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LeGrand Spencer papers

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_COLL MSS 576

Content Description

These materials are mainly personal letters between LeGrand and members of his family (wife, parents, and siblings) throughout his time as an LDS missionary in Switzerland and Germany, a medical school student, and later, in the US Navy. These materials document what missionary and military life was like in the 1930’s and 1940’s.

This collection contains Spencer Family letters sent between Germany and Logan 1929-1932, between St. Louis and Logan 1938-1944, and sent between the ship USS Laurens and Logan 1944-1946, as well as accompanying photograph albums. Additional materials relate to Spencer's medical practice and the Logana Plunge, among other topics. Photos consist of commercial postcards and images of Germany, London, and New York, as well images of LDS missionaries in Germany, and images Spencer took in Europe. Also includes images of the Graf Zeppelin airships, and nitrate negatives.

Dates

  • 1929-1958

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Access

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the LeGrand Spencer papers must be obtained from the Manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Biographical / Historical

LeGrand Dee Spencer was born February 24, 1910, to Charles Robert Spencer and Isabelle [Kennedy] Spencer in Logan, Cache Valley, Utah and was their fifth of eight children. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints and went on to serve an LDS mission, serving in the Swiss-German, Switzerland mission from 1929 to 1932. LeGrand married Faye Preston of Weston, Preston County, Idaho in Logan, Utah in 1936. Before being drafted into the military, LeGrand attended the St. Louis University in Missouri. He then went on to serve as a Naval doctor, mainly on the USS Laurens, in the South Pacific in World War II between 1944 and 1946.

Extent

3.5 Linear Feet (7 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

German

Abstract

Correspondence between LeGrand Spencer and his family between 1929 and 1946.

Arrangement

These materials grouped chronologically, with oversized items stored together. They retain the basic order in which they arrived.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Sandra Spencer Cannon donated this collection to USU Special Collections and Archives in 2023.

Title
Guide to the LeGrand D. Spencer papers
Author
Finding aid written by Leigh Casler and Clint Pumphrey
Date
2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)