Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 13/13/52
Bess and Fred E. Ferguson
Papers, 1887-1986, undated

Descriptive summary

creator:	Ferguson, Bess and Fred E. (1898-1953)
title:	Papers
dates:	1887-1986, undated
extent:	5.46 linear feet (13 document boxes)
collection number:	RS 13/13/52
repository:	University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

Administrative information

access:	Open for research
publication rights:	Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation:	Bess and Fred E. Ferguson Papers, R/S 13/13/52, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

Abstract

Elizabeth "Bess" Storm Ferguson, a 1921 graduate of Iowa State, was a homemaker and journalist. Her husband, Fred, who was a 1922 graduate of Iowa State, was Publications Editor (1924-1953) for Iowa State College (University) and the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station. This collection includes the papers of both Bess and Fred Ferguson and contains biographical information, personal and professional correspondence, professional writings, and farm records. Bess's professional works focus mainly on recipes and food, the aging and elderly, and techniques for writing while Fred's writings discuss agricultural issues. Records for the Ferguson Brothers Farm include correspondence, ledgers, and some blueprints.

Biographical note

Elizabeth "Bess" Storm Ferguson was born in Nevada, Iowa, on July 8, 1897. She received her B.S. (1921) in home economics and journalism from Iowa State College (University). As a student at Iowa State, Bess studied journalism, English, sociology, and psychology. She was an active member of several student publications, including the I.S.C. Student and the Iowa Agriculturist, and also founded and was the first editor of the Iowa Homemaker (call no. TX1 Io9), a special interest magazine dedicated to home economics majors.

During her career, Bess achieved a wide variety of accomplishments. She edited journals such as The Journal of Nursery Education and the National Association of Foreign Student Affairs newsletter; she coauthored several books including Charles Atherton Cumming, Iowa's Pioneer Artist-Educator (call no. ND237.C848 F47) and A Century of Home Economics at Iowa State University (call no. TX174.I6 E6x); and she was an Instructor (1969-1971) in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Iowa State. Bess was a regular guest on WOI AM-FM radio during Martha Duncan's "Homemaker's Half-Hour" and also appeared on the WOI-TV program "Sixty-Plus." She was very involved with the Octagon Center for the Arts (Ames, Iowa) and wrote her own book, A Careful Writer (call no. PN147.F47x). She received the first Iowa Woman of Achievement Award from Iowa Press Women, Inc. and was the recipient of the Professional Achievement Award in Home Economics from Iowa State and the Alumni Merit Award (1971) from the ISU Alumni Association.

In addition, Bess was also very interested in growing and cooking with herbs. She was a member of several herb societies including the Herb Society of America and she wrote several pieces dealing with cooking and the use and production of herbs.

Fred E. Ferguson was born in 1898 in Laurens, Iowa. He received his B.S. (1922) in animal husbandry and journalism from Iowa State College (University). Following graduation, Fred worked as Field Secretary (1922-1924) for the Iowa State Dairy Association. Fred joined the staff at Iowa State as Publications Editor (1924-1953) for Iowa State and the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station. He, along with his brothers, also managed the family farm.

Fred and Bess met while working together on the Iowa Agriculturist at Iowa State. They were married in 1923 and had four children. Fred died in 1953 and Bess passed away on May 23, 1997.

Collection description

This collection (1887-1986, undated) contains biographical materials, transcripts and articles, correspondence, and farm records. The bulk of the collection documents the life work of Elizabeth "Bess" Storm Ferguson. These materials include personal and professional correspondence, transcripts, and writings. Much of her writings focus on foods and nutrition, growing and cooking with herbs, and other topics of interest to homemakers. Materials related to Fred include biographical information, some of his agricultural writings, and farm records of the Ferguson Brothers Farm. The farm records consist of extensive correspondence between Fred and his brothers as they manage the family farm through depression, drought, and war. The letters document interactions between Fred, his brothers, bankers, livestock dealers, and grain buyers. The collection also contains family correspondence of both the Storm and Ferguson families.

Related materials

Copies of Bess Ferguson's books are available in the ISU Library Special Collections Department and can be located by using the library search tool: http://www.lib.iastate.edu/ .

The titles and call numbers for some of her major works are listed above in the biographical note.

Organization

The collection is organized into five series:

Series 1, Bess Ferguson Papers, 1916-1984, undated
Series 2, Bess Ferguson Writings and Published Works, 1927-1983, undated
Series 3, Fred Ferguson Papers, 1910-1953, undated
Series 4, Ferguson Brothers' Farm Records, 1887-1951, undated
Series 5, Storm and Ferguson Family Materials, 1897-1983, undated

Description of series

Series 1	Bess Ferguson Papers	1916-1984, undated
extent:	1.68 linear feet (4 document boxes)
description:	This series contains biographical information, awards, correspondence, and photographs of Bess Ferguson. The correspondence includes letters from various people and organizations including publishers, editors, and herb societies. Bess's writings and published works are listed in Series 2.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
1	1	Biographical Information: News Clippings	1921-1986, undated
1	2	Biographical Information: Personal Information, Awards, Resume	1964-1984, undated
1	3	Adel High School Yearbook, Scarlet and Black	1916
1	5	Awards and Honors: Alumni Merit Award	1971
1	6	Awards and Honors: Certificates	1970-1983, undated
13	9	Awards and Honors: Iowa Press Women, Inc.	1973-1979, undated
13	11	Awards and Honors: Iowa Press Women, Inc. and the National Federation of Press Women	1963-1975, undated
13	12	Awards and Honors: Iowa Press Women, Inc., Woman of Achievement Award Materials	1977
1	4	Class of 1921 Reunion Materials	1971-1981
1	8	Correspondence	1944-1950
1	9	Correspondence	1951-1954
1	10	Correspondence	1955-1956
1	11	Correspondence	1957
1	12	Correspondence	1958
1	13	Correspondence	1959
1	14	Correspondence	1960
2	1	Correspondence	1961
2	2	Correspondence	1962
2	3	Correspondence	1963
2	4	Correspondence	1964
2	5	Correspondence	1965
2	6	Correspondence	1966
2	7	Correspondence	1967
2	8	Correspondence	1968-1969
10	6	Correspondence (Personal)	1974-1977
10	16	Correspondence and Writings	1958-1970, undated
10	17	Correspondence Regarding Her Book, A Careful Writer	1976-1980
10	15	Correspondence: A. P. Butts and Others	1963-1977, undated
10	7	Correspondence: Betty Foster "Herb Correspondence"	1944-1960
10	8	Correspondence: Fragrant Herb Farm	1949-1958
10	14	Correspondence: General	1947-1961
10	10	Correspondence: Gerard Society	1956-1957, undated
10	9	Correspondence: Greene Herb Garden	1951-1960, undated
10	11	Correspondence: Herb Society of America	1951-1953
10	12	Correspondence: Herb Talks and Demonstrations	1951-1952, undated
10	13	Correspondence: House of Herb	1950-1954
10	5	Correspondence: Marla Visser	1974-1977
13	3	Iowa Pen Women: Newsletter	1972-1982, undated
13	4	Iowa Pen Women: Pamphlets, Letters, and Notes	1970-1983, undated
13	10	Iowa State University Alumni Awards Packet	1976-1979, undated
1	7	Photographs of Bess, Family, and Home	1946-1954, undated

Description of series

Series 2	Bess Ferguson Writings and Published Works	1921-1985, undated
extent:	2.31 linear feet
description:	This series includes some of Bess's published works and includes typescripts and drafts for newspaper and magazine articles, radio programs, and recipe books. Bess wrote many articles on cooking, providing numerous recipes and ideas for the American homemaker. In addition, she published several guides and workbooks on writing. Bess also made regular appearances on WOI Radio with Martha Duncan on "Homemaker's Half Hour," presented and discussed books for a segment called "Books to Grow On," and explored the challenges of aging on the WOI television program "Sixty Plus."

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
4	2	Articles and Typescripts for Various Publications	1925-1982, undated
2	10	Articles for Britannica Junior: Correspondence and Typescripts	1943-1955, undated
3	1	Articles for Country Gentlemen: Correspondence and Typescripts	1939-1950
3	2	Articles for Farm Journal: Correspondence, Typescripts, and Articles	1944-1947, undated
3	3	Articles for Farm Journal: Correspondence, Typescripts, and Articles	1948-1956
3	4	Articles for Iowa Homemaker	1921-1951
3	5	Articles for Iowa Rural Electric News	1950-1965
3	7	Articles for Successful Farming: Correspondence and Typescripts	1927-1944
3	8	Articles for Successful Farming: Correspondence and Typescripts	1945-1946
3	6	Articles for The Pepper Mill: Typescripts and Articles	1953-1960
3	9	Articles for Town Journal: Correspondence and Typescripts	1955-1956
3	11	Articles for Tractor Farming: "Homemaker Chats" Typescripts	1957-1968
3	10	Articles for Tractor Farming: "Homemaker Chats" Typescripts with Additions and Corrections	1966-1968
4	1	Articles for Wallace Farmer and Iowa Homestead	1943-1974
2	9	Articles: Bess Ferguson's Recipes - Courtesy of Rushing's Super Market	1952-1959
13	1	Octagon Center for the Arts (Ames, Iowa): Newspaper Clippings (some of them written by Bess) and Programs	1977-1978
11	1	Postcards, Herb Garden Memberships, Correspondence, Herb and Cooking Related Material	1948-1984, undated
11	3	Recipe Book with Newspaper Clippings (originally a book for her son, Richard)	1942-1977, undated
11	6	Recipe Booklets	1972, undated
11	4	Recipes, Newspaper Articles, and Magazine Advertisements about Food (1 of 2)	1969-1970, undated
11	5	Recipes, Newspaper Articles, and Magazine Advertisements about Food (2 of 2)	1969-1970, undated
11	7	Recipes, Records, Handwritten Notes, and Newspaper Clippings	1953-1975, undated
11	2	Recipes: Collected or Written by Bess	undated
4	16	Talks: Notes for Lectures and Talks	undated
12	7	Talks: Presentation Notes and Reference Material	1958-1980, undated
12	8	Talks: Presentation Notes and Reference Material	1958-1980, undated
8	6	WOI Radio: "Books to Grow On" - Booklists	1949-1962
8	7	WOI Radio: "Books to Grow On" - Booklists	1955-1965
4	7	WOI Radio: "Books to Grow On" - Booklists	1960-1969
9	3	WOI Radio: "Books to Grow On" - Booklists	1962-1963
9	2	WOI Radio: "Books to Grow On" - Booklists	1964
9	1	WOI Radio: "Books to Grow On" - Booklists	1965
9	4	WOI Radio: "Books to Grow On" - Booklists	1966
4	8	WOI Radio: "Homemaker's Half Hour" Correspondence	1952-1953
4	9	WOI Radio: "Homemaker's Half Hour" Scripts	1940-1953
4	10	WOI Radio: "Homemaker's Program"	1963-1965
4	11	WOI Radio: "Homemaking as a Career" Guidance Program - includes notes, program outline and speakers notes and outline	1938-1940, undated
4	14	WOI Radio: "WOI - Today's Woman" Typescripts	1969
4	15	WOI Radio: "Your Home Hour" Typescripts	1954
4	12	WOI-TV: "Sixty Plus" Typescripts	1965-1973
13	5	WOI-TV: "Sixty Plus" Typescripts	1968-1984, undated
13	6	WOI-TV: "Sixty Plus" Typescripts	1968-1984, undated
4	13	WOI-TV: "Sixty Plus" Typescripts	1974-1983
9	6	Writing and Editing Guides	1973-1974
9	5	Writing Style Guides (Iowa State, Associated Press)	1973-1975
12	5	Writings and Correspondence	1965-1983, undated
13	8	Writings: "Be Your Own Editor" Articles	1976
12	9	Writings: "Careless Writer," "Earmarks," "Unnecessary Words," "Remarks of the Amateur Writer" Drafts, Notes, and Correspondence	1967, undated
9	8	Writings: "Rationale for Teaching Communication" Drafts and Articles	1972-1977 undated
12	6	Writings: "Readers" (drafts)	undated
12	4	Writings: "Your Story, Your Gift" Newspaper Article and Correspondence	1972
4	3	Writings: A Careful Writer	1976
12	1	Writings: A Careful Writer and Writing for Readers: a Guide to Written Communication Correspondence and Drafts	1970-1976, undated
12	3	Writings: A Careful Writer (drafts)	undated
13	2	Writings: Articles on Writing, Poems	1974-1984
13	7	Writings: Charles Atherton Cumming (draft)	undated
12	2	Writings: Charles Atherton Cumming Drafts and Correspondence	1972-1982
4	4	Writings: Thirty Lessons in Editing for a Reader Workbook	1980
4	6	Writings: Thirty Lessons in Word Usage for Writing Workbook	1980
4	5	Writings: Thirty Lessons in Writing for a Reader Workbook	1980

Description of series

Series 3	Fred E. Ferguson Papers	1910-1953, undated
extent:	0.42 linear feet (1 document box)
description:	This series contains biographical information, correspondence, and published and unpublished writings of Fred E. Ferguson. Biographical information on Fred Ferguson is also listed in this series.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
5	1	Biographical Information	1917-1943, undated
5	3	Botanical Specimen Book	1912
5	4	Calendar and Diary	1914
5	5	Certificates	1949-1950
5	2	College Coursework: Agricultural Journalism 27	1921
5	6	College Coursework: Exams and Papers	undated
5	13	College Writings	undated
5	12	Manuscripts for Speeches and Presentations	1915, undated
5	15	Personal Correspondence	1911-1918, undated
5	16	Personal Correspondence	1920-1943
6	1	Personal Correspondence	1947-1953
5	8	Photographs: Fred, Family, and Livestock (Sheep)	1925, undated
5	10	Professional Correspondence and Articles	1946-1953
5	7	Programs for School Activities and Professional Events	1912-1915, undated
5	11	Published Articles by Fred	1928-1934
5	14	Published Articles: People's Popular Monthly Articles	1925-1931
5	9	Report Cards	1910-1922

Description of series

Series 4	Ferguson Brothers' Farm Records	1887-1951, undated
extent:	0.84 linear feet (2 boxes)
description:	This series contains material relating to the Ferguson brothers' farm. The records consist of extensive correspondence between Fred and his brothers as they manage the family farm through depression, drought, and war. The letters document interactions between Fred, his brothers, bankers, livestock dealers, and grain buyers.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
7	3	Blueprint of Shelterbelt Planting	undated
7	4	Check Stubs and Passbook	1933-1944
6	2	Correspondence	1925-1937, undated
6	3	Correspondence	1938-1939
6	4	Correspondence	1940
6	5	Correspondence	1941
7	1	Correspondence	1942-1943
7	2	Correspondence	1944-1948
7	9	Correspondence: Cattle Registration	1947-1950
7	10	Correspondence: Poultry Business	1945-1948
7	11	Correspondence: Poultry Business	1949-1951
7	5	Ledger	1933
7	6	Mortgage Materials	1919-1925
7	7	Tax Receipts	1887-1945
7	8	Tenant Records	1927-1932

Description of series

Series 5	Storm and Ferguson Family Materials	1897-1983, undated
extent:	0.21 linear feet (5 folders)
description:	This series contains family correspondence between members of the Storm and Ferguson families.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
8	1	Storm Family Correspondence	1897-1913
8	2	Ferguson Family Correspondence	1923-1948
8	3	Ferguson Family Correspondence	1938-1939
8	4	Ferguson Family Correspondence	1955-1967
8	5	Ferguson Family Correspondence	1975-1983