UUS_mss093.xml Guide to the Thatcher family papers 1868-1982 Thatcher family papers 1868-1982 Finding aid created by Special Collections and Archives. Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008 Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives ©2008
Merrill-Cazier Library Utah State University 3000 Old Main Hill Logan, Utah 84322-3000 Business Number: 435 797-8248 Fax Number: 435 797-2880 scweb@usu.edu https://archives.usu.edu/
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-01-20. Finding guide is in English in Latin script. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition). January 8, 2009. Template information was updated to reflect Utah Manuscript Association best practices. 2009 Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines. Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Thatcher family papers UUS_COLL MSS 93 9 boxes 4.5 linear feet 1868-1982 Collection includes three main contributors: Moses Thatcher Jr.; his wife, Sarah "Caddie" Hopkins Thatcher; and Leora Thatcher. The incoming correspondence (1887-1941) of Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher and incoming correspondence (1891-1925) of Moses Thatcher Jr. include letters written between them during his time as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints in England. Other materials of Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher include notes taken while president of the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association (1925-1927). Leora Thatcher's material includes incoming correspondence (1927-1982) from her parents, Robert Young, and the Moroni Olsen Players Repertory Company; also includes theater memorabilia, clippings, and her autobiography. A smattering of material dealing with other Thatcher family members, including Moses Thatcher Sr., is also included. Collection materials are in English.

Open to public research.

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

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

Material in this collection was donated to Utah State University by Miss Leora Thatcher in a series of small gifts between 1978 and 1982.

Before processing, the material was contained in cardboard boxes. Most was in good condition excepting one bunch of fairly recent correspondence which had suffered severe moisture damage. The processing of this collection was begun by Scott Christensen and Charlotte Wright, students in an archives management class in the spring of 1984. Manuscripts librarian Bradford Cole completed the initial processing and foldering of the collection. Additional Thatcher material was later discovered which should have been included in this processing. Scott Christensen, an employee of Utah State University Special Collections and Archives, was assigned to assimilate the newly discovered material into the existing Thatcher collection. In doing so, many new categories had to be created and all folders and boxes relabeled in June 1986.

The actual processing of the collection included carefully examining and classifying all materials present. Correspondence was removed from original envelopes and information from them carefully transferred to the letters themselves. A perpetual calendar was used to date partially dated material. In a few cases, educated guesses concerning dating had to be made. When this was necessary, question marks and brackets were included.

Material in a state of acid deterioration has been treated using Wei-T'o, a deacidifying agent. These items include all newspaper clippings and the vaudeville poster. All materials have been placed in acid-free folders and Hollinger boxes.

Photographs removed to the Thatcher family photographs (P0036).

Thatcher family papers, 1868-1982. (COLL MSS 93). Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives department.

The major portion of the collection focuses on Leora Thatcher, an accomplished Broadway and play actress and radio personality from the 1920s through the 1960s. Found in her papers is a long run of correspondence between Leora and her parents while Leora lived in New York City.

The collection includes material from Moses Thatcher Jr., his wife, Sarah "Caddie" Hopkins Thatcher; and their six children: Lettie, Leora, Helen, Martha, Ida, and Moses III. A smattering of material dealing with other Thatcher family members, including Moses Thatcher Sr., Celestia "Lettie" Ann Farr Thatcher, George Washington Thatcher, and others, is also included.

The collection has a major strength in correspondence between Moses Thatcher, Jr., and his wife, Sarah while Moses was on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Great Britain in 1891-1892. The other major portion of the collection focuses on Leora Thatcher, an accomplished Broadway and play actress and radio personality from the 1920s through the 1960's. Found in her papers is a long run of correspondence between Leora and her parents while Leora lived in New York City. Correspondence with Robert Young, The Moroni Olsen Players Repertory Company, and others is also included. Photographs, ID cards from the Screen Actors Guild and Theatre Wing War Service, programs, clippings, and a handwritten autobiography round out the Leora Thatcher holdings.

Arranged by correspondence and chronologically.

Thatcher Brothers banking records COLL MS 3

George W. Thatcher papers COLL MS 47

Moses Thatcher Sr. collection COLL MS 22

Thatcher family photographs P0036

 Utah State University. Libraries. Special Collections and Archives. Mormons--Utah--Archives. Mormon missionaries--England--Records and correspondence. Actresses--Biography. Mormon women--Utah--Archives. Correspondence Incoming and outgoing correspondence- Moses Thatcher, Sr 1898 1 1 Moses Thatcher, Sr. horoscope undated 1 2 Moses Thatcher, Sr. Temple Work undated 1 3 Correspondence- Moses Thatcher Sr. to George W. Thatcher 1886 November 12 1 4 Moses Thatcher, Sr. Memorial. A printed pamphlet concerning the L.D.S. political "Manifesto" undated 1 5 Bank resolution in honor of Moses Thatcher, Sr. (copy) undated 1 6 Incoming correspondence to Lettie (Celestia) Ann Farr Thatcher 1904 April 26 1 7

Photocopy of original letter and typescript transcription of same.

 Incoming correspondence to Moses Thatcher, Jr. 1891 1 8 Incoming correspondence to Moses Thatcher, Jr. 1892 February-May 1 9 Incoming correspondence to Moses Thatcher, Jr. 1892 June-October 1 10 Incoming correspondence to Moses Thatcher, Jr. 1908 1 11

Photocopy of original letter and typescript transcription of same.

 Incoming correspondence to Moses Thatcher, Jr. 1923-1925 1 12 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1887 1 13 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1888 1 14 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1889 July-September 1 15 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1889 October-December 1 16 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1890 1 17 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1891 March-April 1 18 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1891 May 1 19 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1891 July-December 1 20 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1892 April 1 21 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1892 June-August 1 22 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1892 September 1 23 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1892 October-November 1 24 Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher 1927 - 1947 1 25 Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher miscellaneous material undated 1 26 Incoming correspondence to Mr. and Mrs. Moses Thatcher, Jr. family: 1892-1944 1 27 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1927 1 28 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1931 1 29 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1932 1 30 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1934 1 31 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1935 1 32 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1936 1 33 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1938 1 34 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1939 1 35 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1940 March-April 1 36 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1940 May-November 1 37 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1941 January-May 1 38 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1941 June-December 1 39 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1942 January-April 1 40 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1942 May-July 1 41 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1942 September-December 1 42 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1946-1947 1 44 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1948 January-March 1 45 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1948 May-December 1 46 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1949 1 47 Incoming Correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1950-1953 1 48 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1959-1968 2 1 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher 1971-1982 2 2 Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher, miscellaneous undated 2 3 Outgoing correspondence from Leora Thatcher undated 2 4 Leora Thatcher- Memorabilia undated 2 5 Leora Thatcher- Music and script undated 2 6 Leora Thatcher- Partial biography tribute written by niece, Nancy Gray undated 2 7 Leora Thatcher- miscellaneous material undated 2 8 Correspondence from Moroni Olsen and the Moroni Olsen Players Repertory Company undated 2 9 Incoming correspondence to Lettie Thatcher Ryan undated 2 10 Tribute to Hettie Thatcher Ryan from the Clio Club undated 2 11 Helen Camille Thatcher Woodruff wedding announcement undated (2 copies). 2 12 D.U.P. Papers 1868 - 1952 2 13 Thatcher Brothers Bank history undated 2 14 Thatcher Opera House history undated 2 15 Thatcher family businesses- historical information undated 2 16 David Roberts- family letter 1947 April 23 2 17 Leora Thatcher Autobiography, handwritten undated 3 1 Leora Thatcher Autobiography, typescript with handwritten notes, comments, and additions undated 3 2 Leora Thatcher yearbook 1938 3 1 The Actors' Fund of America booklet 1968-1969 3 2 Funeral memorial in honor of Martha Eunice Thatcher 1932 October 9 3 3 Funeral book and register of Martha Eunice Thatcher 1932 October 9 3 4 Letter register of Moses Thatcher, Jr. Used by him while on an L.D.S. Mission in the British Isles undated 4 5 Notebook belonging to Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher. Contains notes taken concerning the Y.L.M.I.A of which she was president 1925-1927 4 6 Autograph book belonging to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher. Entries are dated 1882 4 7 Marriage certificate and booklet commemorating the union of Lettie Ann Thatcher and George Hall Ryan dated 1947 June 4 8 The Thatcher sisters bank book in account with the Thatcher Brothers' Banking Company. Dated 1903-1914 4 9 Journal and register of "Places I have been". Written by Leora Thatcher while on tour with the Moroni Olsen Players Repertory Company undated 4 10 Funeral memorial and register for Moses Thatcher, Jr. Dated 1944 June 4 11 Thatcher Family household expenses ledger 1953-1961 4 12 L.D.S. Family and Individual Record. Very little has been filled in this book undated 4 13 Photographs undated 5

removed to P0036

 Envelopes originally containing correspondence of Thatcher family members. Dates range from the 1890 - 1979 6 1 Leora Thatcher newspaper clippings undated 7 1 Leora Thatchers' collection of information about Witches and covens undated 7 2

Includes a typescript report on witchcraft and several newspaper clippings.

 Thatcher family documents, certificates, genealogy sources, and a Patriarchal blessing undated 7 3

These are photocopies.

 Ida Louise Thatcher Reese application for membership in the National Huguenot Society undated 7 4 Artwork undated 7 5 Oversize photograph of Katherine Helen Woodruff, a daughter of Helen Thatcher Woodruff and Charles W. Woodruff undated 7 6 Oversize photograph of Lettie Thatcher Ryan, a daughter of Moses Thatcher, Jr., and Sarah "Caddie" Hopkins Thatcher undated 7 7

2 Identical photos in frames.

 Leora Thatcher autobiography- handwritten undated 7 8 Vaudeville poster- a spoof undated 7 9 Correspondence- Hezekiah Thatcher to G.W. Thatcher 1868 March 2 7 10 Leora Thatcher's certificate of appreciation from the Utah Agricultural College for her help in the influenza epidemic in the Students' Army Training Corps in 1918 7 11 Leora Thatcher Diploma of High School graduation 1922 October 27 7 12 Pair of beaded plastic picture frames 1890-1899 8 1

Originally held baby pictures of Leora Thatcher.

 Advertising picture for the Thatcher Coal Company, made of glass undated 8 2 Single page from a separate photograph album undated 8 3

Contains 3 photos. Leora Thatcher's handwritten description of the pictures is also included.

 Two shingle brand labels. Two original 1890s cut shingles 1890-1899 9 1

During the summer of 1987, Jeff and Carol White, owners of the original Moses Thatcher Jr home at 95 South 100 West in Logan, re-shingled the structure. When they tore the shingles off they discovered a few of the original 1890s cut shingles and two papers that identified the "brand name" and origin of the shingles. Since it was felt that these items were important in telling something about urn of the century housing construction in Logan, Utah, they were donated to the archive to be placed with the Moses Thatcher Jr. papers.