1928 Chatty Coming-of-Age Diary of a Boy Crazy 14-Year-Old Who Will Become a Beloved Teacher in Marion, Ohio

On offer is the chatty, energetic diary of a boy crazy Ohio high school freshman and sophomore in 1928. This is the diary of Jean Witt (1914-2014), a teenage girl living in Cleveland who moves to Marion, Ohio part way through 1928. She attended Bowling Green State University and trained as a teacher. She was a member of the American Red Cross, stationed at McGuire General Hospital in Richmond, VA during World War 2. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Marion, OH for 37 years. Jean married late in life for the time, becoming the wife of Keith Edward Maloney (1913-1985)  in 1953, when both were 39 years old. They had two children, Sally and Sharon. 

Beginning in sophomore year, Jean attended Marion Harding High School, class of 1931. This means she was in her freshman year and sophomore year when she kept this diary from January through December of 1928. Jean does not use this diary in a linear manner. Rather, she jots down her thoughts and goings-on whenever she remembers, often jumping back and forth in time. As would be expected from a 14-15 year old of any time period, Jean’s primary interest and focus is boys!

“Well something exciting did happen. The mail man brought my first love letter but from the wrong person (see Note)”...’ Note [found at end of diary]: He brought it from Charles Holk. Can you imagine that he’s all right but comes from a trashy family and is not my pick at all…” [Jan 14].

“Eddie didn’t come out that Friday nite he had a date with another girl to take her to the Junior Plays. I mustn’t fuss because he has a perfect right to since I don’t claim to be going steady with him. Mother I don’t think would let me if he would have me” [July 17]. 

“Bub and Squire asked to take Bibs and I home and we consented but i was sorry afterward because he wanted to pet and mother has always tried to tell me that it wasn’t an honorable thing for a girl to do so I followed her advice and I’m very glad I did. Bibs I believe was thrilled but I must say I was not. I was very angry at him of course it was all over…” [dated Aug 23, but written in the March section]

“...Dad got a job and we are living in Marion, Ohio. It is a very nice little town and I like it for more reasons than one. I go to Harding Hi and I like it lots. I had my first date about four weeks ago and I had it with Edgar Hastings. He is an awful nice boy. He took me to lecture course and then we went out to a little inn called Rest-a-Bit and had pork sandwiches and cider. He then brought me home. Oh! It was just swell but that wasn’t the end. He has been out several times since…” [dated Nov 30 but written in the March section]. 

This diary is a goldmine of insight into the mind of a young teenager embarking on her high school journey and undergoing large life changes with a move to a new community and school at a vulnerable moment. It exemplifies the timeless teenage experience with its focus on interpersonal relationships. Finally, this diary would be valuable to a collector or program interested in pre-war Ohio. 

This slim diary measures 4.5x3.5 inches and contains 60 pages. It is about 40% complete. The padded gold covers are in very good condition as are the spine and binding. The pages are in good condition as well and the handwriting is legible.