 September, October, November, December
2 13
Narrative Reports
1953 January, February, March, April
2 14
Narrative Reports
1953 May, June, July, August
2 15
Narrative Reports
1953 Sepetember, October, November, December
2 16
Narrative Reports
1954 January, February, March, April
2 17
Narrative Reports
1954 May, June, July, August
2 18
Narrative Reports
1954 September, October, November, December
2 19
Narrative Reports
1955 January, February, March, April
2 20
Narrative Reports
1955 May, June, July, August
2 21
Narrative Reports
1955 September, October, November, December
2 22
Narrative Reports
1956 January, February, March, April
2 23
Narrative Reports
1956 May, June, July, August
2 24
Narrative Reports
1956 September, October, November, December
2 25
Narrative Reports
1957 January, February, March, April
2 26
Narrative Reports
1957 May, June, July, August
3 1
Narrative Reports
1957 September, October, November, December
3 2
Narrative Reports
1958 January, February, March, April
3 3
Narrative Reports
1958 May, June, July, August
3 4
Narrative Reports
1958 September, October, November, December
3 5
Narrative Reports
1959 January, February, March, April
3 6
Narrative Reports
1959 May, June, July, August
3 7
Narrative Reports
1959 September, October, November, December
3 8
Narrative Reports
1960 January, February, March, April
3 9
Narrative Reports
1960 May, June, July, August
3 10
Narrative Reports
1960 September, October, November, December
3 11
Narrative Reports
1961 January, February, March, April
3 12
Narrative Reports
1961 May, June, July, August
3 13
Narrative Reports
1961 September, October, November, December
3 14
Narrative Reports
1962 January, February, March, April
3 15
Narrative Reports
1962 May, June, July, August
3 16
Narrative Reports
1962 September, October, November, December
3 17
Narrative Reports
1963 January, February, March, April
3 18
Narrative Reports
1963 May, June, July, August
3 19
Narrative Reports
1963 September, October, November, December

Series V: Calendars, 1936-1940Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Calendars
1936
1 2
Calendars
1937
1 3
Calendars
1938
1 4
Calendars
1939
1 5
Calendars
1940

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Wildlife managers--Utah--Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
  • Wildlife refuges--Utah--Box Elder County.

Geographical Names

  • Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (Utah)
  • Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (Utah)--Maps.
  • Great Salt Lake (Utah)