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Correspondence among Dester family members in Canada, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Most are originally in German, with English translations. Covering approximately 1908-1923.

The papers consist entirely of Epp’s general subject files. Scattered through it is much material related to the various churches he served, especially First Mennonite in Newton. A folder labeled “Universalism” has much material related to the controversy over that subject in Meno during the time Epp was there. Also prominent in the papers are materials relating to the various committees and boards on which he served (usually filed under the name of the committee). Included are Commission on Overseas Missions, Western District Home Missions Committee, Mennonite Biblical Seminary Board of Trustees, General Conference Committee on Church Unity, and Newton Ministerial Alliance, among others.

The collection has two distinct groups of materials. The larger group is the papers of Cornelius Frey. These papers contain a wide variety of materials, but the most significant is the extensive correspondence. There are letters from many of the leading Mennonites of his time, such as missionaries H. R. Voth and J. B. Frey (Cornelius’ brother), Oklahoma leader Michael Klaassen, and even a few European Mennonites such as Christian Neff. Among the other important materials are Bethanian Church records, a large group of pamphlets and printed matter, and some political materials. These political items are election records and census materials for West Branch Township, Marion County, for the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. These records provide a bit of first-hand evidence for the extent of Mennonite interest and involvement in politics at this time. The collection also contains quite a bit of personal materials such as diaries, financial records, and school materials. An interesting item in the school materials is the minutes of the Grünfeld Literary and Song Society for 1890. The papers of A. J. Frey, the other group of materials in this collection, consist almost entirely of genealogical materials. Frey collected all kinds of records and reminiscences in his genealogical research. These materials would be extremely important to the family histories of persons connected with the Alexanderwohl and Tabor churches. Also in A. J. Frey’s materials is a volume of Mennonite Aid Plan minutes, 1897-1960. Appendix: The materials in this addition to the collection are generally similar to the first part of the collection, consisting most importantly of correspondence, genealogy records, and Coy, Oklahoma, historical records. In addition, the appendix contains a small amount of correspondence and other material of family members other than Arthur J. or Cornelius Frey. They are: John Becker (1870-1968) and Eva Frey Becker (1880-1960), Eva sister of Cornelius Benjamin C. Frey (1895-1960), son of Cornelius Eva Balzer (Henry) Frey (1873-1936), sister-in-law of Cornelius Helena Schmidt (Cornelius) Frey (1870-1934), wife of Cornelius John B. Frey (1882-1942) and Sarah Unruh Frey (1885-1967), John brother of Cornelius Maria Wedel (Benjamin) Frey (1843-1934), mother of Cornelius Sara Elizabeth Frey (Paul G.) Schmidt (1898-1974), daughter of Cornelius Maria Ann Frey (McLoren) Temple (1906-), daughter of Cornelius

The papers were processed by Eleonore Aarsen in the Spring of 1998.  Much of the content was in no discernible order, so I rearranged those items.  This includes mostly the church records and sermons.  They are now organized by church employment eras (time periods spent pastoring a certain church), meaning that all items from any given church are together.  The whole collection is divided mainly into personal and professional.  That is why pastoral correspondence and personal correspondence are in their respective categories and not together.  Anything that was in folders, envelopes and bundles upon arrival has been kept together.  The result is that some things seem out of place.  This is especially true in the genealogy collection. Many sermons were used several times.  As a general MLA rule, miscellaneous materials are filed according to last place used (or most recent date).  This means that many sermons written in the 1940s are actually filed in the Emmanuel Mennonite Church era. Items without numbers are not in folders, but filed loosely in the order as listed.

financial papers, autobiography and journal, autograph books (one from Darlington, Oklahoma), manuscript music book, some correspondence

Box 1: mostly sermons (removed from an old accordion file)

Box 2: more sermons (removed from three small binders), books

The collection provides extensive documentation of the personal lives and careers of the Rein and Hilda through a broad range of documents. This includes official documents such as birth certificates, baptismal certificates, diplomas, teaching certificates, a draft card, and so forth. Limited correspondence provides some insights into their lives, but more detail is found in extensive clippings, and in Hilda’s case reminiscences and presentations, especially related to growing up on the mission field in Oklahoma. Rein collected historical advertisements and pamphlets related to his interest and work with road maintenance.

Correspondence with family members 1915-1918. English translations of most or all of the letters are included.

"His papers include personal certificates of birth, marriage, and death and also military papers of World War I. Included is the correspondence with the Home Mission Board of the General Conference from June 30, 1926 to June 13, 1960, his sermons...

also diaries 1926-1952

Box 1-2: correspondence, diaries

box 3: correspondence, books

box 4: funeral guest book, Adolf Ellenberger writings, music books (one handwritten), books (don't know the identity of this Adolf Ellenberger; maybe her father?)