Title: Florence M. Larkin Papers
Inclusive Dates: circa 1883-1974

Creator:

• Larkin, Florence M., 1889-1976

Call Number: Eau Claire Mss CL

Quantity: 11.9 c.f. (26 archives boxes and 5 flat boxes)

Repository:

Housed at the Area Research Center, William D. McIntyre Library, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

UW-Eau Claire McIntyre Library / Eau Claire Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Extensive correspondence and personal papers of Florence Larkin of Eau Claire, Wis., together with smaller quantities of correspondence and papers of her husband and relatives in the Sullivan and Robertson families. The papers document Larkin's student years at Vassar College, teaching school in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Michigan, work for the YMCA Women's Service in Europe during World War I, marriage to Edwin Larkin in her late forties, and active membership in the Eau Claire civic and arts communities. The correspondence is largely with suitors, friends, and family, particularly between Florence and her Aunt Mary Robertson who was her financial benefactor and confidant. The papers also include letters from her husband during his stateside World War II service; records of the Eau Claire Civic Music Association; scrapbooks; and diaries from her travels in Europe and America. Edwin's papers concern his Eau Claire law practice and the First Bank of Mondovi of which he was president. Other family members represented by files are Florence's parents, Florance D. and Anna McCarthy Sullivan; her brothers, Arthur G. and Eugene Sullivan; and her aunt and uncle, Mary and George W. Robertson.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-ec00cl

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Florence Mary (Sullivan) Larkin was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on June 21, 1889 to Florance D. (F. D.) and Anna (McCarthy) Sullivan. She graduated from Eau Claire Central High School in 1905 and attended Vassar College from 1906 until her graduation in 1910. She also attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison from 1910 to 1911, taking postgraduate course work.

While Florence was at Vassar, her family moved to Ashland, Wis. where her father worked for Northern Pacific Railway. However, Florence continued to spend her summers in Eau Claire with her aunt and uncle, Mary and George Robertson (“Auntie” and “Unk”). The three Sullivan children, Arthur, Florence, and Eugene, were quite close to the Robertsons, and it appears that it was their aunt and uncle who paid for the three to attend college. Arthur and Eugene both became physicians and shared a practice in Madison.

After her educational preparation, Florence began her teaching career at Ashland High School (1912-1915). Subsequent teaching posts included Miss Beard's School in New Jersey (1915-1917), Iron River, Michigan (1921-1922), and Riverside High School in Milwaukee (ca. 1922-1927). She also worked as a sales manager at Ingersoll Watches in New York City (1920-1921) and for the Curtis Publishing Company in Eau Claire (noted in 1931).

During World War I, Florence volunteered for overseas service as a part of the Women's Overseas Service League of the Y.M.C.A. From 1918 to 1919, she opened and had charge of a Y.M.C.A. social center (the Columbia Club) which was established to improve morale of American Navy men stationed at Plymouth, England. She also briefly served as a League secretary in Polch, Germany.

After her discharge, she spent some time in Iron River, Michigan which had been home to her parents since around 1915. F. D. was the general manager for the Iron River, Stambaugh, 8 Crystal Falls Street Railway Co. However in 1921, financial difficulties beset the family once again with the bankruptcy of the company. It is likely that F. D. and Anna went to live with son Arthur in Madison at that time.

Florence traveled extensively both in Europe and throughout the United States. In the early 1930's, she moved back to Eau Claire to live with her aunt. Although Florence had several beaus and suitors, she did not marry until she was in her late 40's. In 1938, she married Edwin J. Larkin, a prominent lawyer and Mondovi banker who was seventeen years her junior. The newlyweds lived in an Eau Claire apartment until 1941 when Aunt Mary Robertson died and left Florence her house at 210 Park Place.

During World War II, Edwin served stateside as an Air Force lieutenant while Florence was involved in American Red Cross volunteer work in Eau Claire. After the war, Edwin continued his law practice and became the president of First National Bank of Mondovi.

Florence continued her civic involvements which included her work with the Eau Claire Civic Music Association. In the 1940's she served as campaign chair and from 1950 to 1960 as president. Volunteer work with the Sacred Heart Hospital Auxiliary, Good-Fellow Committee, Eau Claire Women's Club, League of Women Voters, and other Eau Claire civic groups occupied her time, as well as the couple's frequent trips to Europe.

Florence died in 1976 and Edwin in 1988. They are buried in Eau Claire's Forest Hill Cemetery.

This is a particularly rich correspondence collection which primarily consists of the personal papers of a woman whose life did not follow traditional lines. Financially assisted by her wealthy aunt until well into her thirties, Florence was able to attend a prestigious women's college, travel extensively, and to pick and choose employment situations. She married late and the couple had no children. Her received and outgoing letters are long, detailed and rich in description of activities, events, thoughts, and emotions. There is much correspondence from 1903 to 1935 with later correspondence tapering off dramatically. However, a notable exception is Edwin's war letters (1944-1945) to Florence which were written using the pseudonyms, “Suzy and Sean.”

The collection also contains smaller quantities of papers for husband Edwin, parents F. D. and Anna, Aunt Mary and Uncle George Robertson, and brothers Arthur and Eugene. The bulk of their correspondence is among themselves and further documents family relations and provides several viewpoints on particular situations.

Little compiled information regarding the family's history is evident in the collection, and information about the family has been gleaned from the correspondence and scattered news clippings. Florence's incoming and outgoing correspondence has been kept together. Therefore, letters to Florence from Auntie will be found in Florence's incoming letters. However location of correspondence between other family members is not consistent and letters between Arthur and Auntie may either be with Arthur's outgoing correspondence or Auntie's incoming letters.

The collection has been divided into three series: FLORENCE M. LARKIN PAPERS, EDWIN LARKIN PAPERS, and PAPERS OF FAMILY MEMBERS.

Incoming and outgoing correspondence forms the bulk of the FLORENCE M. LARKIN PAPERS (1891-1974). Correspondence is with family, friends, suitors, and later, husband Edwin. There is a good deal of very personal and descriptive correspondence between Florence and her Aunt Mary ("Auntie"). Florence's correspondence consists of “Letters to,” “Letters from,” and “To Suzy, Love Sean” groupings which are each arranged chronologically by year. The “Suzy/Sean” correspondence consists of lengthy letters (1944-1945) written by Edwin to Florence each day during his stateside military service during World War II. Florence's regular letters home during her Vassar College years provide a glimpse of her collegiate experiences and social activities. Additionally, special note should be made of letters written home by Florence describing her experiences as a Y.M.C.A. volunteer in England during World War I and letters she received from military personnel whom she met during the war.

Records and ephemera relating to her World War I service provide additional research support in this area. Journals, notes, travel plans, and ephemera provide documentation regarding Florence's many European and other travels. Scattered materials relate to Larkin's educational and teaching careers. Included is a scrapbook from her college years which is an outstanding example of “scrapbooking” during that period and which has good exhibit potential.

Aside from her correspondence, there are only scattered materials to document Florence's numerous civic involvements. The exception is a significant body of records (1928-1970) relating to the Eau Claire Civic Music Association. These records include correspondence with performers, booking agents, and members; news clippings; brochures and programs relating to performances; scrapbooks; financial records; Larkin's notes; membership campaign materials; and miscellaneous items. These materials complement the records, 1952-1971, of the association itself (see Eau Claire Mss BW).

The series also contains a sampling of inspirational sayings and news clippings of practical advice (often about marriage and husbands) which Florence either kept individually or compiled into a scrapbook. Financial records, recipes and recipe books, a short diary (1935-1936) concerning her hospitalization over injuries received as a pedestrian, news clippings, presentations, scattered Eau Claire theater and concert programs, and miscellaneous materials complete the series. There is much within the collection with high display and exhibit potential.

Although there is some personal correspondence, the bulk of materials found in the EDWIN LARKIN PAPERS (1944-1972) relate to finances and include both personal and law client accounts for his law office. Letters written by Edwin to Florence have been filed with her papers. There is a nearly complete set of monthly reports (1960-1972) from the First National Bank of Mondovi which Larkin served as president. Scattered records relate to Larkin's military service and received correspondence is chiefly from his brother.

PAPERS OF FAMILY MEMBERS (1883-1928) consist of correspondence, occasional news clippings, and miscellaneous items of Anna (McCarthy) Sullivan, Florance D. Sullivan, Arthur G. Sullivan, Eugene Sullivan, Mary Robertson (“Auntie”), and George W. Robertson (“Unk”). Letters written by these individuals to Florence are found in her received correspondence. The series also includes Mary Robertson's receipts and invoices (1905-1911) for clothing and dry goods, groceries, and miscellaneous goods and services for the Eau Claire area.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Cindra Carson and Gregg Wilson, Eau Claire, Wis., 1989. Accession Number: M92-234

Processing Information

Processed by Gayle Martinson, June 1997.

	Series: Florence M. Larkin
	Correspondence
	Letters from Florence
Box   1 Folder   1-8	1897-1907
Box   2 Folder   1-8	1908-1909
Box   3 Folder   1-8	1909-1910
Box   4 Folder   1-8	1911-1913
Box   5 Folder   1-7	1913-1919
Box   6 Folder   1-9	1920-1970, undated
	Letters to Florence
Box   7 Folder   1-8	1891-1910
Box   8 Folder   1-8	1910-1917
Box   9 Folder   1-7	1918-1919
Box   10 Folder   1-7	1920-1921
Box   11 Folder   1-9	1922-1928
Box   12 Folder   1-7	1929-1935
Box   13 Folder   1	1936-1945
Box   13 Folder   2-6	1950-1974
Box   13 Folder   7	undated
	“To Suzy, Love Sean” [World War II Letters to Florence from Edwin]
Box   13 Folder   8	1943 Oct. - Dec.
Box   14 Folder   1-8	Jan. 1944 - April 1945
Box   15 Folder   1-4	May 1945 - Dec. 1945
Box   15 Folder   5	Letter Fragments
Box   15 Folder   6	Greeting Cards
Box   27 Folder   1	Diagram of Florence's Future [as told by a fortune teller], circa 1928
	Diaries and Journals
Box   15 Folder   7	Car Accident and Injury Diary, 1935-1936
	European Trip Journal
Box   15 Folder   8	1926
Box   15 Folder   9	1957-1965
Box   15 Folder   10	1961, 1964, undated
Box   15 Folder   11	Travel Journals, 1918, undated
	Eau Claire Civic Involvements
Box   16 Folder   1	Civic Involvements, 1934-1973
Box   16 Folder   2	Good-Fellow Committee, 1933, 1961
Box   16 Folder   3	Eau Claire Women's Club, 1906-1933, 1973
	Eau Claire Civic Music Association
Box   16 Folder   4	Historical Documents, 1941-1961
Box   16 Folder   5	Brochures, undated
	Correspondence
Box   16 Folder   6-7	General, 1943-1970
Box   16 Folder   8	Form Letters with Members, 1941-1961
Box   16 Folder   9	Larkin's Notes, 1943-1959
Box   16 Folder   10	Membership Campaigns, 1940-1957
Box   16 Folder   11	Newspaper Clippings, 1946-1963
Box   16 Folder   12	Performances, 1928-1959
Box   16 Folder   13-14	Scrapbooks, 1941-1952
Box   16 Folder   15	Treasurer's Reports, 1943-1959
Box   17 Folder   1	Eau Claire Homes and Buildings, 1906
Box   17 Folder   2	Eau Claire Theater and Concert Programs, 1883, 1906-1966
	Education
Box   17 Folder   3	General, 1896-1915
Box   17 Folder   4	Eau Claire High School, 1902-1906
Box   17 Folder   5	Kappa Kappa Gamma, 1925, undated
Box   17 Folder   6	“Lumbering in Wisconsin” [note cards], undated
	Scrapbook of College Years, 1906-1913
Box   28	Cover and Pages 1-18
Box   29	Pages 19-64
Box   30	Pages 65-100
Box   31	Pages 101-128
Box   17 Folder   7	Vassar College, 1906-1932, 1973
	European Travels
Box   17 Folder   8-11	European Trips, 1924-1969
Box   18 Folder   1	European Trip Ephemera, 1928, 1957-1966
Box   18 Folder   2	Steamer Stickers, undated
	Financial Materials
Box   18 Folder   3	Financial Journal, 1925-1926
Box   18 Folder   4	Investments, 1940-1964, 1973
	Inspiration and Advice
Box   18 Folder   5-6	Poems, Quotations, and Essays, 1903-1972, undated
Box   18 Folder   7	Scrapbook of Verse and Quotations, undated
Box   18 Folder   8	Miscellaneous, 1909-1943, undated
Box   18 Folder   9	News clippings, 1905-1923, undated
Box   18 Folder   10	Presentations, undated
	Recipes
Box   19 Folder   1-2	Recipe Book, undated
Box   19 Folder   3	Recipe Notebook, undated
Box   19 Folder   4	Recipes, undated
	Teaching Career
Box   19 Folder   5	General, 1921-1933
Box   19 Folder   6	Ashland High School, 1912-1915
Box   19 Folder   7	Miss Beard's School, 1917-1934
	World War I
Box   19 Folder   8-11	Y.M.C.A. Overseas Service, 1917-1922
Box   20 Folder   1-2	Y.M.C.A. Overseas Service, 1918-1921
Box   20 Folder   3	Ephemera, 1918-1919
Box   20 Folder   4	Flanders Field Poppy, ca. 1918
	Series: Edwin Larkin	⇧
	Correspondence
Box   20 Folder   5	Letters from Edwin, 1972
Box   20 Folder   6-8	Letters to Edwin, 1950-1963
	Financial Materials
Box   20 Folder   9	Check Register, 1962-1970
Box   21 Folder   1	Check Register Account Index, undated
Box   21 Folder   2-7	Check Register Accounts, 1964-1972
Box   22 Folder   1	Deposits, 1958-1968
Box   22 Folder   2	Edwin Larkin Trust Account, 1961-1966
Box   22 Folder   3-5	Law Client Accounts, 1961-1967
Box   22 Folder   6	Law Office Trust Account, 1961-1970
Box   22 Folder   7	Receipts Account, 1958-1971
	First National Bank of Mondovi
	Report of Directors' Meeting
Box   22 Folder   8-9	1960-1961
Box   23 Folder   1-8	1962-1968
Box   24 Folder   1-7	1969-1972
Box   24 Folder   8	Miscellaneous, 1944, 1967, undated
Box   24 Folder   9	World War II Service, 1945
	Series: Family Members	⇧
	Anna McCarthy Sullivan [mother]
Box   24 Folder   10	General, 1883-1920
	Correspondence
Box   24 Folder   11	Letters from Anna, 1906, undated
Box   24 Folder   12	Letters to Anna, 1895-1922
	Florance D. Sullivan [father]
Box   24 Folder   13	General, 1906, 1912
	Correspondence
Box   24 Folder   14	Letters from F.D., 1905-1913
Box   25 Folder   1	Letters to F.D., 1904, 1918-1919
	Arthur G. Sullivan [brother]
Box   25 Folder   2	General, 1896-1914
	Correspondence
Box   25 Folder   3-6	Letters from Arthur, 1893-1922
Box   25 Folder   7	Letters to Arthur, 1886-1914
	Eugene Sullivan [brother]
Box   25 Folder   8	General, 1901-1923
	Correspondence
Box   25 Folder   9	Letters from Eugene, 1903-1921
Box   25 Folder   10	Letters to Eugene, 1905-1928
	Mary Robertson [“Auntie”]
Box   25 Folder   11	General, 1902-1926
	Correspondence
Box   25 Folder   12	Letters from Mary, 1908-1914
Box   26 Folder   1-3	Letters to Mary
	Financial Materials
Box   26 Folder   4-5	Clothing and Dry Goods Receipts and Invoices, 1905-1911
Box   26 Folder   6-7	Grocery and Dry Good Receipts and Invoices, 1905-1911
Box   26 Folder   8	Receipts of Miscellaneous Goods and Service, 1905-1911
	George W. Robertson [“Unk”]
Box   26 Folder   9	General, 1908, 1910, 1924
Box   26 Folder   10	Letters to George, 1908-1916