Neil B. Thompson papers
Creator: Thompson, Neil B., 1921-
Date: 1862-1977
Level of Description: Coll./Record Group
Material Type: Manuscripts
Call Number:
Manuscripts Collection 752
Unit ID: 40752
Biographical sketch: World War II U.S. Army officer in Europe, American studies professor, department chair; of Moorhead, Saint Cloud, Minn. Full name: Neil Baird Thompson; died 1977.
Abstract: This collection primarily contains the papers of Neil B. Thompson. Also included are a map of Mitchell County, Kan.; audio tape reels; and photographs. Neil Thompson's papers include birth and death records, military records, and various forms of correspondence by professional & business associates. The audio reels in the collection chronicle family events of his parents, Ruth & Jesse Thompson, such as their marriage, selling their barber shop, and their attempt to move to California with Neil. Included is information on Butler County, Kan.; the Civil War; and World War I.
Space Required/Quantity: 1.60 cubic feet
Title (Main title): Neil B. Thompson papers
Titles (Other):
- Neil Baird Thompson papers
- Papers
- Thompson family papers collection
Biography
Biog. Sketch (Full):
Ruth Baird, born in 1899, in Watseka, Illinois, was the sixth of eight children born to George and Edna Baird. Her family moved to Hunter, Kansas, where she received her education. This is also where she met her husband, Jesse Laird Thompson, the son of Fannie Laird and Edwin Carlin Thompson. Even after marriage, both Jesse and Ruth stayed in close contact with their extended family members through frequent postal correspondence to brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
During their marriage, Jesse and Ruth had two boys, Neil and Jule. They also had an estimated twenty-two different residences. Jesse served in World War I and was, for many years a self-employed barber and dry-cleaner.
The Thompson's oldest son, Neil served in World War II in the European Theatre, where he carried the rank of a lieutenant. His distinguished activites during the war earned him the bronze star. State-side, Thompson later earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Minnesota. He also received degrees from Kansas State University. He taught American Studies at Moorhead State University and was head of the American Studies Department at St. Cloud University until 1974, when he retired.
In 1947, Neil married Wava (Skip) Tiers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1953, the Thompsons adopted two girls, Sherry and Jeanette.
In 1977, at the age 55, Neil Baird Thompson died. His father had preceded him in death, though his mother, wife, and children outlived him.
Scope and Content
Scope and content:
This collection contains primarily the papers of Neil Baird Thompson (1921-1977) including, but not limited to a map of Mitchell County, Kansas, audio tape reels, photographs, as well as several other items that have been placed in oversize folders or have been photocopied for their safety, and stored in other sections within the Kansas State Historical Society. In the container list, papers are of Neil Baird Thompson unless otherwise specified.
The collection contains one 5 inch container box including birth and death records, military papers pertaining to induction into the armed forces and discharge, and various forms of correspondence by professional and business associates.
The audio reels that are a part of this collection chronicle particular family events embarked upon by Ruth Baird Thompson and her husband, Jesse Laird Thompson, such as their marriage; the selling of their barber shop; and their attempt to move westward to California with their young son, Neil Baird Thompson.
Contents:
Ser. 1. Academic papers, 1915-1974 (3 folders) -- ser. 2. Correspondence, 1866-1976 (5 folders) -- ser. 3. Family papers, 1868-1977 (1 folder) -- ser. 4. Legal papers, 1880-1972 (1 folder) -- ser. 5. Military papers, 1862-1953 (3 folders) -- ser. 6. Political records, 1908-1940 (1 folder) -- ser. 7. Notes, 1914-1945 (4 folders) -- ser. 8. Miscellaneous (1 folder).
Locators:
| Locator | Contents |
|---|---|
| 008-02-05-05 | Main collection |
| 073-04-05-04 | Folder 4: 5 folders of materials, c1866-1936 inc. letters, naturalization cert., real estate papers and oil and gas leases, certs. of election, etc. |
| 108-02-06-02 | c1974 - 1976: conversations on magentic reel with Ruth and Neil Thompson |
Related Records or Collections
Associated materials: State Highway Commission of Kansas. Planning and Research Department. General highway map : Mitchell County, Kansas, 1968: Removed to map collection. Temporary location: Cubicle 281, NE shelves, "Floor" box (3rd shelf from top) [The contents of this cubicle were relocated to Office 141 on 09/16/2024 - JT, 9/16/2024]
Other Finding Aid/Index: Finding aid available from the Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka) and on its website, http://www.kshs.org/p/neil-baird-thompson-papers-1862-1977/14130
Index Terms
Subjects
-
Thompson family
Butler County (Kan.)
Kansas
Moorhead (Minn.)
Saint Cloud (Minn.)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Archival resources
Thompson, Jesse Laird, 1895-1962
Thompson, Neil B., 1921-
Thompson, Neil B., 1921- -- Military leadership
Thompson, Ruth Baird, b. 1899
College teachers -- Minnesota -- Moorhead
College teachers -- Minnesota -- Saint Cloud
Soldiers -- Kansas
American letters -- Kansas -- History -- 19th century
American letters -- Kansas -- History -- 20th century
World War, 1914-1918 -- Archival resources
World War, 1939-1945 -- Archival resources
Creators and Contributors
-
Thompson, Neil B., 1921-
Additional Information for Researchers
Use and reproduction: Information on copyright available in the finding aid.
Cite as: Citations refering to this collection should include the Library and Archives Division, Kansas State Historical Society, Neil Baird Thompson Papers, 1862-1977, and the appropriate box and folder numbers.
Action note: Processed by Jennifer Tombs, Lela Barnes intern, 1996.
