Jessie Marie Porter Kuykendall diaries
1 COLLECTION SUMMARY
1.1 Introduction
This collection contains 10 diaries created by Marie Kuykendall from 1936-1964. Kuykendall was a lifelong Kansan. The diaries contain reflections from Kuykendall’s time in the Osage County, Kansas area and topics covered include personal wellbeing, farm life, politics and history.
The collection was purchased by the Kansas State Historical Society in 2021.
1.2 Abstract
Kansas; Kansan Life; Melvern, Kansas; Osage City, Osage County, USA.
1.3 Dates
1936-1964
1.4 Quantity
1 Box (5 inch)
1.5 Creator
Jessie Marie (Porter) Kuykendall (1895-1976)
1.6 Title
Jessie Marie (Porter) Kuykendall diaries
1.7 UID and/or Call #
UID# 508068
Call# 008-05-06-06
1.8 Language
English
1.9 Notes
This finding aid describes materials held by the Kansas State Historical Society. Materials may be used in the Research Room in the society’s Center for Historical Research during regular research hours.
1.10 Repository
Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka)
2 BIOGRAPHY OR HISTORY
Jessie Marie (Porter) Kuykendall was born on March 13, 1895, in Kansas to parents Thomas Wilber Porter (1870 – 1916) and Jennie Edith Ingles (1873 – 1966).[1] She was united in marriage to Charlie Kuykendall (1877-1958) on May 2, 1937.[2] They lived together on a farm near Olivet, Kansas until Charlie’s death. Throughout her life Kuykendall lived in Kansas spending time in Melvern and Osage City.[3] She was a homemaker, caretaker and a member of the Melvern Church of God.[4] She passed away on December 27, 1976, in Osage City, Kansas and is buried in Melvern Cemetery.[5]
3 SCOPE AND CONTENTS
This collection consists of two series: the Kuykendall Manuscripts and staff research collected during the processing of the collection.
Series 1: 10 diaries created by Marie Kuykendall. The diaries begin in 1936 and continue to 1964. The diaries do not cover 1955-1959. Kuykendall created the diaries for personal use as reminders of life events and documentation. Topics covered include farm life and animals, personal wellbeing, politics, major world history and local events.
Series 2: A small folder of research that includes obituaries of the creator and relatives to the creator.
4 CONTENTS LIST
Series 1: Kuykendall Diaries
Folder 1: February 1936 – July 1939
Folder 2: July 1939 – August 1940
Folder 3: August 1940 – June 1941
Folder 4: June 1941 – May 1942
Folder 5: May 1942 – November 1943
Folder 6: December 1943 – September 1945
Folder 7: October 1945 – December 1948
Folder 8: 1949 – 1953
Folder 9: January 1954 – December 1954
Folder 10: 1960 – 1964
Series 2: Staff collected research materials.
Folder 11: Staff collected research materials.
5 RELATED MATERIALS
None.
6 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ancestry. “Jessie Marie Porter.” Accessed March 21, 2024, https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/family-tree/person/tree/61048460/person/30069697240/facts.
Journal-Free Press. “Charlie Kuykendall is Laid to Rest.” March 19, 1958, Osage City, Kansas, accessed March 21, 2024, Microfilm #NP 4182 at Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka).
St. Joseph Gazette. “Deaths in the St. Joseph Area.” December 29, 1976. SHSMO Digital Newspaper Project, accessed March 21, 2024. https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/563718837
7 INDEX TERMS/SUBJECT HEADINGS/ACCESS POINTS
Personal Names
Jessie Marie Porter aka Marie Kuykendall (1895-1976)
Charlie Kuykendall (1877-1958)
Geographic Locations
Melvern, Osage County, Kansas
Osage City, Osage County, Kansas
Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
Subjects
Kansas Life – History
Personal accounts
Dust Bowl – History – 1930s
Agriculture – Farm Life
8 ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
8.1 Restrictions on access
None.
8.2 Restrictions on use
None.
8.3 Custodial History/ Provenance
The Kansas State Historical Society purchased this collection eBay from users Patrick & Alanna username, “snootieseconds.” The custodial history of this collection prior to the Kansas State Historical Society purchase is uncertain. According to communications from the seller, they acquired the collection by auction at an estate sale in the Flint Hills. The seller believes that they purchased the collection from the family of the original owner. The seller stated that they purchased the manuscripts in Emporia, Kansas prior to reselling.
8.4 Alternate forms
None.
8.5 Preferred citation
Note: Jessie Marie (Porter) Kuykendall Diaries, 1936-1964, Kansas State Historical Society, Manuscript Collection no. 508068.
Bibliography: Kuykendall, Jessie Marie (Porter). Kuykendall Diaries, 1936-1964, Kansas State Historical Society, Manuscript Collection no. 508068.
8.6 Acquisition information
2021-176
The collection was purchased by KSHS in 2021.
8.7 Processing information
Collection processed by Rebekah L. Stewart, 2024.
[1] “Jessie Marie Porter,” Ancestry, accessed March 21, 2024, https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/family-tree/person/tree/61048460/person/30069697240/facts.
[2] “Charlie Kuykendall is Laid to Rest,” Journal-Free Press, March 19, 1958, Osage City, Kansas, accessed March 21, 2024, Microfilm #NP 4182 at Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka).
[3] “Charlie Kuykendall is Laid to Rest,” Journal-Free Press, 1958.
[4] “Deaths in the St. Joseph Area,” St. Joseph Gazette, December 29, 1976, SHSMO Digital Newspaper Project, accessed March 21, 2024, https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/563718837.
[5] “Deaths in the St. Joseph Area,” St. Joseph Gazette, 1976.
