UUM_Accn2532 Inventory of the Edward Wyer family papers, 1779-1978 Wyer (Edward) family papers Finding aid created by Michael Bills Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah
295 South 1500 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0860 801-581-8864 http://www.lib.utah.edu/collections/manuscripts.php
© 2012 (last modified: 2019) Encoded in Adobe Dreamweaver by Michael Bills 2012 Finding aid encoded in English in Latin script. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition) University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections Manuscripts Division
Special Collections 295 South 1500 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0860 801-581-8864 http://www.lib.utah.edu/collections/manuscripts.php
ACCN 2532 Wyer, Edward Edward Wyer family papers 1779-1978 2 linear feet 5 boxes The Edward Wyer family papers (1779-1978) consists of correspondence, genealogy research and historical memorabilia related to Edward Wyer and his descendants. The majority of the material was collected by James I. and his wife Leah O. Wyer, notable librarians in the 20th century. Portions of the collection are Wyer family-specific material, while other sections are of a broader scholarly/historical interest. Collection materials are in English. Biographical Note

This collection was created by and largely concerns James and Leah Wyer, prominent librarians in the 20th century. Born in Red Wing, Minnesota on May 14, 1869, James Ingersoll Wyer was the eldest son of James Ingersoll and Rosabel E. Shear Wyer. Wyer attended high school in Concordia, Kansas and, upon graduation, worked in a bank started by his father for several years, and on May 3, 1894, marryied May Tyner. During the depressed economy of the late nineteenth century, foreclosures on local farms convinced Wyer to seek a path other than banking.

In 1895, influenced by an uncle's passion for books and a cousin's connection to Melvil Dewey, Wyer decided to pursue a career in librarianship. In preparation, he completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota. Education agreed with Wyer, and he continued on, earning his B.L.S., M.L.S. and Ph.D. Wyer began working in the library field, in progressively higher positions, the most prestigeous of which being the director of the New York State Library School (1908-1926) and director of the New York State Library (1908-1938).

Wyer's wife May died in 1936, and in 1938, Wyer ended his thirty-year tenure as Director of the New York State Library and retired to Salt Lake City, Utah. Wyer married a second time to Leah Ocker Roys (New York State Library School, class of 1923) on June 29, 1938. In Utah, Wyer pursued his hobbies, remained an active contributor to library journals, and returned to banking until an illness in 1950. Wyer was hospitalized in October of 1955 after he fell and broke his hip. Wyer never returned home after the injury, and died in the hospital on November 1, 1955. He was buried in Albany Rural Cemetery, New York.

(Adapted from biographical material written by Carolyn A. Schmitt in 2006.)

The Edward Wyer family papers contains two distinct types of materials:

Boxes 1, 2, and 5 contain materials that are directly connected with the Wyer family. The content is typical of a personal or family collection; letters, notes, legal documents, clippings, genealogy research, photographs, and other materials that contribute to the personal history of the people involved.

Boxes 3, 4 and 5 contain items that were presumably owned by the Wyer family, but not directly connected to them. These items help to establish the "spirit of the age" in which the various Wyers lived in, but could also be of interest to anyone interested in history, antiques, rare books, etc.

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Donated by Guy Benson in 2010 and in 2017.

Processed by Michael Bills in 2011.

Box 5, folder 4, processed by Betsey Welland in 2019.

Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections

 Wyer, Edward--Archives Wyer, J. I.(James Ingersoll), 1869-1955 Wyer, Leah Ocker Roys, 1915-1973 Wyer family Literature City and Town Life Memorabilia Correspondence Genealogies James Ingersoll Wyer

The personal correspondence and memorabilia of James Ingersoll Wyer.

 1 1-14 James I. Wyer files 1906-1950

The personal files, correspondence, clippings, documents, and memorabilia of J.I. Wyer.

 1 15 "Finley collection on the history and romance of the northwest" 1924

Annotated catalog of books on the subject, gifted to Wyer by Finley.

 1 16 "A Dinner in the Honour of H.R.G. The Prince of Wales Given by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pomeroy Davison" 1919

Guest list. The Wyers were invited.

 1 17 "New York State Library School Address List" 1951

J.I. Wyer is listed, honored.

 1 18 "First National Bank of Concordia, Kansas" pamphlet 1883-1908

J.I. Wyer is mentioned and pictured as a cashier, his father (also named J.I. Wyer) as an executive.

 1 19 Wyer family genealogy research 1658-1935

Includes printed pamphlets, genealogy charts, clippings, etc.

 1 20 Ocker family genealogy research 1779-1938

Notes and genealogy charts.

 Leah Ocker Roys Wyer 2 Personal correspondence and memorabilia 1915-1973

Leah Ocker Roys Wyer was the wife to J.I. Wyer.

 Historical memorabilia

This box contains items that were owned by the Wyer family. They are not directly related to the family, but are antiques of historical note.

 3 1 Wells, Fargo & Company's historical exhibit catalogue 1893

List of items displayed at WF's Chicago, IL exhibit in 1893.

 3 2 Wells, Fargo & Company memoranda 2/5/1898

re: the construction of a new WF office in San Francisco, CA

 3 3 "Cercle Francais de L'Universite du Michigan Miquette Et Sa Mere" 1916 3 4 Herbert S. Auerbach memorabilia 1928

Personalized stationary and wallet of H.S. Auerbach (1882-1945), prominent Utah businessman and philanthropist

 3 5 Edward Eberstadt, "Americana" catalogue 1929 3 6 "Book #31: Directions for the Care and Use of White Rotary Electric Sewing Machines" 1931 3 7 "Map of the World," by National Geographic Magazine 1935 3 8 "Lets Fix Up the House" 1935

Promotional home-improvement booklet produced by Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.

 3 9 Edward Eberstadt, "Indian Captives and Massacres," catalogue 1943 3 10 Mary Lee Taylor wartime recipe booklets 1940s

The Mary Lee Taylor Program was a radio cooking show from 1933-1954, sponsored by the PET Milk Company.

 3 11 "Wartime Suggestions on How to Get the Most out of Your Refrigerator" 1943

Produced by General Motors' Frigidaire division.

 3 12 "Wartime Tips on the Care and Use of Your Electric Appliances" 1943

Produced by Utah Power and Light.

 3 13 "Knox Wartime Recipes" 1943

Produced by the Knox Gelatine Company.

 3 14 "24 Ways to S-T-R-E-T-C-H Food Rations" 1940s

Produced by the Snowdirft Shortening Company.

 3 15 New York memorabilia 1937

Tourism materials and stationary.

 3 16 Anne Carroll Moore, "A Century of Kate Greenaway" 1946 3 17 U.S. Territorial Postmark Catalog: Utah Territory 1850-1896

© 1950, single page.

 3 18 Burbidge Coal Company Promotional Callendar 1953 3 19 Pen Winter Edition 1957

Pen was a student literary magazine at the University of Utah.

 3 20 "An Indestructable Professor" (Aziz Atiya article) 1978

Deseret News.

 3 21 Geo D. Smith "Abraham Lincoln" catalogue 3 22 Hallmark "Winter Landscapes" greeting card collection 20th century

Note that these cards are contained in a Hallmark "Winter Landscapes" box, but very well may include cards from other sets, manufacturors, and eras.

 4 Rebecca Owings, The Civil War In Pictures 1958

Owings' personal scrapbook of Civil War memorabilia; seems to be made from a commercially printed book called The Civil War In Pictures.

 Wyer family oversize 5 1 Western Stamp Collector 1948-1952 (Originals) 1948-1952

Papers range from 1948-1952; this is not a complete archive of these years.

 5 2 Western Stamp Collector 1948-1952 (Copies, by date) 1948-1952

Papers range from 1948-1952; this is not a complete archive of these years.

 5 3 General materials

Diplomas, certificates, genealogy charts.

 5 4 Correspondence 1915 1941 1943

This folder also contains two letters from Melvil Dewey.