Bertha Malone collection

Collection

Identifier: c-00245

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence (1865-1887) between members of the Noddins family of Ionia, Michigan, primarily Civil War letters from Sarah and Robert Noddins to their son, Thomas, in the Union Army. The letters often mention a son William but he is actually the son-in-law, William Hicking.

Also included is a lecture on the capture of John Wilkes Booth, given on speaking tours by Luther B. Baker, who helped capture Booth. Luther Byron Baker was an officer of the U.S. Secret Service during the Civil War, and later a resident of Lansing, Michigan. The lecture describes the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The cover letter is typed on Michigan Millers Mutual Fire Insurance Co. letterhead, dated October 4, 1948 and was given by Baker's son, Arthur D. Baker, to Bertha Malone and gives information about the speech.

Dates

Creation: 1865 - 1956
Creation: Majority of material found within 1865 - 1887

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Historical Note

Bertha Evelyn Malone (donor) graduated from Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) as part of the class of 1900. She was later the class secretary for the alumni. She continued her education earning a B. Ped. from the Michigan Teachers College (1902), an A.B. from the University of Michigan (1905) and a M.A. in German from the University of California (1917). She was a teacher at Northern High School and a resident of Highland Park, Michigan.

Robert Noddins (letter author), son of Thomas and Mary (King) Noddins of England was born Mar. 30, 1800. He married Sarah Hart. They had 4 daughters (Charlotte, Mary, Sarah and Jane) and one son (Thomas). Robert died January 30, 1886 in Ionia County, Michigan. [Source: http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Noddins&GSiman=1&GScnty=1260&GRid=32920584&]

Sarah (Hart) Noddins (letter author), was born July 4, 1805 in Roxby, North Yorkshire, England. She died July 15, 1872 in Ionia County, Michigan.

Thomas Noddins (letter recipient) was the son of Robert and Sarah Noddins and born on June 26, 1836 near Quebec, Canada. The family moved to New York circa 1838. In 1859, they moved to Berlin township, Ionia county, Michigan. He married Betsy Ann Sherwood December 12, 1863. Noddins enlisted in the 10th New York regiment of Heavy Artillery during September 1864. He was mustered out June 1865. He died February 8, 1915 in Orleans, Ionia County, Michigan. His last name is sometimes spelled Neddins and Noddings. [Source: http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Noddins&GSiman=1&GScnty=1260&GRid=32920657&]

The husband of Sarah (sister of Thomas) was William Hicking who also served in the 10th New York Artillery.

Arthur D. Baker (author of correspondence related to John Wilkes Booth), was a member of the M.A.C. class of 1889. He earned a B.S. He was president of Michigan Millers' Mutual Fire Insurance and a resident of Lansing, Michigan. His father was Luther B. Baker.