John E. Miller Papers

Finding Aid

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Collection Summary

Identifier

UA 53.15

Title

John E. Miller Papers

Creator

John E. Miller

Dates

1873-2015

Extent

7.84 linear feet (7 records center boxes, 2 document cases) photographs, sound recordings

Language

English

Repository

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Access note

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Preferred Citation

Name of item . John E. Miller Papers. UA 53.15. South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M .Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Abstract

John E. Miller was a history department faculty member and author of many articles and books. This collection is composed of research on Brookings County, SD, South Dakota State University, the Brookings County Democratic Party, Hubert B. Mathews, Hubert Jean Mathieu, other collected research related to his writings, and oral history interviews.

Biographical Note

John E. Miller has been a faculty member in the History Department at South Dakota State University since 1973. He received a B.A. in history from the University of Missouri and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Miller is the author of many articles on South Dakota history in scholarly journals, as well as in popular publications such as South Dakota History and South Dakota Heritage. He is co-author of the article on South Dakota in World Book Encyclopedia, and author of several books, including Looking for History of Highway 14; South Dakota: A Journey Through Time; Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little Town: Where History and Literature Meet; and Becoming Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Woman Behind the Legend. Professor Miller is the winner of numerous scholarly awards, including the South Dakota Board of Regents Research Award, 2000; and the Herbert Schell Governor's Award for History, in 2001.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into eight series:

Series 1. Brookings County research

Series 2. Hubert B. Mathews and Hubert Jean Mathieu research

Series 3. Brookings County Democratic Party

Series 4. South Dakota State University, a Pictorial History. 1881-2006

Series 5. Looking for History of Highway 14

Series 6. Course materials

Series 7. Collected research

Series 8. Oral history interviews

Contents Note

This collection is composed of research on early Brookings County, South Dakota from circa 1870-1930., research on Hubert B. Mathews and his son Hubert Jean Mathieu, the Brookings County Democratic Party, South Dakota State University, and South Dakota towns along SD Highway 14. Also included are course notes from several of John Miller's history courses taught at South Dakota State University.

Series 1. Brookings County research.

The Brookings County research is composed of research gathered by John E. Miller from the Donald D. Parker Collection held at the Center for Western Studies, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Donald D. Parker was Head of the History Department at South Dakota State University from 1943-1965. Folders consist mainly of research on early Brookings County, South Dakota and covers the years from circa 1870-1930.

Series 2. Hubert B. Mathews and Hubert Jean Mathieu research.

Hubert B. Mathews was born in Eagle Corners, Wisconsin in 1868. He came with his family to settle at Willow Lakes in Dakota Territory. He entered Dakota Agricultural College in Brookings in 1888. He graduated in 1892 and received his master's degree in 1899. He accepted a position on the college staff in 1893. He became head of the physics Department, and was the first acting dean of the Division of Engineering. He was Vice President at South Dakota State College. H.B. Mathews coordinated much of the building work on the campus during the first half of the 20th century. Mathews Hall, a dormitory on campus, is named in his honor. Professor Mathews served twice as the Mayor of Brookings from 1907-1910 and again from 1915-1917.

Hubert Jean Mathieu, son of Hubert B. Mathews, graduated from South Dakota State College in 1919. He then studied painting under Harvey Dunn. He became a very successful painter. He is known for his Our Democracy editorial cartoons that appeared in such magazines as the Saturday Evening Post, Colliers, Ladies Home Journal, McCall’s and Cosmopolitan in the 1940s. He changed the spelling of the family name back to the original French spelling of Mathieu, supposedly for art reasons. He used the name "Mat" as his signature on many of his works.

Folders consist of material on both Hubert B. Mathews and Hubert J. Mathieu. Because of their relationship as father and son and their similar names, researchers should look at each folder carefully to ensure the correct information is gathered as material for both men is interfiled. Included are drawing of the campus of South Dakota State University by Hubert J. Mathieu as well as several of the Our Democracy editorial cartoons. The notes file was compiled by John E. Miller and includes a notebook and several homemade note cards. The photograph file consists only of one photocopied page of three photographs. These photographs are of both Hubert B. and Hubert J.

Series 3. Brookings County Democratic Party.

The Brookings County Democratic Party records are composed of material given to John E. Miller by Ruby Mershon. Ruby Mershon's father, Paul, was county chairman of the Brookings Democratic Party during the 1950s. Folders contain clippings, campaign material, newsletters, financial material, programs, and sample ballots. Some items of note include an official program and souvenir banner commemorating the visit of President John F. Kennedy to St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1962.

Series 4. South Dakota State University, a Pictorial History. 1881-2006.

The South Dakota State University: A pictorial history, 1881-2006 research is composed of research gathered by Dr. Miller in writing the book "South Dakota State University: a pictorial history, 1881-2006." Folders consist mainly of photocopies of clippings, articles, and yearbooks etc. This series is arranged into sub-series based on how Dr. Miller arranged the chapters of the book. Researchers will find material related to all areas of the history of South Dakota State University, from activities, athletics and administration to buildings, Hobo Day, and alumni, students and faculty. Included are 24 audio cassettes.

Series 5. Looking for History of Highway 14.

The Looking for History of Highway 14 series is composed of composed of research gathered by John E. Miller for this book. This book takes readers on a tour down South Dakota's historic "Black and Yellow Trail" or U.S. Highway 14 which spans South Dakota from its eastern border to the northern edge of the Badlands. The book highlights fifteen towns and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Folders consist of research gathered while compiling chapters for this book and include newspapers, county history books, photographs, and notes by Miller.

Series 6. Course materials.

The Course materials series is composed of notes by Miller for courses taught during his tenure as a faculty member of the History Department at South Dakota State University. The notes are for History 357: U.S. between the Wars and History 358: U.S. Since 1941.

Series 7. Collected research.

The Collected research series is composed of various material collected over the years by Miller for various projects. Included is material related to the Coughlin Campanile at South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D., South Dakota State University history, and research for a WPA guide to South Dakota. Material consists of notebooks, writings, publications, books, photographs and hand written notes by Miller. Also included is "Reminiscences of SDSU," an essay written by Miller.

Series 8. Oral history interviews.

Beginning in 2015, Dr. Miller conducted oral history interviews with members of the South Dakota State University community.

Key Words

Mathews, Hubert B., 1868-

Mathieu, Hubert Jean.

Brookings County (S.D.) -- History

Campaign literature

Campaign paraphernalia

Democratic Party (Brookings County, S.D.)

Frontier and pioneer life.

South Dakota State University -- History

South Dakota State University -- Hobo Day

South Dakota State University -- Presidents

South Dakota—History

United States Highway 14

Container List

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Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.

South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.

Copyright note

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

Arranged and Described by

Crystal J. Gamradt, Archivist, 2002 July 15, additions made 2009 May 8.