1912 Manuscript Diary of University of Nebraska Sorority Girl from a Prominent, Entrepreneurial Nehawka Family

On offer is the excellent 1912 diary of Isadore Sheldon Tucker (1894-1959) of Nehawka, Nebraska. Isadore was the only child of Emma Banning and businessman Frank Pollard Sheldon. She was the niece of Republican Nebraska Governor George L. Sheldon, who governed from 1907-1909. Isadore was 18 when she kept this diary. See BIO NOTES on Isadore Sheldon Tucker at the end of the listing. 

This diary follows Isadore through the second half of her senior high school year at St. Mary’s School near Knoxville, Illinois, and the first half of her freshman year at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Her diary provides a remarkable look behind the curtain during the most tender and vulnerable late teen years of a socially and academically successful young woman. 

Some excerpts follow and give a flavour of Isadore’s diary. She lives on campus at St. Mary’s and travels home by train when time allows:

“I started to school today. Marietta King and Alice Farley got on the train at Omaha also. Mildred Adams was on there. We had a circus all the way. Met a lot of other girls in Galesburg” [Jan 3, 1912].

“A missionary here. Gave the Sermon this morning. I took Adel Forbes, Grey De La Mater, Helen Sombait and Polly Lloyd to Idle Den tonight. I was Baptized this afternoon. Alice Farley and Etith Russel were also Baptized…” [Feb 11, 1912]. 

“The Prom. I went with Mr. Dan Wheeler. Liked him real well. Had a fine programme. The Hall was awfully pretty. Decorated with Smilax and Wisteria. Used lattice work on windows and around piano. Dan Wheeler is a Beta at Knox. Esther went to the reception but not to the prom. Ida Stevens was sick and they stayed together. I had a wonderful time”  [Feb 17, 1912]. 

“We had our party up in Marg and Mary’s room. I stayed with Dot most of the night last night. It stormed hard. This A.M. she was all broken out. They think she has the measles. Took her to the infirmary. I have been writing her notes all day”  [Apr 26, 1912].

Isadore spends the summer at home in Nehawka. On September 23, she starts classes at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Her entries give the reader remarkable insight into the freshman experience, particularly when she starts rushing sororities. It’s interesting to note that her regular trips home on the weekend wane as her social and academic lives flourish on campus. 

“...I had botany today also Latin. I lost a very valuable Note Book and had to write my Rhetoric theme over. Have it written now and am going to copy it now. I we]ant to go home if I can tomorrow. Ruth and Mrs. Coe and myself went to the Lyric this evening. Program was real good” [Oct 4, 1912]. 

“Today I went to an Alpha Phi breakfast, Delta Gamma luncheon, Alpha O Cotillion and a Theta dinner…Galaideth wanted me to go to the Ag. Dance but I went to bed. The Alpha Phis had a Japanese Wedding” [Nov 23, 1912]. 

“They have decided that there shall be no more calling and today I got written invitations to Tri Delt, Kappa and Theta. Could accept all” [Dec 3, 1912].

This diary clearly depicts this young woman at the beginning of what would be a successful career in her community. It also paints an unexpected picture of a confident, headstrong and bright young woman who does not conform to expected social norms of the time.

BIO NOTES ON ISADORE SHELDON TUCKER: Isadore Sheldon Tucker (1894-1959) was the direct descendant of a number of prominent American Revolutionaries, such as Nathan Conant (1743-1820), a minute man at the Lexington Alarm and served as lieutenant under Colonel Jonathan Reed. Isadore attended the University of Nebraska (Bachelor of Arts, class of 1916) and pledged to Kappa Kappa Gamma, Nebraska Sigma Chapter. In 1920, Isadore married Marion Tucker. They did not have any children, though they did have cousins who lived with them for a time, named Wilda and Cecile Mitchell (interestingly, they are listed as Marion’s children in his obituary). Isadore was a pillar of the Nehawka community, sitting on the board of the library, acting as Vice President of the Nehawka Woman’s Club, an executive member of the Nehawka school board (Chairman, Treasurer), and much more. Isadore’s father, Frank Pollard Sheldon, was a pioneer merchant and farmer, who built Sheldon General Store in 1888. Isadore’s husband, Marion, managed the store. Tragically, Sheldon General Store burnt to the ground on July 15, 1959. Isadore would die only eight days later, on July 23, 1959. Whether there was a connection between the fire and Isadore’s death is unknown. 

Measuring 6.0 inches by 3.5 inches, this diary contains 365 pages plus memoranda. The diary is approximately 80% complete, containing about 300 entries in the 365 day diary. The cover is an ox-blood leather. It shows wear at the corners but is otherwise in good condition. The binding and spine are in good condition as are the pages. The handwriting is legible.