Frances M. Fox Papers, 1827-2008, and undated

Summary

Creator:

Fox, Frances Margaret,--1870-.

Abstract:

The collection consists of family photographs, correspondence, drafts of her children's stories, correspondence, and accounts.

Extent:

27.5 cubic feet (in 57 boxes)

Language:

English

Authors:

Collection processed and finding aid created by A. Plude, Marian Matyn

Background

Scope and Content:

The collection documents the life, research, and writing career of Frances Margaret “Madge” Fox. The collection only lacks copies of her outgoing correspondence to friends and business colleagues.

Physically, the collection is in very good condition. Items that were very fragile or acidic have been photocopied and the originals removed from the collection. Except for Box 53 which has legal-size materials in it, the collection consists of letter-sized or smaller materials.

The collection is divided into the following series: Biographical Materials, 1886-2008 (Scattered) and undated, 1 box (.5 cubic feet). This includes originals and photocopies of census records, newspaper articles and magazine clippings, library cards, and printouts of e-photographs, documenting Madge’s life, literary career, death, education, research, and homes. Art by Walt Harris, the illustrator of Little Bear is also found here.

Photographs, 1877-1953 (Scattered), and undated, 3 boxes (1.5 cubic feet), consists of one folder of negatives, the rest all being various pre-1960 forms of photographs including a stereographic view, tintypes, cartes-de-visites, and snapshots, all black and white, in various shapes and sizes. Many of the images are unidentified and undated. Identified photographs are filed alphabetically by the name of the person, and by topics and date when possible. There are photographs of Marge, her family and friends, animals, birds, and various research topics.

Business Correspondence, 1899-1953, 1955, and 1958, and undated, 6 boxes (3 cubic feet). Most of the Business Correspondence consists of communications from editors, thank you notes, rejection letters, commentary and suggestions, as well as royalty checks. This is filed chronologically. Of particular note in this series are decorative notes with art from Walt Harris, who sketched a bear and porridge on his note of October 2, 1923. He was the artist of Little Bear. Additional art by Harris is in the Biographical Materials box.

The vast majority of Personal Correspondence is letters and postcards from her friends and relatives to her. Correspondence with her closest relatives and friends, 1912-1952, and undated, composes 3 boxes (1.5 cubic feet). It is filed alphabetically by surname. These are the people with whom she corresponded often and regularly. Here are letters from her Aunt Annie, distant relatives of her father’s, and many friends from Washington, D.C. and Mackinaw, as well as the Joslyns. There are a number of letters from associates in the publishing business, notably Madge’s friend Mrs. Jessica Mannon of Bobbs-Merril Company’s Editorial Board. These letters discuss health issues, their shared history, family news, her publications, travel plans, and research ideas, as well as the last and next time Madge and the letter writer met or will meet, and friends and relatives common to both. There is also one folder of correspondence from Madge Fox to various people, 1883-1952, and one folder about damage and repairs to her home, 1926.

More generic letters from a wider span of friends, fans, and children with whom Madge corresponded more rarely, or perhaps once or twice, compose the remaining personal correspondence. Some of these letters are as simple as Dear Miss Fox, I love your books. When possible, correspondence is filed alphabetically by surname, 1920-1950s. There are also folders for people who signed only with their first names or initials that could not be matched to or with any of the other correspondence. This section of the correspondence totals 2 boxes (1 cubic foot).

Research Notes, 1901-1943 and undated, 1 box (.5 cubic feet). This includes a bibliography, reference and photographic material organized alphabetically by topics.

Stories, include the actual story, drafts, they may by typed, handwritten, or published, and may include related materials such as notes, drawings, photographs, letters of rejection from an editor, an index to a book, or a cover page. The stories, which cover a plethora of topics in each subseries, are arranged alphabetically by title. Sometimes the title varies on different items in the folder. If so, square brackets are used on the folder heading. In one case, there is no title, so I created a title based on the topic and put it in square brackets. Many of the stories are based on factual documentation. The stories, particularly the drafts, show the development of her stories and are the core of the collection.

The Stories are subdivided into the following subseries: Handwritten Stories, 1921-1943, and undated, 5 boxes (2.5 cubic feet); Published Stories, 1899-1952, and undated, 2 boxes (1 cubic foot), includes advertisements, lists of her published stories, and the stories themselves. Typed Stories, which are subdivided into the following subjects:

Activities, Greeting Card Suggestions, Plays, and Poems, also includes models for paper dolls and other easily made toys and games for small children, 1934, 1944 (Scattered), and undated, 1 box (.5 cubic feet). Madge wrote ideas for babies and small children’s games, activities, paper dolls, as well as various plays for children to act in, poems for children, and a few ideas for greeting cards.

Animal Stories, includes animals, insects, and Uncle Sam’s Birds book, 1917-1948, and undated, 6 boxes (3 cubic feet), includes a list of all the stories, and then the stories. There are many stories regarding a wide array of animals, notably bears, birds, U.S. Army mules, cats, and dogs, including Owney, the well traveled U.S. mail dog, and Balto who delivered diphtheria serum to Nome, Alaska, during an epidemic of the disease, among others.

Buildings, Countries, Events, and Places Stories, 1912-1947, and undated, 3 boxes (1.5 cubic feet). The United States, England, Bermuda, and other countries are documented here.

Famous People Stories, 1923-1952, and undated, 3 boxes (1.5 cubic feet) includes stories of royalty, politicians, inventors, explorers, soldiers, American heroes, but not Indians nor saints.

Indian Tales, Famous Indians, and Captivity Stories, 1928-1950, and undated, 2 boxes (1 cubic foot) documents famous leaders, incidents, tales, and captivity stories.

Michigan Stories, 1914-1945, and undated, 1 box (.5 cubic foot), includes stories of important and common Michigan people and events, based mainly in and around Mackinaw City. Here are a number of stories and experiences of some of Madge’s Michigan friends.

Miscellaneous Stories, 1910-1952, and undated, 6 boxes (3 cubic feet) covers a plethora of topics, including American and foreign, current and historic trees, plants, statues, art, inventions such as sewing machines and fly paper, and common everyday items such as bells and beads.

Religious, Holidays, Saints, Christmas Stories, 1917-1946, and undated, 2 boxes (1 cubic foot) includes information on a variety of Catholic saints, many Quakers, history of many holidays and holy days, and many religious themes, as well as Christmas stories.

Volumes, 4 boxes (2 cubic feet) include: Accounts, 1901-1947 (27 v.); Address books, 1919, 1931, 1940 (3 v.), Diaries, 1917-1952 (14 v.), Quotations, 1898, 1943 (1 v.), and Story Notes, 1915-1949, and undated (34 v.). Her Accounts note which stories Madge sent to publishers, which were published, and what she was paid for them. Her Diaries consist of brief, sometimes intermittent notes, mainly about health, travel and social plans and events, and her research and writing work. They vary in detail and completeness. All the volumes vary in size and shape.

Legal-size Materials, 1 box (.5 cubic feet) consists of her Publishing Contracts, 1902-1951, some partial Research Notes on Paw Paw (Mich.), undated; and a Scrapbook, 1897, 1945, made in a Beckman and Mechelson, Inc., Bay City (Mich.) Stock Certificate Book.

Index Cards to Madge’s personal and business correspondence, 4 boxes, 1899-1944, complete the collection. Noted on the index cards is the name of the writer, recipient, date, address, and number of pages. The cards are arranged chronologically. [Note: the cards existed prior to Marian processing the collection. It is unknown if Madge or earlier Clarke staff created the index cards.]

Biographical / Historical:

Biography:

Frances Margaret “Madge” Fox was born in South Framingham, Massachusetts, on June 23, 1870. She was the only child of James and Frances S. M. (Franks) Fox. Mrs. Fox died twelve days after Frances was born. Aunt Annie (Mrs. James P. Doran) cared for Madge immediately after her mother died. Aunt Annie and her family, Anna, Doris, and Frances, remained close to Madge, writing to her throughout their lives.

Madge’s father, James Fox, was a railroad agent who was born in the British East Indies. Shortly after the death of his first wife he married Clara A. Fox (died 1923), with whom he had two daughters, Edna (1873-), whom Madge later noted was “the beloved one” and a son, Clifton A. (1879-before 1923). A third child, a daughter, was born later. By 1880 James moved his family to Cassopolis, Michigan. At some point between 1880 and 1883 James moved the family to Mackinaw City.

Madge’s father was remembered by her contemporaries as a mean man with a nasty temper. She told her friends that James considered her a curse in his life from the day she was born. He beat Madge so badly that she once spat up blood. James and his second wife abused Madge by making her sleep in a burlap bag hammock in the woodshed with the door closed in the winter. Her friends were amazed she did not freeze to death. Because of the abuse she suffered at her father’s hands Frances was afraid of men and never married. It is a testament to her nature and strength that she loved everyone, especially children, and was loved by everyone but her parents. Her faith undoubtedly helped her overcome the abuse she had suffered as a child. Madge was a devout Christian, although her particular faith is not documented within the collection.

Fortunately for Madge, her family gave her to the neighbors, the Joslyns. She loved and was loved in her new home. The eldest child, Lee, was the son of Willis B. and Amy Joslyn, who were originally from New York. The federal census for Michigan in 1880 notes that Willis and Amy lived in Dyden, Lapeer, Michigan with their children Lee, age 15, Ann A.[lice], age 13, and Mary Anna, age 11. A third daughter, Laura, was born after 1880. Eventually, Laura Joslyn married J. Robertson and Mary Anna married Bill Gordon (died 1948).

Lee (1865-?) married Alice (1867-July 13, 1948). Together Lee and Alice had two boys, Lee E. Joslyn, Jr. (1895-) and Alan W. Joslyn (1900-). Madge was close to the whole family, but particularly to “Dear Alan.” The federal census for Michigan in 1900 lists Lee, age 35, married to Alice L., age 33, with children: Lee E., age 5, Alan W., age 6 months, and Matilda Johnson, age 22 (staff), and friend Madge Fox, age 29, living in west Bay City, Ward 6. The Joslyns were lawyers. Madge consulted them for advice. Later, the Joslyns moved to Detroit and by July 1, 1929 their firm of Joslyn, Joslyn, and Joslyn was in the Penobscot Building. Lee married Constance, with whom he had three children: Joan, Thomas, and Robert, and Alan married Dorothy. The Joslyns and Madge remained very close their entire lives. After Lee died, Alan became Madge’s legal advisor.

In 1883, property was purchased, and Madge, with the other students, attended school in the first building built for that specific purpose in Mackinaw City. Prior to that, classes were taught in various buildings by whoever was available. After completing primary school in Mackinaw City, Madge attended the Michigan Seminary in Kalamazoo. When she returned to Mackinaw City she began teaching younger children in a “kindergarten,” thus she became the city’s first primary teacher. Besides teaching in Mackinaw City, Madge also taught in other locales, including Levering, and worked as a secretary in Bay City. At that time, about 1900, she again lived with the Joslyn family.

Madge’s writing career developed while she was still teaching. In a note found with an obituary for then well known adventure author William Thomson (1824-1898) in her scrapbook, Madge wrote on September 6, 1945, “This Mr. Thomson is the gentleman who commanded me to write stories-a music teacher said he heard me telling children. One day Mr. Thomson stopped me on the Third Street Bridge in Bay City introduced himself and I never have forgotten one thing he said to me. ‘I am astounded that you have kept your talent hidden so long.’- I thank him.”

Perhaps at or about the same time as her encounter with the encouraging Mr. Thomas, Madge formed a Sunshine Club for children where she read her stories to them. Afterwards they would eat fudge or popcorn and play children’s games. Most of the children in the group were girls. After the stories passed muster with the children, Madge began selling them to both religious and secular children’s magazines.

Madge’s stories varied greatly in both scope and content. After she wrote a number of articles on a related topic she often combined them together into a book. Some of her stories and articles were published in Michigan newspapers and national magazines for adults. Her stories were often about boys, girls, animals, plants, birds, historic figures, and Michigan places and people, many were based in or around Mackinaw. A number of them were based on the experiences of Alan, Laura, and Mary Anna Joslyn. These stories include: Alan’s Great Surprise, How Laura and Mary Anna Played Picnic, How Mary Anna Made a birthday Gift [after 1920], Mary Anna Wore Wooden Shoes to School, Mary Anna’s Windbells [Japanese Windbells or windchimes], Three Games for Laura’s Party, Valentines That Lee and Alan Made, and When Alan was Lost.

Among the books she wrote which used the Straits area as a setting were Nanette, Nancy Davenport, Betty of Old Mackinaw, and the Magic Canoe, while Little Mossback Amelia, published posthumously, was about a pioneer family in the Petoskey area. There are at least thirty stories in the collection based on Michigan animals, people, including Indians and Indian tales, and events. Many of her bird and animal stories were also based in Michigan.

Many of her stories were based on fact, such as the well traveled mail dog, Owney, or Balto, the dog that helped prevent the spread of diphtheria by bringing serum to Nome, Alaska, U.S. army mules, inventors, buildings, the invention of flypaper, and various events. Some of her children’s stories are quite saccharine to our tastes and moralistic. Of course, many of the Sunday School and religious newspapers of the day loved and desired these types of stories. Some of her phrases, while appropriate in her time, are not considered politically correct today, such as “wild Indian.” Also, historical perspective with time has changed some views about some of the topics about which Madge wrote. It must be noted that she wrote compelling stories about the suffering of slaves and efforts of a few slaves and many abolitionists to free slaves. Overall her excellent research and compassionate, humorous writing make her stories quite interesting, informative, and mostly accurate even today.

Madge’s stories were often published in the Sunday School Times, The Christian Register, Youth’s Companion, American Childhood, The Woman’s Home Companion, The Continent, and Little Folks, as well as the Elson-Gray school primers. Other magazines in which she regularly published include: American Junior Red Cross, Girls’ Companion, Boys’ Weekly, the Beacon, Presbyterian Banner, Christian Observer, Junior World, Child’s Hour, Our Little Ones, the Companion for the Family-the Children’s Page, and Dew Drop. Most of these magazines were published under the auspices of the Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist-Episcopal churches.

Her big seller with children was the Little Bear stories, which started out as short stories in children’s magazines and came to be published as separate books. They were so successful that they were sold as a series in dime stores, the mark of popular children’s books from the 19-teens through the 1960s. Among these were The Doings of Little Bear, 1915; Adventures of Sonny Bear, 1916, Adventures of Blackberry Bear, 1918, Little Bear at Work and Play, 1919, Little Bear and His Friends, 1921, Little Bear’s Laughing Time, 1924, Little Bear’s Adventure, 1924, Litter Bear’s Ups and Downs, 1925, Little Bear’s Ups and Downs, 1925, Little Bear Stories, 1925, Little Bear’s Ins and Outs, 1928, and Little Bear’s Book, 1939.

Rand McNally and Company published all her Little Bear books, but Madge was published by a variety of publishers for her children’s stories, including Lathrop, Lee and Shephard Company, A. Flanagan, P.F. Volland, The Century Company, Sheed and Ward, W. A. Wilde Company, Moffat Yard and Company, E. P. Dutton and Co., Inc., Viking Press, L.C. Page and Company. Additionally, Bobbs-Merrill Co. published Flowers and Their Travels, and Little Mossback Amelia was published posthumously by the Little Traverse Regional Historical Society in 1967.

Many of her nonfiction books, about birds, how flowers migrated to the U. S., and buildings and monuments of Washington, D.C., were considered well written, interesting, and very well researched, and were widely read by adults. Her stories were mainly and regularly published between 1900 and 1939, although she published both before and after those dates. Many of her books were dedicated to her friends, particularly children.

Because her Mackinaw City home was not winterized, and in order to conduct research for her stories, Madge spent the winters in a warmer place than Mackinaw City. Usually, Madge spent the winter in Washington, D.C. researching primary sources at the Library of Congress. At the time, she was one of the privileged few who were allowed to conduct regular research there. She also visited the National Archives, what became the Smithsonian Institute, the National Zoo, and the American patent models, as well as museums, and sculptures in the area. She also met a number of retired politicians, diplomats, and government officials who told her of people and events they had experienced and seen which provided her with leads on many of her stories. In 1932 she spent a winter in Boston and conducted research there as well.

During World War II, the hotels in Washington, D.C. were booked so she spent several winters in the Wenonah Hotel in Bay City.

Every year, Madge brought at least one notebook with her. She copied information and pasted articles, and made notes as to interesting story leads in these books. Nearly all of her notebooks in the collection were received from Alan Joslyn as a Christmas gift, with an inscription, to assist her with her research.

Annually, each spring, Madge returned to Mackinaw City. Initially she built a house at 109 DePeyster Street called “Sunny Day.” Later, she built a home on what is not 512 North Huron Avenue called “Happy Landing.” The latter house still stands (in 2008). Although it has been nicely enhanced by an addition it is still recognizable as Madge’s home.

Madge was also responsible for the historic street names now used in Mackinaw City. When platted in 1857, the streets in Mackinaw were numbered First to Thirteen one way and A to J another. The City Commissioners asked Madge to create a list of names suitable for the city streets that reflected the historic events and people of the region. The following streets were named thus as a result of Madge’s research and knowledge: Etherington, Jamet, Sinclair, DePeyster, Langlade, Henry, DuCharme, Nicolet, Louvigny, Marest, DuJaunay, Aksins, and Perrot.

Later in life, Madge suffered a number of unspecified illnesses and at least one operation. She was ill from late 1919 into 1920. She was ill again in early 1939 and in May 1939 she suffered from grippe. Madge was ill again in the winter of 1946 while a guest at the Wenonah Hotel in Bay City. In April 1949 she was in some sort of accident. Again in 1951 Madge was ill. This was apparently the onset of her physical decline.

By 1955, Madge moved to Detroit and was cared for in the Arnold Home, near surviving members of the Joslyn family. In late 1957 her papers were donated to the Clarke. She died on March 1, 1959. By her request, Madge’s ashes were deposited in the Straits by Alan Joslyn, who also presented the Mackinaw Women’s Club library with a collection of her autographed books. These books and photographs of her are on display in the Mackinaw City Public Library’s history room as of 2008. (This information is from the Biographical Materials in the collection.)

Acquisition Information:

Acc#647-654, 72966, 75941, MS#Ff-8

Arrangement:

Arrangement is by type of material, alphabetical by topic, with legal size materials and shelf list cards at the end of the collection.

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Michigan authors.
Children's books--United States.
Women authors--20th century.
Women authors--United States--Biography.
Children's literature--Publishing--United States--History--20th century.
Children's Plays, American.
Children's Poetry, American.
Indians of North America--Juvenile literature.
Indian captivities.
Michigan--Juvenile literature.
Christmas stories.
Children's stories, American.
Flowers--United States.
Birds--United States.
Paper dolls.
Animals--Juvenile literature.
Bears--Juvenile literature.
Natural History--Juvenile literature.
Botany--Juvenile literature.
Saints--Juvenile literature.
Nature stories, American--Juvenile literature.
Explorers.
Sailors.
Inventors.
Monkeys--Folklore.
Paw Paw (Mich.)
Mackinaw City (Mich.)--History.
Mackinaw City (Mich.)--Buildings, Structures, etc.
Mackinaw City (Mich.)--Societies and clubs.
Mackinaw City (Mich.)--Social life and customs--20th century.
Mackinaw City (Mich.)--Photographs.
Mackinaw City (Mich.)--Biography.

Names:

Fox, Frances Margaret,--1870-