Collection Information
Biographical Sketch
Scope and Content Note
Box and Folder List
Calendar
Cataloging Information
Processed
by
Alexandra S. Gressitt
October 1995
Updated 11 May 2004
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 2 manuscript boxes
COLLECTION DATES: 1891-1947
PROVENANCE: Gift of Mrs. Meredith Nicholson, Jr., Indianapolis, Indiana, 30 June 1969; May 1970; and purchase from Robert Stock, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 1978
RESTRICTIONS: None
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society
ALTERNATE FORMATS: None
OTHER FINDING AIDS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS: M 0192 Carleton B. McCulloch Papers; M 0268 James Arthur Stuart Papers; M 0666 Meredith Nicholson Collection; SC 1065 Samuel Caldwell Meredith Papers; SC 2492 Robert Underwood Johnson Papers; and SC 2494 Jacquelin and Florence Holliday Papers.
ACCESSION NUMBER: 1969.0602; 1970.0507; 1978.1005
NOTES:
Meredith Nicholson was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, 9 December 1866, the son of Edward Willis and Emily (Meredith) Nicholson and died in Indianapolis, December 1947 where he is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery. He married first, Eugenie Kountze of Omaha, Nebraska (1896-1931) by which union they had four children: Elizabeth Kountze Nicholson (Mrs. Austin H. Brown--see also collections: BV 2629 and SC 2414) Eugenie Nicholson who died in infancy; Meredith Nicholson, Jr. and Charles Lionel Nicholson. He married, secondly, Dorothy (Wolfe) Lannon of Marion, Indiana, 20 September 1933, from whom he was divorced, 24 December 1943.
An author, diplomat, and lecturer, he was a self-educated man of letters, who with Booth Tarkington, George Ade, and James W. Riley is considered a leader in creating, during the first quarter of the twentieth century, a Golden Age of literature in Indiana. Following one year (1884) with the Indianapolis Sentinal, Nicholson went with the Indianapolis News, where he worked from 1885-1897. His literary career spanned nearly forty years with his first publication Short Flights 1891 and his last The Cavalier of Tennessee in 1928 and included both prose and poetry.
Nicholson participated with some enthusiasm--as party leader and candidate--in Democratic party politics, serving one term (1928-1930) as a reform city councilman in Indianapolis. For his long years of service and dedication to the Democratic party, Nicholson was rewarded with ministries to Latin America--Paraguay (1933-34), Venezuela (1935-1938) and Nicaragua (1938-1941).
Sources: Who Was Who in America, Vol. II, p.
397
Dictionary of American Biography, supplement 4, p. 629-30.
Indiana Authors and Their Books (1949), p. 237-239.
This collection represents material acquired through gift and purchase from Nicholson family members. It includes correspondence (1916-1947) of both Meredith Nicholson and his second wife Dorothy Wolfe Nicholson as well as Nicholson's literary notebooks (1891-1917) and other writings. While the correspondence largely relates to Nicholson's diplomatic service, there are a few early literary items. The collection has been divided into two parts--the first, material relating to Meredith Nicholson including correspondence, literary notebooks, other writings and news clippings and the second, material relating to Dorothy Nicholson, primarily correspondence. Materials are filed chronologically.
Correspondents in this collection include: Gaylord Beaman, David Blellock, Loretto Camus, Josephus Daniels, Gould Dietz, Gertrude Engle, Hugh Gibson, Arch Hannah, Lena Hauck, Herman Kountze, Mary Lou La Falda, Louis E. Lathrop, Josiah K. Lilly, Boaz Long, Carlton B. McCulloch, L.R. McCutchen, S.E. McMillin, Kathleen McNutt, Nellie S. Meier, Sherman Minton, Robert Walton Moore, Charles L. Nicholson, Kenyon Nicholson, Lucile Nicholson, Clara Orr, George Orr, Montanye Perry, Mona Phelp, James Duncan Phillipi, Alice Raine, Philip Raine, Paul N. Rowe, Leo R. Sack, Myron Selznick, Oliver Smith, Newton Booth Tarkington, A.J. Upton, Frederick, Van Nuys, Marie Van Nuys, Warrack Wallace, Marian Watson, Minnie Watson, Ruth Watson, Alexander Welborne Weddell, Virginia Weddell, Hedwig Weiss, and Post Wheeler.
Box 1: Meredith Nicholson
Folder
1: Correspondence, 1916-1919
2: Correspondence, 1930-1932
3: Correspondence, 1933
4: Correspondence, 1934
5: Correspondence, 1935
6: Correspondence, 1936
7: Correspondence, 1937
8: Correspondence, 1938
9: Correspondence, 1940-1943 (see also VC)
10: Correspondence, n.d.
11: Literary Notebook, 1891-1898
12: Literary Notebook, 1898-1908
13: Literary Notebook, 1914-1917
Box 2: Meredith Nicholson and Dorothy Wolfe Nicholson
Folder
1: Meredith Nicholson: Literary Notebooks (2), n.d.
2: Meredith Nicholson: Poems, 1933, n.d.
3: Meredith Nicholson: Broadcast WFMB, 10 Nov. 1925
4: Meredith Nicholson: Character Sketch by Nellie Simmons Meier, 16 March 1936
5: Meredith Nicholson: Newspaper clippings, 1925, 1930-35, n.d.
6: Dorothy Nicholson: Correspondence, 1933-1934
7: Dorothy Nicholson: Correspondence, 1935-1939
8: Dorothy Nicholson: Correspondence, 1940
9: Dorothy Nicholson: Correspondence, 1941-1944
10: Dorothy Nicholson: Correspondence, 1945-1947
11: Dorothy Nicholson: Correspondence, n.d.
12: (VC) Dorothy Nicholson(?)-negatives
MEREDITH NICHOLSON: CORRESPONDENCE 1916-1943, n.d.
9 Oct 1916 N[ewton] B[ooth] T[arkington], Kennebunkport, [Maine] to Nick [Meredith Nicholson]. ALS, 2p. with envelope and enclosure 4 Oct 1916 Elita Proctor Otis, Amityville NY, to [Booth] Tarkington. TLS, 5p.
11 Jun 1917 Publishing agreement with Houghton Mifflin Company for A Reversible Santa Claus, signed by James Duncan Phillipi, Treasurer and MN. PFFI, 4p.
Nov 1919 Agreement between Meredith Nicholson and Selznick Pictures Corporation for motion picture of The Proof of the Pudding. DS, 5p., signed by MN and Myron Selznick.
13 Dec 1930 [Ruth Watson? see 16 Aug 1932] about Meredith Nicholson. TN, 1p.
1 Feb 1931 Private Wire to Ruth [Watson] on R.H. Gibson & Co., South Bend, IN stationary, 4p.
21 Jul 1931 Minnie Watson, Scottsburg, IN, to [Meredith] Nicholson. ALS, 3p. with envelope.
1 Nov 1931 Enveloped addressed to Meredith Nicholson from R. Watson.
16 Aug 1932 Ruth Watson to [Meredith] Nicholson. TLS, 1p. with envelope.
29 Nov 1932 Marian Watson to [Meredith] Nicholson. ALS, 4p. with envelope.
19 Aug 1933 Louis E. Lathrop, Osterville, MA, to Meredith [Nicholson]. ALS, 3p. with envelope.
29 Aug 1933 Kathleen [McNutt], Governor's Cottage [Chesterton, IN] to Meredith Nicholson. ALS, 2p. with envelope.
30 Aug 1933 Post Wheeler, Washington to MN. ALS, 2p. with envelope and enclosure: 12p. report on Asuncion, Paraguay.
8 Oct 1933 Louis E. Lathrop, Watkins Glen, NY to MN. ALS, 3p. with envelope.
1 Dec 1933 Alex Weddell, Montevideo to MN. ALS, 4p. with 3 envelopes.
12 Dec 1933 Leo R. Sack, San Jose, Costa Rica to Nick. TLS, 3p. with envelope.
19 Dec 1933 Louis E. Lathrop, Indianapolis to Meredith [Nicholson]. ALS, 4p. with envelope.
Dec 1933 Mr. & Mrs. Gould Dietz to Mr. & Mrs. Meredith Nicholson. Annotated 23 Dec. 1933 to Meddie from your Grandfather N. with envelope.
1933 Invitation from Luis Beltran y Gozalez with envelope.
1933 Invitation from The British Charge d' Affaires and Mrs. Tottenham-Smith to Minister and Mrs. Nicholson, with envelope.
14 Jun 1934 Charles L. Nicholson, Indianapolis to Father [Meredith Nicholson]. TLS with AN, 2p.
8 Sep 1934 Frederick Van Nuys to Meredith [Nicholson]. ALS, 3p. with envelope.
4 Sep 1934 A[lexander] W[eddell], Buenes Aires to MN. TLS, 2 p. with envelope.
10 Sep 1934 Hugh Gibson, Rio de Janerio to Colleague MN. TLS, 1p. with envelope.
17 Sep 1934 A[lexander] W[eddell], Buenos Aires to Nicholson. TLS, 2p.
1 Oct 1934 A[lexander] W[eddell]. Buenos Aires to Nicholson. TLS, 2p. with envelope.
8 Oct 1934 A[lexander] W[eddell]. Buenos Aires to Nicholson. TLS, 2p. with envelope and AN (Oct 9).
13 Nov 1934 Envelope from Boston to Meredith Nicholson.
13 Dec 1934 Kenyon and Lucile Nicholson to Dorothy and MN. ANS, 1p. with envelope.
1934(?) Invitation from the Minister of France and Mrs. Armand Barois. PFFI, 1p.
14 Jan 1935 Sherman Minton, Washington, D.C. to MN. TLS, 2p.
19 Jan 1935 Leo R. Sack, San Jose, Costa Rica to Nick. TLS, 2p. with envelope.
16 Feb 1935 Tom ------, Bareclona, to Nicholson. TLS, 3p.
26 Mar 1935 Petro M. Arcaya, Washington, D.C. to MN. TLS, 1p. with envelope.
24 Apr 1935 Warrack Wallace, Indianapolis, to Nicholson. TLS, 2p.
14 Sep 1935 Meredith Nicholson['s] horoscope by Ras Ank Raf, Caracas, Venezuela. TDS, 2p.
Jul 1935 Acceptance of invitation by Mr. & Mrs. Stabler. AN, 1p. with envelope.
9-17 Dec 1935 C[arlton] B. McC[ullock], Indianapolis to Nicodemus [MN]. TLS, 5p. with notations.
1935 Greeting Card. AN, 1p.
14 Sep 1936 Tark [Booth Tarkington], Kennebunkport, Maine to Nick. TLS, 3p. with envelope and annotation.
15 Sep 1936 R[obert] Walton Moore, Washington, D.C. to Nicholson. TLS, 2p.
7 Oct 1936 R[obert] Walton Moore, Washington, D.C. to Nicholson. TLS, 2p. with envelope.
12 Oct 1936 R[obert] Walton Moore, Washington, D.C. to Nicholson. TLS, 1p. with envelope.
5 Nov 1936 R[obert] Walton Moore, Washington, D.C. to Nicholson. TLS, 2p. with envelope.
[Dec] 1936 Christmas Greeting from Clara and George Orr to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. ANS.
9 Dec 1937 Alice and Philip Raine to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. ANS, 1p. with envelope.
10 Dec 1937 Gertrude Engle, Charleston, WVA, Christmas Greetings to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. ANS, 1p. with envelope.
11 Dec 1937 Mr. & Mrs. Weddell, Buenos Aires to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson, Christmas Greetings. ANS, 1p.
20 Dec 1937 Nellie S. Meier, Indianapolis to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. TLS, 2p. with AN, 1p. and envelope.
20 Dec 1937 Charlie and Lydia, -------, San Juan, Puerto Rico to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. Signed card and envelope.
[Dec] 1937 Juan Paris Nijo to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. Signed card and envelope.
[Dec] 1937 Postal Christmas Greeting card from Mr. & Mrs. Josephus Daniels
[Dec] 1937 Mr. & Mrs. David Blelloch, Geneva, to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. Greeting card and envelope.
[Dec] 1937 McMillin, S.E. to Mr. & Mrs. Meredith Nicholson. Greeting card and envelope.
[Dec] 1937 Dr. Oliver Smith to Mr. & Mrs. Meredith Nicholson. Greeting card and envelope. ANS, 1p.
[Dec] 1937 Elbano Mibelli to MN. Printed card and envelope.2 Mar 1938 Josiah K. Lilly, Indianapolis, to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. TLS, 2p. with envelope.
3 Mar 1938 Boaz Long, Managua, D.N., Nicaragua, to Nicholson. TLS, 3p.
7 Mar 1938 Boaz Long, Managua, D.N., Nicaragua, to Nicholson. TLS, 2p.
14 Mar 1938 MN, Caracas, to Boaz Long. TL (carbon), 1p.
24 Mar 1938 MN, Caracas, to Boaz Long. TL (carbon), 1p.
20 Sep 1938 Invitation from the Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores Particular, Nicaragua. TLS, 1p. with envelope.
21 Aug 1939 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Receipt. PPFI, 1p.
[Dec] 1939 Edward F. Roosevelt, Christmas Greetings to Mr. & Mrs. Meredith Nicholson. Printed card with envelope.
1 Aug 1940 Gay[lord] Beaman to MN. TLS, 1p.
12 Oct 1940 Trudy ----- to Uncle Med and Dorothy. TLS, 3p. with envelope.
19 Mar 1941 Alice ----- to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. Autograph Post Card signed.
12 Aug 1941 Sue ------ to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. Autograph Post Card signed.
1941 Federal Tax Statement for 1941. AN, 1p.
20 Feb. 1943 Paul N. Rowe, Indianapolis, to MN. TLS, 2p.
2 Mar 1943 Herman [Kountze], Bedford, NY to Meredith. ALS, 2p. with envelope.
[March 1943] [Meredith Nicholson] to Mr. Rowe. AL (draft copy), 2p.
10 Jul 1943 Arch. Hannah, Caracas, Venezuela, to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. ALS with envelope and black and white snapshot of Shiela Hannah 7-10-1943.
n.d. Luis and Argtula Pluabenco, Rome to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson. Autograph Post Card signed.
n.d. Sit to MN. Autograph Post card signed.
n.d. Envelope to MN.
n.d. Christmas Greeting card and envelope from Major and Mrs. Alfred Jurad to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson.
n.d. Christmas Greeting card from Jean Hope and Al Phelps.
n.d. Christmas Greeting card and envelope from Carmen and Henry Linam to Mr. & Mrs. Nicholson.
n.d. Calling card: Charlotte Field Hawkins
n.d. Calling card: Mr. & Mrs. Woodfin Lee Butte
n.d. The Spirit of Christmas by Charles Dickens. Pamphlet, 8p.
n.d. Note: Dr. Mariano Salagar
n.d. Note: Arrival/departure times Managua
n.d. Postal receipt, PFFI, 1p.
n.d. Picture Postcard, Managua, Nicaragua (2)
DOROTHY WOLFE NICHOLSON: CORRESPONDENCE 1933-1947
10 Sep 1933 MN, Washington D.C., to Dorothy Wolfe Lannon. ALS, 1p.
1933 Maral DeLeyale, President of Paraguay to DN. ANS, 1p. with envelope.
[May 1934?] Marie Van Nuys to DN. ALS, 4p.
10 Aug 1934 ----- Marian to DN. ANS, 1p. with envelope.
11 Aug 1934 Hedwig Weiss, Barcelona to DN. ALS, 2p.
27 Nov 1934 Virginia Weddell to DN. ALS, 3p. with envelope.
3 Feb. 1935 Mary Lou LaFalda, Argentina to DN. ALS, 4p. with envelope.
15 Oct 1937 Lina Hauck to DN. Autograph Post Card signed.
4 Jan 1938 Mona Phelp to DN. Autograph Post card signed.
19 May 1938 MN, Washington, D.C. to DN. ALS, 1p. with envelope.
21 May 1938 MN, Washington, D.C. to DN. ALS, 2p. with envelope and news clipping 21 May 1938, NY Sun.
28 Aug 1939 Loretto Camus, Ancon, Canal Zone, to DN. TLS, 1p.
2 Mar 1940 MN, Managua, Nicaragua, to DN. ALS, 1p.
9 Mar 1940 MN to DN. ALS, 1p. with envelope.
13 Mar 1940 MN, Managua to DN. ALS, 2p. with envelope.
19 Mar 1940 MN, Mangua to DN, ALS, 2p. with envelope.
22 Mar 1940 MN, Mangua to DN. ALS, 3p.
23 Mar 1940 MN to DN. ALS, 2p.
21 May 1940 MN, Managua to DN. ALS, 4p.
[1940?] D, Puerto Linion to DN. ALS (with initial). 2p.
25 Jan 1941 Medicla Report, DN. PFFI, 2p. with envelope.
19 Feb 1941 Margarita Wells, Mexico to DN. ALS, 2p. with envelope.
[Dec 1943?] MN to DN. AN, 1p.
10 Jan 1944 Mildred Shipley, Chicago, IL, to DN. TLS, 1p. with envelope.
[1943?] Walgreen Co. form.
[1943?] United States Corporation Receipt.
10 Feb 1944 L.S. Ayres and Company, Indianapolis. Storage Receipt for DN.
28 Jun 1944 L.S. Ayres and Company, Indianapolis. Storage Receipt for DN.
1944 Schedule of Personal Property, Marion County, Indiana, DN. PFFI, 2p.
30 Jul 1943 A.J. Upton, Indianapolis to DN. TLS 1p. with 2 Hotel Severin Receipts. (5-3 & 5-4, 1945)
11 Aug 1945 G. A. McLachlan, Railway Express Agency, Indianapolis to DN. TL, 1p. with 5 receipts and envelope.
12 Aug 1945 DN, Brutus, Michigan to A.J. Upton, Indianapolis. TL (carbon), 1p.
6 Sep 1945 DN, Brutus, Michigan to A.J. Upton, Indianapolis. TL (carbon), 1p.
20 Jul 1947 L.R. McCutchen, Miami Beach, Fl. to DN, Brutus, Michigan. TLS, 1p.
20 Mar n.y. Mona Phelps, Postal Card to DN.
n.d. Christmas Greeting card with annotation.
n.d. Montanye Perry to DN. ALS, 4p. with envelope
9 Dec n.y. Mona Phelps to DN. ALS, 3p. with envelope.
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://157.91.92.2/
2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.
3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.
4. Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, M 0221).
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