Letters to Miss Benedict from Alexander Riel, Martha Ruhemann, and Else Ruhemann
Scope and Contents
Collection consists of manuscript correspondence to a person identified only as "Miss Benedict." Included are a letter from a German soldier, Alexander Riel, written in English and dated December 8, 1914, regarding the German attitude to World War I, battles with Russia, and American support for German children; and a letter from Martha Ruhemann and Else Ruhemann, written in German and dated December 13, 1923, wishing Miss Benedict happy holidays and discussing the family's situation in Germany and Miss Benedict's teaching at Tabor College. The collection also includes a typescript English translation and a typescript German transcription of the Ruhemanns' letter, both made by Andrea L. Menz in 2018.
Dates
- 1914-2018
Creator
- Menz, Andrea L. (Translator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.
Biographical note
"Miss Benedict" was probably Flora M. Benedict, who taught at Tabor College in Tabor, Iowa. Alexander Riel lived in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin, Germany; there is evidence suggesting that the Ruhemanns were also Berliners.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder in shared box)
Language of Materials
English
German
Abstract
Collection consists of manuscript correspondence in English and German written to a person identified only as "Miss Benedict." Included are a letter from a German soldier, Alexander Riel, written in English and dated December 8, 1914; and letters from Martha Ruhemann and Else Ruhemann, written in German and dated December 13, 1923, discussing the family's situation in Germany and Miss Benedict's teaching at Tabor College. The collection also includes a typescript English translation and a typescript German transcription of the Ruhemanns' letter.
Custodial History
The letters were donated to the Oregon Historical Society Research Library by Nellie Kirby in 1975, but it is unknown how Kirby came into possession of them.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Original letters, gift of Nellie Kirby, June 1975 (Lib. Acc. 13314).
Processing Information
Collection was titled "Letters to Miss Benedict" prior to April 2023.
- International Relations
- Riel, Alexander -- Correspondence
- Ruhemann family -- Correspondence
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Correspondence
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Germany -- Public opinion
- correspondence
Creator
- Menz, Andrea L. (Translator, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the letters to Miss Benedict from Alexander Riel, Martha Ruhemann, and Else Ruhemann
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- 2012; revised 2023
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org