Record Class: Textual
Date: 1926-1992
Creator: Harold Linder
Provenance: Donated to Special Collections Department, Pickler Memorial Library, Truman State University by Harold Linder in November of 2019
Extent: 1 linear foot
Language: English
Repository: Special Collections Department, Pickler Memorial Library, Truman State University
Access: Open
Processed by: Emma Christensen
Processing Information: This collection is in its original order.
Keywords: Adair County; Harold Linder; Kirksville; Linder; Oran H. Linder; Rural Life; Missouri
Abstract: This collection contains diaries dating from 1926 through 1992, which are significant to the history of rural Adair County, Missouri and the Linder family. All pieces in this collection connect to the Linder family. Oran (Hubert) Linder wrote all but one diary that is included, with the other written by O.R. (Bob) Linder.
Historical Sketch: Oran Hubert Linder (1904 – 1998) was born in Adair County, Missouri to a long line of Linders, where he spent his life farming in rural Missouri. Oran’s great-grandfather, Andrew Linder, was the first to relocate the Linders to Adair County, moving from Illinois in 1836. Oran Linder’s father was O. R (Bob) Linder, who also kept diaries. Only one of O.R. Linder’s diaries remains in this collection; Oran Linder wrote all others included. In 1932, Oran married Merle Schillie (1909 – 2006), who was also from a pioneer farming family in rural Adair County. The two raised four sons together: Harold, Gene, Dean, and Oran Jr. Oran recorded his daily farm work and weather in these diaries, and later in life, he recorded his travels and town activities after he was retired from the farm.

Along with farming, Oran was employed at Missouri Farmers Association for 15 years and at a Kirksville lumberyard for 21 years. His diaries include mention of all such jobs. After retirement, Oran and Merle spent time traveling to all 50 states, keeping up with baseball and visiting relatives. The bulk of this part of Oran’s life can be found in the diaries from 1971 – 1992. Any diaries from 1932 through 1970 are not included because they do not exist to Harold Linder’s knowledge. Harold Linder, Oran’s oldest son, is the donor of this collection. Harold Linder is an exploration geologist who currently resides in Arizona. Besides traveling and prospecting, Harold enjoys learning about his family history and reflecting on his cherished time spent growing up in Kirksville, Missouri. Harold Linder transcribed Oran and O.R.’s diaries into publications, which are beneficial to the Linder family and Adair County. These transcription publications can be found in Special Collections, Pickler Memorial Library, Truman State University.

Series 1: Farm Diaries of Oran Hubert Linder

Written at or near the Linder farm in Adair County, Missouri, located in the southwestern corner of the county, roughly nine miles south of Kirksville. Daily entries pertaining to typical farm life in northeastern Missouri: weather, chores, crop yield, livestock; mention of social activities such as trips into Kirksville and visit from friends and relatives. Frequently mentioned persons include O.R. Linder, Nancy Linder, Mildred Linder, Russell Linder, and Merle Schillie, among others. Most diaries include memoranda pages with personal information such as banking notes, important sales, and important dates.  

Transcribed in “Farm Diary: Adair County, Missouri (1926-1931)” by Oran H. Linder (Pickler Memorial Library, Special Collections, CT 275 L46823 A3 2008).

Series 2   Diary and Farm Ledger of O.R. (Bob) Linder

1.7   1 January 1944 – 31 December 1944

Written at or near the O.R. Linder farm in Adair County, Missouri, in an area between Goose Creek and Hog Creek, near the Chariton River. Daily entries record weather, seasons, and farm work, as well as daily chores of household importance and in relation to livestock and crops. Almost no personal or family information is included, but rather detailed information of farm life in Adair County, Missouri during 1944. Persons frequently mentioned include Nancy Linder and Bill Linder. This diary includes a memoranda page at the end detailing egg and chicken sales.

Transcribed in “Farm Ledgers and Diary: Adair County, Missouri (1902-1956)” by O.R. Linder (Pickler Memorial Library, Special Collections, CT 275 L46827 A3 2019).

Series 3   Town and Travel Diaries of Oran Hubert Linder

1.8   8 August 1971 – 15 July 1972

1.9  4 April 1974 – 24 February 1980

1.10  22 March 1981 – 24 October 1983

1.11  25 October 1983 – 31 March 1986

1.12  1 April 1986 – 23 May 1988

1.13  24 May 1988 – 28 January 1991

1.14  7 February 1991 – 21 January 1992

Written at the Linder family home in the southeastern corner of Kirksville, 1705 E. Hamilton Street, as well as wherever Oran and Merle vacationed - often in Tempe, Arizona where Harold Linder resided, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Honolulu, Hawaii. The entries in these diaries are not daily, but rather occur as Oran travels throughout North America. Entries include the typical day-to-day life of a retired couple, travels to relatives and friends, and notes of the weather. Persons frequently mentioned include Merle Linder, Harold Linder, Melvin Linder, Marvin Linder, Oran Linder Jr., among others.

Transcribed in “Town and Travel Diary: Kirksville (Adair County), Missouri (1971-1992)” by Oran H. Linder (Pickler Memorial Library, Special Collections, CT 275 L46825 A3 2017).