Summary Information
Martha Dickens Forbes Papers
1899-1909
- Forbes, Martha Dickens, 1845-1920
Green Bay Micro 29; Micro 842
1 reel of microfilm (35mm)
UW-Green Bay Cofrin Library / Green Bay Area Research Ctr. (Map)Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers of a Wisconsin school teacher and asylum matron consisting of journals documenting four separate western train trips, a genealogical chart, and a list of family members significant in Wisconsin history. The journals describe this early twentieth century woman's impressions of the scenery, specific locations, people seen, and the activities of her husband and herself.
English
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Biography/History
Martha Dickens Forbes, school teacher and asylum matron, was born in Clinton, Wisconsin (near Delavan), on April 29, 1845 to Mary M. (Codnor) and Lyman S. Dickens. She was the second of eight children. The Dickens family moved to Kilbourn, Wisconsin, where Martha grew up and was educated at the Delton Academy. She then taught school in Wonewoc and Union Center. In 1868 Martha married Ambrozius Forbes, a millwright, but she continued to teach except for a short period of time following the birth of their daughter, Mildred Dorn. The family moved to Reedsburg when Mildred reached high school age, and Ambrozius became the Superintendent and Martha the Matron of the Sauk County Poor Farm, which opened on January 1, 1887. In December 1891, the family moved to Menomonie to take charge of the newly opened Dunn County Asylum. After retiring the Forbes continued to live in Menomonie, and from 1898 to 1908, the traveled by train each year. Martha Dickens Forbes died in Menomonie on May 12, 1920.
Scope and Content Note
The papers include journals, a genealogical chart, and a list of important family members. The journals document the four western train trips taken by Mr. and Mrs. Forbes. Although during two of their four trips, the Forbes traveled in Canada and Mexico, the majority of their traveling time was in the western states. In each instance, a different train route was taken, but every time they spent most of their time in Washington, Oregon, and California. One trip went through southern Canada; one went through the northern tier of western states; one went south to Mississippi before going west through the southern states to California; and the fourth one went through the central western states to California. The journals describe Martha's impressions of the scenery, specific locations, the people she saw, and specific activities of her husband and of herself. The genealogical chart is of the ancestors of Roberta Dix, the donor and great-granddaughter of Martha Dickens Forbes. Also included is a list of family members who have been important in Wisconsin history.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Originals loaned for microfilming by Roberta Dix, Green Bay, Wisconsin, August 1980. Accession Number: M80-344
Processed by Gragor Trinkaus-Randall, October 1980.
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