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Hortense McEwen letters

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_COLL MSS 296

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of twelve love letters written to Hortense McEwen by three different men during 1911 and 1913. These letters reveal an interesting display of courtship patterns within the Mormon culture during this time period and document the missionary work of John E. Excell.

Folders 1-10 consist of ten letters written to Hortense by John Excell while he served as a missionary in the Southern States. These letters discuss Excell's view of life, his missionary work, and his love for Hortense.

Folders 11 and 12 contain two letters written by W. H. Allred and "Hyrum" in 1912. Allred's letter is flirtatious and discusses their past experiences together and his life on a ranch in Nevada. Hyrum's letter is also flirtatious and discusses life and their past experiences together as well.

Dates

  • Creation: 1911-1913

Language of Materials

Material in English

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Hortense McEwen letters must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Biographical Note

Hortense McEwen was born July 26, 1890 in Cleveland, Utah, the daughter of Edward Riley and Ellen Lovina Le Fevre McEwen. Hortense was educated in the area common schools and studied to become a teacher. From 1911 to 1913, Hortense wrote John E. Excell while he was serving as a missionary in the Southern States for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon the completion of his missionary service, Hortense married John on September 18, 1913 in the Salt Lake Temple. Thereafter they had four children, J. Edward, Grant, Dorothy, and one child that died in infancy. During her life, Hortense worked as a school teacher in both Ogden and Layton, Utah. Hortense McEwen Excell died September 6, 1972 in Salt Lake City.

John Edward Excell was born January 14, 1888 in Panguitch, Utah to Henry and Elizabeth Austin Button Excell. On March 30, 1910, John married Millie Lee in the Manti Temple. Tragedy struck the couple three months later when Millie Lee died. Within one year of her death, John was called to serve for two years as a missionary in the Southern States for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During these two years, John served in both Georgia and Florida. Prior to leaving for his mission, John became acquainted with Hortense McEwen, whom he married upon returning from his mission. John Edward Excell died July 20, 1967 in Springdale, Utah.

Extent

1 box (.5 linear feet)

Abstract

This collection consists of twelve love letters written to Hortense McEwen by three different men from 1911 through 1913. These letters reveal courtship patterns within the Latter-day Saints' culture during this time period and document the missionary work of John E. Excell.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Hortense McEwen letters were purchased by USU Special Collections and Archives in February 2003 from a dealer of historical materials.

Sources:

  • Deseret News , September 7, 1972
  • Deseret News , July 22, 1967.

Processing Information

Processed in March of 2005.

Title
Guide to the Hortense McEwen letters 1911-1913
Author
Finding aid/Register created by Zachary R. Jones
Date
©2011
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)