Skip to main content

MSU Libraries

Finding Aids

Dobbins family papers

 Collection
Identifier: 00045

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of miscellaneous papers concerning the Dobbins family of Ionia, Michigan. Included are a few letters, some from William Dobbins, who was a student at the Michigan College of Mining and Technology (1908), and others from members of the family living in Ireland.

There are also tax receipts for property in Ionia, other miscellaneous receipts, insurance policies from the German Insurance Company and the Fireman's Insurance Company, report cards of members of the Dobbins family from the Ionia Public School system, teacher's contracts for the South Bend, Indiana school system, and papers kept by William Dobbins of engineering problems.

Located in the Miscellaneous Oversized Item Print Drawer are several surveyor's drawings of mines, a number of high school and college diplomas (Ionia High School 1895 and 1903, the Palmer Method of Business Writing, Chicago University, Michigan Normal College 1902) and other miscellaneous certificates.

The Miscellany file contains two autograph books, a receipt notebook, a guide book to Niagara Falls, and a printed booklet on the Michigan Capitol building.

Dates

  • Creation: 1882 - 1937

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.

Biographical Note

The John Dobbins (1847-1912) family lived in Ionia, Michigan. Ann Carr Dobbins (1851-1929) emigrated from Ireland in 1870. Letters from her relatives there indicate they came from Dublin and Wicklow Counties.

The eldest daughter, Anna (1877-1963), graduated from high school with an English major in 1895, and from Michigan State Normal School in 1902. She later received her Bachelor's of Philosophy at the University of Chicago and worked for the public schools of South Bend, Indiana, between 1934 and 1937.

Son, William (1883-1955) graduated from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology in 1908 with a degree in Mining Engineering. He was apparently one of the top students in his class.

(Source for immigration date: 1910 US Federal Census)

Extent

0.33 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

Gift of Richard Dobbins, 1963-09-03

Legal Status

Copyright: Michigan State University Property Rights: Michigan State University

Related Names

Subject

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Dobbins Family Papers
Status
4 Published And Cataloged
Date
June 1967
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives and Historical Collections Repository

http://archives.msu.edu/
Contact:
Conrad Hall
943 Conrad Road, Room 101
East Lansing MI 48824 US
517-355-2330