Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center

Minnie Louise Failing

LH-20

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Introduction
Biographical Sketch

Scope and Content

Inventory

Addendum

Introduction

Portions of this collection were donated to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center by Janet Immler of Canton, Ohio, in 1990. In 2009, Priscilla Lamb Schwier of Perrysburg, Ohio donated additional materials found in the Addendum.

Biographical Sketch

Minnie Failing, the daughter of Dr. John Wesley and Eliza Justice Failing of Fremont, Ohio, was a prominent leader in local club, civic and philanthropic circles. She organized the Cosmopolitan Club in 1895 and was an active member of the Fremont Federation of Women. Miss Failing was a charter member and served as regent of the Colonel George Croghan Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also associated with the Daughters of the War of 1812 charitable enterprises belonging to the Mary Fitch Circle of King=s Daughters. In addition to these activities, Ms. Failing held affiliations with the Fremont Garden Club and Fremont Campfire Circle. Minnie Louise Failing died in Fremont, Ohio, on November 20, 1937. She bequeathed a portion of her estate to the George Croghan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. With the Failing funds, the organization purchased the Haynes home on Fremont=s Justice Street for their chapter headquarters.

Scope and Content

The collection includes correspondence, diaries, invitations, announcements, programs, and other memorabilia relating to the social and community activities of Miss Failing. It also contains material pertaining to her mother Statira Eliza Justice Failing, father Dr. John Wesley Failing, and aunt, Minerva Justice, who in later life married Homer Everett. The Justice and Everett families were early pioneer settlers of Sandusky County, Ohio, and were instrumental in the county=s growth. Of special interest are letters by Minnie=s mother when she was attending school in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Also, of interest are letters to Minerva Justice from Fremont, Ohio - residents who migrated west to the California gold fields during the 1840s and 1850s. The correspondence of Mrs. Charles (Ann M.) Foster of Fostoria, Ohio, also may be found in the Minerva Justice folders.

Minnie=s diaries contain nearly daily entries detailing the weather, her activities, and Sandusky County events. A small scrapbook contains local newspaper clippings on the Wagner family. Other clippings are available, some of which pertain to the activities of Birchard Public Library in Fremont, Ohio.

Inventory

1 1/4 linear ft.

Ac. 443, 5128

1. M. Failing Correspondence, 1879 -1886

2. M. Failing Correspondence, Jan. – June, 1887

3. M. Failing Correspondence, July. - Dec., 1887

4. M. Failing Correspondence, 1888 - 1890

5. M. Failing Correspondence, 1897 - 1900

6. M. Failing Correspondence, 1901 - 1905

7. M. Failing Correspondence, 1915 - 1919

8. M. Failing Correspondence, 1920 - 1937

9. M. Failing Correspondence, Undated

10. M. Failing Diaries, 1888 - 1900

11. M. Failing Diaries, 1902 - 1908

12. M. Failing Diaries, 1909 - 1933

13. M. Failing Scrapbook - Wills

14. Minerva Justice Correspondence, 1843 - 1868

15. Minerva Justice Correspondence, 1869 - 1902

16. Minerva Justice Correspondence, Undated

17. Minerva Justice - Envelopes

18. J. W. Failing Correspondence, 1854 - 1856, including death notice, May 15, 1882

19. J. W. Failing Correspondence, Undated

20. Eliza Failing Correspondence, 1853 - 1857

21. Eliza Failing Correspondence, 1858 - 1907

22. Eliza Failing Correspondence, Undated

23. Unidentifiable Correspondence

24. Invitations, etc.

25. Calling cards/Valentines

26. Miscellaneous

27. Clippings (loose)

28. Clippings (attached)

29. Wagner Family Scrapbook

Addendum

Ac. 5751

1. Minerva Justice Correspondence, 1851 –1886 (some undated)

2. Minerva Justice School and Church Programs

3. Minerva Justice Invitations, Dance Cards and Social Events

4. Minerva Justice Calling Cards

5. May Naugle Correspondence and Memorabilia

6. Minerva Failing and Unidentified Correspondence; Miscellaneous Material